The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 14, 2017
Filed:
Oct. 08, 2009
Jim Reed, St. Louis, MO (US);
John Urbanowicz, St. Louis, MO (US);
Chris Neiner, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Tim Dimenna, St. Louis, MO (US);
Keith Oravetz, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Gary Stowers, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Louis Lackey, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Jim Reed, St. Louis, MO (US);
John Urbanowicz, St. Louis, MO (US);
Chris Neiner, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Tim DiMenna, St. Louis, MO (US);
Keith Oravetz, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Gary Stowers, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Louis Lackey, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Metal Container Corporation, Saint Louis, MO (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming a visible symbol or other indicium on a tab portion of a beverage container. The method comprises the steps of advancing a tab stock material through a series of tab-forming stations. The tab portion is at least partially formed from the tab stock at each of the tab-forming stations. The advancement of the tab stock is dwelled or halted while the tab is formed. The tab stock is accelerated from dwell to resume advancement of the tab stock material between the stations. A selected portion of the tab is irradiated with light energy to form the visible indicium. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tab-forming stations, each tab-forming station at least partially forming the tab from a tab stock. A conveyor or track mechanism is configured to advance the tab stock from one tab-forming station to another. An etching apparatus is associated with the conveyor and tab-forming stations to selectively etch the symbol on the tab. A sensor is coupled to the tab stock to sense acceleration of the tab stock from rest during advancement of the tab stock. The sensor is coupled to the etching apparatus to permit the etching apparatus to etch the symbol while the tab stock is accelerated.