The present invention generally relates to containers and container end closures, and more specifically metallic beverage container end closures adapted for interconnection to a beverage can body.
Containers and more specifically metallic beverage containers are typically manufactured by interconnecting a beverage can end closure on a beverage container body. In some applications, an end closure may be interconnected on both a top side and a bottom side of a can body. More frequently, however, a beverage can end closure is interconnected on a top end of a beverage can body which is drawn and ironed from a flat sheet of blank material such as aluminum. Due to the potentially high internal pressures generated by carbonated beverages, both the beverage can body and the beverage can end closure are typically required to sustain internal pressures exceeding 90 psi without catastrophic and permanent deformation. Further, depending on various environmental conditions such as heat, over fill, high CO2 content, and vibration, the internal pressure in a typical beverage can may at times exceed 100 psi.
Thus, beverage can bodies and end closures must be durable to withstand high internal pressures, yet manufactured with extremely thin and durable materials such as aluminum to decrease the overall cost of the manufacturing process and the weight of the finished product. Accordingly, there exists a significant need for a durable beverage container end closure which can withstand the high internal pressures created by carbonated beverages, and the external forces applied during shipping, yet which is made from durable, lightweight and extremely thin metallic materials with geometric configurations which reduce material requirements. Previous attempts have been made to provide beverage container end closures with unique geometric configurations to provide material savings and improve strength, and a commonly used 202 B-64 end closure is shown in
Other inventions known in the art have attempted to improve the strength of container end closures and save material costs by improving the geometry of the countersink region. Examples of these patents are U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,189 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,723 to Nguyen et al, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Another pending application which discloses other improved end closure geometry is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/340,535, which was filed on Jan. 10, 2003 and is further incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
The following disclosure describes an improved container end closure which is adapted for interconnection to a container body and which has an improved countersink, chuck wall geometry, and unit depth which significantly saves material costs, yet can withstand significant internal pressures.
Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a container end closure is provided which can withstand significant internal pressures approaching 100 psi, yet saves between 3% and 10% of the material costs associated with manufacturing a typical beverage can end closure. Although the invention described herein generally applies to beverage containers and beverage end closures used to contain beer, soda and other carbonated beverages, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the invention may also be used for any variety of applications which require the use of a container and interconnected container end closure. In one embodiment of the present invention, these attributes are achieved by providing a chuck wall with a substantially concave “arch”, and a predetermined “transition zone” or strengthening bead which is positioned between the arch and the countersink, and which has a prominent and defined angle and length.
In another aspect of the present invention, a container end closure is provided which is manufactured with conventional manufacturing equipment and thus generally eliminates the need for expensive new equipment required to make the beverage can container end closure. Thus, existing and well known manufacturing equipment and processes can be implemented to quickly and effectively initiate the production of an improved beverage can container end closure in an existing manufacturing facility, i.e., can plant.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an end closure with an arcuate, non-linear shaped chuck wall, and which may include at least two distinct radius of curvatures. In one embodiment, a portion of the lowermost chuck wall is positioned above the upper chuck wall which has a different radius of curvature. As used in the prior art, the term “chuck wall” generally refers to the portion of the end closure located between the countersink and the circular end wall (or peripheral curl or flange that forms the double seam with the can body) and which is contacted by or engaged with the chuck during seaming, as shown in FIG. 7 of the Crown '634 patent. Unlike the prior art, the seaming chuck used in seaming the end closures of the present invention does not necessarily contact or engage with the entire chuck wall during the forming operation. Rather, to avoid scuffing the end closure, a portion of the chuck wall may not be contacted by the chuck drive surface during double seaming of the end closure to the neck of the container body, but rather only a selected portion of the chuck wall is engaged with the chuck during rotation and the double seaming process.
In another aspect of the present invention, a beverage can end closure is provided with a countersink having an inner panel wall with a distinct non-linear, outwardly oriented radius of curvature of between about 0.025 inches and 0.080 inches. As referred to herein, the term “outwardly” refers to a direction oriented generally toward the container neck or sidewalls, while “inwardly” generally refers to a direction away from the container neck or sidewalls. Preferably, the curved portion of the inner panel wall is positioned just below the point of interconnection with the central panel, and has been shown to improve the strength of the end closure.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a beverage can end closure which saves material costs by reducing the size of the blank material and/or utilizing thinner materials which have improved aluminum alloy properties. Thus, the integrity and strength of the beverage can end closure is not compromised, while material costs are significantly reduced as a result of the blank reduction, and/or improved aluminum alloy properties provided therein.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a beverage can container end closure with an upper chuck wall having a first radius of curvature “Rc1” and a lower chuck wall having a second radius of curvature “Rc2”. In another aspect of the present invention, a “transition zone” may be positioned in either the upper chuck wall portion, the lower chuck wall portion, or substantially therebetween. The transition zone is generally a chuck wall portion with a “kink” or distinctive change in a radius of curvature over a very specified and generally very short portion of the chuck wall, and typically with a length no greater than about 0.005 to 0.010 inches, and preferably about 0.008 inches.
Alternatively, the upper and lower chuck wall may be substantially “curvilinear,” and thus have such a moderate degree of curvature that it almost resembles a straight line, i.e., linear. Further, the unit depth between an uppermost portion of a circular end wall and a lowermost portion of the countersink has a dimension in one embodiment of between about 0.215 and 0.280 inches, and more preferably about 0.250-0.260 inches. Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the inner panel wall may additionally have a non-linear radius of curvature, which is preferably about 0.025-0.080 inches, and more preferably about 0.050 inches.
It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to reduce the distance between the inner and outer panel walls of the countersink, and to thus save material costs while additionally improving the strength of the end closure. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention the distance between the inner and outer panel walls is between about 0.045 inches and 0.055 inches, and more preferably about 0.052 inches.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an end closure with a chuck wall with superior strength when compared to a conventional container end closure, and which can withstand significant internal pressure. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention an end closure is provided with a chuck wall having an outwardly projecting concave arch, and which in one embodiment is positioned approximately mid-way between the countersink and the circular end wall prior to double seaming the can end to a container body. Preferably, the chuck wall arch has a radius of curvature between about 0.015 inches and 0.080, and more preferably less than about 0.040 inches, and must be preferably about 0.0180-0.025 inches. In one embodiment, the upper chuck wall and lower chuck wall may be substantially linear, or have only a gradual radius of curvature, and may include one or more transition zones positioned therebetween.
Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a metallic container end closure adapted for interconnection to a container body is provided, and comprises:
a circular end wall adapted for interconnection to a side wall of the container body;
a chuck wall integrally interconnected to said circular end wall and extending downwardly at an angle θ as measured from a vertical plane, said chuck wall further comprising an outwardly extending arch having a radius of curvature of between about 0.015 and 0.080 inches with a center point positioned below said circular end wall;
a countersink interconnected to a lower portion of said chuck wall and having a radius of curvature of less than about 0.020 inches;
a transition zone positioned between a lower portion of said outwardly extending arch and said countersink having a length of at least about 0.0090 inches and an angle distinct from said chuck wall or said countersink.
an inner panel wall interconnected to said countersink and extending upwardly at an angle φ of between about 0 degrees and 15 degrees as measured from a substantially vertical plane; and
a central panel interconnected to an upper end of said inner panel wall and raised above a lowermost portion of said countersink.
FIB. 5B is a detailed view of
Referring now to the drawings,
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
With regard to
Referring now to
The end closures provided herein in the drawings are generally drawn and ironed from a substantial planar piece of metal, commonly aluminum, and formed into the distinct shapes with the geometry shown herein. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the presses and dies used to form these end closures are commonly known in the art and generally provide support on various portions of an outer surface and inner surface of the end closure to create a preferred geometry. In some embodiments a “free forming” method of double seaming may be employed as disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/192,978, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
The geometry and performance data for each of the end closures provided in
For clarity, the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings are provided herein:
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commenced here with the above teachings and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope in the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further extended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments or various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of present invention. It is intended that the dependent claims be construed to include all possible embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/235,827, filed Sep. 26, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/613,988, filed Sep. 27, 2004, the entire disclosures of which being incorporated herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
91754 | Lawernce | Jun 1869 | A |
163747 | Cummings | May 1875 | A |
706296 | Bradley | Aug 1902 | A |
766604 | Dilg | Aug 1904 | A |
801683 | Penfold | Oct 1905 | A |
818438 | Heindorf | Apr 1906 | A |
868916 | Dieckmann | Oct 1907 | A |
1045055 | Mittinger, Jr. | Nov 1912 | A |
2060145 | Vogel | Nov 1936 | A |
2318603 | Erb | May 1943 | A |
D141415 | Wargel et al. | May 1945 | S |
2759628 | Sokoloff | Aug 1956 | A |
2894844 | Shakman | Jul 1959 | A |
3023927 | Ehman | Mar 1962 | A |
3025814 | Currie et al. | Mar 1962 | A |
3105765 | Creegan | Oct 1963 | A |
3176872 | Zundel | Apr 1965 | A |
3208627 | Lipske | Sep 1965 | A |
3251515 | Henchert et al. | May 1966 | A |
3268105 | Geiger | Aug 1966 | A |
D206500 | Nissen et al. | Dec 1966 | S |
3383748 | Galimberti et al. | May 1968 | A |
3397811 | Lipske | Aug 1968 | A |
3417898 | Bozek et al. | Dec 1968 | A |
3480175 | Khoury | Nov 1969 | A |
3525455 | Saunders | Aug 1970 | A |
3564895 | Pfanner et al. | Feb 1971 | A |
3650387 | Hornsby et al. | Mar 1972 | A |
3715054 | Gedde | Feb 1973 | A |
3734338 | Schubert | May 1973 | A |
3744667 | Fraze et al. | Jul 1973 | A |
3745623 | Wentorf, Jr. et al. | Jul 1973 | A |
3757716 | Gedde | Sep 1973 | A |
3762005 | Erkfritz | Oct 1973 | A |
3765352 | Schubert et al. | Oct 1973 | A |
D229396 | Zundel | Nov 1973 | S |
3774801 | Gedde | Nov 1973 | A |
3814279 | Rayzal | Jun 1974 | A |
3836038 | Cudzik | Sep 1974 | A |
3843014 | Cospen et al. | Oct 1974 | A |
3868919 | Schrecker et al. | Mar 1975 | A |
3871314 | Stargell | Mar 1975 | A |
3874553 | Schultz et al. | Apr 1975 | A |
3904069 | Toukmanian | Sep 1975 | A |
3967752 | Cudzik | Jul 1976 | A |
3982657 | Keller et al. | Sep 1976 | A |
3983827 | Meadors | Oct 1976 | A |
4015744 | Brown | Apr 1977 | A |
4024981 | Brown | May 1977 | A |
4030631 | Brown | Jun 1977 | A |
4031837 | Jordan | Jun 1977 | A |
4037550 | Zofko | Jul 1977 | A |
4043168 | Mazurek | Aug 1977 | A |
4056871 | Bator | Nov 1977 | A |
4087193 | Mundy | May 1978 | A |
4093102 | Kraska | Jun 1978 | A |
4109599 | Schultz | Aug 1978 | A |
4116361 | Stargell | Sep 1978 | A |
4126652 | Oohara et al. | Nov 1978 | A |
4127212 | Waterbury | Nov 1978 | A |
4148410 | Brown | Apr 1979 | A |
4150765 | Mazurek | Apr 1979 | A |
4210257 | Radtke | Jul 1980 | A |
4213324 | Kelley et al. | Jul 1980 | A |
4215795 | Elser | Aug 1980 | A |
4217843 | Kraska | Aug 1980 | A |
4271778 | Le Bret | Jun 1981 | A |
4274351 | Boardman | Jun 1981 | A |
4276993 | Hasegawa | Jul 1981 | A |
4286728 | Fraze et al. | Sep 1981 | A |
4341321 | Gombas | Jul 1982 | A |
4365499 | Hirota et al. | Dec 1982 | A |
4387827 | Ruemer, Jr. | Jun 1983 | A |
4402419 | MacPherson | Sep 1983 | A |
4420283 | Post | Dec 1983 | A |
4434641 | Nguyen | Mar 1984 | A |
4435969 | Nichols et al. | Mar 1984 | A |
4448322 | Kraska | May 1984 | A |
4467933 | Wilkinson et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4516420 | Bulso et al. | May 1985 | A |
D279265 | Turner et al. | Jun 1985 | S |
4530631 | Kaminski et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
D281581 | MacEwen | Dec 1985 | S |
4559801 | Smith et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4563887 | Bressan et al. | Jan 1986 | A |
4571978 | Taube et al. | Feb 1986 | A |
4577774 | Nguyen | Mar 1986 | A |
4578007 | Diekhoff | Mar 1986 | A |
4587825 | Bulso et al. | May 1986 | A |
4587826 | Bulso et al. | May 1986 | A |
4606472 | Taube et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
D285661 | Brown Bill | Sep 1986 | S |
4641761 | Smith et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4674649 | Pavely | Jun 1987 | A |
4681238 | Sanchez | Jul 1987 | A |
4685582 | Pulciani et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4685849 | Labarge et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4697972 | Le Bret et al. | Oct 1987 | A |
4704887 | Bachmann et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4713958 | Bulso, Jr. et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4715208 | Bulso, Jr. et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4716755 | Bulso, Jr. et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4722215 | Taube et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4735863 | Bachmann et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4781047 | Bressan et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4790705 | Wilkinson et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
4796772 | Nguyen | Jan 1989 | A |
4804106 | Saunders | Feb 1989 | A |
4808052 | Bulso, Jr. et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4809861 | Wilkinson | Mar 1989 | A |
D300607 | Ball | Apr 1989 | S |
D300608 | Taylor et al. | Apr 1989 | S |
4820100 | Riviere | Apr 1989 | A |
4823973 | Jewitt et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4832223 | Kalenak et al. | May 1989 | A |
4832236 | Greaves | May 1989 | A |
4865506 | Kaminski | Sep 1989 | A |
D304302 | Dalli et al. | Oct 1989 | S |
4885924 | Claydon et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
4890759 | Scanga et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4893725 | Ball et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4895012 | Cook et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4919294 | Kawamoto | Apr 1990 | A |
RE33217 | Nguyen | May 1990 | E |
4930658 | McEldowney | Jun 1990 | A |
4934168 | Osmanski et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4955223 | Stodd et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4967538 | Leftault, Jr. et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
4991735 | Biondich | Feb 1991 | A |
4994009 | McEldowney | Feb 1991 | A |
4995223 | Spatafora et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
5016463 | Johansson et al. | May 1991 | A |
5026960 | Slutz et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5027580 | Hymes et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5042284 | Stodd et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5046637 | Kysh | Sep 1991 | A |
5064087 | Koch | Nov 1991 | A |
5066184 | Taura et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
5069355 | Matuszak | Dec 1991 | A |
5105977 | Taniuchi | Apr 1992 | A |
5129541 | Voigt et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5141367 | Beeghly et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5143504 | Braakman | Sep 1992 | A |
5145086 | Krause | Sep 1992 | A |
5149238 | McEldowney et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5174706 | Taniuchi | Dec 1992 | A |
5222385 | Halasz et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
D337521 | McNulty | Jul 1993 | S |
5245848 | Lee, Jr. et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5289938 | Sanchez | Mar 1994 | A |
D347172 | Heynan et al. | May 1994 | S |
5309749 | Stodd | May 1994 | A |
5320469 | Katou et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5325696 | Jentzsch et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5355709 | Bauder et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5356256 | Turner et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
D352898 | Vacher | Nov 1994 | S |
5381683 | Cowling | Jan 1995 | A |
D356498 | Strawser | Mar 1995 | S |
5465599 | Lee, Jr. | Nov 1995 | A |
5494184 | Noguchi et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5497184 | Noguchi et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5502995 | Stodd | Apr 1996 | A |
5524468 | Jentzsch et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5527143 | Turner et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5540352 | Halasz et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5563107 | Dubensky et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5582319 | Heyes et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5590807 | Forrest et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5598734 | Forrest et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5612264 | Nilsson et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5634366 | Stodd | Jun 1997 | A |
5636761 | Diamond et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5653355 | Tominaga et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5676512 | Diamond et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5685189 | Nguyen et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5697242 | Halasz et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5706686 | Babbitt et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5749488 | Bagwell et al. | May 1998 | A |
5823730 | La Rovere | Oct 1998 | A |
5829623 | Otsuka et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5857374 | Stodd | Jan 1999 | A |
D406236 | Brifcani et al. | Mar 1999 | S |
5911551 | Moran | Jun 1999 | A |
5934127 | Ihly | Aug 1999 | A |
5950858 | Sergeant | Sep 1999 | A |
5957647 | Hinton | Sep 1999 | A |
5969605 | McIntyre et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5971259 | Bacon | Oct 1999 | A |
6024239 | Turner et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6033789 | Saveker et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6055836 | Waterworth et al. | May 2000 | A |
6058753 | Jowitt et al. | May 2000 | A |
6065634 | Brifcani et al. | May 2000 | A |
6089072 | Fields | Jul 2000 | A |
6102243 | Fields et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6126034 | Borden et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6131761 | Cheng et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6234337 | Huber et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6290447 | Siemonsen et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6296139 | Hanafusa et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
D452155 | Stodd | Dec 2001 | S |
6386013 | Werth | May 2002 | B1 |
6408498 | Fields et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6419110 | Stodd | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425493 | Gardiner | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425721 | Zysset | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6428261 | Zysset | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6460723 | Nguyen et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6499622 | Neiner | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6516968 | Stodd | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6526799 | Ferraro et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6561004 | Neiner et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6616393 | Jentzsch | Sep 2003 | B1 |
D480304 | Stodd | Oct 2003 | S |
6634837 | Anderson | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6658911 | McClung | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6702142 | Neiner | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6702538 | Heinicke et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6736283 | Santamaria et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6748789 | Turner et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6761280 | Zonker et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6772900 | Turner et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6837089 | Jentzsch et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6848875 | Brifcani et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6877941 | Brifcani et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6915553 | Turner et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6935826 | Brifcani et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6959577 | Jentzsch | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6968724 | Hubball | Nov 2005 | B2 |
7004345 | Turner et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7100789 | Nguyen et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7125214 | Carrein et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7174762 | Turner et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7263868 | Jentzsch et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7341163 | Stodd | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7350392 | Turner et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7370774 | Watson et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7380684 | Reed et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7500376 | Bathurst et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7506779 | Jentzsch et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7591392 | Watson et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7673768 | Reed et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7819275 | Stodd et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
20010037668 | Fields | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020134788 | Nguyen et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020139805 | Chasteen et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020158071 | Chasteen et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020190071 | Neiner | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030010785 | Stodd | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030042258 | Turner et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030121924 | Stodd | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030173367 | Nguyen et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030177803 | Golding et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030198538 | Brifcani et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040026433 | Brifcani et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040026434 | Brifcani et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040052593 | Anderson | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040065663 | Turner et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040074911 | Stodd | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040094559 | Santamaria et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040140312 | Neiner | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040211780 | Turner et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040238546 | Watson et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050029269 | Stodd | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050115976 | Watson et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050247717 | Brifcani et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050252922 | Reed et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060010957 | Hubball | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060071005 | Bulso | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20100243663 | Jentzsch et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
327383 | Jan 1958 | CH |
734942 | May 1943 | DE |
9211788 | Jan 1993 | DE |
0049020 | Apr 1982 | EP |
0139282 | May 1985 | EP |
0153115 | Aug 1985 | EP |
0340955 | Nov 1989 | EP |
0348070 | Dec 1989 | EP |
0482581 | Apr 1992 | EP |
0828663 | Dec 1999 | EP |
1361164 | Nov 2003 | EP |
917771 | Jan 1947 | FR |
767029 | Jan 1957 | GB |
2196891 | May 1988 | GB |
2218024 | Nov 1989 | GB |
2315478 | Feb 1998 | GB |
49-096887 | Sep 1974 | JP |
50-144580 | Nov 1975 | JP |
54-074184 | Jun 1979 | JP |
55-122945 | Sep 1980 | JP |
56-032227 | Apr 1981 | JP |
56-53835 | May 1981 | JP |
56-53836 | May 1981 | JP |
56-107323 | Aug 1981 | JP |
57-44435 | Mar 1982 | JP |
57-94436 | Jun 1982 | JP |
S57-117323 | Jul 1982 | JP |
58-035028 | Mar 1983 | JP |
58-35029 | Mar 1983 | JP |
59-144535 | Aug 1984 | JP |
61-023533 | Feb 1986 | JP |
63-125152 | May 1988 | JP |
1-167050 | Jun 1989 | JP |
1-170538 | Jul 1989 | JP |
1-289526 | Nov 1989 | JP |
2-092426 | Apr 1990 | JP |
2-131931 | May 1990 | JP |
2-192837 | Jul 1990 | JP |
3-032835 | Feb 1991 | JP |
3-275443 | Dec 1991 | JP |
4-033733 | Feb 1992 | JP |
4-055028 | Feb 1992 | JP |
5-032255 | Feb 1993 | JP |
5-112357 | May 1993 | JP |
H5-112357 | May 1993 | JP |
5-185170 | Jul 1993 | JP |
6-127547 | May 1994 | JP |
6-179445 | Jun 1994 | JP |
7-171645 | Jul 1995 | JP |
8-168837 | Jul 1996 | JP |
8-192840 | Jul 1996 | JP |
2000-109068 | Apr 2000 | JP |
WO 8302577 | Aug 1983 | WO |
WO 8910216 | Nov 1989 | WO |
WO 9317864 | Sep 1993 | WO |
WO 9637414 | Nov 1996 | WO |
WO 9834743 | Aug 1998 | WO |
WO 0012243 | Mar 2000 | WO |
WO 0064609 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO 0141948 | Jun 2001 | WO |
WO 0243895 | Jun 2002 | WO |
WO 02068281 | Sep 2002 | WO |
WO 03059764 | Jul 2003 | WO |
WO 2005032953 | Apr 2005 | WO |
WO 2007005564 | Jan 2007 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090020543 A1 | Jan 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11235827 | Sep 2005 | US |
Child | 12240481 | US |