Patents Assigned to Combibloc, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5782404
    Abstract: An improved straw hole design for a drink package which allows venting to occur in air gaps around the straw while the straw is inserted in the straw hole. This invention prevents the common problem of squirting or spill-over out of the top of the straw when a drink box is squeezed or otherwise compressed. Several embodiments are disclosed in which a "C" shaped pre-cut, a "U" shaped pre-cut and "V" shaped pre-cut are incorporated into the package for later insertion of the straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, Dennis W. Bender
  • Patent number: 5688463
    Abstract: A process for performing a laser treatment on discrete sheets of material. The present invention provides for shingling discrete sheets of material and for tracking and contacting a laser beam on the continuously moving shingled sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, Timothy W. Duffy
  • Patent number: 5639018
    Abstract: A package closure apparatus is disclosed which has a push-tab connected to a base via a landing which extends into a central opening in the closure and a spring face which extends from the push-tab to connect with the landing. The connection between the landing and spring face forms a first junction about which the hinge may act. The connection between the spring face and the push-tab forms a second junction about which the hinge may act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Tokarski, C. Daniel Miller, Arthur W. Robichaud
  • Patent number: 5315923
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of preparing discarded food and beverage packagings for recycling. A moisture absorbent powder is added to the packagings prior to shipment to a recycling facility. The present invention may further include an apparatus for breaking open paperboard packages and then treating the open packages with a chemical additive such as baking soda to reduce microbial activity caused by leftover contents within the discarded packages. The packages may then be compressed and sent to a recycling facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Tokarski, Lester A. Roudabush
  • Patent number: 5306533
    Abstract: An oxygen barrier laminate structure for producing an aseptic, oxygen barrier packaging or container comprising a substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first low density polyethylene layer coated on the outer surface of the substrate, a multi-layer oxygen barrier coextrusion coated interior to the substrate and a second, thick, low density polyethylene layer coated on the multi-layer coextrusion. An optional extra low density polyethylene layer may be added on the inside surface of the substrate. A photic barrier layer may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, Michael S. Mabee
  • Patent number: 5101999
    Abstract: A closure for opening and resealing a package includes a base attachable to the top of the package over a scored area thereof, and a push tab device pivotally connected to the base at a rearward portion of the base such that a user may depress and end of the push tab into the package thereby creating a central opening area in the package top. The push tab may be provided with a beak and a vent hole. The package top may be partially pre-cut or scored in such a way so as to open in the form of bomb bay doors when the push tab is depressed and rotated into the package. A cover is integrally hinged to the base and is provided for resealing the central opening area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, William B. Peterson, C. Daniel Miller
  • Patent number: 4934590
    Abstract: A closure for opening and reclosing a package includes a base attachable to the top of the package over a scored area thereof, and a lever pivotally connected to the base at a rearward portion of the base so that by pivoting the lever, a portion of the lever penetrates the scored area of the package, and eventually, another portion of the lever seats over the open area of the package to provide a pouring spout. A removable cover is provided over the seating portion of the lever so that re-opening and resealing of the package occurs by removing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, Charles D. Miller, Frank R. Wilgus
  • Patent number: 4925034
    Abstract: A fitment for a package is stamped out of polystyrene strips and then hot melt adhesive bonded to the package so that a tab portion of the fitment overlies an openable flap formed by a score line in the package. The package is opened by rotating the tab so that the forward portion of the tab pushes the openable flap into the container. Since the forward portion of the tab is adhesively bonded to the openable flap, when a frangible connection between the tab and base fractures, the openable flap and tab can be removed to thereby expose an opening in the package. Rotation of the tab is initiated by pushing downwardly on the forward portion of the tab in order to fracture the score line of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Robichaud, Frank R. Wilgus, Warren C. Tyler, Jack Holmes
  • Patent number: 4915290
    Abstract: A closure for opening and reclosing a package includes a base attachable to the top of the package over a scored area thereof, and a lever pivotally connected to the base at a rearward portion of the base so that by pivoting the lever, a portion of the lever penetrates the scored area of the package, and eventually, another portion of the lever seats over the open area of the package to provide a pouring spout. A removable cover is provided over the seating portion of the lever so that re-opening and resealing of the package occurs by removing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, Charles D. Miller, Frank R. Wilgus
  • Patent number: 4591091
    Abstract: A parallelepipedic aseptic container and a blank therefor formed of a multilayer paperboard laminate material are disclosed. The laminate material comprises a paperboard layer with a thin layer of polyethylene on the outer side thereof and a layer of metal foil disposed between thin layers of polyethylene on the inner side of the paperboard layer. The container blanks are formed such that at one of the container side walls, in an area covered by a folded portion of the top wall, a small pentagonally-shaped opening is partially or completely precut from the paperboard layer before it is laminated to the other layers to form a weakened portion that can be easily cut away to form a pouring opening. Scorelines are formed in the side wall adjacent the weakened portion to cause the wall to project outwardly to facilitate pouring liquids through the opening. A drinking straw/sutting implement is provided with the container for use in cutting away the weakened portion and withdrawing the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Wise
  • Patent number: D331877
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Robichaud, William B. Peterson, C. Daniel Miller
  • Patent number: D356496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Fox