Patents Assigned to WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
  • Publication number: 20230406589
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Julien D. Merzeau, Frederic Limousin, Gerald Portrait, Dominique Perrin
  • Publication number: 20230406588
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton (90) comprises a plurality of primary panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The primary panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) include a top panel (16). The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (28A/28C) having a handle opening, a first side end closure flap (24A), and a web panel (26A) coupling the top end closure flap (28A/28C) with the first side end closure flap (24A). The web panel 26A is hingedly connected to the top end closure flap (28A/28C) as well as to the first side end closure flap (24A). The top end closure flap (28A/28C) is connected to the top panel (16) by at least one corner panel (40A, 40B, 40C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Boukredine, Julien D. Merzeau
  • Patent number: 11840386
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton comprises a plurality of primary panels including a pair of bottom lap panels (12, 20) secured together to allow the primary panels to form walls of a tubular structure. An upper end closure structure partially closes an end of the tubular structure. The upper end closure structure comprises a lower edge that defines at least in part a window for exposing to view contents (B) of the carton. The upper end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) having a handle opening defined therein and a pair of side end closure flaps (26a, 26b, 34a, 34b). The side end closure flaps comprise an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface. The outer surface of each of the side end closure flaps comprises a glue area (G1, G2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11834208
    Abstract: A system including a pair of prongs extending in a transverse direction, spaced apart from one another by a gap configured to receive carton blanks and product containers therein, and to crease retention flaps of the carton blank, wherein each prong travels along a cam path, a panel extending in a longitudinal direction in-between the pair of prongs configured to support the product containers and guide the retentions flaps, a pair of asymmetrical guide rails underneath the panel configured to alternatingly crease a first primary flap and a second primary flap of the carton blank, and a conveyor mechanism proximate to the panel configured to move they product container and a carton blanks along the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Emmanuel Davaillon
  • Patent number: 11827436
    Abstract: An elongate blank for forming a tubular carton, comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel (18), a first side panel (16), a second side panel (20), a first base panel (12) and a second base panel (24), said each panel being formed along either free end edge thereof with a cut-out so that said blank is provided along either longitudinal edge thereof with a plurality of tabs each interposed between adjacent ones of said cut-outs, said cut-outs including; a first major cut-out (70) struck from each of the opposed free end edges of the top panel, a second major cut-out (70A) struck from each of the opposed free end edges of the first side panel, a third major cut-out (70C) struck from each of the opposed free end edges of the second side panel, a first minor cut-out (70B) struck from each of the opposed free end edges of the first base panel, a second minor cut-out (70D) struck from each of the opposed free end edges of the second base panel, wherein the length (A2) of a portion of one of the free end
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Katsuo Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11807411
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, and a blank for forming said carton. The carton comprising a plurality of primary panels 12a, 12b, 14, 16a, 16b at least partially extending around an interior of the carton, the plurality of primary panels comprising a top panel 14 and a pair of side panels 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b hingedly connected to opposed side edges of the top panel respectively, wherein the carrier further comprises an end closure structure 24a, 24b which partially closes an end of the carrier, the end closure structure comprises a top end closure panel 24a, 26a hingedly connected to an end edge of the top panel and at least one anchor panel 20a, 30a hingedly connected to an end edge of at least one of the pair of side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Garnier, Julien D. Merzeau
  • Patent number: 11807462
    Abstract: A product management system (100) including a first panel (102) with a first continuous track (106) including a queuing section, a product engagement section and a return section, and a first series of magnetic sources (115) disposed circumferentially along the first continuous track (106). A first series of lugs (116) are movably dispersed around the first continuous track (106) configured to react to the first series of magnetic sources in order to increase or decrease a velocity of each lug (116) of the first series of lugs along the first continuous track (116) and a product engagement member (118) attached to each lug configured and adapted to actuate to engage a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Bonnain
  • Publication number: 20230339665
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90; 290 comprises a pair of spaced panels including a cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 and an engaging panel 12; 112; 212. A male locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 formed from the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 connects the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 with the engaging panel 12; 112; 212. The locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 is hingedly connected to the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 along a fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581. The fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581 lies upon a notional line n-n which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge M1, M2 and a side edge 19; 119 of the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Julien D. Merzeau, Alexandre Therond, Nicolas Teillol, Arnaud Demange, Nathaniel B. Ball, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11794973
    Abstract: A top-engaging carrier includes a top panel (18a) and a sloping shoulder panel (16a) hinged to the top panel by a first fold line (21a). The first fold line is interrupted by at least two curved cut lines (40a) such that by folding the shoulder panel about the first fold line, an article-engaging edge is defined by each of the at least two curved cut lines. The shoulder panel includes a stress-reducing second fold line (29a) extending alongside at least a part of the first fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Blin
  • Publication number: 20230331450
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels (12,14,16,18) for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel (12) and a second panel (14) opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The carrier is formed form a blank comprising a partition-forming section (PS) which comprises a primary partition panel (22,24) and a secondary partition panel(40,44,36,46) formed from the primary partition panel and hingedly connected at one of the opposing ends thereof to the primary partition panel. The upper edge (E1) of the secondary partition panel is defined at least in part by a cutaway (R1) extending from a free end edge (E3) of the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle, Andrew T. Peeler, Calvin L. Peterson, Brian D. Souza
  • Publication number: 20230322458
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B, B1, B2) and a blank (10; 110; 210; 310A, 310B) for forming the carrier. The package comprises an article carrier and one or more articles. The carrier comprises a main panel (14) having at least two article retention structures for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective article. Each of the at least two article retention structures comprises a center. The center C of the at least two article retention structures is spaced apart from the center of an adjacent one of the at least two article retention structures by a distance. The distance is greater than the maximum diameter of each of the at least two articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alex N. Barrette, Matthew E. Zacherle, Julien D. Merzeau
  • Patent number: 11780661
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Publication number: 20230312206
    Abstract: A package (94) comprising at least one first inner carrier (92) and a second outer carrier (90), the or each of the at least one first inner carrier (92) having a first tubular structure, the second outer carrier (90) also having a tubular structure, and the second outer carrier being disposed, at least in part, on the outside of the first inner carrier such that the axes of the tubular structures are substantially perpendicular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Gregory P. Hayter, Caleb S. Loftin, Bradford J. Walling, Patrick Blin
  • Publication number: 20230286717
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an article-engaging carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a top panel (14) with at least one article-engaging feature (RT1, RT2). At least one shoulder panel (18, is hingedly connected to the top panel and is disposed obliquely with respect to the top panel. The at least one engaging feature comprises an article—receiving aperture (A1-A8) and an annular series of engaging tabs formed around the article-receiving aperture. The annular series of engaging tabs comprises at least one first tab (46B) and at least one second tab (46C). The at least one first tab is hingedly connected in part to the top panel and in part to the at least one shoulder panel. The at least one first tab has a first radial length (LT1). The at least one second tab is hingedly connected only to the top panel and has a second radial length (LT2). The first radial length is greater than the second radial length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Garnier
  • Publication number: 20230286714
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton (90; 190) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (10; 110) for forming the carton (90; 190). The carton (90;190) comprises a wall having an outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and an inner panel (22A, 22B, 26A, 26B; 126A, 126B,130A, 130B) at least partially overlapping the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120). The inner panel (22A, 22B, 26A, 26B; 126A, 126B,130A, 130B) comprises a cutaway (R; A2) defining at least in part a passage between the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and an article B. The package comprises an adhesive bond between the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and the article B, the adhesive bond extends through the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Garnier, Lauren N. Chesnet, Casey P. Grey
  • Patent number: 11753224
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a nestable blank for forming a basket-style carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming walls of the carrier, which panels include a first side panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel. The first side panel is hinged to the bottom panel and the bottom panel is asymmetrical. The bottom panel has first and second opposed end edges, and the first end edge is offset from a first end edge of the adjacent first side panel by a first distance. The second end edge of the bottom panel is offset from a second end edge of the adjacent first side panel by a second distance, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The bottom panel also comprises a beveled corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Hayter, Carl J. Gibson, James J. Talbot
  • Publication number: 20230278739
    Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Frederic Limousin, Fabrice Avril, Amelie Strohm-Volondat
  • Publication number: 20230257177
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B1) and a blank (10) for forming the carrier. The package comprises an article carrier and one or more articles. The carrier comprises a main panel (14) having at least one top-engaging article device (70A, 72A, 70B, 72B) for receiving a respective article and securing the main panel to the respective article. The carrier further comprises a pair of opposing side panels (18, 20) hingedly connected to the main panel, and an end strap (12, 16) hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels. The end strap is free of direct connection to the main panel. A bridging structure couples the end strap to the main panel, and the bridging structure comprises abridging panel (6, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos M. Aneiros, Bruno M. Leite
  • Publication number: 20230242315
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a pair of opposed end panels. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. A primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises the partition structure. The partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap. The at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint. The distal end joint is adjoined by a tab interrupting the first fold line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Julien D. Merzeau, Elina Blehm
  • Publication number: 20230242316
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more article and a blank for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a carrying handle having at least one handle panel hingedly connected at a proximal end thereof to one of the plurality of panels. The hinged connection is interrupted by at least one cut line defining a tab. The tab is struck from one of a portion of the one of the plurality of panels. The tab is integral with the at least one handle panel and extends from the hinged connection internally of the carton when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Ball