Patents Examined by Latrice Byrd
  • Patent number: 7748603
    Abstract: A carton has a handle that allows a user to carry the carton when closed, and that extends to allow a user to carry the carton when the carton is in an open configuration. The carton includes gusseted end panels that create a partially closed bottom receptacle in the opened carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Fogle, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 7743972
    Abstract: A carton comprises a divider panel that connects a front panel of the carton to a back panel. The lower edge of the divider panel is offset from the bottom panel, and therefore is less likely to buckle or bend when the carton is subjected to axial compression. The divider panel therefore provides greater axial stiffness and strength to the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Fogle
  • Patent number: 7743969
    Abstract: A wrap-around style or end-loaded carton for enclosing articles such as cans in multiple rows is formed from a single blank of sheet material, and includes a three-ply top wall and an integrated composite handle that is centrally located so as to balance the load in the carton when the handle is raised to an upright position. The top wall includes an outer panel, and intermediate panel, and an inner top panel, each hingedly connected to another. The composite handle is struck from the outer panel and the intermediate panel and is liberated or partially detachable therefrom so as to be hingedly connected to the top wall, and rotatable to an upright position. When the handle is raised, at least a portion of each edge of the top wall is reinforced by at least one additional layer of carton material, and thus, is at least two plies thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Von Bokel
  • Patent number: 7731082
    Abstract: A reinforced container assembly and method for making the same are provided. The reinforced container assembly comprises a fiberboard container and a first reinforcement strap. The fiberboard container has a lower portion and an upper portion. The first reinforcement strap wraps continuously around a periphery of the container a plurality of times in a spiraling manner from a starting point of the reinforcement strap to a terminating point of the reinforcement strap. The reinforcement strap physically connects to the container at a first location. The reinforcement strap is further physically connected to the container at second location. The reinforcement strap provides structural support to the fiberboard container to increase the strength of the container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, Benjamin Frank
  • Patent number: 7717325
    Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween. In normal use conditions, the spacer elements do not contact the inner wall; however, the spacer elements prevent the outer wall from contacting the inner wall during non-standard use conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Puls, Jozef Milewski, Bruce J. Thoman, Wei Li, Richard A. Tedford
  • Patent number: 7717321
    Abstract: A package includes a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7703665
    Abstract: A carton accommodates stacked, articles. The carton has a pivoting dispenser that allows the articles to be dispensed from the front of the carton. The bottom panel can be erected using relatively simple folding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Hallenbeck McGowan
  • Patent number: 7699215
    Abstract: A carton includes a bottom receptacle defined in part by the bottom panel, the side panels, and gusseted end panels. The bottom receptacle can be constructed without glue seals so that the receptacle is liquid-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7699212
    Abstract: A collapsible storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the container. The container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels and a flexible hinge connecting each adjacent pair of wall panels. The container may be foldably converted between a substantially flat collapsed position and a substantially rectangular prismatic expanded position by articulating the wall panels about the flexible hinges. One side of the lid is adapted to cover an opening into the container when the container is in an expanded position. The opposite side of the lid is adapted to receive the substantially flat collapsed container within a recess in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall
  • Patent number: 7699214
    Abstract: A carton includes a pivoting recloseable lid that is easy to open and recluse. The recloseable lid includes a breachable closure aperture section that can be adapted to receive a portion of a bag or other flexible container accommodated within the carton. When the lid is opened, the contents of the flexible container can be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ignacio Mestre, Emili Requena, Enric Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7681781
    Abstract: An octagonal bulk bin has sidewalls, end walls and diagonal corner panels interposed between adjacent sidewalls and end walls. Bottom flaps are foldably joined to a bottom edge of the sidewalls, end walls, and diagonal corner panels, and gusset panels connect adjacent side edges of the bottom flaps, facilitating set up of the bulk bin and spacing flap cuts from the corners of the bin to minimize or eliminate initiation of tears in the vertical corners of the bin. A plastic pallet tray has an upstanding lip around its periphery, shaped and sized to closely receive the bottom end of the octagonal bin to reinforce the bottom end and facilitate handling of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Wisecarver
  • Patent number: 7673789
    Abstract: A dispensing carton includes a dispenser section having a deformation pattern provided therein. The deformation pattern facilitates removal of the dispenser section during opening of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James DeBusk, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 7669754
    Abstract: The self-mounting and collapsible tray has a base (1), two side walls (2) and two end walls (3), as well as, in correspondence with each corner, a corner pillar which comprises at least four segments (41-44) separated by fold lines (4a-4c). The last segment (44) is affixed to the end wall so that at least one part of the last segment extends from one of the intermediate segments (43) and toward the center of the end wall, distancing itself from the corresponding corner of the tray. In addition, the tray comprises, in correspondence with each end wall (3), a transversal flap (5) constituted by at least one part of a prolongation of the end of the end wall which corresponds to the upper part of the end wall of the tray in the erect position, said transversal flap (5) having two ends (51), each folded over and affixed to an outside face of the corresponding side wall (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Videcart. S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Teixidor Casanovas, Fernando Manuel Canales CaƱas
  • Patent number: 7654440
    Abstract: An octagonal bulk bin has sidewalls, end walls and diagonal corner panels interposed between adjacent sidewalls and end walls. Major bottom flaps are foldably joined to a bottom edge of the sidewalls, minor bottom flaps are foldably joined to a bottom edge of the end walls, and diagonal bottom flaps are foldably joined to a bottom edge of the diagonal corner panels. A cut separates each major bottom flap from an adjacent diagonal bottom flap, and a web panel connects adjacent side edges of the minor bottom flaps and diagonal bottom flaps. According to one aspect of the invention, each diagonal bottom flap, web panel, and portion of an adjacent major bottom flap are crushed. According to another aspect of the invention, differently shaped notches in a free edge of the minor flaps form locking tabs that are engaged in slots near a free edge of the major flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Quaintance, Mark A. Wisecarver
  • Patent number: 7648060
    Abstract: A carton includes a V-shaped opening in an exiting end of the carton that allows articles in the carton to be accessed through the exiting end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. DeBusk
  • Patent number: 7644858
    Abstract: A corrugated container for shipping containers, such as glass bottles, includes a shipping box, a liner, one or more cross-pieces, a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The liner, cross-pieces, top sheet and bottom sheet may be made of corrugated or hexacomb material to provide shock absorbing protection to the bottles received within the shipping box. The liner and cross-pieces do not extend the full height of the box to allow the corners of the box to crush or crumple in the event the container is dropped on one of its upper corners. A pair of staggered hand holes may be formed in the opposite sides of the box to enable ergonomic lifting of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: John T. Glaser, Mark Jasko
  • Patent number: 7631799
    Abstract: A collapsible storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the container. The container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels and a hinge portion connecting each adjacent pair of wall panels. The container may be foldably converted between a substantially flat collapsed position and a substantially rectangular prismatic expanded position by articulating the wall panels about the flexible hinges. At least one of the hinge portions is arched to latch the container in the expanded position. The lid may be used to cover the container in the expanded position and receive the container in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais, Sanjay Dhall, Daniel Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7628312
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention feature a storage container formed from cardboard material. This particular storage container has a rectangular base unit having a front wall folded upwardly along a folded front edge of the rectangular base, a back wall folded upwardly along a folded back edge of the rectangular base with at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap extending from within the at least one cover slot. On the top of the storage container, a outer cover panel extension to the front wall is folded in a spaced and parallel relationship to the rectangular base along a folded top edge of the front wall and having at least one cover tuck flap with an integral cover secure slot both cooperating with the at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap respectively. Under the cardboard outer cover panel is an inner cover panel extension to the back wall folded along a folded top edge of the back wall in a spaced and parallel relationship to the rectangular base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Mittelstaedt, Richard G. Hansen, Kevin McKim, Erich Boese, Tony Joyce
  • Patent number: 7607568
    Abstract: A flexible board, for forming a package, comprises a body portion, a big bottom piece, a small bottom piece, a left-side bottom piece, and a right-side bottom piece. The body portion has a rear body piece, a left-side body piece, a front body piece, and a right-side body piece. The big bottom piece is connected to a lower side of the rear body piece. The small bottom piece is connected to a lower side of the front body piece, and has a strip piece, and first and second projecting pieces. The left-side bottom piece is connected to a lower side of the left-side body piece, and is formed with a cut-out section close to the first projecting piece. The right-side bottom piece is connected to a lower side of the right-side body piece, and is formed with a cut-out section close to the second projecting piece. The length of the insert piece is shorter than the distance between the first and second projecting pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Chie Hatakeyama, Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7597241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container having a carton and a cover sized to fit over and enclose an interior space of the container. Carton and cover each are adapted to permit controlled flow of air in to and out of the interior space of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cover sidewalls are adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein air is permitted to flow in to and out of the interior space of the container when the sidewalls are in an open position, but inhibited from flowing in to and out of the container when the sidewalls are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventors: Juan Z Valenzuela, Carlos A Gajardo