Patents Examined by Phillip D Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11970318
    Abstract: A container can include a plurality of side panels defining an interior space, and an inner partition member disposed at least partially within the interior space. The inner partition member can be configured to be at least partially conformal with the plurality of side panels in a first position, and to form one or more partitions dividing the interior space in at least a second position. In certain embodiments, only a portion of the inner partition member can be attached to an interior surface of the plurality of side panels such that the inner partition member can be configured to be moved between the first position and at least the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. James, Chad Rebmann
  • Patent number: 11964807
    Abstract: Packaging may include a base box and a lid having a tamper-evident seal. The tamper-evident seal may include a paper substrate having a first adhesive portion configured to attach to a side panel of the base box, a second adhesive portion configured to attach to a second side panel of the lid. The first and second adhesive portions may be disposed on opposing sides of the paper substrate, and a tab configured to be accessible on an exterior of a package when the tamper-evident seal is applied may be a part of the paper substrate. When the tab is pulled with sufficient force, the paper substrate tears such that the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion remain fixed to the first and second side panels, respectively, while the remainder of the paper substrate tears free so that the packaging may be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Y. Lin, David Samuel Kumka, Bartley K. Andre, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Wei Dai, Isaac Hayes, Geng Luo
  • Patent number: 11952175
    Abstract: Cup made of paper material having a fillable interior space formed by a shell and a base. The base via a skirt at the lower end of the interior space is fastened in a substantially liquid-tight manner to the shell, and a lower periphery of the skirt forms a footprint for the cup. The cup has an external shell composed of a planar blank of paper or paper-like material. Longitudinal edges of the blank are connected to one another in an overlap region so that the external shell forms a sleeve. The external shell has a frustoconical shape having a first cone angle and, except for the overlap region, from the predefined spacing to the lower end is configured in a single ply. The shell, from the predefined spacing to the lower end, at least in portions tapers more heavily than in the region above the predefined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MICHAEL HÖRAUF MASCHINENFABRIK GmbH Co. KG
    Inventor: Uwe Messerschmid
  • Patent number: 11952181
    Abstract: A tray for holding at least one food product includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, and a plurality of end flaps including a plurality of top end flaps cooperating to form a rim extending from the plurality of panels, each top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps foldably connected to an adjacent top end flap of the plurality of top end flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11939119
    Abstract: A blank for forming a tamper evident container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel. A bottom flap is foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank. A top flap is foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank. The bottom flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the bottom panel and the minor flap. The top flap includes a catch point feature and wherein the minor flap includes a trap aperture configured to catch the catch point feature of the top flap when opening a container constructed from the blank to provide a tamper evident access feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 11932463
    Abstract: Blanks for forming two-compartment containers and the resulting containers are described herein. The container includes a tray and four closure flaps hingedly connected thereto. The closure flaps can be closed to enclose food or other substances therein, or opened to provide access to and removal of the tray contents. The tray is separated into two compartments by an interior partition. Generally, each compartment is liquid tight. Each compartment includes a bottom, three sidewalls, one partition wall, and four corners; each corner is adjacent to a folded gusset. Two opposing sidewalls are located on a first set of opposing sides of the bottom and a third sidewall and the partition wall are located on a second set of opposing dies of the bottom. Each folded gusset generally adheres to an adjacent sidewall. In at least one compartment, each opposing sidewall contains an extension portion that adheres to its adjacent opposing sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: KARI-OUT LLC, HEFEI YUANCHUAN PACKAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Epstein, Zhen Zheng
  • Patent number: 11932462
    Abstract: A container and a corresponding blank for the container are disclosed. The container may have a lower part and an upper part for receiving food. The lower and the upper part may each have six or eight side walls and a substantially flat bottom wall or top wall connected to the side walls. A pivoting connection may be formed between a connection side wall of the lower part and a connection side wall of the upper part and free ends of the side walls end in an end plane extending obliquely to the horizontal plane. Such as configuration may make facilitate on the one hand safely storing food when the container is closed and on the other hand making the food more accessible when the container is open. In addition to the improved accessibility, the food may be largely visible on the side facing the front side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Seda International Packaging Group SPA
    Inventor: Gianfranco D'Amato
  • Patent number: 11919686
    Abstract: A container for housing a liquid-filled bag has at least four walls including first and second side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. The front wall has a front wall panel, and the back wall has a back wall panel interconnected with first and second side wall panels. A first inner shield flap is coupled to the front wall panel, a second inner shield flap is coupled to the back wall panel, and a first top flap is coupled to the first side wall panel. The first top flap defines a first handhold opening. A second top flap is coupled to the second side wall panel and defines a second handhold opening. The first and second handhold openings overlap to define a handhold when the second top flap is folded over the first top flap. The handhold is offset from free ends of the first and second inner shield flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Keith A. Jackson, Nicholas A. Philips
  • Patent number: 11905101
    Abstract: The document relates to a method of making a disposable double walled structure comprising an inner wall portion (51) surrounding a product space presenting a cross section and extending along an axial direction, perpendicular to the cross section, between first and second axially spaced apart portions, and an outer wall portion (52) at least partially surrounding the inner wall portion (51), wherein an insulating space is formed between the inner and outer wall portions. The method comprises forming the inner and outer walls (51, 52) in one piece, such that the inner and outer walls are connected at the first axial portion and at least partially overlap as seen in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and bending at least one of the inner (51) and outer (52) wall portions in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction towards the other one of the inner (51) and outer (52) wall portions at the second axial portion, so as to form the insulating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Celwise AB
    Inventor: David Pierce
  • Patent number: 11897672
    Abstract: A blank of sheet material for forming a sleeve container, the blank of sheet material including two side panels each including a bottom edge and a top edge, and two elongated side panels arranged alternatingly with the side panels. A plurality of fold lines are defined between the side panels and the elongated side panels, and the elongated side panels include a side panel portion and a guide flap extending beyond the top edge of the side panels. The side panels and the side panel portions are configured to define an interior cavity of the sleeve container, and the guide flaps are configured to define an insertion guide channel that is in communication with the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ABBVIE INC.
    Inventors: Guy C. Upchurch, James J. Hughes, Jovo Dragicevic
  • Patent number: 11878840
    Abstract: A method of forming a paperboard packaging container from a rectangular body blank is disclosed, the method including the following steps: a) providing a rectangular body blank made from a laminate sheet material; b) forming a tubular container body from the rectangular body blank, the container body having a first end with a first body opening and a second end with a second body opening; c) sealing together the first and the second side edge in a but-to-but seal using a sealing strip having a sealing strip width; d) presenting the tubular container body to a crease line forming station; e) closing the second body opening by pressing a paperboard disc into the second body opening; f) forming a curled second edge by folding or rolling the second end of the container body wall inwardly; g) filling the packaging container with bulk solids; and h) closing the first body opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GPI Systems AB
    Inventor: Rickard Andersson
  • Patent number: 11878846
    Abstract: Packaging may include a front box having a cavity to receive a product, a rear box coupled to the front box in a closed position, and a floating band to be slid around the front box and the rear box, thereby maintaining the front and rear box in a closed configuration. The band may be positioned with features such as folded protrusions with corresponding folded protrusions provided on the front box or the rear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Heather W. Cox, Fernie A. Apodaca, Vincenzo O. Giuliani, Laura Moffitt
  • Patent number: 11827427
    Abstract: A shipping assembly includes a folded core, made of corrugated carton or other foldable material, formed with a hollow center along the entirety or a portion of the core. A base at a bottom of the folded core is foldable along a folding line to attain a perpendicular position to the folded core. The base has two protrusions above the folding line. Upper and lower lateral members include two folded tabs which are inserted in upper and lower portions, respectively, of the column assembly to form a frame assembly. The frame assembly is affixed to an inner volume of a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nalto Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Amnon Zamir, John Kowarsky
  • Patent number: 11807432
    Abstract: A shipping and dispensing construct for engaging a plurality of product holding containers. The shipping and dispensing construct can comprise a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, and a back panel. One or more panels of the plurality of panels is for being attached to attachment features of the respective product holding containers of the plurality of product holding containers. Dispensing features can be for removal of a respective product holding container from the shipping and dispensing construct. The dispensing features can be in one or more panels of the plurality of panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Sharon Weaver, Ronald E. Hajek, Dana Exner
  • Patent number: 11794945
    Abstract: A container formed from a blank of sheet material includes an outer tray having a bottom wall, front and rear walls, and first and second side walls. A fold-in tray is configured to nest within the outer tray. The fold-in tray is hingedly connected along an upper edge of at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Patent number: 11794947
    Abstract: A support element for a cardboard container. A lid incorporating the support element. A consumer product incorporating the support element, the lid, and the container. A cardboard blank for forming the support element. Related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paulus Antonius Augustinus Hoefte, Clara Sophie Lea Ng Pak Leung, Joost Peter Leflere
  • Patent number: 11787594
    Abstract: A food receptacle having a tray with a base, a perimeter wall extending therefrom, and a tongue extending from the perimeter wall along a longitudinal axis and a cover adapted to cover the tray. Cover has an opening adapted to receive the tongue therethrough, such that the tongue is inserted through the opening when the tray is covered by the cover. Tongue may include a protrudable portion adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis. When protruded, the protrudable portion is adapted to abut the cover. When the tray is covered by the cover, the protrudable portion may be protruded over the top panel to prevent the tongue from being withdrawn from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Microwave Packaging (S) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Boon Wee Lau
  • Patent number: 11787592
    Abstract: A paperboard structure including a paperboard substrate having a first major side and a second major side, a barrier coating layer on the first major side of the paperboard substrate, a top coat on the first major side of the paperboard substrate, wherein the barrier coating layer is positioned between the paperboard substrate and the top coat, and a heat-sealable barrier coating layer on the second major side of the paperboard substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Jiebin Pang, Natasha G. Melton, Steven Parker, Teresa Krug
  • Patent number: 11780642
    Abstract: A blank includes a front panel; a wing portion coupled to the front panel by a wing hinge, the wing portion including an attachment panel disposed opposite from the wing hinge, the attachment panel configured to couple to the front panel to at least partially form a cavity between the front panel and the wing portion; a lower telescoping panel coupled to the front panel by a lower telescoping hinge; and an upper telescoping panel coupled to the lower telescoping panel by an upper telescoping hinge, the upper telescoping panel and the lower telescoping panel configured to fold into the cavity in a closed configuration to at least partially enclose the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Shifeng Chen, Greg Sollie, Jamie Waltermire
  • Patent number: 11780641
    Abstract: Unitary blank for forming a container having a body portion with a plurality of fold lines and a cover portion. The body portion with a plurality of fold lines define a plurality of body wall portions, and each body wall portion has an upper edge. A first body wall portion includes a closure tab extending from the upper edge of the first body wall portion. The closure tab includes a closure tab flap portion and a closure tab base portion. The cover portion extends from the upper edge of a second body wall portion. The cover portion includes a cover portion flap score line extending along an upper edge of the cover portion and a release flap. A food container having a body portion and a cover portion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: PACTIV LLC
    Inventor: Angela E. Learn