Patents by Inventor Craig Cappel

Craig Cappel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080105572
    Abstract: A reclosable package includes a tray, a top sheet, and a fastener. The tray has a well for receiving contents and a peripheral flange surrounding the well. The top sheet is attached to the peripheral flange. The fastener has two interlocking members, one attached to the peripheral flange and the other attached to the top sheet. A tamper-evident feature located on the package prevents access to the fastener and is connected thereto by one or two lines of weaknesses. In one embodiment with one or two lines of weakness in the top sheet, the fastener remains adjacent to the tray's peripheral flange, which is intact after the tamper-evident feature is removed by tearing along these lines of weakness. In a second embodiment with two lines of weakness, the tamper-evident feature, comprised of portions of the peripheral flange and the top sheet, is torn from the package along both lines of weakness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Craig Cappel, Gary Rehwinkel, Russell Talbo, Johann Natterer
  • Publication number: 20080072541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Alexander Provan, Craig Cappel, Larry Benedict, Gerald Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20070199280
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel, Timothy Pistner, Alexander Provan
  • Publication number: 20070178197
    Abstract: A container includes a first tray, and a second tray disposed within the space of the first tray to define a reservoir therebetween. The first tray has a first bottom wall and a surrounding first sidewall, which extends generally upwardly from the first bottom wall to define a space therein. The second tray has a second bottom wall and a surrounding second sidewall, which also extends generally upwardly from the second bottom wall. The second bottom wall has at least one aperture defined in a central region thereof, and also has an upper surface, which slopes downwardly toward the at least one aperture. The reservoir defined between the first and second trays is in fluid communication with the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Jon LaRue, Craig Cappel, Frank Petlak
  • Publication number: 20070113522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Alexander Provan, Craig Cappel, Larry Benedict, Gerald Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20060291756
    Abstract: Web materials for use in forming reclosable packages generally include a first material layer made of a barrier material, and an active agent carried by the first material layer. When embodied as a bag, the web is used to form at least one of the body panels of the bag, with a pair of opposing body panels joined together along a pair of opposing sides, with a bottom bridging the sides in order to define a compartment between the opposing body panels. The active agent is disposed on the first material layer so as to be in communication with the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel
  • Publication number: 20060286356
    Abstract: A web for use as wrap material, lidding material or in packages with active agents. Generally, each disclosed structure includes at least a first material layer made of a barrier material; and an active agent carried by the first material layer. Webs in accordance with the invention can further include a second material layer disposed adjacent the first material layer, wherein the second material layer has a predetermined material property, such as permeability, cling and/or sealing characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel
  • Publication number: 20060133700
    Abstract: A plastic bag comprises opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. The zipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order to best accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper without the slider. The slider is mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closed while the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To inhibit tampering with the contents of the bag, the bag includes a tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider to move away from the closed position toward the open position in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: Craig Cappel
  • Publication number: 20060110080
    Abstract: Packages and structures with selective dosing of active agents are described. The at least one active agent includes a freshness-extension agent to inhibit spoilage of perishable product disposed in the package, an odor management agent to reduce, mask, or neutralize odors from garbage or waste disposed in the package, a color indicator to indicate the status of one or more other active agents, or another type of agent. Selective dosing is achieved by covering the active agent or agents by a plurality of covers. Some of these covers may be walls of a package itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel
  • Publication number: 20050247027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Alexander Provan, Craig Cappel, Larry Benedict, Gerald Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20050241274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Alexander Provan, Craig Cappel, Larry Benedict, Gerald Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20050022352
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel, Timothy Pistner, Alexander Provan
  • Publication number: 20050020424
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Toby Thomas, Nathan Kolovich, Craig Cappel, Timothy Pistner, Alexander Provan