Patents by Inventor Gerald J. Van Handel
Gerald J. Van Handel 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).
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Patent number: 9833088Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Publication number: 20170112304Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 9538870Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Publication number: 20140076905Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 8584929Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinksi, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 7955671Abstract: A domed lid 12 for a food container 10 is configured for ease of engagement and removal from a container base 14. The lid characteristically includes: (a) a dome portion 16 with a top wall 24 and a sidewall 26; (b) a flange portion 28 extending outwardly away from a lower portion of the sidewall; and (c) a tab portion 30 extending outwardly from the flange. The flange portion is provided with a rim 32 having a variable profile around the rim characterized in that: (i) the rim is provided with a securing undercut portion 36 extending around the majority of its periphery adapted to secure the lid to an outer border of base 14; and (ii) the rim has a pair of relatively passive engagement profile portions 42, 44 on either side of tab 30, extending to the securing undercut portion of the rim, the passive engagement profile portions are configured so that they are undercut less than the securing undercut portion of the lid, thereby facilitating engagement of the lid with, or removal of the lid from, base 14.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Gerald J. Van Handel, Margaret P. Hoks, Mark B. Littlejohn, Kevin E. Lutz, Jr., John A. C. Kohout, Rebecca E. Whitmore
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Publication number: 20110108615Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7938313Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7913873Abstract: The sidewall portion of a cup or other container for a heated beverage or other hot liquid comprises a relatively rigid outer wall and a relatively flexible inner liner. The wall and liner are attached together at respective upper and lower circumferential bands and at least an intermediate portion of the liner between the upper and lower circumferential bands is separable from the outer wall, to thereby form a sealed void between the outer wall and the inner liner which extends circumferentially along the entire comfort band and which defines a comfort band encircling at least a middle region of the cup. In one embodiment, a liner preform is placed on a tapered mandrel provided with selectively heated circumferential bands for sealing the upper and lower circumferential bands of the liner to an inner surface of the outer wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7841974Abstract: The present invention provides a container (10) suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film (14) liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to freely flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film (14) with hot liquid or other suitable material. When the container is filled with material having a temperature of from about 130° F. to up to about 212° F., the shrink film (14) is activated and the container (10) provides excellent insulation, thereby allowing the container to be held in a consumer's hand for an extended period without causing burns or excessive discomfort. Method of making this container (10) are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
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Patent number: 7802695Abstract: An improved lidded container includes a receptacle portion with a brim having a plurality of lateral substantially straight brim wall segments provided with medial sealing beads extending between corners of the brim. The medial sealing beads are characterized in that they project away from the respective walls upon which they are disposed a maximum distance at a central portion of the wall and the medial sealing beads extend over a major portion of the length of the lateral sealing wall upon which they are disposed. Most preferably, the beads are tangent with and terminate at rounded corners between the wall segments.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Loren G. Baker, Jonathan E. Rush, Rebecca E. Whitmore, Gerald J. Van Handel
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Publication number: 20100044424Abstract: The sidewall portion of a cup or other container for a heated beverage or other hot liquid comprises a relatively rigid outer wall and a relatively flexible inner liner. The wall and liner are attached together at respective upper and lower circumferential bands and at least an intermediate portion of the liner between the upper and lower circumferential bands is separable from the outer wall, to thereby form a sealed void between the outer wall and the inner liner which extends circumferentially along the entire comfort band and which defines a comfort band encircling at least a middle region of the cup. In one embodiment, a liner preform is placed on a tapered mandrel provided with selectively heated circumferential bands for sealing the upper and lower circumferential bands of the liner to an inner surface of the outer wall. Preferably, the container is a stackable disposable cup with a liner formed of a heat shrinkable material which is activated (i.e.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7658296Abstract: A container ensemble for food packaging comprising a substantially planar lid member formed of a polymeric material which has a plurality of substantially planar lids which are integrally formed and separably joined to each other, each of the lids including a sealing channel around its perimeter and a skirt extending outwardly therefrom. The lid member is provided with tearable portions to facilitate separation. The other component of the ensemble is a cup member formed of a polymeric material defining a plurality of cups which are integrally formed and also separably joined to each other, the cups including a bottom, a sidewall, and a brim about an upper opening of each cup. Each cup has a skirt extending outwardly from its brim provided with tearable portions to facilitate separation.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Gerald J. Van Handel, Rebecca E. Whitmore, Loren G. Baker, Jonathan E. Rush
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Patent number: 7638475Abstract: A cleaning system having pulverulent foaming cleanser (e.g., acid, alkali metal carbonate and surfactant) is sealed within a water soluble (e.g., PVOH) deformable pouch frictionally retainable within the core of a roll of bath tissue. Upon placement of the pouch in the bowl, water in the bowl penetrates the water soluble wall of the pouch, generating foam which provides cleaning action by activating and carrying cleansing chemicals, not only below the water line of the bowl, but also considerably above it. When used routinely with each change of bath tissue roll, such a cleaning can extend the time between required manual cleanings considerably.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: John H. Dwiggins, Lynn M. Daul, David W. White, Joseph R. Pounder, Bruce J. Kokko, Sanjay Wahal, Phuong Van Luu, Gerald J. Van Handel, T. Philips Oriaran
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Patent number: 7600669Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Publication number: 20090170679Abstract: The present invention provides a container (10) suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film (14) liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to freely flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film (14) with hot liquid or other suitable material. When the container is filled with material having a temperature of from about 130° F. to up to about 212° F., the shrink film (14) is activated and the container (10) provides excellent insulation, thereby allowing the container to be held in a consumer's hand for an extended period without causing burns or excessive discomfort. Method of making this container (10) are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
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Publication number: 20090121007Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
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Patent number: 7513386Abstract: A container comprising a sidewall and an inner liner. The inner liner includes an intermediate portion affixed to the sidewall about a periphery of the intermediate portion. The sidewall includes a vent disposed within the periphery of the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is adapted to separate from the sidewall such that ambient air flows through the vent to form an air pocket between the intermediate portion of the inner liner and the sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
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Patent number: 7510098Abstract: The present invention provides a container suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to freely flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film with hot liquid or other suitable material. When the container is filled with material having a temperature of from about 130° F. to up to about 212° F., the shrink film is activated and the container provides excellent insulation, thereby allowing the container to be held in a consumer's hand for an extended period without causing burns or excessive discomfort. Methods of making this container are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
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Patent number: 7464857Abstract: A container blank comprises at least one substrate layer made of disposable material and at least one film layer disposed substantially over the substrate layer and having at least one portion adapted to shrink away from the substrate layer upon application of heat. The shrunk film layer portion is adapted to thermally insulate the substrate layer located substantially behind the shrunk film layer portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Gerald J. Van Handel