Patents by Inventor James W. Lowry

James W. Lowry 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).

  • Patent number: 6422455
    Abstract: A tubular container for expansible food products is provided according to the present invention that includes a flexible liner having opposed end portions secured to respective ends of a tubular body wall. The tubular body wall has opposed ends and inner and outer surfaces and comprises a wound strip of material having opposed side edges. An end closure is secured to each end of the tubular body wall and can hermetically seal the container. A vent hole may be formed through the body wall and the label by way of a laser for allowing the passage of air therethrough. The flexible liner is secured to the respective ends of the tubular body wall by way of an adhesive band between the liner and the inner surface of the tubular body wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenda J. Cahill, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6419351
    Abstract: An improved plunger for a lithographic printing ink cartridge prevents air entrapment between the plunger and the ink when the plunger is pressed into the ink during cartridge assembly. The plunger bottom portion has a positive radius and a textured surface that facilitates the flow of air away from the center of the plunger toward the cartridge sidewall as the plunger is pressed into the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Lawson, James W. Lowry, Keith R. Rea
  • Patent number: 6383592
    Abstract: A film bag is disclosed for containing articles, such as candies, food and other items. The film bag is made from a laminate that includes an inner layer and an outer layer with printed indicia formed on it. The outer layer includes a fixed portion which is attached to the inner layer with a permanent adhesive. The outer layer also includes a removable sticker portion which is substantially coplanar with the fixed portion. The removable sticker portion is attached to the inner layer with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably, at least part of the pressure sensitive adhesive on the removable portion is separated from the permanent adhesive on the fixed portion by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Jeffrey M Schuetz, Krishnaraju Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 6220471
    Abstract: A resealing overcap is provided for fitting over a top end of a cylindrical container and an easy-open top end closure thereon which includes an end ring having an inside circular downwardly and inwardly curved bead defining a central opening and closed by a removable membrane positioned thereon. The resealing overcap includes a circular central portion having an outer periphery and adapted to extend radially of the container when positioned thereon for covering the top end closure. The overcap further includes a downwardly depending flange integrally extending from and around the central portion outer peripheral area and adapted to extend axially of the cylindrical container when positioned thereon to provide a friction fit around the end ring of the container end closure when positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6192797
    Abstract: An improved cartridge for dispensing highly viscous fluids in which the nozzle is recessed for ease of packaging, shipping and storing. The cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The cylindrical body holds a supply of extrudable fluid contents such as lithographic ink. The plunger serves as a pneumatically activated piston within the cylindrical body to extrude the contents of the cartridge. The nozzle has an open and a closed position. In the closed position the nozzle does not protrude beyond the top of the dispensing fitment. The dispenser may also include a detachable nozzle extension which, when attached to the nozzle, extends beyond the top of the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, James W. Lowry, James F. Kick
  • Patent number: 6152355
    Abstract: A composite multi-ply tubular consumer products container having an outwardly visible raised design formed along a sidewall thereof is disclosed. The container is comprised of a continuous body ply wrapped about a longitudinal axis into an elongate tubular shape. The body ply has an exterior surface on which at least one protruding or raised panel member is positioned, whereupon a continuous label ply is wrapped about the exterior surface of the body ply and the at least one protruding member so that the at least one protruding member forms the raised design on that portion of the label ply wrapped thereabout. A method of making such a container, and an apparatus on which the container may be made, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Morrow, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6119884
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container for storing and dispensing food stuffs. The container includes a shell having a sidewall and a bottom wall. Together, the sidewall and the bottom wall define an interior of the container. The bottom wall is detachably connected to the sidewall. The apparatus further includes a liner positioned within the container for holding the food stuffs. Upon the application of an appropriate force, the bottom wall is detached from the sidewall and forced into the interior of the container. As the bottom wall is forced into the interior of the container, the liner collapses and the food stuffs are forced towards an opening in the container opposite to the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6092717
    Abstract: A tubular container includes a tubular body open at both ends and a divider affixed within the body so as to divide the body into two tubular compartments each accessible through one of the open ends of the body. Each open end is closed by a closure. The body includes a polymer liner to which the divider is attached. The polymer liner and the divider preferably comprise heat-sealable materials and the divider is heat-sealed to the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6047878
    Abstract: A substantially paper container has a top end closure adapted to be removed for opening the container and repositioned for closing the container. The container includes a tubular body of substantially paper material, a cup-shaped end closure of substantially paper material and a cup-shaped membrane having an outer upwardly-extending rim portion of substantially the same height as an upwardly-extending rim portion of the cup-shaped end closure. The membrane and end closure are positioned in an open upper end portion of the body in superimposed relationship with the membrane below the end closure. An upper area of the upper end portion of the body extends above the superimposed rim portions of the membrane and the end closure and is folded inwardly over and around the upper ends of the superimposed rim portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6015061
    Abstract: A dual function overcap for a cylindrical container, having a bead about the top edge and generally used for snack foods, includes a substantially planar covering portion and a downwardly extending lip. The dual function overcap fits over the container with a bead by engaging the downwardly extending lip or can fit a shortened form of the same container without a bead, or the same, or similar, container without a bead. In one form of the invention, the overcap must be flipped over to attach the overcap to the edge of the shortened container. In the preferred form of the invention, a raised channel within the covering portion, receives and retains the edge of the shortened container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5775531
    Abstract: A container for being filled with a powdered product includes a container body having an open bottom end and an end closure attached to the container top end portion for closing the container top end portion to adapt the container to be filled through the open bottom end portion with the container in an inverted position. The top end closure includes an easy-opening feature for adapting the container to be easily opened by removing at least a part of the top end closure to obtain access to the powdered product within the container after filling and closure of the bottom end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5713824
    Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing an easy-open container. A bodywall layer strip is positioned on a wider liner layer strip to define first and second edge portions on the side of the wider liner layer which extends transversely beyond the bodywall layer side edges. These layers are fed to a mandrel and the first liner layer edge portion is folded-over onto an outside surface of the bodywall layer and a high strength bond is formed therebetween. The resulting layers are spirally wound on the mandrel to form a continuous tube having a spiral seam with the bodywall layer side edges forming a butt joint and with each of the first and second liner layer edge portions extending through the butt joint and out of the spiral seam. The second liner layer edge portion is positioned on the first folded-over liner layer edge portion and a low strength bond is formed therebetween. A flexible label layer is spirally wound onto the tube on the mandrel with its longitudinal edges in overlapped relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Calvin G. Hill, Richard M. Lowman, Jr., William C. Suski, Rodney W. Roberts, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5556365
    Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming as easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. Easy-opening of the container is enhanced by the provision of pull tabs formed by superimposed and bonded longitudinal edge portions of the bodywall layer and label layer and an easy-open panel formed by diverging lines of score cuts formed in the bodywall layer to initiate and aid in easy-opening of the container along the spiral seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, William C. Suski, Calvin G. Hill, James W. Lowry, Rodney W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5547451
    Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. A feature is provided for directionally-orienting tearing of the label layer to remove either the entire label layer or just that portion of the label layer which is in bridging relationship to the easy-open spiral seam to allow opening of the container along the spiral seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Calvin G. Hill, Richard M. Lowman, Jr., William C. Suski, Rodney W. Roberts, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5494215
    Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. A feature is provided for directionally-orienting tearing of the label layer to remove either the entire label layer or just that portion of the label layer which is in bridging relationship to the easy-open spiral seam to allow opening of the container along the spiral seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Calvin G. Hill, Richard M. Lowman, Jr., William C. Suski, Rodney W. Roberts, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5487506
    Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container and which is provided with an improved reinforcing and tear strip extending along the easy-open spiral seam. This reinforcing and tear strip is formed by overlapped edge portions of the label layer extending through and out of the spiral seam of the container and being folded-over onto the outside of the bodywall layer and under the label layer. Low strength bonding is provided between the overlapped label layer edge portions and high strength bonding is positioned between the superimposed label layer and folded-over a liner layer edge portion and between the superimposed label layer and bodywall layer for allowing easy starting and stripping of the reinforcing and tear strip along the spiral easy-open seam without the necessity of removing the entire label layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Calvin G. Hill, Richard M. Lowman, Jr., William C. Suski, Rodney W. Roberts, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5482205
    Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming as easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. Easy-opening of the container is enhanced by the provision of pull tabs formed by superimposed and bonded longitudinal edge portions of the bodywall layer and label layer and an easy-open panel formed by diverging lines of score cuts formed in the bodywall layer to initiate and aid in easy-opening of the container along the spiral seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, William C. Suski, Calvin G. Hill, James W. Lowry, Rodney W. Roberts
  • Patent number: D424378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ellis Bacon, James W. Lowry, Kenan J. Clougherty, Ted M. Westphal
  • Patent number: D428810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Steve Gendreau