Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Gratz

Jeffrey J. Gratz 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: 7117994
    Abstract: A support structure is provided for supporting a plurality of cylindrical objects. The support structure includes an elongated member having first and second sides and first and second edges. First and second rib sections extend from the first side of the elongated member. The rib sections are generally parallel to each other and are spaced from corresponding edges of the elongated member. Each rib section includes an alternating series of arches and depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 7044358
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a plurality of objects having cylindrical characteristics. The structure includes a first side and a second side, the first side having at least two rib structures spaced apart from one another by valleys. The rib structures are formed as an alternating series of arches and depressions. The depressions define the retaining position for the objects. The arches include lands with cavities that enhance the structural characteristics of the ribs. The second side includes three or more spaced rib sections that are formed as an alternating series of peaks and depressions. The depressions of the second side correspond to the depressions of the first side. The rib sections of the second side correspond to the valleys of the first side. The arches of the first side are relatively higher than the equivalents in the prior art in order to provide greater surface area contact with the cylindrical objects to be retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Publication number: 20030159959
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a plurality of objects having cylindrical characteristics. The structure includes a first side and a second side, the first side having at least two rib structures spaced apart from one another by valleys. The rib structures are formed as an alternating series of arches and depressions. The depressions define the retaining position for the objects. The arches include lands with cavities that enhance the structural characteristics of the ribs. The second side includes three or more spaced rib sections that are formed as an alternating series of peaks and depressions. The depressions of the second side correspond to the depressions of the first side. The rib sections of the second side correspond to the valleys of the first side. The arches of the first side are relatively higher than the equivalents in the prior art in order to provide greater surface area contact with the cylindrical objects to be retained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Fibreform Container, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 6470637
    Abstract: A corner protector is provided for protecting a corner of an object. The corner protector includes first and second spaced sidewalls. Each sidewall includes an outer edge having a notch formed therein in order to allow sidewalls to flex. A connection element interconnects the first and second sidewalls such that the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls define an object receiving cavity therebetween. Support shoulders are provided within the object receiving cavity of the corner protector to support the corner of the object when inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Publication number: 20020151198
    Abstract: A support structure is provided for supporting a plurality of cylindrical objects. The support structure includes an elongated member having first and second sides and first and second edges. First and second rib sections extend from the first side of the elongated member. The rib sections are generally parallel to each other and are spaced from corresponding edges of the elongated member. Each rib section includes an alternating series of arches and depressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 6453613
    Abstract: A tray is provided for holding a plurality of flower pots during transport and display. The tray includes a supporting structure having an outer periphery and a plurality of pot receiving cavities formed therein. The pot receiving cavities are provided for receiving corresponding flower pots. An edge member extends about and is interconnected to the outer periphery of the support structure for discouraging the flexing of the support structure during transport of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Publication number: 20020121058
    Abstract: A corner protector is provided for protecting a corner of an object. The corner protector includes first and second spaced sidewalls. Each sidewall includes an outer edge having a notch formed therein in order to allow sidewalls to flex. A connection element interconnects the first and second sidewalls such that the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls define an object receiving cavity therebetween. Support shoulders are provided within the object receiving cavity of the corner protector to support the corner of the object when inserted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Publication number: 20020092233
    Abstract: A tray is provided for holding a plurality of flower pots during transport and display. The tray includes a supporting structure having an outer periphery and a plurality of pot receiving cavities formed therein. The pot receiving cavities are provided for receiving corresponding flower pots. An edge member extends about and is interconnected to the outer periphery of the support structure for discouraging the flexing of the support structure during transport of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 6142440
    Abstract: An improved roll support for stabilizing and storing large rolls of web material. The roll support is preferably an elongated molded pulp member. A roll of web material is generally supported by a roll supporting surface defined by a plurality of support wedges contained on a face side surface of the roll support. Each of the support wedges are spaced apart by generally rectangular depressions formed in the front face surface. A plurality of enlarged sidewall arches are formed in the sidewalls of the roll support. The roll support includes a reinforcement bridge formed on the back side surface between each sidewall arch and a protrusion on the back side of the large roll support which corresponds to one of the rectangular depressions on the face side of the large roll support. Preferably, a reinforcement bridge is formed from each corner of the protrusion to one of the sidewall arches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Great Northern Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Gratz, Robert W. Swannell, Robb A. Warren
  • Patent number: 5960953
    Abstract: A tray for supporting a plurality of nail packs is provided. The tray includes a generally rectangular planar tray body having a nail supporting surface and an outer periphery. A stiffening wall projects vertically from the outer periphery of the tray body and terminates at an upper end. A generally planar lip extends laterally from the upper end of the stiffening wall. A sensing structure extends vertically from the nail supporting surface of the tray body beyond the upper end of the stiffening wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 5678692
    Abstract: A corner protector is provided for protecting a product during shipment. The corner protector is formed by first, second, and third perpendicular intersecting sidewalls. Each sidewall includes an inner surface which together form a product engaging surface on one side of the corner protector. One or more recessed channels are formed along the product engaging surface in one or more corresponding planes which are perpendicular to one of the sidewalls of the corner protector. The recessed channels optimize the strength and flexibility of the corner protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D518720
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D455594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D465117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D466354
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D470053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: D480306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz