Patents by Inventor John Valencia

John Valencia 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: 20210155364
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a package can include an octagonal side body formed of at least eight body panels and an autobottom connected to the octagonal side body and formed of a plurality of bottom panels extending from a respective body panel of the plurality of the at least eight body panels. The autobottom can connect all of the at least eight body panels together in an octagonal shape when the plurality of bottom panels are interacting with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: John Valencia, Jesus A. Padilla
  • Publication number: 20210031966
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed toward a carrier (90) for containing a product. The carrier comprises first, second and third connected side panels (16a/16b, 116a/116b, 216a/216b, 316a/316b; 14, 114, 214, 314; 12, 112, 212, 312) which define a three-sided tubular structure having a triangular cross-section. The carrier has a substantially triangular-shaped, crash-bottom-style, bottom wall. Parts (24b/26b, 20b/32, 22b; 124b/126b, 120b/132, 122b; 224b/226b, 220b/232, 222b; 324b/326b, 320b/332, 322b) of the bottom wall are coupled to the first, second and third side panels. The carrier has a mechanical interlocking feature (T1, T2, S1, S2); and a multi-part mechanical locking mechanism. A first top-end closure panel (16a/16b 116a/116b; 215a/215b; 315a/315b) comprises a first part (A1) of said multi-part mechanical locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Publication number: 20210031968
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier in the form of a tray and to a blank for forming the carrier and to a method of assembling the carrier into a flat collapsible form. The carrier comprises a base wall, opposed side walls hingedly connected to opposed sides of the base wall, and opposed end walls hingedly connected to opposed ends of the base wall. Each of the end walls is coupled to each of the side walls by a corner structure. The corner structure comprises a first corner panel, a second corner panel and a web panel hingedly connected to each of the first and second corner panels. The web panel is disposed between first and second corner panels in face contacting relationship therewith. The web panel comprises a cutaway located distally from the base wall, such that the first corner panel is securable to the second corner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Publication number: 20200391902
    Abstract: A tray formed from a blank of sheet material includes a bottom panel, a top panel, first and second side panels, and a locking band connected to the bottom panel at opposite upper and lower edges thereof. The locking band extends across the top panel and holds an underlying portion of the top panel in face-contacting relationship with the bottom panel. The tray is configured to transition from a first, substantially flat configuration into a second, erect configuration in which the top panel defines a concave surface configured to hold in place a rounded item. The tray is configured to be transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration by sliding the top panel relative to the bottom panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: John Valencia, Abagail L. Bleakney
  • Publication number: 20190248537
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Patent number: 9809332
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a three-panel lidding device used to seal a food container. Such devices are particularly useful for covering and sealing a plastic food container, eliminating (or diminishing) the need for an outer carton and the clear film membrane that traditionally covers a food container. The lidding device may contain all brand identifiers, product messaging, ingredient list, instructions (e.g., opening and cooking) printed directly on the device. The device may also allow for venting of the food container during cooking and may then be removed for serving. The device may further provide a foot panel that allows the food product container/lidding device to sit upright, enhancing store front and freezer display options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: John Valencia, Patrick Shields, Thomas Edward Zappa
  • Patent number: 9809346
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a folding carton designed to accept a retractable panel. The retractable panel may contain written information that should stay with or otherwise connected to the packaging, rather than on a folded leaflet inserted inside the carton that may be displaced. The panel may be pulled from its fully inserted/retracted position (within the carton) out to an extended position, where the panel displays the information. Even in the extended position, however, the panel stays secured with the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Patent number: 8939350
    Abstract: Disclosed are reclosable and stackable food trays formed from a single blank that are capable of being folded and glued on standard machinery. Embodiments of the invention include raised gussets that extend beyond the top edge of the side panels of the formed tray and beyond the top of the formed tray. In some embodiments, the raised gussets help prevent distortion in all dimensions and facilitate the stacking of multiple trays on top of one another such that the stacked trays cannot slide off the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Publication number: 20140263600
    Abstract: Disclosed are reclosable and stackable food trays formed from a single blank that are capable of being folded and glued on standard machinery. Embodiments of the invention include raised gussets that extend beyond the top edge of the side panels of the formed tray and beyond the top of the formed tray. In some embodiments, the raised gussets help prevent distortion in all dimensions and facilitate the stacking of multiple trays on top of one another such that the stacked trays cannot slide off the lower tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Rock-Tenn Shared Services,LLC.
    Inventor: John Valencia
  • Publication number: 20140123607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a three-panel lidding device used to seal a food container. Such devices are particularly useful for covering and sealing a plastic food container, eliminating (or diminishing) the need for an outer carton and the clear film membrane that traditionally covers a food container. The lidding device may contain all brand identifiers, product messaging, ingredient list, instructions (e.g., opening and cooking) printed directly on the device. The device may also allow for venting of the food container during cooking and may then be removed for serving. The device may further provide a foot panel that allows the food product container/lidding device to sit upright, enhancing store front and freezer display options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: John Valencia, Patrick Shields, Thomas Edward Zappa
  • Publication number: 20130277420
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a folding carton designed to accept a retractable panel. The retractable panel may contain written information that should stay with or otherwise connected to the packaging, rather than on a folded leaflet inserted inside the carton that may be displaced. The panel may be pulled from its fully inserted/retracted position (within the carton) out to an extended position, where the panel displays the information. Even in the extended position, however, the panel stays secured with the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ROCK-TENN SHARED SERVICES, LLC
    Inventor: John Valencia