Patents by Inventor John W. Tobias

John W. Tobias 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: 6612451
    Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Publication number: 20020153343
    Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 6393803
    Abstract: A process for blow-molding and coating plastic containers under conditions of positive control in a close-coupled, compact machine to enhance operational efficiency. According to one of the preferred methods, the containers are coated promptly after the containers are discharged from hot molds to take advantage of the residual heat of the freshly blown containers to enhance curing/drying of the coating and to enhance bonding of the coating to the container surface. According to another one of the preferred methods, the containers are aseptically filled and capped either before or after the containers are coated. Alternatively, the process can include hot-filling and capping of containers in which the containers are coated promptly after being hot-filled to take advantage of the elevated temperature of the hot-filled containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Luka, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5931324
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container and a separately formed injection-molded plastic handle adapted to be ultrasonically welded together. A pattern of energy directors is located on one of the confronting welding areas of the handle and the container sidewall. The handle has an elongate grip defining a grip centerline and the energy directors are located on both sides of the grip centerline adjacent opposite ends of the elongate grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Crawford Lyons, Frank E. Semersky, Robert L. Diller, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5762221
    Abstract: A hot-fillable, blow-molded plastic container having a reinforced dome which controls dome distortion otherwise caused by forces associated with hot-filling and shipping. In one embodiment, the reinforced dome resists distortion, and in a second embodiment, the reinforced dome enhances ovalization distortion. The container dome is bell-shaped with an inwardly extending waist and has a plurality of vertically extending grooves passing through the waist. Each groove is inwardly concave and extends from below the waist to adjacent the finish. Arcuate lands are formed between the grooves, and optionally, can have panels with a textured pattern which add to the aesthetic appearance of the container and which provide further stiffening of the dome. When two grooves are utilized, ovalization distortion is enhanced, and when three or more grooves are utilized, distortion is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Richard Ogg
  • Patent number: 5704506
    Abstract: A method for attaching a service device, such as a plastic handle, to a flexible container sidewall, and a container prepared by the method. The inside of the container is supported rigidly to effect a strong bond between the container and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Frank E. Semersky
  • Patent number: 5683904
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a generic class of ubiquitin-specific proteases which specifically cleave at the C-terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in a ubiquitin fusion protein irrespective of the size of the ubiquitin fusion protein. More specifically, the disclosure relates to ubiquitin-specific proteases of this class which have been isolated from a cell. The disclosure also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the proteases of this class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rohan T. Baker, John W. Tobias, Alexander Varshavsky
  • Patent number: 5678711
    Abstract: A reinforced finish is on a blow-molded container. An insert is permanently attached on the finish of a preform from which the container is blown, or directly on the finish of the blow-molded container. The insert is ring-shaped, forms a portion of the top surface of the finish, is made from a rigid plastic material, and is positioned entirely above the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5622579
    Abstract: A method for attaching a service device, such as a plastic handle, to a flexible container sidewall, and a container prepared by the method. The inside of the container is supported rigidly to effect a strong bond between the container and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5598941
    Abstract: A hot-fillable, blow-molded container has a grip panel structure which resists inverting when the container is filled with a hot liquid and after the container has been capped. The container and grip panel structure retain their aesthetic appearance and their structural integrity through use by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Semersky, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5494818
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a generic class of ubiquitin-specific proteases which specifically cleave at the C-terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in a ubiquitin fusion protein irrespective of the size of the ubiquitin fusion protein. More specifically, the disclosure relates to ubiquitin-specific proteases of this class which have been isolated from a cell. The disclosure also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the proteases of this class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rohan T. Baker, John W. Tobias, Alexander Varshavsky
  • Patent number: 5391490
    Abstract: A ubiquitin-specific protease which cleaves ubiquitin from any protein or peptide to which ubiquitin is joined and the gene encoding the protease are disclosed. The protease specifically cleaves the peptide bond in a fusion of ubiquitin to a protein or peptide between the carboxyl-terminal amino acid residue of a ubiquitin moiety and the .alpha.-amino group of any non-ubiquitin protein or peptide to which ubiquitin is joined. Recombinant expression vectors containing a DNA sequence encoding the ubiquitin-specific protease can be used to transform cells for production of the protease or to provide the cell with the ability to proteolytically deubiquitinate, in vivo, ubiquitin fusions co-produced by the cell. The protease can also be isolated and used to deubiquitinate ubiquitin fusions in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexander J. Varshavsky, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5212058
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a generic class of ubiquitin-specific proteases which specifically cleave at the C-terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in a ubiquitin fusion protein irrespective of the size of the ubiquitin fusion protein. More specifically, the disclosure relates to ubiquitin-specific proteases of this class which have been isolated from a cell. The disclosure also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the proteases of this class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rohan T. Baker, John W. Tobias, Alexander Varshavsky
  • Patent number: 4360606
    Abstract: There is disclosed a photoreactive plastic composition degradable by ultraviolet radiation, the composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein a degradation controlling amount of an additive system consisting essentially of at least one organic photosensitizer and at least one readily autoxidizable organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Lynn J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4264658
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a chemically convertible polymeric coating composition is applied to the surface of a glass substrate and subsequently converted to a crosslinked coating by the application of UV light or another form of energy. The polymeric coating composition contains at least three basic components:(1) at least one rubbery thermoplastic organic polymer;(2) at least one organic photosensitizer; and(3) at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a functionality of at least two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Lynn J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4256851
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one ethylenically unsaturated alcohol or ethylenically unsaturated ester derived therefrom as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn J. Taylor, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 4224416
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one amine compound as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn J. Taylor, John W. Tobias
  • Patent number: 4212955
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one trialkyl ortho ester as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Lynn J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4207221
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one unsaturated wax as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tobias, Lynn J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4191320
    Abstract: There is disclosed a degradable article made from photodegradable polymeric or plastic compositions comprising at least one organic polymer or copolymer and at least two different aromatic carbonyl photosensitizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn J. Taylor, John W. Tobias