Patents by Inventor Laurence B. Sperry
Laurence B. Sperry 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: 11975504Abstract: Webs of inflatable mailer pouches and associated methods are disclosed. Pouches include a multilayer inner cushion structure with inflatable compartments and a fill channel disposed at a first longitudinal edge of the structure. An outer layer with a closure flap is secured to the inner structure. The inner cushion structure and outer layer are folded at a bottom edge of the pouch to form first and second panels of the pouches. The fill channel may be disposed at a top of the first panel and the closure flap disposed at a top of either the first or the second panel. The fill channel extends beyond a top of the second panel and the closure flap is extendable beyond the top of the fill channel. When wound, the closure flap is folded so that the fill channel of each pouch layer is exposed at a lateral face of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Joseph E. Owensby, Andrew W. Moehlenbrock, Howard Dean Conner, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20230364284Abstract: A reusable food or beverage container sanitizing system and method of operation automates the identification and sanitizing of reusable food or beverage containers. A reusable food or beverage container has an identification device associated therewith. The reusable food or beverage container is associated to a customer order and used to supply a food or beverage to the customer. The system utilizes a UV sanitizing system to prevent the spread of harmful germs on the reusable food or beverage container. The doors of a pass-through UV sanitizing system allow the customer to insert an unsanitized container on the entry (“unsanitized”) side of the system, and the retail employee to remove the sanitized container from the exit (“sanitized”) side of the system without having to tough any other surface (doors, knobs, handles, etc.) than the container itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Brian A. Murch
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Publication number: 20230182979Abstract: A reusable food or beverage container that features self-cleaning surface characteristics thereby allowing effective cleaning using minimal resources and effort. The reusable food or beverage container includes an identification device used to associate the reusable food or beverage container as a part of a system of reusable food or beverage containers and associated devices. Successful identification of the reusable food or beverage container allows the container to be accepted for reuse as a part of the reusable container system, as well as to initiate automated processes associated with that particular reusable container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Brian A. Murch
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Patent number: 11325286Abstract: A machine produces foam-in-bag from foam precursors mixed within the bag. The machine comprises a base and a shell. The base and shell are moveable relative each other between a base/shell disengaged position and a base/shell engaged position. In the base/shell engaged position, the base and shell divide the bag so that a mixing chamber is isolated from the remainder portion of the bag. First and second nozzles inject foam precursors into the mixing chamber. A mixer engages the mixing chamber to provide mixing energy to facilitate the foam reaction.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: William M. Gray, Mark Garceau, John J. Corrigan, Laurence B. Sperry
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Patent number: 11213081Abstract: A disposable glove and system are provided that has features and characteristic that enable a cuff opening of the glove to more easily open, thereby assisting in donning the glove. The disposable glove system includes stacked glove configurations for mounting and storage. The disposable glove system also includes features that make the disposable gloves easier to dispense from a dispenser with minimal user contact with the outer surface of the disposable gloves.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Sperry Product Innovation, Inc.Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20210339289Abstract: A return receptacle system which uses a detection system to guide the user to deposit items into the correct receptacle. The system detects the item to be deposited and provides guidance or instruction to properly deposit the item. In addition, or alternatively, the system allows access to only the appropriate receptacle opening. Additional detection systems and/or sensors may be provided to monitor or ensure only the appropriate items are deposited.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20210308301Abstract: A sanitizing system for preventing the spread of harmful germs on food or beverage containers by utilizing a quick and compact UV sanitizing system. The doors of the pass-through chamber allow the customer to insert an un-sanitized container on the entry (“dirty”) side of the system, and the retail employee to remove the sanitized container from the exit (“clean”) side of the system without having to touch any other surface (doors, knobs, handles, etc.) than the container itself. The system utilizes movable UV light sources to minimize the time required for effective sanitizing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20210259509Abstract: A reusable food or beverage container washing system and method of operation automates tracking, returning, washing, and outputting of reusable food or beverage containers. A reusable food or beverage container has an identification device associated therewith. The reusable food or beverage container is used to supply a food or beverage to a customer and associated with a customer identifier. When the customer is done using the reusable food or beverage container, it is returned to a receptacle of the system, and automatically transported to a washing system where it is washed, sanitized, and dried, and then output to a stack or other organized storage structure of container.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20210241238Abstract: A reusable food or beverage container system and method of operation automates tracking, returning, washing, and outputting of reusable food or beverage containers. A reusable food or beverage container has an identification device associated therewith. The reusable food or beverage container is used to supply a food or beverage to a customer and associated with a customer identifier. When the customer is done using the reusable food or beverage container, it is returned to a receptacle of the system, and automatically transported to a washing subsystem where it is washed, sanitized, and dried, and then output to a stack or other organized storage structure of container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Patent number: 10946606Abstract: A machine for providing cushioning products of varying lengths from a supply of a web material having sequential transverse rows of inflated protrusions. A pair of opposing feed members form a feed nip for moving the web along a path of travel. At least one sensor detects location information for the sequential rows of inflated protrusions as the web travels along the path of travel. A severing device is moveable between (i) an engaged position to separate the web transversely or perforate the web transversely and (ii) a disengaged position. A controller is programmed (i) to receive the location information and (ii) to operatively control the severing device to move it to the engaged position when a selected row is in a determined position relative the severing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Jay D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20210060889Abstract: Webs of inflatable mailer pouches and associated methods are disclosed. Pouches include a multilayer inner cushion structure with inflatable compartments and a fill channel disposed at a first longitudinal edge of the structure. An outer layer with a closure flap is secured to the inner structure. The inner cushion structure and outer layer are folded at a bottom edge of the pouch to form first and second panels of the pouches. The fill channel may be disposed at a top of the first panel and the closure flap disposed at a top of either the first or the second panel. The fill channel extends beyond a top of the second panel and the closure flap is extendable beyond the top of the fill channel. When wound, the closure flap is folded so that the fill channel of each pouch layer is exposed at a lateral face of the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Joseph E. Owensby, Andrew W. Moehlenbrock, Howard Dean Conner, Laurence B. Sperry
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Patent number: 10786960Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Jason D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch
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Publication number: 20190387819Abstract: A disposable glove and system are provided that has features and characteristic that enable a cuff opening of the glove to more easily open, thereby assisting in donning the glove. The disposable glove system includes stacked glove configurations for mounting and storage. The disposable glove system also includes features that make the disposable gloves easier to dispense from a dispenser with minimal user contact with the outer surface of the disposable gloves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventor: Laurence B. Sperry
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Patent number: 10286617Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web, the web including opposing longitudinal edges and a pair of sheets sealed together by transverse seals that form a series of inflatable containers. The machine generally includes a support structure, a spool for supporting a roll of the inflatable web, a web conveyance system, an inflation system to inflate the containers, and a sealing device for sealing closed the openings of the containers.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Brian A. Murch, Jason D. Lepine, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20190061210Abstract: A machine produces foam-in-bag from foam precursors mixed within the bag. The machine comprises a base and a shell. The base and shell are moveable relative each other between a base/shell disengaged position and a base/shell engaged position. In the base/shell engaged position, the base and shell divide the bag so that a mixing chamber is isolated from the remainder portion of the bag. First and second nozzles inject foam precursors into the mixing chamber. A mixer engages the mixing chamber to provide mixing energy to facilitate the foam reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: William M. Gray, Mark Garceau, John J. Corrigan, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20190009476Abstract: A system for active alignment of an inflatable web with respect to an inflation nozzle as the web is dispensed from a roll for serial inflation by the inflation nozzle, the inflatable web including top and bottom sheets sealed together by transverse seals to define a series of inflatable chambers having an opening between the terminal ends of the transverse seals and proximate a longitudinal edge of the web for receiving inflation fluid from the nozzle, the system comprising: a spool adapted to support the roll so that the roll rotates about the spool as the inflatable web is withdrawn from the roll; an actuator arranged to adjust the position of the roll along the length of the spool; an inflation nozzle adapted to provide inflation fluid into the openings of the inflatable chambers as the web travels along a path of travel past the inflation nozzle; a tracking sensor comprising: a sensor arm pivotally mounted at a pivot point at a given location relative the inflation nozzle, the sensor arm having a contactType: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Brian A. Murch
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Publication number: 20180326626Abstract: A machine produces foam-in-bag from foam precursors mixed within the bag. The machine comprises a base and a shell. The base and shell are moveable relative each other between a base/shell disengaged position and a base/shell engaged position. In the base/shell engaged position, the base and shell divide the bag so that a mixing chamber is isolated from the remainder portion of the bag. First and second nozzles inject foam precursors into the mixing chamber. A mixer engages the mixing chamber to provide mixing energy to facilitate the foam reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: William M. Gray, Mark Garceau, John J. Corrigan, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20180297317Abstract: A machine for providing cushioning products of varying lengths from a supply of a web material having sequential transverse rows of inflated protrusions. A pair of opposing feed members form a feed nip for moving the web along a path of travel. At least one sensor detects location information for the sequential rows of inflated protrusions as the web travels along the path of travel. A severing device is moveable between (i) an engaged position to separate the web transversely or perforate the web transversely and (ii) a disengaged position. A controller is programmed (i) to receive the location information and (ii) to operatively control the severing device to move it to the engaged position when a selected row is in a determined position relative the severing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Jay D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch, Laurence B. Sperry
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Patent number: 9969136Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Jay D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch, Laurence B. Sperry
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Publication number: 20180126679Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Jason D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch