Patents by Inventor Mark B. Littlejohn
Mark B. Littlejohn 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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Publication number: 20230276968Abstract: A compartmented pressware paper plate is characterized by one or more tall dividers each having a pair of divider sidewall surfaces and adjoining the plate bottom which transitions to the divider sidewall surfaces, wherein the one or more tall dividers are characterized by a divider height, DH, greater than 9/32?, with a flange characterized by a height, H, at its apex and an outward flange downturn extending downwardly a distance, V, with respect to the apex of the flange, wherein the ratio of V:H is from about 0.1 to about 0.75, and preferably with transitions between adjoining surfaces of the bottom surface and the divider sidewall surfaces characterized by variable radii of curvature wherein the variable radii of curvature vary from a first value proximate to transitions between two surfaces to a second value higher than the first value at transitions proximate to the intersection of three surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventor: Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20200399011Abstract: A compostable disposable container made from a paperboard laminate. The paperboard laminate has a first paperboard layer, a second paperboard layer, and a waterproof coating disposed between the first and second paperboard layers. One or more additional surface coatings that are water resistant can be added to outer surfaces of the laminate. The laminate structure is able to be press-formed at higher forming temperatures, resulting in a stronger, more rigid container.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining
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Patent number: 10765264Abstract: Pressware products, such as disposable cutting boards and trays, are provided. A disposable cutting board can include an inner sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom panel, a flange portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a first annular transition extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second annular transition extending outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the flange. The bottom panel can have a surface area of about 300 cm2 to about 1,000 cm2, and the disposable cutting board can have a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm. The disposable cutting board can further have an FPI rigidity of about 85 grams or more and a product to blank perimeter (P1/P2) ratio of about 90% to about 99%.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining
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Patent number: 9848719Abstract: A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining, Larry A. Mejeur
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Patent number: 9833088Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 9655461Abstract: A paperboard plate can include a bottom panel, a frustoconical sidewall extending upward and outward from the bottom panel, and four arcuate portions which have radius of curvatures R1, R2, R3, and R4. The plate can also include an inner brim section adjacent the frustoconical sidewall and having a width (W), an outer frustoconical brim section extending downward and out from the inner brim section, an outer perimeter section extending outward from the outer frustoconical brim section, the plate having an overall diameter (D). The radius of curvature (R3) can be less than 0.20 inches, a ratio of W/D can be 0.041 to 0.050, a ratio of R3/D can be 0.010 to 0.017, and the outer frustoconical brim section can extend downward and outward at an angle (A3) of 65° to 75° with respect to a vertical that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventor: Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20170112304Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Publication number: 20170112305Abstract: A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining, Larry A. Mejeur
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Publication number: 20170065110Abstract: A paperboard plate can include a bottom panel, a frustoconical sidewall extending upward and outward from the bottom panel, and four arcuate portions which have radius of curvatures R1, R2, R3, and R4. The plate can also include an inner brim section adjacent the frustoconical sidewall and having a width (W), an outer frustoconical brim section extending downward and out from the inner brim section, an outer perimeter section extending outward from the outer frustoconical brim section, the plate having an overall diameter (D). The radius of curvature (R3) can be less than 0.20 inches, a ratio of W/D can be 0.041 to 0.050, a ratio of R3/D can be 0.010 to 0.017, and the outer frustoconical brim section can extend downward and outward at an angle (A3) of 65° to 75° with respect to a vertical that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Mark B. Littlejohn
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Patent number: 9555594Abstract: A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining, Larry A. Mejeur
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Patent number: 9538870Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 9392891Abstract: Disposable platters are provided. In at least one embodiment, a disposable platter can include a bottom panel made of paper, a sidewall that can extend upwardly from the bottom panel, an outer flange that can extend outwardly from the sidewall, a first transition that can extend upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second transition that can extend outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the outer flange, defining a radius of curvature, R2, therebetween. In some examples, the platter can have at least two sides of different lengths, a characteristic diameter, D, that is an average length of the sides, and a ratio of R2/D that is 0.0125 or less.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg
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Publication number: 20160135648Abstract: Pressware products, such as disposable cutting boards and trays, are provided. A disposable cutting board can include an inner sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom panel, a flange portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a first annular transition extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second annular transition extending outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the flange. The bottom panel can have a surface area of about 300 cm2 to about 1,000 cm2, and the disposable cutting board can have a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm. The disposable cutting board can further have an FPI rigidity of about 85 grams or more and a product to blank perimeter (P1/P2) ratio of about 90% to about 99%.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Michael A. Breining
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Patent number: 8967941Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg, Thomas W. Zelinski, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 8894403Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Jones, Mark B. Littlejohn, Thomas W. Zelinski, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf
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Publication number: 20140224866Abstract: Disposable platters are provided. In at least one embodiment, a disposable platter can include a bottom panel made of paper, a sidewall that can extend upwardly from the bottom panel, an outer flange that can extend outwardly from the sidewall, a first transition that can extend upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel to a first end of the sidewall, and a second transition that can extend outwardly from a second end of the sidewall to a first end of the outer flange, defining a radius of curvature, R2, therebetween. In some examples, the platter can have at least two sides of different lengths, a characteristic diameter, D, that is an average length of the sides, and a ratio of R2/D that is 0.0125 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg
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Publication number: 20140076905Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 8651366Abstract: The present invention relates to rigid-buckling-resistant-fluted containers with an arcuate outer rim. The container such as a pressformed paperboard plate of overall diameter “D” including a generally planar bottom region, an upwardly extending fluted region surrounding the generally planar bottom region, and an outwardly and downwardly extending peripheral region having an arcuate radial profile. The containers being produced of a lightweight board but exhibiting high strength and rigidity relative to the low weight board.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg
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Patent number: 8584929Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinksi, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: RE47165Abstract: A disposable servingware container 10 press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank has a characteristic diameter, D, and includes a bottom panel 12 having an arched central crown 14 with a convex upper surface 14a, a first annular transition portion 16 extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel, with the proviso that a portion of the arched central crown defines a substantially continuous, convex arched profile 18 spanning at least 75% of the horizontal distance between center 20 of the container and the first annular transition. An optional sidewall portion 26 extends upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion, while a second annular transition portion 28 flares outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion defining a second radius of curvature, R2. The ratio of R2/D is 0.0125 or less. An outer flange portion 32 extends outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion and forms the outer perimeter of the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventor: Mark B. Littlejohn