Patents by Inventor Mark Steele

Mark Steele 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: 9963284
    Abstract: A package is disclosed. The package includes at least one valve or closure device provided at an access opening of the package. A method of forming and dispensing contents from a flexible package is also disclosed. Seals can be selectively applied to seal the closure to the package, control pressure in the closure, and to define a product flow pathway to facilitate dispensing of product upon sufficient pressure by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20180086020
    Abstract: A package is disclosed. The package includes at least one clinging or adhering access feature at an access opening of the package. A method of forming and dispensing contents from a package is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20170355502
    Abstract: A package having a closure device to define a pour spout is provided. Various zipper, package and/or closure features, constructs, structures and forming methods are provided to reduce or eliminate the air gap that can be present at or proximate the top seal of “pillow” or like packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20170341821
    Abstract: A flexible package having multiple compartments is described and depicted. The package can include an internal compartment panel to define first and second package cavities or compartments. Two adjacent but opposing access openings can be provided proximate a top portion of the package to define separate access into the distinct compartments, without a need to open or remove the top or handle portion of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20170217650
    Abstract: A package is provided to make it more resistant to access by individuals, such as small children, while remaining simple enough for an adult to open. A feature, such as a top gusset or a breachable flange or flap, can be provided to promote the child resistance attributes of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20170066561
    Abstract: A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of conventional packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. A bridge material is provided to the film to fill the air gap when the closure is in a sealed condition. The flexible package alternatively can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion to eliminate an air gap between the fin seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 9574444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for motion capture of a subject, suitable for use in an underground mining environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TESMAN INC.
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Steele, Duncan Paul Steele, Christopher Keith Steele
  • Publication number: 20170029174
    Abstract: A package having a sanitary dispenser is depicted and described. The package generally includes a dispenser that is sealed from environmental contaminants by a feature or portion of the package. The sealed dispenser portion of the package is accessed prior to use and the user is able to access the contents of the package through the sanitary dispenser. The dispenser may be inverted prior to use and deployed prior to use. A frangible portion may be provided to the dispenser. The dispenser may be re-sealable in the package. A straw may further be provided to the dispenser and be deployable by the user for access to the package contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20160297571
    Abstract: A package is disclosed. The package includes at least one valve or closure device provided at an access opening of the package. A method of forming and dispensing contents from a flexible package is also disclosed. Seals can be selectively applied to seal the closure to the package, control pressure in the closure, and to define a product flow pathway to facilitate dispensing of product upon sufficient pressure by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 9376249
    Abstract: A package having a sanitary dispenser is depicted and described. The package generally includes a dispenser that is sealed from environmental contaminants by a feature or portion of the package. The sealed dispenser portion of the package is accessed prior to use and the user is able to access the contents of the package through the sanitary dispenser. The dispenser may be inverted prior to use and deployed prior to use. A frangible portion may be provided to the dispenser. The dispenser may be re-sealable in the package. A straw may further be provided to the dispenser and be deployable by the user for access to the package contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Greg Melchoir
  • Publication number: 20160109437
    Abstract: Materials, systems and methods are provided for qualitative assessment of exposure of a person to ionizing radiation by measuring amounts of the biomarkers, wherein a change compared with corresponding un-irradiated control reference ranges of the biomarkers, provides the assessment, wherein the biomarkers include (i) alpha-1-Antichymotrypsin (ACT), (ii) Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), and (iii) one or more additional proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: David E. COOPER, Robert BALOG, Polly CHANG, Thomas A. SHALER, Hua LIN, Annalisa D'ANDREA, Travis HARRISON, Roger H. SCHMIDT, Christina SWANSON, Estevan MENDOZA, Mark STEELE, Pablo E. GARCIA
  • Patent number: 9309036
    Abstract: A package having a toothpick or other utensil that is defined or protectable within an interior sterile and/or sanitary area of the package that will not be confused with consumable contents. Multiple utensils can be provided of the same or different types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20160046409
    Abstract: A flexible package having a fill opening or feature is provided. The fill opening can be included in one or more of the package panels, with an internal fill patch provided proximate or about the fill opening. The patch can be initially sealed at one or more edge or portions to the internal surface of the respective package panel or panels, with a generally free edge or portion remaining unsealed. Upon filling the package with material contents through the fill opening, the free edge can be finally sealed by the filler or customer to close off the fill opening, without losing other features or the integrity of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20150251831
    Abstract: A package having a closure device to define a pour spout is provided. Various zipper, package and/or closure features, constructs, structures and forming methods are provided to reduce or eliminate the air gap that can be present at or proximate the top seal of “pillow” or like packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 9108381
    Abstract: A flexible package having a main package inner cavity compartment and a segregated secondary compartment. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. These panel portions can include a front panel portion, a back panel portion, and a bottom panel portion. A frangible longitudinal seal portion is provided such that breaching of the frangible longitudinal seal portion facilitates communication between the inner cavity and the secondary compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20140313502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for motion capture of a subject, suitable for use in an underground mining environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: TESMAN INC.
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Steele, Duncan Paul Steele, Christopher Keith Steele
  • Publication number: 20140294323
    Abstract: A flexible package having a side pour portion is provided. Additionally, one or more of the portions can be shaped and/or manufactured substantially as a gusset. Each of the panel portions comprise two longitudinal sides or edges. The access device can be attached to at least one surface of at least one of the side portions. The device can be manually attached to the side portions, or attached with existing and/or specially designed manufacturing machinery. Attachment of the access device to a side portion of the package is achieved using heat bonding techniques, adhesives, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20140245698
    Abstract: A package having a foldable top region is provided. The package generally includes panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween and accessible through an access opening. The top portion can provide a cuff member or cuff region that can be folded and unfolded to facilitate use of the package as a bowl or other cuffed container for material contents. The package can be adapted to hold its shape as a bowl or cuffed container. A reclosure member can be provided to facilitate re-sealing of the package. A folding strip, edge contours and stiffening members can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20140155240
    Abstract: A flexible package is disclosed. The flexible package includes at least one shape memory closure provided at an access opening of the package. A method of forming and dispensing contents from a flexible package is also disclosed. Various shape memory closures can be bubble-shaped or dome-shaped and can be hollow fluid-filled, solid, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20140120207
    Abstract: A package having a toothpick or other utensil that is defined or protectable within an interior sterile and/or sanitary area of the package that will not be confused with consumable contents. Multiple utensils can be provided of the same or different types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Greg Melchoir