Patents by Inventor Michael G. Borchardt

Michael G. Borchardt 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: 11970310
    Abstract: One or more implementations of a multi-film thermoplastic bag with a grab zone of contact areas positioned in a high-touch area of the bag. For example, the multi-film thermoplastic bag includes one or more regions of a first film in contact with a second film at one or more contact areas. The grab zone regions of one or more contact areas are located in visible and high-touch areas to provide visual and tactile cues of strength and durability. Moreover, the grab zone regions of one or more contact areas serve to distribute pull and lift forces across a wider area in order to avoid common failures in high-touch areas such as over stretching, punctures, tears, and rips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: THE GLAD PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Sarah J. Steenblock, Matthew W. Waldron, Shaun T. Broering, Deborah K. Fix, Justin Zickus, David A. Bailey, Jason R. Maxwell, Michael G. Borchardt, Edward B. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20240124196
    Abstract: A thermoplastic bag includes duplicative seals. In particular, in one or more implementations, a thermoplastic bag includes a first seal and at least a second seal reinforcing the same area of the thermoplastic bag. For instance, in one or more implementations, the thermoplastic bag includes multiple seals along each side edge or along the hem. If one seal fails, the other seal(s) can remain in place to prevent leaks. Thus, the duplicative seals of the thermoplastic bag can provide reinforced strength and desired aesthetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jason R. MAXWELL, Robert T. DORSEY, Michael G. BORCHARDT, Edward B. TUCKER, Jack F. MELVAN, Shaun T. BROERING, Matthew W. WALDRON, Richard D. PALMER, Deborah K. FIX, Zeljko VIDOVIC
  • Patent number: 11958660
    Abstract: Thermoplastic bags with phased deformation patterns are described. In particular, one or more implementations comprise thermoplastic bags with ring rolling, SELFing, or other deformation patterns phased or aligned relative to the sides of the bags. The phased deformation patterns can allow for reducing or eliminating deformation patterns in areas of the thermoplastic bag in which side seals or other seals are formed. Additionally or alternatively, the phased deformation patterns can provide for zones that provide differing properties (e.g., functional or aesthetic). Such zones can vary aligned along a width of the thermoplastic bag and optionally also vary along a height of the thermoplastic bag. The differing zones can provide the thermoplastic bags with phased deformations that provide leak prevention, liquid containment, and other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: THE GLAD PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Matthew W. Waldron, Jason R. Maxwell, Robert T. Dorsey, Michael G. Borchardt, Edward B. Tucker, Jack F. Melvan, Richard D. Palmer, Deborah K. Fix
  • Publication number: 20240092054
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O’Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Publication number: 20240042727
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O’Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Patent number: 11891213
    Abstract: A thermoplastic bag includes duplicative seals. In particular, in one or more implementations, a thermoplastic bag includes a first seal and at least a second seal reinforcing the same area of the thermoplastic bag. For instance, in one or more implementations, the thermoplastic bag includes multiple seals along each side edge or along the hem. If one seal fails, the other seal(s) can remain in place to prevent leaks. Thus, the duplicative seals of the thermoplastic bag can provide reinforced strength and desired aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Maxwell, Robert T. Dorsey, Michael G. Borchardt, Edward B. Tucker, Jack F. Melvan, Shaun T. Broering, Matthew W. Waldron, Richard D. Palmer, Deborah K. Fix, Zeljko Vidovic
  • Patent number: 11891214
    Abstract: Thermoplastic films and bags include gradient patterns of post-formation deformations. The gradient patterns of post-formation deformations can provide a connotation of strength. Additionally, the gradient pattern of post-formation deformations can provide different areas of the films or bags with different physical characteristics such as tear resistance, puncture resistance, elasticity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Edward B Tucker, Robert T Dorsey, Ranyi Zhu, Theodore Cory Fites, Zeljko Vidovic, Michael G Borchardt, Jason R Maxwell, Shaun T Broering, Daniel C Peck
  • Publication number: 20230398764
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermoplastics film, multi-film structures, and bags including enhanced physical properties. For example, one or more implementations include tailoring the physical properties of thermoplastic films by forming raised rib-like elements in the films that extend at an angle relative to a direction in which the film is extruded (e.g., the machine direction). In other words, one or more implementations include films with a pattern of raised rib-like elements extending at an acute angle to the predominate direction of molecular orientation of the thermoplastic film. The angled raised rib-like elements increase the machine direction tear resistance of the thermoplastic film by intersecting any machine direction propagating tears and redirecting the tears towards the higher tear resistant transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michael G. Borchardt, David A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11826996
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Publication number: 20230364895
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermoplastics film, multi-film structures, and bags including enhanced physical properties. For example, one or more implementations include tailoring the physical properties of thermoplastic films by forming ribs using ring rolling in the films that extend at an angle relative to a direction in which the film is extruded (e.g., the machine direction). In other words, one or more implementations include films with a pattern of ribs extending at an acute angle to the predominate direction of molecular orientation of the thermoplastic film. The angled ribs increase the machine direction tear resistance of the thermoplastic film by intersecting any machine direction propagating tears and redirecting the tears towards the higher tear resistant transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michael G. Borchardt, David A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11807422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reinforced thermoplastic bag (e.g., comprising a bag-in-bag). In one or more embodiments, the reinforced thermoplastic bag includes a reinforced portion at a top-of-bag area where users often apply an external force to lift or carry the reinforced thermoplastic bag. In these or other embodiments, a grab-zone reinforcement insert is positioned across one or both of a hem channel region and a grab-zone along an outer surface, an inner surface, or between layers of the reinforced thermoplastic bag. In one or more embodiments, the grab-zone reinforcement insert comprises multiple layers (e.g., of a non-woven material). For example, the grab-zone reinforcement insert includes a first and second layer formed by a fold. In other implementations, the grab-zone reinforcement insert includes separate, discrete layers. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the grab-zone reinforcement insert is positionally affixed via a hem seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Tucker, Mark D. Pszczolkowski, Abhishek Dutta, Sarah J. Steenblock, Matthew W. Waldron, Shaun T. Broering, Deborah K. Fix, David A. Bailey, Jason R. Maxwell, Michael G. Borchardt, Nancy M. Mack-Roble, Rebecca S. Reuhs, Robert T. Dorsey, Kyle T. Diehl
  • Patent number: 11731390
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Publication number: 20230011512
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Publication number: 20230008520
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Patent number: 11535002
    Abstract: A multiple-ply thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern, when stretched or elongated and then released, can cause areas of billowing and delamination between plies of the multiple-ply thermoplastic film. The resulting billowed and delaminated areas form billow pockets for capturing liquids that can capture liquids when one of the plies is punctured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Tucker, Robert T. Dorsey, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Deborah K. Fix, Zeljko Vidovic, Lehai Vu
  • Patent number: 11485108
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Michael G. Borchardt, Ranyi Zhu, Jason R. Maxwell, Daniel Charles Peck, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert T. Dorsey, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, Karen Denise McAffry
  • Publication number: 20220324616
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reinforced thermoplastic bag (e.g., comprising a bag-in-bag). In one or more embodiments, the reinforced thermoplastic bag includes a reinforced portion at a top-of-bag area where users often apply an external force to lift or carry the reinforced thermoplastic bag. In these or other embodiments, a grab-zone reinforcement insert is positioned across one or both of a hem channel region and a grab-zone along an outer surface, an inner surface, or between layers of the reinforced thermoplastic bag. In one or more embodiments, the grab-zone reinforcement insert comprises multiple layers (e.g., of a non-woven material). For example, the grab-zone reinforcement insert includes a first and second layer formed by a fold. In other implementations, the grab-zone reinforcement insert includes separate, discrete layers. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the grab-zone reinforcement insert is positionally affixed via a hem seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Edward B. Tucker, Mark D. Pszczolkowski, Abhishek Dutta, Sarah J. Steenblock, Matthew W. Waldron, Shaun T. Broering, Deborah K. Fix, David A. Bailey, Jason R. Maxwell, Michael G. Borchardt, Nancy M. Mack-Roble, Rebecca S. Reuhs, Robert T. Dorsey, Kyle T. Diehl
  • Publication number: 20220219864
    Abstract: One or more implementations of a multi-film thermoplastic bag with a conjoined hem channel. For example, the multi-film thermoplastic bag includes a multi-film hem channel. Bonds secure the layers of the hem channel together so as to prevent a drawtape from inverting or bunching an inner layer of the hem channel during cinching. The bonds are thus located in a hem channel of a multi-film thermoplastic bag so as to reduce an amount of mechanical engagement between the films of the multi-film thermoplastic bag and another thermoplastic film such as a drawtape. In one or more implementations, a grab zone of the multi-film thermoplastic bag also includes bonds in the form of contact areas to provide tactile and visual cues of strength in the grab zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Sarah J. Steenblock, Edward B. Tucker, Matthew W. Waldron, Lehai Minh Pham Vu, John Prusinski, Shaun T. Broering, Deborah K. Fix, Justin Zickus, David A. Bailey, Jason R. Maxwell, Michael G. Borchardt
  • Bag
    Patent number: D957257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Ranyi Zhu, Edward B. Tucker, Robert T. Dorsey, Jason R. Maxwell, Shaun T. Broering, Kyle T. Diehl, Sean Chang, Michael G. Borchardt
  • Patent number: D964180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Sarah A. Kuhl, Mark D. Pszczolkowski, Ronald J. Cisek, Dean Ferracane, Jack F. Melvan, Michael G. Borchardt