Patents by Inventor Nathaniel B. Ball
Nathaniel B. Ball 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: 11993439Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more article and a blank for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a carrying handle having at least one handle panel hingedly connected at a proximal end thereof to one of the plurality of panels. The hinged connection is interrupted by at least one cut line defining a tab. The tab is struck from one of a portion of the one of the plurality of panels. The tab is integral with the at least one handle panel and extends from the hinged connection internally of the carton when in use.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Patent number: 11939128Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton (190), and a blank (110) for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels (112, 114, 116, 118, 120) defining an interior of the carton. The carton comprises a first panel (118) and a second panel (120) hinged to the first panel along a first fold line (119). The first panel has a first corner edge (55a) extending obliquely with respect to the first fold line such that an obtuse angle is defined between the first corner edge and the first fold line. The carton further comprises an opening feature (D) which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature comprises a removable panel (170a) defined at least in part by first (173a) and second tear lines (173b) which define opposing side edges of the removable panel respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, Meng-Chuan Wu
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Publication number: 20230339665Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90; 290 comprises a pair of spaced panels including a cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 and an engaging panel 12; 112; 212. A male locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 formed from the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 connects the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 with the engaging panel 12; 112; 212. The locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 is hingedly connected to the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 along a fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581. The fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581 lies upon a notional line n-n which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge M1, M2 and a side edge 19; 119 of the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Julien D. Merzeau, Alexandre Therond, Nicolas Teillol, Arnaud Demange, Nathaniel B. Ball, Matthew E. Zacherle
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Publication number: 20230242316Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more article and a blank for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a carrying handle having at least one handle panel hingedly connected at a proximal end thereof to one of the plurality of panels. The hinged connection is interrupted by at least one cut line defining a tab. The tab is struck from one of a portion of the one of the plurality of panels. The tab is integral with the at least one handle panel and extends from the hinged connection internally of the carton when in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2021Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Patent number: 11679920Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a package comprising a carton or article carrier loaded with one or more articles. The package comprises a group of generally cylindrical articles each having an end and a cylindrical side. The carton is disposed at least partially around the group of articles B. The carton comprises a plurality of panels including: a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second opposed side walls and first and second opposed end walls. The group of articles are arranged in a plurality of rows of articles comprising a first row and a second row.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, Meng-Chuan Wu
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Publication number: 20230091859Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10) for forming the carrier. The article carrier comprises a sleeve structure (12/18) defining at least in part an interior of the article carrier for receiving at least one article, the sleeve structure including at least one substantially planar portion. An end closure structure (14/16) is hingedly connected to a first end of the sleeve structure to at least partially close the first end. At least one glue flap (20, 22) is hingedly connected to the planar portion of the sleeve structure for pivotal movement with respect to the planar portion. at least one glue flap is disposed generally in the plane of the planar portion of the sleeve structure when the at least one article l is received in the interior of the article carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Nathaniel B. BALL, Lauren N. CHESNET
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Patent number: 11608219Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel hinged to one of opposed side edges of the top panel, a second side panel hinged to the other of the side edges of the top panel, an upper end closure flap hinged to the top panel, a first side end closure flap hinged to the first side panel, a second side end closure flap hinged to the second side panel, and a foldable gusset folded into the interior of the carton. The gusset is hinged to the upper end closure flap.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Patent number: 11565862Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. An end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first panel. A foldable gusset is disposed in the interior of the carton. The gusset hingedly connecting between the end closure panel and the second panel. A gusset opening is defined, at least, in panels forming the gusset. The carton comprises an opening feature which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature is defined at least in part by first and second tear lines each extending from the gusset opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Patent number: 11548707Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first primary panel and a second primary panel hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a first fold line. The carton comprises a plurality of end closure panels including first and second end closure panels hingedly connected respectively to the first and second primary panels. The first end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a second fold line and to the second end closure panel. The second fold line is disposed obliquely to the first fold line.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Publication number: 20220097937Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton (190), and a blank (110) for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels (112, 114, 116, 118, 120) defining an interior of the carton. The carton comprises a first panel (118) and a second panel (120) hinged to the first panel along a first fold line (119). The first panel has a first corner edge (55a) extending obliquely with respect to the first fold line such that an obtuse angle is defined between the first corner edge and the first fold line. The carton further comprises an opening feature (D) which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature comprises a removable panel (170a) defined at least in part by first (173a) and second tear lines (173b) which define opposing side edges of the removable panel respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, Meng-Chuan Wu
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Publication number: 20220002053Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. An end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first panel. A foldable gusset is disposed in the interior of the carton. The gusset hingedly connecting between the end closure panel and the second panel. A gusset opening is defined, at least, in panels forming the gusset. The carton comprises an opening feature which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature is defined at least in part by first and second tear lines each extending from the gusset opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventor: Nathaniel B. BALL
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Publication number: 20220002052Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a 35a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel hinged to one of opposed side edges of the top panel, a second side panel hinged to the other of the side edges of the top panel, an upper end closure flap hinged to the top panel, a first side end closure flap hinged to the first side panel, a second side end closure flap hinged to the second side panel, and a foldable gusset folded into the interior of the carton. The gusset is hinged to the upper end closure flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventor: Nathaniel B. BALL
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Publication number: 20210394984Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first primary panel and a second primary panel hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a first fold line. The carton comprises a plurality of end closure panels including first and second end closure panels hingedly connected respectively to the first and second primary panels. The first end closure panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a second fold line and to the second end closure panel. The second fold line is disposed obliquely to the first fold line.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventor: Nathaniel B. BALL
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Patent number: 11084639Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of wall forming a tubular structure. The plurality of walls include a top wall (12), first side wall (14) hinged to the top wall by a first hinged connection (13) and a second side wall (18) hinged to the top wall by a second hinged connection. The carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle aperture (A2) struck at least in part from the top wall and defining in part a handle strap (40a). The handle aperture comprises a first edge (E1) defining in part a grip portion of the handle strap and providing a load-bearing edge; and a second edge (E2) opposing the first edge, the second edge being a non-load-bearing edge. A reinforcing member (S) reinforces the load-bearing edge of the handle aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLCInventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Publication number: 20200270040Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of wall forming a tubular structure. The plurality of walls include a top wall (12), first side wall (14) hinged to the top wall by a first hinged connection (13) and a second side wall (18) hinged to the top wall by a second hinged connection. The carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle aperture (A2) struck at least in part from the top wall and defining in part a handle strap (40a). The handle aperture comprises a first edge (E1) defining in part a grip portion of the handle strap and providing a load-bearing edge; and a second edge (E2) opposing the first edge, the second edge being a non-load-bearing edge. A reinforcing member (S) reinforces the load-bearing edge of the handle aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
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Patent number: 10730675Abstract: A carton includes a top wall (12a/12b), first side wall (14), second side wall (18), first end wall, a second end wall and a bottom wall (16). The carton has a handle structure (H) defined at least in part in an outer panel (12b) and at least in part in an inner panel (12a). The outer panel is disposed in overlapping relationship with the inner panel to form the top wall. The outer panel includes an outer handle strap (30) while the inner panel includes an inner handle strap (32). The outer handle strap is continuously formed with the outer panel at its first end and severably attached to the outer panel at its second end by a frangible connection (46). The inner handle strap includes a first end disposed in the inner panel and continuously formed with the inner panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Nathaniel B. Ball, Brandon L. Ramsuer
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Publication number: 20200216246Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a package comprising a carton or article carrier loaded with one or more articles. The package comprises a group of generally cylindrical articles each having an end and a cylindrical side. The carton is disposed at least partially around the group of articles B. The carton comprises a plurality of panels including: a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second opposed side walls and first and second opposed end walls. The group of articles are arranged in a plurality of rows of articles comprising a first row and a second row.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, Meng-Chuan Wu
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Patent number: 10569947Abstract: A carton includes a first panel and a second panel in overlying relationship with each other so as to form a composite wall and a handle structure formed in the composite wall. The handle structure includes a first end portion formed from the first panel, a grip portion extending from the first end portion into an access opening in the composite wall and a second end portion disposed under the first panel and coupled to the grip portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: WestRock Packaging Svstems, LLCInventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, John W. Cash, III
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Patent number: 10472151Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier having a carrying handle formed within a medial partition structure. The carrying handle (H) has an engaging edge that is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to an upper edge of the medial partition structure, and the engaging edge is disposed in an off-centre position within the medial partition structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLCInventors: Nathaniel B. Ball, David T. Hayslette
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Publication number: 20190144183Abstract: A carton includes a top wall (12a/12b), first side wall (14), second side wall (18), first end wall, a second end wall and a bottom wall (16). The carton has a handle structure (H) defined at least in part in an outer panel (12b) and at least in part in an inner panel (12a). The outer panel is disposed in overlapping relationship with the inner panel to form the top wall. The outer panel includes an outer handle strap (30) while the inner panel includes an inner handle strap (32). The outer handle strap is continuously formed with the outer panel at its first end and severably attached to the outer panel at its second end by a frangible connection (46). The inner handle strap includes a first end disposed in the inner panel and continuously formed with the inner panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Nathaniel B. Ball, Brandon L. Ramsuer