Patents by Inventor Rawson Chenault

Rawson Chenault 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: 5624623
    Abstract: A thin-walled, cup shaped container molded of polypropylene, or other suitable material, is formed with a tamper-evident band initially positioned outside the lip at the top of the container wall. The lower edge of the band is connected to the container by spaced frangible bridges. A lid closes off the top of the container and has an outer and inner skirt respectively fitting outside and inside the container lip. The upper end of the band is formed into an annular inward projection overlying the periphery of the lid. Forming the retainer projection is accomplished by bringing a heated tool in contact with the band to heat the same until near its melting temperature. The tool has slanted walls converging at a radius and shaped to bend the projection approximately horizontally inward. The lid cannot be removed without tearing off the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5528814
    Abstract: A thin-walled, wide mouth molded plastic container is provided with a tamper evident band initially molded as a straight-walled cylinder spaced outwardly of the lip of the container and connected thereto by a frangible horizontal bridge. The upper edge of the cylindrical band extends above the level of the container lip. Subsequent to molding and preferably before capping, the band is curled inward by application of a curling tool. The container lid is axially applied, the outer edge of the lid displacing the curled band outward. The resilience of the band and bridge permits outward deflection and immediate restoration of the curl to its initial position. The curl prevents removal of the lid without fracture of the bridge and removal of the tamper-evident band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5398836
    Abstract: A thin-walled, cup shaped container molded of polypropylene, or other suitable material, is formed with a tamper-evident band initially positioned outside the lip at the top of the container wall. The lower edge of the band is connected to the container by spaced frangible bridges. A lid closes off the top of the container and has an outer and inner skirt respectively fitting outside and inside the container lip. The upper end of the band is formed into an annular inward projection overlying the periphery of the lid. Forming the retainer projection is accomplished by bringing a heated tool in contact with the band to heat the same until near its melting temperature. The tool has slanted walls converging at a radius and shaped to bend the projection approximately horizontally inward. The lid cannot be removed without tearing off the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5348183
    Abstract: A fitment for a container, such as a carton, has an attachment flange adapted to be sealed to the carton around a pour hole therein. The fitment has a cylindrical spout formed with vertically spaced seal bead and locking bead. The closure has a top disk with a depending skirt dimensioned to slidably fit within the spout. The exterior of the skirt has an external locking bead at its lower end positioned to lock under the fitment locking bead to hold the closure in place and a seal surface to be engaged by the fitment seal bead. Initially the fitment and spout are molded as a unit, the locking bead of the closure and the top edge of the fitment spout being joined by a circular frangible link. The combination is tamper-evident since access to the interior of the carton cannot be obtained without breaking the link. As an alternative, the cap may be separated from the spout and slid inside the spout. Separate cooperable means on the cap disk and fitment flange make this alternative tamper-evident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5348184
    Abstract: A tamper-evident thermoplastic fitment having a spout and a closure for said spout are welded to a polymer-coated paperboard container or to a flexible plastic container. The fitment and closure are initially molded simultaneously but with a substantial space between the two parts interconnected by an elongated runner which conducts molten plastic from the closure to the fitment. Upon retraction of the core of the mold, the closure is pulled into the spout until shoulders on the parts engage, whereupon the closure is stripped from the mold core. The runner comprises a tear tab which slides through an apertured space on the closure. When the parts engage tangs on the tear tab engage the space, making the assembly tamper-evident. The fitment has a flange which may be welded or otherwise secured to the container. The tab may be pulled by the consumer to open the container. The closure may be unscrewed from the spout or otherwise disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5303838
    Abstract: A container (e.g., an 8 oz. milk container) formed of paperboard, or the like, is formed with an aperture. A plastic disk is attached to the paperboard over the aperture by thermoplastic welding or other means. The disk has a frangible area which is opened to dispense contents. Typically the frangible area is penetrated by the end of a drinking straw. For aseptic packaging, the paperboard may be lined with a barrier, such as foil. Alternatively foil may be attached to the disk and welded to the paperboard surrounding the aperture or welded to a foil or polyethylene liner for the paperboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5283940
    Abstract: A thin-walled, wide mouth molded plastic container is provided with a tamper evident band initially molded as a straight-walled cylinder spaced outwardly of the lip of the container and connected thereto by a frangible horizontal bridge. The upper edge of the cylindrical band extends above the level of the container lip. Subsequent to molding and preferably before capping, the band is curled inward by application of a curling tool. The container lid is axially applied, the outer edge of the lid displacing the curled band outward. The resilience of the band and bridge permits outward deflection and immediate restoration of the curl to its initial position. The curl prevents removal of the lid without fracture of the bridge and removal of the tamper-evident band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5163575
    Abstract: A thin-walled, wide mouth molded plastic container is provided with a tamper evident band initially molded as a straight-walled cylinder spaced outwardly of the lip of the container and connected thereto by a frangible horizontal bridge. The upper edge of the cylindrical band extends above the level of the container lip. Subsequent to molding and preferably before capping, the band is curled inward by application of a curling tool. The container lid is axially applied, the outer edge of the lid displacing the curled band outward. The resilience of the band and bridge permits outward deflection and immediate restoration of the curl to its initial position. The curl prevents removal of the lid without fracture of the bridge and removal of the tamper-evident band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Cup Snap Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: RE36729
    Abstract: A thin-walled, wide mouth molded plastic container is provided with a tamper evident band initially molded as a straight-walled cylinder spaced outwardly of the lip of the container and connected thereto by a frangible horizontal bridge. The upper edge of the cylindrical band extends above the level of the container lip. Subsequent to molding and preferably before capping, the band is curled inward by application of a curling tool. The container lid is axially applied, the outer edge of the lid displacing the curled band outward. The resilience of the band and bridge permits outward deflection and immediate restoration of the curl to its initial position. The curl prevents removal of the lid without fracture of the bridge and removal of the tamper-evident band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault