Patents by Inventor Robert L. Conatser
Robert L. Conatser 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: 20230302756Abstract: A method of forming a tray includes obtaining a blank, the blank having a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The method further includes positioning the blank in a blank feeder assembly of a system for forming a tray, moving the blank to a tray forming assembly, the tray forming assembly including a tray forming assembly, the tray forming assembly including a turret assembly comprising a plurality of female tray forming members, the tray forming assembly further comprising a piston assembly including a male forming member, positioning the blank between the turret assembly and the piston assembly, and moving the piston assembly into at least partial engagement with the turret assembly to form a tray from the blank.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Mark Woodward, Colin P. Ford, Shawn Westerlund
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Publication number: 20230166474Abstract: A method of forming a tray includes obtaining a blank, positioning the blank in a blank feeder assembly of a system for forming a tray, moving the blank from the blank feeder assembly to a nipping assembly, and moving the blank to a tray forming assembly, the tray forming assembly including a tray forming apparatus. The method further includes positioning the blank between a first tray forming portion of the tray forming apparatus and a second tray forming portion of the tray forming apparatus, the first tray forming portion includes a forming block that defines an interior, and the second tray forming portion includes a tray forming member, and driving the forming block into engagement with the blank and the tray forming member such that the blank and the tray forming member are at least partially received in the interior of the forming block to form a tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Mark Woodward
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Patent number: 11628967Abstract: A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLCInventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, James Baxley
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Publication number: 20220024170Abstract: A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, James Baxley
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Patent number: 11174065Abstract: A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLCInventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, James Baxley
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Patent number: 10906689Abstract: A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLCInventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser
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Publication number: 20190344922Abstract: A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, James Baxley
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Patent number: 8809754Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a susceptor film comprising microwave energy interactive material on a polymer film, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and an adjoining layer joined to the support layer. The adjoining layer comprises a paper-based material having a machine direction and a cross direction. The adjoining layer is joined to the support layer by an adhesive region extending in the cross direction across at least a portion of the adjoining layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Conatser, Weston R. Wilson, Kelly R. Fitzwater
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Publication number: 20140151443Abstract: A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser
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Patent number: 8672822Abstract: A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser
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Patent number: 8025618Abstract: Disclosed herein, for example, are methods and apparatus for forming carton blanks. In one such method, a first web of material and a second web of material may be provided. At least one line of disruption may be formed in one of the webs of material. A combined section may be formed that includes a section of the first web of material and a section of the second web of material. Thereafter, a carton blank may be formed by separating the combined section from the first web of material and the second web of material. Also disclosed herein, for example, are various carton blanks and cartons.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
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Publication number: 20110220640Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a susceptor film comprising microwave energy interactive material on a polymer film, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and an adjoining layer joined to the support layer. The adjoining layer comprises a paper-based material having a machine direction and a cross direction. The adjoining layer is joined to the support layer by an adhesive region extending in the cross direction across at least a portion of the adjoining layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Robert L. Conatser, Weston R. Wilson, Kelly R. Fitzwater
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Patent number: 7959060Abstract: A carton is formed from an inner blank and an outer blank. The outer blank ply of the carton includes a pivoting, reclosable lid that allows a top end of the carton to be accessed and subsequently closed. A latch feature is included in the carton to allow the lid to be securely closed over the open top of the carton. The inner blank may form a closed and/or sealed liner vessel within the outer blank ply of the carton.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Weston R. Wilson, Robert L. Conatser, Kelly R. Fitzwater
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Patent number: 7717322Abstract: Cartons are formed from two or more continuous webs that can individually or concurrently provided with cuts, scores, or other lines of disruption.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
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Patent number: 7658318Abstract: Cartons are formed from two or more continuous webs that can individually or concurrently provided with cuts, scores, or other lines of disruption.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek, Kelly R. Fitzwater, Weston R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7494044Abstract: A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser
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Publication number: 20090036285Abstract: A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser
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Publication number: 20080116250Abstract: Cartons are formed from two or more continuous webs that can individually or concurrently provided with cuts, scores, or other lines of disruption.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
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Patent number: 7241254Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container defining an interior and an exterior provided with a first access panel and a second access panel for creating an opening for passage between the interior and the exterior, and methods for making and using such a container.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
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Patent number: 7210612Abstract: A carton blank having an outer layer of a relatively rigid material, a first inner layer of a relatively rigid material superposed over a portion of the outer layer and a second inner layer of a relatively flexible layer of a fluid impervious material is provided with first and second weakened portions so that, after a carton has been formed from the carton blank, filled with a desired material and sealed, the first weakened portion may be broken to form a flip top lid which when moved in an arcuate path will gradually sever the second weakened portion to form an opening in the carton so that an amount of the desired material may be removed from the carton. The carton also may include a feature which allows the flip top lid to be securely re-closed after initial opening of the lid.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek