Patents by Inventor Timothy E. Coulson

Timothy E. Coulson 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: 9718569
    Abstract: A modified atmosphere flow-wrap system and method and components thereof are provided for packaging a food product in a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a continuous or partially-continuous process. In one aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a saturation tunnel for saturating the food products with modified gas to reduce an amount of residual oxygen therein. In another aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a flow-wrapping station with a modified gas lance that extends into film webbing used to form the food product packages to insert modified gas into the film webbing and restrict oxygen from entering the food packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Doll, Timothy E. Coulson, Eric J. Frederickson, Alexander D. Jones, Robert C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140047801
    Abstract: A method and packaging system for forming a sealed vacuum package having minimal residual air remaining. At least one vacuum lance is provided in the interior of a partially-formed package to withdraw the air, the package being closed on three sides and having a fourth side open for insertion of the vacuum lance. An air restriction can be provided along the fourth side to form a closed edge that prevents ingress of air into the package interior after the evacuation of air. In one aspect, the air restriction may comprise a pair of pinch rollers that compress the package at the fourth side edge to form a pinch seal that provides a relatively airtight air chamber inside of the package prior to and during sealing of the package. In another aspect, the air restriction may comprise a partial seal formed around the lances to prevent or minimize air from reentering the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Doll, Timothy E. Coulson, Ronald E. Ballen
  • Patent number: 8596026
    Abstract: A method and packaging system for forming a sealed vacuum package having minimal residual air remaining. At least one vacuum lance is provided in the interior of a partially-formed package to withdraw the air, the package being closed on three sides and having a fourth side open for insertion of the vacuum lance. An air restriction can be provided along the fourth side to form a closed edge that prevents ingress of air into the package interior after the evacuation of air. In one aspect, the air restriction may comprise a pair of pinch rollers that compress the package at the fourth side edge to form a pinch seal that provides a relatively airtight air chamber inside of the package prior to and during sealing of the package. In another aspect, the air restriction may comprise a partial seal formed around the lances to prevent or minimize air from reentering the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Doll, Timothy E. Coulson, Ronald E. Ballen
  • Publication number: 20120031049
    Abstract: A method and packaging system for forming a sealed vacuum package having minimal residual air remaining. At least one vacuum lance is provided in the interior of a partially-formed package to withdraw the air, the package being closed on three sides and having a fourth side open for insertion of the vacuum lance. An air restriction can be provided along the fourth side to form a closed edge that prevents ingress of air into the package interior after the evacuation of air. In one aspect, the air restriction may comprise a pair of pinch rollers that compress the package at the fourth side edge to form a pinch seal that provides a relatively airtight air chamber inside of the package prior to and during sealing of the package. In another aspect, the air restriction may comprise a partial seal formed around the lances to prevent or minimize air from reentering the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Paul E. Doll, Timothy E. Coulson, Ronald E. Ballen
  • Publication number: 20100257820
    Abstract: A modified atmosphere flow-wrap system and method and components thereof are provided for packaging a food product in a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a continuous or partially-continuous process. In one aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a saturation tunnel for saturating the food products with modified gas to reduce an amount of residual oxygen therein. In another aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a flow-wrapping station with a modified gas lance that extends into film webbing used to form the food product packages to insert modified gas into the film webbing and restrict oxygen from entering the food packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Doll, Timothy E. Coulson, Eric J. Frederickson, Alexander D. Jones, Robert C. Jones