Patents Represented by Attorney Alan M. Biddison
  • Patent number: 6161271
    Abstract: A method for mounting a slider device on a recloseable package includes mounting the slider device by intersecting the slider device with a zipper arrangement so that at least one of the slider device and the zipper arrangement is distorted to allow mounting. A particular method includes mounting the slider device includes intersecting the slider device with the zipper arrangement at an angle between about 20 to 60.degree., preferably about 45.degree.. In another method, the zipper arrangement is distorted to facilitate mounting of the slider device thereon, and in yet another method, the slider device is distorted to facilitate mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Schreiter
  • Patent number: 6162855
    Abstract: Naturally occurring bauxites are suitable as flame retardants and can be incorporated into polymeric carpet backings, when they are ground or pulverized to obtain a generally uniform distribution of particles predominantly less than 250 micrometers in size and containing up to 45 wt. % of fines (less than 3 micrometers in size), and then used in combination with an appropriate wetting agent, dispersant, froth aid, latex, and thickener package to wet-out and disperse the particles and provide adequate control of viscosity build. The bauxite should preferably have a high gibbsite content and should preferably have a pH range of from 4.5 to 8. Mechanical stirring can be used to aid in viscosity control. Lowering the specified percent solids in a formulation by adding small amounts of water allows for even finer ground bauxite (up to 55 wt. % of fines) to be used as filler for carpet backings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Darryl A. Langley
  • Patent number: 6139479
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing containers or bags includes a sealer that produces seals on a moving film. These seals are spaced at intervals that determine the length of the containers. An operator can change the desired container length while the film is moving. In response to such changes, a control arrangement adjusts the speed at which the sealer rotates and, in turn, the spacing of the seals and the length of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Heiliger
  • Patent number: 6131248
    Abstract: A peelable seal includes four layers. The first layer includes first and second alternating ribs. The first ribs comprise a first material, and the second ribs comprise a second material. The first material bonds well with the closure profiles. The second material bonds well with the third and fourth layers. The first material does not bond well with the second material. Thus, the bond strength is lower between the first and second ribs and between the third and fourth ribs than between the first and third ribs and the closure profiles and between the second and fourth ribs and the third and fourth layers. In this process, the strength of the peelable seal is controlled during the extrusion process rather than being subjected to the variations in the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the peelable seal includes six layers. The first and second layers bond well with the closure profiles. The third and fourth layers bond well with the fifth and sixth layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6092931
    Abstract: A heat insulating layer exists between the attachment layer and the closure profile of a resealable closure mechanism for a package. A heat and pressure sealing process is used to attach the closure profile to a resealable package. A heat-sealing bar is used to apply a heat load into the attachment layer causing the attachment layer to fuse with the film of the package. The beat insulating layer insulates the profile layer from the heat load to prevent distorting or melting of the profile layer. The heat insulating layer also supports the profile members perpendicular to their respective base strips to facilitate opening and closing of the resealable package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Tilman
  • Patent number: 6091482
    Abstract: A lenticular preprinting process producing a composite image which, when printed, is assembled with a lenticular lens material (18). The composite image is developed from a plurality of images (A-D) which include both graphic and textual images. Each of the respective images are digitized and a pixel array for the image is formed. Separate digital files are created for each image. Next, computerized files are separately created for continuous tone images and for linework images. From these computerized files, separate raster image files for the continuous tone and linework images are produced. Next, segments from each raster image file is combined in a predetermined sequence with segments from the other raster image files to separately interlace the respective continuous tone and line work images. The resulting combined files are now linked to produce an image having both continuous tone and linework constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Carter, Steven J. Clemens, Jennifer P. Mueller, Randall L. Peek
  • Patent number: 6073293
    Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: John J. Ahlskog, John Randolph Kissell, Brian J. Malloy, Adam D. Matteo, Glen A. Taylor, Kurt P. Thompson, George B. Tyler, Roman Wolchuk
  • Patent number: 6074096
    Abstract: A closure arrangement is disclosed having a base strip configured to be thermally-fused to a web of a recloseable package. The base strip contains a compartment having low thermal conduction properties. The compartment protects a zipper profile or profiles from thermal deformation during sealing of the closure arrangement to the web. The compartment contains air or other gases in specific implementations. In addition, the invention is directed to a package containing the closure arrangement, and to methods of making the package and methods of making the closure arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Tilman
  • Patent number: 6065534
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy article consisting essentially of controlled amounts of iron, silicon, copper, manganese, magnesium, titanium, zinc, zirconium and free machining elements with the balance being aluminum and incidental impurities is adapted for use as a connector block in a heat exchanger assembly. The connector block has a connector block body with at least one machined portion therein and is configured to be brazed to a portion of the heat exchanger, particularly the heat, exchanger header. The aluminum alloy combines the properties of machinability, corrosion resistance, strength and brazeability. A connector block made from the aluminum alloy can be machined to the right configuration and can be brazed to the heat exchanger header to form a high quality brazed joint. In addition, the connector block can withstand the corrosive environment associated with the heat exchanger and has the necessary mechanical properties to interface with other heat exchanger components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Subhasish Sircar
  • Patent number: 6063224
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resealable closure mechanism includes separately extruding the interlocking closure member from its respective base strip. The interlocking closure member is cooled prior to bonding the base strip to the interlocking closure member. Bonding is accomplished by either heat sealing, adhering, pouring molten polymeric material, or ultrasonic sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mladomir Tomic, Catherine E. Kettner
  • Patent number: 6059456
    Abstract: A closure arrangement for a flexible package includes two base strips having channels and film-attachment portions, and a closure strip inserted within and slidably engaging the channels of the base strips. The closure arrangement includes shoulders on the channels configured to engage and retain the outer portions of the closure strip. The closure strip slides within the channels of the base strips to open and close the closure arrangement. A package and method of constructing a package are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. May
  • Patent number: 6042779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming high performance metal alloys using powder metallurgy. Alloys are extruded under controlled temperature conditions through an extrusion die containing non-metal bearing inserts. This allows the extrusion of hypereutectic alloys without excessive wear of the extrusion die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Oschmann, Thomas G. Haynes
  • Patent number: 6036364
    Abstract: A fastener arrangement for use with a container having a reclosable profile includes a slider having walls forming a cavity for receiving an edge of the container. The walls are shaped to close the reclosable profile when the slider is slid in one direction. A retainer holds the walls together and also serves to open the reclosable profile when the slider is slid in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Vanden Heuvel
  • Patent number: 6004032
    Abstract: Closure arrangements for use with flexible packages include a zipper-type closure, which, after initial sealing, if access is gained to a package interior, the arrangements provide evidence of that access. In certain embodiments, a closure with mating male and female profiles is used which, after initial sealing of the package, if access is desired to the package interior, one of the male or female profiles breaks, to prevent a resealing of the package. In other embodiments, after initial mating of the male and female closure profiles in order to seal the package, if access is desired to the package interior, the package walls are torn in order to gain access. In other embodiments, after initial sealing of the package by mating of the male and female profiles, if access is desired to the package interior, the male and female profiles are deformed, such that they no longer mate to provide a secure closure. Methods for using the arrangements herein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Kapperman, Timothy J. May, Bill C. Munger, Gregory L. Petkovsek, Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 5988880
    Abstract: The resealable package includes a first panel section sealed to a second panel section along two side edges and a bottom edge. The sealed edges define an enclosed region having a mouth that provides access to the enclosed region. The package also includes a closure arrangement for opening and sealing the mouth. The closure arrangement is oriented in the mouth and secured to the first and second panel sections. The closure arrangement and a seal along one of the side edges define a gap having a first area. The closure arrangement includes two closure profiles. Each closure profile has a base strip and an interlocking closure member extending from the base strip. The two closure profiles are designed to selectively interlock. The interlocking closure member of the first closure profile is designed to reduce the area of the gap between the closure arrangement and the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 5983466
    Abstract: A resealable closure mechanism includes a matable section, slider-parking section, first closure profile, second closure profile, and a slider. The first and second closure profiles have a base strip and an interlocking closure member. In the matable section, the interlocking closure members each extend a first length respective of their base strips sufficient to selectively engage. In the slider-parking section, the interlocking closure members are truncated relative to the first length. The slider has a second length greater than the distance of the slider-parking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Petkovsek
  • Patent number: 5976278
    Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy composition having improved combinations of corrosion resistance, drawability, bendability and extrudability consists essentially of, in weight percent, not more than about 0.03% copper, between about 0.1 and up to about 1.5% manganese, between about 0.03 and about 0.35% titanium, an amount of magnesium up to about 1.0%, less than 0.01% nickel, between about 0.06 and about 1.0% zinc, an amount of zirconium up to about 0.3%, amounts of iron and silicon up to about 0.50%, up to 0.20% chromium, with the balance aluminum and inevitable impurities. A process of making an aluminum alloy article having high corrosion resistance, drawability, bendability and hot deformability is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Subhasish Sircar
  • Patent number: 5965829
    Abstract: An extruded metal matrix composite incorporates boron carbide in fine particulate form. The composition is useful as a radiation shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Haynes, Kevin Anderson, Edward L. Oschmann
  • Patent number: 5947603
    Abstract: A closure arrangement includes a first closure profile, a second closure profile, a slider device, and a slider housing. The slider device is designed to open the package when slid in one direction and to seal the package when slid in the opposite direction. The slider housing extends from a side of the package. The slider housing is designed to receive the slider device. When the package is opened and the slider device is slid into the slider housing, access to the contents of the package is provided across the entire width of the mouth of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Tilman
  • Patent number: D434345
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic