Patents Represented by Attorney Michael C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7380663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hospitality type card which is provided with a series of indentations on each of its first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges that are sized and configured so as to be graspable by digits of a human hand. The card may further include indentations on each of the first and second transversely extending edges to accommodate additional graspable orientations as well as add aesthetic attributes to the card structure. The card may be provided with a card carrier which may be printed with matching or complimentary indicia as well as personalized indicia directed at a recipient of the card and carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Bingham, Brian W. Webb
  • Patent number: 7325837
    Abstract: The present invention is a specimen capture and collection form that utilizes a self laminating form assembly having first and second separable parts one of which is used in the collection, capture and retention of a sample of material to be analyzed and the other of which is used for recording the particular transaction for which the sample of specimen was collected. The form assembly is also provided with a unique element which enables the separation of excess sample collection material to be easily and conveniently separated from the remainder of the form assembly so as to not contaminate the specimen as well as prevent the inadvertent removal of the specimen from the form assembly. The construction is also provided with distinct verification areas to confirm authenticity of the form construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Donna J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7181878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a label or a business form label combination in which the labels have been created by applying multiple zones or coatings. The zones or coatings can have differing thicknesses, coat weight or may use a variety of adhesives. The label is intended for a variety of different industries such as business, marketing, advertising, retail, wholesale, industrial, personal, and the like and more particularly the label is suitable for use in contaminated or difficult to label applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Mark Tucker
  • Patent number: 7165713
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet of stock material that is suitable for use in creating personalized pockets and or pockets on demand for presentation folders as well as auxiliary pockets for existing product folders, notebooks and containers. More particularly, the instant invention provides the small office, home office user (“SOHO”), as well as the manufacturer of presentation folders and the presenter of products, services and educational subjects with the ability to create personalized pockets on demand and in limited quantities. The subject pocket of the present specification is provided in sheet form, with one or more strips of adhesives and available removable segments in order to create pockets that can be imprinted or imaged with specific or personalized communications or messages in order to create a significantly greater message transmission vehicle for the advancement of product, services, topics, concepts, theories or ideas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Allee
  • Patent number: 7118797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coatings and compositions suitable for use with imaged or printed products, such as business communication documents, pressure sensitive products, including labels and other materials used in the handling of information, whether intended for a business, personal or informational purposes. More particularly, the present invention is directed to coatings and formulations that can conceal or reduce the odor associated with certain inks, curable coatings, varnishes and the like as well as coatings that can be used in the creation of textural or aesthetic features for such products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Jesse D. Crum
  • Patent number: 6991839
    Abstract: A generally planar laminate used in forming a personalized presentation folder is provided. The laminate includes one or more patterns of adhesive and one or more die cuts or lines of weakness so as to be able to create one or more pockets and other variable configurations for an individual folder. The laminate of the present invention can be processed through a non-impact printer and may be selectively configured or tailored to meet the needs of the individual user or recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Maier
  • Patent number: 6986953
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a magnetic laminate that may be used in the creation of an advertising, novelty or remembrance item. The laminated construction provides for containment of the coercive rings so as to substantially eliminate the migration of forces between successive sheets in a stack. The sheets may have one or more removable elements that release cleanly from the configuration through the use of a curable, frangible coating that creates a frangible bond and that does not impede the processing or handling of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse D. Crum
  • Patent number: 6982114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic enclosure for temporarily retaining documents, printed indicia, photographs or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides an enclosure that is created by laminating a magnetic material to a transparent sleeve created through the production process. The magnetic material serves as a backing member for mounting, displaying and securing printed indicia, creative content or other material in a convenient to use fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse D. Crum
  • Patent number: 6977114
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates intended for business and other communications such as marketing, advertising and personal communications as well as, intermediates, materials, documents or the like related thereto and more particularly to business and marketing communication documents having a variably applied or imaged ferromagnetic material suitable for use in accentuating a message, marketing theme or event. In addition, the present invention describes the method of using the ferromagnetic material as well as the composition suitable for use with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ward/Kraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse D. Crum
  • Patent number: 6745672
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for processing dough intermediates that are less developed, softer or which have enhanced water or moisture levels. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an improved dough transport module, that has one or more protuberances extending generally perpendicularly from a supporting surface which supports the dough intermediate for a sufficient interval of time during processing so as to eliminate the waste and loss of dough intermediates prior to processing or packaging steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Samayoa, Jeffrey L. Casper, J. Kofi A. Mensah, Dennis B. Usgaard, Bruce W. Robb, James W. Finkowski
  • Patent number: 6635291
    Abstract: The invention is a packaging system for refrigerated leavened dough or batter compositions and includes a method for determining package seal strength for a refrigerated leavened composition. The system provides an environment within the package such that the composition attains a desired specific volume upon baking or cooking. The method includes the process of determining the specific volume required for the refrigerated leavened composition after baking, determining internal equilibrium pressure required to attain the specific volume after baking, determining the package dimension subject to the internal equilibrium pressure, and defining the pressure holding capacity required to maintain this pressure during the storage life of the refrigerated composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Perry, Mark A. Colman
  • Patent number: 6627241
    Abstract: A food product depositor system utilizes a food product depositor device. Preferably, the food product depositor device includes at least one food product depositor module. In an embodiment, the food product depositor module may include mating features and a plurality of food product depositor modules may be assembled by the mating features to form the food product device. Preferably, the food product depositor module includes a supply port, a rotor positioned within a cavity, at least one sliding vane, and a discharge port. In an embodiment, the food product depositor module includes a cutoff device. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of processing food products by way of such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Jimmy A. DeMars, Gregory C. Vargas, Robert F. Meyer, Michael A. Gattie
  • Patent number: 6579554
    Abstract: A frozen, unproofed laminated dough that can be baked without being thawed or proofed and that provides a desirable specific volume of the baked product. A frozen unproofed laminated dough includes a layer dough and shortening layers that alternate with the layer dough. The layer dough includes flour, a water-binding agent, a leavening agent, a fat source, and water. The specific volume of the frozen, unproofed laminated dough is 0.8 cc/g to ¼ cc/g. The frozen unproofed laminated dough prepared a baked product having a baked specific volume of at least 3 cc/g when baked without being thawed or proofed before baking. The frozen, unproofed laminated dough can be used to prepare Danishes, croissants, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Gregg Moder, Carina Cammarota, Melissa Hajovy
  • Patent number: 5584571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for simulating lighting effects such as an illumination effect necessary to simulate a real life effect for an ornamental display. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light effect which undergoes a number of readily discernable illumination intensities so as to create an illusion of a rotating light beacon which may be used in connection with a lighthouse, control tower, search light or the like. The present invention is quite durable and reliable and economically manufactured and may be positioned readily within a model display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventors: Vinal D. Chandler, Thomas L. Edmonds