Patents Represented by Attorney William W. Letson
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Patent number: 8297473Abstract: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Patrick J. Smith
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Patent number: 8298640Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll made of a succession of single-use absorbing paper sheets separated along at least one side thereof, perpendicular to the unwinding direction of the roll by parallel pre-cuts, the sheets being further separated by cuts extending along at least 80% of the cut side of the sheets, and the cuts and pre-cuts alternating in the roll unwinding direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Gilles Cattacin, Yves Enggasser, Jean-Louis Neveu
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Patent number: 8220633Abstract: Embodiments of various stacking cartons that can be erected from a one-piece blank are provided. In this regard, a representative carton, among others, comprises a bottom wall, side walls and end walls. The side walls are foldably attached to left and right edges of the bottom wall. The end walls are foldably attached to top and bottom side edges of the bottom wall such that the side walls are located between the end walls. Each end wall is foldably attached to an end panel that is designed to fold and engage the inner surface of the end wall. The end wall is foldably attached to first reinforcing side panels at side edges of the end wall. Each first reinforcing side panel is foldably attached to a second reinforcing side panel that is designed to fold and engage the inner surface of the first reinforcing side panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLCInventor: Phil W. Weideman
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Patent number: 8210364Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to pluralities of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking, such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Patrick J. Smith, Andy L. Kirkpatrick, Michael R. Kilgore, David G. Honan, Thomas J. Sorensen, Vito Lore, Timothy D. Jadin
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Patent number: 8177119Abstract: A disposable servingware container 10 press-formed from a generally planar paperboard blank has a characteristic diameter, D, and includes a bottom panel 12 having an arched central crown 14 with a convex upper surface 14a, a first annular transition portion 16 extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel, with the proviso that a portion of the arched central crown defines a substantially continuous, convex arched profile 18 spanning at least 75% of the horizontal distance between center 20 of the container and the first annular transition. An optional sidewall portion 26 extends upwardly and outwardly from the first annular transition portion, while a second annular transition portion 28 flares outwardly with respect to the first annular transition portion defining a second radius of curvature, R2. The ratio of R2/D is 0.0125 or less. An outer flange portion 32 extends outwardly with respect to the second annular transition portion and forms the outer perimeter of the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Mark B. Littlejohn
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Patent number: 8152004Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to banded packets of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking, such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Patrick J. Smith, Andy L. Kirkpatrick, Michael R. Kilgore, David G. Honan, Thomas J. Sorensen, Vito Lore, Timothy D. Jadin
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Patent number: 8133569Abstract: An array of sheet materials includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and an interior sheet located between the first sheet and the second sheet, each sheet having a centrally located medial primary fold formed therein and a secondary off-fold transverse thereto, the medial fold and the transverse off-fold defining four panels in each sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventor: Robert Michael Penfield
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Patent number: 8087569Abstract: A tray includes a bottom panel having first, second, third and fourth edge portions. The tray further includes at least one end wall that extends perpendicularly outward from one of the first, second, third and fourth edge portions of the bottom panel, and at least one side wall that extends perpendicularly outward from another of the first, second, third, and fourth edge portions of the bottom panel. The at least one side wall is perpendicular to the at least one end wall. At least one corner extends between the at least one side wall and the at least one end wall. The at least one corner includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is folded onto the outer member to reinforce the at least one corner.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLCInventor: Larry Ledvina
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Patent number: 8070013Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser has a dispensing tray with a floor and a region housing a cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil has first and second portions and is moved by an engagement portion of an actuator from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the first orientation, the cutlery utensil rests on the floor in the region and is within the cutlery utensil dispenser, inaccessible to a user. In the second orientation, the second portion of the cutlery utensil projects from the cutlery utensil dispenser and is accessible to the user. A wall of the region has a fulcrum end dimensioned to engage the cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil rotates about the fulcrum end responsive to the engagement portion toward an exit of the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Christopher M. Reinsel, Patrick J. Smith
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Patent number: 8056798Abstract: A reinforced fiberboard bulk materials container is provided that has low-fiber content and is humidity resistant. According to one embodiment, a fiberboard bulk materials container includes a plurality of fiberboard sidewalls forming a storage cavity and having a compression strength of 4 to 5 times the combined weight of cartons expected to be stacked above the bulk materials container, and a moisture-resistant polymer film wrapped around the outside of the sidewalls. The polymer film may substantially cover the sidewalls and extend from the top of the container to the bottom of the container along the sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLCInventor: Scott Clohessy
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Patent number: 8047834Abstract: A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf, Gary J. Reif
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Patent number: 8025209Abstract: This invention relates to a carton having improved structural integrity and stacking strength. The carton is formed from a paperboard blank so it has reinforced end panels. A tear strip is formed by perforations in the top panel of the carton to provide an easy opening feature.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLCInventor: Chester Garner
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Patent number: 8016980Abstract: A paper product includes a paperboard comprising a substrate layer, a filler layer, and a cap layer, wherein the filler layer is disposed between the substrate layer and the cap layer, wherein the filler layer includes a filler material, wherein the cap layer includes a polylactic acid based resin, and wherein the cap layer is substantially free of filler material.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Gregory Michael Fike, Joseph Robert Pounder
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Patent number: 8011564Abstract: A carton having a dispensing opening. The carton can be formed from a paperboard blank so it has six corners and two corner panels and has perforations formed therein to provide an easy opening feature for dispensing product. In addition, the formed carton has improved stacking strength.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLCInventor: Chester Garner
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Patent number: D645339Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Shawn A. Oakes
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Patent number: D645737Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Shawn A. Oakes
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Patent number: D647309Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Georgia-Pacific FranceInventors: Jean-Bernard Kuehn, Emilie Pleyber
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Patent number: D648187Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Bret A. Kuehneman, Rachel E. DeSmidt, Daniel R. Nett, Andy Lee Kirkpatrick, Michael Kilgore, Robert Cornell, William Lindeman, Cathy Lindeman, legal representative
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Patent number: D663581Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Shawn A. Oakes
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Patent number: D668056Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Robert M. Penfield, Brian K. Muehl, David J. Van Eperen, Michael D. Wishneski