Patents Represented by Attorney William W. Letson
  • Patent number: 8297473
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Patrick J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8298640
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Gilles Cattacin, Yves Enggasser, Jean-Louis Neveu
  • Patent number: 8220633
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Phil W. Weideman
  • Patent number: 8210364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Smith, Andy L. Kirkpatrick, Michael R. Kilgore, David G. Honan, Thomas J. Sorensen, Vito Lore, Timothy D. Jadin
  • Patent number: 8177119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Mark B. Littlejohn
  • Patent number: 8152004
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Smith, Andy L. Kirkpatrick, Michael R. Kilgore, David G. Honan, Thomas J. Sorensen, Vito Lore, Timothy D. Jadin
  • Patent number: 8133569
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventor: Robert Michael Penfield
  • Patent number: 8087569
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Larry Ledvina
  • Patent number: 8070013
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Reinsel, Patrick J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8056798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Scott Clohessy
  • Patent number: 8047834
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf, Gary J. Reif
  • Patent number: 8025209
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Chester Garner
  • Patent number: 8016980
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Fike, Joseph Robert Pounder
  • Patent number: 8011564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Chester Garner
  • Patent number: D645339
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Shawn A. Oakes
  • Patent number: D645737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Shawn A. Oakes
  • Patent number: D647309
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Kuehn, Emilie Pleyber
  • Patent number: D648187
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Bret A. Kuehneman, Rachel E. DeSmidt, Daniel R. Nett, Andy Lee Kirkpatrick, Michael Kilgore, Robert Cornell, William Lindeman, Cathy Lindeman, legal representative
  • Patent number: D663581
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Shawn A. Oakes
  • Patent number: D668056
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Robert M. Penfield, Brian K. Muehl, David J. Van Eperen, Michael D. Wishneski