Patents Assigned to Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
  • Patent number: 10988289
    Abstract: A child-resistant closure device for a rigid plastic container having a tapered neck section and method of manufacture. The device has a substantially circular neck and inner lid surface. The neck includes anchors which engage with nodes on the inner lid surface. The tapered section of the neck acts as a spring engaging the nodes with the anchors. The closure device may be engaged by rotating the lid in relation to the neck. To disengage the closure device a simultaneous downward and rotational force must be applied. The lid and the container, including the closure, can be blow molded at the same time or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Yourist, Brian Hagan, Ben Lewis, Anthony Schlies
  • Publication number: 20210039825
    Abstract: Refillable plastic container includes a top portion, a sidewall portion defining an interior and a longitudinal axis and a base portion extending downwardly of the sidewall portion and defining a closed bottom. The base portion has a heel extending downwardly and inwardly of the sidewall portion at an angle relative the longitudinal axis and having a substantially frustoconical shape. A standing ring extends from heel and defines a support surface of the container. A central dome projects upwardly of the standing ring toward the interior. The central dome portion has a convex surface relative the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Justin HOWELL, Jr., Robert WALTEMYER, Travis A. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20210023761
    Abstract: A vertical additive processing system for use with a blow molding machine having a flow head from which a plastic parison is delivered to a mold and producing an article. The system has a servo-controlled accumulation technology (SCAT) unit including (a) an accumulator collecting plastic material when retracted and delivering plastic material when extended, and (b) an actuator directing the accumulator to retract and extend. The system further has a tooling unit including a bushing body adapted to engage the flow head, a distribution ring, a bushing cap, a central aperture defining a main parison flow path, and a distribution channel delivering plastic material received from the accumulator to the main parison flow path. The system still further has a material duct connecting the two units through which plastic material delivered by the SCAT unit is transported to and received by the tooling unit. Also disclosed is a related method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Martin R. Albers, Brent Heenan, Keith Folkenroth, Roman Justice, Brian Hagan
  • Patent number: 10899493
    Abstract: Plastic container comprises a container body having a bottom portion, a sidewall portion and an upper portion, with a chamber defined therein. The bottom portion includes a support surface and a variable dynamic base portion. The sidewall portion includes a lower circumferential groove ring, an upper circumferential groove ring, and a pair of longitudinal grooves extending longitudinally therebetween to define a front sidewall segment and a rear sidewall segment. The rear sidewall segment comprises a waist groove extending circumferentially between the pair of longitudinal grooves to define an upper rear sidewall segment and a lower rear sidewall segment, wherein one of the upper rear sidewall segment or the lower rear sidewall segment includes two vacuum panels with a rigid longitudinal support therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, Raymond A. Pritchett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10875687
    Abstract: Plastic container comprises a main body portion defining an interior space; and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, the finish portion having an upper portion including a circumferential wall surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having a lower end and an upper edge defining a height of the circumferential wall, the circumferential wall comprising a first indent and a second indent each extending inwardly into the mouth to form a spout portion disposed between the first indent and the second indent, the upper portion further comprising at least one thread disposed on the height of the circumferential wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Brian Hagan
  • Publication number: 20200399039
    Abstract: Hot-fillable plastic bottle including a finished portion, a body portion with at least one circumferential rib configured to resist radial distortion, and a base portion. The base portion comprises a base sidewall, a bottom support surface extending radially inward from the base sidewall and defining a reference plane, an inner support wall extending upwardly from the bottom support surface, and a diaphragm extending radially inward from the inner support wall. The diaphragm comprises an inner wall having an arcuate shape with a radius r1 and a central conical structure, where the diaphragm is in an initial as-formed position with the conical structure above the reference place. The diaphragm is configured to move from an initial as-formed position toward a second position when an internal pressure relative an external pressure exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Pritchett, Jr., Willie F. Hatcher, Michael T. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20200361653
    Abstract: Polymeric container includes a base defining a support surface and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The sidewall has at least a first contact portion extending about a perimeter of the sidewall. The sidewall includes a raised surface pattern at a select area proximate the first contact portion. The raised surface pattern includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the sidewall and having an outer surface. Each protrusion is spaced apart from adjacent protrusions within the selected area, and a shortest distance between each protrusion and any of the adjacent protrusions is less than a greatest surface dimension of the outer surface of each protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Alicia Evans, Tapan Y. Patel, Hassan Mourad, Jesus Gustavo Herrera Perez, Jose Manuel Diaz
  • Publication number: 20200290322
    Abstract: Molded multilayer polymer compositions and structures are provided, including a body portion having a body wall. The body wall has a first layer comprising a copolymer HDPE, a second layer comprising a homopolymer HDPE, and a third layer comprising a mix of the copolymer HDPE of the first layer and the homopolymer HDPE of the second layer, wherein the third layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a total weight content of the homopolymer HDPE is at least about 30 wt-% of the body wall. The body wall has an overall wall thickness T, the first thickness is about 10% of the overall wall thickness T, the second thickness is about 20% of the overall wall thickness T, and the third layer has a third thickness of about 70% of the overall wall thickness T.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Marie Sink, Yang Zhong
  • Patent number: 10773875
    Abstract: A method of forming a plastic aerosol container, including, providing a preform having a finish portion, blow molding a plastic container from the preform, and reforming the finish portion so that an inner surface thereof has an undercut defined therein proximate an upper rim fo the finish portion. The undercut includes a substantially horizontal orientation and reforming the finish portion is performed after providing a preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Ralph Armstrong, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker, Brian A. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10766683
    Abstract: Hot-fillable plastic bottle including a finished portion, a body portion with at least one circumferential rib configured to resist radial distortion, and a base portion. The base portion comprises a base sidewall, a bottom support surface extending radially inward from the base sidewall and defining a reference plane, an inner support wall extending upwardly from the bottom support surface, and a diaphragm extending radially inward from the inner support wall. The diaphragm comprises an inner wall having an arcuate shape with a radius r1 and a central conical structure, where the diaphragm is in an initial as-formed position with the conical structure above the reference place. The diaphragm is configured to move from an initial as-formed position toward a second position when an internal pressure relative an external pressure exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Pritchett, Jr., Willie F. Hatcher, Michael T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 10752396
    Abstract: Polymeric container includes a base defining a support surface and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The sidewall has at least a first contact portion extending about a perimeter of the sidewall. The sidewall includes a raised surface pattern at a select area proximate the first contact portion. The raised surface pattern includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the sidewall and having an outer surface. Each protrusion is spaced apart from adjacent protrusions within the selected area, and a shortest distance between each protrusion and any of the adjacent protrusions is less than a greatest surface dimension of the outer surface of each protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Alicia Evans, Tapan Y. Patel, Hassan Mourad, Jesús Gustavo Herrera Perez, Jose Manuel Diaz
  • Patent number: 10723060
    Abstract: A multi-functional utility skid for use with an air compressor, a chiller, and a connection having a first end engaging the chiller and a second end to provide utilities to a blow-molding machine for blow-molding articles. The skid is located proximate the machine and includes a pump engaging the second end of the connection, receiving chilled water from the chiller, being located proximate the chiller to minimize the length of the connection, and providing chilled water to both the machine and a separate supply of chilled water. The skid further includes an integral unit combining a dehumidifier that controls the humidity of the environment surrounding the machine with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit that receives the supply of chilled water from the pump, controls the temperature of the environment surrounding the machine, and supplies conditioned air to the dehumidifier thereby avoiding the need for a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John R. Reichler, Thomas Havekotte
  • Patent number: 10710765
    Abstract: A base structure for a blow-molded container having an annular sidewall and a central longitudinal axis, the base structure comprising: a bottom portion; an annular support heel positioned between the sidewall and the bottom portion, wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle ? of from about 15° to about 65° relative a plane extending from the sidewall; and a plurality of partial sphere structures on the annular support heel and extending beyond the bottom portion thus forming a contact surface supporting the container, and wherein the blow-molded container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polyester resin and polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael P. Wurster
  • Publication number: 20200148407
    Abstract: Method of making a blow-molded plastic container comprises forming a hollow blow-molded article comprising a main body portion defining an interior space, a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, the finish portion having a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, the pair of tabs defining a spout therebetween, and a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion. Method further includes inflating the plastic material within the mold cavity to form the hollow blow-molded article and removing the moil portion from the perimeter flange. Blow-molded plastic container having a finish portion with directional pour spout and blow-molded article comprising container and moil portion also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Armel ARCHENY, David ARAUJO, Gilles RAPET
  • Publication number: 20200130248
    Abstract: A hot fill plastic container has a dome portion with a convex outer surface that defines a maximum outer diameter of the container so as to extend outwardly beyond a main body portion of the container. The generally egg-shaped dome portion enhances the crush resistance of the dome and provides a point of contact between containers when they are placed adjacent to one another. A circumferential stiffening groove may be provided near a lower end of the dome portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott E. Bysick, JR., Paul V. Kelley
  • Patent number: 10625904
    Abstract: A beverage bottle, a method of manufacturing a beverage bottle and a method of designing an illustration on a beverage bottle, the beverage bottle including a container (12) and a shrink-wrap (14), the container (12) having an annular sidewall (16), a bottom (18) and an opening (20) opposed to the bottom (18), the sidewall (16) extending along a longitudinal central axis (X-X) between the bottom (18) and the opening (20), the sidewall (16) being provided with a first outside constriction (22) and a second outside constriction (24) and with a first embossment (26) located between the first and second outside constrictions (22, 24), the sidewall (16) being covered with the shrink-wrap (14), the shrink-wrap (14) being depicted with an illustration having a first simulate relief (R1), the first simulate relief (R1) and the first embossment (26) being in correspondence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE, GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY L.P.
    Inventors: Ines Dias Rosa Nunes Serras, Armel Archeny, Gilles Perez
  • Patent number: D883795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sheldon E. Yourist
  • Patent number: D894739
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eric B. Ungrady
  • Patent number: D905559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric B. Ungrady, Sheldon Yourist
  • Patent number: D915895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sheldon E. Yourist