Patents Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9511916
    Abstract: A carrier comprising a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a first bottom panel connected to the first side panel by at least one first strut, and a second bottom panel connected to the second side panel by at least one second strut. At least one container-receiving portion can comprise a first retaining feature and an opposing second retaining feature. At least a portion of the first retaining feature or the second retaining feature is disposed in the first side panel or the second side panel. A container can be retained by at least one of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature. At least a portion of at least one of the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel is disposed between the container and the top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9505539
    Abstract: A carrier package is constructed to tightly secure articles within the package. During loading, pushing the containers into the package causes the side panels of the package to deform so that the height of the package decreases and the width of the package increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Coltri-Johnson
  • Patent number: 9499319
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method includes obtaining a blank having at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The method includes positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel after the loading the at least one article. The folding includes moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9499296
    Abstract: A carton for containing a cooked food product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A lid is positionable to at least partially close a top of the carton. A plurality of vent features are in at least one panel of the plurality of panels for at least partially maintaining product attributes of the cooked food product contained in the carton by at least partially venting the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. Mills, Mark P. Baker
  • Patent number: 9493287
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct comprises a base, a wall extending upwardly around the base for defining a cavity for receiving a food item, and a microwave energy shielding element overlying a lower margin of the wall, the microwave energy shielding element having an upper edge including a substantially incurved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence M. C. Lai, Sandra M. Tsontzidis, Bing Liu, Angela Chen Li, Neilson Zeng
  • Patent number: 9487320
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9481501
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, at least two first end flaps, at least two second end flap, and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. The method comprises positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior space of the carton, loading a plurality of beverage bottles into the interior space, closing a first end of the carton, closing a second end of the carton, and tightening the carton by folding the at least one article protection flap into the interior space after the loading of the plurality of beverage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9481486
    Abstract: A re-closeable folded container includes a hexahedral base including a front panel and a rear panel, a cover pivotally connected with an upper edge of a rear panel for movement between an open position and a closed position, and a locking panel hingedly connected with an upper edge of the front panel. The front panel includes a tear-away portion defined by a score line. The locking panel includes a first tab, a second tab, and a tear-away portion defined by score lines. The tear-away portion of the locking panel is fixedly attached to both the front portion of the cover and the tear-away portion of the front panel such that initial movement of the cover from the closed position toward the open position causes the locking panel and the front panel to tear along the score lines and causes both tear-away portions to pivotally move with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy L. Nameth, Bradley J. Burke, Ronald R. Werts, III, Tracy Brock, Todd Ruhbusch
  • Patent number: 9475628
    Abstract: A carrier package is constructed to tightly secure articles within the package. During loading, pushing the containers into the package causes the side panels of the package to deform so that the height of the package decreases and the width of the package increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Coltri-Johnson
  • Patent number: 9463896
    Abstract: A package for holding an article, the package includes a liner and a construct attached to the liner. The liner includes an interior space for holding an article. The construct includes a plurality of panels that at least partially reinforce at a portion of the liner. The plurality of panels includes a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. The construct further includes a dispenser comprising dispensing features in at least one of the top panel and the bottom panel for allowing removal of the article from the package. The dispensing features include a dispenser panel at least partially defined by a tear line in the construct and for being at least partially removed to form a dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9457509
    Abstract: A tool for forming a container from a blank. The container can include a flange. The tool has a first tool assembly, and a second tool assembly. At least one of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly can be moveable between an open position, wherein the blank is received between the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly, and a closed position wherein the blank is formed into the container. At least one of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly has flange forming features for forming the flange of the container whereby a first portion of the flange is folded with respect to a second portion of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 9452874
    Abstract: The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 9451659
    Abstract: A frangible laminate includes first, second and third webs, and the second web is positioned between the first and third webs. The forming of the frangible laminate includes adhesively bonding a first plurality of sections of the second web to the first web, applying release material in order to inhibit at least some of any bonding between the first plurality of sections of the second web and the third web, and adhesively bonding a second plurality of sections of the second web to the third web. The frangible laminate is separated into a first laminate and a second laminate, so that the first laminate includes the first web and the first plurality of sections of the second web, and the second laminate includes the third web and the second plurality of sections of the second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9446891
    Abstract: A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Jones, Ana Gonzalez, Emili Requena, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Kevin T. May, Colin Ford, Matthew Sundquist
  • Patent number: 9415915
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps can at least partially form a closed end of the carton, and the at least two end flaps can comprise a first end flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels at a first fold line and a second end flap foldably connected to the at least one panel at a second fold line. The second fold line is oblique relative to the first fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9415914
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The carrier includes at least one central panel dividing the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a back portion and at least one divider flap foldably attached to the at least one central panel. The at least one divider flap extends to one of the front panel and the back panel to divide one of the front portion and the back portion into at least two container-receiving spaces. The at least one divider flap having a main panel foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one beveled portion is foldably connected to the main panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9394094
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton can include a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a top panel, and an insert including a central panel, an inner end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one crown guard flap foldably connected to the inner end flap adjacent a crown guard relief in the insert. The crown guard flap can be connected to at least a portion of the central panel by a collapsing nick. The top panel can at least partially overlap the central panel, and the crown guard flap can be positioned for contact with at least one container of the plurality of containers with the collapsing nick being at least partially folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Murdick Holley, Jr., Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 9392888
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser at one end of the carton which preserves the integrity of the carton when the carton is opened by permitting a bottom end flap attached to the bottom panel to remain in place and also a portion of each side end flap that is adjacent to the bottom end flap. This dispenser may also provide a safety net for the first container that is automatically dispensed when the carton is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9394093
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least two end flaps can be respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The closed end of the carton can comprise a generally vertical portion extending from the bottom panel and an oblique portion extending from the top panel to the generally vertical portion. A dispenser can extend in at least the closed end of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: O'Neal Alexander, Daniel Ahern, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • Patent number: 9387968
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including at least a bottom panel. A retention tab can be for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles and can be foldably connected to at least the bottom panel adjacent an opening in at least the bottom panel. The retention tab can include a distal portion foldably connected to a first proximal portion along a first fold line and to a second proximal portion along a second fold line. The first fold line can be spaced apart from the second fold line. The distal portion can be generally spaced apart from the bottom panel for engaging at least a bottom portion of the at least one article, and each of the first and second proximal portions can extend from the bottom panel to the distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Zammit, Robert L. Sutherland, Kevin T. May