Patents Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
  • Carton with handle and dispenser
    Patent number: 9376230
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser panel can be at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening. The carton also can comprise a handle for grasping and carrying the carton. The handle comprises a handle feature extending in at least the dispenser panel, and at least a portion of the handle can be removable from the carton with the dispenser panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond S. Kastanek, Mark Baldino, Robert L. Sutherland
  • Carton with retention features
    Patent number: 9376250
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a top panel, at least one side panel, and at least one bottom panel. At least one retention tab can be foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The at least one retention tab can be for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles. At least one corner flap can be foldably connected to the at least one side panel. Each of the at least one retention tab and the at least one corner flap can be disposed adjacent to at least one corner opening in the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Carton with handle and dispenser
    Patent number: 9376244
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. End flaps can be respectively foldably connected to respective panels and at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser panel can be at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line extending in at least the top panel and at least one of the end flaps. An opening section can be at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and can be foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond S. Kastanek, Mark Baldino
  • Carton with container
    Patent number: 9376231
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, and a bottom panel. The carton has a container removably attached to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The container is for containing the food product after removal of the food product from the interior of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Felicia A. Pinkstone
  • Container with score lines
    Patent number: 9371150
    Abstract: A container for holding an article. The container comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side wall cooperate to at least partially define a cavity of the container with the lamination layer at least partially comprising an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity. A plurality of score lines extend in the container for at least partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Continuous motion product selection and grouping system
    Patent number: 9365358
    Abstract: A product selection and grouping system for the metering, selection, grouping and accumulation of varying size and/or configuration products into packs for packing in a substantially continuous motion operation is provided. The product selection and grouping system includes a metering station that receives the products in a substantially continuous line of flow from a product infeed, and meters the line of products to selectively form a series of spaces therebetween. The metered products are formed and fed to a product grouping conveyor in groups of sets a selected number of products, and are engaged by laning flights of a laning unit, which transfer the product groups to selected ones of a series of lanes defined along the product grouping conveyor. The groups of products are accumulated for transfer to a downstream packing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared B. Barber, Colin Ford
  • Package for containers
    Patent number: 9359093
    Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of articles. The package has panels that cooperate to at least partially form an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one opening is in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel adjacent the at least one opening. The at least one retention flap has a free edge for engaging at least one article of the plurality of articles. The at least one retention flap is at least partially defined by at least one J-shaped cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Coltri DePaula, Robert L. Sutherland
  • Carton with article protection insert
    Patent number: 9352890
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels at least partially forming an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels include a top panel. The carton includes an article protection flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The article protection flap is moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the top panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the top panel. The at least one access feature in the top panel is for positioning the article protection flap from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: O'Neal Alexander, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Mark Baldino, Ana Gonzalez, John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Carton decasing system
    Patent number: 9346580
    Abstract: A carton decasing system for removing stacks of cartons or carton blanks from cases or containers includes a case infeed conveyor on which the cases with the cartons or carton blanks stacked therein are moved to an inverting assembly. The inverting assembly reorients the cases and places the cases with the cartons stacked therein on a decasing assembly which removes the cases from the stacks of cartons. The stacks of cartons are thereafter conveyed along a magazine conveyor with the stacks of cartons supported by a stack pusher assembly as the cartons are moved to a discharge point at the distal end of the magazine conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • System and method for activating article protection features of a carton
    Patent number: 9346573
    Abstract: A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Disrud, Frank N. Moncrief, Kelly Ziegler
  • Cartons with reclosable features
    Patent number: 9346582
    Abstract: A carton for holding a product is disclosed. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprise a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The carton further comprises a hinge in at least one of the plurality of panels and a reclosable lid pivotably attached to the carton. The reclosable lid comprises a first intermediate panel foldably connected to at least one of the plurality of panels and a second intermediate panel foldably connected to the first intermediate panel. The first intermediate panel is positioned in face-to-face contact with the second intermediate panel. The reclosable lid is pivotable at the hinge between a closed position preventing access to the interior of the carton and an open position allowing access to the interior of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Felicia A. Pinkstone
  • Carton with locking feature
    Patent number: 9346234
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for holding at least one product. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton. The plurality of panels includes a front panel, a top panel, and a lid panel foldably connected to the top panel. The carton includes a lid pivotably attached to the carton. The lid includes the lid panel and the top panel and is moveable between a closed position wherein the lid panels is positioned in face-to-face contact with the front panel and an open position allowing access to the interior of the carton. The carton includes locking features for releasably attaching the reclosable lid in the closed position. The locking features include at least one male locking portion in the front panel and at least one female locking portion in the lid panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Hajek, Bradley J. Burke
  • System and method for activating article protection features of a carton
    Patent number: 9346574
    Abstract: A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Disrud, Frank N. Moncrief, Kelly Ziegler
  • Carton with insert
    Patent number: 9334093
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a top panel and a side panel. An insert comprises a central panel and a crown retention panel foldably connected to the central panel. An attachment flap can be foldably connected to the crown retention panel. The top panel can at least partially overlap the central panel, at least a portion of the crown retention panel can be spaced apart from the side panel in the interior of the carton, and at least a portion of the attachment flap can be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Blank and methods of constructing a food holder from the blank
    Patent number: 9320373
    Abstract: A food holder for retaining a food product is provided. The food holder is formed from a continuous blank of the sheet material. The food holder includes a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The food holder further includes a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The bottom tray is rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line. The top tray is rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position. The food holder further includes a moveable section including a portion of at lest one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel. The moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Havi Global Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bradley John Burke, Rachel K. Mortenson
  • Carton with handle
    Patent number: 9321553
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and comprises at least a top panel. A handle is positionable between a first position and a second position. The handle comprises at least a first handle panel and a second handle panel, and at least one of the first handle panel and the second handle panel is foldably connected to the top panel. At least one of the first handle panel and the second handle panel is generally coplanar with at least a portion of the top panel in the first position of the handle. Each of the first handle panel and the second handle panel extends upwardly relative to the top panel and the first handle panel is spaced apart from the second handle panel in the second position of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Colin P. Ford, Li Wei Yang
  • Carton having a container and a carrier
    Patent number: 9315288
    Abstract: A carton for holding a first product and a second product. The carton comprises a container comprising a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the container. The plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one back panel. The interior is for holding the first product. The plurality of panels are foldably connected at a bottom edge of the container. A carrier is attached to at least one of the plurality of panels for holding the second product. An attachment flap is foldably connected at the bottom edge of the container. The attachment flap is foldably connected to at least one of the plurality of panels and attaches the carrier to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Felicia A. Pinkstone, Michael Keith Hockin
  • Nestable container with uniform stacking features
    Patent number: 9315292
    Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
  • Carton with article protection feature
    Patent number: 9284084
    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: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 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
  • Plasma treated susceptor films
    Patent number: 9284108
    Abstract: A method of making a microwave energy interactive structure includes plasma treating the surface of a polymer film with an inert gas at a plasma treatment energy per unit surface area of the film of from about 0.005 J/cm2 to about 0.2 J/cm2 to reduce the apparent surface roughness of film the polymer film, and depositing a layer of microwave energy interactive material onto the plasma treated surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Middleton, Timothy H. Bohrer