Patents Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
  • Carton with handle and dispenser
    Patent number: 8978963
    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 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond S. Kastanek, Mark Baldino
  • Carton with reinforcing insert
    Patent number: 8967380
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel. A plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps can comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert can comprise a central panel and at least one reinforcing end panel foldably connected to the central panel. At least one reinforcing end flap can be foldably connected to the at least one reinforcing end panel. A handle can comprise at least a first handle feature in the top end flap and a second handle feature in the reinforcing end panel. The second handle feature can be generally aligned with the first handle feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Mark Baldino
  • Tool For Forming A Three Dimensional Article Or Container
    Publication number: 20150053672
    Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx
  • Microwave heating construct with venting features
    Patent number: 8963061
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct has a platform including microwave energy interactive material and a plurality of venting features. The venting features include a plurality of tabs that are urged out of the plane of the platform to define an aperture. The tabs are disposed beneath the platform to define a void in communication with the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence M. C. Lai
  • Carton with handle
    Patent number: 8955736
    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 first top panel, a second top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The first top panel and the second top panel are at least partially overlapped to form a top wall of the carton. A handle extends in at least the top wall. The handle can comprise at least a first handle portion of the first top panel and a second handle portion of the second top panel. The first handle portion can at least partially overlap the second handle portion at a rounded corner of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Mark Zammit
  • Package for containers
    Patent number: 8955674
    Abstract: A package comprising a carrier holding at least one container. The carrier can comprise a bottom panel, first and second inner side panels foldably connected to the bottom panel, first and second outer side panels foldably connected to the respective first and second inner side panels, and first and second top panels foldably connected to the respective first and second outer side panels. At least one container-receiving feature can comprise a first retaining feature extending in at least the first inner side panel and an opposing second retaining feature extending in at least the second inner side panel. A top portion of the at least one container can be at least partially retained by the first and second retaining features. The bottom panel can be at least partially disposed between the top portion of the at least one container and at least one of the first and second top panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Colin P. Ford
  • Flight lug for octagonal cartons
    Patent number: 8951177
    Abstract: A carton conveyer for a packaging machine has upper and lower flights to which sets of flight lugs are attached. Each set of flight lugs comprises leading flight lugs and trailing flight lugs and the leading flight lugs have recesses that face and oppose recesses on the trailing flight lugs. The recesses are formed to confine an open carton therebetween. Notches are formed in the flight lugs in such a way that movement of the leading and trailing flight lugs toward one another causes an un-erected carton between the lugs to be captured and erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin P. Ford
  • Carton with handle
    Patent number: 8950657
    Abstract: A carton for containing and dispensing flowable materials. 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 front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one bottom flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one bottom flap can at least partially form a closed bottom end of the carton. A handle can extend in at least the bottom end proximate the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Wagner
  • Carrier for bottles
    Patent number: 8936149
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can comprise a bottom panel, a top panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the bottom panel, a handle comprising a bottom gripping portion in the bottom panel and a top gripping portion in the top panel, and at least one container receiver for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers. The at least one container receiver is foldably connected to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Smalley
  • Package for containers
    Patent number: 8925720
    Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel and side panels. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and reinforcement features for reinforcing the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Colin P. Ford
  • Carton with insert
    Patent number: 8919557
    Abstract: A carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps can comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert can comprise a central panel, a reinforcing end flap, and a reinforcing side flap. The central panel at least partially overlaps the top panel, the reinforcing side flap is foldably connected to the central panel, and the reinforcing end flap comprises a proximal portion foldably, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The distal at least partially overlaps the top end flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Cooler carton with zipper opening feature
    Patent number: 8911339
    Abstract: A paperboard carton doubles as a shipping container for articles such as beverage cans and a cooler for containing ice to cool the articles when the carton is opened. The top portion of the carton is breached by removing an opening strip defined by zipper rules. Once breached, the tops and side panels of the carton are opened up to form an upwardly open chimney or skirt into which ice can be placed to cool the contents of the carton. Gussets formed in the lower corners of the cartons insure that water from melting ice does not leak prematurely from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Coltri De Paula, Jean-Manuel Gomes
  • CONTAINER WITH WINDOW AND MICROWAVE INTERACTIVE MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20140353307
    Abstract: A container with a window through which food within the container may be seen. The window may include a hole in a base material of the container, and at least one substantially clear polymeric film that is mounted to a portion of the container and obstructs (e.g., covers) the hole. Microwave energy interactive material (“MEIM”) may be mounted to the polymeric film for influencing the effect of microwave energy on the food within the container. Typically (e.g., optionally), the film extends beyond the hole, and the MEIM may be segregated to portions of the film that do not obstruct the hole, so that the MEIM does not interfere with the view through the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Felicia A. Pinkstone
  • Method and apparatus for cooking raw food items in a microwave oven
    Patent number: 8901469
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven comprises a tray including an interior space defined by a base and an upstanding peripheral wall, and a cover pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position and a closed position. The tray and/or cover includes a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior space. A microwave energy interactive material overlies the protrusions on the tray and/or cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Schneider, Terrence P. Lafferty, Philip E. Netzer, Patrick H. Wnek
  • Package for Combined Steam and Microwave Heating of Food
    Publication number: 20140348989
    Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Sloat, Fermin P. Resurreccion, JR.
  • Carton For Articles
    Publication number: 20140346070
    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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, SR., Robert L. Sutherland
  • Twin layer packaging machine
    Patent number: 8893454
    Abstract: A packaging machine is disclosed for packing cartons with beverage cans in two overlying layers. The packaging machine has a selector flight, a can flight, and a carton flight, all synchronously movable. A single infeed assembly directs first groups of cans into selector bays on the selector flight, sweeps them into adjacent can bays, and directs second groups of cans into the same selector bays, all on the same level. The selector flight and the second groups of cans then ramps up to an elevated level, from where the second groups of cans are swept into the adjacent can bays atop the first groups of cans. The thus staged cans are pushed into open cartons on the carton flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff A. Disrud
  • Carton with an improved dispensing feature
    Patent number: 8887952
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser at one 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: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
  • CARTON WITH ARTICLE PROTECTION FEATURES
    Publication number: 20140332428
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first top panel, a second top panel, and a side panel. The first top panel at least partially overlaps the second top panel. A crown retention panel can be foldably connected to the second top panel, and an attachment flap can be foldably connected to the crown retention 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, JR.
  • Container
    Patent number: D719824
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Wagner