Patents Assigned to Packaging Systems LLC
  • Carton and carton blank
    Patent number: 8708217
    Abstract: A carton for packaging a plurality of articles includes top (214, 314) and bottom (218/220, 318/320) panels connected together by spaced side wall panels thereby forming a tubular structure and a set of end panels for at least partially closing each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels includes a pair of upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b), a pair of lower end closure panels (226a, 226b, 326a, 326b) hinged to respective lower portions of the side wall panels respectively and a pair of securing panels (224a, 224b, 324a, 324b) hingedly connected to respective upper portions of the side wall panels respectively. The upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b) are hingedly connected respectively to the securing panels by respective connecting panels (230a, 230b, 340a, 340b). The upper end closure panels are coupled to the lower end closure panels respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Boukredine
  • Packaging machine and method of packaging articles
    Patent number: 8671651
    Abstract: A packaging machine (10) comprising two or more packaging subsystems each capable of packaging articles (A) into a carton, wherein the packaging subsystems share a common source of articles (11) to be packaged and at least one transfer mechanism 5 (22) is provided for transferring articles (A) from the common source to any of the two or more packaging subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Benoit Poutot
  • Handle structure
    Patent number: 8523047
    Abstract: A handle structure includes a reinforcing flap struck from a handle panel to define at least a part of a handle opening for insertion of a user's hand. The reinforcing flap comprises a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by a narrow portion defined by an indent in a free edge of the reinforcing flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Carton and carton blank
    Patent number: 8496162
    Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging articles comprises top (14) and bottom (18, 20) panels connected together by spaced side walls (12, 16) to form a tubular structure, and a set of end panels (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) at each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels comprises a pair of lower end closure panels (26a, 26b) connected to the side walls respectively. Each lower end closure panel is hingedly interconnected by gusset panel (34a, 34b) to an anchoring panel (24a, 24b) hinged to an adjacent one of the side wall panels. Each anchoring panel extends into the tubular structure and tucked between the adjacent side wall panel and an adjacent article. One of the gusset panels (34a, 34b) is hinged to the adjacent side wall panel (12, 16) by a hinge line (27a, 27b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Hettinger, Jean Michel Auclair
  • Carton handle with bottle neck avoidance
    Patent number: 8453920
    Abstract: A carton is defined for packaging a plurality of articles. The carton includes a plurality of carton walls at least one of which includes a slot handle that comprises at least one foldable hand flap. The at least one foldable hand flap has an article receiving section for receiving a portion of an article in the carton when the at least one foldable hand flap is folded inwardly of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett K Schemmel, Bradford J. Walling
  • Carton with carrying handle and blank therefor
    Patent number: 8434672
    Abstract: A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Carton with tear initiation feature
    Patent number: 8397979
    Abstract: A carton has a wall including overlapping portions of an outside panel and an inside panel. The outside panel includes an outside handle flap defined by an outside severance line while the inside panel includes an inside handle flap defined by an inside severance line. At least a portion of the outside severance line is in substantial registry with at least a portion of the inside severance line where the outside panel overlaps the inside panel. The inside handle flap includes a relief severance line extending from the inside severance line such that the relief severance line divides the inside handle flap into a delamination section and the other section. The relief severance line is configured to initiate delamination of at least the delamination section of the inside handle flap. The structure is at least partially detachable from the carton along the outside and inside severance lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Bates
  • BASKET-STYLE CARRIER FOR CONCESSIONS
    Publication number: 20130015080
    Abstract: A basket-style concession carrier includes four receiving cells for receiving tapered beverage containers, the receiving cells being positioned two each on the front and rear side of a composite handle, and further includes a first pair of spacer strips that extend from the handle to a front panel and a second pair of spacer strips that extend from the handle to a rear panel. Each pair of spacer strips defines a purposeful void that separates and cushions adjacent containers positioned at a different relative elevation and spaced apart from a side panel at a different distance, so that one of the receiving cells on each side of the handle is larger than the other, and both receiving cells are larger than the void. The carrier further includes two base supports each defined as an invertible strip extending along an opposing corner to further restrict lateral movement of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Caleb S. Loftin
  • System for processing articles
    Patent number: 8322514
    Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Pascal Martini
  • CARTON WITH CARRYING HANDLE AND BLANK THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20120091189
    Abstract: A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • CARRYING HANDLE FOR A CARTON
    Publication number: 20120085814
    Abstract: A carton (12) includes a first wall (22) and a second wall (20). The first wall (22) includes a first edge (21) and a second edge (23) that are opposed to one another. The first wall (22) and the second wall (20) are adjoined along the first edge (21). The carton (12) includes a handle (30). The handle (30) includes a handle opening (80) that is elongated along a longitudinal axis that extends transversely to the first edge (21). The handle opening (80) is configured to be engaged no closer to the second edge (23) than to the first edge (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Beales, Aaron L. Bates
  • Article metering apparatus
    Patent number: 8109382
    Abstract: A machine for forming a stream of articles into spaced groups of articles, which machine has a working reach and a metering element for being brought into contact with an article passing in a stream, into the working reach, which metering element is driven by a drive means, wherein a speed at which the metering element is driven, is retarded as the metering element enters the working reach without retarding the drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: MeadWestVaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Philippe Duperray
  • Transporting and vending package
    Patent number: 8096435
    Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • CARTON AND CARTON BLANK
    Publication number: 20110284622
    Abstract: A carton for packaging a plurality of articles includes top (214, 314) and bottom (218/220, 318/320) panels connected together by spaced side wall panels thereby forming a tubular structure and a set of end panels for at least partially closing each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels includes a pair of upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b), a pair of lower end closure panels (226a, 226b, 326a, 326b) hinged to respective lower portions of the side wall panels respectively and a pair of securing panels (224a, 224b, 324a, 324b) hingedly connected to respective upper portions of the side wall panels respectively. The upper end closure panels (232a, 232b, 332a, 332b) are hingedly connected respectively to the securing panels by respective connecting panels (230a, 230b, 340a, 340b). The upper end closure panels are coupled to the lower end closure panels respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Boukredine
  • Carton for multiple articles
    Patent number: 8061587
    Abstract: A carton for a group of bottles arranged in rows is of substantially tubular structure comprising a bottom panel (18), a first side panel (16), a top panel (14), a second side wall panel (12) and end closure panels for at least partially closing the ends of the carton. The carton has an access means, integrally formed in the carton walls and is defined by a weakened line of severance (3). The access means provides a means for accessing the bottles contained within the carton while providing means for retaining the articles to prevent them from being inadvertently dislodged. The access means being formed so that the carton can be oriented to sit on either its bottom panel or the second side panel while articles are accessed via an opening in the first side wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Blin
  • HANDLE STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20110248078
    Abstract: A handle structure includes a reinforcing flap struck from a handle panel to define at least a part of a handle opening for insertion of a user's hand. The reinforcing flap comprises a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by a narrow portion defined by an indent in a free edge of the reinforcing flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Holley, JR.
  • Reinforced carton handle structure
    Patent number: 7959062
    Abstract: A reinforced carton handle structure includes a carton wall panel (16) hinged along a first fold line (40) to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) hinged one to the next. Each of the carton wall panel (16) and reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) includes an aperture or recess (54, 56) for forming a handle opening. One of the reinforcing panels (26) in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel (32) of the linear series about a second fold line (87a, 87b) that is closer to the first fold line (40) than an edge of the one reinforcing panel (26) which edge is furthest from the first fold line (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Lug chain apparatus, a lug for use therein and a method of securing lugs at desired locations along a moving endless chain
    Patent number: 7958989
    Abstract: A lug chain apparatus having lugs (22), an endless chain (30) and a positioning mechanism (20). The lugs (22) are releasably engageable with the chain (30). The positioning wheel (20) engages the lugs (22) and moves them along the chain (30), to predetermined locations along the chain respectively. Each lug (22) includes locking mechanism (24, 26, 31) that holds that lug (22) in a predetermined location along the chain (30) when in a locking state, and allows movement of that lug (22) along said chain (30) when in a releasing state, such that repositioning of the lugs (22) along the chain (30) is effected without removal of the lugs (22) from the chain (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Bonnain
  • CANS OR BOTTLES ORIENTATOR
    Publication number: 20110108389
    Abstract: Apparatus (150) for orientating articles A comprising a transfer mechanism (114) for transferring articles at a transfer speed, a sensor for determining the orientation of an article being transferred, an article orientation mechanism (112) moveable at a second speed different to said transfer speed and an engagement mechanism operable to selectively engage an article with the article orientation mechanism in response to information collected by the sensor wherein the article is moved to a desired orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Mead Westvaco Packaging Systems ,LLC
    Inventor: Jean Christophe Bonnain
  • Bucket handle
    Patent number: D705512
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Container Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jon Stratton