Patents Assigned to Packaging Systems LLC
  • Air cushion inflation machine
    Patent number: 11207847
    Abstract: A machine for converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement is configured to provide air at a lower pressure to a first web of a first type of inflatable material to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and to provide air at a higher pressure to a second type of inflatable material to inflate the second type of inflatable material. The inflation arrangement includes a guide pin configured to the first and second webs and align the first and second webs on the machine. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create the two different types of inflated cushioning material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Chuba, David Romo
  • Carton and carton blank
    Patent number: 11192702
    Abstract: A carton (102) for packaging one or more articles (B) includes a plurality of walls including atop wall (142), a bottom wall (132), at least two vertical walls (112, 114) and a curved corner (113) between the vertical walls. An internal buttress structure (156) adjacent the top wall provides a curved support edge located apart from the top wall and providing a support edge for the curved corner. A handle strap (266) may be provided in the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Julien D. Merzeau, Patrick Blin
  • BOX OPENING MOVEMENT WITH GUIDES
    Publication number: 20210354871
    Abstract: A method of processing boxes includes shuttling a box in a first direction and cutting to separate outer flaps of the box from one another as the box moves past a cutting tool in the first direction, wherein the outer flaps overlie inner flaps. The method includes engaging a set of opening guides with the outer flaps of the box to drive the outer flaps open. The method includes opening inner flaps using shape memory and shuttling the box in the first direction over an inclined plane after the inner and outer flaps are open to flatten the box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Alexis Manneux
  • Crate apparatus for artificial stone slabs, or the like
    Patent number: 11174095
    Abstract: A crate apparatus can at least partially contain and protect articles that may be artificial stone slabs. The crate apparatus can include a crate and one or more partitions mounted to the crate and at least partially positioned in the interior of the crate. The partitions can extend crosswise to, and be spaced apart from one another in, an upright direction. The partitions and holes therein can be cooperatively configured to at least partially define upright receptacles for respectively receiving the articles. The upright receptacles and/or articles therein can extend vertically or be in an inclined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Advan Packaging Systems LLC
    Inventor: David C. Schiltz
  • BOX OPENING
    Publication number: 20210347519
    Abstract: A box includes a plurality of side panels formed around an interior space. A pair of opposed outer flaps is foldably connected to two of the respective side panels, wherein the outer flaps are secured in a closed position to enclose one side of the box. A pair of opposed inner flaps are included, wherein the outer flaps overlie the inner flaps. A first one of the side panels of the box includes a pair of guide holes each configured to receive a respective opening guide for opening the outer flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Garnier
  • CARTON WITH INTEGRAL HANDLE AND PACKAGE
    Publication number: 20210316896
    Abstract: A package includes a carton (10) and a plurality of articles (B). The carton includes carton walls (14, 16, 26b/30b) and at least one handle structure (HA2) formed from at least one (26b/30b) of the carton walls. The at least one handle structure includes a tab (44b) formed from the at least one of the carton walls. The tab is hingedly connected, by a hinged connection (42b), to the at least one of the carton walls and arranged to fold at least in part about an article disposed within the carton to form at least a portion of a handle opening (40b) so as to allow a user (U) to grasp a portion of the article and the carton disposed adjacent to the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Bradford Walling, Brandon L. Ramsuer, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Container configured to collect and retain fluid shed from container contents
    Patent number: 11124350
    Abstract: A container configured for at least partially containing fresh meat can include a base panel above which an interior space of the container is defined. The base panel can be configured to support fresh meat, and elongate interior passageways can be at least partially defined by the base panel. Openings can be respectively open to the plurality of interior passageways for allowing fluid from the fresh meat in the interior space of the container to flow into the interior passageways. The container can be configured to at least partially retain the fluid in the interior passageways, including opposite end sections of at least some of the interior passageways being closed to at least partially define compartments for receiving and retaining the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Advan Packaging Systems LLC
    Inventors: David C. Schiltz, Kenneth J. VanderVelde
  • CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20210284413
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carrier comprises a main panel (12) having first (A1) and second (A2) adjacent apertures, arranged side by side, each for receiving a portion of an article. The main panel further comprises an annular series of tabs (16,18,20) formed around each of the first and second apertures. The tabs of each annular series are hingedly connected to the main panel such that at least some of the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the respective aperture so as to bear against the article. The main panel comprising a first layer (CL) comprising a paperboard substrate and a second layer (PL) providing a tear resistant layer wherein the tear resistant layer is disposed above the paperboard substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Simmons, Casey P. Grey, Bradford Walling, Matthew E. Zacherle, Eric D. Linvill, Linh L. Kooc
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A PACKAGE
    Publication number: 20210261279
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and method of packaging one or more articles. The device being adapted to applying a plurality of top-engaging carriers to a plurality of groups of articles simultaneously. The device comprises a metering base for facilitating arranging a plurality of articles into groups of articles and an applicator for pressing top-engaging carriers onto groups of articles. The metering base comprises a spacer structure for maintaining a predetermined space between each group of articles and at least a next adjacent group of articles; and a first aligning feature. The applicator comprises an applicator plate having a plurality of receiving cavities each for receiving a top of an article and a second aligning feature for engaging the first aligning feature for sliding movement with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Linh L. Kooc, Lauren N. Chesnet
  • Carton and carton blank
    Patent number: 11084639
    Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of wall forming a tubular structure. The plurality of walls include a top wall (12), first side wall (14) hinged to the top wall by a first hinged connection (13) and a second side wall (18) hinged to the top wall by a second hinged connection. The carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle aperture (A2) struck at least in part from the top wall and defining in part a handle strap (40a). The handle aperture comprises a first edge (E1) defining in part a grip portion of the handle strap and providing a load-bearing edge; and a second edge (E2) opposing the first edge, the second edge being a non-load-bearing edge. A reinforcing member (S) reinforces the load-bearing edge of the handle aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Ball
  • CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20210229886
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20210229884
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles and a blank (210) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window (D) for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (224A, 222A), a first side wall, abase wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a bottom opening (A2) defined, at least, in the bottom wall (224B, 222B). The bottom opening is vertically aligned with the at least one article when the at least one article is received in the carton such that the at least one article is accessible through the bottom opening to be raised and lowered with respect to the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Peeler, Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Carton and carton blank
    Patent number: 11072456
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carton (90) comprises a plurality of panels (12, 14, 16, 18) for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of panels comprises: a first side wall panel (12); a first end wall panel (14); a second side wall panel (16); and a second end wall panel (18). A first handle structure (H) is defined in a first one of the plurality of panels (12). The first handle structure (H) comprises a severance line (60) defining at least in part a handle opening. A first end closure panel (22b) forms, at least in part, a top wall (22b/24b/26b/28b) which at least partially closes an upper end of the tubular structure and is hingedly connected to the first one of the plurality of panels (12) by a first hinged connection (23b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Carton and blank therefor
    Patent number: 11072474
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window (W, DW1, DW2) for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (16), a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises an end closure structure for partially closing an end of the carton (90). The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a) hingedly connected to the top wall. At least one side end closure flap is hinged to a corner panel by a first fold line. The corner panel is hinged to one of the first and second side walls by a second fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Peeler, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • EXPANDABLE CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20210221588
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to an expandable carton (90) which can be opened from a closed state having a first capacity, into an opened state having a second, greater capacity such that ice or other additional articles can be loaded into the expanded carton along with the original articles housed therein. The carton (90) comprises: a top wall (12), a bottom wall (16), a first side wall (14), and a second side wall (18) hingedly connected to one another to form a tubular structure. The carton (90) additionally comprises a first end wall (22a, 24a, 26a, 28a) and a second end wall (22b, 24b, 26b, 28b), each of said end walls (22a, 24a, 26a, 28a; 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b) for enclosing an open end of the tubular structure of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Bradford Walling, Meng-Chuan Wu
  • Packaging machine
    Patent number: 11040793
    Abstract: An exemplary method of making packages includes advancing a web of connected bags to a position where an opening of the bag is below an engagement device and opening the engagement device. Additionally, the exemplary method includes blowing the opening of the bag to a partially opened configuration, and reverse indexing the web of connected bags so that a portion of the engagement device is disposed inside of the bag and a portion of the engagement device is disposed outside the bag. Subsequently, the exemplary method includes closing the engagement device so that the engagement device engages the bag and moving the engagement device to a position that causes the opening of the bag to have a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Riccardi, Robert S. Galosi, Lawrence Valenti, Larry Chuba, Donald P. Shook, Robert L. Ferrante, Jeffrey R. Imboden, David Romo, Mark David Stultz
  • CARTON AND CARTON BLANK
    Publication number: 20210179314
    Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a plurality of walls which extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of walls includes at least one of top (18) and bottom (12, 24) walls, a pair of opposed side walls (14, 16 and 20, 22) and a pair of opposed end walls (26a, 28a, 30a, 34a and 26b, 28b, 30b, 34b). Each of the side walls has opposed upper (17, 19) and lower edges (13, 23). The upper edges of the side walls are disposed at a first distance (d1) from each other. The lower edges of the side walls are disposed at a second distance (d2) from each other. The first distance is substantially different from the second distance. Each of the end walls includes an upper end strap (28b, 30b) and a lower end strap (26b, 34b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Boukredine
  • Package
    Patent number: D920809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren N. Chesnet, Bradford J. Walling
  • Package
    Patent number: D921493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren N. Chesnet, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Package
    Patent number: D932921
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Cullen B. Rosenbrien