Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
  • METHOD OF MANUFACTURING VACUUM INSULATION PANELS
    Publication number: 20180045358
    Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing a vacuum insulation panel using three-dimensional printing technology. Individual layers of core material are built up to produce a rectilinear core having a very small internal wall thickness and numerable hollow areas, thus creating a core having a highly porous surface. The highly engineered porous core is then encapsulated in a plastic, aluminum or composite envelope and a vacuum is applied. Once all or most of the gas molecules are removed, the engineered VIP delivers a high level of insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Ajit Ranade
  • Expandable retail shelf tray
    Patent number: 9883753
    Abstract: A product shipping and display tray made from a unitary blank is provided. The tray comprises one and preferably two expandable side panel assemblies to take up additional shelf space if desired. Each side panel assembly comprises an intermediate side panel extending forward from a rear panel, an inner side panel in flat, abutting relationship to the inner facing surface of the intermediate side panel, and an outer side panel rotatably attached to the inner side panel along a front vertical edge. Each outer side panel is moveable between a first position in which the outer side panel is in a flat, abutting relationship to the intermediate side panel and a second position in which the outer side panel is rotated outwardly away from the intermediate side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Saladyga
  • Valve and method of making same
    Patent number: 9878524
    Abstract: A method of making a one-way gas release valve for releasing gas pressure from within a coffee container comprises pre-oiling a relatively narrow dry strap of flexible material and laminating the pre-oiled dry strap between relatively wide ribbons of base and cover material with the dry strap overlying spaced vent patterns in the base material. Alternatively, the base material may be pre-oiled or both the base material and the dry strap may be pre-oiled. The dry strap and base may be made of PET and the cover may be made of mPET. Gas release valves are then die cut from the resulting web with each valve containing a vent pattern. Pre-oiling of the dry strap and/or the base can be accomplished through a roll metered process to insure that the oil is applied in precise amounts and with consistent thickness and coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Morin
  • REEL MADE OF MOLDED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20180009628
    Abstract: A composition for making a molded article such as a reel flange, and a method making the same, are provided. The composition may consist essentially of about 75-95 wt % dry waste wood and about 10-25 wt % binder such as melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) or PMUF resin. The waste wood may be recycled wood fiber from pine or other hardwoods, sawdust and wood chips. The method comprises mixing dry waste wood with MUF or PMUF resin binder to make a wood/resin mixture, and compressing the wood/resin mixture in a mold cavity at a pressure and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey Charles Echols, JR.
  • Expandable Retail Shelf Tray
    Publication number: 20170360222
    Abstract: A product shipping and display tray made from a unitary blank is provided. The tray comprises one and preferably two expandable side panel assemblies to take up additional shelf space if desired. Each side panel assembly comprises an intermediate side panel extending forward from a rear panel, an inner side panel in flat, abutting relationship to the inner facing surface of the intermediate side panel, and an outer side panel rotatably attached to the inner side panel along a front vertical edge. Each outer side panel is moveable between a first position in which the outer side panel is in a flat, abutting relationship to the intermediate side panel and a second position in which the outer side panel is rotated outwardly away from the intermediate side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Saladyga
  • Two piece collapsible display hutch
    Patent number: 9844282
    Abstract: A two piece, easy-to-assemble hutch for shipping and displaying items comprises two laterally opposing, hinged sidewalls, one or more elongated horizontal front panels, a rear wall and shelves made of two halves. The hutch is moveable between a first position in which each shelf is folded up against itself and a second position in which each shelf forms a substantially planar load supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre C. Smith
  • Container and spout with open-position locking feature
    Patent number: 9829362
    Abstract: A container and spout assembly in which the spout is pivotally attached to the container. The spout is pivotally moveable between a closed position in which a spout exterior wall is flush with the container sidewall and an open position in which a spout interior wall is flush with the sidewall and spout legs frictionally engage a detent. The spout accommodates a metered dose of product. In the fully open position, the spout seals the opening in the sidewall to prevent product from exiting the container while a metered dose is dispensed from the open spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Robert Carpenter, Kurt Ziegenfelder
  • Thermally insulated VIP sandwich shipper
    Patent number: 9828165
    Abstract: A thermally insulated VIP sandwich shipper for a temperature sensitive payload is provided. The shipper comprises an outer shell, an inner shell and vacuum insulated panels sandwiched therebetween. The outer shell and the inner shell may be unitary rigid structures made of an expanded foam material and comprising a bottom having a perimeter and sides extending from the bottom perimeter and terminating in a rim. The inner shell rim may be spaced from the outer shell rim to define a gap, the gap being sealed to create an enclosed space within which the vacuum insulated panels are located. Each vacuum insulated panel may be oriented substantially orthogonally to at least one adjacent vacuum insulated panel and have an edge that abuts the adjacent vacuum insulated panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Ranade, John Stephan
  • Stackable shelf tray for a retail display
    Patent number: 9826843
    Abstract: A tray and corner post type packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products is provided. The packaging system is made from three folded and glued blanks and includes four corner posts and a central support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Valentine Tomaszewski, Glen Bersamin
  • Container with pivoting latch
    Patent number: 9809357
    Abstract: A combination container and latch is provided. The container comprises a body, a lid hingedly attached to the body and a pivoting latch that minimizes the possibility of the latch becoming entangled in the lid or damaged. The latch is moveable between a locked position in which the latch is distended and extends vertically upward within a body recess and a lid recess to engage a locking post, and an open position in which the latch is relaxed and extends horizontally within the body recess. The container and latch are designed so that the latch never extends beyond the container footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Arnold, Gary Hase
  • Method of making a flexible magnetized sheet
    Patent number: 9802353
    Abstract: A method of making a flexible magnetized sheet is provided. The method may comprise the steps of (1) using cold extrusion to produce a highly viscous fluid magnetizable sheet, (2) passing the sheet through a magnetic field to create an uncured magnetized sheet, and (3) curing the sheet with electron beam curing. The fluid mixture may comprise magnetizable particles with a random charge orientation and an acrylic resin. The components of the mixture are cool when passed through an extrusion die. The extruded fluid sheet allows for the sheet to be magnetized and then, instead of curing by cooling, cured by the bombardment of electrons via an electron beam (EB) generator. The method can eliminate the heat of extrusion and can allow for more freedom of orientation because the sheet does not cure until it reaches the electron beam curing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • One-Way Valve Score Design
    Publication number: 20170307091
    Abstract: In flexible package, a one-way valve may include a substrate forming a portion of the flexible package and having at least one inlet score, a top sheet having at least one outlet score and secured thereto by an adhesive to define a valve chamber in which the substrate and the top sheet are not permanently adhered to each other, and a liquid film within the valve chamber and adhering the top sheet to the substrate within the valve chamber until a pressure differential exists causing gases to pass through the one-way valve. The inlet scores and the outlet scores may be non-linear, or may be linear scores that are not parallel to each other to prevent the scores from collapsing on themselves and preventing gas flow when the package buckles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Donald Prue Branyon
  • Tub insert system for top loading washer
    Patent number: 9790634
    Abstract: A washing machine tub insert system is provided that prevents the wash tub from impacting the washing machine cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub insert system may be made from a bottom panel and an insert that lock together. The insert outwardly biases locking members against the cabinet rim and against the tub to minimize relative movement of the tub and cabinet, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the wash tub damaging the washing machine cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Senn, Matthew Marrow
  • Composite container with peelable membrane
    Patent number: 9783354
    Abstract: A composite container is provided for holding products (e.g., stacked chips). The container includes a tubular body and a peelable membrane. The tubular body is made of at least one paperboard body ply having an inner surface and a metallized Oriented Polypropylene (mOPP) liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the paperboard body ply. A liner sealant is disposed on the inner surface of the mOPP liner ply, and the paperboard body ply and the mOPP liner ply are rolled outwardly to form a rim. The membrane, which has a membrane sealant on its inner surface, is sealed to the liner sealant in the area of the rim to close the container. When the membrane is peeled away, the membrane sealant and the liner sealant remain sealed to each other and cause separation within the mOPP liner ply, avoiding tearing and exposure of the paperboard in the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Rhue
  • Container and Spout with Open-Position Locking Feature
    Publication number: 20170284848
    Abstract: A container and spout assembly in which the spout is pivotally attached to the container. The spout is pivotally moveable between a closed position in which a spout exterior wall is flush with the container sidewall and an open position in which a spout interior wall is flush with the sidewall and spout legs frictionally engage a detent. The spout accommodates a metered dose of product. In the fully open position, the spout seals the opening in the sidewall to prevent product from exiting the container while a metered dose is dispensed from the open spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Robert Carpenter, Kurt Ziegenfelder
  • Integrated One-Way Valve with Polyol Film
    Publication number: 20170283136
    Abstract: A one-way valve integrated into a lamination of the kind used as a membrane seal for coffee containers and the like. The valve comprises a top layer, a substrate and a fluid polyol film. The top layer and the substrate are adhered together by an adhesive disposed between the top layer and the substrate. The adhesive defines a boundary of a valve chamber in which the top layer and the substrate are not permanently adhered to each other. The film enhances the adhesiveness of the top layer to the substrate in the area of the valve chamber so that gas inside the container does not escape until the internal pressure reaches a minimum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Donald Prue Branyon
  • Precision Scored Wrapper for in Home Use
    Publication number: 20170275068
    Abstract: A ready-made wrapper that can be used at home to wrap an article such as a snack bar and a method of making same is provided. The wrapper is a precision scored laminate comprising a flexible bottom layer adhered to a flexible top layer at least in part by a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). In one embodiment the bottom layer is scored so that one or more peripheral portions of the bottom layer can be removed and discarded, leaving a wrapper having an adhesive perimeter. After an article is placed in the center of the wrapper, the wrapper can be folded around the article to create an airtight package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Container for Shipping and Displaying Products
    Publication number: 20170275046
    Abstract: A container that can function both as a shipper and as a retail display is provided. The container comprises a tray and a lid. Upon delivery to the retail site, the lid can be removed and used as a display base. The tray is mounted to the lid and secured thereto with locking tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Scott Manella
  • Apparatus and method for forming a design on an expanded bead foam article
    Patent number: 9770853
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a design on an expanded bead foam article such as an exercise roller is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Cole
  • Convection based temperature assured packaging system
    Patent number: 9758299
    Abstract: A packaging system for a temperature sensitive payload is provided. The system includes side panels and end panels forming a product compartment. Cooling layers within the product compartment are located below and above the products. Channel members located between the side panels and the payload and between the end panels and the payload create vertical channels having rectangular cross sectional areas for convective air movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Iftekhar Ahmed, Ajit Ranade, Glen Bersamin