Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
  • End support for wound rolls
    Patent number: 9284103
    Abstract: An end support for supporting a roll of material wound on a tubular core is defined by a generally rectangular plate and a projecting hub member. The hub is dimensioned for insertion into a tubular core material roll. A plurality of spaced plate ribs are provided internally within the plate with at least one rib extending inwardly from each of the plate side perpendicular to the hub member. A plurality of crossing ribs are also provided and intersect with the perpendicular plate ribs and other crossing ribs to define a generally open areas lattice pattern. A plurality of corrugation surfaces are fixed to one or more of the side members, corner members, hub member, crossing ribs and plate ribs and extend into the open areas of the lattice pattern. The corrugations surfaces are alternately formed along the front and rear faces of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, Chad E. Lagace
  • Reel with built in pallet
    Patent number: 9278827
    Abstract: A cable reel for holding a cable wound thereon that includes a cylindrical drum having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end spaced from the first end. The cable reel also includes a first flange that is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical drum and a second flange that is coupled to the second end of the cylindrical drum. The cable reel further includes a spacer that extends axially outward from the first flange. The spacer is configured to support the reel with the first flange spaced above a support surface when the longitudinal axis of the reel is in a substantially vertical orientation and with the reel being supported on the support surface by the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaokai Niu
  • Container having self-contained heater material
    Patent number: 9278796
    Abstract: A container is provided that has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material. The first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. A portion of the first film layer of the first web can be separated from the second film layer to reveal openings in the first film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container. Prior to separation of the first and second film layers, the container is designed to allow ingress of oxygen into the compartment at a rate less than approximately 3 cc per 100 in2 per 24 hrs. at 23° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Sonoco Development, Inc., Rechargeable Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Adam Laubach, Darko Marquez, Christopher S. Pedicini
  • Method of Making a Thermally Insulated Shipper
    Publication number: 20160059448
    Abstract: A method of making a thermally insulated shipper for a temperature sensitive payload is provided. The shipper comprises vacuum insulated panels located between inner and outer molded shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Ranade, John Stephan
  • Thermally insulated VIP sandwich shipper and method of making same
    Patent number: 9272475
    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: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Ranade, John Stephan
  • Temperature controlled pallet shipper
    Patent number: 9272811
    Abstract: A thermally insulated pallet shipper is provided for use in any industry where temperature sensitive products are shipped, including the pharmaceutical, hospital and food industries, particularly for shipping payloads by air. The pallet shipper is made from just four individual foam molded structures: a base, a first corner structure, a second corner structure and a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Ranade, Benjamin Philip Goodman, Iftekhar Ahmed, Arthur Samoylovich
  • Protective packaging for ammunition
    Patent number: 9267776
    Abstract: A package for a plurality of ammunition units, each unit having an axially elongated casing with a base and a projectile joined to the casing opposite its base, is made from a thermoformed sheet, formed to have a plurality of elongated compartments for receiving an ammunition unit. Each compartment is recessed from a planar peripheral upper surface and has a cradling surface extending along an axis of an inserted ammunition unit for supporting its casing and first and second separation walls on opposed sides of the cradling surface. At least one of the first and second separation walls has an overhanging tab, resiliently deformable relative to the other opposed separation wall to receive and grasp the casing upon insertion or to allow removal of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. McClaughry, Virginia Cruz, David John Sarver
  • Pouring spout for container
    Patent number: 9227766
    Abstract: A pouring spout is mounted within an opening in a container. The spout includes an open channel or trough dimensioned for slidable engagement within the opening. The open channel is defined by a u-shaped wall extending between a mounting end and a discharge end. An end wall is formed at the discharge end, adjacent a discharge opening formed in the bottom surface of the u-shaped wall. A visible flow path is formed along the open channel, between the inlet to the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Ziegenfelder
  • Display hutch
    Patent number: 9211021
    Abstract: A collapsible, easy-to-assemble corrugated hutch for shipping and displaying products is provided. The hutch comprises a back wall, two side walls, shelves and two side wall supports. The side walls are hingedly attached to the back wall and can be folded to capture the side wall supports. The shelves extend between the side walls and have front edges that are supported by the side walls and side wall supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre C. Smith
  • Winding cores for material rolls having high roll strain energy, and method for making same
    Patent number: 9212021
    Abstract: Winding cores for elastically stretched or shrinkable materials are designed to significantly reduce the amount of roll strain energy developed during winding. This is accomplished by building into the core an energy-absorbing zone that can be collapsed by a substantial amount and in a relatively controlled fashion over a substantial period of time under the influence of a continued radially inward pressure exerted by the roll of wound material. The energy-absorbing zone is formed by one or more collapsible layers having repeated atomic regions projecting out of a plane of the sheet and each defining a plurality of normal vectors in different sub-regions of the atomic region, wherein the normal vectors, when projected onto the two-dimensional plane of the sheet, are in a plurality of different directions in the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Rhodes, John F. Auten, Yiming Wang, Wim Van de Camp, Terry Gerhardt, Lawrence E. Renck
  • Hermetic microwavable package with automatically opening steam vent
    Patent number: 9199781
    Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate for a microwavable package has a built-in vent for steam. The vent is formed by an outer score line through the outer layer(s) of the laminate to define an outer flap, and a smaller-footprint inner score line formed through the inner layer(s) of the laminate, so that there is a marginal region of U- or V-shape bounded between the two score lines. A patch of pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the outer and inner structures of the laminate such that PSA is present in the marginal region. Pressure exerted on the inner flap or plug created by the inner score line overcomes the PSA between the outer flap and the inner structure in the marginal region, causing the outer flap to be pushed out along with the inner flap or plug, thereby venting steam through the resulting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Bosman
  • Tub Insert System for Top Loading Washer
    Publication number: 20150337479
    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 die cut corrugated blank and foam locking members. The blank is folded to create a V-shaped structure that outwardly biases the 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Senn, Matthew Marrow
  • Support for shower pan or tub
    Patent number: 9179807
    Abstract: A support for supporting a shower pan is provided. The support comprises an expanded polypropylene tray defining a cavity, an intermediate layer made of oriented strand board and disposed with the cavity, and a top layer made of expanded polystyrene foam disposed with the cavity and having a contoured top surface substantially matching the contoured underside of the shower pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Campbell, Ajit Ranade
  • Dispenser with discharge control
    Patent number: 9163970
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for a flowable product and is defined by a container body forming a storage chamber. A discharge tube is provided with an inlet positioned adjacent a bottom end of the storage chamber and an outlet positioned adjacent a discharge opening in the container. A sealing member is rotatably secured to the bottom end of the container body and includes a defined first position and defined second position. A closing member is positioned at the inlet end of the discharge tube when the sealing member is in the defined first position. Rotation of the sealing member from the first position to the second position moves the closing member away from the inlet opening and exposes the inlet to product within the storage chamber for selective discharge through the discharge tube outlet and the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Antal, Sr., Chad E. Lagace
  • Method for preparing a scored flexible structure, and method for making a flexible packaging structure having a built-in open and reclose feature
    Patent number: 9162414
    Abstract: A method for preparing a scored flexible structure that has utility in the construction of packaging structures, including steps of: (i) providing a structure as a web of flexible material; (ii) enhancing a thickness of the structure in a discrete region thereof by applying a substantially all-solids electron-beam-curable polymer material in fluid form onto the discrete region, the discrete region occupying a minor percentage of a total surface area of the structure; (iii) curing the polymer material by irradiating the polymer material with an electron beam, thereby forming an EB-cured polymer region; and (iv) forming a score line through a thickness of the EB-cured polymer region and through the thickness of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Huffer, Rod Pettis
  • Collapsible Reel
    Publication number: 20150291386
    Abstract: A collapsible reel that can be broken down into smaller components for ease of shipping or to change out the drum is provided. The reel comprises a drum assembly, a pair of flanges and a pair of coupling assemblies for removably affixing each flange to the drum assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Watkins
  • Zero Turn Radius Reel
    Publication number: 20150291385
    Abstract: An easy-to-maneuver reel for carrying wound product is provided. The reel comprises at least one flange that can rotate independently of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Watkins
  • Container assembly having a heat-sealed metal end, a metal end therefor, and a method for making same
    Patent number: 9150328
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a container body having a side wall encircling an axis, and a metal end for attachment to an upper edge of the side wall via heat-sealing. The outer peripheral region is shaped prior to application to the container body such that an annular channel is defined between an inner chuck wall and an outer chuck wall of the metal end. The metal end is pushed straight onto the side wall such that the upper edge of the side wall is received into the channel. The surfaces of the side wall and the opposing surfaces of the chuck walls have heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is heated to melt and fuse the heat-sealable layers, thereby sealing the metal end onto the side wall. The metal end is shaped such that the free edge of the outer chuck wall is not exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Dunn, John Meeks, Jeremy Morin, Trevor Price
  • Blister package and method of forming same
    Patent number: 9138378
    Abstract: A blister package is defined for retaining product. The package is formed from a receptacle substrate having a planer sealing flange and at least one receptacle hollow for retaining product therein. A top layer is provided, covering the receptacle hollow with a portion overlapping and sealed to the sealing flange. A score pattern is formed in the top layer for promoting propagation of a tear upon forcing product from receptacle hollow against the top layer. The score pattern is defined by a plurality of rows of parallel straight lines aligned with the receptacle hollow. In addition, a plurality of spaced curved or bowed score lines are provided. The curved or bowed score lines transversely intersect the rows of straight lines above the receptacle hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald McArthur, Benjamin Davis
  • Container overcap
    Patent number: D739234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Antal, Sr., Chad E. Lagace, Terry Smith