Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11981471
    Abstract: A heat sealing machine and method form blister packages. A backing material web extends between a nesting tray assembly and a seal and cut tooling assembly and a blister tray is resident within a blister nest of the nesting tray assembly. The backing material web is clamped between a clamping gasket support shoulder of the nesting tray assembly and a clamping shoulder of the seal and cut tooling assembly, and between a sealing gasket support shoulder of the nesting tray assembly and a heat seal shoulder of a heater assembly. A knife of the seal and cut tooling assembly extends between the clamping gasket support shoulder and the sealing gasket support shoulder to cut a backing sheet from the backing material web that is heat sealed to an attachment surface of the blister tray to form the blister package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Levan
  • Patent number: 11970361
    Abstract: A core for winding sheet material is proved. The core comprises a cylindrical tube having a longitudinally oriented slot formed therein, and a strip of soft material located in the slot. Because of the geometry of the slot and the strip, the strip may be softer (less compressed) in the central region but firmer where the core transitions from the relatively soft strip to the relatively hard tube. The leading edge of the sheet material imbeds itself into the soft central region of the strip as additional layers are wound around the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, John Wrenn
  • Publication number: 20240133108
    Abstract: A washer base used to support components of a washing machine or other large household appliance, particularly the centralized load elements, during assembly, shipping and handling by restricting their movement is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton Moore
  • Publication number: 20240124206
    Abstract: A notched corner post for a package for a product having a first wall and a second wall intersecting at a vertical corner, and a top panel extends outward beyond the second wall to define an overhanging lip. The notched corner post may include a first leg extending upward from a post bottom edge to a first post top edge, and a second leg extending upward to a second post top edge that is lower than the first post top edge to define a notch of the notched corner post. When the notched corner post is installed in the package at the vertical corner, the first leg may engage the first wall with the first post top edge at least level the product top surface, and the second leg may engage the second wall with the second post top edge disposed under the lip bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Wayne Marrow
  • Publication number: 20240092527
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for housing an appliance comprises a top cap, a carton and a spacer affixed to the top cap and carton. The top cap and carton form a basiloid lifting flange. The spacer spaces the appliance from the carton sidewall on the basiloid lifting side and enhances the structural strength of the lifting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Senn
  • Publication number: 20240067479
    Abstract: An expansible chuck for holding hollow cylindrical cores used for winding and unwinding sheet material. A portion of the chuck body nearest the flange is stepped up so that the diameter of the chuck near the flange is slightly larger than the diameter of the rest of the chuck. The stepped up portion centers the chuck within the core which helps the expanding elements to uniformly grip the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Markku RONNILA, Ismo KERVINEN, Andrei KLIMENKO
  • Patent number: 11892238
    Abstract: A packaging system for transporting a payload while maintaining the payload within an acceptable temperature range. The payload is cooled by two sets of U-shaped heat pipes within the payload compartment. A set of cold heat pipes is cooled by a layer of phase change material located above the payload, while a set of warm heat pipes is cooled by a layer of phase change material located below the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Iftekhar Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11858769
    Abstract: A web splice for attaching two webs, such as paper webs used in paper converting operations. The web splice comprises a non-linear butt joint. The butt joint forms an acute included angle (?) with the side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaokai Niu, David E. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20230416968
    Abstract: A tub support system that fits inside the top opening of a washing machine to prevent the wash tub from moving relative to the cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub support system comprises two separate components held in interlocking engagement. One component contacts the tub and the other component contacts the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton Moore
  • Patent number: 11834218
    Abstract: A system for assembling a container and closure comprising an expanding collet which has a plurality of pivoting collet segments, each configured to simultaneously pivot radially outward about a pivot point and comprising. The collet comprises a lip that is engagable with the rim of the open end of the container and an angled tip positioned radially inward from the lip and shaped to press a countersink portion of the closure against an interior wall of the container as the collet segments pivot radially outward. As the container and the chuck are brought together, the rim engages with the lips of the collet segments and causes the angled tips of the collet segments to pivot outward toward the interior wall of the container, thereby pushing the countersink portion of the closure against the interior wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Price, James J. Peoples
  • Patent number: 11820565
    Abstract: A sterile barrier system package comprising a tray, a lidding film and a unique printed or molded SBS Code for communicating and tracking the SBS to its specific intended usability through activating a digital experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd LaMont McDonald
  • Patent number: 11807477
    Abstract: An expansible chuck for holding hollow cylindrical cores used for winding and unwinding sheet material. A portion of the chuck body nearest the flange is stepped up so that the diameter of the chuck near the flange is slightly larger than the diameter of the rest of the chuck. The stepped up portion centers the chuck within the core which helps the expanding elements to uniformly grip the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Markku Ronnila, Ismo Kervinen, Andrei Klimenko
  • Patent number: 11794958
    Abstract: A one-piece paper lid and container system using the one-piece paper lid is provided herein. The one-piece paper lid comprises base having a central portion and peripheral portion, and a circumferential bead disposed adjacent the peripheral portion of the base. The circumferential bead is radially extendable between an inward position defining a first inner diameter and an outward position defining a second inner diameter. The one-piece paper lid further comprises a skirt extending downward from the circumferential bead. The skirt comprises an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall and an upwardly extending curl connecting the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall, wherein the inner sidewall comprises an inner protrusion extending radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Felix Kettner
  • Publication number: 20230331451
    Abstract: A system for moving and transporting cargo, such as bundled cores and tubes, that doesn't require wheeled carts. The system may comprise a forklift truck, a front engagement device connecting the cargo to the forklift truck, a rear roller unit, and one or more spaced apart bottom supports. When the forklift forks are in the raised position, the cargo front (leading) end is tilted above the cargo rear (trailing) end and the bottom supports are disengaged from the floor, allowing the cargo to be moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Manly Kelley, Neil Roland Davis, David E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11787103
    Abstract: An improved core for mounting on one or more core engaging elements such as a pair of chucks and a method of making an improved core are provided. The core is adapted to wind and unwind material thereon. The core may comprise a high coefficient of friction coating disposed on the inner surface of the core to improve the core-chuck interaction. The inner surface may be mechanically or chemically treated to improve core-chuck interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Roland Davis, John Franklin Auten, Jr., Michael Lee Thompson, Kevin Manly Kelley, Xiaokai Niu, David E. Rhodes, Michael David Zold
  • Patent number: 11780663
    Abstract: A washing machine tub lock device is provided that prevents the wash tub from impacting the washing machine cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub lock device is formed by cutting and folding a corrugated blank into an inverted truncated rectangular cone that can be wedged inside the top portion of the washing machine tub. The tub lock device includes hanging tabs which prevent the tub lock device from falling into the wash tub during shipping and handling. The tub lock device also includes elliptical tabs which bend or deform into elliptical cutouts such that the edges of the elliptical cutouts are covered, thus preventing the elliptical cutouts from damaging the washing machine during shipping and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton T. Moore
  • Patent number: 11760528
    Abstract: A paper-based composite container for an off-gassing product includes a paperboard can body having a substantially gas-impervious liner attached to an inner surface thereof, and a pair of substantially paper-based end closures attached to the opposite ends of the can body, each end closure defining a generally cylindrical sealing panel in contact with an inner surface of the can body. Heat-sealable materials are disposed on opposing surfaces of the sealing panel and can body. The sealing panels of the end closures are attached to the can body by heat seals. The heat seal for at least one of the end closures is discontinuous such that at least one vent channel extends through the heat seal to establish fluid communication between an interior of the container and the environment outside the container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan James Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20230286696
    Abstract: A folded post support system for supporting a pallet, comprising a hollow elongated enclosure and an insert disposed with the interior of the enclosure. The insert is made from a hollow cylindrical structural post that has been folded in an accordion fashion to form a series of post segments. Each post segment is connected to at least one adjacent post segment along a living hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton MOORE
  • Patent number: 11738919
    Abstract: Containers are described that allow a consumer to see inside the container and to more easily access the products. One form of the container includes a base member with a lid defining a window. A flexible laminate with a peelable flap portion is attached to the lid to provide access to the products inside. The flexible laminate includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. The first film layer includes a first cut line defining a peelable flap portion and the second film layer includes a second cut line offset from the first cut line that defines an opening into the container. First and second reclose surfaces defined between the cut lines on the corresponding film layers include pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the container to be re-sealed via movement of the peelable flap portion back into engagement with the flexible laminate remaining with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: RE49960
    Abstract: A package film is provided for attaching to a base member to define a package. The package film construction includes a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. A removable adhesive is provided having a defined pattern applied below the bottom surface. A polyethylene (PE) emulsion layer is provide that covers at least a portion of the adhesive pattern, with the PE emulsion layer being heat sealable to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Donavan Young