Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11661304
    Abstract: A lightweight tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively. A foamed body may be disposed in the annular space, the foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang-Wei Ho, Hsiang-Shou Hsu
  • Patent number: 11661305
    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 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: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, John Wrenn
  • Patent number: 11649095
    Abstract: The invention comprises a lid configured to close the open end of a container, wherein the lid comprises a track disposed at least partially circumferentially within a peripheral portion of the lid, at least one insertion point within the track, and at least one retention region within the track. A ring is disposed circumferentially about the container, wherein the ring comprises at least one post which is configured to be inserted into and removed from the at least one insertion point and retained within the retention region. At least one of the ring and the lid are circumferentially rotatable between a locked position, wherein the at least one post is within the at least one retention region and an unlocked position, wherein the at least one post is within the at least one insertion point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 11649103
    Abstract: The invention comprises a container for food products that extrudate liquids comprising a tray and a bowed insert. The tray bottom wall has at least one raised area, at least one lower surface, and at least one sidewall. A plurality of flutes are disposed on the inner surface sidewall(s). A plurality of elevated portions extend upwardly from the bowed insert. The insert is secured within the tray. A reservoir is defined between the insert and the tray bottom wall. The elevated portions of the insert, the flutes, and the at least one raised area of the tray bottom define a plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Mark Morrow, Travis Figgins
  • Patent number: 11649105
    Abstract: The invention is drawn to a container comprising a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The sidewall terminates in an edge and has an inner and an outer surface. The bottom wall and the at least one sidewall form a container interior. A flexible bag having an open end is disposed within the interior of the container and over the top edge of the container. A slide ring extends at least partially circumferentially about the outer surface of the sidewall and is affixed to the open end of the bag and frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Trevor Price
  • Patent number: 11628969
    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: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Dave Dunn, John Meeks, Jeremy Morin, Trevor Price
  • Patent number: 11623805
    Abstract: The invention includes a child resistant package having a first panel and at least two second panels joined to the first panel. The first and second panels are in different planes, in an embodiment. The package includes a peelable flap portion covering an access point into the package, wherein the peelable flap portion has at least one tab continuous therewith. The at least one tab is disposed on one of the second panels and the access point is disposed in the first panel. In an embodiment, at least one decoy tab is also disposed on one of the second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, James J. Sanfilippo, John E. Sanfilippo, Milorad Radenovic, Ricardo Costa, Eric Feld
  • Patent number: 11623806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible packaging comprising a base layer and a film layer at least partially releasably affixed to the base layer via a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises at least one adhesive zone and at least one adhesive-free zone extending continuously in a machine direction. The film layer is scored to form at least one pull tab which is disposed within the at least one adhesive-free zone and the base layer is scored to form at least one cavity which is disposed adjacent the at least one adhesive-free zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20230107551
    Abstract: A system and method of obtaining a quantitative evaluation of paper. By looking at the topographic data and comparing it to machine parameters, an operator can optimize the paper forming machine settings to create consistently high quality paper with minimal surface defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg W. SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20230095152
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, John Wrenn
  • Patent number: 11613410
    Abstract: A flat-bottomed bag is formed from a flexible sheet that initially is flat prior to being manipulated to form the bag. The sheet is a laminate of a first web and a second web laminated together by an adhesive layer disposed between the webs. The sheet defines a plurality of serially connected side wall panels collectively defining a vertically extending side wall of the bag, and a plurality of bottom panels respectively connected to the side wall panels at respective fold lines. The bottom panels are folded about the fold lines and are attached together to form a flat bottom wall configured to support the bag in an upright orientation. The adhesive layer is in a partial-coverage pattern that includes adhesive-free regions located along each fold line between each bottom panel and the respective side wall panel connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Edward Trollen
  • Patent number: 11613066
    Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tam per-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tab positioned within a heat seal region of the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20230092236
    Abstract: An improved sheet for making a three-dimensional article for holding food, such as a food tray, and a method of making a three-dimensional article. The sheet comprises a substrate and a laminate film. The laminate film may comprise a ceramic film and a copolymer layer. The copolymer layer can repair any cracks that occur due in the ceramic film when the sheet is thermoformed. The food tray is considered a single material that is recyclable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11597559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite container comprising a bottom film layer and a top film layer at least partially adhered to the bottom film layer. The top film layer is scored to form at least one resealable flap and at least one pull tab which is not adhered to the bottom film layer. The bottom film layer comprises at least one cavity opening. A cardboard layer is adhered on its lower surface to the upper surface of the top film layer, wherein the cardboard layer has at least one cavity opening which is substantially aligned with the scoring of the top film layer resealable flap and the cardboard layer is perforated to define a perimeter of at least one pull tab which is substantially aligned with and adhered, on its underside, to the upper surface of the top film layer pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20230044190
    Abstract: A lightweight tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively. A foamed body may be disposed in the annular space, the foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang-Wei HO, Hsiang-Shou Hsu
  • Patent number: 11565512
    Abstract: An improved sheet for making a three-dimensional article for holding food, such as a food tray, and a method of making a three-dimensional article. The sheet comprises a substrate and a laminate film. The laminate film may comprise a ceramic film and a copolymer layer. The copolymer layer can repair any cracks that occur in the ceramic film when the sheet is thermoformed. The food tray is considered a single material that is recyclable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20230015993
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly for a flowable product container includes a sprinkler base and a sprinkler disk rotatably coupled to the sprinkler base. The sprinkler base includes a tongue defined in a base plate by a shear area and a tongue hinge, with the tongue extending upward when the shear area is unbroken, and partially detached and rotatable to an open position when force is applied to break the shear area. The sprinkler disk has a pour aperture with a complimentary shape to the tongue so that the tongue extends through the pour aperture to prevent rotation of the sprinkler disk when the shear area is unbroken and not tampered with, and rotates downward when the shear area is broken to allow the rotation of the sprinkler disk. The sprinkler assembly may be fabricated from materials such as polyethylene and polyurethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Döbler, Patrick Pfriem
  • Patent number: 11554894
    Abstract: The invention comprises a peelable membrane for resealably closing a metal end comprising an outer layer, a tacky layer, and a heat seal layer. The heat seal layer is permanently sealed to the metal end to cover at least one opening in the metal end. The tacky layer causes the peelable membrane to be resealable onto the metal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 11548691
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container apparatus with a lateral stability rail system. At least one rail extends within the lid portion and at least one track extends through the base portion. The rail terminates in a tooth and the track terminates in a pocket. When the container is in a hingedly closed position, the at least one rail nests within the at least one track and the at least one tooth nests within the at least one pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Travis L. Figgins, Roger D. Hanna, Jr.
  • Patent number: D983870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Manella, Jack Fuechsl, Brian Gaster, Karen Berard, Mark Brasel