Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6510674
    Abstract: A composite container having a detachable liner and a method for making the container are provided according to the present invention. The method includes providing a tubular body ply formed of a paperboard material and adhering the liner ply using a standard adhesive applicator. The method also includes heating a heat-releasable adhesive disposed between the liner ply and the body ply such that the liner ply substantially releases from the body ply. The liner ply remains adhered to the opposed ends of the container, thus providing a free medial portion between the opposed ends that can move inwardly if a negative pressure is created within the sealed container, thus equalizing the pressure within the container with that outside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Manson Drew Case
  • Publication number: 20030015031
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly is provided for testing the peel strength between an outer layer and an adjacent inner layer of a tubular laminate. The assembly includes a cylindrical mandrel rotatably mounted to a clamping bracket. The mandrel has a retaining surface on its outer periphery which frictionally retains a sleevedly mounted sample of the laminate. The mandrel is attached to an axle by a pair of rotational bearings. The axle is fixedly attached to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is generally L-shaped and has a radial leg radiating from the axle and a clamping leg for being clamped into a testing machine. Testing the peel strength of the laminate includes mounting a test sample onto the mandrel assembly, mounting the assembly in a conventional tensile testing machine, attaching a starting end of the outer layer of the sample to the testing machine, starting the machine and measuring the force required to peel the outer layer from the inner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Q. Nelson, William P. Sammons
  • Publication number: 20030012897
    Abstract: A paperboard tube is rendered resistant to liquid by coating portions or all of the tube with submicron-sized particles of inorganic material that are treated to be hydrophobic and/or oleophobic. The particles can be applied directly to the paperboard, lodging in surface pores such that the particles adhere to the paperboard. Alternatively, a light coating of a tacky binder or adhesive can first be applied to the paperboard and then the particles can be applied such that they adhere to the binder. Preferably, the particles have a large surface area per gram; in one embodiment, for instance, silica particles are employed having a surface area of about 90-130 m2/g. As a result, the particles create a surface on the paperboard that is highly repellant to liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott W. Huffer
  • Patent number: 6502986
    Abstract: A package having a re-sealable seal is formed from a flexible sheet having its opposite longitudinal edge portions sealed together to form a tubular structure with a permanent longitudinal seal. Two permanent end seals are formed transversely across the tubular structure to seal the product inside the package. A re-sealable seal is formed adjacent one of the permanent seals. The re-sealable seal is formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to a first region of the inner surface of the sheet proximate the one permanent seal and a heat seal coating applied over the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to cover the pressure-sensitive adhesive. and a heat seal coating applied over a second region of the inner surface of the sheet. The first and second regions of the inner surface are placed in contact with each other and the heat seal coatings thereon are sealed together to initially form the re-sealable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Bensur, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Richard Frederick Jaisle
  • Publication number: 20020190114
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20020190111
    Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020185402
    Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6478264
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly is provided for testing the peel strength between an outer layer and an adjacent inner layer of a tubular laminate. The assembly includes a cylindrical mandrel rotatably mounted to a clamping bracket. The mandrel has a retaining surface on its outer periphery which frictionally retains a sleevedly mounted sample of the laminate. The mandrel is attached to an axle by a pair of rotational bearings. The axle is fixedly attached to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is generally L-shaped and has a radial leg radiating from the axle and a clamping leg for being clamped into a testing machine. Testing the peel strength of the laminate includes mounting a test sample onto the mandrel assembly, mounting the assembly in a conventional tensile testing machine, attaching a starting end of the outer layer of the sample to the testing machine, starting the machine and measuring the force required to peel the outer layer from the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Nelson, William P. Sammons
  • Patent number: 6478218
    Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6478183
    Abstract: A lightweight overcap for a cylindrical container that requires substantially less material. The material savings is realized by the use of thinner walls and intermittent closure, nesting and stacking structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Bacon, Adrienne N. Lynn, Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 6477956
    Abstract: An improved ink cartridge of the type used to dispense ink in automatic lithographic presses. The ink cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body for holding a supply of extrudable ink, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The improvement comprises a valve member mounted over a central aperture in the dispensing fitment and a flexible molded plastic spring that biases the valve member in the closed position. The valve member opens when subjected to pressure from the ink and closes automatically and completely when the ink pressure is less than the biasing force of the flexible spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, James F. Kick
  • Patent number: 6474511
    Abstract: A safety cap for use with an ink cartridge or other fluid holding container having a nozzle extending from the dispensing end. The safety cap prevents the flow of ink out of the cartridge or, if ink escapes past the dispensing nozzle seal, prevents the flow of ink outside the cap. The cap also enables the ink cartridge to be set upright with the dispensing end down without the need for a nest or fixture to help support the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Antal, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6467749
    Abstract: A concrete column forming tube is provided for receiving poured concrete therein to produce a concrete column and which eliminates spiral seam lines and other undesirable characteristics on the outside surface of the formed concrete column and provides a construction which may be easily removed from the concrete column. The forming tube includes a spirally-wound cylindrical paper tube including multiple plies of paper adhered together, a centrifugally-cast plastic coating sprayed on an inside wall surface of the spirally-wound paper tube for producing an inside coated surface having a thickness and smoothness sufficient to eliminate spiral seam lines and other undesirable characteristics, and a tear strip positioned between the inside surface of the cylindrical paper tube and the plastic coating before centrifugal-casting and extending longitudinally of the forming tube over the entire length thereof and having a predetermined width and readily detachable from the plastic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Wim van de Camp
  • Publication number: 20020146524
    Abstract: A structure is defined for supplying heat shrinkable labels to a labeling machine. Two elongated webs of a heat shrinkable laminate are provided having a continuous series of printed labels positioned end to end thereon. A clear heat shrinkable splice, having an adhesive on one surface, is used to secure the ends of the two webs such that they are positioned adjacent one another and such that they form a single continuous web. The material of the labels and the material of the splice have substantially equivalent shrinkage values such that, upon application of heat to the label and splice within the label machine, the label shrinks along with the splice without causing substantial distortion to the printing on the label. Because the splice is clear or transparent, it can be positioned on the outside of the label, over the printing without obliterating same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development , Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Ulbrich, Thomas Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 6461044
    Abstract: A reclosable bag made on a form, fill and seal machine by a method which includes the steps of: applying an adhesive strip of material to a web of bag material to extend transversely relative to longitudinal edges of the web, the adhesive strip including a front surface releasably applied to the web via a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an exposed rear surface; folding the web about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal edges thereof; and then sealing the web to form the bag, including permanently sealing a portion of the web to the exposed rear surface of the adhesive strip to form a reclosable end seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6460759
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 6457585
    Abstract: A temporary tattoo is releaseably incorporated into a multi-ply re-sealable package capable of holding comestibles. The temporary tattoo is incorporated into the package between the plies and contains a tattoo ink printed either flexo or gravure and, once removed from the resealable package, is moistened and applied to the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Huffer, Jeffrey M. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 6450355
    Abstract: A reversible overcap for an adjustable volume container for consumer products is provided. A first side of the overcap includes a radially extending surface and an annular rim extending outwardly therefrom for engaging a retaining rim of the adjustable volume container. A second side of the overcap includes an annular member that is adapted to frictionally engage the exposed end of the remaining portions of the container that are formed by separating a portion of the container from the remaining portion of the container. The reversible overcap of the present invention is thus a multi-functional end closure and forms part of a completely self-contained adjustable volume container for consumer products that continuously accommodates the volume of the food product in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6446847
    Abstract: A flexible container for dispensing liquids is disclosed. The flexible container includes a spout which is integrally formed with a reservoir body of the container. The integral spout includes a cohesive material disposed across the spout opening for providing easy access to the reservoir and which then may be resealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott W. Huffer
  • Patent number: 6446811
    Abstract: A pack of self-opening serially-arranged plastic bags of the “star-seal” type defining eight superimposed wall layers in the bag. Mounting tabs form a part of top portions of each of the eight layers and are positioned in superimposed positions and each includes an aperture for mounting the tabs on a tab retaining device of a rack in a non-front-side-free manner. Each of the tabs includes a mechanism for rendering the tab detachable and providing a predetermined detaching strength. In one embodiment, each of the tabs are detachable from the rack and in another embodiment, each of the tabs are detachable from the bag. A frangible bond is formed between the rear layer and the front layer of each successive bag in the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry B. Wilfong, Jr.