Patents Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.
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Patent number: 6053400Abstract: A container has a movable end closure for accommodating expansion or contraction of the product packaged therein. The container includes a hollow body portion with opposed open ends and an inside surface and an end closure positioned at each of the open ends of the hollow body portion and secured thereto for closing the container with product contained therein. One of the end closures is of a generally cup-shaped configuration and has a radially-extending central portion of generally the same configuration and dimensions as the inside surface of the body portion and an accordion-folded sidewalk extending axially from the central portion toward the body portion open end to define a free end area secured to the inside surface of the body portion at the open end.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Keith Rea
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Patent number: 6050148Abstract: A testing apparatus for determining dynamic strength of sample paper cores includes a rotatably driven pneumatic chuck for engaging the inner surface of a sample core to rotatably drive the sample core, and a variable-tension belt assembly having a flexible belt which is looped over the sample core and tensioned to simulate the load applied to a paper core in actual use. The belt is tensioned by a pneumatic cylinder which is controlled under feedback control by a servo valve and a computer controller so that the load applied to the sample core accurately tracks a predetermined desired load schedule versus time.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: John Freeman Staples, Dennis Taylor, Johannes W. van de Camp, Steve Lyles, Jason T. Stephens
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Patent number: 6047878Abstract: A substantially paper container has a top end closure adapted to be removed for opening the container and repositioned for closing the container. The container includes a tubular body of substantially paper material, a cup-shaped end closure of substantially paper material and a cup-shaped membrane having an outer upwardly-extending rim portion of substantially the same height as an upwardly-extending rim portion of the cup-shaped end closure. The membrane and end closure are positioned in an open upper end portion of the body in superimposed relationship with the membrane below the end closure. An upper area of the upper end portion of the body extends above the superimposed rim portions of the membrane and the end closure and is folded inwardly over and around the upper ends of the superimposed rim portions.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: James W. Lowry
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Patent number: 6041929Abstract: A film bag laminate including an outer layer, an inner layer and an adhesive layer for attaching the outer layer to the inner layer. The adhesive layer includes a non-adhesive portion where the outer layer is not adhered to the inner layer. A printed ink layer is formed on the inside surface of the outer layer. The printed ink layer has a hidden indicia portion formed from multiple layers of ink. The hidden indicia portion includes an ink pattern layer disposed on the inner surface of the outer layer which forms at least a partially obscuring and distracting pattern that is visible from the outside of the film bag. A gray block layer of ink is formed on the ink pattern layer. A hidden indicia ink layer is disposed on top of the gray block layer. The hidden indicia layer is obscured from view from the outside of the package by the ink pattern layer and the gray block layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Brunner, William S. Kelly, Derrick Ayers
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Patent number: 6036629Abstract: A process for manufacturing and the resulting cylindrical composite container having a recessed spiral groove therein includes generally the following. A mandrel is provided having at least one recessed spiral groove cut into its surface and positioned at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis of the mandrel. Desired material layers for constructing the composite container are fed onto the mandrel and are spirally-wound at a winding angle corresponding to the predetermined angle of the spiral groove in the mandrel to form a continuous tube on the mandrel. Pressure is applied at the mandrel spiral groove to the continuous tube as it is being formed to force the material layers into the spiral groove for deforming the material layers to form a spiral groove in the continuous tube. This continuous tube with a spiral groove therein is cut into individual continuous lengths and removed from the mandrel for forming the composite container.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Keith Rea, Mark Morrow, James Lowry
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Patent number: 6032890Abstract: The invention provides yarn carriers for package dyeing of yarns which include an improved transfer tail engaging and segregating surface on the exterior of an axially projecting nesting collar. The transfer tail engaging and segregating surface is formed by a plurality of axial protrusions which are arranged to form a circumferentially interrupted surface on the axially projecting nesting collar. As a result of the protrusions, transfer tail windings are forced to be formed in an overlapping criss-cross manner which provides for improved access by dye liquor to the transfer tail windings. In addition, the radial protrusions can be provided of a height to form a positive engagement with the inside surface of a female nesting collar of an adjacent yarn carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Victor J. DesRosiers
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Patent number: 6032823Abstract: A non-round easy-grip composite container has a composite bottom closure and an outwardly-curled beaded top edge adapted to receive a membrane closure and a snap-on overcap. The composite container has outwardly-bowed curved front, rear and side walls and curved corners defining eight circular segments in transverse cross-section arranged symmetrically about perpendicular axes and at least some of which have different radii. Preferably, the container is of a combination rectangular and elliptical shape in transverse cross-section and the front and rear walls have a common predetermined radius in transverse cross-section which is larger than a common predetermined radius for the side walls in transverse cross-section. The corners also have a common predetermined radius in transverse cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1995Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: John Ellis Bacon
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Patent number: 6033352Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for spirally winding a tube of enhanced spiral seam uniformity that is simple and reliable. The spirally wound tube is formed using a spiral pitch control surface that engages with an exterior or interior cylindrical surface of a spirally wound tube and constrains movement of the tube to a predetermined spiral rotation as it is formed on a cylindrical stationary mandrel. Preferably, the pitch control surface comprises a tube engaging surface positioned along at least one spirally aligned portion of the exterior portion of the tube forming mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: David Howard, Jean Paul Languillat, Johannes Wilhelmus van de Camp
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Patent number: 6015061Abstract: A dual function overcap for a cylindrical container, having a bead about the top edge and generally used for snack foods, includes a substantially planar covering portion and a downwardly extending lip. The dual function overcap fits over the container with a bead by engaging the downwardly extending lip or can fit a shortened form of the same container without a bead, or the same, or similar, container without a bead. In one form of the invention, the overcap must be flipped over to attach the overcap to the edge of the shortened container. In the preferred form of the invention, a raised channel within the covering portion, receives and retains the edge of the shortened container.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: James W. Lowry
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Patent number: 5996833Abstract: A tamper evident dust cover for a drum bung is provided. The cover includes a cap portion and a sidewall portion extending downwardly from the edge of the cap portion. The cap portion has a pair of frangible lines which extend to its edges. The sidewall portion has an inner and outer surface, and a pair of frangible lines on one surface which communicate with the frangible lines on the cap portion. A locking ring is integrally formed with and extending downwardly from the sidewall portion. The locking ring is adapted to hinge at its juncture with the sidewall portion between two positions. In the first position, the locking ring is positioned downwardly and inwardly below the hollow area formed by the cap and the sidewall. When the locking ring is in the second position, it is positioned upwardly and inwardly into the hollow area of the cover. In the second position, the locking ring is capable of engaging the lip of a drum bung to prevent removal of the cover A pull tab extends outwardly from the sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Lencioni, James P. Stevens
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Patent number: 5988493Abstract: A composite container is provided for vacuum packaging of products which is constructed, as follows. A hollow body portion defines a desired shape for the container and has an inside surface. A liner layer is in superimposed position within the body portion and covers the inside surface for receiving the product inside the liner layer and the body portion of the container. An elastic material is positioned between the body portion and the liner layer for movably attaching the liner layer to the body portion in the superimposed position while allowing the liner layer to constrict and move away from the body portion by stretching of the elastic material when a vacuum is formed on the product packaged in the container and then allowing the liner layer to move back into the superimposed position within the body portion of the container by retraction of the elastic material when the container is opened and the vacuum on the product is removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
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Patent number: 5979748Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of applying an aqueous adhesive to a surface of a paperboard body ply and then heating the aqueous adhesive to evaporate part of the water content and render the adhesive substantially tacky. The body ply and a polymeric liner ply having a moisture barrier layer are then either fed to a shaping mandrel from opposite sides and bonded together as the container is formed on the mandrel or are first passed through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply and then wrapped around the mandrel as a laminate to create the tubular container. Accordingly, an advantageous tubular container can be manufactured having a body ply formed of paperboard which is wrapped into a tubular shape to define an inner surface. The body ply defines a predetermined circumferential length before being wrapped which corresponds to one revolution of the body ply when wrapped in a tubular shape.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 5971259Abstract: A hermetic, composite container including a non-metallic composite container body and a metal end which are joined by a double seam. The double seam has reduced dimensions resulting in significant savings in material. The metal end is formed of a low basis weight metal having a thickness of less than 0.007 inches wherein substantial wrinkling of the metal end nonetheless is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: John Ellis Bacon
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Patent number: 5950913Abstract: A composite container for dough or other expandable product includes a hollow cylindrical body formed of composite material, a pair of end closures for sealing the open end of the container body, a separator disk disposed in the body and dividing the container into a first tubular portion for containing the product and a second tubular portion. A plurality of ingredient cups are stacked bottom-against-top in the second portion of the container body. Each cup is a cup-shaped member having a cylindrical tubular side wall, a bottom wall closing one end of the side wall, and an open end defined by an upper edge of the side wall. A membrane engages the upper edge to sealingly close the cup with an additional ingredient such as condiment, icing, spices, etc., therein. The bottom of one cup stacks on the upper edge of another cup so that the one cup is not supported by the membrane of the other cup. The separator disk engages an annular flange on the upper edge of the adjacent cup.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Keith E. Antal
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Patent number: 5941393Abstract: A pack of easy opening handleless or T-shirt type plastic bags for packaging grocery produce or the like and for being suspended from a rack for being serially opened and removed from the rack. Each type of bag includes integrally formed front and rear walls and gusseted side walls which extend inwardly towards each other and which terminate proximate each other. The walls have top portions defining an open mouth. Each T-shirt type bag includes laterally-spaced handles extending upwardly from the mouth portion on each side of the bag. The front and rear walls and gusseted side walls of each bag are folded onto each other along a longitudinal axis of the bag to define eight superimposed layers. A seal of the star seal type secures the bottoms of the eight layers together to close each bag bottom. Superimposed detachable tabs extend upwardly from the eight wall layers at the top of each bag. Each tab includes an aperture for mounting on a tab-retaining device of a rack.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Harry B. Wilfong, Jr.
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Patent number: 5942114Abstract: A yarn carrier is provided of the type including a substantially rigid tubular core having passageways through the sidewall thereof for the passage of dye or wet finishing bath into the yarn to be wrapped thereon. A filter sleeve is wrapped around the outer surface of the tubular core to prevent entrapment of the yarn in the passageways and for filtering the dye and/or finishing bath. The filter sleeve is formed from a filter material which is wrapped into a sleeve and abutting edges of the filter material are bonded together along a seam. The seam is contemplated to be substantially continuous and extend the length of the sleeve. The tubular sleeve is slid over or heat shrunk onto the outside surface of the tubular core prior to the winding of the yarn thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventor: Gerd Rieker
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Patent number: 5932798Abstract: A device for leakage and pressure testing can bodies and can body-end closure combinations includes a can clamp assembly having an expandable resilient sealing ring over which an open end of a can body is slid. The can clamp assembly automatically draws the open end of the can body into a collar and then expands the resilient sealing ring outwardly to clamp and seal the can body in the assembly. Air is pumped into or drawn out of the can by an air passage formed through an actuating rod attached to the can clamp assembly for extending and retracting the sealing ring. For testing can bodies having no end closures, the device includes a second can clamp assembly which clamps and seals the other open end of the can body. A shaft attached to the second can clamp assembly is slidably and rotatably supported in an aperture of a support plate such that the can body is free to expand axially and to rotate about its axis during loading and testing of the can body.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Keith R. Rea, John Ellis Bacon