Patents Examined by Gary E. Elkins
  • Food container with a holder for a condiment cup
    Patent number: 7520417
    Abstract: A food container in combination with a condiment container having a lip, a lower lip edge and a top edge. The food container includes at least one wall. A bottom connected to the wall defines a containment space. A slit formation is formed in the wall, the slit formation has a lower slit and an upper slit substantially parallel to the lower slit. The slits define a loop that is displaceable into the containment space for supporting the condiment container by urging the condiment container against the wall. The lower slit defines a wall lower ledge disposed for supporting the lower lip edge of the condiment container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventors: Markku Biedermann, Andres Kozhaya, Xavier Velez, Krystle Kimmons, Thomas Kuhn, Jaime Buitrago
  • Carton and blank for producing a carton
    Patent number: 7500594
    Abstract: A blank for producing a carton and a carton erected from the blank wherein two 180° fold lines of each fold-in panel in the blank and carton extend from a point on a second end edge of such panel substantially midway between first and second side edges thereof to respective ones of points of the intersections of a first end edge thereof and first and second side edges thereof. Each of these two 180° fold lines of the fold-in panels includes first and second compressed areas extending from respective ends of the 180° fold line, and a C-shaped cut extending between the first and second compressed areas. The fold-in panels form part of continuous closure panels of the carton erected from the blank and enable the continuous closure panels to snap shut upon closure and remain closed in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Zsolt Toth
    Inventors: Zsolt Toth, David Christopher DeMent
  • Container having passive controlled temperature interior, and method of construction
    Patent number: 7500593
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for shipping articles under controlled temperature conditions, by providing an article enclosure surrounded by a set of hollow walls, and at least partially filling the hollow walls with phase change material, and providing an insulating enclosure about the article enclosure, the insulating enclosure having a relatively high “R” factor for restricting the flow of thermal flux into and out of the article enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Minnesota Thermal Science, LLC
    Inventor: William N. Mayer
  • Box panel with tear strip for opening
    Patent number: 7490754
    Abstract: A box is provided with a tearable panel and a tear strip along with perforated flaps, such that removal of the tear strip provides access to the perforated flaps, such that the perforated flaps may easily be torn to open the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Bush Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Opferbeck
  • Personal care article dispensing carton
    Patent number: 7487906
    Abstract: A towelette dispensing carton is provided which includes a deck panel with an elongate through-cut slot, a front panel adjoining the deck panel, a rear panel adjacent the deck panel, a bottom panel flanked on opposite edges by the front and rear panels, and a lid panel partially covering the deck panel. Right and left side panel systems close off ends of the carton. The lid panel features curved and straight sections along a leading edge, the respective sections being formed on opposite sides of a tab projecting from the leading edge, the tab being at a lesser distance (L1) from one of right or left side panel systems than a distance from the other side panel system (L2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Molinare, Matthew Scott Okin
  • Vehicle replica carton and method of forming the same
    Patent number: 7487903
    Abstract: A method of forming a container for food or other items having a model vehicle configuration is provided that accurately depicts the contours and dimensions of the vehicle to enhance its appeal. An elongated, cardboard-like sheet is presented that is die cut to fold into a three dimensional model of the vehicle. The sheet's first end is folded along a first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and tail of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The sheet's central portion is folded upwardly along a pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along a second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kid Stuff Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Billen
  • Reusable pop-up container and associated container blank
    Patent number: 7487904
    Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container formed of cellulose-based materials configured to form a reusable and collapsible container. The container in the partially assembled, knock-down position lies substantially flat and is capable of being stacked and shipped. Arrival at a job site or at a time requiring the use of the container, the partially assembled knock-down container may be easily converted into a fully erect container ready for use as intended. Once loaded with product, the first and second top panels may be folded down to enclose the container. The container positions the relief scores primarily in the side panels with only a single relief score in the bottom panel. This configuration allows the bottom panel to distend while the container is in the collapsed state while not adversely affecting overall container strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventor: Jack A McClure
  • Triangular shaped container and associated container blank
    Patent number: 7487902
    Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container formed of cellulose-based materials configured to form a triangular shaped container. The container includes a triangular shaped bottom panel, side walls and a rear wall that define a first triangular volume. The top panel and second side panels generally form a second triangular volume that is slightly larger than the first triangular volume. The second triangular volume is configured to fold over the first triangular volume such that the top panel and second side panels fully enclose the bottom panel and the first side panels. The container is locked by a friction fit between juxtaposed tabs inserted into a slot located between the ends of the intersecting first side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Nicholas A Philips, James Gregg Harbison
  • Container having end wall top panel support and associated container blank
    Patent number: 7487905
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes top panel assemblies that form additional bearing surfaces. The blank is configured to form a container that includes corners having multiple thicknesses. However, despite the multiple thickness of the corner assemblies, the panels are only adhered in one location per corner. The single adhesion/corner arrangement provides a multi-wall corner arrangement that is strong, yet has flexible applications. The single adhesive/corner adds vertical stacking strength and lateral stability between the panels. The unique approach of only adhering at one place per corner is a space and cost saving improvement that maintains a container integrity and usefulness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Jack A. McClure
  • Tray
    Patent number: 7485083
    Abstract: A new, readily manufactured display tray having at least 5 sides, and preferably at least 8 sides, a blank therefor and processes for making and erecting the blank. The tray of the invention enjoys the sometime reported benefits of trays having numerous corners yet is more readily manufactured than the typical 8-sided cases disclosed in the prior art. In addition, the tray of the invention requires less corrugated board or other packaging material than the typical prior art 8-sided case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods, North America, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Gaeta
  • Cup holder tray
    Patent number: 7484653
    Abstract: A tray having an L shaped upper wall, side panels attached to the sides of the upper wall, inner panels attached to the upper wall, locking tabs on the lower edges of the inner panels, and a bottom wall having locking apertures which accommodate the locking tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Hurtado, Raymond Roman
  • Integrated carton lid designs
    Patent number: 7484655
    Abstract: A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McLeod
  • Double-walled paperboard cup
    Patent number: 7481356
    Abstract: Described is a stackable, heat-insulating paperboard cup having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve with a gap there between. A rolled lip is applied to the lower end of the outer sleeve, which rolled lip is disposed on the inner sleeve. A shoulder is formed on the inner sleeve for the rolled lip of another paperboard cup to be stacked. The diameter of the inner sleeve below the shoulder is reduced discontinuously. The support of the lower rolled lip on the outer surface of the inner sleeve is arranged at the same level as, or below, the cup bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: PTM Packaging Tools Machinery PTE Ltd.
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Foldable boxes
    Patent number: 7481355
    Abstract: A foldable box that includes a bottom panel, four sides panels and connectors with each connectors having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the connector is foldably connected to a side panel and the second connector is adhered to another side panel, these panels being adjacent to each other. The above connector placement allows a user to transform a box from an unfolded first position to a folded second position in one easy step. The box is then secured in this position by means of a holding member, such as, an adhesive, Velcro, magnets or a folding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Papillion Ribbon and Bow Co.
    Inventor: Vanessa Hui
  • Container and blank having easy opening feature
    Patent number: 7478745
    Abstract: A container for storing and displaying produce made from a blank having a variety of side panels, top panels, and bottom panels. The various side panels are arranged such that one of the side panels and its associated top panel are attached to the adjoining side panels via separable perforation lines. Additionally, the two major top panels or designed to form an overlap area that helps prevent any sealing elements from contact any other panels thereby affecting the opening aspect of this container. As such, the top panel and the side panel may be easily pulled away from the rest of the container thereby providing easy access to the contents container therein. Once pulled away from the rest of the container, the top panel and the side panel may be folded around such that they form a leaning support for the container or removed altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Philips
  • Carton for tapered and cylindrical articles
    Patent number: 7478743
    Abstract: A carton is provided with side walls and chamfered corners shaped to securely or tightly enclose a group of cylindrical articles, such as beverage bottles. The curvature of the edges of each side wall is selected to cause the end wall or end closure structure to conform to the cylindrical and tapered shape of articles in the endmost row. More specifically, the end edges of each side wall are substantially concave and their curvature is determined such that the minimum width of each side wall is less than or equal to the width of the top wall. To encourage side end flaps, which partially form the end closure structure, to crease so as to define the chamfered corners, a fold line is formed in the side end flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: John M. Holley, Jr.
  • Shipping and display container and associated container blank
    Patent number: 7472819
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank of foldable material configurable to form a container. When formed, the container includes a viewing section formed in a front panel. Likewise, the side panel and rear panel assemblies have both inner and outer panel configurations. The side panel assemblies include at least one intermediate partial side panel as well. The multi-panel side and rear panel assemblies give strength and stability to the container. The container may be partially machine erected, machine erected, or hand set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Wachter
  • Self-locking roll-over flap with hook lock
    Patent number: 7469815
    Abstract: A corrugated paperboard container (10) has a bottom (11), opposite side walls (12, 13) and opposite end walls (14, 15). The end walls include an end panel (18) that is foldably connected to the bottom, and end flap panels (16, 17) that are foldably connected to the side walls. A roll-over flap (23) is connected to the end wall by a web (24), and a notch (20) is in the top edge of the end flap panels. The end wall panel and end flap panels are folded into overlying relationship, and the roll-over flap is folded over an upper edge of the end wall panel, with the web lying in the notch. A projection or hook (41) extends into one side of the notch to engage an edge of the web to retain the web in the notch. A blank for making the container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Benjamin W Quaintance
  • Pre-glued display base and reinforced pedestal
    Patent number: 7469814
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a display container. When formed, the display container is a single piece display container with sufficient structural integrity to withstand considerable weight stacked thereon. The blank is configured to form a display container that includes a pedestal portion that includes a double thickness central support and a cover portion that provides a stacking surface. The cover portion may be included or it may be substantially horizontal. Also, the display container includes a substantially vertical back portion to provide additional support for items placed upon the stacking surface. The container is easy us manufacture and assemble, yet of relatively high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Philips
  • Container having self-locking structure to provide added stability
    Patent number: 7467743
    Abstract: A tray-type container having a bottom panel is provided. The container has an outer side panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The outer side panel has a slit. An end panel is provided extending upwardly from said bottom panel to form, along with said side panel, an inner cavity. A flap extends from the end panel. The flap from the end panel is positioned within the slit of the outer side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A Philips