Patents by Inventor Aaron L. Bates

Aaron L. Bates has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10730675
    Abstract: A carton includes a top wall (12a/12b), first side wall (14), second side wall (18), first end wall, a second end wall and a bottom wall (16). The carton has a handle structure (H) defined at least in part in an outer panel (12b) and at least in part in an inner panel (12a). The outer panel is disposed in overlapping relationship with the inner panel to form the top wall. The outer panel includes an outer handle strap (30) while the inner panel includes an inner handle strap (32). The outer handle strap is continuously formed with the outer panel at its first end and severably attached to the outer panel at its second end by a frangible connection (46). The inner handle strap includes a first end disposed in the inner panel and continuously formed with the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Nathaniel B. Ball, Brandon L. Ramsuer
  • Publication number: 20190144183
    Abstract: A carton includes a top wall (12a/12b), first side wall (14), second side wall (18), first end wall, a second end wall and a bottom wall (16). The carton has a handle structure (H) defined at least in part in an outer panel (12b) and at least in part in an inner panel (12a). The outer panel is disposed in overlapping relationship with the inner panel to form the top wall. The outer panel includes an outer handle strap (30) while the inner panel includes an inner handle strap (32). The outer handle strap is continuously formed with the outer panel at its first end and severably attached to the outer panel at its second end by a frangible connection (46). The inner handle strap includes a first end disposed in the inner panel and continuously formed with the inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Caleb S. Loftin, Nathaniel B. Ball, Brandon L. Ramsuer
  • Patent number: 9790013
    Abstract: A system for dispensing articles provided initially in a package is disclosed that comprises a frame configured to support the package of articles and a package-opening tool associated with the frame. The frame includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections, and an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool associated with the frame such that its open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool, thereby allowing the articles to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King, John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20170240365
    Abstract: A system for dispensing articles provided initially in a package is disclosed that comprises a frame configured to support the package of articles and a package-opening tool associated with the frame. The frame includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections, and an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool associated with the frame such that its open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool, thereby allowing the articles to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King
  • Patent number: 9637292
    Abstract: A system for dispensing articles provided initially in a package is disclosed that comprises a frame configured to support the package of articles and a package-opening tool associated with the frame. The frame includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections, and an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool associated with the frame such that its open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool, thereby allowing the articles to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King, John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 9505538
    Abstract: A system for dispensing articles provided initially in a package is disclosed that comprises a frame configured to support the package of articles and a package-opening tool associated with the frame. The frame includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections, and an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool associated with the frame such that its open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool, thereby allowing the articles to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King, John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 9434520
    Abstract: A carton has composite wall which includes a handle that has a handle opening. The handle opening is defined at least in part by a load bearing edge. The load bearing edge includes a first segment to which a first handle flap is hingedly connected along a first fold line, and second and third segments to which second and third handle flaps are hingedly connected along second and third fold lines respectively. The first handle flap is formed from the outer layer. The second and third handle flaps are formed from the inner layer. The second and third fold lines are spaced apart from each other with a free edge of the inner layer extending between the second and third fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Bates
  • Patent number: 9359106
    Abstract: A product dispensing frame having a front end and a rear end, and including an upper support deck extending between the front end and the rear end, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck extending between the front end and the rear end and defining a first product display area, and an intermediate support deck positioned between the upper support deck and the lower support deck, the intermediate support deck extending between the front end and the rear end and defining a second product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Bogdziewicz, III, Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Steven Burton
  • Publication number: 20160101918
    Abstract: A carton includes a top wall (12a/12b), first side wall (14), second side wall (18), first end wall, a second end wall and a bottom wall (16). The carton has a handle structure (H) defined at least in part in an outer panel (12b) and at least in part in an inner panel (12a). The outer panel is disposed in overlapping relationship with the inner panel to form the top wall. The outer panel includes an outer handle strap (30) while the inner panel includes an inner handle strap (32). The outer handle strap is continuously formed with the outer panel at its first end and severably attached to the outer panel at its second end by a frangible connection (46). The inner handle strap includes a first end disposed in the inner panel and continuously formed with the inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron L. BATES, Caleb S. LOFTIN, Nathaniel B. BALL, Brandon L. RAMSUER
  • Patent number: 9266656
    Abstract: A carton includes a handle (160) for carrying the carton. The handle includes a handle flap (162a) with a main portion (174a), first (178a) and second (180a) gussets, and an end portion (176a). The main portion is hingedly connected to the first gusset along a first fold line (182a), the first gusset is hingedly connected to the second gusset along a second fold line (184a), and the second gusset is hingedly connected to the first end portion along a third fold line (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Bradford J. Walling, Aaron L. Bates
  • Patent number: 9199775
    Abstract: A carton including a wall (216a) having a handle (220a) that includes a load bearing edge. The load bearing edge includes a first segment (170a) that is configured to support a substantially vertical load and a second segment (172a) that is configured to support a substantially horizontal load. A first handle flap (160a) is hingedly connected to the first segment, and a second handle flap (162a) that is hingedly connected to the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Bates
  • Patent number: 9174785
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container defining an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, the container including a weakened severance line extending from the opening to define an access panel, and a dispenser including a frame and a catch element, the frame having a support deck and defining a recess sized to receive the access panel, the catch element being positioned to engage the opening in the container, separate the access panel from the container along the weakened severance line, and guide the separated access panel into the recess when the container is moved along the support deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: John Gelardi, Bradford J. Walling, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150307225
    Abstract: A locking arrangement secures together first and second panels. The arrangement includes locking tabs (54, 56, 58) projecting from an end edge (64) of the first panel (12) and locking slits (50a, 50b, 50c) in the second panel (28). Each locking slit is provided for receiving a respective one of the locking tabs. The locking tabs and the locking slits are engageable by relative sliding movement with each other. At least one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a first overlapping position while at least another one of the locking tabs and locking slits is configured to secure the first and second panels in a second overlapping position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Bobby L. Miller, JR., Kelly A. Harrigan
  • Patent number: 9102456
    Abstract: A product dispensing container including a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one of the walls including an access door panel, a priming area and a severance line, and a plurality of products received in the internal volume, wherein the priming area is displaceable relative to the wall to form a free edge, and wherein the access door panel is at least partially defined by the free edge and the severance line when the priming area is displaced relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Laurel Thomas, Aaron L. Bates, John Gelardi
  • Patent number: 9096361
    Abstract: A product dispensing container including a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one of the walls including an access door panel, a priming area and a severance line, and a plurality of products received in the internal volume, wherein the priming area is displaceable relative to the wall to form a free edge, and wherein the access door panel is at least partially defined by the free edge and the severance line when the priming area is displaced relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Laurel Thomas, Aaron L. Bates, John Gelardi
  • Patent number: 9090390
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, and a dispenser including a frame configured to support the container and a catch element connected to the frame, the catch element being positioned to engage the opening when the container is loaded onto the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford J. Walling, John Gelardi, Aaron L. Bates
  • Publication number: 20150191286
    Abstract: A carton has composite wall which includes a handle that has a handle opening. The handle opening is defined at least in part by a load bearing edge. The load bearing edge includes a first segment to which a first handle flap is hingedly connected along a first fold line, and second and third segments to which second and third handle flaps are hingedly connected along second and third fold lines respectively. The first handle flap is formed from the outer layer. The second and third handle flaps are formed from the inner layer. The second and third fold lines are spaced apart from each other with a free edge of the inner layer extending between the second and third fold lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron L. BATES
  • Publication number: 20150144688
    Abstract: Aspects of disclosure provide a carton (200) having a composite wall (24a/24b/26b; 124a/124b/126b; 224a/224b/226b; 324a/324b/326b; 424a/424b/426b) comprising a handle (58; 158; 258; 358). The handle includes a load bearing structure configured to support a substantially vertical load and configured to support a substantially horizontal load. A first handle flap (68b; 168b; 268b; 368b; 468b) is formed in an outer layer of the composite wall and hingedly connected thereto along a first hinge connection. Second and third handle flaps (52a, 52b; 152a, 152b; 252a, 252b; 352a, 352b; 452b) are formed in an inner layer of the composite wall and hingedly connected thereto along second and third hinge connections. The second and third hinge connections are arranged such that they are substantially out of alignment with the first hinge connection and each comprise at least one arcuate fold line (54b, 57b; 154b, 157b; 254b, 257b; 354b, 357b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Bradford J. Walling, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 8985346
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a frame structure having a front end and a rear end, the frame structure including an upper support deck extending between the front and rear ends, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck extending between the front and rear ends and defining a first product display area, and an intermediate support deck positioned between the upper support deck and the lower support deck, the intermediate support deck extending between the front and rear ends and defining a second product display area, wherein the upper support deck and the intermediate support deck define a vertical drop zone proximate the rear end, the vertical drop zone extending from the upper support deck to the lower support deck, and a guide positioned between the upper support deck and the intermediate support deck, the guide extending into the vertical drop zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Bogdziewicz, Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Steven Burton
  • Patent number: 8863952
    Abstract: Each of the first and second side panels of a tubular carton includes a notional longitudinal line disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel that is below the elevation of the shoulders of the bottles. At least one of the opposed ends of the tubular carton is closed by a composite end wall. The composite end wall includes pair of first and second side end closure flaps hingedly connected to the side panels of the carton along first fold lines respectively. Each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels is formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed below the respective notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed above the respective notional longitudinal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Bates, Bradford J. Walling, Kyle Schumaker