Patents by Inventor Alain Saulas

Alain Saulas 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: 10099833
    Abstract: A locking device for a carton includes a first part (F) defined in a first panel (12) and a second part (M) defined in a second panel (14). The first part includes a female tab (22) struck from the first panel and foldably coupled thereto. The second part includes a male tab (20) struck from the second panel and foldably coupled thereto. The male tab is hinged to the second panel by a first non-linear fold line (24) and is receivable in an aperture created by folding the female tab out of the plane of the first panel so as to secure the first and second panels together. The male tab includes at least one weakened line (28) for facilitating folding of the male tab about the first non-linear fold line (24). An edge (30) of the female tab braces against the male tab so as to maintain the male tab in a folded or locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alain Saulas, Tsugihiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170057717
    Abstract: A locking device for a carton includes a first part (F) defined in a first panel (12) and a second part (M) defined in a second panel (14). The first part includes a female tab (22) struck from the first panel and foldably coupled thereto. The second part includes a male tab (20) struck from the second panel and foldably coupled thereto. The male tab is hinged to the second panel by a first non-linear fold line (24) and is receivable in an aperture created by folding the female tab out of the plane of the first panel so as to secure the first and second panels together. The male tab includes at least one weakened line (28) for facilitating folding of the male tab about the first non-linear fold line (24). An edge (30) of the female tab braces against the male tab so as to maintain the male tab in a folded or locked configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Alain Saulas, Tsugihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9227753
    Abstract: A locking device for a carton comprising a first part and a second part complementary to the first part, the first part comprising a first panel (12) having an aperture for receiving the second part, the second part comprising a tab (22) coupled to a second panel, the tab having a fold line (15a, 15b) foldable to form a leading edge, the tab being inserted into the aperture in a folded condition, the tab comprising at least one engaging edge (30a, 30b) for engaging with the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20140346220
    Abstract: A locking device for a carton comprising a first part and a second part complementary to the first part, the first part comprising a first panel (12) having an aperture for receiving the second part, the second part comprising a tab (22) coupled to a second panel, the tab having a fold line (15a, 15b) foldable to form a leading edge, the tab being inserted into the aperture in a folded condition, the tab comprising at least one engaging edge (30a, 30b) for engaging with the first panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 8096435
    Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20090173661
    Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 7000824
    Abstract: A carton and a blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, for example bottles, comprising a collapsible tubular corner post formed from an extension of a carton side wall. The corner post is adapted to move from a flat collapsed condition when extending outwardly of the carton to be automatically erected by folding the corner post inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 6923365
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating one or more articles which carton is provided with an access structure for the removal of articles from within the carton. The access structure comprises a closure panel hinged to a carton wall for forward and backward pivotal movement and a movable platform hinged to the closure panel for moving the contents of the carton forward for their removal in response to the forward pivotal movement of the closure panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20040007614
    Abstract: A carton and a blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, for example bottles, comprising a collapsible tubular corner post formed from an extension of a carton side wall. The corner post is adapted to move from a flat collapsed condition when extending outwardly of the carton to be automatically erected by folding the corner post inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20030226879
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating one or more articles which carton is provided with an access structure for the removal of articles from within the carton. The access structure comprises a closure panel hinged to a carton wall for forward and backward pivotal movement and a movable platform hinged to the closure panel for moving the contents of the carton forward for their removal in response to the forward pivotal movement of the closure panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 6615984
    Abstract: An article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier for holding a plurality of articles, for example bottles. The carrier comprises a plurality of wall panels for forming a tubular structure. The wall panels include a pair of side wall panels, one of which is provided with a reinforcing tab hingedly connected thereto along an article-retaining edge of a first aperture for receiving an article. The reinforcing tab is folded to underlie the one side wall panel to provide a two-ply structure adjacent the article-retaining edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alain Saulas, Jean-Michel Garnier
  • Patent number: 6527108
    Abstract: An article carrier and blank for forming the article carrier are provided to package a plurality of necked articles. The carrier or blank comprises a top, bottom and opposed side panels interconnected together. The top panel comprises article receiving and retaining arrangement including an article retaining flap formed from the top panel. The article retaining flap is adapted to be folded inwardly of the top panel thereby to define an aperture for receiving a neck portion of the article. When the article neck portion is received in the aperture, the article retaining flap abuts the neck portion to engage and retain the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Blin, Alain Saulas, Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20030006150
    Abstract: An article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier for holding a plurality of articles, for example bottles. The carrier comprises a plurality of wall panels for forming a tubular structure. The wall panels include a pair of side wall panels, one of which is provided with a reinforcing tab hingedly connected thereto along an article-retaining edge of a first aperture for receiving an article. The reinforcing tab is folded to underlie the one side wall panel to provide a two-ply structure adjacent the article-retaining edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Alain Saulas, Jean-Michel Garnier
  • Publication number: 20010010327
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including an ellipsoidal panel adjoining at least one of said top panel and said base panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010010325
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including a corner panel interconnecting a respective said side panel and said end flap and at least one gusset adjoining said corner panel and disposed in face contacting relation with a respective corner of said base panel or said top panel forming a flanged recess for said corner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010010326
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a corner closure structure at each corner of the carton including a plurality of overlapping gusset panels wherein each said gusset panel adjoins a respective said side panel, said end flap and one of said top panel or said base panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20010009262
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating a pizza or the like, comprising a top, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels interconnecting said top and said base to provide a flat tubular structure and an end closure arrangement to close opposite ends of the carton including end flaps adjoining said top and said base panel and a trapezoid-shaped corner structure at each corner of the carton adjoining said top, said base panel, said side wall and said end flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 5853088
    Abstract: A carton for packaging primary containers arranged in at least three lateral rows in which the center of said rows has fewer containers than adjacent rows. The carton comprises a pair of superposed tray structures (70) which are connected together by a wrapper (10) having a handle structure (52). The trays each have a retaining keel (94) extending inwardly of the tray for retaining the center row of containers in an inwardly offset condition with respect to the adjacent rows of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Saulas, Jean-Yves Daniel, Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: D439840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: D432418
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Alain Saulas