Patents by Inventor Alex James Orchard

Alex James Orchard 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: 11873155
    Abstract: The container is suitable for the separate packaging and storage of at least two contents, which need to be combined in the preparation of a ready-to-use product. Two container bodies each provided with a coupler are assembled by using a separate interface device as intermediate connector. A mixing mechanism is formed when inserting the couplers through opposite annular rings of the connector of the interface device. The interface device includes two openers having a different or opposite orientation, typically arranged inside a same puncturing structure of generally cylindrical shape, for releasing an internal passage initially sealed between two closure members. The closure members respectively close an access opening of the container bodies, hermetically. Relative movement of the closure members toward the openers allows communication between a first compartment and a second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE
    Inventors: Juan-Felipe Jaramillo, Alex James Orchard
  • Patent number: 11584060
    Abstract: A thermoplastic pre-container, typically a blow molded piece, is provided to form several hollow bodies. The pre-container is elongated along a central axis and includes a bottom section, an opened section and in-between at least one hollow body section. A plurality of circumferential grooves are provided in a pre-container sidewall, each with a bottom line formed in a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis. The bodies are obtained after cutting the pre-container in a direction transverse to the central axis and severing the end sections. Due to the cutting at several of the circumferential grooves, a top opening and a base opening are respectively obtained for at least two hollow bodies, each opening being delimited by an annular inner rim of a body flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE
    Inventor: Alex James Orchard
  • Publication number: 20230002103
    Abstract: The container for product has a bottom wall and a lateral wall of tubular extension up to an annular and surrounding an opening for access to the inner volume. The container is of the type without cover or part that can be lost, including two distinct protrusions, projecting from the lateral wall in order to get a closed configuration, wherein the two protrusions are simultaneously: projecting opposite the bottom wall, from the annular end; and sealed to each other so as to form a sealing zone in order to hermetically close the opening. The container has two gripping portions, offset and distributed on the two protrusions and arranged outside of the sealing zone, which makes it quick to open. The container is recyclable, formed for example based on laminated paper or cardboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Alex James ORCHARD, Valentina ANDREEVA-CHRAIBI, Timothy James LLEWELLYN
  • Publication number: 20220388753
    Abstract: The container is suitable for the separate packaging and storage of at least two contents, which need to be combined in the preparation of a ready-to-use product. Two container bodies each provided with a coupler are assembled by using a separate interface device as intermediate connector. A mixing mechanism is formed when inserting the couplers through opposite annular rings of the connector of the interface device. The interface device includes two openers having a different or opposite orientation, typically arranged inside a same puncturing structure of generally cylindrical shape, for releasing an internal passage initially sealed between two closure members. The closure members respectively close an access opening of the container bodies, hermetically. Relative movement of the closure members toward the openers allows communication between a first compartment and a second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Juan-Felipe JARAMILLO, Alex James ORCHARD
  • Publication number: 20220388752
    Abstract: A container is assembled, using an interface connection device enabling separate packaging and storage of multiple contents to be combined in the preparation of a ready-to-use product. Two container bodies each having a coupler are connected by the separate device. A mixing mechanism is formed when inserting the couplers through opposite end female parts of the connector of the interface device. A container body compartment is sealed by a closure member. A stop arrangement retains a given coupler of the sealed container body in a first position in a corresponding end female part of the connector. Relative movement of a closure member toward an opener in the connector allows communication between two compartments. These compartments remain separate until action to overcome the stop and displace the given coupler from the first to second insertion position, with the opener releasing the container body compartment initially sealed by the closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Juan-Felipe JARAMILLO, Alex James ORCHARD
  • Publication number: 20210163209
    Abstract: The container is suitable for the separate packaging and storage of at least two contents, which need to be combined in the preparation of a ready-to-use product. Two container bodies are assembled by using an interface device as intermediate connecting element. A first connector and a second connector are used to form the device. A mixing mechanism is formed when coupling an inserting part of one of the connectors with an annular bearing portion of the other connector. The interface device includes an element, typically a puncturing structure, for releasing an internal passage initially sealed by a closure member, allowing communication between a first compartment and a second compartment. The respective connectors are thermoplastic pieces each integrally secured to a corresponding plastic container body, preferably by induction sealing using a metal medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE
    Inventors: Juan-Felipe JARAMILLO, Alex James ORCHARD
  • Publication number: 20210053271
    Abstract: A thermoplastic pre-container, typically a blow molded piece, is provided to form several hollow bodies. The pre-container is elongated along a central axis and includes a bottom section, an opened section and in-between at least one hollow body section. A plurality of circumferential grooves are provided in a pre-container sidewall, each with a bottom line formed in a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis. The bodies are obtained after cutting the pre-container in a direction transverse to the central axis and severing the end sections. Due to the cutting at several of the circumferential grooves, a top opening and a base opening are respectively obtained for at least two hollow bodies, each opening being delimited by an annular inner rim of a body flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Alex James ORCHARD
  • Patent number: 10894626
    Abstract: The side wall, extending below a shoulder of the thermoplastic bottle, has a gripping portion formed substantially in the middle of the bottle body and includes a first line and a second line each defined in a vertical symmetry plane. The second line has a second point at minimal distance ds2 between the side wall and the central axis, while the first line has a first point at minimal distance dsl between the first line and the central axis. For these particular points in the gripping portion: ·ds2<ds1·hs1<hs2 A thick portion is provided at and above the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE, SOCIETE ANONYME DES EAUX MINERALES D'EVIAN ET EN ABRÉGÉ “S.A.E.M.E”
    Inventors: Frédéric Chivrac, Alex James Orchard, Jean-Paul Besson
  • Publication number: 20200385159
    Abstract: The container is provided with a one-piece hollow body made of plastic material and a bottom portion. The body is tubular and includes a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis from an annular base to a top provided with a wide top opening. A thin flexible lid covers and seals the top opening. The base is provided with a base flange, of annular shape, that continuously surrounds a wide base opening of the hollow body. A flexible base lid made of foil material is in annular sealing contact with the flange to close the base opening and define all or part of the bottom portion. Such bottom portion and the side wall delimit an interior volume suitable for receiving a product. The body is typically a blow molded piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Alex James ORCHARD
  • Publication number: 20200346414
    Abstract: In the sealing method, a flexible lid is adhered onto a ring portion of a flange that delimits a wide opening of the container to be sealed. The flange is tapering upwardly at least before the sealing of the flexible lid, so as to define a slope angle between 5° and 20° to the horizontal at the ring portion. The body of the container includes a side wall and the flange connected to an annular axial end of the side wall, the flange surrounding the opening and being an internal flange protruding radially inward. The ring portion is axially pushed and heated, typically by action of a sealing head. The body is typically in PET and the flange has a radial extension superior to about 2.0 mm and inferior or equal to 5.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Alex James ORCHARD, Jonathan COLLIGNON, Anabella DUCCOLI
  • Publication number: 20200331692
    Abstract: The container has a blow molded piece forming a hollow plastic body. The body has a bottom and an annular side wall longitudinally extending from an annular base to a top. A thin flexible lid of foil material covers and seals a wide top opening of the container. The top is connected to the outer rim of an annular top flange. The top flange protrudes radially inward and delimit the opening at an inner rim. The lid is axially adhered to the flange upper face and can be peeled away, optionally using a pull tab that extends beyond the outer rim. Except at region of the pull tab, the annular outer edge of the lid extends parallel to the outer rim, not beyond 1.0 or 2.0 mm from the outer rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Alex James ORCHARD, Jonathan COLLIGNON
  • Publication number: 20190002152
    Abstract: The side wall, extending below a shoulder of the thermoplastic bottle, has a gripping portion formed substantially in the middle of the bottle body and includes a first line and a second line each defined in a vertical symmetry plane. The second line has a second point at minimal distance ds2 between the side wall and the central axis, while the first line has a first point at minimal distance ds1 between the first line and the central axis. For these particular points in the gripping portion: •ds2<ds1•hs1<hs2 A thick portion is provided at and above the second point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Frédéric CHIVRAC, Alex James ORCHARD, Jean-Paul BESSON
  • Patent number: 7790662
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a laundry detergent product comprising (a) a package comprising (1) a container; and (2) a closure; (b) a fluid laundry detergent pourable at ambient storage temperature and comprising at least one material copourable from the package with the fluid laundry detergent, wherein the material is selected from: (1) a detergent-copourable perfume composition; (2) a fabric care additive; (3) a laundry-specific detersive additive; (4) an enzyme; (5) a volatile malodorous compound; and (6) any combination thereof; (c) a headspace; and (d) a detergent-non-copourable perfume composition. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods for making or assembling the fluid laundry detergent package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Hilal Sahin Topkara, Alex James Orchard, Peter Gerard Gray, Manuel Mariani, Giovanni Carrara, Ingrid Merere, James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett St. Laurent, Johan Smets, Regis d'Hardemare, Hugo Robert Germain Denutte
  • Publication number: 20070181603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure suitable for dispensing pourable product from a container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a “twist to open” type closure operated by a twisting action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Filip Dominique Hubert Vangeel, Alex James Orchard