Patents by Inventor Ben Thistleton

Ben Thistleton 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).

  • Apparatus and method for producing tubular packages
    Patent number: 12623801
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for producing tubular packages includes a packaging material dispenser (12) and a forming section (20). The forming section (20) comprises a progressive folding region (26a, FIG. 8) having a plurality of discrete, elongate external guide surfaces (50, 52, 54, 56) extending generally in the machine direction (A). The elongate external guide surfaces are spaced apart from one another and configured for contact with an outer surface of the packaging material so as to progressively guide and fold the packaging material about a longitudinal axis from a planar configuration into a tubular structure. The elongate guide surfaces may be arcuate and may be provided by means of guide rods. The apparatus may be a horizontal or vertical form, fill seal type apparatus. The packaging material (14) may be a semi-rigid packaging material such as paperboard, cartonboard, or semi-rigid plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Ferris, Daniel Bortos, Leesha Muman, Ben Thistleton, Phillip Loxley, Colin Bosworth
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR PACKAGES
    Publication number: 20210387757
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for producing tubular packages includes a packaging material dispenser (12) and a forming section (20). The forming section (20) comprises a progressive folding region (26a, FIG. 8) having a plurality of discrete, elongate external guide surfaces (50, 52, 54, 56) extending generally in the machine direction (A). The elongate external guide surfaces are spaced apart from one another and configured for contact with an outer surface of the packaging material so as to progressively guide and fold the packaging material about a longitudinal axis from a planar configuration into a tubular structure. The elongate guide surfaces may be arcuate and may be provided by means of guide rods. The apparatus may be a horizontal or vertical form, fill seal type apparatus. The packaging material (14) may be a semi-rigid packaging material such as paperboard, cartonboard, or semi-rigid plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Ferris, Daniel Bortos, Leesha Muman, Ben Thistleton, Phill Loxley, Colin Bosworth