Patents by Inventor Benton A. Lewis

Benton A. Lewis 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: 10875687
    Abstract: Plastic container comprises a main body portion defining an interior space; and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, the finish portion having an upper portion including a circumferential wall surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having a lower end and an upper edge defining a height of the circumferential wall, the circumferential wall comprising a first indent and a second indent each extending inwardly into the mouth to form a spout portion disposed between the first indent and the second indent, the upper portion further comprising at least one thread disposed on the height of the circumferential wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Brian Hagan
  • Publication number: 20180118424
    Abstract: Plastic container comprises a main body portion defining an interior space; and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, the finish portion having an upper portion including a circumferential wall surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having a lower end and an upper edge defining a height of the circumferential wall, the circumferential wall comprising a first indent and a second indent each extending inwardly into the mouth to form a spout portion disposed between the first indent and the second indent, the upper portion further comprising at least one thread disposed on the height of the circumferential wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: BENTON A. LEWIS, Brian Hagan
  • Patent number: 9139327
    Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes includes a container body defining an internal space and having a main body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and an outer diameter. The main body portion is substantially cylindrical at its outer diameter, and includes first and second recessed flexible vacuum uptake panels, each of which is constructed and arranged to flex inwardly to provide vacuum uptake when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space relative to ambient external pressure. The main body portion further includes a front side defining a first curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels and a rear side defining a second curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels. The first curved sidewall portion has a length L1 as viewed in horizontal cross-section that is less than a length L2 of the second curved sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Justin A. Howell, Sunil S. Shah, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer
  • Patent number: 9102434
    Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur as a result of internal pressure and temperature changes during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body has at least one flexible panel defined therein, which includes an outer flexible panel portion and an inner flexible panel portion. The outer flexible panel portion has a shape when a pressure equilibrium exists between the internal space and ambient external pressure, and is further constructed and arranged to assume a shape of increased concavity when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space. The inner flexible panel portion is constructed and arranged to flex relative to the outer flexible panel portion in order to accommodate internal pressure changes within the container body. The inner and outer flexible panel portions accordingly work in tandem to permit efficient vacuum uptake in a hot-fill type container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Eric B. Ungrady, Sunil S. Shah
  • Patent number: 8991628
    Abstract: A container base comprising recessed ribs. The curved recessed ribs permit lighter base weights than traditional bases. The base further permits a larger process window and improved product evacuation. Hot-fill performance of a container is also maintained and/or improved when using the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8662332
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8602237
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally rectangular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion. The main body portion is shaped so as to have sidewall portions that are bounded by a plurality of vertically extending edge portions. In one embodiment, at least one of the vertically extending edge portions may have at least one inwardly extending gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130320029
    Abstract: A plastic container includes a sidewall defining a bottom portion, a main body portion and an upper rim. The main body portion of the sidewall has at least one groove defined therein that has a circumferential component. Reinforcement structure is provided on the portion of the sidewall that defines the groove for limiting vertical expansion and contraction of the main body portion in response to force that is applied to the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: SHELDON E. YOURIST, APRIL M. PEACOCK, BENTON A. LEWIS
  • Patent number: 8567623
    Abstract: A hot-fill container has a body portion that may utilize interchangeable dome-like top portion. A top portion is located above the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon. A bottom portion is located below the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sunil S. Shah, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock
  • Publication number: 20120118899
    Abstract: A container base comprising recessed ribs. The curved recessed ribs permit lighter base weights than traditional bases. The base further permits a larger process window and improved product evacuation. Hot-fill performance of a container is also maintained and/or improved when using the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8109398
    Abstract: A plastic container that particularly adapted for hot-fill applications includes a bottom portion; and a sidewall portion that is unitary with the bottom portion. The sidewall portion has a maximum outer diameter, and includes first and second pairs of opposing first and second vacuum panels, respectively. At least one of the second vacuum panels includes gripping structure. The first and second vacuum panels respectively have first and second substantially constant radii of curvature as measured in a horizontal plane that are substantially constant from upper to lower ends of the vacuum panels. At least one of the second vacuum panels may be asymmetric about a central vertical axis as viewed in side elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Luis Carvallo, Justin A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20110088360
    Abstract: A hot-fill container has a body portion that may utilize interchangeable dome-like top portion. A top portion is located above the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon. A bottom portion is located below the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Sunil S. Shah, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock
  • Publication number: 20110079574
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally rectangular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion. The main body portion is shaped so as to have a plurality of sidewall portions that are bounded by a plurality of vertically extending edge portions. In one embodiment, at least one of the vertically extending edge portions may have at least one inwardly extending gusset defined therein to provide structural reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110079575
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110073559
    Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body includes a main body portion having a plurality of vacuum panels disposed about an outer circumference thereof and a corresponding plurality of columns interposed between the vacuum panels. A label covers at least a portion of the vacuum panels and the columns. The label has a first portion having a first surface area that is in contact with the container and a second portion having a second surface area that is not in contact with the container. A ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.0, thereby ensuring superior label support. The main body portion further has a maximum outer radius and a maximum depth that is defined with respect to the maximum outer radius. A ratio of the maximum depth to the maximum outer radius is preferably no greater than about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Schlies, Benton A. Lewis, Justin A. Howell
  • Patent number: D650677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
  • Patent number: D653543
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock, Benton A. Lewis
  • Patent number: D653544
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock, Benton A. Lewis
  • Patent number: D760086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: David B. Heisner, Benton A. Lewis, Matthew Vogel
  • Patent number: D767998
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: April M. Peacock, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, Seung Hong