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).
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Patent number: 10875687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Brian Hagan
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Publication number: 20180118424Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: BENTON A. LEWIS, Brian Hagan
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Patent number: 9139327Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Justin A. Howell, Sunil S. Shah, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer
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Patent number: 9102434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Eric B. Ungrady, Sunil S. Shah
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Patent number: 8991628Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: 8662332Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
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Patent number: 8602237Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
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Publication number: 20130320029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: SHELDON E. YOURIST, APRIL M. PEACOCK, BENTON A. LEWIS
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Patent number: 8567623Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Sunil S. Shah, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock
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Publication number: 20120118899Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: 8109398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Benton A. Lewis, Luis Carvallo, Justin A. Howell
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Publication number: 20110088360Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Sunil S. Shah, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock
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Publication number: 20110079574Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
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Publication number: 20110079575Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Justin A. Howell, Michael T. Kelly, Robert Waltemyer, Benton A. Lewis
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Publication number: 20110073559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Anthony J. Schlies, Benton A. Lewis, Justin A. Howell
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Patent number: D650677Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael P. Wurster, Robert Waltemyer, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: D653543Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock, Benton A. Lewis
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Patent number: D653544Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Sheldon E. Yourist, April M. Peacock, Benton A. Lewis
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Patent number: D760086Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: David B. Heisner, Benton A. Lewis, Matthew Vogel
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Patent number: D767998Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: April M. Peacock, Justin A. Howell, Benton A. Lewis, Sheldon E. Yourist, Seung Hong