Patents by Inventor Bob Puechl

Bob Puechl 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: 10689160
    Abstract: A flexible laminate for a package is described that includes an integrated one-way valve that allows gas generated within the package (e.g., carbon dioxide outgas) to be released to the external environment, while at the same time preventing environmental elements from entering the package. The valve is defined by the layers that form the flexible laminate, as opposed to being a separate structure that is attached to the flexible laminate. In particular, first and second cut lines are defined in a valve area of the first and second film layers of the flexible laminate structure in an offset manner. Oil is pattern-applied to one or both film layers in the valve area, and an opposing surface of one or both of the film layers further includes a surface treatment that decreases the amount of surface energy between the film layers to allow the valve to open at the desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Rod Pettis, Bob Puechl
  • Publication number: 20190047751
    Abstract: A flexible laminate for a package is described that includes an integrated one-way valve that allows gas generated within the package (e.g., carbon dioxide outgas) to be released to the external environment, while at the same time preventing environmental elements from entering the package. The valve is defined by the layers that form the flexible laminate, as opposed to being a separate structure that is attached to the flexible laminate. In particular, first and second cut lines are defined in a valve area of the first and second film layers of the flexible laminate structure in an offset manner. Oil is pattern-applied to one or both film layers in the valve area, and an opposing surface of one or both of the film layers further includes a surface treatment that decreases the amount of surface energy between the film layers to allow the valve to open at the desired pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Rod Pettis, Bob Puechl
  • Patent number: 10138024
    Abstract: A flexible laminate for a package is described that includes an integrated one-way valve that allows gas generated within the package (e.g., carbon dioxide outgas) to be released to the external environment, while at the same time preventing environmental elements from entering the package. The valve is defined by the layers that form the flexible laminate, as opposed to being a separate structure that is attached to the flexible laminate. In particular, first and second cut lines are defined in a valve area of the first and second film layers of the flexible laminate structure in an offset manner. Oil is pattern-applied to one or both film layers in the valve area, and an opposing surface of one or both of the film layers further includes a surface treatment that decreases the amount of surface energy between the film layers to allow the valve to open at the desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Rod Pettis, Bob Puechl
  • Publication number: 20160340085
    Abstract: A flexible laminate for a package is described that includes an integrated one-way valve that allows gas generated within the package (e.g., carbon dioxide outgas) to be released to the external environment, while at the same time preventing environmental elements from entering the package. The valve is defined by the layers that form the flexible laminate, as opposed to being a separate structure that is attached to the flexible laminate. In particular, first and second cut lines are defined in a valve area of the first and second film layers of the flexible laminate structure in an offset manner. Oil is pattern-applied to one or both film layers in the valve area, and an opposing surface of one or both of the film layers further includes a surface treatment that decreases the amount of surface energy between the film layers to allow the valve to open at the desired pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Rod Pettis, Bob Puechl