Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Samaras
Christopher J. Samaras 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: 12031018Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers, such as soft drink and other beverage containers, is formed from a polymer composition which provides the carrier with improved elastic recovery following installation of the containers, along with tensile strength and tear resistance. The polymer composition includes about 10% to about 95% by weight of a post-consumer recycled plastic that includes recycled branched low-density polyethylene and recycled linear low-density polyethylene polymers, zero to about 90% by weight of a branched low-density polyethylene polymer having a density of about 0.910 to about 0.950 grams/cm3, and greater than zero to about 65% by weight of an elastomeric ethylene copolymer that includes about 60% by weight to less than 100% by weight ethylene and greater than zero to about 40% by weight of a vinyl acetate comonomer.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Rachell L. Slovik, Patrick R. Van Tholen
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Patent number: 11897679Abstract: A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Patrick R. Van Tholen, Robert C. Olsen, Christopher J. Samaras
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Publication number: 20240002087Abstract: A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of a location of synchronized and/or unsynchronized components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William T. ROE, Brian K. WILLIAMS, Christopher J. SAMARAS
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Publication number: 20230391525Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a first plane and a plurality of teeth formed in the first plane and extending toward a center of each container receiving opening. A rail may be positioned on an underside of the container carrier between each pair of container receiving openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Griffin E. RUSTAD, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Hyunchul KIM, Jacob M. FORNOF
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Patent number: 11834241Abstract: A container carrier with a uniform pitch applicating feature for applying container carriers onto containers to form a multipackage. A uniform series of apertures is formed on the container carrier in the machine direction of a multipack carrier. Application machines may use the apertures for synchronizing the container carrier material to the containers, thereby making it container pitch independent. The resulting internal features of the carrier that would receive the containers can then be varied to best match the containers with little to no impact to the application machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Rachell L. Slovik
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Publication number: 20230382620Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers. The carrier includes a planar sheet of a material and a plurality of container receiving apertures within the planar sheet and arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. Each of the plurality of container receiving apertures includes a central opening shape and a plurality of clefts radially extending in the planar sheet outward from the central shape to form a plurality of container friction flaps each adapted to extend along a side wall of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Robert C. OLSEN, Michael P. CZARNECKI
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Publication number: 20230331415Abstract: An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes an orienter for placing containers into a correct rotational position and a transfer device for transferring the oriented containers in a fixed rotational position to a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Brian K. JOHANSEN, Robert C. BEESLEY, Christopher J. SAMARAS
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Patent number: 11772834Abstract: A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of location of sychronized and or unsynchronized components.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William T. Roe, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras
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Patent number: 11713145Abstract: An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes an orienter for placing containers into a correct rotational position and a transfer device for transferring the oriented containers in a fixed rotational position to a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Brian K. Johansen, Robert C. Beesley, Christopher J. Samaras
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Publication number: 20230145290Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a first plane and a plurality of radial tabs positioned within each container receiving opening. A plurality of raised rings are each formed over each container receiving opening and formed in a second plane. A band may be formed over each raised ring in the second plane and a rail may be positioned on an underside of the container carrier between each pair of container receiving openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Griffin E. Rustad, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Hyunchul KIM, Jacob M. Fornof
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Patent number: 11623804Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers. The carrier includes a planar sheet of a material and a plurality of container receiving apertures within the planar sheet and arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. Each of the plurality of container receiving apertures includes a central opening shape and a plurality of clefts radially extending in the planar sheet outward from the central shape to form a plurality of container friction flaps each adapted to extend along a side wall of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. Samaras, Robert C. Olsen, Michael P. Czarnecki, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230028632Abstract: A generally continuous string of container carriers are positioned on a base (35) wherein container carriers are housed on multiple reels (40) and are spliced together between adjacent reels to form the generally continuous string and the multiple reels are arranged on at least one axle (55) for dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Christopher J. SAMARAS, Kevin D. ERICKSON
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Publication number: 20220324598Abstract: A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of location of sychronized and or unsynchronized components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William T. ROE, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras
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Publication number: 20220274754Abstract: A container carrier (100) with a uniform pitch applicating feature for applying container carriers onto containers to form a multipackage. A uniform series of apertures (112) is formed on the container carrier in the machine direction of a multipack carrier. Application machines may use the apertures for synchronizing the container carrier material to the containers, thereby making it container pitch independent. The resulting internal features of the carrier that would receive the containers can then be varied to best match the containers with little to no impact to the application machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Christopher J. SAMARAS, Rachell L. SLOVIK
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Publication number: 20220127052Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers. The carrier includes a planar sheet of a material and a plurality of container receiving apertures within the planar sheet and arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. Each of the plurality of container receiving apertures includes a central opening shape and a plurality of clefts radially extending in the planar sheet outward from the central shape to form a plurality of container friction flaps each adapted to extend along a side wall of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: ILLNOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell L. SLOVIK, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Robert C. OLSEN, Michael P. CZARNECKI, JR.
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Publication number: 20220017278Abstract: A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell L. SLOVIK, Patrick R. Van Tholen, Robert C. Olsen, Christopher J. Samaras
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Publication number: 20210214537Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers, such as soft drink and other beverage containers, is formed from a polymer composition which provides the carrier with improved elastic recovery following installation of the containers, along with tensile strength and tear resistance. The polymer composition includes about 10% to about 95% by weight of a post-consumer recycled plastic that includes recycled branched low-density polyethylene and recycled linear low-density polyethylene polymers, zero to about 90% by weight of a branched low-density polyethylene polymer having a density of about 0.910 to about 0.950 grams/cm3, and greater than zero to about 65% by weight of an elastomeric ethylene copolymer that includes about 60% by weight to less than 100% by weight ethylene and greater than zero to about 40% by weight of a vinyl acetate comonomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Rachell L. Slovik, Patrick R. Van Tholen
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Publication number: 20170113370Abstract: An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided and a cutoff device for cutting the carrier into a desired size. The cutoff device includes an adjustable beam positionable into multiple angular positions relative to a flow of the plurality of containers depending on the desired size of the multipack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rachell SLOVIK, Christopher J. LUDWIG, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Jonathan GREGERSEN
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Patent number: 9630729Abstract: A system for packaging containers within a flexible container carrier includes a generally continuous string of container carriers arranged with divisible weakened connections between adjacent individual container carriers that is fed through an applicating machine for applying the container carriers to individual containers. A cut-off device is arranged downstream of the applicating machine to selectively accelerate or decelerate the containers to separate the generally continuous string into individual container carriers.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Christopher J. Ludwig
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Patent number: 9533782Abstract: An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided and a cutoff device for cutting the carrier into a desired size. The cutoff device includes an adjustable beam positionable into multiple angular positions relative to a flow of the plurality of containers depending on the desired size of the multipack.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Rachell Slovik, Christopher J. Ludwig, Christopher J. Samaras, Jonathan Gregersen