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).

  • Publication number: 20250145321
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. JOHANSEN, Robert C. BEESLEY, Christopher J. SAMARAS
  • Patent number: 12195215
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William T. Roe, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Patent number: 12187475
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. Johansen, Robert C. Beesley, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Patent number: 12172815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. Samaras, Robert C. Olsen, Michael P. Czarnecki, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240351761
    Abstract: A container carrier forming a package of unitized containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a plane. An arrangement of inwardly extending tabs are formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening. A plurality of discrete handles are formed along one edge of the container carrier. The container carrier is engageable with a sidewall of each container so that each tab of the arrangement of tabs engages with a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. CZARNECKI, JR., Christopher J. SAMARAS
  • Publication number: 20240351765
    Abstract: A container carrier forming a package of unitized containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a plane. An arrangement of inwardly extending tabs are formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening. A handle is formed along one edge of the container carrier. The container carrier is engageable with a circumferential groove around a perimeter of a sidewall of each container so that each tab of the arrangement of tabs engages with the circumferential groove of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kayla E. BARRETO, Christopher J. SAMARAS, George P. MORELAND, Jimmy D. WHITTEN, Michael C. CZARNECKI, JR.
  • Patent number: 12122579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Griffin E. Rustad, Christopher J. Samaras, Hyunchul Kim, Jacob M. Fornof
  • Patent number: 12031018
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Rachell L. Slovik, Patrick R. Van Tholen
  • Patent number: 11897679
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Patrick R. Van Tholen, Robert C. Olsen, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Publication number: 20240002087
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William T. ROE, Brian K. WILLIAMS, Christopher J. SAMARAS
  • Publication number: 20230391525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Griffin E. RUSTAD, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Hyunchul KIM, Jacob M. FORNOF
  • Patent number: 11834241
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Rachell L. Slovik
  • Publication number: 20230382620
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Robert C. OLSEN, Michael P. CZARNECKI
  • Publication number: 20230331415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. JOHANSEN, Robert C. BEESLEY, Christopher J. SAMARAS
  • Patent number: 11772834
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William T. Roe, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Patent number: 11713145
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. Johansen, Robert C. Beesley, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Publication number: 20230145290
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Griffin E. Rustad, Christopher J. SAMARAS, Hyunchul KIM, Jacob M. Fornof
  • Patent number: 11623804
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. Samaras, Robert C. Olsen, Michael P. Czarnecki, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230028632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. SAMARAS, Kevin D. ERICKSON
  • Publication number: 20220324598
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William T. ROE, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras