Patents by Inventor Christopher Wlezien

Christopher Wlezien 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: 10112329
    Abstract: A dual shot molded article of cutlery that includes a working end molded from a first material and a molded handle opposite the working end. The article is designed with one or more features that facilitate the efficient and effective manufacture of such products by an overmolding or coreback molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Modern Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Christopher Wlezien, Martin Rathgeber, Matthew Shapiro, Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9956815
    Abstract: Overmolded articles of cutlery that include a first molded structure that includes a working end and a longitudinal support core extending away from the working end, the core including top and bottom surfaces and opposed sidewalls located along its length with the sidewalls having a height that extends above the top surface of the core; and a second molded structure present upon the top surface of the core between the sidewalls forming with the support core a handle for the article. Preferably, the first and second molded structures have different colors and the first molded structure includes islands so as to enhance the appearance of the cutlery. Also, methods of making these articles by overmolding the second molded structure over at least a portion of the first molded structure are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Modern Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Christopher Wlezien, Martin Rathgeber, Matthew Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9682502
    Abstract: A method of making a molded article having a curved surface, such as plates or serving trays, and the resulting molded articles. The in-mold label (IML) is a laminated film that includes a backing layer, a printed surface incorporating one or more designs thereon, a protective film layer, and one or more notches each having adjacent edges separated by a gap of predetermined distance and configured to intersect to ensure conformance of the IML to the angled or curved peripheral portion of the article. The article has front and back sides and a central portion bounded by a peripheral portion having a perimeter that is raised on the front side of the article wherein the peripheral portion transitions from the perimeter to the central portion by an angled surface, a curved surface or combinations thereof, with the article including the IML at least peripheral portion of the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Modern Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Christopher Wlezien, J. Joseph Tokich
  • Publication number: 20170120490
    Abstract: A dual shot molded article of cutlery that includes a working end molded from a first material and a molded handle opposite the working end. The article is designed with one or more features that facilitate the efficient and effective manufacture of such products by an overmolding or coreback molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin SHAPIRO, Christopher WLEZIEN, Martin RATHGEBER, Matthew SHAPIRO, Tuan NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20160374488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded article that includes a first molded structure that includes a working end, a bottom end, at least one wall member extending from the working end to the bottom end of the structure and at least partially or fully outlining a handle for the article, at least one decorative feature that resides on the handle surface of the article, and a connecting element that provides a flow path for first material to fill the decorative feature(s). The first molded structure is configured and dimensioned to receive a second material that also resides on the handle surface surrounding the decorative feature(s). The second shot molded structure is molded from the second material and includes surface portions that form top and bottom surfaces of the handle and that surround or encompass but do not cover the decorative feature(s) of the first molded structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin SHAPIRO, Christopher WLEZIEN, Martin RATHGEBER, Matthew SHAPIRO
  • Publication number: 20160023504
    Abstract: Overmolded articles of cutlery that include a first molded structure that includes a working end and a longitudinal support core extending away from the working end, the core including top and bottom surfaces and opposed sidewalls located along its length with the sidewalls having a height that extends above the top surface of the core; and a second molded structure present upon the top surface of the core between the sidewalls forming with the support core a handle for the article. Preferably, the first and second molded structures have different colors and the first molded structure includes islands so as to enhance the appearance of the cutlery. Also, methods of making these articles by overmolding the second molded structure over at least a portion of the first molded structure are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin SHAPIRO, Christopher WLEZIEN, Martin RATHGEBER, Matthew SHAPIRO
  • Publication number: 20150111006
    Abstract: A method of making a molded article having a curved surface, such as plates or serving trays, and the resulting molded articles. The in-mold label (IML) is a laminated film that includes a backing layer, a printed surface incorporating one or more designs thereon, a protective film layer, and one or more notches each having adjacent edges separated by a gap of predetermined distance and configured to intersect to ensure conformance of the IML to the angled or curved peripheral portion of the article. The article has front and back sides and a central portion bounded by a peripheral portion having a perimeter that is raised on the front side of the article wherein the peripheral portion transitions from the perimeter to the central portion by an angled surface, a curved surface or combinations thereof, with the article including the IML at least peripheral portion of the molded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: MODERN PACKAGING LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin SHAPIRO, Christopher WLEZIEN, J. Joseph TOKICH
  • Patent number: 8968618
    Abstract: A method of making a molded article having a curved surface, such as plates or serving trays, and the resulting molded articles. The in-mold label (IML) is a laminated film that includes a backing layer, a printed surface incorporating one or more designs thereon, a protective film layer, and one or more notches each having adjacent edges separated by a gap of predetermined distance and configured to intersect to ensure conformance of the IML to the angled or curved peripheral portion of the article. The article has front and back sides and a central portion bounded by a peripheral portion having a perimeter that is raised on the front side of the article wherein the peripheral portion transitions from the perimeter to the central portion by an angled surface, a curved surface or combinations thereof, with the article including the IML at least peripheral portion of the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Modern Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Christopher Wlezien, J. Joseph Tokich
  • Publication number: 20150024156
    Abstract: A method of making a molded article having a curved surface, such as plates or serving trays, and the resulting molded articles. The in-mold label (IML) is a laminated film that includes a backing layer, a printed surface incorporating one or more designs thereon, a protective film layer, and one or more notches each having adjacent edges separated by a gap of predetermined distance and configured to intersect to ensure conformance of the IML to the angled or curved peripheral portion of the article. The article has front and back sides and a central portion bounded by a peripheral portion having a perimeter that is raised on the front side of the article wherein the peripheral portion transitions from the perimeter to the central portion by an angled surface, a curved surface or combinations thereof, with the article including the IML at least peripheral portion of the molded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Modern Packaging
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Christopher Wlezien, J. Joseph Tokich