Patents by Inventor Colin Ford

Colin Ford 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: 9365358
    Abstract: A product selection and grouping system for the metering, selection, grouping and accumulation of varying size and/or configuration products into packs for packing in a substantially continuous motion operation is provided. The product selection and grouping system includes a metering station that receives the products in a substantially continuous line of flow from a product infeed, and meters the line of products to selectively form a series of spaces therebetween. The metered products are formed and fed to a product grouping conveyor in groups of sets a selected number of products, and are engaged by laning flights of a laning unit, which transfer the product groups to selected ones of a series of lanes defined along the product grouping conveyor. The groups of products are accumulated for transfer to a downstream packing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared B. Barber, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20160145021
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, JR., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9346580
    Abstract: A carton decasing system for removing stacks of cartons or carton blanks from cases or containers includes a case infeed conveyor on which the cases with the cartons or carton blanks stacked therein are moved to an inverting assembly. The inverting assembly reorients the cases and places the cases with the cartons stacked therein on a decasing assembly which removes the cases from the stacks of cartons. The stacks of cartons are thereafter conveyed along a magazine conveyor with the stacks of cartons supported by a stack pusher assembly as the cartons are moved to a discharge point at the distal end of the magazine conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • Patent number: 9284084
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9273982
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to testing hybrid positioning systems, including systems that rely on MEMS sensors. In particular, it relates to methods and devices for configuring and running tests of hybrid positioning systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunal Shanishchara, Brock Butler, Jason Davis, Ram Garapaty, Manikantan Parameswaran, John Pottle, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20150329231
    Abstract: A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Frank N. Moncrief, David F. Warner, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20150158612
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method includes obtaining a blank having at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The method includes positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel after the loading the at least one article. The folding includes moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, JR., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20150143780
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, at least two first end flaps, at least two second end flap, and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. The method comprises positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior space of the carton, loading a plurality of beverage bottles into the interior space, closing a first end of the carton, closing a second end of the carton, and tightening the carton by folding the at least one article protection flap into the interior space after the loading of the plurality of beverage bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, JR., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20150001116
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, JR., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20150001041
    Abstract: A product selection and grouping system for the metering, selection, grouping and accumulation of varying size and/or configuration products into packs for packing in a substantially continuous motion operation is provided. The product selection and grouping system includes a metering station that receives the products in a substantially continuous line of flow from a product infeed, and meters the line of products to selectively form a series of spaces therebetween. The metered products are formed and fed to a product grouping conveyor in groups of sets a selected number of products, and are engaged by laning flights of a laning unit, which transfer the product groups to selected ones of a series of lanes defined along the product grouping conveyor. The groups of products are accumulated for transfer to a downstream packing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jared B. Barber, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20140311091
    Abstract: A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Frank N. Moncrief, David F. Warner, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 8746541
    Abstract: A package includes a carton having an access opening that is for providing access to the interior of the carton. The package further includes a flexible bag that is positioned in the interior of the carton, and a spigot that is operatively connected to the bag for selectively dispensing flowable material from the bag. A holder is cooperatively associated with the spigot and the carton for holding the spigot so that the spigot is simultaneously proximate the access opening of the carton and disposed at least partially within the interior of the carton, so that access to the spigot is at least temporarily restricted in a manner that at least temporarily restricts any dispensing of flowable material from the bag by way of the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr., Patrick J. DeBusk, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20140027319
    Abstract: A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Jones, Ana Gonzalez, Emili Requena, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Kevin T. May, Colin Ford, Matthew Sundquist
  • Publication number: 20130338958
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to testing hybrid positioning systems, including systems that rely on MEMS sensors. In particular, it relates to methods and devices for configuring and running tests of hybrid positioning systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunal Shanishchara, Brock Butler, Jason Davis, Ram Garapaty, Manikantan Parameswaran, John Pottle, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 8602209
    Abstract: A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Jones, Ana Gonzalez, Emili Requena, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Kevin T. May, Colin Ford, Matthew Sundquist
  • Publication number: 20130247524
    Abstract: A carton decasing system for removing stacks of cartons or carton blanks from cases or containers includes a case infeed conveyor on which the cases with the cartons or carton blanks stacked therein are moved to an inverting assembly. The inverting assembly reorients the cases and places the cases with the cartons stacked therein on a decasing assembly which removes the cases from the stacks of cartons. The stacks of cartons are thereafter conveyed along a magazine conveyor with the stacks of cartons supported by a stack pusher assembly as the cartons are moved to a discharge point at the distal end of the magazine conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20120279897
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, JR., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20120210679
    Abstract: A carton decasing system for removing stacks of cartons or carton blanks from cases or containers includes a case infeed conveyor on which the cases with the cartons or carton blanks stacked therein are moved to an inverting assembly. The inverting assembly reorients the cases and places the cases with the cartons stacked therein on a decasing assembly which removes the cases from the stacks of cartons. The stacks of cartons are thereafter conveyed along a magazine conveyor with the stacks of cartons supported by a stack pusher assembly as the cartons are moved to a discharge point at the distal end of the magazine conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • Patent number: 8127518
    Abstract: A flat blank carton is provided for packaging articles or products. The flat blank carton includes a base, a top, and a rear panel, hingedly connected to one another, and pairs of upper and lower side flaps hingedly attached to the top and base panels, respectively. The upper and lower side flaps include locking projections and corresponding locking recesses that are brought into mating, locking engagement as the top panel is folded over the base panel. After loading with products, the front end flaps of the cartons can be sealed to close the cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20110284623
    Abstract: A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Edward W. Jones, Ana Gonzalez, Emili Requena, Jean-Manuel Gomes, Kevin T. May, Colin Ford, Matthew Sundquist