Patents by Inventor David G. Couture
David G. Couture 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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Publication number: 20240228105Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for forming a container includes a base having a first pair of opposed base edges and a second pair of opposed base edges. The blank includes two first side wall structures, each first side wall structure foldably attached to one of the first base edges and two second side wall structures, each second side wall structure foldably attached to one of the second base edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Michael McLeod
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Publication number: 20240228104Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for forming a container includes a base having a first pair of opposed base edges and a second pair of opposed base edges. The blank includes two first side wall structures, each first side wall structure foldably attached to one of the first base edges and two second side wall structures, each second side wall structure foldably attached to one of the second base edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Michael Mcleod
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Publication number: 20240101304Abstract: A retail ready package (100) for shipping and displaying products, which includes front (18) and rear panels (14) each having at least six sides and being spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis of the package when the package is in a shipping condition, wherein the front and rear panels each have a perforation line (90) associated therewith that facilitate a conversion of the package into an open-topped product display tray having a generally hexagonal shaped cross-section, which extends in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the package.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventor: David G. COUTURE
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Publication number: 20240051707Abstract: A shelf-ready shipper display system having a tray portion, a hood portion, and one or more zones of weakness that enable the hood portion to be separated from the tray portion so that the shipper display system can be converted from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. In certain embodiments, the shipper display system is made from a single blank In some embodiments, the shipper display system includes a reinforcement panel that is also capable of being separated from the tray portion as the shipper display system is converted from the shipping configuration and to the display configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: David G. COUTURE, Harry H. ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20240043162Abstract: A container includes a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another, wrapping around an interior space configured for containing product. Two of the plurality of panels cooperate to form a top wall of the interior space. A respective end flap is foldably connected to each of the two panels of the top wall. The end flaps cooperate to form a portion of an end wall that forms a lateral bound of the interior space. Each end flap is connected to its respective panel of the top wall with a line of weakness configured to be broken to allow conversion of the top wall wherein the two panels of the top wall are opened for access to the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventor: David G. Couture
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Publication number: 20230365321Abstract: A packaging system includes a packaging container including a lower wall and an opposed pair of sidewalls. The packaging system also includes a brace configured to extend between and to be coupled to the opposed pair of sidewalls.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Kenneth C. Smith, Michael L. Karpeichik
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Patent number: 11794948Abstract: A shelf-ready shipper display system having a tray portion, a hood portion, and one or more zones of weakness that enable the hood portion to be separated from the tray portion so that the shipper display system can be converted from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. In certain embodiments, the shipper display system is made from a single blank. In some embodiments, the shipper display system includes a reinforcement panel that is also capable of being separated from the tray portion as the shipper display system is converted from the shipping configuration and to the display configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Harry H. Roberts
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Publication number: 20230294911Abstract: Provided is a packaging container including a plurality of sidewall panels. The plurality of sidewall panels may include at least a first sidewall panel and a second sidewall panel connected to the first sidewall panel along a predefined corner fold line. The packaging container may further include a push-in feature located on the predefined corner fold line. The push-in feature may be movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A tear-away piece may be located on at least one sidewall panel of the plurality of sidewall panels. The packaging container may include a top wall defined by a plurality of top panels. In an example, the packaging container includes a bottom wall defined by a plurality of bottom panels. In an example, the packaging container includes an insert. The packaging container may house a potted plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventor: David G. Couture
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Patent number: 11655066Abstract: A blank for constructing a container includes a front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel along a lower front horizontal fold line, and a side panel having a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel is foldably connected to at least one of the bottom panel or the front panel. The blank includes a top panel that is foldably connected to the side panel, and a rear panel foldably connected to the rear portion of the side panel along a rear vertical fold line. The front and rear portions of the side panel are separable from one another along a separation line such that the rear portion of the side panel and the rear panel are configured and adapted for removal.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Kevin M. Simpkins
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Publication number: 20230142003Abstract: A retail ready packaging system includes a convertible carton with a first plurality of slots are defined in a bottom wall adjacent a first side wall, and a second plurality of slots defined in the bottom wall adjacent a second side wall. A plurality of cards are included, wherein each card is seated in one of the slots of the first plurality of slots and in an opposed one of the slots of the second plurality of slots. Each card has a respective foot panel foldably attached to a main panel of the card, wherein the foot panel sits adjacent the bottom wall, and wherein the main panel of the card extends upward from the foot panel toward a top wall of the carton.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Jesus A. Padilla
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Patent number: 11628643Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank includes a mandrel mounted to a frame. The mandrel includes a first side, an opposite second side, and an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a first presser arm, a folding arm, and a second presser arm each coupled to the frame. The first presser arm is positionable generally proximate the first side of the mandrel and is configured to wrap a first portion of the blank about the mandrel. The folding arm is positionable at least generally proximate the second side of the mandrel and is configured to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel. The second presser arm is disposed generally proximate the first presser arm and is configured to wrap a third portion of the blank about the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Craig W. Buscema, Thomas D. Graham, Robert Bradley Teany, Amer Aganovic
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Publication number: 20230056914Abstract: A blank for constructing a crush-tolerant container includes a first side panel, a bottom panel, a second side panel, and a top panel coupled together in series. At least one cutout and at least one bridge portion are defined along a first fold line between the top panel and the first side panel. The at least one bridge portion and the at least one cutout are configured to maintain the top panel in a plane spaced above a top edge of the first side panel when the container is formed and the top panel is not under a stacking load, and to allow the top panel to move downwardly such that at least a portion of the top panel is substantially co-planar with the top edge of the first side panel when the container is formed and the top panel is under the stacking load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: David G. Couture, Timothy L. McCarthy, Victoria Bernstein
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Patent number: 11542057Abstract: A retail ready packaging system includes a convertible carton with a first plurality of slots are defined in a bottom wall adjacent a first side wall, and a second plurality of slots defined in the bottom wall adjacent a second side wall. A plurality of cards are included, wherein each card is seated in one of the slots of the first plurality of slots and in an opposed one of the slots of the second plurality of slots. Each card has a respective foot panel foldably attached to a main panel of the card, wherein the foot panel sits adjacent the bottom wall, and wherein the main panel of the card extends upward from the foot panel toward a top wall of the carton.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Jesus A. Padilla
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Patent number: 11485537Abstract: A blank for forming a container is provided. The blank includes a top panel, a first and second side panels, and a bottom panel coupled together in series by a plurality of generally parallel fold lines, wherein the bottom panel includes a free side edge, the first side panel includes a first separation line, and the second side panel includes a second separation line. The blank also includes a first end flap and a second end flap extending from opposing side edges of the first side panel, and a third end flap and a fourth end flap extending from opposing side edges of the second side panel, wherein the second and fourth end flaps are configured for removal with the top panel after the container is formed and the first and second separation lines are separated.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLCInventors: Dejan Djokovic, David G. Couture, Kevin Simpkins
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Publication number: 20220097903Abstract: A blank for constructing a container includes a front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel along a lower front horizontal fold line, and a side panel having a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel is foldably connected to at least one of the bottom panel or the front panel. The blank includes a top panel that is foldably connected to the side panel, and a rear panel foldably connected to the rear portion of the side panel along a rear vertical fold line. The front and rear portions of the side panel are separable from one another along a separation line such that the rear portion of the side panel and the rear panel are configured and adapted for removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Kevin M. Simpkins
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Patent number: 11198535Abstract: A blank for constructing a container includes a front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel along a lower front horizontal fold line, and a side panel having a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel is foldably connected to at least one of the bottom panel or the front panel. The blank includes a top panel that is foldably connected to the side panel, and a rear panel foldably connected to the rear portion of the side panel along a rear vertical fold line. The front and rear portions of the side panel are separable from one another along a separation line such that the rear portion of the side panel and the rear panel are configured and adapted for removal.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Kevin M. Simpkins
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Publication number: 20210284377Abstract: A carton defines a bottom wall, a first side wall coupled to the bottom wall, a second side wall disposed opposite the first side wall and coupled to the bottom wall, a first end wall coupled to both the bottom wall and first and second side walls, and a second end wall disposed opposite the first end wall and coupled to both the bottom wall and the first and second side walls. The carton is formed from a blank having a first side and a second side disposed opposite said first side. The first side defines the interior surface of the bottom wall and the interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: David G. Couture, Jeffrey S. James
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Publication number: 20210284384Abstract: A retail ready packaging system includes a convertible carton with a first plurality of slots are defined in a bottom wall adjacent a first side wall, and a second plurality of slots defined in the bottom wall adjacent a second side wall. A plurality of cards are included, wherein each card is seated in one of the slots of the first plurality of slots and in an opposed one of the slots of the second plurality of slots. Each card has a respective foot panel foldably attached to a main panel of the card, wherein the foot panel sits adjacent the bottom wall, and wherein the main panel of the card extends upward from the foot panel toward a top wall of the carton.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: David G. Couture, Jesus A. Padilla
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Publication number: 20210284385Abstract: A shelf-ready shipper display system having a tray portion, a hood portion, and one or more zones of weakness that enable the hood portion to be separated from the tray portion so that the shipper display system can be converted from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. In certain embodiments, the shipper display system is made from a single blank In some embodiments, the shipper display system includes a reinforcement panel that is also capable of being separated from the tray portion as the shipper display system is converted from the shipping configuration and to the display configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: David G. COUTURE, Harry H. ROBERTS
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Patent number: RE49894Abstract: A blank for constructing a crush-tolerant container includes a first side panel, a bottom panel, a second side panel, and a top panel coupled together in series. At least one cutout and at least one bridge portion are defined along a first fold line between the top panel and the first side panel. The at least one bridge portion and the at least one cutout are configured to maintain the top panel in a plane spaced above a top edge of the first side panel when the container is formed and the top panel is not under a stacking load, and to allow the top panel to move downwardly such that at least a portion of the top panel is substantially co-planar with the top edge of the first side panel when the container is formed and the top panel is under the stacking load.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLCInventors: David G. Couture, Timothy L. McCarthy, Victoria Bernstein