Patents by Inventor Eric Plourde
Eric Plourde 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: 11866228Abstract: A child-resistant reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items within a product portion. A zipper is coupled to the container. The zipper is above the product portion. The zipper includes one or more primary seals, and one or more secondary seals at one or more defined locations. The one or more secondary seals at the one or more defined locations identify opening areas on the product portion. The opening areas are configured to be grasped and pulled apart to open the zipper.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Eric Plourde
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Patent number: 11845588Abstract: A filling slit is formed in a first panel of web material of a flexible pouch enclosure formed from the first panel and an opposing second panel of the web material and having a resealable closing assembly having interlocking male and female members joined to a flange. After the flexible pouch enclosure is at least partially filled with a product through an opening in the first panel of the web material that is created by the filling slit, the filling slit is closed by sealing the first panel to the flange of the resealable closing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark Steele, Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde
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Publication number: 20230391511Abstract: A resealable front panel enclosure and method of manufacturing the same is provided that includes cutting or punching a tab in an unfolded film material and applying a zipper assembly to the film material. The film material is formed into a resealable enclosure by folding the film material subsequent to applying the zipper assembly to the film material. The tab is disposed on an exterior surface of a first side of the formed resealable enclosure, and the zipper assembly is disposed on an interior surface of the first side of the formed resealable enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Eric Plourde
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Publication number: 20230346083Abstract: A zipper assembly is provided that may be coupled to a resealable enclosure. The zipper assembly may include flanges having opposite interior and exterior surfaces. The exterior surfaces of the flanges may be coupled with one or more films of the enclosure. The zipper assembly also may include locking members protruding from the flanges. The locking members may mate with each other to close the enclosure and to separate from each other to open the enclosure. The flanges and the locking members may be formed from a non-common material and a common material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric Plourde, Jose Septien, Marion Johnson, Clifton R. Howell, Adrian Wenc
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Publication number: 20230150731Abstract: A child-resistant reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items within a product portion. A zipper is coupled to the container. The zipper is above the product portion. The zipper includes one or more primary seals, and one or more secondary seals at one or more defined locations. The one or more secondary seals at the one or more defined locations identify opening areas on the product portion. The opening areas are configured to be grasped and pulled apart to open the zipper.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Eric Plourde
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Publication number: 20230128908Abstract: A zipper for a reclosable bag includes a first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element. The first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are configured to cooperate to selectively open and close the zipper. One or both of the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are formed of at least 85% repulpable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Jose Manuel Septien Rojas, Eric Plourde, Kevin Olechowski, Marion Johnson, Clifton Howell, Lars Wihlborg, David Galley
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Publication number: 20230089271Abstract: A child-resistant reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items, and a zipper coupled to the container. The zipper includes one or more primary seals, and one or more secondary seals at one or more defined locations. The one or more secondary seals at the one or more defined locations provide one or more areas to be engaged to peel open the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Eric Plourde
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Patent number: 11383891Abstract: Child-deterrent packaging includes an enclosure having opposing first and second sidewalls coupled with each other. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a zipper assembly coupled with the first and second sidewalls of the enclosure. The zipper assembly includes first and second zipper portions that mate with each other to enclose product that release from each other to provide access to the product. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a peel seal providing a barrier to ingress of one or more of oxygen or moisture. The peel seal is one or more of: disposed between and coupling the first and second zipper portions with each other, disposed between and coupling an entry section of the first sidewall with the first zipper portion of the zipper assembly, or disposed between and coupling the entry section of the first sidewall with another portion of the first sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric Plourde, Lars G Wihlborg
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Publication number: 20220041338Abstract: A filling slit is formed in a first panel of web material of a flexible pouch enclosure formed from the first panel and an opposing second panel of the web material and having a resealable closing assembly having interlocking male and female members joined to a flange. After the flexible pouch enclosure is at least partially filled with a product through an opening in the first panel of the web material that is created by the filling slit, the filling slit is closed by sealing the first panel to the flange of the resealable closing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark Steele, Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde
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Patent number: 11214416Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve, a method for forming a valve, and a package. The valve is made of at least three layers—a first exterior layer (i.e., a base layer), at least one interior layer (i.e., a bubble layer), and a second exterior layer (i.e., a channel layer)—and an attachment section located on each of at least two of the at least three layers. A bubble is formed between two of the first exterior layer and the at least one interior layer, and the bubble includes an enclosed material. A channel is formed between two of the second exterior layer, the at least two interior layers, and the first exterior layer, and the channel includes an inlet and an outlet. A physical characteristic of the bubble biases the channel towards a closed position that restricts flow of contents from the inlet to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde, Clifton Howell
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Publication number: 20210237938Abstract: Child-deterrent packaging includes an enclosure having opposing first and second sidewalls coupled with each other. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a zipper assembly coupled with the first and second sidewalls of the enclosure. The zipper assembly includes first and second zipper portions that mate with each other to enclose product that release from each other to provide access to the product. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a peel seal providing a barrier to ingress of one or more of oxygen or moisture. The peel seal is one or more of: disposed between and coupling the first and second zipper portions with each other, disposed between and coupling an entry section of the first sidewall with the first zipper portion of the zipper assembly, or disposed between and coupling the entry section of the first sidewall with another portion of the first sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric Plourde, Lars G Wihlborg
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Publication number: 20210229871Abstract: The present disclosure relates to resealable zippers or reclosures for flexible packaging which is child-deterrent or child-resistant. This zipper or reclosure includes two profiles, wherein at least one profile includes a tab created from flange material between upper and lower sets of interlocking elements. The user grasps the tab to separate the two profiles in order to open the packaging. The flange may alternatively include a finger aperture or a finger slit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Eric PLOURDE, Marco AGUILAR, David MATTHEWS
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Patent number: 11053042Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a forming device used in the formation of a package with a self-mating reclosure, where a single self-mating closure wraps around the periphery of the forming device, and one end of the zipper segment extends into the lap seal of the forming device. Alternatively, one or two ends of the zipper segment could extend into a fin seal. The self-mating reclosure is mounted transversely on the sheet of web or film and includes at least one crushed end proximate to one edge of the sheet of web or film. The self-mating closure may be pre-crushed, prior to attachment to the sheet of web or film, or may be crushed after the sheet of web or film is wrapped around a forming device or similar structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Eric Plourde
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Publication number: 20210107718Abstract: Enclosure assembly includes an outer box enclosure and a flexible, resealable enclosure that is disposed within the outer box enclosure. The resealable enclosure has a resealer formed by a single intermeshable closure member that is affixed to and wraps from a front side of the outer box enclosure, around at least one of side edge of the outer box enclosure, and onto a back side of the resealable enclosure. Prior to initially opening the resealable enclosure, the intermeshable closure member is uncoupled with itself. The intermeshable closure member is configured to couple with itself at a first area of the intermeshable closure member that is on the front side of the resealable enclosure and at a different, second area of the intermeshable closure member that is on the back side of the resealable enclosure to close the resealable enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Komal Singh, Lars Wihlborg, Jose Septien, Eric Plourde
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Patent number: 10858147Abstract: Various embodiments of the container of the type with a semi-rigid or rigid container portion and reclosable header are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Neil J. Kozarsky, Stephen P. Belko, John A. Caporaso, Frank J. Kelly, Robert E. Hogan, Eric Plourde, Kenny E. McCracken
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Publication number: 20200189810Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve, a method for forming a valve, and a package. The valve is made of at least three layers—a first exterior layer (i.e., a base layer), at least one interior layer (i.e., a bubble layer), and a second exterior layer (i.e., a channel layer)—and an attachment section located on each of at least two of the at least three layers. A bubble is formed between two of the first exterior layer and the at least one interior layer, and the bubble includes an enclosed material. A channel is formed between two of the second exterior layer, the at least two interior layers, and the first exterior layer, and the channel includes an inlet and an outlet. A physical characteristic of the bubble biases the channel towards a closed position that restricts flow of contents from the inlet to the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Christopher LUDWIG, Eric PLOURDE, Clifton HOWELL
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Publication number: 20180327128Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a forming device used in the formation of a package with a self-mating reclosure, where a single self-mating closure wraps around the periphery of the forming device, and one end of the zipper segment extends into the lap seal of the forming device. Alternatively, one or two ends of the zipper segment could extend into a fin seal. The self-mating reclosure is mounted transversely on the sheet of web or film and includes at least one crushed end proximate to one edge of the sheet of web or film. The self-mating closure may be pre-crushed, prior to attachment to the sheet of web or film, or may be crushed after the sheet of web or film is wrapped around a forming forming device or similar structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventor: Eric PLOURDE
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Patent number: 10065770Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Clifton Howell, David Wallace, Kenny McCracken, Kevin Owen, Rusty Koenigkramer, Robert Hogan, Eric Plourde, David Anzini, Steven Ausnit
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Patent number: 10011397Abstract: The present disclosure relates to spaced multi-rib zippers, reclosures or closures for flexible packaging, wherein openings or lines of weakness are created between rows of mating elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Steven Ausnit, Eric Plourde
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Patent number: 9896241Abstract: The zipper for a reclosable package wherein the zipper includes fragrance-carrying oil within an internal zipper volume or storage volume thereby confining the scent while the zipper and the package are closed. When the zipper is opened, the scent is allowed to escape to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: David J. Anzini, Rusty Koenigkramer, Victor Matias, Eric Plourde, Steven Ausnit, Jose Manuel Septien Rojas