Patents by Inventor Erik LIPS

Erik LIPS 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: 20250368364
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion configured to house a film roll that has a length of film and a sealing portion configured to receive at least a top portion of a container. The sealing portion includes an aperture sized to receive the top portion of the container therethrough. The body portion defines a film path leading from the film roll to the sealing portion. The apparatus includes a nip defined by a drive roller and a pinch roller. The nip is positioned along the film path and configured to receive a portion of the film therethrough. The pinch roller is adjustable in relation to the drive roller. The apparatus includes a motor configured to operate the drive roller, a heating element, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the motor to operate and to cause the heating element to activate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: YUM CONNECT, LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael CITTADINO, Mark Edwin PETERS, Lenox Gregory WILSON, Roy J. ROZEK, Erik LIPS
  • Patent number: 12409962
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a film support roller supporting a film roll and a housing that may include a sealing portion having an aperture sized to receive a top portion of a container. The housing may define a film path leading from the film roll to the sealing portion. A guide support assembly may have a ramp and at least one guide truss positioned along the film path. The ramp and the guide truss may guide the film across the aperture within the sealing portion, covering the aperture. The motor may advance the film along the film path. The heating element may emanate energy. The controller may cause the motor to advance the film onto the ramp and cause the heating element to emanate energy to cause the film to seal the top portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Yum Connect, LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20240199251
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a film support roller supporting a film roll and a housing that may include a sealing portion having an aperture sized to receive a top portion of a container. The housing may define a film path leading from the film roll to the sealing portion. A guide support assembly may have a ramp and at least one guide truss positioned along the film path. The ramp and the guide truss may guide the film across the aperture within the sealing portion, covering the aperture. The motor may advance the film along the film path. The heating element may emanate energy. The controller may cause the motor to advance the film onto the ramp and cause the heating element to emanate energy to cause the film to seal the top portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Patent number: 11958652
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Patent number: 11952190
    Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first surface and a second surface that oppose one another, the body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A coating can be disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the body, and an adhesive section can be disposed on at least a portion of the coating. The adhesive section can be configured to adhere to the second surface of the body when a first end and a second end of the body at least partially overlap to form a continuous band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20230373778
    Abstract: Systems for providing on-demand cup dispensing for food service are provided herein. A system includes a food request module configured to receive a request for food service for a customer. The system further includes a cup source configured to hold one or more cups. The system further includes a cup printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information based on the food service on a sidewall of a first cup. The system further includes a cup filler configured to fill the printed first cup with a consumable based on the food service. The system further includes a cup closer configured to at least partially close the open end of the filled first cup. The system further includes one or more cup transfer elements for transferring the first cup between the cup printer, the cup filler, and the cup closer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan David Carignan, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Jason Aaron Morgan, Michelle Lynn Auda, Daniel Huffaker, Brandon Seth Cross, Daniel James Geddes, Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20230045788
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael CITTADINO, Mark Edwin PETERS, Lenox Gregory WILSON, Roy J. ROZEK, Erik LIPS
  • Patent number: 11548667
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Patent number: 11472579
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20210087045
    Abstract: Systems for providing on-demand cup dispensing for food service are provided herein. A system includes a food request module configured to receive a request for food service for a customer. The system further includes a cup source configured to hold one or more cups. The system further includes a cup printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information based on the food service on a sidewall of a first cup. The system further includes a cup filler configured to fill the printed first cup with a consumable based on the food service. The system further includes a cup closer configured to at least partially close the open end of the filled first cup. The system further includes one or more cup transfer elements for transferring the first cup between the cup printer, the cup filler, and the cup closer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan David Carignan, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Jason Aaron Morgan, Michelle Lynn Auda, Daniel Huffaker, Brandon Seth Cross, Daniel James Geddes, Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Patent number: 10889419
    Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first end and a second end. The body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A window can be formed through the body, and an adhesive can be disposed at least partially over the window. The adhesive can be configured to adhere a portion of the first end of the body to a portion of the second end of the body when the ends of the body overlap to form a continuous band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20200307882
    Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first surface and a second surface that oppose one another, the body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A coating can be disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the body, and an adhesive section can be disposed on at least a portion of the coating. The adhesive section can be configured to adhere to the second surface of the body when a first end and a second end of the body at least partially overlap to form a continuous band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20200307883
    Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first end and a second end. The body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A window can be formed through the body, and an adhesive can be disposed at least partially over the window. The adhesive can be configured to adhere a portion of the first end of the body to a portion of the second end of the body when the ends of the body overlap to form a continuous band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20200172272
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20200171760
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Mark Edwin Peters, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Roy J. Rozek, Erik Lips
  • Publication number: 20170182726
    Abstract: Methods for making containers from paperboard blanks having shrinkable films secured thereto. In one embodiment, a method for making a container may include applying adhesive about a paperboard substrate having first and second edges opposed to one another and third and a fourth edges opposed to one another, wherein the adhesive at least partially surrounds an area substantially free from adhesive. A shrinkable film may be secured to the paperboard with adhesive to produce a paperboard blank. The shrinkable film may be configured to shrink an amount along a first axis relative to an amount along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis in a ratio greater than 1:1. The third and fourth edges may be overlapped to form a sidewall which may include an inner surface that includes the shrinkable film. A bottom panel may be secured to the sidewall at or adjacent second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventor: Erik LIPS