Patents by Inventor Frank Andrew Petlak

Frank Andrew Petlak 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: 9073666
    Abstract: Container including a bottom and sidewalls with undulating pattern of peaks and valley. At least one stacking feature is provided to allow a plurality of containers to be stacked. In one embodiment, the stacking feature is disposed proximate a bottom edge of the sidewall at a peak. In another embodiment, the stacking feature is a stack flap disposed proximate a top edge of the container. Alternatively, the stacking feature is a stack ring having a shape which corresponds to the sidewall perimeter and has an inwardly protruding lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PACTIV LLC
    Inventors: Frank Andrew Petlak, H. Bernard Kirkland, Craig Edward Cappel
  • Patent number: 8083887
    Abstract: A method of forming a container (100) includes heating two webs of material and indexing the webs into a vacuum thermoformer (40) which forms first (220) and second trays (110) simultaneously, wherein the second tray is disposed within a space of the first tray to define a reservoir (300) therebetween. A portion of the first tray is brought into contact with a flange portion of the second tray, and joined by a heat seal within the vacuum thermoformer. A punch device within the vacuum thermoformer perforates a drain aperture (117) in a central region of the bottom of the second tray, such that the drain aperture is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cut-out section is adhered to the bottom of the first tray to eliminate the presence of any scrap material. The joined first and second tray is indexed out of the vacuum thermoformer and trimmed to separate an assembled container from the web supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Michael LaRue, Craig Edward Cappel, Frank Andrew Petlak, Marshall Van Domelen
  • Patent number: 7921992
    Abstract: A container includes a first tray, and a second tray disposed within the space of the first tray to define a reservoir therebetween. The first tray has a first bottom wall and a surrounding first sidewall, which extends generally upwardly from the first bottom wall to define a space therein. The second tray has a second bottom wall and a surrounding second sidewall, which also extends generally upwardly from the second bottom wall. The second bottom wall has at least one aperture defined in a central region thereof, and also has an upper surface, which slopes downwardly toward the at least one aperture. The reservoir defined between the first and second trays is in fluid communication with the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Michael LaRue, Craig Edward Cappel, Frank Andrew Petlak
  • Publication number: 20110031152
    Abstract: Container including a bottom and sidewalls with undulating pattern of peaks and valley. At least one stacking feature is provided to allow a plurality of containers to be stacked. In one embodiment, the stacking feature is disposed proximate a bottom edge of the sidewall at a peak. In another embodiment, the stacking feature is a stack flap disposed proximate a top edge of the container. Alternatively, the stacking feature is a stack ring having a shape which corresponds to the sidewall perimeter and has an inwardly protruding lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Frank Andrew Petlak, H. Bernard Kirkland, Craig Edward Cappel
  • Publication number: 20100212827
    Abstract: A method of forming a container (100) includes heating two webs of material and indexing the webs into a vacuum thermoformer (40) which forms first (220) and second trays (110) simultaneously, wherein the second tray is disposed within a space of the first tray to define a reservoir (300) therebetween. A portion of the first tray is brought into contact with a flange portion of the second tray, and joined by a heat seal within the vacuum thermoformer. A punch device within the vacuum thermoformer perforates a drain aperture (117) in a central region of the bottom of the second tray, such that the drain aperture is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cut-out section is adhered to the bottom of the first tray to eliminate the presence of any scrap material. The joined first and second tray is indexed out of the vacuum thermoformer and trimmed to separate an assembled container from the web supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: PACTIV CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon Michael LaRue, Craig Edward Cappel, Frank Andrew Petlak, Marshall Van Domelen
  • Patent number: D625139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Andrew Petlak
  • Patent number: D634971
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Andrew Petlak