Patents by Inventor Frank B. Edwards

Frank B. Edwards 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: 7318524
    Abstract: A package includes a non-thermoformed thermoplastic pouch including a first and second panel; and an optical data storage medium disposed in the pouch; wherein the pouch comprises an oxygen barrier material, and an oxygen scavenger. Two methods of making a package include (1) providing a web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the thermoplastic web, the pouch comprising a first and second panel; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein the web includes an oxygen barrier material and an oxygen scavenger; or (2) providing a first and second web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the webs; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein at least one of the webs includes an oxygen barrier material, and at least one of the webs includes an oxygen scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Drew V. Speer, Brian L. Butler, Janet W. Rivett, Scott W. Beckwith, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Ronald L. Cotterman
  • Patent number: 7219362
    Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Janet W. Rivett, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 7021827
    Abstract: An easy-opening feature in a flexible package is provided by forming a tear feature in the package material by slitting, perforating, or otherwise forming a stress riser in the material, and affixing a label to the package material so that the label adheres to the tear feature. The formation of the tear feature and affixing of the label are performed prior to wrapping a product in the package material and sealing the material, and preferably are performed while the package material is moving along a path in a packaging apparatus. The label in one embodiment includes a detachable middle portion that tears free of the rest of the label upon pulling the detachable portion, such that remaining portions of the label remain on the package adjacent the opening created by the tear feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Roger J. Morrissette, Mitchell W. Smith, Sr., Frank B. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6889483
    Abstract: An easy-opening feature in a flexible package is provided by forming a tear feature in the package material by slitting, perforating, or otherwise forming a stress riser in the material, and affixing a label to the package material so that the label adheres to the tear feature. The formation of the tear feature and affixing of the label are performed prior to wrapping a product in the package material and sealing the material, and preferably are performed while the package material is moving along a path in a packaging apparatus. The label in one embodiment includes a detachable middle portion that tears free of the rest of the label upon pulling the detachable portion, such that remaining portions of the label remain on the package adjacent the opening created by the tear feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Roger J. Morrissette, Mitchell W. Smith, Sr., Frank B. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040083680
    Abstract: An easy-opening feature in a flexible package is provided by forming a tear feature in the package material by slitting, perforating, or otherwise forming a stress riser in the material, and affixing a label to the package material so that the label adheres to the tear feature. The formation of the tear feature and affixing of the label are performed prior to wrapping a product in the package material and sealing the material, and preferably are performed while the package material is moving along a path in a packaging apparatus. The label in one embodiment includes a detachable middle portion that tears free of the rest of the label upon pulling the detachable portion, such that remaining portions of the label remain on the package adjacent the opening created by the tear feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Roger J. Morrissette, Mitchell W. Smith, Frank B. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040008613
    Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Janet W. Rivett, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 6458438
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Blinka, Frank B. Edwards, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6391403
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Blinka, Frank B. Edwards, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6365245
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Blinka, Frank B. Edwards, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020018865
    Abstract: An article of manufacure includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Blinka, Frank B. Edwards, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010008662
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: THOMAS A. BLINKA, FRANK B. EDWARDS, NATHANAEL R. MIRANDA, DREW V. SPEER, JEFFREY A. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 5834079
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of byproducts of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Blinka, Frank B. Edwards, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer, Jeffrey A. Thomas