Patents by Inventor Frank La Pierre

Frank La Pierre 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: 5121997
    Abstract: An easy-open container includes a membrane forming the top edge of the container and hermetically sealing the contents thereof. Elements for opening the container are disposed on the membrane, and includes a first bead of thermoplastic material and a first perforated line for tearing across the membrane. In one embodiment the membrane is disposed inward from the mouth of the bag, leaving portions of the bag walls extending upward beyond the container top edge to form guide rails which facilitate opening of the container. One guide rail is removed as the bag is opened and remaining portions of the bag walls are offset to enhance access to the bag contents. A membrane for sealing the mouth opening of a bag-like structure is also provided, as are methods for making an easy-open container and for making a membrane having the strcutures aforesaid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Words Inc.
    Inventors: Frank La Pierre, Daniel Beyer, Daniel P. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5100246
    Abstract: An easy-open container having a membrane forming the top edge of the container and hermetically sealing the contents thereof. The membrane is disposed inward from the mouth of the bag, leaving portions of the bag walls extending upward beyond the container top edge to form guide rails which facilitate opening of the container to gain access to the bag contents. A membrane for sealing the mouth opening of a bag-like structure. A method for making a membrane as aforesaid and a method for making an easy-open container having the structure aforesaid are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Frank La Pierre, Daniel P. McDonald