Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Carman

Gregory A. Carman 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: 20220033175
    Abstract: A bulk bin sleeve pack is repeatably erected to form a bulk bin having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall and collapsed when not in use. The bulk bin sleeve pack includes a base that forms the bottom wall of the bulk bin. First and second wall members form the perimeter wall and are attached to one another and the base. The first and second wall members overlap a portion of the base. Locking tabs are associated with at least one of the base and the first and second wall members. Locking openings are associated with at least one of the base and the first and second wall members. The locking openings oppose the locking tabs when the first and second wall members are attached to the base to form the perimeter wall of the bulk bin. The locking tabs are lockingly inserted into the locking openings to secure the first and second wall members to the base to form the bulk bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 10526106
    Abstract: A sleeve pack for forming a bulk bin includes a base for forming a bottom of the bulk bin and a perimeter wall assembly. The perimeter wall assembly includes two blanks that can be connected to one another at interlocking connections to form a perimeter wall of the bulk bin. Locking tabs are associated with at least one of the wall blanks, and corresponding locking openings are associated with at least one other of the wall blanks. The openings oppose the tabs and the tabs are lockingly inserted into the openings to secure the wall members together to form the perimeter wall of the bulk bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 10351291
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a sheet may comprise at least two adjacent, parallel, side panels, one of which may comprise a bendable tab, and the other of which may comprise a cutout configured to receive the bendable tab. This may allow for temporarily maintaining the two panels in position during a folding process to facilitate additional folding steps during the process. In some embodiments, a container may comprise one or more strapping flaps configured to facilitate tensioning of strapping material for strapping together multiple containers. These strapping flaps may be configured to engage a strapping material and may allow a single person to more easily tension the strapping material to strap multiple containers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 10259610
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a container may comprise a first side panel comprising a first locking tab and a rollover flap. The rollover flap is configured to be folded with respect to the first side panel to expose the first locking tab. The first side panel further comprises a clearance aperture, wherein the first locking tab is positioned within the clearance aperture such that the clearance aperture provides spacing between the first locking tab and the rollover flap. The container may further comprise a first top panel comprising a slot for receiving the first locking tab. The first top panel may further comprise a first locking flap configured to extend adjacent to an exterior surface of the container to secure the first top panel in a closed position to at least partially enclose the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 10220975
    Abstract: Containers for column or cross stacking and related methods. In some embodiments, the top wall of the container may comprise a first plurality of vent openings and the bottom wall may comprise a second plurality of vent openings. One or more of the first plurality of vent openings is configured to be aligned with one or more of a plurality of vent openings formed in a bottom wall of an adjacent container positioned above the container in a column-stacked configuration, and one or more of the first plurality of vent openings is configured to be aligned with one or more of the plurality of vent openings of the adjacent container in a cross-stacked configuration. Various stacking tabs/openings may also be provided, which may be configured to facilitate either cross or column stacking, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20180186508
    Abstract: A sleeve pack for forming a bulk bin includes a base for forming a bottom of the bulk bin and a perimeter wall assembly. The perimeter wall assembly includes two blanks that can be connected to one another at interlocking connections to form a perimeter wall of the bulk bin. Locking tabs are associated with at least one of the wall blanks, and corresponding locking openings are associated with at least one other of the wall blanks. The openings oppose the tabs and the tabs are lockingly inserted into the openings to secure the wall members together to form the perimeter wall of the bulk bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20180009564
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a sheet may comprise at least two adjacent, parallel, side panels, one of which may comprise a bendable tab, and the other of which may comprise a cutout configured to receive the bendable tab. This may allow for temporarily maintaining the two panels in position during a folding process to facilitate additional folding steps during the process. In some embodiments, a container may comprise one or more strapping flaps configured to facilitate tensioning of strapping material for strapping together multiple containers. These strapping flaps may be configured to engage a strapping material and may allow a single person to more easily tension the strapping material to strap multiple containers together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20170341801
    Abstract: Containers for column or cross stacking and related methods. In some embodiments, the top wall of the container may comprise a first plurality of vent openings and the bottom wall may comprise a second plurality of vent openings. One or more of the first plurality of vent openings is configured to be aligned with one or more of a plurality of vent openings formed in a bottom wall of an adjacent container positioned above the container in a column-stacked configuration, and one or more of the first plurality of vent openings is configured to be aligned with one or more of the plurality of vent openings of the adjacent container in a cross-stacked configuration. Various stacking tabs/openings may also be provided, which may be configured to facilitate either cross or column stacking, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20170101212
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a container may comprise a first side panel comprising a first locking tab and a rollover flap. The rollover flap is configured to be folded with respect to the first side panel to expose the first locking tab. The first side panel further comprises a clearance aperture, wherein the first locking tab is positioned within the clearance aperture such that the clearance aperture provides spacing between the first locking tab and the rollover flap. The container may further comprise a first top panel comprising a slot for receiving the first locking tab. The first top panel may further comprise a first locking flap configured to extend adjacent to an exterior surface of the container to secure the first top panel in a closed position to at least partially enclose the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 9556000
    Abstract: A set of blanks for being repeatedly assembled into a reel configuration. A flange blank has pass through slots angularly spaced apart from one another and interlocking apertures angularly aligned with the pass through slots. Each pass through slot is spaced radially from an interlocking aperture. A core blank has a hub portion that is folded toward a core configuration in which it has an annular shape. Push tabs extend outwardly from the hub portion. Each of the push tabs passes through a pass through slot. Each push tab includes a spine and a pair of wings extending outwardly from the spine. The wings of each push tab bend away from a coplanar position with respect to their spine as the push tab is inserted in an interlocking aperture. The wings lockingly engage the flange blank when each push tab is lockingly received in the interlocking aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 9527622
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related planar sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a substantially planar sheet for folding into a container may comprise a first locking tab positioned on a first panel of the sheet and a second locking tab positioned on a second panel of the sheet. The second locking tab may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first locking tab after at least one folding step in which the first panel is folded relative to the second panel. The sheet may further comprise a first locking flap positioned on a third panel of the sheet, wherein the third panel is configured to be folded with respect to the first and second panels during the folding process. The first locking flap may comprise a slot configured to receive the first locking tab and the second locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTEPLAST GROUP LTD.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20160347496
    Abstract: Embodiments of foldable containers, such as foldable produce containers, and related planar sheets and methods. In some embodiments, a substantially planar sheet for folding into a container may comprise a first locking tab positioned on a first panel of the sheet and a second locking tab positioned on a second panel of the sheet. The second locking tab may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first locking tab after at least one folding step in which the first panel is folded relative to the second panel. The sheet may further comprise a first locking flap positioned on a third panel of the sheet, wherein the third panel is configured to be folded with respect to the first and second panels during the folding process. The first locking flap may comprise a slot configured to receive the first locking tab and the second locking tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 9434123
    Abstract: A blank for being repeatably assembled into a box configuration without the use of adhesives. The blank has a bottom panel, a side panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, an end panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a locking structure configured to secure the side panel and the end panel in respective orthogonal positions with respect to the bottom panel. The locking structure includes an overlay panel foldably attached to the end panel and foldable toward an overlying position in which it overlies a portion of the side panel. The locking structure also includes a slot in the bottom panel, a flap foldably attached to the bottom panel and extending into the slot, and a tab foldably attached to the overlay panel for being lockingly received in the slot to secure the overlay panel in the overlying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Interplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20160167330
    Abstract: A blank for being repeatably assembled into a box configuration without the use of adhesives. The blank has a bottom panel, a side panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, an end panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a locking structure configured to secure the side panel and the end panel in respective orthogonal positions with respect to the bottom panel. The locking structure includes an overlay panel foldably attached to the end panel and foldable toward an overlying position in which it overlies a portion of the side panel. The locking structure also includes a slot in the bottom panel, a flap foldably attached to the bottom panel and extending into the slot, and a tab foldably attached to the overlay panel for being lockingly received in the slot to secure the overlay panel in the overlying position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: 9290290
    Abstract: A blank for being repeatably assembled into a box configuration without the use of adhesives. The blank has a bottom panel, a side panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, an end panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a locking structure configured to secure the side panel and the end panel in respective orthogonal positions with respect to the bottom panel. The locking structure includes an overlay panel foldably attached to the end panel and foldable toward an overlying position in which it overlies a portion of the side panel. The locking structure also includes a slot in the bottom panel, a flap foldably attached to the bottom panel and extending into the slot, and a tab foldably attached to the overlay panel for being lockingly received in the slot to secure the overlay panel in the overlying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20150307316
    Abstract: A set of blanks for being repeatedly assembled into a reel configuration. A flange blank has pass through slots angularly spaced apart from one another and interlocking apertures angularly aligned with the pass through slots. Each pass through slot is spaced radially from an interlocking aperture. A core blank has a hub portion that is folded toward a core configuration in which it has an annular shape. Push tabs extend outwardly from the hub portion. Each of the push tabs passes through a pass through slot. Each push tab includes a spine and a pair of wings extending outwardly from the spine. The wings of each push tab bend away from a coplanar position with respect to their spine as the push tab is inserted in an interlocking aperture. The wings lockingly engage the flange blank when each push tab is lockingly received in the interlocking aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: INTEPLAST GROUP, LTD.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20150251797
    Abstract: A blank for being repeatably assembled into a box configuration without the use of adhesives. The blank has a bottom panel, a side panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, an end panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a locking structure configured to secure the side panel and the end panel in respective orthogonal positions with respect to the bottom panel. The locking structure includes an overlay panel foldably attached to the end panel and foldable toward an overlying position in which it overlies a portion of the side panel. The locking structure also includes a slot in the bottom panel, a flap foldably attached to the bottom panel and extending into the slot, and a tab foldably attached to the overlay panel for being lockingly received in the slot to secure the overlay panel in the overlying position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: INTEPLAST GROUP, LTD.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Publication number: 20060233649
    Abstract: Thin film shape memory alloy (SMA) micro pump that has high work density and high frequency response. A miniature SMA pump is used to rectify liquid to achieve stroke. Controlled fluid flow provides forced convection cooling on the SMA membrane that allows the micro pump to operate at high operational frequencies and high work density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gregory Carman, Daniel Shin
  • Patent number: D812468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTEPLAST GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman
  • Patent number: RE48096
    Abstract: A blank for being repeatably assembled into a box configuration without the use of adhesives. The blank has a bottom panel, a side panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, an end panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a locking structure configured to secure the side panel and the end panel in respective orthogonal positions with respect to the bottom panel. The locking structure includes an overlay panel foldably attached to the end panel and foldable toward an overlying position in which it overlies a portion of the side panel. The locking structure also includes a slot in the bottom panel, a flap foldably attached to the bottom panel and extending into the slot, and a tab foldably attached to the overlay panel for being lockingly received in the slot to secure the overlay panel in the overlying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Inteplast Group Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Carman