Patents by Inventor James L. Stone

James L. Stone 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: 20140100475
    Abstract: Systems and methods are taught for non-invasively monitoring brainstem function and intra-cranial pressure in a patient. Repeated auditory stimulation is applied to the patient in at least one ear to generate an auditory brainstem response. The response waveform is detected with an electrode at a location on the patient's head. The detected waveform data is compared with known waveform data and an alarm is initiated when a change in the auditory brainstem response is detected based on the comparison that is indicative of a corresponding change in intra-cranial pressure in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 8632475
    Abstract: An intracranial pressure monitoring system and method. The system includes an auditory stimulation and recording unit, which includes a stimulation controller, a memory for storing waveforms, a device for comparing received waveforms with stored waveforms, and an alarm operable based upon that comparison. The system includes at least one cranial electrode attachable to a patient, and an auditory stimulation device, operable by the stimulation controller. The stimulation device is a pair of acoustic ear inserts, each of which is connected to and operated by an auditory stimulator activated by the stimulation controller. In the method, a patient is auditorially stimulated to evoke a received waveform indicative of intracranial pressure, a comparison is generated by comparing the received waveform with one of an established patient baseline waveform and an established normal waveform, and an alarm is generated responsive to that comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Publication number: 20080200832
    Abstract: An intracranial pressure monitoring system and method. The system includes an auditory stimulation and recording unit, which includes a stimulation controller, a memory for storing waveforms, a device for comparing received waveforms with stored waveforms, and an alarm operable based upon that comparison. The system includes at least one cranial electrode attachable to a patient, and an auditory stimulation device, operable by the stimulation controller. The stimulation device is a pair of acoustic ear inserts, each of which is connected to and operated by an auditory stimulator activated by the stimulation controller. In the method, a patient is auditorially stimulated to evoke a received waveform indicative of intracranial pressure, a comparison is generated by comparing the received waveform with one of an established patient baseline waveform and an established normal waveform, and an alarm is generated responsive to that comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 6863212
    Abstract: A container is provided with a simple opening and closure mechanism which provides for easy reclosure of the container. A user may grasp a reclosable flap and move the flap between open and closed positions to effect opening and closure of the container. The reclosable flap may overlay a container lid such that the container lid is kept in a closed position when the reclosable flap overlays the container lid with the reclosable flap in its closed position. The container may be open and closed several times, and a seal may be maintained in the vicinity of the reclosable flap even after multiple uses of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Caraustar Custom Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Thomas J. Brink, Scott A. Lampe
  • Publication number: 20040178252
    Abstract: A container is provided with a simple opening and closure mechanism which provides for easy reclosure of the container. A user may grasp a reclosable flap and move the flap between open and closed positions to effect opening and closure of the container. The reslosable flap may overlay a container lid such that the container lid is kept in a closed position when the reclosable flap overlays the container lid with the reslosable flap in its closed position. The container may be open and closed several times, and a seal may be maintained in the vicinity of the reclosable flap even after multiple uses of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Thomas J. Brink, Scott A. Lampe
  • Patent number: 6505769
    Abstract: A tray composed of a unitary, continuous blank has an inner surface and an outer surface. The tray comprises a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a plurality of minor flaps. Each of the plurality of minor flaps is connected to one of the sidewalls via a fold line and has a respective outer edge. At least one of the minor flaps is connected to a sidewall via a first cut score. The first cut score extends upwardly from the bottom wall without extending to an outer edge of the minor flap. The at least one minor flap is separated from the sidewall via a knife cut. The knife cut extends from near the outer edge of the minor flap downward toward and near the first cut score. The at least one minor flap has a second cut score formed therein. The second cut score extends from near the separation means. The first and second cut scores are formed from opposing surfaces of the blank so as to form a partial web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Caraustar Custom Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Publication number: 20020153408
    Abstract: A tray composed of a unitary, continuous blank has an inner surface and an outer surface. The tray comprises a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a plurality of minor flaps. Each of the plurality of minor flaps is connected to one of the sidewalls via a fold line and has a respective outer edge. At least one of the minor flaps is connected to a sidewall via a first cut score. The first cut score extends upwardly from the bottom wall without extending to an outer edge of the minor flap. The at least one minor flap is separated from the sidewall via a knife cut. The knife cut extends from near the outer edge of the minor flap downward toward and near the first cut score. The at least one minor flap has a second cut score formed therein. The second cut score extends from near the separation means. The first and second cut scores are formed from opposing surfaces of the blank so as to form a partial web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5911359
    Abstract: A one-piece, flip-top reclosable container embodying the present invention includes an outer carton having opposing top and bottom walls, front and back walls, and first and second side walls. The first and second side walls and the front wall include a preferential area of weakness for opening the carton from a sealed form to an unsealed form. The preferential area of weakness forms a lid hingedly connected to the top wall. The top wall includes a front top minor flap hingedly connected to an upper end of the front wall. An internal collar is integrally formed with the front top minor flap. The internal collar is disposed within the carton when the carton is in the sealed form. The internal collar includes a front panel and opposing first and second side panels adjacent to the respective front wall and the opposing first and second side walls of the carton. The front panel of the internal collar is detachably connected to the front top minor flap along at least one horizontal fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Stone, David F. Gnadt, Thomas J. Brink
  • Patent number: 5899324
    Abstract: A forward-tilting display container with fold-out display doors which is adjustable between an enclosed position and a display position. In the enclosed position, the fold-out display doors comprise a portion of the lid of the container, with the remainder of the lid defining a pedestal-forming portion. The lid is hingedly connected to a display panel on the side of the container. The container is adjusted to the display position by folding the lid back so that the display doors overlay the display panel and the pedestal-forming portion lies underneath the container. In the display position, the display doors are opened to expose both the display panel and the display doors, with the pedestal-forming portion of the lid supporting the container in a forward-tilting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Timothy J. Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 5893513
    Abstract: A two-piece paperboard container composed of an outer carton and liner includes a paperboard pour spout formed from portions of the outer carton and liner. The pour spout includes a spout body and a pair of spout wings hingedly connected to opposing edges of the spout body. The outer carton encompasses the liner and includes a spout body reinforcing panel overlying the spout body. The spout body reinforcing panel is adhered to the spout body and moves in tandem with the spout body in response to the pour spout being opened and closed. The outer carton further includes a plurality of top and bottom flaps adapted to form the respective top and bottom of the container. A pair of backboard panels extending from one of the top flaps are folded to form a backboard of the pour spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Thomas J. Brink
  • Patent number: 5875963
    Abstract: A flip-top reclosable carton is comprised of an outer carton and an internal collar. The outer carton includes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls. The first and second side walls and the front wall include a continuous horizontal tear means for opening up the carton from a sealed form to form a lid hingedly connected to a base. The top wall includes first and second top minor flaps hingedly connected to upper ends of the respective first and second side walls. The internal collar is integrally formed with the first and second top minor flaps. The collar is disposed within the carton and includes a front panel and opposing first and second side panels adjacent to the respective front wall and the opposing first and second side walls of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Thomas J. Brink
  • Patent number: 5875961
    Abstract: A paperboard container composed of a unitary, continuous blank comprises opposing top and bottom walls, a plurality of side walls bridging the top and bottom walls, and a paperboard pour spout closure. The plurality of side walls includes a first side wall, and a top major flap extends from an upper end of the first side wall and forms a portion of the top wall. A backboard is coupled to the top major flap and includes a plug. The inner surface of the backboard is adhered to the inner surface of the first side wall. A closure layer is formed in the first side wall and is adhered to the plug. The closure layer and the plug form the pour spout closure. The pour spout closure is pivotally coupled to the first side wall for movement between closed and open positions. The plug is detachably linked to a remainder of the backboard. The plug is linked to the backboard when the pour spout closure is initially in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, David F. Gnadt
  • Patent number: 5810250
    Abstract: A paperboard container composed of a unitary, continuous blank comprises opposing top and bottom walls, a plurality of side walls bridging the top and bottom walls, and a paperboard pour spout closure. The plurality of side walls includes a first side wall, and an top minor flap extends from an upper end of the first side wall and forms a portion of the top wall. A backboard is coupled to the top minor flap and includes a plug. The inner surface of the backboard is adhered to the inner surface of the first side wall. A closure layer is formed in the first side wall and is adhered to the plug. The closure layer and the plug form the pour spout closure. The pour spout closure is pivotally coupled to the first side wall for movement between closed and open positions. The plug is detachably linked to a remainder of the backboard. The plug is linked to the backboard when the pour spout closure is initially in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Thomas J. Brink
  • Patent number: 5775576
    Abstract: A carton-liner assembly comprises an outer carton and a liner disposed within and affixed to the carton. The carton includes opposing top and bottom carton walls, opposing front and back carton walls, and opposing first and second side carton walls. The front carton wall and the opposing side carton walls include a continuous tear strip for opening up the carton from a sealed form to form a lid hingedly connected to a base. The liner includes a front liner wall and opposing side liner walls adjacent to the respective front carton wall and opposing side carton walls of the carton. The liner optionally includes a back liner wall adjacent to the back carton wall of the carton. To reduce the weight of the carton-liner assembly, the walls of the liner include a series of stripped-out areas. Preferably, the stripped-out areas are elongated in a vertical direction and have respective arrow-shaped lower ends. Each liner wall includes a pair of stripped-out areas separated by a center strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5746370
    Abstract: A paperboard container having a reclosable shaker pour spout for dispensing granular products. The reclosable shaker pour spout is formed on a wall of the container from first and second minor flaps which are folded inwardly within the container, a first-down major flap which is folded inwardly and overlies the the first and second minor flaps, and a second-down major flap which is folded inwardly and overlies the first-down major flap. Both of the first and second minor flaps have at least one semi-aperture formed on their outer edges which are aligned with corresponding semi-apertures on the other minor flap. The semi-apertures on each of the flaps cooperate to form full apertures in response to the first and second minor flaps being folded inwardly within the container. A detachable plug formed on the first-down major flap overlies the apertures in response to the first-down major flap being folded inwardly on top of the first and second minor flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5743462
    Abstract: A nested blank arrangement comprises first and second unitary, continuous blanks each for forming a side-filled, flip-top reclosable carton having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls. Each blank includes at least five panels hingedly connected to each other along generally horizontal fold lines. Each panel includes opposing first and second vertical edges. In order of connection, the panels include an inner front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, a top panel, and an outer front panel. First and second side closure flaps are hingedly connected to each of the panels along the respective first and second vertical edges. The first and second side closure flaps cooperate to form the opposing first and second side walls of the carton. The first and second blanks are vertically oriented in opposite directions and are horizontally adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5725144
    Abstract: A collapsible carton comprises opposing front and back panels, opposing top and bottom panels generally bridging said opposing front and back panels, a first pair of accordion panels connecting said front panel to said bottom panel, and a second pair of accordion panels connecting said back panel to said bottom panel. The carton further includes a plurality of side closure flaps extending from opposing ends of the top and bottom panels and the front and back panels. When the carton is in open-sided form and after a compressible product is loaded into the carton through one of the open sides, the carton is collapsed in response to moving the top and bottom panels toward each other so as to cause the first and second pairs of accordion panels to spread outward in accordion-like fashion into overlapping relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: James L. Stone, Timothy P. Burda
  • Patent number: 5680930
    Abstract: A two-piece, crash-bottom basket carrier includes a bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, a longitudinal partition, and one or more transverse partitions. The side walls and the end walls extend upward from the bottom wall, and the end walls bridge the opposing side walls. The bottom wall, the side walls, and the end walls are all formed from a first unitary paperboard blank. The longitudinal partition extends between the opposing end walls and is located approximately midway between the opposing side walls. The longitudinal partition is generally perpendicular to the bottom wall and the end walls and is generally parallel to the side walls. A handle is formed along an upper central handle section of the longitudinal partition to permit carrying of the basket carrier. Each of the transverse partitions extends between the longitudinal partition and one of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5673849
    Abstract: A side-filled, flip-top reclosable carton composed of a unitary, continuous blank, comprises opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls. The first and second side walls and the front wall include a continuous horizontal tear element for opening up the carton from a sealed form to form a lid hingedly attached to a base section. The first and second side walls include respective first and second top minor flaps hingedly connected to opposing ends of the top wall. The first and second side walls include respective first and second web flaps hingedly connected at upper edges thereof. The first web flap is hingedly connected to the first top minor flap along a first diagonal score line, and the second web flap is hingedly connected to the second top minor flap along a second diagonal score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5551938
    Abstract: A recloseable container comprises an outer carton and a collar disposed therein. The outer carton includes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing side walls. The collar is press bonded to one or more of the inner surfaces of the opposing front and back walls and the opposing side walls of the carton. The opposing side walls and the front wall of the carton include a continuous horizontal tear strip for opening up the carton from a sealed form to form a lid hingedly attached to a base section. To manufacture the recloseable container, an outer surface of a strip of collar material is press bonded to an inner surface of carton material. The attached carton material and strip of collar material are then simultaneously die-cut and scored to produce a respective carton blank and collar blank from which the recloseable container is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: James L. Stone