Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Smith

Jeffrey D. Smith 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: 20260192969
    Abstract: A tray for holding one or more products, the tray comprising a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the tray. The plurality of panels may comprise a bottom panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel. An end flap may be foldably connected to the at least one end panel. The end flap may comprise a lower portion protruding below the bottom panel and forming a denesting lug for maintaining at least partial separation of the tray from a lower nested tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2026
    Publication date: July 9, 2026
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 12654902
    Abstract: A carton for at least one article includes a plurality of panels, a panel of the plurality of panels least partially defining a first dispenser opening, at least one top end flap having a base portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the at least one top end flap at least partially defining a second dispenser opening, and a reconfigurable dispenser including the at least one top end flap, the first dispenser opening, and the second dispenser opening, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration providing a closed end of the carton, and a second configuration, in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton such that the first dispenser opening and second dispenser opening are at least partially aligned to provide access to the interior of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 12637249
    Abstract: A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps includes a plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapped to form a closed bottom of the carton, at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially defined by a free edge that forms a recess and a protrusion extending into the recess, the recess at least partially receiving a portion of another bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250333203
    Abstract: A tray for holding at least one food product includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels including a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, at least one end panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and cooperating to form a rim extending outwardly from the plurality of panels, and denesting features comprising at least one denesting tab extending from one of the front panel and the back panel and away from the at least one end panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 12446896
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a delivery device, a driver assembly, and an internal actuator, where the driver assembly is adapted to be hold an implant and be sleevably inserted into the delivery device and the internal actuator is adapted to advance an implant distractor to distract the implant, the system also including an implant, a chisel, an injector, a gripping tool, and a dilator set. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 12420980
    Abstract: A tray for holding one or more articles includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior space of the tray, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, at least one side panel, and at least one end panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and divider features forming a plurality of compartments in the interior space of the tray, the divider features comprising at least one divider panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and at least partially separated from the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 12409044
    Abstract: Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250169961
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering a facet screw assembly to a facet joint. The system includes a facet screw assembly and a delivery device. The distal end of the delivery device includes a facet screw engagement feature, which is keyed to a corresponding delivery device engagement feature. In other embodiments, the system may include a facet screw assembly, a facet access guide, a washer sizer tool removably engaged with the facet access guide, a lateral mass decorticator guide slidably and removably engaged with the washer size tool, a washer implant delivery tool removably engaged with the facet access guide and detachably coupled to the facet screw assembly, and optionally an impact handle detachably coupled to the facet access guide, washer sizer tool, and washer implant delivery tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Christopher Lambert, Bon Champ, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, Nicholas Domek
  • Publication number: 20250161066
    Abstract: Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250160811
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, a pair of implant holder arms, an implant distractor, an internal actuator, and a distractor knob, the system also including a delivery device with a tubular shaft, a receiving assembly, and a pair of forks, where the delivery device is adapted for slidable insertion of the driver assembly, the system also including an implant, a chisel, and an injector. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250160812
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jonathan Carver, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Kurin Tu, Peter Lombrozo
  • Publication number: 20250152207
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Jeffrey D. Smith, Todd Sheppard Saunders, Krzysztof Siemionow
  • Publication number: 20250152182
    Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a delivery device, a driver assembly, and an internal actuator, where the driver assembly is adapted to be hold an implant and be sleevably inserted into the delivery device and the internal actuator is adapted to advance an implant distractor to distract the implant, the system also including an implant, a chisel, an injector, a gripping tool, and a dilator set. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well as a method of placing an implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240425228
    Abstract: A carton assembly including an outer carton having a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton assembly, an inner holder positioned in the interior of the carton assembly and having a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around a container receiving space for at least partially receiving a serving container, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the first plurality of panels and in at least partial overlapping relation to form a closed bottom of the carton assembly, and an insulating gap between the inner holder and the outer carton in the interior of the carton assembly for providing insulation to the inner holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Dana Exner, Steven M. Oliveira, Ronald E. Hajek, Nellie Pedicord, Yanela Sperle, Kyle Baird, Adriana Goodman
  • Publication number: 20240359858
    Abstract: A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps includes a plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapped to form a closed bottom of the carton, at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially defined by a free edge that forms a recess and a protrusion extending into the recess, the recess at least partially receiving a portion of another bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240359887
    Abstract: A tray assembly for holding one or more articles, the tray assembly including a lid having a lid portion coupled to an upper hinge portion, a base having a base portion coupled to a lower hinge portion, the base portion extending at least partially around an interior of the tray assembly, and a hinge between the lid and the base and including the upper hinge portion and the lower hinge portion, the hinge for repositioning the tray assembly between a closed configuration, in which the lid at least partially overlies the base, and an open configuration, in which the lid is raised away from the base, the upper hinge portion hingably coupled to the lower hinge portion, at least one of the lid portion, the base portion, the upper hinge portion, and the lower hinge portion includes paperboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240268868
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Liou, Shigeru Tanaka, Christopher U. Phan, Jeffrey D. Smith, Todd Sheppard Saunders, Krzysztof Siemionow
  • Patent number: D1127401
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: D1129874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: D1131209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith