Patents by Inventor John Ratcliff

John Ratcliff 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).

  • Flexible container having flat walls
    Patent number: 7207716
    Abstract: A flexible container (10) has a base (12) that includes a bottom (20), side walls (22, 24, 26, 28) and an interior (30), the bottom defining a substantially flat planar surface when the container houses product and the container rests thereon, an upper panel portion (14), that is adapted to be received within the interior of the base portion and includes side panels that define a closure member (60, 62). The upper panel is constructed and arranged to define a substantially flat surface (72) when the closure member is closed and portions of the upper panel are folded over. The upper panel includes a portion that is sealed to the base portion. A pair of handles (16, 18) may be secured to the base portion. The flat top and flat bottom allow for vertical stacking of the filled containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jerry E. Buchanan, Rodney A. Buchanan, Albert L. Baner, Harold Bennett, Todd A. Miles, John Ratcliff
  • Container for housing product and method for making same
    Publication number: 20060177157
    Abstract: Flexible containers and methods for making same are provided. In an embodiment, the container comprises a base portion including a bottom, side walls, and an interior, the bottom defining a substantially flat planar surface when the container houses product and the container rests on its bottom, an upper panel portion, that is designed to be received within the interior of the base portion and includes side panels that define a closure member, the upper panel being so constructed and arranged to define a substantially flat surface when the closure member is closed and portions of the upper panel are folded over. The upper panel includes a portion that is sealed to the base portion, and a pair of handles may also be coupled to the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Jerry Buchanan, Rodney Buchanan, Albert Baner, Harold Bennett, Todd Miles, John Ratcliff
  • Flexible container having flat walls
    Publication number: 20040052436
    Abstract: A flexible container (10) has a base (12) that includes a bottom (20), side walls (22, 24, 26, 28) and an interior (30), the bottom defining a substantially flat planar surface when the container houses product and the container rests thereon, an upper panel portion (14), that is adapted to be received within the interior of the base portion and includes side panels that define a closure member (60, 62). The upper panel is constructed and arranged to define a substantially flat surface (72) when the closure member is closed and portions of the upper panel are folded over. The upper panel includes a portion that is sealed to the base portion. A pair of handles (16, 18) may be secured to the base portion. The flat top and flat bottom allow for vertical stacking of the filled containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jerry E. Buchanan, Rodney A. Buchanan, Albert L. Baner, Harold Bennett, Todd A. Miles, John Ratcliff