Patents by Inventor John Thomas Yoder, IV
John Thomas Yoder, IV 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).
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Patent number: 9428299Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat position and a deployed position is provided. The container includes a first blank of sheet material for forming side walls of the container, and a second blank of sheet material for forming a bottom wall of the container. The first blank having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first blank includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a fifth side panel, and a sixth side panel wherein each of the side panels are coupled across a fold line. The first blank also includes end flaps extending from the bottom edge of each of the side panels wherein at least two of the end flaps includes a tab joint. The second blank having a plurality of side edges equal to a number of side panels of the first blank, each side edge having a width substantially equal to a width of the side panels of the first blank.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventors: Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, Thomas D. Graham, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Patent number: 9181025Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The container includes a plurality of side walls formed from a first blank and a bottom wall formed from a second blank. Each side wall has an end flap extending from a bottom edge of the first blank. The bottom wall is coupled to a first end flap extending from a first side wall of the first blank, and is foldable along a fold line for selectively moving the container from a deployed configuration into a substantially flat configuration. A second end flap extends from a second side wall adjacent the first side wall, and a third end flap extends from a third side wall adjacent the second side wall. The second and third end flaps support the second blank in uncoupled communication when the container is in the deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Graham, Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Publication number: 20150203240Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat position and a deployed position is provided. The container includes a first blank of sheet material for forming side walls of the container, and a second blank of sheet material for forming a bottom wall of the container. The first blank having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first blank includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a fifth side panel, and a sixth side panel wherein each of the side panels are coupled across a fold line. The first blank also includes end flaps extending from the bottom edge of each of the side panels wherein at least two of the end flaps includes a tab joint. The second blank having a plurality of side edges equal to a number of side panels of the first blank, each side edge having a width substantially equal to a width of the side panels of the first blank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, Thomas D. Graham, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Patent number: 8991684Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat position and a deployed position is provided. The container includes a first blank of sheet material for forming side walls of the container, and a second blank of sheet material for forming a bottom wall of the container. The first blank having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first blank includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a fifth side panel, and a sixth side panel wherein each of the side panels are coupled across a fold line. The first blank also includes end flaps extending from the bottom edge of each of the side panels wherein at least two of the end flaps includes a tab joint. The second blank having a plurality of side edges equal to a number of side panels of the first blank, each side edge having a width substantially equal to a width of the side panels of the first blank.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLCInventors: Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, Thomas D. Graham, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Publication number: 20140339292Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The container includes a plurality of side walls formed from a first blank and a bottom wall formed from a second blank. Each side wall has an end flap extending from a bottom edge of the first blank. The bottom wall is coupled to a first end flap extending from a first side wall of the first blank, and is foldable along a fold line for selectively moving the container from a deployed configuration into a substantially flat configuration. A second end flap extends from a second side wall adjacent the first side wall, and a third end flap extends from a third side wall adjacent the second side wall. The second and third end flaps support the second blank in uncoupled communication when the container is in the deployed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Thomas D. Graham, Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Patent number: 8814031Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The container includes a plurality of side walls formed from a first blank. The first blank includes a plurality of side panels extending in series along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines and at least one slot defined within at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels. The container further includes a bottom wall coupled to the plurality of side walls, wherein the bottom wall is formed from a second blank. The second blank includes a plurality of side edges and at least one tab extending form at least one side edge. The at least one tab is configured to be inserted into the at least one slot to construct the container. The second blank is coupled to the first blank at at least the at least one slot and the at least one tab for forming the bottom wall of the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Graham, Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Publication number: 20100230479Abstract: A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The container includes a plurality of side walls formed from a first blank. The first blank includes a plurality of side panels extending in series along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines and at least one slot defined within at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels. The container further includes a bottom wall coupled to the plurality of side walls, wherein the bottom wall is formed from a second blank. The second blank includes a plurality of side edges and at least one tab extending form at least one side edge. The at least one tab is configured to be inserted into the at least one slot to construct the container. The second blank is coupled to the first blank at least the at least one slot and the at least one tab for forming the bottom wall of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Thomas D. Graham, Tesfahun Y. Mengistu, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Patent number: 7452317Abstract: An air evacuation system is used for lining a container with a flexible liner. The air evacuation system includes a platform for supporting the container in a formed state, the container including the liner in an unseated position within the cavity. The platform includes a base and a floor extending substantially parallel and spaced apart from the base such that a first air gap is formed between said base and said floor. The floor includes at least one opening therethrough and at least one spacer tab extending therefrom. The vacuum assembly is coupled to the platform and includes a pump in airflow communication with at least one inlet positioned in said base, said vacuum assembly is configured to draw air from the cavity such that the liner is positioned substantially adjacent to the interior surface of the container in a seated position.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas D. Graham, John Thomas Yoder, IV
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Patent number: 7381176Abstract: A machine for making a reinforced, collapsible bulk bin assembly is provided. The machine includes a body blank feeding device for providing a body blank from a stack of body blanks, an erecting device for partially erecting the body blank, and a bottom insertion device for inserting a partially folded bottom blank into the partially erected body blank. The machine also includes first fingers for attaching major flaps of the body blank to the bottom blank, second fingers for attaching minor flaps of the body blank to major flaps of the body blank after the body blank has been collapsed, and a strapping device for simultaneously applying a plurality of straps to an exterior surface of the body blank.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas D. Graham, Amer Aganovic, John Thomas Yoder, IV, Tesfahun Y. Mengistu
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Patent number: 7374528Abstract: An air evacuation system is used for lining a container with a flexible liner. The container has a plurality of walls defining a cavity with an open top, and each wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The air evacuation system includes a platform for supporting the container in a formed state, wherein the container has the liner in an unseated position within the cavity. A vacuum assembly is coupled to the platform. The vacuum assembly includes a pump in airflow communication with at least one inlet positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of a first container wall. The vacuum assembly is configured to draw air using the at least one inlet from the cavity through the first container wall such that the liner is positioned substantially adjacent to the interior surface of the container in a seated position.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Yoder, IV, Thomas D. Graham