Patents by Inventor Keith Barker
Keith Barker 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: 8309622Abstract: Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Schmidt, Brian Lynch, Keith Barker, Ronald Adams, Sr., Amit S. Agrawal
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Patent number: 8226397Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Publication number: 20120183709Abstract: Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.Inventors: Steven L. SCHMIDT, Brian Lynch, Keith Barker, Ronald Adams, SR., Amit S. Agrawal
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Patent number: 8118581Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch
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Patent number: 8097662Abstract: Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Graham Packaging PET Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Schmidt, Brian Lynch, Keith Barker, Ronald Adams, Sr., Amit S. Agrawal
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Publication number: 20120009294Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith BARKER, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Patent number: 8012396Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L PInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Publication number: 20110212204Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch
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Patent number: 7892462Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LLPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch
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Publication number: 20100109181Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch
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Patent number: 7651644Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch
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Publication number: 20090295030Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Publication number: 20090224439Abstract: A method of making plastic preforms may include molding one or more preforms in an injection molding apparatus, moving the preforms into cooling tubes while the preforms are in a deformable state, and while the preforms are being cooled in the cooling tubes to a temperature at which deformation of the preforms is resisted, crystallizing a portion of the preforms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Thomas Nahill
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Patent number: 7572123Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Patent number: 7485252Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Thomas E. Nahill
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Publication number: 20080153939Abstract: Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Schmidt, Brian Lynch, Keith Barker, Ronald Adams, Amit S. Agrawal
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Publication number: 20080054526Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Thomas E. Nahill
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Publication number: 20080054535Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Walter McDonald, Norbert Seitel
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Publication number: 20080054525Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Keith Barker, Brian Lynch, Thomas E. Nahill, Kim Lufkin
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Publication number: 20070278708Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LPInventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Sam Kalmouni, Nikhil Mani, Keith Barker, Brian Lynch