Patents by Inventor Kelly R. Fitzwater

Kelly R. Fitzwater 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).

  • Patent number: 9701438
    Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. At least one top flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one top flap at least partially forms a closed top end of the carton. A reclosable lid is positionable between an open position and a closed position. The reclosable lid comprises a central panel that is foldably connected to the at least one top flap. The reclosable lid can be downwardly folded relative to the at least one top flap in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Weston R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170158409
    Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs may include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9656776
    Abstract: In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a construct for supporting at least one article. The construct can comprise at least a panel and a plurality of stiffening features. The plurality of stiffening features can comprise a pattern of bosses formed in the panel. The pattern of bosses can be configured for at least partially reducing buckling of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Sloat, Weston R. Wilson, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9637299
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct may include a widened base. The construct may be erected by folding end panels of the construct towards one another and optionally securing the panels in the folded position. The construct may be formed from a blank. The construct and/or blank may include a removable portion at least partially defined by a line of disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9598202
    Abstract: A carton for containing a flowable material. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least a top panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the to panel. An integrated handle comprises a handle panel extending in the top panel and into the top end flap and a handle closure at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the top panel. The handle panel overlaps at least a portion of the handle closure, and the handle closure at least partially forms a barrier in the top panel adjacent the handle panel for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton at the integrated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Oliveira, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20170050758
    Abstract: A reinforced package comprising a carton and a bag attached to the carton. The bag has an open top and a sealed bottom portion, and the carton comprises features to reinforce the shape of the formed package and allow access to the contents of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20170029160
    Abstract: A canister for holding one or more products. The canister includes a canister body having a first layer and a second layer laminated to the first layer. The canister body has a bottom end having a bottom panel offset from the bottom of the canister and a top end sealed with a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Strand, Norman L. Jesch, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9511894
    Abstract: A carton having an opening feature. The carton may include a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels may include a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The carton may further include a dispenser having a dispenser panel that is at least partially defined by a tear line having a perforation pattern. The perforation pattern may have at least one cut having a central portion, a first distal portion extending from the central portion, and a second distal portion extending from the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston R. Wilson, Alan Fontaine, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20160325877
    Abstract: A reinforced package comprising a carton comprising a plurality of panels that can comprise a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the front panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. A bag can be attached to the carton and can have an at least partially open end, an at least partially closed end, and an interior space for holding a product. The carton can be positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is at least partially collapsed and in an erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is increased. The carton can support the bag in the erect position and can have retention features for retaining the carton in the erect position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Raymond S. Kastanek, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9463896
    Abstract: A package for holding an article, the package includes a liner and a construct attached to the liner. The liner includes an interior space for holding an article. The construct includes a plurality of panels that at least partially reinforce at a portion of the liner. The plurality of panels includes a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. The construct further includes a dispenser comprising dispensing features in at least one of the top panel and the bottom panel for allowing removal of the article from the package. The dispensing features include a dispenser panel at least partially defined by a tear line in the construct and for being at least partially removed to form a dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20160130065
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct may include a widened base. The construct may be erected by folding end panels of the construct towards one another and optionally securing the panels in the folded position. The construct may be formed from a blank. The construct and/or blank may include a removable portion at least partially defined by a line of disruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20160107814
    Abstract: A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a liner for at least partially receiving the product and at least partially wrapping around the product. The package further can comprise a construct wrapped at least partially around the liner. The construct can comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion at least partially overlapping and engaging the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Karen L. Mills, Raymond S. Kastanek
  • Patent number: 9278795
    Abstract: A multi-use construct includes a base and a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The base includes a line of disruption that defines a removable portion and a peripheral portion of the base. The construct is for being transitioned between a first configuration with the walls extending upwardly from the base, so that the construct is for containing a food item, and a second configuration with the removable portion underlying the food item and the peripheral portion overlying the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9254952
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct may include a widened base. The construct may be erected by folding end panels of the construct towards one another and optionally securing the panels in the folded position. The construct may be formed from a blank. The construct and/or blank may include a removable portion at least partially defined by a line of disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9227752
    Abstract: Various blanks and constructs formed therefrom are provided. The various constructs include features for supporting a food item at an elevated position to enhance the heating, browning, and/or crisping of the food item in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20150368019
    Abstract: A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a carton and a bag. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser for accessing the interior of the carton. The dispenser can comprise at least one dispenser flap at least partially closing a top of the carton. The bag can be at least partially disposed in the interior of the carton, and the bag can comprise a dispenser feature that is accessible via the dispenser in the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Felicia A. Pinkstone, Bradley J. Burke, Kelly R. Fitzwater, Tony Hancock
  • Patent number: 9108761
    Abstract: A carton includes a chamfered corner, and a dispenser defined in the chamfered corner. A fitment may be mounted to the chamfered corner of the carton, for use in dispensing contents from the interior of the carton by way of the dispenser. The fitment may comprise a base with a rearward receptacle that is in receipt of the chamfered corner of the carton. A passageway extends through the base, from the receptacle to a front opening of the passageway, and the contents from the interior of the carton may be dispensed outwardly through the front opening of the fitment. The fitment may include one or more inwardly protruding mounting members that may engage behind one or more edges of the carton for restricting the fitment from being pulled off of the chamfered corner of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Scott Thomas Strand, Duane R. Mode, Sharon Weaver, Norman L. Jesch
  • Patent number: 9107243
    Abstract: A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a platform having a first surface substantially defined by a microwave energy interactive element and a pair of side members joined to the platform along respective lines of disruption. The side members extend upwardly and downwardly from the plane of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: D740657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: D786091
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater