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).

  • Publication number: 20150217897
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20150197383
    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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Weston R. Wilson, Alan Fontaine, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 9078296
    Abstract: A tray for holding a food product includes a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the tray. The plurality of panels includes at least a central panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the central panel along an arcuate fold line. The central panel forms a curved bottom surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20150164252
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Sloat, Weston R. Wilson, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20150151888
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one article retention panel is for retaining the at least one article. The article retention panel is foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article retention panel is positioned relative to the at least one panel to contact the at least one article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Steven M. Oliveira, Raymond R. Spivey, SR., Ana Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20150083789
    Abstract: A reinforced package for holding a product. The reinforced package comprises a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels 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, at least one back panel foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel, and at least one bottom panel foldably connected to at least one of the front panel and the back panel. A bag can comprise an at least partially open end, an at least partially closed end, and an interior space for holding a product. The bag can be at least partially received in the interior of the carton. The carton is positionable in a non-erect position and in an erect position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Scott Thomas Strand
  • Patent number: 8978889
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one article retention panel is for retaining the at least one article. The article retention panel is foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article retention panel is positioned relative to the at least one panel to contact the at least one article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packing International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Steven M. Oliveira, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Ana Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20150028087
    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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Steven M. Oliveira, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8872078
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8809754
    Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a susceptor film comprising microwave energy interactive material on a polymer film, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and an adjoining layer joined to the support layer. The adjoining layer comprises a paper-based material having a machine direction and a cross direction. The adjoining layer is joined to the support layer by an adhesive region extending in the cross direction across at least a portion of the adjoining layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Conatser, Weston R. Wilson, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8800855
    Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises 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 end flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one end flap at least partially forms a closed end of the carton. An opener is positionable between a closed position substantially preventing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through a dispenser opening in one of the first end panel and the second end panel, and an open position allowing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through the dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 8686322
    Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a movable portion defined at least partially by lines of disruption extending between adjacent edges of the bottom panel. The movable portion is adapted to be moved towards the interior space for maintaining a food item in an elevated position within the construct. A susceptor or other microwave energy interactive element may be joined to the movable portion to enhance heating, browning, and/or crisping of the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vicki Laubhan, Kelly R. Fitzwater, Weston R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140021080
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one article retention panel is for retaining the at least one article. The article retention panel is foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article retention panel is positioned relative to the at least one panel to contact the at least one article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Steven M. Oliveira, Raymond R. Spivey, SR., Ana Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20140016882
    Abstract: A package includes a bag in a sleeve. The sleeve includes biconcave panels that are opposite from one another and each have opposite concave edges, and biconvex panels that are opposite from one another and each have opposite convex edges. The concave and convex edges are respectively foldably connected to one another by arcuate fold lines. When the sleeve is erected, each of the biconvex panels may be in a concave configuration with respect to the interior of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20130306717
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Grphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Fitzwater, Scott Thomas Strand, Duane R. Mode, Sharon Weaver, Norman L. Jesch
  • Publication number: 20130277421
    Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises 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 end flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one end flap at least partially forms a closed end of the carton. An opener is positionable between a closed position substantially preventing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through a dispenser opening in one of the first end panel and the second end panel, and an open position allowing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through the dispenser opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Publication number: 20130256303
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: D694106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: D694124
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Patent number: D727145
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater