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).

  • Multi-ply carton having reclosable opening feature
    Patent number: 7959060
    Abstract: A carton is formed from an inner blank and an outer blank. The outer blank ply of the carton includes a pivoting, reclosable lid that allows a top end of the carton to be accessed and subsequently closed. A latch feature is included in the carton to allow the lid to be securely closed over the open top of the carton. The inner blank may form a closed and/or sealed liner vessel within the outer blank ply of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston R. Wilson, Robert L. Conatser, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7928349
    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 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: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7893389
    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 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: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • CARTON WITH PRODUCT HOLDING COMPARTMENTS
    Publication number: 20110011923
    Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a back panel, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top flap. A first compartment is foldably connected to the back panel, and a second compartment is foldably connected to the front panel. The top flap is operable to overlap the first and second compartments of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Cartons, Packages, Blanks, And Containers Having Dispensing And Opening Features
    Publication number: 20100193575
    Abstract: A carton, package, or container formed from a blank and that include a film or other moisture resistant lining applied thereto are described. The film is adhered to the inside panels of the carton, package, or container. The carton, package, or container are capable of receiving a lid and contents therein when formed. The cartons, packages, and containers include reclosable features and may be sealed against moisture and other environmental factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Alan Fontaine, Norman L. Jesch, Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Package with enlarged base
    Publication number: 20100193509
    Abstract: Various containers with an enlarged base for receiving a food item are provided. The containers may be formed from various sleeves for heating, browning, and crisping a food item. Blanks for forming such sleeves and containers also are provided. The blanks, sleeves, and/or containers may include a removable portion at least partially defined by a line of disruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Twisted carton
    Patent number: 7665653
    Abstract: A carton has a plurality of panel strips that extend around the periphery of the carton as well as along a length or height of the carton. The panel strips are defined by oblique fold lines extending along the height of the carton. The panel strips provide the carton with a rotated or “twisted” shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7667167
    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 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: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave Heating construct with elevatable bottom
    Publication number: 20100038359
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Vicki Laubhan, Kelly R. Fitzwater, Weston R. Wilson
  • Packages, blanks for making packages and associated methods
    Patent number: 7658318
    Abstract: Cartons are formed from two or more continuous webs that can individually or concurrently provided with cuts, scores, or other lines of disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek, Kelly R. Fitzwater, Weston R. Wilson
  • Elevated microwave heating tray
    Publication number: 20090230126
    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: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Publication number: 20090039077
    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 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: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7473875
    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 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: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave food heating package with removable portion
    Publication number: 20080308614
    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 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: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Package with removable portion
    Patent number: 7414230
    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 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: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater
  • Microwave heating construct
    Publication number: 20080023469
    Abstract: A blank for a construct comprises a main panel including a removable panel at least partially defined by a line of disruption, a plurality of side panels extending from the main panel along respective fold lines, and a microwave energy interactive element overlying at least a portion of the main panel. The blank may be used to form a construct capable of heating, browning, and/or crisping upper and lower surfaces of a food item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Kelly R. Fitzwater