Patents by Inventor Kenan J. Clougherty

Kenan J. Clougherty 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: 9850021
    Abstract: A substantially paper-based composite container for an off-gassing product includes a paperboard can body having a substantially gas-impervious liner attached to an inner surface thereof, and a pair of substantially paper-based end closures attached to the opposite ends of the can body, each end closure defining a generally cylindrical sealing panel in contact with an inner surface of the can body. Heat-sealable materials are disposed on opposing surfaces of the sealing panel and can body. The sealing panels of the end closures are attached to the can body by heat seals. The heat seal for at least one of the end closures is discontinuous such that at least one vent channel extends through the heat seal so as to establish fluid communication between an interior of the composite container and the environment outside the composite container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 8414462
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is provided for forming a pressed paper end which minimizes or eliminates deformations in the chuck wall. The method involves using a novel die press apparatus in which, at the very end of the compression stroke, the paper is held tightly by the opposing dies on either side of the chuck wall forming area, and the chuck wall forming area is held in substantial confinement between the dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenan J Clougherty, Kenneth Weltlich, Slawek Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20120241510
    Abstract: A substantially paper-based composite container for an off-gassing product includes a paperboard can body having a substantially gas-impervious liner attached to an inner surface thereof, and a pair of substantially paper-based end closures attached to the opposite ends of the can body, each end closure defining a generally cylindrical sealing panel in contact with an inner surface of the can body. Heat-sealable materials are disposed on opposing surfaces of the sealing panel and can body. The sealing panels of the end closures are attached to the can body by heat seals. The heat seal for at least one of the end closures is discontinuous such that at least one vent channel extends through the heat seal so as to establish fluid communication between an interior of the composite container and the environment outside the composite container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20120184421
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is provided for forming a pressed paper end which minimizes or eliminates deformations in the chuck wall. The method involves using a novel die press apparatus in which, at the very end of the compression stroke, the paper is held tightly by the opposing dies on either side of the chuck wall forming area, and the chuck wall forming area is held in substantial confinement between the dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Kenan J. Clougherty, Kenneth Weltlich, Slawek Witkowski
  • Patent number: 7757935
    Abstract: A composite container for refrigerated dough products comprises a body ply helically wrapped about an axis to form a tubular body, opposite edges of the helically wrapped body ply being juxtaposed to form a butt joint therebetween. A label is helically wrapped about and adhered to the tubular body, the label comprising an inner layer adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body and an outer layer adhered to a radially outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer defines a helically extending line of weakness positioned in alignment with the butt joint of the body ply. The outer layer comprises a removable peel strip that is peelable from the inner layer, the peel strip extending helically along the tubular body straddling the line of weakness and butt joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 7337916
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved food enclosure designed to harness the steam produced during cooking so as to rapidly thaw and cook the food; however, the enclosure also advantageously vents the steam in order to provide a crispier, more desirable food product. A “venting” container according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes a tubular body having at least one open end and a cap for engaging the open end. The cap comprises upper and lower ends, which define an intermediate region therebetween. The tubular body and cap are at least partially sealed together by frictional forces resulting from the interference between opposing radially extending protrusions disposed on both the tubular body and the cap. These frictional forces are opposed and eventually overcome by a steam pressure generated from within the container, whereby the cap is driven from a closed to a vented position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20070295795
    Abstract: A composite container for refrigerated dough products comprises a body ply helically wrapped about an axis to form a tubular body, opposite edges of the helically wrapped body ply being juxtaposed to form a butt joint therebetween. A label is helically wrapped about and adhered to the tubular body, the label comprising an inner layer adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body and an outer layer adhered to a radially outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer defines a helically extending line of weakness positioned in alignment with the butt joint of the body ply. The outer layer comprises a removable peel strip that is peelable from the inner layer, the peel strip extending helically along the tubular body straddling the line of weakness and butt joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 7153466
    Abstract: A solid outwardly projecting flange is formed on the side wall of a blow-molded article by providing a blow mold having a circumferential groove that is filled by flowable thermoplastic during a blow cycle. The mold includes a heating system locally disposed adjacent the groove for heating the walls of the groove so as to heat the thermoplastic in this region, thereby reducing the viscosity of the thermoplastic so that it more-readily flows into and completely fills the groove. The mold can also include a cooling system disposed locally adjacent the groove for cooling the flange of the blow-molded article prior to ejection of the article from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20040159983
    Abstract: A solid outwardly projecting flange is formed on the side wall of a blow-molded article by providing a blow mold having a circumferential groove that is filled by flowable thermoplastic during a blow cycle. The mold includes a heating system locally disposed adjacent the groove for heating the walls of the groove so as to heat the thermoplastic in this region, thereby reducing the viscosity of the thermoplastic so that it more-readily flows into and completely fills the groove. The mold can also include a cooling system disposed locally adjacent the groove for cooling the flange of the blow-molded article prior to ejection of the article from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 6662827
    Abstract: A membrane type pressure relief valve for packaging containers. The valve comprises a plastic overlay that is formed in a way that causes the center portion of the valve to be pre-stressed when applied to a base sheet or a package wall. The forming of the overlay and its subsequent deformation after application to the base sheet or package wall causes the overlay to act as a mechanical assist to close the valve when the valve oil does not fully force the valve closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenan J. Clougherty, Teddy M. Westphal
  • Patent number: 6558306
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20020190114
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 6460759
    Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Lowry, Manson Drew Case, Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: 5988493
    Abstract: A composite container is provided for vacuum packaging of products which is constructed, as follows. A hollow body portion defines a desired shape for the container and has an inside surface. A liner layer is in superimposed position within the body portion and covers the inside surface for receiving the product inside the liner layer and the body portion of the container. An elastic material is positioned between the body portion and the liner layer for movably attaching the liner layer to the body portion in the superimposed position while allowing the liner layer to constrict and move away from the body portion by stretching of the elastic material when a vacuum is formed on the product packaged in the container and then allowing the liner layer to move back into the superimposed position within the body portion of the container by retraction of the elastic material when the container is opened and the vacuum on the product is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenan J. Clougherty
  • Patent number: D424378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ellis Bacon, James W. Lowry, Kenan J. Clougherty, Ted M. Westphal