Patents by Inventor Laura Flanagan-Kent

Laura Flanagan-Kent 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: 11697241
    Abstract: A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Publication number: 20210308930
    Abstract: A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: 11065802
    Abstract: A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: 10633145
    Abstract: A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Laura Flanagan-Kent, Stephen J. Kocis, David A. Hayward, Frederick P. Minkemeyer, Gary L. Mengeu, Edmund L. White
  • Publication number: 20190255756
    Abstract: A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: 10293538
    Abstract: A blow-molding method for forming a squeezable or tubular plastic container is provided. The method includes molding a preform having a sidewall, an interior cavity, an open end, a closed end, and a neck adjacent the closed end of the preform. The neck of the preform has an engagement structure. The method includes providing a blow mold system including a blow mold cavity. The method includes placing at least a portion of the preform into the blow mold cavity, and blow molding a one-piece container body from the preform by inflating the preform within the blow mold cavity. The container body has an open end, a closed end and a neck adjacent to the closed end. Wherein the open end of the container body is formed from the open end of the preform, and the closed end of the container body is formed from the closed end of the preform. The method includes creating a dispensing opening through the closed end of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Publication number: 20180305086
    Abstract: A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Laura Flanagan-Kent, Stephen J. Kocis, David A. Hayward, Frederick P. Minkemeyer, Gary L. Mengeu, Edmund L. White
  • Patent number: 10029823
    Abstract: A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Laura Flanagan-Kent, Stephen J. Kocis, David A. Hayward, Frederick P. Minkemeyer, Gary L. Mengeu, Edmund L. White
  • Patent number: 9617027
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided in the form of a neck for a plastic bottle or other plastic container. The neck includes an external thread with a constant major diameter that can engage with a bottle cap with an internal thread. The neck has an internal surface with an irregular shape where the internal diameter proximate to the top sealing surface is greater than the internal diameter proximate to the side wall of the plastic bottle. The internal surface of the neck engages with a fitment inserted into the neck of the plastic container to prevent movement of the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Don Staples, Gary Mengeu, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Fred P. Minkemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160158991
    Abstract: A blow-molding method for forming a squeezable or tubular plastic container is provided. The method includes molding a preform having a sidewall, an interior cavity, an open end, a closed end, and a neck adjacent the closed end of the preform. The neck of the preform has an engagement structure. The method includes providing a blow mold system including a blow mold cavity. The method includes placing at least a portion of the preform into the blow mold cavity, and blow molding a one-piece container body from the preform by inflating the preform within the blow mold cavity. The container body has an open end, a closed end and a neck adjacent to the closed end. Wherein the open end of the container body is formed from the open end of the preform, and the closed end of the container body is formed from the closed end of the preform. The method includes creating a dispensing opening through the closed end of the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: 9314956
    Abstract: A blow-molding method for forming a squeezable or tubular plastic container is provided. The method includes molding a preform having a sidewall, an interior cavity, an open end, a closed end, and a neck adjacent the closed end of the preform. The neck of the preform has an engagement structure. The method includes providing a blow mold system including a blow mold cavity. The method includes placing at least a portion of the preform into the blow mold cavity, and blow molding a one-piece container body from the preform by inflating the preform within the blow mold cavity. The container body has an open end, a closed end and a neck adjacent to the closed end. Wherein the open end of the container body is formed from the open end of the preform, and the closed end of the container body is formed from the closed end of the preform. The method includes creating a dispensing opening through the closed end of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Randal D. Porter, Daniel M. Futral, John K. Silva, William J. Peek, Brian J. Benell, Laura A. Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: 9284180
    Abstract: A container and an attachment configured to couple an accessory to the container are provided. The container includes a projection. The attachment defines a slot including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to allow rotation of the attachment relative to the projection with a top portion of the projection in the first portion of the slot. The attachment is configured to retain the projection in a second portion of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Silgan Plastics LLC
    Inventors: David A. Hayward, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Gary Mengeu
  • Publication number: 20150329233
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided in the form of a neck for a plastic bottle or other plastic container. The neck includes an external thread with a constant major diameter that can engage with a bottle cap with an internal thread. The neck has an internal surface with an irregular shape where the internal diameter proximate to the top sealing surface is greater than the internal diameter proximate to the side wall of the plastic bottle. The internal surface of the neck engages with a fitment inserted into the neck of the plastic container to prevent movement of the fitment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Don Staples, Gary Mengeu, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Fred P. Minkemeyer
  • Publication number: 20150284140
    Abstract: A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Laura Flanagan-Kent, Stephen J. Kocis, David A. Hayward, Frederick P. Minkemeyer, Gary L. Mengeu, Edmund L. White
  • Patent number: D743800
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bay Valley Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Randy Whisler, Dan Vandenbeukel, Michelle Joller, Mark Beskid, Edwin Li, Lesley Corker, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Ryan Healy
  • Patent number: D755055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Simply Thick LLC
    Inventors: John Holahan, John Allen Rone, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Melvin J. Leedle, Bryce G. Rutter
  • Patent number: D808275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: LAND O'LAKES, INC.
    Inventors: Brianne Maier, Laura Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: D825339
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BAY VALLEY FOODS LLC
    Inventors: Randy Whisler, Dan Vandenbeukel, Michelle Joller, Mark Beskid, Edwin Li, Lesley Corker, Laura Flanagan-Kent, Ryan Healy
  • Patent number: D830182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LAND O'LAKES, INC.
    Inventors: Brianne Maier, Laura Flanagan-Kent
  • Patent number: D856806
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Land O'Lakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Brianne Maier, Laura Flanagan-Kent