Patents by Inventor Matthew E. Zacherle

Matthew E. Zacherle 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: 11370589
    Abstract: A package is described for housing a product supported upon a blister portion of the package. The product may be an item whose weight may be supported by the blister. For some products such as cables, wires, or hoses the product may also be held in a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: WESTROCK MWV LLC
    Inventors: Francisco J. Garcia, Meng-Chuan Wu, Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle, Mary Kathryn Suttle
  • Publication number: 20220185562
    Abstract: Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article top engaging device comprises an engaging panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712) having at least one top-receiving opening (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) defined by a perimeter which defines a notional circle (NC). The perimeter is interrupted by at least three relief elements (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11) each extending radially away of the center of the notional circle. The perimeter comprises a toothed segment (S1) and a toothless segment (S2). The toothed segment comprises at least two tooth edges (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236) for bearing a substantially vertical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Alex N. Barrette, Cullen B. Rosenbrien, Tsugihiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20220177210
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: Matthew E. ZACHERLE
  • Patent number: 11312529
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of flanged articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel and a second panel opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The partition structure is formed from the first panel and comprises a lateral partition panel. The lateral partition panel is hingedly connected at a proximal end to the first panel by a proximal end fold line and is hingedly connected at a distal end to a glue panel by a distal end joint. The distal end joint between the lateral partition panel and the glue panel comprises a twistable strip extending between and joined with the lateral partition panel and the glue panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Andrew T. Peeler
  • Publication number: 20220119178
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel and a second panel opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The partition structure is formed from the first panel and comprises a lateral partition panel. The lateral partition panel is hingedly connected at a proximal end to the first panel by a proximal end fold line and is hingedly connected at a distal end to a glue panel by a distal end joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Julien D. Merzeau
  • Publication number: 20220112016
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles B and a blank (10) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window W for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels defining a tubular structure and including a top panel (16), a first side panel (14), a second side panel (18), a first base panel (12) hingedly connected to the first side panel and second base panel (20) hingedly connected to the second side panel. The carton further comprises at least one end closure structure including a top end flap (30a) hingedly connected to the top panel (16) by a first fold line (31a), a first side end flap (26a) hingedly connected to the first side panel (14) and a second side end flap (34a) hingedly connected to the second side panel (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Bradford J. WALLING, Matthew E. ZACHERLE
  • Patent number: 11261014
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11203476
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a product carrier, clip and a blank for forming the product carrier. An aspect of the invention provides a package comprising a display card and a clip. An article is mounted to the display card by the clip. The display card comprises a front panel and a rear panel. The clip comprises a front wall and opposed side walls. The clip together with at least one of the front and rear panels forms a tubular structure for receiving a part of the article. The article comprises at least one limb. The article is mounted to the display card by the at least one limb which extends through the tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Cullen B. Rosenbrien
  • Publication number: 20210284413
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carrier comprises a main panel (12) having first (A1) and second (A2) adjacent apertures, arranged side by side, each for receiving a portion of an article. The main panel further comprises an annular series of tabs (16,18,20) formed around each of the first and second apertures. The tabs of each annular series are hingedly connected to the main panel such that at least some of the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the respective aperture so as to bear against the article. The main panel comprising a first layer (CL) comprising a paperboard substrate and a second layer (PL) providing a tear resistant layer wherein the tear resistant layer is disposed above the paperboard substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Simmons, Casey P. Grey, Bradford Walling, Matthew E. Zacherle, Eric D. Linvill, Linh L. Kooc
  • Publication number: 20210261279
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and method of packaging one or more articles. The device being adapted to applying a plurality of top-engaging carriers to a plurality of groups of articles simultaneously. The device comprises a metering base for facilitating arranging a plurality of articles into groups of articles and an applicator for pressing top-engaging carriers onto groups of articles. The metering base comprises a spacer structure for maintaining a predetermined space between each group of articles and at least a next adjacent group of articles; and a first aligning feature. The applicator comprises an applicator plate having a plurality of receiving cavities each for receiving a top of an article and a second aligning feature for engaging the first aligning feature for sliding movement with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Linh L. Kooc, Lauren N. Chesnet
  • Patent number: 11084640
    Abstract: A package for packaging an article provides a package including a display card and tape measure mounted thereto. The display card includes a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of easel panels. The pair of easel panels form part of a tubular structure of an easel stand upon with the package may rest. The tape measure may include a tape and a tang mounted to an end of the tape, with the tape partially extended from a housing such that the tang engages with the one of the easel panels such that the extended portion of the tape is displayed. Another aspect of the invention provides a blister for mounting an article to a carrier in the form of a display card. The blister functions as a receiver for receiving a portion of an article, such as a hook mounted to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Linh L. Kooc, Cullen B. Rosenbrien, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Publication number: 20210229886
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Publication number: 20210229884
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles and a blank (210) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window (D) for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (224A, 222A), a first side wall, abase wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a bottom opening (A2) defined, at least, in the bottom wall (224B, 222B). The bottom opening is vertically aligned with the at least one article when the at least one article is received in the carton such that the at least one article is accessible through the bottom opening to be raised and lowered with respect to the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Peeler, Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11072474
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window (W, DW1, DW2) for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (16), a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises an end closure structure for partially closing an end of the carton (90). The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a) hingedly connected to the top wall. At least one side end closure flap is hinged to a corner panel by a first fold line. The corner panel is hinged to one of the first and second side walls by a second fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Peeler, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11072456
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carton (90) comprises a plurality of panels (12, 14, 16, 18) for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of panels comprises: a first side wall panel (12); a first end wall panel (14); a second side wall panel (16); and a second end wall panel (18). A first handle structure (H) is defined in a first one of the plurality of panels (12). The first handle structure (H) comprises a severance line (60) defining at least in part a handle opening. A first end closure panel (22b) forms, at least in part, a top wall (22b/24b/26b/28b) which at least partially closes an upper end of the tubular structure and is hingedly connected to the first one of the plurality of panels (12) by a first hinged connection (23b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Publication number: 20210221588
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to an expandable carton (90) which can be opened from a closed state having a first capacity, into an opened state having a second, greater capacity such that ice or other additional articles can be loaded into the expanded carton along with the original articles housed therein. The carton (90) comprises: a top wall (12), a bottom wall (16), a first side wall (14), and a second side wall (18) hingedly connected to one another to form a tubular structure. The carton (90) additionally comprises a first end wall (22a, 24a, 26a, 28a) and a second end wall (22b, 24b, 26b, 28b), each of said end walls (22a, 24a, 26a, 28a; 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b) for enclosing an open end of the tubular structure of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Bradford Walling, Meng-Chuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20210155389
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a) having a handle opening (H1), a first side end closure flap (26a) and a web panel (28a). The web panel couples the top end closure flap to the first side end closure flap. The web panel is hingedly connected to the first side end closure flap along a first fold line (49a). The web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge (87a) which extends along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Ekaterina V. Gaidaeva, Andrew T. Peeler, Patrick Blin, Matthew E. Zacherle
  • Patent number: 11014726
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90) for packaging one or more articles(IO) and to a blank (10) for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of panels (12,14,16,18,20,22) for forming walls of the carton including: a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The top wall (14,22) comprises a handle structure (H). The handle structure comprises at least one hand aperture (A1,A2) defined in the top wall. At least one primary fold line (39a,39b,49a,49b) is formed in the top wall and extends from a region of the at least one hand aperture towards at least one of the corners of the top wall. A diagonal severance line (47a, 47b, 57a, 57b) is formed in the top wall inwardly of and spaced from the at least one corner for separating the at least one primary fold line from the at least one corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Peeler, Matthew E. Zacherle, Bradford J. Walling
  • Publication number: 20210094740
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels (12,14,16,18) for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel (12) and a second panel (14) opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The carrier is formed form a blank comprising a partition-forming section (PS) which comprises a primary partition panel (22,24) and a secondary partition panel (40,44,36,46) formed from the primary partition panel and hingedly connected at one of the opposing ends thereof to the primary partition panel. The upper edge (E1) of the secondary partition panel is defined at least in part by a cutaway (R1) extending from a free end edge (E3) of the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory P. Hayter, Matthew E. Zacherle, Andrew T. Peeler, Calvin L. Peterson, Brian D. Souza
  • Patent number: D921493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren N. Chesnet, Matthew E. Zacherle