Patents by Inventor Michael A. Churvis

Michael A. Churvis 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: 8408452
    Abstract: A multi-sided container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls that is defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap is overlapping one another. A portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Michael A Churvis, Benjamin W Quaintance
  • Patent number: 8025206
    Abstract: A bulk container for fluid materials comprises a bin having a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels, a closed bottom, and an open top. A rim around the top of the bin defines a downwardly facing shoulder. A lid covers the open top and has elongated depending skirt panels extending downwardly past the shoulder. A clamping band is tightened around the lid skirt below the shoulder to secure the lid to the bin. Notches in an outer surface of the rim receive bendable locking strips on the lid skirt to lock the lid in position on the bin, and locking tongues on a first skirt panel are engageable in respective locking slots in an adjacent second skirt panel to hold the skirt panels in their operative downwardly folded positions. A tray and liner insert may be positioned in the bin, and a fluid-containing bag may be placed in the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wisecarver, Michael A. Churvis
  • Patent number: 8025208
    Abstract: A bulk container for storing, shipping and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid fluids comprises a bin having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. The sidewall comprises a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels extending at an angle with respect to one another. A lid is covering the open top of the bin and having a discharge opening therethrough adjacent one side edge thereof. A fluid-containing bag is supported in the bin and a discharge valve is on an upper end of the bag where the discharge valve is positioned to extend through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wisecarver, Michael A. Churvis
  • Patent number: 8011565
    Abstract: A multi-sided container comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls all are cooperating with one another to form an interior space. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap overlapping one another and wherein a portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall. The at least one reinforcement flap extends from longitudinal ends of the respective opposite side walls. At least one end flap extends from long side of the reinforcement flap and the at least one end flap projects beyond an entire surface of the at least one diagonal corner wall terminating its edge at the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin W Quaintance, Michael A Churvis
  • Publication number: 20100308053
    Abstract: A bulk container for fluid materials comprises a bin having a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels, a closed bottom, and an open top. A rim around the top of the bin defines a downwardly facing shoulder. A lid covers the open top and has elongated depending skirt panels extending downwardly past the shoulder. A clamping band is tightened around the lid skirt below the shoulder to secure the lid to the bin. Notches in an outer surface of the rim receive bendable locking strips on the lid skirt to lock the lid in position on the bin, and locking tongues on a first skirt panel are engageable in respective locking slots in an adjacent second skirt panel to hold the skirt panels in their operative downwardly folded positions. A tray and liner insert may be positioned in the bin, and a fluid-containing bag may be placed in the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wisecarver, Michael A. Churvis
  • Publication number: 20100301106
    Abstract: A bulk container for storing, shipping and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid fluids comprises a bin having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. The sidewall comprises a plurality of interconnected sidewall panels extending at an angle with respect to one another. A lid is covering the open top of the bin and having a discharge opening therethrough adjacent one side edge thereof. A fluid-containing bag is supported in the bin and a discharge valve is on an upper end of the bag where the discharge valve is positioned to extend through the discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wisecarver, Michael A. Churvis
  • Patent number: 7690555
    Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Michael A Churvis, Larry A Gates, William F Moss, Pamela Jean Riggins
  • Patent number: 7624912
    Abstract: A three-piece container comprises top and bottom walls, apposite end walls, opposite side walls, and reinforced corners. First and second end pieces are configured to form first and second container end walls. The end pieces are each folded to define an inner end wall panel and an overlying outer end wall panel. First partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the outer wall panel. Second partial side wall panels are joined to the inner end wall panel by a diagonal web that forms a reinforcing corner post in each corner of the container. A wrapper is configured to be joined to the first and second end pieces and is folded to define the top wall, the bottom wall, and the opposite side walls. The wrapper overlies the partial side wall panels to define a triple wall side wall construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Peper Co.,
    Inventor: Michael A Churvis
  • Patent number: 7607564
    Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Michael Churvis, Lawrence A. Gates, William F. Moss, Pamela Jean Riggins
  • Publication number: 20090057382
    Abstract: A multi-sided container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls that is defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap is overlapping one another. A portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A. Churvis
  • Publication number: 20090057385
    Abstract: A multi-sided container comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls all are cooperating with one another to form an interior space. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap overlapping one another and wherein a portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall. The at least one reinforcement flap extends from longitudinal ends of the respective opposite side walls. At least one end flap extends from long side of the reinforcement flap and the at least one end flap projects beyond an entire surface of the at least one diagonal corner wall terminating its edge at the end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Quaintance, Michael A. Churvis
  • Publication number: 20080110964
    Abstract: A three-piece container comprises top and bottom walls, opposite end walls, opposite side walls, and reinforced corners. A first end piece is configured to form a first container end wall. The first end piece is folded to define a first inner wall panel and an overlying second outer end wall panel. First partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the first inner wall panel. Second partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the second outer wall panel. Each of the first partial side wall panel is joint to the first inner wall panel by a diagonal web that forms a reinforcing corner post in each corner of the container. A second end piece is configured to form a second container end wall. The second end piece is folded to define a second inner wall panel and an overlying third outer end wall panel. Third partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the second inner wall panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Michael A. Churvis
  • Publication number: 20080023359
    Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Churvis, Lawrence Gates, William Moss, Pamela Riggins
  • Publication number: 20060113363
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a container is provided for shipping a plurality of items, such as pre-wrapped reams of cut-sized paper, more particularly, a container for shipping items is provided, comprising: a base portion sized to receive a plurality of items therein; a lid portion sized to fit over the base portion, thereby enclosing the plurality of items therein; wherein at least a portion of either the base portion or the lid portion includes a break-away section for at least partially opening the container to permit removal of at least one of the plurality of items therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Churvis
  • Publication number: 20050040063
    Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Michael Churvis, Lawrence Gates, William Moss, Pamela Riggins
  • Patent number: 4850527
    Abstract: A hexagonal carton including four upstanding sidewall panels and two diagonally opposed corner panels. The entire carton is formed from a single blank. The corner panels include minor flaps hingedly foldably connected thereto which interact with minor flaps foldably hingedly connected to the adjoining sidewall panels to form a rigid interlocked cover panel which withstands lateral pressures exerted on the sidewall panels of the carton. Major flaps are foldably hingedly connected to two of the sidewall panels to form a cover panel to cover the interlocking minor flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Heil-Quaker Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon M. Church, Michael A. Churvis
  • Patent number: 4693413
    Abstract: A corner fold structure for a paperboard bin. Large bulk bins formed of layers of corrugated paperboard laminated together, often are manufactured with a pair of 180 degree folds, the folds permitting shipment of the bins in a collapsed condition prior to (individually) erecting them. After erection, at least one of the layers or plys of corrugated paperboard, at or adjacent the original 180 degree fold, now being a 90 degree fold, is often distorted, the fold sometimes bulging at the outer portion of the outermost ply or layer. According to this invention, an elongated zone of adhesive is provided between the outermost and the next layer of corrugated paperboard, in combination with score lines adjacent to and parallel with the line of adhesive. This line of adhesive is substantially parallel with the fold line or axis of the 180 degree fold. By such adhering together of the outermost and next layer or ply along this zone, the final 90 degree fold exhibits substantial uniformity therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William W. McFarland, Russell E. Gandy, Michael A. Churvis