Patents by Inventor Michel Auclair

Michel Auclair 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: 9211986
    Abstract: A carton for containing one or more articles, the carton comprising a series of walls for retaining said one or more articles within 5 the carton, wherein a presentation and retention means is incorporated within one of said walls. The presentation and retention means comprises a displaceable tab (62, 68) connected to the wall (24) in which the presentation and retention means is incorporated such that once displaced to create a window for displaying an article the displaceable tab is biased to return to its original position and 10 thereby retains the displayed article within the carton. Optionally, the biasing is achieved by virtue of the connection of the displaceable tab being about a non-linear hinge line. Additionally, or alternatively, this biasing is achieved by the displaceable tab being connected a hinge line (60b, 60) co-extensive with the extent of the displaceable tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 8496162
    Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging articles comprises top (14) and bottom (18, 20) panels connected together by spaced side walls (12, 16) to form a tubular structure, and a set of end panels (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) at each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels comprises a pair of lower end closure panels (26a, 26b) connected to the side walls respectively. Each lower end closure panel is hingedly interconnected by gusset panel (34a, 34b) to an anchoring panel (24a, 24b) hinged to an adjacent one of the side wall panels. Each anchoring panel extends into the tubular structure and tucked between the adjacent side wall panel and an adjacent article. One of the gusset panels (34a, 34b) is hinged to the adjacent side wall panel (12, 16) by a hinge line (27a, 27b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Hettinger, Jean Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 8434672
    Abstract: A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20120091189
    Abstract: A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 8096435
    Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 7959062
    Abstract: A reinforced carton handle structure includes a carton wall panel (16) hinged along a first fold line (40) to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) hinged one to the next. Each of the carton wall panel (16) and reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) includes an aperture or recess (54, 56) for forming a handle opening. One of the reinforcing panels (26) in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel (32) of the linear series about a second fold line (87a, 87b) that is closer to the first fold line (40) than an edge of the one reinforcing panel (26) which edge is furthest from the first fold line (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20110132979
    Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging articles comprises top (14) and bottom (18, 20) panels connected together by spaced side walls (12, 16) to form a tubular structure, and a set of end panels (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) at each end of the tubular structure. Each set of end panels comprises a pair of lower end closure panels (26a, 26b) connected to the side walls respectively. Each lower end closure panel is hingedly interconnected by gusset panel (34a, 34b) to an anchoring panel (24a, 24b) hinged to an adjacent one of the side wall panels. Each anchoring panel extends into the tubular structure and tucked between the adjacent side wall panel and an adjacent article. One of the gusset panels (34a, 34b) is hinged to the adjacent side wall panel (12, 16) by a hinge line (27a, 27b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Hettinger, Jean Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20110100871
    Abstract: A carton for containing one or more articles, the carton comprising a series of walls for retaining said one or more articles within 5 the carton, wherein a presentation and retention means is incorporated within one of said walls. The presentation and retention means comprises a displaceable tab (62, 68) connected to the wall (24) in which the presentation and retention means is incorporated such that once displaced to create a window for displaying an article the displaceable tab is biased to return to its original position and 10 thereby retains the displayed article within the carton. Optionally, the biasing is achieved by virtue of the connection of the displaceable tab being about a non-linear hinge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7922070
    Abstract: A carton (130) for packaging cylindrical articles, the carton (130) including a plurality of primary panels (120, 122, 124, 125) for forming the walls of the carton (130), end flaps (118a, 118b, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, 119a, 119b) for forming end closure structures (132, 134) of the carton (130), and handle panels (160, 162) and handle end flaps (182a, 182b, 183a, 183b) for forming a handle structure (160/162). The handle structure (160/162) and a panel (125) define a pocket that can be engaged by a user's hand (H1) to carry the carton (130). The carton (130) further including features that facilitate flexing of the handle structure (160/162) including fold lines (178) and cut lines (C2, C3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7611042
    Abstract: A blank for forming a carton of the end loading type for containing a plurality of beverage cans, the capacity of the carton can be increased to accommodate the insertion of ice-cubes into the carton for cooling the beverage cans contained therein, the blank for forming the carton, including a series of main panels including at least one top panel, one of the top panels having a tear strip and thereby being separable into two parts, the blank further including end extension panels, wherein upon constructing the blank into the set up carton, separating the top panel, by deploying the tear strip, allows each end extension panel and each of the separated parts of the top panel to be raised above the tops of the beverage cans to increase the capacity of the carton to accommodate the insertion of ice cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bates, Michael Scrimger, Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20090212095
    Abstract: A reinforced carton handle structure includes a carton wall panel (16) hinged along a first fold line (40) to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) hinged one to the next. Each of the carton wall panel (16) and reinforcing panels (26, 32, 34) includes an aperture or recess (54, 56) for forming a handle opening. One of the reinforcing panels (26) in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel (32) of the linear series about a second fold line (87a, 87b) that is closer to the first fold line (40) than an edge of the one reinforcing panel (26) which edge is furthest from the first fold line (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20090173661
    Abstract: A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Publication number: 20080314770
    Abstract: A carton for packaging articles arranged in rows, includes a top panel (16/66), side panels (12/14, 18/20), a bottom panel (10/22) and an integral tear-open access feature (16/62/66) provided by the top panel and one of the side panels to gain access to the contents. The tear-open access feature is hingedly connected to the carton. When the carton is placed on the other side panel (18/20), the tear open access feature is foldable to be disposed in part in contact with the other side panel and in part spaced from the other side panel to provides a platform structure for enhancing the stability of the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20080257945
    Abstract: A panel interlocking arrangement for securing together a pair of panels (28b, 28a). The two panels may form overlapping panels of a paperboard carton. The interlocking arrangement comprises a locking tab (60) having a heel (60b) and a toe (60a). The locking tab is provided adjacent an end (40) of one (28b) of the panels and is hinged about its centre to that panel by a pair of divergent fold lines (63, 65). The interlocking arrangement further comprises one or more locking apertures (70) formed in the other (28a) of the panels. The one or more apertures are shaped in complementary fashion to the locking tab. To lock the panels together, the locking tab is inserted into the one or more apertures. The insertion of the locking tab is facilitated by both the heel and toe of the locking tab being pivotal about the divergent fold lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20080245679
    Abstract: A carton (130) for packaging cylindrical articles, the carton (130) including a plurality of primary panels (120, 122, 124, 125) for forming the walls of the carton (130), end flaps (118a, 118b, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, 119a, 119b) for forming end closure structures (132, 134) of the carton (130), and handle panels (160, 162) and handle end flaps (182a, 182b, 183a, 183b) for forming a handle structure (160/162). The handle structure (160/162) and a panel (125) define a pocket that can be engaged by a user's hand (H1) to carry the carton (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: 7427011
    Abstract: A package and two part blank for forming a package for carrying one or more articles comprising a carton having a plurality of wall panels for forming a tubular structure wherein each end of the carton is closed by a first panel hingedly connected to one of the wall panels, an intermediate panel hingedly connected to another wall panel of the carton and adapted to be placed in face contacting relationship within the inner face of the first panel. There further comprises within the carton an insert structure for supporting the one or more articles including a second panel. An aperture or recess is provided in the intermediate panel such that glue applied to an outer face of the second panel and the intermediate panel secures together said first, second and intermediate panels when placed together in face contacting relationship to close the end of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Jean-Yves Daniel
  • Patent number: 7357254
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature is adapted for restraining articles within the carton until the consumer desires to remove the endmost articles from the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A first detachable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton to define an opening for dispensing articles from an upper or lower row of articles within the carton. A second detachable portion at the end of the carton borders the first detachable portion and may also be detached from the carton to enlarge the opening in an alternative embodiment. The second detachable portion restrains articles in an upper row of articles prior to detaching the second detachable portion from the erected carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson
  • Patent number: 7328798
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing and retaining articles such as cans or bottles is opened by at least partially removing a first detachable portion and then by at least partially detaching a second detachable portion. Removal of the first detachable portion defines an opening for dispensing articles, and defines means for retaining articles in the carton after one or both of the detachable portions have been removed, such as a stopper wall. Removal of the first detachable portion provides access to the second detachable portion to facilitate subsequent and at least partial detachment thereof. The second detachable portion may be yieldable so as to variably and reversibly redefine or reconfigure the opening to enlarge the opening to facilitate removal of articles that are being dispensed, and to reduce the opening to retain articles in the carton that are not being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson, John W. Cargile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7320406
    Abstract: An insert suitable for placement within a carton. The insert comprises a support panel capable of supporting an article to be located within the carton, and a pair of leg panels extending convergently downwardly from the opposing side edges of the support panel into abutment at the lower edges of said leg panels. The invention also provides a package wherein a fragile item of merchandise is located within the fully folded insert and placed into a carton, such as a perfume bottle or cosmetic product. The underside of the base of such item of merchandise is conveniently spaced above from the base of the carton to reduce the risks of damage to or breakage of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Patent number: D668952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: MeadWestVaco Packaging Systems, LLOC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair