Patents by Inventor Patrick H. Wnek

Patrick H. Wnek 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: 11554569
    Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Publication number: 20190091957
    Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 10173386
    Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 10077134
    Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James B. Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
  • Patent number: 10022932
    Abstract: A container formed from a blank, a forming, tool and a method of forming a container are disclosed. The container includes features that are formed by a plurality of score lines in a marginal portion of the blank. The container has a bottom wall, a side wall, and a flange extending from the side wall. The flange has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 9808117
    Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx
  • Patent number: 9757886
    Abstract: A method for forming a container having an injection-molded feature. The method includes obtaining a blank, forming the blank into a three-dimensional article having at least one sidewall, and forming the injection-molded feature extending around the perimeter of the article. The injection-molded feature comprises an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is in contact with an interior surface of the at least one sidewall and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion outwardly from the at least one sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Middleton, Mark R. Sinclair, Brian R. O'Hagan, Patrick H. Wnek, Terrence P. Lafferty, Peter W. Blaas, Kevin J. Hjort, Patrick J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9725210
    Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
  • Patent number: 9694553
    Abstract: A tool having a blank positioning system and method for forming a container. The tool has a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly that cooperate to shape the container from a blank. The blank positioning system positions the blank between the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly prior to forming the blank into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 9555568
    Abstract: A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Middleton, Mark Sinclair, Brian R. O'Hagan, Patrick H. Wnek, Terrence P. Lafferty, Peter W. Blaas, Kevin J. Hjort, Patrick J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9457509
    Abstract: A tool for forming a container from a blank. The container can include a flange. The tool has a first tool assembly, and a second tool assembly. At least one of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly can be moveable between an open position, wherein the blank is received between the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly, and a closed position wherein the blank is formed into the container. At least one of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly has flange forming features for forming the flange of the container whereby a first portion of the flange is folded with respect to a second portion of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 9371150
    Abstract: A container for holding an article. The container comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side wall cooperate to at least partially define a cavity of the container with the lamination layer at least partially comprising an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity. A plurality of score lines extend in the container for at least partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 9315292
    Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
  • Publication number: 20150375468
    Abstract: A container formed from a blank, a forming, tool and a method of forming a container are disclosed. The container includes features that are formed by a plurality of score lines in a marginal portion of the blank. The container has a bottom wall, a side wall, and a flange extending from the side wall. The flange has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Publication number: 20150225120
    Abstract: Various embodiments of flanged containers that can be stacked in a nested relationship are disclosed so as to provide uniform spacing between the containers to facilitate reliable denesting thereof. The flanges and/or sidewalls of the containers may be provided with features that facilitate alignment and uniform spacing of the nested containers so that a denesting apparatus can reliably denest the containers. Other containers include sidewalls divided into two sections that serve to stabilize stacked container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx, James Kluz, Brian R. O'Hagan, Scott W. Middleton
  • Publication number: 20150053672
    Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Ronald P. Marx
  • Publication number: 20140374953
    Abstract: A method for forming a container having an injection-molded feature. The method includes obtaining a blank, forming the blank into a three-dimensional article having at least one sidewall, and forming the injection-molded feature extending around the perimeter of the article. The injection-molded feature comprises an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is in contact with an interior surface of the at least one sidewall and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion outwardly from the at least one sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Scott W. Middleton, Mark R. Sinclair, Brian R. O'Hagan, Patrick H. Wnek, Terrence P. Lafferty, Peter W. Blaas, Kevin J. Hjort, Patrick J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8901469
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven comprises a tray including an interior space defined by a base and an upstanding peripheral wall, and a cover pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position and a closed position. The tray and/or cover includes a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior space. A microwave energy interactive material overlies the protrusions on the tray and/or cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Schneider, Terrence P. Lafferty, Philip E. Netzer, Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 8866054
    Abstract: A microwave energy interactive heating sheet includes at least two layers of microwave energy interactive insulating material joined to one another, where each layer includes microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the support layer in a predetermined pattern, so that a plurality of expandable cells are defined between the support layer and the second polymer film layer. The expandable cells are operative for inflating upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wnek, Lorin R Cole, Scott W. Middleton, Richard G. Robison
  • Patent number: 8828510
    Abstract: A package with self-forming insulating walls includes a tray for supporting a food item, a flap joined to the tray along a fold line, and an insulating microwave material overlying at least a portion of the tray and at least a portion of the flap. The insulating microwave material may be joined to the flap. The insulating microwave material may include a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby defining a plurality of expandable cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorin R. Cole, Timothy H. Bohrer, Scott W. Middleton, Richard G. Robison, Terrence P. Lafferty, Brian R. O'Hagan, Patrick H. Wnek