Patents by Inventor Paul Anthony Zerfas

Paul Anthony Zerfas 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).

  • Publication number: 20200232958
    Abstract: A packaging material for use in a package having contents including a food item, the packaging material includes a layer including an additive transformable from a first state to a second state in response to an external stimulus and a barrier layer positionable between said layer and the contents of the package. The barrier layer restricts diffusion of said additive to the contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Leonard Scarola, Stuart Mackintosh Blyth, Patrick Jules Joseph Poitevin, Jeffrey Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 9499309
    Abstract: A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener having a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product; the plurality of walls having at least two opposing flexible walls; a package mouth, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity; a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layer disposed on each of an exterior surface of the parallel walls, the LTPSA sized and oriented in positions to oppose one another at a plurality of positions when the package is reclosed to allow progressively decreased size of the interior cavity as product is removed; and wherein a bond strength of the LTPSA to the flexible film substrate is greater than an adhesion between LTPSA areas. The mouth can be formed by a peelable seal or by a defined area of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Terence Edward Isham, Paul Edward Doll
  • Publication number: 20160244211
    Abstract: A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener having a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product; the plurality of walls having at least two opposing flexible walls; a package mouth, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity; a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layer disposed on each of an exterior surface of the parallel walls, the LTPSA sized and oriented in positions to oppose one another at a plurality of positions when the package is reclosed to allow progressively decreased size of the interior cavity as product is removed; and wherein a bond strength of the LTPSA to the flexible film substrate is greater than an adhesion between LTPSA areas. The mouth can be formed by a peelable seal or by a defined area of weakness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Anthony ZERFAS, Terence Edward ISHAM, Paul Edward DOLL
  • Publication number: 20160090214
    Abstract: A polymeric base with an adhered UV-cured adhesive applied thereto including a polymeric substrate having an amount of adhesion promoter filler particles dispersed throughout at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the adhesion promoter filler particles effective to form an enhanced bond between the UV-cured adhesive and the polymeric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, John Dill Halka, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Paul Anthony Zerfas
  • Patent number: 9096780
    Abstract: A UV-curable pressure sensitive adhesive, a package having an adhesive-based reclosable fastener including the pressure sensitive adhesive, and a method of forming the package is described herein. The package includes a cavity and opposing panels configured to cover an opening to the cavity. The reclosable fastener is a UV-cured pressure sensitive adhesive comprised of one or more UV-curable acrylic oligomers, one or more tack control components, and, optionally, an elastomeric material. An adhesive component ratio defines an effective ratio made up of the weight percent of the UV-curable acrylic oligomer relative to the sum of the weight percents of the tack control component and elastomeric component, where the ratio provides a fastener with a first peel adhesion and subsequent peel adhesions effective to form the adhesive-based fastener into a reclosable fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Kerri Kim Clark, John Dill Halka, Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Jeffrey James Boyce, Michael Clingerman, Colleen Marie Henry, David Chris Masterson, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20150129594
    Abstract: Food packages comprising a tray with a cover sealed about a surrounding flange of the tray are provided, where the flange is non-planar. The flange can have a planar leading edge and a planar trailing edge that lie in planes angled relative to each other. Side edges of the flange extending between the leading and trailing edges can include non-planar segments in addition to planar segments. A recloseable feature can also be provided with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald H. Exner, Adam Lloyd, Stephen P. Wilcox, Jo-Ann Clark, Vincenzo Disavino, Leonard S. Scarola, Paul Anthony Zerfas
  • Patent number: 8875356
    Abstract: A hybrid reclosable fastener with both mechanical mating and adhesive reclosable mating elements and a method of forming the hybrid reclosable fastener is described herein. Mechanical mating elements include mating portions having cooperating coupling parts configured to provide mechanical mating along with adhesive mating elements including an adhesive material formed on the cooperating coupling parts configured to provide an adhesive mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Leonard Scarola, David Chris Masterson, Mark R. Alten, Jeffrey James Boyce, Colleen Marie Henry, Kelly J. Jenkins, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20140250641
    Abstract: A hybrid reclosable fastener with both mechanical mating and adhesive reclosable mating elements and a method of forming the hybrid reclosable fastener is described herein. Mechanical mating elements include mating portions having cooperating coupling parts configured to provide mechanical mating along with adhesive mating elements including an adhesive material formed on the cooperating coupling parts configured to provide an adhesive mating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Leonard Scarola, David Chris Masterson, Mark R. Alten, Jeffrey James Boyce, Colleen Marie Henry, Kelly J. Jenkins, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Patent number: 8763890
    Abstract: A reclosable package for a plurality of products is described herein. The reclosable package includes an adhesive-based fastener that utilizes a low tack adhesive and pivotably connected first and second compartments, each compartment configured to receive the plurality of products therein. The adhesive-based fastener includes opposing portions of resealable adhesive on interior surfaces of the first and second compartments respectively, so that the interior surfaces can be pivoted together to close the reclosable package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
    Inventors: Kerri Kim Clark, Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Paul Anthony Zerfas, Jeffrey James Boyce, Michael Clingerman, Colleen Marie Henry, David Chris Masterson, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20130091667
    Abstract: A hybrid reclosable fastener with both mechanical mating and adhesive reclosable mating elements and a method of forming the hybrid reclosable fastener is described herein. Mechanical mating elements include mating portions having cooperating coupling parts configured to provide mechanical mating along with adhesive mating elements including an adhesive material formed on the cooperating coupling parts configured to provide an adhesive mating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Leonard Scarola, David Chris Masterson, Mark R. Alten, Jeffrey James Boyce, Colleen Marie Henry, Kelly J. Jenkins, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20130026170
    Abstract: A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener having a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product; the plurality of walls having at least two opposing flexible walls; a package mouth, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity; a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layer disposed on each of an exterior surface of the parallel walls, the LTPSA sized and oriented in positions to oppose one another at a plurality of positions when the package is reclosed to allow progressively decreased size of the interior cavity as product is removed; and wherein a bond strength of the LTPSA to the flexible film substrate is greater than an adhesion between LTPSA areas. The mouth can be formed by a peelable seal or by a defined area of weakness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Anthony ZERFAS, Terence Edward Isham, Paul Edward Doll
  • Publication number: 20110210163
    Abstract: A reclosable package for a plurality of products is described herein. The reclosable package includes an adhesive-based fastener that utilizes a low tack adhesive and pivotably connected first and second compartments, each compartment configured to receive the plurality of products therein. The adhesive-based fastener includes opposing portions of resealable adhesive on interior surfaces of the first and second compartments respectively, so that the interior surfaces can be pivoted together to close the reclosable package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kerri Kim Clark, Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Paul Anthony Zerfas, Jeffrey James Boyce, Michael Clingerman, Colleen Marie Henry, David Chris Masterson, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20110211778
    Abstract: A UV-curable pressure sensitive adhesive, a package having an adhesive-based reclosable fastener including the pressure sensitive adhesive, and a method of forming the package is described herein. The package includes a cavity and opposing panels configured to cover an opening to the cavity. The reclosable fastener is a UV-cured pressure sensitive adhesive comprised of one or more UV-curable acrylic oligomers, one or more tack control components, and, optionally, an elastomeric material. An adhesive component ratio defines an effective ratio made up of the weight percent of the UV-curable acrylic oligomer relative to the sum of the weight percents of the tack control component and elastomeric component, where the ratio provides a fastener with a first peel adhesion and subsequent peel adhesions effective to form the adhesive-based fastener into a reclosable fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Kerri Kim Clark, John Dill Halka, Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Jeffrey James Boyce, Michael Clingerman, Colleen Marie Henry, David Chris Masterson, Vincent Daniel McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20110211773
    Abstract: A package configured to reclose after an initial opening and reduce head space in the package includes a plurality of walls with a pair of opposing wall segments, where each of the opposing wall segments have top and bottom edge portions, a width, a height, and facing inner surfaces. The plurality of walls are sealed to form an interior cavity to receive items therein, the cavity bounded by a bottom wall segment and an initially removably sealed upper mouth. The package further includes a low tack adhesive zone disposed across the entire width and extending from adjacent the mouth toward the bottom wall segment along at least a majority of the height of the facing inner surfaces. The adhesive zones have a greater affinity for adhesion to each other than to the items and permit the package to be repeatedly reopened and reclosed at a plurality of different heights to minimize headspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Derek J. Romeo, Lynn S. Mann, Paul Anthony Zerfas
  • Publication number: 20110143133
    Abstract: A polymeric base with an adhered UV-cured adhesive applied thereto including a polymeric substrate having an amount of adhesion promoter filler particles dispersed throughout at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the adhesion promoter filler particles effective to form an enhanced bond between the UV-cured adhesive and the polymeric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, John Dill Halka, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Paul Anthony Zerfas
  • Publication number: 20090304875
    Abstract: A reclosable flexible package is suitable for retail sale of food products and is comprised of a film material. The flexible package includes a pair of curved semi-rigid strips attached to the walls of the flexible pouch and positioned parallel to the package opening. The curved semi-rigid strips are configured and arranged to nest together and bias toward one another. Upon removal of the top portion, the curved semi-rigid strips are moveable between a closed position and an open position. Further, the curved semi-rigid strips are configured such that they automatically reclose the package when the strips are released from the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Jin Zhang Tam, Peter Matthew Foltz, Ryon Scott Lockhart, Lane Charles Taber, JR., Daniel John Little, Scott Wesley Wiltz
  • Publication number: 20090266036
    Abstract: A reclosable flexible package is suitable for retail sale of food products and is comprised of a film material. The reclosable flexible packages are suitable for mass production on high-speed form-fill-seal equipment. The flexible package includes a pair of semi-rigid strips attached to the walls of the flexible pouch and positioned parallel to the package opening. The semi-rigid strips are configured and arranged to nest together and bias toward one another. Upon opening of the package, the semi-rigid strips are moveable between a closed position and an open position. Further, the semi-rigid strips are configured such that they automatically reclose the package when the strips are released from the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brand LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Robert C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090269450
    Abstract: A reclosable flexible package is suitable for retail sale of food products and is comprised of a film material. The flexible package includes a pair of semi-rigid strips attached to the walls of the flexible pouch and positioned parallel to the package opening. The semi-rigid strips are configured and arranged to nest together and bias toward one another. Upon opening of the package, the semi-rigid strips are moveable between a closed position and an open position. Further, the semi-rigid strips are configured such that they automatically reclose the package when the strips are released from the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Zerfas, Jin Zhang Tam, Peter Matthew Foltz, Ryon Scott Lockhart, Lane Charles Taber, JR., Daniel John Little, Scott Wesley Wiltz
  • Patent number: D514952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Zerfas
  • Patent number: D516438
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Zerfas