Patents by Inventor Philip Sheets

Philip Sheets 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: 10556372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a base assembly (100) for forming a base portion of a plastic container. The base assembly comprises a base pedestal (104), a base mold attached to the base pedestal, a push rod (102) movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base mold to reposition a portion of the plastic container, and an activation mechanism adapted to move the push rod between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Kent Goss, Paul Kelley, Scott Bysick, Philip Sheets
  • Patent number: 10501225
    Abstract: Plastic container that is to be filled with a hot product includes a threaded neck portion, a base portion including a standing surface and a moveable element, and a body portion including a dome portion, first and second label stop portions, a supplemental vacuum panel and a sidewall relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the body portion. During cooling, the hot product is contracted so as to create an induced vacuum. The supplemental vacuum panel is configured and operative to remove a first portion of an induced vacuum, and the moveable element is configured and operative to move from a first position to a second position to remove a second portion of the vacuum, wherein the first portion of the vacuum and the second portion of the vacuum constitute substantially the entire vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Publication number: 20170072616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a base assembly (100) for forming a base portion of a plastic container. The base assembly comprises a base pedestal (104), a base mold attached to the base pedestal, a push rod (102) movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base mold to reposition a portion of the plastic container, and an activation mechanism adapted to move the push rod between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Kent Goss, Paul Kelley, Scott Bysick, Philip Sheets
  • Patent number: 9511533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a base assembly (100) for forming a base portion of a plastic container. The base assembly comprises a base pedestal (104), a base mold attached to the base pedestal, a push rod (102) movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base mold to reposition a portion of the plastic container, and an activation mechanism adapted to move the push rod between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Kent Goss, Paul Kelley, Scott Bysick, Philip Sheets
  • Publication number: 20150284128
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 9090363
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 8671653
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Publication number: 20120152964
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 8011166
    Abstract: A process for efficiently conveying containers along a table-top conveying system includes the steps of temporarily securing a transfer stabilizing support (1a, 1b) to a bottom end of a formed container (14) so that the container can freely move along a production line using the table-top conveying system where the transfer stabilizing support has a bottom surface (2a, 2b) with an opening (4a, 4b), a sidewall (6a, 6b) extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a ridge area (10b) surrounding the opening and inside the sidewall of the support; and after the container has gone through operations of the production line, the transfer stabilizing support is removed so that aesthetic qualities of the formed container shape are revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Philip Sheets, Paul Kelley, John Denner
  • Publication number: 20110018177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a base assembly (100) for forming a base portion of a plastic container. The base assembly comprises a base pedestal (104), a base mold attached to the base pedestal, a push rod (102) movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base mold to reposition a portion of the plastic container, and an activation mechanism adapted to move the push rod between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Kent Goss, Paul Kelley, Scott Bysick, Philip Sheets
  • Patent number: 7735304
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 7726106
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 7631775
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises a sidewall including an upper end and a lower end, a base connected to the lower end of the sidewall, a dome connected to the upper end of the sidewall, the dome including a finish portion adapted to receive a closure, first and second primary grip panels recessed into the dome, first and second secondary grip panels recessed into the dome, and a plurality of support columns located on the dome, with a support column located between each adjacent pair of primary and secondary grip panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David B. Heisner, Jamie Degroff, Philip Sheets
  • Publication number: 20090218004
    Abstract: A process for efficiently conveying containers along a table-top conveying system includes the steps of temporarily securing a transfer stabilizing support (1a, 1b) to a bottom end of a formed container (14) so that the container can freely move along a production line using the table-top conveying system where the transfer stabilizing support has a bottom surface (2a, 2b) with an opening (4a, 4b), a sidewall (6a, 6b) extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a ridge area (10b) surrounding the opening and inside the sidewall of the support; and after the container has gone through operations of the production line, the transfer stabilizing support is removed so that aesthetic qualities of the formed container shape are revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Philip Sheets, Paul Kelley, John Denner
  • Patent number: 7574846
    Abstract: A process for efficiently conveying containers along a table-top conveying system includes the steps of temporarily securing a transfer stabilizing support (1a, 1b) to a bottom end of a formed container (14) so that the container can freely move along a production line using the table-top conveying system where the transfer stabilizing support has a bottom surface (2a, 2b) with an opening (4a, 4b), a sidewall (6a, 6b) extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a ridge area (10b) surrounding the opening and inside the sidewall of the support; and after the container has gone through operations of the production line, the transfer stabilizing support is removed so that aesthetic qualities of the formed container shape are revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Philip Sheets, Paul Kelley, John Denner
  • Publication number: 20090126323
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Publication number: 20090120530
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Publication number: 20080251529
    Abstract: A method and system for storing and releasing objects onto a production line are disclosed. The system includes an enclosed space with an opening at a side surface adjacent a top thereof, a central structure of the enclosed space, a helical support disposed about the central structure providing layers of storage to store objects to be released onto a production line, and pusher means for moving stored objects around the central structure from the bottom of the enclosed space by pushing a number of stored objects to the top of the enclosed space and out the opening. The objects may be transfer stabilizing supports that are attached to odd-shaped objects for case of conveyance, containers, or containers attached to transfer stabilizing supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Philip Sheets, Paul Kelley
  • Publication number: 20070210028
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises a sidewall including an upper end and a lower end, a base connected to the lower end of the sidewall, a dome connected to the upper end of the sidewall, the dome including a finish portion adapted to receive a closure, first and second primary grip panels recessed into the dome, first and second secondary grip panels recessed into the dome, and a plurality of support columns located on the dome, with a support column located between each adjacent pair of primary and secondary grip panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LP
    Inventors: David Heisner, Jamie Degroff, Philip Sheets
  • Publication number: 20070181403
    Abstract: A process for efficiently conveying containers along a table-top conveying system includes the steps of temporarily securing a transfer stabilizing support (1a, 1b) to a bottom end of a formed container (14) so that the container can freely move along a production line using the table-top conveying system where the transfer stabilizing support has a bottom surface (2a, 2b) with an opening (4a, 4b), a sidewall (6a, 6b) extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a ridge area (10b) surrounding the opening and inside the sidewall of the support; and after the container has gone through operations of the production line, the transfer stabilizing support is removed so that aesthetic qualities of the formed container shape are revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, LP.
    Inventors: Philip Sheets, Paul Kelley, John Denner