Patents by Inventor Richard C. Darr

Richard C. Darr 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: 9505522
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: James P. Perry, Craig A. McCardell, Jeremy McBroom, David Compeau, Ashley A. Gohlke, William J. Hook, Katherine J. Jordan, Frank S. Walczak, Peter B. Clarke, J. Kevin Clay, Richard C. Darr, Jack E. Elder, Marc A. Pedmo, Charles R. Schotthoefer
  • Publication number: 20160332766
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the volume of the container is at least 500 ml; the weight of the neck portion is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange, including the threads and the tamper-evident formation, is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9403310
    Abstract: A plastic preform is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a closed bottom portion and a lower portion extending upwardly from the lower portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening; threads positioned below the dispensing opening; a tamper-evident formation positioned below the threads; and a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and lower surface. In an embodiment, the preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); the threads comprise multiple-lead threads; the weight of the neck portion from the lower surface of the support flange to a top of the dispensing opening is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.500 inches or less. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150321411
    Abstract: A plastic preform is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a closed bottom portion and a lower portion extending upwardly from the lower portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening; threads positioned below the dispensing opening; a tamper-evident formation positioned below the threads; and a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and lower surface. In an embodiment, the preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); the threads comprise multiple-lead threads; the weight of the neck portion from the lower surface of the support flange to a top of the dispensing opening is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.500 inches or less. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9139326
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the volume of the container is at least 500 ml; the weight of the neck portion is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange, including the threads and the tamper-evident formation, is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150225108
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the volume of the container is at least 500 ml; the weight of the neck portion is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange, including the threads and the tamper-evident formation, is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9033168
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the dispensing opening has an inner diameter that is at least 22 mm, and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150027975
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the dispensing opening has an inner diameter that is at least 22 mm, and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8925750
    Abstract: A plastic container is disclosed comprising a base portion for supporting the container on a surface, an upper portion, and a body portion. The upper portion includes a neck and a dispensing opening. The body portion extends between the base portion and the neck, the body portion including a shoulder portion below the neck portion and a sidewall portion between the shoulder portion and the base portion. The body portion includes at least one elongated vertical formation that substantially extends along the sidewall portion from the base portion toward the shoulder portion, the elongated vertical portion being continuous along at least 0.60 the total height of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Richard A. Lovelace, Jr., Christopher E. Kaminski, Edward V. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140374429
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: JAMES P. PERRY, CRAIG A. MCCARDELL, JEREMY MCBROOM, DAVID COMPEAU, ASHLEY A. GOHLKE, WILLIAM J. HOOK, KATHERINE J. JORDAN, FRANK S. WALCZAK, PETER B. CLARKE, J. KEVIN CLAY, RICHARD C. DARR, JACK E. ELDER, MARC A. PEDMO, CHARLES R. SCHOTTHOEFER
  • Patent number: 8857637
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the dispensing opening has an inner diameter that is at least 22 mm, and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8857645
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: James P. Perry, Craig A. McCardell, Jeremy McBroom, David Compeau, Ashley A. Gohlke, William J. Hook, Katherine J. Jordan, Frank S. Walczak, Peter B. Clarke, J. Kevin Clay, Richard C. Darr, Jack E. Elder, Marc A. Pedmo, Charles R. Schotthoefer
  • Patent number: 8596029
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a plastic container, including a thin-walled container, includes an actuator and a base unit. The actuator may include a body portion and a holding/securing member configured to hold or secure a portion of a container. The base unit includes a heating surface and may optionally include an insert. In an embodiment, the actuator may be configured to apply a force or pressure on a container to contact the base unit, the base unit may be configured to receive a base portion of the container, and the heating surface may be configured to convey energy or heat to a portion of the base portion of said container. Embodiments of a method for providing a plastic container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Pedmo, Richard C. Darr
  • Publication number: 20130283729
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a plastic container, including a thin-walled container, includes an actuator and a base unit. The actuator may include a body portion and a holding/securing member configured to hold or secure a portion of a container. The base unit includes a heating surface and may optionally include an insert. In an embodiment, the actuator may be configured to apply a force or pressure on a container to contact the base unit, the base unit may be configured to receive a base portion of the container, and the heating surface may be configured to convey energy or heat to a portion of the base portion of said container. Embodiments of a method for providing a plastic container are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Jean-Tristan Outreman, Marc Pedmo, Richard C. Darr
  • Publication number: 20130256308
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: James P. Perry, Craig A. McCardell, Jeremy McBroom, David Compeau, Ashley A. Gohlke, William J. Hook, Katherine J. Jordan, Frank S. Walczak, Peter B. Clarke, J. Kevin Clay, Richard C. Darr, Jack E. Elder, Marc A. Pedmo, Charles R. Schotthoefer
  • Publication number: 20130228546
    Abstract: A plastic container is disclosed comprising a base portion for supporting the container on a surface, an upper portion, and a body portion. The upper portion includes a neck and a dispensing opening. The body portion extends between the base portion and the neck, the body portion including a shoulder portion below the neck portion and a sidewall portion between the shoulder portion and the base portion. The body portion includes at least one elongated vertical formation that substantially extends along the sidewall portion from the base portion toward the shoulder portion, the elongated vertical portion being continuous along at least 0.60 the total height of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Richard A. Lovelace, Christopher E. Kaminski, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: D748482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: D749954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: D758199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Ravi D. Mody, Christopher E. Kaminski, Richard C. Darr, Marc A. Pedmo
  • Patent number: D763092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Darr