Patents by Inventor Richard G. Custer
Richard G. Custer 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).
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Patent number: 6264366Abstract: Reclosable closure arrangements suitable for use with packages, such as food and non-food packages, include a zipper closure having mating closure profiles that are releasably engageable with each other, a slider device to open and close the profiles, and a tamper evident-structure. In some embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned between the zipper closure and the slider device. In other embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned over the zipper closure and the slider device. The tamper evident-structure may be a variety of constructions, such as an encapsulating layer. The tamper-evident structures may include structures such as peel seals, areas of weakness, and solid folds.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Custer
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Patent number: 5766706Abstract: A gas scavenging arrangement for a flexible polymeric package having first and second opposing films, comprises a polymeric carrier strip carrying a gas scavenging material and disposed within the package between the first and second films. The carrier strip is attached directly or via an intermediary base strip to one of the films of the package. In one embodiment, this base strip forms part of a reclosable zipper.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Randy A. Mazzocchi, Wesley W. Fietzer
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Patent number: 5660479Abstract: A package header arrangement includes a header with first and second opposing films, a tear bead and a support member. The support member is attached to the first film below the tear bead. The tear bead is disposed between the first and second films. When heat and pressure are applied to the first and second films in proximity to the tear bead, the tear bead scores the first and second films creating a breakable tear bead line. When heat and pressure are applied, the tear bead pushes aside the inner layer of the first and second films, weakening the film along the breakable tear bead line without harming the hermetic seal provided by the films. The breakable tear bead line tears easily because it does not have the tough, flexible inner layer of the films to aid in tear resistance. The breakable tear bead line also provides an even tear along a straight line. The support member provides support while tearing along the breakable tear bead line.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. May, Richard G. Custer, Catherine E. Kettner, Wendy S. Nichols
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Patent number: 5651462Abstract: A rigid reclosable package comprises a rigid tray and a flexible cover. The tray includes a bottom, side walls and a flange extending from upper portions of the sides walls and around the periphery of the tray. The flange has a tray opening edge on which a first closure profile is attached. A second closure profile is attached to the flexible cover opposite the first closure profile. The first and second opposing closure profiles are adapted to releasably engage each other. The cover is permanently attached to the flange except along the tray opening edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Simonsen, Richard G. Custer
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Patent number: 5242516Abstract: A profile strip has a closure element, made of a first material, which contains a base surface, and lateral webs or flanges extending from the base surface on each side of the closure element. An adhesive layer, made of a second material, different than the first material, is attached to the lateral webs, but not to the base surface, by co-extrusion of the adhesive layer with the lateral webs. The adhesive layer is subdivided into adhesive ribs, with each pair of the two adjacent ribs separated from each other by an adhesive-free area. Sub-dividing the adhesive layer into ribs separated by an adhesive-free area substantially eliminates the deformation of the lateral webs when they--and the adhesive ribs--are cooled after the coextrusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1992Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Catherine E. Kettner, Mladomir Tomic
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Patent number: 5216787Abstract: A profile strip has a closure element, made of a first material, which contains a base surface, and lateral webs or flanges extending from the base surface on each side of the closure element. An adhesive layer, made of a second material, different than the first material, is attached to the lateral webs, but not to the base surface, by co-extrusion of the adhesive layer with the lateral webs. The adhesive layer is subdivided into adhesive ribs, with each pair of the two adjacent ribs separated from each other by an adhesive-free area. Sub-dividing the adhesive layer into ribs separated by an adhesive-free area substantially eliminates the deformation of the lateral webs when they--and the adhesive ribs--are cooled after the coextrusion.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Catherine E. Kettner, Mladomir Tomic
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Patent number: 5215380Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying a reclosable profile element and a tear strip element to a packaging film is disclosed. Packaging film is formed into a tubular form about a forming tube. The tubular shaped packaging film is advanced along the length of the forming tube and over a product fill tube having an outer perimeter less than the outer perimeter of the forming tube. The packaging film is deformed to conform to the outer perimeter of the product fill tube. Excess packaging film, made available due to the differences in outer perimeters of the forming tube and product fill tube, is formed into a loop. A reclosable profile element is guided into the loop and adhered to the inner surface of the loop. A tear strip is also provided which may be adhered to the packaging film prior to said film into a tubular shape about said forming tube, or may be guided into the loop of said film.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1992Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Richard R. Kosiorek, Michael P. Kolosoo, Mladomir Tomic
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Patent number: 5127208Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying a reclosable profile element and a tear strip element to a packaging film is disclosed. Packaging film is formed into a tubular form about a forming tube. The tubular shaped packaging film is advanced along the length of the forming tube and over a product fill tube having an outer perimeter less than the outer perimeter of the forming tube. The packaging film is deformed to conform to the outer perimeter of the product fill tube. Excess packaging film, made available due to the differences in outer perimeters of the forming tube and product fill tube, is formed into a loop. A reclosable profile element is guided into the loop and adhered to the inner surface of the loop. A tear strip is also provided which may be adhered to the packaging film prior to said film into a tubular shape about said forming tube, or may be guided into the loop of said film.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1991Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Richard R. Kosiorek, Michael P. Kolosso, Mladomir Tomic
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Patent number: 5046300Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying a reclosable profile element to a packaging film is disclosed. Packaging film is formed into a tubular form about a forming tube. The tubular shaped packaging film is advanced along the length of the forming tube and over a product fill tube having an outer perimeter less than the outer perimeter of the forming tube. The packaging film is deformed to conform to the outer perimeter of the product fill tube. Excess packaging film, made available due to the differences in outer perimeters of the forming tube and product fill tube, is formed into a loop. A reclosable profile element is guided into the loop and adhered to the inner surface of the loop.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1990Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Custer, Richard R. Kosiorek, Michael P. Kolosso