Patents by Inventor Robert L. Sutherland

Robert L. Sutherland 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: 7367453
    Abstract: The carton is provided for carrying cylindrical containers, such as cans in three or more layers and having open ends at the top and bottom of each end of the carton. A dispenser flap is formed by zigzag tear lines in the exiting end of the carton. The carton is constructed so that the ends of a can adjacent the exiting end of the carton are exposed and can be grasped by a person pulling the can forward or up and commencing the tear line forming the flap. Preferable this tear line is of a zigzag configuration, or step format with interruptions in the riser. Cut tear lines in the step permit the controlled tearing of the tear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7331507
    Abstract: A carton with a new type of dispenser that is placed midway between the ends of the carton adjacent a fold line between the top panel and adjoining side panel. The dispenser is designed so that it is slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom ends of from two to three containers. Said dispenser may have a push tab or starting flap to aid in commencing tearing the dispenser flap open. A coupon may be located on the inside or outside of the dispenser flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Glen R. Harrelson
  • Publication number: 20070241017
    Abstract: Carrier packages are constructed to tightly secure articles within the packages. The carrier packages include end webs that partially close the ends of the packages and retain articles within the carrier package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 7270259
    Abstract: An enclosed carton for carrying a number of containers, such as cans, which is easily convertible into a tray with a lid, from which the cans can be easily removed. The tray is formed by a zipper with two tear lines that are formed in the adjoining bottom flaps of the carton. The carton may have a carrying handle for carrying the carton loaded with containers. This carton is especially designed to be easily convertible into a tray for holding cans between two closely spaced shelves in a refrigerator. Provision is made for the easy removal of the lid. Another embodiment of this invention discloses an enclosed carton with diamond shaped corners so that the carton can be tightly packed and which is also convertible into a tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20070181658
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. End flaps are respectively foldably attached to panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser has a tear line and at least one dispenser section foldably attached to the carton for at least partially defining an opening in the carton for accessing the containers. A gusset connects the end flaps, wherein the gusset can be unfolded to allow relative movement between the end flaps and to allow the dispenser section to pivot outwardly to enlarge the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20070163908
    Abstract: Packages are formed for holding containers that extend through a bottom panel of the package. Braces are provided for at least partially securing the containers in the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7240789
    Abstract: A carton for carrying containers, such as cans, or other articles in two layers which has an interlocking separator pad between the two layers is provided. This separator pad has two tabs on each end which extend through slots provided on the side end flaps on each end of the carton to hold the separator pad in proper position between two layers of articles or containers. The pad has a leading flap that is folded up or down on one end of the carton between the articles or containers and the side end flaps to assist in holding the separator pad in proper position during the removal of containers from the carton through a dispenser opening formed in the carton. Preferably, the separator pad has a leading flap on both ends to assist in holding the separator pad in proper position. This carton may be provided with a dispenser in the side panel near the end on which the carton is rested to dispense cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7195118
    Abstract: A carton with bevel corners for carrying cans, or other articles, which has an interlocking separator pad so the cans or articles can be contained in two layers is provided. The carton has two ends, each of which is closed by two side end closures and top and bottom end flaps. Each side end closure has an aperture that is interlocked with the end portion of an interlocking separator pad. In one embodiment of this invention, the interlocking separator pad has two tabs with the aperture in each side end closure being a slot through which a tab is extended. This pad may have a foldably attached leading flap that is lodged between cans or articles contained in the carton and the side end closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7175020
    Abstract: A new type of secondary locking system for article carriers consisting of at least one secondary male lock with two shoulders that is attached by a neck to the edge of a outer flap on the carrier for use with a primary locking system. An inner flap has a secondary female opening for each secondary male lock. The secondary female opening is formed by a secondary cut line and fold line with the center of the fold line projecting towards the edge of the flap while of the center of the secondary cut line projects away from the edge of the flap to guide the secondary male lock into a flat position against the inside of the inner flap. The shoulders on the secondary male lock are engaged against locking ledges along the extensions of the secondary cut line. A pair of slits may be formed at the end of the fold lines that project inwardly to allow the secondary male lock to slide into a flat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Kevin T. May
  • Patent number: 7159759
    Abstract: A fully enclosed pack is provided with a gusset that is capable of being formed from a blank without the use of tucker fingers. Nicks are provided between the side end panel and tuck-in panels of the carton. As the side end panels are folded, the nicks help pull the tuck-in panels inwardly to allow the gusset of the carton to take form without the use of tucker fingers in a folding/gluing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7105652
    Abstract: A novel human progestin-regulated gene designated EDD (E3 isolated by Differential Display) is disclosed which encodes a product exhibiting significant amino acid sequence identity with the HYD protein (hyperplastic discs) from Drosophila melanogaster and the 100 kDa HECT (homologous to E6-AP carboxyl terminus) domain protein from rat. The EDD gene appears to represent a tumour suppressor gene and the detection of a polymorphism or alteration in the gene from a subject may be useful for the diagnosis or determination of a predisposition to hyperproliferative disease such as a cancer. An assay for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Garvan Institute of Medical Research
    Inventors: Michelle J. Callaghan, Robert L. Sutherland, Colin K. Watts
  • Patent number: 7093713
    Abstract: A carton is provided for carrying articles or containers in two layers with three rows of containers in each layer. The carton can have a dispenser flap in one side panel which can be opened for dispensing containers when the carton is placed on the end adjacent to the dispenser opening. The two layers of containers are kept separate during the dispensing by an interlocking separator pad that is interlocked to the side end flaps on one end of the carton by punch locks going through the primary female openings of the leading flap attached to the separator pad. A secondary locking system is provided by a swing lock in each side end flap on the interlocking end of the carton which has a secondary male lock attached to it that is inserted into a secondary female opening in the separator pad. Each secondary male lock may have a locking slot that engages a locking edge of the secondary female opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7025197
    Abstract: A wrap around carrier for carrying bottle with a petaloid base having heel assemblies that have hinge doors with a vertical cut line in the bottom of each hinge with a horizontal cut line at the top of each cut line that extends inwardly towards the heel aperture formed by the door. This carton has a second cut line that is either at the bottom of the vertical cut line in each hinge or near the center of the door. None of these cut lines extend into the heel aperture. This combination of cut lines facilitates the control tearing of the cut line at the top of the vertical cut line into the heel aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7011209
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for carrying bottles, which extend through apertures in the upper sidewall with the apertures being spanned by bridges. The bridges between the rows of apertures may be locked or glued. This carrier may have a handle that extends above the tops of the bottles but which can be folded down between the tops of the bottles so that the carrier can be stacked one (1) on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Jim Fogle
  • Patent number: 6997316
    Abstract: The carton is provided for carrying cylindrical containers, such as cans in three or more layers and having open ends at the top and bottom of each end of the carton. A dispenser flap is formed by zigzag tear lines in the exiting end of the carton. The carton is constructed so that the ends of a can adjacent the exiting end of the carton are exposed and can be grasped by a person pulling the can forward or up and commencing the tear line forming the flap. Preferable this tear line is of a zigzag configuration, or step format with interruptions in the riser. Cut tear lines in the step permit the controlled tearing of the tear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6981631
    Abstract: A carton is provided for containing brick-shaped containers which has a dispenser in the top permitting the removal of any of the containers while maintaining the structural integrity of the carton through the provision of either a top gusset or middle gusset spanning each end of the carton. The top of the carton serves as a dispenser when the dispenser flap is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Fogle, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6877600
    Abstract: This invention relates to a primary and secondary locking system for wrap-around carriers. A secondary male lock is held in the vertical position by a female door flap leaning against the male lock. The adjacent pairs of a primary male lock and corresponding primary female opening and a secondary male lock and corresponding secondary female opening are aligned with each other along a single line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6869009
    Abstract: A carton with a new type of dispenser that is placed midway between the ends of the carton adjacent a fold line between the top panel and adjoining side panel. The dispenser is designed so that it is slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom ends of from two to three containers. The dispenser may have a push tab or starting flap to aid in commencing tearing the dispenser flap open. A coupon may be located on the inside or outside of the dispenser flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sutherland, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Glen R. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 6834793
    Abstract: An enclosed carton for carrying a number of containers, such as cans, which is easily convertible into a tray with a lid, from which the cans can be easily removed. The tray is formed by a zipper with two tear lines that are formed in the adjoining bottom flaps of the carton. The carton may have a carrying handle for carrying the carton loaded with containers. This carton is especially designed to be easily convertible into a tray for holding cans between two closely spaced shelves in a refrigerator. Provision is made for the easy removal of the lid. Another embodiment of this invention discloses an enclosed carton with diamond shaped corners so that the carton can be tightly packed and which is also convertible into a tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20040238611
    Abstract: An enclosed carton for carrying a number of containers, such as cans, which is easily convertible into a tray with a lid, from which the cans can be easily removed. The tray is formed by a zipper with two tear lines that are formed in the adjoining bottom flaps of the carton. The carton may have a carrying handle for carrying the carton loaded with containers. This carton is especially designed to be easily convertible into a tray for holding cans between two closely spaced shelves in a refrigerator. Provision is made for the easy removal of the lid. Another embodiment of this invention discloses an enclosed carton with diamond shaped corners so that the carton can be tightly packed and which is also convertible into a tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland