Patents by Inventor Robert Thor Versluys

Robert Thor Versluys 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: 20220072761
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to recyclable lined molded fiber articles (e.g., bowls) that provide the necessary performance characteristics for storing frozen and refrigerated foods (acceptable oil resistance, water resistance, and water vapor barrier). The disclosed articles and methods for manufacturing such articles include bonding a thermoformable cellulose-based acetate film to a molded bagasse fiber article to form an impervious liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: ROBERT THOR VERSLUYS
  • Patent number: 10991274
    Abstract: A method of making a container having a tamper evident feature. The method comprises affixing a tamper evident tag to a bottom end so that the tag covers perforations in the bottom end. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and activates the color shifting ink layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Patent number: 10689172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Howard Coker, Robert Thor Versluys, Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 10494160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Howard Coker, Robert Thor Versluys, Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 10486870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Howard Coker, Robert Thor Versluys, I, Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20190287430
    Abstract: A method of making a container having a tamper evident feature. The method comprises affixing a tamper evident tag to a bottom end so that the tag covers perforations in the bottom end. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and activates the color shifting ink layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Patent number: 10360822
    Abstract: A tamper evident tag is provided having a sealant layer, and ink layer and an oxygen barrier layer. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer located in the sealant layer and a bar code in the ink layer. The tag may be placed over one or more perforations in the bottom end covering of a container. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and into the sealant layer. When air reaches the color shifting ink layer, it changes to a color the same as or similar to the bar code, rendering the bar code illegible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Publication number: 20180251277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: HOWARD COKER, ROBERT THOR VERSLUYS, SCOTT WILLIAM HUFFER
  • Publication number: 20170061834
    Abstract: A tamper evident tag is provided having a sealant layer, and ink layer and an oxygen barrier layer. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer located in the sealant layer and a bar code in the ink layer. The tag may be placed over one or more perforations in the bottom end covering of a container. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and into the sealant layer. When air reaches the color shifting ink layer, it changes to a color the same as or similar to the bar code, rendering the bar code illegible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Publication number: 20160031619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Howard Coker, Robert Thor Versluys, I, Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20150158643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Howard Coker, Robert Thor Versluys, Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 8038023
    Abstract: A molded plastic container includes a side wall having a valve seat feature molded into the side wall, the valve seat feature comprising a central recess in the outer surface of the side wall, and an annular valve seat surrounding the central recess. The container has one or more holes extending through a portion of the side wall bounded by the annular valve seat into the interior of the container for venting gas from the container. A label is affixed against the outer surface of the side wall and is under tension, the tension of the label causing the label to firmly abut the annular valve seat. Excess pressure of gas inside the container is able to momentarily lift the label away from the annular valve seat to establish a flow path between the label and the annular valve seat such that gas under pressure is vented from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Grey Moore, Robert Thor Versluys
  • Publication number: 20100288764
    Abstract: A packaging membrane comprising a laminate of at least first and second layers, having a removable portion formed by substantially coincident first and second score lines, the first score line being formed in the first layer but not breaching the second layer, and the second score line being formed in the second layer but not breaching the first layer. Optionally, a third layer is disposed between the first and second layers, and the third layer is not breached by either score line. In the removable portion, an adhesive-free region is provided within which the first layer is not adhered to the underlying layer(s). An integral tab is defined in the first layer within the adhesive-free region, the tab being formed by a cut line in the first layer. The tab is located entirely inside the first and second score lines and does not project beyond any edge of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas Neil Frost, Paul Edward Miller, Catherine Anne Stanley, James Stevens, Robert Thor Versluys, I, Kurt Allen Ziegenfelder
  • Publication number: 20090289073
    Abstract: A molded plastic container includes a side wall having a valve seat feature molded into the side wall, the valve seat feature comprising a central recess in the outer surface of the side wall, and an annular valve seat surrounding the central recess. The container has one or more holes extending through a portion of the side wall bounded by the annular valve seat into the interior of the container for venting gas from the container. A label is affixed against the outer surface of the side wall and is under tension, the tension of the label causing the label to firmly abut the annular valve seat. Excess pressure of gas inside the container is able to momentarily lift the label away from the annular valve seat to establish a flow path between the label and the annular valve seat such that gas under pressure is vented from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Grey Moore, Robert Thor Versluys
  • Patent number: 6921203
    Abstract: A free-standing flexible pouch is disclosed which includes a front panel, a rear panel and a bottom panel. The panels are attached to one another so as to form three or more projections. The projections each include an internal volume for containing a portion of a product in the pouch. The projections provide the pouch with a stable support for maintaining the pouch in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys
  • Publication number: 20040202750
    Abstract: An improved chub package is provided which includes a tubular casing formed from a flat flexible film. The ends of the casing are heat sealed into a flattened fin seal. An arcuate slot is formed in at least one heat sealed end which assists in opening the package by providing a mechanism for tearing open the package, while also providing a convenient handle for carrying or hanging the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys
  • Publication number: 20040118904
    Abstract: A container for protectively encapsulating a product, such as a perishable food product, during shipment and display. The container includes a tubular body constructed of a composite sheet material and defining a receptacle for receiving the food product. An outer surface of the body defines an edge surrounding an entrance of the receptacle. An end closure abuts the edge of the tubular body so as to extend over the entrance. Extending over the end closure and the outer surface of the body is a film sleeve that serves to secure the end closure to the body. An adhesive can be used to seal the film sleeve to the end closure and body so as to hermetically seal a juncture between the end closure and the body. A score line on the film sleeve facilitates opening of the container while extending only partially through the film sleeve to preserve its barrier properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys
  • Patent number: 6752264
    Abstract: A pouch includes multiple chambers for separate containment of liquid components or liquid and dry components. A fitment having a bore is secured at an end of the pouch. The fitment also includes passages extending from a lower portion of the bore to the chambers to provide for fluid transfer therebetween. A closure includes a cap threadedly engaging an upper portion of the bore and a plug received by a lower portion of the bore to close the passages and prevent fluid transfer between the chambers. The plug including a breakable stem for separation between the plug and the cap. Engagement between the cap and the bore without the plug providing for mixture components within the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys
  • Publication number: 20040091182
    Abstract: A free-standing flexible pouch is disclosed which includes a front panel, a rear panel and a bottom panel. The panels are attached to one another so as to form three or more projections. The projections each include an internal volume for containing a portion of a product in the pouch. The projections provide the pouch with a stable support for maintaining the pouch in an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys
  • Publication number: 20040004010
    Abstract: A pouch includes multiple chambers for separate containment of liquid components or liquid and dry components. A fitment having a bore is secured at an end of the pouch. The fitment also includes passages extending from a lower portion of the bore to the chambers to provide for fluid transfer therebetween. A closure includes a cap threadedly engaging an upper portion of the bore and a plug received by a lower portion of the bore to close the passages and prevent fluid transfer between the chambers. The plug including a breakable stem for separation between the plug and the cap. Engagement between the cap and the bore without the plug providing for mixture components within the pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Thor Versluys