Patents by Inventor Ross K. Gruetzmacher

Ross K. Gruetzmacher 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: 11897231
    Abstract: A package film is described. The package film comprises a first foil layer having a thickness of 0.5 mil or less but greater than 0 mil and a second foil layer having a thickness of 0.5 mil or less but greater than 0 mil. The package film also comprises a multilayer structure positioned between the first foil layer and the second foil layer. The multilayer structure has a thickness of from 0.75 mil to 2 mil and comprises (a) a high modulus layer having a secant modulus in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction of greater than 120,000 psi or having an elongation at break in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction of less than 150% and (b) a bulk layer comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, ionomer, or blends thereof. The package film further comprises a sealant film, and the sealant film is positioned interior the second foil layer. Various embodiments of the package film are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AMCOR FLEXIBLES NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ross K Gruetzmacher, Brent G. Martins
  • Publication number: 20220072833
    Abstract: A packaging film is described. The packaging film comprises a first layer comprising thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer comprises a thermoplastic polyether polyurethane elastomer or a thermoplastic e polyester polyurethane elastomer. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer has a shore A hardness in accordance with DtN ISO 7819-1 (3s) of equal to or greater than about 35. The first layer is an inner layer of the packaging film. The packaging film also comprises a second layer comprising a first tie material. The second layer is directly adjacent the first layer. The packaging film also comprises a third layer comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. The third layer is positioned inferior to each of the first layer and the second layer. Various embodiments of the packaging film are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Zheng Tian, Ross K. Gruetzmacher
  • Patent number: 10780683
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fracturable thermoformable packaging sheet comprising at least one thermoplastic layer having a thickness of between 10 mil and 50 mil which is composed of a polymer matrix of between 35% (wt.) to 77.5% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer of a substantially amorphous aromatic polyester. Incorporated into this polymer matrix of the at least one thermoplastic layer is an inorganic filler which is present in an amount of between 22% (wt.) to 50% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer. The inorganic filler is encased in a carrier resin which is present in an amount of between 0.5% (wt.) to 15% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Tian, Ross K. Gruetzmacher, Sam E. Wuest
  • Publication number: 20190315095
    Abstract: A package film is described. The package film comprises a first foil layer having a thickness of 0.5 mil or less but greater than 0 mil and a second foil layer having a thickness of 0.5 mil or less but greater than 0 mil. The package film also comprises a multilayer structure positioned between the first foil layer and the second foil layer. The multilayer structure has a thickness of from 0.75 mil to 2 mil and comprises (a) a high modulus layer having a secant modulus in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction of greater than 120,000 psi or having an elongation at break in each of the machine direction arid the transverse direction of less than 150% and (b) a bulk layer comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, ionomer, or blends thereof. The package film further comprises a sealant film, and the sealant film is positioned interior the second foil layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Ross K. Gruetzmacher, Brent G. Martins
  • Publication number: 20180311945
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fracturable thermoformable packaging sheet comprising at least one thermoplastic layer having a thickness of between 10 mil and 50 mil which is composed of a polymer matrix of between 35% (wt.) to 77.5% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer of a substantially amorphous aromatic polyester. Incorporated into this polymer matrix of the at least one thermoplastic layer is an inorganic filler which is present in an amount of between 22% (wt.) to 50% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer. The inorganic filler is encased in a carrier resin which is present in an amount of between 0.5% (wt.) to 15% (wt.) relative to the total weight of the thermoplastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Zheng Tian, Ross K. Gruetzmacher, Sam E. Wuest
  • Publication number: 20180222161
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rigid or semi-rigid trays having a bulk layer comprising a crystalline aromatic polyester and a capping layer which is in direct contact with the bulk layer. The capping layer comprises a copolymer having a first structural repeating unit of ethylene and a second structural repeating unit selected from the following: (i) an acrylate-based moiety: fit) at least 12% by weight relative to the total weight of the copolymer of vinyl acetate; and (iii) an anhydride or carboxylic acid. It has been discovered that the bulk layer and the capping layer of the present invention can be readily co-extruded together and have sufficient bond strength to each other despite their chemical dissimilarity. In some preferred embodiments, the capping layer acts as a heat seal layer and is formulated to heat seal to conventional polyolefin-based lidstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: JianCheng Liu, Tyler J. Theobald, James W. Clements, Ross K. Gruetzmacher, Otacilio T. Berbert, Kevin P. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20180079577
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to manually openable heat-resistant packages for containing a product that include a thermoformed tray having a product receiving area and a sealing flange endowed with sufficient heat resistance to withstand the cooking and/or pasteurization/sterilization conditions required to produce a ready-to-eat packaged meal. The tray comprises a bulk layer, and a heat sealing layer in direct contact with the bulk layer. The inventive packages also include a flexible transparent lidding film covering the thermoformed product receiving area comprising a heat sealing layer. The package includes a hermetic seal comprising a perimeter heat seal which circumvents the thermoformed tray formed by heat sealing a portion of the heat sealing layer of the lidding film to the sealing flange of the tray. Only the heat sealing layer of the tray is readily frangible and renders the heat seal manually peelable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ross K. Gruetzmacher, Sarah E. O'Hara, Jr.