Patents by Inventor Scott Middleton

Scott Middleton 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: 20080087664
    Abstract: A package configured to receive a food item for storage and heating therein is disclosed. The package includes an opening and a closure mechanism and comprises an insulating microwave material. A plurality of packages in a stacked relation also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Robison, Lorin Cole, Timothy Bohrer, Scott Middleton, Terrence Lafferty, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080081095
    Abstract: A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Lorin Cole, Timothy Bohrer, Scott Middleton, Richard Robinson, Terrence Lafferty, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080078759
    Abstract: The combination of insulating material with microwave interactive food packaging for enhanced cooking properties is disclosed. An insulating microwave packaging material (200) and a method of making the same are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the insulating microwave packaging material (200) is formed by bonding a microwave interactive material substrate (205) that creates sensible heat upon exposure to microwave energy to a second substrate (210) along bond lines (212) arranged in a pattern to form closed cells (214). Upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material (200) by microwave energy in a microwave oven, the closed cells (214) expand to form insulating pockets (216). One side of the insulating pocket (216) bulges and lofts above the opposite side. When a food product is situated on the insulating microwave packaging material (200), the insulating pockets (216) insulate the food product from the microwave oven environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick Wnek, Terrence Lafferty, Richard Robison, Lorin Cole, Brian O'Hagan, Scott Middleton
  • Publication number: 20080067169
    Abstract: Various packages for heating a food item therein are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Terrence Lafferty, Scott Middleton, Timothy Bohrer, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20080047958
    Abstract: A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Lorin Cole, Timothy Bohrer, Scott Middleton, Richard Robison, Terrence Lafferty, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080035634
    Abstract: A susceptor structure comprises a layer of conductive material supported on a non-conductive substrate. The conductive layer includes a resonant loop defined by a plurality of microwave energy transparent segments and, optionally, a microwave energy transparent element within the resonant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Neilson Zeng, Laurence Lai, Scott Middleton
  • Publication number: 20070267374
    Abstract: A tray (100) or container (478) which may be hermetically sealed having a flange (116), rim (124), handle (258), rib, bottom surface (500), sidewall (114), or other portion that is encapsulated by or formed from injection-molded material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Mark Sinclair, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek, Terrence Lafferty, Peter Blaas, Kevin Hjort, Patrick Smith
  • Publication number: 20070262487
    Abstract: A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Brian O'Hagan, Peter Blaas, Scott Middleton, Kevin Hjort, Bruce Barnard
  • Publication number: 20070251943
    Abstract: A microwave energy interactive heating sheet includes at least two susceptor layers and a plurality of expandable insulating cells. At least some of the expandable insulating cells inflate when exposed to microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick Wnek, Lorin Cole, Scott Middleton, Richard Robison
  • Publication number: 20070194029
    Abstract: A container or tray having various features. Also, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming the container or tray and a tool or apparatus for forming the container or tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Mark Sinclair, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek, Terrence Lafferty, Peter Blaas, Kevin Hjort, Patrick Smith
  • Publication number: 20070194012
    Abstract: A construct for heating a food item in a microwave oven is provided. The construct may include an opening feature that allows for easy opening thereof. The construct also may include a microwave energy interactive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Jeffery Majetich, Laurence Lai, Daniel Keefe, Neilson Zeng
  • Publication number: 20070145045
    Abstract: Various constructs that absorb exudates and enhance browning and crisping of a food item during heating in a microwave oven are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Terrence Lafferty, William Schulz
  • Publication number: 20070023426
    Abstract: An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Russell, Lorin Cole, Scott Middleton
  • Publication number: 20060289522
    Abstract: Various constructs are provided for heating a plurality of different food items to their respective desired serving temperatures in a microwave oven in about the same amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Lorin Cole, Patrick Wnek
  • Publication number: 20060289521
    Abstract: A microwave energy interactive web includes a reagent that is responsive to heat. The microwave energy interactive web may be used to form a package for heating a food item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Reinhard Bohme, John Files, Terrence Lafferty, Scott Middleton, Richard Robison
  • Publication number: 20060113300
    Abstract: A microwave interactive insulating material is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick Wnek, Terrence Lafferty, Richard Robison, Lorin Cole, Brian O'Hagan, Scott Middleton
  • Publication number: 20060096978
    Abstract: Various packages for heating a food item therein are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Terrence Lafferty, Scott Middleton, Timothy Bohrer, Colin Ford
  • Publication number: 20060049190
    Abstract: Various constructs that absorb exudates and optionally enhance browning and crisping of a food item during heating in a microwave oven are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Middleton, Terrence Lafferty, William Schulz, Norman Jesch, John Files, Tom Wolford
  • Publication number: 20050230384
    Abstract: A package configured to receive a food item for storage and heating therein is disclosed. The package includes an opening and a closure mechanism and comprises an insulating microwave material. A plurality of packages in a stacked relation also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Robison, Lorin Cole, Timothy Bohrer, Scott Middleton, Terrence Lafferty, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek
  • Publication number: 20050205565
    Abstract: A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Lorin Cole, Timothy Bohrer, Scott Middleton, Richard Robison, Terrence Lafferty, Brian O'Hagan, Patrick Wnek