Patents by Inventor Scott William Huffer

Scott William Huffer 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: 20180016075
    Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventor: SCOTT WILLIAM HUFFER
  • Publication number: 20170368787
    Abstract: A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Jacob Donald Prue Branyon
  • Publication number: 20170345344
    Abstract: A flexible laminate structure for making a package and methods for constructing such flexible laminate structures are described that provide a peelable portion integral to the laminate structure. An inner ink layer may be printed on the peelable portion that includes a promotional offer, such as in the form of a barcode, where the inner ink layer is not visible to a consumer without first peeling the peelable portion off the package due to the presence of one or more blocker ink layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Jonathan Edward Trollen
  • Publication number: 20170327289
    Abstract: A package and method of making a package are provided, where the package includes a removable flap portion built into one panel and a resealable flap portion built into the opposing panel. The package is constructed such that the removable flap portion overlies the resealable flap portion, and peeling away of the removable flap portion reveals a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) of the resealable flap portion and also provides a tamper-evident feature. Once the removable flap portion is peeled away, the consumer can access the contents of the package. The resealable flap portion can be folded over the newly-cut edge of the opposing panel and applied to the outer surface of that panel so as to reclose the package and maintain the contents of the package therein for later consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 9809368
    Abstract: A resealable blister package is described that includes a receiving member and a peelable lidding member. The receiving member has a cavity that can hold items, such as consumer products, and the peelable lidding member can be attached to a peripheral portion of the receiving member to seal the items within the cavity. The peelable lidding member includes a first film layer and a second film layer that are laminated via an adhesive layer. The blister package is designed to be opened to provide access to the cavity and the items therein by peeling the peelable lidding member away from the receiving member. The peelable lidding member can be resealed to the receiving member by bringing the lidding member back into contact with exposed portions of the adhesive layer remaining on the peripheral portion of the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 9802353
    Abstract: A method of making a flexible magnetized sheet is provided. The method may comprise the steps of (1) using cold extrusion to produce a highly viscous fluid magnetizable sheet, (2) passing the sheet through a magnetic field to create an uncured magnetized sheet, and (3) curing the sheet with electron beam curing. The fluid mixture may comprise magnetizable particles with a random charge orientation and an acrylic resin. The components of the mixture are cool when passed through an extrusion die. The extruded fluid sheet allows for the sheet to be magnetized and then, instead of curing by cooling, cured by the bombardment of electrons via an electron beam (EB) generator. The method can eliminate the heat of extrusion and can allow for more freedom of orientation because the sheet does not cure until it reaches the electron beam curing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 9802744
    Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 9782946
    Abstract: A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Jacob Donald Prue Branyon
  • Publication number: 20170275068
    Abstract: A ready-made wrapper that can be used at home to wrap an article such as a snack bar and a method of making same is provided. The wrapper is a precision scored laminate comprising a flexible bottom layer adhered to a flexible top layer at least in part by a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). In one embodiment the bottom layer is scored so that one or more peripheral portions of the bottom layer can be removed and discarded, leaving a wrapper having an adhesive perimeter. After an article is placed in the center of the wrapper, the wrapper can be folded around the article to create an airtight package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20170240331
    Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20170233164
    Abstract: A cooking bag enclosing a food item to be cooked therein is disclosed. The cooking bag may include a foil pouch having a foil pouch interior surface defining a food pocket therein for receiving and storing the food item and isolating the food item from an ambient atmosphere surrounding the foil pouch. A removable printed film sheet may be affixed to a foil pouch exterior surface by a releasable adhesive. The removable printed film sheet may be separable from the foil pouch exterior surface by peeling the releasable adhesive without breaking the foil pouch and exposing the food pocket and the food item to the ambient atmosphere. The food item may then be cooked in the foil pouch on a grill, in an oven, on a stove or with another appropriate heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 9643766
    Abstract: A ready-made wrapper that can be used at home to wrap an article such as a snack bar and a method of making same is provided. The wrapper is a precision scored laminate comprising a flexible bottom layer adhered to a flexible top layer at least in part by a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). In one embodiment the bottom layer is scored so that one or more peripheral portions of the bottom layer can be removed and discarded, leaving a wrapper having an adhesive perimeter. After an article is placed in the center of the wrapper, the wrapper can be folded around the article to create an airtight package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20170029187
    Abstract: A structure is described for forming a wrapper, e.g., for print media, where the structure includes a line of weakness for facilitating a user's tearing of the wrapper to access the contents. The line of weakness may include a first line of weakness portion that extends along a fold line of an envelope fold forming one of the front or rear or right sides of the wrapped package, as well as a second line of weakness portion that extends substantially perpendicularly to the respective longitudinal fold lines and a connecting line of weakness portion that extends between the first line of weakness portion and the second line of weakness portion and is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to each. In this way, a tear initiated near the first line of weakness portion and may be propagated along the other portions to create an opening for accessing the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Brent Bosman
  • Publication number: 20170021586
    Abstract: A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Jacob Donald Prue Branyon
  • Publication number: 20160343275
    Abstract: A flexible laminate structure for making a package and methods for constructing such flexible laminate structures are described that provide a peelable portion integral to the laminate structure. An inner ink layer may be printed on the peelable portion that includes a promotional offer, such as in the form of a barcode, where the inner ink layer is not visible to a consumer without first peeling the peelable portion off the package due to the presence of one or more blocker ink layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Jonathan Edward Trollen
  • Publication number: 20160304266
    Abstract: A flexible, self-heating food container capable of withstanding high temperatures is provided. The container comprises a two-layer laminate structure having an air access flap that can be lifted by the consumer to allow air to enter the part of the container where an exothermic reaction takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20160279855
    Abstract: A method of making a flexible magnetized sheet is provided. The method may comprise the steps of (1) using cold extrusion to produce a highly viscous fluid magnetizable sheet, (2) passing the sheet through a magnetic field to create an uncured magnetized sheet, and (3) curing the sheet with electron beam curing. The fluid mixture may comprise magnetizable particles with a random charge orientation and an acrylic resin. The components of the mixture are cool when passed through an extrusion die. The extruded fluid sheet allows for the sheet to be magnetized and then, instead of curing by cooling, cured by the bombardment of electrons via an electron beam (EB) generator. The method can eliminate the heat of extrusion and can allow for more freedom of orientation because the sheet does not cure until it reaches the electron beam curing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20160229614
    Abstract: An easy opening flexible package is provided. The package is suitable for containing raw dough and other products, especially products that create pressure within the package by expansion or by giving off gas such as carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer
  • Publication number: 20160159547
    Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that reduce or prevent leakage into or out of the package. In particular, the package includes a base member and a lidding member with a reinforced perimeter portion that blocks channels that may form at the interface between the base member and the lidding member from extending to the edge of the base member, such that, e.g., liquids have no path to the package exterior. The perimeter portion may be a thicker region of a first film of the lidding member (e.g., a polyethylene emulsion), or the perimeter portion may be formed using permanent adhesive. Frangible layers and/or cut lines may be defined in the material of the base member or the lidding member to allow a controlled break to occur when the lidding member is peeled away from the base member to provide access to the package contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Scott William Huffer, Sharayla Ann Cleare
  • Publication number: 20160137375
    Abstract: A resealable blister package is described that includes a receiving member and a peelable lidding member. The receiving member has a cavity that can hold items, such as consumer products, and the peelable lidding member can be attached to a peripheral portion of the receiving member to seal the items within the cavity. The peelable lidding member includes a first film layer and a second film layer that are laminated via an adhesive layer. The blister package is designed to be opened to provide access to the cavity and the items therein by peeling the peelable lidding member away from the receiving member. The peelable lidding member can be resealed to the receiving member by bringing the lidding member back into contact with exposed portions of the adhesive layer remaining on the peripheral portion of the receiving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Scott William Huffer