Patents by Inventor Steven K. Makela

Steven K. Makela 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).

  • Paper wrapped foam cup and method of assembly
    Patent number: 9527620
    Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Roger E. Payne, Steven C. Hills, Steven K. Makela, Brent M. Smith
  • Apparatus for assembling a wrapper to a cup
    Patent number: 7856793
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling a wrapper to a foam cup to form a wrapped foam cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Roger E. Payne, Steven C. Hills, Steven K. Makela, Brent M. Smith
  • Apparatus for Assembling a Wrapper to a Cup
    Publication number: 20090229221
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling a wrapper to a foam cup to form a wrapped foam cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Roger E. Payne, Steven C. Hills, Steven K. Makela, Brent M. Smith
  • Paper wrapped foam cup and method of assembly
    Patent number: 7549273
    Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Roger E. Payne, Steven C. Hills, Steven K. Makela, Brent M. Smith