Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Carney

Thomas C. Carney 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).

  • Press-to-open zippers for reclosable packages
    Patent number: 7636989
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a press-to-open zipper for reclosable packages are disclosed. In a first embodiment, extensions are formed obliquely on the consumer side the zipper profiles and are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a second embodiment, arched portions are formed on the product side of the zipper profile. These arched portions are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a third embodiment, one of the zipper profiles includes a rounded portion with a semi-circular cross section upon which interlocking elements are formed. By squeezing together the zipper profiles by the edges thereof, the profiles rotate with respect to each other about the rounded portion so as to release the interlocking of the interlocking elements and open the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Paul Plourde, Kevin P. Olechowski, Wendell T. Meeks, Thomas C. Carney
  • Press-to-open zippers for reclosable packages
    Publication number: 20070289108
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a press-to-open zipper for reclosable packages are disclosed. In a first embodiment, extensions are formed obliquely on the consumer side the zipper profiles and are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a second embodiment, arched portions are formed on the product side of the zipper profile. These arched portions are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a third embodiment, one of the zipper profiles includes a rounded portion with a semi-circular cross section upon which interlocking elements are formed. By squeezing together the zipper profiles by the edges thereof, the profiles rotate with respect to each other about the rounded portion so as to release the interlocking of the interlocking elements and open the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Paul Plourde, Kevin P. Olechowski, Wendell T. Meeks, Thomas C. Carney