Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Zelinski
Thomas W. Zelinski 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).
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Patent number: 9833088Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Publication number: 20170112304Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 9538870Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 8967941Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg, Thomas W. Zelinski, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 8894403Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Jones, Mark B. Littlejohn, Thomas W. Zelinski, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf
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Publication number: 20140076905Abstract: Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle ? with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle ? of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Gerald J. Van Handel, Thomas W. Zelinski, Michael A. Breining, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 8430660Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Thomas W. Zelinski, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf
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Patent number: 8414464Abstract: An improved apparatus for making pressware features a vacuum belt feeder which accelerates and decelerates a feed blank for controlled insertion into a forming die as well as retainers to limit bounce back of the blank off of forward stops. A pneumatic ejector on the forming ram facilitates product removal.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Grigory I. Grischenko, Paul J. England, Thomas W. Zelinski, Alois A. Schmidtner, Albert D. Johns
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Patent number: 7980450Abstract: A disposable servingware container press-formed from paperboard includes (a) a bottom panel; (b) an annular transition portion; and (c) an outer portion extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the transition portion, the container having an outer surface and an inner surface distal to the outer surface, the inner surface being adapted as a serving surface. The paperboard is infused with a wax composition on one side thereof in an amount of at least 3 lbs of wax per 3000 ft2 ream such that the paperboard is partially saturated with wax and has a wax-enriched layer proximate one side thereof and a layer undersaturated with wax proximate the other side thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Dean P. Swoboda, Thomas W. Zelinski
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Publication number: 20110150620Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg, Thomas W. Zelinski, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Publication number: 20110143900Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventor: Thomas W. Zelinski
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Patent number: 7914432Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Thomas W. Zelinski
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Publication number: 20110015051Abstract: An improved apparatus for making pressware features a vacuum belt feeder which accelerates and decelerates a feed blank for controlled insertion into a forming die as well as retainers to limit bounce back of the blank off of forward stops.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Grigory I. Grischenko, Alois A. Schmidtner, Paul J. England, Albert D. Johns, Thomas W. Zelinski
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Patent number: 7819790Abstract: An improved apparatus for making pressware features a vacuum belt feeder which accelerates and decelerates a feed blank for controlled insertion into a forming die as well as retainers to limit bounce back of the blank off of forward stops. A pneumatic ejector on the forming ram facilitates product removal.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Grigory I. Grischenko, Alois A. Schmidtner, Paul J. England, Albert D. Johns, Thomas W. Zelinski
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Publication number: 20090215599Abstract: Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Jay S. Lester, Mircea Sofronie, Thomas W. Zelinski, William R. Pucci, Richard J. Rogers, Erik J. Sjogren
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Publication number: 20090173776Abstract: A disposable servingware container press-formed from paperboard includes (a) a bottom panel; (b) an annular transition portion; and (c) an outer portion extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the transition portion, the container having an outer surface and an inner surface distal to the outer surface, the inner surface being adapted as a serving surface. The paperboard is infused with a wax composition on one side thereof in an amount of at least 3 lbs of wax per 3000 ft2 ream such that the paperboard is partially saturated with wax and has a wax-enriched layer proximate one side thereof and a layer undersaturated with wax proximate the other side thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Dean P. Swoboda, Thomas W. Zelinski
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Patent number: 7540833Abstract: Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Jay S. Lester, Mircea Sofronie, Thomas W. Zelinski, William R. Pucci, Richard J. Rogers, Erik J. Sjogren
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Publication number: 20080251574Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventor: Thomas W. Zelinski
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Patent number: 7419462Abstract: An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventor: Thomas W. Zelinski
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Patent number: 7337943Abstract: Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Jay S. Lester, Mircea Sofronie, Thomas W. Zelinski, William R. Pucci, Richard J. Rogers, Erik J. Sjogren