Patents by Inventor Todd N. Butler

Todd N. Butler 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).

  • Patent number: 9033145
    Abstract: Protective mailer capable of being processed by postal processing equipment without causing damage to the article held by the mailer. The pocket holding the article inside the mailer is offset relative to one edge, when folded, by a distance sufficient to prevent damage when the mailer is oriented and processed. The mailer may include a resizing flap that, when unfolded and deployed, changes the dimensions of the mailer so that the mailer is processed by the postal processing equipment as a non-letter or flat mailpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Butler Leasing Corporation
    Inventors: Todd N. Butler, Bryan W. Horn
  • Publication number: 20100140338
    Abstract: Mailers for securing and protecting stress-sensitive or frangible articles for safe processing by automated postal processing equipment. The mailer may include a first panel adhesively bonded with a second panel to define a pocket between the first and second panels. The pocket is configured to receive an article. The second panel has a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge by a height of the second panel or a length of the second panel. The mailer further includes a flap with a first section attached along a fold line to the first edge of the second panel, a second section, and a line of weakening between the first and second sections. The first section is configured to fold along the line of weakening relative to the second section. The first and second sections are configured to fold along the fold line relative to the second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BUTLER LEASING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd N. Butler
  • Patent number: 7669389
    Abstract: Postal mailing assembly capable of being processed by postal processing equipment without causing damage to the article held by the mailer. The mailing assembly includes a pocket holding the article inside the mailer is offset relative to one edge of the assembly by a distance sufficient to prevent damage when the mailer is oriented and processed by postal equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Butler Leasing Corporation
    Inventor: Todd N Butler
  • Publication number: 20080000951
    Abstract: Mailpieces configured to mitigate flexure of frangible articles during handling by postal processing equipment. The mailpieces include spacers that intervene between the stress-sensitive article held by the mailer and a convex surface of a roller, drum, spindle, or other mechanical device used in the postal processing equipment for transporting the mailpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: BUTLER BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Todd N. Butler
  • Publication number: 20040256446
    Abstract: Protective mailer capable of being processed by postal processing equipment without causing damage to the article held by the mailer. The pocket holding the article inside the mailer is offset relative to one edge, when folded, by a distance sufficient to prevent damage when the mailer is oriented and processed. The mailer may include a resizing flap that, when unfolded and deployed, changes the dimensions of the mailer so that the mailer is processed by the postal processing equipment as a non-letter or flat mailpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Butler Business Services
    Inventors: Todd N. Butler, Bryan W. Horn
  • Patent number: 6491160
    Abstract: A tri-fold protective mailer for a stress-sensitive article. The protective mailer comprises a three-section, substantially-rectangular panel having a pocket on one outermost section for securing the stress-sensitive article. When the mailer is folded, the article is captured between the overlapping sections of the panel such that the stress-sensitive article is inaccessible from the exterior of the mailer. The pocket is positioned and configured such that the mailer can be handled by automated handling equipment without a significant risk of damage to the stress-sensitive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Butler Business Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd N. Butler, Bryan W. Horn
  • Publication number: 20020117410
    Abstract: A tri-fold protective mailer for a stress-sensitive article. The protective mailer comprises a three-section, substantially-rectangular panel having a pocket on one outermost section for securing the stress-sensitive article. When the mailer is folded, the article is captured between the overlapping sections of the panel such that the stress-sensitive article is inaccessible from the exterior of the mailer. The pocket is positioned and configured such that the mailer can be handled by automated handling equipment without a significant risk of damage to the stress-sensitive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Butler Business Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd N. Butler, Bryan W. Horn
  • Patent number: D686996
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Seff, Todd N. Butler, Jonathan K. Hamilton, Matthew M. Valencic, Christopher L. Dolan