Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

Dixie Consumer Products LLC

Gpcp IP Holdings LLC

Patrick James Smith

Scott William Middleton

Patrick Henry Wnek

Terrence Philip Lafferty

Brian Robert O'Hagan

Peter Walrave Blaas

Kevin James Hjort

Mark Richard Sinclair

Brian Robert O'hagan

David G Honan

Michael R Kilgore

Andy Lee Kirkpatrick

Timothy D Jadin

Vito Lore

Thomas J Sorensen

Christopher M Reinsel

Kenneth A Adams

Terrence Phillip Lafferty

A configuration of disposable cutlery comprises a plurality of disposable cutlery pieces suitable for loading in a disposable cutlery dispenser, wherein the plurality is not constrained by a cartridge when loaded into the cutlery dispenser, wherein the plurality is in a substantially unfanned orientation after loading of the plurality into a cutlery dispenser, and wherein each piece comprises a solid handle.

Dispenser for disposable cutlery and components therefor

A method for forming a container having an injection-molded feature. The method includes obtaining a blank, forming the blank into a three-dimensional article having at least one sidewall, and forming the injection-molded feature extending around the perimeter of the article. The injection-molded feature comprises an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is in contact with an interior surface of the at least one sidewall and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

Container having a rim or other feature encapsulated by or formed from injection-molded material

A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.

A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.

Cutlery dispenser and method of dispensing cutlery

A method of forming a container from a construct. The method includes obtaining a tool having a cavity, a core, and an articulated section for being moveable within the cavity relative to the cavity and the core. The method further includes placing a construct between the cavity and the core, moving the core relative to the cavity so that the articulated section at least partially initially grips a portion of the construct, and further moving the core into the cavity. The portion of the construct remains gripped by the articulated section in the cavity during the further moving of the core.

Method of forming container with a tool having an articulated section

A tool for forming a container from a construct. The container comprises a bottom wall and at least one sidewall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall to form an interior space of the container. The tool comprises a cavity having at least one peripheral wall for at least partially forming the sidewall of the container. The tool comprises a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move within the cavity to position the at least one sidewall of the container relative to the bottom wall to form the interior space. The tool comprises at least one articulated section movably received in the cavity. The at least one articulated section being for gripping at least a portion of the at least one sidewall of the construct, when the core is moved relative to the cavity to form the interior space of the container.

Tool for forming a container

A container or tray having various features. The container or tray comprises at least one sidewall having a top edge, the top edge of the at least one sidewall corresponding to a top surface of the tray and a bottom surface adjacent to the sidewall. A flange extends laterally outward from the top edge and is foldably connected to the sidewall at the top edge. The flange comprises at least a portion of the top surface of the tray. An injection-molded feature at least partially encapsulates the flange. The injection-molded feature comprising resin and has a first region in contact with the sidewall and at least a portion of the flange, and a second region adjacent the first region and extending laterally outward from the first region to a free edge of the injection-molded feature. The first region has a greater cross-sectional area than the second region.

A tool for creating a container or tray having various features. The tool comprises a cavity operable to receive a blank. The cavity has at least one sidewall for forming at least one sidewall of the container. A core is operatively connected to the cavity. The core is operable to enter the cavity to least partially form the blank into the container. An injection cavity is for receiving liquid resin and directing liquid resin around at least a portion of the perimeter of the blank. The injection cavity comprises an advanced-flow section and a delayed-flow section. The advanced-flow section has a greater cross-sectional area than the delayed-flow section, and the advanced-flow section is located adjacent the at least one sidewall of the cavity.

A container or tray having various features. Also, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming the container or tray and a tool or apparatus for forming the container or tray.

The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to pluralities of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking, such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.

The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to banded packets of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking, such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.

A cutlery utensil dispenser has a dispensing tray with a floor and a region housing a cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil has first and second portions and is moved by an engagement portion of an actuator from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the first orientation, the cutlery utensil rests on the floor in the region and is within the cutlery utensil dispenser, inaccessible to a user. In the second orientation, the second portion of the cutlery utensil projects from the cutlery utensil dispenser and is accessible to the user. A wall of the region has a fulcrum end dimensioned to engage the cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil rotates about the fulcrum end responsive to the engagement portion toward an exit of the dispenser.

Cutlery utensil dispensing apparatus and method

A tray () or container () which may be hermetically sealed having a flange (), rim (), handle (), rib, bottom surface (), sidewall (), or other portion that is encapsulated by or formed from injection-molded material.

Growing community of inventors

Iola, WI, United States of America

Patrick James Smith