| Sonoco Development, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
| 20120061282 | Blister Package - A blister package is provided for retaining individual product units. The blister package is formed by a receptacle substrate and an outer laminate. The receptacle substrate includes a sealing flange and one or more receptacle hollows for retaining product therein. The outer laminate includes a first layer covering a sealing layer, with the sealing layer bonded to the receptacle flange and covering the product within the hollows. A repeating score line pattern is formed in the outer laminate for promoting a tear in the laminate upon forcing the product from the receptacle hollow against the outer laminate. The score pattern extends substantially across the area of the outer laminate covering the receptacle hollow and includes a plurality of spaced score lines formed in a crosswise relationship. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120043445 | TRUNCATED PYRAMID SHAPED SHIPPING BASE - A shipping base shaped like a square, truncated pyramid for use with a washing machine of the type having an undercarriage suspended below the wash tub. The shipping base has an opening in the top of the truncated pyramid into which the washing machine undercarriage is lowered until the undercarriage is suspended within the space defined by base, and an integrally formed frame-like pallet for supporting the washing machine. The opening is only slightly larger than the dimensions of the undercarriage so that the shipping base prevents any significant lateral movement of the undercarriage or the washing machine tub. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120037670 | DISPENSING NOZZLE - A nozzle is provided for dispensing a viscous material. The nozzle includes an elongated nozzle body defining a hollow passage formed between a base and the tapered end. The tapered end is initially closed for preventing discharge of material from within the passage. A removable tip portion is formed within the tapered end of the nozzle body. The removable tip is formed by a tear tab projecting from the tapered end and a removable tear strip formed within the sidewall of the nozzle body and connected to the tab. The tear strip is defined by spaced, longitudinally extending tear lines within the sidewall and includes at least two removable sections along the length of the strip. The tear tab forms a starting mechanism for transferring an opening force to the tear strip to remove the sections of the strip to form a discharge opening. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120031903 | Removable Lid for a Container - A lid is defined for removably attaching to a hollow container body. The container is contemplated to be of the type having an opening thereon defined by a projecting rim. A bead may be formed on the rim projecting transverse to the direction of the rim projection. The lid includes a body for covering at least a portion of the container opening and a skirt depending from the body portion. The skirt is formed to engage the rim to removably secure the lid on the opening. One or more set of ridges is formed on the inner surface of the skirt at defined locations. The ridges are positioned substantially transverse to the bead and frictionally engaging the bead for securing the lid on the container opening. One or more retention tabs may also be provided on the inside surface of the skirt for engaging the underside of the bead on the rim. The bead of the container rim may also include a corresponding number of set of rim ridges, wherein the skirt ridge sets are positioned at locations for engaging with the sets of rim ridges. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120006824 | Sealing Lid For A Container - A lid is provided for engagement with a projecting rim of an opening on a container. The lid includes a covering panel for closing the container opening and a skirt formed on a periphery of the cover and depending therefrom. The skirt overlaps with the container rim when the cover is positioned over the opening. The skirt includes a defined gap therein that is positioned between adjacent gap edges. A clasp is provided on the periphery of the cover adjacent the defined gap. The clasp pivots between an open position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the clasp engages the gap edges and draws the edges toward one another. The drawing of the gap edges moves the skirt inwardly towards the container rim. The lid may further include a flexing portion defining a connection between the cover panel and the skirt. The engagement of the clasp on the skirt causes compliance of the flexing portion and a corresponding axial movement of the skirt relative to the cover panel. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110318131 | TRANSPORT UNIT AND SET FOR SECURING CARGO ITEMS - A transport unit is provided for cylindrical cargo items supported on a support surface and arranged in parallel in at least two layers. The center axes of cargo items are arranged on top of one another and extend essentially in the same vertical plane. At least one tension device extends between two layers. The tension device extends from an outside edge of a cargo item to an outside edge of an opposing cargo item in the layer. At least two stop elements are positioned on respective ends of the tension device. The stop elements are formed for engaging the cargo items and at least one of the stop elements being adjustably positionable on one end of the tension device. The stop elements being connectable by the tension device in a force transferring manner relative to the cargo items. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110278310 | CORNER REINFORCEMENT - A corner reinforcement for distributing a load placed on top of a packaging unit is provided. The corner reinforcement comprises a top panel and two downwardly extending side panels and fits over the top end of a corner post to better distribute the load across the entire top end of the corner post and to reinforce the corner of the package to prevent the post and package from buckling, crushing or otherwise failing. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110266177 | PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR A LARGE ARTICLE - A packaging system for a printer/copier or other large article that uses less material than conventional packaging systems. In one embodiment the system comprises a pair of elongated foam braces that slide over pairs of vertically oriented corner posts for holding and cushioning the packaged article. In another embodiment the system comprises four foam braces wedged between the four vertical edges of the article and vertical corner posts. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110253869 | TRUNCATED PYRAMID SHAPED SHIPPING BASE - A shipping base shaped like a square, truncated pyramid for use with a washing machine of the type having an undercarriage suspended below the wash tub. The shipping base has an opening in the top of the truncated pyramid into which the washing machine undercarriage is lowered until the undercarriage is suspended within the space defined by base, and an integrally formed frame-like pallet for supporting the washing machine. The opening is only slightly larger than the dimensions of the undercarriage so that the shipping base prevents any significant lateral movement of the undercarriage or the washing machine tub. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110219630 | CUTTING APPARATUS - A cutting apparatus is provided having a resilient handle, a guide on one end of the handle and a cutter body on the opposite end. The guide includes two spaced members forming an outwardly facing slot with a stop formed therein. The handle is flexed into an assembled position to form a close loop, with the cutter body positioned within the guide slot and in contact with the stop. A cutting edge is movable along with cutter body to an activated position, with the cutting edge extending outwardly of the slot and the guide. The movement of the cutter body is caused by an activation force applied to the closed loop of the resilient handle member. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110195209 | TUBULAR PACKAGE - A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110168708 | Overcap For A Container - An overcap is provided for removably covering an access opening into the interior of a container. The opening in the container defines a peripheral rim and includes an outwardly projecting bead for releaseably retaining the overcap. The overcap is defined by a body portion formed to cover the opening of the container and a depending skirt. The skirt extends from the bottom surface of the body portion for a distance sufficient to cover the projecting bead of the container rim. An inwardly directed retaining ring is formed on an inside surface of the skirt for engagement with the projecting bead on the container. A vent is formed within the retaining ring to define a flow path past the retaining ring. The vent may be a spacing rib formed on the inside surface of the skirt with one or more flow channels formed within the retaining ring. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110103718 | VENTED PACKAGE - A package is provided having at least one panel formed from a laminate having an inner sealing layer, an outer web layer and an adhesive layer provided between the inner and outer layers. The outer web layer includes a removable tab portion defined by a first line of weakness in the layer. The inner sealing layer contains at least one removable plug portion defined by a second line of weakness. The first line of weakness is in registration with and surrounds the second line of weakness. The adhesive layer includes a permanent adhesive provided directly between at the tab and the plug portion and a non-permanent adhesive within the remainder of the area defined by the first line of weakness. Removal of the tab from the outer web causes separation of the plug from the inner layer, opening a vent within the package. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101153 | Modular Reel Structure - A reel assembly is provided comprising a cylindrical barrel, a barrel head secured to each end of the barrel and a flange construction secured to each barrel head adjacent the ends of the barrel. The flange construction is formed by arcuate flange segments, each releasably secured to one another and to the associated barrel head. The barrel head includes inner and outer annular supports and an end plate securing the structure together. The inner and outer annular supports define a receipt slot for receiving and securing an end of the barrel therein. The end plate is rigidly fixed to the inner and outer supports and the flange construction is releasably secured to the outer annular support of the barrel head. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110095157 | SHIPPING BASE WITH LOCATOR PINS - A shipping base for use with an appliance or other large product is provided. The base includes locator pins for removably securing the base to the appliance via a friction fit. The locator pins are captured by and extend upwardly from a folded corrugated member to frictionally engage the appliance. The locator pins preferably have a conical upper portion to help guide the pins into footholes or other openings in the bottom of the appliance. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110057069 | Coated Paperboard Core For Elastomeric Fiber Production - A paperboard core suitable for use in winding yarns may include strips of paperboard wrapped about an axis and secured together to form an elongate structure defining a winding surface. A coating of a polymer such as polyvinylidene chloride covers the winding surface. The coating may be applied to the strips of paperboard prior to winding and/or applied to the winding surface after winding. The coating may comprise multiple layers of the polymer, which may be cured individually. The coating may also be applied so as to create a substantially uninterrupted coating along the winding surface. One method of applying the coating is by roll-coating. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20100316462 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING CARGO - A method and apparatus for restraining cargo in a trailer is provided. The apparatus has four components: a mobile cargo stop, a chain, means for anchoring the chain to the trailer floor near the trailer front wall, and a front wall liner mounted to the trailer front wall. The chain runs from the anchoring means near the trailer front wall, under the cargo, and is affixed to the cargo stop with a turnbuckle hook. The cargo is restrained between the front wall liner and the cargo stop by tightening the chain using a cinching device mounted on the cargo stop. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100283709 | Structure Having An Antenna Incorporated Therein - Structures having an antenna incorporated therein are provided. Each structure may comprise one or more strips of flexible sheet material wrapped about an axis and secured together. The antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material secured to one or more of the strips in a pattern forming a closed loop except for a break in the loop defining a plurality of contracts for connection to an electrical device, which may be an RFID chip. The antenna may comprise a pair of spaced tracks with a connection therebetween, which may take the form of an intersection of the tracks or a connector. The antenna may extend for a substantial portion of the axial length of the tubular structure and may also extend helically around the tubular structure. Methods of manufacturing structures are also provided. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100278454 | TAMPER-EVIDENT LAMINATE STRUCTURE - A laminate material for a flexible packaging is provided having first and second layers. The first layer has a weakened line therethrough that defines a first flap. The second layer is adhered to the first layer and has a second weakened line formed offset from the first weakened line in the first layer and defines a removable panel in the second layer. An adhesive layer is located between the first and second layers. The adhesive layer comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive located inwardly of the weakened line in the first layer and a vacancy located laterally inward of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and adjacent the removable panel. The removable panel remains connected to the second layer when the first flap is peeled back. The removable panel is separately removable from the first flap. The first flap is resealable to the second layer by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive exposed upon opening the first flap. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100276461 | Dispensing Cap for Container and Method of Forming Same - A dispensing cap is provided for a container and includes a body portion having a formed sliding track thereon. An opening is provided in the body for providing access through the body. A retention slot is formed adjacent the sliding track. A slider is moveably positioned within the sliding track for selectively opening and closing the body opening. A frangible tab is initially formed as part of the slider and engaged within the retention slot to fix the position of the slider within the sliding track. Removal of the frangible tab permits the slider to move relative to the body opening. The cap is formed by an injection molding process, in conjunction with an in-mold assembly of the slider. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100252672 | SPOOL WITH DRIVE FEATURE - A spool is provided for winding elongate material thereon. The spool includes a barrel having first and second ends and a central longitudinal axis. First and second flanges extend radially outward from the ends of the barrel. A longitudinal bore is located radially inward of the barrel. A plurality of support members extend radially outward from the bore to the barrel. One or more engagement beads are provided on at least one of the support members and extend longitudinally along the support member. The beads are positioned for engagement with a drive apparatus for facilitating winding of the spool. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100247003 | Package Having Resealable Closure And Method Of Making Same - A flexible package is provided having a side panel with an inner surface that is fixedly sealed to the inner surface of a second side panel. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the sealable material of one side panel and the outer ply or layer of the side panel. A separation line is provided within the sealable material adjacent the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first side panel separates from the pressure-sensitive adhesive upon application of an opening force transverse to the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first panel remains sealed to the sealable material on the opposing surface of the second panel upon release. The release of the sealable material from its associated panel causes exposure of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive forms a reclosable seal for the ends of the first and second panels. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100129614 | LOW-DENSITY STRUCTURAL PANEL MADE FROM USED PAPER MATERIAL, AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME - A low-density structural panel is made from used paper material such as shredded or divided old corrugated containers (OCC). The pieces of used paper material are mixed with an adhesive and the mixture is formed into a layer. The layer is compressed with a compression device to reduce its thickness and increase its density. The layer is heated to hasten the hardening of the adhesive. The process can be a batch process or a continuous process. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100084533 | Bracing Attachment Device for Concrete Column Forms - A toggle device for attachment to a form-engaging assembly securable about the upper end of a concrete form. The toggle device can toggle between two different configurations. One configuration is suitable for attachment directly to a brace, and the other configuration is suitable for attachment to a nail plate on a brace. In one embodiment, the toggle device comprises a base plate to which an elongate first member is rigidly affixed. An elongate second member is connected to the first member by a sliding pivot connection. The sliding pivot connection is such that the second member can be moved from one position in which it is parallel to and overlapping with the first member, to another position in which it is generally perpendicular to the first member, to yet another position in which it is oblique to the first member. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100000906 | CORNER POST FOR USE WITH AN ARTICLE HAVING A CONTOURED VERTICAL EDGE - A corner post ( | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090184120 | Container Lid with Integrally Molded Utensil - A container closure includes a utensil formed of a first polymer material, and a lid formed of a second polymer material, the utensil being detachably adhered to the lid by a chemical bond between the first and second polymer materials in the absence of any adhesive or bonding agent. A method for making the closure comprises the steps of introducing a quantity of a first polymer material into a mold to form a utensil, transferring the utensil from the first mold into a second mold or structurally modifying the first mold, and introducing a quantity of a second polymer material into the second mold or modified first mold to form a lid in such a manner that the utensil is detachably adhered to the lid by a chemical bond between the first and second polymer materials in the absence of any adhesive or bonding agent. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20080283719 | Wall Protector - A protector for protecting a wall or other flat building surface from impacts caused by people and equipment. The protector is made from paper and comprises a honeycomb layer sandwiched between a wall-facing, lightweight paper layer and an outer-facing, heavyweight paperboard layer. The three-layer construction with a heavyweight paperboard outer layer is capable of distributing a point load across the entire surface area of the protector. The protector can be affixed to and removed from a wall without damaging or marking the wall. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080257769 | MEANS FOR SECURING A TRANSPORT BASE TO A SHIPPING PALLET - A unitary palletized packaging assembly in which the outer carton and the manufacturing transport base are secured to the shipping pallet to prevent lateral movement of the transport base and packaged article with respect to the shipping pallet. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080256897 | DOOR EDGE PROTECTOR - A guard for protecting a door edge from impacts caused by people and equipment. The guard is a cut and formed paperboard tube comprising an elongated, substantially planar spine and two side members extending at right angles from the spine. Two gripping members are integrally connected to the side members. The gripping members have convex interior surfaces that form a friction fit with opposite sides of the door. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080256881 | DOOR FRAME EDGE PROTECTOR - A guard for protecting a door frame is provided. The guard is a formed and cut paperboard tube comprising a longitudinal spine and two curvilinear, elongated, resilient side members attached to the spine. The side members terminate in free edges adapted to grip opposite sides of the door frame wall. Each side member further comprises a longitudinally disposed bead for enhanced impact resistance. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080237419 | LOAD DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FOR CORNER POSTS - An apparatus for distributing a load placed on top of a packaging unit is provided. The apparatus includes a set of molded plastic caps that fit over the upper ends of corner posts and a rectangular top frame mountable to the caps to evenly distribute the load across the entire cross sectional profile of the corner posts to prevent one or more of the posts from buckling or otherwise failing. | 10-02-2008 |