U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,002, which was filed on Feb. 12, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure generally relates to carriers or cartons for holding and displaying containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to basket-style carriers.
In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The interior of the carrier is divided into a front portion and a back portion. The carrier comprises a reinforced handle comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel at least partially overlapping the handle panel, and a handle reinforcement flap at least partially in face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement panel.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprises a plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The blank also comprises features for forming a reinforced handle comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel along a first longitudinal fold line. The handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel generally extending along a centerline of the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier for containing a plurality of containers. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The blank further includes a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and a handle reinforcement flap. The handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel along a first longitudinal fold line. The method further comprises folding the handle reinforcement flap along the first longitudinal fold line so that the handle reinforcement flap is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement panel, and folding the plurality of panels to selectively overlap respective panels of the plurality of panels. The folding the plurality of panels comprises at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement panel with the handle panel. The method further comprises forming a reinforced handle by folding the handle panel, the handle reinforcement panel, and the handle reinforcement flap along a longitudinal centerline, and forming an interior of the carrier by further respectively folding the plurality of panels, the interior of the carrier being divided into a front portion and a back portion.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; glass; or any combination thereof.
Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., glass bottles or plastic containers) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.
The carrier blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral or transverse axis L2. The carrier blank 3 has a front portion 9, a back portion 11, a bottom panel 12b foldably connected to the back portion, and a bottom attachment flap 12a foldably connected to the front portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9 and back portion 11 are for being folded about a longitudinal centerline CL (
In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9, comprises a front panel 15a foldably connected to a first side panel 17a and a second side panel 19a. A front central flap 27a is foldably connected to the first side panel 17a at a lateral fold line 29a. Lateral fold lines 31a, 33a, foldably connect the respective first and second side panel 17a, 19a to the front panel 15a. Two longitudinal folds line 35a, 36a connect the bottom panel attachment flap 12a to the front panel 15a.
In the illustrated embodiment, the features of the back portion 11 of the blank 3 include a back panel 15b, a first side panel 17b, and a second side panel 19b, that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding panel or flap of the front portion 9. A back central flap 27b is also similarly configured to the front central flap 27a, and a longitudinal fold line 129 foldably connects the front central flap 27a to the back central flap 27b. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the “a” or “b” suffix, with the “a” components corresponding to the front portion 9 and the “b” components corresponding to the back portion 11 of the blank 3.
In one embodiment, the front portion 9 includes a front central panel 41 foldably connected to the second side panel 19a at a lateral fold line 43a. The central panel 41 includes a central bottom flap 45 foldably connected to the front central panel 41 along a longitudinal fold line 46. A first divider flap 47 is foldably connected to the front central panel 41 at a lateral fold line 49. A second divider flap 51 is foldably connected to the front central panel 41 at a lateral fold line 53. The first divider flap 47 includes a first attachment flap 55, and the second divider flap 51 includes a second attachment flap 57. The first attachment flap 55 is foldably connected to the first divider flap at a lateral fold line 59, and the second attachment flap 57 is foldably connected to the second divider flap at a lateral fold line 61. The first divider flap 47 is at least partially defined by a tear or cut line 63 and the lateral fold line 49. The second divider flap 51 is at least partially defined by the lateral fold line 53 and a tear or cut line 65 that extends from a lateral edge of the blank 3 to the fold line 53. The divider flaps 47, 51 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
The back portion 11 includes a back central panel 69 foldably connected to the second side panel 19b at a lateral fold line 43b. The back central panel 69 can include a divider panel 71 foldably connected to the back central panel 69 along a longitudinal fold line 73 and separable from the front and back central panels 41, 69 along a tear or cut line 75. A first divider flap 77 is foldably connected to the divider panel 71 at a lateral fold line 79, and a second divider flap 81 is foldably connected to the divider panel 71 at a lateral fold line 83. Each divider flap 77, 81 includes a respective attachment flap 85, 87 foldably connected to a respective divider flap at a lateral fold line 89, 91. The first divider flap 77 is at least partially defined by a tear or cut line 93 and the lateral fold line 79. The second divider flap 81 is at least partially defined by the cut line 75, the lateral fold line 83, and a tear or cut line 95 that extends from a lateral edge of the blank 3 to the fold line 83. In the illustrated embodiment, the front central panel 41 is foldably connected to the back central panel 69 along a line of weakening 128, which can include a fold line and an opening. The front portion 9, the back portion 11, the central flaps 27a, 27b, the central panels 41, 69, and/or the divider flaps 47, 51, 77, 81 could be alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the present disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the handle panel 14 and the handle reinforcement panel 16 are generally disposed between the front and back portions 9, 11. The handle panel 14 includes a front handle portion 21a and a back handle portion 21b foldably connected to the front handle portion 21a along a longitudinal fold line or other line of weakening 127. The front handle portion 21a is foldably connected to the front central panel 41 along the lateral fold line 43a, and the back handle portion 21b is foldably connected to the back central panel 69 along the lateral fold line 43b. The front handle portion 21a can include a front handle opening 22a and a front handle cushion flap 25a foldably connected to the front handle portion along a longitudinal fold line 26a adjacent the front handle opening 22a. The back handle portion 21b can include a back handle opening 22b and a back handle cushion flap 25b foldably connected to the back handle portion along a longitudinal fold line 26b adjacent the back handle opening 22b. The handle panel 14 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the disclosure.
The handle reinforcement panel 16 can include a front handle reinforcement portion 97a and a back handle reinforcement portion 97b foldably connected to the front handle reinforcement portion 97a along a longitudinal fold line or other line of weakening 115. An opening 130 can be included between the handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b. The front handle reinforcement portion 97a is foldably connected to the front central flap 27a along a lateral fold line 131a, and the back handle reinforcement portion 97b is foldably connected to the back central flap 27b along a lateral fold line 131b. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral fold lines 131a, 131b are spaced apart or offset from the lateral fold lines 29a, 29b connecting the respective front and back central flaps 27a, 27b to the respective first side panels 17a, 17b. Alternatively, the lateral fold lines 131a, 131b can be collinear with the lateral fold lines 29a, 29b. In the illustrated embodiment, the front handle reinforcement portion 97a includes a handle reinforcement flap 99, and the back handle reinforcement portion 97b includes an elongate handle opening 113.
The handle reinforcement flap 99 can be foldably connected to the front handle reinforcement portion 97a by a longitudinal fold line 101. In the first embodiment, the reinforcement flap 99 is separated from the front handle reinforcement portion 97a by respective cuts 103, 105. The handle reinforcement flap 99 includes a fold line or other line of weakening 107 and a central handle cushion flap 117. The central handle cushion flap 117 can be foldably connected to the handle reinforcement flap 99 along a longitudinal fold line 118 and can be separated from handle reinforcement flap at cut or tear lines 119. The handle reinforcement panel 16 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the disclosure. For example, the fold lines 107, 115 could be other forms of weakening, such as one including a series of openings and fold lines.
In the illustrated embodiment, the line of weakening 128 and the longitudinal fold lines 115, 127, 129 are generally aligned with the longitudinal centerline CL of the blank 3. The front handle portion 21a is adjacent the front panel 15a and the second side panel 19a, and the front handle reinforcement portion 97a is adjacent the front panel 15a and the first side panel 17a. The front handle portion 21a and the front handle reinforcement portion 97a are separated from the front panel 15a and the respective second side panel 19a and first side panel 17a by a cut 23a. Similarly, the back handle portion 21b and the back handle reinforcement portion 97b are separated from the back panel 15b and the respective second side panel 19b and first side panel 17b by a cut 23b. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b are separable from the respective handle portions 21a, 21b along a tear or cut line 132. Alternatively, the handle reinforcement portions can be spaced apart from the handle portions. Further, the handle portions, the handle reinforcement portions, and the handle reinforcement flap could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal fold line 101 can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 115 a distance D1, and the longitudinal fold line 107 can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 101a distance D2. The distance D1 can be substantially equal to the distance D2 so that the fold line 107 overlays the fold line 115 when the handle reinforcement flap 99 is folded along the longitudinal fold line 101. Additionally, the longitudinal fold line 107 can be spaced apart from the cut 23a a distance D3, and the upper edge of the handle opening 113 can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 115 a distance D4. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D3 is greater than the distance D4 so that a portion (e.g., the central handle cushion flap 117) of the handle reinforcement flap 99 overlays the handle opening 113 when the handle reinforcement flap 99 is folded along the longitudinal fold line 101. In an alternative embodiment, distance D4 can be generally equal to distance D3. Additionally, in one embodiment, the distance D4 can be substantially equal to the distance D1.
The fold line 26b, extending along the upper edge of the back handle opening 22b, can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 127 a distance D5 that is generally equal to or greater than the distance D4 between the upper edge of the handle opening 113 and the longitudinal fold line 115 so that the back handle opening 22b is aligned with the handle opening 113 when the reinforced handle 150 is formed. The handle opening 113 can be larger than the back handle opening 22b so that substantially all of the back handle opening 22b positioned within the handle opening 113 regardless of variations in alignment of the handle panel 14 and the handle reinforcement panel 16 when the reinforced handle 150 is formed. Additionally, the fold line 26a, extending along the upper edge of the front handle opening 22a, can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 127 a distance D6 that is generally equal to or greater than the distance D1 between the longitudinal fold lines 101, 115 so that substantially all of the front handle opening 22a is positioned within a recess in the front handle reinforcement portion 97a formed when the handle reinforcement panel 99 is folded along the longitudinal fold line 101. In one embodiment, the distance D5 can be substantially equal to the distance D6. The distances can be alternatively configured without departing from the present disclosure.
Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 3 without departing from the disclosure. The blank 3 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than six containers C without departing from this disclosure.
With reference to
As shown in
In one embodiment, the first side panels 17a, 17b can be folded about respective fold lines 31a, 31b so that the first side panels 17a, 17b and central flaps 27a, 27b are generally in face-to-face contact with portions of the respective front and back central panels 41, 69. Portions of the front central flap 27a can be selectively glued to portions of the front central panel 41 and the central bottom flap 45, and portions of the back central flap 27b can be selectively glued to portions of the back central panel 69. The handle reinforcement panel 16 is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the handle panel 14, with the handle reinforcement flap 99 between portions of the front and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b and the respective front and back handle portions 21a, 21b. Portions of the front and back reinforcement panels 97a, 97b also can be in face-to-face contact with portions of the front and back handle portions 21a, 21b. The front and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b and the handle reinforcement flap 99 can be glued to the front and back handle portions 21a, 21b to at least partially secure the handle reinforcement panel 16 to the handle panel 14. The handle opening 113 is generally aligned with the back handle opening 22b so that the central handle cushion flap 117 is generally aligned with the back handle cushion flap 25b with the fold line 118 generally aligned with the upper edge of the back handle opening 22b (e.g., the fold line 26b). In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the handle reinforcement panel 16 formed by the longitudinal fold line 101 is generally aligned with and overlays the fold line 26a connecting the front handle cushion flap 25a to the front handle portion 21a at an upper edge of the front handle opening 22a so that at least a portion of the front handle opening 22a is proximate the recess 121 of the front handle reinforcement portion 97a. The longitudinal fold lines 107, 115, 129 and the line of weakening 128 overlay the longitudinal fold line 127, and the fold lines 107, 115, 127, 129 and the line of weakening 128 remain generally aligned with the centerline CL.
In one embodiment, the partially assembled blank 3 of
The blank 3 can be further assembled into the carrier 5, as shown in
The reinforced handle 150 and the carrier 5 can be alternatively erected, formed, and/or arranged without departing from the present disclosure. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the handle reinforcement flap 99 is folded into face-to-face contact with the interior surface of the handle reinforcement panel 16 so that the handle reinforcement flap 99 is interior to both the handle panel 14 and the handle reinforcement panel 16.
In one embodiment, containers C, such as bottles, can be placed into the container-receiving spaces 160, 162 of the carrier 5 prior to folding the bottom panel 12b to close the bottom of the carrier 5. The bottoms of the containers are supported by the bottom panel 12b.
The exemplary carrier embodiment discussed above accommodates six containers C arranged in two rows, but the present disclosure is not limited to these numbers. As one example, additional containers may be accommodated by increasing the size of the blank 3 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction L1 in
The panels, flaps, and dividers shown and described in conjunction with the blank 3 and the carrier 5 are included by way of example. The reinforced handle 150 can alternatively be associated with any basket-style carrier having any divider or panel configuration.
As shown in
In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier or carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,002, filed Feb. 12, 2010.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2225822 | Crook | Dec 1940 | A |
2227330 | Turner | Dec 1940 | A |
2331312 | Dorfman | Oct 1943 | A |
2336857 | Gies et al. | Dec 1943 | A |
2460108 | Smith et al. | Jan 1949 | A |
2689061 | Gray | Sep 1954 | A |
2702144 | Forrer | Feb 1955 | A |
2721001 | Hasselhoff | Oct 1955 | A |
2776072 | Forrer | Jan 1957 | A |
2783916 | Hodapp | Mar 1957 | A |
3029977 | Arneson | Apr 1962 | A |
3053411 | Struble et al. | Sep 1962 | A |
3128906 | Forrer | Apr 1964 | A |
3190487 | Wood | Jun 1965 | A |
3191800 | Kowal | Jun 1965 | A |
3194478 | Weiss | Jul 1965 | A |
3229849 | Spillson | Jan 1966 | A |
3236414 | Slevin, Jr. | Feb 1966 | A |
3313466 | Keith | Apr 1967 | A |
3343742 | Siegler | Sep 1967 | A |
3351230 | Schuster | Nov 1967 | A |
3432073 | Forrer | Mar 1969 | A |
3554401 | Wood | Jan 1971 | A |
3624790 | Stout | Nov 1971 | A |
3661297 | Wood | May 1972 | A |
3669306 | Forrer | Jun 1972 | A |
3672539 | Forrer | Jun 1972 | A |
3721335 | Grant | Mar 1973 | A |
3754680 | Wood | Aug 1973 | A |
3784053 | Stout | Jan 1974 | A |
3860113 | Helms | Jan 1975 | A |
3917059 | Wood | Nov 1975 | A |
3917060 | Wood | Nov 1975 | A |
3917061 | Stout | Nov 1975 | A |
4000813 | Stout | Jan 1977 | A |
4010847 | Wood et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4117925 | Wood | Oct 1978 | A |
4153158 | Graser et al. | May 1979 | A |
4171046 | Bonczyk | Oct 1979 | A |
4205748 | Wilson | Jun 1980 | A |
4217983 | Stout | Aug 1980 | A |
4243138 | Wilson | Jan 1981 | A |
4250992 | Gilbert | Feb 1981 | A |
4253564 | Engdahl, Jr. | Mar 1981 | A |
4308950 | Wood | Jan 1982 | A |
4319682 | Wright et al. | Mar 1982 | A |
4362240 | Elward | Dec 1982 | A |
4374561 | Stout et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4406365 | Kulig | Sep 1983 | A |
4413729 | Wood | Nov 1983 | A |
4450956 | Wood | May 1984 | A |
4480746 | Wood | Nov 1984 | A |
4544092 | Palmer | Oct 1985 | A |
4591090 | Collins et al. | May 1986 | A |
4722437 | Walsh | Feb 1988 | A |
4770294 | Graser | Sep 1988 | A |
4792038 | Cooper | Dec 1988 | A |
4798285 | Hernandez | Jan 1989 | A |
4927009 | Stout | May 1990 | A |
5029698 | Stout | Jul 1991 | A |
5040672 | DeMaio et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5072876 | Wilson | Dec 1991 | A |
5123588 | Harris | Jun 1992 | A |
5191976 | Stout et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5246113 | Schuster | Sep 1993 | A |
5282348 | Dampier et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5359830 | Olson et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5363954 | Dampier et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5400901 | Harrelson | Mar 1995 | A |
5458234 | Harris | Oct 1995 | A |
5482203 | Stout | Jan 1996 | A |
5484053 | Harris | Jan 1996 | A |
5499712 | Harrelson | Mar 1996 | A |
5518110 | Harrelson | May 1996 | A |
5531319 | Harrelson | Jul 1996 | A |
5538130 | Harrelson | Jul 1996 | A |
5538131 | Harrelson | Jul 1996 | A |
5579625 | Olson et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5579904 | Holley, Jr. | Dec 1996 | A |
5590762 | Harrelson | Jan 1997 | A |
5593027 | Sutherland | Jan 1997 | A |
5620094 | Naumann | Apr 1997 | A |
5638956 | Sutherland | Jun 1997 | A |
5645162 | Harrelson | Jul 1997 | A |
5649620 | Harrelson | Jul 1997 | A |
5657864 | Harrelson | Aug 1997 | A |
5657865 | Harrelson | Aug 1997 | A |
5680930 | Stone | Oct 1997 | A |
5682982 | Stonehouse | Nov 1997 | A |
5695051 | Hart | Dec 1997 | A |
5765685 | Roosa | Jun 1998 | A |
5775487 | Harrelson | Jul 1998 | A |
5819920 | Sutherland | Oct 1998 | A |
5855316 | Spivey | Jan 1999 | A |
5871090 | Doucette et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5878877 | Sutherland | Mar 1999 | A |
5884756 | Holley, Jr. et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5947273 | Dalrymple et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
6041920 | Hart et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6112977 | Sutherland et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6131729 | Eckermann et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6155962 | Dalrymple et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6168013 | Gomes | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6230881 | Collura | May 2001 | B1 |
6247585 | Holley, Jr. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6315111 | Sutherland | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6341689 | Jones | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6371287 | Jones et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6695137 | Jones et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6736260 | Gomes et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6802802 | Woog | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6814228 | Sutherland | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6938756 | Schuster | Sep 2005 | B2 |
7011209 | Sutherland et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7025197 | Sutherland | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7070045 | Theelen | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7128206 | Kohler | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7207934 | Schuster | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7374038 | Smalley | May 2008 | B2 |
7448492 | Sutherland | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7472791 | Spivey, Sr. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7552820 | Kohler | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7604116 | Schuster | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7644817 | Sutherland | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7677387 | Brand et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7762395 | Sutherland et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7762397 | Coltri-Johnson et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7793780 | Smalley | Sep 2010 | B2 |
20020077236 | Chalendar et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020117407 | Holley | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20030159950 | Jones et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20040050722 | Schuster | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040094435 | Auclair et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20050211577 | Bakx | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050218014 | Schuster | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050230273 | Kohler | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20060148629 | Cuomo | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060157545 | Auclair | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20070151873 | Schuster | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20080210581 | Brand | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080296177 | Cuomo | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090008273 | Smalley | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20100006458 | Wilkins et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1741944 | Mar 2006 | CN |
9004439 | Jun 1990 | DE |
0 074 232 | Mar 1983 | EP |
1 319 607 | Jun 2003 | EP |
H07-8216 | Feb 1995 | JP |
WO 9509780 | Apr 1995 | WO |
WO-9705026 | Feb 1997 | WO |
WO 9942383 | Aug 1999 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Aug. 10, 2011, from PCT/US2011/024474. |
Notification of the First Office Action and Search Report for CN 201180008554.0 dated Nov. 25, 2013, with English translation. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 23, 2010 for PCT/US2010/039607. |
Supplementary European Search Report for Ep 11 74 2845 dated Nov. 4, 2014. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110198347 A1 | Aug 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61338002 | Feb 2010 | US |