Kevin Todd May

US Patent:

6490843, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Mar 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/536657

Inventors:

Kevin May - Marietta GA 30064

International Classification:

B65B 4100

US Classification:

533891, 53566, 271108

Abstract:

A carton feeder for a continuous motion packaging machine utilizes a speed compensation mechanism implemented through a rotating valve assembly and actuation system. The rotating valve assembly provides a vacuum and compression to vacuum cups, for facilitating the transfer and release, respectively, of cartons within the carton feeder. The valve assembly includes a base plate and a rotating port plate. A circumferential position adjustment of the base plate advances or retards timing of the vacuum/compression to the vacuum cups within the carton feeder. A pneumatic cylinder assembly adjusts the circumferential position of the base plate. A speed sensor senses machine speed and sends a machine speed signal to a controller. The controller signals a solenoid responsive to machine speed to extend or retract the pneumatic cylinder assembly, thereby circumferentially adjusting the valve base to advance or retard vacuum timing.

US Patent:

7175020, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/801523

Inventors:

Robert L. Sutherland - Kennesaw GA, US
Kevin T. May - Marietta GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65D 75/00

US Classification:

206139, 206173, 2291982

Abstract:

A new type of secondary locking system for article carriers consisting of at least one secondary male lock with two shoulders that is attached by a neck to the edge of a outer flap on the carrier for use with a primary locking system. An inner flap has a secondary female opening for each secondary male lock. The secondary female opening is formed by a secondary cut line and fold line with the center of the fold line projecting towards the edge of the flap while of the center of the secondary cut line projects away from the edge of the flap to guide the secondary male lock into a flat position against the inside of the inner flap. The shoulders on the secondary male lock are engaged against locking ledges along the extensions of the secondary cut line. A pair of slits may be formed at the end of the fold lines that project inwardly to allow the secondary male lock to slide into a flat position. This locking system is especially useful in wrapping containers that have a flat bottom that would interfere with conventional locking systems.

US Patent:

7861496, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Sep 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/238833

Inventors:

Kevin T. May - Kennesaw GA, US
Scott Parker - Villa Rica GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65B 35/40

US Classification:

53252, 53147, 53538, 53539, 53542, 53244, 53247, 198429

Abstract:

An article packaging machine includes a trailing article pusher assembly for pushing the trailing articles of a packaging production run down infeed conveyer lanes and through workstations of the packaging machine so that the trailing articles can be packaged. The pusher assembly comprises a pusher chain that is flexible in one direction to allow the chain to be coiled upon itself and generally inflexible in the other direction beyond a substantially straight configuration of the chain. A pusher block is attached to a free end of the pusher chain. The pusher chain is normally stowed on a take-up magazine beside its associated infeed lane during a packaging operation. When the trailing articles of a production run approach the workstations of the packaging machine, a gate opens to allow the pusher chain and its pusher block to be extended into the infeed lane behind the last trailing article. A drive sprocket engaged with the pusher chain is rotated to extend the chain and its pusher block into the infeed lane until the pusher block engages and exerts a pushing force on the last trailing article. Continued rotation of the drive sprocket further extends the pusher chain and pushes the trailing articles through the workstations of the packaging machine until the trailing articles are packaged.

US Patent:

8178823, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Jun 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/874632

Inventors:

James C. Fogle - Marietta GA, US
Jean-Manuel Gomes - Marietta GA, US
Kevin May - Marietta GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

H05B 6/80
B65D 5/10

US Classification:

219734, 219729, 206557

Abstract:

A wrap for a microwavable container, such as a cup with a removable lid, the wrap having a separable hinged portion to allow the lid of the container to be removed. The separable portion can then be returned to its original position, and the wrap and enclosed container heated in a microwave oven. During heating, the wrap remains relatively cool to the touch, so that the wrap and container can be removed from the oven by grasping the wrap, without contacting the hot exterior of the container.

US Patent:

8246290, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Sep 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/238970

Inventors:

Kevin T. May - Kennesaw GA, US
Cory E. Hawley - Austell GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65G 59/06

US Classification:

4147975, 271166, 4147978

Abstract:

A carton feeder assembly is disclosed for selecting or picking carton blanks from the end of a stack of blanks in a magazine. The assembly includes a magazine and conveyor for moving stacks of carton blanks toward a carton feeder assembly. A support shaft assembly is disposed at the downstream end of the magazine and includes a support shaft against which the forwardmost carton blank in the stack leans and rests to support the stack of carton blanks. The support shaft is eccentrically rotatably mounted and driven by a motor so that the support shaft oscillates rapidly as it is rotated. This motion of the support shaft keeps the forwardmost blank of the stack spaced slightly from and out of contact with the support shaft for a significant majority of the time, thus reducing substantially the average friction between the forwardmost blank and the support shaft. Thus, the forwardmost blank can gripped with suction cups of the feeder assembly, which can then be moved to slide the forwardmost blank from beneath the support shaft and off of the stack of blanks with very little frictional resistance. The suction cups thus stay attached to the blank and do not tend to slide off due to shear forces developed in overcoming frictional resistance.

US Patent:

8317082, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/565508

Inventors:

Kevin T. May - Kennesaw GA, US
Kirsten L. Brand - Marietta GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65D 5/42
B65D 7/20

US Classification:

229128, 206139, 53484

Abstract:

A carton with locking sections comprises a male panel section and a female panel section. The male panel section has an edge with protruding wings, and edge tabs are formed along the edge portion inboard of the wings. The female section has a pair of females configured to receive and interlock with the males. For locking the sections together, the edge tabs are hooked beneath the edge of the female section and the males extend over the top of the female section and are pressed and locked into the females. With this arrangement, the two sections are securely locked together with the edge tabs preventing the sections from moving toward one another and the males and females preventing them moving away from each other. The sections thus do not tend to disengage during transport or as containers of product within the carton are sequentially removed.

US Patent:

8602209, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

May 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/111029

Inventors:

Edward W. Jones - Hiram GA, US
Ana Gonzalez - Igualada, ES
Emili Requena - Igualada, ES
Jean-Manuel Gomes - Marietta GA, US
Kevin T. May - Kennesaw GA, US
Colin Ford - Woodstock GA, US
Matthew Sundquist - Brainerd MN, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65D 1/22

US Classification:

206148, 206147, 206149, 206427, 206429

Abstract:

A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.

US Patent:

20060191811, Aug 31, 2006

Filed:

Feb 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/364244

Inventors:

James Fogle - Marietta GA, US
Robert Sutherland - Kennesaw GA, US
Kevin May - Kennesaw GA, US

International Classification:

B65D 65/00

US Classification:

206434000

Abstract:

A wrap-around article carrier has a plurality of tuck-in flaps and gussets to restrain the articles the carrier is designed to carry from falling out of the carrier. The carrier further comprises a dispensing feature, which once removed allows the articles in the carrier to be dispensed in a controlled manner.