Rodney W Roberts

US Patent:

55474519, Aug 20, 1996

Filed:

Aug 16, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/515956

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
Richard M. Lowman - Hartsville SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN
James W. Lowry - Florence SC

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B65D 8500
B65D 326

US Classification:

493299

Abstract:

An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. A feature is provided for directionally-orienting tearing of the label layer to remove either the entire label layer or just that portion of the label layer which is in bridging relationship to the easy-open spiral seam to allow opening of the container along the spiral seam. The directionally-orienting tear feature is preferably provided by a reinforcing and tear strip having directionally-orienting tear incorporated therein and which is positioned under the outer longitudinal edge portion of the label layer and over the easy-open spiral seam along with desired positioning of low strength and high strength bonding between the label layer, reinforcing and tear strip and bodywall layer to ensure tearing of the label layer in the proper direction and removal of a desired portion of the label layer when the container is opened. The directionally-oriented tear feature may also include a directionally-orienting tear incorporated in the label layer itself to orient tear in the desired direction.

US Patent:

54875064, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

Jun 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/263556

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
Richard M. Lowman - Hartsville SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN
James W. Lowry - Florence SC

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B65D 8500

US Classification:

229202

Abstract:

An easy-open container has a spirally-wound bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container and which is provided with an improved reinforcing and tear strip extending along the easy-open spiral seam. This reinforcing and tear strip is formed by overlapped edge portions of the label layer extending through and out of the spiral seam of the container and being folded-over onto the outside of the bodywall layer and under the label layer. Low strength bonding is provided between the overlapped label layer edge portions and high strength bonding is positioned between the superimposed label layer and folded-over a liner layer edge portion and between the superimposed label layer and bodywall layer for allowing easy starting and stripping of the reinforcing and tear strip along the spiral easy-open seam without the necessity of removing the entire label layer.

US Patent:

57138249, Feb 3, 1998

Filed:

Aug 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/516341

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
Richard M. Lowman - Hartsville SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN
James W. Lowry - Florence SC

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B65H 8104

US Classification:

493301

Abstract:

A method is provided of manufacturing an easy-open container. A bodywall layer strip is positioned on a wider liner layer strip to define first and second edge portions on the side of the wider liner layer which extends transversely beyond the bodywall layer side edges. These layers are fed to a mandrel and the first liner layer edge portion is folded-over onto an outside surface of the bodywall layer and a high strength bond is formed therebetween. The resulting layers are spirally wound on the mandrel to form a continuous tube having a spiral seam with the bodywall layer side edges forming a butt joint and with each of the first and second liner layer edge portions extending through the butt joint and out of the spiral seam. The second liner layer edge portion is positioned on the first folded-over liner layer edge portion and a low strength bond is formed therebetween. A flexible label layer is spirally wound onto the tube on the mandrel with its longitudinal edges in overlapped relationship.

US Patent:

54822050, Jan 9, 1996

Filed:

Aug 1, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/283648

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
James W. Lowry - Florence SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B65D 8500

US Classification:

229201

Abstract:

An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming as easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. Easy-opening of the container is enhanced by the provision of pull tabs formed by superimposed and bonded longitudinal edge portions of the bodywall layer and label layer and an easy-open panel formed by diverging lines of score cuts formed in the bodywall layer to initiate and aid in easy-opening of the container along the spiral seam.

US Patent:

55563651, Sep 17, 1996

Filed:

Nov 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/555009

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
James W. Lowry - Florence SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B31C 300

US Classification:

493299

Abstract:

An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming as easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. Easy-opening of the container is enhanced by the provision of pull tabs formed by superimposed and bonded longitudinal edge portions of the bodywall layer and label layer and an easy-open panel formed by diverging lines of score cuts formed in the bodywall layer to initiate and aid in easy-opening of the container along the spiral seam.

US Patent:

54942152, Feb 27, 1996

Filed:

Jun 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/263879

Inventors:

Michael T. Drummond - Florence SC
Calvin G. Hill - Hartsville SC
Richard M. Lowman - Hartsville SC
William C. Suski - Hartsville SC
Rodney W. Roberts - Otisco IN
James W. Lowry - Florence SC

Assignee:

Sonoco Products Company - Hartsville SC

International Classification:

B65D 8500

US Classification:

229202

Abstract:

An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. A feature is provided for directionally-orienting tearing of the label layer to remove either the entire label layer or just that portion of the label layer which is in bridging relationship to the easy-open spiral seam to allow opening of the container along the spiral seam. The directionally-orienting tear feature is preferably provided by a reinforcing and tear strip having directionally-orienting tear incorporated therein and which is positioned under the outer longitudinal edge portion of the label layer and over the easy-open spiral seam along with desired positioning of low strength and high strength bonding between the label layer, reinforcing and tear strip and bodywall layer to ensure tearing of the label layer in the proper direction and removal of a desired portion of the label layer when the container is opened. The directionally-oriented tear feature may also include a directionally-orienting tear incorporated in the label layer itself to orient tear in the desired direction.