Patents by Inventor Dwight David Williams
Dwight David Williams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220218026Abstract: The device includes a first section with an airflow passage, a reservoir containing a first pre-vapor formulation, a heater in communication with the reservoir and the airflow passage, the heater configured to at least partially vaporize the first pre-vapor formulation. An insert is in communication with the airflow passage, the insert being downstream of the heater. The insert includes a matrix with one or more portions of a filler material. The filler material is a plant-based cellulose material. The one or more portions defining interstices. A containing structure contains the matrix. The containing structure contacts at least side surfaces of the matrix. A consumable substance infused within the filler material, the at least one first consumable substance including at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, at least one second pre-vapor formulation, a sub-combinations thereof, or a combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Danielle CRAWFORD, Dwight David WILLIAMS, Eric HAWES, Terrance Theodore BACHE, Raymond W. LAU, Shaoyong YU
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Patent number: 11311048Abstract: The device includes a first section with an airflow passage, a reservoir containing a first pre-vapor formulation, a heater in communication with the reservoir and the airflow passage, the heater configured to at least partially vaporize the first pre-vapor formulation. An insert is in communication with the airflow passage, the insert being downstream of the heater. The insert includes a matrix with one or more portions of a filler material. The filler material is a plant-based cellulose material. The one or more portions defining interstices. A containing structure contains the matrix. The containing structure contacts at least side surfaces of the matrix. A consumable substance infused within the filler material, the at least one first consumable substance including at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, at least one second pre-vapor formulation, a sub-combinations thereof, or a combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Danielle Crawford, Dwight David Williams, Eric Hawes, Terry Bache, Raymond W. Lau, Shaoyong Yu
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Publication number: 20220088816Abstract: An apparatus includes channel assemblies in a rotatable section, a cutting assembly, a discharge assembly, and a cleanout assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of compressible material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas into the lower channel of a channel assembly to discharge the lower material portion from the lower channel, based on radial alignment of a conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the discharge assembly. The cleanout assembly supplies a fluid through the conduit assembly of the channel assembly, based on radially alignment of the conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the cleanout assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, James David EVANS, Patrick Sean MCELHINNEY, Jarrod Wayne CHALKLEY, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Robert V. POWELL
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Publication number: 20220081134Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, James David EVANS, Patrick Sean MCELHINNEY, Jarrod Wayne CHALKLEY
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Patent number: 11259560Abstract: An orbital plant material feed assembly includes a drum structure and hopper assembly. An external surface of the drum structure has a curved shape and includes a peripheral groove. A width of the peripheral groove varies along the external surface of the drum structure. The hopper assembly may define a compression space between the drum structure and a portion of the hopper assembly that covers a portion of the peripheral groove.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Dwight David Williams
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Patent number: 11213967Abstract: An apparatus includes channel assemblies in a rotatable section, a cutting assembly, a discharge assembly, and a cleanout assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of compressible material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas into the lower channel of a channel assembly to discharge the lower material portion from the lower channel, based on radial alignment of a conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the discharge assembly. The cleanout assembly supplies a fluid through the conduit assembly of the channel assembly, based on radially alignment of the conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the cleanout assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David Williams, James David Evans, Patrick Sean McElhinney, Jarrod Wayne Chalkley, Christopher R. Newcomb, Robert V. Powell
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Patent number: 11192668Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David Williams, James David Evans, Patrick Sean McElhinney, Jarrod Wayne Chalkley
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Patent number: 11134713Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a filter includes a filamentary material delivery apparatus, a support structure for supporting a continuous stream of filamentary material, and a particle distribution apparatus. The particle distribution apparatus includes an apertured distribution belt positioned above the support structure and in communication with an outlet of a particle storing hopper. The belt defines a plurality of spaced openings through which particles are distributed onto the continuous stream of filamentary material to form a particle-bearing stream of filamentary material.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Dwight David Williams
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Publication number: 20210259304Abstract: A bead delivery disk, system and method of delivering flavor beads to a tobacco rod or tow including a bead source, a bead delivery disk in communication with the bead source, including a central disk portion having front and back sides and a first central thickness, an inner annular rim around the central disk portion, the inner annular rim having a second thickness less than said first thickness, a series of pockets spaced around the inner annular rim and multiple vacuum transmission apertures located on one side of the disk, each aperture communicating with at least one of the pockets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, Charles David HOWE
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Patent number: 11006662Abstract: A bead delivery disk, system and method of delivering flavor beads to a tobacco rod or tow including a bead source, a bead delivery disk in communication with the bead source, including a central disk portion having front and back sides and a first central thickness, an inner annular rim around the central disk portion, the inner annular rim having a second thickness less than said first thickness, a series of pockets spaced around the inner annular rim and multiple vacuum transmission apertures located on one side of the disk, each aperture communicating with at least one of the pockets.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David Williams, Charles David Howe
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Publication number: 20210030052Abstract: A method of forming a wrapped article, comprising the steps of: forming a continuous stream of material such as an agricultural product; moving the continuous stream of material along an elongated path; compressing the continuous stream of material to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof until a predetermined cross-sectional dimension is achieved; drawing the compressed continuous stream of material through a rod-forming arrangement, the rod-forming arrangement having a non-contact displacement transducer associated therewith; folding at least one web longitudinally around the compressed continuous stream of material to form a continuous rod of material; and detecting variations in rod density within the rod-forming arrangement from a signal obtained from the non-contact displacement transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, Rosana C. ALTOVEROS
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Patent number: 10827778Abstract: A method of forming a wrapped article, comprising the steps of: forming a continuous stream of material such as an agricultural product; moving the continuous stream of material along an elongated path; compressing the continuous stream of material to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof until a predetermined cross-sectional dimension is achieved; drawing the compressed continuous stream of material through a rod-forming arrangement, the rod-forming arrangement having a non-contact displacement transducer associated therewith; folding at least one web longitudinally around the compressed continuous stream of material to form a continuous rod of material; and detecting variations in rod density within the rod-forming arrangement from a signal obtained from the non-contact displacement transducer.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David Williams, Rosana C. Altoveros
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Patent number: 10750775Abstract: A spacing drum comprising: a segment receiving drum section capable of receiving a predetermined number of segments per revolution of the drum from a procession of segments approaching the segment receiving drum section at a segment-feed spacing and a segment-feed speed; a segment releasing drum section capable of releasing the predetermined number of segments at a segment-release spacing and a segment-release speed; and a radial profile flight comprising a continuous arc segment extending across at least portions of the segment receiving drum section and the segment releasing drum section. Associated methods are also provided, including method of changing pitch along a spacing drum progressively with a radial profile flight.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Dwight David Williams
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Publication number: 20200221756Abstract: An orbital plant material feed assembly includes a drum structure and hopper assembly. An external surface of the drum structure has a curved shape and includes a peripheral groove. A width of the peripheral groove varies along the external surface of the drum structure. The hopper assembly may define a compression space between the drum structure and a portion of the hopper assembly that covers a portion of the peripheral groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Dwight David WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20200077696Abstract: The filter includes a contained filter material with one or more portions of a filter material. The one or more portions define interstices running through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material. The interstices allow an airflow to pass through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material. A consumable substance is infused within the filter material. The consumable substance includes nicotine, a flavorant, a pre-vapor formulation, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, Rebecca SECRIST, Danielle CRAWFORD, Terry BACHE, Eric HAWES, Maria Del Carmen JARQUIN, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Shaoyong YU
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Publication number: 20200077701Abstract: The capsule includes the matrix with one or more portions of a filler material. The filler material is a plant-based cellulose material. The one or more portions define interstices. A containing structure contains the matrix. A consumable substance is infused within the filler material. The consumable substance is nicotine, a flavorant, a pre-aerosol formulation, a combination thereof, or a sub-combination thereof. The device includes a heating section with the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Danielle CRAWFORD, Dwight David WILLIAMS, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Raymond W. LAU, Shaoyong YU
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Publication number: 20200077702Abstract: The device includes a first section with an airflow passage, a reservoir containing a first pre-vapor formulation, a heater in communication with the reservoir and the airflow passage, the heater configured to at least partially vaporize the first pre-vapor formulation. An insert is in communication with the airflow passage, the insert being downstream of the heater. The insert includes a matrix with one or more portions of a filler material. The filler material is a plant-based cellulose material. The one or more portions defining interstices. A containing structure contains the matrix. The containing structure contacts at least side surfaces of the matrix. A consumable substance infused within the filler material, the at least one first consumable substance including at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, at least one second pre-vapor formulation, a sub-combinations thereof, or a combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Danielle CRAWFORD, Dwight David WILLIAMS, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Raymond W. LAU, Shaoyong YU
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Publication number: 20190350252Abstract: A spacing drum comprising: a segment receiving drum section capable of receiving a predetermined number of segments per revolution of the drum from a procession of segments approaching the segment receiving drum section at a segment-feed spacing and a segment-feed speed; a segment releasing drum section capable of releasing the predetermined number of segments at a segment-release spacing and a segment-release speed; and a radial profile flight comprising a continuous arc segment extending across at least portions of the segment receiving drum section and the segment releasing drum section. Associated methods are also provided, including method of changing pitch along a spacing drum progressively with a radial profile flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Dwight David WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20190344911Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, James David EVANS, Patrick Sean MCELHINNEY, Jarrod Wayne CHALKLEY
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Publication number: 20190344464Abstract: An apparatus includes channel assemblies in a rotatable section, a cutting assembly, a discharge assembly, and a cleanout assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of compressible material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas into the lower channel of a channel assembly to discharge the lower material portion from the lower channel, based on radial alignment of a conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the discharge assembly. The cleanout assembly supplies a fluid through the conduit assembly of the channel assembly, based on radially alignment of the conduit assembly of the channel assembly with a conduit assembly of the cleanout assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight David WILLIAMS, James David EVANS, Patrick Sean MCELHINNEY, Jarrod Wayne CHALKLEY, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Robert V. POWELL