Patents by Inventor Janet Thompson

Janet Thompson 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).

  • Patent number: 7584843
    Abstract: A pocket-size hand-held container for containing a supply of consumer items comprises a frame, a lid, and preferably a bag is disposed in the container for holding the items being stored. The frame includes front and back portions, top and bottom portions, and side portions, the frame forming an internal storage compartment that stores the items. The front portion forms an access opening for the storage compartment, the access opening being situated closer to the top end portion than to the bottom end portion. The lid is attached to the front portion to be slid linearly between fully closed and fully open positions. In its fully closed position, the lid overlies the access opening, and in its fully open position, the lid lies within the footprint of the container. A securement structure formed by the lid and the frame yieldably holds the lid in the closed position. The bag is formed of a flexible plastic material and includes an openable window situated behind the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Kutsch, Rutger Thiellier, Andrew Vest, Janet Thompson, Xuam Pham, Robert T. Mitten, Yvonne DeVerry, Gary Mengeu, Stephen Getsy
  • Publication number: 20080202955
    Abstract: A pocket-size hand-held container for containing a supply of consumer items comprises a frame, a lid, and preferably a bag is disposed in the container for holding the items being stored. The frame includes front and back portions, top and bottom portions, and side portions, the frame forming an internal storage compartment that stores the items. The front portion forms an access opening for the storage compartment, the access opening being situated closer to the top end portion than to the bottom end portion. The lid is attached to the front portion to be slid linearly between fully closed and fully open positions. In its fully closed position, the lid overlies the access opening, and in its fully open position, the lid lies within the footprint of the container. A securement structure formed by the lid and the frame yieldably holds the lid in the closed position. The bag is formed of a flexible plastic material and includes an openable window situated behind the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: John H. Kutsch, Rutger Thiellier, Andrew Vest, Janet Thompson, Xuan Pham, Robert T. Mitten, Yvonne DeVerry, Gary Mengeu, Stephen Getsy
  • Patent number: 7093625
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steven F. Spiers, Jeremy J. Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Publication number: 20050112228
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Patent number: 6805174
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Publication number: 20040020554
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Patent number: D366972
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Janet Thompson