Patents by Inventor John Larkin Nelson
John Larkin Nelson 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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Patent number: 7537013Abstract: A device and method for loading a cartridge with pre-formed tubular wrappers for cigarette manufacture. The device provides for dispensing pre-formed tubular wrappers from a container to a cartridge without directly touching the wrappers.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Publication number: 20090114234Abstract: A cigarette-making method is provided, comprising forming an elongate tobacco rod having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and opposed ends, by circumscribing a tobacco charge with a wrapping material. A filter element is formed having opposed ends and a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the tobacco rod, by circumscribing a filter material with a plug wrap material. One end of the tobacco rod is axially aligned and abutted with one end of the filter element, and a tipping material is applied about the tobacco rod and the filter element, wherein the tipping material extends across the abutting ends thereof, so as to join the tobacco rod with the filter element and form a cigarette having a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a length thereof. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Gary Lee Wood, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Publication number: 20080302373Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element, is provided. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated method are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
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Patent number: 7448390Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Carl Carlton Greene, Jr., Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe, John Larkin Nelson
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Publication number: 20080202540Abstract: An apparatus for customizing an as-formed cigarette is provided, wherein the as-formed cigarette has a cylindrical rod configuration defining a longitudinal axis, and includes a filter rod portion and a contiguous tobacco rod portion. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed an as-formed cigarette, from a plurality of as-formed cigarettes, to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the as-formed cigarette in the register position so as to imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. An associated method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Brent Walker Carter, John Larkin Nelson, Rebecca Anne Rogers
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Patent number: 7409956Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. One of those rollers can have a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material that has been applied to the paper web. The radiant dryer can be located on one component of a two component assembly that is used to manufacture cigarettes. Spectrometric techniques can be used to ensure proper registration of the additive material on the cigarette rods so manufactured, and to ensure proper quality of those cigarettes.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Carl Carlton Greene, Jr., John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe
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Patent number: 7363929Abstract: Cigarettes can be manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes can possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations. The formulation can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material applied to the paper web. Such a system provides a source of paper web, applies additive material to that web in a pattern, dries the paper web, and winds the treated paper web on to a bobbin. That bobbin can be later used to provide a source of paper web on a cigarette making machine, which unrolls that bobbin, receives the treated paper web from that bobbin, supplies tobacco filler and manufactures a cigarette rod from the paper web and tobacco filler.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tabacco CompanyInventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Vernon Brent Barnes, Sydney Keith Seymour, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, John Larkin Nelson, Carl Carlton Greene, Jr., Balager Ademe
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Publication number: 20080029118Abstract: Filter rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements are provided, with each rod having a longitudinal axis and incorporating a generally longitudinally extending filter material and a generally longitudinally extending strand within that filter material. A filter making unit receives a continuous supply of a filter material, and forms the filter material into a gathered composite having a continuous cylindrical shape. A continuous supply of a strand (e.g., colored thread) is provided and is introduced into the filter material gathered composite in the tongue of the filter making unit. The filter material and continuous strand positioned therein are formed into a continuous rod having the strand material laterally positioned within that rod, and the continuous rod is subdivided at pre-determined longitudinal intervals to provide a plurality of rod portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Louis John Read, Brent Walker Carter
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Patent number: 7325382Abstract: A device and method for loading cigarettes from a cartridge into a package. The device provides for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge supporting them to a package.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Timothy Frederick Thomas
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Patent number: 7281540Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured having smokable rods with paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials can be applied to a continuous, moving paper web on a cigarette making apparatus using application apparatus possessing four rollers. One roller has a series of pockets to receive additive formulation and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. The additive material can be applied to a transfer roller in roll interaction with a pick-up roller. Roll interaction of the transfer roller with an application roller causes transfer of the additive material from the transfer roller to the application roller. Additive material from the application roller can be transferred to the paper web that passes between the application roller and a back-up roller. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material applied to the paper web.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Philip Andrew Deal, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, John Larkin Nelson
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Patent number: 7117871Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. One of those rollers can have a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material that has been applied to the paper web. The radiant dryer can be located on one component of a two component assembly that is used to manufacture cigarettes. Spectrometric techniques can be used to ensure proper registration of the additive material on the cigarette rods so manufactured, and to ensure proper quality of those cigarettes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Carl Carlton Greene, Jr., John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe
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Patent number: 7073514Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. One of those rollers can have a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material that has been applied to the paper web. The radiant dryer can be located on one component of a two component assembly that is used to manufacture cigarettes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Carl Carlton Greene, Jr., Lloyd Harmon Hancock, John Larkin Nelson
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Publication number: 20040237978Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Carl Carlton Greene, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe, John Larkin Nelson
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Publication number: 20040118420Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation is applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers, and one of those rollers has a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A modified figure rail assembly and garniture entrance cone provide air flow toward the paper web being advanced through the garniture region of the cigarette making apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Carl Carlton Greene, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, John Larkin Nelson
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Publication number: 20040118418Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation is applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers, and one of those rollers has a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A modified figure rail assembly and garniture entrance cone provide air flow toward the paper web being advanced through the garniture region of the cigarette making apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Carl Carlton Greene, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe
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Patent number: 6708695Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Inventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20020035999Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 6360751Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 6111238Abstract: An automated microwave sample digestion system is disclosed in which a focused microwave digestion system is operated under computer control in association with a computer controlled robotic positioning system such that sample tubes containing samples to be digested are loaded and unloaded into and out from the cooking cavities of the microwave digestion oven in a preprogrammed manner in order to both increase the efficiency of the processing of samples as well as to produce consistent operating conditions for each sample being digested. An additional pump and syringe line is provided for both washing the tube condenser utilized during the digestion process as well as for diluting the digested sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Robert Joseph Fix, Sr., Jannell Mills Rowe, Samuel Mark DeBusk, Bain Clifford McConnell, John Larkin Nelson, Nancy Carol Huettel
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Patent number: 5902431Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming a composite web for use in making a fuel element for smoking articles comprises a dual bobbin unwinder from which alternate glass fiber webs are unwound. A splicing apparatus is used to splice together the webs unwound from the two bobbins of the unwinder. Sensing and speed controls are provided for sensing unwinding speed and the amount of web remaining on a bobbin for controlling web accumulation prior to splicing and stopping of the web to effect a splice. Downstream of the splicing apparatus the web is fed to a composite web former where it is slit into equal halves and vertically separated. A paper web is guided between the two web halves and the webs are converged into a three layer composite web with the paper web sandwiched between the glass fiber web halves. The composite web is fed to a KDF filter maker where it is combined with a carbonaceous rod for making a fuel element.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Donald Ross Wilkinson, John Larkin Nelson, Jeffrey Kane Rogers, Vernon Brent Barnes, Barry Smith Fagg