Patents by Inventor Marvin G. Thompson

Marvin G. 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).

  • High speed laser perforation of cigarette tipping paper
    Patent number: 7393313
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a cigarette tipping paper perforation process includes supplying the paper in the form of a flexible web from a supply spindle that is mounted for powered angular rotation to a take-up spindle that receives a portion of the flexible web, and the take-up spindle also being mounted for powered angular rotation. A laser beam generator provides at least one laser beam through a series of optics that can include a laser beam expander or contractor, a rotating multi-faceted mirror, collimating lenses and downstream focusing lenses that focus the plurality of laser output beams received from the rotating multi-faceted mirror to burn a plurality of holes in the flexible web of cigarette paper. A control device controls the angular rotation of the supply spindle, the angular rotation of the take-up spindle, tension of the web, laser power and rotation of the multi-faceted mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Loren Duvekot, Kenneth E. Rudolph, Jr., Marvin G. Thompson
  • High speed laser perforation of cigarette tipping paper
    Patent number: 7094193
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a cigarette tipping paper perforation process includes supplying the paper in the form of a flexible web from a supply spindle that is mounted for powered angular rotation to a take-up spindle that receives a portion of the flexible web, and the take-up spindle also being mounted for powered angular rotation. A laser beam generator provides at least one laser beam through a series of optics that can include a laser beam expander or contractor, a rotating multi-faceted mirror, collimating lenses and downstream focusing lenses that focus the plurality of laser output beams received from the rotating multi-faceted mirror to burn a plurality of holes in the flexible web of cigarette paper. A control device controls the angular rotation of the supply spindle, the angular rotation of the take-up spindle, tension of the web, laser power and rotation of the multi-faceted mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Loren Duvekot, Kenneth E. Rudolph, Jr., Marvin G. Thompson