Patents by Inventor Robert T. Mitten

Robert T. Mitten 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).

  • Publication number: 20170166369
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture, products, and packaging methods are provided that include a label with a tear strip. A labeled container includes a base, a lid, and a label sealing the base to the lid. The base includes a bottom wall and a base side wall. The lid includes a top wall and a lid skirt. The lid mates with the base to define an interior space. The label has a front face and a rear face. The label includes an outer web including polymer film, paper, or a combination thereof and an inner web of polymer. A tear strip is defined in the inner web by one or more weakened portion, score lines, or cuts in the inner web. The rear face of the label is adhesively bonded to the base side wall and to the lid skirt to form a seal between the base and the lid. The tear strip is positioned between a portion of the label adhesive bonded to the base side wall and a portion of the label adhesively bonded to the lid skirt. The tear strip can be used to open the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession, Christopher L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9643773
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Neidle, Kenneth Newman, William R. Sweeney, Cynthia S. Hayes, Robert T. Mitten, Danielle R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20170036849
    Abstract: A blank for forming an inner packaging container of a pack for consumer goods including an outer packaging container and the inner packaging container. The inner packaging container includes a dispensing opening with a resealable closure, a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and opposing side panels; each side panel having an inner panel and an outer panel, the inner panel having a first width defining a width of the inner packaging container, and the outer panel including at least a portion having a second width defining flanges having a width greater than the first width. The inner packaging container is insertable within the outer packaging container such that the flanges extending from the back panel of the inner packaging container exert a biasing force on the hinged lid of the outer packaging container to assure lid closure is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession
  • Publication number: 20170008683
    Abstract: Display packages include a packaging including a cavity for holding an item, and a trap seal card including a first opening. The trap seal card retains the packaging such that the item held within the cavity is visible to a consumer through the first opening, and a portion of the packaging protrudes through the first opening. The trap seal card includes a front panel integral with a back panel. The packaging is between the front panel and the back panel. Blanks for the trap seal card include the back panel or the front panel having a first length and a second length less than the first length. The first and second lengths extend in a perpendicular direction to a first fold line. Blanks for the display box include a tab detachable from a remaining portion of the back panel when the back panel is separated along a ninth fold line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Scott A. FATH, William J. BOGDZIEWICZ, III, Robert T. MITTEN, Ryan BAILEY
  • Publication number: 20160280451
    Abstract: A blank for forming an inner packaging container of a pack for consumer goods including an outer packaging container and the inner packaging container. The inner packaging container includes a dispensing opening with a resealable closure, a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and opposing side panels; each side panel having an inner panel and an outer panel, the inner panel having a first width defining a width of the inner packaging container, and the outer panel including at least a portion having a second width defining flanges having a width greater than the first width. The inner packaging container is insertable within the outer packaging container such that the flanges extending from the back panel of the inner packaging container exert a biasing force on the hinged lid of the outer packaging container to assure lid closure is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession
  • Patent number: 9382062
    Abstract: A pack for consumer goods includes an outer packaging container and an inner packaging container. The outer packaging container includes a lower box portion with an upper lid portion hingedly connected thereto. The inner packaging container includes a dispensing opening with a resealable closure, a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and opposing side panels; each side panel having an inner panel and an outer panel, the inner panel having a first width defining a width of the inner packaging container, and the outer panel including at least a portion having a second width defining flanges having a width greater than the first width. The inner packaging container is insertable within the outer packaging container, the flanges on the back panel of the inner packaging container exert biasing forces on the hinged lid of the outer packaging container to assure lid closure is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession
  • Publication number: 20160100630
    Abstract: A slide push pack for smoking articles and a method of packaging smoking articles are disclosed. The slide push pack includes an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell has a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, the back panel having a pair of guide rails and an inner channel, the front panel having a front finger window. The inner shell is configured to receive a pack of smoking articles. The inner shell includes an inner back panel, an outer back panel, a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a hinged-lid. The hinged-lid has a hinged-lid back panel configured to attach the hinged-lid to the back panel of the inner shell, and wherein the inner back panel includes an upper tab, and the outer back panel includes a mid-tab and a lower retention tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: James Lindsay CLARK, Robert T. MITTEN
  • Publication number: 20160009485
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Bruce NEIDLE, Kenneth NEWMAN, William R. SWEENEY, Cynthia S. HAYES, Robert T. MITTEN, Danielle R. CRAWFORD
  • Publication number: 20150305464
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device protective case includes a shell with a retention structure attached to the shell. The retention structure is capable or retaining an e-vaping article, where the e-vaping article is a blister pack or an e-vaping item. The retention structure can be a storage portion with a holding member that slideably receives and retains a blister pack, and a locking member that impedes the blister pack from sliding from the storage portion. The retention structure can also include a cavity or a compartment that receives and retains a cylindrically-shaped e-vaping item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: John R. NELSON, JR., William J. BOGDZIEWICZ, III, Scott A. FATH, Robert T. MITTEN
  • Patent number: 9139360
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Neidle, Kenneth Newman, William R. Sweeney, Cynthia S. Hayes, Robert T. Mitten, Danielle R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20140262903
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture, products, and packaging methods are provided that include a label with a tear strip. A labeled container includes a base, a lid, and a label sealing the base to the lid. The base includes a bottom wall and a base side wall. The lid includes a top wall and a lid skirt. The lid mates with the base to define an interior space. The label has a front face and a rear face. The label includes an outer web including polymer film, paper, or a combination thereof and an inner web of polymer. A tear strip is defined in the inner web by one or more weakened portion, score lines, or cuts in the inner web. The rear face of the label is adhesively bonded to the base side wall and to the lid skirt to form a seal between the base and the lid. The tear strip is positioned between a portion of the label adhesive bonded to the base side wall and a portion of the label adhesively bonded to the lid skirt. The tear strip can be used to open the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession, Christopher L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8833552
    Abstract: A folded, substantially wedge shaped pack useful for holding thin, elongate products such as tobacco sticks includes a back panel, inner front panel, top panel and front closure panel, the front closure panel including a tab at a free end thereof engageable with a closure slot in the inner front panel. The closure tab slides into the closure slot by sliding along a bearing surface and the top panel establishes a raised fulcrum effect which tends to maintain the closure tab in the closure slot when the pack is in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession, Edward C. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140212547
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce NEIDLE, Kenneth NEWMAN, William R. SWEENEY, Cynthia S. HAYES, Robert T. MITTEN, Danielle R. CRAWFORD
  • Patent number: 8685478
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Neidle, Kenneth Newman, William R. Sweeney, Cynthia S. Hayes, Robert T. Mitten, Danielle R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8479477
    Abstract: A folded, substantially wedge shaped pack useful for holding thin, elongate products such as tobacco sticks includes a back panel, inner front panel, top panel and front closure panel, the front closure panel including a tab at a free end thereof engageable with a closure slot in the inner front panel. The closure tab slides into the closure slot by sliding along a bearing surface and the top panel establishes a raised fulcrum effect which tends to maintain the closure tab in the closure slot when the pack is in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher J. Hession, Edward C. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8393465
    Abstract: A three-piece pocket-size hybrid container for holding a consumer product such as smokeless tobacco product in an interior volume of an inner ring mechanically secured to an interior of an outer base housing including a cover to fit over and snugly around the inner ring. When closed, a cover sidewall may engage a sidewall of the outer base housing to form a flush exterior sidewall of the closed container or the cover sidewall may be spaced apart from the outer base housing to form a gap in the exterior sidewall of the closed container. The outer base housing and cover can be metal and the inner ring can be plastic to provide a strong and robust package that maintains product freshness and is easily opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Clark, William T. Griffin, Robert T. Mitten
  • Patent number: D694102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Bellamah, William T. Griffin, Dominic J. C. Howard, Robert T. Mitten
  • Patent number: D734145
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Fath, William J. Bogdziewicz, Robert T. Mitten, Steve R. Rinehart
  • Patent number: D749943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Christopher L. Simpson
  • Patent number: D767821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: James Lindsay Clark, Robert T. Mitten, Benjamin Ragland, Gary Wessling