Patents by Inventor Steve Spiers

Steve Spiers 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).

  • Dual station applicator wheels for filling cavities with metered amounts of particulate material
    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
  • Dual station applicator wheels for filling cavities with metered amounts of particulate material
    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
  • Dual station applicator wheels for filling cavities with metered amounts of particulate material
    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