Patents by Inventor Travis Garthaffner

Travis Garthaffner 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: 20230312160
    Abstract: The method includes first defining a plurality of fold lines that divide the blank into a plurality of sidewall panels, forming a platform panel on a bottom end of the plurality of sidewall panels, the platform panel having a first foot panel and a second foot panel on first opposing sides of the platform panel, the first foot panel directly connecting the platform panel to a first sidewall panel, of the plurality of sidewall panels, and second defining a tab near the bottom end of the plurality of sidewall panels, the tab being configured to retain a bottom edge of the second foot panel, upon an assembly of the blank into a package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis GARTHAFFNER
  • Patent number: 11685571
    Abstract: The method includes a blank with sidewall panels, a first foot panel connected to a first one of the sidewall panels, a platform panel connected to the first foot panel, and a second foot panel connected to the platform panel, the method including first folding the sidewall panels and connecting respective side edges of the sidewall panels to form sidewalls of a package, second folding the platform panel to fit within a first end of the sidewalls so that the first foot panel and the second foot panel each at least partially press against a respective one of the sidewalls, and connecting the second foot panel to one of the sidewalls to stabilize the platform panel within the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20230189899
    Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Travis GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Barry S. SMITH, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
  • Patent number: 11576440
    Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
  • Publication number: 20220185530
    Abstract: The method includes a blank with sidewall panels, a first foot panel connected to a first one of the sidewall panels, a platform panel connected to the first foot panel, and a second foot panel connected to the platform panel, the method including first folding the sidewall panels and connecting respective side edges of the sidewall panels to form sidewalls of a package, second folding the platform panel to fit within a first end of the sidewalls so that the first foot panel and the second foot panel each at least partially press against a respective one of the sidewalls, and connecting the second foot panel to one of the sidewalls to stabilize the platform panel within the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis GARTHAFFNER
  • Patent number: 11267606
    Abstract: The package includes sidewall panels, the sidewall panels at least partially forming an outer surface of the package, a first foot panel connected via a first fold line to a front panel of the sidewall panels, a platform panel connected via a second fold line to the first foot panel, the platform panel being configured to support at least one first consumer product within the package, a second foot panel connected via a third fold line to the platform panel, a tab on a back panel of the sidewall panels, the tab configured to retain the second foot panel, and a tear-off section defined by one or more of the sidewall panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20210360971
    Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes a power supply section, a heater assembly section, and a cartridge. The power supply section includes a power supply. The cartridge section includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, and a wick in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation. The heater assembly section is connected to the power supply section and the cartridge. The heater assembly section includes at least one plate heater in physical contact with a portion of the wick. The at least one plate heater is selectively electrically connectable to the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. LIPOWICZ, Srinivasan JANARDHAN, Travis GARTHAFFNER
  • Patent number: 11129413
    Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes a power supply section, a heater assembly section, and a cartridge. The power supply section includes a power supply. The cartridge section includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, and a wick in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation. The heater assembly section is connected to the power supply section and the cartridge. The heater assembly section includes at least one plate heater in physical contact with a portion of the wick. The at least one plate heater is selectively electrically connectable to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Lipowicz, Srinivasan Janardhan, Travis Garthaffner
  • Patent number: 10787288
    Abstract: The blank includes a plurality of sidewall panels, a first foot panel connected via a first fold line to a first panel of the plurality of sidewall panels, a platform panel connected via a second fold line to the first foot panel, a second foot panel connected via a third fold line to the platform panel, and a tab at least partially defined by one or more cut lines in a second panel of the plurality of sidewall panels. The tab is configured to retain a bottom edge of the second foot panel, upon assembly of the blank into a package. A tear-off section is defined by one or more of the plurality of sidewall panels. The package is made from the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20180255831
    Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes a power supply section, a heater assembly section, and a cartridge. The power supply section includes a power supply. The cartridge section includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, and a wick in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation. The heater assembly section is connected to the power supply section and the cartridge. The heater assembly section includes at least one plate heater in physical contact with a portion of the wick. The at least one plate heater is selectively electrically connectable to the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Peter J. LIPOWICZ, Srinivasan JANARDHAN, Travis GARTHAFFNER
  • Publication number: 20150289565
    Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Travis GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Barry S. SMITH, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
  • Patent number: 8047208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10? are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10? are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10?? is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Spiers, G. Robert Scott, Travis Garthaffner
  • Patent number: 7381175
    Abstract: Machinery and process for continuously making a compound filter rod include a tow transport for continuously delivering an expanded fiber tow while compressing the tow as it travels in a downstream direction. At least one rotating pocket wheel has a plurality of spaced apart pockets therein, and a filter media supply delivers media to the pockets. A vacuum source applied to the pockets of the rotating wheel operates to draw filter media into the pockets from the filter media supply. An air transport tube in alignment with the pockets of the rotating pocket wheel discharges the filter media from the pockets as they rotate past the transport tube. The discharged filter media is delivered to the tow transport into interior portions of the fiber tow. Subsequently, the rod is wrapped with filter paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John Dawson, Loren Duvoket, Travis Garthaffner, Rashard Thurman, Charles Gary Atwell
  • Publication number: 20080006283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10? are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10? are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10?? is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Spiers, G. Scott, Travis Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20060135335
    Abstract: Machinery and process for continuously making a compound filter rod include a tow transport for continuously delivering an expanded fiber tow while compressing the tow as it travels in a downstream direction. At least one rotating pocket wheel has a plurality of spaced apart pockets therein, and a filter media supply delivers media to the pockets. A vacuum source applied to the pockets of the rotating wheel operates to draw filter media into the pockets from the filter media supply. An air transport tube in alignment with the pockets of the rotating pocket wheel discharges the filter media from the pockets as they rotate past the transport tube. The discharged filter media is delivered to the tow transport into interior portions of the fiber tow. Subsequently, the rod is wrapped with filter paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John Dawson, Loren Duvoket, Travis Garthaffner, Rashard Thurman, Charles Atwell
  • Patent number: D947021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis Garthaffner