Patents by Inventor Vernon Brent Barnes
Vernon Brent Barnes 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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Publication number: 20100236561Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 7793665Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Kenneth Wayne Smith, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Publication number: 20100192962Abstract: 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: April 15, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Louis John Read, JR., Brent Walker Carter
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Patent number: 7740019Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Inc.Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Louis John Read, Jr., Brent Walker Carter
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Publication number: 20100101589Abstract: An apparatus and method 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. A rod-forming unit is 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 along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing device is configured to selectively dispense a liquid substance into the filter material, substantially commensurately with the introduction of the plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member, wherein the liquid substance is configured to affect an attribute associated with the objects. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes at least one object and a portion of the liquid substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Patent number: 7677251Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes provides for such manufacture in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus and method provide for delivering at least one charge of tobacco filler from a supply of tobacco filler onto a predetermined length of wrapping paper in a garniture. The wrapping paper can be formed about the charge of tobacco filler by a forming mechanism in the garniture to form a cigarette rod having a finite length. The formed cigarette rod can then be transferred to a cutting device where, in a separate step, the cigarette rod can be cut into a plurality of individual cigarettes. The cigarettes may have filter elements attached, and may be packaged for a consumer. The filter element and tipping paper can provide for air dilution of the cigarettes.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, August Joseph Borschke
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Patent number: 7597105Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus provides for arranging loose tobacco into tobacco charges and simultaneously inserting the charges into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, John Larkin Nelson, Timothy Frederick Thomas
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Publication number: 20090194118Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article is provided. At least one sensor element is adapted to interact with the filter element so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response. The object insertion status includes at least one of an object presence within the filter element, an object absence from the filter element, a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element. An analysis unit is in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Travis Eugene Howard, Robert William Benford, Franklim Forrest Brantley, Brent Walker Carter, William Robert Collett, Darrell Thomas Dixon, Larry Dean McCann, John Larkin Nelson, Gregory J. Roberts, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Calvin Wayne Henderson
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Patent number: 7565818Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The invention provides an apparatus and method for simultaneously inserting charges of tobacco into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Vernon Brent Barnes, John Larkin Nelson, August Joseph Borschke
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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: 20090065012Abstract: 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: September 4, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Pankaj Patel, Charles Ray Ashcraft, John Joseph Tomel, JR., Gregory Alan Holmes, Vernon Brent Barnes, Lloyd Harmon Hancock, James Herbert Ellis, JR., James Ray Hutchens, Gregory Scott Pierce, Don Hayes White
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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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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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Publication number: 20080017203Abstract: Pre-formed cigarette tubes are provided in an automated fashion. Cigarettes containing a filler material are manufactured according to known methods and transferred to an apparatus for removing the filler material. The filler material within each resulting cigarette is removed therefrom. Optionally, the filler material may be recycled to the beginning of the process. The resulting pre-formed cigarette tubes are collected. At a later time, the hollow regions of those pre-formed tubes can be filled with tobacco cut filler in order to provide finished cigarettes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Dennis Lee Potter, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Publication number: 20080006284Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes provides for such manufacture in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus and method provide for delivering at least one charge of tobacco filler from a supply of tobacco filler onto a predetermined length of wrapping paper in a garniture. The wrapping paper can be formed about the charge of tobacco filler by a forming mechanism in the garniture to form a cigarette rod having a finite length. The formed cigarette rod can then be transferred to a cutting device where, in a separate step, the cigarette rod can be cut into a plurality of individual cigarettes. The cigarettes may have filter elements attached, and may be packaged for a consumer. The filter element and tipping paper can provide for air dilution of the cigarettes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, August Joseph Borschke