Patents by Inventor William Robert Collett

William Robert Collett 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).

  • System for analyzing a filter element associated with a smoking article, and associated method
    Patent number: 8186359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Travis Eugene Howard, Robert William Benford, Franklin 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
  • SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING A FILTER ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A SMOKING ARTICLE, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
    Publication number: 20090194118
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: 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
  • Cigarette package having a cigarette saver
    Publication number: 20040103907
    Abstract: A cigarette saver is a device having two end portions and an opening to a channel in the first end portion. A lit cigarette may be inserted into the channel of the cigarette, extinguished and stored for subsequent smoking. A cigarette saver may be sold inside a crush proof box or soft package along with cigarettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Timothy Frederick Thomas