Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John F. Salazar
  • Patent number: 6561369
    Abstract: A neck finish of a container which includes a helical thread encircling the neck wherein said thread is provided with a pair of recesses spaced apart 180° and in cooperative engagement with recess forming fingers in a pair of cooperating horizontally movable mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Clodfelter, Douglas Sprick
  • Patent number: 6563898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and portable apparatus which is used to detect substances, such as explosives and drugs, by neutron irradiation. The apparatus has a portable neutron generating probe and corresponding controllers and data collection computers. The probe emits neutrons in order to interrogate an object. The probe also contains gamma ray detectors for the collection of gamma rays from fast neutron, thermal neutron and neutron activation reactions. Data collected from these detectors is sent to the computer for data de-convolution then object identification in order to determine whether the object being interrogated contains explosives or illicit contraband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Western Kentucky University
    Inventors: George Vourvopoulos, Sandor Sudar
  • Patent number: 6550840
    Abstract: A tailgate lift assembly is described herein wherein the assembly is comprised of a housing which has retained therein a spring, the spring being connected to the tailgate by means of a cable. The cable extends from the spring through at least one roller for correct positioning thereof. The cable is biased due to the spring the tension of which is adjustable through the use of a tensioning mechanism such as a turnbuckle. The lift assembly may be integrated with the top of a trailer side rail or may be affixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Backsaver Incorporated
    Inventor: David Rayburn
  • Patent number: 6543650
    Abstract: A dispenser closure is provided having a stopping mechanism that limits the rotation of the closure and generally prevents removal of the closure cap from the container. The dispenser closure includes a cap body, fitment and container finish. The cap body has a double shell design, which includes at least one drop lug projecting from the inner shell. When the cap body is rotated about the container finish, the drop lug engages at least one lug stop located on the container finish so as to limit the rotation, thereby preventing removal of the cap body from the container finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Sprick, Christopher B. Clodfelter
  • Patent number: 6542234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the particles of a tobacco particle stream in the production of smokable articles by scanning by means of a fine-beam light barrier, the diameter of which is smaller than the dimensions of the tobacco particles, and from the distribution of the dimensions of the tobacco particles determined by darkening of the fine-beam light barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: British-American Tobacco (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Ulrich, Arno Weiss, Gerald Schmekel, Heinz-Werner Masurat, Uwe Werner Ehling
  • Patent number: 6539657
    Abstract: A multi-position edgelit sign is described wherein a lens is removably affixable to a mounting housing assembly. A LED lightbar is mountable at different positions within the mounting housing assembly in order to properly illuminate the lens and may be mounted in various positions such that the lens may be affixed to the mounting housing assembly at different angles. Further, removable inserts are provided such that the signage on the lens may be adaptable to field specified characteristics thereby not requiring preprinted signs to be manufactured depending on these characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Nathan C. Qualls, Jr., Jason J. Davis
  • Patent number: 6536442
    Abstract: A lighter integral with a smoking article includes a gas burner and a tube for receiving a smokable material, such as a cigarette. The gas burner generates a stable pre-mixed flame that is used to heat the material to be smoked. The smokable material may be separated from the heat source, such as a flame or a catalyst bed, by a barrier that allows heat to flow between the heat source and an interior portion of the tube. Various configurations of barriers are provided. Furthermore, an attachment is provided that allows for the conversion of a conventional lighter into a lighter that may be integrally combined with a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Frank K. St. Charles, Kayyani C. Adiga, Robert Scott Driskell, Terry S. Goodrich, Mark B. Zeuner
  • Patent number: 6530582
    Abstract: A steerable personal vehicle is providing for use on snow, land and water. The steerable personal vehicle has a steering assembly and a frame. The steering assembly and the frame are connected by a joint about which either may be rotated relative to the other. The frame includes a rider support on which a rider may be mounted in a generally prone position. The steering assembly provides for rotation about three main axes, so as to provide stability and handling. The vehicle is mounted on a plurality of runners that may be attached thereto by front and rear suspensions. The runners may be formed as snow skis, water skis or wheel-mounting tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Zeffun, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin C. Dempster
  • Patent number: 6510855
    Abstract: A cigarette manufacturing system includes a feed hopper for feeding cut tobacco at a preselected rate to a cigarette rod forming device which in turn feeds formed cigarette rods to a filter tip attaching device. A tobacco recovery system is provided which includes air conveying conduits in flow communication with the rod forming device, the filter tip attachment device and a tobacco dust and useable tobacco particle separator wherein particles of tobacco dust and useable tobacco particles recovered from the rod forming section of the cigarette maker and the filter tip attaching device are separated. The useable particles are re-fed back into the feed hopper. The tobacco dust is transferred to a tobacco dust recovery collector. The tobacco dust and useable tobacco particles separator include a centrifugal curved conduit in combination with a classifying chamber having a bottom outlet for removing useable tobacco and a top outlet for removing tobacco dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Korte, Michael Wuolukka
  • Patent number: 6502581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for regulating the output moisture content of tobacco conditioned by a loosening/conditioning and optionally casing (saucing) drum comprising injecting a throughflow of water into the infeed region of the drum by a first nozzle regulated depending on the target value for the tobacco output moisture content and the actual values for the tobacco mass flow, the steam throughflow and the tobacco input moisture content; and injecting a throughflow of water in the outlet region of the drum through a second nozzle, the target value of which is computed depending on the target value and actual value for the tobacco output moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Dietmar Franke, Fritz Schelhorn, Hans-Werner Fuchs, Harald Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6488142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a banderole handling device including at least one cassette arranged for supplying banderoles to a banderoling machine, a closure for the discharge end of each cassette and including a cassette support, wherein each cassette is arranged substantially vertically at the cassette support and is positionable above a banderole feeder chute of the banderoling machine. In addition, the invention relates to device for arresting a cassette including banderoles relative to a banderole feeder chute of a banderoling machine, including a closure for the discharge opening of the cassette wherein the closure is configured so that it is accommodated in a receiving portion arranged in a fixed position relative to the banderoling machine or banderole feeder chute during its opening operation. The invention relates further to a system for filling cassettes with stacks of banderoles, in which the cassettes are filled by means of a banderole stack feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: British-American Tobacco (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Herrmann, Thomas Jung, Rolf Kramp, Norbert Schulte, Wolfgang Wurf, Heiko Hertrich
  • Patent number: 6484895
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Patent number: 6478032
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cigarette paper having a low total filler content, 20% by weight of the paper or less, a proportion of the filler being a filler capable of effecting visible sidestream smoke reduction. The basis weight of the paper is about 30 g m−2 or more. Smoking articles made with such papers provide a synergistic sidestream smoke component reduction when compared with control cigarettes. Papers according to the invention with the addition of various burn additives are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: British-American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Paul David Case, Alan George Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6474468
    Abstract: A cuboid pack for smoking articles is a shell and slide structure. The slide has a lid hinged on one minor side. Upon movement of the slide to an exposed position, hooks on the shell and slide interengage to pull open the lid via a tongue which is formed in part of an outer layer of a double layer side seam of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Griffith
  • Patent number: 6475288
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a homogeneous fibriform element comprising a smoke-modifying agent. In the process a mixture comprising a solution of a polysaccharide (an alginate for example) and a smoke-modifying agent (menthol for example) is fed through a nozzle and a jet of the mixture issuing from the nozzle is brought into contact with a solution containing multivalent cations (such as calcium ions). Solidification of the mixture is thus effected. In a second aspect of the invention, a fibriform element is manufactured by passing a thread through a mixture comprising a solution of a polysaccharide and a smoke-modifying agent whereby the thread is coated with the mixture. The coated thread is brought into contact with a solution containing multivalent cations thus to effect solidification of the mixture on the thread. A fibriform element as manufactured by the inventive process and a smoking article comprising such a fibriform element are also provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Oliver
  • Patent number: 6463436
    Abstract: An interactive system on a server via which a client can remotely submit data used to making photometric calculations in which the system has one or more interrogative interfaces is provided. Data is requested from the client via the interrogative interfaces when the client accesses the system. Data is received from the client by the interactive system. Photometric calculations are performed using the data received from the client and the results of the photometric calculations are delivered to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventor: David W. Knoble
  • Patent number: 6438189
    Abstract: An on-line material analyzer which utilizes pulsed neutron generation in order to determine the composition of material flowing through the apparatus. The on-line elemental material analyzer is based on a pulsed neutron generator. The elements in the material interact with the fast and thermal neutrons produced from the pulsed generator. Spectra of gamma-rays produced from fast neutrons interacting with elements of the material are analyzed and stored separately from spectra produced from thermal neutron reactions. Measurements of neutron activation takes place separately from the above reactions and at a distance from the neutron generator. A primary passageway allows the material to flow through at a constant rate of speed and operators to provide data corresponding to fast and thermal neutron reactions. A secondary passageway meters the material to allow for neutron activation analysis. The apparatus also has the capability to determine the density of the flowed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Numat, Inc.
    Inventor: George Vourvopoulos
  • Patent number: 6431380
    Abstract: A closure is described wherein a flip top is provided with a child-resistant opening mechanism. The flip top closure is attached to a neck finish, fitment or other container spout and includes a flip top that is hingedly attached to a depending sidewall. The child-resistant mechanism includes a retention tab that engages a retention bead when the flip top is closed, but allows the top to be opened by the alignment of the retention tab with a retention lug, located on the neck finish or fitment, over which the retention tab may slide when upward force is applied to a thumb tab attached to the top. The interaction of the retention tab and the retention lug when the flip top is closed prevents the closure from being automatically aligned for opening, after the closure is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Mark K. Branson
  • Patent number: 6427423
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for insertion of coupons or other material into hinge lid pack cigarettes. The apparatus of the present invention inserts the coupons in between the foil wrapped pack of cigarettes and the inner frame portion of the hinged lid pack. The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a coupon inserter, a third wheel pocket and rail system wherein the pockets travel rotationally with the third wheel after receiving a coupon and thereafter allow the foil wrapped cigarette pack to be inserted thereon. The rail of the hinged lid pack assembly machine has been modified to receive these coupons in conjunction with the coupon multistage inserter or dispenser and all act cooperatively such that the coupons are inserted in timed relation to the rotational speed of the third wheel of the packager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Hinzman, Mark Baker, Rickey Johnson, Weston Johnson
  • Patent number: D464537
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel P. Healy