Patents by Inventor Ahmet Ercelebi
Ahmet Ercelebi 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: 20230415933Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a system for filling a plurality of containers with oral products. The system comprises a container station and a shuttle assembly. The container station is configured to provide a plurality of containers. The shuttle assembly is configured to move between a first shuttle position to receive a plurality of oral products and a second shuttle position to deposit the oral products into the containers. At least one example embodiment relates to a method of filling a plurality of containers with oral products.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Tamika MURRELL, Ahmet ERCELEBI
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Patent number: 11814203Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a system for filling a plurality of containers with oral products. The system comprises a container station and a shuttle assembly. The container station is configured to provide a plurality of containers. The shuttle assembly is configured to move between a first shuttle position to receive a plurality of oral products and a second shuttle position to deposit the oral products into the containers. At least one example embodiment relates to a method of filling a plurality of containers with oral products.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Tamika Murrell, Ahmet Ercelebi
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Publication number: 20220363448Abstract: A container includes a base and a lid movable between a closed and locked configuration and an open configuration The base includes a peripheral wall movable from a relaxed position to a flexed position by applying a first force to a first portion in a first direction and a second force to a second portion in a second direction. The lid defines a plurality of receptacles. In the closed and locked configuration, the protrusions are at least partially in the receptacles, the peripheral wall is in the relaxed position, and the protrusions are configured to engage the lid to retain the lid in the closed and locked configuration. The container is configured to be moved from the closed and locked configuration to the open configuration by moving the lid in a third direction different from the first and second directions while the peripheral wall is in the flexed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: William J. BOGDZIEWICZ, Christopher J. HESSION, Scott A. FATH, Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Ahmet ERCELEBI
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Publication number: 20220267035Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a system for filling a plurality of containers with oral products. The system comprises a container station and a shuttle assembly. The container station is configured to provide a plurality of containers. The shuttle assembly is configured to move between a first shuttle position to receive a plurality of oral products and a second shuttle position to deposit the oral products into the containers. At least one example embodiment relates to a method of filling a plurality of containers with oral products.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Tamika MURRELL, Ahmet ERCELEBI
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Patent number: 9049887Abstract: An apparatus for serially delivering filling media to spaced apart cavities of an endless filter rod, which includes a conveyor which conveys a strip of plug wrap along a feed path, a transfer wheel arrangement which serially delivers filter segments to the plug wrap as it moves along the feed path such that the filter segments are arranged in plug-space-plug relation with cavities separated by the filter segments, and a filling wheel which rotates about a horizontal axis and includes pockets or cleats which receive filling media at the loading zone and deliver the filling media to the cavities at a discharge station along the feed path.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith, Georgios D. Karles, Jose Nepomuceno
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Publication number: 20140196729Abstract: A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ahmet ERCELEBI, Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams
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Patent number: 8671951Abstract: A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams
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Patent number: 8337374Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing discrete filter rods includes a first conveyor for transporting filter segments of given length in a downstream direction. Three counter rotating transfer wheels receive the filter segments between spaced apart cleats on the circumference of the wheels. The first wheel receives the filter segments from the first conveyor and transfers the segments to the second wheel which in turn transfers the segments to the third wheel. Filter segments between the cleats on the third wheel are deposited upon a second conveyor with plug wrap thereon in precisely spaced apart relationship. Granular adsorbent material is filled into cavities between the filter segments, and a garniture folds the plug wrap around the filter segments and the filled cavities therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, James D. Evans, Jeremy Straight
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Publication number: 20120028774Abstract: An apparatus for serially delivering filling media to spaced apart cavities of an endless filter rod, which includes a conveyor which conveys a strip of plug wrap along a feed path, a transfer wheel arrangement which serially delivers filter segments to the plug wrap as it moves along the feed path such that the filter segments are arranged in plug-space-plug relation with cavities separated by the filter segments, and a filling wheel which rotates about a horizontal axis and includes pockets or cleats which receive filling media at the loading zone and deliver the filling media to the cavities at a discharge station along the feed path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith, Georgios D. Karles, Jose Nepomuceno
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Publication number: 20110232659Abstract: A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams
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Patent number: 7849889Abstract: A machine and process function to fill cavities with metered amounts of particulate material. An applicator wheel includes a series of equally spaced apart peripheral pockets each having a perforated bottom wall, and a vacuum manifold inside the wheel includes a vacuum chamber for supplying vacuum to the perforated bottom walls of the pockets as the wheel rotates. Particulate material from a filling chamber of such material outside the wheel is withdrawn into the pockets by the vacuum chamber. A downstream vacuum relief on the vacuum manifold functions to discharge particulate material from the pockets into the cavities at a predetermined discharge location on the wheel. Adjustment structure is connected to rotatably adjust the position of the vacuum manifold within the applicator wheel to thereby advance or retard the discharge location depending upon the speed of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Martin T. Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, Steven Spiers, Jeremy Straight
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Publication number: 20070284012Abstract: A machine and process function to fill cavities with metered amounts of particulate material. An applicator wheel includes a series of equally spaced apart peripheral pockets each having a perforated bottom wall, and a vacuum manifold inside the wheel includes a vacuum chamber for supplying vacuum to the perforated bottom walls of the pockets as the wheel rotates. Particulate material from a filling chamber of such material outside the wheel is withdrawn into the pockets by the vacuum chamber. A downstream vacuum relief on the vacuum manifold functions to discharge particulate material from the pockets into the cavities at a predetermined discharge location on the wheel. Adjustment structure is connected to rotatably adjust the position of the vacuum manifold within the applicator wheel to thereby advance or retard the discharge location depending upon the speed of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry Smith, Martin Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, Steven Spiers, Jeremy Straight
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Patent number: 7093625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steven F. Spiers, Jeremy J. Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
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Publication number: 20050282693Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing discrete filter rods includes a first conveyor for transporting filter segments of given length in a downstream direction. Three counter rotating transfer wheels receive the filter segments between spaced apart cleats on the circumference of the wheels. The first wheel receives the filter segments from the first conveyor and transfers the segments to the second wheel which in turn transfers the segments to the third wheel. Filter segments between the cleats on the third wheel are deposited upon a second conveyor with plug wrap thereon in precisely spaced apart relationship. Granular adsorbent material is filled into cavities between the filter segments, and a garniture folds the plug wrap around the filter segments and the filled cavities therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2005Publication date: December 22, 2005Inventors: Martin Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, James Evans, Jeremy Straight
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Publication number: 20050112228Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
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Patent number: 6805174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
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Publication number: 20040020554Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Barry S. Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
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Patent number: 6656412Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Janet L. Thompson, Steven Frederick Spiers
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Publication number: 20030033685Abstract: A vacuum cleaning wheel and vacuum applicator having a stationary vacuum chamber, a ported wheel that rotates around the stationary vacuum chamber, and a stationary shoe that acts as the vacuum applicator and is positioned between the ported wheel and an article such as a cigarette filter rod to be cleaned. An article or articles having cavities filled with granular particles is passed underneath the stationary shoe and rotating ported wheel, with the movement of the article being synchronized with the rotation of the ported wheel. The stationary shoe provided between the rotating ported wheel and the article having particle filled cavities ensures that vacuum is only applied to remove loose particles in between the particle filled cavities, with vacuum being cut off abruptly to ports that are passing over the particle filled cavities and with the particles that have been cleaned being removed completely.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Steven Frederick Spiers, Jeremy J. Straight
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Publication number: 20030034590Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Janet L. Thompson, Steven Frederick Spiers