Patents by Inventor Douglas C. Clark
Douglas C. Clark 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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Patent number: 5088507Abstract: Apparatus is described for inserting a component comprising an elongate cartridge containing an aerosol forming material, at one end of which there is a fuel element, within a jacket component comprising a rod, a sleeve of insulating material, or a combination thereof, the apparatus preferably providing for forming a passage in the jacket component and inserting the elongate cartridge therein. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of movably mounted stations for high speed manufacture of smoking articles.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1987Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Max N. Baker, Douglas C. Clark
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Patent number: 5052413Abstract: A method for making a smoking article is described wherein an aerosol generating cartridge is inserted into a sleeve, preferably having a tobacco insulating material.Also described are articles of manufacture having an elongate jacket module with a rod segment and an annular segment. The rod segment has a length of rod of fibrous material. Disposed logitudinally on either side of the rod segment is an annular segment of insulating material.Additionally, articles of manufacture useful for making smoking articles are described having an elongate structure with two or more repeating sections wherein each section preferably has a tobacco-containing spacer segment and mouthend segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1987Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Max N. Baker, Vernon B. Barnes, Douglas C. Clark, Jack F. Clearman, Gerhard Hensgen, Michael D. Shannon, Gary R. Shelar, Alfred Schubert
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Patent number: 5009068Abstract: A pneumatic piston/cylinder unit comprises primary and secondary pistons operable in first and second cylinder zones respectively. Each of the primary and secondary pistons divide its respective cylinder zone into two chambers, one of the chambers of the first cylinder zone being connected to one of the chambers of the second cylinder zone via a passageway which includes at least one control for the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. A tertiary piston is provided in the one chamber of the first cylinder zone and divides that chamber into two parts, one of which is between the primary and tertiary pistons. In use the passageway, the one chamber of the second cylinder zone and the other part of the one chamber of the first cylinder zone are filled with hydraulic fluid. Application of pneumatic pressure to the other chamber of the first cylinder zone causes the primary piston to be displaced until it abuts the tertiary piston whereupon movement of the primary piston may be arrested or controlled.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Inventor: Douglas C. Clarke
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Patent number: 4648413Abstract: An adjustable-delivery cigarette and method for producing same, whose strength delivery may be altered by the consumer in a range between higher and lower values. The cigarette includes a tobacco rod, with paper wrapper, and the filter assembly. An overwrap encircles the filter element and may also join the filter element to the tobacco rod. The overwrap has an adjustment zone formed therein, which may be in the form of a circumferential slot. The circumferential slot may extend partially through the overwrap, or may extend completely through the overwrap and partially through the filter plugwrap. In the latter instance, the filter plugwrap should be relatively impervious to airflow. Application by the consumer of a bending moment to the filter assembly results in the adjustment zone being ruptured, allowing a greater degree of air dilution, resulting in a decreased perceptible strength to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1984Date of Patent: March 10, 1987Inventors: Barry L. Saintsing, Douglas C. Clark, John D. Weber
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Patent number: 4638820Abstract: A smoking article which delivers to a smoker during each puff a flowstream having a higher concentration of smoke during the first portion of the puff and a lower concentration of smoke during the remainder of the puff.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1986Date of Patent: January 27, 1987Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Donald L. Roberts, Anthony L. Angel, Douglas C. Clark, Jack F. Clearman, T. Stephen Sink
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Patent number: 4502587Abstract: Apparatus to accumulate automatically articles traveling between downstream and upstream machines in a production line. The accumulator includes an input magazine, a bin, and an output magazine. When the downstream machine ceases operation, a vertical plunger feeds articles into the input magazine, forming a stack. A loading plunger pushes the completed stack into the bin, where multiple stacks may be held, the stacks being moved from one position to another within the bin by a powered belt. To feed articles from the accumulator back into the production line, a stack is moved into the output magazine. There, a discharge plunger feeds successive lowermost articles in the output magazine onto an output conveyor. The output conveyor has at least twice the throughput capacity as the upstream machine, and articles from the accumulator may be merged into the production line stream, thus making up production time lost during shutdown of the downstream machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1983Date of Patent: March 5, 1985Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventor: Douglas C. Clark
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Patent number: 3939984Abstract: A packaging handling system for detecting and rejecting faulty packages and for maintaining a packaging or boxing machine in operation for a specific period of time if one or the other goes down. The system comprises a plurality of photocell sensing units to detect the imperfectly formed packages and a means for rejecting the faulty packages. An accumulator is positioned in the conveyor line between the packaging machine and the boxer and will store a limited number of packages should the cartoning machine discontinue to operate and will feed a limited number of packages on the conveyor should the packaging machine become inoperative. When the system is utilized on a boxer being fed by two packers, a distribution table is also provided in the system to divide the work from one packer to both lines should the other packer cease to function.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1974Date of Patent: February 24, 1976Inventors: Dean C. Butner, Douglas C. Clark
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Patent number: RE30964Abstract: A packaging handling system for detecting and rejecting faulty packages and for maintaining a packaging or boxing machine in operation for a specific period of time if one or the other goes down. The system comprises a plurality of photocell sensing units to detect the imperfectly formed packages and a .[.means for rejecting.]. .Iadd.pneumatic rejection device .Iaddend.the faulty packages. An accumulator is positioned in the conveyor line between the packaging machine and the boxer and will store a limited number of packages should the cartoning machine discontinue to operate and will feed a limited number of packages on the conveyor should the packaging machine become inoperative. When the system is utilized on a boxer being fed by two packers, a distribution table is also provided in the system to divide the work from one packer to both lines should the other packer cease to function.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1980Date of Patent: June 8, 1982Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dean C. Butner, Douglas C. Clark
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Patent number: RE31478Abstract: An optical laser beam chopper for converting a continuous beam into a series of scanning impulses for use in perforating a moving web is disclosed. The system utilizes a coherent light source which produces a beam for use in performing a thin paper web of the type used in producing cigarette filters. The beam passes through a rotary chopper, or shutter, system which incorporates a plurality of rotary discs each of which carries one or more annular rings divided into segments. Selected segments on each ring are formed of a reflective material to act as mirrors for the laser beam, while the remaining segments are in the form of apertures which allow the beam to pass through the disc.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1979Date of Patent: December 27, 1983Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Colin S. McArthur, Douglas C. Clark