Patents by Inventor Douglas R. Hicks

Douglas R. Hicks 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).

  • Publication number: 20230008477
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a top retainer comprising a top attachment panel for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers, and a bottom retainer comprising a bottom attachment panel for being attached to the plurality of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas R. Hicks, Kevin T. May, Raymond R. Spivey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7381277
    Abstract: A method of flavoring a filter plug wrap of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of incorporating flavoring into the plug wrap and using the plug wrap to wrap the filter of the smoking article is disclosed. A smoking article and a filter having a flavored filter plug wrap are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: R.U. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ricky A. Gonterman, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7308898
    Abstract: A bandcast tobacco sheet for use in a cigarette includes from about 5 to 15% by weight of wood pulp, from about 15 to 40% by weight of binder and from about 15 to 40% by weight of tobacco. A humectant may be included up to 30% by weight and an additive, such as menthol, may be added to up about 30% by weight. A bandcast tobacco sheet is used in elongated strips along the outer surface of a tobacco rod between the tobacco rod and an inner surface of an outer wrap of cigarette paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Luis Monsalud, Jr., Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7051739
    Abstract: A cigarette with burn rate modification is described. The cigarette has a partial double wrap design and incorporates an inner wrap material which extends partially around the interior portion of the outer wrapper of a cigarette. The inner wrap can be a single element or can be a plurality of strips which extend coaxially along the tobacco column and which affect the burn rate of the cigarette. The partial inner wrap material exhibits a low porosity and forms zones of high diffusion and low diffusion along the length of the tobacco rod. These zones may be singular or may be alternating and are coaxial. The low diffusion zones are aligned with the inner wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20040261805
    Abstract: A cigarette having reduced ignition propensity and machine for making the cigarette is disclosed. The machine applies a material in longitudinal bands onto the cigarette wrapper for reducing the ignition propensity of the cigarette. The material may be applied by roller, spray or printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Wanna, William J. Buda, Douglas R. Hicks, Luis A. Barros
  • Patent number: 6827087
    Abstract: A cigarette with burn rate modification is described. The cigarette has a partial double wrap design and incorporates an inner wrap material which extends partially around the interior portion of the outer wrapper of a cigarette. The inner wrap can be a single element or can be a plurality of strips which extend coaxially along the tobacco column and which affect the burn rate of the cigarette. The partial inner wrap material exhibits a low porosity and forms zones of high diffusion and low diffusion along the length of the tobacco rod. These zones may be singular or may be alternating and are coaxial. The low diffusion zones are aligned with the inner wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20040177856
    Abstract: A bandcast tobacco sheet for use in a cigarette includes from about 5 to 15% by weight of wood pulp, from about 15 to 40% by weight of binder and from about 15 to 40% by weight of tobacco. A humectant may be included up to 30% by weight and an additive, such as menthol, may be added to up about 30% by weight. A bandcast tobacco sheet is used in elongated strips along the outer surface of a tobacco rod between the tobacco rod and an inner surface of an outer wrap of cigarette paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Luis Monsalud, Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20040094171
    Abstract: A cigarette with burn rate modification is described. The cigarette has a partial double wrap design and incorporates an inner wrap material which extends partially around the interior portion of the outer wrapper of a cigarette. The inner wrap can be a single element or can be a plurality of strips which extend coaxially along the tobacco column and which affect the burn rate of the cigarette. The partial inner wrap material exhibits a low porosity and forms zones of high diffusion and low diffusion along the length of the tobacco rod. These zones may be singular or may be alternating and are coaxial. The low diffusion zones are aligned with the inner wrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20040094172
    Abstract: A cigarette with burn rate modification is described. The cigarette has a partial double wrap design and incorporates an inner wrap material which extends partially around the interior portion of the outer wrapper of a cigarette. The inner wrap can be a single element or can be a plurality of strips which extend coaxially along the tobacco column and which affect the burn rate of the cigarette. The partial inner wrap material exhibits a low porosity and forms zones of high diffusion and low diffusion along the length of the tobacco rod. These zones may be singular or may be alternating and are coaxial. The low diffusion zones are aligned with the inner wrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Wanna, Douglas R. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6705325
    Abstract: A cigarette making machine for manufacturing of a cigarette with burn rate modification is described. The cigarette maker allows for mounting of a special bobbin of material which is different in size and width of a normal wrapper bobbin and feeds both the outer wrap web of material and narrower inner wrap web of material to the garniture. A slitting device may be utilized to cut the inner wrap web of material into a plurality of individual strips which are placed adjacent the outer wrap web of material in the garniture area of the maker. The inner wrap web of material may derive from a transverse wound bobbin in order to store large linear amounts of inner wrap web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas R. Hicks, Joseph T. Wanna