Patents by Inventor James D. Evans

James D. Evans 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).

  • Patent number: 12103726
    Abstract: A high-speed automated separation apparatus includes a pair of flexible discs, a driver to rotate the flexible discs, a feeder to position a rigid body at a first location between the flexible discs, a spreader and a converger operable upon the flexible discs such that opposing portions of the flexible disc converge upon the positioned rigid body. The rotating flexible discs rotate the rigid body beyond the first location, and content from the rigid body is expelled. The rigid body and the expelled content are then available for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Loren Duvekot, James D. Evans
  • Patent number: 12077333
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
  • Publication number: 20240262094
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the clastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: James D. EVANS, Shannon Maxwell BLACK, Thien Hoang NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20240253832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. EVANS, Herbert Cary LONGEST, Tamika S. MURRELL, Robert V. POWELL, JR., Jeremy STRAIGHT, Jarrod CHALKLEY
  • Publication number: 20240182198
    Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Publication number: 20240180229
    Abstract: A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. EVANS, Travis M. GARTHAFFNER, Herbert Cary LONGEST
  • Patent number: 11975514
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Shannon Maxwell Black, Thien Hoang Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240140633
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. NELSON, Christopher Ryan NEWCOMB, James D. EVANS, Thien NGUYEN, Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert V. POWELL
  • Patent number: 11958645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
  • Patent number: 11945620
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Nelson, Christopher Ryan Newcomb, James D. Evans, Thien Nguyen, Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert V. Powell
  • Patent number: 11918028
    Abstract: A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Travis M. Garthaffner, Herbert Cary Longest
  • Patent number: 11897649
    Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20240025139
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Thien NGUYEN, Sean SUNDBERG, Jeremy STRAIGHT, Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC, Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Robert V. POWELL, JR., Gregory L. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20230397645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Herbert C. LONGEST, Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Tamika S. MURRELL, Jeremy J. STRAIGHT, Travis M. GARTHAFFNER, Leah A. MEYERS, James D. EVANS
  • Publication number: 20230339633
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. EVANS, Herbert Cary LONGEST, Tamika S. MURRELL, Robert V. POWELL, JR., Jeremy STRAIGHT, Jarrod CHALKLEY
  • Patent number: 11794436
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Thien Nguyen, Sean Sundberg, Jeremy Straight, Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic, Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Christopher R. Newcomb, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Gregory L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11744275
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Herbert C. Longest, Jarrod W. Chalkley, Tamika S. Murrell, Jeremy J. Straight, Travis M. Garthaffner, Leah A. Meyers, James D. Evans
  • Patent number: 11718429
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
  • Publication number: 20230242299
    Abstract: A high-speed automated separation apparatus includes a pair of flexible discs, a driver to rotate the flexible discs, a feeder to position a rigid body at a first location between the flexible discs, a spreader and a converger operable upon the flexible discs such that opposing portions of the flexible disc converge upon the positioned rigid body. The rotating flexible discs rotate the rigid body beyond the first location, and content from the rigid body is expelled. The rigid body and the expelled content are then available for reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Loren DUVEKOT, James D. EVANS
  • Publication number: 20230202697
    Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY