Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Swepston
Jeffrey A. Swepston 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: 20250017257Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Travis M. GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Martin T. GARTHAFFNER
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Patent number: 12108807Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Patent number: 12102115Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20240315317Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 12090266Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Patent number: 12035745Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20230189899Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Travis GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Barry S. SMITH, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
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Publication number: 20230053802Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Travis M. GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Martin T. GARTHAFFNER
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Patent number: 11576440Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Publication number: 20230022277Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. BELCASTRO, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
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Patent number: 11490652Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Patent number: 11464920Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Publication number: 20210100280Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Publication number: 20210059311Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Patent number: 10856582Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Patent number: 10827780Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20200329777Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Patent number: 10792442Abstract: An apparatus for generating aerosol comprises a capillary tube comprising at least one bend, fluid inlets, and an outlet along the bend. The capillary tube is heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize fluid in the capillary tube, such that the volatilized fluid discharges from the outlet to form an aerosol.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Shane Price, Evgeni Sychev, Marc D Belcastro, Jeffrey A Swepston
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Patent number: 10721962Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20190133196Abstract: An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Jeffrey A. Swepston