Patents by Inventor Martin Garthaffner

Martin Garthaffner 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: 12187507
    Abstract: The container includes a base and a lid pivotally coupled to the base. The base includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall, where a plurality of receptacles are defined in the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall is configured to be moved from a relaxed position to a flexed position by applying a first force to a first portion of the peripheral wall in a first direction and a second force to a second portion of the peripheral wall in a second direction. The lid includes a top wall and a plurality of projections. In the relaxed position, the lid is configured to engage the receptacles so as to retain the lid in a closed configuration. The container is configured to be moved from the closed configuration to an open configuration by moving the lid in a third direction while the peripheral wall is in the flexed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hession, Travis Martin Garthaffner, William J. Bogdziewicz
  • Publication number: 20240359838
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Tamika MURRELL, Ahmet ERCELEBI
  • Patent number: 12108807
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
  • Publication number: 20240325664
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation and a heating element configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation. The heating element includes a metal tube having a first end and a second end. The metal tube defines an opening therethrough. The metal tube includes a sidewall defining at least one spiral channel extending substantially continuously along a portion of the metal tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Charles L. DENDY
  • Patent number: 12060183
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Tamika Murrell, Ahmet Ercelebi
  • Patent number: 12036362
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation and a heating element configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation. The heating element includes a metal tube having a first end and a second end. The metal tube defines an opening therethrough. The metal tube includes a sidewall defining at least one spiral channel extending substantially continuously along a portion of the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Charles L. Dendy
  • Publication number: 20240226470
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Peter J. LIPOWICZ
  • Publication number: 20240174401
    Abstract: A system for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable drum that is configured to hold a plurality of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a tagging drum that is configured to tag a respective label to a housing of each of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a pressing roller that is configured to press a leading edge of the label against the housing after the tagging. The system may further include a rolling drum that is configured to roll the label around the housing after the pressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Martin GARTHAFFNER
  • Publication number: 20240101289
    Abstract: An apparatus for the automated filling of cartridges of e-vapor devices may include a filling drum configured to receive at least one cartridge of an e-vapor device. The apparatus may additionally include a needle assembly including at least one hypodermic needle. The needle assembly is configured to transition between a lowered state and a raised state. The lowered state is where the hypodermic needle is moved down into the cartridge, while the raised state is where the hypodermic needle is lifted up and away from the cartridge. The apparatus may further include a pump assembly configured to pump a pre-vapor formulation into the cartridge when the needle assembly is in the lowered state. The pump assembly may include a variable amplitude cam system configured to adjust an amount of the pre-vapor formulation for pumping to the cartridge without changing start and stop times for the pumping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Jeremy Jay STRAIGHT
  • Patent number: 11904090
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 11897655
    Abstract: A system for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable drum that is configured to hold a plurality of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a tagging drum that is configured to tag a respective label to a housing of each of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a pressing roller that is configured to press a leading edge of the label against the housing after the tagging. The system may further include a rolling drum that is configured to roll the label around the housing after the pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Martin Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20230415933
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Tamika MURRELL, Ahmet ERCELEBI
  • Patent number: 11834213
    Abstract: An apparatus for the automated filling of cartridges of e-vapor devices may include a filling drum configured to receive at least one cartridge of an e-vapor device. The apparatus may additionally include a needle assembly including at least one hypodermic needle. The needle assembly is configured to transition between a lowered state and a raised state. The lowered state is where the hypodermic needle is moved down into the cartridge, while the raised state is where the hypodermic needle is lifted up and away from the cartridge. The apparatus may further include a pump assembly configured to pump a pre-vapor formulation into the cartridge when the needle assembly is in the lowered state. The pump assembly may include a variable amplitude cam system configured to adjust an amount of the pre-vapor formulation for pumping to the cartridge without changing start and stop times for the pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Jeremy Jay Straight
  • Patent number: 11814203
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Tamika Murrell, Ahmet Ercelebi
  • Publication number: 20230285695
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation and a heating element configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation. The heating element includes a metal tube having a first end and a second end. The metal tube defines an opening therethrough. The metal tube includes a sidewall defining at least one spiral channel extending substantially continuously along a portion of the metal tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Charles L. DENDY
  • Patent number: 11690965
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation and a heating element configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation. The heating element includes a metal tube having a first end and a second end. The metal tube defines an opening therethrough. The metal tube includes a sidewall defining at least one spiral channel extending substantially continuously along a portion of the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Charles L. Dendy
  • Publication number: 20230189899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Travis GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Barry S. SMITH, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
  • Publication number: 20230149645
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Peter J. LIPOWICZ
  • Patent number: 11576440
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
  • Patent number: 11559638
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Peter J. Lipowicz