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: 11246353
    Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210244898
    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: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Charles L. DENDY
  • Patent number: 10994086
    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: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Charles L. Dendy
  • Publication number: 20210078748
    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: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Martin GARTHAFFNER
  • Publication number: 20210009308
    Abstract: The package includes sidewall panels, the sidewall panels at least partially forming an outer surface of the package, a first foot panel connected via a first fold line to a front panel of the sidewall panels, a platform panel connected via a second fold line to the first foot panel, the platform panel being configured to support at least one first consumer product within the package, a second foot panel connected via a third fold line to the platform panel, a tab on a back panel of the sidewall panels, the tab configured to retain the second foot panel, and a tear-off section defined by one or more of the sidewall panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER
  • Patent number: 10858137
    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: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Martin Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20200277097
    Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10676228
    Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200172385
    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: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Jeremy Jay STRAIGHT
  • Publication number: 20200146343
    Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The sealed capsule or capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20200060352
    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: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Peter J. LIPOWICZ
  • Patent number: 10568356
    Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The sealed capsule or capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A. Fournier
  • Patent number: 10562748
    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: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Jeremy Jay Straight
  • Patent number: 10463076
    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: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin Garthaffner, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Publication number: 20190001086
    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 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Charles L. DENDY
  • Publication number: 20180179042
    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 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Jeremy Jay STRAIGHT
  • Publication number: 20180134436
    Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9968131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Martin T. Garthaffner, Christopher Ryan Newcomb, Travis Martin Garthaffner
  • Patent number: 9963260
    Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170290370
    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: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Travis Martin GARTHAFFNER, Peter J. LIPOWICZ