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).

  • Publication number: 20160176564
    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: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Martin GARTHAFFNER
  • Publication number: 20150289565
    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: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Travis GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Barry S. SMITH, Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON
  • Publication number: 20150291301
    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: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9060546
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Mike Braunshteyn, Rowland W. Dwyer, Martin Garthaffner, Dwight Williams, Richard Jupe
  • Patent number: 8235057
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the filter is arranged to receive mainstream smoke at the upstream end. The filter includes a tubular segment open at the downstream end thereof and a flow restrictor contained within the tubular segment. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Michael S. Braunshteyn, Raquel M. Olegario, Richard Jupe, Martin Garthaffner
  • Patent number: 8109277
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion. The filter includes a ventilated cavity and a flow restrictor segment having an impermeable insert at least partially surrounded by a tubular segment of an air transmissive material upstream of the cavity. In an embodiment, the tubular segment at least partially defines the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc,
    Inventors: San Li, Richard Jupe, Georgios D. Karles, Dwight Williams, Raquel Olegario, Michael Braunshteyn, Martin Garthaffner, Rowland W. Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20110100388
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Mike Braunshteyn, Rowland W. Dwyer, Martin Garthaffner, Dwight Williams, Richard Jupe
  • Patent number: 7878963
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Mike Braunshteyn, Rowland W. Dwyer, Martin Garthaffner, Dwight Williams, Richard Jupe
  • Publication number: 20090277465
    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: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    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
  • Patent number: 7578298
    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: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    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
  • Publication number: 20080216848
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion. The filter includes a ventilated cavity and a flow restrictor segment having an impermeable insert at least partially surrounded by a tubular segment of an air transmissive material upstream of the cavity. In an embodiment, the tubular segment at least partially defines the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Richard Jupe, Georgios D. Karles, Dwight Williams, Raquel Olegario, Michael Braunshteyn, Martin Garthaffner, Rowland W. Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20080216853
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the filter is arranged to receive mainstream smoke at the upstream end. The filter includes a tubular segment open at the downstream end thereof and a flow restrictor contained within the tubular segment. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Michael S. Braunshteyn, Raquel M. Olegario, Richard Jupe, Martin Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20070284012
    Abstract: A machine and process function to fill cavities with metered amounts of particulate material. An applicator wheel includes a series of equally spaced apart peripheral pockets each having a perforated bottom wall, and a vacuum manifold inside the wheel includes a vacuum chamber for supplying vacuum to the perforated bottom walls of the pockets as the wheel rotates. Particulate material from a filling chamber of such material outside the wheel is withdrawn into the pockets by the vacuum chamber. A downstream vacuum relief on the vacuum manifold functions to discharge particulate material from the pockets into the cavities at a predetermined discharge location on the wheel. Adjustment structure is connected to rotatably adjust the position of the vacuum manifold within the applicator wheel to thereby advance or retard the discharge location depending upon the speed of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Smith, Martin Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, Steven Spiers, Jeremy Straight
  • Publication number: 20070235050
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Mike Braunshteyn, Rowland Dwyer, Martin Garthaffner, Dwight Williams, Richard Jupe
  • Publication number: 20060281614
    Abstract: A process of producing a filter tube comprises the steps of cutting a paper segment of given length and width from an endless paper supply. Next, a filter segment of cellulose acetate tow, for example, is centrally positioned on the paper segment. Opposed tube forming rollers engage the ends of the filter segment, and as these rollers rotate, the paper segment is formed into a tube shape. Overlapping portions of the paper segment are secured together, and the tube forming rollers are withdrawn from the tube to thereby complete the forming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: George Scott, Martin Heidorn, Martin Garthaffner
  • Publication number: 20060174901
    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: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay Fournier
  • Publication number: 20060112963
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: George Scott, Martin Garthaffner, Steven Spiers, Steven Rinehart, Barry Smith, James Evans
  • Publication number: 20050282693
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing discrete filter rods includes a first conveyor for transporting filter segments of given length in a downstream direction. Three counter rotating transfer wheels receive the filter segments between spaced apart cleats on the circumference of the wheels. The first wheel receives the filter segments from the first conveyor and transfers the segments to the second wheel which in turn transfers the segments to the third wheel. Filter segments between the cleats on the third wheel are deposited upon a second conveyor with plug wrap thereon in precisely spaced apart relationship. Granular adsorbent material is filled into cavities between the filter segments, and a garniture folds the plug wrap around the filter segments and the filled cavities therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Garthaffner, Ahmet Ercelebi, James Evans, Jeremy Straight
  • Publication number: 20050112228
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Smith, Steve Spiers, Jeremy Straight, Janet Thompson, Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin Garthaffner, Lisa Rogers
  • Publication number: 20050022829
    Abstract: Smoke constituent reduction may be achieved by resolving from puff-to-puff analysis at which location along a tobacco rod production of a particular smoke constituent is maximized, and locally applying an attenuator at such resolved location to reduce production of the constituent. The remainder of the rod is left untreated so as to minimize impact on taste and burn characteristics of the cigarette. The attenuator material may be applied to the cigarette paper using a moving orifice device to create bands of such materials on the cigarette paper at predetermined locations along the tobacco rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Atwell, Jay Fournier, Martin Garthaffner, Susan Tafur