Patents by Inventor Martin T. Garthaffner
Martin T. 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).
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Publication number: 20240083693Abstract: A bead feeder serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageway connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads. A plurality of openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways each of which has an outer exit end. A metering plate is connected to rotate about the same vertical axis as the bead supply wheel, and metering plate has a plurality of equally spaced apart openings directly below the outer ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost beads in the passageways.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Dwight D. WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 11851285Abstract: A bead feeder serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageway connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads. A plurality of openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways each of which has an outer exit end. A metering plate is connected to rotate about the same vertical axis as the bead supply wheel, and metering plate has a plurality of equally spaced apart openings directly below the outer ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost beads in the passageways.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams
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Publication number: 20230303286Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Publication number: 20230303275Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Dwight D. WILLIAMS, Jeremy J. STRAIGHT, Carl G. MILLER, David J. WEBB
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Patent number: 11702232Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams, Jeremy J. Straight, David J. Webb, Carl G. Miller
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Patent number: 11691775Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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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: 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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Publication number: 20220315254Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Dwight D. WILLIAMS, Jeremy J. STRAIGHT, David J. WEBB, Carl G. MILLER
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Publication number: 20220297868Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Patent number: 11383873Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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Patent number: 11383861Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams, Jeremy J. Straight, David J. Webb, Carl G. Miller
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Publication number: 20220125127Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, JR., Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Patent number: 11143485Abstract: A load carrier for a muzzleloader having a muzzle, comprising a first assembly component and a second assembly component, the first assembly component comprising a tubular open-ended charge receiving body configured to receive a charge though an open end section of the charge receiving body with the second assembly component comprising a tubular delivery body comprising a delivery end section and a connector end section, the delivery end section having an external diameter so as to be insertable into the muzzle and a removeable cap engageable with the delivery end section. The connector end section of the second assembly component may be engageable with the open end section of the charge receiving body of the first assembly component. Insertion of at least a portion of the delivery end section into the muzzle during pouring facilitates consistent and speedy loading. The disclosure also provides associated methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Aaron M. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20210078737Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Dwight D. WILLIAMS, Jeremy J. STRAIGHT, David J. WEBB, Carl G. MILLER
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Publication number: 20210009298Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Patent number: 10870503Abstract: An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Dwight D. Williams, Jeremy J. Straight, David J. Webb, Carl G. Miller
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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: 10807753Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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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