Patents by Inventor Michael C. Cecil

Michael C. Cecil 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).

  • System and method for visually inspecting a cigarette packaging process
    Patent number: 6373520
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting non-conforming packages such as cigarette packages during travel along a conveyor path. A foil detector can be used to detect a non-conforming foil condition of the packages and a vision inspection system can be used to detect a non-conforming surface feature of the package. The foil detector and vision inspection system can be located at a single inspection station and non-conforming packages can be removed at an ejection station. The ejection station can include a first ejection mechanism such as an air jet for removing packages having a non-conforming foil condition and a second ejection mechanism such as another air jet can be used to remove a package having a non-conforming surface feature. The vision inspection system can include a plurality of video cameras and a reflector which illuminates the package to be inspected with diffused light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Jr., Michael C. Cecil, H. Coleman Goodman, Jr., Linwood H. Carneal, Gary Kocken, Gregory Russ