Patents by Inventor Patrick McElhinney
Patrick McElhinney 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: 20260153373Abstract: A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2026Publication date: June 4, 2026Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert POWELL, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Jeremy STRAIGHT, Isaac J. MCGILL, James David EVANS, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 12599936Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2024Date of Patent: April 14, 2026Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
-
Patent number: 12560468Abstract: A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2023Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. Mcgill, James David Evans, Patrick Mcelhinney
-
Publication number: 20250351236Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2025Publication date: November 13, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 12369230Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2023Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20250100734Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert POWELL, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Jeremy STRAIGHT, Isaac J. MCGILL, James David EVANS, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 12195221Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20240109680Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert POWELL, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Jeremy STRAIGHT, Isaac J. MCGILL, James David EVANS, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Publication number: 20240090089Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 11891204Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
-
Patent number: 11832357Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20230314199Abstract: A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20230257149Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, Robert POWELL, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Jeremy STRAIGHT, Isaac J. MCGILL, James David EVANS, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 11662241Abstract: A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, Robert Powell, Christopher R. Newcomb, Jeremy Straight, Isaac J. McGill, James David Evans, Patrick McElhinney
-
Patent number: 11479380Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying stamps to a group of packages wherein the stamps are arranged in a predetermined pattern and the packages in the group are arranged in a different pattern, such that the stamps are applied to the packages uniformly and without waste using an apparatus having one or more carriages moveable in the x- and/or y-directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20220330386Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 11388783Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick Mcelhinney
-
Publication number: 20210292034Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying stamps to a group of packages wherein the stamps are arranged in a predetermined pattern and the packages in the group are arranged in a different pattern, such that the stamps are applied to the packages uniformly and without waste using an apparatus having one or more carriages moveable in the x- and/or y-directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Patrick MCELHINNEY
-
Patent number: 11027873Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying stamps to a group of packages wherein the stamps are arranged in a predetermined pattern and the packages in the group are arranged in a different pattern, using an apparatus having one or more carriages moveable in the x- and/or y-directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Patrick McElhinney
-
Publication number: 20200138104Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Charles Dendy, Nam Tran, David Alvarez, Patrick Mcelhinney