Patents by Inventor Patrick S. McElhinney
Patrick S. 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).
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Publication number: 20250250055Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2025Publication date: August 7, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 12286257Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2024Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20240315317Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 12035745Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20240182198Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 11897649Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2023Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20240032584Abstract: An example embodiment includes a tongue includes a forming surface of a forming channel, the forming channel configured to enable the shaping of shredded material into a desired form as a shredded material is drawn through the forming channel and an arrangement to introduce at least a portion of a web component adjacent a portion of the forming surface such that the introduced web component portion may be operative upon the drawn shredded material as a source of additional drawing action. The tongue may include an arrangement to draw a moving web into the tongue through a channel that converges with the working surface of the tongue, whereby the moving web is interposable between a moving column of shredded material and the first surface portion of the working surface to reduce friction. The tongue may further comprise an arrangement comprising a scalloped surface portion along the working surface of the tongue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Patrick S. MCELHINNEY, Dwight D. WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 11800889Abstract: An example embodiment includes a tongue includes a forming surface of a forming channel, the forming channel configured to enable the shaping of shredded material into a desired form as a shredded material is drawn through the forming channel and an arrangement to introduce at least a portion of a web component adjacent a portion of the forming surface such that the introduced web component portion may be operative upon the drawn shredded material as a source of additional drawing action. The tongue may include an arrangement to draw a moving web into the tongue through a channel that converges with the working surface of the tongue, whereby the moving web is interposable between a moving column of shredded material and the first surface portion of the working surface to reduce friction. The tongue may further comprise an arrangement comprising a scalloped surface portion along the working surface of the tongue.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Patrick S. McElhinney, Dwight D. Williams
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Publication number: 20230202697Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 11591128Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Patent number: 11490651Abstract: The tongue includes a shaft, the shaft being hollow. The shaft includes a first end and a second end, the first end defining a first opening with a first radius of curvature, and the second end defining a second opening with a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature. The shaft defines at least one injection port that traverses through an inner surface of the shaft. A first plate is connected to the shaft. The first plate includes an engaging structure configured to mount the tongue onto a lower plate and align the shaft with a groove defined by the lower plate. The rod forming apparatus includes the tongue. The method installs the tongue onto the rod forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight D. Williams, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20220097887Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 11254460Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for forming a stream of individual packets, comprising a folder arranged to form a tubular web structure, a feeder arranged to feed the formed tubular web structure to a nip; a first rotor comprising a first sealing jaw and a knife, a second rotor comprising a second sealing jaw and an anvil, the sealing jaws, the knife and anvil rotating into opposing relation at the nip so as to form a severed, completed packet beyond the nip. The apparatus includes an open ended packet catcher adjacent the first and second rotors, which is arranged to catch the severed, completed packets beyond the nip whereby a stream of packets is established.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20210120864Abstract: The tongue includes a shaft, the shaft being hollow. The shaft includes a first end and a second end, the first end defining a first opening with a first radius of curvature, and the second end defining a second opening with a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature. The shaft defines at least one injection port that traverses through an inner surface of the shaft. A first plate is connected to the shaft. The first plate includes an engaging structure configured to mount the tongue onto a lower plate and align the shaft with a groove defined by the lower plate. The rod forming apparatus includes the tongue. The method installs the tongue onto the rod forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight D. WILLIAMS, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Publication number: 20210100280Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Patent number: 10827780Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Publication number: 20190261675Abstract: An example embodiment includes a tongue includes a forming surface of a forming channel, the forming channel configured to enable the shaping of shredded material into a desired form as a shredded material is drawn through the forming channel and an arrangement to introduce at least a portion of a web component adjacent a portion of the forming surface such that the introduced web component portion may be operative upon the drawn shredded material as a source of additional drawing action. The tongue may include an arrangement to draw a moving web into the tongue through a channel that converges with the working surface of the tongue, whereby the moving web is interposable between a moving column of shredded material and the first surface portion of the working surface to reduce friction. The tongue may further comprise an arrangement comprising a scalloped surface portion along the working surface of the tongue.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Patrick S. McElhinney, Dwight D. Williams
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Publication number: 20180352850Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
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Publication number: 20180281997Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for forming a stream of individual packets, comprising a folder arranged to form a tubular web structure, a feeder arranged to feed the formed tubular web structure to a nip; a first rotor comprising a first sealing jaw and a knife, a second rotor comprising a second sealing jaw and an anvil, the sealing jaws, the knife and anvil rotating into opposing relation at the nip so as to form a severed, completed packet beyond the nip. The apparatus includes an open ended packet catcher adjacent the first and second rotors, which is arranged to catch the severed, completed packets beyond the nip whereby a stream of packets is established.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
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Patent number: 10064428Abstract: A tobacco product tip assembly. The tobacco product tip assembly includes a tip portion comprising a tip wall defining an inhalation chamber; the tip portion extending into a body portion comprising a body wall defining an insertion chamber, the insertion chamber being in communication with the inhalation chamber; the body wall comprising a mechanical fastener. A tobacco product assembly and a process for producing a tobacco product assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney