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).

  • Publication number: 20250250055
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 12286257
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20240315317
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 12035745
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20240182198
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 11897649
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20240032584
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. MCELHINNEY, Dwight D. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 11800889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. McElhinney, Dwight D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20230202697
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 11591128
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Patent number: 11490651
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dwight D. Williams, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20220097887
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. CHALKLEY, James D. EVANS, Thien Hoang NGUYEN, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 11254460
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20210120864
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dwight D. WILLIAMS, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Publication number: 20210100280
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Patent number: 10827780
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20190261675
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick S. McElhinney, Dwight D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180352850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Marc D. BELCASTRO, Christopher L. SIMPSON, John D. THOMSON, Patrick S. MCELHINNEY
  • Publication number: 20180281997
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Patent number: 10064428
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Swepston, Marc D. Belcastro, Christopher L. Simpson, John D. Thomson, Patrick S. McElhinney