Patents by Inventor Robert N. Smith

Robert N. Smith 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: 20250096623
    Abstract: A stator housing assembly includes a stator housing and a stator sleeve. The stator sleeve including a combination of composite layers with different high strength fibers. The stator housing includes a first end section and a second end section that define a stator cavity configured to contain a pressurized cooling fluid. The stator sleeve defines a longitudinal axis and includes a plurality of layers of composite materials that include more than one high strength fiber material. High strength fibers may include carbon and glass fibers. Portions of the stator sleeve may have different combinations of high strength fiber materials and fiber orientations to optimize sleeve properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Benedict N. Hodgson, Robert W. Heeter, Alan W. Smith, Hossein Baninajar
  • Patent number: 12208269
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for calibrating a medical device that senses ECAP signals from a patient's nerve tissue. For example a method includes instructing, with processing circuitry, stimulation circuitry of a medical device to deliver, on stimulation electrodes of the medical device, an electrical stimulation signal having an amplitude substantially equal to zero to a patient, entering, with the processing circuitry subsequent to instructing the stimulation circuitry to deliver the electrical stimulation signal, a passive recharge state on stimulation electrode circuitry, and auto-zeroing, with the processing circuitry, inputs to an operational amplifier of sensing circuitry electrically coupled to sensing electrodes of the medical device while the stimulation electrode circuitry is in the passive recharge state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd V. Smith, Robert A. Corey, Heba Tareq Omar, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20230292817
    Abstract: A process for making patterned cigarette wrapper includes the steps of: preparing a printing solution including the steps of: mixing at least water and a starch to form a starch mixture, heating the starch mixture to a temperature of at least about 180° F. preferably for at least about 30 minutes to release amylopectin and amylose, adding propylene glycol to the starch mixture, and mixing the starch mixture and propylene glycol to form a printing solution, wherein the solution is maintained and applied at elevated temperature (120° F. to 150° F.). The process also includes providing a base web of wrapper and applying the printing solution to the wrapper in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc ROSE, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Patent number: 11707082
    Abstract: A process for making patterned cigarette wrapper includes the steps of: preparing a printing solution including the steps of: mixing at least water and a starch to form a starch mixture, heating the starch mixture to a temperature of at least about 180° F. preferably for at least about 30 minutes to release amylopectin and amylose, adding propylene glycol to the starch mixture, and mixing the starch mixture and propylene glycol to form a printing solution, wherein the solution is maintained and applied at elevated temperature (120° F. to 150° F.). The process also includes providing a base web of wrapper and applying the printing solution to the wrapper in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230210165
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of elements each having at least a pair of patch areas where diffusivity is in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. Patches of adjacent elements are circumferentially offset from one another along the axis of a smoking article. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc ROSE, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Patent number: 11602161
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of elements each having at least a pair of patch areas where diffusivity is in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. Patches of adjacent elements are circumferentially offset from one another along the axis of a smoking article. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210298349
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of crenellated bands, each having a diffusivity value in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent chevron element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc ROSE, Timothy S. SHERWOOD, Robert N. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11064729
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of crenellated bands, each having a diffusivity value in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent chevron element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210112849
    Abstract: A cigarette wrapper includes transversely extending banded regions applied by a printing technique, such as gravure printing. The banded regions may be applied in a one or more application of a printing composition that may be an aqueous starch solution also containing an anti-wrinkling agent such as propylene glycol, and calcium carbonate. The pattern of banded regions may be bands or stripes and the like along and/or around the tobacco rod. The banded regions may be solid or contain any number of cross-web and/or longitudinal discontinuities. The pattern may be configured so that when a smoking article is placed on a substrate, at least two longitudinal locations along the length of the tobacco rod have film-forming compound located only on sides of the smoking article not in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith, Marc W. Rose, Tyrone W. Murray
  • Patent number: 10905154
    Abstract: A cigarette wrapper includes transversely extending banded regions applied by a printing technique, such as gravure printing. The banded regions may be applied in a one or more application of a printing composition that may be an aqueous starch solution also containing an anti-wrinkling agent such as propylene glycol, and calcium carbonate. The pattern of banded regions may be bands or stripes and the like along and/or around the tobacco rod. The banded regions may be solid or contain any number of cross-web and/or longitudinal discontinuities. The pattern may be configured so that when a smoking article is placed on a substrate, at least two longitudinal locations along the length of the tobacco rod have film-forming compound located only on sides of the smoking article not in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith, Marc W. Rose, Tyrone W. Murray
  • Patent number: 10681935
    Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of add-on material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The add-on material-free openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert Kikkert, Robert N. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Georgios Karles
  • Publication number: 20190364956
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of elements each having at least a pair of patch areas where diffusivity is in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. Patches of adjacent elements are circumferentially offset from one another along the axis of a smoking article. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Patent number: 10375988
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of elements each having at least a pair of patch areas where diffusivity is in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. Patches of adjacent elements are circumferentially offset from one another along the axis of a smoking article. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLc
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170231270
    Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of add-on material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The add-on material-free openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert Kikkert, Robert N. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Georgios Karles
  • Patent number: 9668516
    Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert Kikkert, Robert N. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Georgios Karles
  • Publication number: 20170135394
    Abstract: A process for making patterned cigarette wrapper includes the steps of: preparing a printing solution including the steps of: mixing at least water and a starch to form a starch mixture, heating the starch mixture to a temperature of at least about 180° F. preferably for at least about 30 minutes to release amylopectin and amylose, adding propylene glycol to the starch mixture, and mixing the starch mixture and propylene glycol to form a printing solution, wherein the solution is maintained and applied at elevated temperature (120° F. to 150° F.). The process also includes providing a base web of wrapper and applying the printing solution to the wrapper in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170127718
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of elements each having at least a pair of patch areas where diffusivity is in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. Patches of adjacent elements are circumferentially offset from one another along the axis of a smoking article. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Rose, Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith
  • Patent number: 9302522
    Abstract: A process for making patterned cigarette wrapper includes the steps of: preparing a printing solution including the steps of: mixing at least water and a starch to form a starch mixture, heating the starch mixture to a temperature of at least about 180° F. preferably for at least about 30 minutes to release amylopectin and amylose, adding propylene glycol to the starch mixture, and mixing the starch mixture and propylene glycol to form a printing solution, wherein the solution is maintained and applied at elevated temperature (120° F. to 150° F.). The process also includes providing a base web of wrapper and applying the printing solution to the wrapper in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert N. Smith, Marc W. Rose
  • Publication number: 20150375367
    Abstract: An abrasive article including a core including an organic material and a first bonded abrasive body integrally bonded directly to the core, the first bonded abrasive body having abrasive particles contained within a bond material and the abrasive article having a bonding factor of at least about 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Shivashankar SIVASUBRAMANIAN, Jiashu LI, Rachana UPADHYAY, Srinivasan RAMANATH, Stephen BOTTIGLIERI, Steven W. DUMAS, John E. GILLESPIE, Robert N. SMITH, Rachel Z. PYTEL
  • Publication number: 20140187129
    Abstract: An abrasive article includes a core comprising an organic material and a first bonded abrasive body integrally bonded directly to the core, wherein the bonded abrasive body includes a bond material, and abrasive particles contained within the bond material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIFS, SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC.
    Inventors: Shivshankar Sivasubramanian, Srinivasan Ramanath, Rachana Upadhyay, Steven W. Dumas, John E. Gillespie, Robert N. Smith, Rachel Z. Pytel