Patents by Inventor Travis Eugene Howard
Travis Eugene Howard 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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Patent number: 9486010Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 9247770Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20140045665Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 8574141Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20120298120Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20120302416Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 8308623Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element is provided. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing device is configured to selectively dispense a liquid substance into the filter material, substantially commensurately with the introduction of the plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member, wherein the liquid substance is configured to affect an attribute associated with the objects. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes at least one object and a portion of the liquid substance.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Patent number: 8262550Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 8186359Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article is provided. At least one sensor element is adapted to interact with the filter element so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response. The object insertion status includes at least one of an object presence within the filter element, an object absence from the filter element, a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element. An analysis unit is in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Travis Eugene Howard, Robert William Benford, Franklin Forrest Brantley, Brent Walker Carter, William Robert Collett, Darrell Thomas Dixon, Larry Dean McCann, John Larkin Nelson, Gregory J. Roberts, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Calvin Wayne Henderson
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Publication number: 20100236561Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20100101589Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element is provided. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing device is configured to selectively dispense a liquid substance into the filter material, substantially commensurately with the introduction of the plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member, wherein the liquid substance is configured to affect an attribute associated with the objects. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes at least one object and a portion of the liquid substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard, Vernon Brent Barnes
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Publication number: 20090194118Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article is provided. At least one sensor element is adapted to interact with the filter element so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response. The object insertion status includes at least one of an object presence within the filter element, an object absence from the filter element, a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element. An analysis unit is in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Travis Eugene Howard, Robert William Benford, Franklim Forrest Brantley, Brent Walker Carter, William Robert Collett, Darrell Thomas Dixon, Larry Dean McCann, John Larkin Nelson, Gregory J. Roberts, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Calvin Wayne Henderson
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Patent number: 7195019Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers, and one of those rollers has a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. The automated cigarette making apparatus can comprise multiple components. A first component of the assembly provides a source of paper web, applies additive material to that web in a pattern and dries the paper web; while a second component receives the paper web, supplies tobacco filler and manufactures a cigarette rod from the paper web and tobacco filler.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20040118417Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation is applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers, and one of those rollers has a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A modified figure rail assembly and garniture entrance cone provide air flow toward the paper web being advanced through the garniture region of the cigarette making apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Lloyd Harmon Hancock, Sydney Keith Seymour, Balager Ademe, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 6708695Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Inventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Publication number: 20020035999Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
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Patent number: 6360751Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Barry Smith Fagg, Mickey Lee Smith, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard