Patents by Inventor Travis M. Garthaffner
Travis M. Garthaffner 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: 20190254348Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing assembly and a reservoir cap assembly. The housing assembly is a single piece housing assembly. The reservoir cap assembly includes a reservoir cap having a hole there through and at least one wick extending through an opening in the reservoir cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Peter Lipowicz
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Patent number: 10278424Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing assembly and a reservoir cap assembly. The housing assembly is a single piece housing assembly. The reservoir cap assembly includes a reservoir cap having a hole there through and at least one wick extending through an opening in the reservoir cap.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Peter Lipowicz
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Publication number: 20180295880Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20180020721Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing assembly and a reservoir cap assembly. The housing assembly is a single piece housing assembly. The reservoir cap assembly includes a reservoir cap having a hole there through and at least one wick extending through an opening in the reservoir cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: TRAVIS M. GARTHAFFNER, Peter Lipowicz
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Publication number: 20160106151Abstract: An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON, Travis M. GARTHAFFNER, Christopher R. NEWCOMB, Martin T. GARTHAFFNER
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Publication number: 20150183532Abstract: Systems and methods for metering a granular material for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is structured and arranged to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is structured and arranged to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas when the tube is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Herbert Carrington Longest, JR., Jarrod W. Chalkley, Tamika S. Murrell, Leah A. Meyers, Jeremy J. Straight, Travis M. Garthaffner
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Patent number: 9045244Abstract: An apparatus for distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets. The apparatus includes a turret wheel assembly comprising a rotatable turret wheel having a plurality of cups for receiving containers for tobacco sachets, a sensor for verifying the presence a container within a cup of the rotatable turret wheel, a hydraulic injector for injecting water into a container having a plurality of tobacco sachets, means for tamping tobacco sachets, and means for agitating and stirring the plurality of tobacco sachets to lift and stir tobacco sachets from the bottom of the container. A method of distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.Inventors: Gregory J. Griscik, Travis M. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20120279178Abstract: An apparatus for distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets. The apparatus includes a turret wheel assembly comprising a rotatable turret wheel having a plurality of cups for receiving containers for tobacco sachets, a sensor for verifying the presence a container within a cup of the rotatable turret wheel, a hydraulic injector for injecting water into a container having a plurality of tobacco sachets, means for tamping tobacco sachets, and means for agitating and stirring the plurality of tobacco sachets to lift and stir tobacco sachets from the bottom of the container. A method of distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Griscik, Travis M. Garthaffner
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Patent number: 7975877Abstract: A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel which rotates about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially arranged channels below the bowl connected to rotate with the bowl. Discharge openings in the bowl are in alignment with the radially arranged channels to delivery beads to those channels, and a bead receiving pocket is positioned at the outer end of each channel. A transfer wheel picks up beads from the bead receiving pockets and transfers those beads to a delivery wheel by vacuum transfer and release. The delivery wheel serially delivers the beads to the downstream location.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Travis M. Garthaffner, George R. Scott, Jeremy J. Straight, James D. Evans, David Goldstein, Martin Heidorn
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Patent number: 7784356Abstract: Inspection systems and methods for their use comprise: a movable carrier with spaced receptacles, each sized to accept a sample; a first pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a first movable member capable of reciprocally moving the first pin alternately into and out of contact with a first end of a sample disposed in one of the spaced receptacles; a second pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a second movable member capable of reciprocally moving the second pin alternately into and out of contact with a second end of the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; a measurement sensor capable of determining a value associated with the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; and an evaluation device in communication with the measurement sensor for receiving the value, the evaluation device providing a comparison between the value and a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Steven F. Spiers, Jeremy J. Straight, Travis M. Garthaffner, Janet L. Thompson, Yeu-Hwa Shyy
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Patent number: 7757835Abstract: A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageways connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads from the bowl. A plurality of discharge openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways, and each of the passageways has an outer exit end. A stationary blocking ring is directly below the outer exit ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost bead from the single line of beads in each passageway. A drop-off on the blocking ring allows the lowermost beads to drop away in a downward direction while a stationary bead retainer above the drop-off of the blocking ring retained the bead adjacent the outermost bead.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Philip Moris USA Inc.Inventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20090145724Abstract: A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageways connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads from the bowl. A plurality of discharge openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways, and each of the passageways has an outer exit end. A stationary blocking ring is directly below the outer exit ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost bead from the single line of beads in each passageway. A drop-off on the blocking ring allows the lowermost beads to drop away in a downward direction while a stationary bead retainer above the drop-off of the blocking ring retained the bead adjacent the outermost bead.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Martin T. Garthaffner
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Publication number: 20090039102Abstract: A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel which rotates about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially arranged channels below the bowl connected to rotate with the bowl. Discharge openings in the bowl are in alignment with the radially arranged channels to delivery beads to those channels, and a bead receiving pocket is positioned at the outer end of each channel. A transfer wheel picks up beads from the bead receiving pockets and transfers those beads to a delivery wheel by vacuum transfer and release. The delivery wheel serially delivers the beads to the downstream location.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Travis M. Garthaffner, George R. Scott, Jeremy J. Straight, James D. Evans, David Goldstein, Martin Heidorn
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Publication number: 20090005989Abstract: Inspection systems and methods for their use are described, wherein the systems comprise: a movable carrier having a plurality of spaced receptacles, each spaced receptacle sized to accept a sample; a first pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a first movable member capable of reciprocally moving the first pin alternately into and out of contact with a first end of a sample disposed in one of the spaced receptacles; a second pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a second movable member capable of reciprocally moving the second pin alternately into and out of contact with a second end of the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; a measurement sensor capable of determining a value associated with the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; and an evaluation device in communication with the measurement sensor for receiving the value, the evaluation device providing a comparison between the value and a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Steven F. Spiers, Jeremy J. Straight, Travis M. Garthaffner, Janet L. Thompson, Yeu-Hwa Shyy
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Patent number: D614023Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Gregory Y. Amos, Robert L. Kikkert, Carl G. Miller, H. Cary Longest, Jr., Ryan J. Sousa, Travis M. Garthaffner
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Patent number: D655154Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Gregory Y. Amos, James D. Evans, Robert L. Kikkert, H. Cary Longest, Jr., Travis M. Garthaffner, Christopher J. Hession