Patents by Inventor Wallace O. Crain

Wallace O. Crain 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).

  • Method and apparatus for opening soft-cup cigarette packs
    Patent number: 5476354
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening soft-cup packs of cigarettes. In progressive stages, the cellophane wrapper top and the pack closure strip are cut, the cellophane wrapper top piece is removed, the remaining cellophane is removed, the soft-cup is removed, and the foil bundle containing the cigarettes is raked open and the cigarettes removed. Various conveyors move the packs through the stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace O. Crain, Stephen E. Fischer