公开(公告)号：US20240025139A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-25

申请号：US18476563

申请日：2023-09-28

Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC

Inventor： Thien NGUYEN ,  Sean SUNDBERG ,  Jeremy STRAIGHT ,  Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC ,  Jarrod W. CHALKLEY ,  James D. EVANS ,  Christopher R. NEWCOMB ,  Robert V. POWELL, JR. ,  Gregory L. NELSON

IPC: B30B12/00 ,  B30B15/00 ,  B30B15/02 ,  B30B15/30 ,  B65B1/04 ,  B65B1/24 ,  B29C31/04 ,  B29C33/00 ,  B29C33/46 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/40 ,  B65B1/16 ,  B65B1/26 ,  B65B9/02 ,  B65B1/36 ,  B65B37/20 ,  B65B57/08 ,  B65B61/28

CPC classification number: B30B12/00 ,  B30B15/0052 ,  B30B15/028 ,  B30B15/30 ,  B65B1/04 ,  B65B1/24 ,  B29C31/04 ,  B29C33/0022 ,  B29C33/46 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/40 ,  B65B1/16 ,  B65B1/26 ,  B65B9/023 ,  B65B1/36 ,  B65B37/20 ,  B65B57/08 ,  B65B61/28 ,  B29C2043/3222

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

公开(公告)号：US20230189899A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US18167446

申请日：2023-02-10

Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC

Inventor： Edmond J. CADIEUX ,  Martin GARTHAFFNER ,  Travis GARTHAFFNER ,  Christopher R. NEWCOMB ,  Barry S. SMITH ,  Jeffrey A. SWEPSTON

IPC: A24F40/80 ,  A24F40/70

CPC classification number: A24F40/80 ,  A24F40/70 ,  A24C5/327

Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.

公开(公告)号：US20210402724A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-30

申请号：US16911838

申请日：2020-06-25

Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC

Inventor： Thien NGUYEN ,  Sean SUNDBERG ,  Jeremy STRAIGHT ,  Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC ,  Jarrod W. CHALKLEY ,  James D. EVANS ,  Christopher R. NEWCOMB ,  Robert V. POWELL, JR. ,  Gregory L. NELSON

IPC: B30B12/00 ,  B30B15/00 ,  B30B15/02 ,  B30B15/30 ,  B65B1/24 ,  B65B1/04

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

公开(公告)号：US20210153567A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-27

申请号：US16695643

申请日：2019-11-26

Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC

Inventor： Dean TWITE ,  Yannick HOURMAND ,  Charles DENDY ,  Bipin PATIL ,  Rangaraj S. SUNDAR ,  Christopher R. NEWCOMB ,  Niall GALLAGHER ,  Raymond W. LAU ,  Eric HAWES

IPC: A24F47/00

Abstract: A nicotine e-vaping device may include a nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The nicotine pod assembly has upstream and downstream ends and is configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end may define at least one upstream recess, and the downstream end may define at least one downstream recess. The device body defines a through hole configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly. The through hole includes an upstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall may include at least one upstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewall may include at least one downstream protrusion. The at least one upstream protrusion and the at least one downstream protrusion may be configured to engage with the at least one upstream recess and the at least one downstream recess, respectively, so as to retain the nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.