Herbert C Longest

US Patent:

20140047804, Feb 20, 2014

Filed:

Aug 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/967181

Inventors:

Herbert Cary Longest - Midlothian VA, US
Tamika S. Murrell - Richmond VA, US
Jeremy Straight - Midlothian VA, US
Jarrod Chalkley - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC. - RICHMOND VA

International Classification:

B65B 5/10

US Classification:

53473, 53 77

Abstract:

Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

US Patent:

20140048170, Feb 20, 2014

Filed:

Aug 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/967187

Inventors:

Herbert Cary Longest - Midlothian VA, US
Tamika S. Murrell - Richmond VA, US
Jeremy Straight - Midlothian VA, US
Jarrod Chalkley - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC. - RICHMOND VA

International Classification:

B65B 1/24

US Classification:

141 12, 141 80, 53527, 53436

Abstract:

An apparatus for tamping the contents of a container having a bottom surface prone to bending and/or cracking during tamping. The apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

US Patent:

52284620, Jul 20, 1993

Filed:

May 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/889457

Inventors:

Jerome S. Osmalov - Richmond VA
Bhanu M. Evani - Richmond VA
Herbert C. Longest - Midlothian VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24C 532

US Classification:

131280

Abstract:

Inspection of completed cigarettes is accomplished by the cigarettes traveling on a rolling drum past a single stationary rolling block with preferably two cameras connected to a vision system. The first camera views the cigarette before the rolling block, the cigarette is then rolled approximately 180. degree. and then the second camera views the previously hidden portion of the cigarette. Cigarettes are accepted or rejected based on a comparison of the viewed cigarettes to a predetermined set of characteristics.

US Patent:

54483654, Sep 5, 1995

Filed:

Aug 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/108122

Inventors:

Gary E. Grollimund - Chesterfield VA
Herbert C. Longest - Midlothian VA
Barry S. Smith - Hopewell VA
Roy E. VanDerLinden - Frederick MD

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

G01N 2189

US Classification:

356430

Abstract:

Improved systems for optical inspection are provided. The improved systems use modified camera boxes to provide increased, and more uniform, illumination of the objects being inspected through the use of illuminator windows. The lens arrangement of the improved camera boxes is contained within a self-contained, sealed housing that is separate from the camera to prevent particle contamination of the lens arrangement and provide improved flexibility during installation of the camera boxes on the inspection systems. The self-contained housing also provides for a reduction in the space required for the camera boxes. The light receiver of the housing is provided with the capability for preventing particle contamination of the receiver itself.

US Patent:

20040102864, May 27, 2004

Filed:

Nov 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/302972

Inventors:

James Stack - Richmond VA, US
Herbert Longest - Midlothian VA, US
Nathaniel Frampton - Pearl River LA, US

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

700/110000

Abstract:

The present invention provides a system and method for high speed control and rejection of out-of-specification products, such as cigarettes, in a manufacturing process. Sensors are placed at strategic locations along a production line, with the signals from the sensors being directed to a high speed processor, with multiple sensor inputs and controlled by software algorithms to process the sensor signals and to direct control signals to the production line equipment. Control signals can both eject non-conforming products and also modify machine settings to produce a product in closer compliance with specifications.

US Patent:

20230115614, Apr 13, 2023

Filed:

Dec 14, 2022

Appl. No.:

18/065778

Inventors:

- Richmond VA, US
Herbert Cary Longest - Midlothian VA, US
Tamika S. Murrell - Richmond VA, US
Jeremy Straight - Midlothian VA, US
Jarrod Chalkley - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

Altria Client Services LLC - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B65B 5/10
B65B 1/24
B65B 1/46
B65B 5/06
B65B 5/08
B65B 29/00
B65B 35/30
B65B 39/00
B65B 43/54
B65B 65/00

Abstract:

Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

US Patent:

20210276741, Sep 9, 2021

Filed:

May 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/330726

Inventors:

- Richmond VA, US
Herbert Cary LONGEST - Midlothian VA, US
Tamika S. MURRELL - Richmond VA, US
Jeremy STRAIGHT - Midlothian VA, US
Jarrod CHALKLEY - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

Altria Client Services LLC - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B65B 5/10
B65B 29/00
B65B 35/30
B65B 39/00
B65B 43/54
B65B 65/00
B65B 1/46
B65B 5/06
B65B 5/08
B65B 1/24

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

US Patent:

20200307836, Oct 1, 2020

Filed:

Apr 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/863269

Inventors:

- Richmond VA, US
Herbert Cary LONGEST - Midlothian VA, US
Tamika S. MURRELL - Richmond VA, US
Robert V. POWELL JR. - Midlothian VA, US
Jeremy STRAIGHT - Midlothian VA, US
Jarrod CHALKLEY - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

Altria Client Services LLC - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B65B 5/10
B65B 29/00
B65B 35/30
B65B 39/00
B65B 43/54
B65B 65/00
B65B 1/46
B65B 5/06
B65B 5/08
B65B 1/24

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.