James Ray Hutchens

Title: Innovations of James Ray Hutchens

Introduction

James Ray Hutchens is a notable inventor based in Walnut Cove, North Carolina. He has made significant contributions to the field of tobacco product manufacturing, particularly in the development of innovative wrapping materials for smoking articles. With a total of four patents to his name, Hutchens has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the quality and functionality of smoking products.

Latest Patents

Hutchens' latest patents focus on wrapping materials for smokable rods of cigarettes. These materials incorporate at least one fibrous material, such as flax fibers, hardwood pulp fibers, and/or softwood pulp fibers, along with at least one filler material, like calcium carbonate in particulate form. The wrapping materials feature multi-layer coatings, which are designed in the form of a series of spaced-apart bands, with each band consisting of multiple layers. Notably, at least one of the coating layers can have a filler material dispersed or suspended within a film-forming material. For a representative wrapping material, a pattern is applied to the wire side major surface of the substrate, with at least one layer including ethylcellulose and calcium carbonate. In this layer, the calcium carbonate is present in a greater amount than the ethylcellulose, on a weight basis. The application of ethylcellulose and calcium carbonate typically involves a non-aqueous formulation that incorporates iso-propyl acetate, triacetin, and lecithin.

Career Highlights

Hutchens has built a successful career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where he has been instrumental in advancing the company's product offerings. His innovative approach to wrapping materials has contributed to the development of more efficient and effective smoking products.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Hutchens has collaborated with notable coworkers, including Charles Ray Ashcraft and James Herbert Ellis, Jr. These collaborations have fostered a creative environment that has led to the successful development of new technologies in the tobacco industry.

Conclusion

James Ray Hutchens is a distinguished inventor whose work in the field of tobacco product manufacturing has led to significant advancements in wrapping materials for smoking articles. His innovative patents and contributions to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company highlight his dedication to improving product quality and functionality.