Philip Morris USA Inc.

Philip Morris Inc.

Philip Morris Products S.a.

Janet L Thompson

Martin T Garthaffner

Jeremy Jay Straight

Steven Frederick Spiers

Ahmet Ercelebi

Barry Scott Smith

Lisa Rogers

John H Kutsch

Robert T Mitten

Travis Martin Garthaffner

Gary L Mengeu

Marc D Belcastro

Stephen B Getsy

Rutger Thiellier

Andrew Vest

Yeu-Hwa Shyy

Andrew D Struckhoff

Lee C Cramer

Yvonne DeVerry

Steve Spiers

Xuam Pham

Gilbert D Glass

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.

Inspection systems and methods for multi-segment products

A pocket-size hand-held container for containing a supply of consumer items comprises a frame, a lid, and preferably a bag is disposed in the container for holding the items being stored. The frame includes front and back portions, top and bottom portions, and side portions, the frame forming an internal storage compartment that stores the items. The front portion forms an access opening for the storage compartment, the access opening being situated closer to the top end portion than to the bottom end portion. The lid is attached to the front portion to be slid linearly between fully closed and fully open positions. In its fully closed position, the lid overlies the access opening, and in its fully open position, the lid lies within the footprint of the container. A securement structure formed by the lid and the frame yieldably holds the lid in the closed position. The bag is formed of a flexible plastic material and includes an openable window situated behind the access opening.

Pocket-size hand-held container for consumer items

Apparatus and method for filling spaced apart cavities with particulate material include a transport for moving the cavities along a path of travel. The cavities are partially filled with particulate material at an upstream location while applying vacuum underneath each cavity during such partial filling. The partially filled cavities are then completely filled with a downstream deposit of particulate material while applying vacuum to the upper sides of each cavity during such filling. The combination of vacuum applied underneath the cavity during partial fill and vacuum applied to the top sides of the cavity during complete fill produces approximately 100% cavity fill with minimal extraneous scatter of particulate material.

Dual station applicator wheels for filling cavities with metered amounts of particulate material

A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.

Compaction system for particles in particle filled cavities of an article

A cigarette filter rod system comprises a plug combiner machine having a knife located downstream from a sensor. The knife generates a trigger signal which prompts an Inspection Unit to locate a previously stored frame of sensor data corresponding the rod which was cut by the knife. The Inspection Unit applies thresholds to the frame of sensor data to determine the location of filter segment boundaries, and then determines whether air rings are present in the data. The Inspection Unit then compares measurements made on the frame of sensor data with a pre-stored recipe indicating expected values for the frame. Statistical data is sent to a Human-Machine Interface Unit for analysis and display. The system performs filter rod rejection and cut registration based on the analysis performed by the Inspection Unit and the Human-Machine Interface.

Plug combiner inspection system and method

CD holder

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Chesterfield, VA, United States of America

Janet L Thompson