Donald Arthur Wilkinson

US Patent:

47636734, Aug 16, 1988

Filed:

Feb 4, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/698024

Inventors:

Vernon B. Barnes - Winston-Salem NC
Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC
John W. Shore - Hamptonville NC
Ronnie G. Huff - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A24C 536

US Classification:

131 96

Abstract:

Tobacco is reclaimed from filter cigarettes by applying sufficient pressurized air to the filter end of each cigarette to eject the tobacco from the cigarettes. The method for reclaiming the tobacco involves (a) transporting a succession of filter cigarettes along a predetermined path, in a discontinuous, indexing manner, (b) temporarily engaging the filter end of each cigarette with reciprocating mouthpiece means during the pause between indexed movements and (c) applying pressurized air to each engaged cigarette via the mouthpiece means to force the tobacco from the cigarette and into a suitable collection device. Preferred apparatus is disclosed for accomplishing this method.

US Patent:

48936375, Jan 16, 1990

Filed:

Sep 15, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/097240

Inventors:

Lloyd H. Hancock - Walnut Cove NC
Jesse A. Stigall - King NC
Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A24C 500
A24C 518

US Classification:

131280

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are described for forming a composite member for use in making a smoking article. The apparatus comprises a forming device that comprises (a) an elongate structure having a curved inner surface that tapers from a larger proximal end to a smaller distal end, the proximal end of the structure being adapted to receive a support member and a layer of material which are fed simultaneously into the device, the tapering inward curved inner surface causing the edges of the fibrous layer to bend around the inner support member, and (b) a curved forming surface that causes a first edge of the material to fold over the support member while permitting the second edge to pass by the forming surface, the curved inner surface of the device further tapering to the distal end causing the second edge of the material to fold over the support member proximate to the first edge.

US Patent:

45397953, Sep 10, 1985

Filed:

Jul 26, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/517199

Inventors:

Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B65B 3540
B65B 3554

US Classification:

53542

Abstract:

A machine for orienting, accumulating and positioning packages received from two sources for loading into containers has an oscillating member which oscillates between the two sources during which time it both receives packages from one source while participating in loading packages into a container from the other source. Associated with the oscillating member and with each source is an orienting mechanism which rotates packages received from its associated source so that they rest on a common one of their sides, an accumulating mechanism which collects the packages rotated by the orienting mechanism into a group of a predetermined number, a positioning mechanism which positions the grouped packages onto the oscillating member, and a loading mechanism which advances the positioned and grouped packages from the oscillating member into the container.

US Patent:

46647406, May 12, 1987

Filed:

Jun 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/741790

Inventors:

Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B44C 100
B65C 902
B65G 4724

US Classification:

156540

Abstract:

A tax stamping machine for applying heat activated tax decals to the bottom of packs of cigarettes in cartons utilizes an adjustable carton guide channel having an offset section and a heated stamp bar having a plurality of selectable patterns of heated platens. The cigarette carton guide channel is adjustable in both width and depth so that various sizes of cigarette packs in cartons can be handled. A carton stop bar and reset latch assembly are used to halt the travel of hand fed cartons along the guide channel while tax stamps or decals are applied to the packs within the cartons. Webs of stamps or decals, having configurations corresponding to the various patterns of heated platens on a vertically reciprocable stamp bar, are placed in the stamp carriage assembly, and are used in conjunction with the properly patterned platen of the stamp bar to effect placement of the heat activated decals on the bottom surface of the cigarette packs in the various non-standard carton configurations with which the tax stamping machine is intended to operate.

US Patent:

42637660, Apr 28, 1981

Filed:

Sep 30, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/838186

Inventors:

Max N. Baker - Rural Hall NC
Watson M. Dufour - Pfafftown NC
Julian R. Martin - Winston-Salem NC
John D. Welch - Winston-Salem NC
Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC
Marvin G. Woempner - Thomasville NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B65B 6120

US Classification:

53 50

Abstract:

An improved machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The machine comprises a conveyor for advancing a carton through an opening station, where it is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages by a movable platen, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to a selected part of each package in the carton accurately, while using stock transfer sheets on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton. The various sizes are accommodated by means of an adjustable stop mechanism which interrupts the motion of each carton as it passes through the stamping station to thereby stop the carton at a selected location with respect to the transfer sheet and the stamp transfer platen. After the transfer has been applied, the stop mechanism is activated to allow the carton to continue its motion through the stamping station.

US Patent:

58197516, Oct 13, 1998

Filed:

Oct 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/547869

Inventors:

Vernon Brent Barnes - Clemmons NC
Donald Ross Wilkinson - Clemmons NC
Lloyd Harmon Hancock - Walnut Cove NC
Erwin Oesterling - Glinde, DE
Siegfried Schlisio - Geesthacht, DE
Werner Hinz - Lauenburg, DE

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A24C 500

US Classification:

131194

Abstract:

Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.

US Patent:

59024313, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Jun 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/869110

Inventors:

Donald Ross Wilkinson - Clemmons NC
John Larkin Nelson - Lewisville NC
Jeffrey Kane Rogers - Winston-Salem NC
Vernon Brent Barnes - Advance NC
Barry Smith Fagg - Winston-Salem NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B31F5/06

US Classification:

156159

Abstract:

A method of and an apparatus for forming a composite web for use in making a fuel element for smoking articles comprises a dual bobbin unwinder from which alternate glass fiber webs are unwound. A splicing apparatus is used to splice together the webs unwound from the two bobbins of the unwinder. Sensing and speed controls are provided for sensing unwinding speed and the amount of web remaining on a bobbin for controlling web accumulation prior to splicing and stopping of the web to effect a splice. Downstream of the splicing apparatus the web is fed to a composite web former where it is slit into equal halves and vertically separated. A paper web is guided between the two web halves and the webs are converged into a three layer composite web with the paper web sandwiched between the glass fiber web halves. The composite web is fed to a KDF filter maker where it is combined with a carbonaceous rod for making a fuel element.

US Patent:

54698715, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Jul 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/089502

Inventors:

Vernon B. Barnes - Clemmons NC
Donald R. Wilkinson - Clemmons NC
Lloyd H. Hancock - Walnut Cove NC
Erwin Oesterling - Glinde, DE
Siegfried Schlisio - Geesthacht, DE
Werner Hinz - Lauenburg, DE

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A24C 500

US Classification:

131194

Abstract:

Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.