Michael I Watkins

US Patent:

6690016, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Dec 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/600298

Inventors:

Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA
Grier S. Fleischhauer - Midlothian VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

G01J 502

US Classification:

2503417, 2503411, 2503416, 2503418, 2503591, 374 5

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting, locating, isolating and controlling variations in the manufacturing process by transient thermography. A heat source ( ) imparts heat to a surface which is radiated in the infrared region. Infrared sensors ( ) are coupled to a processor which tracks the physical characteristics of the sample, and provides feedback to a central process controller to make adjustments to the manufacturing process. The sample can be a continuous product such as a green powder metal sheet or tobacco product.

US Patent:

57509646, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Jan 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/790179

Inventors:

Mary E. Counts - Richmond VA
Seetharama Deevi - Midlothian VA
Grier S. Fleischhauer - Midlothian VA
Patrick H. Hayes - Chester VA
Charles T. Higgins - Richmond VA
Willie G. Houck - Richmond VA
Billy J. Keen - Chesterfield VA
Bernard C. Laroy - Richmond VA
Peter J. Lipowicz - Midlothian VA
Donald E. Miser - Midlothian VA
Constance H. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
William H. Stevens - Midlothian VA
Mantharam Subbiah - Midlothian VA
Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA
Susan E. Wrenn - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

H05B 358

US Classification:

219535

Abstract:

A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

US Patent:

53885945, Feb 14, 1995

Filed:

Sep 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/118665

Inventors:

Mary E. Counts - Richmond VA
Seetharama C. Deevi - Midlothian VA
Grier S. Fleischhauer - Midlothian VA
Patrick H. Hayes - Chester VA
Charles T. Higgins - Richmond VA
Willie G. Houck - Richmond VA
Billy J. Keen - Chesterfield VA
Bernard C. Laroy - Richmond VA
Peter J. Lipowicz - Midlothian VA
Donald E. Miser - Midlothian VA
Constance H. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
William H. Stevens - Midlothian VA
Mantharam Subbiah - Midlothian VA
Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA
Susan E. Wrenn - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24F 4700

US Classification:

131329

Abstract:

A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

US Patent:

59153873, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Dec 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/777827

Inventors:

James D. Baggett - Richmond VA
David A. Clark - Richmond VA
Mary Ellen Counts - Richmond VA
Patrick C. Cowling - Richmond VA
Willie G. Houck - Richmond VA
Michael A. Moore - Midlothian VA
Wesley G. Sanderson - Richmond VA
Richard G. Uhl - Midlothian VA
Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA
Susan E. Wrenn - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24F 128

US Classification:

131194

Abstract:

A novel cigarette adapted for use in an electrical cigarette system comprising a tobacco rod having filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions and being arranged so that electrical heater elements may overlap the filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions. The tobacco rod includes a tobacco web rolled into tubular form. The tobacco web is constructed in accordance with a novel process comprising the steps of converting tobacco feedstock into a continuous sheet of tobacco web and converting the continuous sheet of tobacco web into one or more bobbins of tobacco web suitable for automated manufacture of cigarettes.

US Patent:

48956031, Jan 23, 1990

Filed:

Dec 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/286354

Inventors:

Bernard A. Semp - Richmond VA
Bernard C. Kiernan - Richmond VA
David L. Bilunas - Richmond VA
Michael L. Watkins - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

B08B 308
B08B 504

US Classification:

134 21

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for in-place cleaning and priming of an in-place nozzle assembly which in normal operation receives from a reservoir and discharges to a work area a fluid material which tends to leave behind an accumulation of undesired residue. The apparatus includes control means for sequentially actuating for a selected cleaning time period first selectively actuatable means thereby to deliver an effective quantity of the cleaning substance to the nozzle and for actuating for a selected rinsing time period second selectively actuatable means thereby to deliver an effective quantity of the rinsing substance to the nozzle. The apparatus also includes third selectively actuatable means for drawing fluid material from the reservoir and delivering the same to the nozzle for a selected priming time period first to flush out any remaining rinsing substance from the nozzle and then to leave the nozzle primed with the fluid material.

US Patent:

54689368, Nov 21, 1995

Filed:

Mar 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/035733

Inventors:

Seetharama C. Deevi - Midlothian VA
Mohammad R. Hajaligol - Richmond VA
Pamela D. Lieberman - Richmond VA
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

H05B 316
H05B 326

US Classification:

219553

Abstract:

A heater having a multiple-layer ceramic substrate and a method for fabricating the heater are provided. The heater consists-of a plurality of ceramic layers which are laminated to form a single ceramic substrate. A plurality of resistive heating elements are deposited onto the multiple-layer ceramic substrate, which are connectable to a power source via conductive elements which extend through the substrate to the resistive heating elements. The heater may also include a terminal that allows for convenient electrical and mechanical interfacing to a smoking article.

US Patent:

53220757, Jun 21, 1994

Filed:

Sep 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/943318

Inventors:

Seetharama C. Deevi - Midlothian VA
Mohammad R. Hajaligol - Richmond VA
Herbert Herman - Port Jefferson VA
Charles T. Higgins - Richmond VA
Michael L. Watkins - Chester VA
Bruce E. Waymack - Prince George VA
Sung Yi - Midlothian VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24F 122

US Classification:

131194

Abstract:

A smoking article is provided in which a flavor-generating medium is heated electrically to release an aerosol for inhalation by a consumer. The smoking article includes a heater having resistive heating elements printed on a flexible substrate. The heater can be manufactured by circuit board mass production techniques, and can be formed to fit inside an article of the same shape and size as a conventional cigarette. Alternatively, the heater comprises an array of heating elements onto which charges of flavor-generating medium are deposited. The heating elements are connected in a manner which allows the temperature increase in the heater to be concentrated in individually selected heating elements, and requires a minimal number of electrical conductors.

US Patent:

60139153, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Feb 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/021224

Inventors:

Michael Watkins - Chester VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

G01J 502
G01N 2572

US Classification:

2503411

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting, locating, isolating and controlling variations in the manufacturing process by transient thermography. A heat source imparts heat to a surface which is radiated in the infrared region. Infrared sensors are coupled to a processor which tracks the physical characteristics of the sample, and provides feedback to a central process controller to make adjustments to the manufacturing process.