Richard Thomas Thatcher

US Patent:

39877272, Oct 26, 1976

Filed:

Jun 10, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/585672

Inventors:

Richard E. Thatcher - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

B41F 3102

US Classification:

101366

Abstract:

Apparatus for delivering printing ink from a tubular cannister filled with ink to a printing unit. The cannister is received in a tubular casing, and an air-operated plunger is forced through the cannister to feed ink from the cannister through a pipeline to a printing unit.

US Patent:

40834999, Apr 11, 1978

Filed:

Nov 15, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/741598

Inventors:

Richard Eugene Thatcher - Chester VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

B02C 2312

US Classification:

241 24

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening packaged articles, particularly packs and cartons of cigarettes, in which such items are ripped open and broken apart sufficiently to allow the contents, e. g. tobacco, to be separated and recovered. The apparatus aspects of this invention involve a ripper fan, a recycling air leg, and a cyclone separator from which the materials are recovered for further processing.

US Patent:

39722384, Aug 3, 1976

Filed:

Jul 10, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/594698

Inventors:

Richard Eugene Thatcher - Chester VA

International Classification:

G01L 502

US Classification:

73380

Abstract:

A teaching, force measuring, and conditioning apparatus for athletes engaged in physical contact sports. It allows athletes to develop their maximum hitting force, and accustom themselves to the resultant counter blows. The athlete is fitted into an upper-body harness, fastened by a tether to a shock absorbing spring assembly, which is fastened to a fixed post, weighted bag, or another athlete. The athlete then runs to the end of the tether and is forcefully stopped.

US Patent:

44755627, Oct 9, 1984

Filed:

Oct 16, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/312014

Inventors:

Richard E. Thatcher - Chester VA
Horace L. Odom - Bon Air VA
Ronald L. Edwards - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24C 102

US Classification:

131110

Abstract:

A tobacco leaf mixture containing lighter and heavier fractions is fed into one side of a housing while an airstream flow is introduced at the other side of the housing and in an upwardly directed flow course so as to cause it to entrain the lighter fraction of the mixture therein, with the heavier fraction falling to the bottom of the housing. A suction lift is maintained at the top of the housing to increase the velocity of the lighter fraction containing air flow outwardly from the housing. The lighter fraction containing air flow is then delivered to a separator unit to recover the lighter fraction. The lighter fraction can, for example, be the laminae material from which shredded cigarette tobacco filler is made.

US Patent:

45026211, Mar 5, 1985

Filed:

Mar 30, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/480256

Inventors:

Richard E. Thatcher - Chester VA

International Classification:

B26F 302
B65H 3510

US Classification:

225 16

Abstract:

Apparatus is provided for controllably dispensing paper tissue from a spirally wound roll on a hollow core. The apparatus is comprised of holding means having a vertically oriented front panel, a floor and two side retaining members. The paper roll is supported on the floor such that the core is disposed horizontally and perpendicularly to the side members. A paper engaging means, supported by the holding means, and adapted for reciprocal motion in a linear path, advances the paper through an opening when moved in one direction, and does not move the paper when moved in the reverse direction.

US Patent:

46467599, Mar 3, 1987

Filed:

Jan 6, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/569013

Inventors:

Richard E. Thatcher - Chester VA
Louis R. Turano - Colonial Heights VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24B 318
A24C 500

US Classification:

131110

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the separation and classification of tobacco into two fractions, e. g. , into heavies and lights. A stream of fluid is employed to produce a stratified bed of the tobacco, preferably in cooperation with vibration of the tobacco, in which the tobacco is supported by the fluid and is stratified as a function of particle size, density and weight. The stream entrains the tobacco particles located at the top of the stratified bed and removes them to a suitable receptacle, where they are received and collected.

US Patent:

42781000, Jul 14, 1981

Filed:

Sep 5, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/072646

Inventors:

Richard E. Thatcher - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24C 536

US Classification:

131196

Abstract:

Tobacco in cigarettes rejected in the cigarette manufacturing operation is recovered by subjecting the cigarettes to a series of ripping actions which open the wrappings to expose the tobacco and a series of screening operations which result in effective recovery of 99+% of the tobacco and with almost no presence of wrappings residue material in the recovered tobacco, the wrappings material being separated to a different collection end point than the recovered tobacco.

US Patent:

46963120, Sep 29, 1987

Filed:

Mar 17, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/839922

Inventors:

Louis R. Turano - Colonial Heights VA
William T. Callaham - Richmond VA
John F. Sherwood - Richmond VA
Richard E. Thatcher - Chester VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris Incorporated - New York NY

International Classification:

A24B 307

US Classification:

1311091

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for producing tobacco filler by cutting whole tobacco leaves, including stems, is provided. The leaves, with stems in, are cut to produce strands of lamina and strands of stem and lamina. The strands are carded to disentangle them and then put through a separator to separate the strands of lamina, for use as filler, from strands of stem and lamina. The strands of stem and lamina can be carded again to disentangle may remaining strands of lamina that there may be, and the strands can then be passed through another separator. The process can be repeated several times if necessary.