Smoking article inspection system and associated method

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9844232
SERIAL NO

14204316

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Brantley, Frank Winston-Salem, US 3 12
Hall, David R Kernersville, US 1284 19684
Hiatt, Derwin Walnut Cove, US 1 4
Martin, Isaac Lewisville, US 1 4
McCann, Larry King, US 2 18
Nuckols, Eddie Mocksville, US 1 4
Reddell, Charles Mount Airy, US 1 4
Sama, Martin Tobaccoville, US 1 4
Shockley, Mike Tobaccoville, US 1 4
Whitley, Mike Winston-Salem, US 1 4
Wood, Gary Lee Rural Hall, US 5 41

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Jun 19, 2025
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jun 19, 2029
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00