Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150304366 | PARTICIPATION QUEUE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING - A virtual conferencing system is described for implementing a speaker queue. For example, one embodiment of the virtual conferencing system comprises: a plurality of clients, each of the clients comprising state management logic to maintain a current state of a virtual conference; a virtual conferencing service to establish audio and/or video connections between the plurality of clients during the virtual conference, the virtual conferencing service further including a state synchronization service communicatively coupled to the state management logic on each client to ensure that the current state of the virtual conference is consistent on each client; wherein the current state on each client includes a speaker queue comprising an ordered set of participants to be designated as current speakers during the virtual conference, wherein participants are added to the speaker queue in response to input provided by the participants indicating a desire to be a current speaker, wherein one or more participants towards the top of the speaker queue are designated to be current speakers, wherein participants are initially added to the bottom of the speaker queue and are moved towards the top of the speaker queue as other participants are removed from the top of the speaker queue; a virtual conferencing graphical user interface (GUI) to display a video stream of one or more current speakers within one or more current speaker regions, the virtual conferencing GUI further providing a visual representation of the speaker queue to each of the participants, the visual representation comprising an ordered representation of each of the participants in the speaker queue. | 10-22-2015 |
20160073059 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING EVENTS AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK IN A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE - A virtual conferencing system is described which tracks events during a virtual conference, provides a user interface for reviewing the events, and allows a moderator and/or other participant to provide feedback related to the events. For example, one embodiment of a virtual conferencing system comprises: a plurality of clients operated by participants and at least one moderator of a virtual conference, each of the clients comprising state management logic to maintain a current state of the virtual conference; a virtual conferencing service to establish audio and/or video connections between the plurality of clients during the virtual conference, the virtual conferencing service further including a state synchronization service communicatively coupled to the state management logic on each client to ensure that the current state of the virtual conference is consistent on each client; a virtual conferencing graphical user interface (GUI) to be rendered on the plurality of clients, the virtual conferencing GUI configured, via signals sent from the state synchronization service, to display a video stream of one or more current speakers during the virtual conference utilizing the established video connections; and a contribution identification module to identify events related to actions of participants during the virtual conference; an event log to store the events identified by the contribution identification module; and an event filter to provide options for searching for specific types of events within the event log based on input from the moderator and/or participants when reviewing a recording of the virtual conference, the event filter to generate a filtered set of events based on the input from the moderator and/or participants. | 03-10-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100206551 | Downhole Filter Tool - Apparatus for downhole filtration in a wellbore The apparatus has a diverter and a filter slidably mounted on a mandrel. The diverter has a circumferential wiper element between the mandrel and the casing within which the apparatus is run. When fluids are reverse circulated, or the tool is being pulled out, the diverter shifts to a downward position, wherein it seals against an upper end of the filter, filtering out solids in the fluids and retaining them in a chamber between the sleeve and mandrel. When running the tool into a wellbore, the diverter shifts to an upper position to permit fluids to bypass the filter sleeve. The filter sleeve bears against a spring loaded seat, which permits creating a gap between the diverter and an upper end of the filter sleeve to allow fluids to bypass the filter sleeve should the filter sleeve slots become plugged. | 08-19-2010 |
20110083857 | REPEATABLE, COMPRESSION SET DOWNHOLE BYPASS VALVE - A bypass valve for use in tubing string which can be repeatedly opened and closed to selectively provide bypass fluid flow between the interior of the tubing string and the annulus to assist in flowing debris. The valve uses hardened valve elements which can be opened and closed while flowing fluids under pressure through the tubing string. The valve is actuated by placing the tubing string in a sufficient weight down condition to operate the valve. A trigger is provided to prevent unintended actuation of the bypass valve during use. | 04-14-2011 |
20110203809 | WELLBORE BYPASS TOOL AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a bypass tool for connection in a tubing string suspended in a subterranean location in a wellbore. The bypass tool has a tubular body for connection to a tubing string with ports in the body wall to inject fluid into the annulus, surrounding the tubing string. In some applications, nozzles are placed in the ports to create fluid jets which can be utilized, for example, for cleaning a subsea BOP. In other applications, fluids are injected into the annulus to assist circulation. An axially shiftable sleeve is mounted in the body's internal bore and acts as a valve to open and block flow through the ports. Spring-loaded detents in the body engage openings in the sleeve to lock the sleeve against axial movement. The detents extend into the sleeve to be engaged by an actuator ball pumped down the tubing string to the bypass tool. In operation, the bypass tool is run into the wellbore in the closed position with the sleeve closing the ports in the mandrel. When bypass flow is desired, an actuation ball is pumped down the wellbore to the bypass tool. The ball engages a seat in the sleeve to block flow down the tubing string. The ball also engages and depresses the detents, unlocking the sleeve to shift axially down the wellbore to the bypass position where ports in the sleeve align with ports in the mandrel to permit flow through the ports. To return the bypass tool to the closed position, a second ball of the same diameter as the first ball is pumped down the well to abut the first ball and engage and depress the detents to allow the sleeve to shift to a closed position. In this closed position, flow through the tubing string is reopened by shifting the ball-seat assembly to an enlarged area of the mandrel bore where fluid is free to flow around the ball seat. | 08-25-2011 |
20110240313 | RESETTABLE DOWNHOLE TORQUE LIMITER AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a torque limiter having driver mandrel and driven axially aligned mandrels, a piston movable into and out of an engaged position wherein the driver and driven mandrels are coupled together to transmit torque there between. Hydraulically locking the movable piston in an engaged position. Disengaging the hydraulic lock when during rotation when a specified torque magnitude is exceeded to allow relative rotation between the mandrels. Resetting the torque limiter by hydraulically locking the piston in the engaging position when relative rotation ceases or is reduced. | 10-06-2011 |
20110247800 | DOWNHOLE FILTER TOOL - Apparatus for downhole filtration of fluids in a wellbore. The apparatus has a diverter and a filter slidably mounted on a mandrel. The diverter has a circumferential wiper element between the mandrel and the casing within which the apparatus is run. When fluids are reverse circulated, or the tool is being pulled out, the diverter shifts to a downward position, wherein it seals against an upper end of the filter, filtering out solids in the fluids and retaining them in a chamber between the sleeve and mandrel. When running the tool into a wellbore, the diverter shifts to an upper position to permit fluids to bypass the filter sleeve. The filter sleeve bears against a spring loaded seat, which permits creating a gap between the diverter and an upper end of the filter sleeve to allow fluids to bypass the filter sleeve should the filter sleeve slots become plugged. | 10-13-2011 |
20120111558 | DOWNHOLE FILTER TOOL - Apparatus for downhole filtration of fluids in a wellbore. The apparatus has a diverter and a filter slidably mounted on a mandrel. The diverter has a circumferential wiper element between the mandrel and the casing within which the apparatus is run. When fluids are reverse circulated, or the tool is being pulled out, the diverter shifts to a downward position, wherein it seals against an upper end of the filter, filtering out solids in the fluids and retaining them in a chamber between the sleeve and mandrel. When running the tool into a wellbore, the diverter shifts to an upper position to permit fluids to bypass the filter sleeve. The filter sleeve bears against a spring loaded seat, which permits creating a gap between the diverter and an upper end of the filter sleeve to allow fluids to bypass the filter sleeve should the filter sleeve slots become plugged. | 05-10-2012 |
20120292047 | WELLBORE FILTER SCREEN AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a downhole well filter ( | 11-22-2012 |
20120298369 | Differential Pressure Wellbore Tool and Related Methods of Use - Disclosed is a power head for connection in a tubing string suspended in a subterranean location in a wellbore for use in methods removing debris from the wellbore. When the power head is in the closed position, well fluids pumped down the tubing string will flow through the power head. When the power head is moved to the open position by dropping a actuator ball onto a seat in the power head, the power head creates flow down along the annulus to circulate debris laden well fluids into a catch apparatus such as a catch basket or screen. In the open position, nozzles and the eductor create the reverse flow. | 11-29-2012 |
20130025865 | WELLBORE KNOCK-OUT CHAMBER AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a downhole knock-out tool ( | 01-31-2013 |
20130032329 | DOWNHOLE FILTER TOOL - Apparatus for downhole filtration of fluids in a wellbore. The apparatus has a diverter and a filter slidably mounted on a mandrel. The diverter has a circumferential wiper element between the mandrel and the casing within which the apparatus is run. When fluids are reverse circulated, or the tool is being pulled out, the diverter shifts to a downward position, wherein it seals against an upper end of the filter, filtering out solids in the fluids and retaining them in a chamber between the sleeve and mandrel. When running the tool into a wellbore, the diverter shifts to an upper position to permit fluids to bypass the filter sleeve. The filter sleeve bears against a spring loaded seat, which permits creating a gap between the diverter and an upper end of the filter sleeve to allow fluids to bypass the filter sleeve should the filter sleeve slots become plugged. | 02-07-2013 |
20140060856 | RESETTABLE DOWNHOLE TORQUE LIMITER AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a torque limiter having driver mandrel and driven axially aligned mandrels, a piston movable into and out of an engaged position wherein the driver and driven mandrels are coupled together to transmit torque there between. Hydraulically locking the movable piston in an engaged position. Disengaging the hydraulic lock when during rotation when a specified torque magnitude is exceeded to allow relative rotation between the mandrels. Resetting the torque limiter by hydraulically locking the piston in the engaging position when relative rotation ceases or is reduced. | 03-06-2014 |
20140262312 | SLIDING SLEEVE BYPASS VALVE FOR WELL TREATMENT - A downhole bypass valve utilizes a stationary sleeve defining an interior ball-seat. When a dropped ball is seated, fluid differential pressure is diverted to an annular area adjacent a first sliding sleeve. The sleeve slides in response to the pressure differential upon shearing of a shear pin, or similar, and opens ports to the wellbore annulus. Treatment or maintenance operations can then occur through the ports, which can be fitted with nozzles. A second sliding sleeve, independent from the first, is operated in response to dropping a second ball into the device. The second ball diverts fluid differential pressure to an annular area adjacent the second sleeve and movement occurs when a shear pin shears. The second sleeve covers the ports to the wellbore annulus and closes the valve. After a sliding sleeve shifts, pressure across the sleeve is equalized, allowing reverse flow without risk of accidental sleeve actuation. | 09-18-2014 |
20150361730 | COMPRESSION SET DOWNHOLE CLUTCH - Compression set downhole clutch ( | 12-17-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080215277 | Method for manufacturing filter canisters and tracking quality assurance - An assembly line for manufacturing filter canisters is disclosed. The method for assembling filter canisters provides a unique serial number for each canister and a database that associates the component lot numbers, activated charcoal weight, and quality assurance test results with the serial number for the filter canister. The manufacturing method can be adapted for assembly of canisters with activated charcoal and an aerosol HEPA filter, canisters with activated charcoal only, and canisters with an aerosol HEPA filter only. Some embodiments can also enable different testing conditions and specifications, activated charcoal loading requirements, labeling specifications, and packaging requirements. | 09-04-2008 |
20100224190 | MODULAR POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR - A modular powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) which is comprised of a fan, motor, scroll, and power source mounted within one housing, and which accepts either traditional or conformal filters. Ambient air is drawn into the PAPR module through the attached filter by a fan, which is driven by direct connection to a motor. The pressurized air is then accelerated by an optimized scroll to the outlet in the PAPR housing. The PAPR module can be employed in multiple use configurations. The PAPR module further comprises a removable battery pack module that is easily retained to/removed from the PAPR module, enabling a user to be able to quickly remove a spent battery pack module and install a fresh battery pack module, thereby replacing the batteries within one breath cycle. | 09-09-2010 |
20110056496 | INTEGRATED BELT AND PLENUM POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR - A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) assembly and kit therefore has an elongated hollow belt body having open first and second ends and multiple inlet openings along its length for mounting one or more filter canisters, one or more filter canisters for mounting in the inlet openings for supplying purified air to the interior of the belt body, a motor and driven fan assembly having a fan inlet in communication with each filter canister through the hollow belt body and a fan outlet; and a power source operably mounted to the belt body and connected to the motor. The PAPR assembly forms a portion of a belt or bandolier to be worn around the user's waist, back, or other location, and at least the belt body can be made of a flexible rubber material, such as a Butyl and Silicone blend, or any other suitable material to conform the PAPR belt to the user's body. | 03-10-2011 |
20120017895 | RESPIRATOR KIT AND CONTOURED PLENUM THEREFOR - A respirator kit which includes a contoured plenum; a breathing mask or hood; an air supplying device, such as a powered air purifying respirator or self contained breathing apparatus; and an air hose. The contoured plenum has a low-profile and can be fluidly connected between the respirator mask and hose, and replaces the conventional air hose connection traditionally associated with powered air devices. The plenum is contoured to follow the profile of the mask, reducing the profile of the airway into the mask. The plenum includes a connector by which the plenum can be attached to the inlet of the mask, and can also include a demand valve. | 01-26-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140196761 | Solar tracker and related methods, devices, and systems - Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a solar tracker assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a track, a centrally-positioned base member, a motor operably coupled to the base member, and a plurality of arms extending from the base member towards the track, with the track including a plurality of arcuate members that are assembled to form the track. A rotatable frame is coupled to the arms and has one or more towers and an actuator positioned on the one or more towers. A pivoting frame is coupled to the one or more towers, with the pivoting frame configured to carry a solar panel array. In operation, the motor can rotate the base member and arms around a Z-axis to position the rotatable frame at azimuth and the actuator can move the pivoting frame around an X-Y axis to position the pivoting frame at zenith. | 07-17-2014 |
20140200717 | Node manager in an energy distribution system and related methods, devices, and systems - Aspects of the disclosure are directed to, for example, methods for operating a node manager such as a node manager operably coupled to a solar tracker assembly. In one embodiment, the method includes providing control signals to motors of the solar tracker assembly to control an orientation of a photovoltaic array and receiving status information form one or more sensors configured to measure at least one of ambient, operating, and performance conditions local to tracker electronics of the tracker assembly. The method further includes modifying the control signals based, at least in part, on the status information and communicating, via the tracker electronics, at least a portion of the status information over a cellular communication via a cellular link. | 07-17-2014 |
20140201109 | Energy distribution system and related methods, devices, and systems - Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an autonomous energy distribution network including a plurality of solar tracker devices configured to receive solar energy and transform the solar energy into electrical energy, where each of the solar tracker devices is directly connected to a node in a power distribution grid. The network also includes a node manager configured to receive status information from the solar trackers, where the status information includes information regarding the state of the node to which each of the solar tracker device are directly connected. | 07-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130341439 | METHOD FOR BLENDING FOOD OR BEVERAGES - A method for blending food or beverages, preferably using a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door, that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder up. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage. | 12-26-2013 |
20130341446 | COMPACT BLENDER FOR FROZEN BEVERAGES - A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage. | 12-26-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150080841 | ASSEMBLY FOR SEQUENTIALLY DELIVERING SUBSTANCES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An infusion assembly is provided. Such an infusion assembly includes a first infusion body and a first nozzle operably engaged with the first infusion body. A first plunger is configured to translate longitudinally within the first infusion body for dispensing a first substance out of the first infusion body through the first nozzle. The plunger has a translating member and a stopper piston separable and removable from the translating member. Once separated, the stopper piston is capable of receiving a second nozzle of a second infusion body such that the first substance, along with a second substance in the second infusion body, are capable of being sequentially administered to a target site. An associated method and kit are also provided. | 03-19-2015 |
20150128784 | Capo - The present invention is directed to a capo for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is engaged from the bottom portion of the neck of the musical instrument. The capo has a generally L-shaped frame connected to a lever and a pincher configured so that pressure applied to the lever causes the pincher to move toward the lever, allowing the space between the pincher and free end portion of the frame to receive the neck of the musical instrument. The exterior of the frame is configured to received interchangeable inlays, and the free end portion of the frame is configured to receive changeable neck pads. | 05-14-2015 |
20160125853 | Capo with Decorative Inlays - The present invention is directed to a capo for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is engaged from the bottom portion of the neck of the musical instrument. The capo has a generally L-shaped frame connected to a lever and a pincher configured so that pressure applied to the lever causes the pincher to move toward the lever, allowing the space between the pincher and free end portion of the frame to receive the neck of the musical instrument. The exterior of the frame is configured to received interchangeable inlays, and the free end portion of the frame is configured to receive changeable neck pads. | 05-05-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100234280 | ANTISENSE ANTIBACTERIAL METHOD AND COMPOUND - An antibacterial antisense conjugate and method of using the same for treating a bacterial infection in a mammalian host are disclosed. The conjugate includes an antisense oligonucleotide conjugated to a carrier peptide that significantly enhances the antibacterial activity of the oligonucleotide. The antisense oligonucleotide contains 10-20 nucleotide bases and has a targeting nucleic acid sequence complementary to a target sequence containing or within 10 bases, in a downstream direction, of the translational start codon of a bacterial mRNA that encodes a bacterial protein essential for bacterial replication, where the compound binds to a target mRNA with a T | 09-16-2010 |
20100234281 | ANTIBACTERIAL ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE AND METHOD - A method for enhancing, by at least 10 fold, the antibacterial activity of an antisense oligonucleotide composed of morpholino subunits linked by phosphorus-containing intersubunit linkages. The method includes one or both of: conjugating an arginine-rich carrier to a 3′ or 5′ end of the oligonucleotide and modifying the oligonucleotide to contain 20%-50% intersubunit linkages that are positively charged at physiological pH. Also disclosed is an antisense oligonucleotide having enhanced antibacterial activity by virtue of one or both modifications. | 09-16-2010 |
20140213737 | ANTIBACTERIAL ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE AND METHOD - A method for enhancing, by at least 10 fold, the antibacterial activity of an antisense oligonucleotide composed of morpholino subunits linked by phosphorus-containing intersubunit linkages. The method includes one or both of: conjugating an arginine-rich carrier to a 3′ or 5′ end of the oligonucleotide and modifying the oligonucleotide to contain 20%-50% intersubunit linkages that are positively charged at physiological pH. Also disclosed is an antisense oligonucleotide having enhanced antibacterial activity by virtue of one or both modifications. | 07-31-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080224655 | MECHANICALLY FEATURELESS INDUCTIVE CHARGING - An inductive charging system including an inductive charger having an inductive charging surface and an alignment feature depicted on a surface of the inductive charger indicating a location of the inductive charging surface. A structural feature may extend substantially perpendicular to the alignment feature and provides a guide for positioning of a portable device to facilitate inductive changing of the portable device by the inductive charging surface. The inductive charger may include a plurality of inductive chargers positioned to facilitate charging of a portable device by two or more of the plurality of the inductive chargers. | 09-18-2008 |
20080254822 | Method and System for Correlating User/Device Activity with Spatial Orientation Sensors - A system and method for determining an operating mode for a mobile unit (“MU”), comprising defining a plurality of spatial regions, tracking at least one activity of the MU when the MU is oriented within the one of the plurality of spatial regions, determining an orientation of the mobile unit, and selecting the operating mode based on the at least one of the orientation and an activity of the MU when the MU is oriented within the one of the plurality of spatial regions. | 10-16-2008 |
20090150993 | Mobile Device with Frequently Operated Biometric Sensors - A mobile device having a user input component receiving input from a user and a biometric sensor incorporated in the user input component collecting biometric data from the user when the user input component is receiving the input, wherein the input is non-biometric data. In addition, a system and method for receiving input from a user via a user input component of a mobile device and collecting biometric data from the user via a biometric sensor incorporated within the user input component when receiving the input from the user, wherein the input is non-biometric data. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153466 | Method and System for Optimizing Scrolling and Selection Activity - Described are a method, a device, and a system for activating and deactivating a scrolling operation. The method includes receiving an input signal from an input interface on a mobile unit (“MU”), activating a scrolling operation of a display of the MU, sensing at least one of a motion and an orientation of the MU, and scrolling the display of the MU based on the one of the sensed motion and the sensed orientation of the MU. The device includes a display, an input interface for receiving an input signal, at least one sensor for sensing at least one of an orientation and a motion of the mobile computing device, and a processor receiving the input signal from the input interface, activating a scrolling operation of the display and scrolling the display of the device based on the one of the sensed motion and the sensed orientation of the device. | 06-18-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110100383 | SHEET MATERIAL CUTTING APPARATUS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A cutting apparatus and an associated method for slitting a tobacco sheet material into cut pieces used to form smoking articles are provided. The cutting apparatus includes a rotatable cutter assembly having a drum member configured to rotate about an axis defined thereby. The cutter assembly includes a plurality of knife members disposed about the periphery of the drum member and extending radially therefrom. A fixed counter-knife assembly is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the drum member and is configured to interact with the rotatable cutter assembly during rotation thereof about the axis. The counter-knife assembly includes a ledger member having a plurality of cutting insert members removably engaged therewith. The cutting insert members are configured to interact with the knife members during rotation of the cutter assembly with respect to the counter-knife assembly so as to slit the tobacco sheet material received therebetween into cut pieces. | 05-05-2011 |
20110259351 | TOBACCO ROD MANUFACTURING APPARATUS - An apparatus is provided for forming tobacco rod portions of a smoking article. A conveyor unit is configured to receive a continuous stream of the tobacco material and to transport the continuous tobacco material stream along an elongate path for formation of the continuous tobacco material stream into a continuous tobacco rod, wherein the conveyor unit is housed in a conveyor housing. A suction system is in fluid communication with the conveyor housing through a suction port and is configured to apply suction to the conveyor housing via the suction port so as to draw the continuous tobacco stream into engagement with the conveyor unit. A wear resistant member is engaged with a wall of the conveyor housing and defines the suction port, wherein the wear resistant member is configured to resist wear from interaction with particles associated with the tobacco material. | 10-27-2011 |
20150083150 | HEAT GENERATION APPARATUS FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATION SYSTEM OF A SMOKING ARTICLE, AND ASSOCIATED SMOKING ARTICLE - A smoking article is provided, having opposed lighting and mouth ends, and including a mouth end portion at the mouth end. A tobacco portion is between the lighting end and the mouth end portion. An aerosol-generation system is between the lighting end and the tobacco portion. The aerosol-generation system includes a heat generation portion, comprising an elongate fluted member actuated by ignition of the lighting end. The fluted member defines grooves extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, with the first end being at the lighting end and the grooves being equidistantly spaced apart about the fluted member. Each groove has a maximum depth. The depth maxima of the grooves define a circle having a radius. The maximum depth of each groove is no more than the radius of the circle. A heat generation apparatus for an aerosol-generation system of a smoking article is also provided. | 03-26-2015 |
20150202789 | Sheet Material Cutting Apparatus, and Associated Method - A cutting apparatus and an associated method for slitting a tobacco sheet material into cut pieces used to form smoking articles are provided. The cutting apparatus includes a rotatable cutter assembly having a drum member configured to rotate about an axis defined thereby. The cutter assembly includes a plurality of knife members disposed about the periphery of the drum member and extending radially therefrom. A fixed counter-knife assembly is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the drum member and is configured to interact with the rotatable cutter assembly during rotation thereof about the axis. The counter-knife assembly includes a ledger member having a plurality of cutting insert members removably engaged therewith. The cutting insert members are configured to interact with the knife members during rotation of the cutter assembly with respect to the counter-knife assembly so as to slit the tobacco sheet material received therebetween into cut pieces. | 07-23-2015 |