ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,415,637, issued on Sept. 16, was assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond, Va.).
"High speed poucher" was invented by Martin T. Garthaffner (Richmond, Va.), Dwight D. Williams (Powhatan, Va.), Jeremy J. Straight (Midlothian, Va.), David J. Webb (Richmond, Va.) and Carl G. Miller (Richmond, Va.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individu...