The R&D Dept.

The brains at Hamilton Beach in Glen Allen have been busy lately with several new patents this week. A Shockoe Slip-based drug device maker gets yet another patent. And Phillip Morris has now invented a dissolvable tobacco strip.

Local patents this week for VCU, Capital One, Phillip Morris and a Midlothian humidifier maker. Plus a local inventor has a hand in a patent for Freddie Mac, and someone in Glen Allen wants to patent a pillow case.

Technical patents awarded locally this week to Afton Chemical, Dupont, Honeywell and others.

Some interesting patents this week including a new invention for local startup Intelliject, a flower stem wrapper and genetic soybean research. And just in time for margarita season, a new blender design from the brains at Hamilton Beach in Glen Allen.

A smorgasbord of patents this week including an invention to help select health insurance plans, a proposed patent for a drink maker, some high-tech gloves and a some sort of explosive-related device.

Another dog-related invention patented by a local pet supply manufacturer; a bunch of new patents for Afton Chemical, one for MeadWestvaco, an initial claims patent for a kettle; and as usual, a cigarette-related patent for Philip Morris.

A wearable hooded towel, plus a neat new phone program to help companies when they put callers on hold and a patent at Capital One.

Philip Morris may be selling fewer cigarettes these days, but that’s not stopping it from patenting all kinds of smoking related inventions.

The latest local patents include a closet with a built-in piggy bank, a bridge system for stringed instruments, a blender and a kitchen appliance that can keep food hot and cold at the same time.