Patents Assigned to RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11703633
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices comprising a power unit and a cartridge that is configured for engagement with the power unit. In particular, the cartridge can be configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof so as to be insertable into a chamber of the power unit in a plurality of different orientations. Further, the aerosol delivery device can include processing circuitry that can be configured for detection of the cartridge orientation and execution of a control function assigned to the respective orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Sean A. Daugherty, Michael Ryan Galloway, Jason L. Wood, Matthew Joel Nettenstrom, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11696604
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and related methods and computer program products for controlling an aerosol delivery device based on input characteristics. For example, a method may include an aerosol delivery device determining a characteristic of a user input to the aerosol delivery device. The method may further include the aerosol delivery device determining a control function having a defined association with the characteristic. The method may additionally include the aerosol delivery device performing the control function in response to the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 11690405
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes sensor(s) to produce measurements of properties during use of the device, and processing circuitry to record data for a plurality of uses of the device, for each use of which the data includes the measurements of the properties. The processing circuitry is configured to build a machine learning model to predict a target variable, using a machine learning algorithm, at least one feature selected from the properties, and a training set produced from the measurements of the properties. The processing circuitry is configured to then deploy the machine learning model to predict the target variable, and control at least one functional element of the device based thereon. The device may also include a digital camera to capture an image of a face of an attempted user to enable facial recognition to alter a locked state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Rajesh Sur
  • Patent number: 11684087
    Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears, Tim Williams
  • Patent number: 11684732
    Abstract: A control body is coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, with the cartridge being equipped with a heating element. The control body includes first and second positive conductors connectable with respectively a power supply and the heating element. The control body includes a series pull-up resistor and switch connected to and between the first and second positive conductors. A microprocessor is configured to operate the switch in a closed state in a standby mode in which the pull-up resistor causes a logical high level of voltage at the second positive conductor when the control body and cartridge are uncoupled, and in which the heating element is unpowered causes a logical low level of the voltage when the control body and cartridge are coupled. The microprocessor is configured to measure the voltage and control operation of functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Frisbee, Paul Stapleton, Milton G. Carawan, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 11684731
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device that includes a reservoir housing that defines a mouthpiece channel. The aerosol delivery device includes a sealing member configured to be received within the reservoir housing to define a reservoir chamber configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition therein. The aerosol delivery device also includes a substrate member that is configured to be received within the reservoir housing and to be directly engaged with a vaporizing assembly for forming an aerosol. The reservoir housing, sealing member, substrate member, and/or vaporizing assembly can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Taylor Hunt, Timothy Brian Nestor, Paul Andrew Brinkley, Stephen Benson Sears, John DePiano, Matthew C. Ebbs, Kristen Dodds Weight, Michael F. Davis
  • Patent number: 11682946
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include an atomizer, a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition and an electrical circuit coupled to the atomizer. The electrical circuit may include an electrical generator assembly including a moveable input member and an electrical generator configured to produce an electrical current from movement of the moveable input member. The electrical circuit may be configured to direct the electrical current to the atomizer to produce an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. A related aerosol production method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred C. Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 11678700
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridge comprises a mouthpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the mouthpiece having an exit portal defined therethrough, a tank defining a proximal end and a closed distal end, the tank being configured to contain a liquid composition that includes a distinctive characteristic, and a heater configured to heat the liquid composition. The distal end of the mouthpiece is configured to engage the proximal end of the tank, and when the cartridge is coupled with the aerosol delivery device at least one feature of the cartridge, or at least one feature of the control device, or at least one feature of both the cartridge and the control device, provides a visual indication of a color associated with the distinctive characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Aller, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Sean A. Daugherty, Michael Ryan Galloway, Matthew Joel Nettenstrom, Thomas Michael McKeon
  • Patent number: 11672930
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides atomizers and elements thereof, such as a combined wick and heater configured to improve vaporization response time, particularly on porous, monolithic wicks. The wick can have a tapered end that engages the interior of a substantially basket-shaped wire heater coil. The heater also may be in the form of a conductive mesh that is present on a portion of the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Noah Mark Minskoff, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 11676438
    Abstract: A charger for an electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device, which may include aerosol delivery devices provides functionality for authentication, including age verification. Such devices may be restricted based on age or other factors that require some form of authentication, verification, and/or identification to satisfy the restriction. The accessory or charger may provide or connect with a verification system for confirming an age of a user. If the authentication or verification is not satisfied, the charger or accessory will not charge the device, rendering it unusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Sawyer Hubbard, Leigh Ann Joyce, Jared Aller, Jake Novak, Sean Daugherty
  • Patent number: 11677201
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control device that includes an outer housing defining a cartridge receiving chamber, and further includes a power source and a control component, and a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece, a tank, a heating assembly, and a bottom cap. The mouthpiece defines an exit portal in an end thereof, and the tank is configured to contain a liquid composition therein. The cartridge is configured to be removably coupled with the receiving chamber of the control device, and the heating assembly defines a vaporization chamber and is configured to heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. The heating assembly comprises a substantially planar heating member and a liquid transport element, wherein the heating member is installed in a bowed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Sean A. Daugherty, Jared Aller, Michael Ryan Galloway, Justin Holt, Matthew Joel Nettenstrom, Steven Michael Schennum
  • Patent number: 11666098
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to charging accessory device for the aerosol delivery device and related systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing interactive services for aerosol delivery devices. For example, a method may include a computing device establishing communication with a charging accessory device for an aerosol delivery device; receiving usage data for the aerosol delivery device provided by the charging accessory device; generating social data based on the usage data; and sending the social data to a social networking service including a community of aerosol delivery device users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 11659868
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 11647781
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11641871
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11641877
    Abstract: Smoking articles are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a smoking article includes a heat source configured to generate heat upon ignition thereof, a first substrate material having an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith and a first end being fixedly engaged with the heat source, and an aerosol delivery component having opposed first and second ends, the first end of the aerosol delivery component being engaged with the second end of the first substrate material. In some aspects, the aerosol delivery component includes a second substrate material having the aerosol precursor composition associated therewith and being disposed about the first end of the aerosol delivery component and a tobacco material disposed between the second substrate material and the mouthpiece, the aerosol precursor composition associated with the first and second substrate materials being configured to produce an aerosol in response to the heat generated by the ignited heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy D. Phillips, Michael F. Davis, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 11641885
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Logan Garris, Sean Lukan, Jim Marting, Sean Daugherty, Austin Carpenter, Spencer Mougey, Keith Anderson
  • Patent number: 11632987
    Abstract: An electronic vaping device may be designed to enhance or facilitate its use. For example, the electronic vaping device may: allow a capability of the electronic vaping device to provide vapor to be altered (e.g., disabled, reduced, enabled, or increased) in some situations (e.g., to prevent unauthorized vaping by a child, teenager or other individual); be able to communicate with an external communication device (e.g., a smartphone, a computer, etc.) to convey a notification of potential unauthorized use of the electronic vaping device (e.g., by a child, teenager or other unauthorized user); implement a physical deterrent to its unauthorized use; be able to visually convey information (e.g., advertisements, notifications, etc.); and/or be able to capture images and/or sounds (e.g., record pictures and/or video, speech, music, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Tremblay
  • Patent number: 11631983
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shipping container configured to charge a plurality of power supplies associated with a plurality of aerosol delivery devices. The shipping container comprises at least one tray comprising at least one first charging interface configured to provide energy to the plurality of power supplies to charge the power supplies. In some embodiments, the at least one first charging interface is configured to wirelessly charge the plurality of power supplies. In other embodiments, the at least one first charging interface is configured to charge the plurality of power supplies via one or more physical connections. In some embodiments, the at least one first charging interface is configured to electrically couple to at least one local power storage unit. In some embodiments, the at least one first charging interface is configured to electrically couple to at least one external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Williams, Leigh Ann B. Joyce, James N. Figlar
  • Patent number: 11614720
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a power source, a heating element, a switch coupled to and between the power source and the heating element, and processing circuitry coupled to the switch. The processing circuitry outputs a PWM signal during a heating time period to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to the heating element to power the heating element. The processing circuitry outputs a pulse of known current to the heating element, and measure voltage across the heating element, between adjacent pulses of the PWM signal. And the processing circuitry calculates the resistance of the heating element based on the known current and the voltage, calculates the temperature of the heating element based on the resistance, and adjusts a duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Sean A. Daugherty, Michael Ryan Galloway, Jason L. Wood, Mark Frisbee, Wilson Christopher Lamb, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Nadi Findikli