Patents Examined by Russell E Sparks
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Patent number: 11744287Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes: a case into which a cigarette is to be inserted; a cap detachably coupled to a top portion of the case; a cover configured to slide on a top surface of the cap so as to open or close a cigarette insertion hole; a first sensor configured to sense whether the cigarette insertion hole is open or closed; and a controller configured to determine whether the cigarette insertion hole is open or closed based on a signal sensed by the first sensor and set an operational mode of the aerosol generating device as an ON mode or an OFF mode based on a result of the determining.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: KT&G CORPORATIONInventor: Hun Il Lim
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Patent number: 11744280Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods for cutting and arranging rods for use in a tobacco industry product assembly machine, the apparatus including a first cutting mechanism for cutting a four-length rod into first and second axially-aligned double-length rods where each double-length rod has respective remote ends, a positioning mechanism for moving at least one of the first and second double-length rods such that said first and second double-length rods are moved from a first configuration in axial-alignment, to a second configuration in which the first and second double-length rods are out of axial alignment and the axes of the first and second double-length rods are parallel and spaced apart, and the remote ends of said first and second double-length rods are substantially aligned with each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray, Gerhard Le Roux, Gary Fallon
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Patent number: 11744282Abstract: An electronic cigarette, comprising a shell and a power supply installed in the shell, and the electronic cigarette further comprises a tobacco bin which is provided in the shell and communicates with the outside air, and a suction nozzle which communicates with the tobacco bin; and a piezoelectric ceramic piece which clings to the tobacco bin is provided in the shell, the piezoelectric ceramic piece is a bearing surface of the tobacco bin on which a tobacco material is loaded as well as a heating surface of the tobacco bin, and the piezoelectric ceramic piece is electrically connected with the power supply. The electronic cigarette has a simple atomization mode and directly atomizes the tobacco material by means of the high frequency vibration and heat of the piezoelectric ceramic.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Jianfu Liu, Kejun Zhong, Xiaoyi Guo, Wei Huang, Yuangang Dai, Xinqiang Yin, Jianhua Yi, Hong Yu, Yang Wang
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Patent number: 11745418Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensionally formed object includes: forming a layer using a flowable composition including constituent material particles of a three-dimensionally formed object and a flowable composition including support portion-forming particles for forming a support portion which supports the three-dimensionally formed object during the formation of the three-dimensionally formed object; and imparting energy to the constituent material particles and the support portion-forming particles, in which in the imparting of the energy, the energy is imparted such that a temperature of the constituent material particles and a temperature of the support portion-forming particles are equal to or higher than a melting point of the constituent material particles and are lower than a melting point of the support portion-forming particles.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Eiji Okamoto, Masaya Ishida, Toshimitsu Hirai
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Patent number: 11744293Abstract: An electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic cigarette includes a housing (1) and an atomization assembly (2) disposed in the housing (1). The electronic cigarette also includes a fixing mechanism (3) capable of fixing the atomization assembly (2), an unlocking mechanism (4) for controlling the fixing mechanism (3) to be relatively fixed to or separated from the atomization assembly (2), and an elastic mechanism (5) for ejecting the atomization assembly (2) outward when the fixing mechanism (3) is separated from the atomization assembly (2). The atomization assembly (2) can be ejected for replacement without contacting the atomization assembly (2) by hand, thereby preventing scalding and staining the hand. A top cover assembly (23) can be automatically opened only by pressing a sliding assembly (38) to replace a cartridge. The top cover assembly (23) can be reset by pushing to avoid misalignment.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Jianfu Liu, Kejun Zhong, Xiaoyi Guo, Wei Huang, Hong Yu, Yuangang Dai, Xinqiang Yin, Jianhua Yi, Yongquan Zhou, Chaoxiang Huang
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Patent number: 11744283Abstract: A cigar tool includes a piercing rod, a handle, and a cover attachable over the piercing rod. The piercing rod is pointed to penetrate a densely packed cigar. The handle includes a fixed portion and a sliding portion, and squeezing the fixed and sliding portions together releases the cover exposing the piercing rod. The cover may be a simple cylindrical key fob or an added feature of a cigar lighter or ash tray.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Inventor: Adrian Rivera
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Patent number: 11744960Abstract: An inhaler article includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to a distal end with an endpiece element at the distal end. A capsule cavity is defined within the body and extends along the longitudinal axis. A mouthpiece air channel extends from the capsule cavity to the mouthpiece end. A vortex tunnel is between the endpiece element and the capsule cavity. The vortex tunnel has an air inlet and an air passageway extending from the air inlet to the capsule cavity. The endpiece element is configured to restrict or prevent airflow through the distal end to the capsule cavity and the air inlet and air passageway of the vortex tunnel are configured to enable air to be drawn into the capsule cavity and form a vortex of inhalation air through the capsule cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Gennaro Campitelli
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Patent number: 11744284Abstract: An ultrasonic electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic cigarette includes a housing (1) provided with an atomization sheet assembly (2) and a cartridge (3) therein. The atomization sheet assembly (2) comprises an ultrasonic atomization sheet (4) and an atomization seat (5) for supporting and fixing the ultrasonic atomization sheet (4). A top cover (7) is connected to the top end of the housing (1). A suction nozzle (8) is connected to the top cover (7). A press plate (9) and a locking mechanism (10) for controlling the press plate (9) to be opened or closed are also disposed in the housing (1). The cartridge (3) is fixed in the press plate (9). When the top cover (7) is closed and the locking mechanism (10) is locked, the press plate (9) and/or the cartridge (3) abut against the atomization sheet assembly (2).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Jianfu Liu, Kejun Zhong, Xiaoyi Guo, Wei Huang, Hong Yu, Yuangang Dai, Xinqiang Yin, Jianhua Yi, Yongquan Zhou, Chaoxiang Huang
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Patent number: 11738498Abstract: A production device for a fuel tank, having two or more built-in components attached to an inside of a fuel tank body when the fuel tank body is formed, includes: jigs configured to have the built-in components placed thereon; and a feed robot, as a feed device, configured to feed the built-in components, along with the jigs having the built-in components placed thereon, to a position below molding dies. The feed device may feed the jig, having the built-in components placed thereon, to the position via a subsurface feed path leading to the position.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: YACHIYO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuichi Kato, Tsukuba Sato, Yinghao Ding, Masatoshi Okano
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Patent number: 11730186Abstract: The hybrid aerosol-generating element for use in an aerosol-generating article includes a liquid retention material for holding an aerosol-forming liquid and a solid aerosol-forming substrate arranged next to the liquid retention material. The liquid retention material may entirely surround the solid aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating system utilizes the hybrid aerosol-generating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Oleg Mironov
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Patent number: 11730204Abstract: An upper cover assembly includes an upper cover, a liquid filling cap movable relative to the upper cover between a usage position and a liquid filling position, and a mouthpiece. The upper cover is provided with a liquid filling hole and a smoke outlet hole. The liquid filling cap is provided with a through hole. The mouthpiece is integrally formed with the liquid filling cap and is in communication with the through hole. When the liquid filling cap is in the usage position, the liquid filling cap covers the liquid filling hole and the through hole is in communication with the smoke outlet hole. When the liquid filling cap is moved from the usage position to the liquid filling position, the liquid filling cap is displaced from the liquid filling hole and the liquid filling hole is opened.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: CHANGZHOU PATENT ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Weihua Qiu
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Patent number: 11653419Abstract: The cartridge for the aerosol-generating system includes a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet and an airflow path defined within the housing. The cartridge includes an atomizer assembly with an aerosol-generating element that is fluid permeable, and two electrical contact portions connected to the aerosol-generating element. The aerosol-generating element has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side of the aerosol-generating element is exposed to the airflow path and the second side of the aerosol-generating element is in contact with a liquid. The cartridge includes the mount that contains the atomizer assembly, where the mount covers a first portion of the first side of the aerosol-generating element to isolate the electrical contact portions from the airflow path, and covers at least a portion of the second side of the aerosol-generating element to isolate the electrical contact portions from the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Patrick Charles Silvestrini, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Guillaume Frederick
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Patent number: 11617229Abstract: The cartridge for the aerosol-generating system includes a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet and an airflow path defined within the housing. The cartridge includes an atomizer assembly with an aerosol-generating element that is fluid permeable, and two electrical contact portions connected to the aerosol-generating element. The aerosol-generating element has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side of the aerosol-generating element is exposed to the airflow path and the second side of the aerosol-generating element is in contact with a liquid. The cartridge includes the mount that contains the atomizer assembly, where the mount covers a first portion of the first side of the aerosol-generating element to isolate the electrical contact portions from the airflow path, and covers at least a portion of the second side of the aerosol-generating element to isolate the electrical contact portions from the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Patrick Charles Silvestrini, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Guillaume Frederick
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Patent number: 11571018Abstract: Disclosure is an aerosol generating article having a low temperature burning heat source, including a low temperature burning smoking set and a matching cigarette, the smoking set includes a heat insulation sleeve, an annular heat conductive barrel, a cover and a heat source cigarette lighter; the barrel is provided in an annular mounting groove at a left section of an inner wall of the sleeve, the cover is provided at a left end of the sleeve, a cavity of the barrel is filled with the heat source in a sealed manner; a plurality of electric heating columns are provided at a right end of the lighter; the cover is provided with a plurality of insertion holes, and after the plurality of electric heating columns are inserted into the plurality of insertion holes, the lighter gets in contact with the barrel to ignite the heat source in the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO ANHUI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Shun Zhou, Xiaofeng Wang, Chenghu Wang, Jin Zhang, Qing He, Xiaoyu Zhang, Yaping Zhang
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Patent number: 11571026Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises a battery portion which is operable to provide power to a heating element of the electronic cigarette, and a cartomizer coupled with the battery portion. The cartomizer comprises a liquid container which provides a liquid toward the heating element wherein the liquid is used for producing and flavoring a vapor of the electronic cigarette when the liquid is heated by the heating element, and a memory which is operable to record and store an amount of the liquid remaining in the liquid container.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Nehemia Amir
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Patent number: 11540558Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus (1) for use in the manufacture of tobacco industry products. The apparatus (1) comprises a rolling unit (9) comprising: •a rotatable drum (14) having a plurality of flutes (18) formed in a curved outer surface (17) of the drum (14) to receive axially-aligned components (5,6) of a tobacco industry product; •a roll hand (15) having a contact surface (34) facing and spaced from the outer surface (17) of the drum (14) to define a space, between the contact surface (34) and the outer surface (17), within which space components of a tobacco industry product are rollable upon rotation of the drum (14); and •a kicker bar (16) disposed adjacent to the roll hand (15) and having a contact edge (36) facing and spaced from the outer surface (17) of the drum (17).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray, Sam Whiffen, Gerhard Le Roux
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Patent number: 11517045Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system is provided, including a first sealed container including a nicotine source comprising a first carrier material impregnated with between about 1 milligram and about 50 milligrams of nicotine; a second sealed container including an acid source; and a coupling element disposed between the first sealed container and the second sealed container, wherein the first sealed container, the second sealed container, and the coupling element are separate components that are connected together to form the cartridge, and wherein the coupling element is directly connected to both the first sealed container and the second sealed container so as to form a substantially rigid connection between the first sealed container and the second sealed container.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Frederic Ulysse Buehler
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Patent number: 11517040Abstract: A flavor inhaler includes a tubular holder that extends from a mouthpiece end toward a distal end, a flavor source that is provided in the holder, and a combustion type heat source that is provided at the distal end, and includes a protruding portion protruding from the distal end and a flavorant carried on the protruding portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Takuma Nakano, Takeshi Akiyama, Takashi Oda, Masaaki Suzuki, Kimitaka Uchii
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Patent number: 11517041Abstract: A method of manufacturing flavorant particles includes melting a food grade wax and a flavorant into a molten wax; solidifying the molten wax; and grinding the solidified molten wax into a plurality of flavorant particles. Another method of manufacturing flavorant particles includes melting a food grade wax and a flavorant into a molten wax, the molten wax having a melting temperature between about 50° C. to about 70° C.; and spray-chilling the molten wax into at least one solid flavorant particle, the solid flavorant particle having a diameter of between about 0.1 mm to about 2.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Munmaya K. Mishra
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Patent number: 11490651Abstract: The tongue includes a shaft, the shaft being hollow. The shaft includes a first end and a second end, the first end defining a first opening with a first radius of curvature, and the second end defining a second opening with a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature. The shaft defines at least one injection port that traverses through an inner surface of the shaft. A first plate is connected to the shaft. The first plate includes an engaging structure configured to mount the tongue onto a lower plate and align the shaft with a groove defined by the lower plate. The rod forming apparatus includes the tongue. The method installs the tongue onto the rod forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Dwight D. Williams, Patrick S. McElhinney