Patents by Inventor Barry S. Smith
Barry S. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11627762Abstract: The method includes establishing a first fluid gradient through a central passage, the central passage traversing through a first channel, the first channel defining at least one first hole, a housing covering the first channel, a first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, a second reservoir defined between the first channel and the central passage. The method further includes establishing a second fluid gradient through the at least one first hole, through at least a first portion of the second reservoir, and through at least a second portion of a wick, a heater being in communication with the wick and the central passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20230098585Abstract: A liquid reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer casing extending in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet, and a vapor outlet. An inner tube is within the outer casing defining a central air passage communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A liquid reservoir is in an annular space between the outer casing and the inner tube. A susceptor is adjacent the central air passage, and a wick is in communication with the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the susceptor such that the susceptor is operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature to vaporize the liquid material and form a vapor in the central air passage. The liquid reservoir component is configured to connect with a power supply component such that an induction source is operable to generate an inductive field to heat the susceptor when powered by the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Barry S. SMITH, Peter LIPOWICZ, Patrick J. COBLER
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Patent number: 11612184Abstract: A cartomizer of an electronic vaping device includes a heater circuit which is located adjacent an air passage thereof. The heater circuit includes an electrically resistive heater in electrical communication with a secondary coil. A wick extends across the air passage. The wick is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir toward the heater. The heater is configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and form a vapor. The cartomizer is connectable to a power supply component which includes a power source in electrical communication with a primary coil. The power supply component is configured to induce sufficient voltage in the secondary coil of the heater circuit such that the secondary coil is configured to heat the heater and vaporize the pre-vapor formulation when the primary coil is powered by the power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Douglas A. Burton, Patrick J. Cobler, Barry S. Smith, Peter Lipowicz, Kai Cao
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Patent number: 11576440Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Publication number: 20230041459Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Ali A. ROSTAMI, Michael J. MULLINS
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Publication number: 20230039898Abstract: In one embodiment, the electronic vaping device includes a cartridge and a battery section. The cartridge and the battery section are connectable so as to define an air inlet between a portion of the cartridge and a portion of the battery section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Ali A. ROSTAMI, Michael J. MULLINS
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Patent number: 11547145Abstract: A liquid reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer casing extending in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet, and a vapor outlet. An inner tube is within the outer casing defining a central air passage communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A liquid reservoir is in an annular space between the outer casing and the inner tube. A susceptor is adjacent the central air passage, and a wick is in communication with the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the susceptor such that the susceptor is operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature to vaporize the liquid material and form a vapor in the central air passage. The liquid reservoir component is configured to connect with a power supply component such that an induction source is operable to generate an inductive field to heat the susceptor when powered by the power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Douglas A. Burton, Barry S. Smith, Peter Lipowicz, Patrick J. Cobler
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Publication number: 20220386703Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a section of an electronic-vaping device including a pressure sensor configured to measure a current ambient pressure, the pressure sensor further configured to output the current ambient pressure measurement in accordance with a read request frequency, and a controller configured to determine a mode of operation of the electronic-vaping device, control the read request frequency based on the determined mode of operation, and detect a threshold pressure change based on the current ambient pressure and a baseline pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Phillip DIANA, Sean SUNDBERG, David BENNETT, Christopher TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Paul BUTLER, Jarrett KEEN, Patrick COBLER, Kai CAO
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Patent number: 11511058Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Michael J. Mullins
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Publication number: 20220354181Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a conductive element extending through an interior of a dispensing interface to which a heating element is coupled. The conductive element may have a greater temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity than the heating element. The dispensing interface may include a fibrous wicking material, and the conductive element may be woven through an interior of the fibrous wicking material. A temperature of the dispensing interface may be determined based on monitoring an electrical resistance of the conductive element. An amount of pre-vapor formulation may be determined based on an electrical resistance of the bridge electrical circuit to an electrical signal between the heating element and the conductive element through the dispensing interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Barry S. SMITH, Ed CADIEUX, Patrick J. COBLER
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Patent number: 11478593Abstract: In one embodiment, the electronic vaping device includes a cartridge and a battery section. The cartridge and the battery section are connectable so as to define an air inlet between a portion of the cartridge and a portion of the battery section.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Michael J. Mullins
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Publication number: 20220320880Abstract: A charger assembly is configured to charge the electronic vaping device. The charger assembly includes a base including a housing defining a port. The port is configured to receive a tip end of an electronic vaping device. The port includes a magnetic electrical contact centrally positioned at a bottom of the port and a first pin positioned at the bottom of the port. The charger assembly also includes a microprocessor electrically connected to the magnetic electrical contact and the first pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Douglas A. BURTON, Eric HAWES, Sean SUNDBERG, Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC
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Publication number: 20220297868Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Patent number: 11432591Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a section of an electronic-vaping device including a pressure sensor configured to measure a current ambient pressure, the pressure sensor further configured to output the current ambient pressure measurement in accordance with a read request frequency, and a controller configured to determine a mode of operation of the electronic-vaping device, control the read request frequency based on the determined mode of operation, and detect a threshold pressure change based on the current ambient pressure and a baseline pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Phillip Diana, Sean Sundberg, David Bennett, Christopher S. Tucker, Barry S. Smith, Edmond J. Cadieux, Douglas A. Burton, Paul Butler, Jarrett Keen, Patrick Cobler, Kai Cao
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Patent number: 11425937Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a conductive element extending through an interior of a dispensing interface to which a heating element is coupled. The conductive element may have a greater temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity than the heating element. The dispensing interface may include a fibrous wicking material, and the conductive element may be woven through an interior of the fibrous wicking material. A temperature of the dispensing interface may be determined based on monitoring an electrical resistance of the conductive element. An amount of pre-vapor formulation may be determined based on an electrical resistance of the bridge electrical circuit to an electrical signal between the heating element and the conductive element through the dispensing interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Barry S. Smith, Ed Cadieux, Patrick J. Cobler
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Patent number: 11383873Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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Patent number: 11374416Abstract: A charger assembly is configured to charge the electronic vaping device. The charger assembly includes a base including a housing defining a port. The port is configured to receive a tip end of an electronic vaping device. The port includes a magnetic electrical contact centrally positioned at a bottom of the port and a first pin positioned at the bottom of the port. The charger assembly also includes a microprocessor electrically connected to the magnetic electrical contact and the first pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Douglas A. Burton, Eric Hawes, Sean Sundberg, Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic
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Publication number: 20220174789Abstract: A heater assembly for an electronic vaping device and a method of manufacturing the electronic vaping device are provided. The heater assembly includes a chimney cage extending longitudinally, a heater extending longitudinally within the chimney cage, a heater gauze positioned about an outer circumference of the heater, the chimney case positioned about an outer circumference of the heater gauze, and a cathode clip electrically connected to a first end portion of the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Charles DENDY
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Publication number: 20220125127Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, JR., Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Publication number: 20220117295Abstract: A cartridge includes an air flow passageway defining a first airflow direction, a heating element having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the first airflow direction, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the heating element along the longitudinal axis of the heating element and defining a second airflow direction perpendicular to the first airflow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: San LI, Barry S. SMITH, Christopher S. TUCKER