Patents by Inventor Stephen Benson Sears

Stephen Benson Sears 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).

  • Patent number: 11019852
    Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, Jr., Allen Michael East
  • Patent number: 11019850
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Conner, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
  • Patent number: 11019847
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include multiple atomizers and an atomizer selector that provides for selection of one or more of the atomizers to which electrical current is directed. The atomizer selector may also alter a position of the atomizers relative to an airflow path through the aerosol delivery device. Another aerosol delivery device may include an atomizer and an additive selector that provides for selection of one or more additives added to vapor produced by the atomizer. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas H. Watson, Michael F. Davis, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 11000075
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
  • Publication number: 20210112860
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: David William Griffith, JR., Yi-ping Chang, Calvin W. Henderson, Ricky Lee Montgomery, Walter Charles Liebscher, II, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Paul E. Braxton, Stephen Benson Sears, Kenneth Allen Beard, Timothy Brian Nestor, Balager Ademe, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Publication number: 20210084978
    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 a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
  • Publication number: 20210045455
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device configured to wirelessly heat an atomizer. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The control body may include an induction transmitter. The cartridge may include an induction receiver and an aerosol precursor composition. When electrical current is directed to the induction transmitter, the induction receiver may be inductively heated. The heat produced by the induction receiver may form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition at the substrate. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL F. DAVIS, STEPHEN BENSON SEARS, CAROLYN RIERSON CARPENTER, MELISSA ANN CLARK, SHIERINA A. FAREED, DENISE FOX, TAO JIN, PERCY D. PHILLIPS, ALFRED CHARLES BLESS, KAREN V. TALUSKIE, BRIAN KEITH NORDSKOG, DAVID T. SZABO, JOSEF STRASSER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210022402
    Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears, Tim Williams
  • Publication number: 20210022398
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    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: 10888115
    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 a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-Ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
  • Patent number: 10881150
    Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, Jr., Allen Michael East
  • Publication number: 20200390150
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and related methods of delivering aerosol to a user. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing providing multiple aerosol pathways having a mouth-end opening through which aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening. An atomizer including a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluid communication with an aerosol precursor composition is provided in fluid communication with the first aerosol delivery pathway. A flavorant-infused material is positioned within the second aerosol delivery pathway and adapted to produce a second aerosol upon contact between the flavorant-infused material and flowing air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Sawyer Hubbard, Eric Taylor Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Donna Walker Duggins, Michael F. Davis
  • Patent number: 10842188
    Abstract: A cartridge for selective delivery of aerosol precursor compositions includes a housing, and a reservoir disposed within the housing and defining three chambers each having an aerosol precursor composition therein. The reservoir is in fluid communication with an aerosol forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from any of the aerosol precursor compositions. A selector defines one or more dispensing selectively aligned with one or more of the three chambers, such that the aerosol precursor composition disposed within each of the three chambers is capable of being dispensed therefrom through the selectively aligned dispensing ports to the aerosol forming arrangement. The cartridge further includes a flow tube extending longitudinally through a central axis of the reservoir and the selector so that each of the three chambers is arranged circumferentially around the flow tube, the flow tube being disposed so that the formed aerosol is transported through the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Stephen Benson Sears, Joseph Dominique, Jared Aller, Jason M. Short
  • Patent number: 10834973
    Abstract: Smoking articles and a method for making a smoking article are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears, Tim Williams
  • Patent number: 10820630
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device configured to wirelessly heat an atomizer. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The control body may include an induction transmitter. The cartridge may include an induction receiver and an aerosol precursor composition. When electrical current is directed to the induction transmitter, the induction receiver may be inductively heated. The heat produced by the induction receiver may form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition at the substrate. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Stephen Benson Sears, Carolyn Rierson Carpenter, Melissa Ann Clark, Shierina A. Fareed, Denise Fox, Tao Jin, Percy D. Phillips, Alfred Charles Bless, Karen V. Taluskie, Brian Keith Nordskog, David T. Szabo, Josef Strasser, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200323840
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions that are useful in the delivery of various materials. In particular, the compositions comprise a suspension wherein an internal phase material is surrounded by an external phase material. The internal phase specifically can be a hydrophilic material, and the external phase specifically can be a hydrophobic material. The materials are combined so that the internal phase is substantially encapsulated by the external phase such that release can be controlled in relation to osmotic pressure differentials. The suspension can be combined with a carrier, and various systems and products can be formed with the suspension and optional carrier, such as oral strips, spray delivery systems, smokeless tobacco products, aerosol delivery devices, cigarettes, and packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: James William Rogers, Michael F. Davis, Percy D. Phillips, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Patent number: 10798974
    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 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    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: 10786010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and related methods of delivering aerosol to a user. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing providing multiple aerosol pathways having a mouth-end opening through which aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening. An atomizer including a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluid communication with an aerosol precursor composition is provided in fluid communication with the first aerosol delivery pathway. A flavorant-infused material is positioned within the second aerosol delivery pathway and adapted to produce a second aerosol upon contact between the flavorant-infused material and flowing air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Sawyer Hubbard, Eric Taylor Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Donna Walker Duggins, Michael F. Davis
  • Publication number: 20200281249
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising an aerosol source member. In an example embodiment, an aerosol source member of the present disclosure may comprise a substrate portion comprising a nanocellulose material impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition, a heat source configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition from the substrate portion forming an aerosol, and an aerosol pathway extending from the substrate portion to a mouth-end of the aerosol delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, John-Paul Mua, Luis Monsalud, Stephen Benson Sears, Jennifer Rowe, Cynthia Stokes
  • Publication number: 20200268051
    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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Noah Mark Minskoff, Stephen Benson Sears