Patents by Inventor William Robert Collett

William Robert Collett 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).

  • Publication number: 20240099375
    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 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    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: 20240065330
    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: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    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
  • Patent number: 11825567
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
  • Publication number: 20230346010
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a cigarette filter rod member defining a longitudinal axis. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit configured to insert a carrier carrying a plurality of frangible microcapsule objects into the rod member. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Margarette Elisa Lovette, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Jerry Wayne Pipes, William Robert Collett
  • Patent number: 11717024
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a cigarette filter rod member defining a longitudinal axis. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit configured to insert a carrier carrying a plurality of frangible microcapsule objects into the rod member. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Margarette Elisa Lovette, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Jerry Wayne Pipes, William Robert Collett
  • Patent number: 11607759
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Johnny Keith Cagigas, William Robert Collett, Lawrence P. Balash, Scott Lee Brady, Ronnie Dean Dover, John Scott Gerow, Don Edward Green, John Matthew Odel, Christopher M. Spencer, Vernon L. Steiner, David James Thierauf, Louis Wade Wacker, Byron Joseph Williams
  • Publication number: 20220357395
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
  • Publication number: 20220322495
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
  • Patent number: 11428738
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
  • Publication number: 20220168517
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. A system may include assembly cells each including an assembly track and assembly carriages that ride thereon and which engage components of partially-assembled cartridges. A transfer apparatus may transfer partially-assembled cartridges between the assembly cells. In another example system, cartridges may be assembled on platforms on a rotary track. The platforms may include assembly grippers with sequentially-opening clamps configured to receive the components of the partially-assembled cartridges. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jeffrey Edward Allgeyer, Ethan Matthew Bernhardt, Andrew Ross Matthews, Roger Ritter, Stephen Todd Schafer, Mathieu Leboeuf, Martin Lee Maple, Trenton S. Noonan, Kevin Paul Schafer
  • Patent number: 11278686
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. A system may include assembly cells each including an assembly track and assembly carriages that ride thereon and which engage components of partially-assembled cartridges. A transfer apparatus may transfer partially-assembled cartridges between the assembly cells. In another example system, cartridges may be assembled on platforms on a rotary track. The platforms may include assembly grippers with sequentially-opening clamps configured to receive the components of the partially-assembled cartridges. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jeffrey Edward Allgeyer, Ethan Matthew Bernhardt, Andrew Ross Matthews, Roger Ritter, Stephen Todd Schafer, Mathieu Leboeuf, Martin Lee Maple, Trenton S. Noonan, Kevin Paul Schafer
  • Publication number: 20210401059
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article provides for separate delivery of two or more components of an aerosol precursor composition to one or more heaters so as to control the rate of delivery or the rate of heating of the separate components of the aerosol precursor composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Bradley James Ingebrethsen, Balager Ademe, Steven Lee Alderman, William Robert Collett, Grady Lance Dooly, Charles Jacob Novak, III
  • Patent number: 11140921
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article provides for separate delivery of two or more components of an aerosol precursor composition to one or more heaters so as to control the rate of delivery or the rate of heating of the separate components of the aerosol precursor composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Bradley James Ingebrethsen, Balager Ademe, Steven Lee Alderman, William Robert Collett, Grady Lance Dooly, Charles Jacob Novak, III
  • Patent number: 11135690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Johnny Keith Cagigas, William Robert Collett, Lawrence P. Balash, Scott Lee Brady, Ronnie Dean Dover, John Scott Gerow, Don Edward Green, John Matthew Odel, Christopher M. Spencer, Vernon L. Steiner, David James Thierauf, Louis Wade Wacker, Byron Joseph Williams
  • Publication number: 20210282232
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
  • Publication number: 20210237214
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Quentin Paul Guenther, Johnny Keith Cagigas, William Robert Collett, Lawrence P. Balash, Scott Lee Brady, Ronnie Dean Dover, John Scott Gerow, Don Edward Green, John Matthew Odel, Christopher M. Spencer, Vernon L. Steiner, David James Thierauf, Louis Wade Wacker, Byron Joseph Williams
  • Patent number: 11065727
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Johnny Keith Cagigas, William Robert Collett, Lawrence P. Balash, Scott Lee Brady, Ronnie Dean Dover, John Scott Gerow, Don Edward Green, John Matthew Odel, Christopher M. Spencer, Vernon L. Steiner, David James Thierauf, Louis Wade Wacker, Byron Joseph Williams
  • Patent number: 11044950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
  • Patent number: 11006674
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Johnny Keith Cagigas, William Robert Collett, Lawrence P. Balash, Scott Lee Brady, Ronnie Dean Dover, John Scott Gerow, Don Edward Green, John Matthew Odel, Christopher M. Spencer, Vernon L. Steiner, David James Thierauf, Louis Wade Wacker, Byron Joseph Williams
  • 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