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).
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Publication number: 20240099375Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20240065330Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11825567Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
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Publication number: 20230346010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Margarette Elisa Lovette, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Jerry Wayne Pipes, William Robert Collett
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Patent number: 11717024Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Margarette Elisa Lovette, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Jerry Wayne Pipes, William Robert Collett
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Patent number: 11607759Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20220357395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
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Publication number: 20220322495Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
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Patent number: 11428738Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
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Publication number: 20220168517Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11278686Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20210401059Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11140921Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11135690Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20210282232Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
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Publication number: 20210237214Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11065727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11044950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
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Patent number: 11006674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20210084978Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: 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