Heat Exchanging And/or Insulating Patents (Class 131/194)
  • Patent number: 10638794
    Abstract: A heating assembly for heating an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, including a heater including an electrically resistive heating element and a heater substrate; and a heater mount coupled to the heater, the heating element including a first portion and a second portion configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the heating element, the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than that of the second portion, the first portion of the heating element being disposed on a heating area of the heater substrate and the second portion of the heating element being disposed on a holding area of the heater substrate, the heater mount being fixed to the holding area of the heater substrate, and the second portion of the heating element being longer than the first portion of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Boris Mahler, Mirko Minzoni, Julien Plojoux
  • Patent number: 10624385
    Abstract: A rod for use in a smoking article comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material circumscribed by a wrapper. The sheet of homogenised tobacco material may comprises one or more aerosol-formers and have an aerosol former content of greater than 5% on a dry weight basis or of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The rod may comprise a continuous element to which one or more additives have been applied, which is incorporated into the gathered continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material. A method of forming the rod comprises the steps of: providing a continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material; gathering the continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof; circumscribing the gathered continuous sheet of homogenised tobacco material with a wrapper to form a continuous rod; and severing the continuous rod into a plurality of discrete rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre-Yves Gindrat
  • Patent number: 10617147
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette has a conduit arranged in a atomizing stem, the conduit has a first segment and a second segment in communication with the first segment, the first segment has a wider inner space than the inner space of the second segment; a storage chamber is outside and surrounds the conduit; and a heating device arranged inside the inner space of the first segment of the conduit for atomizing an atomizable material coming from the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN KONTLE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaochun Zhu
  • Patent number: 10588337
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing inductively heatable tobacco rods comprises the steps of providing a continuous profile of a susceptor, guiding an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate along a tobacco substrate converging device, positioning the continuous profile of susceptor in the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate and converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate to a final rod shape. Therein, the step of positioning the continuous profile of susceptor in the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is performed before performing the step of converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate to its final rod shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Ivan Prestia, Daniele Sanna, Christian Agostini, Alessandro Balboni
  • Patent number: 10588353
    Abstract: An atomizing electronic cigarette has an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component, including an electric heater. The electric heater may have a through hole aligned with a channel passing through the liquid storage component. The cigarette can heat and uniformly vaporize liquid from the liquid storage component, with the user inhaling the vaporized liquid. The vapor generated by the atomizing process may be cooled as it flows through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
    Inventor: Lik Hon
  • Patent number: 10582725
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exemplary battery assembly for an electronic cigarette. The battery assembly includes a housing, a battery received in the housing, an AAES electrically connected with the battery, an end cover fixed at one end of the housing, and a holder. The end cover defines a receiving space. The holder includes a bottom wall, a side wall, and a plurality of spaced protruding stages. The side wall extends from a first surface of the bottom wall. The protruding stages are formed on an opposite second surface of the bottom wall. The side wall and the bottom wall cooperatively define an accommodating space. The AAES is received in the accommodating space in such a manner that the protruding stages face the battery. The holder is received in the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghai Li, Zhongli Xu
  • Patent number: 10575562
    Abstract: Smoking articles and a method for making a smoking article are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears, Tim Williams
  • Patent number: 10568357
    Abstract: A rod is provided, formed from a first sheet including an aerosol-forming material and a second sheet including a thermally-conductive material, the first and second sheets being gathered together and circumscribed by a wrapper. The rod may be used as a component part of an aerosol-generating article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Metrangolo, Pierre-Yves Gindrat, John Faulkner
  • Patent number: 10524504
    Abstract: An exemplary atomizer includes a shell, a liquid supply received in the shell, and an atomizing assembly. The liquid supply is configured for storing tobacco liquid, and the liquid supply has an open end. The atomizing assembly includes a liquid conducting element, a heating disk, and a liquid absorbing body. An end of the liquid conducting element is engaged in the open end. The heating disk is arranged at an opposite end of the liquid conducting element. The liquid absorbing body is sandwiched between the liquid conducting element and the heating disk. The liquid conducting element is configured for conveying the tobacco liquid from the liquid supply to the liquid absorbing body. The heating disk is configured for heating the tobacco liquid in the liquid absorbing body to vaporize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghai Li, Zhongli Xu, Shuyun Hu
  • Patent number: 10524514
    Abstract: An electronic pipe includes a pipe section comprising an outer shell with a coil placed around and along the inside surface of the shell. The pipe section also may include a connector element coupled to a connector element on a battery section, with both connector elements structured to transmit an electric current from the battery to the coil. A material container is insertable into the pipe section such that the coil is disposed between the inside surface of the outer shell and the material container. The coil is capable of initiating a combustion reaction inside the material container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Healthier Choices Management Corp.
    Inventors: Gilbert Cyphert, Edwin Balder, Daniel Julia
  • Patent number: 10517332
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that comprises a control body and an aerosol source member. In various implementations, the control body includes a housing with an opening defined in one end thereof. The aerosol delivery device also includes a resonant transformer comprising a resonant transmitter and a resonant receiver. The aerosol source member includes an inhalable substance medium, and defines a heated end and a mouth end, the heated end configured, when inserted into the opening of the housing, to be positioned proximate the resonant transmitter. The resonant transmitter is configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field and induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, such that the alternating voltage causes the resonant receiver to generate heat and thereby vaporize components of the inhalable substance medium to produce an aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Curtis Foster Doe, Billy Tyrone Conner, Balager Ademe, Thaddeus Jude Jackson
  • Patent number: 10520219
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a nozzle for a hot air device used in the electronic assembly industry to melt solder or heat shrink-wrap insulators. The nozzle provides a uniform temperature environment and suppresses the occurrence of local excess heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Teraoka, Hisao Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10506824
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a mouthpiece having an outer surface and a cooling agent inclusion complex disposed on the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventor: Alen Kadiric
  • Patent number: 10492536
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery and a laser with a dispersal lens is housed in a power module of a vaporizer. A mini USB charging port is integral with the power module. A variety of tanks can be screwed onto the power module such as concentrate or buds or e-juice. After an inhalation the user can experience a 3D light show in his vape cloud, a lit up tank and a sound show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Ron A Angstead, Casey A Angstead
  • Patent number: 10477898
    Abstract: An atomizing electronic cigarette has an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component. including an electric heater. The electric heater may have a through hole aligned with a channel passing through the liquid storage component. The cigarette can heat and uniformly vaporize liquid from the liquid storage component, with the user inhaling the vaporized liquid. The vapor generated by the atomizing process may be cooled as it flows through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
    Inventor: Lik Hon
  • Patent number: 10477893
    Abstract: An electronic vapor provision device comprises a body 4 and a vaporizer 24. The body 4 comprises a power cell 10 and a processor 16, and the vaporizer 24 is releasably connectable to the body 4. The processor 16 is configured to enter a sleep mode when the vaporizer 24 is connected to the body 4 and the device is inactive for an inactive time. Furthermore, the processor 16 is configured to leave the sleep mode and enter a usable mode when the vaporizer 24 is disconnected from the body 4 then reconnected to the body 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Christopher Lord
  • Patent number: 10440997
    Abstract: A capsule for use with an electronic smoking device includes a shell (105) having a lateral wall (101, 102) and an end wall (103), wherein the lateral wall (101, 102) and the end wall (103) defines a cavity (110) open at one end (111). A puncturable membrane (104) seals the open end (111) of the cavity (110). A liquid is contained within the cavity (110) by the shell (105) and the puncturable membrane (104), wherein a liquid transporting element (120) is arranged within the cavity (110) enclosed by the puncturable membrane (104) and immersed in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V
    Inventors: Vaclav Borkovec, Fiona Collins, Shona Davidson, Andrew Rowbotham
  • Patent number: 10433580
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a housing, a liquid supply reservoir in the housing and configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer, and a porous plug. The vaporizer may be in liquid communication with the liquid supply reservoir. The vaporizer may be configured to generate a vapor from heating a portion of the pre-vapor formulation. The porous plug may be connected to the housing and separated from the liquid supply reservoir. The porous plug may be permeable to the vapor. The porous plug may enclose a flavoring additive contacting a storage material. The flavoring additive may be configured to at least partially elute from the storage material or at least partially volatilize from the storage material if the vapor flows through the porous plug. An e-vaping device may include the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, San Li, Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 10426194
    Abstract: A flavor inhaler includes a cylindrical holding member having a second side wall; a combustion heat source; a flavor source; an inside holding member that retains at least the flavor source and has a first side wall; and an introduction port. The second side wall has a through-hole that is fluidly coupled to external air. The flavor inhaler further includes a first flow path connecting the through-hole and the introduction port each other and a second flow path connecting the flavor source and a suction port. A flow-path forming member is formed such that a length of a flavor source outer perimeter segment that is a section corresponding an outer perimeter of the flavor source, in the first flow path, is longer than a shortest length connecting the introduction port and a location where fluid flows into the flavor source outer perimeter segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takuma Nakano, Manabu Takeuchi, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10426195
    Abstract: In a system comprising an electronic smoking device and a capsule (6), the electronic smoking device includes a housing, an electric power source, an electrically heatable atomizer adapted to atomize a liquid supplied from the capsule (6), an interface adapted to mount the capsule (6) at the electronic smoking device, and control electronics. The capsule (6) comprises a shell (30) having a longitudinal axis and containing a liquid. A first end side (32) of the shell (30) is sealed by a puncturable membrane. The capsule (6) is adapted to be mounted at the electronic smoking device via the interface. The shell (30) has a triangular-like cross-sectional shape (50) transversely to its longitudinal axis, in an area which extends over at least part of the shell (30) in a direction along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
    Inventors: Hitesh Bagai, Thorben Rehders, Gunther Peters
  • Patent number: 10420375
    Abstract: Aerosol-cooling elements for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material are disclosed. In one example, the element is a monolithic rod having first and second ends and has plural through holes extending between the first and second ends. Other arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: William England
  • Patent number: 10405584
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an atomizing device for an electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette having the same. The atomizing device includes a housing and an electromagnetic induction heating device disposed in the housing. The electromagnetic induction heating device includes a plurality of electromagnetic induction coils and an induction heater, the plurality of electromagnetic induction coils being disposed on the periphery of the induction heater, the induction heater is configured to generate a corresponding vortex in a magnetic field which is generated by the plurality of electromagnetic induction coils, and the induction heater is configured to radiate heat from the periphery to heat and bake tobacco materials in the electromagnetic induction heating device. The atomizing device for an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure has a high heating efficiency and is capable of sufficiently decomposing tobacco materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongbin Chen, Yuqin Li, Yonghai Li, Zhongli Xu
  • Patent number: 10398168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a first subunit of an HNB smoking article that comprises a rod-shaped body and a cavity arranged thereon, wherein a tubular body is arranged on and attached to one of the end faces of the rod-shaped body, such as via a cover strip attaching the tubular body to the rod-shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: HAUNI MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Berthold Maiwald, Hans-Heinrich Mueller, Marc Kessler
  • Patent number: 10398167
    Abstract: A burning type heat source (50) has a single longitudinal hollow (51) extending along the first direction (D1). The longitudinal hollow (51) includes: a first hollow (51A) having a first cross section area; and a second hollow (51B) having a second cross section area smaller than the first cross section area. The first cross section area of the first hollow (51A) is 1.77 mm2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Akiyama, Atsuro Yamada, Manabu Takeuchi, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10383366
    Abstract: An atomizing electronic cigarette has an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component. including an electric heater. The electric heater may have a through hole aligned with a channel passing through the liquid storage component. The cigarette can heat and uniformly vaporize liquid from the liquid storage component, with the user inhaling the vaporized liquid. The vapor generated by the atomizing process may be cooled as it flows through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
    Inventor: Lik Hon
  • Patent number: 10383369
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. Some aerosol delivery devices of the current disclosure include a reservoir having a liquid aerosol precursor composition, an electrical heater in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to vaporize the liquid aerosol precursor composition to form an aerosol, and a filter operatively arranged relative to the electrical heater such that at least a portion of the formed aerosol passes therethrough, the filter being configured to selectively bind one or more undesirable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Michael F. Davis, Sammy Eni Eni, Jannell Rowe, Tracy M. Hefner
  • Patent number: 10342260
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a release medium; and a heater, wherein the reservoir and the release medium are configured to transport liquid from the reservoir to the release medium, wherein the release medium and the heater are disposed in physical contact with each other, wherein the aerosol-generating device further includes a means for reversibly releasing the physical contact between the release medium and the heater to form a gap between the heater and the release medium, and wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to activate the heater when the gap is formed between the heater and the release medium. A method for forming an aerosol by the aerosol-generating device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Thorens, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik
  • Patent number: 10342262
    Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system may comprise a liquid storage portion, which includes a housing holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The housing has a first and a second opening. The cartridge may further comprise a first and a second permeable planar heater assembly, wherein the first permeable planar heater assembly is fixed to the housing and extends across the first opening of the housing, and the second permeable planar heater assembly is fixed to the housing and extends across the second opening of the housing. The first and second permeable planar heater assemblies are arranged opposite each other such that they face each other and form an airflow channel in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Charles Silvestrini, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik
  • Patent number: 10327471
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette has a conduit arranged in a atomizing stem, the conduit has a first segment and a second segment in communication with the first segment, the first segment has a wider inner space than the inner space of the second segment; a storage chamber is outside and surrounds the conduit; and a heating device arranged inside the inner space of the first segment of the conduit for atomizing an atomizable material coming from the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN KONTLE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaochun Zhu
  • Patent number: 10321719
    Abstract: A heating element is provided that configured for use in an electronic cigarette. The heating element includes at least one carrier material made of glass or glass ceramic and metallic heating conductor structures. The heating conductor structures are on the carrier material and the carrier material has a thermal conductivity of less than 2 W/K*m, a thermal capacity of less than 1000 J/K*kg, and a roughness Ra of less than 500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Peuchert, Fritz Wintersteller, Michael Kluge
  • Patent number: 10321712
    Abstract: A reservoir assembly for an electronic vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a tube including a first end and a second end, and a sleeve at least partially surrounding the second end of the tube. The first end of the tube extends into the reservoir. The second end of the tube protrudes from the reservoir. The tube includes a hole in a sidewall of the tube at the second end. The sleeve is formed of a wicking material. The sleeve is in fluid communication with the hole in the sidewall of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 10314335
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette has a vaporizer to produce vapor to be delivered to its mouth end. The vaporizer includes a tube having inlet and outlet ends. A porous matrix containing a vaporizable liquid, extends around the tube. Wicking fibers extend through side openings in the tube and are configured to wick the vaporizable liquid from the porous matrix into the tube, and electrical heater coil is powered by a battery to vaporize liquid on the wicking fibers in the tube, so that vapor is supplied along the tube end when the user draws on mouth end. The wicking fibers are wrapped around outer surface of the tube so as to contact and receive the vaporizable liquid by capillary action from the matrix. The wrapping of the wicking fibers may be in a spiral pattern in the same or opposite directions along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Nicoventures Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Tony Reevell
  • Patent number: 10314330
    Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having opposed lighting and mouth ends, and including a mouth end portion at the mouth end. A tobacco portion is between the lighting end and the mouth end portion. An aerosol-generation system is between the lighting end and the tobacco portion. The aerosol-generation system includes a heat generation portion, comprising an elongate fluted member actuated by ignition of the lighting end. The fluted member defines grooves extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, with the first end being at the lighting end and the grooves being equidistantly spaced apart about the fluted member. Each groove has a maximum depth. The depth maxima of the grooves define a circle having a radius. The maximum depth of each groove is no more than the radius of the circle. A heat generation apparatus for an aerosol-generation system of a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Billy Tyrone Conner, Timothy Franklin Tilley
  • Patent number: 10299511
    Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heating element including a first electrically conductive element electrically insulated from a second electrically conductive element by an electrically insulating portion. The first and second elements are elongate and are electrically connected to each other by an electrically resistive portion. At least one electrically conductive element and the electrically resistive portion are arranged such that they are at least partially in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Julien Plojoux, Dani Ruscio
  • Patent number: 10292431
    Abstract: Pellet substrates configured for use with a vapor delivery device to vaporize and deliver an aerosol to a user include porous, substantially inert activated carbon and activated alumina pellets that have generally spherical, semi-spherical and/or rounded shapes. The pellet substrates are formed by mixing the pellets together with a liquid solution of an aerosol former admixed with flavoring and/or nicotine, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract such that the liquid solution is absorbed into and/or adsorbed onto the porous structure of the pellets with or without the addition of heat. The pellets may be coated with an inert dry powder, such as calcium carbonate, to better adhere the liquid solution to the porous surfaces of the pellets. Alternatively, or in addition, the pellets may be coated with a liquid solution of a cellulose gum, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and distilled water to reduce fracturing, cracking, chipping and dusting of the pellet substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Jackie L. White
  • Patent number: 10285442
    Abstract: A re-fillable and re-chargeable e-cigarette PV in which the PV indicates consumption of e-liquid using a visual indicator that extends or moves along the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AYR LTD.
    Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 10278424
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing assembly and a reservoir cap assembly. The housing assembly is a single piece housing assembly. The reservoir cap assembly includes a reservoir cap having a hole there through and at least one wick extending through an opening in the reservoir cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 10258088
    Abstract: Embodiments of a diffuser device, system, and method for diffusing exhaled vapor that is inhaled from a vaper producing device. In one embodiment, the diffuser device includes a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, and a removable, disposable filter. The first tubular portion includes a length and a first interior surface that defines a first bore extending through the first tubular portion along the length, the first interior surface defining a first ledge. The second tubular portion includes a second interior surface that defines a second bore. The second tubular portion is removably and rotatably coupled to the first tubular portion such that the second bore is coaxial with the first bore. The removable, disposable filter may include a cylindrical structure sized to be positioned within the first bore between the first ledge and an end of the second tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MNA Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Plott, Carson C. Cook
  • Patent number: 10251424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Barry S. Smith, Charles Dendy
  • Patent number: 10231488
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llwellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10231484
    Abstract: Devices, cartridges, and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein a device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract, while reducing Hoffman analytes and mutagenic compounds delivered to the user as compared to a common tobacco cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Juul Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bowen, James Monsees
  • Patent number: 10226079
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10219548
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10212968
    Abstract: A smoking article is provided, including a combustible heat source having opposed front and rear faces; one or more airflow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the combustible heat source; an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the rear face of the combustible heat source; and a thermostatic bimetal valve located between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the thermostatic bimetal valve is arranged to deform from a first position, in which the valve substantially prevents or inhibits fluid communication between the one or more airflow channels and the aerosol-forming substrate, to a second position, in which the one or more airflow channels and the aerosol-forming substrate are in fluid communication, when the thermostatic bimetal valve is heated to above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Sebastien Lanaspeze
  • Patent number: 10206428
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including a housing containing or configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate; an outlet formed in the housing, wherein in use aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is delivered through the outlet, wherein the housing includes a first wall surrounding the outlet and a second wall surrounding the first wall such that an open-ended annular recess is defined between the first and second walls, the annular recess being suitable for retaining a compliant mouthpiece cover to the housing. In use, the mouthpiece cover is placed into a user's mouth in order to directly inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device. There is also provided a removable mouthpiece cover for an electrically operated smoking device, including a compliant tubular portion defining a central bore and a filter portion covering the bore of the filter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Thorens, Alexis Louvet
  • Patent number: 10201186
    Abstract: A system, a method, and a device for controlling a heating element in electronic articles, and more particularly for controlling a heating element in electronic cigarettes. In one embodiment A system for controlling a heater can comprise a power source, a memory configured to store programming, an MCU, a solution, a heater configured to heat the solution, and a sensor. The power source, the memory, the MCU, the heater, and the sensor can be electrically coupled. The MCU can receive signals from the sensor and control the heater, and the MCU can be configured to use programming stored in the memory to control the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 4 B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Alarcon, Michael Starman
  • Patent number: 10159282
    Abstract: Vaporizer devices and apparatuses are provided. In some implementations, a cartridge for a vaporizer device comprises an elongate and flattened storage compartment configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material, an opaque mouthpiece that is secured over the proximal end of the storage compartment, an opening through the mouthpiece, a notch in the front side of the mouthpiece, a heater at the distal end of the storage compartment, and a channel within the storage compartment that extends from the heater towards the proximal end of the storage compartment. The liquid vaporizable material is visible through the storage compartment. A first end of the mouthpiece terminates in an edge disposed adjacent to a location between the distal end and the proximal end, the mouthpiece has a front side adjacent a side of the storage compartment, and the notch extends away from the edge toward an end of the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: James Monsees, Adam Bowen, Steven Christensen, Joshua Morenstein, Christopher Nicholas HibmaCronan
  • Patent number: 10159288
    Abstract: A cartomizer for an electronic smoking article, an electronic smoking article capable of providing a smoking experience without combusting tobacco, and a method of achieving a smoking experience without combusting tobacco are disclosed. The cartomizer can include an annular fluid reservoir having an air flow channel therein; a liquid material within the fluid reservoir; and a heater, which surrounds the fluid reservoir and is operable to heat the fluid reservoir to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize the liquid material contained within the fluid reservoir to form a saturated vapor within the air flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: David B. Kane
  • Patent number: 10159277
    Abstract: A smoking article is provided, including a combustible heat source having opposed front and rear faces; an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the rear face of the heat source; a first heat-conducting element including one or more radially inner layers of heat-conductive material overlying a rear portion of the combustible heat source; and a second heat-conducting element including one or more radially outer layers of heat-conductive material overlying at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, such that the one or more radially outer layers of heat-conductive material do not overlie the one or more radially inner layers of heat-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventor: Samuel Bonnely
  • Patent number: 10154692
    Abstract: A manufacturing machine and a method for producing a cartridge for an electronic cigarette having a base, a supporting base at least partly inserted inside the base, of a heating member fitted to the supporting base, having a hygroscopic pad surrounding the heating member are disclosed: a conveyor, which comprises a gripper designed to house the supporting base fitted with the heating member; a feed device for positioning the hygroscopic pad, initially flat and rectangular in shape, facing the gripper; and an insertion device for inserting the supporting base fitted with the heating member inside the gripper so as to intercept the hygroscopic pad which, as it is inserted inside the gripper, folds into a ā€˜Uā€™ around the heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini