Patents Assigned to ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
  • Publication number: 20240097357
    Abstract: An electrical contact pad includes a conductive component having at least one surface discontinuity configured to enhance an electrical connection therewith. A power-receiving unit may include a pair of the electrical contact pads. A power-supplying unit may include connector pins configured to engage with the at least one surface discontinuity of each of the pair of electrical contact pads so as to establish an electrical connection with the power-receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Yannick HOURMAND, Gary BROADFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240091467
    Abstract: A capsule may include a housing containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The capsule may additionally include a conductive component including a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The first end section and the second end section may each have at least one surface discontinuity configured to enhance an electrical connection therewith. An aerosol-generating device may include a device body configured to receive the capsule. The device body may include connector pins configured to engage with the at least one surface discontinuity of each of the first end section and the second end section of the conductive component so as to establish an electrical connection with the capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Yannick HOURMAND, Gary BROADFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240090587
    Abstract: A capsule monitoring system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the capsule monitoring system to detect a mechanism detection switch of the aerosol-generating device being actuated, apply a first power to a first contact point of the aerosol-generating device, determine a first resistance between the first contact point and a second contact point, determine whether the first resistance is within a resistance operation range, and in response to the first resistance being within of the resistance operation range, display a capsule accepted indicator. The first contact point is configured to contact a heater. The second contact point is configured to contact the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240090589
    Abstract: A power control system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the power control system to determine whether a first power to be applied to a heater of the aerosol-generating device exceeds a power threshold, in response to the first power exceeding the power threshold, apply a second power to the heater, and in response to the first power not exceeding the power threshold, apply the first power to the heater. The first power is based on a desired heater temperature. The second power does not exceed the power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU
  • Publication number: 20240091466
    Abstract: A cooldown system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the cooldown system to detect when a session has ended, activate a cooldown timer to measure a cooldown time, provide an indication of a remaining time of the cooldown timer, and in response to the cooldown timer elapsing, return the device to normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240090572
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides a non-combustible smoking system or kit, comprising: a cartridge having a first end and a second end; and a tobacco containing section having a third end and a fourth end. The cartridge includes: a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and a pre-vapor heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element. The tobacco containing section includes a tobacco housing and a tobacco heating element. The first end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the fourth end of the tobacco containing section, and the second end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the third end of the tobacco containing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Barry SMITH, Ed CADIEUX, David BENNETT, Raquel OLEGARIO, San LI, Georgios KARLES, Richard JUPE, Peter LIPOWICZ, Benjamin RAGLAND
  • Publication number: 20240092549
    Abstract: The insert includes a base, the base including at least one depression that defines a cavity, the at least one depression including a floor with walls, the walls including a first pair of opposing walls and a second pair of opposing walls, the first pair of opposing walls each defining an undercut, the undercut including a lower inclined segment and an upper inclined segment that join at an apex, the apex of the undercut for each of the first pair of opposing walls facing each other, and a lid connected to an upper brim of the base, the lid covering the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Todd M. MCCANDLESS, Brian M. CASEY, Christopher L. SIMPSON
  • Publication number: 20240090586
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240097463
    Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240092526
    Abstract: The method includes establishing a blank with a bottom wall, the blank including a first sidewall and a second sidewall on opposing ends of the bottom wall and a lid panel and a top panel on opposing sides of the bottom wall, first folding the first sidewall and the second sidewall to be perpendicular to the bottom wall such that an end panel of a ramp contacts the bottom wall, the ramp being directly connected to a first edge of the first sidewall, second folding the top panel into a first closed position such that a first top wall of the top panel is parallel to the bottom wall as the first top wall at least partially covers the ramp, and third folding the lid panel into a second closed position such that a second top wall of the lid panel covers the first top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Luiz Andre RODRIGUES, Onesio Luis THESING
  • Patent number: 11930856
    Abstract: A method, system, device, and/or non-transitory computer readable medium for performing age verification, the device including a memory having stored thereon computer readable instructions, and processing circuitry configured to execute the computer readable instructions to cause the device to, receive identity verification information from an adult vaper, determine a personal profile corresponding to the adult vaper based on the identity verification information, and enable operation of an electronic vaping device based on the received identity verification information and the personal profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Timo Engelke, Ulrich Bockholt
  • Patent number: 11930842
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device may include a housing having flexible portion along its length. The flexible portion is configured to transition between a relaxed or unloaded configuration and a flexed or deflected configuration. A flexible heating element and mouthpiece may also be disposed in the housing. When the housing is in a relaxed or unloaded configuration, the flexible heating element and the mouthpiece are at least partially longitudinally aligned with the flexible portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Stephane Antony Hedarchet
  • Patent number: 11937343
    Abstract: The method includes first defining a reservoir in a housing, the reservoir configured to contain a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being devoid of nicotine and including at least one non-nicotine compound, positioning a heater and a wick in a chamber, the heater being in heating proximity to the wick, second defining at least one first channel, the at least one first channel being configured to communicate the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir to the wick, and third defining at least one first air passage, the at least one first air passage being configured to allow air to enter the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Isaac Weigensberg, Greg Kunin, David Rubli, Bernard G. Juster
  • Patent number: 11935223
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, system and/or mobile device for authenticating security features, the mobile device for authenticating security features includes at least one sensor for detecting security features, a memory having stored thereon computer readable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to receive a target image of a product to be authenticated, the product including at least one security feature, identify the product to be authenticated based on the target image and product information stored in a product database, obtain sensor configuration information for the at least one sensor associated with the at least one security feature of the product based on the identified product, examine the at least one security feature of the product with the at least one sensor based on the obtained sensor configuration information, and authenticate the product based on results from the examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Harrup, Rosana Altoveros, Mike Shaw
  • Patent number: 11930847
    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: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Travis M. Garthaffner, Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 11933454
    Abstract: A fluid permeable heater assembly for an aerosol-generating system includes a cap and a substantially flat electrically conductive and fluid permeable heating element. The cap includes a hollow body with a first cap opening and a second cap opening. The first cap opening is opposite to the second cap opening. The heating element is configured to vaporise aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element is mounted on the cap, such that the heating element extends across the first cap opening. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system includes the heater assembly, a liquid storage portion, a mouth piece, and a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Jean-Marc Widmer, Keethan Dasnavis Fernando
  • Publication number: 20240081419
    Abstract: An additive assembly for an e-vaping device includes an adsorbent material that includes adsorbed carbon dioxide. The additive assembly may be in fluid communication with a vaporizer assembly that forms a generated vapor. The adsorbent material may release the carbon dioxide into the generated vapor based on at least a portion of the generated vapor adsorbing on the adsorbent material. The additive assembly may include a flavor material including a flavorant. The adsorbent material may generate heat based on at least a portion of the generated vapor adsorbing on the adsorbent material, and the flavor material may release flavorant into the generated vapor based at least in part on the heat generated by the adsorbent material. One or more of the adsorbent material and the flavor material may be included in beads. Adsorbent material and flavor material may be included in multiple additive structures within the additive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Georgios KARLES, Tracy M. OGBONLOWO, Danielle CRAWFORD, San LI
  • Publication number: 20240090089
    Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles DENDY, Nam TRAN, David ALVAREZ, Patrick MCELHINNEY
  • Publication number: 20240081388
    Abstract: This document relates to smokeless products containing one or more non-tobacco plant materials. Certain embodiments described in this document relate to smokeless products containing one or more tobacco-alternative plant materials and having properties similar to tobacco-containing oral products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: David PHILLIPS, Daniel KATILLUS
  • Publication number: 20240082515
    Abstract: A vaporizing assembly for an aerosol generating system includes a sheet heating element and a delivery device configured to deliver a liquid aerosol-forming substrate from a liquid storing portion to the sheet heating element. The sheet heating element is spaced apart from the delivery device and is configured to heat the delivered liquid aerosol forming substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Rui Nuno BATISTA, Dani RUSCIO