Patents Examined by Dionne W. Mayes
  • Patent number: 11957159
    Abstract: A capsule used for preparing a smokeable product, the capsule comprising a bowl-shaped body made from aluminum and having an open top and a rounded bottom creating a cavity configured to hold smokeable material therein, the rounded bottom having a closed, roughly cylindrical neck extending from a center of the rounded bottom, away from the open top; and a circular disc of aluminum foil configured to couple to the open top of the body of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BetaPod, Inc.
    Inventor: Ofer Kahana
  • Patent number: 11957152
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include one or more preformed smokeless tobacco products configured to generally retain their shape during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. In particular embodiments, each smokeless tobacco product can comprise a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a selected binder such that the final product is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Tommy C. Holland, Jason Andrew Macko, Christopher Joseph Dinovi
  • Patent number: 11937638
    Abstract: In combination, an article containing smokable material and an apparatus for volatilizing at least one component of the smokable material. The article is engageable with the apparatus and disengageable from the apparatus. The smokable material is a layer on at least one surface of the article. The apparatus includes comprises an irradiative light source for generating light. The article and the apparatus are arranged such that the irradiative light source and the smokable material overlap radially of the apparatus when the article is engaged with the apparatus. The irradiative light source is configured to emit light radially of the apparatus so as to impinge upon the smokable material on the at least one surface of the article to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Alfred Vincent Spencer, Anna Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 11930838
    Abstract: An oral pouched product is disclosed, the pouched product comprising a saliva permeable pouch and a pouch composition, the pouch composition comprising a powdered composition, water, and a liquid flavor composition, wherein the liquid flavor composition is added to the powdered composition after the water. A further oral pouched product and a method of manufacturing an oral pouched product is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: My Ly Lao Stahl, Heidi Ziegler Bruun, Bruno Provstgaard Nielsen, Jesper Neergaard, Bine Hare Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 11925208
    Abstract: A reservoir assembly that holds a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in a reservoir includes a reservoir assembly connector assembly defining a connector conduit, and which may be configured to detachably couple with a non-nicotine vaporizer assembly based on a connector element of the non-nicotine vaporizer assembly engaging with the connector conduit of the connector conduit. The reservoir assembly may include an isolation structure configured to move in relation to both the reservoir and the non-nicotine vaporizer connector assembly between a first position where the isolation structure exposes the non-nicotine vaporizer assembly to the reservoir and at least partially obstructs the connector conduit to restrict the connector element from disengaging from the connector conduit, and a second position where the isolation structure isolates the non-nicotine vaporizer assembly from the reservoir and opens the connector conduit to enable the connector element to disengage from the connector conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Raymond W. Lau, Jose Jesus Paolo Montalvan, John Paul Muring
  • Patent number: 11925203
    Abstract: An aerosol generating article includes a body of aerosol forming material and a tubular inductively heatable susceptor surrounding the body of aerosol forming material which includes a rolled sheet having a longitudinally extending joint between opposite edges thereof. The aerosol generating article includes a magnetic shielding material, preferably in the form of a magnetic shielding strip, extending along the longitudinally extending joint so that the joint is covered by the magnetic shielding strip and a non-electrically conductive material between the magnetic shielding strip and the joint. Methods for manufacturing the aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: JT International S.A.
    Inventor: Lubos Brvenik
  • Patent number: 11918033
    Abstract: A rolling paper has a rectangular region being one side surface of the rolling paper, the rectangular region having a first and a second long edge of a first length and a first and a second short edge of second length, a first adhesive strip having a first width less than one-fourth of the second length along the full length of the first long edge, and a second adhesive strip of a third length less than one-half the first length of the first long edge, and a second width less than one-fourth of the second length, the second adhesive strip along the second long edge, one end of the second adhesive strip abutting the first short edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Jason Ashton
  • Patent number: 11918026
    Abstract: An aerosol generating article (10) for use with an aerosol generating device includes an aerosol forming substrate (20) an aerosol cooling element (40) and an acid. The article may optionally include one or both of a filter and a support element (30). The aerosol cooling element, the filter, if present, and the support element, if present, are downstream of the aerosol forming substrate. The acid is downstream of the aerosol forming substrate and is positioned to interact with aerosol from the aerosol forming substrate when the aerosol generating article is used with the aerosol generating device. The acid may be in or on one or more of the aerosol cooling element, the filter, and the support element. The acid may selectively remove ammonia from aerosol generated by the article during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Gerhard Lang
  • Patent number: 11918037
    Abstract: A reusable multiple dose smoking appliance includes a cover and a base that removeably cooperate with a receptacle. The receptacle defines at least one reservoir configured to contain a volume of a smokeable media and at least one primary smoke channel. Cooperation of the base and receptacle define a secondary smoke channel that is in fluid communication with the primary smoke channel. An aperture is defined by the cover and is oriented to selectively expose and obstruct the smokeable content reservoir. When the reservoir is exposed to atmosphere and a combustion source is disposed proximate thereto, user inhalation effectuates combustion of the smokeable media such that the fire effluent or smoke is communicated to the user via the primary and secondary smoke channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Steve Fischer
  • Patent number: 11918027
    Abstract: The invention provides a smokeless tobacco composition adapted for oral use, the composition including a tobacco material and an effervescent material. The effervescent material includes a sugar material containing an entrapped gaseous component, such that release of the entrapped gaseous component occurs upon dissolution of the sugar material in the oral cavity. The invention also provides a method for making a smokeless tobacco composition that involves mixing a tobacco material with an effervescent material, the mixing step including either admixing a granulated composition comprising a tobacco material with a gasified sugar material in particulate form, or forming a gasified sugar material in situ by mixing a water source with a molten composition comprising a tobacco material and a sugar alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Eric Taylor Hunt
  • Patent number: 11918032
    Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to an automated packaging apparatus and system that packages loose particles into a conical container as well as the final folded packages. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied to successive paper cones. The apparatus packs the crumbled leaves into the cones, closes the wide top portion of the cone into a precise shape, and then runs a quality control check to ensure that the final filled cone meets preset specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. Holderman, Gregory A. Russell
  • Patent number: 11918042
    Abstract: A combined storage container and pipe apparatus for convenient storage and smoking of a smokable substance includes a tube and a lid. The tube defines an interior space and has a top that is open. The top allows reversible addition of a smokable substance into the interior space. The tube has an indentation positioned in a sidewall thereof proximate to a bottom thereof. A portion of the smokable substance can be positioned in the indentation. The indentation has an aperture centrally positioned therein. The lid is selectively engageable to the tube to close the top and has a hole positioned therethrough around which a user can position their lips. The user is positioned to light the portion of the smokable substance that is positioned in the indentation and to draw smoke through the aperture and the interior space into at least one of a mouth and lungs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Reginald White
  • Patent number: 11918035
    Abstract: A stand alone tobacco smoke filter or filter element for use with a smoking article comprising a wrapper engaged around a longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein at least one end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged, to define a cavity at the end of the filter which faces the smoking article in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Filtrona Filter Products Development Co. Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Clarke, Ahmad Fashihul Lisan
  • Patent number: 11918055
    Abstract: The invention is a smoking pipe snuffer and method of operation, the smoking pipe snuffer comprising a heat resistant flexible sheet cut in the shape of an inverted L to denote a foot portion connected to a leg portion, the foot portion is further configured to be removably placed over a smoking pipe's large bowl aperture to removably seal the large bowl aperture and protect a portion of the operator's thumb placed over the flexible sheet from any heat emission from a hollow bowl interior; and the leg portion is further configured to be removably secured between a stem of the smoking pipe and thenar portion of the operator's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: John Paterson
  • Patent number: 11918054
    Abstract: A smoking device can include a tube with an axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a restriction located between the proximal and distal ends. A combustion space is located axially inside the tube between the restriction and the distal end. The combustion space can contain a combustion product. In addition, a sleeve can be removably mounted to an exterior of the tube. The sleeve can be formed from an elastic material and have a storage configuration that can completely encapsulate both the proximal end and the distal end of the tube to seal the tube. The sleeve also can have a use configuration mounted to the proximal end of the tube, and removed from the distal end of the tube to allow air flow through the tube and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GRAVITRON, LLC
    Inventors: Travis Dodson, Micah Evans
  • Patent number: 11918031
    Abstract: A method for applying adhesive on a wrapping band of a smoking article includes moving the band along a feed direction, the band has a longitudinal direction of extension, opposing first and second surfaces, a first plurality of portions having a first thickness and a second plurality of portions having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the portions of the first and second pluralities being disposed alternately along the direction of extension. A nozzle having a delivery end, and the band are moved towards/away from each other between a first position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a first distance which is less than or equal to the second thickness, and a second position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a second distance greater than the second thickness. An adhesive is delivered on the first surface through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Fulvio Pastore, Giuliano Gamberini, Emanuele Giovannini, Michele Ferioli, Massimo Sartoni, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 11918043
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe having a bowl with a smoking material processing element. The bowl can be removable and replaceable with bowls of different sizes. The bowl and mouthpiece are more easily cleaned when separated than when combined. Further, the processing element can include cutting elements to prepare smoking material as part of the bowl loading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Buddy Box, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Scot Goradesky
  • Patent number: 11918036
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Patent number: 11918737
    Abstract: An electronic vapor provision device including a power cell and a vaporizer, wherein the vaporizer includes a heating element, a vaporization cavity, and an airflow channeler, wherein the airflow channeler is situated outside of the vaporization cavity, and wherein the heating element and a heating element support configured to support the heating element are situated within the vaporization cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Lord
  • Patent number: 11666081
    Abstract: A tobacco roaster includes a high frequency heating module and a pushing assembly. The high frequency heating module includes a metal cup and a magnetic induction coil. The metal cup is disposed in the magnetic induction coil. When alternating current flows through the magnetic induction coil, an eddy current effect is formed in the metal cup and the metal cup is heated. The pushing assembly includes a push rod disposed below the metal cup. The push rod is movable to push the metal cup out of the tobacco roaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Tuanfang Liu