Patents Examined by Eric Yaary
  • Patent number: 12708134
    Abstract: A method of processing tobacco fines into a non-continuous tobacco material, the method including providing a pre-sized tobacco stem material that has a Dp90 particle size of less than 3 mm and a Dp50 particle size of less than 2 mm. The method also includes combining the pre-sized tobacco stem material with tobacco fines to provide a tobacco initial material, and processing the initial material by setting the initial material to a predefined increased moisture content, subjecting the initial material to an increase in temperature and subjecting the initial material an increased pressure in order to bind the tobacco fines to the tobacco stem material. There is also provided a non-continuous tobacco material produced by the method, a component for a delivery system including non-continuous tobacco material produced by the method, a product and a smoking article including the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthias Link, Dietmar Franke, Frank Plückhahn
  • Patent number: 12702168
    Abstract: A vaporization control method, applicable to a vaporization device that has a vaporization cavity, a first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor, includes: acquiring an electrical parameter of the vaporization cavity through the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor; and acquiring state information about an aerosol-forming article in the vaporization cavity according to the electrical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Huakai Yuan
  • Patent number: 12696927
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating is provided, the aerosol-generating article including: a rod of aerosol-generating substrate including an aerosol former content of at least about 5 percent on a dry weight basis; and a wrapper wrapped around at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, the wrapper including an embossed portion circumscribing at least the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the embossed portion of the wrapper circumscribing the rod of aerosol-generating substrate along at least 80 percent of a length of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Frederic Ulysse Buehler, Stefan Lauenstein
  • Patent number: 12690609
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a case and an inhalation device, which can be accommodated in the case. The case has a body and a lid movable relative to the body. The inhalation device and the lid have a combination of a magnet and a ferritic element, which cooperate to move the inhalation device relative to the body, when the lid is moved relative to the body. The lid has at least one sliding pin, which is slidable relative to the body, and on which the magnet or ferritic element is provided. A method of removing at least one inhalation device from the case includes the step of removing the inhalation device partially from the case by cooperation of the magnet and the ferritic element and the lid to the effect that the inhalation device is moved relative to the body, when the lid is moved relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: JT International SA
    Inventor: Layth Sliman Bouchuiguir
  • Patent number: 12690610
    Abstract: A case for an electronic cigarette vaporiser, the case including an automatic lifting mechanism that lifts the vaporiser up a few mm from the case to enable a user to easily grasp the vaporiser and withdraw it from the case. The lifting mechanism can be spring-based. The case both re-fills the vaporiser with liquid and also re-charges a battery in the vaporiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2025
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: AYR LTD.
    Inventors: Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 12685339
    Abstract: A method for controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device is provided, the aerosol-generating device including an inductive heating arrangement and a power source configured to provide power to the inductive heating arrangement, the method including: controlling the power provided to the inductive heating arrangement to cause a step-wise increase of a temperature of a susceptor associated with the aerosol-generating device from a first operating temperature to a second operating temperature, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the power being controlled based on a measured resistance, conductance, or current associated with the susceptor, and in which the measured resistance, conductance, or current associated with the susceptor is determined based on a DC current drawn from the power source. An aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Yannick Butin, Lucas Gattoni, Farhang Mohseni, Milica Nesovic, Enrico Stura
  • Patent number: 12685334
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a vibratable transducer configured to aerosolise a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller being configured to provide a driving signal for vibrating the transducer, in which all or part of the driving signal defines a sensory output of the transducer detectable by at least one of an auditory sense of a user and a touch sense of a user, and adjust the driving signal such that the sensory output is indicative of a state of the aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-delivery system, and a method of operating an aerosol-generating device having a vibratable transducer, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Leander Dittmann, Robert Emmett
  • Patent number: 12648589
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating article is provided, including: a rod of aerosol-generating substrate having a length of between 8 mm and 16 mm; an upstream element provided upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the upstream element having an external diameter of between 6 mm and 8 mm; a hollow tubular element provided downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, an internal volume defined by the hollow tubular element being at least 300 cubic millimetres; and a ventilation zone configured to provide ventilation into the aerosol-generating article, the ventilation zone being located between 12 mm and 20 mm upstream from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Jordil, Jerome Uthurry
  • Patent number: 12648586
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for reducing combustion cone fallout propensity and stabilizing loss of tobacco from ends. Firstly, the right installation positioning hole is moved rightwards to extend the distance of the separation zone. Meanwhile, the vibration mechanism is redesigned so that it is enabled to move toward the lower right of the material groove body. Therefore, there is enough space to install the separation screen in the separation zone. Finally, the separation screen is installed. The tobacco scraps are separated out when they pass through the separation screen, thus reducing cone dropping when the cigarette burns, stabilizing the amount of dropping tobacco at the end, and improving the smoking experience and recognition of customers with regard to cigarette products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Zhangjiakou Cigarette Factory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen Wang, Peng Ji, Jianlong Zhang, Duanduan Li, Laihong Zhou, Zhaohui Ma, Jiansheng Yang, Xin Zhao, Huge Liu, Xiaojun Zhang, Yan Li, Xuena Song
  • Patent number: 12642763
    Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and an additive dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the additive from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Gerd Kobal
  • Patent number: 12642293
    Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous polysaccharide-based gellant system including a polysaccharide and a gel modifier, and a tobacco material. Other compositions include a cellulose matrix, a tobacco material, and a water-soluble polymer. Still other compositions include an alginate, a tobacco material, and an alginate crosslinker. These compositions may be placed in a cartridge for use in a device for delivering nicotine to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samira Bagheri, Namhey Lee, Anusha Saripalli, Krishnamohan Sharma
  • Patent number: 12642310
    Abstract: A user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir for dispensing e-liquid, the reservoir being inserted into, or otherwise attached to, a portable, personal e-cigarette device and engaging with an electrical or electronic pump fluid transfer system in the device, the device including: an electrical or electronic pump, being configured to transfer e-liquid from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomizing unit in the device, the pump delivering a pre-defined or variable quantity of e-liquid from the reservoir; and in which the reservoir is not user-refillable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 12635724
    Abstract: A nicotine formulation for an aerosol-generating system is provided, the nicotine formulation including: one or more water-miscible polyhydric alcohols, the nicotine formulation having a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol content of greater than or equal to about 40 percent by weight, the nicotine formulation being solid at 25° C. or having a viscosity at 25° C. of greater than or equal to about 100 Pa·s, the one or more water-miscible polyhydric alcohols including glycerine and propylene glycol, and a ratio of the weight percent glycerine content to the weight percent propylene glycol content of the nicotine formulation is greater than or equal to about 1.5. An aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Fabiana Spadaro, Irene Taurino
  • Patent number: 12622466
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a first housing including an article insertion portion, wherein the article insertion portion includes at least one first airflow path and is configured to receive an aerosol generating article, a second housing including at least one second airflow path in fluid communication with the at least one first airflow path, wherein the second housing is positioned in the first housing and configured to accommodate the aerosol generating article and heat the aerosol generating article, a sensor configured to sense air pressure and positioned in the first housing such that the sensor recognizes airflow between the at least one first airflow path and the at least one second airflow path, and a heat spreader positioned on the sensor and configured to diffuse heat transferred from the second housing to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Sung Kim, Yong Hwan Kim, Hunil Lim, Seok Su Jang
  • Patent number: 12616238
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating material including an amorphous solid, wherein the amorphous solid includes: a gelling agent; an aerosol-former material; a flavorant and/or active substance; and a filler; wherein the filler extends only partially through a thickness of the amorphous solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Joanna Soffe, Thomas Leah
  • Patent number: 12616237
    Abstract: A conventional cigarette is lit when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localised heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion generates an inhalable smoke. By contrast, in heated aerosol-generating articles, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavour generating substrate, such as tobacco. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to a physically separate aerosol forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Valerio Oliana, Alexandra Sereda, Gianluca Bongiovanni, Bekele Bedasso
  • Patent number: 12610983
    Abstract: A cartridge for a stick-shaped aerosol-generating article is provided, the article being for an inductively heating aerosol-generating device, the cartridge including: a vaporization chamber at a distal end portion of the cartridge; a reservoir chamber proximal the vaporization chamber; a liquid-conveying susceptor arrangement to convey the liquid from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and to be inductively heated with the device to vaporize the liquid; a vapor-conveying conduit providing fluid communication for vaporized liquid to a region proximal the reservoir chamber, a proximal end portion of the conduit passing through, ending integrally in, or supported in a through hole of a proximal end wall of the reservoir chamber; a distal end cap forming a distal wall of the vaporization chamber; a proximal end cap forming the proximal end wall; and a cartridge sleeve forming a circumferential outer side wall of the vaporization chamber and of the reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Oleg Fursa, Fabien Zuchuat, Vladimir Kiselev, Antoine Torbey Meouchi, Timothy Goodenough
  • Patent number: 12604927
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes: a housing, an air outlet channel being formed in the housing; and a vaporization assembly assembled in the housing and having a base and a vaporization core inserted in the base, the base including a top wall facing the air outlet channel and a side wall intersecting with and connected to the top wall. A vaporization channel in communication with the air outlet channel is defined between the side wall and the vaporization core, the vaporization channel being located in an axial direction of the air outlet channel. An air inlet in communication with the vaporization channel is provided on the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xiaoping Li
  • Patent number: 12599159
    Abstract: The disclosure provides products configured for oral use, the products including compositions comprising a filler component including negatively charged groups and an active ingredient including positively charged groups. The active ingredient can be retained by the filler component at least in part through bonding between the negatively charged groups and the positively charged groups such that active ingredient may be release from the product when positioned within an oral cavity of a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Gerardi, Dwayne William Beeson, Ronald K. Hutchens, Christopher Keller, Thomas H. Poole, Andries Don Sebastian, Frank Kelley St. Charles
  • Patent number: 12588707
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply region including liquid material and a heater-wick element operable to wick liquid material and heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. The heater-wick element is formed of a carbon or graphite foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Susan E. Plunkett, David B. Kane