Patents Examined by Stephanie Lynn Moore
  • Patent number: 11950626
    Abstract: A filling method and process for a flower cartridge for use with a portable electronic heating device for the smokeless delivery of active ingredients and volatile compounds released from heating natural consumables such as plant matter is disclosed. Through grinding, vibration, and tamping, a number of cartridges are filled with natural consumables. Compressive forces applied via tamping, coupled with a constriction or obstruction within the cartridge, form a porous plug to which air flows freely but the consumables remain in place. The filling process minimizes oxidation and preserves the shelf life of the flower cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SWISHER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Simpson, Matthew James Bickerton
  • Patent number: 11918050
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a non-nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the non-nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Patent number: 11910838
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Patent number: 11877592
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generating article including a filter segment in which a channel is formed, the aerosol generating article including: a front-end filter segment arranged at an upstream end that is to be inserted into an aerosol generating device; a rear-end filter segment arranged at a downstream end that is to contact a mouth of a user; and a tobacco rod arranged between the front-end filter segment and the rear-end filter segment, wherein at least one filter segment of the front-end filter segment and the rear-end filter segment includes: at least one channel extending from the upstream end toward the downstream end; and a filter structure filtering out some components of aerosol, and wherein the at least one filter segment has a suction resistance corresponding to a ratio between a cross-sectional area of the at least one channel and a cross-sectional area of the filter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bong Su Cheong, Dong Kyun Ko, Jae Sung Noh, Sang Won Choi, Jung Seop Hwang
  • Patent number: 11877590
    Abstract: The invention provides a smokeless tobacco composition that contains bleached tobacco material and guar gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: FIEDLER & LUNDGREN AB
    Inventor: Andinet Amare Gessesse
  • Patent number: 11877593
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating article (10) comprising: an aerosol generating substrate (12); and a mouthpiece (14) disposed downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate (12). The mouthpiece (14) comprises a hollow tubular segment (24) at its downstream end defining a mouth end cavity (40). The hollow tubular segment (24) comprises a hollow tube (31) of crimped fibrous material, and a plurality of non-crimped fibers (35) extending along and affixed to the inner surface (311) of the hollow tube (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Leonardo Nappi
  • Patent number: 11871783
    Abstract: A cap that can be placed on the lit end of a cigar causes the cigar to be extinguished and subsequently securely held. The cigar is extinguished through the use of a metallic cap and/or a metallic insert embedded or otherwise attached to the cap. The cap cradles a cigar through use of a holding mechanism comprised of springs and/or tabs. A magnet attached to the cap allows the cap to be placed on a variety of straight or sloped surfaces and still safely hold a cigar that has been inserted into the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel M. Pikowski
  • Patent number: 11871782
    Abstract: This multifilter segment is provided with a plurality of filter segments provided with a plurality of filter materials and inner wrappers respectively covering the outer surfaces of the plurality of filter materials, and an outer wrapper which connects and integrates the plurality of filter segments by being wound around the outer surfaces of the inner wrappers of the plurality of filter segments while the ends of the plurality of filter segments are arranged face-to-face. The inner wrappers of adjacent filter segments have a mutually different CIELab color parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Noriko Osawa, Yuji Yamauchi, Ryoko Ogi
  • Patent number: 11864580
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for crimping a web of material for the tobacco industry, including the following steps: feeding a web of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path; crimping the web between two crimping rollers operatively coupled to make a plurality of longitudinal easy folding lines on the web; measuring a value of a thickness of the web before the step of crimping; The step of crimping the web is adjusted as a function of the thickness value measured during the step of measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Baldanza, Massimo Sartoni, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 11856980
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new way of packing smokable vessels such that an open column for the flow of air is created and greatly increases the efficiency of the smoking vessel. Variations include a more efficient way of infusing smokable material after packing into smokable vessels. This invention relates to single-use and is scalable all the way up to mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Glen Williams
  • Patent number: 11844372
    Abstract: The specification discloses a hookah head defined by a sidewall. The sidewall has a bottom end and a top end. The top end forms an upper surface, which preferably is made of metal. An air channel runs from the upper surface to the bottom end of the body. The air channel has a top end corresponding to the upper surface and a bottom end that corresponds to the bottom end of the body. The interior wall forms the cylinder that defines the air channel. The body of the hookah head defines a cavity configured to contain a quantity of liquid. The bottom end of the air channel is configured to be fitted on top of an air channel of the hookah body, with the air channel of the hookah head then having air communication with the grommet of the hookah device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ahmad Alkum, Nael Azazi, Ahmed Shaikh
  • Patent number: 11819052
    Abstract: A flavor inhaler comprising: a tubular holder that extends from a mouthpiece end to a distal end; a combustion type heat source that is provided at the distal end, contains activated carbon, and carries a first flavorant; and a flavor source that is held in the holder and carries a second flavorant, wherein the first flavorant contains at least one selected from the group consisting of anethole, 2-pinene, 3-citronellol, linalyl acetate, limonene, anisaldehyde, 4-terpineol, 2-?-pinene, jasmone, sabinene, linalool, 1,8-cineole, phenethyl alcohol, and myristicin, and the second flavorant contains at least one selected from the group consisting of ?-terpinene, ?-terpinene, nerol, geraniol, and decanal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takuma Nakano, Takeshi Akiyama, Takashi Oda, Masaaki Suzuki, Takayuki Nakazono
  • Patent number: 11805807
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Vecchietti, Sergio Morelli, Franco Spisni, Eugenio Navacchia, Maria Eleonora Cesarini, Gaetano De Pietra, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 11800894
    Abstract: A shisha device (10) comprises an aerosol-generating element (11) for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate (12). The shisha device also comprises a vessel (17) spaced from the aerosol-generating element and defining an interior for housing a volume of liquid. The vessel comprises a head space outlet (15). The shisha device also comprises an aerosol conduit (21) positioned between the aerosol-generating element and the interior of the vessel. The aerosol conduit comprises a proximal end portion defining a proximal opening (24) positioned to receive airflow from the aerosol-generating element, a distal end portion defining a distal opening (26) positioned in the interior of the vessel, and a ventilation opening (30) positioned between the proximal and distal end portions. A ratio between the total aperture area of the ventilation opening and a transverse cross-sectional area of the aerosol conduit positioned proximate to the ventilation opening is at most 1:1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, David Cross, Terence John Wilby, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Florez, Ian Sparrow
  • Patent number: 11779046
    Abstract: A compacting unit for the tobacco industry includes a conveyor drum configured to convey groups of segments disposed perpendicularly to the feed direction. A first compactor and a second compactor have a first contact portion and a second contact portion, respectively. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are respectively adapted to be placed in contact with a first axial end and a second axial end of a group of segments in transit in the compacting station. The first contact portion is compliant, preferably elastically compliant, along a longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments upon interaction with the first axial end. The second contact portion defines a rigid abutment along the longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments suitable for setting a predetermined position for the second axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giuliano Gamberini, Marco Esposti, Massimo Sartoni, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 11751600
    Abstract: A device for automated loading and forming smoking articles has a pre-rolled cone holder holding a plurality of pre-rolled cones. A loading mechanism loads individual pre-rolled cones in the pre-rolled cone holder with a predefined amount of material. A filling mechanism deposits the predefined amount of material in the loading mechanism, the filling mechanism monitoring an amount of material loaded in the filling mechanism and sending a signal to stop loading the filling mechanism with the material when a predefined amount has been loaded. A dispensing mechanism sends the material to the filling mechanism. A hopper is in communication with the dispensing mechanism storing the material. A shaker is coupled to the hopper shaking the material in the hopper preventing the material from sticking together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KNT CO., LTD
    Inventor: Sang Geun Ahn
  • Patent number: 11737491
    Abstract: A filtered smoking article includes a smoking body, a filter including a filter member and an air-permeable paper, and having a flavor capsule arranged therein, and a tipping paper. The flavor capsule includes a capsule body, and a colored content liquid containing a flavor component. The air-permeable paper is arranged to be opposed to a region in which the colored content liquid is released when the flavor capsule is crushed, and has an air permeability of 1,000 C.U. to 30,000 C.U. The tipping paper is impermeable to the colored content liquid, and includes at least three transparent parts. Each of the transparent parts is arranged to be opposed to the region in which the colored content liquid is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Motodamari
  • Patent number: 11723398
    Abstract: A wrapping material for a smoking article is formed from a web that includes extracted pieces of cocoa husk combined with web building fibers. The web has a basis weight of from about 20 gsm to about 80 gsm and a permeability of from about 10 Coresta to about 100 Coresta. The wrapping material has a pleasant and neutral smell and taste. The wrapping material is tobacco and nicotine free and can be used as a carrier for flavorings or aerosol delivery agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Mativ Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Cedric Rousseau, Jerome Accou, Arthur Gouth, Laurent Gombert
  • Patent number: 11678691
    Abstract: A smoking product includes a cylindrical crutch in substantial axial alignment with a hollow conical mold, and a tobacco leaf rolled cone formed around the cylindrical crutch and the hollow conical mold. A truncated minor diameter end of the hollow conical mold forms a circular rim in contact with an end of the cylindrical crutch, where the cylindrical crutch and the circular rim have substantially the same outer diameter. The hollow conical mold may remain inside the tobacco leaf rolled cone until use, but is easily removable from the tobacco leaf rolled cone without damaging the tobacco leaf rolled cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Nader Rabie
  • Patent number: 11672275
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a cigar holder that rests against a cigar to effectively clamp the cigar in a partially open clamp rested position. The cigar holder includes a top portion of a clamp with a cavity in which a material is disposed which is different from a material of the top portion of the clamp, a bottom portion of the clamp with a cavity in which the material is disposed, and a hinge disposed between the top portion of the clamp and the bottom portion of the clamp with a pass-through slot for an axis pin disposed inside a torsion spring with its torsion spring arms resting on both the top portion of the clamp and the bottom portion of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: STYNGER INC.
    Inventors: Richard Arellano, Ray Sadler