Patents by Inventor Andrew P. Wilke

Andrew P. Wilke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11924930
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material and a cover around the smokable material. The cover defines an outer surface of the article that may contact the apparatus in use, and includes heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. A method of manufacturing such an article also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wilke, Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond J. Robey
  • Patent number: 11805818
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material, and a film defining a closed circuit (10a-10f) of heating material. The heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew P. Wilke, James J. Frater
  • Publication number: 20230276853
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material, and a film defining a closed circuit of heating material. The heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER
  • Publication number: 20230000163
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving an article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone. The article includes smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core includes a magnetically permeable first portion and magnetically permeable first and second arms extending from the first portion. The coil is wound around the first portion of the core. The first and second arms of the core are on different sides of the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Andrew P. WILKE, Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Raymond J. ROBEY
  • Publication number: 20220394824
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material; a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; and an elongate heating element extending at least partially around the heating zone and comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • Patent number: 11452313
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving an article (1, 2, 3), and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone. The article includes smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core includes a magnetically permeable first portion and magnetically permeable first and second arms extending from the first portion. The coil is wound around the first portion of the core. The first and second arms of the core are on different sides of the heating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Duane A. Kaufman, Andrew P. Wilke, Thomas P. Blandino, James J. Frater, Raymond J. Robey
  • Publication number: 20220117294
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length (L), a width (W) perpendicular to the length (L), and a depth (D) perpendicular to each of the length (L) and the width (W). The length (L) is greater than or equal to the width (W), and the width (W) is greater than the depth (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
  • Patent number: 11252992
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length (L), a width (W) perpendicular to the length (L), and a depth (D) perpendicular to each of the length (L) and the width (W). The length (L) is greater than or equal to the width (W), and the width (W) is greater than the depth (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew P. Wilke, James J. Frater, Benjamin J. Paprocki, Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond J. Robey, John Miller
  • Publication number: 20210321672
    Abstract: Disclosed is material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The material includes a mixture of smokable material and elements. Each of the elements includes a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew P. WILKE, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John A. MILLER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • Patent number: 11064725
    Abstract: Disclosed is material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The material includes a mixture of smokable material and elements. Each of the elements includes a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wilke, Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond J. Robey, John A. Miller, Benjamin J. Paprocki
  • Patent number: 10952833
    Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Crossman, Kevin J. Kollar, Kevin G. Yost, Dai Xiaoguo, Michael A. Andrew, Thomas P. Blandino, Stephen J. Dieter, John C. Mehnert, Andrew P. Wilke, Mark A. Penrod
  • Publication number: 20200288774
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a sheet including smokable material, and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The sheet may be a planar sheet or a rolled sheet. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is in the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
  • Publication number: 20200054069
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material; a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; and an elongate heating element extending at least partially around the heating zone and comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • Publication number: 20200054068
    Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material, a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field, and an elongate heating element projecting into the heating zone. The heating element includes heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • Publication number: 20190191780
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating element is formed from heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. First and second portions of the heating element have different respective thermal masses. Also disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus including such a heating element. Further disclosed is an article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, wherein the article includes such a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew P. WILKE, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
  • Publication number: 20190082738
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a sheet including smokable material, and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The sheet may be a planar sheet or a rolled sheet. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is in the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
  • Publication number: 20180325173
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length (L), a width (W) perpendicular to the length (L), and a depth (D) perpendicular to each of the length (L) and the width (W). The length (L) is greater than or equal to the width (W), and the width (W) is greater than the depth (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
  • Publication number: 20180317552
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving an article (1, 2, 3), and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone. The article includes smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core includes a magnetically permeable first portion and magnetically permeable first and second arms extending from the first portion. The coil is wound around the first portion of the core. The first and second arms of the core are on different sides of the heating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Andrew P. WILKE, Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Raymond J. ROBEY
  • Publication number: 20180317555
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material, and a film defining a closed circuit (10a-10f) of heating material. The heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER
  • Publication number: 20180242633
    Abstract: Disclosed is material (20) for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The material (20) comprising a mixture of smokable material (21) and elements (22). Each of the elements (22) comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew P. WILKE, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John A. MILLER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI