Patents by Inventor Barry S. Smith
Barry S. Smith 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).
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Patent number: 12193481Abstract: A cartridge includes an air flow passageway defining a first airflow direction, a heating element having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the first airflow direction, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the heating element along the longitudinal axis of the heating element and defining a second airflow direction perpendicular to the first airflow direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: San Li, Barry S. Smith, Christopher S. Tucker
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Patent number: 12195218Abstract: An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Barry S. Smith, Steven R. Rinehart, Danielle R. Crawford
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Publication number: 20250009022Abstract: The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing, a first reservoir and a second reservoir defined within the housing, the first reservoir and the second reservoir being in fluid communication with each other, a first tube at least partially defining a central passage, the first tube defining at least one first hole that provides fluid communication between the central passage and the first reservoir, and a wick and a heater in communication with the central passage, distal ends of the wick extending through the at least one first hole and into the first reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 12178257Abstract: An exemplary smoking topography circuit of an electronic aerosol smoking article, includes at least one sensor configured to measure user interaction with the smoking article, a processor, and memory. The processor is configured to detect a smoking event based an output of the at least one sensor, collect data associated with the smoking event, and arrange the data in a pattern that associates the smoking event to shifts in battery voltage. The memory is configured to store the data pattern in a structured multi-byte format.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Barry S. Smith, Douglas A. Burton
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Publication number: 20240423292Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. CADIEUX, Martin T. GARTHAFFNER, Barry S. SMITH
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Patent number: 12133298Abstract: A heater assembly for an electronic vaping device and a method of manufacturing the electronic vaping device are provided. The heater assembly includes a chimney cage extending longitudinally, a heater extending longitudinally within the chimney cage, a heater gauze positioned about an outer circumference of the heater, the chimney case positioned about an outer circumference of the heater gauze, and a cathode clip electrically connected to a first end portion of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Barry S. Smith, Charles Dendy
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Publication number: 20240348069Abstract: A charger assembly is configured to charge the electronic vaping device. The charger assembly includes a base including a housing defining a port. The port is configured to receive a tip end of an electronic vaping device. The port includes a magnetic electrical contact centrally positioned at a bottom of the port and a first pin positioned at the bottom of the port. The charger assembly also includes a microprocessor electrically connected to the magnetic electrical contact and the first pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Douglas A. BURTON, Eric HAWES, Sean SUNDBERG, Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC
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Patent number: 12108807Abstract: A method for automated manufacturing of e-vapor devices may include establishing a procession of partially assembled, oriented cartridge units of the e-vapor devices in an assembly path. The method may additionally include preparing the cartridge units for filling while the cartridge units are moving on a first drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method may also include adding liquid to the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a filling workstation of the assembly path. The method may also include preparing the cartridge units for sealing while the cartridge units are moving on a second drum-to-drum transport path of the assembly path. The method further includes sealing the cartridge units while the cartridge units are moving in a sealing workstation of the assembly path.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Martin Garthaffner, Travis Garthaffner, Christopher R. Newcomb, Barry S. Smith, Jeffrey A. Swepston
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Patent number: 12108794Abstract: The method includes first defining a first reservoir and a second reservoir within a housing of a cartridge, the second reservoir being in fluid communication with the first reservoir, inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the first reservoir, and arranging a heater and a wick to be in communication with a central channel, the wick being in contact with the absorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Patent number: 12082622Abstract: A rotating drum for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a drum body. A plurality of grooves may be disposed in an outer face of the drum body. A seat may be tractably-mounted in each one of the plurality of grooves. The seat may include a seat groove that is structured and arranged to receive and hold a rigid casing of a vapor-generating article. The seat may be composed of a material that is softer than a material of the rigid casing.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Jr., Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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Patent number: 12077336Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith
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Publication number: 20240261521Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Ali A. ROSTAMI, Michael J. MULLINS
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Patent number: 12040644Abstract: A charger assembly is configured to charge the electronic vaping device. The charger assembly includes a base including a housing defining a port. The port is configured to receive a tip end of an electronic vaping device. The port includes a magnetic electrical contact centrally positioned at a bottom of the port and a first pin positioned at the bottom of the port. The charger assembly also includes a microprocessor electrically connected to the magnetic electrical contact and the first pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2023Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Douglas A. Burton, Eric Hawes, Sean Sundberg, Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic
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Patent number: 11975143Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Michael J. Mullins
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Publication number: 20240099365Abstract: A cartridge includes an air flow passageway defining a first airflow direction, a heating element having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the first airflow direction, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the heating element along the longitudinal axis of the heating element and defining a second airflow direction perpendicular to the first airflow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: San LI, Barry S. SMITH, Christopher S. TUCKER
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Publication number: 20240098851Abstract: A heater assembly for an electronic vaping device and a method of manufacturing the electronic vaping device are provided. The heater assembly includes a chimney cage extending longitudinally, a heater extending longitudinally within the chimney cage, a heater gauze positioned about an outer circumference of the heater, the chimney case positioned about an outer circumference of the heater gauze, and a cathode clip electrically connected to a first end portion of the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Charles DENDY
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Patent number: 11849758Abstract: A cartridge includes an air flow passageway defining a first airflow direction, a heating element having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the first airflow direction, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the heating element along the longitudinal axis of the heating element and defining a second airflow direction perpendicular to the first airflow direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: San Li, Barry S. Smith, Christopher S. Tucker
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Publication number: 20230397668Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a section of an electronic-vaping device including a pressure sensor configured to measure a current ambient pressure, the pressure sensor further configured to output the current ambient pressure measurement in accordance with a read request frequency, and a controller configured to determine a mode of operation of the electronic-vaping device, control the read request frequency based on the determined mode of operation, and detect a threshold pressure change based on the current ambient pressure and a baseline pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Phillip DIANA, Sean SUNDBERG, David BENNETT, Christopher TUCKER, Barry S. SMITH, Edmond J. CADIEUX, Douglas A. BURTON, Paul BUTLER, Jarrett KEEN, Patrick COBLER, Kai CAO
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Patent number: 11838996Abstract: A heater assembly for an electronic vaping device and a method of manufacturing the electronic vaping device are provided. The heater assembly includes a chimney cage extending longitudinally, a heater extending longitudinally within the chimney cage, a heater gauze positioned about an outer circumference of the heater, the chimney case positioned about an outer circumference of the heater gauze, and a cathode clip electrically connected to a first end portion of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Barry S. Smith, Charles Dendy
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Publication number: 20230382573Abstract: An apparatus for packaging of loose product includes a loading station, a box forming station and an uploading station. The loading station includes moveable chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path. The box forming station is operable to partially erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving along a second feed path. The unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box. The vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path operable to move loose product from the chute into the boxes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Barry S. SMITH, Steven R. RINEHART, Danielle R. CRAWFORD