Patents by Inventor Charles Higgins

Charles Higgins 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).

  • METHOD OF FORMING ELONGATED ARRAY INCLUDING ARRANGING FIRST HEATING ELEMENTS SYMMETRICALLY AROUND A PIN
    Publication number: 20250366534
    Abstract: The method includes forming an elongated array by arranging first heating elements symmetrically around a pin, the pin spanning across a radial centerline of the elongated array between a first end and a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements bowing concentrically outward from the radial centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Method or forming elongated array with heating elements that bow concentrically outward from radial centerline
    Patent number: 12396489
    Abstract: The method includes forming an elongated array by first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • METHOD OR FORMING ELONGATED ARRAY WITH HEATING ELEMENTS THAT BOW CONCENTRICALLY OUTWARD FROM RADIAL CENTERLINE
    Publication number: 20240065343
    Abstract: The method includes forming an elongated array by first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Heating array with heating elements arranged in elongated array
    Patent number: 11832655
    Abstract: The heating array includes first heating elements arranged in an elongated array, the first heating elements spanning from a first end to a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of each one of the first heating elements bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end, the first heating elements being configured to flex concentrically inward when a hoop force is applied to sides of the elongated array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • HEATING ARRAY WITH HEATING ELEMENTS ARRANGED IN ELONGATED ARRAY
    Publication number: 20230000174
    Abstract: A replacement abstract is included on the final page of this document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Method of forming heating elements that are coupled together to a voltage source
    Patent number: 11432592
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • METHOD OF FORMING HEATING ELEMENTS THAT ARE COUPLED TOGETHER TO A VOLTAGE SOURCE
    Publication number: 20190261460
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Shaped heater for an aerosol generating system
    Patent number: 10306707
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • SHAPED HEATER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160374145
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: OLIVIER GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Shaped heater for an aerosol generating system
    Patent number: 9459021
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • SHAPED HEATER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140064715
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • Shaped heater for an aerosol generating system
    Patent number: 8558147
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • SHAPED HEATER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110155718
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins