Patents by Inventor Duane KAUFMAN

Duane KAUFMAN 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: 11937643
    Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Duane Kaufman, Thomas P. Blandino
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230141743
    Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Duane KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
  • Patent number: 11589614
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge including: a container defining a cavity, and smokable material located in the cavity, wherein the cartridge includes heating material that 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 including: an interface for cooperating with an article comprising smokable material, a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the article when the interface is cooperating with the article, and a device for puncturing the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond J. Robey, Benjamin J. Paprocki
  • Publication number: 20230007963
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge including: a container defining a cavity, and smokable material located in the cavity, wherein the cartridge includes heating material that 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 including: an interface for cooperating with an article comprising smokable material, a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the article when the interface is cooperating with the article, and a device for puncturing the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11470883
    Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Duane Kaufman, Thomas P. Blandino
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200352237
    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 including: a malleable container defining a cavity; a mass of smokable material in the cavity; and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is a system including: such an apparatus; and an article for use with the apparatus, the article including a container defining a cavity, and a mass of smokable material in the cavity; wherein 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: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond ROBEY, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, John A. MILLER
  • 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: 20190364973
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating element is made of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating element has a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The first dimension extends from a first portion of the heating element to a second portion of the heating element. The second dimension at an intermediary section of the heating element that is spaced from the first and second portions is less than the second dimension at each of first and second sections that are located between the intermediary section and the respective first and second portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
  • Publication number: 20190313695
    Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for use with a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of said smokable material is described. The inductive heating arrangement includes a susceptor arrangement, at least a first inductor coil and a second inductor coil and a control circuit for controlling the first inductor coil and the second inductor coil. The susceptor arrangement is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The first inductor coil is for generating a first varying magnetic field for heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil is for generating a second varying magnetic field for heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Duane KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
  • 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