Patents by Inventor Eric A. HAWES

Eric A. HAWES 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: 11809542
    Abstract: An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly including a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a first electrical connector, a vapor channel traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment, and a vaporizer, the pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein and in fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an operation of the e-vapor apparatus, the first electrical connector including first and second power electrodes, the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer. The e-vapor apparatus may further include a dispensing body including a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Eric Hawes, Raymond Lau, Cristian Popa, James Yorkshades
  • Publication number: 20230346017
    Abstract: A vapor generator assembly for an e-vaping device may include a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, and an air intake assembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly. The air intake assembly may at least partially define an air inlet that extends at least partially around an outer surface of the vapor generator assembly. The air inlet may be an arcuate air inlet or an annular air inlet. The air intake assembly may at least partially define an inlet channel extending from the air inlet into an interior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly. The inlet channel may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU, Mik DAHL, Jon JARANTILLA, Galen SALVADOR, Jose Jesus Paolo MONTALVAN, Jeroen KOK
  • Patent number: 11800900
    Abstract: An e-vaping case includes a housing, a guide structure, a cartridge receiving portion connected to the guide structure, and an electronics system in the housing. The cartridge receiving portion is configured to be moved along the guide structure between a first surface and a second surface of the housing. The electronics system includes a power supply that is configured to initiate a transfer of power to an electrical contact structure if the cartridge receiving portion is moved towards the first surface of the housing to at least a first position of the housing. The electronics system is configured to interrupt the transfer of power to the electrical contact structure if the cartridge receiving portion is moved towards the second surface of the housing. An electronic vaping device may include a cartridge detachably coupled to the cartridge receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Chris Simpson, Terrance Theodore Bache, David Schiff
  • Patent number: 11793237
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heater of a nicotine e-vapor device includes detecting, from a removable pod included in the nicotine e-vapor device, power information indicating a first power level and a second power level; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by determining a first amount of power based on the first power level, supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operation mode of the heater, determining a second amount of power based on the second power level, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operation mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall Gallagher, William Wykeham, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Patent number: 11789476
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides s system for controlling a heater in a non-combustible aerosol-generating device. The system comprises a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to, detect an airflow in the non-combustible aerosol-generating device, apply a first power to the heater based on the detected airflow, apply a second power to the heater based on a target preheat temperature and the detected airflow being below an airflow threshold value, the application of the second power being after the application of the first power, and apply a third power to the heater based on the target preheat temperature and the detected airflow being below the airflow threshold value, the application of the third power being after the application of the second power, the third power being greater than the second power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Eric Hawes, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Raymond W. Lau, Jarrett Keen, Niall Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20230309604
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a flavor carrier. The flavor carrier includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner housing extending in the longitudinal direction, and a flavor chamber between the outer housing and the inner housing. The outer housing includes at least one outer housing perforation defined in a wall of the outer housing. The inner housing includes at least one inner housing perforation defined in a wall of the inner housing. The flavor chamber is configured to contain a flavoring material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. ROSTAMI, Dmitriy S. KIRZHNER, Eric HAWES, Yezdi PITHAWALLA
  • Patent number: 11771139
    Abstract: A non-nicotine e-vaping device includes a heater, a power control circuit, and a memory module. The heater element is configured to heat a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being devoid of nicotine and including at least one non-nicotine compound. The power control circuit is coupled to the heater element through a wire. The power control circuit is configured to apply a pulse width modulated power signal to the heater element through the wire, and to receive information over the wire. The memory module is configured to detect a plurality of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal, record information based on the detected plurality of pulses, and output the recorded information to the power control circuit via the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Loi Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20230301360
    Abstract: A reservoir assembly that holds a nicotine pre-vapor formulation in a reservoir includes a reservoir assembly connector assembly defining a connector conduit, and which may be configured to detachably couple with a nicotine vaporizer assembly based on a connector element of the nicotine vaporizer assembly engaging with the connector conduit of the connector conduit. The reservoir assembly may include an isolation structure configured to move in relation to both the reservoir and the nicotine vaporizer connector assembly between a first position where the isolation structure exposes the nicotine vaporizer assembly to the reservoir and at least partially obstructs the connector conduit to restrict the connector element from disengaging from the connector conduit, and a second position where the isolation structure isolates the nicotine vaporizer assembly from the reservoir and opens the connector conduit to enable the connector element to disengage from the connector conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU, Jose Jesus Paolo MONTALVAN, John Paul MURING
  • Patent number: 11762977
    Abstract: An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment. The pod assembly is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit information that can be communicated with the dispensing body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Lau, Eric Hawes, Alistair Bramley
  • Patent number: 11751599
    Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a flavor carrier. The flavor carrier includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner housing extending in the longitudinal direction, and a flavor chamber between the outer housing and the inner housing. The outer housing includes at least one outer housing perforation defined in a wall of the outer housing. The inner housing includes at least one inner housing perforation defined in a wall of the inner housing. The flavor chamber is configured to contain a flavoring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. Rostami, Dmitriy S. Kirzhner, Eric Hawes, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • Patent number: 11751606
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heater of a device including a removable container that stores a material includes detecting, from the removable container, power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by, determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point, supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operation mode of the heater, determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operation mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power, the device being a non-nicotine e-vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device, the material being a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall Gallagher, William Wykeham, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
  • Patent number: 11744288
    Abstract: A capsule for an aerosol-generating device may include a housing, a filter, and an aerosol-forming substrate. The housing may have a gas-permeable end and an impermeable end. The filter may be disposed within the housing so as to be adjacent to the impermeable end. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the housing so as to be between the filter and the gas-permeable end. The housing may be configured to facilitate a heating of the aerosol-forming substrate via one of conduction, convection, or both conduction and convection so as to generate an aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Patrick Good, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Eric Hawes, Yannick Hourmand, Niall Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20230270179
    Abstract: A nicotine e-vaping device includes a heater, a power control circuit, and a memory module. The heater element is configured to heat nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The power control circuit is coupled to the heater element through a wire. The power control circuit is configured to apply a pulse width modulated power signal to the heater element through the wire, and to receive information over the wire. The memory module is configured to detect a plurality of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal, record information based on the detected plurality of pulses, and output the recorded information to the power control circuit via the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. LAU, Eric Hawes, Loi Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20230275443
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Barry S. SMITH, Douglas A. BURTON, Eric HAWES, Sean SUNDBERG, Berina YERKIC-HUSEJNOVIC
  • Publication number: 20230263216
    Abstract: A flavor carrier for an aerosol-generating device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner housing extending in the longitudinal direction, and a flavor chamber between the outer housing and the inner housing. The outer housing includes at least one outer housing perforation defined in a wall of the outer housing. The inner housing includes at least one inner housing perforation defined in a wall of the inner housing. The flavor chamber is configured to contain a flavoring material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. ROSTAMI, Dmitriy S. KIRZHNER, Eric HAWES, Yezdi PITHAWALLA
  • Publication number: 20230248070
    Abstract: The heating engine control circuit includes a rail converter circuit and a gate driver circuit. The rail converter circuit is configured to convert a power supply voltage into a power signal based on a vaping enable signal, the vaping enable signal being a pulse width modulated signal. The gate driver circuit includes an integrated gate driver. The integrated gate driver is configured to control application of power to a heater to heat nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from a nicotine reservoir at the nicotine electronic vaping device based on the power signal, a first enable signal and a second enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall GALLAGHER, Terrance Theodore Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20230248072
    Abstract: The heating engine control circuit includes a rail converter circuit and a gate driver circuit. The rail converter circuit is configured to convert a power supply voltage into a power signal based on a vaping enable signal, the vaping enable signal being a pulse width modulated signal. The gate driver circuit includes an integrated gate driver. The integrated gate driver is configured to control application of power to a heater of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on the power signal, a first enable signal and a second enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall GALLAGHER, Terrance Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20230225401
    Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include an inner body, an outer body around the inner body, the inner body and the outer body being concentric, the inner body and the outer body at least partly defining a cavity, an aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity, a first cap at a first end of the cavity and a second cap at a second end of the cavity, the first and second caps being configured to permit air flow from the first end of the cavity to the second end of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, James MCLAREN, Shaoyong YU, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Zack W. BLACKMON
  • Publication number: 20230229754
    Abstract: An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment. The pod assembly is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit information that can be communicated with the dispensing body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond LAU, Eric Hawes, Alistair Bramley
  • Patent number: D1003507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Griscik, Carl Kite, Thien Nguyen, David Alvarez, Terrance Bache, Zack W. Blackmon, Patrick Good, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Cristian Popa