Patents by Inventor Eric FORCE

Eric FORCE 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).

  • Publication number: 20250366521
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric FORCE, Yonglu GUO, Yonghai LI
  • Patent number: 12389947
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Force, Yonglu Guo, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12349735
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The first housing defines a first passage and includes a liquid storage portion configured to contain an aerosol generating substrate. The second housing defines a second passage configured to be fluidly coupled to the first passage. The first passage and the second passage define an aerosol flow path. The second housing includes a heating element configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The third housing defines an inner chamber and an outlet. The inner chamber of the third housing is configured to receive at least the first housing. The third housing defines an air flow path between the third housing and at least the first housing. The air flow path is fluidly coupled to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Patent number: 12342867
    Abstract: A split airflow system for an electrically heatable smoking system for generating aerosol is provided, the system having a downstream end, the system including: a first channel defining a first flow route; and a second Channel defining a second flow route, the first flow route directing ambient air from outside the split airflow system to the downstream end of the split airflow system, the second flow route directs ambient air from outside the split airflow system towards a substantially flat, fluid-permeable heating element before conveying the ambient air to the downstream end, and the first channel and the second channel define a total volume of ambient air passing through the split airflow system and the first channel provides at least 50 percent of the total volume of ambient air passing through the split airflow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Force, Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Keethan Dasnavis Fernando
  • Publication number: 20250098776
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a liquid storage portion, a liquid transfer element, a power supply, and a heating element operably coupled to the power supply and configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The system also includes a cover over the liquid storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric FORCE
  • Publication number: 20250031757
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a capsule and a releasably connectable vaporizer or vaporizing unit. The capsule comprises a distal end and defines a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporizing unit comprises a housing and a heating element and a transfer element disposed in the housing. The heating element is configured to heat the transfer element to vaporize the aerosol-generating substrate. The housing of the vaporizing unit has a proximal end. A portion of the transfer element extends beyond the proximal end of the housing. The vaporizing unit is configured such that the transfer element is the initial part of the vaporizing unit to penetrate into the reservoir of the capsule as the distal end of the capsule is moved towards the proximal end of the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric FORCE
  • Patent number: 12185763
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing. The first housing defines a first passage and includes a liquid storage portion configured to contain an aerosol generating substrate. The second housing defines a second passage configured to be fluidly coupled to the first passage. The first passage and the second passage define an aerosol flow path. The second housing includes a heating element configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The third housing defines an inner chamber and an outlet. The inner chamber of the third housing is configured to receive at least the first housing. The third housing defines an air flow path between the third housing and at least the first housing. The air flow path is fluidly coupled to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Patent number: 12127590
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a capsule and a releasably connectable vaporizer or vaporizing unit. The capsule comprises a distal end and defines a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporizing unit comprises a housing and a heating element and a transfer element disposed in the housing. The heating element is configured to heat the transfer element to vaporize the aerosol-generating substrate. The housing of the vaporizing unit has a proximal end. A portion of the transfer element extends beyond the proximal end of the housing. The vaporizing unit is configured such that the transfer element is the initial part of the vaporizing unit to penetrate into the reservoir of the capsule as the distal end of the capsule is moved towards the proximal end of the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Publication number: 20240172797
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric FORCE, Yonglu GUO, Yonghai LI
  • Patent number: 11903420
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Force, Yonglu Guo, Yonghai Li
  • Publication number: 20240023618
    Abstract: A split airflow system for an electrically heatable smoking system for generating aerosol is provided, the system having a downstream end, the system including: a first channel defining a first flow route; and a second Channel defining a second flow route, the first flow route directing ambient air from outside the split airflow system to the downstream end of the split airflow system, the second flow route directs ambient air from outside the split airflow system towards a substantially flat, fluid-permeable heating element before conveying the ambient air to the downstream end, and the first channel and the second channel define a total volume of ambient air passing through the split airflow system and the first channel provides at least 50 percent of the total volume of ambient air passing through the split airflow system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Eric FORCE, Oleg MIRONOV, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK, Keethan Dasnavis FERNANDO
  • Patent number: 11805817
    Abstract: A cartridge system is provided, including a liquid storage portion including a housing to hold a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a mouthpiece having an outlet opening removably connected to a first end of the storage portion; and a heater assembly including an electrical heating element to heat the substrate to form an aerosol, and a porous capillary material having a first face contacting part of the heating element and to convey the substrate to the heating element by capillary action, the heating element disposed across the first face of the material, the liquid storage portion disposed at a first side of the heater assembly and a first airflow channel disposed at a second side of the assembly and defining an airflow path directed at a center of the heating element, and part of a second airflow channel extending to the outlet opening via a central channel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Force, Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Keethan Dasnavis Fernando
  • Publication number: 20230301351
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a liquid storage portion, a liquid transfer element, a power supply, and a heating element operably coupled to the power supply and configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The system also includes a cover over the liquid storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventor: Eric FORCE
  • Publication number: 20230292837
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a capsule and a releasably connectable vaporizer or vaporizing unit. The capsule comprises a distal end and defines a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporizing unit comprises a housing and a heating element and a transfer element disposed in the housing. The heating element is configured to heat the transfer element to vaporize the aerosol-generating substrate. The housing of the vaporizing unit has a proximal end. A portion of the transfer element extends beyond the proximal end of the housing. The vaporizing unit is configured such that the transfer element is the initial part of the vaporizing unit to penetrate into the reservoir of the capsule as the distal end of the capsule is moved towards the proximal end of the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric FORCE
  • Patent number: 11700888
    Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a liquid storage portion, a liquid transfer element, a power supply, and a heating element operably coupled to the power supply and configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The system also includes a cover over the liquid storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Patent number: 11684084
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may include a capsule and a releasably connectable vaporizer or vaporizing unit. The capsule comprises a distal end and defines a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporizing unit comprises a housing and a heating element and a transfer element disposed in the housing. The heating element is configured to heat the transfer element to vaporize the aerosol-generating substrate. The housing of the vaporizing unit has a proximal end. A portion of the transfer element extends beyond the proximal end of the housing. The vaporizing unit is configured such that the transfer element is the initial part of the vaporizing unit to penetrate into the reservoir of the capsule as the distal end of the capsule is moved towards the proximal end of the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Publication number: 20230112844
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may comprise a releasably connectable capsule and vaporizing unit. The capsule may comprise a reservoir for containing an aerosol-generating substrate, an opening in fluidic communication with the reservoir, and a valve configured to control a flow of the aerosol-generating substrate from the reservoir through the opening. The valve may comprise one or more resilient closing members biased towards a closed position. The vaporizing unit may comprise a transfer element and a heating element disposed in a housing. The heating element is configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate in the transfer element. The vaporizing unit may also comprise an elongate element configured to engage with the valve to deflect the one or more resilient closing members from the closed position to an open position so as place the transfer element in fluidic connection with the reservoir when the capsule is connected to the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Publication number: 20230086893
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric FORCE, Yonglu GUO, Yonghai LI
  • Patent number: 11546971
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system may comprise a releasably connectable capsule and vaporizing unit. The capsule may comprise a reservoir for containing an aerosol-generating substrate, an opening in fluidic communication with the reservoir, and a valve configured to control a flow of the aerosol-generating substrate from the reservoir through the opening. The valve may comprise one or more resilient closing members biased towards a closed position. The vaporizing unit may comprise a transfer element and a heating element disposed in a housing. The heating element is configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate in the transfer element. The vaporizing unit may also comprise an elongate element configured to engage with the valve to deflect the one or more resilient closing members from the closed position to an open position so as place the transfer element in fluidic connection with the reservoir when the capsule is connected to the vaporizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: Eric Force
  • Patent number: 11490658
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a reservoir containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The system also includes first and second heating elements and first and second liquid transfer elements. The first and second heating elements are spaced apart from the reservoir. The first and second liquid transfer elements are configured to deliver aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the heating elements. The first liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the first heating element. The second liquid transfer element has first and second end portions and a portion between the first and second end portions at the second heating element. The portion of the first liquid transfer element at the first heating element may extend in a first direction. The portion of the second liquid transfer element at the second heating element may extend in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Force, Yonglu Guo, Yonghai Li