Patents by Inventor Eric Hawes

Eric 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: 12690613
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, James McLaren, Shaoyong Yu, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Zack W. Blackmon
  • Patent number: 12685340
    Abstract: The nicotine electronic vaping device includes a nicotine reservoir, a heater and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to: determine a plurality of resistance values for the heater during a time window; calculate a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values and a second of the plurality of resistance values; decide whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and disable power to the heater in response to deciding that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall Gallagher, Terrance Theodore Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Patent number: 12677876
    Abstract: A nicotine e-vaping device may include a nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The nicotine pod assembly has upstream and downstream ends and is configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end may define at least one upstream recess, and the downstream end may define at least one downstream recess. The device body defines a through hole configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly. The through hole includes an upstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall may include at least one upstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewall may include at least one downstream protrusion. The at least one upstream protrusion and the at least one downstream protrusion may be configured to engage with the at least one upstream recess and the at least one downstream recess, respectively, so as to retain the nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dean Twite, Yannick Hourmand, Charles Dendy, Bipin Patil, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Christopher Newcomb, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20260191277
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device including a heater configured to generate heat for heating an aerosol generating product; and processing circuitry configured to cause the aerosol generating device to use at least one inductive coil to monitor a magnetic permeability of a temperature sensing element, determine a temperature of the aerosol generating product based on the monitored magnetic permeability, and control the heating of the aerosol generating product based on the determined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2026
    Publication date: July 9, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James YORKSHADES, Tristan HUGHES, Callum FRANKS, Katherine WEILBACHER, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260182635
    Abstract: A capsule for an aerosol-generating device may include a housing defining inlet openings, outlet openings, and internal channels between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The internal channels are configured to hold an aerosol-forming substrate. The housing is configured to facilitate a heating of the aerosol-forming substrate via conduction and/or convection so as to generate an aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2026
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack BLACKMON, III, Patrick GOOD, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Eric HAWES, Yannick HOURMAND, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20260165389
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device includes a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions and a private key, and a controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol-generating device to receive, from an operator terminal via near-field communication (NFC), an encrypted pass, the encrypted pass including at least one control parameter for the aerosol-generating device, the encrypted pass specific to an authenticated consumer, decrypt the pass using the stored private key to retrieve the at least one control parameter for the aerosol-generating device, and in response to decrypting the pass, unlock the aerosol-generating device and control the aerosol-generating device based on the at least one control parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2025
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Rangaraj SUNDAR, Andre SOTO, Raymond LAU, Eric HAWES, Guillaume MICHEL, Sreeteja JONNADA, Jack HODGES, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20260157446
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Chris SIMPSON, Terrance Theodore BACHE, David SCHIFF
  • Publication number: 20260157414
    Abstract: A method of making a consumable for a heated tobacco product includes preparing a tobacco powder having a desired powder size. The method further includes preparing wet tobacco granules by admixing the tobacco powder with a binder and a solvent. The method further includes preparing tobacco granules by removing at least a portion of the solvent from the wet tobacco granules. The method further includes preparing a filler by admixing the tobacco granules with an aerosol former. The method further includes preparing a consumable including the filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Shaoyong YU, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Gaurav PAREKH, Sarah HUYNH, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260157417
    Abstract: A method for preparing botanical granules for use in heated inhalable products may include spheronizing a wet mass to form the botanical granules, where the wet mass includes a botanical powder and a solvent, and the botanical powder includes botanical particles having average particle sizes of less than or equal to about 2 millimeters. The wet mass may be included in a granulation solution, and the method may include preparing the granulation solution by contacting the solvent to the botanical powder. The granulation solution may also further include a binder, an active material, a humectant, a controlled delivery agent, an aerosol-forming agent, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Sarah HUYNH, Shaoyong YU, Raymond W. LAU, Lionel DELOACH, Alex JORDAN, Gaurav PAREKH, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Eric HAWES, Benjamin LEWIS, Jesse FREDERICK
  • Publication number: 20260157426
    Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating article includes an inductive substrate material including an aerosol-generating substrate and at least one susceptor. The susceptors are configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Shaoyong YU, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260150906
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260144300
    Abstract: The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes processing circuitry configured to: determine a plurality of resistance values for a heater during a time window; calculate a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values and a second of the plurality of resistance values; decide whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and disable power to the heater in response to deciding that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall GALLAGHER, Terrance Theodore BACHE, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 12635735
    Abstract: The nicotine electronic vaping device includes a nicotine reservoir, a heater and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to: determine a plurality of resistance values for the heater during a time window; calculate a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values and a second of the plurality of resistance values; decide whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and disable power to the heater in response to deciding that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall Gallagher, Terrance Theodore Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20260137123
    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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2025
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Patrick GOOD, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Eric HAWES, Yannick HOURMAND, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20260130440
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides a system for controlling a heater in a non-combustible aerosol-generating device, the system comprising 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 apply a first power to the heater based on a first preheat temperature determine an estimated energy applied to the heater during application of the first power, and apply a second power to the heater based on the estimated energy, an energy threshold and a second preheat temperature, the second power being less than the first power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Eric HAWES, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20260130429
    Abstract: A non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a device body configured to receive a non-nicotine cartridge. The non-nicotine cartridge includes a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, a wick, and an integral heater-thermocouple. The wick is configured to transport the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation by capillary action. The integral heater-thermocouple includes a first segment made of a first alloy and a second segment made of a second alloy. The device body includes a power supply, at least one sensor, and a controller. The power supply is configured to deliver electrical energy to the integral heater-thermocouple to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a non-nicotine vapor. The at least one sensor is configured to measure a voltage difference between the first segment and the second segment of the integral heater-thermocouple during such heating. The controller is configured to adjust the electrical energy to the integral heater-thermocouple based on the measured voltage difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 12610981
    Abstract: A capsule for an aerosol-generating device may include a housing defining inlet openings, outlet openings, and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings to a corresponding one of the outlet openings. An aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the chamber of the housing. A heater may extend into the housing from an exterior thereof. The heater includes a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section may be disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate in the chamber. An aerosol-generating device may include the capsule, a mouthpiece, and a device body, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to engage with the capsule, and the device body is configured to receive and retain the capsule and the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Eric Hawes, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Raymond W. Lau, Jarrett Keen, Yannick Hourmand
  • Patent number: 12599172
    Abstract: A nicotine e-vaping device may include a nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The nicotine pod assembly has upstream and downstream ends and is configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end may define at least one upstream recess, and the downstream end may define at least one downstream recess. The device body defines a through hole configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly. The through hole includes an upstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall. The upstream sidewall may include at least one upstream protrusion, and the downstream sidewall may include at least one downstream protrusion. The at least one upstream protrusion and the at least one downstream protrusion may be configured to engage with the at least one upstream recess and the at least one downstream recess, respectively, so as to retain the nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dean Twite, Yannick Hourmand, Charles Dendy, Bipin Patil, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Christopher Newcomb, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Patent number: D1124485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Raymond Lau, Alistair Bramley
  • Patent number: D1131896
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Zack W. Blackmon, Yannick Hourmand, Guillaume Michel, Nicola Westgarth-Flynn, Ryan Mcginley, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau