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).

  • Publication number: 20260334547
    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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2026
    Publication date: October 29, 2026
    Applicant: 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: 20260324723
    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: July 1, 2026
    Publication date: October 22, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, James MCLAREN, Shaoyong YU, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Zack W. BLACKMON
  • Patent number: 12765608
    Abstract: A non-nicotine pod assembly includes a non-nicotine reservoir to hold non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and a heater configured to vaporize non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the non-nicotine reservoir. A device body is configured to engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly, and includes a controller. The controller is configured to cause the device body to detect a fault event at the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, classify the fault event as one of a plurality of types of fault events, and perform at least one consequent action based on the classification of the fault event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall Gallagher, Terrance Theodore Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20260305679
    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 22, 2026
    Publication date: October 8, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. ROSTAMI, Dmitriy S. KIRZHNER, Eric HAWES, Yezdi PITHAWALLA
  • Publication number: 20260272028
    Abstract: A capsule may include a housing containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The capsule may additionally include a device body configured to facilitate heating of the aerosol-forming substrate within the capsule. The device body includes a device base and a thermoelectric cell. The thermoelectric cell is configured to transfer heat from the capsule when the thermoelectric cell is provided with an electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2026
    Publication date: September 17, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stephen FIGUEIRA, Zack W. BLACKMON, Raymond LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260272044
    Abstract: Various example embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, system, method, and/or non-transitory computer readable medium for authenticating capsules compatible with the aerosol generating device using statistical analysis of security tags. The aerosol generating device may include a housing configured to receive a capsule, the capsule containing an aerosol-forming substrate; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; and control circuitry configured to, determine whether the capsule includes a security tag using a security sensor, increment a counter based on results of the determining whether the capsule includes the security tag, and determine a statistical probability of authenticity of the capsule based on a count of the counter and a first desired threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2026
    Publication date: September 17, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Zack W. BLACKMON, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Patent number: 12733687
    Abstract: A system configured to output an indication of engagement with a device. The system 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 system to monitor usage of the device, determine the indication of engagement with the device based on the usage of the device, and output the indication of engagement with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2026
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Jarrett Keen, Kevin Ball, Taylor Witt, Raymond W. Lau, Zack W. Blackmon, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Eric Hawes, Terry Bache, Niall Gallagher
  • Patent number: 12733678
    Abstract: The method includes supporting at least one first heater, and at least partially supporting at least one portion of at least one first wick, using a support plate in an e-vaping section, configuring the at least one first wick to transfer a pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir to the at least one first heater, forming an electrical connection between the at least one first heater and a terminal that is electrically connectable to a power supply, and positioning the support plate nearer a downstream end than an upstream end of the reservoir relative to a normal direction of airflow through the e-vaping section during use, a major surface of the support plate being transverse to the normal direction of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: David Schiff, Chris Carrick, Eric Hawes, Ali Rostami, Christopher S. Tucker, Berina Yerkic-Husejnovic
  • Patent number: 12727624
    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: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Loi Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20260256192
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2026
    Publication date: September 3, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Eric HAWES, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Jarrett KEEN, Yannick HOURMAND
  • Publication number: 20260248181
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol generating device may include a housing including a power supply and an air inlet, a mouthpiece assembly movably attached to the housing, and providing an air outlet, a door assembly moveably attached to the housing, the door assembly including a door and a receptacle movably attached to the door, the receptacle defining a cavity to receive a capsule including an aerosol generating substrate, and a linkage arrangement operationally connected to the door assembly, the mouthpiece assembly and the housing, and the linkage arrangement cooperatively moving the mouthpiece assembly and the receptacle in response to movement of the door to a closed state such that the capsule is retained within the housing and operationally connected with the power supply, the air inlet and the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2026
    Publication date: August 27, 2026
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20260248205
    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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2026
    Publication date: August 27, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Niall GALLAGHER, Terrance Theodore BACHE, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 12708137
    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: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. Rostami, Dmitriy S. Kirzhner, Eric Hawes, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • 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
  • Patent number: D1142434
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Terry Bache, Ryan Mcginley, Nicola Westgarth-Flynn, Eric Hawes, Raymond W. Lau, Zack W. Blackmon
  • Patent number: D1155043
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2025
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Eric Hawes, Dean Twite, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Nicolas D. Castro, Raymond W. Lau
  • Patent number: D1155887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2026
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Zack W. Blackmon, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Raymond W. Lau, Terry Bache, Ryan McGinley, Nicola Westgarth-Flynn, Yannick Hourmand, Oliver De Roeck