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: 11615179
    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: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Lau, Eric Hawes, Alistair Bramley
  • Publication number: 20230088850
    Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol-generating device includes a capsule, a memory and a controller. The capsule includes an aerosol-forming substrate and a heater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The controller is configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to: apply power to the heater during a preheat interval, record one or more heating characteristic waveforms resulting from application of the power to the heater during at least a portion of the preheat interval, and determine whether the capsule is valid based on one or more of the heating characteristic waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Eric HAWES, Jarrett KEEN, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20230085955
    Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol-generating device includes a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to: apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; determine whether a preheat monitor timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and an applied power to the heater in response to the preheat monitor timer having not exceeded the preheat timer threshold; and determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the applied power to the heater in response to the preheat monitor timer having exceeded the preheat timer threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Eric HAWES, Jarrett KEEN, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20230092794
    Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a first heater, a second heater, and a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, and a cannabinoid-containing material. The frame may define open spaces therein and have a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater. The open spaces within the frame may be interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gregory GRISCIK, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20230087115
    Abstract: A heater system for a non-combustible aerosol-generating device includes a heater element and a fuse element. The heater element has a heating region, a first terminal and a second terminal. The fuse element is electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal in parallel with the heater element. The fuse element has a region configured to induce a localized hot spot to cause the fuse element to open circuit in response to power applied between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Zack W. BLACKMON, Jarrett KEEN, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Niall GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20230085238
    Abstract: A nicotine pod assembly for a nicotine e-vaping device may include a pod body and a connector module. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end and is configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity. The connector module is configured to be seated within the cavity of the pod body. The connector module may include an external face and a side face. The external face of the connector module includes at least one electrical contact and defines a pod inlet. The side face of the connector module defines at least one module inlet. The side face of the connector module faces a sidewall of the cavity in the pod body when the connector module is seated within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    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: 20230070448
    Abstract: A non-nicotine pod assembly for a non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a pod body and a connector module. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end and is configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity. The connector module is configured to be seated within the cavity of the pod body. The connector module may include an external face and a side face. The external face of the connector module includes at least one electrical contact and defines a pod inlet. The side face of the connector module defines at least one module inlet. The side face of the connector module faces a sidewall of the cavity in the pod body when the connector module is seated within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11596172
    Abstract: A non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device body. The non-nicotine pod assembly has upstream and downstream ends and is configured to hold a non-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 non-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 non-nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    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: 20230055944
    Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol system includes a heater configured to supply heat to a heating chamber and a housing configured to be inserted into the heating chamber. The housing defines an internal volume for containing a solid substrate. The housing includes a plurality of internal structures extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, the plurality of internal structures extending through the internal volume, the plurality of internal structures being configured to heat the solid substrate to generate an aerosol by conducting the heat supplied by the heater to the internal volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jason FLORA, Eric HAWES, San LI
  • Patent number: 11576432
    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: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dean Twite, Yannick Hourmand, Charles Dendy, Bipin Patil, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Christopher R. Newcomb, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Patent number: 11564416
    Abstract: A non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a non-nicotine pod assembly and a device body defining a through hole configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly. The non-nicotine pod assembly is configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The through hole of the device body includes at least one sidewall that is configured to deflect during an insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly. One or more sidewalls of the through hole may include at least one protrusion configured to engage with corresponding recesses of the non-nicotine pod assembly so as to retain the non-nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Yannick Hourmand, Christopher Newcomb, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20230021933
    Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a first frame, a second frame, a first heater, a second heater, and/or an aerosol-forming substrate. The first frame has a first interior face and a first exterior face. In addition, the first frame defines a first opening. The first heater may be secured to the first frame so as to cover the first opening. The second frame is connected to the first frame. The second frame has a second interior face and a second exterior face. Furthermore, the second frame defines a second opening. The second heater may be secured to the second frame so as to cover the second opening. The aerosol-forming substrate may be between the first heater and the second heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gregory GRISCIK, Thien NGUYEN, Carl KITE, David ALVAREZ, Terrance BACHE, Zack BLACKMON, Patrick GOOD, Raymond LAU, Eric HAWES, Cristian POPA, James YORKSHADES, Adam PARROTT
  • Publication number: 20230028208
    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: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU, Jose Jesus Paolo MONTALVAN, John Paul MURING
  • Publication number: 20230001115
    Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation and a channel structure that includes a channel surface with one or more open-microchannels. An open-microchannel in the channel structure may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and may transport pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir to a heating element based on capillary action of the pre-vapor formulation through the open-microchannels. The heating element may vaporize the pre-vapor formulation drawn through one or more open-microchannels. The cartridge may be independent of fibrous dispensing interfaces, including one or more wicks. Fabrication of such a cartridge may be simplified, faster, cheaper, some combination thereof, or the like relative to fabrication of a cartridge that includes a fibrous or soft dispensing interface to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir to a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond LAU, Ali ROSTAMI, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 11540563
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article, a method of manufacturing an electronic smoking article, and a method of achieving a smoking experience without combusting tobacco are disclosed. The electronic smoking article includes an authenticated first section, which includes an aerosol generation unit having at least one heater; an authenticated second section, which includes a power supply operable to apply voltage to the at least one heater for heating a liquid in at least a portion of the aerosol generation unit to form an aerosol; and a conductive ink circuit embedded within the first and second sections, and wherein the power supply and the aerosol generation unit are electrically connected upon joining the first and second sections, and wherein each of the first and second sections has a portion of the conductive ink circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20220408792
    Abstract: The method includes providing a filler material that is water insoluble, the providing provides the filler material with more than 98% alpha-cellulose, 0.01% to less than 2% ash and a remainder hemicellulose, infusing at least one first consumable within the filler material and inserting a matrix within at least one first containing structure to form a capsule, the matrix including the filler material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Danielle CRAWFORD, Dwight David WILLIAMS, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Raymond W. LAU, Shaoyong YU
  • Publication number: 20220400763
    Abstract: Some example embodiments include a reservoir assembly for an e-vaping device that may include a reservoir, a first bayonet connector assembly, and a conduit extending from a vaporizer assembly and into a space defined by the first bayonet connector assembly. The first bayonet connector assembly may detachably couple with a second bayonet connector assembly of an outlet assembly to establish a bayonet interface connection between the reservoir and the outlet assembly, such that the conduit is in fluid communication with the exterior of the reservoir assembly through an interior of the outlet assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    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: 11528937
    Abstract: A nicotine e-vaping device may include a nicotine pod assembly and a device body defining a through hole configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly. The nicotine pod assembly is configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The through hole of the device body includes at least sidewall that is configured to deflect during an insertion of the nicotine pod assembly. One or more sidewalls of the through hole may include at least one protrusion configured to engage with corresponding recesses of the nicotine pod assembly so as to retain the nicotine pod assembly within the through hole of the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Yannick Hourmand, Christopher Newcomb, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Patent number: 11528939
    Abstract: A non-nicotine pod assembly for a non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a pod body and a connector module. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end and is configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity. The connector module is configured to be seated within the cavity of the pod body. The connector module may include an external face and a side face. The external face of the connector module includes at least one electrical contact and defines a pod inlet. The side face of the connector module defines at least one module inlet. The side face of the connector module faces a sidewall of the cavity in the pod body when the connector module is seated within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    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: D980507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric Hawes, Raymond Lau, Alistair Bramley