Patents by Inventor Evon L. Crooks

Evon L. Crooks 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: 20220046976
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a smoking article are provided and involve engaging a heat generation segment and a tobacco rod segment with the wrapping material in a longitudinally spaced-apart relation, the outer wrapping material having a heat-conductive strip engaged therewith, and the heat generation segment and/or the tobacco rod segment at least partially overlapping one end of the heat-conductive strip. Lateral ends of the wrapping material are wrapped at most partially about the heat generation and tobacco rod segments such that the heat generation and tobacco rod segments cooperate with the heat-conductive strip to define a longitudinally-extending cavity accessible between the respective lateral ends of the wrapping material and heat-conductive strip. Aerosol generation elements are deposited into the longitudinally-extending cavity (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
  • Patent number: 10986863
    Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for forming a biodegradable filter material for a filter element of a smoking article, wherein the method involves combining cellulose acetate fibers with regenerated cellulose fibers, drawing the combined cellulose acetate fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers to form drawn combined fibers, and crimping the drawn combined fibers to form a mixed fiber tow. An associated filter material for the filter element of a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks, Cortney R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 10701979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Patent number: 10667562
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, Jr., Steven Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Patent number: 10524500
    Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. A first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers and a second plurality of degradable polymeric staple fibers are blended to give a fiber mixture, wherein the staple fibers of the fiber mixture are randomly oriented. The degradable polymeric staple fibers can be treated to increase hydrophobicity. The staple fibers of the fiber mixture can then be bonded to form a fibrous bundle which can be incorporated into a filter element. Related methods and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20190364954
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a smoking article are provided and involve engaging a heat generation segment and a tobacco rod segment with the wrapping material in a longitudinally spaced-apart relation, the outer wrapping material having a heat-conductive strip engaged therewith, and the heat generation segment and/or the tobacco rod segment at least partially overlapping one end of the heat-conductive strip. Lateral ends of the wrapping material are wrapped at most partially about the heat generation and tobacco rod segments such that the heat generation and tobacco rod segments cooperate with the heat-conductive strip to define a longitudinally-extending cavity accessible between the respective lateral ends of the wrapping material and heat-conductive strip. Aerosol generation elements are deposited into the longitudinally-extending cavity (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20190150502
    Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment. The smoking article possesses an overwrap (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, JR., Louis John Read, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190090548
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, JR., Steven Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Publication number: 20190090549
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, JR., Steven Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Patent number: 10188140
    Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment. The smoking article possesses an overwrap (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, Jr., Louis John Read, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10172387
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Patent number: 9854833
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods employing ultrasonic bonding to form filter elements for smoking articles are provided. Ultrasonic bonding can be employed to bond the fibers of filter material defining bloomed tow. Use of a plasticizer may not be necessary. Further, filter materials such as polylactic acid, which may not be bonded via a plasticizer, may be employed. However, triacetin or other additional components may be employed to provide the filter element with a desirable sensory attribute in some embodiments. Ultrasonic bonding may be conducted by an ultrasonic bonder that includes an anvil defining a pattern thereon that is selected to define a desired degree of bonding, and thereby a resulting desired firmness and/or pressure drop associated with the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L. Crooks, Balager Ademe, Calvin W. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20170354179
    Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. A first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers and a second plurality of degradable polymeric staple fibers are blended to give a fiber mixture, wherein the staple fibers of the fiber mixture are randomly oriented. The degradable polymeric staple fibers can be treated to increase hydrophobicity. The staple fibers of the fiber mixture can then be bonded to form a fibrous bundle which can be incorporated into a filter element. Related methods and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20160073686
    Abstract: A filter material adapted for use as a filter element of a smoking article is provided, the filter material including at least 10 dry weight percent of cellulosic pulp derived from stalks, roots, or a combination thereof of a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the filter material is in the form of a paper comprising the cellulosic pulp or a fibrous tow comprising the cellulosic pulp in esterified form. Filter elements and smoking articles, such as cigarettes, that contain the filter material are also provided. Methods of preparing filter materials for use in filter elements are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20150342249
    Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for forming a biodegradable filter material for a filter element of a smoking article, wherein the method involves combining cellulose acetate fibers with regenerated cellulose fibers, drawing the combined cellulose acetate fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers to form drawn combined fibers, and crimping the drawn combined fibers to form a mixed fiber tow. An associated filter material for the filter element of a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks, Cortney R. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20150201670
    Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment. The smoking article possesses an overwrap (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, JR., Louis John Read, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150157052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a smoking article are provided and involve engaging a heat generation segment and a tobacco rod segment with the wrapping material in a longitudinally spaced-apart relation, the outer wrapping material having a heat-conductive strip engaged therewith, and the heat generation segment and/or the tobacco rod segment at least partially overlapping one end of the heat-conductive strip. Lateral ends of the wrapping material are wrapped at most partially about the heat generation and tobacco rod segments such that the heat generation and tobacco rod segments cooperate with the heat-conductive strip to define a longitudinally-extending cavity accessible between the respective lateral ends of the wrapping material and heat-conductive strip. Aerosol generation elements are deposited into the longitudinally-extending cavity (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20150059780
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Susan K. Pike, David William Griffith, JR., Stephen Benson Sears, Evon L. Crooks, Karen V. Williams, Timothy Brian Nestor, David Bovender
  • Publication number: 20140305455
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a lighting end longitudinally opposite a filter end that includes a filter. A fluid-releasing element is disposed longitudinally between the lighting end and filter end. A paper material circumscribes a portion of the smoking article, and a nanocellulose barrier disposed upon at least one surface or interface within the smoking article is provided, effective to control passage of fluid through the paper material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L. Crooks, Leigh Ann Joyce, Paul Stuart Chapman, Billy T. Conner
  • Patent number: 8678013
    Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, Jr., Louis John Read, Jr.