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).
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Publication number: 20220046976Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
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Patent number: 10986863Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks, Cortney R. Jackson
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Patent number: 10701979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10667562Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10524500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks
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Publication number: 20190364954Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
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Publication number: 20190150502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, JR., Louis John Read, JR.
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Publication number: 20190090549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20190090548Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 10188140Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, Jr., Louis John Read, Jr.
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Patent number: 10172387Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9854833Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Balager Ademe, Calvin W. Henderson
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Publication number: 20170354179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks
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Publication number: 20160073686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventor: Evon L. Crooks
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Publication number: 20150342249Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Evon L. Crooks, Cortney R. Jackson
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Publication number: 20150201670Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, JR., Louis John Read, JR.
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Publication number: 20150157052Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
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Publication number: 20150059780Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20140305455Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Leigh Ann Joyce, Paul Stuart Chapman, Billy T. Conner
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Patent number: 8678013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, Jr., Louis John Read, Jr.