Patents by Inventor F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr. 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: 20190111231Abstract: An aerosol generating assembly is disclosed, which includes a heater assembly including, a heater body extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one heater in the heater body; a capillary tube extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the heater body, the capillary tube in fluid communication with a reservoir, the at least one heater configured to heat the capillary tube; a thermocouple in the heater body; and a temperature controller configured to control a heating temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Sudarsan Srinivasan, David Ammann, Donald Brookman, Niranjan Maharajh, Gary Grollimund, F. Murphy Sprinkel, JR., Douglas D. McRae
-
Patent number: 10188823Abstract: A drug delivery system, which includes an aerosol generator unit, a pumping unit, a flow tube, at least one condensate collector and an aerosol transition adapter. The aerosol generator forms an aerosol from a liquid formulation, which is partially volatilized. The pumping unit supplies the liquid formulation to the aerosol generator unit and a flow tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet of the aerosol generator unit and an outlet adapted for connection to a patient interface, which supplies ventilation gas to a patient's lungs. The system also includes at least one condensate collector adapted to collect condensed liquid or liquid produced by the aerosol generator unit, and a transition adapter arranged to mix aerosol produced by the aerosol generator unit with heated air or ventilation gas and direct the mixed aerosol into the inlet end of the flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Sudarsan Srinivasan, David Ammann, Donald Brookman, Niranjan Maharajh, Gary Grollimund, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Douglas D. McRae
-
Publication number: 20130068224Abstract: A drug delivery system, which includes an aerosol generator unit, a pumping unit, a flow tube, at least one condensate collector and an aerosol transition adapter. The aerosol generator forms an aerosol from a liquid formulation, which is partially vaporized. The pumping unit supplies the liquid formulation to the aerosol generator unit and a flow tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet of the aerosol generator unit and an outlet adapted for connection to a patient interface, which supplies ventilation to a patient's lungs. The system also includes at least one condensate collector adapted to collect condensed liquid or liquid produced by the aerosol generator unit, and a transition adapter arranged to mix aerosol produced by the aerosol generator unit with heated air and directs the mixed aerosol into the inlet end of the flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Sudarsan Srinivasan, David Ammann, Donald Brookman, Niranjan Maharajh, Gary Grollimund, F. Murphy Sprinkel, JR., Douglas D. McRae
-
Patent number: 8251055Abstract: A drug delivery system, which includes an aerosol generator unit, a pumping unit, a flow tube, at least one condensate collector and an aerosol transition adapter. The aerosol generator forms an aerosol from a liquid formulation, which is partially volatilized. The pumping unit supplies the liquid formulation to the aerosol generator unit and a flow tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet of the aerosol generator unit and an outlet adapted for connection to a patient interface, which supplies ventilation gas to a patient's lungs. The system also includes at least one condensate collector adapted to collect condensed liquid or liquid produced by the aerosol generator unit, and a transition adapter arranged to mix aerosol produced by the aerosol generator unit with heated air or ventilation gas and direct the mixed aerosol into the inlet end of the flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Sudarsan Srinivasan, David Ammann, Donald Brookman, Niranjan Maharajh, Gary Grollimund, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Douglas D. McRae
-
Patent number: 7373938Abstract: A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device which includes a heater adapted to volatilize fluid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and method of using the inhaler. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an outlet, the chamber being located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds a predetermined volume of a fluid which is expelled through the outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the fluid, the outlet can be formed by severing the first and/or second layer with a piercing element and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7173222Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
-
Patent number: 7163014Abstract: A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device, which includes a heater adapted to volatilize liquid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and a method of using the inhaler, is provided. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an openable outlet. The chamber is located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds liquid, which is expelled through the opened outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the liquid, the outlet can be opened and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the opened outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7117867Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Philip Morris USAInventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7077130Abstract: A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device which includes a heater adapted to volatilize fluid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and method of using the inhaler. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an outlet, the chamber being located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds a predetermined volume of a fluid which is expelled through the outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the fluid, the outlet can be formed by severing the first and/or second layer with a piercing element and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6823873Abstract: A cigarette includes an ignition element in contact with tobacco, surrounded by a composite outer wrapper. The outer wrapper is impervious to oxygen causing the tobacco to extinguish between puffs. The ignition element, however, has a longer static burn time than the tobacco and remains smoldering between puffs. Upon a subsequent puff, the smoldering ignition element re-ignites the tobacco. One or more initially-occluded perforations in the outer layer maintain the uniformity in combustion of the tobacco and ignition element.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, John R. Hearn, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Jay A Fournier, Jerry F. Whidby
-
Patent number: 6804458Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Sirisha P. Reddy, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
-
Patent number: 6799572Abstract: A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device which includes a heater adapted to volatilize fluid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and method of using the inhaler. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an outlet, the chamber being located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds a predetermined volume of a fluid which is expelled through the outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the fluid, the outlet can be formed by severing the first and/or second layer with a piercing element and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6772757Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device includes two concentric, electrically conductive tubes, the tubes being electrically and physically connected near a distal end of the tubes, and the tubes each having electrical connections to the power source, with the electrical connections to a power source being near a proximal end of the tubes. The proximal end of an inner one of the tubes is in fluid communication with a source of fluid. The device can be used to aerosolize medicament containing solutions to produce an aerosol with particles within a desired size range.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventor: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6701921Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
-
Patent number: 6681769Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a heater arrangement having multiple heating sections and corresponding flow paths for volatilization of a fluid in liquid form. The flow paths can include first and second flow paths which are parallel to each other and sized such that the first flow path is smaller than the second flow path. During delivery of liquid to the flow paths, a smaller amount of vaporized liquid can be ejected from the first flow path, and the bulk of the vaporized liquid can be ejected from the second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Crysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols
-
Patent number: 6516796Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6501052Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
-
Patent number: 6367481Abstract: A cigarette includes an ignition element in contact with tobacco, surrounded by a composite outer wrapper. The outer wrapper is impervious to oxygen causing the tobacco to extinguish between puffs. The ignition element, however, has a longer static burn time than the tobacco and remains smoldering between puffs. Upon a subsequent puff, the smoldering ignition element re-ignites the tobacco. One or more initially-occluded perforations in the outer layer maintain the uniformity in combustion of the tobacco and the ignition element.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Walter A. Nichols, John R. Hearn, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Jay A Fournier, Jerry F. Whidby
-
Patent number: 6311694Abstract: A smoking article comprises a smoking accessory and a cigarette. The smoking accessory includes a holder and a substantially air-impermeable sleeve which is coupled to a distal portion of the holder and is coaxial therewith. The cigarette is received in the smoking accessory such that a distal end of the cigarette is located substantially flush with a distal end of the sleeve. The cigarette includes a column of tobacco which is shorter than that used in conventional cigarettes, e.g., 20 mm in length or less. An air gap separates an outer surface of the cigarette from the sleeve, and plural openings are formed in the sleeve to supply air to the cigarette. In use, the sleeve restricts the flow of air to the cigarette, thereby slowing combustion and reducing sidestream smoke between puffs.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Walter A. Nichols, John R. Hearn, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Jay A. Fournier, Jerry F. Whidby
-
Patent number: 6125866Abstract: A pump cleaning unit for a heater fixture of a smoking device includes a base member. The base member includes a cup having an open end and a closed end, and a pedestal including a top part disposed in the cup proximate the open end of the cup and a leg connecting the top part to the closed end of the cup. A peripheral edge of the top part and an interior wall of the cup define a circumferential gap. The unit further includes a cylinder having a lower chamber and an upper chamber separated by a wall, a port extending through the wall. The cylinder has a cylinder wall proximate the lower chamber that fits in the circumferential gap and permits axial movement of the cylinder relative to the cup. A holder is provided for holding the heater fixture in the upper chamber over the port such that a central opening of the heater fixture is in flow communication with the port.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Walter Allen Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.