Patents by Inventor Felix Fernando

Felix Fernando 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: 20240081430
    Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, the front housing portion including a front end portion having a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including a taggant having a spectroscopic signature; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to identify aerosol-generating articles that may be usable with the system, the detector being able to determine the spectroscopic signature of the taggant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix FERNANDO, Dominique BERNAUER
  • Publication number: 20240081422
    Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one heating element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix FERNANDO, Franck POURRAT, Jean-Pierre CORDEY
  • Publication number: 20240081429
    Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix FERNANDO, Marc-Robert CHEMLA, Fredrik STAHLE
  • Publication number: 20240065343
    Abstract: The method includes forming an elongated array by first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Patent number: 11896062
    Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating article including at least one component incorporating a taggant within a material of the component, the taggant including an identifiable spectroscopic signature; a cavity configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article; at least one heating element; a power supply configured to supply power to the at least one heating element; electrical hardware connected to the power supply and the at least one heating element; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to distinguish the aerosol-generating article from other articles configured for use with the aerosol-generating system, based on the taggant incorporated within the material of the aerosol-generating article, in which the electrical hardware is configured to establish a heating protocol for the heating element based on the particular aerosol-generating article distinguished by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Dominique Bernauer
  • Publication number: 20240017304
    Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix FERNANDO, Jean-Pierre CORDEY
  • Patent number: 11832655
    Abstract: The heating array includes first heating elements arranged in an elongated array, the first heating elements spanning from a first end to a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of each one of the first heating elements bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end, the first heating elements being configured to flex concentrically inward when a hoop force is applied to sides of the elongated array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins
  • Patent number: 11832654
    Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one healing element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Franck Pourrat, Jean-Pierre Cordey
  • Patent number: 11819063
    Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Marc-Robert Chemla, Fredrik Stahle
  • Patent number: 11800894
    Abstract: A shisha device (10) comprises an aerosol-generating element (11) for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate (12). The shisha device also comprises a vessel (17) spaced from the aerosol-generating element and defining an interior for housing a volume of liquid. The vessel comprises a head space outlet (15). The shisha device also comprises an aerosol conduit (21) positioned between the aerosol-generating element and the interior of the vessel. The aerosol conduit comprises a proximal end portion defining a proximal opening (24) positioned to receive airflow from the aerosol-generating element, a distal end portion defining a distal opening (26) positioned in the interior of the vessel, and a ventilation opening (30) positioned between the proximal and distal end portions. A ratio between the total aperture area of the ventilation opening and a transverse cross-sectional area of the aerosol conduit positioned proximate to the ventilation opening is at most 1:1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, David Cross, Terence John Wilby, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Florez, Ian Sparrow
  • Patent number: 11779054
    Abstract: A ground plane is provided, including: a monolithic elongated conductive member, a first portion of the monolithic elongated conductive member forming a cavity configured to receive a power supply, a plurality of second portions of the monolithic elongated conductive member respectively forming resilient elements extending over the cavity and configured to retain the power supply within the cavity, and a plurality of third portions of the monolithic elongated conductive member respectively forming parallel pins configured to receive an electronic circuit board. An electrically operated aerosol generating device including the ground plane, a method of forming a ground plane, and a method of forming an electrically operated aerosol generating device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Dominique Bernauer, Felix Fernando
  • Patent number: 11724290
    Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Jean-Pierre Cordey
  • Patent number: 11669810
    Abstract: A method for supplying products for electrically operated smoking systems is provided, including: delivering to a remote user device from a central server over a network connection order option information associated with a vending machine; receiving an order from the remote user device, the order including an indication of a product available from the vending machine, and user identification information; retrieving registered user information, including user authentication information associated with user identification information; receiving user authentication information from a user; and if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, delivering the product to the user at the vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Stephane Antony Hedarchet, Noori Moyad Brifcani
  • Patent number: 11564412
    Abstract: A shisha device includes a vessel, an aerosol-generating element in fluid communication with the vessel, and a chamber between the vessel and the aerosol-generating element. The chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel and the aerosol-generating element. The chamber comprises an inlet configured to accelerate air containing aerosol that flows through the inlet from the aerosol-generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Florez
  • Publication number: 20230000174
    Abstract: A replacement abstract is included on the final page of this document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier GREIM, Felix FERNANDO, Charles HIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20220386707
    Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating article including at least one component incorporating a taggant within a material of the component, the taggant including an identifiable spectroscopic signature; a cavity configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article; at least one heating element; a power supply configured to supply power to the at least one heating element; electrical hardware connected to the power supply and the at least one heating element; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to distinguish the aerosol-generating article from other articles configured for use with the aerosol-generating system, based on the taggant incorporated within the material of the aerosol-generating article, in which the electrical hardware is configured to establish a heating protocol for the heating element based on the particular aerosol-generating article distinguished by the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix FERNANDO, Dominique BERNAUER
  • Publication number: 20220369724
    Abstract: A charger may be used as a social recharge hub that charges aerosol-generating devices and facilitate social connections. The charger may be able to charge a plurality of batteries concurrently or simultaneously. The charger may capable of associating a battery identifier of one or more batteries to a user. The user may also be associated with an aerosol-generating device and to a mobile user device. The charger may establish a connection with the mobile user device and communicate to the mobile user device using a communication interface. User data, such as preferences, interests, and even music, may be communicated from the mobile user device to the charger and may be used to facilitate social opportunities for the user, particularly in a public or social space with other users, or to make the space around the user more comfortable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Felix Fernando
  • Patent number: 11457669
    Abstract: A method of controlling an aerosol-generating system, and the associated system, are provided. The system includes an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device having a detector configured to detect the presence of the article and to distinguish the article from other articles configured for use with the system, based on a spectroscopic signature of a taggant incorporated within a material of the article. The method includes detecting the presence of the article; determining whether the article includes a taggant; comparing the spectroscopic signature of the detected taggant with a look-up table of taggant spectroscopic signatures corresponding to articles configured for use with the system; preventing activation of the device, including preventing the supply of power to a heating element unless the detected taggant spectroscopic signature corresponds to an article configured for use with the system; and activating the device if the detected signature corresponds to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Dominique Bernauer
  • Patent number: 11444465
    Abstract: A charger may be used as a social recharge hub that charges aerosol-generating devices and facilitate social connections. The charger may be able to charge a plurality of batteries concurrently or simultaneously. The charger may capable of associating a battery identifier of one or more batteries to a user. The user may also be associated with an aerosol-generating device and to a mobile user device. The charger may establish a connection with the mobile user device and communicate to the mobile user device using a communication interface. User data, such as preferences, interests, and even music, may be communicated from the mobile user device to the charger and may be used to facilitate social opportunities for the user, particularly in a public or social space with other users, or to make the space around the user more comfortable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Felix Fernando
  • Patent number: 11432592
    Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Greim, Felix Fernando, Charles Higgins