Patents by Inventor Frank S. Silveira

Frank S. Silveira 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: 10588352
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul Andrew Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10575564
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device or electronic cigarette generates an aerosol or vapor for consumption by a consumer. The device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol precursor substance or fluid that is turned into the aerosol or vapor. The fluid may be stored in reservoir that allows for the fluid to be passed to an atomizer for generating the aerosol. The reservoir may be a flexible bladder that equalizes pressure inside the cartridge to reduce leakage, such as with an internal valve to activate fluid transfer. Alternatively, the reservoir may include one or more capsules that can be broken or melted to release the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Ampolini, Frank S. Silveira, John DePiano, Craig Demarest
  • Publication number: 20200054078
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices including a cartridge and a control body. The control body may include a coupler and the cartridge may include a base. The base may be configured to releasably engage the cartridge. Further the base and the coupler may include anti-rotation mechanisms configured to prevent rotation of the cartridge relative to the base when engaged with one another. The anti-rotation mechanisms may include alternating protrusions and recesses in some embodiments. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Michael Ryan Galloway, John DePiano, Frank S. Silveira, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Laine, Raymond Charles Henry
  • Patent number: 10561178
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • Publication number: 20190364976
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
  • Patent number: 10492532
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices including a cartridge and a control body. The control body may include a coupler and the cartridge may include a base. The base may be configured to releasably engage the cartridge. Further the base and the coupler may include anti-rotation mechanisms configured to prevent rotation of the cartridge relative to the base when engaged with one another. The anti-rotation mechanisms may include alternating protrusions and recesses in some embodiments. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Michael Ryan Galloway, John DePiano, Frank S. Silveira, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Laine, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10470497
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul Andrew Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190335812
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device or electronic cigarette generates an aerosol or vapor for consumption by a consumer. The device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol precursor substance or fluid that is turned into the aerosol or vapor. The fluid may be stored in reservoir that allows for the fluid to be passed to an atomizer for generating the aerosol. The reservoir may be a flexible bladder that equalizes pressure inside the cartridge to reduce leakage, such as with an internal valve to activate fluid transfer. Alternatively, the reservoir may include one or more capsules that can be broken or melted to release the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Ampolini, Frank S. Silveira, John DePiano, Craig Demarest
  • Patent number: 10426200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
  • Publication number: 20190230995
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • Patent number: 10349684
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device or electronic cigarette generates an aerosol or vapor for consumption by a consumer. The device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol precursor substance or fluid that is turned into the aerosol or vapor. The fluid may be stored in reservoir that allows for the fluid to be passed to an atomizer for generating the aerosol. The reservoir may be a flexible bladder that equalizes pressure inside the cartridge to reduce leakage, such as with an internal valve to activate fluid transfer. Alternatively, the reservoir may include one or more capsules that can be broken or melted to release the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Ampolini, Frank S. Silveira, John DePiano, Craig Demarest
  • Patent number: 10306924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire continuously extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define end portions, contact portions, and a heating portion. The wire may be continuously wound about the liquid transport element such that each of the portions of the wire defines coils. A related input, cartridge, and method of forming atomizers also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 10292434
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • Publication number: 20190116882
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device or electronic cigarette generates an aerosol or vapor for consumption by a consumer. The device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol precursor substance or fluid that is turned into the aerosol or vapor. The fluid may be stored in reservoir that allows for the fluid to be passed to an atomizer for generating the aerosol. The reservoir may be a flexible bladder that equalizes pressure inside the cartridge to reduce leakage, such as with an internal valve to activate fluid transfer. Alternatively, the reservoir may include one or more capsules that can be broken or melted to release the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Ampolini, Frank S. Silveira, John DePiano, Craig Demarest
  • Patent number: 10143236
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
  • Publication number: 20180303168
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
  • Publication number: 20180303164
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an input for production of atomizers and atomizers formed from a sheet of a material, and which may be employed in an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The input may include a carrier and heating elements coupled thereto. The heating elements may include first and second ends and interconnected alternating loops disposed therebetween. The heating elements may be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the carrier, or perpendicular thereto. The heating elements may be coupled to a liquid transport element by bending the interconnected loops at least partially around the liquid transport element. The ends of the heating element may be coupled to heater terminals. A related method for forming atomizers is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Robert Alden Metcalfe, John William Wolber
  • Publication number: 20180213850
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • Patent number: 10034494
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device or electronic cigarette generates an aerosol or vapor for consumption by a consumer. The device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol precursor substance or fluid that is turned into the aerosol or vapor. The fluid may be stored in reservoir that allows for the fluid to be passed to an atomizer for generating the aerosol. The reservoir may be a flexible bladder that equalizes pressure inside the cartridge to reduce leakage, such as with an internal valve to activate fluid transfer. Alternatively, the reservoir may include one or more capsules that can be broken or melted to release the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Ampolini, Frank S. Silveira, John DePiano, Craig Demarest
  • Publication number: 20180168233
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly