Patents by Inventor Frederic Philippe Ampolini

Frederic Philippe Ampolini 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: 20250144331
    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: January 14, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Michael Ryan Galloway, John DePiano, Frank S. Silveira, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Laine, Raymond Charles Henry, JR.
  • Publication number: 20250144329
    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: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Michael Ryan Galloway, John DePiano, Frank S. Silveira, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Laine, Raymond Charles Henry, JR.
  • Patent number: 12263301
    Abstract: A control body is coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, with the cartridge being equipped with an electrical load. The control body includes first and second positive conductors connectable with respectively a power supply and the electrical load. The control body includes a series pull-up resistor and switch connected to and between the first and second positive conductors. A microprocessor is configured to operate the switch in a closed state in a standby mode in which the pull-up resistor causes a logical high level of voltage at the second positive conductor when the control body and cartridge are uncoupled, and in which the electrical load is unpowered causes a logical low level of the voltage when the control body and cartridge are coupled. The microprocessor is configured to measure the voltage and control operation of functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Frisbee, Paul Stapleton, Milton G. Carawan, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Publication number: 20250076382
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
  • Patent number: 12233208
    Abstract: A control body and cartridge that are coupleable with one another to form an aerosol delivery device are provided. The control body comprises a control component and an RFID reader contained within at least one housing. The cartridge comprises at least one heating element and an RFID tag contained within at least one housing. The RFID reader of the control body is coupled to the control component of the control body and configured to communicate with the RFID tag of the cartridge upon coupling of the control body with the cartridge. The control component of the control body is configured to authorize the cartridge for use with the control body based at least in part on communication between the RFID reader and the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson Christopher Lamb, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Terrence E. Rogers, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Publication number: 20240424234
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device comprising a control component and a communication interface is provided. The control component controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in instances in which a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least one housing is detected. The communication interface is coupled to the control component and enables wireless communication. The control component further detects a predefined trigger, and automatically in response thereto, causes the communication interface to broadcast availability of the aerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wireless device. The predefined trigger includes at least one instance in which the flow of air is detected, and excludes user-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Glen Joseph Kimsey, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 12174255
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Allen Michael East, Raymond C. Henry, William Robert Collett
  • Publication number: 20240390614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device including a shell that is divided into a first half and a second half along a longitudinal axis thereof. One or more batteries may be positioned within the shell along with a battery lead that provides an electrical connection to battery terminals. A base unit may be included and may have electrical contacts for matching with a battery terminal and the battery lead. The base unit can include one or both of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a pressure sensor. The shell can attach to a cartridge housing a reservoir for an aerosol-forming composition, a heater; a liquid transport element configured for transport of the aerosol forming composition between the reservoir and the heater; and heater terminals. Such construct can provide for simplified assembly of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, Matthew C. Ebbs, Frank S. Silveira
  • Publication number: 20240358084
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing, microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor and microprocessor. The MEMS-based sensor is within the housing and configured to detect a pressure on the MEMS-based sensor caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing. The MEMS-based sensor is configured to convert the pressure to an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. The microprocessor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the MEMS-based sensor, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: WILSON CHRISTOPHER LAMB, FREDERIC PHILIPPE AMPOLINI, SR., RAYMOND CHARLES HENRY, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240292891
    Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
  • Patent number: 12076482
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device including a shell that is divided into a first half and a second half along a longitudinal axis thereof. One or more batteries may be positioned within the shell along with a battery lead that provides an electrical connection to battery terminals. A base unit may be included and may have electrical contacts for matching with a battery terminal and the battery lead. The base unit can include one or both of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a pressure sensor. The shell can attach to a cartridge housing a reservoir for an aerosol-forming composition, a heater; a liquid transport element configured for transport of the aerosol forming composition between the reservoir and the heater; and heater terminals. Such construct can provide for simplified assembly of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, Matthew C. Ebbs, Frank S. Silveira
  • Publication number: 20240277951
    Abstract: A container for refilling an aerosol delivery device includes a housing storing an aerosol precursor composition. An adapter coupled to the housing is removably, sealably connectable with the aerosol delivery device for refilling with aerosol precursor composition, and includes a valve engageable with the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device defines separate and distinct filling and airflow ports, the filling port for transfer of aerosol precursor composition into the aerosol delivery device during refilling, wherein the airflow port is closed by the valve to prevent passing of the aerosol precursor composition therethrough, and the airflow port for a flow of air through the aerosol delivery device when the valve and aerosol delivery device are disengaged. A cap is removably coupled to the housing over the adapter, the cap being a removal-resistant cap including two tabs, the simultaneous pressing of which allows the removal-resistant cap to turn and be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: John Brice O'Brien, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, James William Rogers
  • Publication number: 20240269400
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Jason L. Wood, Alan Curtis Billings
  • Patent number: 12059039
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing, microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor and microprocessor. The MEMS-based sensor is within the housing and configured to detect a pressure on the MEMS-based sensor caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing. The MEMS-based sensor is configured to convert the pressure to an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. The microprocessor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the MEMS-based sensor, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson Christopher Lamb, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Sr., Raymond Charles Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12016384
    Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
  • Patent number: 11998686
    Abstract: A contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device is provided. The contained liquid system includes an aerosol delivery device having an adapter therein for receiving aerosol precursor composition within a reservoir of the aerosol delivery device, and a container of aerosol precursor composition having a corresponding adapter therein for transferring aerosol precursor composition from the container. The adapter and the corresponding adapter are removably, sealably connectable for refilling the aerosol delivery device with aerosol precursor composition. The adapter engages a valve of the corresponding adapter and includes a body defining separate and distinct filling airflow ports. The filling port transfers aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device. The airflow port enables a flow of air through at least the portion of the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Brice O'Brien, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, James William Rogers
  • Patent number: 11992607
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Jason L. Wood, Alan Curtis Billings
  • Publication number: 20240108076
    Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, JR., Allen Michael East
  • Publication number: 20240108078
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a user interface including a pushbutton and a display. A control component contained coupled to the user interface controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device. The control component controls the display to present a menu including a plurality of menu items selectable using only the pushbutton. Each menu item of the plurality of menu items is associated with a respective functional element of the aerosol delivery device, and the control component is configured to navigate the plurality of menu items, and select a currently-presented menu item of the plurality of menu items for control of the respective functional element, in response to respective first and second types of presses of the pushbutton, the first and second types of presses being of different durations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Henry, JR., Glen Joseph Kimsey, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, James William Rogers
  • Publication number: 20240090585
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson