Patents by Inventor Gerd Kobal
Gerd Kobal 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: 11953354Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: David B. Kane, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
-
Patent number: 11930856Abstract: A method, system, device, and/or non-transitory computer readable medium for performing age verification, the device including a memory having stored thereon computer readable instructions, and processing circuitry configured to execute the computer readable instructions to cause the device to, receive identity verification information from an adult vaper, determine a personal profile corresponding to the adult vaper based on the identity verification information, and enable operation of an electronic vaping device based on the received identity verification information and the personal profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Timo Engelke, Ulrich Bockholt
-
Patent number: 11904086Abstract: A dispersion device includes a first dispersion generating system, a second dispersion generating system and an outlet end element including a first outlet corresponding to the first dispersion generating system and a second outlet corresponding to the second dispersion generating system.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Buket Sahin, Gerd Kobal, Qiang Wang, Christopher S. Tucker
-
Publication number: 20240023611Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables simultaneous vaporization of different pre-vapor formulations to form a vapor for vaping by an adult vaper. The cartridge includes a dispensing interface coupled to a plurality of reservoirs and a heater coupled to the dispensing interface in a housing. The dispensing interface may include a trunk and separate roots extending into separate reservoirs, such that the dispensing interface draws different pre-vapor formulations from the reservoirs to the trunk via the separate roots. The heater is coupled to the trunk, such that the heater is operable to simultaneously vaporize the different pre-vapor formulations drawn into the trunk.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Ali ROSTAMI, Christopher S. TUCKER, David KANE, Peter LIPOWICZ, Georgios KARLES, Gerd KOBAL, Yezdi PITHAWALLA
-
Publication number: 20240017025Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables separate vapors to be formed proximate to separate, respective ends of the cartridge. The cartridge includes multiple reservoirs and separate vaporizer assemblies coupled to separate reservoirs on opposite ends of the reservoirs. The separate reservoirs may hold separate pre-vapor formulations. The separate vaporizer assemblies may draw separate pre-vapor formulations from separate reservoirs towards opposite ends of the cartridge and vaporize the separate pre-vapor formulations via operation of separate heaters proximate to the separate ends. The separate heaters may be independently controlled to independently control vapor formation at the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to independently control vapor formation rates proximate to the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to form separate vapors at least one of simultaneously, concurrently, and at different times.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Ali ROSTAMI, Christopher S. TUCKER, David KANE, Peter LIPOWICZ, Georgios KARLES, Gerd KOBAL, Yezdi PITHAWALLA
-
Publication number: 20230354908Abstract: A base for an e-vaping device is configured to couple with multiple cartridges configured to generate separate, respective dispersions. The cartridges may include one or more atomizer assemblies or vaporizer assemblies. The base may include multiple connectors electrically coupled to the power supply. The connectors may be configured to couple multiple dispersion generators to a power supply of the base. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by dispersion generators coupled to the base. The control circuitry may independently control dispersion generation by the first and second cartridges based on cartridge information accessed through at least one of the first and second connectors. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the dispersion generators.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Ali A. ROSTAMI, Gerd KOBAL, Yezdi PITHAWALLA, David KANE, Christopher S. TUCKER, Peter LIPOWICZ, Jason FLORA, Georgios KARLES, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Catherine BARNES, Richard ARENA
-
Publication number: 20230354877Abstract: A cartridge may include a housing, a liquid supply reservoir in the housing and configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer, and a porous plug. The vaporizer may be in liquid communication with the liquid supply reservoir. The vaporizer may be configured to generate a vapor from heating a portion of the pre-vapor formulation. The porous plug may be connected to the housing and separated from the liquid supply reservoir. The porous plug may be permeable to the vapor. The porous plug may enclose a flavoring additive contacting a storage material. The flavoring additive may be configured to at least partially elute from the storage material or at least partially volatilize from the storage material if the vapor flows through the porous plug. An e-vaping device may include the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Gerd KOBAL, San LI, Peter LIPOWICZ
-
Patent number: 11779712Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables separate vapors to be formed proximate to separate, respective ends of the cartridge. The cartridge includes multiple reservoirs and separate vaporizer assemblies coupled to separate reservoirs on opposite ends of the reservoirs. The separate reservoirs may hold separate pre-vapor formulations. The separate vaporizer assemblies may draw separate pre-vapor formulations from separate reservoirs towards opposite ends of the cartridge and vaporize the separate pre-vapor formulations via operation of separate heaters proximate to the separate ends. The separate heaters may be independently controlled to independently control vapor formation at the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to independently control vapor formation rates proximate to the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to form separate vapors at least one of simultaneously, concurrently, and at different times.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Ali Rostami, Christopher S. Tucker, David Kane, Peter Lipowicz, Georgios Karles, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla
-
Patent number: 11779055Abstract: A base for an e-vaping device is configured to couple with multiple cartridges configured to generate separate, respective dispersions. The cartridges may include one or more atomizer assemblies or vaporizer assemblies. The base may include multiple connectors electrically coupled to the power supply. The connectors may be configured to couple multiple dispersion generators to a power supply of the base. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by dispersion generators coupled to the base. The control circuitry may independently control dispersion generation by the first and second cartridges based on cartridge information accessed through at least one of the first and second connectors. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the dispersion generators.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Ali A. Rostami, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla, David Kane, Christopher S. Tucker, Peter Lipowicz, Jason Flora, Georgios Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra, Catherine Barnes, Richard Arena
-
Publication number: 20230243679Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: David B KANE, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
-
Publication number: 20230173199Abstract: A dispersion device includes a first dispersion generating system, a second dispersion generating system and an outlet end element including a first outlet corresponding to the first dispersion generating system and a second outlet corresponding to the second dispersion generating system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Buket SAHIN, Gerd KOBAL, Qiang WANG, Christopher S. TUCKER
-
Publication number: 20230121049Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge in includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and one or more additives in the soluble-fiber matrix. A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge can include maltodextrin. The soluble fiber lozenge is adapted to release one or more additives from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of a consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making soluble fiber lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, one or more additives, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of soluble fiber lozenges.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE, Gerd KOBAL
-
Patent number: 11629981Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: David B. Kane, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
-
Patent number: 11607506Abstract: A dispersion device includes a first dispersion generating system, a second dispersion generating system and an outlet end element including a first outlet corresponding to the first dispersion generating system and a second outlet corresponding to the second dispersion generating system.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Buket Sahin, Gerd Kobal, Qiang Wang, Christopher S. Tucker
-
Publication number: 20230074150Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and an additive dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the additive from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Gerd Kobal
-
Patent number: 11554099Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and one or more additives dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The soluble fiber lozenge is adapted to release one or more additives from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of a consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making soluble fiber lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, one or more additives, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of soluble fiber lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
-
Patent number: 11541001Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and an additive dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the additive from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Gerd Kobal
-
Publication number: 20220361555Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product includes nicotine and camphor dissolved in a non-flavored oily carrier. Preferably, the camphor is present in a concentration ranging from about 600 ppm to about 1300 ppm. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Gerd KOBAL, Prasad POLUR, Maria GOGOVA, Diana MCKINNEY
-
Publication number: 20220273020Abstract: A liquid aerosol formulation for an electronic smoking article includes an aerosol former, water, nicotine, and an acid including tartaric acid. The acid is included in an amount sufficient to provide the liquid aerosol formulation with a pH ranging from about 4 to about 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Peter LIPOWICZ, Pauline MARCQ, Gerd KOBAL, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Georgios D. KARLES, San LI
-
Publication number: 20220264942Abstract: The method including first establishing a first airflow in a first passage of an e-vaping cartridge, the first passage including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, a first air inlet in communication with the first portion, a heater in communication with the second portion, the second portion being between the first portion and the third portion, and second establishing a second airflow in a second passage of the e-vaping cartridge, the second passage being in communication with the third portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: San LI, Eric HAWES, Raymond LAU, Robert ARENTS, Gerd KOBAL