Patents by Inventor Kent B. Koller

Kent B. Koller 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: 20190307175
    Abstract: 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 removably couple with various cartridges. Different cartridges may be interchangeably coupled with the connectors. Different cartridges may be swapped from the connectors. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by cartridges coupled to the base. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the cartridges. The control circuitry may control electrical power supplied based on information accessed from one or more of the cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. Rostami, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla, David Kane, Christopher S. Tucker, Peter Lipowicz, Jason Flora, Georgios Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra, Kent B. Koller, Catherine Barnes, Richard Arena
  • Patent number: 10357060
    Abstract: 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 removably couple with various cartridges. Different cartridges may be interchangeably coupled with the connectors. Different cartridges may be swapped from the connectors. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by cartridges coupled to the base. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the cartridges. The control circuitry may control electrical power supplied based on information accessed from one or more of the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. Rostami, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla, David Kane, Christopher S. Tucker, Peter Lipowicz, Jason Flora, Georgios Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra, Kent B. Koller, Catherine Barnes, Richard Arena
  • Publication number: 20190183184
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a heater and a liquid aerosol formulation. The heater is a coil heater. The liquid aerosol formulation includes at least one aerosol former, optionally water, nicotine and phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid is included in an amount sufficient to substantially abate corrosion of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Kent B. KOLLER
  • Patent number: 10251422
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a heater and a liquid aerosol formulation. The heater is a coil heater. The liquid aerosol formulation includes at least one aerosol former, optionally water, nicotine and phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid is included in an amount sufficient to substantially abate corrosion of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Kent B. Koller
  • Publication number: 20170258139
    Abstract: 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 removably couple with various cartridges. Different cartridges may be interchangeably coupled with the connectors. Different cartridges may be swapped from the connectors. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by cartridges coupled to the base. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the cartridges. The control circuitry may control electrical power supplied based on information accessed from one or more of the cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Ali A. ROSTAMI, Gerd KOBAL, Yezdi PITHAWALLA, David KANE, Christopher S. TUCKER, Peter LIPOWICZ, Jason FLORA, George KARLES, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Kent B. KOLLER, Catherine BARNES, Richard ARENA
  • Publication number: 20150335063
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on high surface area support particles. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a metal precursor solution with high surface area support particles to form a mixture, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution to form a mixture, and then heat treating the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Sarojini DEEVI, Kent B. KOLLER
  • Publication number: 20150313275
    Abstract: A liquid aerosol formulation for an electronic smoking article includes an aerosol former, optionally water, nicotine, and an acid. The acid can include one or more of pyruvic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconitic acid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, decanoic acid, 3,7-diemthyl-6-octenoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoic acid, 3-hexenoic acid, trans-2-hexenoic acid, isobutyric acid, lauric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylvaleric acid, myristic acid, nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-pentenoic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Adam N. ANDERSON, Pauline MARCQ, Gerd KOBAL, Mark RUSYNIAK, Kent B. KOLLER, San LI, Yevgeniya V. PREPELITSKAYA, Niti H. SHAH
  • Patent number: 9107452
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on high surface area support particles. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a metal precursor solution with high surface area support particles to form a mixture, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution to form a mixture, and then heat treating the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Sarojini Deevi, Kent B. Koller
  • Publication number: 20150020830
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a heater and a liquid aerosol formulation. The heater is a coil heater. The liquid aerosol formulation includes at least one aerosol former, optionally water, nicotine and phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid is included in an amount sufficient to substantially abate corrosion of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Kent B. Koller
  • Patent number: 8408216
    Abstract: Flavor carriers, smoking articles, method of making flavor carriers, methods of making smoking articles, methods of flavoring gas streams such as mainstream tobacco smoke and methods of smoking are provided. The flavor carriers and smoking articles comprise a mesoporous molecular sieve and a flavor releasably disposed within the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jay A Fournier, Kent B. Koller, Jose G. Nepomuceno
  • Patent number: 7997282
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 7914622
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a cylinder of smoking material having at least one hollow tube having a heat conductive wall within the cylinder of smoking material and a filter system attached to the cylinder of smoking material. The filter system includes an adsorbent material therein. The at least one hollow tube extends from within the cylinder of smoking material through the adsorbent material. At least one flavorant material is retained within the at least one hollow tube, and upon exposure to heat from the heat conductive wall of the hollow tube the flavorant material releases a flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Xue, Liqun Yu, Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Kent B. Koller
  • Patent number: 7832412
    Abstract: A surface-modified adsorbent comprises a reagent on a porous carrier. Preferred porous carriers are adsorbent carbons such as activated carbon, silica gels, aluminas, polyester resins, zeolites or zeolite-like materials, and mixtures thereof. Preferred reagents are 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (2-HMP) or a 2-HMP analogue. Surface modified adsorbents can be incorporated into cigarettes, preferably in an amount effective to reduce the concentration of one or more constituents of cigarette smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Phillip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin L. Xue, Kent B. Koller
  • Patent number: 7784471
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 7784470
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose M. G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Publication number: 20100175703
    Abstract: A process of impregnating fine adsorbent particles such as carbon dust or APS silica gel powder into the micro-cavities of shaped fibers comprises the steps of continuously conveying shaped fibers with micro-cavities to a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. The fibers pass through the reservoir to thereby produce relative motion between the fibers and the particles. Additionally, impact forces are created between the shaped fibers and the fine particles to assist in impregnating the particles into the micro-cavities of the fibers. Any excess particles are removed from the fibers outside the reservoir, and subsequently the shaped fibers impregnated with fine adsorbent particles are collected for later use in filter applications such as cigarette filter and air filter applications, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Luke Xue, Kent B. Koller, Qiong Gao, Tim Sherwood, Charles E. Thomas, George R. Scott, Liqun Yu
  • Patent number: 7243658
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of nanoscale particle composite catalysts capable of acting as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The nanoscale composite catalyst comprises metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on nanoscale support particles. The nanoscale composite catalyst can be prepared by forming a mixture by combining nanoscale particles with a colloidal solution, a metal precursor solution with nanoscale particles, or a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution, and then heat-treating the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Sarojini Deevi, Kent B. Koller
  • Patent number: 7165553
    Abstract: A smoking article composition and a method of making a smoking article composition comprising tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material further comprising a catalyst capable of converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, wherein the catalyst comprises nanoscale catalyst particles dispersed within a porous aluminosilicate matrix. The catalyst can be formed by combining nanoscale catalyst particles or a metal precursor solution thereof with an alumina-silica sol mixture to form a slurry, gelling the slurry to form the co-gel, heating the co-gel to form a catalyst comprising nanoscale catalyst particles dispersed within a porous aluminosilicate matrix. The catalyst can be incorporated in tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material by spraying, dusting and/or immersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Jay A Fournier, Sarojini Deevi, Ila Skinner, Kent B. Koller, Diane L. Gee
  • Patent number: 6919105
    Abstract: A process of retaining fine adsorbent particles such as carbon material or APS silica gel in the micro-cavities of a shaped fiber comprises the steps of continuously conveying a shaped fiber with micro-cavities to a charging arrangement where the fiber is electrostatically charged. The electrostatically charged fiber is then drawn through a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. As the fiber passes through the reservoir the fine particles adhere to the fiber and the micro-cavities thereof. Any excess particles are removed from the fiber outside the reservoir. Subsequently the shaped fiber loaded with fine adsorbent particles is collected for use in filter applications of one type or another such as cigarette filters, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Luke Xue, Kent B. Koller, Qiong Gao
  • Patent number: 6913784
    Abstract: A process of impregnating fine adsorbent particles such as carbon dust or APS silica gel powder into the micro-cavities of shaped fibers comprises the steps of continuously conveying shaped fibers with micro-cavities to a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. The fibers pass through the reservoir to thereby produce relative motion between the fibers and the particles. Additionally, impact forces are created between the shaped fibers and the fine particles to assist in impregnating the particles into the micro-cavities of the fibers. Any excess particles are removed from the fibers outside the reservoir, and subsequently the shaped fibers impregnated with fine adsorbent particles are collected for later use in filter applications such as cigarette filter and air filter applications, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Luke Xue, Kent B. Koller, Qiong Gao, Tim Sherwood, Charles E. Thomas, George R. Scott, Liqun Yu