Patents by Inventor Michael F. A. Davis

Michael F. A. Davis 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: 20220313928
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device that includes a reservoir housing that defines a mouthpiece channel. The aerosol delivery device includes a sealing member configured to be received within the reservoir housing to define a reservoir chamber configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition therein. The aerosol delivery device also includes a substrate member that is configured to be received within the reservoir housing and to be directly engaged with a vaporizing assembly for forming an aerosol. The reservoir housing, sealing member, substrate member, and/or vaporizing assembly can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Taylor Hunt, Timothy Brian Nestor, Paul Andrew Brinkley, Stephen Benson Sears, John DePiano, Matthew C. Ebbs, Kristen Dodds Weight, Michael F. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220264932
    Abstract: The disclosure provides liquid aerosol precursor compositions adapted for use in an aerosol delivery device, comprising two or more organic acids. For example, one such composition includes: at least one aerosol former, nicotine, benzoic acid, lactic acid, and levulinic acid, wherein benzoic acid is present in a molar ratio of benzoic acid to nicotine of at least 0.15, wherein lactic acid is present in a molar ratio of lactic acid to nicotine of at least 0.2, and wherein levulinic acid is present in a molar ratio of levulinic acid to nicotine of at least 0.12. The disclosure further provides devices and kits incorporating such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Karen V. Taluskie, James N. Figlar, Michael F. Davis, Kathryn Wilberding, Carolyn Garnett
  • Patent number: 11412781
    Abstract: Adapters for refilling an aerosol delivery device are provided. The adapters comprise a body having a container-side end and an opposing, device-side end that are sealably connectable with respectively a container of aerosol precursor composition and an aerosol delivery device having a refillable reservoir. The body defines a passageway between the ends for transfer of aerosol precursor composition from the container into the refillable reservoir. In one adapter, the container-side end is configured to engage a valve of the container during refilling of the reservoir, and thereby defines separate and distinct filling and mating ports. In another adapter, the device-side end includes a valve configured to engage the aerosol delivery device during refilling of the reservoir in which the airflow port of the aerosol delivery device is closed by the valve to prevent the aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Percy D. Phillips, James William Rogers, Lisa E. Brown, James Demopolous
  • Publication number: 20220226303
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions that are useful in the delivery of various materials. In particular, the compositions comprise a suspension wherein an internal phase material is surrounded by an external phase material. The internal phase specifically can be a hydrophilic material, and the external phase specifically can be a hydrophobic material. The materials are combined so that the internal phase is substantially encapsulated by the external phase such that release can be controlled in relation to osmotic pressure differentials. The suspension can be combined with a carrier, and various systems and products can be formed with the suspension and optional carrier, such as oral strips, spray delivery systems, smokeless tobacco products, aerosol delivery devices, cigarettes, and packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: James William Rogers, Michael F. Davis, Percy D. Phillips, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Publication number: 20220218041
    Abstract: A control body is coupled or coupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with a heating element and contains an aerosol precursor composition, the control body and cartridge forming an aerosol delivery device. The control body includes a control to control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The proximity sensor detects a presence of an object nearby the control body without requiring any physical contact with the object. And the proximity sensor or control component controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response to the presence of the object so detected. In another aspect, a cartridge may include a proximity sensor to detect a level of the aerosol precursor composition, and operation of functional element(s) may be controlled in response to the level of the aerosol precursor composition so detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Rajesh Sur, Stephen B. Sears, Michael F. Davis
  • Patent number: 11382179
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides vapor-forming units for aerosol delivery devices, the vapor-forming units including a ceramic wick that is in contact with a heater and in contact with an aerosol precursor composition. The vapor-forming units are connectable to a power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Clemens, William Kevin Carpenter, Michael F. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220167669
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery system is provided, comprising a control body portion including a first elongate tubular member having a power source disposed therein. A cartridge body portion includes a second tubular member having opposed first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is removably engaged with one end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further comprises a first aerosol generation arrangement disposed within the second tubular member and configured to operably engage the power source upon engagement between the control body portion and the cartridge body portion. The other of the first and second ends of the cartridge body portion is configured as a mouth-engaging end. The cartridge body portion further includes a second aerosol generation arrangement disposed within the second tubular member between the first aerosol generation arrangement and the mouth-engaging end. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Taluskie, Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe
  • Publication number: 20220170210
    Abstract: A method of making a package including forming a moisture barrier coated paper material that includes a moisture barrier coated paper material including a base substrate, a first polymer coating, a second polymer coating, and a third polymer coating, the first polymer coating, the second polymer coating, and the third polymer coating applied over a first side of the base substrate, the first polymer coating, the second polymer coating, and the third polymer coating providing a barrier for moisture and air exchange through the paper material, the first polymer coating, the second polymer coating, and the third polymer coating providing heat and pressure sealability capabilities to the paper material, cutting a packaging blank from the paper material; folding the packaging blank into the package, and sealing the package by providing heat and pressure to overlapped portions of the paper material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Andries D. SEBASTIAN, Craig T. DEMAREST, Percy D. PHILLIPS, Michael F. DAVIS, Pankaj C. PATEL
  • Patent number: 11318125
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions that are useful in the delivery of various materials. In particular, the compositions comprise a suspension wherein an internal phase material is surrounded by an external phase material. The internal phase specifically can be a hydrophilic material, and the external phase specifically can be a hydrophobic material. The materials are combined so that the internal phase is substantially encapsulated by the external phase such that release can be controlled in relation to osmotic pressure differentials. The suspension can be combined with a carrier, and various systems and products can be formed with the suspension and optional carrier, such as oral strips, spray delivery systems, smokeless tobacco products, aerosol delivery devices, cigarettes, and packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: MODORAL BRANDS INC.
    Inventors: James William Rogers, Michael F. Davis, Percy D. Phillips, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Patent number: 11311688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a control body and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The control body may include a housing defining an electrical power source cavity that extends along a first longitudinal axis and is configured to receive an electrical power source. The control body may additionally include a coupler configured to engage a cartridge including an aerosol precursor composition such that the cartridge extends along a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis may be non-coaxial and oriented substantially parallel to one another. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy D. Phillips, Michael F. Davis, Nicholas H. Watson, Noah Mark Minskoff
  • Patent number: 11291252
    Abstract: A control body is coupled or coupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with a heating element and contains an aerosol precursor composition, the control body and cartridge forming an aerosol delivery device. The control body includes a control to control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The proximity sensor detects a presence of an object nearby the control body without requiring any physical contact with the object. And the proximity sensor or control component controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response to the presence of the object so detected. In another aspect, a cartridge may include a proximity sensor to detect a level of the aerosol precursor composition, and operation of functional element(s) may be controlled in response to the level of the aerosol precursor composition so detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Sur, Stephen B. Sears, Michael F. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220072243
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol production assembly. The aerosol production assembly may include a reservoir that contains an aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer that receives the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir and heats the aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. The aerosol production assembly may additionally include a body that directs the aerosol through an outlet. The body may include a surface including a micro-pattern that defines at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. The surface including the micro-pattern may not include a chemical coating that provides these properties. Rather, the surface may define a three-dimensional structure that provides hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial properties. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Michael F. Davis, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Patent number: 11268245
    Abstract: Provided herein is a cigarette pack formed of a moisture barrier coated paper material. The paper material includes a base substrate, a first polymer coating, a second polymer coating, and a third polymer coating. The first polymer coating, the second polymer coating, and the third polymer coating provide a barrier for moisture and air exchange through the paper material. The first polymer coating, the second polymer coating, and the third polymer coating also provide heat and pressure sealability capabilities to the paper material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Craig T. Demarest, Percy D. Phillips, Michael F. Davis, Pankaj C. Patel
  • Publication number: 20220061131
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery system is provided, comprising a control body portion including a first elongate tubular member having a power source disposed therein. A cartridge body portion includes a second tubular member having opposed first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is removably engaged with one end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further comprises a first aerosol generation arrangement disposed within the second tubular member and configured to operably engage the power source upon engagement between the control body portion and the cartridge body portion. A second aerosol generation arrangement is disposed between the first aerosol generation arrangement and a mouth-engaging end of the aerosol delivery system, the second aerosol generation arrangement being either removably engaged with the cartridge body portion or housed within the second tubular member of the cartridge body portion. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Taluskie, Michael F. Davis, Balager Ademe, Sawyer Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20220023555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Michael F. Davis, Karen V. Taluskie, Yi-ping Chang, Eric Taylor Hunt, Andries Don Sebastian
  • Patent number: 11207478
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol production assembly. The aerosol production assembly may include a reservoir that contains an aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer that receives the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir and heats the aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. The aerosol production assembly may additionally include a body that directs the aerosol through an outlet. The body may include a surface including a micro-pattern that defines at least one of hydrophobic and anti-microbial properties. The surface including the micro-pattern may not include a chemical coating that provides these properties. Rather, the surface may define a three-dimensional structure that provides hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial properties. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Michael F. Davis, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Publication number: 20210385909
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices configured for vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition through radiant heating. The radiant heat source may be a laser diode or further element suitable for providing electromagnetic radiation, and heating may be carried out within a radiation-trapping chamber. In some embodiments, an interior of such chamber may be configured as a black body or as a white body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Yi-ping Chang, Michael F. Davis, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Taluskie, Susan K. Pike
  • Publication number: 20210345658
    Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain chemical compounds in tobacco materials is provided, the method including treatment of a tobacco plant component with at least one probiotic. For example, the method may modify the asparagine content in tobacco materials, which can result in a modification in acrylamide production when the tobacco material is exposed to elevated temperatures. The type of tobacco plant component treated according to the invention can be a tobacco seed, a tobacco seedling, an immature live plant, a mature live plant, a harvested plant, or a portion thereof. Examples of probiotics include probiotic species of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Proionobacterium, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, and mixtures thereof. Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such probiotic-treated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Serban C. Moldoveanu, Michael F. Davis, Marvin Glenn Riddick
  • Patent number: 11160939
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Michael F. Davis, Karen V. Taluskie, Yi-Ping Chang, Eric Taylor Hunt, Andries Don Sebastian
  • Patent number: 11134544
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices configured for vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition through radiant heating. The radiant heat source may be a laser diode or further element suitable for providing electromagnetic radiation, and heating may be carried out within a radiation-trapping chamber. In some embodiments, an interior of such chamber may be configured as a black body or as a white body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Ping Chang, Michael F. Davis, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Taluskie, Susan K. Pike