Patents by Inventor Michel THORENS
Michel THORENS 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: 20230263231Abstract: A cartridge for an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system is provided, the system including an aerosol-generating device, the cartridge configured to be used with the device, the device including a device housing defining a cavity to receive the cartridge, an inductor coil around or adjacent to the cavity, and a power supply connected to the coil and to provide a high-frequency oscillating current; the cartridge including: a cartridge housing to engage the device housing and containing an aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge housing having an external surface, at least part of which is formed by a fluid permeable susceptor element that is electrically isolated from any other electrically conductive components; a first capillary material in the cartridge housing in contact with the susceptor element; and a second capillary material in the cartridge housing in contact with the first material, the first material having a higher thermal decomposition temperature than the second material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK, Michel THORENS
-
Publication number: 20230226289Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a storage portion to store an aerosol-forming substrate and having an outer housing and an internal passageway, the storage portion forming a reservoir for the substrate between the outer housing and the internal passageway; a vaporizer being at least partially inside the internal passageway; and a porous interface at least partially lining the internal passageway to convey the substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer, the device being electrically operated and the vaporizer including an electric heater to heat the substrate, the heater including first and second cylindrical electrical connection portions, and a cylindrical heating filament between the first and the second portions, the first and the second portions being in the form of hollow tubes, the cylindrical shape of the first and the second portions and the filament defining a cylindrical bore with an air flow route therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Flavien DUBIEF, Olivier COCHAND, Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Yvan DEGOUMOIS
-
Publication number: 20230200446Abstract: A cartridge is provided for an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating device, the cartridge configured to be used with the device, the aerosol-generating device including: a device housing, an inductor coil positioned on or within the housing, and a power supply connected to the inductor coil and configured to provide a high-frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil; and the cartridge including: a cartridge housing containing an aerosol-forming substrate and a fluid-permeable susceptor element positioned to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming substrate being a liquid at room temperature and being configured to form a meniscus across a surface of the fluid-permeable susceptor element, and a mouthpiece portion having an outlet through which aerosol generated by the system can be drawn into a user's mouth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Michel THORENS, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK
-
Patent number: 11638793Abstract: An aerosol generating device is provided, including a storage portion to store an aerosol-forming substrate and having an outer housing and an internal passageway, the portion forming a reservoir for the substrate between the housing and the passageway; a vaporizer including an electric heater to heat the substrate to form an aerosol, the vaporizer at least partially inside the passageway; and a porous interface at least partially lining the passageway to convey the substrate towards the vaporizer, the device being electrically operated, the heater including first and second electrical connection portions, and a heating filament therebetween, a cylindrical shape of the connection portions and the filament define a cylindrical bore, an air flow route is defined through the bore, and the first connection portion being a first cylindrical electrical connection portion, the second connection portion being a second cylindrical electrical connection portion, and the filament being a cylindrical heating element.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
-
Patent number: 11632827Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a heater assembly for an aerosol generating system, including providing a flexible wick; applying tension to the flexible wick; assembling a heating element around the flexible wick; and releasing the tension from the flexible wick.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Alexis Louvet, Yvan Degoumois, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20230113967Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one electric heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The heater includes a heating element of a first cross section electrically connected to a plurality of elongate support elements. Each support element has a cross section greater than the first cross section. At least one of the support elements is integrally formed with the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Patent number: 11617396Abstract: There is provided a cartridge for use in an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating device, the cartridge configured to be used with the device, wherein the device includes a device housing, an inductor coil positioned on or within the housing, and a power supply connected to the inductor coil and configured to provide a high frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil, the cartridge including a cartridge housing containing an aerosol-forming substrate and a ferrite mesh susceptor element positioned to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Michel Thorens, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik
-
Patent number: 11606979Abstract: A cartridge is provided for an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, the cartridge including: an aerosol-forming substrate including a liquid held in a capillary material; and a susceptor element including first and second fluid-permeable portions, the first fluid-permeable portion being disposed on a first side of the capillary material, and the second fluid-permeable portion being disposed on a second side of the capillary material opposite to the first side such that the capillary material is located in between the first and the second fluid-permeable portions of the susceptor element, the susceptor element being electrically isolated from other electrically conductive components. A heater assembly for an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, and an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2022Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Michel Thorens
-
Publication number: 20230085097Abstract: The method includes defining a duct within a capillary medium, first forming an air impingement structure, the air impingement structure including electrically conductive filaments, and connecting a first surface of the capillary medium to a second surface of the air impingement structure to form an assembly, a first end of the duct abutting the second surface, at least one first portion of the air impingement structure extending into the first surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
-
Publication number: 20230031058Abstract: The method includes defining a duct within a capillary medium, forming an air impingement surface that defines a first opening, the air impingement surface including electrically conductive filaments, and connecting the air impingement surface to a first surface of the capillary medium to form an assembly, at least one first portion of the air impingement surface extending into the first surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS
-
Publication number: 20230014502Abstract: A heated aerosol-generating article for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device includes an outlet end and a distal end. The article may include a heat diffuser at the distal end of the article. The article may include an aerosol-forming substrate between the heat diffuser and the outlet end. The heat diffuser may include a non-combustible porous body configured to absorb heat from an electric heating element such that the heat diffuser is configured to heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the outlet end based on the heat absorbed in the porous body. The heated aerosol-generating article may be included in a heated aerosol-generating system that includes an electric heating element configured to generate heat. The heat diffuser may heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating system, based on absorbing heat generated by the electric heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS
-
Patent number: 11516889Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one electric heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The heater includes a heating element of a first cross section electrically connected to a plurality of elongate support elements. Each support element has a cross section greater than the first cross section. At least one of the support elements is integrally formed with the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris USA, Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20220347402Abstract: An aerosol-generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate is provided, the aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-forming chamber; and leakage prevention cavity configured to prevent or reduce leakage of liquid aerosol condensate from the aerosol-generating system, the cavity being in a wall of the aerosol-forming chamber and being configured to collect liquid condensate formed from the aerosol-forming substrate, and in which the cavity is in a form of an annular groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Olivier Yves COCHAND, Flavien DUBIEF
-
Patent number: 11484061Abstract: The e-vaping system includes a storage portion with a housing holding a pre-vapor formulation and a capillary medium, the housing defining a first opening. The e-vaping system further includes a heater assembly that is fluid permeable, the heater assembly including electrically conductive filaments arranged to define an air impingement surface, the electrically conductive filaments forming a mesh, the heater assembly extending across the first opening of the housing. The capillary medium is in contact with the heater assembly, where the capillary medium is configured to draw the pre-vapor formulation to the electrically conductive filaments. The capillary medium defines a second opening allowing an airflow to pass through the capillary medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
-
Patent number: 11464258Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a liquid storage portion including housing holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and a capillary medium. The housing has an opening. A fluid permeable heater assembly includes an arrangement of electrically conductive filaments arranged to define an air impingement surface. The fluid permeable heater assembly extends across the opening of the housing. The filament arrangement defines a filament opening allowing airflow to pass through. The capillary medium is provided in contact with the heater assembly. The capillary medium is configured to draw the liquid aerosol forming substrate to the electrically conductive filament arrangement. The capillary medium includes a capillary medium opening extending the filament opening through the capillary medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
-
Patent number: 11406772Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes an aerosol-forming chamber, and a leakage preventer for preventing or reducing leakage of liquid aerosol condensate from the aerosol generating system. The leakage preventer may include one or more of: at least one cavity in a wall of the aerosol-forming chamber, for collecting droplets of condensed liquid aerosol-forming substrate; at least one hooked member for collecting droplets of condensed liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an impactor for disrupting airflow in the aerosol-forming chamber so as to collect liquid droplets; and a closure member for substantially sealing the aerosol-forming chamber when the aerosol generating system is not in use.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20220218034Abstract: A cartridge is provided for an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, the cartridge including: an aerosol-forming substrate including a liquid held in a capillary material; and a susceptor element including first and second fluid-permeable portions, the first fluid-permeable portion being disposed on a first side of the capillary material, and the second fluid-permeable portion being disposed on a second side of the capillary material opposite to the first side such that the capillary material is located in between the first and the second fluid-permeable portions of the susceptor element, the susceptor element being electrically isolated from other electrically conductive components. A heater assembly for an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, and an electrically heatable aerosol-generating system, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK, Michel THORENS
-
Patent number: 11311051Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge configured to be removably coupled with the device, the device including a device housing comprising a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge when the device housing is engaged with the device housing, an inductor coil disposed around or adjacent to the cavity, and a power supply connected to the inductor coil and configured to provide a high frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil; and the cartridge including a cartridge housing configured to engage the device housing and containing an aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge housing having an external surface surrounding the aerosol-forming substrate, at least a portion of the external surface being formed by a fluid permeable susceptor element configured to allow the aerosol-forming substrate, in liquid phase, to permeate therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Michel Thorens
-
Publication number: 20220031971Abstract: The method includes defining a cavity within a housing of a vapor-generating article, the vapor-generating article having a first end, a second end and a middle section, first inserting at least one portion of a retention medium within the housing between the first end and the middle section, and second inserting a first frangible capsule to be near or at least partially within the retention medium, the first frangible capsule including a first volatile substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS
-
Publication number: 20220015431Abstract: An electrically heatable aerosol-generating system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge, the cartridge including: a cartridge housing including an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being disposed within the outer wall and defining an internal passage through which air can flow, the inner and outer walls defining a hollow space therebetween, an aerosol-forming substrate contained within the space, and a susceptor element; and the device including: a device housing defining a cavity to receive at least a portion of the cartridge, an inductor coil positioned in the device housing around or adjacent to the cavity and positioned outside of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the cavity, and a power supply connected to the coil and to provide a high-frequency oscillating current to the coil, such that a magnetic field generated by the coil causes generation of heat in the susceptor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Michel THORENS, lhar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK