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).
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Patent number: 10952472Abstract: A heat diffuser for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device is configured to be removably coupled to the aerosol-generating device. The heat diffuser includes a non-combustible porous body configured to absorb heat from an electric heating element. The porous body is formed from a heat storage material such that, in use, air drawn through the porous body is heated by the heat absorbed by and stored in the porous body. Example embodiments also provide heated aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system, both comprising the heat diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20210076739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Flavien DUBIEF, Olivier COCHAND, Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Yvan DEGOUMOIS
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Publication number: 20210052004Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Michel THORENS, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK
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Patent number: 10918135Abstract: A heat diffuser for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device is configured to be removably coupled to the aerosol-generating device. The heat diffuser includes a non-combustible porous body for absorbing heat from an electric heating element. The porous body is thermally conductive such that, in use, air drawn through the porous body is heated by the heat absorbed by the porous body. Example embodiments also provide a heated aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system, both comprising the heat diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20210022408Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK, Michel THORENS
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Publication number: 20210007397Abstract: A refillable heated aerosol-generating article for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device has an outlet end for insertion into a user's mouth during use, and a distal end upstream from the outlet end. The article includes a refillable liquid retention section and an aerosol-generation section located within a casing. The refillable liquid retention section includes a liquid retention medium, and the aerosol-generation section is located downstream of the refillable liquid retention section. The liquid retention medium has a capacity to absorb up to 35 microliters of liquid. The article is configured such that, during use, air can be drawn through the article from the distal end to the end, passing through the refillable liquid retention section. The article defines an opening or port for allowing the refillable liquid retention section to be charged with liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS
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Patent number: 10881149Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, including a storage portion for storing the aerosol-forming substrate and a vaporizer for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The storage portion has an outer housing and an internal passageway, the storage portion forming a reservoir for the aerosol-forming substrate between the outer housing and the internal passageway, and the vaporizer extends at least partially inside the internal passageway in the storage portion. The device further includes a porous interface at least partially lining the internal passageway for conveying the aerosol-forming substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
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Patent number: 10869501Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a heater assembly for an aerosol-generating system, including providing a flexible wick; coupling a rigid support element to the wick; assembling a heating element around the rigid support; and removing the rigid support. There is also provided a method of manufacturing a heater assembly for an aerosol-generating system, including providing a flexible wick; applying tension to the wick; assembling a heating element around the wick; and releasing the tension from the wick.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Alexis Louvet, Yvan Degoumois, Flavien Dubief
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Patent number: 10856576Abstract: 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: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Michel Thorens, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik
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Patent number: 10834972Abstract: 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: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg Mironov, Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik, Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20200352251Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Alexis LOUVET, Yvan DEGOUMOIS, Flavien DUBIEF
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Patent number: 10820632Abstract: A refillable heated aerosol-generating article for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device has an outlet end for insertion into a user's mouth during use, and a distal end upstream from the outlet end. The article includes a refillable liquid retention section and an aerosol-generation section located within a casing. The refillable liquid retention section includes a liquid retention medium, and the aerosol-generation section is located downstream of the refillable liquid retention section. The liquid retention medium has a capacity to absorb up to 35 microliters of liquid. The article is configured such that, during use, air can be drawn through the article from the distal end to the end, passing through the refillable liquid retention section. The article defines an opening or port for allowing the refillable liquid retention section to be charged with liquid.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20200323268Abstract: A smoking system includes a capillary wick for holding liquid, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and a chamber between the air inlet and air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet and the chamber are arranged so as to define an air flow route from the air inlet to the air outlet via the capillary wick so as to convey aerosol formed from the liquid to the air outlet. The smoking system further includes at least one guide for channeling the air flow in the air flow route, so as to control particle size in the aerosol. The smoking system optionally includes at least one heater for heating the liquid in at least a portion of the capillary wick to form the aerosol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Olivier Yves COCHAND, Flavien DUBIEF
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Publication number: 20200237008Abstract: 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: April 15, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS
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Patent number: 10721963Abstract: An aerosol delivery system for delivering aerosolised medicament particles to a user is provided, including a cartridge and a device configured to receive the cartridge. The cartridge includes a first compartment including a delivery enhancing compound source; a second compartment including a medicament source; a vaporiser configured to heat the medicament; and a transfer element configured to convey the medicament from the second compartment to the vaporiser. The device includes an outer housing; a power source; a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the first compartment; and electronic circuitry configured to control power to the temperature controller from the power source. The electronic circuitry is configured to maintain the first compartment at a temperature of between about 30° C. and about 50° C.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Olivier Cochand
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Patent number: 10687556Abstract: A smoking article includes a housing having a mouthpiece and configured to receive a nicotine-containing aerosol generating substance. The smoking article also includes control electronics configured to control delivery of an amount of nicotine-containing aerosol from the nicotine-containing aerosol generating substrate through the mouthpiece. The smoking article further includes a nicotine metabolite sensor positioned at the mouth piece and operably coupled to the control electronics. The sensor is positioned such that when a smoker places their lips in contact with the mouthpiece the sensor can detect an amount or concentration of a nicotine metabolite in the smoker's saliva. The smoking article can store or report data regarding the amount of nicotine metabolite detected by the sensor to, for example, the smoker. In addition or alternatively, the control electronics can receive data from the sensor to control whether the amount of the nicotine-containing aerosol is delivered.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Michel Thorens
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Patent number: 10660368Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20200060351Abstract: The aerosol-generating article includes a housing with a first end and a second end. The housing defining a cavity. A first volatile substrate is in a first frangible capsule, where the first frangible capsule is between the first end and a middle section of the housing. At least a portion of a pre-vapor formulation retention medium is between the first end and the middle section of the housing. The vapor-generating article is configured to be connected to an electrically-operated vapor-generating device, where the vapor-generating article is configured to allow air to be drawn through from the first end to the second end if a negative pressure is applied to the second end. The vapor-generating system includes the vapor-generating article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel Thorens
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Publication number: 20200008462Abstract: A heated aerosol-generating article is provided, including a plurality of components assembled in the form of a rod, the article having a mouth end and a distal end upstream from the mouth end, and the article further including a combustible heat-generating element disposed at the distal end of the article and configured to heat air drawn into the article, and a liquid aerosol-forming substrate disposed downstream of the combustible heat-generating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Michel THORENS
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Publication number: 20190380393Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventor: Michel THORENS