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: 20170035112Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Michel THORENS
-
Publication number: 20170035113Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a liquid storage portion having a 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 a substantially non-planar air impingement surface. The fluid permeable heater assembly extends across the opening of the housing. The capillary medium is provided in contact with the heater assembly. The capillary medium draws the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the electrically conductive filament arrangement. The capillary medium includes a capillary medium opening allowing airflow to pass through the capillary medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Michel THORENS
-
Patent number: 9532600Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one electric heating element of an electrically heated aerosol generating system for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, the electrically heated aerosol generating system includes a sensor for detecting airflow indicative of a user taking a puff having an airflow duration, and the method includes increasing heating power for at least one heating element from zero to power p1 when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has increased to a first threshold, maintaining the heating power at a power p1 for at least some of the airflow duration, and decreasing the heating power for the at least one heating element from power p1 to zero when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has decreased to a second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20160331039Abstract: 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: July 27, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Olivier Yves COCHAND, Flavien DUBIEF
-
Publication number: 20160324215Abstract: A capsule for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including a shell including a base and at least one side wall extending from the base, the shell containing an aerosol-forming substrate; and a lid sealed on the at least one side wall for forming a sealed capsule, wherein the base includes a recess extending into said shell along the longitudinal axis for receiving a heater of an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device is also provided, including a power supply; at least one heater; a cavity for receiving the capsule containing the aerosol-forming substrate; and a mouthpiece including a piercing element for piercing the lid of the capsule, wherein the at least one heater is configured to be insertable into a recess of the capsule. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and the capsule is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Michel THORENS, Rui Nuno BATISTA
-
Patent number: 9420829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20160198772Abstract: 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: March 22, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Olivier Yves COCHAND, Flavien DUBIEF
-
Publication number: 20160135507Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Michel THORENS, Jean-Marc FLICK, Olivier Yves COCHAND
-
Publication number: 20160120221Abstract: 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: May 14, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Oleg MIRONOV, Michel THORENS, Ihar Nikolaevich ZINOVIK
-
Publication number: 20160081395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Olivier COCHAND
-
Publication number: 20160044962Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel THORENS, Alexis LOUVET, Flavien DUBIEF, Yvan DEGOUMOIS
-
Publication number: 20160021933Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including a housing containing or configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate; an outlet formed in the housing, wherein in use aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is delivered through the outlet, wherein the housing includes a first wall surrounding the outlet and a second wall surrounding the first wall such that an open-ended annular recess is defined between the first and second walls, the annular recess being suitable for retaining a compliant mouthpiece cover to the housing. In use, the mouthpiece cover is placed into a user's mouth in order to directly inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device. There is also provided a removable mouthpiece cover for an electrically operated smoking device, including a compliant tubular portion defining a central bore and a filter portion covering the bore of the filter portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Quai Jeanrenaud 3Inventors: Michel THORENS, Alexis LOUVET
-
Publication number: 20150264979Abstract: 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: June 5, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20150181937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
-
Patent number: 9055617Abstract: 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: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20140318559Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand
-
Patent number: 8794231Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand
-
Publication number: 20140020693Abstract: There is provided an electrically operated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and electric circuitry for determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element. There is also provided a method in an electrically operated aerosol generating system including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the method including determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.AInventors: Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
-
Publication number: 20130340750Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling at least one electric heating element of an electrically heated aerosol generating system for heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The electrically heated aerosol generating system has a sensor for detecting airflow indicative of a user taking a puff having an airflow duration. The method includes the steps of: increasing the heating power for the at least one heating element from zero to power p1 when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has increased to a first threshold, maintaining the heating power at a power p1 for at least some of the airflow duration, and decreasing the heating power for the at least one heating element from power p1 to zero when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has decreased to a second threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief
-
Publication number: 20130306064Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.Inventors: Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Olivier Yves Cochand, Flavien Dubief