Patents by Inventor Neil LITTEN

Neil LITTEN 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).

  • Patent number: 11723396
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The cartridge has a housing defining a chamber and a pouch containing smokable material. The pouch is located within the chamber. At least part of the pouch is made of porous material for permitting aerosol or volatilized material generated within the pouch to pass out of the pouch from within the pouch. There is also provided a pouch having a first wall and a second wall. The pouch contains smokable material between the first wall and the second wall. A method of manufacturing a pouch is also disclosed in which the first wall is attached to the second wall with smokable material between the first wall and second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Sutton, Dominic Woodcock, Darren Seymour, Hitesh Vallabh, Neil Litten, Harpal Singh, David Russell, Ahmad Bitar
  • Publication number: 20230123559
    Abstract: An assembly for handling biological material, including a planar interface having at least one port, and a component retaining element, spaced apart from the planar interface, configured to retain a component for handling biological material, in which at least one component chosen from the planar interface and the component retaining element is moveable to bring the port and the component retaining element into registration with one another. The registration between the at least one port and the component retaining element adapted to form a fluid communication pathway may be provided between a component retained by the component retaining element and a container associated with the planar interface through the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Farlan Veraitch, William Raimes, Vincent Gowler, Jason Palmer, Neil Litten, Michael Sawford
  • Publication number: 20230120216
    Abstract: Described herein is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises a first casing portion comprising a first connector and a recess for receiving a cartridge, and a second casing portion comprising a second connector for engagement with the first connector. When engaged, the first and second connectors define an inlet between the first and second connectors for admitting air into the recess from an exterior of the smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Neil LITTEN
  • Publication number: 20230115386
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a delivery consumable for delivering a fluid to a bioreactor. The delivery consumable comprises a container including a collapsible portion comprising a collapsible wall, and an intermediate portion connected to the collapsible portion and being adapted to hold a fluid. The deliver consumable also comprises a connector adapted to connect the intermediate portion to the bioreactor. The collapsible portion is adapted to collapse and urge the fluid through the connector and into the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Farlan Veraitch, Richard Smith, Neil Litten, William Raimes
  • Publication number: 20230108218
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluid delivery consumable for delivering a fluid dose to a bioreactor. The fluid delivery consumable comprising a vial for holding the fluid dose, the vial having an outlet and an open end opposite to the outlet, a plunger engaged with the open end and operable to urge the fluid dose toward the outlet, and a connector proximal to the outlet, the connector being attachable to the bioreactor and adapted to move the fluid dose from the vial to the bioreactor based on operation of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Neil Litten, Richard Smith, Fartan Veraitch, William Raimes
  • Publication number: 20230019545
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for handling biological material, for directly introducing or removing material to, or from, a container, comprising a body comprising at least one resealable port; a cover comprising an aperture and wherein the cover is disposed over an upper side of the body, and wherein the cover is moveable such that an aperture of the cover is configured to expose at least part of the resealable port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Farlan Veraitch, William Raimes, Richard Smith, Neil Litten, Michael Sawford
  • Patent number: 11497253
    Abstract: Described herein is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises a first casing portion comprising a first connector and a recess for receiving a cartridge, and a second casing portion comprising a second connector for engagement with the first connector. When engaged, the first and second connectors define an inlet between the first and second connectors for admitting air into the recess from an exterior of the smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventor: Neil Litten
  • Publication number: 20220312828
    Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article has a carrier and smokable material arranged on the carrier. The smokable material has a first layer of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material. The first layer of smokable material is located between the carrier and the second layer of smokable material. The smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second layer of smokable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph SUTTON, Dominic WOODCOCK, Darren SEYMOUR, Hitesh VALLABH, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH, David RUSSELL, Ahmad BITAR
  • Publication number: 20220184608
    Abstract: A specimen container has a vessel having a reservoir and a specimen collection region. The specimen container also has a sleeve located within the vessel and moveable in the direction of the reservoir. Movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir results in the specimen collection region and reservoir being brought into fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: James BENNETT, Neil LITTEN, Richard SMITH, Julian BRANDON-JONES
  • Publication number: 20220184616
    Abstract: An interface for a microfluidic device such as a microfluidic cassette has a seal portion moveable from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force. Movement of the seal portion within the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to increase. The interface also has a hollow needle with a first end and a second end, the first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and the second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing. The seal portion and the needle are arranged such that when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn through the needle into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: James BENNETT, Neil LITTEN, Richard SMITH, Julian BRANDON-JONES
  • Publication number: 20220022542
    Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Joe ROBINSON, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH
  • Patent number: 11166492
    Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Joe Robinson, Neil Litten, Harpal Singh
  • Patent number: 10863766
    Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The article has a body of porous aerosol containment material. An annular first body of smokable material is located around the body of porous aerosol containment material. There is also provided apparatus for heating smokable material having a first heater extending along an axis and a second heater spaced from and at least partially surrounding the first heater. A method of manufacturing an article for use with an apparatus is also disclosed in which an assembly having porous aerosol containment material on a first layer of smokable material is provided and rolled so the first layer of smokable material becomes an annular body of smokable material located around the porous aerosol containment material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph Sutton, Dominic Woodcock, Hitesh Vallabh, Neil Litten, Harpal Singh, Darren Seymour, David Russell, Ahmad Bitar
  • Publication number: 20200229493
    Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joe ROBINSON, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH
  • Patent number: 10609958
    Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device comprises a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element comprises a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges comprising the heating device, apparatus comprising the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Joe Robinson, Neil Litten, Harpal Singh
  • Publication number: 20180343917
    Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article has a carrier and smokable material arranged on the carrier. The smokable material has a first layer of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material. The first layer of smokable material is located between the carrier and the second layer of smokable material. The smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second layer of smokable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph SUTTON, Dominic WOODCOCK, Darren SEYMOUR, Hitesh VALLABH, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH, David RUSSELL, Ahmad BITAR
  • Publication number: 20180343920
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The cartridge has a housing defining a chamber and a pouch containing smokable material. The pouch is located within the chamber. At least part of the pouch is made of porous material for permitting aerosol or volatilized material generated within the pouch to pass out of the pouch from within the pouch. There is also provided a pouch having a first wall and a second wall. The pouch contains smokable material between the first wall and the second wall. A method of manufacturing a pouch is also disclosed in which the first wall is attached to the second wall with smokable material between the first wall and second wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph SUTTON, Dominic WOODCOCK, Darren SEYMOUR, Hitesh VALLABH, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH, David RUSSELL, Ahmad BITAR
  • Publication number: 20180338520
    Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The article has a body of porous aerosol containment material. An annular first body of smokable material is located around the body of porous aerosol containment material. There is also provided apparatus for heating smokable material having a first heater extending along an axis and a second heater spaced from and at least partially surrounding the first heater. A method of manufacturing an article for use with an apparatus is also disclosed in which an assembly having porous aerosol containment material on a first layer of smokable material is provided and rolled so the first layer of smokable material becomes an annular body of smokable material located around the porous aerosol containment material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph SUTTON, Dominic WOODCOCK, Hitesh VALLABH, Neil LITTEN, Harpal SINGH, Darren SEYMOUR, David RUSSELL, Ahmad BITAR
  • Publication number: 20180271151
    Abstract: Described herein is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises a first casing portion comprising a first connector and a recess for receiving a cartridge, and a second casing portion comprising a second connector for engagement with the first connector. When engaged, the first and second connectors define an inlet between the first and second connectors for admitting air into the recess from an exterior of the smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Neil LITTEN
  • Patent number: 10036574
    Abstract: A device is provided comprising a heat source material which is a phase change material and which undergoes an exothermic phase change upon activation by an activating agent to generate heat, a heat source chamber holding the heat source and an activation chamber providing the activating agent, and a barrier separating the interior of the heat source chamber from the interior of the activation chamber, wherein the activation chamber is deformable and wherein deformation of the activation chamber causes rupture of the barrier to allow contact between the activating agent and the heat source material. Embodiments also provide an activation chamber for use in the device and comprising an activating agent to trigger activation of a heat source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Brereton, Neil Litten, Graham Plews, Mark Forster