Patents by Inventor Paul A. Brinkley

Paul A. Brinkley 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: 11357260
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Srategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220110371
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Jay Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 11234463
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 10721968
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10531690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10306924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire continuously extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define end portions, contact portions, and a heating portion. The wire may be continuously wound about the liquid transport element such that each of the portions of the wire defines coils. A related input, cartridge, and method of forming atomizers also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Publication number: 20190087302
    Abstract: A product use and behavior instrument includes a housing defining a central compartment therein. A controller is positioned within the central compartment. The controller includes a connector. The connector is configured to operatively and removably couple the product use and behavior instrument to an electronic smoking article. The electronic smoking article includes a heating element to heat a tobacco product. The electronic smoking article includes a battery. A sensor circuit is structured to collect at least one use data characteristic of a smoking action. The smoking action is associated with use of at least one of the heating element and battery. Local memory is structured to store the at least one use data characteristic of the smoking action. A communication interface is structured to communicate the stored at least one use data characteristic of the smoking action to a remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sean Smith, Steven L. ALDERMAN, Paul A. BRINKLEY, Sarah A. BAXTER-WRIGHT, Kyung Soo (Jason) HONG, Paul R. NELSON, Stephen B. SEARS, Rajesh SUR
  • Publication number: 20180242647
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180242648
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180242646
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180168233
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 9974334
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9918495
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 9867393
    Abstract: A system for a tobacco curing barn is capable of collecting tobacco-derived moisture from tobacco while that tobacco is cured. The system incorporates a tobacco curing barn or other type of curing enclosure, such as bulk curing barn used for the flue-curing of tobacco. The curing barn is equipped with at least one reclamation element configured to condense and collect moisture released from tobacco cured within the barn. The reclamation element is disposed in proximity with the enclosure in a manner and location providing passage of moist air released from the tobacco across a surface of the reclamation element. The system also includes at least one storage container disposed in fluid communication with the reclamation element surface and configured to store moisture and moisture-borne material collected by the reclamation element. The resulting tobacco-derived components can be blended with other tobacco materials, such as is common practice during tobacco reordering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: August J. Borschke, Michael F. Dube, Paul A. Brinkley, Anthony R. Gerardi, Crystal D. Hege Byrd
  • Patent number: 9833019
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul A. Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160143364
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire continuously extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define end portions, contact portions, and a heating portion. The wire may be continuously wound about the liquid transport element such that each of the portions of the wire defines coils. A related input, cartridge, and method of forming atomizers also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Patent number: 9277770
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire continuously extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define end portions, contact portions, and a heating portion. The wire may be continuously wound about the liquid transport element such that each of the portions of the wire defines coils. A related input, cartridge, and method of forming atomizers also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Publication number: 20150245659
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Patsy Coppola, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, James William McClellan, John William Wolber, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Paul A. Brinkley, Grady Lance Dooly
  • Publication number: 20150223522
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul A. Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150201674
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum