Patents by Inventor Randy Lee McKnight

Randy Lee McKnight 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: 20240090585
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 11864584
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 11659868
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20230124339
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20200214356
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 10524511
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20190350265
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20180077970
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 9839238
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20150245658
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Randy Lee McKnight, David Glen Christopherson
  • Patent number: 7866122
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Wesley Steven Jones, Randy Lee McKnight
  • Publication number: 20100248926
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Wesley Steven Jones, Randy Lee McKnight
  • Patent number: 7762046
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Wesley Steven Jones, Randy Lee McKnight
  • Publication number: 20090255835
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Wesley Steven Jones, Randy Lee McKnight