Patents by Inventor Rangaraj S. Sundar
Rangaraj S. Sundar 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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Publication number: 20240090587Abstract: A capsule monitoring system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the capsule monitoring system to detect a mechanism detection switch of the aerosol-generating device being actuated, apply a first power to a first contact point of the aerosol-generating device, determine a first resistance between the first contact point and a second contact point, determine whether the first resistance is within a resistance operation range, and in response to the first resistance being within of the resistance operation range, display a capsule accepted indicator. The first contact point is configured to contact a heater. The second contact point is configured to contact the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
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Publication number: 20240090589Abstract: A power control system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the power control system to determine whether a first power to be applied to a heater of the aerosol-generating device exceeds a power threshold, in response to the first power exceeding the power threshold, apply a second power to the heater, and in response to the first power not exceeding the power threshold, apply the first power to the heater. The first power is based on a desired heater temperature. The second power does not exceed the power threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU
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Publication number: 20240090574Abstract: A heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device includes a housing that defines a capsule-receiving cavity and a lid fixedly coupled to the housing at a first point and releasably coupleable to the housing at a second point that is different from the first point. The lid is configured to cover the capsule-receiving cavity in a closed position. The lid includes a first retainer and a replaceable mouthpiece coupleable to the lid such that air entering the housing and drawn through the capsule-receiving cavity exits out of the replaceable mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a second retainer that is configured to engage with the first retainer so as to releasably secure the replaceable mouthpiece to the lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Eric HAWES, Zack W. BLACKMON, Dean TWITE, Ryan MCGINLEY, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Thomas TRAN
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Publication number: 20240090586Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
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Publication number: 20240097463Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
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Publication number: 20240091466Abstract: A cooldown system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the cooldown system to detect when a session has ended, activate a cooldown timer to measure a cooldown time, provide an indication of a remaining time of the cooldown timer, and in response to the cooldown timer elapsing, return the device to normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
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Patent number: 11924928Abstract: A cartridge of an e-vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a reservoir in the housing, a heater in the housing, and an absorbent material at least partially surrounding the sinusoidal shaped member. The reservoir is configured to store a pre-vapor formulation. The heater has a sinusoidal shaped member translating about an elliptical shape to define a channel there through. The absorbent material is in fluid communication with the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Shmuel Gavrielov, Yuval Malka, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Isaac Weigensberg, David Rubli, Moshe Eliyahu, Arye Weigensberg, Christopher S. Tucker
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Patent number: 11918046Abstract: A cartridge of an e-vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a reservoir in the housing, a heater in the housing, and an absorbent material at least partially surrounding the sinusoidal shaped member. The reservoir is configured to store a pre-vapor formulation. The heater has a sinusoidal shaped member translating about an elliptical shape to define a channel there through. The absorbent material is in fluid communication with the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Shmuel Gavrielov, Yuval Malka, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Isaac Weigensberg, David Rubli, Moshe Eliyahu, Arye Weigensberg, Scott A. Fath, Christopher S. Tucker, William J. Bogdziewicz
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Patent number: 11918050Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a non-nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the non-nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the non-nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
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Patent number: 11910826Abstract: A capsule may include a housing, an aerosol-forming substrate, and a heater. The housing defines inlet openings, outlet openings, and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings to a corresponding one of the outlet openings. The aerosol-forming substrate is within the chamber of the housing. The heater is embedded in the housing. The heater includes a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section is disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate in the chamber. An aerosol-generating device may include a device body with a lid configured to open to permit an insertion of the capsule and configured to close to engage the capsule within the device body.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Eric Hawes, Dean Twite, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Nicolas D. Castro, Raymond W. Lau
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Patent number: 11910838Abstract: A method of controlling a hot wire anemometer (HWA) of a nicotine e-vaping device includes controlling, by a first PID controller, a level of power applied by the nicotine e-vaping device to the HWA based on a temperature of a heated element of the HWA and a temperature setpoint; generating a puff detection signal indicating whether or not a puff is currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device; and while the puff detection signal indicates that a puff is not currently occurring with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device, detecting, by a second PID controller, a change in an ambient temperature of the HWA, and controlling, by the second PID controller, the temperature setpoint such that the temperature setpoint changes in response to the detected change in the ambient temperature of the HWA.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Adam Parrott, Niall Gallagher, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes, Ryan Newcomb, Terry Bache, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen
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Publication number: 20240032589Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a housing and a heater within the housing. The housing has interior surfaces defining a chamber configured to hold an aerosol-forming substrate. In addition, the housing has exterior surfaces constituting a first face, an opposing second face, and a side face of the capsule. The first face and the second face of the capsule are permeable to an aerosol. The heater has a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The first end section and the second end section of the heater may be external segments constituting parts of the side face of the capsule. The intermediate section of the heater is an internal segment disposed within the chamber of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack BLACKMON, Patrick GOOD, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Eric HAWES, Dean TWITE, Guy MOSELEY, Niall GALLAGHER
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Patent number: 11882872Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a base of a thermally-conductive material, the base defining a first cavity therein, the base including a first surface, the first surface defining an opening to a second cavity, the first surface including a first plurality of apertures through the first surface. The capsule may further include a cover coupled to the base and on the base, the cover including a second plurality of apertures in a middle portion of the cover, the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures defining an air flow path through the base and the cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Yannick Hourmand, Niall Gallagher, Zack Blackmon, Patrick M. Good, Jarrett Keen, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Eric Hawes
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Patent number: 11882884Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Gregory L. Nelson, Bipin Patil, Craig Gunn, Rangaraj S. Sundar
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Patent number: 11882883Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Gregory L. Nelson, Bipin Patil, Craig Gunn, Rangaraj S. Sundar
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Publication number: 20240008543Abstract: A method of controlling a heater of a nicotine e-vapor device includes detecting, from a removable pod included in the nicotine e-vapor device, power information indicating a first power level and a second power level; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by determining a first amount of power based on the first power level, supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operation mode of the heater, determining a second amount of power based on the second power level, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operation mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Niall GALLAGHER, William WYKEHAM, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN
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Publication number: 20230363450Abstract: A capsule for an aerosol-generating device may include a housing, a filter, and an aerosol-forming substrate. The housing may have a gas-permeable end and an impermeable end. The filter may be disposed within the housing so as to be adjacent to the impermeable end. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the housing so as to be between the filter and the gas-permeable end. The housing may be configured to facilitate a heating of the aerosol-forming substrate via one of conduction, convection, or both conduction and convection so as to generate an aerosol.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Patrick GOOD, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Eric HAWES, Yannick HOURMAND, Niall GALLAGHER
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Publication number: 20230367340Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides s system for controlling a heater in a non-combustible aerosol-generating device. The system comprises a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to, detect an airflow in the non-combustible aerosol-generating device, apply a first power to the heater based on the detected airflow, apply a second power to the heater based on a target preheat temperature and the detected airflow being below an airflow threshold value, the application of the second power being after the application of the first power, and apply a third power to the heater based on the target preheat temperature and the detected airflow being below the airflow threshold value, the application of the third power being after the application of the second power, the third power being greater than the second power.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Eric HAWES, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER
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Publication number: 20230363456Abstract: A method of controlling a heater of a device including a removable container that stores a material includes detecting, from the removable container, power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by, determining a first amount of power based on the first operating point, supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operation mode of the heater, determining a second amount of power based on the second operating point, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operation mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power, the device being a non-nicotine e-vaping device or a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device, the material being a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation or an aerosol-forming substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Niall GALLAGHER, William WYKEHAM, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, Terry BACHE, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN
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Patent number: 11812785Abstract: A capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a housing and a heater within the housing. The housing has interior surfaces defining a chamber configured to hold an aerosol-forming substrate. In addition, the housing has exterior surfaces constituting a first face, an opposing second face, and a side face of the capsule. The first face and the second face of the capsule are permeable to an aerosol. The heater has a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The first end section and the second end section of the heater may be external segments constituting parts of the side face of the capsule. The intermediate section of the heater is an internal segment disposed within the chamber of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Zack Blackmon, Patrick Good, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Jarrett Keen, Eric Hawes, Dean Twite, Guy Moseley, Niall Gallagher