Patents by Inventor Stephen Benson
Stephen Benson 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: 12102118Abstract: Aerosol delivery devices are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an aerosol delivery device may comprise a control body, a heating member, a control component, a power source, and a removable aerosol source member that includes an inhalable substance medium, the aerosol source member being configured to be inserted into the control body and defining a heated end and a mouth end, the heated end configured, when inserted into the control body, to be positioned proximate the heating member. In some implementations, the heating member may comprise a base heating member and a substrate heating member, wherein the base heating member is located in the control body and the substrate heating member is located in the aerosol source member. In some implementations, the heating member may comprise a flexible heating member that surrounds a heating cylinder located within a portion of the engaging end of the control body.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Rajesh Sur, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding, Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Sawyer Hubbard, Billy Tyrone Conner
-
Publication number: 20240298707Abstract: An aerosol delivery device includes an electrical power source, an induction receiver configured to receive a substrate including an aerosol precursor composition such that the induction receiver is in proximity to the substrate, and a wireless power transmitter including an induction transmitter. The induction transmitter is configured to removably receive the induction receiver such that the induction transmitter surrounds the induction receiver. The induction transmitter receive electrical current from the electrical power source that causes the induction transmitter to generate an oscillating magnetic field, and the induction receiver generates heat via eddy currents induced at the induction receiver when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field and thereby heats the aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. Related methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: MICHAEL F. DAVIS, STEPHEN BENSON SEARS, CAROLYN RIERSON CARPENTER, MELISSA ANN CLARK, SHIERINA A. FAREED, DENISE FOX, TAO JIN, PERCY D. PHILLIPS, ALFRED CHARLES BLESS, KAREN V. TALUSKIE, BRIAN KEITH NORDSKOG, DAVID T. SZABO, JOSEF STRASSER, JR.
-
Publication number: 20240292891Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
-
Patent number: 12057759Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include an atomizer, a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition and an electrical circuit coupled to the atomizer. The electrical circuit may include an electrical generator assembly including a moveable input member and an electrical generator configured to produce an electrical current from movement of the moveable input member. The electrical circuit may be configured to direct the electrical current to the atomizer to produce an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. A related aerosol production method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Alfred C. Bless, Rajesh Sur, Stephen Benson Sears
-
Patent number: 12048325Abstract: An aerosol-generation system for a smoking article comprises an aerosol-generating segment and a heat generation segment. The heat generation segment has a length and includes a heat source. The aerosol-generation system for a smoking article also comprises an insulator having at least a portion extending beyond the second end of the heat source, such that the portion is axially arranged in a lengthwise direction proximate to the aerosol-generating segment. Each segment is physically separate and in a heat exchange relationship. The heat source comprises a carbonaceous material.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Stephen Benson Sears, Joanne Naomi Taylor
-
Publication number: 20240245107Abstract: The invention provides an article, such as an aerosol-generating smoking article that does not combust tobacco, that includes a tobacco rod and a filter element connected to the tobacco rod, the filter element having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end distal from the tobacco rod, wherein the filter element includes a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material, and further includes a smoke-altering flavorant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: Steven Lee Alderman, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Kenneth Allen Beard, Timothy Brian Nestor
-
Patent number: 12016384Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Worm, David Glen Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
-
Patent number: 12011043Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device configured to wirelessly heat an atomizer. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The control body may include an induction transmitter. The cartridge may include an induction receiver and an aerosol precursor composition. When electrical current is directed to the induction transmitter, the induction receiver may be inductively heated. The heat produced by the induction receiver may form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition at the substrate. Related methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Stephen Benson Sears, Carolyn Rierson Carpenter, Melissa Ann Clark, Shierina A. Fareed, Denise Fox, Tao Jin, Percy D. Phillips, Alfred Charles Bless, Karen V. Taluskie, Brian Keith Nordskog, David T. Szabo, Josef Strasser, Jr.
-
Patent number: 11957163Abstract: The invention provides an article, such as an aerosol-generating smoking article that does not combust tobacco, that includes a tobacco rod and a filter element connected to the tobacco rod, the filter element having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end distal from the tobacco rod, wherein the filter element includes a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material, and further includes a smoke-altering flavorant.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Alderman, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Kenneth Allen Beard, Timothy Brian Nestor
-
Publication number: 20240114946Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Connor, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
-
Publication number: 20240108076Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, JR., Allen Michael East
-
Publication number: 20240099375Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
-
Publication number: 20240090086Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
-
Publication number: 20240065318Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and related methods of delivering aerosol to a user. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing providing multiple aerosol pathways having a mouth-end opening through which aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening. An atomizer including a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluid communication with an aerosol precursor composition is provided in fluid communication with the first aerosol delivery pathway. A flavorant-infused material is positioned within the second aerosol delivery pathway and adapted to produce a second aerosol upon contact between the flavorant-infused material and flowing air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Sawyer Hubbard, Eric Taylor Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Donna Walker Duggins, Michael F. Davis
-
Publication number: 20240065330Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INCInventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
-
Publication number: 20240041115Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having a component housing including a power source, and a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally-opposed second end, wherein the first or second end is configured to receive the component housing. The tubular housing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity. An aerosol-generating element is configured to be received within the cylindrical cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to produce an aerosol in response to heat. An associated aerosol-generating element and related production methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Michael Andrew Liberti, Stephen Benson Sears
-
Patent number: 11882867Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Conner, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
-
Patent number: 11873091Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, Jim Schmalzried, Trevor Shannon, Michael Simonian, Sindre Klepp, Stephen Benson, Adam Woodworth
-
Patent number: 11871484Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee ALderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
-
Patent number: 11856997Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, Jr., Allen Michael East