Patents by Inventor Steven Lee Alderman

Steven Lee Alderman 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: 10881150
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20200146347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200146340
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Lee Alderman, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Kenneth Allen Beard, Timothy Brian Nestor
  • Publication number: 20200146355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200138099
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article provides for separate delivery of two or more components of an aerosol precursor composition to one or more heaters so as to control the rate of delivery or the rate of heating of the separate components of the aerosol precursor composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Bradley James Ingebrethsen, Balager Ademe, Steven Lee Alderman, William Robert Collett, Grady Lance Dooly, Charles Jacob Novak, III
  • Publication number: 20200138107
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: William Robert Collett, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Steven Lee Alderman, Mo Kebaili
  • Publication number: 20200113233
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10609955
    Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette with a filter element comprising at least one longitudinally extending section of filter material. The section of filter material comprises a smoke-altering material therein that is useful for removing a quantity of vapor phase chemicals from the mainstream smoke. The section of filter material further comprises one or more tubes inserted into and extending through section of filter material. The one or more tubes each define a channel adapted for passage of mainstream smoke through the section of filter material while substantially avoiding contact of the portion of mainstream smoke therein with the smoke-altering material. The provision of a portion of mainstream smoke substantially unaltered by the smoke-altering material can be useful to retain certain desirable taste and other sensory properties of the mainstream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Allen Beard, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Steven Lee Alderman, Timothy Brian Nestor
  • Publication number: 20200077703
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device includes an outer housing, a reservoir containing a liquid, a heater configured to vaporize the liquid, and a liquid transport element configured to provide the liquid to the heater. The liquid transport element includes a rigid monolith. At least a portion of the rigid monolith is substantially cylindrical. The cylindrical portion has an exterior surface and a longitudinal axis. The exterior surface has at least one discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis R. Monsalud, JR., Vahid Hejazi, Steven Lee Alderman
  • Patent number: 10561178
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • 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: 10531691
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10524512
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article provides for separate delivery of two or more components of an aerosol precursor composition to one or more heaters so as to control the rate of delivery or the rate of heating of the separate components of the aerosol precursor composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Bradley James Ingebrethsen, Balager Ademe, Steven Lee Alderman, William Robert Collett, Grady Lance Dooly, Charles Jacob Novak, III
  • Publication number: 20190364976
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    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: 10426200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190230995
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10292434
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Timothy Brian Nestor, Grady Lance Dooly, Steven Lee Alderman, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, John DePiano, David Smith, Frank S. Silveira
  • Patent number: 10143236
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: 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