Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Blandino
Thomas P. Blandino 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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Patent number: 11937643Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITEDInventors: Duane Kaufman, Thomas P. Blandino
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Publication number: 20240041095Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE, James J. Frater, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Patent number: 11825870Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Nicoventures Trading LimitedInventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew Wilke, James J. Frater, Benjamin J. Paprocki
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Patent number: 11805818Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material, and a film defining a closed circuit (10a-10f) of heating material. The heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITEDInventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew P. Wilke, James J. Frater
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Publication number: 20230276853Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes smokable material, and a film defining a closed circuit of heating material. The heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER
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Publication number: 20230263220Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a cavity for receiving smokable material, and a coil of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the cavity. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus. The apparatus has an interface for cooperating with the article, and a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator includes a coil for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the coil of the article when the interface is cooperating with the article. An impedance of the coil of the magnetic field generator is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE
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Patent number: 11659863Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a cavity for receiving smokable material, and a coil of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the cavity. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus. The apparatus has an interface for cooperating with the article, and a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator includes a coil for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the coil of the article when the interface is cooperating with the article. An impedance of the coil of the magnetic field generator is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Nicoventures Trading LimitedInventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew Wilke
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Publication number: 20230141743Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Duane KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
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Publication number: 20230000163Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving an article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone. The article includes smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core includes a magnetically permeable first portion and magnetically permeable first and second arms extending from the first portion. The coil is wound around the first portion of the core. The first and second arms of the core are on different sides of the heating zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Andrew P. WILKE, Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Raymond J. ROBEY
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Publication number: 20220394824Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material; a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; and an elongate heating element extending at least partially around the heating zone and comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Patent number: 11470883Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for heating smokable material includes a susceptor arrangement, at least first and second inductor coils and a control circuit. The first inductor coil generates a first varying magnetic field heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil generates a second varying magnetic field heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement. The control circuit is configured so that when one of the first and second coils is actively being driven to generate a varying magnetic field the other of the first and second inductor coils is inactive, and so that the inactive one of the first and second inductor coils is prevented from carrying a current induced by the active one of the first and second inductor coils sufficient to cause significant heating of the susceptor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Nicoventures Trading LimitedInventors: Duane Kaufman, Thomas P. Blandino
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Patent number: 11452313Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving an article (1, 2, 3), and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone. The article includes smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core includes a magnetically permeable first portion and magnetically permeable first and second arms extending from the first portion. The coil is wound around the first portion of the core. The first and second arms of the core are on different sides of the heating zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITEDInventors: Duane A. Kaufman, Andrew P. Wilke, Thomas P. Blandino, James J. Frater, Raymond J. Robey
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Publication number: 20220117294Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length (L), a width (W) perpendicular to the length (L), and a depth (D) perpendicular to each of the length (L) and the width (W). The length (L) is greater than or equal to the width (W), and the width (W) is greater than the depth (D).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
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Patent number: 11252992Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length (L), a width (W) perpendicular to the length (L), and a depth (D) perpendicular to each of the length (L) and the width (W). The length (L) is greater than or equal to the width (W), and the width (W) is greater than the depth (D).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITEDInventors: Thomas P. Blandino, Andrew P. Wilke, James J. Frater, Benjamin J. Paprocki, Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond J. Robey, John Miller
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Publication number: 20220015408Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Publication number: 20210145072Abstract: An electronic vapor provision system including: a vaporizer for vaporizing aerosol precursor material for inhalation by a user of the electronic vapor provision system; a power supply for supplying power to the vaporizer; a wall defining an air flow path along which air travels through the electronic vapor provision system when a user inhales or exhales on the electronic vapor provision system; a temperature sensor mounted in the air flow path adjacent a portion of the wall of the air flow path; and a controller configured to cause power to be supplied to the temperature sensor to heat the temperature sensor and to cause power to be supplied to the vaporizer to vaporize the aerosol precursor material in response to detecting a change in temperature of the temperature sensor; wherein the air flow path is arranged such that, during inhalation or exhalation by the user, air travelling along the air flow path is directed at the temperature sensor in a direction that is towards the portion of the wall adjacent toType: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Martin Conrad MULLIN, Thomas P. BLANDINO, Bob SCHOFIELD
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Patent number: 10952833Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ranir, LLCInventors: Scott P. Crossman, Kevin J. Kollar, Kevin G. Yost, Dai Xiaoguo, Michael A. Andrew, Thomas P. Blandino, Stephen J. Dieter, John C. Mehnert, Andrew P. Wilke, Mark A. Penrod
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Publication number: 20200288774Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a sheet including smokable material, and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The sheet may be a planar sheet or a rolled sheet. Also disclosed is a system including the article and apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is in the heating zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John Miller
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Publication number: 20200236994Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article includes a mass of smokable material and an elongate member within the mass of smokable material. The elongate member includes heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such an article. The method includes providing an elongate element comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, and locating the elongate element within smokable material. The providing and the locating may form an elongate assembly including the elongate element within the smokable material, and the method may include cutting the elongate assembly at a predetermined longitudinal position along the elongate assembly to form the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Publication number: 20200054069Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material; a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; and an elongate heating element extending at least partially around the heating zone and comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI