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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Publication number: 20200054068Abstract: Disclosed is 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 projecting into the heating zone. The heating element includes 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
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Publication number: 20190313695Abstract: An inductive heating arrangement for use with a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of said smokable material is described. The inductive heating arrangement includes a susceptor arrangement, at least a first inductor coil and a second inductor coil and a control circuit for controlling the first inductor coil and the second inductor coil. The susceptor arrangement is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The first inductor coil is for generating a first varying magnetic field for heating a first section of the susceptor arrangement and the second inductor coil is for generating a second varying magnetic field for heating a second section of the susceptor arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Duane KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
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Publication number: 20190191780Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating element is formed from heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. First and second portions of the heating element have different respective thermal masses. Also disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus including such a heating element. Further disclosed is an article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, wherein the article includes such a heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Andrew P. WILKE, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Thomas P. BLANDINO
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Publication number: 20190082738Abstract: 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: October 26, 2016Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: 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: 20180325173Abstract: 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: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) 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: 20180317552Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Andrew P. WILKE, Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Raymond J. ROBEY
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Publication number: 20180317553Abstract: 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: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Publication number: 20180317555Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER
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Publication number: 20180279677Abstract: 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: August 26, 2016Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE
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Publication number: 20180242636Abstract: 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: August 26, 2016Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Publication number: 20170119046Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises 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 comprises smokable material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. The magnetic field generator comprises a magnetically permeable core and a coil. The core comprises 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: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Duane A. KAUFMAN, Andrew P. WILKE, Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Raymond J. ROBEY
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Publication number: 20170119047Abstract: 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: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, ANDREW P. WILKE, JAMES J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI
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Publication number: 20170119051Abstract: 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, 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 comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator comprises a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, ANDREW P. WILKE, JAMES J. FRATER
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Publication number: 20170119050Abstract: 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 a mass of smokable material. An exterior of the article has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and the width. The length is greater than or equal to the width, and the width is greater than the depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John A. MILLER
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Publication number: 20170119049Abstract: 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 a sheet comprising 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, comprising the article and apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises 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: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Duane A. KAUFMAN, Raymond J. ROBEY, John A. MILLER
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Publication number: 20170055580Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises 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 projecting into the heating zone. The heating element comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. Paprocki
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Publication number: 20170055583Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises 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 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. Paprocki
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Publication number: 20170055584Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises 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 comprising the article and apparatus. The apparatus has an interface for cooperating with the article, and a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator comprises 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: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE
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Publication number: 20170055582Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises a mass of smokable material and an elongate member within the mass of smokable material. The elongate member comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such an article. The method comprises 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 comprising the elongate element within the smokable material, and the method may comprise cutting the elongate assembly at a predetermined longitudinal position along the elongate assembly to form the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventors: Thomas P. BLANDINO, Andrew P. WILKE, James J. FRATER, Benjamin J. Paprocki
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Publication number: 20150150664Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: 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