Patents by Inventor Val Valentine

Val Valentine 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: 11944130
    Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Anderson, Wei-Ling Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Joseph Chun, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Nicholas J. Hatton, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Andrew L. Murphy, Claire O'Malley, John R. Pelochino, Hugh Pham, Vipul V. Rahane, Matthew J. Taschner, Val Valentine, Kenneth Wong
  • Publication number: 20240074000
    Abstract: A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Nicholas J. Hatton, Andrew L. Murphy, Hugh Pham, Val Valentine
  • Patent number: 11716789
    Abstract: A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Nicholas J. Hatton, Andrew L. Murphy, Hugh Pham, Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20230201488
    Abstract: A system includes a converter configured to electrically couple to a power source and to a heating element of a vaporizer atomizer. The converter can be further configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and provide a second voltage to the heating element. The converter can be a direct-current to direct-current converter. A power monitor configured to electrically couple to the heating element, measure a current through the heating element, measure a voltage over the heating element, calculate a power and/or resistance, and output a control signal to the converter. The converter can be configured to be controlled by the control signal to vary the second voltage to maintain a target power or a target temperature over the heating element. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Hatton, Val Valentine
  • Patent number: 11590296
    Abstract: A system includes a converter configured to electrically couple to a power source and to a heating element of a vaporizer atomizer. The converter can be further configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and provide a second voltage to the heating element. The converter can be a direct-current to direct-current converter. A power monitor configured to electrically couple to the heating element, measure a current through the heating element, measure a voltage over the heating element, calculate a power and/or resistance, and output a control signal to the converter. The converter can be configured to be controlled by the control signal to vary the second voltage to maintain a target power or a target temperature over the heating element. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Hatton, Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20230043830
    Abstract: A charging system for charging a vaporizer device is described. The charger may be adapted to control the output voltage to the vaporizer device, thus improving charging efficiency and reducing waste heat generation. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20220264944
    Abstract: Aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods and system for protecting a battery cell and/or a /pack of multiple battery cells serving as a power source of a vaporizer device from developing a short-circuit in a vaporizer device. In one aspect, a vaporizer device is provided. The vaporizer device may include a power source including a battery and a power source lead extending outward from a distal end of the battery. The vaporizer device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically coupled to the power source via the power source lead extending outward from the battery. The vaporizer device may further include an insulator at least partially surrounding the power source lead. The insulator may be mechanically coupled to at least one of the power source and the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Jie Guan, Nicholas R. Marker, Erik A. Vaknine, Val Valentine, Tianren Xu, Qingcheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20220256922
    Abstract: A vaporizer device may include a shell, a cartridge receptacle, and a skeleton. The cartridge receptacle may be formed from a cartridge interface disposed at least partially inside a sheath. The cartridge interface may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical couplings with a vaporizer cartridge when the vaporizer cartridge is disposed inside the cartridge receptacle. The plurality of electrical couplings may include a first electrical coupling with a heating element of the vaporizer cartridge. The plurality of electrical couplings may further include a second electrical coupling with a cartridge identification chip of the vaporizer cartridge. The skeleton may be coupled with the cartridge interface. The skeleton may be configured to secure the cartridge interface inside the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Mackenzie Paige Belt, Christopher L. Belisle, Tsuey Choo Lily Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Dylan E. Entelis, Nicholas J. Hatton, Alexander M. Hoopai, Eric Joseph Johnson, Jason King, Esteban Leon Duque, YongChao Li, Huei-Huei Liang, Kevin Lomeli, Matthew J. Malone, James Monsees, Nathan N. Ng, Claire O'Malley, Matthew Rios, Christopher James Rosser, Zachary T. Scott, Nihir B. Shah, Andrew J. Stratton, Alim Thawer, Val Valentine, Norbert Wesely, James P. Westley, Hao Yin, XueHai Zhang, XueQing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220240576
    Abstract: A vaporization device includes a power source comprising a shell including a hermetic chamber. The hermetic chamber having an anode, an anode current collector, a cathode, a cathode current collector, a separator, and an electrolyte disposed therein. The hermetic chamber including the anode, the anode current collector, the cathode, the cathode current collector, and the electrolyte forming a battery serving as a power source for the vaporizer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Jie Guan, Val Valentine, Tianren Xu, Qingcheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20220183359
    Abstract: A vaporizer device includes a fuel cell disposed with a device body and configured to receive a cartridge having a first compartment that holds a vaporizable material, a second compartment that holds a fuel, a heating element, and a wicking element that can draw the vaporizable material to the heating element to be vaporized. The vaporizer cartridge is configured for fluidically, thermally, and/or electrically coupling to a vaporizer device body. Various implementations of the vaporizer cartridge are described that include one or more features for a fuel cell within the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Jie GUAN, Val VALENTINE, Qingcheng ZENG
  • Publication number: 20220167683
    Abstract: A vaporizer that includes a metal-air battery, in particular a zinc-air battery is described herein. The metal-air battery can have increased power output relative to conventional batteries. Various embodiments of the vaporizer are described that include one or more features for low environmental impact, disposability, and increased power output. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jie GUAN, Val VALENTINE, Qingcheng ZENG
  • Publication number: 20220007722
    Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge can include a reservoir housing that includes a reservoir chamber configured to selectively hold a vaporizable material, and an atomizer in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. The atomizer includes a substrate having an array of ordered pores configured to draw a predetermined volume of vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber at a predetermined rate, and at least one heating material configured to selectively heat the at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn into the substrate to generate a vaporized material. Vaporizer devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Val Valentine, Qingcheng Zeng
  • Publication number: 20210321489
    Abstract: A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Nicholas J. Hatton, Andrew L. Murphy, Hugh Pham, Val Valentine
  • Patent number: 10986875
    Abstract: A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, Nicholas J. Hatton, Andrew Lawrence Murphy, Hugh Pham, Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20210112880
    Abstract: A vaporizer device may include various modular components. The vaporizer device may include a first subassembly. The first subassembly may include a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device may include a second subassembly. The second subassembly may include a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device may also include a third subassembly. The third subassembly may include a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel C. Anderson, Wei-Ling Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Joseph Chun, Joseph R. Fisher, JR., Nicholas J. Hatton, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Andrew L. Murphy, Claire O'Malley, John R. Pelochino, Hugh Pham, Vipul V. Rahane, Matthew J. Taschner, Val Valentine, Kenneth Wong
  • Patent number: 10888125
    Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Juul Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Anderson, Wei-Ling Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Joseph Chun, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Nicholas J. Hatton, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Andrew L. Murphy, Claire O'Malley, John R. Pelochino, Hugh Pham, Vipul V. Rahane, Matthew J. Taschner, Val Valentine, Kenneth Wong
  • Publication number: 20200120993
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a heating and temperature sensing assembly of a vaporizer device are described herein. In some embodiments, the heating and temperature sensing assembly may include a support plate made out of a thermally conductive material. The heating and temperature sensing assembly may include a heating element including a first electrically conductive pathway extending along the support plate. The heating element may be configured to heat the support plate for heating the vaporizable material. The heating and temperature sensing assembly may include a temperature sensing element having a second electrically conductive pathway extending along the support plate. The temperature sensing element may be configured to sense a temperature of the support plate. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20200120991
    Abstract: A system includes a converter configured to electrically couple to a power source and to a heating element of a vaporizer atomizer. The converter can be further configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and provide a second voltage to the heating element. The converter can be a direct-current to direct-current converter. A power monitor configured to electrically couple to the heating element, measure a current through the heating element, measure a voltage over the heating element, calculate a power and/or resistance, and output a control signal to the converter. The converter can be configured to be controlled by the control signal to vary the second voltage to maintain a target power or a target temperature over the heating element. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Hatton, Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20200000146
    Abstract: A vaporizer device may include various modular components. The vaporizer device may include a first subassembly. The first subassembly may include a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device may include a second subassembly. The second subassembly may include a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device may also include a third subassembly. The third subassembly may include a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel C. Anderson, Wei-Ling Chang, Brandon Cheung, Steven Christensen, Joseph Chun, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Nicholas J. Hatton, Kevin Lomeli, James Monsees, Andrew L. Murphy, Claire O' Malley, John R. Pelochino, Hugh Pham, Vipul V. Rahane, Matthew J. Taschner, Val Valentine, Kenneth Wong
  • Publication number: 20190387795
    Abstract: A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, Nicholas J. Hatton, Andrew Lawrence Murphy, Hugh Pham, Val Valentine