Patents by Inventor Walter A. Nichols

Walter A. Nichols 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: 6823873
    Abstract: A cigarette includes an ignition element in contact with tobacco, surrounded by a composite outer wrapper. The outer wrapper is impervious to oxygen causing the tobacco to extinguish between puffs. The ignition element, however, has a longer static burn time than the tobacco and remains smoldering between puffs. Upon a subsequent puff, the smoldering ignition element re-ignites the tobacco. One or more initially-occluded perforations in the outer layer maintain the uniformity in combustion of the tobacco and ignition element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, John R. Hearn, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Jay A Fournier, Jerry F. Whidby
  • Patent number: 6804458
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Sirisha P. Reddy, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6799572
    Abstract: A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device which includes a heater adapted to volatilize fluid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and method of using the inhaler. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an outlet, the chamber being located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds a predetermined volume of a fluid which is expelled through the outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the fluid, the outlet can be formed by severing the first and/or second layer with a piercing element and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040182389
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
  • Publication number: 20040170405
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater, which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together, and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets, and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Sirisha P. Reddy, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20040129793
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device generates an aerosol having a desired particle size by passing a liquid through a flow passage heated to convert the liquid into a vapor. The flow passage includes an outlet section that controls the exit velocity of the vapor and produces an aerosol with a desired particle size. The aerosol generator can be incorporated in a hand held inhaler, and the liquid can include a medicament, which is delivered to a targeted portion of the lung using the inhaler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Tung T. Nguyen, Douglas D. McRae, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, Ulysses Smith, Gary E. Grollimund, Donald L. Brookman
  • Publication number: 20040079368
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a housing, a heater and an optional mouthpiece. The heater volatilizes liquid within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. An aerosol confinement sleeve is disposed to control the size distribution of the aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajiv Gupta, Douglas D. McRae, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20040081624
    Abstract: Liquid aerosol formulations for generating aerosols include at least one high volatility carrier and a second component. In some embodiments, the liquid aerosol formulation is propellant free. An aerosol generating device generates an aerosol by passing liquid aerosol formulation through a flow passage heated to convert the liquid into a vapor, which is mixed with air to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, particles of the aerosol consist essentially of the second component. The aerosol generator can be incorporated in a hand held inhaler. The aerosol can be delivered to a targeted portion of the lung using the inhaler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Tung T. Nguyen, Christopher L. Irving, Kenneth A. Cox, Douglas D. McRae, Walter A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6715487
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040050383
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel
  • Patent number: 6701921
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
  • Publication number: 20040025865
    Abstract: An aerosol generator and methods of delivering aerosol to a user inhaling on a mouthpiece when a pressure drop is detected within the mouthpiece are disclosed. A medicated fluid passing through a capillary passage is heated to vaporize the fluid and form the aerosol by condensation or mixture of the vaporized fluid with admixed air. A metering chamber allows consistent delivery of precise doses of fluid to the capillary passage. Once the pressure drop is detected, aerosol can be quickly delivered to the user as the user begins to inhale on the mouthpiece. The quick delivery of aerosol provides more efficient use of the user's lung capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Donald L. Brookman, Gary E. Grollimund, Ulysses Smith
  • Patent number: 6681769
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a heater arrangement having multiple heating sections and corresponding flow paths for volatilization of a fluid in liquid form. The flow paths can include first and second flow paths which are parallel to each other and sized such that the first flow path is smaller than the second flow path. During delivery of liquid to the flow paths, a smaller amount of vaporized liquid can be ejected from the first flow path, and the bulk of the vaporized liquid can be ejected from the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Crysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030230303
    Abstract: An aerosol generator such as a hand-held inhaler and method of delivering aerosol to a user inhaling on an outlet of a mouthpiece when a pressure drop is detected within the mouthpiece. A medicated fluid passing through a capillary passage is heated sufficiently to vaporize the fluid and form the aerosol by condensation of the vaporized fluid as it admixes with air. Air is supplied to the mouthpiece through an air passage which is initially closed during detection of the pressure drop. A metering chamber allows consistent delivery of precise doses of fluid to the capillary passage. The pressure drop is detected before air is supplied to the mouthpiece with the result that the aerosol can be quickly delivered to the user as the user begins to inhale on the mouthpiece. The quick delivery of aerosol provides more efficient use of the user's lung capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Donald L. Brookman, Gary E. Grollimund, Ulysses Smith
  • Publication number: 20030205228
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6640050
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol includes a capillary tube made from an electrically conductive material, an upstream electrode connected to the tube, and a downstream electrode connected to the tube and provided with an electrical resistivity sufficient to cause heating of the downstream electrode during operation to approximately the same temperature as the tube at the point of connection. The upstream and downstream electrodes connected to the capillary tube divide the tube into an initial feed section, a heated section, and a tip. A source of material to be volatilized is provided to the tube at the feed section, passes downstream into the heated section, is vaporized, and then exits from the tube through the tip. The temperature profile of the tube along the heated section is controlled by varying parameters to substantially eliminate any effect of the downstream electrode as a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Douglas D. McRae, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030132219
    Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20030108342
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Sirisha P. Reddy, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030106552
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a heater arrangement having multiple heating sections and corresponding flow paths for volatilization of a fluid in liquid form. The flow paths can include first and second flow paths which are parallel to each other and sized such that the first flow path is smaller than the second flow path. During delivery of liquid to the flow paths, a smaller amount of vaporized liquid can be ejected from the first flow path, and the bulk of the vaporized liquid can be ejected from the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Walter A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6568390
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen