Patents by Inventor William J. Crowe
William J. Crowe 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: 20230232900Abstract: The method includes first defining a first reservoir and a second reservoir within a housing of a cartridge, the second reservoir being in fluid communication with the first reservoir, inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the first reservoir, and arranging a heater and a wick to be in communication with a central channel, the wick being in contact with the absorbent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Patent number: 11627762Abstract: The method includes establishing a first fluid gradient through a central passage, the central passage traversing through a first channel, the first channel defining at least one first hole, a housing covering the first channel, a first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, a second reservoir defined between the first channel and the central passage. The method further includes establishing a second fluid gradient through the at least one first hole, through at least a first portion of the second reservoir, and through at least a second portion of a wick, a heater being in communication with the wick and the central passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20220400755Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir is in the outer housing. The cartridge also includes at least two transfer pads at a reservoir end, and a wick in contact with the transfer pads. The transfer pads include a plurality of fibers. Each of the plurality of fibers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, William J. CROWE, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Bipin R. PATIL, Jarrett KEEN, Michael ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20210345669Abstract: The method includes establishing a first fluid gradient through a central passage, the central passage traversing through a first channel, the first channel defining at least one first hole, a housing covering the first channel, a first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, a second reservoir defined between the first channel and the central passage. The method further includes establishing a second fluid gradient through the at least one first hole, through at least a first portion of the second reservoir, and through at least a second portion of a wick, a heater being in communication with the wick and the central passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 11071329Abstract: The method of making the e-vaping cartridge includes cutting at least one first hole through a first channel, sliding a housing over the first channel, the at least one first hole providing fluid communication between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, where the second reservoir is defined between the first channel and a central passage traversing through the first channel. The method further includes inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the second reservoir, and positioning a heater and a wick in communication with the central passage. Distal ends of the wick contact the at least one first layer of absorbent material, where the heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the at least one first layer of absorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20210022397Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir is in the outer housing. The reservoir has a first reservoir end and a second reservoir end. The cartridge also includes a seal at the first reservoir end, a transfer pad at the second reservoir end, and a wick in contact with the transfer pad. The transfer pad includes a plurality of fibers. Each of the plurality of fibers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, William J. CROWE, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Bipin R. PATIL, Jarrett KEEN, Michael ROBERTS
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Patent number: 10772356Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir is in the outer housing. The reservoir has a first reservoir end and a second reservoir end. The cartridge also includes a seal at the first reservoir end, a transfer pad at the second reservoir end, and a wick in contact with the transfer pad. The transfer pad includes a plurality of fibers. Each of the plurality of fibers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, William J. Crowe, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Bipin R. Patil, Jarrett Keen, Michael Roberts
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Publication number: 20190350267Abstract: The method of making the e-vaping cartridge includes cutting at least one first hole through a first channel, sliding a housing over the first channel, the at least one first hole providing fluid communication between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir being defined between the housing and the first channel, where the second reservoir is defined between the first channel and a central passage traversing through the first channel. The method further includes inserting at least one first layer of absorbent material within the second reservoir, and positioning a heater and a wick in communication with the central passage. Distal ends of the wick contact the at least one first layer of absorbent material, where the heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the at least one first layer of absorbent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 10390567Abstract: The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing, a first tube extending in a longitudinal direction within the housing, the first tube defining at least one first hole that provides fluid communication between a first annulus reservoir and a second annulus reservoir, the first annulus reservoir defined between the housing and the first tube, the second annulus reservoir defined between the first tube and a central passage traversing through the first tube. At least one first layer of absorbent material is positioned within the second annulus reservoir. A wick is in communication with the central passage, where distal ends of the wick contact the at least one first layer of absorbent material. A heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the at least one first layer of absorbent material. The device includes the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20190104764Abstract: A folded heater of an electronic vaping device includes a first plurality of U-shaped segments arranged in a first direction and defining a first side of the heater and a second plurality of U-shaped segments arranged in the first direction and defining a second side of the heater. The second side is substantially parallel to the first side. The heater also includes a first lead portion and a second lead portion. The first plurality of U-shaped segments, the second plurality of U-shaped segments, the first lead portion, and the second lead portion are a single integral member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Charles L. DENDY, William J. CROWE, Christopher Ryan NEWCOMB, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Isaac WEIGENSBERG, David RUBLI
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Publication number: 20190104763Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir is in the outer housing. The reservoir has a first reservoir end and a second reservoir end. The cartridge also includes a seal at the first reservoir end, a transfer pad at the second reservoir end, and a wick in contact with the transfer pad. The transfer pad includes a plurality of fibers. Each of the plurality of fibers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, William J. Crowe, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Bipin R. Patil, Jarrett Keen, Michael Roberts
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Publication number: 20190104766Abstract: A cartridge for an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a reservoir configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation. The reservoir is in the outer housing. The cartridge also includes at least two transfer pads at a reservoir end, and a wick in contact with the transfer pads. The transfer pads include a plurality of fibers. Each of the plurality of fibers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, William J. CROWE, Geoffrey Brandon JORDAN, Bipin R. PATIL, Jarrett KEEN, Michael ROBERTS
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Publication number: 20180263293Abstract: The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing, a first tube extending in a longitudinal direction within the housing, the first tube defining at least one first hole that provides fluid communication between a first annulus reservoir and a second annulus reservoir, the first annulus reservoir defined between the housing and the first tube, the second annulus reservoir defined between the first tube and a central passage traversing through the first tube. At least one first layer of absorbent material is positioned within the second annulus reservoir. A wick is in communication with the central passage, where distal ends of the wick contact the at least one first layer of absorbent material. A heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the at least one first layer of absorbent material. The device includes the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Christopher S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 10015991Abstract: The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing body with a first tube extending longitudinally within the housing body and defining a central passage, the first tube further defining at least one first hole. One or more layers of absorbent material are positioned within an inner annulus reservoir around at least a portion of the first tube. A wick is in communication with the central passage where distal ends of the wick traverse the first hole and is in communication with an annulus reservoir. A heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation communicated to the wick from the annulus reservoir. The e-vaping device includes the cartridge which is connectable to a power section.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Edmond Cadieux, Barry S. Smith, William J. Crowe, Nam Tran
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Publication number: 20180184710Abstract: The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing body with a first tube extending longitudinally within the housing body and defining a central passage, the first tube further defining at least one first hole. One or more layers of absorbent material are positioned within an inner annulus reservoir around at least a portion of the first tube. A wick is in communication with the central passage where distal ends of the wick traverse the first hole and is in communication with an annulus reservoir. A heater is configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation communicated to the wick from the annulus reservoir. The e-vaping device includes the cartridge which is connectable to a power section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER S. TUCKER, Edmond CADIEUX, Barry S. SMITH, William J. CROWE, Nam TRAN
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Patent number: 6810883Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John Louis Felter, Robert E. Lee, Ashok Solanky, Clint Blake, Pamela Davis, David E. Sharpe, Mark E. Watson, Robert L. Ripley, Brett W. Stevenson, William J. Crowe
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Publication number: 20040089314Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: John Louis Felter, Robert E. Lee, Ashok Solanky, Clint Blake, Pamela Davis, David E. Sharpe, Mark E. Watson, Robert L. Ripley, Brett W. Stevenson, William J. Crowe
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Patent number: 5954979Abstract: A novel electrical smoking system and method of establishing resistance to draw upon a cigarette while smoking a cigarette in an electrical smoking system comprising the step of operatively interposing a frit between a source of ambient air and the cigarette.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Mary Ellen Counts, William J. Crowe, John L. Felter, Grier S. Fleischhauer, Mohammad R. Hajaligol, Patrick H. Hayes, Willie G. Houck, H. Neal Nunnally
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Patent number: 5878752Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements. The sleeve serves as a aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: John M. Adams, William J. Crowe, Grier S. Fleischhauer, Jay A. Fournier, Mohammad R. Hajaligol, Willie G. Houck, Jr., Donald B. Losee, Constance H. Morgan, John D. Naworal, H. Neal Nunnally, John B. Paine, III, Wynn R. Raymond, Robert L. Ripley, Jeffrey I. Seeman, Francis M. Sprinkel, Michael L. Watkins
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Patent number: D469962Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: John M. Campbell, Brett W. Stevenson, William J. Crowe, Grier Fleischhauer, Wendy Marin Weiner, Robert Pandorf, Christopher O'Brien Wheeler