Heat Exchanging And/or Insulating Patents (Class 131/194)
  • Patent number: 12108796
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a target; a laser emitter configured to emit light and vaporise a vaporisable material at the target in use; and an optional light guide for guiding light emitted from the laser emitter to the target. An aerosol generating system includes the aerosol generating device and an outer shell for receiving the aerosol generating device in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: JT International S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Robert John Rogan, Roland Stalder
  • Patent number: 12109642
    Abstract: A method for resistance welding includes performing a plurality of resistance welding processes during which welding electrodes are pressed against respective welding spots of respective workpieces. The welding electrodes are energized with a respective welding current for each of the plurality of resistance welding processes, and for each of the plurality of resistance welding processes, a respective at least one characteristic value that characterizes a quality of the welding is determined. A statistical analysis of the determined at least one characteristic value for each of the plurality of resistance welding processes is performed, and based upon the analysis, an adaptation of the prescribed welding parameters is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Baifan Zhou, Damir Shakirov, Fabian Bleier, Juergen Haeufgloeckner, Martin Dieterle, Sean McConnell, Sinisa Slavnic, Tim Pychynski
  • Patent number: 12102114
    Abstract: An aerosol generating article includes a substantially cylindrical cup containing a plant-based aerosol generating material and at least one inductively heatable susceptor element (26). The cup includes an open end and a bottom wall. The cup has a self-supporting moulded form and includes a flange at the open end and a closure attached to the flange. The closure and/or bottom wall is porous or includes one or more openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: JT International S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Robert John Rogan, Mark Gill, Takeshi Akiyama, Keisuke Matsuzaka
  • Patent number: 12102128
    Abstract: A cigarette heater, comprising a heating assembly and a heat insulation assembly used for insulating the heating assembly; the heating assembly comprises a longitudinal heating cavity used for accommodating a cigarette and a heating body used for heating the cigarette; the heat insulation assembly comprises an anisotropic material layer sleeved outside the heating assembly, the thermal conductivity coefficient of the anisotropic material layer in the radial direction being lower than the thermal conductivity coefficient thereof in the axial direction, being used for reducing the thermal conduction of the heat in the heating cavity along the radial direction toward the periphery. By means of arranging the anisotropic material layer outside the heating assembly, the present cigarette heater isolates the heat transfer in the radial direction and also converts the direction of conduction to a dispersed transfer toward the axial direction, reducing the radially outward heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen First Union Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunkai Zhang, Baoling Lei, Shuhui Tang, Ruilong Hu, Zhongli Xu, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12102122
    Abstract: Provided herein is an aerosol-generating article with enhanced vapor production. The aerosol-generating article according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a medium portion, a support structure which is disposed downstream of the medium portion and includes a first tubular structure having a first hollow formed therein, a cooling structure which is disposed downstream of the support structure and includes a second tubular structure having a second hollow formed therein, and a mouthpiece portion which is disposed downstream of the cooling structure. Here, an upstream end of the second tubular structure may abut a downstream end of the first tubular structure, and an average cross-sectional area of the second hollow may be larger than an average cross-sectional area of the first hollow. The cross-sectional area difference enhances an air flow diffusion effect, thereby eventually improving vapor production of the aerosol-generating article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Kyu Seo, Tae Chul Shin, Hee Tae Jung, Young Rim Han
  • Patent number: 12096798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable electronic vaporizing device for use in the vaporization of substances. Methods of using such a device and a removably attachable vaporization module that is compatible with the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Puff Corporation
    Inventors: Avinash Bajpai, Siddhant Waghmare
  • Patent number: 12089650
    Abstract: An aerosol generation device includes: a load used to heat an aerosol generation article by using power that is supplied from a power source, the aerosol generation article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or carry at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to acquire a temperature of the load, and to control the power that is supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control, based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature. When a drop of the temperature of the load is detected during execution of the feedback control, the control unit is configured to change a value of a variable that is used in the feedback control, so as to increase the power that is supplied from the power source to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takuma Nakano, Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 12092321
    Abstract: A reservoir component of an electronic vaping device includes an outer housing, an air inlet, a vapor outlet, an air passage communicating with the air inlet and the vapor outlet, and a reservoir. A magnetic, electrically conductive and resistive heater element is located adjacent the air passage. The heater element is configured to be in electrical communication with an alternator of a power supply component. A wick is in communication with the reservoir and is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir toward the heater element. The heater element is configured to heat pre-vapor formulation to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and form a vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 12082615
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol is provided, the aerosol-generating device including: a substrate cavity configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate; and an electromagnetic field generator including a solid state radio frequency (RF) transistor and being configured to generate a RF electromagnetic field in the substrate cavity. A method for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate is also provided. An aerosol-generating article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Robert Emmett, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Florez, Luca Natali
  • Patent number: 12082612
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and an exterior sleeve, the device including a device housing and a plurality of internal components contained within an interior space enclosed by the housing, the housing including an external surface and at least one bent or bendable portion, bent or bendable into or towards the interior space to interact with one of the internal components, and the exterior sleeve covering the at least one bent or bendable portion. A kit including the aerosol-generating device and at least one exterior sleeve, and a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating system, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Oleg Fursa
  • Patent number: 12082603
    Abstract: The nicotine e-vaping section includes a housing, a wick in a chamber defined within the housing, a heater in heating proximity to the wick and a reservoir configured to contain a nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation including nicotine. The nicotine e-vaping section defines at least one first channel, the at least one first channel being configured to communicate the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir to the wick. The nicotine e-vaping section further defines at least one first air passage, the at least one first air passage being configured to allow air to enter the reservoir. The nicotine e-vaping device includes the nicotine e-vaping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Isaac Weigensberg, Greg Kunin, David Rubli, Bernard G. Juster
  • Patent number: 12082604
    Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article has a carrier and smokable material arranged on the carrier. The smokable material has a first layer of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material. The first layer of smokable material is located between the carrier and the second layer of smokable material. The smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second layer of smokable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Sutton, Dominic Woodcock, Darren Seymour, Hitesh Vallabh, Neil Litten, Harpal Singh, David Russell, Ahmad Bitar
  • Patent number: 12082327
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the article including: a malleable container defining a cavity; a mass of smokable material in the cavity; and heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is a system including: such an apparatus; and an article for use with the apparatus, the article including a container defining a cavity, and a mass of smokable material in the cavity; wherein 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Duane A. Kaufman, Raymond Robey, Benjamin J. Paprocki, John A. Miller
  • Patent number: 12075840
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a vaporizer for an inhaler, in particular an electronic cigarette product, comprising the steps of measuring the voltage applied to a heating element; measuring the current flowing through the heating element; determining the resistance of the heating element from the measured voltage and the measured current; controlling the temperature of the heating element by switching off the switching element in a controlled manner so that the current flow through the heating element is interrupted when the determined resistance exceeds or falls below a first critical threshold R_co.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Sonali Rath, Muhannad Ghanam, Jan Jaklin, Uwe Pelz, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboeing
  • Patent number: 12075846
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device and an aerosol-generating system including the same. Since the cleaning device according to an embodiment may receive electrical energy wirelessly from the aerosol-generating device, the cleaning device may operate without an internal battery or a wired power connection. Therefore, a weight of the cleaning device and its manufacturing cost may be reduced, and a user does not need to charge the cleaning device regularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sang Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 12075830
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided, the aerosol-generating device including: a heating chamber configured to receive a planar aerosol-generating article containing an aerosol-generating substrate; and a heating element having an essentially planar shape and being configured to heat the planar aerosol-generating article, at least a heating surface of the heating element including a surface structure configured to enable lateral airflow between the heating surface and the planar aerosol-generating article after insertion of the planar aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Pieter Van Lancker, Louis-Philippe Vancraeynest, Simon Desnerck
  • Patent number: 12070057
    Abstract: A heat not burn consumable (1) comprising a plant product (5) interspersed with a thermally conductive material in alternating layers such as radially or circumferentially alternating layers. The thermally conductive material may comprise at least one tubular element or may have a spiral configuration. The thermally conductive material may form spokes (4A-4E) within the plant product. A heating element may abut a first longitudinal end face (2) of the consumable (1) with a longitudinally-extending conductive element (6) which protruding axially from the longitudinal end face (2). The plant product (5) may have a smooth surface and the thermally conductive material (4) may be textured. The layers of thermally conductive material may have a grid configuration or a boustrophedonic configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Inventors: Edward Ross Shenton, Kate Ferrie, Chris Lord, David Jones
  • Patent number: 12070067
    Abstract: An aspirator cartridge and an aspirator have new structures. An aspirator cartridge includes a heater unit configured to atomize a liquid in order to generate an aerosol. The heater unit includes: a liquid holding member that has a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; a heater that comes in contact with the first surface of the liquid holding member; and a support member that supports the second surface of the liquid holding member and is softer than the liquid holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Yutaka Kaihatsu, Kentaro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 12063973
    Abstract: Vaporization devices, components, and methods of operating them are provided. In some implementations, the vaporization device for use with a vaporizable material includes a device body, a power source, a microcontroller, a measurement circuit, and a microcontroller. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a resistance of a resistive heater. The microcontroller is configured to determine a baseline resistance based on the measured resistance, the measured resistance being measured after a period of time has passed since power from the power source was last applied to the resistive heater; determine a target resistance of the resistive heater based on the determined baseline resistance; and provide power from the power source to the resistive heater to heat the vaporizable material based at least in part on the target resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Steven Christensen, Nicholas J. Hatton
  • Patent number: 12063956
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing an inductively heatable aerosol-forming substrate comprises the steps of providing a tobacco containing slurry, providing an inductively heatable continuous sheet-like material and joining the tobacco containing slurry and the inductively heatable continuous sheet-like material to form an inductively heatable aerosol-forming substrate. A further step comprises drying the inductively heatable aerosol-forming substrate while transporting the inductively heatable aerosol-forming substrate on a conveyor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Maria Pijnenburg, Oleg Mironov, Yorick Klipfel
  • Patent number: 12059039
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing, microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor and microprocessor. The MEMS-based sensor is within the housing and configured to detect a pressure on the MEMS-based sensor caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing. The MEMS-based sensor is configured to convert the pressure to an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. The microprocessor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the MEMS-based sensor, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson Christopher Lamb, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Sr., Raymond Charles Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12059025
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn cigarette includes a shell, a driving assembly, and a locking mechanism. The shell is provided with an opening and an accommodation cavity. The opening communicates the accommodation cavity with an outside world. The locking mechanism is provided in the accommodation cavity. The driving assembly is transmissively connected to the locking mechanism to drive the locking mechanism to form a smaller clamping ring and a larger clamping ring. The locking mechanism includes a bearing assembly and at least one transmission assembly. The bearing assembly is adjustably connected to the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is connected to the driving assembly, so as to provide preset tracks for the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly expands or contracts along the preset tracks, such that the bearing assembly is adjustably attached to a peripheral side of a cigarette body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo Yilan Yasi Skin Care Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuli Qian, Qijun Ye
  • Patent number: 12058786
    Abstract: A vaporizer device includes a cartridge having a reservoir that holds a vaporizable material and an atomizer chamber that includes a heating element. The heating element can heat the vaporizable material. The heating element can include two rigid portions that are spaced apart by a span that defines a capillary gap. The capillary gap can draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to a heater region to be vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: JUUL LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Ariel Atkins, Steven Christensen, Alexander J. Gould, Bryan White
  • Patent number: 12053013
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating film for generating an aerosol upon heating is provided, including: preparing a film-forming composition including a cellulose based film-forming agent, a non-cellulose based thickening agent, at least about 30 wt percent of water, and at least about 20 wt percent of a polyhydric alcohol being glycerin; forming a layer of the composition less than 1 millimeter thick; and heating the layer to evaporate at least some of the water to obtain the film, the layer being heated to a temperature and for a time such that the film contains less than or equal to about 30 wt percent of water, and the step of preparing the composition further includes dissolving the cellulose based agent and the non-cellulose based thickening agent in the water to form a water-based preparation, defoaming the preparation, and mixing the polyhydric alcohol into the preparation to obtain the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Delphine Langlet, Olivier Vegran, Jean-Yves Vollmer
  • Patent number: 12053018
    Abstract: A water-assisted smoking apparatus is provided having two chambers in substantially vertical alignment and separated by a choke point. Each chamber has at least two vents configured to be sealed with a plug or with a smoke generating and conveying assembly that holds a quantity of a combustible substance and conveys smoke therefrom into the upper chamber through suction generated by the apparatus. The apparatus is operable with a quantity of liquid and controlled venting to draw in and collect smoke generated from burning of the combustible substance in both a first orientation in which the first chamber is the upper chamber and the second chamber is the lower chamber and also when the apparatus is inverted to a second orientation in which the second chamber is the upper chamber and the first chamber is the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Inventor: Minjoe Williams
  • Patent number: 12048325
    Abstract: An aerosol-generation system for a smoking article comprises an aerosol-generating segment and a heat generation segment. The heat generation segment has a length and includes a heat source. The aerosol-generation system for a smoking article also comprises an insulator having at least a portion extending beyond the second end of the heat source, such that the portion is axially arranged in a lengthwise direction proximate to the aerosol-generating segment. Each segment is physically separate and in a heat exchange relationship. The heat source comprises a carbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Stephen Benson Sears, Joanne Naomi Taylor
  • Patent number: 12048332
    Abstract: A tobacco evaporator, comprising a body, a smoke circulation channel, and a heating core assembly. The heating core assembly comprises a smoke bowl assembly and a preheating assembly; the smoke bowl assembly comprises a first bowl body and a second bowl body, and the first bowl body is used for accommodating a substance to be evaporated; the second bowl body is used for accommodating the preheating assembly and is elastically fastened to the preheating assembly, and the preheating assembly is used for when cleaning is needed, being detachably taken out of the second bowl body to clean the smoke circulation channel and pushing the preheating assembly into the fastening position in a set direction after cleaning is completed. A hot air heating mode for a material to be evaporated and a more convenient and thorough air channel cleaning structure are implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN JIANAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Weihua Hu
  • Patent number: 12044881
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising a control device that is connectable with a cartridge and that can include one or more additional elements for improving one or both of visible indications of use to a user and resistance to infiltration of liquid into the control device. More particularly, the control device may include a light guide configured for transmitting to a window from a light source that is off-set from the window and a controller configured to direct a varying level of light from the light source. The control device may include one or more elements that are configured to limit infiltration of liquids into the control device and thus may be consider to be water-resistant or water-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III, Sean A. Daugherty, Michael Ryan Galloway, Justin Holt
  • Patent number: 12041960
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method of generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate using an aerosol-generating device with at least one heat source disposed to heat, but not burn, the aerosol-generating substrate in use. The aerosol-generating substrate has first and second portions having substantially the same composition, and/or has first and second portions and there is no physical separation between the portions. The method includes heating the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol-generating device, so that a temperature profile of the first portion of the aerosol-generating substrate during heating is different from a temperature profile of the second portion of the aerosol-generating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Pablo Javier Ballesteros Gomez, Jeremy Philips
  • Patent number: 12029254
    Abstract: This flavor-generating device includes: a circuit in which a power source, a first load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source, and a second load different from the first load are electrically connected; a control unit configured so as to acquire a request for supply of power to each of the first load and the second load, and so as to control the circuit so that power is supplied from the power supply to each of the first load and the second load on the basis of the request; and a reducing means configured so that, when the control unit simultaneously acquires the request to the first load and the request to the second load, or when the control unit controls the circuit so that the supply of power to the first load and the supply of power to the second load are performed simultaneously, the electric power discharged from the power supply or the electric power amount is reduced to less than a maximum electric power for when the power supply discharges to the first load and the second load s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Keiji Marubashi, Takuma Nakano, Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 12022872
    Abstract: A tobacco-heating smoking set includes: a first component and a second component, wherein the first component includes: a first housing and a bracket, wherein the bracket is fixed on the first housing, and a heating chamber is formed inside the bracket; the second component includes: a second housing and a heating component, the second housing is matched and engaged with the first housing to form a housing of the tobacco-heating smoking set, the heating component is fixed on the second housing, the heating component includes a heating element, the heating element is accommodated in the heating chamber and is configured for heating a cigarette, and the first component is capable of being removed from the second component to expose the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shufeng Zhang, Zongping Yu, Xiaodong Sun, Zhongli Xu, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12016997
    Abstract: An inhaler device for pulmonary delivery of at least one substance from a drug dose cartridge to an inhaling user, including: a first conduit for conducting a carrier airflow to a proximal opening of a mouthpiece for use by the user; a holder configured to position the dose cartridge within the carrier airflow; and a second conduit for conducting a shunting airflow to the mouthpiece without passing through the dose cartridge position. In some embodiments, a controller connected to a valve controls a rate of carrier airflow, for example by controlling the shunting airflow, based on a sensor indication of airflow rate and a target airflow profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Syqe Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Perry Davidson, Aaron Schorr, Binyamin Schwartz, Roee Lifshitz
  • Patent number: 12016375
    Abstract: An electrically heatable aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-forming article including a magnetic material, the device including: a heater element configured to heat the aerosol-forming article; an inductor; and a controller configured to measure an inductance of the inductor, the heater element being further configured to be controlled in response to a measured inductance of the inductor and to provide a predetermined heating profile based on a type of the aerosol-forming article. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and at least one aerosol-forming article is also provided. A method of operating an electrically heated aerosol-generating system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Oleg Mironov
  • Patent number: 12016390
    Abstract: Provided is a heater assembly for aerosol generating devices, the heater assembly including a thermally conductive element that has a cylindrical shape and includes an accommodation space for accommodating a cigarette, a flexible heater that surrounds at least a portion of an outer surface of the thermally conductive element, and an adhesion member that surrounds the flexible heater such that the flexible heater closely adheres to the thermally conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tae Hun Kim, Hun Il Lim, Jong Sun Park
  • Patent number: 12016388
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a main body and a top cover. The top cover comprises a cavity configured for insertion of an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate into the cavity. The device further comprises an ejector. The top cover is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. In the first position, the top cover is extended from the main body and the cavity is accessible for insertion of an aerosol-generating article. In the second position, the top cover is retracted towards the main body and the cavity is closed. The ejector is configured to eject an aerosol-generating article from the cavity during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position. The invention also relates to a system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The invention also relates to a method for ejecting an aerosol-generating article from an aerosol-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Nuno Batista, Edward Kiernan
  • Patent number: 12011041
    Abstract: A non-contact heat-not-burn heating device includes a ceramic heating element, a smoking product bearing assembly and a cooling tube. The ceramic heating element includes a heating body and a heating circuit, the heating body is cylindrical and internally provided with a porous channel, and the heating circuit is arranged on the heating body to heat air passing through the porous channel. The smoking product bearing assembly includes a ceramic tube and a blocking piece, the blocking piece is arranged in a cavity defined by the ceramic tube to divide the cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity. The cooling tube is arranged above the ceramic tube and separated from the ceramic tube, the inner diameter of a cavity defined by the cooling tube is identical with that of the first cavity, so that a holder of the smoking product can pass suitably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: XIAMEN FENGTAO CERAMICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaohua Zhu, Zhaorong Xiong, Zengxue Fu, Xiangyi Yu, Maoqi Liu
  • Patent number: 12016086
    Abstract: A control circuit for a vapor provision system includes comprises a first controller with capability to control a first set of components in the vapor provision system; a second controller with capability to control a second set of components in the vapor provision system, at least one component in the second set being also in the first set; and a communication link between the first controller and the second controller by which at least one controller can monitor operation of the other controller; wherein one or both controllers is operable to, via the communication link, detect a fault with the capability of the other controller to control the at least one component and, in response, assume control of the at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventor: Martin Conrad Mullin
  • Patent number: 11998061
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generating apparatus including: a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article inserted into an accommodation space of the aerosol generating apparatus; a sensing module including at least one of an inductive sensor configured to detect a change in an inductance of the accommodation space or a temperature sensor configured to detect a change in a temperature of the heater; and a processor configured to: detect, via the sensing module, whether the aerosol generating article that is inserted into the accommodation space is at least partially moved from the accommodation space; and based on detecting that the aerosol generating article is at least partially moved from the accommodation space, control a power supply to the heater, based on at least one of the change in the inductance or the change in the temperature acquired via the sensing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Hwan Kim, Dong Sung Kim, Seung Won Lee, Seok Su Jang, Dae Nam Han
  • Patent number: 11998682
    Abstract: The aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating article with an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating article having an outlet end and a distal end upstream from the outlet end. The system also includes an electrically operated aerosol-generating device including a housing having a cavity configured to receive the distal end of the aerosol-generating article, an electric heating element, and a heat diffuser including a non-combustible porous body for absorbing heat from the electric heating element such that, in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the outlet end is heated by the heat absorbed in the porous body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Thorens
  • Patent number: 11992059
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article or electronic vaping article includes a reservoir containing a liquid material and having an outlet, a capillary having a capillary inlet and a capillary outlet, the capillary inlet of the capillary in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material contained within the capillary, and a shuttle valve between the outlet of the reservoir and the capillary inlet. The shuttle valve is operable to prevent release of liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in a closed position and is operable to release liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: David B. Kane, David R. Schiff, Tony Gatta, Chris Carrick, Jonathan D. Albert
  • Patent number: 11980227
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes a liquid storage for storing an aerosol generating material, an upper cap having a liquid inlet through which the aerosol generating material is introduced, a lower cap coupled to the upper cap to form an aerosol generating space together with the upper cap, a liquid delivery element that is arranged in the aerosol generating space and absorbs the aerosol generating material delivered from the liquid storage, and a heating element that generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, wherein the lower cap may include a support groove for supporting at least part of the liquid delivery element and inner walls facing both ends of the liquid delivery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tae Hun Kim, Hun Il Lim, Hyung Jin Jung, Jae Sung Choi, Jung Ho Han
  • Patent number: 11980852
    Abstract: A wine funnel for facilitating the transfer of wine from a bottle to a decanter includes a frustoconical housing having a top wall, a substantially continuous outer wall, and a lower end. Centrally positioned on the top wall is an elevated ball for dispersing wine into smaller, multidirectional streams. The top wall also includes a plurality of concentric grooves that trap sediment from wine deflected by the ball. The grooves are in fluid communication with an internal spiraled passageway having a plurality of venturi ports for efficiently importing ambient air into wine as it flows through the housing and into a decanter or wine glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey Larson
  • Patent number: 11980220
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11980235
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a case including an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of an aerosol generating article; a heater that heats the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space to generate aerosol; and an air circulator that generates air flow to discharge air in the accommodation space to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 11974613
    Abstract: A case for an aerosol-generating device is provided, the case including: a case housing; a case power supply; a holder to receive the aerosol-generating device, the holder being movably coupled to the case housing and configured for both rotational movement relative to the case housing and translational movement relative to the case housing, and being movable relative to the case housing between an open position to receive the device and a closed position configured to store the device; a case electrical connector to supply power from the case power supply to the device when the device is received within the holder and when the holder is in each of the open and closed positions; an input; and case control circuitry to receive data from the input and to transmit a signal to the device by the connector, the signal being indicative of a state of the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Oleg Fursa
  • Patent number: 11979949
    Abstract: Efficient Heating of a consumable containing tobacco (or other plant material) without combustion using multiple induction heating zones for smoke free release of pant resins for use with tobacco or cannabis, including utilizing a removable cartridge which may contain metal foil regions. The cartridge is placed removably into a guide wherein heating occurs in zones via conductive and/or inductive heating elements. Such heat being at a sufficient temperature to vaporize resins or oils on plant material such as hemp, tobacco and cannabis, for inhalation from the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Mark H. Krietzman
  • Patent number: 11969018
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, provided is an aerosol generating device including: a receiving portion accommodating a cigarette through an opening formed at one end of the receiving portion; a first susceptor located in the receiving portion; a second susceptor arranged spaced apart from the first susceptor; a third susceptor arranged spaced apart from the first susceptor and the second susceptor; and a coil that induces an alternating magnetic field so that the first to third susceptors generate heat, wherein whether the cigarette is accommodated is determined based on a first temperature profile of the second susceptor and a second temperature profile of the third susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Kyu Park, Seung Won Lee, Jong Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 11969007
    Abstract: A heated aerosol-generating article for use with an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device includes an outlet end and a distal end. The article may include a heat diffuser at the distal end of the article. The article may include an aerosol-forming substrate between the heat diffuser and the outlet end. The heat diffuser may include a non-combustible porous body configured to absorb heat from an electric heating element such that the heat diffuser is configured to heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the outlet end based on the heat absorbed in the porous body. The heated aerosol-generating article may be included in a heated aerosol-generating system that includes an electric heating element configured to generate heat. The heat diffuser may heat air drawn through the aerosol-generating system, based on absorbing heat generated by the electric heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Michel Thorens
  • Patent number: 11969006
    Abstract: A heated aerosol-generating article including a rod of aerosol-generating substrate is provided, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate including: a first plug of homogenised tobacco material including an aerosol former; and a second plug of homogenised tobacco material including an aerosol former, where the first plug and the second plug are coaxially aligned in an abutting end-to-end relationship, the first plug being disposed downstream of the second plug, where the first plug and the second plug differ from each other in at least one of density and composition of aerosol former, such that the first plug has a lower activation temperature than the second plug, and where, upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate, the first plug releases aerosol after a shorter time than the second plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Tony Reevell
  • Patent number: 11963553
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a housing; a cavity to receive an aerosol-generating article; an aperture at least partially defined by the housing and disposed at an end of the cavity for insertion of the article through the aperture; a cover element to move, with respect to the housing, between a closed position and an open position; a sensor to provide an electrical signal indicative of a position of the cover element with respect to the aperture; an indicator element to move relative to the sensor and the cover element when the cover element is moved between the closed and the open positions, the signal being determined by a position of the indicator element relative to the sensor; and a mechanical linkage translating movement of the cover element between the closed and the open positions into movement of the indicator element with respect to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Borges, Jean-Luc Fringeli, Ilario Melzi, Stefano Pietro Pozzi, Alberto Silvano