Method Patents (Class 392/387)
  • Patent number: 11684732
    Abstract: A control body is coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, with the cartridge being equipped with a heating element. The control body includes first and second positive conductors connectable with respectively a power supply and the heating element. The control body includes a series pull-up resistor and switch connected to and between the first and second positive conductors. A microprocessor is configured to operate the switch in a closed state in a standby mode in which the pull-up resistor causes a logical high level of voltage at the second positive conductor when the control body and cartridge are uncoupled, and in which the heating element is unpowered causes a logical low level of the voltage when the control body and cartridge are coupled. The microprocessor is configured to measure the voltage and control operation of functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Frisbee, Paul Stapleton, Milton G. Carawan, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 11549760
    Abstract: A heat dissipation assembly includes a condenser, an evaporator, a vapor conduit, and a liquid conduit. The condenser has a condensing chamber therein. Two ends of the vapor conduit are respectively connected to the condenser and the evaporator. Two ends of the liquid conduit are respectively connected to the condenser and the evaporator. A geometric center of the liquid conduit in the condensing chamber is lower than or equal to a geometric center of the condensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Fang Wu, Li-Kuang Tan
  • Patent number: 11304443
    Abstract: A vaporizer heating element is disclosed. In various embodiments, the vaporizer heating element comprises a heat conductor embedded within a cup. The cup defines a chamber configured to receive tobacco and/or other plant-based extracts. The heat conductor is configured to receive an electrical current and increase a temperature of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SV3, LLC
    Inventors: Geoff Habicht, Amir Hakak
  • Patent number: 11305301
    Abstract: A microfluidic delivery device is provided. The microfluidic delivery device includes a housing electrically connectable with a power source. A cartridge is releasably connectable with the housing. The cartridge has a reservoir for containing a fluid composition and microfluidic die in fluid communication with the reservoir. The microfluidic die is configured to dispense substantially all of the fluid composition in an upward direction relative to horizontal. The microfluidic delivery device also includes a fan that is connected with the housing. The fan is configured to generate air flow that converges with and redirects the fluid composition dispensed from the microfluidic die in a first direction to a second direction that is different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dana Paul Gruenbacher, Hua Hu, Abbey A. Lopez, Todd Michael Wernicke, William Paul Mahoney, III
  • Patent number: 11213072
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a first element connected in series to a load and having a first electric resistance value; a second series circuit including a second element having a second electric resistance value and a third element connected in series to the second element and having a third electric resistance value, and connected in parallel with a first series circuit including the load and the first element; and an operational amplifier in which one of a non-inverting input terminal and an inverting input terminal is connected to the first series circuit, and the other of the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal is connected to the second series circuit. Each of the first to third electric resistance values is larger than the electric resistance value of the load at a normal temperature or a temperature in a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventor: Keiji Marubashi
  • Patent number: 11202342
    Abstract: Provided is a battery unit including: a power supply; a detector configured to detect an output voltage of the power supply; a connecting configured to be connectable with a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source; and a controller capable of executing a power supply mode in which electric power is supplied to the load from the power supply. The controller executes a specific control different from the supply of electric power to the load based on am amount of change in the output voltage per a predetermined time period in the power supply mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Takeuchi, Takaya Takahashi, Manabu Yamada, Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 11179527
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods may control total particulate matter (TPM) production based on air flow rate and TPM density. TPM density is a TPM production rate per flow rate of gas through an aerosol-generating device. The systems, devices, and methods may measure, or sample, air flow during a puff or draw on an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may, in turn, adjust the production of the TPM based on the measured air flow rate and a selected, or desired, TPM density, which may be pre-set in the device and/or subsequently set as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Stephane Bilat
  • Patent number: 11083228
    Abstract: An e-cigarette PV that includes an air pressure valve or device so that excess air can escape from an e-liquid reservoir in the PV when that reservoir is being filled under pressure with e-liquid from a parent reservoir. The valve or device is a barrier made of an air-porous material, such as a sintered polymer or metal, coated with or otherwise including a barrier or layer of an air-porous substance that is not porous to e-liquid, such as an oleophobic material or a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic material. The oleophobic material is one of: sintered phosphor bronze, sintered stainless steel and sintered PU plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: AYR LTD.
    Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 10806816
    Abstract: A microfluidic delivery device and method of dispensing a fluid composition from a microfluidic die are provided. The method includes generating air flow from a fan; directing a first portion of the air flow through a first air outlet in a housing; directing a second portion of the air flow through a second air outlet in the housing; jetting a fluid composition from a microfluidic die through a fluid orifice in the housing; directing the second portion of air flow adjacent to the microfluidic die and out the fluid outlet, wherein the first portion of the air flow directs the fluid composition jetted out of the fluid outlet into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dana Paul Gruenbacher, William Michael Cannon, Hua Hu, James Thomas Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10624393
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device, the device comprising: a heater comprising at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a power source for providing power to the heating element, comprising the steps of: controlling the power provided to the heating element such that in a first phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases from an initial temperature to a first temperature, in a second phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element drops below the first temperature and in a third phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases again. Increasing the temperature of the heating element during a final phase of the heating process reduces or prevents the reduction in aerosol delivery over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Arkadiusz Kuczaj
  • Patent number: 10395892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glow discharge assembly that includes an electrically conductive cylindrical screen, a flange assembly, an electrode, an insulator and a non-conductive granular material. The electrically conductive cylindrical screen has an open end and a closed end. The flange assembly is attached to and electrically connected to the open end of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The flange assembly has a hole with a first diameter aligned with a longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The electrode is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical screen and extends through the hole of the flange assembly into the electrically conductive cylindrical screen. The insulator seals the hole of the flange assembly around the electrode and maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the electrically conductive cylindrical screen and the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 9980519
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes an atomizer assemble which may be controlled by a button or airflow sensing. A button module and an airflow sensing module are integrated into the electronic cigarette. The user may directly smoke, and the airflow sensing module triggers the atomizer assemble to atomize tobacco tar to generate smoke. Alternatively, if the user wants to smoke, the user may press the button module. Because of the combination of the button module and the airflow sensing module, before the user puffs on the electronic cigarette, the user may press the button module, thus the atomizer assemble enters heating state and airflow channel is heated. In this way, when the user puffs on the electronic cigarette, the electronic cigarette may generate a lot of smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH
    Inventor: Zhiyong Xiang
  • Publication number: 20150117841
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices include mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a heating element to produce a vapor. A pressure controller may control dispensing of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir based on a pressure differential between a first pressure within the reservoir and a second pressure proximate the atomizer. The first pressure within the reservoir may be substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the first pressure within the reservoir may be greater than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Publication number: 20150117842
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices include mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a heating element to produce a vapor. An actuator may displace a rod to dispense the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer. Thereby, the rod may move a piston in a pump housing to dispense the aerosol precursor composition. The atomizer may define a chamber in which the heating element is positioned and at which the aerosol precursor composition is vaporized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Publication number: 20150086186
    Abstract: A method and related handheld electronic vaporization device comprising a heating chamber adapted to receive a removable capsule, at least one air preheating chamber and at least one fluid communication passageway from exterior of the device, through the at least one preheating chamber, the heating chamber and the capsule. The heating chamber is adapted to receive the capsule having an outlet and being adapted to hold a substrate containing a volatile compound that, when heated, yields vapor including the volatile compound. The at least one preheating chamber is in contact with the heating chamber. At least one of the heating chamber or the at least one preheating chamber is electrically heated. When negative air pressure is applied to the capsule's outlet, air from the exterior of the device is allowed in the at least one fluid communication passageway to the capsule's outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Grégoire Boki
  • Publication number: 20150047661
    Abstract: A vapor delivery device and method for controlling the vaporization of a fluid by a vapor delivery device. An exemplary vapor delivery device comprises a housing, a liquid tank disposed within the housing and adapted to hold a fluid, a heating element disposed within the housing and being operable to vaporize at least a portion of the fluid, a power source disposed with the housing and electronically coupled to the power source and the heating element, an electronics portion adapted to control heating element and the power source, and an outlet extending from the liquid tank to an opening in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Johnathan Seamus Blackley, André LaMothe
  • Publication number: 20140321837
    Abstract: A method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device is provided, the device including a powered aerosol generating element, a flow channel to allow a flow of gas past the element, and a flow sensor to detect air flow in the flow channel, the method including: determining a value of a first parameter related to a change in flow rate; and reducing a supply of power to the element depending on a comparison result between the first parameter value and a threshold value, the first parameter being derived from a combination of a second parameter that is a measure of a flow rate detected by the flow sensor and a third parameter related to the flow rate. Also provided is a method of reducing or suspending aerosol production, based not simply on a detected flow rate, but on another measure indicative of the evolution of the flow characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Flick
  • Patent number: 8865066
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing a material, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a sterilizing composition comprising (i) peracetic acid and (ii) a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of citric acid, isocitric acid, aconitic acid and propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid; b) introducing such sterilizing composition into a hot gaseous stream to produce a peracetic acid vapor; and c) contacting such peracetic acid vapor with the material to be sterilized. The use of such an organic acid stabilizer results in an unexpected reduction in the amount of residue deposited on the heating surface employed to vaporize the sterilizing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: PeroxyChem LLC
    Inventors: John M. Rovison, Ricky Mittiga, Donald Lapham, Weidong An
  • Publication number: 20140270727
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling heating of an aerosol precursor arrangement of an electronic smoking article. An average power is directed from a power source to a heating device arranged to heat the aerosol precursor arrangement and a heating time period commensurately initiated. The average power corresponds to a selected power set point associated with the power source. An actual power directed to the heating device is determined as a product of a voltage at, and a current through, the heating device. The actual power is compared to the average power, and the average power is adjusted to direct the actual power toward the selected power set point. The actual power is periodically determined and compared to the average power, and the average power adjusted toward the selected power set point, until expiration of the heating time period. An associated apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Ryan Galloway, Scott Ingham, Allen Michael East, Glen Kimsey, Keith William Anderson, Raymond C. Henry, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140219644
    Abstract: A method of heating fluids that includes heating liquids within a lower portion of a vessel, using first immersion heaters and heating a gas within an upper portion of the vessel using second immersion heaters. Liquid levels in the lower portion of the vessel are controlled. Heating the gas includes heating gas within the upper portion of the common vessel within another vessel positioned within the upper portion of the common vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Gaumer Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. McClanahan, Craig S. Tiras
  • Patent number: 8755679
    Abstract: A liquid material vaporizer comprises a gas-liquid mixing section for mixing a liquid material and a carrier gas to generate a gas-liquid mixture, and a heating type vaporizing section for vaporizing the gas-liquid mixture from the gas-liquid mixing section and exhausting outside the gas generated by the vaporization with assistance of the carrier gas, wherein the vaporizing section is configured with an arrangement of one or a plurality of flat plates formed in a spiral shape by an inwardly twisting path. Such an arrangement provides an excellent liquid material vaporizer capable of, even if a liquid material composed of a plurality of materials having different boiling points is vaporized, preventing a residue from being generated, and performing the vaporization in a preferable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Nishikawa, Takeshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 8731383
    Abstract: A method and system for delivering iodine gas is presented. The pure iodine gas flow can be at a controlled, known flow rate, and furthermore be held at a positive pressure in relation to a process chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, pure iodine gas is transported without the use of an inert carrier gas. This is facilitated in part by maintaining the iodine gas chamber at a higher pressure than the processing chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, an iodine vessel receives solid iodine supplied by an iodine fill source and is heated to produce pure iodine gas. In addition, a control system monitors and controls the operating conditions in the iodine vessel and maintains a positive pressure in the iodine vessel. The iodine delivery system may include a valve system configured to control the flow of iodine gas through the iodine delivery system and into a process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: George M. Engle
  • Patent number: 8691017
    Abstract: A heat equalizer includes a container structure having a heating block in which a working fluid is held for heating and vaporizing a material to be heated, a heater placed at the bottom of the container structure, and a material feed pipe allowing the outside and the inside of the container structure to communicate with each other. In the heating block, as a flow path in which the material to be heated flows, a main header pipe connected to the material feed pipe and extending in the horizontally, and a riser pipe branching from the main header pipe and extending vertically are formed. As a condensation path in which the working fluid is cooled and condensed, condensation holes formed respectively on the opposite sides of the riser pipe and extending horizontally, and a condensation pit formed under the riser pipe are formed. Between the condensation holes and the condensation pit, the main header pipe is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: National University Corporation Tohoku University, Toshiba Mitsubishi—Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Masafumi Kitano, Hisaaki Yamakage, Yoshihito Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140064713
    Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
  • Publication number: 20140054065
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing electrical circuit traces for use in electro-chemical sensors is disclosed, as well as electro-chemical sensors made from that method. The method includes providing a web, with a substrate and a thin, electrically conductive portion on the substrate. The web is positioned with a mask between it and a source of high frequency, non-laser photonic energy. The method discloses emitting at least one sub-millisecond burst of high frequency, non-laser photonic energy from said source toward the web with the mask therebetween. The photonic energy is substantially blocked by a photo-opaque portion of the mask. A portion of said non-laser photonic energy transmits with sufficient energy to ablate the portions of the electrically conductive portion exposed to the photonic energy, leaving the circuit traces on the web in the form of a repeating array of traces adapted for use in electro-chemical sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Abner D. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20130243410
    Abstract: An aerosol generator periodically forms aerosolized fragrance material by repeatedly supplying a liquid fragrance material to a capillary passage via only capillary action and heating the capillary passage, such that the liquid fragrance material at least partially volatilizes and is driven out of an outlet of the capillary passage. A wick feeds the liquid fragrance material to an inlet of the capillary passage by capillary action. An apparatus and method for generating such an aerosolized fragrance material, as well as the methods of heating, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, David Keeler, Christopher Tucker
  • Publication number: 20130195432
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for vaporizing a liquid and a method of using the same are disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a housing, a tube, a heater, and a plurality of non-reactive members. The tube is disposed in the interior of the housing and has an inlet and an outlet. The heater is configured to heat the tube. The plurality of non-reactive members are disposed in an interior cavity of the tube in an arrangement such that a plurality of voids are defined between the members and the tube. The arrangement also permits liquid to pass through the voids and travel from the inlet of the tube to the outlet of tube. The plurality of non-reactive members and the tube transfer heat to the liquid as the liquid passes through the plurality of voids in order to vaporize the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8354002
    Abstract: Mixtures containing high boiling and low boiling components, at least one component being dissociatable into ions, are separated effectively by heating by passing an alternating electrical current through the mixture. The process is particularly effective in the workup of crude alkylchlorosilanes from the direct synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Paul Fuchs, Norbert Ellinger, Klaus Kaeppler, Gerhard Staiger
  • Patent number: 8280235
    Abstract: A liquid material vaporizer comprises a gas-liquid mixing section for mixing a liquid material and a carrier gas to generate a gas-liquid mixture; a heating type vaporizing section for vaporizing the gas-liquid mixture from the gas-liquid mixing section and exhausting outside with an assistance of the carrier gas a gas generated by the vaporization; a connecting section for making a connection between the gas-liquid mixing section and the vaporizing section, the connecting section having inside a flow path for the gas-liquid mixture; and a connecting section cooling section for cooling the connecting section. Thus, the liquid material vaporizer which performs suitable vaporization by preventing residue from being generated even in the case of vaporizing a liquid material composed of a plurality of materials having different boiling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Horiba Stec, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Nishikawa, Takeshi Kawano
  • Publication number: 20120243853
    Abstract: A sintered electrolyte sheet comprising: a body of no more than 45 ?m thick and laser machined features with at least one edge surface having at least 10% ablation. A method of micromachining the electrolyte sheet includes the steps of: (i) supporting a sintered electrolyte sheet; (ii) micromachining said sheet with a laser, wherein said laser has a wavelength of less than 2 ?m, fluence of less than 200 Joules/cm2, repettion rate (RR) of between 30 Hz and 1 MHz, and cutting speed of preferably over 30 mm/sec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William Cortez Blanchard, Sean Matthew Garner, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Xinghua Li
  • Patent number: 8233783
    Abstract: An apparatus for utilizing water such as, for example, an atomizer or vaporizer, having at least one container for water. Here, two ceramic electrodes that can be used to treat the water are arranged for the purpose of improving the water quality in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Venta-Luftwäscher GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Hitzler, Guido Wegner
  • Patent number: 8197762
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a volatile material comprises the steps of providing power to a volatile material diffuser having a diffusion element. The method further includes the step of operating the diffusion element for a randomly determined period of time, wherein the diffusion element is continuously activated and deactivated during the period of time at a randomly determined duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Gasper
  • Patent number: 8195039
    Abstract: A method and system for delivering iodine gas is presented. The pure iodine gas flow can be at a controlled, known flow rate, and furthermore be held at a positive pressure in relation to a process chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, pure iodine gas is transported without the use of an inert carrier gas. This is facilitated in part by maintaining the iodine gas chamber at a higher pressure than the processing chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, an iodine vessel receives solid iodine supplied by an iodine fill source and is heated to produce pure iodine gas. In addition, a control system monitors and controls the operating conditions in the iodine vessel and maintains a positive pressure in the iodine vessel. The iodine delivery system may include a valve system configured to control the flow of iodine gas through the iodine delivery system and into a process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Integration, Inc.
    Inventor: George Engle
  • Patent number: 8170405
    Abstract: A high-performance, modular, multipurpose, cartridge-based, liquid dispensing air freshener system that uses at least one refillable or disposable liquid filled cartridge. It can also use fixed tanks and dispense pesticides or any other liquid that can be vaporized. This programmable device can use an unlimited number of cartridges to discharge numerous different fragrances of which can be dispensed separately or mixed. A variety of chassis size and shape configurations can be used, such as a micro-sized unit that allows extreme portability so that it can be used in cars, at office desks or easily carried around in a pocket or purse; it can also function as a compact plug-in air freshener. Cartridges can be automatically selected so that the system can dispense a different scent for different time intervals or mix scents. It can be built into an automotive dash panel or designed to fit into a car style stereo slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Robert M. Harris
  • Patent number: 8165460
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an aerosol of a therapeutic agent and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heating element having a surface and a composition coating at least a portion of the heating element surface. The composition comprises a carrier and a therapeutic agent, wherein when the heating element surface is heated to at least the vaporization point of the carrier, the carrier vaporizes and releases the therapeutic agent from the composition as an aerosol. The heating element can be a coiled filament. The therapeutic agent can be a small molecule, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, or a recombinant virus. The apparatus can be incorporated into a delivery device, such as a metered dose inhaler or an exposure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Anthony J. Hickey, Hugh D. C. Smyth
  • Patent number: 8114249
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring an evaporator (2), whereby a liquid is applied onto a heating unit (3) and evaporated and the temperature drop caused by the evaporation heat in the heating unit (3) is detected. In the absence of a predetermined temperature drop, a signal is generated. In this way, the evaporation process can be controlled in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Manfred Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20110268431
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus for treating contaminated fluid. The apparatus comprises a base member, a peripheral containment wall connected to the base member defining a containment volume, a dividing member for dividing the containment volume into an evaporation region for receiving contaminated fluid and a boiler region for heating contaminated fluid. The evaporation region is substantially open to atmosphere and the boiler region is substantially closed and comprises an inlet to introduce contaminated fluid into the boiler region and an outlet to allow evaporated water to exit the boiler region. Heating means are provided to heat any contents in the boiler region while fluid transfer means transfer contaminated fluid from the evaporation region to the boiler region. Preferably, the boiler region is at least partially within the evaporation region. System and method aspects are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Rick Spitzer
  • Patent number: 8005349
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric evaporator device of volatile substances with adjustable evaporation intensity. A heating plate (4) defines a first chamber (6) separated from a second chamber (8), wherein a heat generator (5) is located inside the first chamber (6). A regulation opening (13), located in the first chamber (6), allows the exit of a heated air flow from the first chamber to regulate the temperature both in the first chamber (6) and the heating plate (4), enabling thus the regulation of the evaporation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Zobele Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Deflorian, Walter Sordo, Franco Zobele
  • Patent number: 7994453
    Abstract: A chemical sample gas tube that is capable of being rapidly heated and cooled allows rapid purging of condensed chemical vapor from its inside surface. The tube may include a thin foil with an electrically conducting surface, a rigidly separated pair of clamps to shape the thin foil into a cylinder shape, and a temperature-controlled source of electricity that can flow sequentially through the clamps and thin foil for heating. The temperature of the cylindrical thin foil may be increased at a rate of at least 25 degrees Celsius per second, and may be cooled at a rate of at least 10 degrees Celsius per second. A temperature control sequence may be provided that includes at least one temperature that performs at least one of: condensing the chemical vapor, transmitting the chemical vapor, desorbing the condensed chemical vapor, and decomposing the condensed chemical vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Implant Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Richards, Stephen N. Bunker
  • Patent number: 7965925
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for transforming a liquid (8) into a gaseous state for a cutting process with a water-steam cutting device (1), consisting of a torch (6), an evaporator (25), an energy supply and a supply line (31) for a liquid (8), an appropriate temperature (27) being generated for evaporation of the liquid (8). To create a method of this type it is now provided that the temperature (27) is regulated during operation such that a sensor (28) senses the temperature (27) of the evaporator (25) and transmits it to a regulation unit which correspondingly supplies a heating element (24) with the energy necessary and by which a required pressure (34) of the liquid (8) supplied to the torch (6) is regulated so that an approximately constant temperature (27) of the evaporated liquid (8) is provided for a cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: FRONIUS International GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Eder, Heribert Pauser, Florian Silbermayr, Alexander Speigner
  • Patent number: 7840122
    Abstract: A medicine vaporizer for an inhaler includes a metal louver. The metal louver has a first end and an opposing second end, and defines a louver thickness. The medicine vaporizer also includes first and second electrically conductive pins that define a pin thickness greater than the louver thickness. The first electrically conductive pin includes a first crimping region that is attached to and crimped over the first end. The second electrically conductive pin includes a second crimping region that is attached to and crimped over the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: IntriMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Patrick Hanrahan, Damon Douglas Brink
  • Publication number: 20100212179
    Abstract: A hair care appliance for application of vapor to dry hair including a housing having a head portion and a handle portion, the housing defining an inner cavity. A vapor-generating system is positioned at least partially within the cavity, and the head portion includes an aperture in communication with the vapor-generating system. A spacer is positioned proximate the aperture of the head portion and partially defines a work area for positioned hair, wherein the vapor-generating system discharges vapor to the work area for application to hair positioned thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Heidi Schmid
  • Publication number: 20100189425
    Abstract: A device for emanating an active agent to the atmosphere comprising a first container holding a first liquid, a second container holding a second liquid, a collector, and an active agent, wherein an outlet from each container deposits the first liquid and the second liquid onto the collector whereby the liquids mix and react to generate heat and thereby volatilise the active agent
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: RECKITT BENCKISER (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Marrs, Malcolm Tom McKechnie
  • Publication number: 20100166395
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for transforming a liquid (8) into a gaseous state for a cutting process with a water-steam cutting device (1), consisting of a torch (6), an evaporator (25), an energy supply and a supply line (31) for a liquid (8), an appropriate temperature (27) being generated for evaporation of the liquid (8). To create a method of this type it is now provided that the temperature (27) is regulated during operation such that a sensor (28) senses the temperature (27) of the evaporator (25) and transmits it to a regulation unit which correspondingly supplies a heating element (24) with the energy necessary and by which a required pressure (34) of the liquid (8) supplied to the torch (6) is regulated so that an approximately constant temperature (27) of the evaporated liquid (8) is provided for a cutting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Eder, Heribert Pauser, Florian Silbermayr, Alexander Speigner
  • Publication number: 20100142934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the vaporization of liquids and the pressurization of vapors in capillary force vaporizers. More particularly, the invention provides new developments in the assembly and configuration of capillary force vaporizers, as well as systems and methods that incorporate these features, thus providing capillary force vaporizers that exhibit enhanced operability and reliability during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Vapore, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Howard Sellers, Warren Saul Breslau, Erick Matthew Davidson
  • Patent number: 7723700
    Abstract: A vapor delivery system for delivering a steady flow of sublimated vapor to a vacuum chamber comprises a vaporizer of solid material, a mechanical throttling valve, and a pressure gauge, followed by a vapor conduit to the vacuum chamber. The vapor flow rate is determined by both the temperature of the vaporizer and the setting of the conductance of the mechanical throttle valve located between the vaporizer and the vacuum chamber. The temperature of the vaporizer is determined by closed-loop control to a set-point temperature. The mechanical throttle valve is electrically controlled, e.g. the valve position is under closed-loop control to the output of the pressure gauge. In this way the vapor flow rate can be generally proportional to the pressure gauge output. All surfaces exposed to the vapor from the vaporizer to the vacuum chamber are heated to prevent condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Semequip, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Horsky, Robert W. Milgate, III
  • Publication number: 20100096376
    Abstract: A music generating and aromatic substance retaining and heating system includes an aromatic substance, and a combination structure of music generator and heater, which includes a housing holding the aromatic substance on the top side, a rectifier transformer disposed outside the housing for converting AC into DC, a music controller disposed outside the housing and electrically connected to the rectifier transformer for outputting a music signal, a heating control circuit board mounted inside the housing and electrically connected to the music controller for controlling a speaker to output music and an electronic heater to heat the aromatic substance to release a scent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Ming Jen Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20100086287
    Abstract: A steam apparatus including a first steam apparatus to produce a first steam having a humidity level at or above a first predetermined level and having a temperature at or below a first predetermined temperature and a second steam apparatus to produce a second steam having a humidity level at or below a second predetermined level and having a temperature at or above a second predetermined temperature. An output apparatus is configured to receive the first steam and the second steam and output the first steam, the second steam, or a hybrid steam defined by a mixture of the first steam and the second steam. An atomizer may be included to assist the steam generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: EURO-PRO OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Max Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Publication number: 20100074603
    Abstract: A vaporizer apparatus for vaporizing medical herbs and essences is described that uses an electrical power driven medium to vaporize the herbs and essences. The vaporizer apparatus has a heating element assembly mounted at an angle within an enclosure. The heating element assembly also includes an insulating shield which covers the heating element and which has a mating section for mating with a hand piece. The hand piece includes a vaporization chamber where herbs are packed, an inlet for connecting with the mating section of the shield, and an outlet for inhalation by a user. Methods for using the vaporizer apparatus is also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Bertram A. Balch, Daniel G. Seng
  • Patent number: 7680399
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing and delivering vapor are disclosed. A vaporizer tank containing a liquid may be heated such that liquid within the tank is heated and vapor generated. The flow of this vapor to a destination may then be regulated. Embodiments of the present invention may control the temperature of this liquid such that a saturated vapor condition is substantially maintained in the vaporizer tank. The vaporizer tank is coupled to a mass flow controller which regulates the delivery of the vapor to downstream components. By substantially maintaining the saturated vapor condition within the vaporizer tank the pressure of vapor at the mass flow controller can be substantially maintained and a stable and consistent flow rate of vapor achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Buchanan, Faisal Tariq, Hai Mei, Stuart Tison