Mark A Watson

US Patent:

6810883, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Nov 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/290402

Inventors:

John Louis Felter - Chester VA
Robert E. Lee - Richmond VA
Ashok Solanky - Mechanicsville VA
Clint Blake - Mechanicsville VA
Pamela Davis - Glen Allen VA
David E. Sharpe - Chesterfield VA
Mark E. Watson - Mechanicsville VA
Robert L. Ripley - Midlothian VA
Brett W. Stevenson - Richmond VA
William J. Crowe - Chester VA

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

A24F 1304

US Classification:

131194, 131328, 131329

Abstract:

An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening. A flow sensor is positioned in the flow diverting passage to provide a signal indicative of a smoker taking a puff on the cigarette.

US Patent:

20040200488, Oct 14, 2004

Filed:

May 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/837572

Inventors:

John Felter - Chester VA, US
Robert Lee - Richmond VA, US
Ashok Solanky - Mechanicsville VA, US
Clint Blake - Mechanicsville VA, US
Pamela Davis - Glen Allen VA, US
David Sharpe - Chesterfield VA, US
Mark Watson - Mechanicsville VA, US
Robert Ripley - Midlothian VA, US

Assignee:

PHILIP MORRIS USA, INC.

International Classification:

A24F001/22

US Classification:

131/194000

Abstract:

An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening. A flow sensor is positioned in the flow diverting passage to provide a signal indicative of a smoker taking a puff on the cigarette.