Aerosol Generating Article With Heat Diffuser
Patent No. 11969007
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.
Inventor: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
System And Method For Comprehensive Sales And Service Metric Reporting
Patent No. 11972493
A system and method in accordance with example embodiments for comprehensive sales and service data reporting. Sales and service events that take place at a front end branch of an enterprise may be input into a front end system and transmitted to a backend system where various modules then use the front end system data to generate various data and reports to display various data, such as, for example, sales incentive metrics and key performance indicators.
Inventors: Kenneth A. Windbeck (Reston, Va.); Emil W. Philips (Richmond); Corey J. Barrett (Henrico, Va.); Jason R. Kary (Center Moriches, N.Y.); Sean J. White (Arlington, Va.); Paula Edwards-Seals (Silver Springs, Md.); Elizabeth Hoffman (Vienna, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Recyclable Flexible Films And Bags For Packaging Flowable Materials
Patent No. 11970321
The disclosure provides ethylene/?-olefin copolymer based co-extruded, multi-layer films, including barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have improved flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have good barrier properties as the barrier films include a core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer having a high ethylene content. The low amount of EVOH copolymer in the total film that is needed to achieve the flex-crack resistance, toughness, and good barrier properties, further allow for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.
Inventors: Nicholas Farkas (Glenburnie, Canada); Lamy Chopin (Missouri City, Texas)
Assignee: Liqui-Box Corp. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Detergent Systems For Oxidation Resistance In Lubricants
Patent No. 11970671
The present disclosure relates to lubricating compositions having a stable viscosity upon oxidization through select amounts and relationships of detergent metals and soap contents.
Inventors: Paul Ransom (Huddersfield, Great Britain); Latifa Hamdani (Evreux, France)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Systems For Generating A Liquid Aerosol
Patent No. 11969021
An aerosol generating system including a housing defining an airflow outlet; a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol generator, configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a perforated plate disposed between the aerosol generator and the airflow outlet, the perforated plate defining a plurality of apertures extending through the perforated plate; and an electrode disposed between the aerosol generator and the perforated plate, wherein the perforated plate is electrically conductive, and wherein the electrode and the perforated plate are configured to generate an electrical potential.
Inventors: Jerome Christian Courbat (Neuchatel, Switzerland); Oleg Mironov (Cudrefin, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Aerosol-generating Devices
Patent No. 11969010
An aerosol-generating device comprises a device housing comprising a first receiving chamber configured to receive and accommodate a first consumable and a second receiving chamber configured to receive and accommodate a second consumable. The device further comprises a power source in an internal space defined by the device housing and a controller configured to control aerosolization of an aerosol-forming substrate in a consumable in one of the first receiving chamber and in the second receiving chamber. At least the second receiving chamber includes electrical contacts configured to be detachably connected to a battery based on the separate power source being in the second receiving chamber such that the electrical contacts provide additional power from the separate power source to the aerosol-generating device.
Inventor: Tony Reevell (London, Great Britain)
Assgnee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Tobacco Plants Having Reduced Nicotine Demethylase Activity
Patent No. 11970702
The present invention generally relates to methods and materials involved in producing tobacco plants having reduced levels of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine. In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, tobacco plants comprising mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof. In other embodiments, the invention is directed toward nicotine demethylase RNA interference, tobacco plants comprising a nicotine demethylase RNA interference transgene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof.
Inventors: Dongmei Xu (Glen Allen, Va.); Mark T. Nielsen (Nicholasville, Ky.); Yanxin Shen (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Aerosol-generating System And Method Of Dispensing Liquid Aerosol-forming Substrate With Pumped Air
Patent No. 11969020
An aerosol-generating system may include a liquid storage portion, a vaporizer, and a pump. The liquid storage portion may be configured to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The vaporizer may be configured to volatilize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The pump may be configured to pump air into the liquid storage portion so as to push out a volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion and to supply the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the vaporizer. A method for generating an aerosol may be performed with the system.
Inventors: Ben Mazur (Bristol, Great Britain); Eva Saade Latorre (Neuchatel, Switzerland); Alain Tobasso (Essertines-sur-Yverdon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Method Of Forming Assembly With Capillary Medium And Air Impingement Surface
Patent No. 11969016
The method includes defining a duct within a capillary medium, forming an air impingement surface that defines a first opening, the air impingement surface including electrically conductive filaments, and connecting the air impingement surface to a first surface of the capillary medium to form an assembly, at least one first portion of the air impingement surface extending into the first surface.
Inventor: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Current/voltage Sensor And Universal Tap-off Box
Patent No. 11973331
A tap-off box includes a latch that automatically secures the tap-off box to a busway upon insertion of a mast into the busway. The latch is in the form of a single spring-loaded member that latches onto a rail as the masthead is pushed into the busway. A push button actuated camming member pushes the latch away from the rail to enable the masthead to be withdrawn from the busway. The push button and camming member are independent of the mechanism that extends and retracts the contacts while the masthead is inserted and latched into the busway. The tap-off box may also include non-contact current monitoring sensors with voltage sensing inserts that an auxiliary breaker switch in applications other than a tap-off box, and an infrared emitting faceplate that can be adapted for monitoring a variety of breakers from outside the tap-off box.
Inventor: Mario L. Jaena (Kent, Wash.)
Assignee: Power Distribution (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Automatic Transaction Processing Failover
Patent No. 11973759
Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation. The transaction authorization system may also allocate additional resources and/or reroute authorizations to a separate distributed system to avoid performance degradations.
Inventors: Lavangana Govil (Glen Allen, Va.); David J. Hicks (Glen Allen, Va.); Harinath R. Nallabolu (Glen Allen, Va.); Ranvirsinh Raol (Glen Allen, Va.); Srinivas Alladi (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Virtual Certification Number Registration
Patent No. 11972431
Systems and methods include registering use of a virtual certification number (VCN) at a secure entity by receiving, at an external gateway, a registration request comprising an external request code and a primary account number (PAN), wherein the external request code is unique to the secure entity, determining that the external request code is an unregistered external request code, receiving a tokenized PAN based on the PAN, receiving an account identifier by applying the tokenized PAN to a certification mechanism tool application programing interface (API), generating a certification mechanism reference identifier by encrypting a certification mechanism associated with the account identifier and the tokenized PAN, updating a database to associate the certification mechanism reference identifier with the external request code, and transmitting, via the external gateway, a registration authentication to an external entity, the registration authentication comprising the external request code.
Inventors: Kelly Jo Brown (Rockville, Md.); Jess Emery (Arlington, Va.); Jonathan Blocksom (Reston, Va.); Swapna Mandala (Glen Allen, Va.); Todd Safford (Bethesda, Md.); Victoria Yang (Fairfax, Va.); Brian Glowniak (McLean, Va.); Edward Husa (McLean, Va.); Calvin Sun (McLean, Va.); Audrey Zhang (McLean, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Cryptographic Authentication Of Contactless Cards
Patent No. 11974127
Example embodiments of systems and methods for data transmission system between transmitting and receiving devices are provided. In an embodiment, each of the transmitting and receiving devices can contain a master key. The transmitting device can generate a diversified key using the master key, protect a counter value and encrypt data prior to transmitting to the receiving device, which can generate the diversified key based on the master key and can decrypt the data and validate the protected counter value using the diversified key.
Inventors: Kaitlin Newman (Washington, D.C.); Kimberly Haynes (Reston, Va.); Charles Nathan Crank (Henrico, Va.); Andrew Cogswell (Midlothian, Va.); Colin Hart (Arlington, Va.); Jeffrey Rule (Chevy Chase, Md.); Lara Mossler (Farmville, Va.); Latika Gulati (Vienna, Va.); Abdelkader Benkreira (Washington, D.C.); Sarah Jane Cunningham (Arlington, Va.); Sophie Bermudez (Washington, D.C.); Michael Mossoba (Arlington, Va.); Wayne Lutz (Fort Washington, Md.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Providing Variable Haptic Feedback
Patent No. 11972058
A system is provided for generating variable haptic feedback. The system comprises a first haptic feedback device configured to generate haptic feedback according to a received output signal, an input device configured to receive instructions from a remote source, the instructions comprising a haptic feedback output identifier, and a memory device for storing a plurality of haptic feedback profiles, the haptic feedback profiles defining unique haptic feedback patterns characterized at least by a duration and intensity of feedback to be generated by the first haptic feedback device, and said haptic feedback profiles being associated with a haptic feedback output identifier. The system also includes a processor configured to generate and transmit an output signal to the first haptic feedback device according to a haptic feedback profile associated with a received haptic feedback output identifier, said output signal comprising a haptic feedback pattern defined by said haptic feedback profile.
Inventors: James R. Dillon Jr. (Midlothian, Va.); Todd McPherson (San Francisco, Calif.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Tree Or Plant Protection Mat
Patent No. 11968933
One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.
Inventors: Wei Zhang (Midlothian, Va.); Hailing Yang (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: ZYNNOVATION (Ashland, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Automatic Image Generator Using Meeting Content
Patent No. 11973608
Methods and systems disclosed herein describe generating virtual backgrounds for video communications. A virtual background generator may monitor a user’s calendar and/or inbox for meetings. The virtual background generator may analyze the context of calendar invites and/or scheduled meetings to generate one or more virtual backgrounds for a video conference. A first background may be displayed for the video conference. Additionally, the virtual background generator may update the virtual background based on an analysis of one or more topics being discussed during the video conference. Based on the analysis of the one or more topics being discussed, the virtual background generator may generate a second virtual background to replace the first virtual background.
Inventors: Sarvani Kare (Clarksville, Md.); Daniel Tran (McLean, Va.); Lee Adcock (Midlothian, Va.); Geeta Shyamala (Herndon, Va.); Benjamin Polk (Arlington, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Method Of Using A Sterilization Wrap System
Patent No. 11969985
A method of using a sterilization wrap system including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the exterior panel being substantially opaque or having a first level of translucence, and an interior panel including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the interior panel having a level of translucence that is higher than the translucence of the exterior panel, the panels being joined together over at least a portion of their surfaces. Also disclosed is inspection of the sterilization wrap system for exterior panel breaches by looking for light passing through a panel facing the viewer.
Inventors: Jeffrey James Farmer (Roswell, Ga.); Kelly L. Holt (Alpharetta, Ga.); Ronald K. Anderson (Fruit Heights, Utah); Melissa R. Gaynor (Roswell, Ga.); Corinna Schwarz (Roswell, Ga.)
Assignee: O&M Halyard (Mechanicsville, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Roadside Assistance System
Patent No. 11972688
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing roadside assistance services are described herein. The system can include network computing devices and computing devices associated with vehicles and service vehicles. Requests for roadside services can be automatically assigned to an available service provider. Service providers can be ranked based on a variety of criteria and requests can be assigned based on the ranking. The ranking of service providers can be adjusted based on the performance of the service provider. If a service provider takes too long to respond to a request, the request can be automatically declined and an alternative service provider can be selected.
Inventors: Kim Barth (Northbrook, Ill.); Christopher Adcock (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Allstate Insurance Co. (Northbrook, Ill.)
April 30, 2024
Method And System For Implementing A Fast Dataset Search Using A Compressed Representation Of A Plurality Of Datasets
Patent No. 11971868
A method includes storing, by one or more processors of one or more computing devices, a plurality of datasets in a non-transitory computer memory associated with the one or more computing devices. A plurality of index representations is generated where each one of the plurality of index representations includes a compressed representation of a respective one of the plurality of datasets. The plurality of index representations is stored in the non-transitory computer memory. A sample dataset is received by the one or more processors. A sample dataset representation is generated that includes a compressed representation of the sample dataset. A determination that at least one of the plurality of datasets is most similar to the sample dataset based on the sample dataset representation and the plurality of index representations is performed.
Inventors: Austin Walters (Savoy, Ill.); Mark Watson (Philadelphia, Penn.); Anh Truong (Champaign, Ill.); Reza Farivar (Champaign, Ill.); Vincent Pham (Champaign, Ill.); Kate Key (Powhatan, Va.); Galen Rafferty (Mahomet, Ill.); Jeremy Goodsitt (Champaign, Ill.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Blending Of Agricultural Products Via Hyperspectral Imaging And Analysis
Patent No. 11976973
Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.
Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi (Midlothian, Va.); Henry M. Dante (Midlothian, Va.); Qiwei Liang (Midlothian, Va.); Samuel Timothy Henry (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Child-resistant Lid For A Container
Patent No. 11975898
At least one example embodiment relates to a lid for a container including a base defining an opening and a top configured to engage a portion of the base. The base includes a support wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend from respective ends of the support wall such that the support wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall define a gap configured to receive at least a portion of the container. The top includes a cover, a hinge coupled between the cover and the base, and a peripheral wall extending from an interior portion of the cover. The cover is moveable between an open position providing access to the opening and a closed position sealing the opening.
Inventors: Christopher J. Hession (Mechanicsville, Va.); Andrew T. Peeler (Richmond); William Bogdziewicz (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Cigarette
Patent No. 11975143
An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.
Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker (Midlothian, Va.); Geoffrey Brandon Jordan (Midlothian,Va.); Barry S. Smith (Richmond); Ali A. Rostami (Richmond); Michael J. Mullins (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Carrier Material Layer
Patent No. 11975514
At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the elastic layer.
Inventors: James D. Evans (Chesterfield, Va.); Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond); Thien Hoang Nguyen (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Ozone Oxidation Process For Treatment Of Water Containing Azoles And Azole-type Compounds
Patent No. 11975993
The present invention is generally directed to the use of an ozone oxidation process to remove azoles and azole-type compounds from wastewater. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a chemical treatment system for wastewater, including: an oxidation module receiving wastewater input and outputting an effluent; wherein the oxidation module removes azole-type compounds from the wastewater; and wherein the effluent has a reduction in azole-type compounds greater than ninety percent (90%). In accordance with some embodiments, the present invention provides an oxidation module receiving as inputs: wastewater received from a chemical mechanical polishing process and ozone gas received from an ozone generator; the oxidation module outputting an effluent; wherein the oxidation module removes azole-type compounds from the input wastewater; wherein the effluent has a reduction in azole-type compounds greater than ninety percent (90%); and wherein the oxidation module does not require ferrous treatment or solid-liquid separation before treatment.
Inventors: Barbara Schilling (West Orange, N.J.); Antonio Lau (Richmond); Bruno Heiniger (Boll, Switzerland)
Assignee: Suez Treatment Solutions (Paris La Defense, France)
May 7, 2024
Method Of Configuring Electrical Circuit To Be Selectively Electrically Connectable To Grounding Terminal
Patent No. 11974609
The method includes electrically connecting a power supply to a heater in an e-vaping device, where the power supply and the heater are in an electrical circuit. The method further includes configuring the electrical circuit to be selectively electrically connectable to a grounding terminal to complete the electrical circuit and enable the e-vaping device for operational use.
Inventors: Jarrett Keen (Richmond); Christopher S. Tucker (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Irreversible Electroporation Using Tissue Vasculature To Treat Aberrant Cell Masses Or Create Tissue Scaffolds
Patent No. 11974800
The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.
Inventors: Michael B. Sano (Durham, N.C.); Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.); John L. Robertson (Floyd, Va.); Paulo A. Garcia (Cambridge, Mass.); Robert E. Neal (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (Blacksburg, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Electrically Heated Smoking System Having A Liquid Storage Portion
Patent No. 11974599
An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick. Liquid at the second end of the capillary wick is vaporized by the heating element. The supersaturated vapor created, is mixed and carried in the air flow from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming chamber. In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol, which is carried towards the air outlet.
Inventors: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland); Jean-Marc Flick (Pomy, Switzerland); Olivier Yves Cochand (Dombress, Switzerland)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Smoking Article
Patent No. 11974602
An electronic smoking article includes a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol and a tubular filter segment downstream of the heater. The tubular filter segment is operable to selectively filter aerosol particles and vapors from the aerosol.
Inventors: San Li (Midlothian, Va.); Georgios D. Karles (Richmond); Richard Jupe (Richmond); Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.); Munmaya K. Mishra (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Near-infrared Spectroscopy Systems And Methods
Patent No. 11974843
A near-infrared spectroscopy system comprises a substrate, a light source emitting a set of wavelengths, an optical detector detecting the set of wavelengths, a processor in electronic communication with the light source bank and/or the optical detector, and a memory device in electronic communication with the processor. The light source bank, optical detector, processor, and memory device are mounted on the substrate, and a battery is in electronic communication with at least one of these components. Program instructions direct the processor to calculate an oxygenation level, compare that oxygenation level to a predetermined threshold, and optionally, activate a feedback device. A method of detecting an oxygenation level comprises mounting the system in a wearable article, calculating a baseline oxygenation level, regularly executing the program instructions to calculate the oxygenation level, and activating the feedback device.
Inventors: Jared Dale Allen (Richmond); Bretton Robert Goldbach (Richmond); Areej Habib (Richmond); Jason Michael Strohmaier (Richmond); Ryan Casey Boutwell (Richmond)
Assignee:NIRSense LLC (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Smoke Apparatus
Patent No. 11974610
An electronic smoke comprises a puff detection sub-assembly module. The puff detection sub-assembly comprises a first conductive surface, a second conductive surface and an insulated ring spacer separating the first and the second conductive surfaces at an effective separation distance. The first conductive surface, the second conductive surface and the insulated ring spacer are housed inside a metallic can. The first conductive surface is electrically connected to the metal can by a first conductive ring which is disposed between the first conductive surface and a ceiling portion of the metal can. The second conductive surface is electrically connected to an output terminal through a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring elevating the puff detection sub-assembly above a floor portion of the metal can and urging the first conductive ring against a ceiling portion of the metal can.
Inventor: Loi Ying Liu (Hong Kong, China)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Systems And Methods For Estimating Authenticity Of Local Network Of Device Initiating Remote Transaction
Patent No. 11978053
A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of a method for providing network security. The system may receive customer credentials in association with an attempted transaction initiated by a user device that is connected to a local network. The system may receive network identification data associated with the local network and generate a network confidence score based on the network identification data and a historical local network footprint. The system may determine a security action based on the network confidence score.
Inventors: Charles Nathan Crank (Henrico, Va.); Lawrence Altaffer (Richmond); Erik Jay S. DeLeon (Richmond)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Sulfurized Additives With Low Levels Of Alkyl Phenols
Patent No. 11976250
The present disclosure provides a detergent additives and methods for preparing a sulfurized alkyl phenate product to achieve a high sulfurization ratio and low levels of unsulfurized alkyl phenols.
Inventors: Paul Kondracki (Richmond); Edward Standefer (Chester, Va.); Peter Hou (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Polyalphaolefin Phenols With High Para-position Selectivity
Patent No. 11976252
The present disclosure provides a detergent additives and methods for preparing a sulfurized alkyl phenate product from polyalphaolefins.
Inventors: Xin Tian (Midlothian, Va.); Jason Bell (Powhatan, Va.); Steven Anderson (Amelia House, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Real Time Analysis Of Interactive Content
Patent No. 11977515
Disclosed are systems and methods that automate the process of analyzing interactive content data using artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology to generate subject matter identifiers and sentiment identifiers that characterize the interaction represented by the content data. The automated processing classifies, reduces, segments, and filters content data to accurately, automatically, and efficiently characterize the content data. The results of the analysis in turn allow for identification of system and service problems and the implementation of system enhancements.
Inventors: Phu Pham (Lawrenceville, Ga.); Merle Hidinger (Midlothian, Va.); Jun Ji (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Truist Bank (Charlotte, N.C.)
May 7, 2024
Spray Cooling Furnace Electrodes With A Cooling Liquid That Contains Surfactants
Patent No. 11979968
A method for cooling furnace electrodes using a cooling liquid containing surfactants. This method can be applied to electrodes used in electric arc furnaces and ladle metallurgy furnaces. The method can involve spraying the cooling liquid onto the electrode, thereby lowering the temperature of the electrode and reducing electrode consumption.
Inventors: Joseph S. Strasser (Evergreen, Colo.); Jeffrey R. Tanski (Concord Township, Ohio)
Assignee: Chemtreat (Glen Allen, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Anomaly Detection Data Workflow For Time Series Data
Patent No. 11977536
Methods and systems are described herein for improving anomaly detection in timeseries datasets. Different machine learning models may be trained to process specific types of timeseries data efficiently and accurately. Thus, selecting a proper machine learning model for identifying anomalies in a specific set of timeseries data may greatly improve accuracy and efficiency of anomaly detection. Another way to improve anomaly detection is to process a multitude of timeseries datasets for a time period (e.g., 90 days) to detect anomalies from those timeseries datasets and then correlate those detected anomalies by generating an anomaly timeseries dataset and identifying anomalies within the anomaly timeseries dataset. Yet another way to improve anomaly detection is to divide a dataset into multiple datasets based on a type of anomaly detection requested.
Inventors: Vannia Gonzalez Macias (Glen Allen, Va.); Scott Garcia (Washington, D.C.); Peter Terrana (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Anti-hemorrhage Device With Rigid Back Plate
Patent No. 11974757
An anti-hemorrhage device, and an anti-hemorrhage kit, includes a rigid platform and a compression device adjustably secured to the rigid platform. The kit also includes a gastroesophageal aortic occlusion device.
Inventors: Jeffrey Stephen Plott (Algonac, Mich.); Kevin R. Ward (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
May 7, 2024
Determination Of Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Capacity And Related Techniques In Advanced Oxidative Processes
Patent No. 11975988
The determination of hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of contaminated water can be achieved by developing an external calibration model. The model can be prepared using standard solutions where scavenging capacities are determined, and then the solutions are treated with addition of an oxidant and a dye, followed by UV treatment to form hydroxyl radicals that are scavenged by species in the standard solution. The residual dye content can then be measured using absorbance. The absorbance and the scavenging capacity data for the standard solutions are used to build the model, which can then be implemented to determine scavenging capacity of contaminated water. Water samples can be subjected to the same treatment as the standard solutions, the absorbance of the water sample is then obtained, and then the model is used to determine the corresponding scavenging capacity. Determining scavenger capacity of contaminated water can aid in advanced oxidation processing (AOP).
Inventors: Ronald Hofmann (Whitby, Canada); Chengjin Wang (Toronto, Canada); Erik Rosenfeldt (Ashland, Va.)
Assignee: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
May 7, 2024
System And Method For Multi-account Provisioning
Patent No. 11979406
In a method for providing provisioning information, a central data processing system receives from a transaction data processing system, an encrypted user datum associated with a client user of the transaction data processing system; receives from at least one of a plurality of account administrator data processing systems, a response comprising a notification that a user account administrated by that account administrator data processing system is associated with the client user; receives an account administrator selection message including identification of a user-selected account administrator from an account administrator list; transmits to the account administrator data processing system associated with the user-selected account administrator, a provisioning request for client user account provisioning information; receives from the account administrator data processing system associated with the user-selected account administrator, the client user account provisioning information; and transmits to the transaction data processing system, the client user account provisioning information.
Inventors: Jeffrey Rule (Chevy Chase, Md.); Lawrence Douglas (McLean, Va.); Jackson Macomber (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Aerosol Generating Article With Heat Diffuser
Patent No. 11969007
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.
Inventor: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
System And Method For Comprehensive Sales And Service Metric Reporting
Patent No. 11972493
A system and method in accordance with example embodiments for comprehensive sales and service data reporting. Sales and service events that take place at a front end branch of an enterprise may be input into a front end system and transmitted to a backend system where various modules then use the front end system data to generate various data and reports to display various data, such as, for example, sales incentive metrics and key performance indicators.
Inventors: Kenneth A. Windbeck (Reston, Va.); Emil W. Philips (Richmond); Corey J. Barrett (Henrico, Va.); Jason R. Kary (Center Moriches, N.Y.); Sean J. White (Arlington, Va.); Paula Edwards-Seals (Silver Springs, Md.); Elizabeth Hoffman (Vienna, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Recyclable Flexible Films And Bags For Packaging Flowable Materials
Patent No. 11970321
The disclosure provides ethylene/?-olefin copolymer based co-extruded, multi-layer films, including barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have improved flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have good barrier properties as the barrier films include a core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer having a high ethylene content. The low amount of EVOH copolymer in the total film that is needed to achieve the flex-crack resistance, toughness, and good barrier properties, further allow for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.
Inventors: Nicholas Farkas (Glenburnie, Canada); Lamy Chopin (Missouri City, Texas)
Assignee: Liqui-Box Corp. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Detergent Systems For Oxidation Resistance In Lubricants
Patent No. 11970671
The present disclosure relates to lubricating compositions having a stable viscosity upon oxidization through select amounts and relationships of detergent metals and soap contents.
Inventors: Paul Ransom (Huddersfield, Great Britain); Latifa Hamdani (Evreux, France)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Systems For Generating A Liquid Aerosol
Patent No. 11969021
An aerosol generating system including a housing defining an airflow outlet; a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol generator, configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a perforated plate disposed between the aerosol generator and the airflow outlet, the perforated plate defining a plurality of apertures extending through the perforated plate; and an electrode disposed between the aerosol generator and the perforated plate, wherein the perforated plate is electrically conductive, and wherein the electrode and the perforated plate are configured to generate an electrical potential.
Inventors: Jerome Christian Courbat (Neuchatel, Switzerland); Oleg Mironov (Cudrefin, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Aerosol-generating Devices
Patent No. 11969010
An aerosol-generating device comprises a device housing comprising a first receiving chamber configured to receive and accommodate a first consumable and a second receiving chamber configured to receive and accommodate a second consumable. The device further comprises a power source in an internal space defined by the device housing and a controller configured to control aerosolization of an aerosol-forming substrate in a consumable in one of the first receiving chamber and in the second receiving chamber. At least the second receiving chamber includes electrical contacts configured to be detachably connected to a battery based on the separate power source being in the second receiving chamber such that the electrical contacts provide additional power from the separate power source to the aerosol-generating device.
Inventor: Tony Reevell (London, Great Britain)
Assgnee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Tobacco Plants Having Reduced Nicotine Demethylase Activity
Patent No. 11970702
The present invention generally relates to methods and materials involved in producing tobacco plants having reduced levels of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine. In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, tobacco plants comprising mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof. In other embodiments, the invention is directed toward nicotine demethylase RNA interference, tobacco plants comprising a nicotine demethylase RNA interference transgene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof.
Inventors: Dongmei Xu (Glen Allen, Va.); Mark T. Nielsen (Nicholasville, Ky.); Yanxin Shen (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Aerosol-generating System And Method Of Dispensing Liquid Aerosol-forming Substrate With Pumped Air
Patent No. 11969020
An aerosol-generating system may include a liquid storage portion, a vaporizer, and a pump. The liquid storage portion may be configured to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The vaporizer may be configured to volatilize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The pump may be configured to pump air into the liquid storage portion so as to push out a volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion and to supply the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the vaporizer. A method for generating an aerosol may be performed with the system.
Inventors: Ben Mazur (Bristol, Great Britain); Eva Saade Latorre (Neuchatel, Switzerland); Alain Tobasso (Essertines-sur-Yverdon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Method Of Forming Assembly With Capillary Medium And Air Impingement Surface
Patent No. 11969016
The method includes defining a duct within a capillary medium, forming an air impingement surface that defines a first opening, the air impingement surface including electrically conductive filaments, and connecting the air impingement surface to a first surface of the capillary medium to form an assembly, at least one first portion of the air impingement surface extending into the first surface.
Inventor: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Current/voltage Sensor And Universal Tap-off Box
Patent No. 11973331
A tap-off box includes a latch that automatically secures the tap-off box to a busway upon insertion of a mast into the busway. The latch is in the form of a single spring-loaded member that latches onto a rail as the masthead is pushed into the busway. A push button actuated camming member pushes the latch away from the rail to enable the masthead to be withdrawn from the busway. The push button and camming member are independent of the mechanism that extends and retracts the contacts while the masthead is inserted and latched into the busway. The tap-off box may also include non-contact current monitoring sensors with voltage sensing inserts that an auxiliary breaker switch in applications other than a tap-off box, and an infrared emitting faceplate that can be adapted for monitoring a variety of breakers from outside the tap-off box.
Inventor: Mario L. Jaena (Kent, Wash.)
Assignee: Power Distribution (Richmond)
April 30, 2024
Automatic Transaction Processing Failover
Patent No. 11973759
Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation. The transaction authorization system may also allocate additional resources and/or reroute authorizations to a separate distributed system to avoid performance degradations.
Inventors: Lavangana Govil (Glen Allen, Va.); David J. Hicks (Glen Allen, Va.); Harinath R. Nallabolu (Glen Allen, Va.); Ranvirsinh Raol (Glen Allen, Va.); Srinivas Alladi (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Virtual Certification Number Registration
Patent No. 11972431
Systems and methods include registering use of a virtual certification number (VCN) at a secure entity by receiving, at an external gateway, a registration request comprising an external request code and a primary account number (PAN), wherein the external request code is unique to the secure entity, determining that the external request code is an unregistered external request code, receiving a tokenized PAN based on the PAN, receiving an account identifier by applying the tokenized PAN to a certification mechanism tool application programing interface (API), generating a certification mechanism reference identifier by encrypting a certification mechanism associated with the account identifier and the tokenized PAN, updating a database to associate the certification mechanism reference identifier with the external request code, and transmitting, via the external gateway, a registration authentication to an external entity, the registration authentication comprising the external request code.
Inventors: Kelly Jo Brown (Rockville, Md.); Jess Emery (Arlington, Va.); Jonathan Blocksom (Reston, Va.); Swapna Mandala (Glen Allen, Va.); Todd Safford (Bethesda, Md.); Victoria Yang (Fairfax, Va.); Brian Glowniak (McLean, Va.); Edward Husa (McLean, Va.); Calvin Sun (McLean, Va.); Audrey Zhang (McLean, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Cryptographic Authentication Of Contactless Cards
Patent No. 11974127
Example embodiments of systems and methods for data transmission system between transmitting and receiving devices are provided. In an embodiment, each of the transmitting and receiving devices can contain a master key. The transmitting device can generate a diversified key using the master key, protect a counter value and encrypt data prior to transmitting to the receiving device, which can generate the diversified key based on the master key and can decrypt the data and validate the protected counter value using the diversified key.
Inventors: Kaitlin Newman (Washington, D.C.); Kimberly Haynes (Reston, Va.); Charles Nathan Crank (Henrico, Va.); Andrew Cogswell (Midlothian, Va.); Colin Hart (Arlington, Va.); Jeffrey Rule (Chevy Chase, Md.); Lara Mossler (Farmville, Va.); Latika Gulati (Vienna, Va.); Abdelkader Benkreira (Washington, D.C.); Sarah Jane Cunningham (Arlington, Va.); Sophie Bermudez (Washington, D.C.); Michael Mossoba (Arlington, Va.); Wayne Lutz (Fort Washington, Md.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Systems And Methods For Providing Variable Haptic Feedback
Patent No. 11972058
A system is provided for generating variable haptic feedback. The system comprises a first haptic feedback device configured to generate haptic feedback according to a received output signal, an input device configured to receive instructions from a remote source, the instructions comprising a haptic feedback output identifier, and a memory device for storing a plurality of haptic feedback profiles, the haptic feedback profiles defining unique haptic feedback patterns characterized at least by a duration and intensity of feedback to be generated by the first haptic feedback device, and said haptic feedback profiles being associated with a haptic feedback output identifier. The system also includes a processor configured to generate and transmit an output signal to the first haptic feedback device according to a haptic feedback profile associated with a received haptic feedback output identifier, said output signal comprising a haptic feedback pattern defined by said haptic feedback profile.
Inventors: James R. Dillon Jr. (Midlothian, Va.); Todd McPherson (San Francisco, Calif.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Tree Or Plant Protection Mat
Patent No. 11968933
One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.
Inventors: Wei Zhang (Midlothian, Va.); Hailing Yang (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: ZYNNOVATION (Ashland, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Automatic Image Generator Using Meeting Content
Patent No. 11973608
Methods and systems disclosed herein describe generating virtual backgrounds for video communications. A virtual background generator may monitor a user’s calendar and/or inbox for meetings. The virtual background generator may analyze the context of calendar invites and/or scheduled meetings to generate one or more virtual backgrounds for a video conference. A first background may be displayed for the video conference. Additionally, the virtual background generator may update the virtual background based on an analysis of one or more topics being discussed during the video conference. Based on the analysis of the one or more topics being discussed, the virtual background generator may generate a second virtual background to replace the first virtual background.
Inventors: Sarvani Kare (Clarksville, Md.); Daniel Tran (McLean, Va.); Lee Adcock (Midlothian, Va.); Geeta Shyamala (Herndon, Va.); Benjamin Polk (Arlington, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Method Of Using A Sterilization Wrap System
Patent No. 11969985
A method of using a sterilization wrap system including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the exterior panel being substantially opaque or having a first level of translucence, and an interior panel including a permeable material having barrier properties and having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the interior panel having a level of translucence that is higher than the translucence of the exterior panel, the panels being joined together over at least a portion of their surfaces. Also disclosed is inspection of the sterilization wrap system for exterior panel breaches by looking for light passing through a panel facing the viewer.
Inventors: Jeffrey James Farmer (Roswell, Ga.); Kelly L. Holt (Alpharetta, Ga.); Ronald K. Anderson (Fruit Heights, Utah); Melissa R. Gaynor (Roswell, Ga.); Corinna Schwarz (Roswell, Ga.)
Assignee: O&M Halyard (Mechanicsville, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Roadside Assistance System
Patent No. 11972688
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing roadside assistance services are described herein. The system can include network computing devices and computing devices associated with vehicles and service vehicles. Requests for roadside services can be automatically assigned to an available service provider. Service providers can be ranked based on a variety of criteria and requests can be assigned based on the ranking. The ranking of service providers can be adjusted based on the performance of the service provider. If a service provider takes too long to respond to a request, the request can be automatically declined and an alternative service provider can be selected.
Inventors: Kim Barth (Northbrook, Ill.); Christopher Adcock (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Allstate Insurance Co. (Northbrook, Ill.)
April 30, 2024
Method And System For Implementing A Fast Dataset Search Using A Compressed Representation Of A Plurality Of Datasets
Patent No. 11971868
A method includes storing, by one or more processors of one or more computing devices, a plurality of datasets in a non-transitory computer memory associated with the one or more computing devices. A plurality of index representations is generated where each one of the plurality of index representations includes a compressed representation of a respective one of the plurality of datasets. The plurality of index representations is stored in the non-transitory computer memory. A sample dataset is received by the one or more processors. A sample dataset representation is generated that includes a compressed representation of the sample dataset. A determination that at least one of the plurality of datasets is most similar to the sample dataset based on the sample dataset representation and the plurality of index representations is performed.
Inventors: Austin Walters (Savoy, Ill.); Mark Watson (Philadelphia, Penn.); Anh Truong (Champaign, Ill.); Reza Farivar (Champaign, Ill.); Vincent Pham (Champaign, Ill.); Kate Key (Powhatan, Va.); Galen Rafferty (Mahomet, Ill.); Jeremy Goodsitt (Champaign, Ill.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
April 30, 2024
Blending Of Agricultural Products Via Hyperspectral Imaging And Analysis
Patent No. 11976973
Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.
Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi (Midlothian, Va.); Henry M. Dante (Midlothian, Va.); Qiwei Liang (Midlothian, Va.); Samuel Timothy Henry (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Child-resistant Lid For A Container
Patent No. 11975898
At least one example embodiment relates to a lid for a container including a base defining an opening and a top configured to engage a portion of the base. The base includes a support wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend from respective ends of the support wall such that the support wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall define a gap configured to receive at least a portion of the container. The top includes a cover, a hinge coupled between the cover and the base, and a peripheral wall extending from an interior portion of the cover. The cover is moveable between an open position providing access to the opening and a closed position sealing the opening.
Inventors: Christopher J. Hession (Mechanicsville, Va.); Andrew T. Peeler (Richmond); William Bogdziewicz (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Cigarette
Patent No. 11975143
An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.
Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker (Midlothian, Va.); Geoffrey Brandon Jordan (Midlothian,Va.); Barry S. Smith (Richmond); Ali A. Rostami (Richmond); Michael J. Mullins (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Carrier Material Layer
Patent No. 11975514
At least one example embodiment relates to a composite material. In at least one example embodiment, the composite material includes an elastic layer and a support layer. The support layer is adhered to at least a portion of the elastic layer. The support layer extends across at least apportion of a surface of the elastic layer.
Inventors: James D. Evans (Chesterfield, Va.); Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond); Thien Hoang Nguyen (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Ozone Oxidation Process For Treatment Of Water Containing Azoles And Azole-type Compounds
Patent No. 11975993
The present invention is generally directed to the use of an ozone oxidation process to remove azoles and azole-type compounds from wastewater. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a chemical treatment system for wastewater, including: an oxidation module receiving wastewater input and outputting an effluent; wherein the oxidation module removes azole-type compounds from the wastewater; and wherein the effluent has a reduction in azole-type compounds greater than ninety percent (90%). In accordance with some embodiments, the present invention provides an oxidation module receiving as inputs: wastewater received from a chemical mechanical polishing process and ozone gas received from an ozone generator; the oxidation module outputting an effluent; wherein the oxidation module removes azole-type compounds from the input wastewater; wherein the effluent has a reduction in azole-type compounds greater than ninety percent (90%); and wherein the oxidation module does not require ferrous treatment or solid-liquid separation before treatment.
Inventors: Barbara Schilling (West Orange, N.J.); Antonio Lau (Richmond); Bruno Heiniger (Boll, Switzerland)
Assignee: Suez Treatment Solutions (Paris La Defense, France)
May 7, 2024
Method Of Configuring Electrical Circuit To Be Selectively Electrically Connectable To Grounding Terminal
Patent No. 11974609
The method includes electrically connecting a power supply to a heater in an e-vaping device, where the power supply and the heater are in an electrical circuit. The method further includes configuring the electrical circuit to be selectively electrically connectable to a grounding terminal to complete the electrical circuit and enable the e-vaping device for operational use.
Inventors: Jarrett Keen (Richmond); Christopher S. Tucker (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Irreversible Electroporation Using Tissue Vasculature To Treat Aberrant Cell Masses Or Create Tissue Scaffolds
Patent No. 11974800
The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.
Inventors: Michael B. Sano (Durham, N.C.); Rafael V. Davalos (Blacksburg, Va.); John L. Robertson (Floyd, Va.); Paulo A. Garcia (Cambridge, Mass.); Robert E. Neal (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (Blacksburg, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Electrically Heated Smoking System Having A Liquid Storage Portion
Patent No. 11974599
An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick. Liquid at the second end of the capillary wick is vaporized by the heating element. The supersaturated vapor created, is mixed and carried in the air flow from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming chamber. In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol, which is carried towards the air outlet.
Inventors: Michel Thorens (Moudon, Switzerland); Jean-Marc Flick (Pomy, Switzerland); Olivier Yves Cochand (Dombress, Switzerland)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Smoking Article
Patent No. 11974602
An electronic smoking article includes a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol and a tubular filter segment downstream of the heater. The tubular filter segment is operable to selectively filter aerosol particles and vapors from the aerosol.
Inventors: San Li (Midlothian, Va.); Georgios D. Karles (Richmond); Richard Jupe (Richmond); Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.); Munmaya K. Mishra (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Near-infrared Spectroscopy Systems And Methods
Patent No. 11974843
A near-infrared spectroscopy system comprises a substrate, a light source emitting a set of wavelengths, an optical detector detecting the set of wavelengths, a processor in electronic communication with the light source bank and/or the optical detector, and a memory device in electronic communication with the processor. The light source bank, optical detector, processor, and memory device are mounted on the substrate, and a battery is in electronic communication with at least one of these components. Program instructions direct the processor to calculate an oxygenation level, compare that oxygenation level to a predetermined threshold, and optionally, activate a feedback device. A method of detecting an oxygenation level comprises mounting the system in a wearable article, calculating a baseline oxygenation level, regularly executing the program instructions to calculate the oxygenation level, and activating the feedback device.
Inventors: Jared Dale Allen (Richmond); Bretton Robert Goldbach (Richmond); Areej Habib (Richmond); Jason Michael Strohmaier (Richmond); Ryan Casey Boutwell (Richmond)
Assignee:NIRSense LLC (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Electronic Smoke Apparatus
Patent No. 11974610
An electronic smoke comprises a puff detection sub-assembly module. The puff detection sub-assembly comprises a first conductive surface, a second conductive surface and an insulated ring spacer separating the first and the second conductive surfaces at an effective separation distance. The first conductive surface, the second conductive surface and the insulated ring spacer are housed inside a metallic can. The first conductive surface is electrically connected to the metal can by a first conductive ring which is disposed between the first conductive surface and a ceiling portion of the metal can. The second conductive surface is electrically connected to an output terminal through a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring elevating the puff detection sub-assembly above a floor portion of the metal can and urging the first conductive ring against a ceiling portion of the metal can.
Inventor: Loi Ying Liu (Hong Kong, China)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Systems And Methods For Estimating Authenticity Of Local Network Of Device Initiating Remote Transaction
Patent No. 11978053
A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of a method for providing network security. The system may receive customer credentials in association with an attempted transaction initiated by a user device that is connected to a local network. The system may receive network identification data associated with the local network and generate a network confidence score based on the network identification data and a historical local network footprint. The system may determine a security action based on the network confidence score.
Inventors: Charles Nathan Crank (Henrico, Va.); Lawrence Altaffer (Richmond); Erik Jay S. DeLeon (Richmond)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Sulfurized Additives With Low Levels Of Alkyl Phenols
Patent No. 11976250
The present disclosure provides a detergent additives and methods for preparing a sulfurized alkyl phenate product to achieve a high sulfurization ratio and low levels of unsulfurized alkyl phenols.
Inventors: Paul Kondracki (Richmond); Edward Standefer (Chester, Va.); Peter Hou (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Polyalphaolefin Phenols With High Para-position Selectivity
Patent No. 11976252
The present disclosure provides a detergent additives and methods for preparing a sulfurized alkyl phenate product from polyalphaolefins.
Inventors: Xin Tian (Midlothian, Va.); Jason Bell (Powhatan, Va.); Steven Anderson (Amelia House, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
May 7, 2024
Real Time Analysis Of Interactive Content
Patent No. 11977515
Disclosed are systems and methods that automate the process of analyzing interactive content data using artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology to generate subject matter identifiers and sentiment identifiers that characterize the interaction represented by the content data. The automated processing classifies, reduces, segments, and filters content data to accurately, automatically, and efficiently characterize the content data. The results of the analysis in turn allow for identification of system and service problems and the implementation of system enhancements.
Inventors: Phu Pham (Lawrenceville, Ga.); Merle Hidinger (Midlothian, Va.); Jun Ji (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Truist Bank (Charlotte, N.C.)
May 7, 2024
Spray Cooling Furnace Electrodes With A Cooling Liquid That Contains Surfactants
Patent No. 11979968
A method for cooling furnace electrodes using a cooling liquid containing surfactants. This method can be applied to electrodes used in electric arc furnaces and ladle metallurgy furnaces. The method can involve spraying the cooling liquid onto the electrode, thereby lowering the temperature of the electrode and reducing electrode consumption.
Inventors: Joseph S. Strasser (Evergreen, Colo.); Jeffrey R. Tanski (Concord Township, Ohio)
Assignee: Chemtreat (Glen Allen, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Anomaly Detection Data Workflow For Time Series Data
Patent No. 11977536
Methods and systems are described herein for improving anomaly detection in timeseries datasets. Different machine learning models may be trained to process specific types of timeseries data efficiently and accurately. Thus, selecting a proper machine learning model for identifying anomalies in a specific set of timeseries data may greatly improve accuracy and efficiency of anomaly detection. Another way to improve anomaly detection is to process a multitude of timeseries datasets for a time period (e.g., 90 days) to detect anomalies from those timeseries datasets and then correlate those detected anomalies by generating an anomaly timeseries dataset and identifying anomalies within the anomaly timeseries dataset. Yet another way to improve anomaly detection is to divide a dataset into multiple datasets based on a type of anomaly detection requested.
Inventors: Vannia Gonzalez Macias (Glen Allen, Va.); Scott Garcia (Washington, D.C.); Peter Terrana (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024
Anti-hemorrhage Device With Rigid Back Plate
Patent No. 11974757
An anti-hemorrhage device, and an anti-hemorrhage kit, includes a rigid platform and a compression device adjustably secured to the rigid platform. The kit also includes a gastroesophageal aortic occlusion device.
Inventors: Jeffrey Stephen Plott (Algonac, Mich.); Kevin R. Ward (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
May 7, 2024
Determination Of Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Capacity And Related Techniques In Advanced Oxidative Processes
Patent No. 11975988
The determination of hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of contaminated water can be achieved by developing an external calibration model. The model can be prepared using standard solutions where scavenging capacities are determined, and then the solutions are treated with addition of an oxidant and a dye, followed by UV treatment to form hydroxyl radicals that are scavenged by species in the standard solution. The residual dye content can then be measured using absorbance. The absorbance and the scavenging capacity data for the standard solutions are used to build the model, which can then be implemented to determine scavenging capacity of contaminated water. Water samples can be subjected to the same treatment as the standard solutions, the absorbance of the water sample is then obtained, and then the model is used to determine the corresponding scavenging capacity. Determining scavenger capacity of contaminated water can aid in advanced oxidation processing (AOP).
Inventors: Ronald Hofmann (Whitby, Canada); Chengjin Wang (Toronto, Canada); Erik Rosenfeldt (Ashland, Va.)
Assignee: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
May 7, 2024
System And Method For Multi-account Provisioning
Patent No. 11979406
In a method for providing provisioning information, a central data processing system receives from a transaction data processing system, an encrypted user datum associated with a client user of the transaction data processing system; receives from at least one of a plurality of account administrator data processing systems, a response comprising a notification that a user account administrated by that account administrator data processing system is associated with the client user; receives an account administrator selection message including identification of a user-selected account administrator from an account administrator list; transmits to the account administrator data processing system associated with the user-selected account administrator, a provisioning request for client user account provisioning information; receives from the account administrator data processing system associated with the user-selected account administrator, the client user account provisioning information; and transmits to the transaction data processing system, the client user account provisioning information.
Inventors: Jeffrey Rule (Chevy Chase, Md.); Lawrence Douglas (McLean, Va.); Jackson Macomber (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: Capital One Services (McLean, Va.)
May 7, 2024