IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,396,489
Granted Patent B2
US 12,396,489 · App. 18/503,485 · Granted Aug 26, 2025

Method or forming elongated array with heating elements that bow concentrically outward from radial centerline

Inventors: Olivier Greim (Villars-Burquin, CH); Felix Fernando (Berkshire, GB); Charles Higgins (Richmond, VA)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
A24F40/70F24H1/0018H05B3/0019H05B3/46A24F40/20A24F40/46H05B2203/017
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,396,489
App. No.
18/503,485
Granted
Aug 26, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The method includes forming an elongated array by first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.

Claims (32)

1. A method, comprising:

forming an elongated array by

first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and

second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming forms such that the first heating elements are configured to flex concentrically inward when a hoop force is applied to sides of the elongated array.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first connecting connects the first distal ends using a collar, the collar electrically connecting the first distal ends to each other.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second connecting connects the second distal ends using a linking element, the linking element mechanically and electrically connecting the second distal ends to each other.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second connecting connects the second distal ends such that the first heating elements are equally spaced apart from each other along the linking element.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second connecting connects the second distal ends using a pin, the pin extending between the first end and the second end, the first heating elements being electrically and mechanically connected to each other on the second end via the pin.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second connecting connects the second distal ends such that the pin is positioned along the radial centerline.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second connecting connects the second distal ends such that the second distal ends are electrically connected to each other in parallel via the pin.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second connecting connects such that the pin, which is made from a first material, experiences a lower temperature than the first heating elements, which are made from a second material, when an electric current flows through the pin and the first heating elements.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second connecting connects such that the pin, which is made from a first material, experiences a first electrical resistance that is between 5% and 10% that of a second electrical resistance of the first heating elements, which are made from a second material, when an electric current flows through the pin and the first heating elements.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first connecting connects the first distal ends using a collar, the collar electrically connecting the first ends to each other.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

electrically connecting a first voltage source to the pin; and

electrically connecting a second voltage source to the collar.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first connecting and the second connecting connects the first distal ends and the second distal ends such that the second end of the elongated array is configured to be inserted into a cavity of a substrate to heat and at least partially vaporize the substrate.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selectively inserting the second end of the elongated array at least partially into a tubular frame.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

accepting a cylindrically-shaped substrate into the tubular frame,

wherein the selectively inserting inserts such that the second end is inserted into a tubular cavity of the cylindrically-shaped substrate, the elongated array being configured to heat and at least partially vaporize the cylindrically-shaped substrate.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

affixing second heating elements on an interior of the tubular frame, the second heating elements being configured to further heat and at least partially vaporize the cylindrically-shaped substrate.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selectively inserting the second end of the elongated array at least partially into a tubular cavity defined by a substrate to heat and at least partially vaporize the substrate with the first heating elements.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

accepting the substrate into an interior of a tubular frame.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

affixing second heating elements on the interior of the tubular frame, the second heating elements being configured to further heat and at least partially vaporize the substrate.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first connecting and the second connecting connects the first distal ends and the second distal ends such that at least a portion of the first heating elements are configured to maintain contact with an interior surface of the tubular cavity as the interior surface applies a hoop force to sides of the elongated array, when the second end of the elongated array is at least partially inserted into the tubular cavity.

Priority Claims (1)
EP 09252924 · Dec 30, 2009 · regional
Continuity (6)
Division 17901199 · Sep 1, 2022
Division 16404055 · May 6, 2019
Division 15256985 · Sep 6, 2016
Continuation 14033154 · Sep 20, 2013
Continuation 12975912 · Dec 22, 2010
Related Publication 20240065343A1 · Feb 29, 2024
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