Patents Examined by Phu Nguyen
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Patent number: 10226065Abstract: A tobacco smoking mixture and/or a cigarette wrapper with high-temperature ammonia-release agents therein are provided, wherein the high-temperature ammonia-release agents are present in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter formed during smoking of the cigarette. The high-temperature ammonia-release agents can be formed by heating an aqueous mixture of an iron precursor compound, an ammonia source compound and an acid.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez
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Patent number: 10080385Abstract: A smoking article provides one or more sheets of material that can be rolled and packaged, at least one sheet including cellulose. In one embodiment, cellulose and tobacco sheet material are separately rolled layers that can optionally be wrapped around a form casing (or pre-rolled inside) and then packaged. In another embodiment, the sheet is a laminated sheet of tobacco and cellulose layers that can be optionally wrapped around (or pre-rolled inside) a form casing. These sheets can be filled with custom tobacco to make one or more new cigars for an end user. In another embodiment, a complete cigar filled with tobacco material can be disassembled by an end user to produce tobacco and cellulose sheets, enabling the end user to form two new cigars using his or her own custom tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Blunt Wrap U.S.A., Inc.Inventor: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr.
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Patent number: 10051883Abstract: A tobacco smoking mixture including an ammonia-release compound adapted to be formed into a lit-end cigarette is provided. The ammonia-release compound is incorporated in or on tobacco cut filler in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity, and/or selective smoke constituents of cigarette smoke. Exemplary ammonia-release compounds include ammonium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, hexammine cobalt (III) chloride, hexammine cobalt (III) acetate, and combinations thereof. The ammonia-release compounds can release ammonia at temperatures between about 60° C. and about 400° C. Ammonia-release compounds can be combined with additives, such as glycerine, cobalt acetate, copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, other metal salts or combinations thereof, to further reduce the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Lixin Xue, W. Geoffrey Chan, Mohammad Hajaligol
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Patent number: 10051884Abstract: Encapsulated tobacco beads and processes of making the encapsulated tobacco beads are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a process of making encapsulated tobacco beads comprises mixing tobacco particles and menthol in an aqueous solution to form a wet mass; extruding the wet mass to form extrudates; spheronizing the extrudates to form tobacco beads; drying the tobacco beads; contacting the beads with a solution comprising a cation; and introducing the contacted tobacco beads into a solution of coating material in a concentration effective to induce ionic gelation of the coating material around the beads, to form encapsulated tobacco beads having gel coatings. According to another embodiment, an encapsulated tobacco bead comprises a core comprising tobacco particles and encapsulated menthol, an inner coating layer comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or pectin, and an outer coating layer comprising an ionically-crosslinked gel.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng
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Patent number: 10045559Abstract: Filter rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements are provided, with each rod having a longitudinal axis and incorporating a generally longitudinally extending filter material and a generally longitudinally extending strand within that filter material. A filter making unit receives a continuous supply of a filter material, and forms the filter material into a gathered composite having a continuous cylindrical shape. A continuous supply of a strand (e.g., colored thread) is provided and is introduced into the filter material gathered composite in the tongue of the filter making unit. The filter material and continuous strand positioned therein are formed into a continuous rod having the strand material laterally positioned within that rod, and the continuous rod is subdivided at pre-determined longitudinal intervals to provide a plurality of rod portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Louis John Read, Jr., Brent Walker Carter
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Patent number: 10039315Abstract: A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Blunt Wrap U.S.A., Inc.Inventor: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr.
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Patent number: 10028525Abstract: A process for reducing the permeability of a paper wrapper used in the construction of a smoking article is disclosed. The paper wrapper is treated with a film-forming composition that forms treated discrete areas on the wrapper. The treated discrete areas have a permeability within a predetermined range sufficient to reduce the ignition proclivity properties of a smoking article made with the wrapper. In accordance with the present invention, the film-forming composition contains a film-forming material. The film-forming material has a relatively low viscosity. In this manner, the film-forming composition can have a relatively high solids content and still be applied to the wrapper using conventional techniques, such as by using a gravure printer.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas A. Kraker
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Patent number: 10028530Abstract: An apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar and lighting the cigar, comprising a lighter, comprising a lighter frame; and a cigar splitter attached to the base of the lighter frame by an outside surface of the cigar splitter. The cigar splitter comprises a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, and the outside surface, an axis parallel to the inside wall and passing through the two open ends, the two open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two open ends and to exit through another of the two open ends; a blade attached to the inside wall and oriented along the axis, the blade suitable for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the cigar splitter along the axis; and a loop attached to the outside surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: EZ Splitz USA, Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Lee, Young Min Lee
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Patent number: 9993022Abstract: Disclosed is a smoking article wrapping material comprising a base wrapping material to which has been applied, at least in discrete zones, a composition comprising a mechanically fragmented, chemically crosslinked polysaccharide having a particle size (weighted average) in the range from 1 to 1000 ?m for the dry product; a process for production thereof; and a smoking article comprising the smoking article wrapping material described.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GLATZ FEINPAPIERE JULIUS GLATZ GMBHInventor: Thomas Fritzsching
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Patent number: 9943102Abstract: A rolling apparatus for use in rolling a cigarette that includes a rolled outer tubular member able to store a smoking material and a rolled filter member disposed within proximate an end of the tubular member. The rolling apparatus includes a cylindrical member, and a pair of elongated members coupled to a first end of the cylindrical member, the elongated members positioned substantially parallel to each other and separated by a distance to create a slot between the elongated members. The elongated members receive a filter sheet that is disposed through the slot and around the elongated members to permit a user to wrap the filter sheet around the elongated members to create the rolled filter member. The apparatus receives an outer sheet to permit the user to wrap the outer sheet around the cylindrical member and the rolled filter member to create the rolled outer tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventor: Trent Alan Bohl, Sr.
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Patent number: 9924740Abstract: A layer composite acting as a covering for the filter of an article to smoke, which includes a filter cover which allows diffusion and a mouthpiece lining paper arranged outside said filter cover, the mouthpiece lining paper being in contact with a sensory substance area. A layer which is impervious to the substances contained in the sensory substance area is arranged between the mouthpiece lining paper and the filter cover. The filter cover consists of a material which allows diffusion.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: TANNPAPIER GMBHInventors: Guenter Griesmayr, Barbara Puehringer, Bernhard Knauseder
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Patent number: 9924739Abstract: A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Shensheng Liu, Kenneth A. Newman, Steven J. Hovjacky
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Porous carbon materials and smoking articles and smoke filters therefor incorporating such materials
Patent number: 9907336Abstract: A porous carbon material suitable for incorporation in smoke filters for cigarettes has a BET surface area of at least 800 m2/g and a pore structure that includes mesopores and micropores. The pore volume (as measured by nitrogen adsorption) is at least 0.9 cm3/g and from 15 to 65% of the pore volume is in mesopores. The pore structure of the material provides a bulk density generally less than 0.5 g/cc. The material may be produced by carbonizing and activating organic resins and may be in the form of beads for ease of handling.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Maria Cashmore, Peter Rex White, Oleksandr Kozynchenko, Andrew Blackburn, Stephen Robert Tennison -
Patent number: 9901123Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
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Patent number: 9889956Abstract: An oral pouch product having a soft edge includes an inner filling material enclosed inwardly of at least one seam between opposed layers of porous pouch wrapper. The at least one seam is separated from the periphery of the porous pouch wrapper by an unbonded area of the opposed layers so as to form a soft edge of the pouch wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Fernando L. Chappell, Sr., Danielle R. Crawford
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Patent number: 9888716Abstract: A pocket sized dispenser houses in coiled form a flexible strip of portions of smokeless tobacco sized for placement between a consumer's cheek and gum, where the flexible strip includes a base tape removably attached to the plurality of portions, and wherein the dispenser and strip are adapted to allow a consumer to separate individual portions from the base tape. The individual portions comprise either a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component; or pouches attached to the base tape with a food-grade adhesive, the pouches comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper with at least one lap-sealed edge. Methods of preparing such are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John M. Adams, Tommy C. Holland
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Patent number: 9861123Abstract: A smoking article comprises a first filter section, and a second filter section located downstream of the first filter section. The first filter section comprises a material with a first pressure drop per unit length, the second filter section comprises a material with a second pressure drop per unit length, and the second pressure drop per unit length is greater than the first pressure drop per unit length. The smoking article comprises a ventilation system configured to selectively provide ingress of a variable level of ventilating air.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventor: Karl Kaljura
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Patent number: 9861127Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette device, the electronic cigarette includes: a main rod with a nozzle configured at its one end, wherein, the main rod is further configured with a projection assembly at its another end away from the nozzle, the projection assembly includes a projection light source, a slide unit configured in front of the projection light source and a light source control unit connected with the projection light source to control operation of the projection light source; the slide unit includes a slide and a locking groove for insertion of the slide, and the locking groove is defined by two parallel and spaced glasses; the light source control unit includes a light source control circuit and a light source control switch connected with the light source control circuit. The electronic cigarette has a function of projecting various image light-shadows.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: SHENZHEN KIMSEN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Qiuming Liu
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Patent number: 9854836Abstract: An aerosol generator device for delivering an aerosol of a nicotine salt is provided. The aerosol generator comprises: (i) a mouth end; (ii) a first chamber containing a porous material wetted with liquid nicotine, (iii) a second chamber containing a porous material wetted with a solution of a volatile acid, (iv) a third chamber in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, leading to the mouth end, and (v) an outer housing defining a passageway for air through said device. A nicotine vapor can be produced by drawing air along the passageway and through the porous material wetted with liquid nicotine. An acid vapor can be produced by passing air along the passageway and through the porous material wetted with a solution of a volatile acid. Then, the nicotine vapor and the acid vapor can be admixed in the third chamber to form an aerosol of a nicotine salt, which can be drawn out through the mouth end.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventor: Peter Lipowicz
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Patent number: 9844230Abstract: A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to nitrosamines members of which class are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of nitrosamines from biological fluids. Such molecularly imprinted polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LTDInventors: Sumita Bhattacharyya, Kevin McAdam, Anthony Rees, Börje Sellergren, Christine Widstrand