Patents by Inventor Firooz Rasouli

Firooz Rasouli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090044816
    Abstract: Provided is a smoking article including a filter, tobacco, and a carbon dioxide charge. The carbon dioxide charge provides increased levels of carbon dioxide during smoking to enhance the taste and sensorial smoking experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Andrey Bagreev, Weijun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090007925
    Abstract: Provided are filters including at least one impervious additive containing tube. A barrier, such as a liquid barrier, seals each end of the tube so as to contain additives, such as a liquid additive, within the additive containing tube. The one or more additive containing tubes are inserted into filters for smoking articles. Drawing action during a puff causes breach of the barrier and release of the additive into the surrounding filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Andrey Bagreev, Weijun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080295854
    Abstract: Wrapper for cigarette manufacture includes transversely extending band regions applied by a printing technique, such as gravure printing. The band regions comprise starch, an anti-wrinkling agent such as 1,2 propylene glycol or glycerin, and optionally calcium carbonate. Any suitable printing technique can be used to apply the aqueous solution to the banded regions. The pattern of banded regions may be bands, stripes, two-dimensional arrays, undulated regions, and the like along and/or around the tobacco rod. The pattern can be applied in one or more layers. The pattern may be configured so that when a smoking article is placed on a substrate, at least two longitudinal locations along the length of the tobacco rod have film-forming compound located only on sides of the smoking article not in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Li, Firooz Rasouli, Rajesh K. Garg, Randall E. Baren, Marc W. Rose, Peter J. Lipowicz, Tony A. Phan, Timothy S. Sherwood, Szu-Sung Yang, Donald E. Miser, Milton E. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20080216852
    Abstract: A cigarette made from cigarette paper comprising a base web and at least one banded region comprising iron oxide nanoparticles. The at least one banded region has a porosity less than a porosity of the base web such that the at least one banded region exhibits a slower burn rate compared to adjacent non-banded regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Ping Li, Yousef Mohajer, Peter J. Lipowicz, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Weijun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070235049
    Abstract: A magnetic cigarette filter element is provided comprising a filter material and at least one magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate can comprise at least one monolithic ferromagnetic substrate in the shape of a disc, ring, ribbon, mesh, rod, cylinder and/or spheroid that is incorporated in, on and/or around the filter rod. The magnetic substrate can filter (i.e., magnetically attract and trap) ferromagnetic particles from the mainstream smoke of a cigarette comprising the magnetic cigarette filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20070169786
    Abstract: A catalyst-modified corrugated cigarette paper wrapper comprises a fibrous web, an optional web-filler material supported by the web, and catalyst particles supported by the web and/or the web-filler material. In cigarettes comprising the catalyst-modified corrugated cigarette paper, the corrugations define axially-extending channels that can run the length of a tobacco rod. The corrugations can increase the catalytic efficiency of catalyst particles that are incorporated within the catalyst-modified corrugated cigarette paper wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Li, Firooz Rasouli, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Weijun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070116591
    Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: David Sharpe, Firooz Rasouli, John Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20070113862
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of nanoparticle additives capable of reducing amounts of at least one constituent from mainstream and/or sidestream tobacco smoke, the at least one constituent being selected from the group consisting of aldehyde, carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrolein, acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide, o-toluidine, 2-naphtylamine, nitrogen oxide, benzene, N-nitrosonornicotine, phenol, catechol, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the nanoparticle additives are effective as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or catalyst for conversion of aldehydes such as acetaldehyde and acrolein, hydrocarbons such as isoprene and/or phenolic compounds such as catechol to carbon dioxide and water vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Ping Li, Mohammad Hajaligol, Eun-Jae Shin, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20070102017
    Abstract: A cigarette and cigarette paper have a plurality of multilayer bands formed by printing a highly viscous aqueous film-forming composition. After heating the composition to lower its viscosity, the bands are applied to the cigarette paper by gravure printing the composition. The composition is quenched and gelatinized by contact with the cool cigarette paper reducing absorption of water by the paper and reducing wrinkling, cockling, and waviness. Multiple gravure printed layers may be used to form the bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Sherwood, Firooz Rasouli, Ping Li, Don Miser, Joe Mohajer, Bruce Waymack, Tony Phan, Tracy Madison, John Tilley, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • Publication number: 20070095358
    Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article includes a web; and a patterned deposit on at least a portion of one surface of the wrapper, wherein the patterned deposit comprises catalyst particles. The patterned deposit can include a nanoparticle catalyst that is capable of catalyzing the conversion of a constituent gas component in the mainstream and/or sidestream smoke of the smoking article. The constituent gas component can be carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide and the catalyst particles can be iron oxide. Also provided is a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod having a wrapper formed around the tobacco rod, the wrapper including a patterned deposit on at least a portion of one surface of the wrapper. A method of making the wrapper and a method of making a smoking article utilizing the wrapper are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Ping Li, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Firooz Rasouli, Weijun Zhang, Rajesh Garg, Hector Alonso
  • Publication number: 20070074733
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigarette filters, methods of manufacturing smoking articles including hollow fibers, and methods of smoking are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a smoking article contains hollow fibers, wherein the hollow fibers change properties of mainstream tobacco smoke drawn through the hollow fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, John Hearn, Ping Li
  • Patent number: 7192551
    Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Sharpe, Firooz Rasouli, John F. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7168431
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes which involve the use of partially reduced nanoparticle additives capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide are provided. The compositions, articles and methods of the invention can be used to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide present in mainstream smoke. The partially reduced additive can be formed by partially reducing Fe2O3, to produce a mixture of various reduced forms such as Fe3O4, FeO and/or Fe, along with unreduced Fe2O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Li, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad R. Hajaligol
  • Patent number: 7152609
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or nitric oxide to nitrogen. Cut filler compositions comprise tobacco and at least one catalyst. Cigarettes are provided, which comprise a cut filler having at least one catalyst. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on a fibrous support. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a dispersion of nanoscale particles with a fibrous support, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a fibrous support and then heat treating the fibrous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Li, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad Hajaligol
  • Publication number: 20060286239
    Abstract: Improved taste modifiers including nanoscale particles are disclosed. Preferred taste modifiers are inorganic or organic compounds having an average particle size of less than about 500 nm. Nanoscale particles of sodium chloride, for example, which can be stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric particles, can be used to enhance the flavor of foods and beverages as well as in other applications such as in ionic contrast media. Other applications for nanoscale particles include use in saline solutions for contact lenses, sterile solutions, intravenous (IV) solutions, or solutions for use by patients suffering from hypertension or diabetes. The nanoscale particles can be free-standing (unsupported) or supported on support particles such as particles of sodium chloride or particles of calcium carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Weijun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20060201524
    Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Wei-Jun Zhang, Mark Zhuang, Shahryar Rabiei, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20060196517
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cut filler compositions and cigarettes, and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke of cigarettes are provided that use catalyst particles capable of converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst particles are supported on tobacco powder. The tobacco powder supported catalyst particles can be prepared by dry admixing the catalyst particles and tobacco powder or by combining a dispersion of catalyst particles with the tobacco powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, Ping Li, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad Hajaligol
  • Publication number: 20060174903
    Abstract: Cigarettes and cigarette components such as tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper, and methods for making cigarette components are provided that comprise nanostructured fibrils. The nanostructured fibrils, which can be formed and deposited in situ on tobacco cut filler and/or cigarette paper by laser vaporization controlled condensation or chemical reaction, are capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Cigarettes are provided that comprise tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper, wherein nanostructured fibrils are deposited on, or incorporated in, at least one of the tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Khaled Saoud, Firooz Rasouli, Shahryar Rabiei, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Mohammad Hajaligol
  • Publication number: 20050263163
    Abstract: Nanoscale particles are formed and deposited in situ on tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter materials by physical vapor deposition. The nanoscale particles are capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Ramkuber Yadav, Khaled Saoud, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad Hajaligol
  • Publication number: 20050263162
    Abstract: Mixed metal oxide catalysts are prepared by combining first nanoscale particles and second nanoscale particles to form a mixture of nanoscale particles and then the mixture is heated to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst. The mixed metal oxide catalysts, which are capable of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking, are incorporated into a smoking article component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Shahryar Rabiei, Firooz Rasouli, Mohammad Hajaligol