Patents by Inventor Georgios Karles
Georgios Karles 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).
-
Patent number: 9668516Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert Kikkert, Robert N. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Georgios Karles
-
Publication number: 20160302479Abstract: An activated carbon substrate which is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
-
Patent number: 9394179Abstract: A process for making modified activated carbon from an activated carbon substrate. The activated carbon substrate is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
-
Patent number: 9386801Abstract: A process for producing a coated filter plug for a smoking article including: (a) incorporating an additive to a porous filter plug, thereby obtaining an impregnated filter plug; (b) coating a surface of the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linkable polymer material; and (c) cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer material, to form a cross-linked, breakable coating substantially enclosing the impregnated filter plug. The process may further include at least partially coating the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linking agent prior to, or subsequent to, coating with the cross-linkable polymer material.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng, Hongwei Liu, Daqing Wu
-
Publication number: 20130306082Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Robert Kikkert, Robert N. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Georgios Karles
-
Patent number: 8434499Abstract: A filter for a smoking article, which includes an upstream segment having a carbon filter and a downstream segment of filtering material. The upstream segment includes a carbon filter with a hollow tubular member concentrically positioned within the carbon filter, and one or more holes around an outer circumference of the hollow tubular member to allow mainstream smoke to bypass the carbon filter during the first puff. During use, the hollow tubular member has a lower resistance to draw than the carbon filter during an initial puff or puffs, and after the initial puff or puffs, mainstream smoke is drawn through the carbon filter.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Christopher Allmond, Stephen Wayne Rose
-
Patent number: 8402978Abstract: A process for producing a coated filter plug for a smoking article including: (a) incorporating an additive to a porous filter plug, thereby obtaining an impregnated filter plug; (b) coating a surface of the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linkable polymer material; and (c) cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer material, to form a cross-linked, breakable coating substantially enclosing the impregnated filter plug. The process may further include at least partially coating the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linking agent prior to, or subsequent to, coating with the cross-linkable polymer material.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng, Hongwei Liu, Daqing Wu
-
Patent number: 8201564Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Mark A. McHugh, Georgios Karles, Diane Gee, Joseph L. Banyasz, Zhihao Shen, Munmaya K. Mishra
-
Publication number: 20120000482Abstract: A filter for a smoking article, which includes an upstream segment having a carbon filter and a downstream segment of filtering material. The upstream segment includes a carbon filter with a hollow tubular member concentrically positioned within the carbon filter, and one or more holes around an outer circumference of the hollow tubular member to allow mainstream smoke to bypass the carbon filter during the first puff. During use, the hollow tubular member has a lower resistance to draw than the carbon filter during an initial puff or puffs, and after the initial puff or puffs, mainstream smoke is drawn through the carbon filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Christopher Allmond, Stephen Wayne Rose
-
Patent number: 7935298Abstract: A process of making fibers by electrostatic spinning includes the use of a mixing vessel (10), a piston (15) for pressurizing the polymer, carbon dioxide sources (20) for lowering the viscosity of the polymer or pressurizing the collection vessel (35), a pressure generator (25), view ports (30), a target (36), a spinning needle (40), a camera/TV recorder (45) and a voltage source (50).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth UniversityInventors: Mark McHugh, Zhihao Shen, Diane Gee, Georgios Karles, Jose Nepomuceno, Gary Huvard
-
Publication number: 20110083676Abstract: A process for producing a coated filter plug for a smoking article including: (a) incorporating an additive to a porous filter plug, thereby obtaining an impregnated filter plug; (b) coating a surface of the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linkable polymer material; and (c) cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer material, to form a cross-linked, breakable coating substantially enclosing the impregnated filter plug. The process may further include at least partially coating the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linking agent prior to, or subsequent to, coating with the cross-linkable polymer material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng, Hongwei Liu, Daqing Wu
-
Publication number: 20090277465Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The sealed capsule or capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A Fournier
-
Patent number: 7578298Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The sealed capsule or capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A Fournier
-
Publication number: 20080053469Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John Paine, Zuyin Yang, Kent Koller, Jay Fournier, Charles Thomas, Timothy Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose Nepomuceno, Diane Gee, Georgios Karles
-
Publication number: 20080029112Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Mark McHugh, Georgios Karles, Diane Gee, Joseph Banyasz, Zhihao Shen, Munmaya Mishra
-
Publication number: 20080017206Abstract: Cigarettes are provided which contain a filtering system and flavorants encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate, wherein deactivation of a sorbent by the flavorant is reduced through the encapsulation of the flavorant within the polyvinyl acetate. A preferred flavorant is menthol. The encapsulated flavorants are prepared by mixing at least one flavorant with polyvinyl acetate and a solvent, such as ethanol, and forming the encapsulated flavorants. Methods of making cigarettes and smoking the articles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ulrike Becker, Tony Howell, Lixin Xue, Georgios Karles, Jay Fournier
-
Publication number: 20080018015Abstract: A process of making fibers by electrostatic spinning includes the use of a mixing vessel (10), a piston (15) for pressurizing the polymer, carbon dioxide sources (20) for lowering the viscosity of the polymer or pressurizing the collection vessel (35), a pressure generator (25), view ports (30), a target (36), a spinning needle (40), a camera/TV recorder (45) and a voltage source (50).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Mark McHugh, Zhihao Shen, Diane Gee, Georgios Karles, Jose Nepomuceno, Gary Huvard
-
Publication number: 20070259124Abstract: A process for making modified activated carbon from an activated carbon substrate. The activated carbon substrate is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
-
Publication number: 20070258879Abstract: A method of producing a multi-modal pore distribution activated carbon is provided herein by preparing a solution comprising a polymer precursor, mixing an additional material with the polymer precursor in the solution, cross-linking the polymer precursor with the additional material mixed therein, carbonizing the mixture of the polymer precursor and the additional material, and activating the carbonized mixture to form a multi-modal pore distribution activated carbon. The multi-modal pore distribution activated carbon can include pores less than 20 ? and greater than 30 ? or 500 ? depending upon the sorption properties desired, wherein the pore distribution of the activated carbon can be tailored to provide predetermined kinetics and/or gaseous constituent equilibrium isotherms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Gunaranjan Viswanathan, John Layman, Shuzhong Zhuang
-
Publication number: 20070181140Abstract: A smoking article includes a cylinder of smoking material having at least one hollow tube having a heat conductive wall within the cylinder of smoking material and a filter system attached to the cylinder of smoking material. The filter system includes an adsorbent material therein. The at least one hollow tube extends from within the cylinder of smoking material through the adsorbent material. At least one flavorant material is retained within the at least one hollow tube, and upon exposure to heat from the heat conductive wall of the hollow tube the flavorant material releases a flavorant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Philip Morris USA IncInventors: Lixin Xue, Liqun Yu, Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios Karles, Kent Koller