Patents by Inventor John-Paul Mua

John-Paul Mua 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: 20130118512
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco product includes a tobacco material and a specific starch material that imparts specific textural properties to the product. A process for preparing a smokeless tobacco product with a desired textural property is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Jackson, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, John Paul Mua, Kenneth Allen Beard, Rodney D. Schluter
  • Patent number: 8434496
    Abstract: A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Anthony Richard Gerardi, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, Jr., Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Frank Kelley St. Charles
  • Patent number: 8136533
    Abstract: A smoking article having one or more reconstituted tobacco split inner wrap strips is described. One or more split inner wrap strips extend coaxially along the tobacco column between the inner surface of an outer wrap of cigarette paper and the tobacco column. The tobacco blend includes burley and a second tobacco, such as flue-cured, oriental, Maryland, or rare and exotic tobaccos, and combinations thereof. This blend improves burley smoke character without increasing Hoffman analyte levels, especially tobacco-specific nitrosamines (i.e., TNSAs). A cigarette with an improved burley smoke character without increasing Hoffman analyte levels is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Monsalud, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120060854
    Abstract: A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Anthony Richard Gerardi, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Cheryl Cooper Scott
  • Publication number: 20110315154
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the process including: providing a slurry comprising water and a tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least about 75% by weight water, based on the total weight of the slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material; adding an amount of a base to the slurry sufficient to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 8.5, thereby forming a pH-adjusted slurry; and continuing to heat the pH-adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient for the pH of the slurry to drop at least about 0.5 pH unit following the adding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Rosete Monsalud, JR., Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., James Neil Figlar
  • Patent number: 8061362
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the process including: providing a slurry comprising water and a tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least about 75% by weight water, based on the total weight of the slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material; adding an amount of a base to the slurry sufficient to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 8.5, thereby forming a pH-adjusted slurry; and continuing to heat the pH-adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient for the pH of the slurry to drop at least about 0.5 pH unit following the adding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Rosete Monsalud, Jr., Darrell Eugene Holton, Jr., James Neil Figlar
  • Publication number: 20110220130
    Abstract: The tobacco products incorporate binder systems. The binder systems exhibit thermoplastic properties, characteristics, or behaviors. The binder system can incorporate at least one type of binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic properties. Additionally, the binder system can incorporate materials to provide a binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic characteristics, for example at least one thermoplastic binding material in combination with a plasticizer. Also, tobacco products can incorporate a plasticizer blend. Tobacco products are produced by contacting tobacco, with other desired ingredients, in the presence of a binder system, and forming the resulting mixture into a shape. Of particular interest are processing conditions that involve exposing a tobacco formulation to less than about 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Matthew William Benford, Luis R. Monsalud, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110139164
    Abstract: The tobacco products incorporate binder systems. The binder systems possess or exhibit thermoplastic properties, characteristics or behaviors. The binder system can incorporate at least one type of binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic properties (e.g., the binding agent can be composed of at least one thermoplastic polymeric material). Additionally, the binder system can incorporate ingredients or materials so as to provide a binding agent that exhibits thermoplastic characteristics (e.g., the binding agent can be composed of at least one thermoplastic binding material in combination with a plasticizer). Tobacco products are produced by contacting tobacco, together with other desired ingredients, in the presence of a binder system, and forming (e.g., by extrusion) the resulting mixture into a shape. Of particular interest are processing conditions that most preferably involve exposing a tobacco formulation to a temperature of less than about 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John Paul Mua, Matthew William Benford, Luis R. Monsalud, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110061666
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product including a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. Microencapsulated flavorants include tobacco-containing flavorants, such as tobacco extracts or a particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (e.g., sweeteners containing neotame), and vanillin (optionally in a complexed form).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Cynthia Stewart Stokes, James Neil Figlar
  • Publication number: 20110048434
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tobacco material for use in a smoking article is provided, including (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof; (ii) heating the mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated mixture into a smoking article as a smokable material. A smoking article in the form of a cigarette is also provided that includes a tobacco material pre-treated to inhibit reaction of asparagine to form acrylamide in mainstream smoke. Upon smoking, the smoking article is characterized by an acrylamide content of mainstream smoke that is reduced relative to an untreated control smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Anthony Richard Gerardi, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Serban C. Moldoveanu, Paul Andrew Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20100300463
    Abstract: A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Anthony Richard Gerardi, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Frank Kelley St. Charles
  • Publication number: 20100294291
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco formulation includes particles or pieces of tobacco, and may include other ingredients, such as salts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants, and preservatives. The moisture content of the particles of the tobacco may vary. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that result from casting or otherwise forming a slurry incorporating tobacco material and other components as a film or sheet. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that result from pressing, extruding or otherwise forming a mixture incorporating tobacco material and other components into a desired shape. The foregoing tobacco products, as well as snus-type products, can be packaged under conditions of controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, Laya Katina Palmer, Pankaj Patel, John-Paul Mua, Luis Rosete Monsalud, JR.
  • Patent number: 7810507
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product including a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. Microencapsulated flavorants include tobacco-containing flavorants, such as tobacco extracts or a particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (e.g., sweeteners containing neotame), and vanillin (optionally in a complexed form).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, Jr., Cynthia Stewart Stokes, James Neil Figlar
  • Publication number: 20090025738
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the process including: providing a slurry comprising water and a tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least about 75% by weight water, based on the total weight of the slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material; adding an amount of a base to the slurry sufficient to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 8.5, thereby forming a pH-adjusted slurry; and continuing to heat the pH-adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least about 60° C. for a time sufficient for the pH of the slurry to drop at least about 0.5 pH unit following the adding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Rosete Monsalud, JR., Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., James Neil Figlar
  • Patent number: 7428905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smokeable filler material having an increased fill value and processes for making the smokeable filler. The smokeable filler has a fill value of at least 5 cc/g and comprises a cellulose material, a humectant, an inert filler, a binder, and optionally a tobacco containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: John-Paul Mua
  • Publication number: 20080173317
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is provided. A water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation and configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product is provided. The tobacco formulation includes granular tobacco and a buffer comprised of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. An outer packaging material enveloping the pouch is provided and is sealed so as to allow a controlled environment to be maintained within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, Laya Katina Palmer Horton, Pankaj Patel, John-Paul Mua, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, James Neil Figlar, Darrell Eugene Holton
  • Publication number: 20080029110
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product including a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. Microencapsulated flavorants include tobacco-containing flavorants, such as tobacco extracts or a particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (e.g., sweeteners containing neotame), and vanillin (optionally in a complexed form).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Dube, Daniel Cantrell, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Holton, Cynthia Stokes, James Figlar
  • Publication number: 20080029117
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco formulation includes particles or pieces of tobacco, and may include other ingredients, such as salts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants, and preservatives. The moisture content of the particles of the tobacco may vary. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that result from casting or otherwise forming a slurry incorporating tobacco material and other components as a film or sheet. Certain smokeless tobacco products have the form of tobacco compositions or formulations that result from pressing, extruding or otherwise forming a mixture incorporating tobacco material and other components into a desired shape. The foregoing tobacco products, as well as snus-type products, can be packaged under conditions of controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Rosete Monsalud
  • Publication number: 20080006286
    Abstract: A smoking article having one or more reconstituted tobacco split inner wrap strips is described. One or more split inner wrap strips extend coaxially along the tobacco column between the inner surface of an outer wrap of cigarette paper and the tobacco column. The tobacco blend includes burley and a second tobacco, such as flue-cured, oriental, Maryland, or rare and exotic tobaccos, and combinations thereof This blend improves burley smoke character without increasing Hoffman analyte levels, especially tobacco-specific nitrosamines (i.e., TNSAs). A cigarette with an improved burley smoke character without increasing Hoffman analyte levels is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Luis Monsalud
  • Publication number: 20070157940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod having a smokable filler material contained within a circumscribing outer wrapping material, and one or more inner wrapping strips positioned between the tobacco rod and the outer wrapping material and extending longitudinally along the tobacco rod. The inner wrapping strips comprise a binder in the form of an alkali metal salt and comprise a total alkali metal content of at least about 30,000 ?g based on the total weight of the inner wrapping strips. The total alkali metal content can be derived from the alkali metal salt binder alone or a combination of the alkali metal salt binder and a second alkali metal additive. The inner wrapping strips can exhibit an ignition temperature of at least about 625° C. and may comprise 1 to about 8 strips, each strip having a width of about 2 to about 10 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Barbara Arzonico, Melissa Clark, Luis Monsalud, Alan Norman, Rodney Schluter