Patents by Inventor Michael Francis Dube
Michael Francis Dube 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: 11944119Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 11891364Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Publication number: 20230018692Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: August Joseph Borschke, Michael Francis Dube, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Jason Eugene Kobisky, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Dennis L. Potter, Jeffrey S. Taggart, Geoffrey W. Kennard, Robert F. Soreo
-
Patent number: 11219244Abstract: A method of forming a carbon material from the stalk or roots of a plant of the Nicotiana species is provided herein, wherein the method includes i) receiving a tobacco material comprising at least one of a stalk material and a root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species; and ii) pyrolyzing the tobacco material to remove volatiles and to form a tobacco-derived carbon material. Optionally, the method can further include activating the tobacco-derived carbon material. The tobacco-derived carbon material can be incorporated into a tobacco product. A carbon material derived from pyrolyzing a tobacco material in the form of at least one of a tobacco stalk material and a tobacco root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species is also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Thomas Albert Perfetti, Rick Lehman, Bob Horvath
-
Publication number: 20220000168Abstract: A method of isolating compounds from a tobacco-derived black liquor, including receiving a black liquor from a pulping process of an input material comprising a plant of the Nicotiana species, treating the black liquor with an acid to lower the pH of the black liquor to about 7 or lower in order to produce a precipitate and an acidified black liquor, separating the precipitate and the acidified black liquor, extracting the acidified black liquor with an organic solvent in order to produce an organic layer extract and an aqueous layer extract, and separating the organic layer extract and the aqueous layer extract.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Christopher Junker, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi
-
Publication number: 20210403437Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Publication number: 20210360963Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Kenneth Wayne Smith, Vernon Brent Barnes
-
Publication number: 20210337857Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco product including a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of an extract of a fire-cured tobacco material. Exemplary tobacco products include smoking articles, smokeless tobacco compositions, and aerosol-generating devices that do not burn tobacco. The invention also provides a process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition, the method including: mixing a fire-cured tobacco material having a first benzo[a]pyrene concentration with water to produce an aqueous slurry; maintaining the slurry for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a fire-cured tobacco extract, the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract exhibiting a second benzo[a]pyrene concentration lower than the first benzo[a]pyrene concentration; separating the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract from a residual pulp material, and mixing the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract with a tobacco or non-tobacco plant material to form a smokeless tobacco composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Eric Taylor Hunt, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Charles Bradford Rhoades, JR., Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Dwayne William Beeson, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
-
Patent number: 11154087Abstract: A method of isolating compounds from a tobacco-derived black liquor, including receiving a black liquor from a pulping process of an input material comprising a plant of the Nicotiana species, treating the black liquor with an acid to lower the pH of the black liquor to about 7 or lower in order to produce a precipitate and an acidified black liquor, separating the precipitate and the acidified black liquor, extracting the acidified black liquor with an organic solvent in order to produce an organic layer extract and an aqueous layer extract, and separating the organic layer extract and the aqueous layer extract.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Christopher Junker, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi
-
Patent number: 11091446Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Patent number: 11019842Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Kenneth Wayne Smith, Vernon Brent Barnes
-
Publication number: 20210092988Abstract: Methods of forming cellulosic sugars from the stalk or roots of a plant of the Nicotiana species are provided herein, the methods including i) receiving a tobacco material including at least one of a stalk material and a root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species; ii) delignifying the tobacco material to form a tobacco-derived pulp; and iii) hydrolyzing the tobacco-derived pulp to form a hydrolyzed tobacco product including residual solids and a liquid including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar. A cellulosic sugar derived from hydrolyzed tobacco material including at least one of a tobacco stalk material and a tobacco root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species is also provided herein. Tobacco products incorporating the cellulosic sugars derived from hydrolyzed tobacco material or products derived from the cellulosic sugar are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Rhys Thomas Dale, Morrison Clark Dale, Jessica Hanna Johnston
-
Patent number: 10881133Abstract: Methods of forming cellulosic sugars from the stalk or roots of a plant of the Nicotiana species are provided herein, the methods including i) receiving a tobacco material including at least one of a stalk material and a root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species; ii) delignifying the tobacco material to form a tobacco-derived pulp; and iii) hydrolyzing the tobacco-derived pulp to form a hydrolyzed tobacco product including residual solids and a liquid including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar. A cellulosic sugar derived from hydrolyzed tobacco material including at least one of a tobacco stalk material and a tobacco root material of a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species is also provided herein. Tobacco products incorporating the cellulosic sugars derived from hydrolyzed tobacco material or products derived from the cellulosic sugar are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Rhys Thomas Dale, Morrison Clark Dale, Jessica Hanna Johnston
-
Patent number: 10595554Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 10561168Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
-
Patent number: 10499684Abstract: Methods of forming pyrazines from reactants derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, including receiving an aqueous reactant solution including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar and at least one tobacco-derived amino acid, heating the reactant solution to a reactant temperature and holding the reactant solution at the reactant temperature for a reactant time to produce a reactant product including at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine, and isolating the at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine from the reactant product. Tobacco products incorporating the tobacco-derived pyrazines are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III, Chelsea Allison Cooke, Courtney Guenther Culbert
-
Publication number: 20190335804Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
-
Publication number: 20190313690Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that comprises a syrup derived from the stalk of a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the syrups described herein, and methods for preparing syrups derived from the stalk of a plant of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Colemann, III, Anthony Richard Gerardi
-
Patent number: 10383359Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 10188137Abstract: A process for producing flavorants made or derived from tobacco or, more generally, made or derived from any biomass derived from any one or more species of genus Nicotiana, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco, is provided. Provided are flavorants obtained or derived from plants or portions of plants from the Nicotiana species, such as from one or more flowers from one or more Nicotiana species, and products comprising one or more such flavorants.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventor: Michael Francis Dube