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).

  • Publication number: 20190003709
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: 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: 10159273
    Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that comprises an extract derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the extracts described herein, and methods for preparing extracts derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
  • Patent number: 10094562
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180273492
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
  • Patent number: 10039312
    Abstract: A method of curing tobacco. The method comprises the steps of contacting a tobacco material with a curing additive comprising one or more salts and curing the tobacco material under conditions and temperature for a time sufficient to produce cured tobacco wherein the amount of the one or more salts contacted with the tobacco is at least 5 percent of the dry weight of the cured tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Susan Marlene Adams, Darlene Madeline Lawson, Michael Francis Dube
  • Patent number: 10028522
    Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
  • Publication number: 20180027867
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
  • Publication number: 20170215471
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Junker, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi
  • Publication number: 20170215472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III, Chelsea Allison Cooke, Courtney Guenther Culbert
  • Patent number: 9629391
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tobacco-derived pyrolysis oils and derivatives thereof, such as isolated components and mixtures obtained from such pyrolysis oils. Advantageously, the tobacco-derived pyrolysis oils disclosed herein can exhibit desirable sensory characteristics. Further, tobacco-derived pyrolysis oils disclosed herein can exhibit desirably low concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene. The disclosure also provides methods for obtaining such tobacco-derived pyrolysis oils and derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Christopher Junker
  • Publication number: 20160316814
    Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
  • Publication number: 20160302472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Rhys Thomas Dale, Morrison Clark Dale, Jessica Hanna Johnston
  • Patent number: 9458476
    Abstract: A method for producing glycerin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The glycerin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the glycerin is produced by either acid-catalyzed hydrolysis or base-catalyzed hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include glycerin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: William Coleman, Michael Francis Dube
  • Patent number: 9402415
    Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
  • Publication number: 20160213056
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20160174605
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Thomas Albert Perfetti, Rick Lehman, Bob Horvath
  • Publication number: 20160143347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Patent number: 9307788
    Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses a smokable rod and a filter element. The smokable rod is secured to the filter element using tipping material. The cigarette possesses more than one layer of tipping material. An outer layer of tipping material can overlie at least a portion of an underlying inner layer of tipping material, and during use by the smoker, the outer layer can be removed from the cigarette. Thus, it is possible for a cigarette manufacturer to provide a cigarette that can be used as such by the smoker, or that can be adapted by the smoker to provide a different sensory experience (e.g., the visual, organoleptic, trigeminal, aromatic, and tactile characteristics of the cigarette can be altered by removal of the outer tipping material). Alternatively, the use of the outer layer of tipping material can be used to improve the physical integrity of the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Paul Stuart Chapman
  • Patent number: 9254001
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20150374029
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: CYNTHIA STEWART STOKES, JOHN LARKIN NELSON, VERNON BRENT BARNES, MICHAEL FRANCIS DUBE