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: 9210952Abstract: 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: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Cynthia Stewart Stokes, John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Michael Francis Dube
-
Publication number: 20150320107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Publication number: 20150313276Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Susan Marlene Adams, Darlene Madeline Lawson, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 9107453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Publication number: 20150226432Abstract: 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: February 11, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: 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: 20150189911Abstract: A method for producing triacetin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triacetin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triacetin is produced by condensation of glycerin, generated by hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and acetic acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triacetin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Coleman
-
Patent number: 9066538Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Gong Chen, Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Huamin Gan, Cheryl Cooper Scott, Barry Smith Fagg
-
Patent number: 9010339Abstract: A method for producing triacetin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triacetin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triacetin is produced by condensation of glycerin, generated by hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and acetic acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triacetin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Coleman
-
Patent number: 9012736Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing plants with a desired phenotypic trait which comprises subjecting plants to mutagenesis, screening chimeric progeny for plants having the desired phenotypic trait, and propagating the survivors. In an embodiment, the phenotypic trait comprises an altered amino acid content. Preferably, the technique is used to generate Nicotiana tobacum plant lines having an increase in at least one amino acid. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides improved Nicotiana tobacum plant lines producing at least 1.35 nmole of threonine per milligram of dry plant weight. These plants are useful for improving the flavor and aroma of the tobacco.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Reynolds Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Luis Mayan Dominguez, Jerry Wayne Lawson, Wennuan Liu, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 8955523Abstract: 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 of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of 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 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: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
-
Publication number: 20150040922Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Christopher Junker
-
Publication number: 20150034109Abstract: A process for producing lignin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The lignin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass. A process such as is described in various embodiments herein also provides articles and compositions that include lignin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, James E. Fay, III
-
Publication number: 20150013694Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Susan Marlene Adams, Darlene Madeline Lawson, Michael Francis Dube
-
Patent number: 8893725Abstract: The invention provides a polymer prepared from a substituted 1,3-butadiene (such as neophytadiene) derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the polymers described herein. Further, the invention provides a method of polymerizing a substituted 1,3-butadiene derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, the method including reacting a substituted 1,3-butadiene derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species with one or more reagents selected from the group consisting of an anionic initiator, a radical initiator, and a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Monroe Coleman, III
-
Publication number: 20140190497Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Cynthia Stewart Stokes, James Neil Figlar
-
Patent number: 8695609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, Jr., Cynthia Stewart Stokes, James Neil Figlar
-
Patent number: 8496011Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for forming a filter rod member of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit is configured to insert an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member. The method comprises forming a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member, and inserting an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member such that the adsorbent material is disposed within the rod member.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Norman Philip Andresen, Michael Francis Dube, Barbara Walker Arzonico
-
Publication number: 20130125907Abstract: A method for producing triethyl citrate from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triethyl citrate can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triethyl citrate is produced by condensation of ethanol, generated by fermentation of starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and citric acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triethyl citrate produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Coleman
-
Publication number: 20130014771Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Darlene Madeline Lawson
-
Publication number: 20120298125Abstract: A method for producing triacetin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triacetin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triacetin is produced by condensation of glycerin, generated by hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and acetic acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triacetin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, William Coleman