Patents by Inventor William R. Sweeney

William R. Sweeney 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).

  • Pre-portioned moist product and method of making
    Patent number: 8746256
    Abstract: A pre-portioned moist product comprising a portion of plant material and a coating is disclosed. Preferably, the plant material comprises tobacco. The coating includes a soluble, non-cross-linkable component and an cross-linkable component which becomes substantially water-insoluble upon crosslinking. The soluble component of the coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component disintegrates and/or loses structural integrity once the soluble component has dissolved to release and disperse the plant material in the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shengsheng Liu, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Feng Gao
  • Tobacco-free pouched product containing flavor beads providing immediate and long lasting flavor release
    Patent number: 8747562
    Abstract: A tobacco-free oral pouch product providing immediate and long lasting flavor release comprises a pouch wrapper and tobacco-free flavor beads contained within the pouch wrapper. The flavor beads comprise at least one of microcrystalline cellulose, pectin and sodium alginate, at least one polymer having a higher solubility in saliva than microcrystalline cellulose, pectin and/or sodium alginate, and at least one flavorant. The pectin and sodium alginate are cross-linked. The tobacco-free flavor beads provide immediate release of the flavorant upon placement of a pouch product in a user's mouth and long lasting release of the flavorant for about 15 minutes to about 80 minutes. The oral pouch product contains only tobacco-free flavor beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Biao Duan, Daqing Wu, William R. Sweeney
  • Smokeless compressed tobacco product for oral consumption
    Patent number: 8714163
    Abstract: A consumable compressed tobacco product adapted to dissolve in an oral cavity. The compressed tobacco product is formed from a composition that includes at least one tobacco component, at least one flavorant, at least one filler-binder, at least one lubricant, at least one desiccant and at least one glidant. The compressed tobacco products are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction. A method of making a dissolvable compressed tobacco product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar, Suresh Shenoy, Carolina Marun, William R. Sweeney, Manuel Marquez-Sanchez, Jon Regrut, Gregory J. Griscik, David R. Golob
  • Tobacco-free oral flavor delivery pouch product
    Patent number: 8701679
    Abstract: Provided is a tobacco-free oral flavor delivery pouch product that provides and engaging and flavorful experience to a user. The pouch product includes a porous pouch wrapper and an inner filling material. The inner filling material can include a non-tobacco, botanical component, at least one functional ingredient and a solid flavor component dispersed throughout the inner filling material. The pouch product delivers multiple textures to the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle R. Crawford, Karen Brooks, Kenneth A. Newman, William R. Sweeney, Fernando L. Chappell, Sr.
  • CONTROLLABLE RFID CARD
    Publication number: 20140091143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized information are provided. Based on an identification of a customer through the use of a card, personalized information is selectively produced and wirelessly provided to a display such as a wireless display. The identification of the customer, as well as additional information, can be provided through the use of the card, wherein functions of the card can be enabled or disabled by the customer through the use of on-card switches, buttons, slides and/or bistable domes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Sweeney
  • Solid Oral Sensorial Products Including Stain Inhibitor
    Publication number: 20140093544
    Abstract: A solid oral sensorial product includes at least one botanical material and at least one phosphate containing stain inhibitor. The botanical material is selected from the group consisting of tobacco, tea, coffee, cocoa, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Miser, William R. Sweeney, Qinglin Li, Jerome A. Merski
  • Flavor pouch
    Patent number: 8685478
    Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Neidle, Kenneth Newman, William R. Sweeney, Cynthia S. Hayes, Robert T. Mitten, Danielle R. Crawford
  • DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT POD
    Publication number: 20140047630
    Abstract: Absorbent pods comprise a pouch formed of a porous material. The pouch contains an absorbent polymer in an amount sufficient to absorb at least about 20 mL of fluid. Preferably, the absorbent polymer is sodium polyacrylate and the porous material is a hydrophilic material. The absorbent pods absorb and retain fluids, including saliva.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, William R. Sweeney, Heidi R. Kleinbach-Sauter, Zane Gibbs
  • Oral chewable tobacco product and method of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 8640714
    Abstract: An oral chewable tobacco product includes a gum composition in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product and tobacco powder in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight based on the weight of the oral chewable tobacco product. The gum composition includes at least one environmentally biodegradable polymer in an amount of about 20% to about 95% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition and at least one softener in an amount of about 5% to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the gum composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Sarojini Deevi, Shengsheng Liu, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney
  • Controllable RFID card
    Patent number: 8624740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized information are provided. Based on an identification of a customer through the use of a card, personalized information is selectively produced and wirelessly provided to a display such as a wireless display. The identification of the customer, as well as additional information, can be provided through the use of the card, wherein functions of the card can be enabled or disabled by the customer through the use of on-card switches, buttons, slides and/or bistable domes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Sweeney
  • ORAL MOIST SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS WITH NET-STRUCTURED GEL COATING AND METHODS OF MAKING
    Publication number: 20130340774
    Abstract: Oral tobacco products having a gel-coating and methods for making are provided. The method includes (a) molding a portion of tobacco material to form a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising moist smokeless tobacco; (b) contacting the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material with a gel-coating solution to form a gel-coating comprising at least one polymer on an outer surface of the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product, said gel-coating comprising an inner surface disposed around the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material and an outer surface; and (c) forming one ore more of perforations, uncoated areas and holes in the gel-coating of the oral tobacco product to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Shengsheng Liu, William R. Sweeney, Szu-Sung Yang, Dennis Geib
  • Disposable absorbent pod
    Patent number: 8586819
    Abstract: Absorbent pods comprise a pouch formed of a porous material. The pouch contains an absorbent polymer in an amount sufficient to absorb at least about 20 mL of fluid. Preferably, the absorbent polymer is sodium polyacrylate and the porous material is a hydrophilic material. The absorbent pods absorb and retain fluids, including saliva.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, William R. Sweeney, Heidi R. Kleinbach-Sauter, Zane Gibbs
  • Solid oral sensorial products including stain inhibitor
    Patent number: 8568801
    Abstract: A solid oral sensorial product includes at least one botanical material and at least one phosphate containing stain inhibitor. The botanical material is selected from the group consisting of tobacco, tea, coffee, cocoa, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Miser, William R. Sweeney, Qinglin Li, Jerome A. Merski
  • PRE-PORTIONED MOIST PRODUCT AND METHOD OF MAKING
    Publication number: 20130255705
    Abstract: A pre-portioned moist product comprising a portion of plant material and a coating is disclosed. Preferably, the plant material comprises tobacco. The coating includes a soluble, non-cross-linkable component and an cross-linkable component which becomes substantially water-insoluble upon crosslinking. The soluble component of the coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component disintegrates and/or loses structural integrity once the soluble component has dissolved to release and disperse the plant material in the user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shengsheng Liu, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Feng Gao
  • Oral moist smokeless tobacco products with net-structured gel coating and methods of making
    Patent number: 8539958
    Abstract: Oral tobacco products having a gel-coating and methods for making are provided. The method includes (a) molding a portion of tobacco material to form a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising moist smokeless tobacco; (b) contacting the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material with a gel-coating solution to form a gel-coating comprising at least one polymer on an outer surface of the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product, said gel-coating comprising an inner surface disposed around the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material and an outer surface; and (c) forming one or more of perforations, uncoated areas and holes in the gel-coating of the oral tobacco product to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Shengsheng Liu, William R. Sweeney, Szu-Sung Yang, Dennis Geib
  • TOBACCO-FREE ORAL FLAVOR DELIVERY POUCH PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20130236605
    Abstract: Provided is a tobacco-free oral flavor delivery pouch product that provides and engaging and flavorful experience to a user. The pouch product includes a porous pouch wrapper and an inner filling material. The inner filling material can include a non-tobacco, botanical component, at least one functional ingredient and a solid flavor component dispersed throughout the inner filling material. The pouch product delivers multiple textures to the user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle R. Crawford, Karen Brooks, Kenneth A. Newman, William R. Sweeney, Fernando L. Chappell, SR.
  • Pre-portioned moist product and method of making
    Patent number: 8469037
    Abstract: A pre-portioned moist product comprising a portion of plant material and a coating is disclosed. Preferably, the plant material comprises tobacco. The coating includes a soluble, non-cross-linkable component and an cross-linkable component which becomes substantially water-insoluble upon crosslinking. The soluble component of the coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component disintegrates and/or loses structural integrity once the soluble component has dissolved to release and disperse the plant material in the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shengsheng Liu, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Feng Gao
  • Tobacco-free oral flavor delivery pouch product
    Patent number: 8424541
    Abstract: Provided is a tobacco-free oral flavor delivery pouch product that provides and engaging and flavorful experience to a user. The pouch product includes a porous pouch wrapper and an inner filling material. The inner filling material can include a non-tobacco, botanical component, at least one functional ingredient and a solid flavor component dispersed throughout the inner filling material. The pouch product delivers multiple textures to the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle R. Crawford, Karen Brooks, Kenneth A. Newman, William R. Sweeney, Fernando L. Chappell, Sr.
  • SWEET CIGAR
    Publication number: 20130087159
    Abstract: A cigar comprises a mouth end; a tobacco section comprising tobacco material; at least one sweetener dispersed throughout the tobacco section; and/or a flavor potentiator and/or a taste modifier on an outer surface of the mouth end for enhancing the sweet taste of the cigar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Sweeney, Pauline Marcq, Joseph Pierotti, Deborah Thiem
  • Chewable pouch for flavored product delivery
    Patent number: 8389034
    Abstract: Provided is a disintegrable or non-disintegrable oral flavor delivery product. The product includes a disintegrable or non-disintegrable chewable pouch with a plurality of perforations. The pouch encloses a non-tobacco flavor product that can be in a gel, semi-liquid, and/or liquid form. A user chews, sucks, and/or manipulates the pouch to cause the enclosed flavor product to leach out of the perforations into the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, Dennis Geib, Bruce Waymack, William R. Sweeney, Cindy Hayes, Danielle R. Crawford