Patents Assigned to R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
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Patent number: 9108784Abstract: A packaged product assembly is provided. The packaged product assembly may include a packet received in a dispensing container. The packet may be a blister packet including units of a product received in sealed cavities. The dispensing container may include a top casing and a bottom casing. The upper casing may be pivotably connected to the lower casing such that the upper casing is moveable between a closed position in which access to the packet is substantially blocked, and an open position in which access to the packet is provided. The packet may be supported by a shoulder defined at an inner surface of sidewalls of the lower casing such that a receptacle is formed between the packet and a major wall of the lower casing. A unit of the product released from one of the sealed cavities may be received in the receptacle and dispensed via a dispensing aperture.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Jerry W. Pipes, William P. Scott, Melissa A. Clark, Wesley S. Jones
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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
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Publication number: 20150224268Abstract: The present disclosure relates to charging accessory device for the aerosol delivery device and related systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing interactive services for aerosol delivery devices. For example, a method may include a computing device establishing communication with a charging accessory device for an aerosol delivery device; receiving usage data for the aerosol delivery device provided by the charging accessory device; generating social data based on the usage data; and sending the social data to a social networking service including a community of aerosol delivery device users.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Raymond C. Henry, Michael Ryan Galloway, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
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Publication number: 20150223522Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul A. Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR.
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Publication number: 20150216233Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices that may include components configured to convert electrical energy to heat and atomize an aerosol precursor composition. An outer body may at least partially enclose the components. An illumination source may be configured to output electromagnetic radiation. For example, a light emitting diode may output light. A waveguide may be configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source and provide illumination at an outer surface of the outer body. The waveguide may include an energy conversion material configured to alter a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation outputted by the illumination source to change a color of, or otherwise affect, the illumination. The illumination may also be dynamically adjusted. The waveguide may define the outer body, or the waveguide may be received with a separate outer body. Related methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicants: Performance Indicator, LLC, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Andries Don Sebastian, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Dennis Lee Potter, Satish Agrawal, M. Glenn Horner
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Publication number: 20150216232Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a first outer body, a second outer body, and a coupler received therebetween. A securing mechanism may couple the outer bodies together to retain the aerosol delivery device in an assembled configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Michael Andrew Liberti, Timothy Brian Nestor, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Michael Ryan Galloway
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Patent number: 9095175Abstract: A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Nathan Andrew Terry, Noah Mark Minskoff
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Publication number: 20150208721Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material. The object insertion unit comprises a rotatable insertion wheel having a peripheral face, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual objects therein; and a vacuum system disposed in operable communication with the insertion wheel and configured to apply a vacuum to at least a portion of the pockets to maintain the individual objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel. The upper hopper has an upper region that is adapted to contain and permit passage of objects and has a relatively high cross-sectional area relative to a lower region of the upper hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Robert William Benford, Barry Smith Fagg
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Publication number: 20150201674Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Grady Lance Dooly, Stephen Benson Sears, Karen V. Williams, Gary M. Dull, Steven L. Worm, Wesley Steven Jones, Steven Lee Alderman, Paul A. Brinkley, Jack Gray Flinchum
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Publication number: 20150201670Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment. The smoking article possesses an overwrap (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Evon L. Crooks, Billy T. Conner, Dempsey B. Brewer, JR., Louis John Read, JR.
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Patent number: 9084439Abstract: The invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a tobacco extract. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco product is translucent. The invention further provides methods for making and using the smokeless tobacco product. In certain embodiments, the smokeless tobacco product comprises isomalt, maltitol syrup, and a translucent tobacco extract prepared by ultrafiltration.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventor: Darrell Holton, Jr.
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Patent number: 9078473Abstract: The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Steven L. Worm, David G. Christopherson, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Balager Ademe
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Patent number: 9072320Abstract: A blank configured to form a multi-compartment package is provided. The blank may include a rear panel, a rear side panel connected to the rear panel, a first side panel connected to the rear panel, a front panel connected to the first side panel, a second side panel connected to the front panel, and a dividing panel connected to the second side panel. The blank may be formed into a multi-compartment package including front and rear compartments in accordance with a related method. A first item may be inserted in the front compartment and a second item may be inserted in the rear compartment to form a related assembly. A width of the first side panel may be greater than a width of the rear side panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Ted R. Coatney, Heather Potter, Matthew Edward Scharf, Michael Howard Hill
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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
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Publication number: 20150157052Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a smoking article are provided and involve engaging a heat generation segment and a tobacco rod segment with the wrapping material in a longitudinally spaced-apart relation, the outer wrapping material having a heat-conductive strip engaged therewith, and the heat generation segment and/or the tobacco rod segment at least partially overlapping one end of the heat-conductive strip. Lateral ends of the wrapping material are wrapped at most partially about the heat generation and tobacco rod segments such that the heat generation and tobacco rod segments cooperate with the heat-conductive strip to define a longitudinally-extending cavity accessible between the respective lateral ends of the wrapping material and heat-conductive strip. Aerosol generation elements are deposited into the longitudinally-extending cavity (i.e.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Balager Ademe, Vernon Brent Barnes, Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon L. Crooks
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Patent number: 9044035Abstract: A method of preparing an orally ingestible hard boiled product, comprising: i) heating a sugar material to a first temperature sufficient to liquefy the sugar material; ii) cooling the liquefied sugar material to provide a cooled sugar material having a solid or semi-solid form; iii) heating the cooled sugar material to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature; iv) combining the sugar material with one or more temperature sensitive ingredients before, during, or after said heating step iii), but after said cooling step ii), such that an intimate mixture of the second liquefied sugar material and the one or more temperature sensitive ingredients is provided; and v) cooling the intimate mixture to form an orally ingestible product. Orally ingestible hard boiled products prepared according to this method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Thaddeus J. Jackson, Frank Kelley St. Charles
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Publication number: 20150144145Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic smoking article including components adapted for retaining an aerosol precursor composition. The electronic smoking article can comprise a shell having a reservoir housing therein. The reservoir housing can be adapted for enclosing an aerosol precursor composition and can comprise one or more apertures through which a liquid transport element may extend out of and into an interior space within the reservoir housing. The electronic smoking article further can comprise a heating element in heating communication with the liquid transport element. The disclosure also provides a method for forming a reservoir for an electronic smoking article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYInventors: Yi-ping Chang, Stephen Benson Sears, William Robert Collett, Karen V. Williams
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Patent number: 9039839Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20150136618Abstract: A container that may be employed to store a tobacco-containing material is provided. The container may include a lower body portion and an upper lid. The lower body portion may include an intermediate bottom wall that may separate the lower body portion into upper and lower internal storage compartments. An environment modification material may be received in the lower internal storage compartment. The tobacco-containing material may be received in the upper internal storage compartment. The environment modification material may control humidity in the container to preserve the freshness of the tobacco-containing material and/or perform other functions. Vent channels cooperatively formed by the lower body portion and the upper cover may further contribute to humidity control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Pankaj Patel, David Troy Turfler
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Publication number: 20150128968Abstract: A rigid tubular mouthpiece for a smoking article may include a cushioning wrapping material thereabout. The wrapping material may be configured to form several layers, encompassed by a polymeric label, which may include indicia. The wrapping material will provide a lower durometer, as applied, than the unwrapped mouthpiece, which may be incorporated as part of a smoking article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Paul S. Chapman, Robert Oglesby, Wesley S. Jones, Kenneth Lin, Moris Amon, Ramin Heydarpour