Patents Examined by Dennis R. Cordray
  • Patent number: 12297596
    Abstract: A fibrous structure may have a lower side and an upper side, and may comprise three-dimensional, out-of-plane features formed by knuckles on a papermaking belt, the features may exhibit at least two Z-direction spatially separated surfaces defined in order spatially with respect to the lower side, wherein each successive surface progressing in a Z-direction away from the lower side may have a projected area less than the projected area of the surface adjacent and closer to the lower side, and each projected area may be bounded completely by the area of the projected area of the surface adjacent and closer to the lower side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey Eugene Seger, John Allen Manifold, Osman Polat, Andrew Paul Frank Milton, Robert Scadding Moir, Daniel Graham Ward, Richard Bown
  • Patent number: 12295408
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a recess to receive a filter insert unit. The filter insert unit is secured to the filter once inserted. The filter and the filter insert unit may include additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Penrose, Michael Malthouse, David Wake, Gary Fulcher, Michael Simpson, Aaron Brookbank, Gordon Grierson, Jon Hindley, John Sampson, Rabya Khan-Dar, Karl Kaljura, Lean Ho Ong, John Richardson, John Major, Richard Young
  • Patent number: 12286752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dewatering a web comprising microfibrillated cellulose, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a suspension comprising between 50 wt-% to 100 wt-% of microfibrillated cellulose based on total dry weight, forming a fibrous web of said suspension on a support wherein said web has a dry content of 1-25% by weight, applying a dewatering felt into direct contact with the fibrous web, conducting said fibrous web, arranged between said dewatering felt and said support, through at least one shoe press equipment, drying the dewatered web to form a film which film has an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) value (23° C., 50% RH) below 100 cc/m2/24 h according to ASTM D-3985.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Jukka Kankkunen, Anna Kauppi, Mikael Hjerpe, Juha Korvenniemi
  • Patent number: 12286757
    Abstract: Described herein is an aqueous composition to improve barrier properties. Particularly, described herein is a polymer-based grease resistant aqueous composition for coating paper and paper products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Paul Zeits, Andrew Seecharan, Gary Deeter, Amirpouyan Sardashti
  • Patent number: 12286755
    Abstract: A binder includes an inorganic oxide particle and a binding material particle containing a binding material to mutually bind fibers when water is provided, wherein the binder includes a composite particle in which the binding material particle and the inorganic oxide particle are integrated, the inorganic oxide particle contains carbon, and the content of the carbon is 2% by mass or more relative to the mass of the inorganic oxide particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shigemi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 12274304
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generating device, comprising: a holder (31), wherein at least a portion of the tubular hollow of the holder forms a chamber (310) to receive a smokable material A; an induction coil (32) arranged on the holder; a susceptor (33) electromagnetically coupled with the induction coil to heat the smokable material A received in the chamber, wherein the susceptor comprises a heating portion (331) and a base portion (332); and a ceramic fixing seat (34) arranged in the holder, wherein the heating portion of the susceptor penetrates the ceramic fixing seat to reach the interior of the chamber, and the base portion abuts against the ceramic fixing seat to fix and maintain the susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Wu, Huanjie He, Hengkun Zhao, Junhui Li, Zhongli Xu, Yonghai Li
  • Patent number: 12274291
    Abstract: A tow band for heated tobacco product tip is a tow band of cellulose acetate provided by uniting and crimping a plurality of filaments into a bundle, in which a total denier is set to a value in a range of 10000 to 40000 (inclusive) and a filament denier is set to a value in a range of 6.0 to 20.0 (inclusive), and where the total denier is denoted by TD and a breaking strength of the tow band is denoted by F, a ratio F/TD is set to a value of 0.0015N/denier or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoharu Miyashita
  • Patent number: 12276069
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose exhibiting one or more of improved odor control and/or improved antimicrobial properties. This disclosure further relates to the use of oxidized cellulose in packaging materials as an anti-counterfeiting agent, and methods of testing for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: GP Cellulose GmbH
    Inventors: Charles E. Courchene, Arthur J. Nonni
  • Patent number: 12268809
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a storage portion to store an aerosol-forming substrate and having an outer housing and an internal passageway, the storage portion forming a reservoir for the substrate between the outer housing and the internal passageway; a vaporizer being at least partially inside the internal passageway; and a porous interface at least partially lining the internal passageway to convey the substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer, the device being electrically operated and the vaporizer including an electric heater to heat the substrate, the heater including first and second cylindrical electrical connection portions, and a cylindrical heating filament between the first and the second portions, the first and the second portions being in the form of hollow tubes, the cylindrical shape of the first and the second portions and the filament defining a cylindrical bore with an air flow route therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
  • Patent number: 12262735
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a degradable cellulose ester. The cellulose ester may be formed into tow for use in cigarette filters or into articles, such as molded articles. A basic material, an enzymatic material, or combinations thereof is included in the cellulose ester in order to degrade the cellulose ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Acetate International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Combs, Amber Miller, Cody Parker
  • Patent number: 12264437
    Abstract: A fiber body manufacturing apparatus includes: a material supply section that supplies a material containing a fiber; a defibrating section that defibrates the material supplied from the material supply section; a separation section that includes a rotating member, a suction portion, and a collection section, the rotating member having a first surface and a second surface that are in a front and back relationship, being at least partially composed of a mesh, and to which a defibrated material generated in the defibrating section is supplied onto the first surface, the suction portion being provided on a side of the second surface of the rotating member and sucking the defibrated material via the mesh to remove foreign matter, the collection section collecting the defibrated material from which the foreign matter on the first surface has been removed; an accumulation section that accumulates the defibrated material from which the foreign matter has been removed; a forming section that forms an accumulated mate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naoko Omagari
  • Patent number: 12264439
    Abstract: Disclosed am multi-ply tissue products, particularly creped and through-air dried facial tissue products, having improved strength and softness. For example, the products have a geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) greater than about 1,2000 g/3?, a geometric mean tensile energy absorption (GM TEA) of about 20 g·cm/cm2 or greater and a TS7 value less than about 16.0. In certain instances, the tissue products also have a low degree of stiffness and a relatively smooth surface, such as a Stiffness Index less than about 8.00 and a TS750 value less than about 15.0. The tissue products may be prepared from webs manufactured by a print-crepe process that deposits a latex polymer on at least one of the outer surfaces of the tissue web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Satori, Kevin J. Vogt, Mark W. Sachs, Mike T Goulet, Elizabeth O. Bradley, Goeffrey F. Carlow
  • Patent number: 12264438
    Abstract: Disclosed are multi-ply tissue products, particularly wet pressed facial tissue products that have been recreped. For example, disclosed are tissue products prepared from wet pressed tissue webs that have been recreped using a print-crepe process that deposits a latex polymer on at least one of the outer surfaces of the tissue web. The tissue products have improved strength and softness, such as a geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) greater than about 1,400 g/3?, a geometric mean tensile energy absorption (GM TEA) of about 20 gocm/cm2 or greater and a TS7 value less than about 16.0. In certain instances, the tissue products also have a low degree of stiffness and a relatively smooth surface, such as a Stiffness Index less than about 8.00 and a TS750 value less than about 20.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Satori, Kevin J. Vogt, Mark W. Sachs
  • Patent number: 12258715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying starch to a paper or paperboard web, the method comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous suspension comprising starch particles and at least 1 wt %, based on the dry solid content of the suspension, of an amphiphilic polymer, creating a foam of the aqueous suspension, and applying the foam to the paper or paperboard web. The invention further relates to a paper or paper board product obtained by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Johanna Lyytikainen
  • Patent number: 12258716
    Abstract: The present invention provides an embossed multi-ply tissue product that is visually pleasing and has improved physical attributes. For example, the inventive multi-ply tissue products have reduced stiffness, such as a GM Flexural Rigidity less than about 600 mg*cm, improved absorbency, such as a Residual Water (WResidual) value less than about 0.15 g, and improved wet resiliency, such as a wet elastic strain ratio greater than about 32 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Steven LeCount, Kevin Joseph Vogt, Sarah Ann Funk, Jeffrey Dean Holz, Jason Daniel Hanke, Mike Thomas Goulet
  • Patent number: 12258709
    Abstract: A chemical solution spraying method for spraying a chemical solution onto a canvas K1 has a loop shape in a side view while reciprocating two nozzle devices S at the same speed along rail L extending in a width direction of canvas K1 with respect to canvas K1, in which time period Tc during which canvas K1 is in contact with wet paper X is 0.03 seconds or more, time period Tn required for nozzle devices S to each one-way move is 0.5 to 10 minutes, traveling speed Vp of canvas K1 is 500 m/min or more, length K of canvas K1 is 20 to 80 m, a number of times of contact N of any point on a surface of canvas K1 with wet paper X during time period Tn, time period Tn, traveling speed Vp, and length K satisfy a relationship of N=(Tn·Vp)/K, under predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: MAINTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekiya, Tomohiko Nagatsuka, Kazuyujki Yusa, Ayano Suga
  • Patent number: 12257383
    Abstract: An article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating agent to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating agent, the article including a support layer having a first surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface is rough and an aerosol generating agent on the portion of the first surface that is rough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Kaveh Ghanouni, Richard Hepworth, Walid Abi Aoun, Karl Kaljura, Thomas David Leah, Shasa Harris
  • Patent number: 12247353
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the dissolution of cellulose using an enzymatic treatment, followed by a chemical dissolution. Particularly, the invention relates to the utilization of oxidizing enzymes for said enzyme treatment step. The process of the invention will cause an improved dissolution of high molar mass cellulose fibres. The improved dissolution properties also cause an improved reactivity of the cellulose in subsequent reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Kaisa Marjamaa, Nina Aro, Kristiina Kruus, Jenni Rahikainen
  • Patent number: 12246128
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Terry, Noah Mark Minskoff
  • Patent number: 12246129
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Terry, Noah Mark Minskoff