Patents Examined by Phu Nguyen
  • Gravure-printed, banded cigarette paper
    Patent number: 8646463
    Abstract: A cigarette and cigarette paper have a plurality of multilayer bands formed by printing a highly viscous aqueous film-forming composition. After heating the composition to lower its viscosity, the bands are applied to the cigarette paper by gravure printing the composition. The composition is quenched and gelatinized by contact with the cool cigarette paper reducing absorption of water by the paper and reducing wrinkling, cockling, and waviness. Multiple gravure printed layers may be used to form the bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Firooz Rasouli, Ping Li, Don E. Miser, Joe Yousef Mohajer, Bruce E. Waymack, Tony A. Phan, Tracy L. Madison, John R. Tilley, Yezdi B. Pithawalla
  • Non-heating flavor inhaler
    Patent number: 8646462
    Abstract: A non-heating flavor inhaler (1) comprises a suction holder (2) including an upstream section (10) extending from a front end thereof to a partition (4) in the suction holder (2), and a downstream section (14) extending from the front end thereof to a mouth end in the suction holder (2), the downstream section (14) having a front passage extending along the upstream section (10), an ambient air intake (12) provided in a circumferential wall of the suction holder (2) to connect the upstream section (10) to the outside, and a pouch (30) for releasing a tobacco flavor, the pouch (3) being located on the boundary between the upstream section (10) and the downstream section (14) and extending along a longitudinal axis of the suction holder (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takuo Shiga, Manabu Takeuchi
  • Treated areas on a wrapper for reducing the ignition proclivity characteristics of a smoking article
    Patent number: 8646464
    Abstract: Smoking articles having reduced ignition proclivity characteristics are disclosed. The smoking articles include a paper wrapper containing cellulosic fibers and filler particles. The paper wrappers are formed so that the filler particles form a concentration gradient throughout the thickness of the wrapper. More particularly, a greater concentration of filler particles are present at a first surface in comparison to the amount of filler particles present at the opposite surface. In accordance with the present disclosure, an ignition reducing composition is applied to the first surface. In this manner, treated areas having more uniform properties are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., James C. Rossi-Espagnet, Xiangwei Gu, Peter E. Brighenti, Christopher Lee Goynes
  • Tobacco articles and methods
    Patent number: 8627826
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a tobacco article may include tobacco disposed in a porous matrix. The tobacco article may provide tobacco, tobacco constituents, or both tobacco and tobacco constituents to the consumer's mouth in the form of particles, liquid, or vapor so as to provide tobacco satisfaction to the consumer. In some circumstances, the tobacco may be integrally molded with a plastic material so that at least a portion of the tobacco is disposed in pores of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company
    Inventors: James Arthur Strickland, Frank Scott Atchley
  • Tobacco articles
    Patent number: 8627827
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a tobacco article may include tobacco disposed in a porous matrix. The tobacco article may provide tobacco, tobacco constituents, or both tobacco and tobacco constituents to the consumer's mouth in the form of particles, liquid, or vapor so as to provide tobacco satisfaction to the consumer. In some circumstances, the tobacco may be integrally molded with a plastic material so that at least a portion of the tobacco is disposed in pores of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company
    Inventors: James Arthur Strickland, Frank Scott Atchley
  • Method for insertion of material into cigarette filters
    Patent number: 8627825
    Abstract: Filter rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements are provided, with each rod having a longitudinal axis and incorporating a generally longitudinally extending filter material and a generally longitudinally extending strand within that filter material. A filter making unit receives a continuous supply of a filter material, and forms the filter material into a gathered composite having a continuous cylindrical shape. A continuous supply of a strand (e.g., colored thread) is provided and is introduced into the filter material gathered composite in the tongue of the filter making unit. The filter material and continuous strand positioned therein are formed into a continuous rod having the strand material laterally positioned within that rod, and the continuous rod is subdivided at pre-determined longitudinal intervals to provide a plurality of rod portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Louis John Read, Jr., Brent Walker Carter
  • Intermediate wrapper and method of making
    Patent number: 8616220
    Abstract: A tobacco product is formed by perforated cigar or shell, the shell comprising a sheet of material with an intermediate sheet, the sheet comprising tobacco leaves and/or homogenized tobacco paper. The cigar or shell is packaged for shipment to an end user or consumer. The cigar or shell remains in the rolled, shaped tube form inside the package. After the cigar or shell is removed from the package, a consumer can fill the cigar or shell with crushed tobacco leaves or other tobacco filler material of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product. A liquid can be added to the cigar or shell to moisturize same. The liquid can include flavoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Blunt Wrap U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr., Philip S. Zanghi, III
  • Tobacco chamber tool
    Patent number: 8607801
    Abstract: A tool that includes a handle and a head extending from the handle. A stationary shoe portion of the head levels tobacco as the tool pulls the tobacco down a chute of a cigarette-packing device and into a chamber of the cigarette-packing device. A pair of movable arm portions of the head eliminate dust of the tobacco from being pulled into the chamber of the cigarette-packing device by skipping over the dust of the tobacco being pulled down the chute of the cigarette-packing device, and packs the ends of the tobacco in the chamber of the cigarette-packing device more densely so as to form end plugs that prevent the tobacco from leaving a paper tube to thereby prevent collapsing of a finished cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jacques Mardirosoglu, Edwige M. Kruglick
  • Apparatus for the manufacture of smoking articles
    Patent number: 8602035
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides apparatus for manufacturing a smoking article. The apparatus includes an ecreteur having at least one trimming disk configured to trim a tobacco rod for a smoking article to have at least one end region of increased tobacco density. The at least one trimming disk is further configured to trim a body region of the tobacco rod such that the body region has a variable tobacco mass per unit length, where the body region is distinct from said at least one end region of increased density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: Karl Kaljura
  • Actuating hookah bowl
    Patent number: 8590541
    Abstract: A hookah bowl, hookah utilized the hookah bowl, and process for using a hookah is disclosed. The hookah bowl includes two principal members, a bowl shell and an adjustable bowl burner that alters its position within the bowl shell. The bowl burner may adjust its position longitudinally, radially, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mya Saray, LLC
    Inventor: Nizar Mehio
  • Metal-containing nanowires prepared using mesoporous molecular sieves as templates, and their use in smoking articles for removing certain gas phase constituents from tobacco smoke
    Patent number: 8578943
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, smoking articles such as cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for treating cigarette smoke are provided, which involve the use of metal-containing nanowires. The metal-containing nanowires are capable of removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke, preferably in a selective manner. The metal-containing nanowires may comprise any suitable metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof. For example, the metal-containing nanowires comprise at least one transition or lanthanide metal or metal oxide thereof. Exemplary metals or metal oxides thereof include, but are not limited to, iron, copper, zinc, titanium, vanadium, palladium, cobalt, molybdenum and manganese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Jay A Fournier
  • Smoking article with coaxial tobacco rod
    Patent number: 8573230
    Abstract: A smoking article having a cylindrical tube of smokable material having an outer wrapper, a concentric rod of smokable material coaxially positioned within the cylindrical tube of a smokable material, and an inner wrapper separating the cylindrical tube and the concentric rod. A filter attaches to the tobacco rod with an annular film positioned between the filter and the tobacco rod. The annular film increases the resistance-to-draw of the cylindrical tube during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Raquel M. Olegario
  • Multiple port, pressure-responsive adjustable hookah
    Patent number: 8573229
    Abstract: A smoking apparatus includes a stem having a base at a lower end thereof coupled to a bottle containing a fluid and a neck extending upwardly from the base. A central passage extends through the stem from a burner cup disposed atop the neck to the interior of the cup. Smoking hoses are connected to the stem to permit users to draw smoke from the burner cup, through the central passage, through the water, and out of the hose. The hoses are connected to the stem by one-way fittings which permit air to be drawn out of the bottle and into the hose, but prevent air from being drawn through the hose and into the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mya Saray, LLC
    Inventor: Nizar Youssef Mehio
  • Method of making a cigarette and method of reducing cytotoxicity in tobacco smoke
    Patent number: 8555897
    Abstract: A tobacco smoking mixture including an ammonia-release compound adapted to be formed into a lit-end cigarette is provided. The ammonia-release compound is incorporated in or on tobacco cut filler in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity, and/or selective smoke constituents of cigarette smoke. Exemplary ammonia-release compounds include ammonium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, hexammine cobalt (III) chloride, hexammine cobalt (III) acetate, and combinations thereof. The ammonia-release compounds can release ammonia at temperatures between about 60° C. and about 400° C. Ammonia-release compounds can be combined with additives, such as glycerine, cobalt acetate, copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, other metal salts or combinations thereof, to further reduce the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin Xue, W. Geoffrey Chan, Mohammad Hajaligol
  • Flash dryer for particulate materials
    Patent number: 8522793
    Abstract: A flash dryer of cut tobacco comprises a drying duct (16) for connecting a feeding section (14) of cut tobacco to a tangential separator (18). The drying duct (16) has an upstream-side duct portion (16a) extending straight from the feeding section (14) at an elevation angle ranging from 30° to 60° and a downstream-side duct portion (16b) curving upward in a convex shape. A dry gas that flows through the drying duct (16) may contain superheated steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohdaka, Chihiro Hanaoka, Nobuyasu Endo, Akihiro Sugiyama, Katsuhide Yokota, Susumu Uchida
  • Simulated cigarette device
    Patent number: 8505548
    Abstract: A simulated cigarette device (1) comprising an elongate housing (3) having an inhaling outlet at one end (5) and a refill inlet. A reservoir (7) extends along a substantial portion of the housing and has a refill valve (6) adjacent to the refill inlet and an outlet valve (9) adjacent to the inhaling outlet, which is operable to allow gas from the reservoir to pass from the reservoir and out of the inhaling outlet. An air flow passage into the housing downstream of the reservoir leads to the inhaling outlet. A valve opening mechanism having a rotatable valve (16,28) is associated with the air flow passage and is arranged to open the outlet valve (9) as air is sucked through the air flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Kind Consumer Limited
    Inventor: Alex Hearn
  • Smoking article
    Patent number: 8499767
    Abstract: A smoking article comprises a rod of smokable material circumscribed by a rod wrapper and a filter comprising at least one filter segment circumscribed by a filter wrapper. The rod of smokable material and the filter are attached to one another by tipping paper and the smoking article comprises a tear ribbon between the at least one filter segment and the tipping paper. The tear ribbon is affixed to at least one of the tipping paper and the filter wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Martin Ricketts, Dionis Borgognon, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Apparatus for forming a filter component of a smoking article
    Patent number: 8496011
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Norman Philip Andresen, Michael Francis Dube, Barbara Walker Arzonico
  • Vaporization lighter
    Patent number: 8490631
    Abstract: A vaporization lighter flame casing is disclosed. The flame casing can include an attachment portion adapted to attach the flame casing to a lighter. The flame casing can also include a channel adapted to direct a hot air stream rising from a flame of the lighter when the lighter is lit. The flame casing can further include an outlet coupled to the channel through which the hot air stream exits the flame casing, where the outlet extends from the flame casing at an angle relative to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Joe Chang
  • Integral frame structures
    Patent number: 8486510
    Abstract: A method allows production of integral frame structures having at least three structural portions separated circumferentially about a central axis and at least one hollow region radially inward thereof. Each of plural mold sections fits between structural potions, and a portion of the mold interior includes a wedge shaped portion which allows the mold sections to slide past the structural portions when molding is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence I. Wechsler