Patents by Inventor Alan B. Norman

Alan B. Norman 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: 11918036
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20240049777
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20180338525
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Patent number: 10058121
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20150272208
    Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20120227754
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a smokable rod manufactured using a paper wrapping material having an additive material applied thereto as a pattern. The additive material is applied as coating formulation (e.g., an aqueous coating formulation) incorporating a film-forming agent such as alginate, starch, or another polymer. The wrapping material includes at least one coated region with a porosity of less than about 20 CORESTA and a diffusion capacity no greater than about 0.2 cm/sec, where the coated region is on a base sheet with a porosity of greater than about 120 CORESTA and a diffusion capacity of at least 1.7 cm/sec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Alan B. Norman, Paul S. Chapman, Robert L. Oglesby, Evon L. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20120017925
    Abstract: A biodegradable fiber (including fiber tow) and/or biodegradable paper substrate may be coated with cellulose acetate, plasticized cellulose acetate and/or ethylene vinyl acetate for use in a filter material configured for application in a filter of a smoking article. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20120000480
    Abstract: A biodegradable fiber (including fiber tow) and/or biodegradable paper substrate may be coated with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for application in a filter of a smoking article. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20120000479
    Abstract: A biodegradable fiber (including fiber tow) may be coated with cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for application in a filter of a smoking article. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable fiber, but will generally be subject to improved degradation time in a variety of disposal environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman
  • Publication number: 20100108084
    Abstract: A filtered cigarette includes a smokable rod and a filter element. The smokable rod is secured to the filter element using tipping material. The tipping material includes at least one flavorant providing a sensory characteristic. The cigarette may include more than one layer of tipping material. An outer layer of tipping material can overlie at least a portion of an underlying inner layer of tipping material, and during use by the smoker, the outer layer can be removed from the cigarette. Thus, it is possible for a cigarette manufacturer to provide a cigarette that can be used as such by the smoker, or that can be adapted by the smoker to provide a different sensory experience (e.g., the visual, organoleptic, trigeminal, aromatic, and tactile characteristics of the cigarette can be altered by removal of the outer tipping material, and or by provision of a tipping material layer that is treated with a flavorant and/or provides a desirable diffusivity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Alan B. Norman, Andrea P. Holland
  • Patent number: 5159944
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a charge or roll of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) circumscribed by two layers of paper wrapping materials. The first or inner wrapping material includes a cellulosic base web and carbonaceous material within the web. The second or outer wrapping material circumscribes and overwraps the first wrapping material, has a cellulosic base web and inorganic filler material, and exhibits an air permeability of below about 8 CORESTA units. The cigarette is capable of sustaining smolder under FTC smoking conditions while yielding very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Barbara W. Arzonico, Alan B. Norman, Thomas L. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5092353
    Abstract: Cigarettes which yield very low levels of sidestream "tar" during use comprise a paper wrapper having an air permeability of less than about 10 CORESTA units, and a blend of a tobacco filler material and a second smokable material. The second smokable material preferably includes about 60 weight percent calcium carbonate, about 30 weight percent pyrolyzed alpha-cellulose and about 10 weight percent carboxymethyl cellulose. Such cigarettes, when used, generate very low amounts of sidestream "tar", and hence, very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Maria T. Montoya, Alan B. Norman, Norman C. Sanders, Jr., Glenn E. Creamer
  • Patent number: 5074321
    Abstract: Cigarettes include tobacco-containing smokable material wrapped in a low porosity paper wrapper. The smokable material includes an intimate mixture of tobacco extract, pyrolyzed alpha-cellulose, agglomerated calcium carbonate particles, glycerin and carboxymethylcellulose. Such cigarettes yield low levels of incomplete combustion products and generate low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar, Michael D. Shannon, Richard L. Lehman, James L. Resce, Rhonda F. Hayden, Olivia D. Furin, Alan B. Norman, Thomas A. Perfetti
  • Patent number: 5067499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel elements useful in smoking articles which produce an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel elements, usually less than about 20 mm in length, preferably from about 5 to 15 mm in length, and most preferably about 10 mm in length. The diameter of the fuel elements of the present invention generally is less than about 8 mm, preferably from about 3 to 7 mm, and most preferably from about 4 to 6 mm.Smoking articles utilizing the fuel elements of the present invention are capable of providing an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra K. Banerjee, Ernest G. Farrier, James L. Harris, Alan B. Norman, James L. Resce, John H. Reynolds, IV, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Michael D. Shannon, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 5056537
    Abstract: A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials. The blend includes volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler and a reconstituted tobacco material in cut filler form. The reconstituted tobacco material includes calcium carbonate and tobacco parts which are formed into a sheet-like shape using a papermaking process. The cigarette can include a filter element provided from a non-woven polypropylene web, glycerin and a water soluble tobacco extract. Such a cigarette can generate low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Brown, Glenn E. Creamer, William R. Cook, Alan B. Norman, Jerry W. Lawson, Barry L. Saintsing
  • Patent number: 5020548
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products of sidestream aerosol. The article of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the substantial combustion products produced by burning tobacco in a conventional cigarette. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ernest G. Farrier, James L. Harris, Alan B. Norman, James L. Resce, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Michael D. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4989619
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.The article of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the substantial combustion products produced by burning tobacco in a conventional cigarette. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable, preferably particulate alumina, substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, an efficient insulating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, James L. Resce, Ernest G. Farrier, Alan B. Norman, Olivia P. Furin, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 4942888
    Abstract: Cigarettes which yield very low levels of sidestream "tar" during use comprise a paper wrapper having an air permeability of less than about 10 CORESTA units, and a blend of a tobacco filler material and a second smokable material. The second smokable material preferably includes about 60 weight percent calcium carbonate, about 30 weight percent pyrolyzed alpha-cellulose and about 10 weight percent carboxymethyl cellulose. Such cigarettes, when used, generate very low amounts of sidestream "tar," and hence, very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Maria T. Montoya, Alan B. Norman, Norman C. Sanders, Jr., Glenn E. Creamer
  • Patent number: 4924888
    Abstract: Cigarettes having low efficiency filters, rods of cut filler having a low packing density, and paper wraps having a high net permeabilities and low inherent permeabilities can yield good taste, low gas phase mainstream deliveries as well as low amounts of visible sidestream smoke. Typical cigarettes have relatively large amounts of volume expanded flue-cured tobacco materials as cut filler, paper wraps containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, and relatively high levels of air dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Perfetti, Alan B. Norman, Michael F. Dube
  • Patent number: 4858628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated smoking to replicate a predetermined draw profile of a smoking article is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the smoking apparatus is digitally controlled and includes simulated flexible lips which are closed during puff phases of a recorded draw profile and which are open during smolder phases of a recorded draw profile. The apparatus can also include an automatically acting lighter and an improved control system for a human mimic smoking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Alan B. Norman, David W. Griffith, Jr., Dewey L. Holt, John H. Reynolds, IV, Stephen B. Sears