Patents by Inventor Bruce P. Bradford

Bruce P. Bradford 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: 4880018
    Abstract: Extruded smokable material is provided by extruding a moist mixture of divided tobacco and a binding agent which includes locust bean gum and xanthan gum. The mixture is subjected to temperatures about 80.degree. C. during extrusion such that this binding agent components are solubilized and the binding agent is activated. The adhesive character of the binding agent is believed to be provided by heat initiated inter polymer chain associations between the component binders. The tobacco material and binding agent mixture is extruded above the temperature at which the activated agent forms a gel. The extrudated is cooled and the binding agent forms a gel, resulting in a resilient smokable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: William H. Graves, Jr., Gary W. Wallace, Bruce P. Bradford, Carolyn R. Carpenter, Kenneth W. Smith, Howard C. Toft