Patents by Inventor Charles Kuersteiner

Charles Kuersteiner 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: 8100134
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a rod comprising a wrapped tobacco column that is joined to an axially aligned filter by a band of air impermeable tipping paper. The filter end of the rod is inserted into a mouthpiece having an air impermeable outer surface that comprises a ventilation tube and a second filter, separated by a mixing chamber. The ventilation tube has an air permeable annular wall that defines a central axial passage through which the rod extends. In use, the end surface of the annular wall at the rod end of the ventilation tube, which extends radially outward around the rod, acts as a ventilation surface through which air is drawn into the mixing chamber, where it mixes with mainstream smoke from the burning tobacco rod. The air/smoke mixture is drawn through the second filter into the consumer's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Cédric Meyer, Antoun Frédéric, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Patent number: 7987857
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavor release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavor release segment comprising filtration material and a flavorant upstream of the first flavor release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavor release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavor release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavor release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the mouth end segment. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the second flavor release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavor release segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20110120481
    Abstract: A filter segment for use in a filter of a smoking article includes a substrate loaded with at least one smoke-modifying agent. The substrate is located within the body of the filter segment and is formed from filter plug wrap having an air permeability ranging from about 6,000 Coresta units to about 24,000 Coresta units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20100288293
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a rod of smokable material and a filter including a flow restriction element attached to the rod of smokable material. The flow restriction element includes a first upstream integral tubular portion, a second downstream integral tubular portion of substantially the same external diameter as the first tubular portion, and a third central integral tubular portion located between the first and second tubular portions. The third tubular portion is of reduced external diameter compared to the first and second tubular portions. A transverse barrier having at least one orifice therein is disposed between a first upstream cavity at least partially defined by an inner periphery of the first tubular portion and a second downstream cavity at least partially defined by an inner periphery of the second tubular portion. A ventilation zone in communication with the second cavity is also provided at a location along the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Slasli, Yves Jordil, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Patent number: 7810508
    Abstract: A filter cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod by a band of tipping paper. The surface of the band of tipping paper is coated with a solution of cells having at least one flavorant encapsulated therein. In use, when the filter cigarette is placed in the mouth of a consumer, moisture from the consumer's saliva causes the cells provided on the surface of the tipping paper to release the encapsulated flavorant. The cells are preferably yeast cells. The solution of cells may be applied to the band of tipping paper by gravure printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Wyss-Peters, Yves Jordil, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20100154809
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavour release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavour release segment comprising filtration material and a flavourant upstream of the first flavour release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavour release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the mouth end segment. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the second flavour release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavour release segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Patent number: 7699061
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavour release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavour release segment comprising filtration material and a flavourant upstream of the first flavour release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavour release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the mouth end segment. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the second flavour release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavour release segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20090044817
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; and a flavour release segment upstream of the mouth end segment. The flavour release segment comprises plant leaf and a filter plasticiser. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the flavour release segment. Preferably, one or both of the mouth end segment and the rod end segment comprises at least one liquid flavourant. The rod end segment may include a sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Yves Jordil, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20080314399
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Martin Ricketts, Dionis Borgognon, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20080230079
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a first flavour-releasing segment proximate a mouth end of the filter; and a second flavour-releasing segment located immediately upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment. The first flavour-releasing segment comprises at least one flavour-bearing thread and the second flavour-releasing segment comprises flavour-bearing cellulosic particles. The multi-component filter may further comprise a rod end segment comprising filtration material located upstream of the second flavour-releasing segment, distant from the first flavour-releasing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Charles Kuersteiner, Anne Wyss-Peters, Yves Jordil
  • Publication number: 20080156336
    Abstract: A filter cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod by a band of tipping paper. The surface of the band of tipping paper is coated with a solution of cells having at least one flavourant encapsulated therein. In use, when the filter cigarette is placed in the mouth of a consumer, moisture from the consumer's saliva causes the cells provided on the surface of the tipping paper to release the encapsulated flavourant. The cells are preferably yeast cells. The solution of cells may be applied to the band of tipping paper by gravure printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Wyss-Peters, Yves Jordil, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20080029114
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavour release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavour release segment comprising filtration material and a flavourant upstream of the first flavour release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavour release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the mouth end segment. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the second flavour release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavour release segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20070267034
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a rod comprising a wrapped tobacco column that is joined to an axially aligned filter by a band of air impermeable tipping paper. The filter end of the rod is inserted into a mouthpiece having an air impermeable outer surface that comprises a ventilation tube and a second filter, separated by a mixing chamber. The ventilation tube has an air permeable annular wall that defines a central axial passage through which the rod extends. In use, the end surface of the annular wall at the rod end of the ventilation tube, which extends radially outward around the rod, acts as a ventilation surface through which air is drawn into the mixing chamber, where it mixes with mainstream smoke from the burning tobacco rod. The air/smoke mixture is drawn through the second filter into the consumer's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Cedric Meyer, Antoun Frederic, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20070095357
    Abstract: A smoking article has an outer surface and a plurality of frangible microcapsules provided on the outer surface, wherein the microcapsules are capable of being manually ruptured by a consumer to release an odorant encapsulated therein. The smoking article preferably comprises a wrapped tobacco rod; and a filter attached to the wrapped tobacco rod by tipping paper, a mouth end portion of which is “over tipped” with a band or strip of “Peel and Sniff” microcapsules and/or a band or strip of “Scratch and Sniff” microcapsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Anne Wyss-Peters, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20060254607
    Abstract: A smoking article comprises: a rod of smokable material having a mouth-end and a distal-end remote from the mouth-end; an outer wrapper circumscribing the rod; and a mouthpiece abutting and attached to the mouth-end of the rod, the rod includes at least two segments (in abutting end-to-end relation, each of the at least two segments) comprises a charge of smokable material contained within an inner wrapper, the diameter of a downstream segment at the mouth-end of the rod is between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm smaller than the diameter of an upstream segment at the distal end of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the abutting ends of the at least two segments, which may comprise different tobacco blends, are oriented at an acute or an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Dionis Borgognon, Gawad Ahmed, Charles Kuersteiner