Patents by Inventor Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd

Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd 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: 11896030
    Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of one or more of ash, metal salts, alkaloids, particulates, heavy metals, and other impurities and/or contaminants from extracts, as well as modifying the sensory characteristics (e.g., odor, color, and/or taste characteristics) of extracts. The methods generally include diafiltration, treatment with functionalized resins, and supercritical extraction. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by one or more of: an ash content of less than about 15% by weight; a nicotine content of less than about 10 ?g/g, and a heavy metal content of less than about 60 ?g/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Gerardi, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Thaddeus Jude Jackson, Chelsea Allison Cooke, John-Paul Mua, Kyle Ford
  • Publication number: 20210337857
    Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco product including a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of an extract of a fire-cured tobacco material. Exemplary tobacco products include smoking articles, smokeless tobacco compositions, and aerosol-generating devices that do not burn tobacco. The invention also provides a process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition, the method including: mixing a fire-cured tobacco material having a first benzo[a]pyrene concentration with water to produce an aqueous slurry; maintaining the slurry for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a fire-cured tobacco extract, the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract exhibiting a second benzo[a]pyrene concentration lower than the first benzo[a]pyrene concentration; separating the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract from a residual pulp material, and mixing the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract with a tobacco or non-tobacco plant material to form a smokeless tobacco composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Eric Taylor Hunt, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Charles Bradford Rhoades, JR., Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Dwayne William Beeson, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
  • Publication number: 20210007390
    Abstract: A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Brian Keith Nordskog, Andries Don Sebastian, David Troy Turfler, Christopher Keller, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
  • Patent number: 10813383
    Abstract: A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Brian Keith Nordskog, Andries Don Sebastian, David Troy Turfler, Christopher Keller, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
  • Patent number: 10617144
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating certain target compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials or smoke generated by a smoking article. The method can be used to remove undesirable compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials, or tobacco smoke. The method can also be used to remove flavor compounds from tobacco or tobacco materials, which can then be used as flavor components for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi
  • Patent number: 10595554
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20180160723
    Abstract: A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Brian Keith Nordskog, Andries Don Sebastian, David Troy Turfler, Christopher Keller, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
  • Publication number: 20160143347
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20160044957
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating certain target compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials or smoke generated by a smoking article. The method can be used to remove undesirable compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials, or tobacco smoke. The method can also be used to remove flavor compounds from tobacco or tobacco materials, which can then be used as flavor components for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi
  • Patent number: 9254001
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20160029663
    Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of one or more of ash, metal salts, alkaloids, particulates, heavy metals, and other impurities and/or contaminants from extracts, as well as modifying the sensory characteristics (e.g., odor, color, and/or taste characteristics) of extracts. The methods generally include diafiltration, treatment with functionalized resins, and supercritical extraction. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by one or more of: an ash content of less than about 15% by weight; a nicotine content of less than about 10 ?g/g, and a heavy metal content of less than about 60 ?g/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Gerardi, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Thaddeus Jude Jackson, Chelsea Allison Betts, John-Paul Mua, Kyle Ford
  • Patent number: 9192193
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating certain target compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials or smoke generated by a smoking article. The method can be used to remove undesirable compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials, or tobacco smoke. The method can also be used to remove flavor compounds from tobacco or tobacco materials, which can then be used as flavor components for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi
  • Patent number: 9175052
    Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of one or more of ash, metal salts, alkaloids, particulates, heavy metals, and other impurities and/or contaminants from extracts, as well as modifying the sensory characteristics (e.g., odor, color, and/or taste characteristics) of extracts. The methods generally include diafiltration, treatment with functionalized resins, and supercritical extraction. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by one or more of: an ash content of less than about 15% by weight; a nicotine content of less than about 10 ?g/g; and a heavy metal content of less than about 60 ?g/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Gerardi, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Thaddeus Jude Jackson, Chelsea Allison Betts, John-Paul Mua, Kyle Ford
  • Patent number: 8800571
    Abstract: A system for a tobacco curing barn is capable of collecting tobacco-derived moisture from tobacco while that tobacco is cured. The system incorporates a tobacco curing barn or other type of curing enclosure, such as bulk curing barn used for the flue-curing of tobacco. The curing barn is equipped with at least one reclamation element configured to condense and collect moisture released from tobacco cured within the barn. The reclamation element is disposed in proximity with the enclosure in a manner and location providing passage of moist air released from the tobacco across a surface of the reclamation element. The system also includes at least one storage container disposed in fluid communication with the reclamation element surface and configured to store moisture and moisture-borne material collected by the reclamation element. The resulting tobacco-derived components can be blended with other tobacco materials, such as is common practice during tobacco reordering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: August J. Borschke, Michael F. Dube, Paul A. Brinkley, Anthony R. Gerardi, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd
  • Publication number: 20130319434
    Abstract: A system for a tobacco curing barn is capable of collecting tobacco-derived moisture from tobacco while that tobacco is cured. The system incorporates a tobacco curing barn or other type of curing enclosure, such as bulk curing barn used for the flue-curing of tobacco. The curing barn is equipped with at least one reclamation element configured to condense and collect moisture released from tobacco cured within the barn. The reclamation element is disposed in proximity with the enclosure in a manner and location providing passage of moist air released from the tobacco across a surface of the reclamation element. The system also includes at least one storage container disposed in fluid communication with the reclamation element surface and configured to store moisture and moisture-borne material collected by the reclamation element. The resulting tobacco-derived components can be blended with other tobacco materials, such as is common practice during tobacco reordering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: August J. Borschke, Michael F. Dube, Paul A. Brinkley, Anthony R. Gerardi, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd
  • Publication number: 20120291793
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating certain target compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials or smoke generated by a smoking article. The method can be used to remove undesirable compounds from tobacco, tobacco materials, or tobacco smoke. The method can also be used to remove flavor compounds from tobacco or tobacco materials, which can then be used as flavor components for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi
  • Publication number: 20120272976
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of extracting and isolating certain compounds from tobacco. The resulting isolate can include more than 90% by weight of a given compound and can be used as a flavor component for tobacco material used in smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions. Exemplary compounds that may be present in the isolate according to the invention include, but are not limited to, solanone, neophytadiene, megastigmatrienone, ?-damascenone, norsolanadione, cis-abienol, ?-cembratrienediol, ?-cembratrienediol, sucrose esters, and lutein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Michael Francis Dube
  • Publication number: 20120199145
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a tobacco composition for use in a tobacco product, the method including treating a tobacco pulp with supercritical carbon dioxide. The treated tobacco pulp may exhibit a benzo[a]pyrene concentration lower than the initial benzo[a]pyrene concentration and/or a TSNA concentration lower than the initial TSNA concentration. The treated pulp can be introduced into tobacco products including smoking articles, smokeless tobacco products, and aerosol-generating devices configured for non-combustion of plant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Yan Pu, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Charles Bradford Rhoades, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120125354
    Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco product including a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of an extract of a fire-cured tobacco material. Exemplary tobacco products include smoking articles, smokeless tobacco compositions, and aerosol-generating devices that do not burn tobacco. The invention also provides a process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition, the method including: mixing a fire-cured tobacco material having a first benzo[a]pyrene concentration with water to produce an aqueous slurry; maintaining the slurry for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a fire-cured tobacco extract, the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract exhibiting a second benzo[a]pyrene concentration lower than the first benzo[a]pyrene concentration; separating the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract from a residual pulp material, and mixing the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract with a tobacco or non-tobacco plant material to form a smokeless tobacco composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, William Monroe Coleman, III, Michael Francis Dube, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Eric Taylor Hunt, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Charles Bradford Rhoades, JR., Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Dwayne William Beeson, Jeremy Barrett Mabe