Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Potter

Dennis L. Potter 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).

  • Publication number: 20230018692
    Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: August Joseph Borschke, Michael Francis Dube, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Jason Eugene Kobisky, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Dennis L. Potter, Jeffrey S. Taggart, Geoffrey W. Kennard, Robert F. Soreo
  • Publication number: 20190003709
    Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: August Joseph Borschke, Michael Francis Dube, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Jason Eugene Kobisky, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Dennis L. Potter, Jeffrey S. Taggart, Geoffrey W. Kennard, Robert F. Soreo
  • Patent number: 10094562
    Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: August Joseph Borschke, Michael Francis Dube, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Jason Eugene Kobisky, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Dennis L. Potter, Jeffrey S. Taggart, Geoffrey W. Kennard, Robert F. Soreo
  • Publication number: 20150226432
    Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: August Joseph Borschke, Michael Francis Dube, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Jason Eugene Kobisky, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Dennis L. Potter, Jeffrey S. Taggart, Geoffrey W. Kennard, Robert F. Soreo
  • Publication number: 20110180084
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for forming a rod member for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A fibrillation unit is configured to fibrillate a sheet material having one of a biodegradability-enhancing substance and a compostability-enhancing substance associated therewith. A rod-forming unit is operably engaged with the fibrillation unit and is configured to form the fibrillated sheet material into a continuous filter rod member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Dennis L. Potter, Robert L. Oglesby
  • Patent number: 5099862
    Abstract: Tobacco-derived components of a tobacco extract are provided by fermenting the tobacco extract within a fermentation bath. The extract may be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment prior to and/or after fermenting.The fermented tobacco extract is then distilled at a temperatrue to provide a distillate which includes tobacco-derived components of the tobacco extract. If the extract has not previously been subjected to heat treatment, the distillate can be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jackie L. White, Thomas A. Perfetti, Dennis L. Potter
  • Patent number: 4955399
    Abstract: A cigarette provides tobacco flavor by heating tobacco, but not burning tobacco or any other material. A heat source which includes a metal oxide (e.g., calcium oxide), an anhydrous metal sulfate (e.g., magnesium sulfate), an inorganic salt and a sugar, generates heat upon contact of water therewith. The heat produced by the heat source heats tobacco in a heat exchange relationship therewith. Flavors volatilize from the tobacco and are drawn into the mouth of the user of the cigarette. Typical heat sources heat the tobacco to a temperature within 70.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for 4 to 8 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Potter, Mark L. Raker, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Amos E. Westmoreland, Woods, Donna K., Chandra K. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 4917119
    Abstract: A drug delivery article provides a dose of a volatilized drug by heating a drug carrying substrate, but not burning any material. A heat source which includes a metal oxide (e.g., calcium oxide), an anhydrous metal sulfate (e.g., magnesium sulfate), an inorganic salt and a sugar, generates heat upon contact of water therewith. The heat produced by the heat source heats the drug in a heat exchange relationship therewith. The drug volatilizes and is drawn into the mouth of the user of the article. Typical heat sources heat the drug to a temperature within 70.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for 4 to 8 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Potter, Mark L. Raker, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Amos E. Westmoreland, Donna K. Woods, Chandra K. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 4913168
    Abstract: A flavor delivery article provides volatilized flavor by heating a flavor carrying substrate, but not burning any material. A heat source which includes a metal oxide (e.g., calcium oxide), an anhydrous metal sulfate (e.g., magnesium sulfate), an inorganic salt and a sugar, generates heat upon contact of water therewith. The heat produced by the heat source heats flavor in a heat exchange relationship therewith. Flavors volatilize and are drawn into the mouth of the user of the article. Typical heat sources heat the flavor to a temperature within 70.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. for 4 to 8 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Potter, Mark L. Raker, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Amos E. Westmoreland, Donna K. Woods, Chandra K. Banerjee