Patents by Inventor Diane L. Gee
Diane L. Gee 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).
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Patent number: 9394179Abstract: A process for making modified activated carbon from an activated carbon substrate. The activated carbon substrate is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
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Patent number: 9351936Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 9185931Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and a mouth-soluble binder dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 9027567Abstract: An oral pouch product includes a dual layer pouch wrapper and an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper. The pouch wrapper includes an inner web, an outer web and a coating, such as a water soluble flavorant containing coating therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Diane L. Gee, Gregory J. Griscik, Mark S. North, Robley Eugene Pitts, Jr., Yahaira R. Ramos
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Publication number: 20150098978Abstract: A tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and one or more additives dispersed in the solid solution such that at least one additive is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
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Publication number: 20150096575Abstract: A tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the tobacco plant tissue from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, tobacco, and less than 15 weight percent water, while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of tobacco lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150096574Abstract: A tobacco tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and tobacco dispersed in the solid solution such that the tobacco is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150098909Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and one or more additives dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The soluble fiber lozenge is adapted to release one or more additives from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of a consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making soluble fiber lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, one or more additives, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of soluble fiber lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
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Publication number: 20150096573Abstract: A nicotine tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the solid solution such that the nicotine or derivative thereof is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150098996Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150096577Abstract: An exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix, exhausted-tobacco fiber, and one or more additives (e.g. nicotine or a derivative thereof) dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, an exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The exhausted-tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making exhausted-tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, exhausted-tobacco fiber, one or more additives (e.g., nicotine), and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150096576Abstract: A exhausted-tobacco tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and exhausted-tobacco is dispersed in the solid solution, and one or more additives dispersed in the solid solution such that at least one additive is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an adult tobacco consumer's oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20150020818Abstract: This document provides methods and systems for stabilizing nicotine and incorporating nicotine into one or more oral products. This document also provides oral products. Nicotine can be stabilized by mixing liquid nicotine with cellulosic fiber such that the liquid nicotine absorbs into pores of the cellulosic fiber to form a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture. In some cases, a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture can be combined with one or more binders and molded into an oral product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
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Publication number: 20140332013Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and a mouth-soluble binder dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 8746254Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
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Publication number: 20140130814Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the nicotine or derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 8408216Abstract: Flavor carriers, smoking articles, method of making flavor carriers, methods of making smoking articles, methods of flavoring gas streams such as mainstream tobacco smoke and methods of smoking are provided. The flavor carriers and smoking articles comprise a mesoporous molecular sieve and a flavor releasably disposed within the sieve.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jay A Fournier, Kent B. Koller, Jose G. Nepomuceno
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Patent number: 8381738Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 8377215Abstract: An oral pouched product comprising a pouch containing moist botanical beads comprising compacted loose, fibrous moist botanical material and method of manufacture thereof. The loose, fibrous moist botanical material can comprise moist smokeless tobacco. The pouch comprises a porous outer web, and the beads comprise a majority amount of loose, fibrous moist botanical material having a moisture content of at least about 50% OV.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Diane L. Gee, David Golob, Stephen G. Zimmermann
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Patent number: 8124147Abstract: An oral pouch product includes an immobilized flavorant comprising one or more flavorants and an immobilizing matrix disposed around the flavorants and containing slightly water soluble ?-cyclodextrin, gum Arabic, and/or a starch. In addition, a method for preparing the oral pouch product is described, which includes (a) preparing an immobilized flavorant by mixing a flavorant and one or more matrix-forming materials comprising slightly water soluble ?-cyclodextrin, gum Arabic, and/or a starch in a solvent to form a mixture; optionally heating the mixture; and drying the mixture to form a dried immobilized flavorant; and (b) incorporating the dried immobilized flavorant into an oral pouch product.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Taiben Cheng, Greg J. Griscik, Diane L. Gee