Patents by Inventor Douglas Fernandez

Douglas Fernandez 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: 20230240351
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Douglas FERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 11627756
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20220132911
    Abstract: Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Jay A. FOURNIER, Marc R. KRAUSS, Douglas A. FERNANDEZ, Peter J. LIPOWICZ
  • Publication number: 20220104534
    Abstract: A process for preparing coated particles of a plant material includes: (a) combining plant material particles and a protein in a liquid medium, wherein the protein adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the particles to form a first layer; and (b) mixing a polysaccharide including a pectin with the liquid medium, so that the polysaccharide adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to form a second layer. In addition, a palatable product comprising at least one coated particle prepared by this process is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi SENGUPTA, Douglas A. FERNANDEZ, Munmaya K. MISHRA, William R. SWEENEY, Szu-Sung YANG
  • Patent number: 11229233
    Abstract: Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jay A. Fournier, Marc R. Krauss, Douglas A. Fernandez, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 11224247
    Abstract: A process for preparing coated particles of a plant material includes: (a) combining plant material particles and a protein in a liquid medium, wherein the protein adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the particles to form a first layer; and (b) mixing a polysaccharide including a pectin with the liquid medium, so that the polysaccharide adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to form a second layer. In addition, a palatable product comprising at least one coated particle prepared by this process is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Douglas A. Fernandez, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Szu-Sung Yang
  • Publication number: 20210378283
    Abstract: A process for preparing coated particles of a plant material includes: (a) combining plant material particles and a protein in a liquid medium, wherein the protein adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the particles to form a first layer; and (b) mixing a polysaccharide including a pectin with the liquid medium, so that the polysaccharide adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to form a second layer. In addition, a palatable product comprising at least one coated particle prepared by this process is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC
    Inventors: Tapashi SENGUPTA, Douglas A. FERNANDEZ, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. SWEENEY, Szu-Sung YANG
  • Publication number: 20210169131
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Douglas FERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 10925310
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10575550
    Abstract: Flavorants are emulsified in tobacco-derived lipids and encapsulated with biopolymers and polysaccharides. The emulsions include oil-in-water emulsions, oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions, water-in oil emulsions, or water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, and optionally include ethanol and/or propylene glycol in an oil phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas A. Fernandez, William R. Sweeney, Tony M. Howell
  • Publication number: 20190261673
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10334873
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10226065
    Abstract: A tobacco smoking mixture and/or a cigarette wrapper with high-temperature ammonia-release agents therein are provided, wherein the high-temperature ammonia-release agents are present in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter formed during smoking of the cigarette. The high-temperature ammonia-release agents can be formed by heating an aqueous mixture of an iron precursor compound, an ammonia source compound and an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20180295874
    Abstract: Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jay A. Fournier, Marc R. Krauss, Douglas A. Fernandez, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 10028523
    Abstract: Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: :Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jay A Fournier, Marc R. Krauss, Douglas A. Fernandez, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Publication number: 20180007954
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flavored piece includes providing a matrix material providing at least one of a flavorant and an aroma, mixing the matrix material with the at least one of the flavorant and the aroma to form a mixture, and performing a fabricating process of the flavored piece. A flavored mouth-end piece for an e-vaping device includes a matrix material and at least one of a flavorant and an aroma, wherein the at least one of the flavorant and the aroma are distributed within the matrix material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. MISHRA, Douglas A. FERNANDEZ, Rebecca GRAY, Chris SIMPSON, Gerd KOBAL, Pauline MARCQ, Eric A. HAWES, Ryan A. BAILEY, Yu FANG
  • Publication number: 20170360078
    Abstract: A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20170340004
    Abstract: Flavorants are emulsified in tobacco-derived lipids and encapsulated with biopolymers and polysaccharides. The emulsions include oil-in-water emulsions, oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions, water-in oil emulsions, or water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, and optionally include ethanol and/or propylene glycol in an oil phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas A. Fernandez, William R. Sweeney, Tony M. Howell
  • Patent number: 9743688
    Abstract: Flavorants are emulsified in tobacco-derived lipids and encapsulated with biopolymers and polysaccharides. The emulsions include oil-in-water emulsions, oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions, water-in oil emulsions, or water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, and optionally include ethanol and/or propylene glycol in an oil phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Munmaya K. Mishra, Douglas A. Fernandez, William R. Sweeney, Tony M. Howell
  • Patent number: 9668514
    Abstract: A tobacco smoking mixture and/or a cigarette wrapper with high-temperature ammonia-release agents therein are provided, wherein the high-temperature ammonia-release agents are present in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter formed during smoking of the cigarette. The high-temperature ammonia-release agents are capable of reducing the cytotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter by evolving ammonia at temperatures greater than about 200° C., wherein the ammonia can interact with the particulate matter. Additionally, the high-temperature ammonia-release agents can be formed by heating an aqueous mixture of an iron precursor compound, an ammonia source compound and an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez