Patents by Inventor Georgios D. Karles

Georgios D. Karles 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: 9078470
    Abstract: Cigarettes are provided which contain a filtering system and flavorants encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate, wherein deactivation of a sorbent by the flavorant is reduced through the encapsulation of the flavorant within the polyvinyl acetate. A preferred flavorant is menthol. The encapsulated flavorants are prepared by mixing at least one flavorant with polyvinyl acetate and a solvent, such as ethanol, and forming the encapsulated flavorants. Methods of making cigarettes and smoking the articles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrike Becker, Tony Howell, Lixin Xue, Georgios D. Karles, Jay A Fournier
  • Patent number: 9049887
    Abstract: An apparatus for serially delivering filling media to spaced apart cavities of an endless filter rod, which includes a conveyor which conveys a strip of plug wrap along a feed path, a transfer wheel arrangement which serially delivers filter segments to the plug wrap as it moves along the feed path such that the filter segments are arranged in plug-space-plug relation with cavities separated by the filter segments, and a filling wheel which rotates about a horizontal axis and includes pockets or cleats which receive filling media at the loading zone and deliver the filling media to the cavities at a discharge station along the feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmet Ercelebi, Martin T. Garthaffner, Barry S. Smith, Georgios D. Karles, Jose Nepomuceno
  • Patent number: 9034107
    Abstract: A method for providing an encapsulated flavorant or chemesthetic agent in a smoking article includes forming an emulsion including: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive comprising one or more flavorants or chemesthetic agents. The method also includes extruding the emulsion into a second aqueous solution in the form of an elongated structure, cross-linking at least a portion of the one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides, removing the cross-linked elongated structure from the second aqueous solution, introducing the cross-linked elongated structure into a filter, or into a rod including a smoking composition, or both; and forming the filter or the rod of the smoking composition into a smoking article. The method can include a drying step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 8960199
    Abstract: A component of a smoking article having tobacco beads. The tobacco beads can be located in a filter and/or a tobacco rod. The filter can be a multi-component filter, wherein an sorbent (preferably upstream) removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and downstream tobacco beads compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The tobacco beads optionally include flavorants in addition to tobacco particulates. The tobacco beads can be located within a cavity in the filter or within the tow. This component can comprise additional flavors, which are released into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The tobacco beads optionally include binders such as microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material, which can be formed into a paste with tobacco powder and optionally with additional flavors. The paste can be extruded and spheronized to form the tobacco beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Jose Nepomuceno, Richard Jupe, Gerson Assmann, Stephen Zimmermann, Benjamin Lewis, James Sherron, Vivian E. Willis
  • Publication number: 20150027454
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol and a tubular filter segment downstream of the heater. The tubular filter segment is operable to selectively filter aerosol particles and vapors from the aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: San Li, Georgios D. Karles, Richard Jupe, Gerd Kobal, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20150027456
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an aerosol generator and a mouth end insert. The mouth end insert includes a mechanical aerosol converter surface having the capacity to improve characteristics of aerosol produced by the aerosol generator, including sensory attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Georgios D. Karles, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Christopher Simpson
  • Publication number: 20150027468
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a reservoir including a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol, and a filter segment formed of polylactic acid fibers or a crimped polylactic acid film. The filter segment includes at least one additive and is positioned downstream of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: San Li, Georgios D. Karles, Weiling Li
  • Publication number: 20150020823
    Abstract: A liquid aerosol formulation for an electronic smoking article includes an aerosol former, water, nicotine, and an acid including tartaric acid. The acid is included in an amount sufficient to provide the liquid aerosol formulation with a pH ranging from about 4 to about 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Lipowicz, Pauline Marcq, Gerd Kobal, Munmaya K. Mishra, Georgios D. Karles, San Li
  • Publication number: 20150020822
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a reservoir including a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol and a spiral path insert including a channel having a spiral configuration along an outer periphery of the spiral path insert. A coating can be applied to the outer periphery of the spiral path insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Georgios D. Karles, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Gerd Kobal, San Li
  • Publication number: 20140272006
    Abstract: A method of making a flavored beverage includes combining water and a plurality of flavor compounds in an amount sufficient to impart the flavor of a wine, a whiskey or a beer. A kit for making a flavored beverage can include a plurality of flavor compounds, a quantity of yeast, a quantity of sugar and a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Schuh, Jason Flora, Gerd Kobal, Georgios D. Karles
  • Publication number: 20140271946
    Abstract: Tobacco products comprising smokeless tobacco products and active ingredients, including those that antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the TRPV1 channel, and/or the TRPA1 channel are disclosed. Nicotine replacement therapies comprising active ingredients, including those that antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the TRPV1 channel, and/or the TRPA1 channel. The active ingredient may reduce or eliminate sensory irritation arising due to use of the product. Analgesic compositions comprising active ingredients. Methods of reducing taste and sensory irritation by employing an active ingredient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Georgios D. Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20140271873
    Abstract: A zero-calorie to near-zero-calorie snacking product that, when consumed, provides a feeling of fullness prior to absorption of energy-providing food, i.e., pre-absorptive satiation is disclosed. The snacking product is based on the stimulation of vagal nerve endings in the gastro-intestinal tract by encapsulated capsaicin. The encapsulation of capsaicin avoids the burning sensation in the mouth which may be objectionable to some consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Gogova, Georgios D. Karles, Gerd Kobal, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20140261476
    Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a polymer matrix and one or more flavorants and/or active ingredients embedded in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix can include a copolymer of ethylene and one or more vinyl monomers or zein. For example, the polymer can be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. In some cases, the oral product can include tobacco and/or nicotine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Georgios D. Karles
  • Publication number: 20140272019
    Abstract: A disposable beverage pod includes a first compartment containing a beverage concentrate in dry or semi-dry form and a second compartment containing ethanol. An apparatus for making a single serving beverage is operable to receive the disposable beverage pod and mix the contents thereof with water from a water reservoir and optionally pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source to form a single serving beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Schuh, Gerd Kobal, Georgios D. Karles
  • Publication number: 20140274940
    Abstract: The use of pectins and/or polymers to prevent nicotine oxidation in tobacco containing products is disclosed. These polymers may be naturally occurring anionic polymers or synthetic polymers. These pectins and/or polymers prevent nicotine from oxidizing into cotinine, nicotine-cis-N-oxide, nicotine-trans-N-oxide, and/or nicotine-1,1-di-N-oxide. Molluscicides, algaecides, pesticides, and stabilized nicotine compositions comprising nicotine and pectin, anionic polymers, or combinations thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jason Flora, Georgios D. Karles, Christophe Claude Galopin, Diane Gee, John B. Paine, III, Douglas Antonio Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140137878
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Daqing Wu, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8663671
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Daqing Wu, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20140026900
    Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The capsule or capsules are provided between first and second absorbent members and the capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use. An outer cover which is impermeable to the fluid within the capsules is provided about the capsule or capsules and the first and second absorbent members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Jeffrey Allen, Jose Nepomuceno
  • Patent number: 8573230
    Abstract: A smoking article having a cylindrical tube of smokable material having an outer wrapper, a concentric rod of smokable material coaxially positioned within the cylindrical tube of a smokable material, and an inner wrapper separating the cylindrical tube and the concentric rod. A filter attaches to the tobacco rod with an annular film positioned between the filter and the tobacco rod. The annular film increases the resistance-to-draw of the cylindrical tube during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Raquel M. Olegario
  • Patent number: 8555896
    Abstract: A method of forming activated carbon from microcrystalline cellulose comprises converting the microcrystalline cellulose powder into microcrystalline cellulose beads using extrusion and spheronization, carbonizing microcrystalline cellulose to form carbonized microcrystalline cellulose and activating the carbonized microcrystalline cellulose to form activated carbon. The final size of the activated carbon beads, which preferably are of practically spherical shape, can be controlled through the process of making microcrystalline cellulose beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang