Patents by Inventor Gerd Kobal

Gerd Kobal 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: 20250234882
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2025
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE, Gerd KOBAL
  • Patent number: 12350306
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Georgios D. Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 12290631
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Georgios D. Karles, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Gerd Kobal, San Li
  • Patent number: 12292316
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: David B. Kane, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
  • Patent number: 12274276
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
  • Publication number: 20250098730
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product including nicotine and acyl nornicotine. Preferably, the acyl nornicotine is selected from the group consisting of N-Pentanoylnornicotine, N-Hexanoylnornicotine, N-Heptanolynornicotine, N-Octanoylnornicotine, N-Nonanoylnornicotine, N-Decanoylnornicotine, N-Undecanoylnornicotine, and N-Dedecanoylnornicotine. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gerd KOBAL, Douglas R. OLIVERI, Peter REEH, Tatjana KICHKO
  • Publication number: 20250089758
    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: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Peter LIPOWICZ, Pauline MARCQ, Gerd KOBAL, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Georgios D. KARLES, San LI
  • Publication number: 20250082004
    Abstract: An orally-enjoyable tobacco product includes a portion of smokeless tobacco comprising an active ingredient and either: (1) a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component, or (2) a pouch comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a mercaptan, camphor, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, mono-bornyl succinate, mono-isobornyl succinate, mono-bornyl formate, and mono-isobornyl formate. The active ingredient is present in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation arising from the smokeless tobacco.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd KOBAL, Justin HEYNEKAMP, Timothy B. LANGSTON, Peter REEH, Munmaya K. MISHRA, Jason W. FLORA
  • Patent number: 12245632
    Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables simultaneous vaporization of different pre-vapor formulations to form a vapor for vaping by an adult vaper. The cartridge includes a dispensing interface coupled to a plurality of reservoirs and a heater coupled to the dispensing interface in a housing. The dispensing interface may include a trunk and separate roots extending into separate reservoirs, such that the dispensing interface draws different pre-vapor formulations from the reservoirs to the trunk via the separate roots. The heater is coupled to the trunk, such that the heater is operable to simultaneously vaporize the different pre-vapor formulations drawn into the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali Rostami, Christopher S. Tucker, David Kane, Peter Lipowicz, Georgios Karles, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • Patent number: 12193472
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Peter Lipowicz, Pauline Marcq, Gerd Kobal, Munmaya K. Mishra, Georgios D. Karles, San Li
  • Patent number: 12185750
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product including nicotine and acyl nornicotine. Preferably, the acyl nornicotine is selected from the group consisting of N-Pentanoylnornicotine, N-Hexanoylnornicotine, N-Heptanolynornicotine, N-Octanoylnornicotine, N-Nonanoylnornicotine, N-Decanoylnornicotine, N-Undecanoylnornicotine, and N-Dedecanoylnornicotine. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Douglas R. Oliveri, Peter Reeh, Tatjana Kichko
  • Publication number: 20250000803
    Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge 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 in the soluble-fiber matrix. A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge 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 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE, Gerd KOBAL
  • Patent number: 12178256
    Abstract: A base for an e-vaping device is configured to couple with multiple cartridges configured to generate separate, respective dispersions. The cartridges may include one or more atomizer assemblies or vaporizer assemblies. The base may include multiple connectors electrically coupled to the power supply. The connectors may be configured to couple multiple dispersion generators to a power supply of the base. The base may include control circuitry configured to independently control dispersion generation by dispersion generators coupled to the base. The control circuitry may independently control dispersion generation by the first and second cartridges based on cartridge information accessed through at least one of the first and second connectors. The control circuitry may control dispersion generation by controlling power supplied to the dispersion generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali A. Rostami, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla, David Kane, Christopher S. Tucker, Peter Lipowicz, Jason Flora, Georgios Karles, Munmaya K. Mishra, Catherine Barnes, Richard Arena
  • Patent number: 12178234
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a housing, a liquid supply reservoir in the housing and configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer, and a porous plug. The vaporizer may be in liquid communication with the liquid supply reservoir. The vaporizer may be configured to generate a vapor from heating a portion of the pre-vapor formulation. The porous plug may be connected to the housing and separated from the liquid supply reservoir. The porous plug may be permeable to the vapor. The porous plug may enclose a flavoring additive contacting a storage material. The flavoring additive may be configured to at least partially elute from the storage material or at least partially volatilize from the storage material if the vapor flows through the porous plug. An e-vaping device may include the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, San Li, Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 12171262
    Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables simultaneous vaporization of different pre-vapor formulations to form a vapor for vaping by an adult vaper. The cartridge includes a dispensing interface coupled to a plurality of reservoirs and a heater coupled to the dispensing interface in a housing. The dispensing interface may include a trunk and separate roots extending into separate reservoirs, such that the dispensing interface draws different pre-vapor formulations from the reservoirs to the trunk via the separate roots. The heater is coupled to the trunk, such that the heater is operable to simultaneously vaporize the different pre-vapor formulations drawn into the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali Rostami, Christopher S. Tucker, David Kane, Peter Lipowicz, Georgios Karles, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • Patent number: 12161145
    Abstract: An orally-enjoyable tobacco product includes a portion of smokeless tobacco comprising an active ingredient and either: (1) a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component, or (2) a pouch comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a mercaptan, camphor, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, mono-bornyl succinate, mono-isobornyl succinate, mono-bornyl formate, and mono-isobornyl formate. The active ingredient is present in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation arising from the smokeless tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Justin Heynekamp, Timothy B. Langston, Peter Reeh, Munmaya K. Mishra, Jason W. Flora
  • Publication number: 20240373913
    Abstract: The cartridge includes a first tube extending longitudinally, the first tube at least partially defining an air passage within the cartridge, a vapor generator in communication with a first portion of the air passage, a first air inlet defined by the cartridge, the first air inlet being in communication with a second portion of the air passage, the second portion being upstream of the vapor generator relative to a normal direction of an airflow through the air passage during an operational use of the cartridge, and a dilution air passage defined by the cartridge, a discharge end of the dilution air passage intersecting a third portion of the air passage, the third portion being downstream of the vapor generator relative to the normal direction of the airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: San LI, Eric HAWES, Raymond LAU, Robert ARENTS, Gerd KOBAL
  • Patent number: 12109313
    Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge in 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 in the soluble-fiber matrix. A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge 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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
  • Patent number: 12059522
    Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device enables separate vapors to be formed proximate to separate, respective ends of the cartridge. The cartridge includes multiple reservoirs and separate vaporizer assemblies coupled to separate reservoirs on opposite ends of the reservoirs. The separate reservoirs may hold separate pre-vapor formulations. The separate vaporizer assemblies may draw separate pre-vapor formulations from separate reservoirs towards opposite ends of the cartridge and vaporize the separate pre-vapor formulations via operation of separate heaters proximate to the separate ends. The separate heaters may be independently controlled to independently control vapor formation at the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to independently control vapor formation rates proximate to the separate ends. The heaters may be controlled to form separate vapors at least one of simultaneously, concurrently, and at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Ali Rostami, Christopher S. Tucker, David Kane, Peter Lipowicz, Georgios Karles, Gerd Kobal, Yezdi Pithawalla
  • Patent number: 12053032
    Abstract: The method including first establishing a first airflow in a first passage of an e-vaping cartridge, the first passage including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, a first air inlet in communication with the first portion, a heater in communication with the second portion, the second portion being between the first portion and the third portion, and second establishing a second airflow in a second passage of the e-vaping cartridge, the second passage being in communication with the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: San Li, Eric Hawes, Raymond Lau, Robert Arents, Gerd Kobal