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: 20150098978
    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: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
  • Publication number: 20150098909
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
  • Patent number: 8997754
    Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and an aroma carrier on an outer surface of the outer tube. The aroma carrier includes fragrance material and is operable to deliver fragrance during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Geoffrey Brandon Jordan, Barry S. Smith, Ali A. Rostami, Pauline Marcq, Christian Schuh, Jason Flora, Michael Fisher, George Karles, Gerd Kobal, Shon Gedevani, Chris Hession, Zane Gibbs, Robert Mitten, Munmaya K. Mishra, Steven Rinehart, Charles Dendy
  • Patent number: 8952038
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product includes nicotine and camphor dissolved in a non-flavored oily carrier. Preferably, the camphor is present in a concentration ranging from about 600 ppm to about 1300 ppm. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Prasad Polur, Maria Gogova, Diana McKinney
  • 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: 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: 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: 20140271791
    Abstract: A composition for human consumption includes a base composition having a pH of about 2 to about 5 and encapsulated caffeine dispersed throughout at least a portion of the base composition. The encapsulated caffeine can be a caffeine complex. The base composition can include a liquid or a food. An oral pouch product includes a porous pouch wrapper, an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper, and encapsulated caffeine dispersed throughout at least a portion of the oral pouch product. The encapsulated caffeine is included in the composition and/or the oral pouch product an amount sufficient to release about 50 mg to about 200 mg of caffeine. The composition can provide immediate release of caffeine and/or release of caffeine over an extended period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Gerd Kobal
  • 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: 20140271733
    Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use therefor for reducing the desire to engage in smoking are disclosed. More specifically, the pharmaceutical composition utilizes an active ingredient to reduce the side effects of smoking cessation and to limit the molecular feedback caused by nicotine-mediated activation of acetylcholine receptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Justin Heynekamp, Peter Reeh, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20140271999
    Abstract: The present application is directed to sensory technologies for beverages and other products that significantly reduce or fully mask bitterness and/or off-flavor associated with the presence of functional ingredients, such as caffeine or L-phenylalanine. In particular, reduction or masking of the bitterness and/or off-flavor in the beverage or food composition is achieved through the addition of trigeminal sensation-eliciting compounds, referred to herein as sensates, responsible for cooling, warming, tingling, or mouthfeel-type sensations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Pauline Marcq, Gerd Kobal, Maria Gogova
  • 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: 20140261485
    Abstract: Combinations of compounds utilized to minimize the sensory irritating character of non-smokeable tobacco products or non-smokeable products containing tobacco extracts or materials derived from tobacco.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altria Client Services Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Douglas Oliveri, Peter Reeh, Maria Gogova
  • 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: 20120247492
    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. Also disclosed is a method of making such a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Justin Heynekamp, Timothy B. Langston, Peter Reeh, Munmaya K. Mishra, Jason W. Flora
  • Publication number: 20120052021
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product includes nicotine and camphor dissolved in a non-flavored oily carrier. Preferably, the camphor is present in a concentration ranging from about 600 ppm to about 1300 ppm. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Prasad Babu Deenadayalan Polur, Maria Gogova, Diana McKinney
  • Publication number: 20120017927
    Abstract: A flavor delivery release system for a cigarette or cigarette package. The system includes a cigarette, at least one capsule containing a flavorant, the capsule positioned on an external surface of the cigarette; and wherein the flavorant is released upon rupturing the capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Kobal
  • Publication number: 20070006889
    Abstract: A virtual or augmented reality smoking system is provided herein. A smoker using the system can experience a virtual reality of smoking by puffing on a cigarette shaped article and experiencing the taste or aroma from the article while simultaneously viewing a generated image of a burning cigarette and exhaled and sidestream smoke. Additionally, the room environment may be simulated to give the experience of smoking in a setting of the smoker's choice (virtual reality) or the image of a burning cigarette and smoke may be superimposed on a live or natural image of the smoker's environment (augmented reality).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Henry Dante, Rangaraj Sundar, Peter Lipowicz, William Sweeney, Ashok Solanky
  • Publication number: 20060272659
    Abstract: A modular smoking article, method of using same and smoking kit are provided in which a plurality of inner sleeve members have various sized compartments for receiving various mediums within a cigarette smokestream passageway. The inner sleeves are sized so as to individually be received within an outer sleeve which also receives a cigarette at one end and provides a mouthpiece at the other end whereby the cigarette may be smoked with a variety of different volumes of different mediums such as flavoring, filtering or taste mediums in the inner sleeve compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Cindy Hayes, Andrew Livermore, Ashok Solanky