Patents by Inventor Huamin Gan
Huamin Gan 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: 11918036Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20240049777Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20220022522Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 11166486Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20200367550Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 10772349Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20190313689Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 10342251Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20180338525Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 10064429Abstract: A system configured to produce smokable products including filter elements formed from multiple fibers is provided. The system includes a texturing apparatus configured to combine the fibers such that the fibers are at least partially entangled with each other and form a mixed fiber product. The entangled fibers may be sufficiently separated from one another such that plasticizer may be applied to the mixed fiber product without necessarily performing tow opening, crimp removal, or blooming operations. The fibers combined to form the mixed fiber product may define characteristics that differ or which are the same. Accordingly, filter elements may be produced that include different fibers that have respective desirable properties associated therewith. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Huamin Gan, Kenneth C. Deloach, Richard L. Sizemore, Dean M. Vick
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Patent number: 10058121Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20160338403Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 9420825Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20150272208Abstract: A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Alan B. Norman, Leigh Ann Joyce, Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20150189909Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Patent number: 9066538Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Gong Chen, Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Huamin Gan, Cheryl Cooper Scott, Barry Smith Fagg
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Patent number: 9039839Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20130206153Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, JR., Huamin Gan
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Publication number: 20130074853Abstract: A system configured to produce smokable products including filter elements formed from multiple fibers is provided. The system includes a texturing apparatus configured to combine the fibers such that the fibers are at least partially entangled with each other and form a mixed fiber product. The entangled fibers may be sufficiently separated from one another such that plasticizer may be applied to the mixed fiber product without necessarily performing tow opening, crimp removal, or blooming operations. The fibers combined to form the mixed fiber product may define characteristics that differ or which are the same. Accordingly, filter elements may be produced that include different fibers that have respective desirable properties associated therewith. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Andries D. Sebastian, Huamin Gan, Kenneth C. Deloach, Richard L. Sizemore, Dean M. Vick
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Publication number: 20120234334Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Gong Chen, Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Huamin Gan, Cheryl Cooper Scott, Barry Smith Fagg