Patents by Inventor Jay Fournier
Jay Fournier 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: 8381738Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
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Publication number: 20130008456Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jay A. Fournier, Marc R. Krauss, Douglas A. Fernandez, Peter J. Lipowicz
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Patent number: 8282739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jay A Fournier, Marc R. Krauss, Douglas A. Fernandez, Peter J. Lipowicz
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Publication number: 20120247491Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of a copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst that is capable of removing NO and/or NO2 from mainstream smoke are provided. The copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst comprises a microporous molecular sieve substrate having pores with an average diameter of from about 3 ? to about 15 ?, where at least some of the pores of the microporous molecular sieve substrate contain Cu+2 ions. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Publication number: 20120167905Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ulrike Becker, Tony Howell, Lixin Xue, Georgios D. Karles, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 8157918Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Ulrike Becker, Tony Howell, Lixin Xue, Georgios D. Karles, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 8113216Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez
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Patent number: 7997282Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
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Publication number: 20110079232Abstract: Electrically heated cigarettes used in an electrical smoking system include a flavoring-release additive and sorbent effective to remove one or more gas-phase constituents of mainstream tobacco smoke. The flavoring-release additive includes gamma cyclodextrin and at least one flavoring. Flavoring is released in a cigarette upon the flavoring-release additive reaching at least a minimum temperature during smoking. The flavoring-release additive can have various forms including, for example, powder and films.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Susan E. Wrenn, Jay A. Fournier
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Publication number: 20110017223Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of amphiphile-modified sorbents are disclosed. The amphiphile-modified sorbent has at least one amphiphilic compound bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate. The amphiphile-modified sorbent selectively removes certain constituents from cigarette smoke, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using amphiphile-modified sorbents, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette containing an amphiphile-modified sorbent, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 7833385Abstract: Processes for producing the monohydrate form of magnesium ammonium phosphate in slurry from use of environmentally friendly reactants are described. Slurry containing the monohydrate form of magnesium ammonium phosphate can be fed directly to, and mixed with, paper making feedstock, such as feedstock for cigarette paper, without transformation of the monohydrate form to the hexahydrate form of magnesium ammonium phosphate.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Fournier, Joshua Powell, John F. Cunningham, Warren D. Winterson, Ulrike Becker
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Patent number: 7827996Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of amphiphile-modified sorbents are disclosed. The amphiphile-modified sorbent has at least one amphiphilic compound bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate. The amphiphile-modified sorbent selectively removes certain constituents from cigarette smoke, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using amphiphile-modified sorbents, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette containing an amphiphile-modified sorbent, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 7784471Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
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Patent number: 7784470Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose M. G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
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Patent number: 7690387Abstract: 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 cyotoxicity 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez
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Publication number: 20100000555Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, Douglas A. Fernandez
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Publication number: 20090277465Abstract: 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 sealed capsule or 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 from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 7610920Abstract: Smoking articles which use thiol-functionalized sorbents are provided. The thiol-functionalized sorbents comprise at least one thioalkylsilyl compound covalently bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate, where the thiol-functionalized sorbent is capable of removing at least one heavy metal constituent of mainstream smoke. The thiol-functionalized sorbents are particularly useful for the removal of mercury and/or cadmium from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the thiol-functionalized sorbent, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the thiol-functionalized sorbent, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 7578298Abstract: 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 sealed capsule or 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 from the one or more capsules and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The sealed 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Martin Garthaffner, Richard Jupe, Diane Kellogg, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno, John Layman, Constance Morgan, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 7552735Abstract: A cigarette filter for removing gas phase constituents from mainstream cigarette smoke as the smoke is drawn through the filter primarily comprises an activated carbon fiber filter section including a bundle of activated carbon fibers. Particulate adsorbent materials such as granules, beads or course powders may be dispersed amongst the activated carbon fibers to aid in removal of the gas phase constituents. Additionally, the activated carbon fiber filter section may be used in combination with a separate bed or beds of particulate adsorbent material. In one embodiment, the activated carbon fibers are positioned within a helical groove on the outside of a threaded rod within the activated carbon fiber filter section. Relatively smaller amounts of activated carbon fibers produce the same smoke constituent reduction as larger amounts of particulate adsorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Lixin Xue, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Timothy Scott Sherwood, John Bryant Paine, III, Jay A Fournier, Charles Edwin Thomas, Jr., Kent Brian Koller, Liqun Yu