Patents by Inventor John K. Summers

John K. Summers 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: 5417229
    Abstract: A composition for use as a snuff or chew and providing a sustained organoleptic bite, including a nicotine-free herbal component made of alfalfa, either alone or in combination with chicory, clover or mixtures thereof, as well as a casing material, serving to moisten, sweeten, and provide flavor to the herbal component and to keep the herbal component as a coherent cud in the mouth during use. The casing material also includes cayenne pepper in amounts providing a satisfactory approximation of the bite of a tobacco containing composition. Also, a method for preparing such compositions, involving at least two separate applications of cayenne pepper to alfalfa-based herbal mixtures for use as a snuff or chew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventors: John K. Summers, Kenton D. Summers, deceased
  • Patent number: 4887620
    Abstract: A composition and method for providing a sustained organoleptic bit sensation to the oral cavity which includes the use of cayenne pepper ground to a fine texture of from about #30 Duraloy (#20 U.S.) to about #58 Duraloy (#48 U.S.), the pepper preferably having a heat content of from about 10,000 to about 40,000 BTU's. When used in a tobaccoless chew or snuff composition to approximate the bite of a tobacco composition, the pepper is preferably added in two stages, a first portion to the base mixture before encasing it, and a second portion applied as a top dressing after encasing the base mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Better Life International, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Summers
  • Patent number: 4817640
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for providing tobaccoless herbal chew and snuff products which include an herbal component capable of being encased with a casing material providing a coherent cud in the oral cavity during use. In particular the present invention contemplates the use of a nicotine-free herbal substitute, such as red clover in the case of snuff and dandelion leaf in the case of chew, which can be encased with, among other things, a binder to provide a coherent cud in the mouth during use. As a result of this invention, safe nicotine-free snuff and chew compositions can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Better Life International Life, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Summers
  • Patent number: 4696315
    Abstract: The present invention includes tobaccoless chewing and snuff compositions which can include a red clover herb along with other desirable nicotine-free herbs such as dandelion, slippery elm bark, and an effective amount of the casing material for maintaining the composition in a moist coherent state in the mouth during chewing and/or residence time in the oral cavity. The casing material can include different ingredients such as molasses, sea salt, gingers, cayenne, and other ingredients which have desirable properties. The herbs and casing material impart the same texture, taste, bite, life and enjoyment as fine quality chewing tobacco and/or snuff and leafy chews including dandelion as an essential component thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Better Life International, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Summers