Patents by Inventor Karen M. Womble

Karen M. Womble 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: 5598868
    Abstract: A smokable filler material includes an aerosol forming material (e.g., glycerin) and as binding agent. Tobacco extracts and/or pieces of tobacco laminae can be incorporated into the smokable filler material, and/or the smokable filler material can be blended with tobacco cut filler. The amount of aerosol forming material within the smokable filler material typically is at least about 20 percent, based on the weight of that smokable filler material. Cigarettes are provided by wrapping the smokable filler material in a paper wrapping material. A typical paper wrapping material has a porosity of less than about 5 CORESTA units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Jakob, Michael D. Shannon, Olivia D. Furin, Paul F. Bernasek, Richard L. Blakley, Johnny L. Brooks, Karen M. Womble, Gary R. Shelar, James L. Resce
  • Patent number: 5568819
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a filter element including a carbon-containing paper or a paper containing molecular sieves. The paper contacts the filter material, such as cellulose acetate tow, within the filter element, either by circumscribing the filter material or by being gathered with non-carbon-containing filter material. The paper is useful as a plug wrap for a filter element. In several embodiments, longitudinal grooves are provided on the periphery of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Gentry, Karen M. Womble, Chandra K. Banerjee, Richard L. Blakley, Russell D. Barnes, Donald A. Calleson, Henry T. Ridings
  • Patent number: 5404890
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a filter element including a carbon-containing paper or a paper containing molecular sieves. The paper circumscribes filter material, such as cellulose acetate tow, within the filter element. The paper is useful as a plug wrap for a filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Gentry, Karen M. Womble, Chandra K. Banerjee, Richard L. Blakley
  • Patent number: 5101839
    Abstract: A smokable filler material includes an aerosol forming material (e.g., propylene glycol and glycerin) and a binding agent (e.g., ammonium alginate). Tobacco extracts and/or pieces of tobacco laminae can be incorporated into the smokable filler material, and/or the smokable filler material can be blended with tobacco cut filler. The amount of aerosol forming material within the smokable filler material typically is at least about 20 percent, based on the weight of that smokable filler material. Cigarettes are provided by wrapping the smokable filler material in a paper wrapping material. A typical paper wrapping material has a porosity of less than about 5 CORESTA units. Cigarettes cn include two layers of circumscribing paper wrapping materials. Cigarettes also can include filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Jakob, Michael D. Shannon, Olivia D. Furin, Paul F. Bernasek, Richard L. Blakley, Johnny L. Brooks, Karen M. Womble, Gary R. Shelar, James L. Resce
  • Patent number: 4920990
    Abstract: Cigarettes have a smokable filler blend comprising 60 to 75 percent tobacco cut filler and 25 to 40 percent of a second smokable cut filler consisting essentially of 50 to 70 percent calcium carbonate, 15 to 45 percent pyrolyzed cotton linters, and 7 to 12 percent polysaccharide binder. The blend is contained in a paper wrapper having a permeability from about 40 to about 75 CORESTA units. Cigarettes normally include a filter element and are air diluted to an air dilution level of from 40 to 65 percent. The smokable blend preferably is blended with a tobacco essence, and the nicotine content of the blend is greater than 2 percent. Cigarettes exhibit resistances to draw between 80 and 150 mm water pressure drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Cigarettes exhibit FTC "tar" to nicotine ratios less than 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Lawrence, Robert F. Moates, Thomas A. Perfetti, Renee M. Pogrow, Robert H. Powell, Jerry W. Redding, Cynthia A. Stewart, Karen M. Womble, Milly M. L. Wong