Patents by Inventor Serban C. Moldoveanu

Serban C. Moldoveanu 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: 20230121613
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 11540555
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 11503853
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the smokeless tobacco product including a dissolvable or meltable base composition admixed with a tobacco material and a botanical material, wherein the botanical material is present in an amount of at least about 0.1% of the total dry weight of the smokeless tobacco product. The botanical material and the smokeless tobacco product can be characterized based on antioxidant content using the ORAC index or the FRAP index. An exemplary product has an ORAC index value of at least about 20 (?mol TE)/g or a FRAP index value of at least about 50 (?mol/Fe2+)/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Wayne Allen Scott, Dwayne William Beeson, Daniel Verdin Cantrell
  • Publication number: 20220279833
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the smokeless tobacco product including a dissolvable or meltable base composition admixed with a tobacco material and a botanical material, wherein the botanical material is present in an amount of at least about 0.1% of the total dry weight of the smokeless tobacco product. The botanical material and the smokeless tobacco product can be characterized based on antioxidant content using the ORAC index or the FRAP index. An exemplary product has an ORAC index value of at least about 20 (?mol TE)/g or a FRAP index value of at least about 50 (?mol/Fe2+)/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Wayne Allen Scott, Dwayne William Beeson, Daniel Verdin Cantrell
  • Publication number: 20220071984
    Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions configured for oral use, the compositions including at least one filler, water, a basic amine, and an organic acid, an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, or a combination thereof, wherein the organic acid has a log P value of from about 1.4 to about 8.0. At least a portion of the basic amine is associated with at least a portion of the organic acid or the alkali metal salt thereof. The association is in the form of a basic amine-organic acid salt, an ion pair between the basic amine and a conjugate base of the organic acid, or a combination of both. Further provided are methods for stabilizing a composition configured for oral use and for enhancing a predicted buccal absorption of a composition configured for oral use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas H. Poole, Christopher Keller, Brian Michael Keyser, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Publication number: 20210345658
    Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain chemical compounds in tobacco materials is provided, the method including treatment of a tobacco plant component with at least one probiotic. For example, the method may modify the asparagine content in tobacco materials, which can result in a modification in acrylamide production when the tobacco material is exposed to elevated temperatures. The type of tobacco plant component treated according to the invention can be a tobacco seed, a tobacco seedling, an immature live plant, a mature live plant, a harvested plant, or a portion thereof. Examples of probiotics include probiotic species of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Proionobacterium, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, and mixtures thereof. Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such probiotic-treated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Serban C. Moldoveanu, Michael F. Davis, Marvin Glenn Riddick
  • Publication number: 20210195936
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 10980271
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Publication number: 20200281250
    Abstract: A method for preparing an aerosol precursor composition is provided, which includes the steps of providing a first aqueous solution comprising one or more organic acids in water; subjecting the first aqueous solution to hydrolysis to give a hydrolyzed aqueous solution with a higher organic acid monomer content on a dry weight basis than in the first aqueous solution; and combining the hydrolyzed aqueous solution with one or more aerosol formers to give an aerosol precursor composition. Typically, the aerosol precursor composition further contains nicotine. The disclosed method can lead to enhanced control over the composition and characteristics of the produced aerosol precursor composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Gary M. Dull, Thomas H. Poole, Serban C. Moldoveanu, Frank Kelley St. Charles
  • Patent number: 10709166
    Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain chemical compounds in tobacco materials is provided, the method including treatment of a tobacco plant or portion thereof with at least one enzyme. For example, the method may modify the content of tobacco smoke toxicant precursors in tobacco materials, which can result in a modification in toxicant production when the tobacco material is exposed to elevated temperatures. The type of tobacco plant or portion thereof treated according to the invention can be, for example, a tobacco seed, a tobacco seedling, an immature live plant, a mature live plant, a harvested plant, or a plant derivative. Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such enzyme-treated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Marvin Glenn Riddick, Michael F. Davis
  • Publication number: 20200163372
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 10568355
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Publication number: 20190289899
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 10357054
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco pastille can include (i) a tobacco material present in an amount of less than about 40 dry weight percent, based on the total dry weight of the pastille; (ii) at least one natural gum binder present in an amount of at least about 25 dry weight percent; and (iii) a plurality of sugar alcohols present in a total amount of at least about 40 dry weight percent, the predominant component of the plurality of sugar alcohols being isomalt or erythritol, wherein the shape of the smokeless tobacco pastille is moldable in the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 10226066
    Abstract: Provided are smoking products and methods of preparing smoking products that include tobacco and a deflavored rosemary or a heat-treated rosemary. The deflavored and/or heat-treated rosemary may have been previously heated at a temperature and a time sufficient to reduce or remove flavorant components compared to the use of untreated rosemary. The heated rosemary may include one or more pentacyclic triterpenoid acids such as betulinic, betul-18-enoic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Wayne Allen Scott
  • Patent number: 10136608
    Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising a decrease in at least one amino acid such that upon heating and/or burning, the tobacco plant or a portion thereof generates reduced levels of a compound derived from the at least one amino acid as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the tobacco generates reduced levels of acrylamide and/or acrylonitrile upon heating and/or burning of the tobacco as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco line. These plants are useful for improving tobacco products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Reynolds Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patsy Elizabeth Elliott Brown, Darlene Madeline Lawson, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Publication number: 20170273350
    Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain bacteria in uncured tobacco material is provided, the method including contacting an uncured tobacco material with a treatment solution, wherein the treatment solution is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a solution comprising salt, sugar, or a combination thereof; (ii) a solution comprising one or more enzymes; and (iii) a solution comprising one or more probiotics, wherein said contacting provides a treated tobacco material having a reduced total bacterial content following harvest. In certain embodiments, the treated tobacco material is subsequently cured, and can optionally be fermented. Smoking articles and smokeless tobacco products including such treated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Marvin Glenn Riddick, Jerry Wayne Marshall
  • Publication number: 20170251715
    Abstract: Provided are smoking products and methods of preparing smoking products that include tobacco and a deflavored rosemary or a heat-treated rosemary. The deflavored and/or heat-treated rosemary may have been previously heated at a temperature and a time sufficient to reduce or remove flavorant components compared to the use of untreated rosemary. The heated rosemary may include one or more pentacyclic triterpenoid acids such as betulinic, betul-18-enoic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Wayne Allen Scott
  • Publication number: 20170181398
    Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically modified tobacco plants, and tobacco products derived from such plants, comprising a decrease in at least one amino acid such that upon heating and/or burning, the tobacco plant or a portion thereof generates reduced levels of a compound derived from the at least one amino acid as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco plant or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the tobacco generates reduced levels of acrylamide and/or acrylonitrile upon heating and/or burning of the tobacco as compared to an unmodified parent tobacco line. These plants are useful for improving tobacco products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Patsy Elizabeth Elliott Brown, Darlene Madeline Lawson, Serban C. Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 9681681
    Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain bacteria in uncured tobacco material is provided, the method including contacting an uncured tobacco material with a treatment solution, wherein the treatment solution is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a solution comprising salt, sugar, or a combination thereof; (ii) a solution comprising one or more enzymes; and (iii) a solution comprising one or more probiotics, wherein said contacting provides a treated tobacco material having a reduced total bacterial content following harvest. In certain embodiments, the treated tobacco material is subsequently cured, and can optionally be fermented. Smoking articles and smokeless tobacco products including such treated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Serban C. Moldoveanu, Marvin Glenn Riddick, Jerry Wayne Marshall