Patents by Inventor Shuzhong Zhuang
Shuzhong Zhuang 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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Publication number: 20250009733Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and a mouth-soluble binder dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Frank Scott ATCHLEY, Gregory James GRISCIK, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, Phillip M. HULAN, Diane L. GEE, Jason FLORA, Shuzhong ZHUANG
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Publication number: 20250009006Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the nicotine or derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Frank Scott ATCHLEY, Gregory James GRISCIK, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, Phillip M. HULAN, Diane L. GEE, Jason FLORA, Shuzhong ZHUANG
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Publication number: 20250000803Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and one or more additives in the soluble-fiber matrix. A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge can include maltodextrin. The soluble fiber lozenge is adapted to release one or more additives from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of a consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making soluble fiber lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, one or more additives, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of soluble fiber lozenges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE, Gerd KOBAL
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Publication number: 20240415827Abstract: A nicotine lozenge includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. A nicotine lozenge may include at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge may include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. The ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2024Publication date: December 19, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
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Patent number: 12167743Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix. The oral product is adapted to release the nicotine or derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity and exposed to saliva.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2022Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 12133848Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a mouth-stable polymer matrix, cellulosic fibers embedded in the mouth-stable polymer matrix, and a mouth-soluble binder dispersed in the mouth-stable polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2022Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 12109313Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge in includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and one or more additives in the soluble-fiber matrix. A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge can include maltodextrin. The soluble fiber lozenge is adapted to release one or more additives from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of a consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making soluble fiber lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, one or more additives, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 200° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of soluble fiber lozenges.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
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Patent number: 12083110Abstract: A nicotine lozenge includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. A nicotine lozenge may include at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge may include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. The ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20240188621Abstract: This document provides methods and systems for stabilizing nicotine and incorporating nicotine into one or more oral products. This document also provides oral products. Nicotine can be stabilized by mixing liquid nicotine with cellulosic fiber such that the liquid nicotine absorbs into pores of the cellulosic fiber to form a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture. In some cases, a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture can be combined with one or more binders and molded into an oral product.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2024Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Diane GEE
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Publication number: 20240164429Abstract: A tobacco tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and tobacco dispersed in the solid solution such that the tobacco is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20240138468Abstract: A method for providing an encapsulated flavorant or chemesthetic agent in a smoking article includes forming an emulsion including: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive comprising one or more flavorants or chemesthetic agents. The method also includes extruding the emulsion into a second aqueous solution in the form of an elongated structure, cross-linking at least a portion of the one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides, removing the cross-linked elongated structure from the second aqueous solution, introducing the cross-linked elongated structure into a filter, or into a rod including a smoking composition, or both; and forming the filter or the rod of the smoking composition into a smoking article. The method can include a drying step.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Shuzhong ZHUANG, Yi ZENG, Georgios D. KARLES
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Patent number: 11944115Abstract: This document provides methods and systems for stabilizing nicotine and incorporating nicotine into one or more oral products. This document also provides oral products. Nicotine can be stabilized by mixing liquid nicotine with cellulosic fiber such that the liquid nicotine absorbs into pores of the cellulosic fiber to form a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture. In some cases, a cellulosic fiber-nicotine mixture can be combined with one or more binders and molded into an oral product.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
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Publication number: 20240099356Abstract: A tobacco lozenge includes a body configured to be wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a matrix including a soluble fiber in an amount greater than or equal to 60 weight percent of the body, tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the matrix, and an additive dispersed in the matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20240099367Abstract: An oral pouch product includes a wrapper and a filling material. The wrapper defines a cavity. The filling material is in the cavity. The filling material includes a dry mixture and a liquid mixture. The dry mixture includes a cellulosic material and a water-soluble filler. The liquid mixture includes an oil and liquid nicotine. The oil includes a triglyceride, a diglyceride, a monoglyceride, or any combination thereof. The liquid nicotine is dissolved in the oil. The filling material is free of water or includes water in an amount less than or equal to 5 weight percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Baiwei CHEN, Feng GAO, Shannon M. BLACK, Shaoyong YU, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Benjamin L. RAGLAND, Rebecca M. GRAY, Fadi ALDEEK
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Patent number: 11849753Abstract: A tobacco lozenge includes a body configured to be wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a matrix including a soluble fiber in an amount greater than or equal to 60 weight percent of the body, tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the matrix, and an additive dispersed in the matrix.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20230404131Abstract: A exhausted-tobacco tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and exhausted-tobacco is dispersed in the solid solution, and one or more additives dispersed in the solid solution such that at least one additive is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an adult tobacco consumer's oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20230397647Abstract: A nicotine tablet that includes a solid solution of soluble fiber and one or more sugar alcohols, the solid solution having a glass transition temperature of less than 40° C., and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the solid solution such that the nicotine or derivative thereof is released from the tablet when the tablet is chewed or dissolved within an oral cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20230371575Abstract: Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Shuzhong ZHUANG, Georgios D. KARLES
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Publication number: 20230346767Abstract: A nicotine lozenge includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. A nicotine lozenge may include at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge may include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. The ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20230337718Abstract: Encapsulated tobacco beads and processes of making the encapsulated tobacco beads are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a process of making encapsulated tobacco beads comprises mixing tobacco particles and menthol in an aqueous solution to form a wet mass; extruding the wet mass to form extrudates; spheronizing the extrudates to form tobacco beads; drying the tobacco beads; contacting the beads with a solution comprising a cation; and introducing the contacted tobacco beads into a solution of coating material in a concentration effective to induce ionic gelation of the coating material around the beads, to form encapsulated tobacco beads having gel coatings. According to another embodiment, an encapsulated tobacco bead comprises a core comprising tobacco particles and encapsulated menthol, an inner coating layer comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or pectin, and an outer coating layer comprising an ionically-crosslinked gel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios D. KARLES, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Yi ZENG