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: 20220312830Abstract: A method for preparing nicotine-containing agglomerates includes introducing a solid particulate into a fluid bed granulator, and introducing a binder solution into the fluid bed granulator such that the binder solution contacts the solid particulate. The solid particulate and/or binder solution may be introduced into the fluid bed granulator in parts, concurrently or in series. The binder solution includes a binder material and a solvent, which may include water. Introducing the binder solution into the fluid bed granulator may include spraying the binder solution into a fluid bed of the fluid bed granulator during circulation of the fluid bed and materials therein, such as the solid particulate. The fluid bed may further include a filler material and/or an additive. The filler material and/or the additive may be introduced into the fluid bed granulator prior to, concurrently with, or subsequent to the addition of the solid particulate and/or binder solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Shuzhong ZHUANG, Valerie L. TRAN, Shaoyong YU
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Publication number: 20220279834Abstract: 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: May 24, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: 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: 11369129Abstract: 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 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory Griscik, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Publication number: 20210379048Abstract: 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 25, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
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Publication number: 20210345657Abstract: 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: July 20, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Diane L. GEE
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Patent number: 11116758Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein 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. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can 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 provided herein 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. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 11076631Abstract: 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 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
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Publication number: 20210169127Abstract: 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: February 10, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
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Patent number: 10925309Abstract: 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: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Sendees LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20200352929Abstract: 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: July 29, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: 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: 20200352212Abstract: 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: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Frank Scott ATCHLEY, Gregory GRISCIK, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, Phillip M. HULAN, Diane L. GEE, Jason FLORA, Shuzhong ZHUANG
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Publication number: 20200297715Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein 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. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can 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 provided herein 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. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
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Patent number: 10780085Abstract: 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 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: 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: 10744476Abstract: Provided is a method for cooling wax after coextrusion to create wax capsules. The method includes immersing a concentric nozzle of a coextruder in a container of heated alcohol. The container of heated alcohol sits in a water-ice bath to create a temperature gradient. A core material having a wax coating is extruded through a concentric nozzle to form a capsule. The capsule enters the container of hot alcohol where the wax coating is solidified. In an embodiment, the method is a continuous method including a capsule and solvent transfer system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Hongwei Liu, Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang
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Patent number: 10702516Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein 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. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can 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 provided herein 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. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 10660359Abstract: 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: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: 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: 20200138091Abstract: 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: December 19, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Shuzhong ZHUANG, Georgios D. Karles
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Patent number: 10542772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
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Publication number: 20190328032Abstract: 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: July 10, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
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Publication number: 20190246686Abstract: 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 nicotine with a silicon oxide-containing porous solid such that the nicotine absorbs into pores of the porous solid to form a porous solid-nicotine mixture. In some cases, a porous solid-nicotine mixture can be combined with one or more binders and molded into an oral product.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee