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).

  • Publication number: 20180255828
    Abstract: A method for providing particles of encapsulated flavorants or chemesthetic agents comprises forming an emulsion comprising: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive; atomizing said emulsion in an atomizer into droplets; introducing said droplets into a second aqueous solution, comprising one or more metal cations, to form particles comprising one or more cross-linked polysaccharides and said additive encapsulated therein; and removing said particles from said second aqueous solution and drying said particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zeng, Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios Karles
  • Patent number: 10051884
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng
  • Publication number: 20180228793
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 9999243
    Abstract: An exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix, exhausted-tobacco fiber, and one or more additives (e.g. nicotine or a derivative thereof) dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, an exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The exhausted-tobacco 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 tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making exhausted-tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, exhausted-tobacco fiber, one or more additives (e.g., nicotine), and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 9993019
    Abstract: A method for providing particles of encapsulated flavorants or chemesthetic agents comprises forming an emulsion comprising: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive; atomizing said emulsion in an atomizer into droplets; introducing said droplets into a second aqueous solution, comprising one or more metal cations, to form particles comprising one or more cross-linked polysaccharides and said additive encapsulated therein; and removing said particles from said second aqueous solution and drying said particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zeng, Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 9943511
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
  • Publication number: 20180092395
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9872516
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9854831
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20170225143
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Daqing Wu, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20170150750
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 9661875
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Daqing Wu, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20170099868
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
  • Patent number: 9603385
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 9521864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Shuzhong Zhuang, Diane L. Gee
  • Publication number: 20160354360
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
  • Publication number: 20160303106
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Frank Scott Atchley, Gregory James Griscik, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, Phillip M. Hulan, Diane L. Gee, Jason Flora, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20160235114
    Abstract: Multi-shelled capsules are made by co-extruding a first liquid flavorant composition and a first shell-forming polymeric material to form droplets which are hardened to form an inner shell containing a first liquid flavorant composition, and then coated with a second shell-forming polymeric material which is hardened to form an outer shell. The result is a capsule where the inner surface of the outer shell is separate and/or separable from the outer surface of the inner shell to define a space, wherein a second liquid flavorant composition may be located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Hongwei LIU, Georgios D. KARLES, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Jose NEPOMUCENO
  • Patent number: 9386801
    Abstract: A process for producing a coated filter plug for a smoking article including: (a) incorporating an additive to a porous filter plug, thereby obtaining an impregnated filter plug; (b) coating a surface of the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linkable polymer material; and (c) cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer material, to form a cross-linked, breakable coating substantially enclosing the impregnated filter plug. The process may further include at least partially coating the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linking agent prior to, or subsequent to, coating with the cross-linkable polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
    Inventors: Georgios Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang, Yi Zeng, Hongwei Liu, Daqing Wu
  • Patent number: 9351936
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke