Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Gentry

Thomas L. Gentry 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: 5435326
    Abstract: A smoking article having a controlled yield of wet particulate matter and a method of making a smoking article with predetermined total and per puff yields of wet particulate matter. The smoking article has a tobacco rod connected to an air ventilated compound filter having two abutted filter segments, a rod end segment with a passage therethrough and a mouth end segment. The pressure drop of the abutment interface between the segments is selected to be in a range of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm water gauge. The total pressure drop of the filter including the interface and the amount of air dilution can be selected to provide a smoking article with a level per puff yield or a decreasing per puff yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Gentry, Russell D. Barnes, Richard L. Blakley, Charles R. Ashcraft, Juanilla M. Gwyn, James W. Pryor, Henry T. Ridings, Milly M. L. Wong
  • Patent number: 5396909
    Abstract: A cigarette smoking article includes a tobacco rod and a dual filter comprising a tobacco rod end segment made of cellulose acetate tow and a mouth end segment made of a gathered, perforated polymeric film blended with a whitener to produce a substantially non-staining mouth end surface. The polymeric film may also comprise a coextruded flavor film with a flavor carrier layer disposed between a pair of barrier layers for releasing a flavorant into the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette. Transparent wraps may be used to construct the cigarette from the component parts so that the filtration surfaces of the filter rod are visible through the wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Gentry, William M. Coleman, III, Charles R. Ashcraft, Dennis L. Carespodi, Milly M. L. Wong
  • Patent number: 5285798
    Abstract: A smoking article with an electrochemical heat source is disclosed. The non-combustion heat source includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemically with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. Preferably, the heat source is self-extinguishing if ignited. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn volatilizes the nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra K. Banerjee, Joseph J. Chiou, Ernest G. Farrier, Thomas L. Gentry, Richard L. Lehman, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Michael D. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5261425
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a charge or roll of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) circumscribed by two layers of paper wrapping materials. The first or inner wrapping material includes an inorganic filler material and tobacco material within the web. The inner wrapping material also can include a water soluble salt burn chemical and a carbonaceous material within the web. The second or outer wrapping material circumscribes and overwraps the first wrapping material, has a cellulosic base web and inorganic filler material, and exhibits a low inherent air permeability. The outer wrapping material can include a magnesium hydroxide filler, and exhibits an inherent air permeability of below about 15 CORESTA units and a net air permeability above about 40 CORESTA units. The cigarette is capable of sustaining smolder under FTC smoking conditions while yielding very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Raker, Barbara W. Arzonico, Patricia F. Perfetti, Thomas L. Gentry, Cynthia L. Davis
  • Patent number: 5159944
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a charge or roll of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) circumscribed by two layers of paper wrapping materials. The first or inner wrapping material includes a cellulosic base web and carbonaceous material within the web. The second or outer wrapping material circumscribes and overwraps the first wrapping material, has a cellulosic base web and inorganic filler material, and exhibits an air permeability of below about 8 CORESTA units. The cigarette is capable of sustaining smolder under FTC smoking conditions while yielding very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Barbara W. Arzonico, Alan B. Norman, Thomas L. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5156170
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Joseph J. Chiou, Darrell D. Williams, William J. Casey, Thomas L. Gentry, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 5141007
    Abstract: Cigarettes which yield low levels of visible sidestream smoke upon use employ an outer paper wrapping material including magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate and flax fibers. The outer wrapping material has an inherent permeability of about 10 CORESTA units. The wrapping material contains an amount of water soluble alkali metal salt sufficient to provide at least about 30 mg water soluble alkali metal ions per gram of dry base web. The alkali metal salt normally is such that the wrapping material includes a significantly greater level of potassium ions than sodium ions. The cigarettes also employ an inner paper wrapping material including carbonaceous material and/or tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Raker, Thomas L. Gentry, Barbara W. Arzonico
  • Patent number: 5131416
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a charge or roll of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) circumscribed by two layers of paper wrapping materials. The first or inner wrapping material includes a cellulosic base web, tobacco, and magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide within the web. The second or outer wrapping material circumscribes and overwraps the first wrapping material, has a cellulosic base web and inorganic filler material, and exhibits an air permeability of below about 8 CORESTA units. The cigarette is capable of sustaining smolder under FTC smoking conditions while yielding very low levels of visible sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5099861
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery article includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying flavor or a drug positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the article, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. The fuel element is segmented longitudinally and includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Joseph J. Chiou, Darrell D. Williams, William J. Casey, Thomas L. Gentry, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 5060666
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a physically separate tobacco jacket around at least the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke. In other embodiments, tobacco does not burn, but still provides tobacco flavors to the aerosol delivered to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 5042509
    Abstract: Making an aerosol generating cartridge useful for a smoking article is described. The method comprises filling a non-combustible elongated capsule, open at one end, with a substrate bearing an aersol forming material, and applying a fuel element to the open end of the capsule to enclose the substrate within the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra K. Banerjee, Ernest G. Farrier, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Michael D. Shannon, Gary R. Shelar, Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5033483
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a tobacco jacket around at least a portion of the fuel element and the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 5027837
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Joseph J. Chiou, Darrell D. Williams, William J. Casey, Thomas L. Gentry, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 4991596
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a short, combustible, carbonaceous fuel element in a heat exchange relationship with a substrate carrying glycerin, tobacco extract, and a portion of an essential oil gland bearing plant. For example, fragments of cinnamon bark, lovage root, chamomile flowers or cardamon physically separate from the fuel element provide for a controlled release of a flavor profile during use of the smoking article. Heat provided by the burning fuel element acts to release essential oils from the glands to provide a complex flavor and aroma profile. The smoking article is capable of providing the user with many of the pleasures of smoking by heating but not necessarily burning tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Lawrence, Milly M. L. Wong, Thomas A. Perfetti, Thomas L. Gentry, Alvaro Gonzalez-Parra, Jerry W. Lawson, Gary R. Shelar, Gary W. Worrell
  • Patent number: 4917128
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present cigarette comprise a roll or rod of tobacco wrapped by a paper wrapper, a short conbustible carbonaceous fuel element encircled by a resilient insulating member, a physically separate smoke generator including smoke forming substance located within a heat conductive container, the tobacco forming a jacket around the container and the smoke generator, and a relatively long mouthend piece.These cigarettes provide the smoker with the taste, satisfaction, feel and aroma of a cigarette without burning tobacco. Preferred cigarettes are capable of producing substantial quantities of smoke, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without thermal degradation of the smoke former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 4756318
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a physically separate tobacco jacket around at least the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouth end piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke. In other embodiments, tobacco does not burn, but still provides tobacco flavors to the aerosol delivered to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 4732168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cigarette-like smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, preferably without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke. Preferred articles of the present invention are capable of providing the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the necessity of burning tobacco.These and other advantages are obtained by providing an elongated, cigarette-type smoking article which preferably utilizes a short, i.e., less than about 30 mm long, preferably carbonaceous, fuel element, and a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming material, which means is in a conductive heat exchange relationship with the fuel element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: James L. Resce, Thomas L. Gentry