Patents by Inventor Vladimir Hampl, Jr.

Vladimir Hampl, Jr. 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: 8807144
    Abstract: Smoking articles having reduced ignition proclivity characteristics are disclosed. The smoking articles include a wrapper comprising cellulosic fibers and a filler. In accordance with the present disclosure, the filler has a particle size of at least about 3.2 microns and is present in the wrapper in an amount less than about 20% by weight. Further, the wrapper may have a basis weight of less than about 23 gsm and a permeability of from about 15 Coresta to about 110 Coresta. It has been discovered that such wrappers are capable of reducing the ignition proclivity characteristics of a smoking article. If desired, the particular wrapper as described above can also contain discrete areas treated with an ignition reducing composition which further serves to reduce the ignition proclivity characteristics of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Alice Gu, James Rossi-Espagnet
  • Patent number: 8646464
    Abstract: Smoking articles having reduced ignition proclivity characteristics are disclosed. The smoking articles include a paper wrapper containing cellulosic fibers and filler particles. The paper wrappers are formed so that the filler particles form a concentration gradient throughout the thickness of the wrapper. More particularly, a greater concentration of filler particles are present at a first surface in comparison to the amount of filler particles present at the opposite surface. In accordance with the present disclosure, an ignition reducing composition is applied to the first surface. In this manner, treated areas having more uniform properties are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., James C. Rossi-Espagnet, Xiangwei Gu, Peter E. Brighenti, Christopher Lee Goynes
  • Patent number: 8443812
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Alice Gu, Kerry Mahone
  • Patent number: 8353301
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Alice Gu, Kerry Mahone
  • Publication number: 20120012124
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, JR., Alice Gu, Kerry Mahone
  • Publication number: 20090283104
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, JR., Alice Gu, Kerry Mahone
  • Publication number: 20090223529
    Abstract: Smoking articles having reduced ignition proclivity characteristics are disclosed. The smoking articles include a paper wrapper containing cellulosic fibers and filler particles. The paper wrappers are formed so that the filler particles form a concentration gradient throughout the thickness of the wrapper. More particularly, a greater concentration of filler particles are present at a first surface in comparison to the amount of filler particles present at the opposite surface. In accordance with the present disclosure, an ignition reducing composition is applied to the first surface. In this manner, treated areas having more uniform properties are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, JR., James C. Rossi-Espagnet, Xiangwei Gu, Peter E. Brighenti, Christopher Lee Goynes
  • Patent number: 6823872
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery. In order to reduce carbon monoxide delivery, the wrapping papers used to construct the smoking article has a fiber basis weight of less than about 18 gsm. Smoking articles constructed in accordance with the present invention can have a carbon monoxide delivery less than about 18 mg per smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584981
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash cohesiveness of a paper wrapper is noticeably improved when carbon fibers having an average length less than about 0.75 inches are incorporated into the paper in an amount up to about 60% by weight. Paper wrappers made with carbon fibers in accordance with the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating only flax or other cellulosic fibers. Further, the ash cohesiveness of the paper is improved without resulting in the decline in the quality of other ash characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6568403
    Abstract: A method of reducing the burn rate of a smoking article is provided. Specifically, the burn rate is reduced by incorporating into a paper wrapper of the smoking article a filler (e.g., precipitated calcium carbonate) having a median particle size greater than about 2.5 microns. For instance, such paper wrappers formed according to the present invention typically have a Diffusion Conductance Index (DCI) of less than about 15 cm−1 and a Static Burn Rate (SBR) of less than about 5 millimeters per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Larry D. Snow, Tom Kraker
  • Patent number: 6314964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash cohesiveness of a paper wrapper is noticeably improved when carbon fibers having an average length less than about 0.75 inches are incorporated into the paper in an amount up to about 60% by weight. Paper wrappers made with carbon fibers in accordance with the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating only flax or other cellulosic fibers. Further, the ash cohesiveness of the paper is improved without resulting in the decline in the quality of other ash characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6305382
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to low weight cigarette wrapping papers. In particular, the wrapping papers, although having a low basis weight, have an opacity of at least 70% and a tensile strength comparable with conventional papers. Wrapping papers made according to the present invention contain a white pigment having a medium particle size of from 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns. In one embodiment, a black pigment can also be combined with the white pigment in small amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6298860
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been discovered that the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper are noticeably improved when the paper is treated with a carboxylic acid salt solution having a pH of from about 5.5 to about 8.0. The carboxylic acid salt solution can be for instance, an aqueous solution containing a metal succinate or a metal citrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Kerry Mahone
  • Patent number: 5997691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first arrangement which establishes a sheet of base web from a first slurry and moves the established sheet along a first path; a second arrangement for preparing a second slurry; a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web, the moving orifice applicator comprising: a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path; an endless belt having an orifice, the endless belt received through the chamber box; a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifice along an endless path and repetitively through the chamber box, the orifice when communicated with the reservoir being operative to discharge the second slurry from the reservoir through the orifice; a flow distribution system for introducing the second slurry into the chamber box at spaced-apart feed locations alon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Navin Gautam, Harry V. Lanzillotti, Tyrone W. Murray, D. Anh Phan, Jon R. Butt, Sr., H. Edmund Clark, Thomas E. Dougherty, Thomas L. Fillio, Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Phillip L. Ursery, Edwin L. Cutright, Ronald L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5921249
    Abstract: A method for controlling the permeability of a wrapping paper for smoking articles is disclosed. Specifically, the permeability of the paper is varied by incorporating into the paper a filler material having a particular particle size. In one embodiment, for instance, a filler having a size larger than conventional sized fillers is incorporated into a wrapping paper for significantly increasing the permeability of the wrapping paper. For instance, wrapping papers can be constructed in accordance with the present invention having a permeability of greater than 80 CORESTA units without having to perforate the papers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5893372
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to high opacity cigarette wrapping papers. The wrapping paper made according to the present invention contains a mixture of a white pigment and a black pigment. The white pigment, which can be, for instance, calcium carbonate, has a median particle size of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, and particularly from about 0.2 microns to about 0.4 microns. It has been discovered that this particular particle size range, which is equal to one-half the wavelength of visible light, greatly increases the opacity, brightness and whiteness of the paper. Small amounts of a black pigment, such as carbon, are then added to further increase the opacity without significantly decreasing the whiteness or brightness of the paper relative to conventional cigarette paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Schweitzer Maudit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5888348
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for controlling and adjusting the permeability of a cigarette wrapping paper. Permeability is controlled in the paper by adding different sized filler particles in different proportionate amounts. Permeability of the paper is altered without having to change the total amount of filler in the paper. By selectively controlling the permeability of the paper, various characteristics and properties of a cigarette made with the paper can be likewise modified as desired. In one embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of a cigarette wrapper can be automatically maintained or adjusted as the paper is being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5820998
    Abstract: A process of making a coated paper comprises the following steps: 1) providing a paper layer composed of a blend of pulp fibers and particulate material containing polyvalent metal cations, 2) applying a acidified alginate solution of a material selected from salts and derivatives of alginic acid to cover at least a portion of the paper, 3) reacting the salts and/or derivatives of alginic acid with polyvalent metal cations in the paper to form a polymer coating, and 4) drying the paper and polymer coating. The permeability of the coated paper is generally at least about 75 percent less than the permeability of an identical uncoated portion of the paper. The solution of alginate material may be partially cross-linked. The alginate solution may be deposited utilizing gravure printing techniques. Also disclosed is a coated paper and a wrapper for a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Dwayne Hotaling, Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5730840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper are noticeably improved when a calcium carbonate filler having a median particle size of from about 0.15 microns to about 0.5 microns is incorporated into the paper. Paper wrappers made with the calcium carbonate particles of the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating calcium carbonate particles of larger or smaller sizes. Further, the ash characteristics of the paper are improved without having to alter total filler levels in the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Schwietzer-Mauduit Inernational, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Hampl, Jr., Larry D. Snow, Kerry A. Mahone, David P. Pozzetta
  • Patent number: 5107866
    Abstract: A heatseal porous plugwrap made with a naturally porous combiner wrap and spray-applied hot melt adhesive. The natural porosity of the combiner wrap paper and the superficial location of sprayed adhesive greatly inhibit the penetration of adhesive to the outer surface of the paper, thus minimizing the possibility that the adhesive will interfere with the tipping process. The use of a sprayer to apply the adhesive allows for only the required amount of adhesive to be utilized and thus eliminates waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur Aronoff, Larry D. Snow, Vladimir Hampl, Jr., R. Dwayne Hotaling