Patents by Inventor William J. Burke

William J. Burke 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: 20240099356
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
  • Publication number: 20240074486
    Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan CARROLL, Shannon Maxwell BLACK, Yan Helen SUN, William J. BURKE, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, David PHILLIPS, Jason Andrew MACKO, Robert SMITH
  • Patent number: 11889857
    Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 11882866
    Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 10 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4 mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11849753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
  • Publication number: 20230404131
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
  • Publication number: 20230397647
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
  • Publication number: 20230372967
    Abstract: Methods for encasing bodies including smokeless tobacco or a tobacco substitute with a polymeric casing can include coating a compressed body with microfibers, applying tubular casings to compressed bodies, printing netting and webs on compressed bodies, injection molding around compressed bodies, applying a webbing to compressed bodies, placing compressed bodies into a skin forming bath, and including thermoplastic polymers in a compressed body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan CARROLL, Shannon Maxwell BLACK, Yan Helen SUN, William J. BURKE, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, David PHILLIPS, Jason Andrew MACKO, Robert SMITH
  • Patent number: 11812776
    Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4 mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20230346767
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Phillip M. HULAN, Shuzhong ZHUANG, William J. BURKE
  • Publication number: 20230320407
    Abstract: A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan CARROLL, Shannon Maxwell BLACK, Yan Helen SUN, William J. BURKE
  • Patent number: 11779045
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11771127
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11774932
    Abstract: A method for managing energy in a controllable device includes determining a plurality of future energy prices, where each of the future energy prices represents a price of a unit of energy over a predetermined time period, determining a duration to charge a controllable device, correlating the duration to charge the controllable device with at least one predetermined time period based at least in part on the price per unit energy over the at least one predetermined time period, and directing a utility to charge the controllable device at the at least one predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Virtual Peaker, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11731162
    Abstract: Methods for encasing bodies including smokeless tobacco or a tobacco substitute with a polymeric casing can include coating a compressed body with microfibers, applying tubular casings to compressed bodies, printing netting and webs on compressed bodies, injection molding around compressed bodies, applying a webbing to compressed bodies, placing compressed bodies into a skin forming bath, and including thermoplastic polymers in a compressed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 11723904
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11723394
    Abstract: A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
  • Publication number: 20230121049
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE, Gerd KOBAL
  • Patent number: 11601528
    Abstract: A system for interfacing a third-party system with a client device, the system includes a platform having one or more computing devices communicatively coupled to the third-party system and the client device, the platform is configured to receive, from a third-party system, a request for a client device, translate the request from the third-party system to a client specific protocol, transmit the request in the client specific protocol to the client device, and receive a response from the client device based on the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Virtual Peaker, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11554099
    Abstract: A soluble fiber lozenge provided herein 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 dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a soluble fiber lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in soluble fiber lozenge provided herein 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 provided herein 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. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal