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).
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Publication number: 20190223490Abstract: 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: March 29, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. GEE, Shuzhong ZHUANG, Phillip M. HULAN, William J. BURKE
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Patent number: 10306916Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 10258076Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 10244786Abstract: A tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and tobacco plant tissue dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the tobacco plant tissue 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 tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, tobacco, 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 tobacco lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20190008776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Feng GAO, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
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Publication number: 20180338521Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph Dinovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20180325162Abstract: 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 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan CARROLL, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 10105320Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: ALtria Client ServicesInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Shuzhong Zhuang, Phillip M. Hulan, William J. Burke, Gerd Kobal
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Publication number: 20180279665Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20180228793Abstract: 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: April 16, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 10039309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 10028521Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20180199619Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20180170593Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 9999243Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20180150040Abstract: Systems and methods for real time control are provided. One embodiment includes executing a first control cycle that includes retrieving an input message, where the input message includes an identifier of a network device with an input and an actuator and retrieving a context object that includes a serialized controller data structure from a previous control sample. The first control cycle may additionally include retrieving data related to the input for the network device and bundle the data related to the input with the serialized controller data structure into a run message, de-serializing the serialized controller data structure, and using the controller data structure in conjunction with the data related to the input to determine a new actuator position of the actuator. In some embodiments, the first control cycle includes updating and serializing the controller data structure and causing the actuator to be set to the new actuator position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventor: William J. Burke
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Publication number: 20180150045Abstract: Systems and methods for time use optimization are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining time of use pricing data associated with purchase of energy from an energy provider, partitioning a predetermined amount of time into a plurality of segments, where the plurality of segments corresponds with the higher cost tier and the lower cost tier, and creating an energy set point schedule for setting a set point of a controllable device, where the energy set point schedule sets the set point of the controllable device to a predetermined value for each of the plurality of segments. Some embodiments include determining energy utilized by the controllable device during at least a portion of the energy set point schedule and iteratively altering the energy set point schedule, based on a comparison of the energy utilized and a current status of the energy set point schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventor: William J. Burke
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Patent number: 9943511Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Feng Gao, Diane L. Gee, Phillip M. Hulan, Shuzhong Zhuang, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 9896228Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke, Christopher Joseph DiNovi, David Phillips, Jason Andrew Macko, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 9763473Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke