Patents by Inventor William J. Wokas
William J. Wokas 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: 7935362Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided as well as methods for producing the product. The product includes one or more coatings having a medicament or agent. The coatings can further comprise one or more fat-based confectioneries to provide a coated product that has an improved aesthetic and taste appeal to a consumer. The medicament or agent is present within a coating that surrounds a consumable center. By chewing the coated product, the medicament or agent is released from the product within the buccal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Leonard Matulewicz, William J. Wokas, Brian Ream
-
Publication number: 20100104620Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided as well as methods for producing the product. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a tableted center. The tableted center is defined by compressible excipients. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product within the buccal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANYInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Leonard Matulewicz, William J. Wokas
-
Patent number: 7078052Abstract: Methods and chewing gums for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The chewing gum includes a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the chewing gum composition (the water soluble portion and/or insoluble base portion). It has been found that by chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the chewing gum. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas, Thomas M. Tongue, Jr., Michael J. Greenberg
-
Patent number: 6949264Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the active agent, such as a nutraceutical or nutritional supplement, by coating and drying. The active agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated active agent is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified active agent for use in chewing gum. The active agent may also be used in a coating on a chewing gum product, as part of a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product, or as a part of the liquid in a liquid-center chewing gum product.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Gordon N. McGrew, David G. Barkalow, Sonya S. Johnson, David W. Record, Mansukh M. Patel, Jack D. Nimz, Steven E. Zibell, Robert J. Yatka, Michael J. Greenberg, Rebecca A. Aumann, Daniel J. Zyck, Daniel J. Sitler, Jeffrey S. Hook, James R. Maxwell, Michael A. Reed, Victor V. Gudas, Philip G. Schnell, Henry T. Tyrpin, Michael P. Russell, David L. Witkewitz, Joo H. Song, Donald J. Townsend, Donald A. Seielstad, Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas, Thomas M. Tongue
-
Publication number: 20040180007Abstract: Methods and chewing gums for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The chewing gum includes a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the chewing gum composition (the water soluble portion and/or insoluble base portion). It has been found that by chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the chewing gum. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas, Thomas M. Tongue, Michael J. Greenberg
-
Patent number: 6773716Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a center comprising a gum base. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the product creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Patent number: 6627234Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with an improved release of active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by adding an active agent to a chewing gum coating. The active agent is added to the coating in a coating solution or premixed with a flavor or solvent. The coating solution may contain sweetener or other transdermal enhancing agents to obtain increased transmucosal absorption. An active agent may also be used in the gum core.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Sonya S. Johnson, David W. Record, Michael J. Greenberg, Michael A. Reed, Victor V. Gudas, Philip G. Schnell, Donald A. Seielstad, Henry T. Tyrpin, Michael P. Russell, David L. Witkewitz, Joo H. Song, Donald J. Townsend, Robert J. Yatka, Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas
-
Patent number: 6558692Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Publication number: 20030049208Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a center comprising a gum base. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the product creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Publication number: 20030003152Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided as well as methods for producing the product. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a tableted center. The tableted center is defined by compressible excipients. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product within the buccal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Leonard Matulewicz, William J. Wokas
-
Publication number: 20020159956Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Patent number: 6465003Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Publication number: 20020110581Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided as well as methods for producing the product. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a consumable center. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product within the buccal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Leonard Matulewicz, William J. Wokas
-
Patent number: 6426090Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided as well as methods for producing the product. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a tableted center. The tableted center is defined by compressible excipients. By chewing the product, the medicament or agent is released from the product within the buccal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Leonard Matulewicz, William J. Wokas
-
Publication number: 20020039560Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Patent number: 6355265Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Publication number: 20010024642Abstract: Methods and products for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The product includes a coating having a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the coating that surrounds a gum center (the water soluble portion and a water insoluble base portion). By chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the product. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Michael J. Greenberg, William J. Wokas, Christine L. Corriveau
-
Patent number: 5538742Abstract: The invention is a multi-phase, sheeted chewing gum product, a method and an apparatus for making such a product. The product includes a first mass of a chewing gum formed in a generally flat sheet and a second mass of a confectionery product having a different color than the first mass. The second mass is smaller than the first mass and is embedded in the first mass so as to be visible with the first mass from the top surface of the chewing gum. The method includes the steps of forming the first mass into a slab with a generally flat surface. The second mass is formed into at least one piece which is brought into contact with the flat surface. The slab and the piece are pressed to produce a generally flat sheet which is cut into segments of a desired width, length and shape.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Michael McHale, George Nichtula, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas
-
Patent number: 5334397Abstract: An improved fruit flavored chewing gum having more intense and longer lasting sweetness and flavor is prepared, by including within the chewing gum, a) a spray dried fruit flavor ingredient having a high loading of active fruit flavor, b) encapsulated acesulfame-K, and c) separately encapsulated aspartame.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Amurol Products CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Christine L. Corriveau, William J. Wokas
-
Patent number: 4728515Abstract: Low moisture chewing gum compositions and methods of preparation using carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer compositions to improve flexibility and shelf life characteristics are disclosed. The syrup comprises carbohydrate solids and water, with less than 30% of the solids having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and more than 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater. The ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent in the composition is between 0.5:1 and 100:1 and the total water content of composition is less than 20%. The syrup-plasticizer composition is prepared by providing a carbohydrate syrup or combined syrups with the proper carbohydrate solids distribution, combining a plasticizer such as glycerine or propylene glycol and evaporating water from the combined syrup plasticizer composition.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1987Date of Patent: March 1, 1988Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Mansukh M. Patel, Michael A. Reed, William J. Wokas, Vasek J. Kures