Method Or Apparatus For Making Reconstituted Tobacco Patents (Class 131/370)
  • Patent number: 12161145
    Abstract: An orally-enjoyable tobacco product includes a portion of smokeless tobacco comprising an active ingredient and either: (1) a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component, or (2) a pouch comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a mercaptan, camphor, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, mono-bornyl succinate, mono-isobornyl succinate, mono-bornyl formate, and mono-isobornyl formate. The active ingredient is present in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation arising from the smokeless tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Kobal, Justin Heynekamp, Timothy B. Langston, Peter Reeh, Munmaya K. Mishra, Jason W. Flora
  • Patent number: 12151023
    Abstract: The disclosure provides products configured for oral use, the products including one or more active ingredients and a beet material, at least a portion of the one or more active ingredients being bound to the beet material. In some embodiments, oral products as described herein may include a beet material, a filler material, and one or more active ingredients, at least a portion of the one or more active ingredients being bound to the beet material and the filler material. Active ingredients included in the product may be configured for release according to different release rates, which rates may depend at least in part on the material to which the active ingredient is bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Eugene Holton, Jr., Dwayne William Beeson, Anthony Richard Gerardi, Chris J. Grimes, Ronald K. Hutchens, Christopher Keller, Thomas H. Poole, Frank Kelley St. Charles
  • Patent number: 12114687
    Abstract: A foam includes a tobacco ingredient containing agent and/or an inhalable agent, an aerosol forming agent, a foam stabilizing agent, and a foam forming agent. In one embodiment, a weight of the tobacco ingredient containing agent and/or the inhalable agent is 0.1-33 wt.-% of a weight of the foam, and a weight of the aerosol forming agent is 10-80 wt. % of the weight of the foam. In another embodiment, the foam forming agent is a non-protein contain polysaccharide and a weight of the foam forming agent is less than 20 wt.-% of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: JT International S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Plattner, Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 12116591
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to consumable products incorporating a matrix of cultured tobacco cells. Any tobacco variety may be utilized for establishing in vitro tobacco cultures, including native tobacco varieties and genetically modified tobacco varieties derived from any tobacco variety. Various embodiments are directed to methods for producing tobacco products incorporating cellular material and/or extracts derived from tobacco cells cultured in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Alec J. Hayes, Maria Shulleeta, Jason W. Flora
  • Patent number: 12102113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to cast a web of a material containing alkaloids, including the steps of: —Providing a tank (22) with a piston (23); —Filling the tank with slurry; —Providing a casting box (24) fluidly connected to the tank; —Pushing the slurry in the tank by means of the piston in order to transfer slurry from the tank to the casting box; and —Casting the slurry from the casting box to obtain the web of a material containing alkaloids. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (10) to cast a web of a material containing alkaloids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Yann Richard
  • Patent number: 12016373
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a casting apparatus (100) for the production of a cast web of a material containing alkaloids, said casting apparatus (100) including: •—a casting box (101) adapted to contain a slurry; •—a movable support (102) having a surface and moving along a casting direction; •—a casting blade (103), adapted to cast the slurry contained in the casting box (101) onto the surface of the movable support (102) along the casting direction so as to form the cast web of a material containing alkaloids; wherein the casting blade (103) includes a corrugated portion. The invention also relates to a casting method for producing a cast web of a material containing alkaloids and to cast a web of a material containing alkaloids from said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Marc A. F. Van Den Boogaart
  • Patent number: 12016376
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for crimping a sheet of material, the apparatus comprising a first and second facing crimping roller defining a first and second rotation axis, respectively, the first roller including: a first plurality of circumferential ridges, each ridge defining a ridge amplitude; wherein each of said first plurality of ridges is interrupted along its circumferential extension forming an interruption gap where for a given interruption angle an amplitude of the ridge differs from the ridge amplitude in the remaining circumferential extension of the ridge; wherein said plurality of interruption gaps forms an interruption band defining a direction of extension, said direction of extension being angled with respect to a direction defined by the first rotation axis of an angle comprised between about 2° to about 25°. The invention also relates to a method for crimping a sheet of material as well as a crimped sheet of material and a rod made of a crimped sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Zappoli, Ilario Lodi
  • Patent number: 11969734
    Abstract: A three-dimensional grinder includes: a stationary grinding chamber having a generally cylindrical wall along a longitudinal axis XX and delimiting an inner space, the chamber receiving and mixing a starting compound, and generally at least two, in a liquid medium, forming an initial mixture, the stationary grinding chamber being partially filled with a grinding body, which stationary grinding chamber includes, at a first end, an inlet introducing the starting compound and the liquid medium and, at a second end, an outlet discharging an end product formed in the stationary grinding chamber; a stirrer in the stationary grinding chamber, including a rod extending along the longitudinal axis XX, the stirrer being capable of pivoting to move the grinding body/initial mixture mass, the stationary grinding chamber including, in the inner space, a heating device to heat an area of the stationary grinding chamber. The heating device is an introduction heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEASYL SA
    Inventors: Julien Thiel, François Lacoste, Valentin Lair, Samy Halloumi, Irène Malpartida, Benoît Moevus
  • Patent number: 11882868
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a sheet of material including vegetable and/or alkaloid substances including a roller rolling mill system including a plurality of rollers rotatable around respective rotation axes defining a rolling mill path provided with pressure lines adapted to substantially press the material so as to provide the latter with a sheet-like shape, and a scraping system configured to engage by contact the working surface of a transfer roller along a contact line so as to detach the material. Specifically, the scraping system including a closed-loop endless scraping band movable at the contact line parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer roller via an actuating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Jader Pavanetto, Igor Bottacco
  • Patent number: 11659856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to cast a sheet (2) of a material containing alkaloids, the method comprising: Providing a container (6) having an aperture; providing a casting blade (9); Providing a movable support (3) running below the aperture of the container (6); Filling the container (6) with slurry (5); Casting the sheet (2) of tobacco material containing alkaloids material by means of the casting blade (9) onto the movable support (3); Sensing variations in a height of the movable support (3); and changing a height of the casting blade (9) if such variations in the height of the movable support (3) are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Pascal Christen, Francois Joset, Michel Borloz, Lucien Suarez, Yann Richard
  • Patent number: 11484055
    Abstract: A tobacco preparation method, where a tobacco material is prepared through at least one extrusion process including compressing the material with an increase in pressure and temperature and mechanically processing and abruptly flash drying the material at an extruder outlet, where the tobacco material includes a tobacco lamina material, where a tobacco preparation device includes a dosing conveyor and an extruder which compresses a tobacco material with an increase in pressure and temperature and mechanically process and abruptly flash dries the material at the extruder outlet, where the components are designated as a unit which can be modularly delimited for processing a tobacco material including a tobacco lamina material, where an arrangement of several tobacco preparation devices and a smoking article or cigarette manufacturing device includes such a device or such a device arrangement which is connected upstream of a cigarette maker or a secondary unit as a tobacco preparation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Franke, Gerald Schmekel
  • Patent number: 10945454
    Abstract: The invention features tobacco compositions and methods of their use and manufacture. Compositions of the invention may be based on a variety of technologies. Technologies include films, tabs, shaped parts, gels, consumable units, insoluble matrices, and hollow shapes. In addition to tobacco, compositions may also contain flavors, colors, and other additives as described herein. Compositions may also be orally disintegrable. Exemplary compositions and methods of their manufacture are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC
    Inventors: James Arthur Strickland, Frank Scott Atchley, James M. Rossman, Armand J. Desmarais, Scott A. Williams, Tod J. Miller, Cherne W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10896325
    Abstract: Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi, Henry M. Dante, Qiwei Liang, Samuel Timothy Henry
  • Patent number: 10881134
    Abstract: The use of pectins and/or polymers to prevent nicotine oxidation in tobacco containing products is disclosed. These polymers may be naturally occurring anionic polymers or synthetic polymers. These pectins and/or polymers prevent nicotine from oxidizing into cotinine, nicotine-cis-N-oxide, nicotine-trans-N-oxide, and/or nicotine-1,1-di-N-oxide. Molluscicides, algaecides, pesticides, and stabilized nicotine compositions comprising nicotine and pectin, anionic polymers, or combinations thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Jason Flora, Georgios D. Karles, Christophe Claude Galopin, Diane Gee, John B. Paine, III, Douglas Antonio Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10874134
    Abstract: A smokeless oral tobacco product is provided comprising an insoluble foamed material. The insoluble foamed material is formed by combining a foaming agent, an agent capable of forming chemical cross-linkages and a cross-linking agent. A method of producing a smokeless oral tobacco product comprising an insoluble foamed material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventor: Joseph Peter Sutton
  • Patent number: 10813383
    Abstract: A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John-Paul Mua, Crystal Dawn Hege Byrd, Brian Keith Nordskog, Andries Don Sebastian, David Troy Turfler, Christopher Keller, Jeremy Barrett Mabe
  • Patent number: 10765141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smokeable sheet material for inclusion in a smoking article (1), the sheet material comprising greater than 39.5% by weight acacia gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward John, Joceyln Benning, Steven Coburn, Alice Lance
  • Patent number: 10588338
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided herein. The smokeless tobacco product can be prepared by impregnating a tobacco-containing nonwoven fabric with a second tobacco material, e.g., using at least one alternating electric field. The obtained impregnated tobacco-containing fabric is subsequently bonded to form a composite, which can be further modified in order to obtain desired properties such as moisture content and flavor profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ercilia Hernandez Garcia, Andries Sebastian, Randolph Taylor
  • Patent number: 10383356
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of producing a tobacco molded article, includes formulating a tobacco kneaded material by kneading a tobacco mixture containing a tobacco raw material, a binder and water, molding the tobacco kneaded material to obtain a molded body and adding a flavor to the molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsumura, Tomoichi Watanabe, Masaki Watanabe, Takeshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10375984
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided herein. The smokeless tobacco product can be prepared by impregnating a tobacco-containing nonwoven fabric with a second tobacco material, e.g., using at least one alternating electric field. The obtained impregnated tobacco-containing fabric is subsequently bonded to form a composite, which can be further modified in order to obtain desired properties such as moisture content and flavor profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ercilia Hernandez Garcia, Andries Sebastian, Randolph Taylor
  • Patent number: 9888712
    Abstract: Provided is a pouched, oral tobacco product including a porous membrane having a liner and an inner filling material. The inner filling material includes loose, fibrous tobacco material and tobacco beads formed from tobacco fines and dust which are too small to be included in traditional pouched tobacco products. The tobacco beads are extruded and spheronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9862923
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to consumable products incorporating a matrix of cultured tobacco cells. Any tobacco variety may be utilized for establishing in vitro tobacco cultures, including native tobacco varieties and genetically modified tobacco varieties derived from any tobacco variety. Various embodiments are directed to methods for producing tobacco products incorporating cellular material and/or extracts derived from tobacco cells cultured in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Philip Morris USA Inc., Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Alec J. Hayes, Maria Shulleeta, Jason W. Flora
  • Patent number: 9775376
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a tobacco material, a sugar alcohol, and a natural gum binder component, wherein the composition is in the form of a pastille. A process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition pastille configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is also provided. The process includes providing an aqueous mixture comprising a hydrated natural gum binder component, mixing a tobacco material with the aqueous mixture to form a smokeless tobacco mixture, heating the smokeless tobacco mixture, depositing the heated smokeless tobacco mixture into a mold, and curing the smokeless tobacco mixture to form a smokeless tobacco composition pastille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Joshua D. Morton, Steven D. Hume, Barry Bratcher, Robert Frank Boutin, Thomas Hinkemeyer, Thaddeus J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9775379
    Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device and a method for controlled extraction of at least one active substance from at least one type of plant matter by application of heat, the device comprising: a heating element adapted to apply heat to an area of the plant matter to extract the substance; and a mechanism adapted for moving the plant matter relative to the heating element. Optionally, the active substance is a restricted substance. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of monitoring and controlling inhalation of a restricted substance. There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of manufacturing a tape of plant matter comprising an active substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Syqe Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Perry Davidson, Aaron Schorr, Arie Holtz, Will Pong, Binyamin Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9763474
    Abstract: A simulated cigarette which has a reservoir of an inhalable composition and an outlet valve to control the outlet flow. The outlet end is provided with a deformable material to provide a more realistic feel and optionally to allow the user to vary the flow characteristics in the manner of a real cigarette. The outlet end can also be provided with a chemical heater. The simulated cigarette is wrapped in a paper or paper-like wrap to provide a more realistic feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kind Consumer Limited
    Inventor: Alex Hearn
  • Patent number: 9439451
    Abstract: What is presented is a paper for mixing into the smokeable material of a smoking article, particularly into the tobacco rod of a cigarette, wherein the paper contains a share of fibers, which comprises pulp fibers and tobacco particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: delfortgroup AG
    Inventor: Dietmar Volgger
  • Patent number: 9220296
    Abstract: A method for reducing the tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in tobacco and tobacco smoke is provided. The tobacco is combined with a solvent to form a soluble extracts fraction and an insoluble residue fraction. The soluble extracts fraction is contacted with a nitrosamine-reducing material to provide a soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs. The nitrosamine-reducing material may comprise a sepiolite. The insoluble residue fraction is contacted with an alkali extractant to provide an insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs. The alkali extractant may comprise a hydroxide. The soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs and insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs may be recombined to form a reconstituted tobacco product having a reduced level of TSNAs. The TSNAs may be reduced by at least about 30%, such as at least about 40%, such as at least about 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Safall Fall, Nathalie Durot, Solen Prime, Francois-Marie Robin
  • Patent number: 9167847
    Abstract: A process for preparing coated particles of a plant material includes: (a) combining plant material particles and a protein in a liquid medium, wherein the protein adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the particles to form a first layer; and (b) mixing a polysaccharide including a pectin with the liquid medium, so that the polysaccharide adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to form a second layer. In addition, a palatable product comprising at least one coated particle prepared by this process is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Douglas A. Fernandez, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney, Szu-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 9125434
    Abstract: A nonaqueous, extrudable composition includes at least one thermoplastic polymer in an amount of more than 20 wt % of the whole composition and tobacco. A smokeless tobacco product in the form of a sheet can be made by extruding or hot melt shaping a nonaqueous composition comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer and tobacco, the sheet being soluble in a user's mouth and resulting in sustained release of nicotine to the user. The sheet can be in a form that may be placed in the buccal cavity of, on the palate of or sublingually in the user, and have an average dissolution time of 5 to 50 minutes for delivering super bioavailable nicotine to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Richard C. Fuisz
  • Patent number: 9039839
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Dwayne William Beeson, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Huamin Gan
  • Publication number: 20150136161
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus for performing a basis weight measuring method for sheet tobacco according to the present invention includes: a light source (28) that emits light to sheet tobacco (ST) passing through a measurement position (P) on a transport path (18); and a visual sensor (30), the visual sensor (30) having a color camera (32) disposed with the transport path (18) put between the color camera (32) and the light source (28), a processing part (40) that transforms a color image of the sheet tobacco (ST) taken by the camera (32) into a grayscale image, and a conversion part (42) that converts an average gray level of the grayscale image into a basis weight of the sheet tobacco (ST) with reference to a conversion map which indicates a relationship between the average gray level of the grayscale image and an actual basis weight of sheet tobacco (ST).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Seiji NAKAGAWA, Kazuhiro TOKUDA, Kaoru NARAZAKI, Tsutomu KAMISHIRAKI, Yasushige TSUCHIYA
  • Patent number: 9022041
    Abstract: A method of converting tea leaves into a smoking product suitable for use with a smoking device such as, but not limited to, a hookah. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of heating a batch of sundried tea leaves in water to provide a batch of wetted tea leaves; fermenting the wetted tea leaves to provide a batch of fermented tea leaves; rinsing the fermented tea leaves with water to provide rinsed fermented tea leaves; drying the rinsed fermented tea leaves to provide dried fermented tea; and adding glycerine to the dried fermented tea leaves to provide a tea leaf based smoking product. In another embodiment a nicotine free smoking product is provided comprising of glycerin treated dried fermented tea leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Rodney Masri
  • Patent number: 9016284
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and an associated method for slitting a tobacco sheet material into cut pieces used to form smoking articles are provided. The cutting apparatus includes a rotatable cutter assembly having a drum member configured to rotate about an axis defined thereby. The cutter assembly includes a plurality of knife members disposed about the periphery of the drum member and extending radially therefrom. A fixed counter-knife assembly is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the drum member and is configured to interact with the rotatable cutter assembly during rotation thereof about the axis. The counter-knife assembly includes a ledger member having a plurality of cutting insert members removably engaged therewith. The cutting insert members are configured to interact with the knife members during rotation of the cutter assembly with respect to the counter-knife assembly so as to slit the tobacco sheet material received therebetween into cut pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Timothy Franklin Tilley, James Phillip Hollandsworth, Terry Leonard Bullins, Mark Allen Vernon
  • Patent number: 8939157
    Abstract: A system (1) for portioning and packaging a tobamel smoking mixture (2) comprises a unit (3) internally of which the mixture (2) is prepared by blending tobacco en masse with agglutinants such as honey or molasses, and an extruder unit (17) by which the mixture (2) is shaped into a continuous rod (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Publication number: 20150007839
    Abstract: A procedure and machine for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin by lamination process, in which the machine includes a lamination device, a set of frontal and posterior drag rolls, a hot air insufflator, a thermal chamber and a conveyor, so that the vegetal mass is pressed by laminating rolls to obtain a pellicle of vegetal material that is deposited over the conveyor circulating inside a terminal chamber for drying the formed pellicle of vegetal material, which can be reinserted in industrial process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gilson Luiz Torrens, Bianca Iodice
  • Patent number: 8839801
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a cigarette having equivalent aroma and flavor even with a reduced amount of burley leaves. The method does not require special processing treatment due to the absence of necessity of an installation space and costs for the treatment. Also, method of manufacturing a cigarette containing the same, and a cigarette. The invention separates raw material for sheet tobacco into fiber and solution, adds a primary casing flavor to the solution, mixes the solution added with the primary casing flavor and the fiber to produce a mixture, and dries the mixture. Burley leaf tobacco is thereafter mixed with the sheet tobacco. The casing flavor is previously added at the time of the molding of sheet tobacco in the sheet-tobacco manufacturing process, which makes enables production of sheet tobacco having the aroma and flavor equivalent of when burley leaf tobacco is used, even without special processing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Shuichi Miyazawa, Mitsuharu Sugyo, Takanori Yagashira
  • Patent number: 8807142
    Abstract: A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to nitrosamines members of which class are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of nitrosamines from biological fluids. Such molecularly imprinted polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Sumita Bhattacharyya, Kevin McAdam, Anthony Rees, Börje Sellergren, Christine Widstrand
  • Publication number: 20130125904
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and pectin as a binder component. A process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is also provided. The method involves extracting pectin from a first tobacco material and incorporating it into a formulation comprising a second tobacco material to form a smokeless tobacco product comprising tobacco-derived pectin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Margarette Elisa Lovette
  • Publication number: 20130118512
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco product includes a tobacco material and a specific starch material that imparts specific textural properties to the product. A process for preparing a smokeless tobacco product with a desired textural property is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Jackson, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, John Paul Mua, Kenneth Allen Beard, Rodney D. Schluter
  • Patent number: 8424538
    Abstract: A cigarette includes lighting and mouth ends. It may include a smokable segment disposed at the lighting end. It also includes a mouth-end segment; an aerosol-generation system disposed between the lighting and mouth ends, which includes (i) a heat-generation segment adjacent the smokable segment, including a heat source configured to be activated by combustion of a smokable material and an insulation layer of a non-glass material that is woven, knit, or both, and (ii) an aerosol-generating segment with aerosol-forming material disposed between, but physically separate from, each of the heat generation segment and the mouth end; a piece of outer wrapping material that provides an overwrap around at least a portion of the aerosol-generating segment, the heat-generation segment, and at least a portion of the smokable segment; those segments being connected together by the overwrap to provide a cigarette rod; that is connected to the cigarette rod using tipping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Billy Tyrone Conner, Andries Don Sebastian, Evon Llewellyn Crooks
  • Patent number: 8286642
    Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to mainstream smoke produced by smoking articles is provided through the use of a temperature sensitive powder containing an additive material, such as a flavor component, in a smoking article such as a cigarette. The temperature sensitive powder is subjected to heat which causes the temperature sensitive powder to release at least a portion of the additive material into mainstream smoke. The temperature sensitive powder encapsulates the additive materials and other portions of the smoking articles, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration during storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Beverley C. Woodson, Deborah J. Newman
  • Publication number: 20120031416
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and structural fibers. The structural fibers forming a network in which the smokeless tobacco is entangled. The structural fibers have a composition different from the smokeless tobacco. The tobacco-entangled fabric can have an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the structural fibers form a nonwoven network. In some embodiments, fibrous structures of the smokeless tobacco are entangled with the structural fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC
    Inventors: Frank Scott Atchley, James M. Rossman, Munmaya K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 8053016
    Abstract: An agglutinant compound and agglutinated product for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin, that allow employing a lamination or similar process, being said agglutinated product comprised of agglutinant compound and a vegetal mass formed by the powder of vegetal origin, that may range from 5-50% (mass/mass, regarding the powder mass used), with drying temperature ranging between 100-400° C., thickness between 0.05-2.50 mm and vegetal film humidity between 8 and 20%; being said agglutinant compound formed only by a mixture of polymers of hydroxylated organic acids, such as lactic acid and malic acid, and it may contain agents improving its agglutinant and sensorial properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: IOTI International Industria e Comercio de Produtos Aromaticos LTDA
    Inventors: Gilson Luiz Torrens, Bianca Iodice
  • Publication number: 20110236442
    Abstract: A solid oral sensorial product includes at least one botanical material and at least one phosphate containing stain inhibitor. The botanical material is selected from the group consisting of tobacco, tea, coffee, cocoa, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Miser, William R. Sweeney, Qinglin Li, Jerome A. Merski
  • Publication number: 20110220135
    Abstract: A consumable tobacco film strip adapted to dissolve in the oral cavity includes a tobacco component, a binder, a humectant, and optionally a flavorant. The tobacco component can include ground or powdered tobacco and/or a tobacco extract. Tobacco flavoring can be incorporated in the film strip by casting or extruding a mixture or the tobacco component may be added to a film strip after formation of the film. The film strips are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Wrenn, Maria Carolina Marun
  • Patent number: 7934511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing tobacco fines, whereby the tobacco preparation for producing smoking articles from an initial material to be processed, which contains tobacco fines and tobacco material, is subjected to an increased mechanical pressure in order to bind the tobacco fines permanently to the tobacco material, and no extra or external binding agents are added the material to be processed in order to bind the tobacco fines to the tobacco material. It further relates to smoking articles containing smoking material produced on the basis of one of the methods proposed by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Ehling, Matthias Link, Gerald Schmekel
  • Patent number: 7900639
    Abstract: A reconstituted tobacco material incorporates an exogenous tocopherol or derivative thereof, such as in the amount of at least about 0.1 weight percent. A tobacco blend can be formed by combining reconstituted tobacco material incorporating such an additive with one or more additional tobacco materials, such as burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, and flue-cured tobacco. A smoking article, such as a cigarette, contains such a reconstituted tobacco, as part of the smokable material, as part of tobacco paper wrapping material, or as part of a reconstituted tobacco-containing filter element. The invention also provides a method of forming reconstituted tobacco material wherein a tocopherol or derivative thereof is added to the tobacco material, either by adding the tocopherol to an aqueous extract or water insoluble pulp formed during the reconstituted tobacco process or by adding the tocopherol to the solid reconstituted tobacco sheet after the aqueous extract and pulp are recombined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Thomas Albert Perfetti, Curtis Dillard McGee, Jr., James Fitzgerald Best, Jr., Paul Andrew Brinkley, Sharon Pitts Dunlap, Charles Hugh Risner
  • Publication number: 20100303969
    Abstract: A process for preparing an orally-enjoyable film of encapsulated plant material includes combining particles of finely divided plant material, a first coating material, and a second coating material, then inducing gelation to form a gel matrix of the particles coated with the first coating material embedded in the second coating material, followed by forming a film from the gel matrix. Also disclosed is a film of coated particles of finely-divided plant material, made of a gel matrix of plant material at least partially surrounded by a first coating material and embedded in a second coating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tapashi Sengupta, Munmaya K. Mishra, William R. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20080199574
    Abstract: An agglutinant compound and agglutinated product for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin, that allow employing a lamination or similar process, being said agglutinated product comprised of agglutinant compound and a vegetal mass formed by the powder of vegetal origin, that may range from 5-50% (mass/mass, regarding the powder mass used), with drying temperature ranging between 100-400° C., thickness between 0.05-2.50 mm and vegetal film humidity between 8 and 20%; being said agglutinant compound formed only by a mixture of polymers of hydroxylated organic acids, such as lactic acid and malic acid, and it may contain agents improving its agglutinant and sensorial properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Ioto International Industria E Comercio De Produtos Aromaticos Ltda
    Inventors: Bianca Iodice, Gilson Luiz Torrens
  • Publication number: 20080196731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing tobacco fines, whereby the tobacco preparation for producing smoking articles from an initial material to be processed, which contains tobacco fines and tobacco material, is subjected to an increased mechanical pressure in order to bind the tobacco fines permanently to the tobacco material, and no extra or external binding agents are added the material to be processed in order to bind the tobacco fines to the tobacco material. It further relates to smoking articles containing smoking material produced on the basis of one of the methods proposed by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Uwe Ehling, Matthias Link, Gerald Schmekel