Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring volatile residuals in a material utilizes high speed cutting and circulating blades in a closed container. The cutting blades reduce the size of the particles and thereby expose greater amounts of particle surface area. The circulating blades continually direct particles of material into contact with the cutting blades and also uniformly distribute the volatile residuals throughout the closed container.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating particulate material with two or more liquid additives in a rotatable cylinder involves the use of a pressurized fluid such as steam directed obliquely against the inner wall of the cylinder to effect a cleaning action on the inner wall as the cylinder is rotated and to augment agitation action produced by the rotational movement of the cylinder and gravitational forces acting on the particulate material. Strategically located spray nozzles apply controlled amounts of the liquid additives to the particulate material as it is undergoing agitation by the combined effects of the applied forces. The method and apparatus disclosed are particularly suited to the treatment of tobacco with casing materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cigarettes and other smoking articles, as well as disposable cartridges for such smoking articles, which utilize compact carbonaceous fuel elements, and which provide low levels, i.e., less than about 10 mg, of carbon monoxide (CO) to the smoker. In general, these high density (about 0.7 to 1.5 g/cc) fuel elements have a plurality of passageways therein or thereon, and further comprise at least about 80-90% carbon by weight. The fuel elements are less than about 7 mm in length, preferably from about 3 to 6.5 mm, most preferably from about 5.5 to 6.0 mm, and less than about 7 mm in diameter, preferably from about 4.0 to 6.5 mm, and most preferably from about 4.8 to 6.0 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus for making smoking articles is described. The preferred apparatus comprises structure to form a passage axially through a jacketed rod of tobacco, at one end of which there is a tubular sleeve of non-combustible material, and to insert an aerosol generating cartridge containing an aerosol forming substance, at one end of which there is a fuel element, into the passage so that the aerosol forming substance is within the passage in the rod of tobacco and the fuel element is within the sleeve of non-combustible material.

Abstract: A system and method for reclaiming tobacco from rejected products and byproducts of a cigarette manufacturing operation are disclosed. The tobacco that is reclaimed from rejected cigarettes, long ends and defective packs of cigarettes is screened to separate a fraction of larger tobacco particles that can be returned directly to the cigarette manufacturing machines. The fraction of smaller tobacco particles and fines produced by the screening treatment is combined with stem material and tobacco dust recovered from the manufacturing operation to produce strands of reconstituted tobacco which are incorporated into the cut tobacco that is supplied to the cigarette manufacturing machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerosol producing substrate for subsequent use in smoking articles and to methods of preparing the aerosol producing substrate. Preferred smoking articles which employ the aerosol producing substrate of the present invention are capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the present of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol. Thus, such smoking articles provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without burning tobacco.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, a heat conducting member which contacts a portion of the fuel element and the substrate, and an insulating jacket surrounding at least a portion of the fuel element.The smoking article of the present invention is capable of providing an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amount of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" from the preferred embodiments has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate material having a decreased retentive capacity for use as a carrier for aerosol forming materials in smoking articles which smoking articles are capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol. Thus, the substrate material of the present invention when used with preferred smoking articles is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without burning tobacco. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.The smoking article of the present invention provides an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of oxides of carbon, air, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.One embodiment of the present smoking article comprises a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element; a short heat stable, preferably carbonaceous substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, and a relatively long mouthend piece.

Abstract: The process is carried out using an apparatus including two pressurized roller systems, each roller system having two rollers in roll contact. A series of generally "V" shaped grooves extends about the periphery of one roller of the first roller system, while the other roller thereof has a smooth surface. The two rollers of the second roller system are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.002 inch to about 0.020 inch.

Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol. The article employes a dual burn rate fuel element, which utilizes a fast burning segment and a slow burning segment.The use of such a dual burn rate fuel element has several advantages over conventional homogeneous fuels. For example, the fast burning component assists in the ease of lighting the fuel element, and provides rapid heat transfer to the aerosol generating means. This in turn, provides early aerosol delivery.The slow burning component provides for even heat distribution throughout the burn period.

Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a physically separate tobacco jacket around at least the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouth end piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke. In other embodiments, tobacco does not burn, but still provides tobacco flavors to the aerosol delivered to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cigarette-like smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, preferably without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke. Preferred articles of the present invention are capable of providing the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the necessity of burning tobacco.These and other advantages are obtained by providing an elongated, cigarette-type smoking article which preferably utilizes a short, i.e., less than about 30 mm long, preferably carbonaceous, fuel element, and a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming material, which means is in a conductive heat exchange relationship with the fuel element.

Abstract: Flue-cured tobacco can be treated with burley tobacco flavor components and subjected to volume expansion conditions. Flavor components are supercritically extracted from burley tobacco and directly applied to the flue-cured tobacco while the extraction fluid is in a supercritical or subcritical state.

Abstract: A cigarette pack accumulator assembly utilizes a rotating pack accumulating drum having a plurality of cigarette pack accumulating columns equally spaced about its periphery. Each such column guides a pack support pedestal for movement either downwardly during pack accumulation, or upwardly during pack discharge. A lead screw is rotatably supported within the accumulator drum and can be driven at varying speeds and directions to either raise or lower the pack support pedestals. Packs of cigarettes may be removed from a production line and accumulated, they may be stored, or they may be removed from the accumulating columns and returned to the production line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article, preferably in cigarette form, which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke. The article preferably comprises a short combustible fuel element having a density greater than 0.5 g/cc, a separate substrate bearing an aerosol forming material, a heat conducting member recessed from the lighting end of the fuel element, which preferably encloses the substrate, a resilient insulating jacket encircling at least a portion of the fuel element, and an optional tobacco jacket encircling at least a portion of the aerosol forming material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which has the appearance of a conventional pipe. The pipe of the present invention is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, preferably without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products.These and other advantages are obtained by providing a pipe which includes a disposable cartridge containing a short, i.e., less than about 30 mm long, preferably carbonaceous, fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, and means for retaining the cartridge within the pipe bowl.

Abstract: Whole leaf tobacco can be processed to yield a sheet-like product which can be used to cut filler for the manufacture of cigarettes. Whole leaf tobacco including stem is shredded and contacted with a binding agent in dry form. The essentially dry mixture is shear agitated in the presence of moisture less than about 30 percent, based on the total weight of moisture, binding agent and tobacco. The divided tobacco is subjected to the high shear agitation in the presence of sufficient moisture to provide for activation of the binding agent. The sheared mixture is passed through a roller system to provide compressive treatment to the mixture. The processed mixture is further formed into a sheet-like shape. Tobacco material can be provided using low amounts of binding agent, using energy efficient processing steps, and without waste of tobacco material.

Abstract: A smoking article in the form of a filter cigarette can have adjustable air dilution provided by alignment of perforations in the paper wrap of the tobacco rod, a band circumscribing the rod, and the tipping paper. The band is attached to the rod and the tipping is movable relative thereto. Perforations extending about a portion of the circumferential distance around the smoking article allow the user to adjust the setting to low or high air dilution.

Abstract: A device for delivering flavor utilizing a flavor carrier in powdered form. A preferred embodiment of the system may resemble a conventional cigarette, and includes an overwrap defining a path of airflow through the device, a chamber containing particulate matter, and a means for entraining the particulate matter in the airflow. The overwrap may be a tube, resembling a conventional cigarette in appearance, feel, and draft. A means for entraining the particulate matter may be an intake flow limiter having a passage therein which causes a thin stream of high-velocity air to impinge upon the particulate matter, entraining it in the airflow. Alternately, the entraining means may be a series of baffles or similar components which produce a turbulent airflow, thus entraining the particulate matter. Output means are also provided for eliminating stoppages and for delivering the airflow, with particulate matter entrained therein, to the user.