Abstract: A process for reducing the permeability of a paper wrapper used in the construction of a smoking article is disclosed. The paper wrapper is treated with a film-forming composition that forms treated discrete areas on the wrapper. The treated discrete areas have a permeability within a predetermined range sufficient to reduce the ignition proclivity properties of a smoking article made with the wrapper. In accordance with the present invention, the film-forming composition is applied as multiple layers to the paper wrapper. After each application step, the wrapper is dried. Applying the film-forming composition to the paper wrapper in multiple layers minimizes distortion and other adverse affects that may occur to the wrapper.

Abstract: A method of reducing the burn rate of a smoking article is provided. Specifically, the burn rate is reduced by incorporating into a paper wrapper of the smoking article a filler (e.g., precipitated calcium carbonate) having a median particle size greater than about 2.5 microns. For instance, such paper wrappers formed according to the present invention typically have a Diffusion Conductance Index (DCI) of less than about 15 cm−1 and a Static Burn Rate (SBR) of less than about 5 millimeters per minute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash cohesiveness of a paper wrapper is noticeably improved when carbon fibers having an average length less than about 0.75 inches are incorporated into the paper in an amount up to about 60% by weight. Paper wrappers made with carbon fibers in accordance with the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating only flax or other cellulosic fibers. Further, the ash cohesiveness of the paper is improved without resulting in the decline in the quality of other ash characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to low weight cigarette wrapping papers. In particular, the wrapping papers, although having a low basis weight, have an opacity of at least 70% and a tensile strength comparable with conventional papers. Wrapping papers made according to the present invention contain a white pigment having a medium particle size of from 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns. In one embodiment, a black pigment can also be combined with the white pigment in small amounts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been discovered that the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper are noticeably improved when the paper is treated with a carboxylic acid salt solution having a pH of from about 5.5 to about 8.0. The carboxylic acid salt solution can be for instance, an aqueous solution containing a metal succinate or a metal citrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling the permeability of a wrapping paper for smoking articles is disclosed. Specifically, the permeability of the paper is varied by incorporating into the paper a filler material having a particular particle size. In one embodiment, for instance, a filler having a size larger than conventional sized fillers is incorporated into a wrapping paper for significantly increasing the permeability of the wrapping paper. For instance, wrapping papers can be constructed in accordance with the present invention having a permeability of greater than 80 CORESTA units without having to perforate the papers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for controlling and adjusting the permeability of a cigarette wrapping paper. Permeability is controlled in the paper by adding different sized filler particles in different proportionate amounts. Permeability of the paper is altered without having to change the total amount of filler in the paper. By selectively controlling the permeability of the paper, various characteristics and properties of a cigarette made with the paper can be likewise modified as desired. In one embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of a cigarette wrapper can be automatically maintained or adjusted as the paper is being made.

Abstract: A smoking article wrapper having improved ignition proclivity characteristics includes discrete areas of an outer circumferential surface of the wrapper treated with a non-aqueous solution of a solvent soluble cellulosic polymer dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. The solution also includes a particulate inorganic non-reactive filler suspended in solution by weight percentage of solution. The solution is applied in discrete areas as bands or patterns causing reduced permeability of the treated areas within a permeability range adequate to reduce ignition proclivity. A method is also provided for producing a smoking article wrapper having improved ignition proclivity characteristics as described.

Abstract: A smoking article wrapper has discrete areas of reduced permeability for improving ignition proclivity characteristics of a smoking article. The reduced permeability areas define a gradually decreasing permeability profile in a burning direction of the smoking article such that permeability reduction in the reduced permeability areas increases from a minimum reduction to a maximum permeability reduction in the burning direction of the smoking article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tipping paper adapted for wrapping a filter of a smoking article. The tipping paper contains a pigment made from calcium carbonate particles having a median size of between about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns. The calcium carbonate pigment can be used to create a tipping paper having an opacity of up to at least 89%. In comparison to conventional tipping papers, it has been surprisingly discovered that the tipping paper of the present invention reduces knife wear of a cutting instrument used to cut the paper and is less retentive to solvents when the paper is printed with a solvent based ink or covered with a solvent based coating.

Abstract: A process of making a coated paper comprises the following steps: 1) providing a paper layer composed of a blend of pulp fibers and particulate material containing polyvalent metal cations, 2) applying a acidified alginate solution of a material selected from salts and derivatives of alginic acid to cover at least a portion of the paper, 3) reacting the salts and/or derivatives of alginic acid with polyvalent metal cations in the paper to form a polymer coating, and 4) drying the paper and polymer coating. The permeability of the coated paper is generally at least about 75 percent less than the permeability of an identical uncoated portion of the paper. The solution of alginate material may be partially cross-linked. The alginate solution may be deposited utilizing gravure printing techniques. Also disclosed is a coated paper and a wrapper for a smoking article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter for tobacco smoke composed of at least one layer of a wet-formed absorbent fibrous nonwoven composite structure containing: 1) from about 30 to about 65 percent, by weight, of pulp fibers forming a matrix having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface; and 2) about 35 to about 70 percent, by weight, of activated carbon integrated into the matrix of pulp fibers such that the concentration of activated carbon adjacent the first exterior surface is at least about 60 percent, as determined by optical image analysis, and the concentration of activated carbon adjacent the second exterior surface is less than about 40 percent, as determined by optical image analysis, so that the filter is adapted to selectively reduce the C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 carbonyl component of conventional tobacco smoke at least about 25 percent more than a conventional cellulose acetate filter for an identical tobacco smoke. Also disclosed is a method of making the filter.

Abstract: A cleavable release structure composed of two release bases each having an outer surface and an inner surface; a release coating on the inner surface of each release base; a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive adjacent the coating on the inner surface of each release base; and a clearable layer sandwiched between the pressure sensitive adhesive layers, so that the cleavable layer is adapted to cleave and separate when subjected to a peeling force greater than its internal bond strength and less than the adhesion force of the pressure sensitive adhesive. Each layer of pressure sensitive adhesive should be adapted to provide an adhesion force greater than about 24 ounces per inch of width. The release coating should be adapted to provide a release level of from about 1 to about 30 grams per centimeter of width. The clearable layer should have an internal bond strength of from about 2 to about 20 ounces per inch of width.

Abstract: A filter made from a nonwoven spunbond web comprising a plurality of continuous intertwined filaments, each filament having a diameter of about 25 to about 100 microns, predominantly present in the web as loop springs having diameters of about 1 to 3 millimeters. The web is made from a plurality of spunbond filaments laid randomly onto a moving belt. The webs of the present invention find particular utility when formed into cylinders as filters for smoking articles. In the smoking articles, the filters of the invention have a desirable degree of firmness while demonstrating an acceptable pressure drop.