Abstract: Tobacco is treated using the following series of steps:(1) subjecting in a chamber the tobacco to a reduced pressure of not greater than 70 mbar (7 kPa);(2) impregnating the cell structure of the tobacco with isopentane vapor at a temperature in the range of from 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. and maintaining the tobacco in contact with isopentane vapor at a pressure of at least 4 bar (400 kPa) for up to 30 minutes to cause impregnation of the tobacco;(3) removing excess isopentane vapor from the impregnated tobacco by evacuating the chamber, the pressure change being effected adiabatically;(4) contacting the impregnated tobacco with steam to expand the tobacco; and(5) subjecting the expanded tobacco to a reordering process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wrapper for a smoking article, the wrapper comprising a single paper sheet. The sheet is formed from at least two webs. The webs are combined whilst at least one web is still in its wet stage of production prior to drying. Different stocks can be used to make the webs so as to impart different qualities.

Abstract: An elongate smoking article for releasing an aerosol into the mouth of a smoker comprises, a fuel rod having a light-up end adapted to be lit by a smoker; a tube extending from the fuel rod to a mouth end of the article thereby defining a condensation chamber between the fuel rod and the mouth end of the article; ventilation means to permit the passage of ventilating air from the light-up end of the fuel rod to the condensation chamber, and a porous ceramic cylindrical element impregnated with an aerosol precursor surrounding the fuel rod and in intimate contact with at least a portion thereof. A permeable fire-proof sheath surrounds the ceramic element, the sheath being adapted to provide physical integrity of the whole assembly, to allow the inward diffusion of air to maintain and propagate combustion of the fuel rod and to allow outward diffusion of combustion products.

Abstract: A smoking device for releasing an aerosol into the mouth of a smoker comprises in combination, a chamber into which a mixture of air and a liquid aerosol precursor is introduced, a heat source surrounding the chamber, a first duct providing communication between the chamber and a smoker's mouth, whereby the contents of the chamber may be drawn into the smoker's mouth, a container for the aerosol precursor, a second duct means leading from the aerosol precursor container into the chamber whereby aerosol precursor may pass from said container into the chamber, and a third duct means providing communication between ambient air and the chamber whereby ambient air may be drawn into the chamber by the smoker, the arrangement being such that in operation liquid aerosol precursor entering the chamber is converted into a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: In a machine for making cigarette rods containing two types of tobacco there is provided a dual hopper (1200) for containing the two types of tobacco separately and a conveyor (1206) to transport the tobaccos side by side to a chute (1203) and then to a carding area (1214). The levels of the tobaccos in the carding area are monitored and if one is too high then an appropriate flap (306,308) in the chute is opened and that type of tobacco is diverted and recycled to the hopper (1200) until the level of that tobacco in the carding area has returned to an acceptable level, whereupon said flap is closed and that type of tobacco is able to re-enter the carding area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of forming a rod of tobacco from two types of tobacco in which the two types are stored in a hopper and separated therein by a partition, and deposited on an air pervious conveyor belt so that one type overlies the other type. Deposition of one type on the belt is periodically inhibited in favor of the other type by means of an air jet directed at the belt.

Abstract: Smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, are disclosed into the fuel rod of which particulate smoke-modifying agent has been introduced in such a manner that the concentration of the agent is greater at one or each end of the fuel rod than that at the middle region of the fuel rod. The result of this variation in concentration of the smoke-modifying agent is that the amount of agent released into the smoke varies as the article is smoked. Various forms of smoking article are disclosed together with methods of production.

Abstract: A smokeable device has an annular fuel rod in gaseous communication with a mouth-end chamber. The chamber contains a quantity of inhalent material which, when contacted by hot gases during smoking forms an aerosol for inhalation by the smoker.