Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically analyzing the degradation of processed leaf tobacco are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor system for diverting a sample of leaf tobacco from an operating tobacco processing line, supplying the tobacco to a degradation analyzer and returning the tobacco to the processing line after the degradation analysis has been performed. The degradation analyzer comprises a weigh conveyor for receiving the tobacco sample, weighing it to insure it is within prescribed limits and delivering it to a vibratory screen separator where the tobacco is separated into a plurality of fractions of different-sized tobacco particles. The separated fractions are collected in weigh buckets, electronically weighed and discharged to the conveyor system for return to the tobacco processing line.

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 of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the substantial combustion products produced by burning tobacco in a conventional cigarette. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable, preferably particulate alumina, substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, an efficient insulating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.

Abstract: A shopping cart attachment includes an advertisement and a calculator including a display. The calculator displays a message related to the advertisment on the display, in response to a predetermined occurrence such as depression of the CLEAR key. Because the calculator displays the advertising message, it is difficult for the shopper to ignore the advertisement. A freestanding pocket or desktop calculator may also display a message related to an advertisement on its case or housing, in response to a predetermined occurrence.

Abstract: The system includes a linear array of mutually spaced weighing devices. Each weighing device has a weighing platform having an article-receiving seat and a sloping cam surface for directing articles onto such seat. During each weighing operation, a group of articles to be weighed are moved in unison with each other to successive different locations longitudinally of the array of weighing devices. In each of the locations a plurality but less than all of the articles are weighed substantially simultaneously by associated underlying ones of the weighing devices. Articles weighed at each location are separated from each other by other articles that are not weighed at such location. An article support member supports the articles for movement longitudinally of the array of weighing devices, and also for limited vertical movement relative to the support member.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a product moving apparatus for moving a tobacco product, a vertical feeder tube for metering the tobacco product onto the product moving apparatus at a predetermined rate, a system for maintaining a predetermined height of the tobacco product in the feeder tube, and an infrared detection apparatus connected to the feeder tube to detect the concentration of menthol in the tobacco product.

Abstract: The invention provides package inspection systems which are capable of high speed sensing and evaluation of package integrity as packages are continuously conveyed in the manufacturing process. The systems are capable of measuring predetermined parameters of packages, e.g. cigarette packages, comparing the measured parameters with predetermined values, evaluating from the measured parameters the integrity of the packages and determining whether such packages are acceptable or, alternatively, should be rejected. The system can additionally obtain and store data on sensed package parameters for evaluating long-term and short-term manufacturing trends. In various embodiments of the invention, the system can inspect a single or plural package side(s), employing a single or plural line scan or area array camera(s) and may employ special optics to enable plural package side images to be obtained using a single camera.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention comprises a lighting device for illuminating a component to be inspected to form a halo of light around a periphery of the component and a system for comparing the shape of the halo of light to a known acceptable shape. A camera may be used to detect the halo and a programmed computer may be used to perform image analysis of the shape of the halo to determine if it conforms to an acceptable shape.

Abstract: A smoking article including a short, combustible, carbonaceous fuel element in a heat exchange relationship with a physically separate aerosol generating means, and a mouthend piece. Smoking articles of the present invention include means for retaining the fuel element in a predetermined position relative to other components of the smoking article. Preferred smoking articles of the present invention are capable of providing the user with the pleasures of smoking by heating but not burning tobacco.

Abstract: The system includes a first computer for communicating with automatic guided vehicles on a guided vehicle loop and storing information related to vehicle position. A second computer determines vehicle destinations. The first computer and the second computer maintain separate databases. Information in the data of the first computer relating to vehicle position is copied into the database of the second computer to assist in making vehicle destination determinations and the vehicle destination information stored in the database of the second computer is copied into the first computer. The invention also includes a unique fast and slow polling routine to insure that data transfer to the vehicles requiring it most is achieved in any polling cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved wrapper for a smoking article haviing a combustible fuel element encircled by an insulating layer and a physically separate aerosol generating means as well as to smoking articles employing such wrappers. The wrapper encircles at least a portion of the insulating layer for the fuel element and comprises a permeable sheet material which during burning of the fuel provides a coherent layer to assist in controlling the amount of peripheral air to the fuel element during smoking.

Abstract: The smoking article of the present invention has a short, combustible, preferably carbonaceous, fuel element, generally less than about 30 mm long, which is substantially free of volatile organic material. A physically separate aerosol generating means, preferably comprising a substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, is located within a cavity in the fuel element, i.e., the aerosol generating means is at least partially embedded in the fuel element. This article may be provided with an external insulating member to reduce radial heat loss and/or with a heat conducting member to increase conductive heat transfer from the fuel element to the aerosol generating means.

Abstract: A flexible laminate film for packaging hygroscopic products, including foods, is disclosed in which the packaged contents do not adhere or stick to the inner surface of the package. The inner layer of the package laminate provides the anti-stick characteristic of the package and comprises a polystyrene foam.

Abstract: A tobacco feeder assembly utilizes a column of tobacco and a rotary conveyor to feed tobacco particles to a treatment zone which is maintained at above atmospheric pressure. The column of tobacco is maintained in the feed tube by control of the rotational speed of the rotary conveyor and provides an effective vapor barrier which prevents egress of the impregnating or treatment medium into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present cigarette comprise a roll or rod of tobacco wrapped by a paper wrapper, a short conbustible carbonaceous fuel element encircled by a resilient insulating member, a physically separate smoke generator including smoke forming substance located within a heat conductive container, the tobacco forming a jacket around the container and the smoke generator, and a relatively long mouthend piece.These cigarettes provide the smoker with the taste, satisfaction, feel and aroma of a cigarette without burning tobacco. Preferred cigarettes are capable of producing substantial quantities of smoke, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without thermal degradation of the smoke former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to processes for producing tamper-evident overwrapped packages as well as the products which are produced. These processes utilize various energizing sources to create tamper-evident patterns between the package surface and the underside of the clear overwrap film closure. Tamper-evident patterns can also be created between heat-sealed overlapping sections of the overwrap film.

Abstract: A cigarette carton structure having a releasable adhesive seal to permit reopening of a temporarily sealed carton without damage to the carton. The seal includes a release coating on one of two carton surfaces to be adhesively joined. One of the surfaces may be a top flap and the other surface may be a closure flap. An adhesive is placed on the release coating, and the two surfaces are joined. The release coating may be a weakly cohesive material such as a metallic ink printed on the carton surface so that when the surfaces are separated, the release coating separates without damaging the carton. Alternatively the release surface can be a layer of material that adheres poorly to the adhesive, so that the adhesive readily separates from the release layer. In either case the initial temporary bonding must be sufficiently strong to allow handling, packing and unpacking of the cartons without premature opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to smoking articles having an improved mouthend piece. More specifically, it relates to cigarette-type smoking articles comprising a fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming material, and means for delivering the aerosol produced by the aerosol generating means to the user in the form of a mouthend piece, the mouthend piece including a nonwoven web segment formed from meltblown thermoplastic fibers or filaments, and a spacer member located between the aerosol generating means and the non woven web segment.

Abstract: A tobacco particles separator utilizes turbulent air flow, flow vortices, and a random spread matrix in an air circulation path to separate and singularize tobacco particles. A moving porous web is used to receive and to hold the separated particles which may be retained on the porous web for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to densified particulate materials and to a process of preparing such materials.The present invention is also related to cigarette-type smoking articles utilizing the densified particulate materials of the present invention as an extender of the fuel and/or as a flavor enhancer.In cigarette-type smoking articles, the densified particulate material of the present invention may also serve as a substrate or carrier for an aerosol forming substance. The use of densified particulate tobacco, in whole or in part, as such a substrate affords many advantages heretofore unavailable in cigarette-type smoking articles.The use of the densified particulate materials of the present invention in conventional tobacco products, e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and the like, affords advantages heretofore unavailable. Preferably, a mixture of densified carbon and densified tobacco is used, both as an extender/filler and as a flavor enhancer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for forming a composite member for use in making a smoking article. The apparatus comprises a forming device that comprises (a) an elongate structure having a curved inner surface that tapers from a larger proximal end to a smaller distal end, the proximal end of the structure being adapted to receive a support member and a layer of material which are fed simultaneously into the device, the tapering inward curved inner surface causing the edges of the fibrous layer to bend around the inner support member, and (b) a curved forming surface that causes a first edge of the material to fold over the support member while permitting the second edge to pass by the forming surface, the curved inner surface of the device further tapering to the distal end causing the second edge of the material to fold over the support member proximate to the first edge.