Abstract: A cigarette is provided with a cylindrical ungrooved filter plug which is surrounded by a ventilated tipping wrapper spaced radially from the plug by a slotted sheet laminated to the inner surface of the tipping wrapper. The slots communicate with the ventilated portions of the tipping wrapper and provide channels extending to the mouth end of the plug, whereby ventilating air is drawn into the smoker's mouth unmixed with smoke passing through the filter plug.

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: The position of a reciprocating or rotating part of a machine is identified at a required point in the machine cycle by dividing the machine cycle into numbered notional segments and viewing the part by a stroboscope flash at a preselected numbered segment. The preselected numbered segment is identified by counting the segments through the machine cycle and comparing the count with a present count number on another counter.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially measuring the physical properties of air-permeable rod-like articles such as cigarettes or filter rods. The apparatus is self contained and includes stations for measuring the circumference, weight and pressure drop of each article. The measurement of circumference and pressure drop are carried out pneumatically. An indexing drum is provided to transfer each article to the subsequent measuring station.

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.

Abstract: A method of forming sheet from reconstituted tobacco involves the formation of a high solids content slurry of which the particle size is less than 60 B.S. mesh. The slurry is then extruded through a single pair of rollers onto a wire mesh conveyor, or onto a continuous casting band which is itself supported by one of the rollers. The high solids content reduces the energy costs in drying the extruded sheet and the use of a single pair of rollers reduced the costs of the machinery.

Abstract: A method of treating a web of smokable sheet material to simulate the markings of natural tobacco leaf before the web is cut to provide cigar wrapper blanks. The web is printed with a thickened ink which dries to form a ribbed pattern. Coloration of the ink may be provided by ground cigar or cigarette offal.

Abstract: An electro-static tobacco separator is provided in which fine tobacco particles are separated from sand particles by passing the mixture along a vibratory conveyor wherein a voltage is impressed across the conveyor and a grid disposed above the conveyor. The lighter tobacco particles are attracted by the oppositely charged grid and passed upwardly into a separate trough which is also vibrated, so that the tobacco particles and sand are separately discharged at the discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: Abrasive-containing tobacco slurry is homogenized by passing radially outwards between the facing surfaces of two closely adjacent coaxial rings of tungsten carbide to impinge violently against a tungsten carbide surface surrounding the rings. The occurrence of local areas of wear in the facing surfaces is minimized by rotating one ring relative to the other.

Abstract: A cigar, cigarette or similar smoking product is perforated immediately prior to wrapping by a set of needles mounted in a block arranged to be moved onto the cigar or cigarette to be perforated. The needles are guided and protected by an apertured stripper plate which is mounted on the block for movement in the direction of the needles. The stripper plate is provided with spring loading between itself and the block so as to urge the stripper plate away from the block.

Abstract: A smoking product comprising tobacco including as a film-forming or binding agent a pectin having a degree of methylation between 30% and 75% and an inherent viscosity between 2 and 6.5 deciliters per gram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling containers comprising the steps of (a) placing empty containers on first and second conveyors (b) conveying containers from the first conveyor serially through a filling station (c) transferring filled containers from the filling station serially onto the second conveyor (d) transferring containers serially from the second conveyor onto the first conveyor as filled containers arrive on the second conveyor and then (e) removing filled containers from both conveyors when both conveyors hold filled containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the total particulate matter in tobacco smoke comprises a reusable cartridge for holding a charge of tobacco, a pump for drawing air through the tobacco charge and through a filter, a heater to ignite the tobacco charge, and control means operable to control the heater and pump to ignite the tobacco charge, draw air continuously through the charge until it has been consumed, and thereafter reset the apparatus for consumption of a further charge of tobacco.

Abstract: A cigar perforator comprises opposing sets of perforating needles which reciprocate at right angles to the cigar to perforate and withdraw from it. The cigar is held during perforation between apertured plates, each aperture having a stripper plate mounted therein which supports the cigar while the perforating needles are withdrawn.

Abstract: Loose fibrous material, e.g. cut tobacco, is distributed via a horizontal rotor drum in a housing; the drum having external rakes for picking up tobacco deposited on an ascending portion of the drum and presenting it to suction-operated, draw-off pipes in a top portion of the housing. Tobacco which is not drawn-off is carried around on the rotating drum for re-presentation to the pipes. This re-cycling avoids an external return system and degradation of the tobacco.