Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod, which filters the first puff differently than subsequent puffs. The tobacco rod includes an inner rod of tobacco material having an impervious outer wrap and an impervious cap at an upstream end thereof and an outer rod of tobacco material, wherein the inner rod of tobacco material is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer rod of tobacco material. The filter includes an outer cellulose acetate filter and an inner activated carbon filter, wherein the inner activated carbon filter is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer cellulose acetate filter.

Abstract: A dispensing rack comprises a back panel joined to a pair of side panels by a pair of corner brackets, and a variety of shelf configurations, each of which enables products to be supported in a different orientation. Each corner bracket is formed with a channel dimensioned to accept an upright support therein. Each shelf configuration is provided with a pair of side support flanges having a plurality of fingers which are received by the apertures of the upright supports to thereby secure the shelves within the interior of the dispensing rack. A header member attached to the top region of the rack is provided with a translucent strip of material which attracts consumers' attention to the products positioned within the interior. A top cover has an upwardly arched surface to thereby prevent product from being placed thereon. Nesting of the upright supports within the interior of the corner brackets permits the entire interior of the rack to be utilized to support and display product.

Abstract: Hydromagnesite-magnesium hydroxide compositions which, when used as fillers in smoking article wrappers, significantly reduce the amount of sidestream smoke produced by the burning smoking article while providing the smoking article with good subjective characteristics.

Abstract: A cigarette carton comprising two half-carton sections, each containing five cigarette packs, which may be sold as one standard ten-pack cigarette carton or may be separated and sold as individual half-cartons. The dual half-carton configuration permits the use of existing tax-stamping machines without any modifications. The dual half-carton unit is formed from a single blank and is detachably connected along a perforated line running along the top of the interior walls of each half-carton section, extending from one side wall to the other. Each half-carton section contains a top closure attached to the external hull that may be closed to encase the five cigarette packs in that half-carton section by tucking a tuck portion into the interior of the box along the inside of that half-carton section's interior wall. The top portion of the interior walls may be folded away from each half-carton section to which they are attached to create a space in which each tuck portion may be inserted.

Abstract: Paper stock is unwound, printed, folded, laminated and cut to form inserts. The laminated inserts are applied to an overwrap at an appropriately spaced interval. The resultant overwrap can then be wrapped around cigarette packs to provide each pack with an insert without slowing down production.

Abstract: Tamper-indicating, laminated wrappers wherein a visible change between layers of the wrapper indicate that the wrapper has been punctured or that there has been tampering with the wrapper or its contents. The wrapper may be composed of two or more plies of packaging material such as films made from ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or from polyolefins such as polypropylene. In one construction, a transparent or translucent laminated wrapper becomes opaque upon rupture or puncture. In other constructions, a transparent or translucent wrapper becomes colored at the site of the rupture or puncture.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of co-crystalline magnesite/magnesium hydroxide compositions as fillers for smoking article wrappers. Smoking articles made with wrappers containing these compositions exhibit significantly reduced sidestream smoke and does not compromise subjective attributes.

Abstract: The appearance of a product is determined to be acceptable or unacceptable by computing a discriminant function or image from a plurality of two-dimensional images of products of the kind to be inspected. A two-dimensional image of the product is then formed and processed using the discriminant image to produce an output value which can be compared to a predetermined value used in computing the discriminant image. If the output value deviates from the predetermined value by more than a predetermined amount, the product has been found to have an unacceptable appearance.

Abstract: A cigarette carton comprising two half-cartons, each containing five cigarette packs, which may be sold as one standard 10-pack cigarette carton or may be separated and sold as individual half-cartons. The dual half-carton configuration permits the use of existing tax-stamping machines without significant modifications. Each half-carton is formed from a single blank and has a perforated extension tab extending from one side wall, and a top closure. Two half-cartons are joined together by positioning the walls from which the top closures are foldably attached remote from each other and by gluing each extension tab to the side wall of the other half-carton.

Abstract: A scintillation tube dynamic calibration monitor that regulates the high voltage power supply to a detector. In a preferred embodiment, a voltage boost current source provides an input voltage for a power out voltage regulator and for a +14.75 volt board regulator. The board regulator provides a voltage reference for various circuitry, and provides a voltage reference for coarse calibration and display calibration adjustment circuitry. The power voltage regulator provides the high voltage power supply drive signal. An error amplifier drives an integrator, which, in turn, drives a bargraph display. An optically-isolated output circuit drives an external alarm or relay. In an alternative embodiment, the pulse width of a detected circuit is linearized and converted to an analog control signal. The analog control signal drives conventional power supply control circuitry.

Abstract: A dual cigarette carton is formed from two identical single cartons. The two cartons are connected together with adhesive bearing carrier means such that the two cartons remain securely connected when in the dual configuration and can hence be processed for tax-stamping through standard machinery and distributed to the consumer as a dual unit. The use of adhesive bearing carrier means such as stickers allows for convenient and acceptable methods of separation of the dual carton for individual purchase of the single cartons.

Abstract: A box-like cigarette pack includes an innerframe with a front wall having an initially lower portion which is folded up so that it projects into the cutout conventionally provided in the upper portion of the innerframe front wall. All or part of the folded-up portion may be made readily removable by providing a line of weakness between the removable part and the remainder of the innerframe. The folded-up portion may be printed with any desired information and may form a coupon or coupon-like article when removed. Until removed, the folded-up portion may be somewhat of an impediment to easy removal of cigarettes, thereby prompting the consumer to remove it as intended.

Abstract: This invention provides smoking compositions which contains a 6-substituted hexahydrobenzofuranone flavorant additive.Under cigarette smoking conditions the flavorant additive enhances the aroma and flavor of the cigarette smoke.

Abstract: Apparatus is shown for preforming a rounded-corner C-shaped innerframe for use in a rounded corner cigarette pack. Contoured rollers are used to preform the rounded corners in the innerframe.

Abstract: Circularly polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength correlating the maximum absorbance of a sample compound is directed through a flowing solution containing the sample compound, which exhibits circular dichroism activity, and a plurality of other compounds. Measurement of the circular dichroism effect and comparison of an alternating current signal corresponding to the circular dichroism absorption to a direct current component allows for the constant monitoring of the concentration of the sample compound in the flowing solution. The flowing solution may be under high temperature and pressure and may comprise a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: In one of its embodiments this invention provides smoking compositions which contain a novel unsymmetrical 2,5-diacylpyrazine flavorant additive as illustrated by 1-[5-(1-propanoyl)-2-pyrazinyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone: ##STR1## Under normal cigarette smoking conditions, the 2,5-diacylpyrazine additive volatilizes and enhances the flavor and aroma of the mainstream and sidestream smoke.In another embodiment this invention provides novel unsymmetrical 2,5-diacylpyrazine compounds corresponding to the formula: ##STR2## where R is hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing between about 1-4 carbon atoms; and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl radicals containing between about 1-10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are different alkyl groups.

Abstract: A robotic hand has two sections disposed 90 degrees apart. One section has a bobbin core-engaging device for the purpose of lifting and handling the bobbin. This section also has a bobbin transfer means for removing the bobbin from the bobbin core engaging device. The second section of the robotic hand has a first fixed finger and a second movable finger. The fingers are used for clamping at least one lamination thickness of paper from the bobbin therebetween and holding it while the robotic hand is indexed to thread a processing machine with the paper from the bobbin. The second section also has a bobbin core removing means formed by the first fixed finger and a movable third finger. The first and third fingers cooperate for engaging the bobbin core and removing it from the machine after all of the paper has been removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for severing or otherwise cutting cigarette filters, tobacco rods and the like. According to the invention, a slitter knife is maintained in whetting engagement with a whetting mechanism, so that the slitter knife never becomes dull. This is preferably achieved by mounting the slitter knife on a pivotable carriage and providing an automatic control system which pivots the slitter knife to maintain it in the desired engagement with the whetter. A feedback system can be included, to monitor the sharpness of the slitter knife and to indicate when adjustment of the slitter knife position is required.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing covering material from a bale of, for example, Oriental tabacco leaves at production line speeds which causes only minimal damage to the underlying bale and only minimal contamination of the underlying bale with particles, fragments and/or fibers of the covering material.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco and non-tobacco smoking compositions which contain a heterocyclic-hydroxy-substituted carboxylate compound as a flavorant additive.In one of its embodiments, this invention provides tobacco compositions which contain a heterocylic-hydroxy-substituted carboxylic acid flavorant additive such as 2-(2-butyl)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-(3-pyridyl)propionic acid: ##STR1## Under smoking conditions the above illustrated heterocyclic-hydroxy-substituted carboxylate additive and its pyrolysis products flavor the mainstream and sidestream smoke. The invention also provides for the method of preparing smoking compositions and the method of comprising the aroma imparted by the burning of a combustible article employing a heterocyclic-hydroxy-substituted carboxylate.