Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a longitudinally advancing a rod of tobacco-containing material into lengths including a cut-off wheel having two or more blades equally spaced around the wheel periphery, a sharpening stone driven independently by a motor at a fixed location to sharpen one side of each blade as the wheel rotates, and a deburring stone oscillating in a path between two points at a frequency such that the stone intersects the path of travel of each blade for deburring the other side of each blade. The deburring stone may be located on the ledger device of a cigarette manufacturing machine where the ledger is oscillating at a frequency that is a multiple of the number of blades of the cutoff wheel for each revolution of the wheel.

Abstract: A smoking article that produces no visible sidestream smoke in which at least the carbon heat source and the tobacco flavor producing elements can be ejected from a reusable body of the smoking article.

Abstract: A flavor source to be used as a thermally releasable flavorant for smoking articles that do not combust tobacco. The flavor source includes tobacco particles, an aerosol precursor that forms an aerosol upon exposure to heat, and a gelling agent that imparts sufficient structural framework for rigidity to the flavor source. The material is mixed, extruded through a die, and cut into the shape of a one-piece flavor source. The flavor source is loaded into a chamber for inclusion in a smoking article as a flavor generator.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides smoking compositions which contain a novel oxalate ester flavorantrelease additive.Under cigarette smoking conditions, a combustible filler additive such as methyl 4-oxo-.beta.-ionyl oxalate pyrolyzes and releases megastigma-5,7,9-trien-4-one as a natural flavorant component of the cigarette smoke.

Abstract: An improved carbonaceous heat source suitable for use in a smoking article is provided. The heat source is formed by mixing a carbon component, a catalytic precursor and a binder, forming the mixture into a shape, and supplying heat to the mixture. Upon combustion of the heat source, the catalytic precursor forms a catalyst that converts carbon monoxide produced during combustion of the heat source into a benign substance.

Abstract: Images such as product images are identified as substantially similar to one or more reference images by finding pixels which have substantially the same value or values in all or substantially all of the reference images. Image erosion and/or dilation may be used in processing the reference image data to help identify pixels which can always be expected to have the same value in all acceptable images. The values associated with the corresponding pixels in a product image are combined and compared to an expected value, and the dot product between the product image and the discriminant function is equal to a predetermined value. The values associated with pixels which correspond to regions not similar in substantially all of the reference images are combined to produce a discriminant function.

Abstract: A box-like cigarette pack includes a lid with a tab that extends below the bottom of the lid. All or part of the tab may be made readily removable by providing a line of weakness between the removable tab and the remainder of the lid. The tab may be printed or embossed with any desired information and may form a coupon or coupon-like article when removed. Until removed, the tab may be somewhat of an impediment to easy removal of cigarettes or reclosure of the pack, thereby prompting the consumer to remove the tab as intended.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for volumetric flow control of particulate and fiber-like materials, specifically tobacco. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus having a contractible chute or a tilting conveyor. The discharge end of the chute or conveyor travels across the top of a container space, building an even pile of tobacco. When the level of tobacco in the container space reaches a certain height, a device signals the chute or tilting conveyor and the discharge end of the chute or conveyor moves rearward. When the moving conveyor floor of the container space moves the pile of tobacco forward, one or two devices signal the chute or tilting convey or, and the discharge end of the chute or tilting conveyor moves forward. The effect of this rearward and forward movement of the chute or tilting conveyor is to maintain volumetric control over the tobacco contained within the container space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively removing articles, such as cigarettes, from a transfer conveyor system in which the transfer of the selected articles to a receiver conveyor from a transfer conveyor is rejected within a transfer zone. Vacuum suction retaining articles on the transfer conveyor is blocked in the transfer zone as articles pass to the receiver conveyor. Transfer of selected articles is rejected by application of an air pulse responsive to a reject signal. The selected articles are returned to the transfer conveyor, from which they are removed.

Abstract: This invention provides novel organic acids which exhibit utility as liquid ion exchanges suitable for use in an invention solvent extraction process. Illustrative of an invention organic acid is a compound corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## where each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a C.sub.3 -C.sub.16 branched alkyl group.

Abstract: Inspection of completed cigarettes is accomplished by the cigarettes traveling on a rolling drum past a single stationary rolling block with preferably two cameras connected to a vision system. The first camera views the cigarette before the rolling block, the cigarette is then rolled approximately 180.degree. and then the second camera views the previously hidden portion of the cigarette. Cigarettes are accepted or rejected based on a comparison of the viewed cigarettes to a predetermined set of characteristics.

Abstract: This invention provides smoking compositions which contain a novel vanillin flavorant-release additive.A cigarette smoking product comprising (1) a combustible filler selected from natural tobacco, reconstituted tobacco and tobacco substitutes, and (2) a paper wrapper which has incorporated therein a flavorant-release additive corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## where R is methyl or ethyl.

Abstract: A heating element to provide heat to a tobacco flavor medium, for use in an electrical smoking article, by converting electrical energy to heat through the use of a material with electrically resistive properties is provided. The material is arranged in a radial array of blades with a current density profile such that a maximum area of each blade provides heat to the tobacco flavor medium dispersed thereon. The blade is generally U-shaped to assure dispersion of heat evenly to avoid hot spots along the blade and is tapered to reduce mass toward the mouth end of the heating element so as to maximize the heated area.

Abstract: A heating element for use within a smoking device which is intended to be held in the lips of a consumer, and which, without burning, heats a flavor-generating medium within the device to produce an aerosol, vapor, or flavor, which the consumer may inhale. More particularly, an electrically-powered heating element having a plurality of discrete resistive heating segments, only one of which is active at any given time. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is contained within the device so that the individual heating segments of the element are adjacent to a flavor-generating medium. As each segment of the heating element is provided with power, the flavor-generating medium adjacent to that segment is heated, but is not burned. This heating causes the flavor-generating medium to produce a flavor, aerosol, or vapor, which the consumer of the device may inhale.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a cigarette product which contains a novel type of encapsulated flavorant-release filament. The flavorant is released under normal smoking conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides a multipurpose volumetric chemical reaction system which operates at constant pressure and volume, and has electronic automation means for calculating kinetic parameters and a concentration-time plot from the system data output.The automated system is adapted to conduct and monitor either gas-consuming or gas-generating reactions. Gas input or gas venting is accomplished in timed constant volume pulses.

Abstract: This invention provides smoking compositions which contain a novel flavorant-release additive.

Abstract: A flexible automatic test facility for measuring physical parameters of smoking articles and components of smoking articles, e.g., filter portions. The test facility includes a microprocessor based controller device, apparatus for severing the filter portion from the article, a plurality of instruments for performing the desired measurements and a computer-controlled robot for gripping and maneuvering one cigarette at a time to one or more of the instruments or severing apparatus to measure one or more physical characteristics of each article or its components in accordance with software instructions. A hopper feeder device containing a plurality of sample sets in separate bins in an indexing mechanism may be provided for extended unattended operation. Each sample set is provided with a code and a database including the nominal physical characteristics of the samples in the set and the test sequence for the cigarettes in the sample set.

Abstract: A mechanism for removal of contaminants from a stream of material having a plurality of rotatable cylindrical doffer elements each having flights supplied with cleaning means thereon mounted substantially parallel to one another within a frame. The mechanism is provided with means for adjusting both the positions along the frame of the doffer elements as well as the vertical elevation of the doffer elements with respect to the frame.