Abstract: A cigarette includes an ignition element in contact with tobacco, surrounded by a composite outer wrapper. The outer wrapper is impervious to oxygen causing the tobacco to extinguish between puffs. The ignition element, however, has a longer static burn time than the tobacco and remains smoldering between puffs. Upon a subsequent puff, the smoldering ignition element re-ignites the tobacco. One or more initially-occluded perforations in the outer layer maintain the uniformity in combustion of the tobacco and the ignition element.

Abstract: A puff-on-demand cigarette smoking apparatus for decreasing unnecessary tobacco burning as well as decreasing the generation of side stream smoke. The portable cigarette smoking apparatus can be used to smoke traditional cigarettes and includes a reusable lighter box housing including an aperture into which an end of a cigarette to be smoked is adapted to be inserted into. After the cigarette is inserted through the aperture, the cigarette is directed into a cigarette extinguishing sleeve. The cigarette smoking system includes an actuable trigger which is operably connected to a cigarette advancing mechanism for advancing the cigarette a preset distance along the cigarette extinguishing sleeve into the lighter box housing upon actuation of the trigger. As a result, a portion of the cigarette is advanced beyond the cigarette extinguishing sleeve.

Abstract: A dimple pattern glue roller functions to apply glue to the closure flaps of a partially assembled cigarette pack. The roller has an outer cylindrical surface, and a pattern of dimpled recesses in the cylindrical surface receive glue and apply that glue to the closure flaps prior to folding the closure flaps against the assembled cigarette pack. The glue is applied in an efficient and economical manner, and substantially less glue is required when compared to existing glue applicator constructions.

Abstract: A smoking article comprises a smoking accessory and a cigarette. The smoking accessory includes a holder and a substantially air-impermeable sleeve which is coupled to a distal portion of the holder and is coaxial therewith. The cigarette is received in the smoking accessory such that a distal end of the cigarette is located substantially flush with a distal end of the sleeve. The cigarette includes a column of tobacco which is shorter than that used in conventional cigarettes, e.g., 20 mm in length or less. An air gap separates an outer surface of the cigarette from the sleeve, and plural openings are formed in the sleeve to supply air to the cigarette. In use, the sleeve restricts the flow of air to the cigarette, thereby slowing combustion and reducing sidestream smoke between puffs.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and process for inspecting polymeric film seals and folds. Incident light is applied to the package to cause either reflected or transmitted light to reflect a pass through the poly wrap. The wrap affects the transmitted or reflected image in a manner which can be analyzed to determine the quality of the poly film application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tobacco smoking article wrapper which selectively reduces the content of gaseous components in the smoke delivered during the use of the smoking article. The gaseous components can be low molecular weight aldehydes in the smoke produced during combustion/pyrolysis of the smoking article. The wrapper can comprise cigarette paper having an ammonium-containing compound filler therein for reducing the aldehyde content in the smoke. The ammonium-containing compound filler evolves ammonia upon combustion/pyrolysis of the smoking article which can chemically react with aldehydes in tobacco smoke and/or modify the combustion/pyrolysis reactions thereby reducing the initial formation of aldehydes to selectively reduce such aldehydes from the smoke inhaled by a smoker. The ammonium-containing compound can be magnesium ammonium phosphate used alone or in combination with one or more other fillers such as calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A humidifying cylinder includes a first rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of first blades extending substantially radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the first cylinder. The humidifying cylinder further includes a second rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of second blades extending substantially radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second cylinder, the second cylinder being substantially coaxial with the first cylinder and the first cylinder being disposed inside of the second cylinder such that the exterior surface of the first cylinder and the interior surface of the second cylinder define an annular space. At least one drive is provided for rotating the first cylinder and the second cylinder. At least one conduit is disposed in the annular space for introducing moisture into the annular space. A method of humidifying material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cigarette filter rod system comprises a plug combiner machine having a knife located downstream from a sensor. The knife generates a trigger signal which prompts an Inspection Unit to locate a previously stored frame of sensor data corresponding the rod which was cut by the knife. The Inspection Unit applies thresholds to the frame of sensor data to determine the location of filter segment boundaries, and then determines whether air rings are present in the data. The Inspection Unit then compares measurements made on the frame of sensor data with a pre-stored recipe indicating expected values for the frame. Statistical data is sent to a Human-Machine Interface Unit for analysis and display. The system performs filter rod rejection and cut registration based on the analysis performed by the Inspection Unit and the Human-Machine Interface.

Abstract: An interchange apparatus for a pneumatic conveying system including a plurality of branch tubes joined together at an acute angle in an interchange chamber to form a main tube and a flap positioned between at least two branch tubes of the plurality of branch tubes at the end of the interchange chamber, the flap faces the branch tubes and is swivelable between a first position and a second position. The flap is held in each position by a holding device such that when the flap is positioned in the first position there is a connection between a first branch tube and the main tube, and when the flap is positioned in a second position there is a connection between a second branch tube and the main tube. In one embodiment the flap is switched from a first position to a second position by the passage of the cylindrical objects through the interchanges.

Abstract: Packaging, particularly for a carton of cigarette packs, includes opening structure permitting easy access to one or more of the objects or packs of cigarettes which it contains. The opening structure includes a line of pre-weakened resistance, comprising pre-cuts, either passing completely through the material constituting the packaging or incompletely through the thickness of that material. Individual pre-cuts may be separated by interconnected attachment portions. The line of weakened resistance may partially or completely surround a surface disposed on one, two, or three faces of the packaging. Structure for starting the opening may be provided. A process and a device permitting such packaging are also disclosed.