Patents Assigned to R. J. Reynolds Tobacco
  • Smoking material and method for its preparation
    Patent number: 4596259
    Abstract: A composition for use in smoking products is prepared from thermally degraded tobacco plant materials and a water-soluble polysaccharide gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jackie L. White, Mary E. Stowe
  • Segmented cigarette
    Patent number: 4595024
    Abstract: A cigarette, having a tobacco rod consisting of at least two segments. The segment toward the filter end of the tobacco rod has a density at least 20% greater than the fire-end segment. The density differential may be combined with a nicotine differential, such that the fire-end segment has a higher nicotine content than does the filter-end segment. This configuration alters the nicotine delivery of the invention, providing a nicotine delivery either uniform during the last half of the cigarette or at levels reduced from those seen during the first few puffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Tammie B. Greene, David E. Townsend, Thomas A. Perfetti
  • Apparatus and method for accumulating and measuring sidestream smoke produced by a smoking material
    Patent number: 4589775
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting sidestream smoke produced by a cigarette is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber that has upper and lower portions between which smoke may freely move. A cigarette holder is attached to the lower portion so that substantially all of the sidestream smoke produced by the cigarette is released into the chamber means. Smoking means is connected to the cigarette holder means to intermittently draw air through the cigarette and segregate the mainstream smoke from the sidestream smoke. The total relative amount of sidestream smoke may be measured by measuring the opacity of the collected sidestream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Leon A. Milhous, Jr., John M. Martin, Clifton T. Mansfield
  • Variable air dilution cigarette filter
    Patent number: 4576187
    Abstract: A variable air dilution cigarette filter is disclosed. A thin, generally rigid cylindrical sleeve having internal retention steps or barbs is provided with one or more air passing slots or perforations. A filter rod having a filter wrap is inserted within the cylindrical tube or sleeve and is held within the tube by the retention steps. Relative rotation between the sleeve and the filter rod varies the amount of smoke diluting air which is allowed to pass through the slots in the sleeve and then through the filter rod. A tobacco rod is joined to the sleeve by tipping paper or the like to thereby produce a cigarette incorporating the variable air dilution cigarette filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Philip A. Deal
  • Smoking article having reduced sidestream smoke
    Patent number: 4561454
    Abstract: The sidestream smoke emanated by a smoking article, such as a cigarette, can be significantly reduced by constructing the smoking article with a double wrapper, one of the wrappers having alkali metal salt burning additives in an amount in the range from about 9 to 20% by weight. A commercially feasible reduced sidestream cigarette can be produced according to this invention, having both wrappers made from a low-porosity flax base, with the inner wrapper containing 11% and the outer wrapper 6% potassium citrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco
    Inventor: Hal E. Guess
  • Pressure vessel and method of using same
    Patent number: 4554932
    Abstract: A fluid pressure treating apparatus including a cylindrical tubular shell with a reciprocal spool assembly mounted for movement between a loading position outside the shell and a treating position within the shell, sealing members on said spool assembly for engaging the shell to form the pressure chamber. Conduits are provided to introduce processing fluid into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Lucas J. Conrad, Jackie L. White
  • String remover
    Patent number: 4551897
    Abstract: A string remover for breaking and removing encircling string or twine bale securing members, is disclosed. A plurality of generally parallel fingers are placed straddling the string and are caused to rotate. The string wraps about the fingers and is tensioned to the point of breaking. After it has broken, it continues to be wrapped about the fingers. A slideable push-off plate is then moved axially along the fingers and forces the wound up string off the fingers so that it can be disposed of. The string remover can be driven by a portable power source such as a hand held electric drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Dewey L. Holt
  • Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    Patent number: 4549875
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for manufacturing a filter rod from a continuous multifilament filter tow which is treated with a smoke-modifying agent during the filter rod manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
    Inventor: James W. Pryor
  • Tobacco product
    Patent number: 4545392
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is disclosed which contains cut or otherwise comminuted tobacco treated with a particulated gum composition that adheres as a discontinuous coating to the surface of the tobacco. The gum composition provides improved "gathering" characteristics and other benefits when the treated smokeless tobacco product is placed in the mouth of the consumer of such products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Dewitt C. Crepps, William Y. Rice, Jr., George W. Fearrington, Jr.
  • Orientation, accumulation and positioning machine
    Patent number: 4539795
    Abstract: A machine for orienting, accumulating and positioning packages received from two sources for loading into containers has an oscillating member which oscillates between the two sources during which time it both receives packages from one source while participating in loading packages into a container from the other source. Associated with the oscillating member and with each source is an orienting mechanism which rotates packages received from its associated source so that they rest on a common one of their sides, an accumulating mechanism which collects the packages rotated by the orienting mechanism into a group of a predetermined number, a positioning mechanism which positions the grouped packages onto the oscillating member, and a loading mechanism which advances the positioned and grouped packages from the oscillating member into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Wilkinson
  • Package leak tester
    Patent number: 4539836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing packages for leaks. Selected values of suction and positive pressure are supplied to a testing position, which may be a test head. A package to be tested is held in the testing position by the suction, and positive pressure is introduced into the package through a puncture, which may be made before or after the package is placed in position. Values of suction and positive pressure are chosen such that a package meeting leakage specifications will contain sufficient positive pressure to overcome the suction, causing the package to be ejected from the testing position. If the package does not meet specification, leakage will cause the suction to hold the package in position. Thus, a rapid and visible indication of package quality is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Benny L. Hester, William H. Graves, Jr.
  • Variable air volume air conditioning system
    Patent number: 4540118
    Abstract: A variable air volume air conditioning system is disclosed which is capable of accurately controlling temperature and humidity levels in a conditional zone while achieving significant economy of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Lortie, William R. Adams
  • Method and apparatus for conveying filter tow
    Patent number: 4537583
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for withdrawing a bloomed, continuous multifilament filter tow from a jet device and conveying the filter tow to filter rod-forming means in such a way that compaction or compression of the filter tow prior to its entry into the rod-forming means is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: James W. Pryor
  • Smoking product
    Patent number: 4534371
    Abstract: A combustible smoking material having a color other than that of conventionally cured tobacco leaves is coated with finely divided vermiculite that has previously been subjected to heat treatment to develop a brown color therein. The vermiculite coating imparts a tobacco-like brown color to the combustible smoking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Jackie L. White
  • Smoking product
    Patent number: 4534372
    Abstract: A combustible smoking material having a color other than that of conventionally cured tobacco leaves is coated with finely divided, toasted cereal grain to impart a tobacco-like brown color to the combustible smoking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Jackie L. White
  • Process for increasing filling capacity of tobacco
    Patent number: 4531529
    Abstract: An improved process for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco is provided in which tobacco is contacted with vapors of an expansion agent such as, for example, a low-boiling highly volatile hydrocarbon and/or halocarbon, at elevated temperature and pressure conditions, then releasing the pressure to about atmospheric pressure in a relatively short time period, such as from one second to ten minutes, so that the tobacco is expanded so as to increase its filling capacity in the absence of a subsequent heating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jackie L. White, Lucas J. Conrad
  • Process for producing moist snuff
    Patent number: 4528993
    Abstract: A method in which moist snuff is produced, differing radically from the prior art. The tobacco is hogshead-aged for only about two years. Instead of producing snuff taste characteristics through fermentation, the tobacco is cased and chemical reactions, including Maillard reactions, are induced to produce snuff flavor precursors chemically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Ronald L. Parks, Arvol C. Marsh, Jr.
  • Application of additives to cigarette filter tow
    Patent number: 4525385
    Abstract: A filter tow blooming jet device for applying an additive to a continuous, multifilament filter tow is disclosed wherein the jet device is provided with orifice means transversely positioned in an elongated passageway through which the advancing filter tow passes and the additive is applied by nozzle means concentrically positioned with respect to the advancing filter tow at a point downstream of the orifice means. The additive may also be applied to the filter tow by nozzle means positioned adjacent to the wall surface of the elongated passageway or by injecting the additive into a stream of gaseous fluid introduced into the jet device for blooming the filter tow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: James W. Pryor
  • Dicing apparatus for sheet material
    Patent number: 4522096
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to cut sheet material into quadrilateral pieces. The sheet material first is slit lengthwise into ribbons; then a swing assembly lays the ribbons onto a cutting bed, where circular knives cut them transversely into quadrilateral pieces. The swing assembly has a fixed end adjacent the slitting apparatus, and a free end that describes a reciprocating arc over the cutting bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Niven, Jr.
  • Cigarette package
    Patent number: D279507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Alvin H. Schechter, John Svezia