Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses a smokable rod and a filter element. The filter element possesses a segment incorporating filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate tow) having carbonaceous material (e.g., activated charcoal particles) or other adsorbent dispersed throughout the filter material, and encapsulated flavoring agent (e.g., flavor-containing microcapsules) dispersed throughout the filter material.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses a smokable rod and a filter element. The filter element possesses a segment incorporating filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate tow) having carbonaceous material (e.g., activated charcoal particles) or other adsorbent dispersed throughout the filter material, and encapsulated flavoring agent (e.g., flavor-containing microcapsules) dispersed throughout the filter material.

Abstract: Cigarettes can be manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes can possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations. The formulation can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material applied to the paper web. Such a system provides a source of paper web, applies additive material to that web in a pattern, dries the paper web, and winds the treated paper web on to a bobbin. That bobbin can be later used to provide a source of paper web on a cigarette making machine, which unrolls that bobbin, receives the treated paper web from that bobbin, supplies tobacco filler and manufactures a cigarette rod from the paper web and tobacco filler.

Abstract: Pre-formed cigarette tubes are provided in an automated fashion. Cigarettes containing a filler material are manufactured according to known methods and transferred to an apparatus for removing the filler material. The filler material within each resulting cigarette is removed therefrom. Optionally, the filler material may be recycled to the beginning of the process. The resulting pre-formed cigarette tubes are collected. At a later time, the hollow regions of those pre-formed tubes can be filled with tobacco cut filler in order to provide finished cigarettes.

Abstract: A package or container for holding two or more types or brands of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, having a generally rectangular shape with two openings on opposite sides of the container and a method of making the same is disclosed. The container has two lids, a body, and a separation member that divides the container into two or more compartments, each filled with smoking articles. The lids are made of metal and are hinged to the body on opposite ends of the container using strap hinges made of a paper or foil laminate, and contain printed information such as text and logos. The separation member includes raised portions to hold the smoking articles securely within the compartments and each compartment is sealed with a layer of film that may be pulled up and off of the container compartment using a tab attached to the sealing layer.

Abstract: A cigarette package comprises a main body having a front recessed portion and a rear recessed portion opposite the front recessed portion. A first reclosable lid covers the front recessed portion and a second reclosable lid covers the second recessed portion. A plurality of cigarettes may be positioned in the front and rear recessed portions.

Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.

Abstract: A logo-reinforcing package contains a bundle of products, such as cigarettes. The package has a hinged lid which uncovers the ends of the cigarettes, and an innerframe with a cutout which exposes portions of the cigarettes when the package is opened. To teach the consumer to associate the product logo and the product, the logo is imprinted or embossed in the innerframe adjacent the exposed portion of the product. The consumer views the product and the logo simultaneously each time the lid is opened to extract a cigarette, and therefore is taught to associate the logo and the product.

Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.

Abstract: An asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus for trimming tobacco from a stream or braid of cut tobacco in a cigarette maker comprises a pair of counter rotating disks with a plurality of pockets arranged to coact with one another to trim off excess tobacco and create densified regions at the filter and lit ends of a cigarette rod product made in the maker. The pockets are constructed with different widths and depths to provide densified regions of different densities and lengths at the filter and lit ends of the cigarette rod product. The cigarette rod product formed by the asymmetrical trimmer disk/paddle wheel apparatus has an improved density profile that minimizes rejects at maker speeds up to about 8000 rods/minute.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming a composite web for use in making a fuel element for smoking articles comprises a dual bobbin unwinder from which alternate glass fiber webs are unwound. A splicing apparatus is used to splice together the webs unwound from the two bobbins of the unwinder. Sensing and speed controls are provided for sensing unwinding speed and the amount of web remaining on a bobbin for controlling web accumulation prior to splicing and stopping of the web to effect a splice. Downstream of the splicing apparatus the web is fed to a composite web former where it is slit into equal halves and vertically separated. A paper web is guided between the two web halves and the webs are converged into a three layer composite web with the paper web sandwiched between the glass fiber web halves. The composite web is fed to a KDF filter maker where it is combined with a carbonaceous rod for making a fuel element.

Abstract: A disposable flavored filter attachable to the mouth end of a cigarette comprises an insertion end and a mouth end. A first interior portion of the filter, at and adjacent to the insertion end, defines a void space of the filter, while a second interior portion of the filter, at and adjacent to the mouth end, defines one or more segments. In a single-segment embodiment of the invention, flavorant is injected into, or a flavor-containing capsule is inserted into, the single segment. In a two-segment embodiment of the invention, the flavorant is injected into, or the flavor-containing capsule is inserted into, that segment disposed between the void space and the segment at the mouth end of the filter.

Abstract: A disposable filter attachment for smoking articles, such as cigarettes, comprises first and second filter segments and an insertion tube at one end thereof for receiving and supporting a conventional filtered or unfiltered cigarette to be smoked. The first filter segment contains a carbonaceous material for removing gas phase components of the mainstream cigarette smoke. The total pressure drop across the filter attachment is very low, e.g., less than about 15 mm of water at 17.5 cc/sec air flow and preferably in the range of about 3 mm to about 12 mm of water at 17.5 cc/sec air flow.