Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric composed of a matrix of substantially continuous, thermoplastic polymer filaments and at least one substantially non-thermoplastic fibrous material integrated in the matrix so that the composite fabric is adapted to autogenously bond to itself upon application of heat. The hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric may be suitable as infusion package material for applications such as, for example, tea bags and coffee filter pouches. Also disclosed is a method of making a hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: There is disclosed a package with controlled humidity for storing products such as tobacco and food. Teh package is an enclosed container with a humidistat pad inside which pad serves as a spacer and holds a humectant solution in its liquid phase in an absorbent interior layer. The pad has a liquid impervious backing layer to protect the walls of the container from the liquid humectant solution. The pad also has a liquid permeable cover which can rapidly transfer the humectant solution deposited on it to the absorbent layer during filling of the container with the product.

Abstract: Nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic meltblown fibers or filaments predominantly present as agglomerates or multiple fused fiber areas. Such agglomerates in the web act as columns and impart a desired degree of strength and resistance to compaction. In contrast to prior art webs where such agglomerates have been considered undesirable, the webs of the present invention find particular utility when formed into cylinders as filter plugs for smoking articles. In smoking articles of the invention, the filter plugs have a desired pressure drop while demonstrating an unexpected degree of firmness, all at an economically attractive cost. Preferred embodiments include those where the machine direction strength to cross machine direction grab tensile ratios in the range of from about 1:1 to 4:1 and the fibers or filaments are made from polypropylene. Other embodiments include webs and filter plugs containing additives distributed throughout the web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved wrapper for a smoking article haviing a combustible fuel element encircled by an insulating layer and a physically separate aerosol generating means as well as to smoking articles employing such wrappers. The wrapper encircles at least a portion of the insulating layer for the fuel element and comprises a permeable sheet material which during burning of the fuel provides a coherent layer to assist in controlling the amount of peripheral air to the fuel element during smoking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to smoking articles having an improved mouthend piece. More specifically, it relates to cigarette-type smoking articles comprising a fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming material, and means for delivering the aerosol produced by the aerosol generating means to the user in the form of a mouthend piece, the mouthend piece including a nonwoven web segment formed from meltblown thermoplastic fibers or filaments, and a spacer member located between the aerosol generating means and the non woven web segment.

Abstract: A wrapper particularly useful for smoking articles of the type containing a burn fuel element and ceramic jacket. The wrapper includes an inner layer for surrounding the burn fuel element and jacket and an outer layer with the combination imparting controlled throttling properties. The inner layer may be a conventional cigarette wrapper material of cellulosic construction and having biased burned properties. The outer layer surrounds the inner sheet and preferably comprises cellulose fibers, titanium dioxide, attapulgite clay, high temperature resistant microfibers, and a burn enhancer. The outer wrapper also maintains permeability and pressure drop properties at temperatures in excess of 400.degree. C. while the inner wrapper burns out resulting in generally infinite permeability after burning.

Abstract: The invention is an improved wrapper construction for smoking articles such as cigarettes resulting in a reduced tendency to ignite combustible materials accidentally or carelessly coming into contact with the lit cigarette. The wrapper constructions and smoking articles of the invention have a specially designed structure which causes a cigarette to go out quickly when in contact with a substrate, including many commonly-encountered substrates made of combustible materials. This structure is characterized by a Burn Mode Index ("BMI") as defined for the wrapper of between about 1.5 cm.sup.-1 and 5.0 cm.sup.-1 for a single wrap embodiment. For an alternative double wrapped embodiment, the outer wrap will have a BMI in the range of from about 2.0 cm.sup.-1 to about 40 cm.sup.-1 depending on the BMI of the inner wrap which may vary between about 0.1 cm.sup.-1 to 4.0 cm.sup.-1.

Abstract: The invention is an improved specially designed wrapper construction for smoking articles producing controlled burn properties of smoking articles such as cigarettes so that the cigarette will self-extinguish after free burning in air for a designed time period. In addition, the wrapper construction results in cigarettes with reduced tendency to ignite combustible substrates, such as upholstered furniture, when in contact with them. Therefore, smoking articles with this wrapper construction reduce the likelihood of accidental fires, yet they free-burn rapidly for a designed period of time without puffing. However, during a normal puffing sequence the behavior of cigarettes with these wrappers is indistinguishable from commercial cigarettes. On the other hand, other self-extinguishing cigarettes go out without puffing and therefore have to be relighted frequently.