Abstract: An in-line insert folder system includes a continuous roll of preprinted inserts, and a cutter for cutting individual inserts from the roll. A transport serially conveys the individual inserts in a downstream direction to a buckle folder that receives the inserts and folds each one along at least one fold line. An applicator serially receives the folded inserts from the buckle folder and applies the inserts to consumer packs such as cigarette packs, for example. The folded inserts may be directly applied to the packs before placement of flexible outer wrap or the folded inserts may be applied onto the flexible outer wrap before that wrap is placed around the packs.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided in which a replaceable tobacco flavor unit containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of permanent reusable heaters to evolve flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. Each heater heats only a portion of the available tobacco flavor material so that a plurality of individual puffs of tobacco flavor substance can be delivered sequentially to the smoker. The replaceable tobacco flavor unit can also include a filter to reduce the effect of residual aerosol which settles or condenses on the permanent portions of the article and which can result in undesirable flavor generation when reheated. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the replaceable tobacco flavor unit is also provided.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided in which a replaceable tobacco flavor unit containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of permanent reusable heaters to evolve flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. Each heater heats only a portion of the available tobacco flavor material so that a plurality of individual puffs of tobacco flavor substance can be delivered sequentially to the smoker. The replaceable tobacco flavor unit can also include a filter to reduce the effect of residual aerosol which settles or condenses on the permanent portions of the article and which can result in off-tastes when reheated. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the replaceable tobacco flavor unit is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of paper with material in repetitive patterns. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing apparatus operating parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of substrates with fluidized material in repetitive patterns during application cycles. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing machine operating parameters. The patterns of fluidized material are applied to substrates using intermittent charges of compressed air. The intermittent charges of compressed air pass through a venturi slot which creates a region of low pressure in the charges adjacent to a region where the fluidized material accumulates between application cycles. This region of low pressure helps to entrain the fluidized material in the charge of compressed air. After the fluidized material is entrained in the charge of compressed air, the charge deposits the fluidized material on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making banded smoking article wrappers is provided. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotating applicator that has alternating regions of mesh material and regions of solid material on its outside surface. The applicator allows repetitive patterns of additional slurry to be applied to a continuous web of paper so that the basis weight of the paper is repetitively increased. Such paper, when incorporated into a smoking article, modifies the burn rate characteristics of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of substrates with fluidized material in repetitive patterns during application cycles. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing machine operating parameters. The patterns of fluidized material are applied to substrates using an applicator drum. Machined in the outer surface of the applicator drum are a plurality of slots filled with deformable material. The deformable material extends to a position in each slot just short of the outside diameter of the applicator drum, leaving a cavity in each slot. These cavities are filled with slurry in a slurry applicator unit. A compression drum mounted within the hollow interior of the applicator drum uses compression tips to displace the deformable material in each slot in succession beyond the periphery of applicator drum at a position adjacent to the substrate, causing the slurry in the cavity to be applied to the substrate.

Abstract: One or more tapes being pulled toward the mandrel of a tube winding machine are tensioned by passing them over vacuum chambers. Glue is applied to one or more tapes adjacent the vacuum chambers. If the tube winding machine stops for any reason, the vacuum chambers keep the tapes to which glue is applied taut, and those tapes are moved out of contact with the glue applying member. The length of each tape which is in contact with the glue applying member can be adjusted to adjust the amount of glue applied to the tape. Heat can be applied to each tape after glue has been applied in order to promote curing of the glue.