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 system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: A bladed tubular array for use as a heating element in an electrical smoking article, and a tobacco flavor element for such an article based thereon, are provided. The integral carbon heater preferably provides eight thermally and electrically discrete heating zones to provide an optimized heating zone when each blade is individually powered. Each blade has a desired resistance, to provide temperature preferably in the range of from about 300.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C., or higher. The relatively brittle carbon composite conductive blades are supported by a reinforcing tube of spiral-wound paperboard. A common ring of the same conductive material serves as a common electrical terminal for the blades, while the free end of each blade serves as the other electrical terminal of that blade.

Abstract: A smoking article in which a flavored aerosol is generated by heat transfer to a flavor bed from the combustion of a heat source is provided. The article generates substantially no sidestream smoke. The transfer of heat from the heat source to the flavor bed is accomplished by convective and radiative heat transfer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method entails rapidly feeding a free flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance means and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance means that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance means. Vacuum is used to hold the free flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance means and is used to transfer the free flowing material to the second conveyance means and to hold it there. The free flowing material is next transferred into receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance means. The transfer of the free flowing material to the receiving spaces may also be accomplished by use of vacuum or gravity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The device has a metering drum for dispensing free-flowing material onto an air permeable transport tape. A vacuum source beneath the transport tape retains the free-flowing material on the transport tape which conveys the free-flowing material beneath a set of pockets mounted on or within a moving belt. Each pocket is divided by a screen permeable to air but not to the free-flowing material. As the transport tape moves beneath the pockets, vacuum applied beneath the tape ceases, and vacuum applied to the pockets draws the free-flowing material up into the pockets, and retains the free-flowing material in the pockets. When the belt transfers the pockets out from under the vacuum hood, and the vacuum is no longer applied, the free-flowing material is released from the pockets.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a cigarette having a variable smoking characteristic to a preselected level of that characteristic is provided. A cigarette having a rotatable element for controlling a smoking characteristic, and assembled with a first level of that characteristic, is adjusted to a preselected second level by a drum and cooperating belt which engage the rotatable element and which move relatively faster and slower, or slower and faster, respectively, than a drum and belt holding the remainder of the cigarette.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming annular grooves or slits in rod-shaped articles such as cigarette filter plugs. The apparatus comprises a first endless belt or similar device and, spaced therefrom, a second element defining with the belt a channel of predetermined width. Preferably, the channel size can be adjusted by moving the belt, the second element or both toward or away from each other. The belt is driven to enable it, in cooperation with the second element, to transport a rod-shaped article along the channel. A forming device, preferably a rotating disk knife, has a portion disposed in the channel and cuts any article moved therealong. The second element is preferably contoured to be spaced a constant distance from the profile of the forming device, to insure that the groove formed in the article is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the article.