Abstract: The smoking section of the smoking article is comprised of a cylindrical combustible tube having a flavoring material therein, a combustible fuel element circumscribing the combustible tube and a wrapping material circumscribing the fuel element. A disc having a centrally disposed opening therethrough in flow-through communication with the flavoring material and the mouthpiece section is disposed to separate the smoking section from the mouth piece section. The disc receives a flow through connecting tube through the centrally disposed opening and sealing means is provided at the connection of the disc to the flow-through connecting tube to prevent the flow of fluids therethrough excepting those from the flavoring material contained in the cylindrical, combustible tube.

Abstract: A device for attaching two axially aligned cigarette tobacco columns to an intermediately disposed double length rigid mouthpiece, hereinafter referred to as a cigarette group, by wrapping a sheet of tipping material around the double length rigid mouthpiece and a portion of each tobacco column adjacent to each end of the double length mouthpiece. The device comprises a stationary rolling block located in spaced relationship to the periphery of a cigarette group feed drum. The feed drum carries a plurality of cigarette groups at spaced apart intervals on its' periphery with a sheet of tipping material adhesively attached at the leading edge thereof to each of the cigarette groups.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette which includes a protrusion of smoke permeable material integral with and coaxially projecting from the mouth end of the filter rod. The mouth end of the filter rod surrounding the protrusion is smoke impermeable so that as the cigarette to which the filter is attached is smoked, the smoke will exit the filter rod in generally radially outward direction through the smoke permeable protrusion.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette which includes a centrally disposed generally conical baffle at the mouth end thereof with its conically shaped wall diverging in the general direction of the flow of smoke through the filter to divert the smoke exiting from the center of the filter when in use. The baffle is substantially impervious to smoke and forces the smoke leaving the filter in a direction generally angularly outward from the periphery of the filter. Ventilating air grooves can also be provided in the filter to direct ventilating air at the mouth end of the filter to provide mixing of the exiting smoke and ventilating air at the mouth end of the filter.

Abstract: A processed expandable tobacco paste as an additive to a cigarette, and a cigarette having the tobacco paste is disclosed. The tobacco paste provides a cigarette with the physical properties of firmness of tobacco, even tobacco burning, draw resistance, cigarette end stability and coal retention of conventional cigarettes, but at a lower tobacco density than conventional cigarettes. The cigarette includes a cylindrical tobacco rod, at least one longitudinally extending line of expanded tobacco paste, and wrapping material circumferentially surrounding the tobacco rod which compresses the relatively low density tobacco rod. The tobacco paste can also contain a flavoring ingredient.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette which includes means at the mouth end thereof to divert the exiting smoke in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A method for determining the percent of solids in a solid-liquid mixture or slurry by heating the slurry, removing vapor formed by heating the slurry, passing an ultrasonic signal through the heated slurry, and measuring the velocity and alteration of the ultrasonic signal in the slurry. An apparatus for carrying out this method includes a measuring loop in flow communication with a slurry processing system which includes a slurry heating device, a device for removing vapors from the heated slurry and an ultrasonic generating and measuring device.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method and apparatus for stripping leaf lamina from tobacco leaf stems. The apparatus comprises two pairs of opposed rollers in tandem relationship. The first set of rollers is driven at a fixed speed and serves to engage and feed tobacco leaf to the second set of rollers which are driven at a relatively higher speed. When the second pair of rollers engages the stem of the tobacco leaf, the stem is yanked away from the leaf lamina, which is held back by its engagement with the first pair of feed rollers. In this way stripping of the leaf lamina occurs. The disclosure is also of a method of destemming tobacco leaf, employing the apparatus of the invention. The method simulates the desirable results of hand stripping without an expenditure of hand stripping labor. The method is also advantageous in that it permits one to destem tobacco leaves having relatively low moisture content and at ambient temperatures, thereby effecting a considerable savings in energy expenditure.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method and apparatus for stripping leaf lamina from tobacco leaf stems. The apparatus comprises two pairs of opposed rollers in tandem relationship. The first set of rollers is driven at a fixed speed and serves to engage and feed tobacco leaf to the second set of rollers which are driven at a relatively higher speed. When the second pair of rollers engages the stem of the tobacco leaf, the stem is yanked away from the leaf lamina, which is held back by its engagement with the first pair of feed rollers. In this way stripping of the leaf lamina occurs. The disclosure is also of a method of destemming tobacco leaf, employing the apparatus of the invention. The method simulates the desirable results of hand stripping without an expenditure of hand stripping labor. The method is also advantageous in that it permits one to destem tobacco leaves having relatively low moisture content and at ambient temperatures, thereby effecting a considerable savings in energy expenditure.