Abstract: A filter cigarette is provided which comprises a tobacco rod which includes a charge of tobacco wrapped in cigarette paper, an integral, axially aligned cylindrical filter plug, and tipping paper. The filter plug is divided into first and second segments with the first segment being rotatable with respect to the second segment. Rotation of the first segment with respect to the second segment, in one embodiment of the invention, serves to vary the air dilution value of the cigarette. In another embodiment, rotation of the first segment with respect to the second segment produces variable resistance-to-draw in the cigarette. Both of the above embodiments can be combined into yet another embodiment to produce a cigarette which maintains a constant resistance-to-draw value as the air dilution value is varied. In yet another embodiment, an encapsulated flavorant is provided which is released responsive to rotation of the first segment with respect to the second segment.

Abstract: A variable dilution filter cigarette is provided which includes a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, an axially aligned, substantially cylindrical filter plug wrapped in a substantially air-permeable plug wrap, and a substantially air-permeable first layer of tipping paper which joins the filter plug to the tobacco rod. Circumscribing the first layer of tipping paper is a second layer of substantially air-impermeable tipping paper. The second layer has a circumferentially extending row of closely spaced perforations intermediate its two ends which divides it into a mouth-end sleeve attached to the first layer at the mouth end of the cigarette and a second rod-end sleeve detachable from the mouth-end sleeve.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical foamed, extruded, tobacco-containing smoking article is provided which has properties substantially equivalent to those of a conventional cigarette and which contains from about 5 to about 98 wt. % of tobacco particles having a particle size of up to about 5 mesh, from 0 to about 60 wt. % of a filler having a particle size of up to about 350 .mu.m mesh, from about 2 to about 40 wt. % of a cellulosic binder selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof, and from about 5 to about 20 wt. % water. The article has a density within the range of from about 0.05 to about 1.5 g/cc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying particulate matter to tobacco during the cigarette making process is disclosed. The amount of particulate matter that is lost during the cigarette making process is minimized by applying the particulate matter to the tobacco as it passes through tongue (30), one of the last steps prior to enclosing the tobacco rod in the cigarette paper at folding unit (42).

Abstract: A rheometer of the extrusion plastometer type is provided with means for forcibly mechanically mixing the material to be tested within the chamber of the rheometer. The rheometer preferably includes a pair of telescopically arranged pistons which can be selectively coupled and uncoupled from one another so that one of them can serve as a mixing device. The pistons are coupled for unitary movement when discharging the material being tested.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding low density particulate material into spaces between filter plugs secured spacedly to filter wrap provides for fluidizing the material and transferring the fluidized material by suction into such spaces. The filter plugs and wrap are conveyed through a passage whose sidewall preferably is provided in part by an elongate generally continuous concave surface of a unitary housing having conduits extending therethrough from longitudinally spaced openings in the concave surface.