Smoke Separator Or Treater Patents (Class 131/331)
  • Publication number: 20110048434
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tobacco material for use in a smoking article is provided, including (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof; (ii) heating the mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated mixture into a smoking article as a smokable material. A smoking article in the form of a cigarette is also provided that includes a tobacco material pre-treated to inhibit reaction of asparagine to form acrylamide in mainstream smoke. Upon smoking, the smoking article is characterized by an acrylamide content of mainstream smoke that is reduced relative to an untreated control smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Anthony Richard Gerardi, John-Paul Mua, Darrell Eugene Holton, JR., Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Serban C. Moldoveanu, Paul Andrew Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20110030705
    Abstract: This invention relates to a smoking article (1) and to a method for manufacturing a smoking article. The smoking article comprises a smoking material rod (2), at least one filtering element (3) and a wrapper (4), said wrapper connects the at least one filtering element and the smoking material rod; the smoking material rod and the at least one filtering element are spaced apart and this space is enclosed by the wrapper to form a chamber (6); and the wrapper comprises at least one ventilation opening (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Marcos Henrique Koshaka
  • Publication number: 20110023900
    Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a cylindrical plug of a substantially homogeneous filtering material of circumference between 14.0 and 23.2 mm, wherein the substantially homogeneous filtering material comprises a plurality of randomly oriented staple fibres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Francis Clarke, Daniel S. Araujo
  • Patent number: 7878963
    Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a flow restrictor and a cavity downstream of the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes an orifice or flow channel for directing smoke into the cavity. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location downstream of the restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Mike Braunshteyn, Rowland W. Dwyer, Martin Garthaffner, Dwight Williams, Richard Jupe
  • Patent number: 7878210
    Abstract: Cellulose acetate fibers can be modified to have physical imperfections and then incorporated into cigarette filter plugs as filtering materials. Cellulose acetate fiber modification can be achieved by etching with a gas phase etchant or a liquid phase etchant comprising hydrogen peroxide. Modification of cellulose acetate fibers may be performed at various stages during the manufacture of cigarette filter plugs. Furthermore, cigarette filter plugs containing modified cellulose acetate fibers can also have spaced apart slits along the length of the cigarette filter plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Lipowicz, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Lixin L. Xue, Milton E. Parrish, Vicki L. Baliga
  • Publication number: 20110011413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter tow strip, especially twin tow from cross-linked and crimped filaments which form at least two partial strips (12a, 12b) that are interlinked by a section of reduced cross-linking density (11), the linking filaments (13) being interlooped and/or interlocked in such a manner that the linking filaments form intersections (14). The filter two strip is characterized in that the maximum cross-cutting force of the partial strips (12a, 12b) does not exceed 20 cN on a length of approximately 20 cm of the filter tow strip (10) and/or the number of the Baking filaments (13) does not exceed 200 cross-locking and/or cross-looping filaments on a length of approximately 20 cm of the filter tow strip (10) when impinged with the maximum cross-cutting force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Rhodia Acetow GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Rustemeyer, Hermann Müller, Uwe Schäffner
  • Publication number: 20100300468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter tow bale (2) from compressed filter tow, which is characterized in that the filter tow bale (2) comprises at least two separate filter tow strips (1, 1?) that are arranged together in layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Rhodia Acetow GMBH
    Inventor: Paul Rustemeyer
  • Patent number: 7832412
    Abstract: A surface-modified adsorbent comprises a reagent on a porous carrier. Preferred porous carriers are adsorbent carbons such as activated carbon, silica gels, aluminas, polyester resins, zeolites or zeolite-like materials, and mixtures thereof. Preferred reagents are 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (2-HMP) or a 2-HMP analogue. Surface modified adsorbents can be incorporated into cigarettes, preferably in an amount effective to reduce the concentration of one or more constituents of cigarette smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Phillip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin L. Xue, Kent B. Koller
  • Patent number: 7827996
    Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of amphiphile-modified sorbents are disclosed. The amphiphile-modified sorbent has at least one amphiphilic compound bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate. The amphiphile-modified sorbent selectively removes certain constituents from cigarette smoke, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using amphiphile-modified sorbents, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette containing an amphiphile-modified sorbent, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
  • Patent number: 7793665
    Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Michael Francis Dube, Kenneth Wayne Smith, Vernon Brent Barnes
  • Patent number: 7789088
    Abstract: A cigarette filter having a consolidated nonwoven fabric with an aqueous based polymer binder. The polymer binder comprises one or more polymer compositions and is stabilized by one or more high molecular weight protective colloids. While the binder may be utilized with unconsolidated nonwoven fabric webs made by a variety of methods, the binder is particularly useful for application to webs made via the latex bonded airlaid or multibonded airlaid methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Celanese International Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Scott, Ralf Klug
  • Patent number: 7784470
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose M. G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 7784471
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 7770585
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying an additive to cigarette filter tow material which is in, or exiting, a filter tow funnel, the apparatus comprising a flavor inlet, a valve, and a hollow needle positioned downstream of at least a portion of said filter tow funnel, the needle being in fluid communication controlled by said valve with said flavor inlet, whereby, in use, a flavoring is delivered by said needle into the path of said filter tow material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: C.B. Kaymich & Co. Limited
    Inventor: Lawrence Fowles
  • Patent number: 7766019
    Abstract: A smoking cessation device is provided. The smoking cessation device includes a dispensing member comprising porous plastic defining a matrix of an internal network of passages in communication with pores on the exterior of the device. The device is preferably sized and structured like a cigarette or other combustible smoking device. Residing within the matrix is a dispensate extractable therefrom upon exposure to a fluid. In one form the dispensate may be a tobacco derivative including one or more of nicotine, tobacco flavoring, menthol, vitamins, minerals, therapeutic agents, and/or additional flavoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Luzenberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7762267
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to obtain filter tows or filtering materials for manufacturing filters for smoking products which make it possible to prevent or at least reduce health risks due to the release of the filter components and external contamination of cigarettes by filter components. According to the invention, a filter element is manufactured of starch and/or a mixture of a starch-based polymer and eventually incorporated activated-carbon layers and provided with pores and/or channels. The filter particles eventually adherent to such filtering materials or released during cigarette smoking can be dissolved in a corresponding moisture-containing environment. They do not come into consideration for health-damaging effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Harald Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100132725
    Abstract: Smoking article components, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided that use nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters capable of catalyzing and/or oxidizing carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or adsorbing carbon monoxide and catalyzing and/or reducing nitric oxide to nitrogen and/or adsorbing nitric oxide. Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material can comprise nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Budda V. Reddy, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20100132726
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention concern methods for detecting, identifying and evaluating tobacco and tobacco products to determine the potential that these compositions have to contribute to a tobacco-related disease. It is based, at least in part; on the discovery that exposure of pulmonary cells to smoke or smoke condensate obtained from tobacco or tobacco products induces double stranded breaks in cellular DNA, which were efficiently detected using assays that measure the presence, absence, or amount of phosphorylation of the histone, H2AX.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: VECTOR TOBACCO, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Albino, Ellen D. Jorgensen, Frank Traganos, Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, Wendy Jin
  • Patent number: 7726320
    Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John Howard Robinson, David William Griffith, Jr., Billy Tyrone Conner, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100108083
    Abstract: The invention comprises the use of means for trapping CO2 in a filter for preventing inflammation, cancer and/or cardiovascular diseases in a subject exposed to tobacco smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Laurent Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7677254
    Abstract: Smoking article components, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided that use nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters capable of catalyzing and/or oxidizing carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or adsorbing carbon monoxide and catalyzing and/or reducing nitric oxide to nitrogen and/or adsorbing nitric oxide. Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material can comprise nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Budda V. Reddy, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20100058925
    Abstract: A filter material for removing toxins and/or environmental contaminants from a body of gas, comprising bentonite disposed within a support arranged so as to allow contact between the body of gas and the bentonite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Paul James Byrne
  • Patent number: 7661432
    Abstract: A cigarette filter is characterized in that sesame lignan (which is at least one selected from the group consisting of sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol, sesamolinol, sesamolin and pinoredinol) is added to the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Hosono
  • Patent number: 7610920
    Abstract: Smoking articles which use thiol-functionalized sorbents are provided. The thiol-functionalized sorbents comprise at least one thioalkylsilyl compound covalently bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate, where the thiol-functionalized sorbent is capable of removing at least one heavy metal constituent of mainstream smoke. The thiol-functionalized sorbents are particularly useful for the removal of mercury and/or cadmium from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the thiol-functionalized sorbent, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the thiol-functionalized sorbent, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
  • Patent number: 7569510
    Abstract: Catalysts for the conversion, or oxidation, of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Cigarettes with filters containing the catalysts have acceptable resistance to draw. Additionally, the catalysts can be used to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide from a vehicle exhaust emission, a gas used in a CO2 laser, a gas used in a fuel cell and/or ambient air undergoing air filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Sarojini Deevi, Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy
  • Publication number: 20090183745
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide a cigarette filter capable of very effectively adsorbing/eliminating carcinogens such as dioxins and benzpyrene in mainstream smoke generated in cigarette smoking, and maintaining the flavor characteristic of cigarette and air permeability of cigarette filter. [Solution] Provided is a cigarette filter containing a harmful substance-eliminating material comprising a double-stranded DNA and/or a corn cob powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: NISSEI BIO COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaji Matsunaga, Fumito Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20090159091
    Abstract: A method of forming activated carbon from microcrystalline cellulose comprises converting the microcrystalline cellulose powder into microcrystalline cellulose beads using extrusion and spheronization, carbonizing microcrystalline cellulose to form carbonized microcrystalline cellulose and activating the carbonized microcrystalline cellulose to form activated carbon. The final size of the activated carbon beads, which preferably are of practically spherical shape, can be controlled through the process of making microcrystalline cellulose beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20090126747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing the concentration of noxious substances in gases and smoke. Filters comprising plant extracts, such as parenchyma tissue extract and mesophyll cell extract, are also provided, as well as methods for making same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Andre L'Heureux, Stephane Dupuis, Marc Purcell
  • Patent number: 7503960
    Abstract: Filters and smoking articles include at least one carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent capable of selectively removing one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke in a cigarette comprising the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Plunkett, Kenneth H. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20090056729
    Abstract: Improved filters useful for tobacco products, such as cigarettes, and novel cigarettes having such filters are disclosed. The filters include adsorbents such as activated carbon which reduce amounts of one or more gas phase constituents of mainstream tobacco smoke. The adsorbents are treated with off-taste suppressants which reduce the off-taste associated with adsorbent containing filters and substantially restore the taste normally associated with tobacco smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael A. ZAWADZKI, A. Brent Rudd, Kenneth D. Barrett, Terry D. Jessup, William R. Deaton
  • Publication number: 20090050557
    Abstract: High-bond strength silicons having a median particle size of at least 100 ?m, a porous volume (Vd1), formed by pores whose diameter ranges from 3.6 to 1,000 nm, of at least 0.3 cm3/g, a mean pore diameter for the pores, whose diameter ranges from 3.6 to 1,000 nm, greater than 11 nm and a cohesive index (IC) less than 0.25 are provided. Also provided are methods for producing such silicons by silicon wet granulation, heat treating and possible sieving. The silicons can be used in the form of a liquid carrier, a catalyst carrier or additive and for liquid or gaseous filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: RHODIA RECHERCHES ET TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Anne Bouchara, Robert Eberhardt, Eric Perin
  • Publication number: 20090038629
    Abstract: Flavor-bearing sheets for the controlled delivery of volatile flavorants in a smoking article are disclosed. The flavor-bearing sheets comprise a non-volatile vitreous matrix of a film-forming coagulating material having one or more volatile flavorants dispersed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: J. Dennis Ergle, Michael A. Zawadzki, Simon F. Yee
  • Patent number: 7487782
    Abstract: A cigarette filter has a filter medium containing an inorganic basic substance such as sodium carbonate and a moisturizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sodium propionate and sodium lactate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Masafumi Tarora, Takashi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20090032034
    Abstract: A vaporizer device that uses a flame for vaporizing flavor and psychoactive compounds from smoking materials such as tobacco. The present device has a filter unit 34 with a porous flame filter 36. The flame filter 36 can be made of open-cell ceramic or metal foam, sintered ceramic or metal granules or other porous, heat resistant materials. In use, flame is supplied to the flame filter, and inhalation causes ambient air to enter the flame filter as well. The flame exhaust and ambient air are mixed within the flame filter and produce an air stream of intermediate temperature. The intermediate temperature air stream is hot enough to vaporize desirable components from the smoking material. The filter unit and pipe can attach with a ground glass joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Dan A. Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20090007926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering tobacco smoke from a cigarette, in particular a filter cigarette, the device comprising a portable housing provided with a combustion space in which the cigarette can burn, a filter unit for filtering the tobacco smoke of a burning cigarette, at least one discharge opening for discharging filtered tobacco smoke and one or more tobacco smoke displacing units for displacing the tobacco smoke via the filter unit to the discharge opening, wherein a mouthpiece is formed on the housing, the mouthpiece comprising a holding unit for holding the cigarette, wherein the holding unit comprises an opening along which the cigarette can be pushed partially into the housing from outside the housing, and the opening is formed to hold the cigarette clampingly in the partially inserted situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GIDDING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Theodorus Gidding
  • Publication number: 20090000633
    Abstract: Cellulose acetate fibers can be modified to have physical imperfections and then incorporated into cigarette filter plugs as filtering materials. Cellulose acetate fiber modification can be achieved by etching with a gas phase etchant or a liquid phase etchant comprising hydrogen peroxide. Modification of cellulose acetate fibers may be performed at various stages during the manufacture of cigarette filter plugs. Furthermore, cigarette filter plugs containing modified cellulose acetate fibers can also have spaced apart slits along the length of the cigarette filter plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Lipowicz, Shalva Gedevanishvili, Lixin L. Xue, Milton E. Parrish, Vicki L. Baliga
  • Publication number: 20080314399
    Abstract: A smoking article comprises a rod of smokable material circumscribed by a rod wrapper and a filter comprising at least one filter segment circumscribed by a filter wrapper. The rod of smokable material and the filter are attached to one another by tipping paper and the smoking article comprises a tear ribbon between the at least one filter segment and the tipping paper. The tear ribbon is affixed to at least one of the tipping paper and the filter wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Martin Ricketts, Dionis Borgognon, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20080245377
    Abstract: A cigarette is provided that includes a rod of smokable material circumscribed by an outer wrapping material and a filter element, which may include an adsorbent material such as activated carbon, attached to one end of the rod of smokable material. The smokable material includes at least about 5 percent by weight of a dark air-cured tobacco, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, blended with additional tobacco materials such as flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Marshall, Susan Marlene Adams, Dwayne William Beeson, Ernest L. Cerny, Keisha Renee Willingham
  • Publication number: 20080230076
    Abstract: The present invention provides a smoke filter material, a filter and cigarettes with the filter, as well as methods for their manufacture. The filter material substantially is of an organic material and comprises covalently bound active thiol groups substantially free of complexing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: WICK, IMMUNOLOGISCHE DIAGNOSTICK U. BERATUNG KG
    Inventors: Georg Wick, David Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20080216848
    Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion. The filter includes a ventilated cavity and a flow restrictor segment having an impermeable insert at least partially surrounded by a tubular segment of an air transmissive material upstream of the cavity. In an embodiment, the tubular segment at least partially defines the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Richard Jupe, Georgios D. Karles, Dwight Williams, Raquel Olegario, Michael Braunshteyn, Martin Garthaffner, Rowland W. Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20080185011
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigarette filters, methods of manufacturing smoking articles including sealed filters, and methods of treating tobacco smoke are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a smoking article contains sealed filters, wherein additives are sealed within the sealed filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20080168997
    Abstract: A cigarette filter for reducing tar and decreasing toxicity and equipment for producing the filter are provided in tobacco field. The rod core is made from staple fiber, specially natural plant fiber, specially wood fiber, more specially short wood pile fiber. The cigarette filter can be the complex filter, or the complex filter with a hollow cylinder, or the triple filter. For modeling the filter made of wood fiber, the invention provides a set of equipments, which includes crushing equipment for wood pulp material, negative pressure equipment for adsorbing and forming twist, and conveying equipment. The equipment can be combined with existing cigarette filter modeling equipment. Because of said solution of the invention, tobacco smoke passes through the filter with large contact area, long course and perdurability. Due to the effective ability of adsorbing and filtrating of wood fibers, amount of tar and other toxicants adsorbed of a single cigarette is decreased availably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Chenxiao Wu, Xuedong Niu, Languang Zhu, Zhixin Shen, Min Li, Li Xiong, Jianping Du
  • Publication number: 20080149120
    Abstract: A cigarette is equipped with a filter incorporating nanofibers. The nanofibers can be used either alone or in conjunction with other filtering media such as larger fibers, paper, activated charcoal, etc. With a nanofiber filter, the filter need not be as dense as the molecules of the smoke become attracted to the nanofiber due to quantum mechanics instead of being sieved out. The efficacy of the filter is better than filters with larger diameter fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen B. Squires, Michael J. Gardiner
  • Publication number: 20080110470
    Abstract: Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 7370657
    Abstract: An activated carbon-containing sorbent is capable of selectively removing one or more selected gaseous components from a gas. The activated carbon-containing sorbent can be incorporated in a smoking article to remove one or more selected components from mainstream smoke. The activated carbon-containing sorbent can be a composite including one or more molecular sieve materials. Methods of making the activated carbon-containing sorbent, cigarette filters and smoking articles including the activated carbon-containing sorbent, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the activated carbon-containing sorbent, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier, John B. Paine, III, Lixin Xue
  • Publication number: 20080087289
    Abstract: Smoke control systems and processes for controlling tobacco smoke, in association with a gaming table in which the smoke control system does not interfere with the gaming and allows the table to be used for both smoking and non-smoking applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Tanner
  • Publication number: 20080060664
    Abstract: A device for filtering second-hand smoke from a burning tobacco product includes a first chamber for receiving the lit end of the tobacco product. Users of the device can inhale smoke from the tobacco product through a first aperture in the first chamber, while a filter communicating with the first chamber filters smoke from the burning end of the tobacco product. A second chamber is configured to receive smoke and air exhaled by the user. The smoke is filtered by the second filter and the filtered air is passed through to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Wilbur Richards
  • Publication number: 20080035163
    Abstract: The current invention is a magnetic Cigarette Filter and system of use. It is a filter which has a filter mouth piece with a cellulose filter, an air tube and a cigarette holder with an air hole in a magnetic plate to which magnets are held. The mouth piece and the cigarette holder can be removed from the air tube by a simple turning and pulling motion. There are rings in the connection between the mouth piece and the air tube and the air tube and the cigarette holder. These rings issue an airtight seal on the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Shaahin Cheyene
  • Publication number: 20080029114
    Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavour release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavour release segment comprising filtration material and a flavourant upstream of the first flavour release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavour release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavour release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the mouth end segment. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the second flavour release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavour release segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
  • Publication number: 20070235046
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette. The filter element comprises filter material, particles of a magnetized adsorbent, and at least one magnetic substrate. During smoking of a cigarette comprising the filter element, the at least one magnetic substrate can filter (i.e., magnetically attract and trap) the magnetized adsorbent particles or fragments thereof within the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Shalva Gedevanishvili