Air Patents (Class 131/336)
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Publication number: 20140326261Abstract: A mouthpiece lining paper for a smoking article, which mouthpiece lining paper forms the outermost layer of the casing of the filter. The mouthpiece lining paper is provided with locally limited raised areas that are formed by hardened lacquer. Between the raised areas, surface regions of the mouthpiece lining paper are provided, above which the raised areas protrude by at least 5 ?m in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the mouthpiece lining paper.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Guenther Griesmayr, Barbara Puehringer, Marco Scheuchl
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Publication number: 20140318562Abstract: A smoking article (10, 30, 40, 50, 70) with variable ventilation comprises a mouthpiece (12) circumscribed by a first wrapper (24) and a second wrapper (25). The first wrapper (24) and the second wrapper (25) are substantially air impermeable and are movable relative to one another between a low ventilation configuration and a high ventilation configuration. The mouthpiece (12) comprises a first airflow pathway (18, 19) through the first wrapper (24) or the second wrapper (25) and a second airflow pathway (26) through the first wrapper (24) or the second wrapper (25). In the low ventilation configuration airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the first airflow pathway (18, 19) is restricted and airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the second airflow pathway (26) is substantially unrestricted. In the high ventilation configuration airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the first airflow pathway (18, 19) and the second airflow pathway (26) is substantially unrestricted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Robert Emmett, Jerome Uthurry, Alen Kadiric, Enrique Dalmau
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Patent number: 8863757Abstract: A process for reducing the permeability of a paper wrapper used in the construction of a smoking article is disclosed. The paper wrapper is treated with a film-forming composition that forms treated discrete areas on the wrapper. The treated discrete areas have a permeability within a predetermined range sufficient to reduce the ignition proclivity properties of a smoking article made with the wrapper. In accordance with the present invention, the film-forming composition contains a film-forming material. The film-forming material has a relatively low viscosity. In this manner, the film-forming composition can have a relatively high solids content and still be applied to the wrapper using conventional techniques, such as by using a gravure printer.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas A. Kraker
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Publication number: 20140299144Abstract: A smoking article has a tobacco rod wrapped within a wrapping material and having first and second ends, a filter rod and ventilation, wherein the filter rod is connected to the first end of the tobacco rod by a tipping material partially overlapping the tobacco rod and at least partially overlapping the filter rod, and wherein the wrapping material is provided with a first region having a first permeability and/or porosity, the first region extending longitudinally along the tobacco rod from an intermediate position along the portion of the tobacco rod which is not overlapped by the tipping material towards the tipping material and with a second region having a second porosity and/or permeability higher than the first porosity and/or permeability, the second region extending longitudinally along the tobacco rod from the intermediate position towards the second end of the tobacco rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Publication number: 20140238427Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a smoking article (100) comprising a tobacco rod (104) and a mouthpiece 101). The mouthpiece (101) comprises at least one segment and a wrapper circumscribing the at least one segment and defining a mouth end cavity (106). The mouthpiece (101) is in axial alignment with the tobacco rod (104) and has a rod end adjacent the tobacco rod (104) and a mouth end opposite the rod end. One or more indicia are applied to the inner surface of the wrapper portion defining the mouth end cavity (106). There is also provided a method for the manufacture of mouthpieces, and smoking articles according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Inventors: Saule Tanasheva, Alexandre Camus
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Publication number: 20140238425Abstract: Smoking article and method of manufacturing a smoking article A smoking article (10), comprises a first part, and a second part movable relative to the first part. An indexing mechanism comprises a first indexing surface (18) on one of the first part or second part; and a second indexing surface (19) on the other of the first and second parts. The second indexing surface (19) is configured to engage with the first indexing surface (18) to control relative movement between the first part and second part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Karl Kaljura, Paul Clarke, Ian Dunckley, Philip Russell Fawcus, Kevin Blick, David Paton, John Richardson, Kie Seon Park, Stuart Dunlop, Patrick Meredith, Graham Penrose
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Publication number: 20140238426Abstract: A smoking article including: a first part defining a first end surface, and a second part defining a second end surface. The first part is rotatable relative to the second part. The first and second end surfaces are configured to engage to limit rotation between the first and second parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventor: Karl Kaljura
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Publication number: 20140230834Abstract: A smoking article comprising a first part moveable relative to a second part, and defining an interface between the first and second parts located around the first part are provided, among other aspects. A cover is configured to cover the interface and obstruct ingress of air into the smoking article directly at the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Karl Kaljura, Ian Dunckley, Philip Fawcus, Stuart Dunlop
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Patent number: 8807143Abstract: A filter for a smoking article comprises elongate body 4 of filter material 7 for filtering smoke, an inner wrapper comprising first and second regions 9, 10 of non-porous material around and spaced apart along the length the filter material 7 to define a gap 11 that acts as a ventilation zone, and an outer wrapper 13 of porous material overlying the inner wrapper such as to allow ventilation air to be drawn through the ventilation zone and pass into the filter material (a) through the porous third wrapper and (b) longitudinally between inner wrapper and the outer wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Publication number: 20140202470Abstract: A smoking article comprising a first part, and a second part comprising a sleeve extending around at least a part of the first part of the smoking article. The smoking article defines one or more ventilation areas providing ventilation into a longitudinal end of the sleeve of the smoking article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Kevin Blick, Mark Austin
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Patent number: 8770206Abstract: A smoking article such as a filter cigarette includes a rotary flow control device (2) in its filter assembly that comprises first, second and third body portions (3, 4, 5). The first body portion (1) contains a plug (6) of filter material and is attached to a tobacco rod (1). The second portion (4) contains different smoke flavorants in different sectors (18), which can be aligned by manual rotation individually with a smoke flow passageway (13, 35) to impart different flavors to the smoke that passes to the mouth of the consumer. The second body portion (4) is rotated through the agency of the third body portion (5). First and second ratchet mechanisms (14,19; 20, 24) are disposed between the second body portion (4) and the first and third body portions respectively to allow assured rotation of the second portion to select individual flavorants for the smoke passing to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Tobacco Research and Development Institute (Proprietary) LimitedInventor: Gerhard Malan Le Roux
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Publication number: 20140158144Abstract: A smoking article 10 comprises a source of smokable material 11, a filter 12, a first layer 13 surrounding at least a part of the filter 12, a second layer 14 surrounding at least a part of the first layer 13 and one or more paths 15 for ventilating air flow between the first and second layers 13, 14. A part of the first layer 13 surrounds the source of smokable material 11 and is for attaching the filter 12 thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Karl Kaljura, John Richardson, Kevin Blick
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Publication number: 20140060558Abstract: A sheath for a smoking article, such as a filter cigarette, including an exterior sheath (5) that provides a ventilation structure which has a reduced possibility of occlusion, and which also prevents a reduction in filter efficacy when the strength of the draw on the smoking article by the consumer is increased, for example in order to overcome the effects of dilution of the smoke flow with ambient air. The sheath may be manufactured as an independent entity and then fitted to prefabricated smoking articles, or alternatively may be constructed as an integral part of the smoking article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Patent number: 8640713Abstract: A sheath for a smoking article, such as a filter cigarette, including an exterior sheath (5) that provides a ventilation structure which has a reduced possibility of occlusion, and which also prevents a reduction in filter efficacy when the strength of the draw on the smoking article by the consumer is increased, for example in order to overcome the effects of dilution of the smoke flow with ambient air. The sheath may be manufactured as an independent entity and then fitted to prefabricated smoking articles, or alternatively may be constructed as an integral part of the smoking article.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Patent number: 8499767Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Nikolaus Martin Ricketts, Dionis Borgognon, Charles Kuersteiner
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Patent number: 8434499Abstract: A filter for a smoking article, which includes an upstream segment having a carbon filter and a downstream segment of filtering material. The upstream segment includes a carbon filter with a hollow tubular member concentrically positioned within the carbon filter, and one or more holes around an outer circumference of the hollow tubular member to allow mainstream smoke to bypass the carbon filter during the first puff. During use, the hollow tubular member has a lower resistance to draw than the carbon filter during an initial puff or puffs, and after the initial puff or puffs, mainstream smoke is drawn through the carbon filter.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Georgios Karles, Christopher Allmond, Stephen Wayne Rose
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Patent number: 8424539Abstract: A smoking article having a filter segment that establishes both a desired resistance to draw and a mixing of mainstream smoke with ventilation air. The filter segment includes a fluted portion, a frusto-conical portion and axially extending orifices establishing fluid communication between the frusto-conical portion and voids between one or more walls of the fluted portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michael Braunshteyn, San Li, Raquel Olegario
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Patent number: 8393334Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod, a filter located at the mouth end of the smoking article, at least one tipping material, to attach the filter to the tobacco rod, wherein the at least one tipping material includes at least one transparent section, wherein the smoking article further includes a ventilation zone upstream of the at least one transparent section. A tipping material for such a smoking article is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Andrea Cecchetto, Frédéric Chapuis, Marco Presello, Kuersteiner Charles
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Patent number: 8353298Abstract: A smoking article having a cylinder of smoking material and a filter system attached to the cylinder of smoking material. The filter system includes an upstream plug of filtering material, a downstream plug of filtering material, and a cavity between the upstream plug of filtering material and the downstream plug of filtering material. A flow restrictor is positioned within the cavity and has at least one orifice and a series of perforations provide ventilation to the smoking article.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Michael Braunshteyn, Rowland W. Dwyer, San Li, Raquel Olegario, Gail Yoss
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Patent number: 8205621Abstract: A smoking device configured for controlling smoke/ambient air ratio for use by a user, the smoking device comprising a cigarette holder having a first passage, wherein the first passage includes a receiver portion and an exit portion. The smoking device further comprises a mouthpiece having a second passage and a third passage, wherein the first passage is fluidly connected to the second passage at the exit portion of the first passage. The third passage is normally unenclosed when not in use and becomes enclosed as a result of cooperation between the mouthpiece and a user's mouth and smoke generated from said cigarette is configured to be drawn through the first and second passages at a first flowrate and ambient air is configured to be drawn through the third passage at a second flowrate, into the user's mouth.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Inventor: Wayne Seeley
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Patent number: 8171941Abstract: An apparatus for customizing an as-formed cigarette is provided, wherein the as-formed cigarette has a cylindrical rod configuration defining a longitudinal axis, and includes a filter rod portion and a contiguous tobacco rod portion. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed an as-formed cigarette, from a plurality of as-formed cigarettes, to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the as-formed cigarette in the register position so as to imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. An associated method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Brent Walker Carter, John Larkin Nelson, Rebecca Anne Rogers
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Patent number: 8151805Abstract: A cigarette is provided with a tobacco section including a tobacco filler rod wrapped with an inner wrapper paper sheet containing less than 4% by weight of calcium carbonate and an outer wrapper paper containing calcium carbonate in an amount of 30 g/m2 and a burn adjusting agent in an amount of 3% by weight or more.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.Inventors: Kazuko Takeda, Yoshiyuki Yamada
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Publication number: 20120060855Abstract: A filter for a smoking article comprises elongate body 4 of filter material 7 for filtering smoke, an inner wrapper comprising first and second regions 9, 10 of non-porous material around and spaced apart along the length the filter material 7 to define a gap 11 that acts as a ventilation zone, and an outer wrapper 13 of porous material overlying the inner wrapper such as to allow ventilation air to be drawn through the ventilation zone and pass into the filter material (a) through the porous third wrapper and (b) longitudinally between inner wrapper and the outer wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2009Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Patent number: 8109277Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc,Inventors: San Li, Richard Jupe, Georgios D. Karles, Dwight Williams, Raquel Olegario, Michael Braunshteyn, Martin Garthaffner, Rowland W. Dwyer
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Patent number: 8100134Abstract: A cigarette includes a rod comprising a wrapped tobacco column that is joined to an axially aligned filter by a band of air impermeable tipping paper. The filter end of the rod is inserted into a mouthpiece having an air impermeable outer surface that comprises a ventilation tube and a second filter, separated by a mixing chamber. The ventilation tube has an air permeable annular wall that defines a central axial passage through which the rod extends. In use, the end surface of the annular wall at the rod end of the ventilation tube, which extends radially outward around the rod, acts as a ventilation surface through which air is drawn into the mixing chamber, where it mixes with mainstream smoke from the burning tobacco rod. The air/smoke mixture is drawn through the second filter into the consumer's mouth.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Cédric Meyer, Antoun Frédéric, Charles Kuersteiner
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Patent number: 8074663Abstract: A flame-retardant and fireproof cigarette which aims to contain the combustion process to the cigarette. The flame-retardant and fireproof cigarette has a filter that is aligned with a tobacco body. A flame-retardant and fireproof covering is positioned over at least a portion of the tobacco body and isolates the open fire associated with the consumption of the tobacco during the course of smoking or burning the cigarettes. Such a cigarette reduces the risk of undesired, inadvertent, and latent ignition of adjacent materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Inventor: Tian Ning
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Patent number: 7987857Abstract: A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; a first flavor release segment comprising plant leaf upstream of the mouth end segment; and a second flavor release segment comprising filtration material and a flavorant upstream of the first flavor release segment. The resistance to draw of the second flavor release segment is greater than the resistance to draw of the first flavor release segment and the resistance to draw of the second flavor 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 flavor release segment, which has a lower resistance to draw than the second flavor release segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
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Patent number: 7975704Abstract: A smoking article in which a patch of web material such as paper containing an adsorbent material therein, such as activated carbon, is positioned towards the mouth end of the smoking article to achieve a flatter puff profile compared to a conventional cigarette by decreasing the smoke constituents in the final few puffs. Characteristics of the smoking articles may be changed to increase the delivery of smoke constituents in the first few puffs in order to maintain a constant ISO NFDPM yield. The adsorbent-containing paper extends over only a portion of the smoking article towards the mouth end and does not comprise a flavorant therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventor: Richard Thomas Fiebelkorn
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Publication number: 20110155155Abstract: A multi-section filter (5) for a smoking article comprises at least a first (5B) and a second filter section (5A). The first filter section (5B) is at a mouth end of the filter (5) and the second filter section includes a set of ventilation holes (17) and a set of grooves (7). The grooves (7) extend from respective ventilation holes (17) along the second filter section (5A) up to but not into the first filter section (5B).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventor: Richard Fiebelkorn
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Patent number: 7866324Abstract: A cigarette having a multi-component filter wherein an upstream sorbent removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and a downstream flavor segment compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The flavor component includes cellulosic flavor bearing granules which release volatile flavor constituents into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The cellulosic granules include microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material which can be formed into a paste with the flavor additive, extruded and spheronized to form the flavor granules.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Richard Jupe, Rowland W. Dwyer, Donald E. Laslie, Arlington L. Finley, Barbara G. Taylor, Cecil M. Smith, Vivian E. Willis
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Publication number: 20100319718Abstract: The invention concerns a smoking article filter plug (16) for a cigarette, the filter plug being cylindrical and having a plug wrap (18), grooves (20) being impressed into the plug wrap, and a tipping paper (22) for the attachment of the filter plug to the tobacco rod (12). Some grooves are axially extending with respect to the axis of the filter plug and are open on the side of the tobacco rod and extend continuously only over a part of the length of the filter plug. All grooves are covered by a ventilated tipping paper, which allows ventilating air into the axially extending grooves only. In addition, the invention concerns the use of such a filter for the reduction of the CO/tar ratio as a function of the filter ventilation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Adolf Schlüter, Horst Grzonka
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Patent number: 7836896Abstract: A nontoxic, tobacco-less and flavored material for smoking, and a method of making the same. In one aspect, the invention is a tobacco-less material for smoking comprising: a shredded cellulosic paper having a weight; and a mixture of a humectant and a flavoring agent, the mixture having a weight and absorbed into the shredded cellulosic paper.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Social Smoke, Inc.Inventors: Abrahim Nadimi, Ali Seyed Nadimi, Sayyid Abdolmajid Nadimi
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Patent number: 7784471Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7784470Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7699061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Hugues Seitert, Ahmed Gawad, Levent Lekili, Charles Kuersteiner
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Publication number: 20090293894Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod, a filter located at the mouth end of the smoking article, at least one tipping material, to attach the filter to the tobacco rod, wherein the at least one tipping material includes at least one transparent section, wherein the smoking article further includes a ventilation zone upstream of the at least one transparent section. A tipping material for such a smoking article is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Andrea Cecchetto, Frederic Chapuis, Marco Presello, Kuersteiner Charles
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Patent number: 7484511Abstract: A cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a multi-component filter comprising a bed of adsorbent and a flavor-releasing filter segment located downstream of the bed of adsorbent. In the preferred embodiment, the adsorbent is also flavor-bearing and comprises high surface area, activated carbon. As mainstream smoke is drawn through the upstream portion of the filter, gas phase smoke constituents are removed and flavor is released from the adsorbent bed. Thereafter additional flavor is released into the mainstream smoke as it passes through the flavor-releasing filter segment. Ventilation is provided to limit the amount of tobacco being combusted during each puff and is arranged at a location spaced downstream from the adsorbent bed to lower mainstream smoke velocity through the adsorbent bed.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Richard Jupe, Ronald William Dwyer, Don Earl Laslie, Arlington L. Finley, Barbara G. Taylor, Cecil M. Smith, Vivian E. Willis
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Publication number: 20080202540Abstract: An apparatus for customizing an as-formed cigarette is provided, wherein the as-formed cigarette has a cylindrical rod configuration defining a longitudinal axis, and includes a filter rod portion and a contiguous tobacco rod portion. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed an as-formed cigarette, from a plurality of as-formed cigarettes, to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the as-formed cigarette in the register position so as to imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. An associated method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Brent Walker Carter, John Larkin Nelson, Rebecca Anne Rogers
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Patent number: 7237558Abstract: A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Melissa Ann Clark, Evon Llewellyn Crooks, Paul Eugene Braxton, Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Sharon Pitts Dunlap, Timothy Brian Nestor
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Patent number: 6832613Abstract: A cigarette filter is surrounded by a wrapping paper, and the wrapping paper includes metal only on portion of a surface thereof, such that air can penetrate through the wrapping paper into the filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Trierenberg Holding AktiengesellschaftInventor: Ernst Brunbauer
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Publication number: 20040177855Abstract: A cigarette filter comprises an elongate filter component having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced apart slits generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter component partially extend into the component. The slits enable the filter to disintegrate and more readily degrade after being used and discarded. Processes and apparatus are provided for producing such cigarette filters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventor: Martin T. Garthaffner
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Patent number: 6761174Abstract: A cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a multi-component filter comprising a bed of adsorbent and a flavor-releasing filter segment located downstream of the bed of adsorbent. In the preferred embodiment, the adsorbent is also flavor-bearing and comprises high surface area, activated carbon. As mainstream smoke is drawn through the upstream portion of the filter, gas phase smoke constituents are removed and flavor is released from the adsorbent bed. Thereafter additional flavor is released into the mainstream smoke as it passes through the flavor-releasing filter segment. Ventilation is provided to limit the amount of tobacco being combusted during each puff and is arranged at a location spaced downstream from the adsorbent bed to lower mainstream smoke velocity through the adsorbent bed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Richard Jupe, Ronald William Dwyer, Don Earl Laslie, Arlington L. Finley, Barbara G. Taylor, Cecil M. Smith, Vivian E. Willis
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Patent number: 6748956Abstract: This invention is directed to a cigarette filter containing an extract of Vernonia Cinerea (L.) Less. According to this invention, novel cigarette filter and cigarette are provided which are capable of effectively providing a desired effect in facilitating smokers' suppressing smoking or giving up smoking such as to satisfy smokers' desire to smoke and smoking habit without changing the cigarette's own flavor thereby allowing the smokers to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked easily while permitting them to keep on smoking without interruption.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Inventor: Hiromichi Yamashita
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Patent number: 6576034Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Filtrona Richmond, Inc.Inventor: Richard M. Berger
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Patent number: 6502582Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cigarette with a tobacco strand enclosed by a cigarette paper, which has a diameter of 5-7 mm, with a smoke yield of at most 1 mg condensate, with a tobacco-side filter element having a relative retention of >90%, with a mouth-side filter element having a relative retention of <10% and with a ventilation zone running in circumferential direction in the encasing and covering paper, which is situated at a distance from the mouth-side filter end, the length of which is at least 1 mm less than that of the mouth-side cork. The nicotine/condensate ·10 strand depletion ratio is ≧1.0, the overall length of the filter lies between 25-30 mm, the diameter between 5-7 mm and the length of the mouth-side filter cork lies between 13-18 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbHInventors: Gunther Peters, Sabine Schäfer, Solvey Knorr
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Patent number: 6422244Abstract: A filter for a cigarette and a filter cigarette which make a smoking feeling much milder without the original cigarette taste and aroma being spoiled are provided. The cigarette filter has a filter rod 8 having an air permeable peripheral surface, and 3 to 12 axial passages 12 in the rod 8. These passages 12 are distributed on a ring having a diameter of 50 to 70% of that of the rod and have a diameter of 0.1 to 0.7 mm. The wall of the axial passages 12 have air permeability. In smoking, ventilation air introduced into the passages 12 dilutes the smoke stream from the cigarette.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignees: Japan Tobacco, Inc., Filtrona International Ltd.Inventors: Paul Clarke, John Charlton, Ichiro Atobe, Masanori Koborinai
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Patent number: 6371127Abstract: A device for minimizing cigarette sidestream smoke and reducing the free-burn rate of a burning cigarette, the device comprises: I) a non-combustible tubular element (12) encasing an effective length of a tobacco charge (22) of a cigarette (14) located in a tubular element; and II) the tubular element having a means for both minimizing sidestream smoke emission from a burning tobacco charge and reducing free-burn rate of such burning tobacco charge to increase the number of puffs from the burning tobacco charge.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.Inventors: Stanislav M. Snaidr, Larry Bowen, Warren A. Brackmann
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Patent number: 6206007Abstract: A cigarette with a dual-structure filter includes a dual-structure filter having a first filter element and a second filter element arranged downstream of the first filter element, a tobacco rod arranged upstream of the filter, and a tip paper covering a downstream end portion of the tobacco rod and a circumferential surface of the filter. At least one row of a plurality of holes are formed in the tip paper in a circumferential direction of the filter. An air-permeation resistance per unit length of the second filter element is at least twice that of the first filter element. An air inflow rate from the tip paper is at least 20%.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.Inventors: Takaichi Yoshida, Hayato Hasebe, Kazuyo Kaneki, Shinichiro Tanaka
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Patent number: 6206008Abstract: A non-smokable tobacco product comprises a rod-shaped element of cigarette tobacco with a filter element at one end and both enclosed by a tubular wrapper. The product is rendered unsmokable by a perforation extending through the wrapper of the tobacco or the filter element so that when air is drawn through the filter substantially all of the air enters through those perforations, there being insufficient air flow through the tip end to propagate normal cigarette combustion of the tobacco at that location or to permit any appreciable amount of smoke reaching the smoker's mouth. The product is rendered smokable by the user covering the perforated region of the wrapper by means of a strip, a sliding band, or a ring which blocks air flow through the perforations and thus converts the product into a self-made cigarette that can be smoked in the manner of a regular cigarette.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Canada LimitedInventors: Robert Matteau, Luc Gaetan Duplessis, Michael Cardone, Marcel Champagne
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Patent number: 6202650Abstract: A filter-tipped cigarette includes a tobacco portion having a tobacco material wrapped by a cigarette paper, and a filter portion which is connected to the tobacco portion. The filter portion has a filter body composed of a plurality of individual filter plug sections, a plurality of individual filter plug wrappers individually wrapping the filter plug sections and an integral filter wrapper integrally wrapping the filter plug sections wrapped by the filter plug wrappers. The tobacco filter portions are integrally connected by a tip paper. The tip paper has a plurality of ventilation holes. The individual filter plug wrapper corresponding to the ventilation holes has an air permeability lower than the integral filter wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.Inventors: Kazuyo Kaneki, Keigo Miura, Osamu Komatsubara