Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a ground tobacco composition, wherein at least 90% by weight of the tobacco in the composition has a particle size in the range of about 200 ?m to about 5 mm.

Abstract: Smoking-related article inspection systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some aspects, the systems include an x-ray imaging device configured to capture at least one image of the smoking-related articles, a smoking-related article transporting device configured to sequentially introduce the smoking-related articles into the imaging zone; and an analysis unit in communication with the x-ray imaging device and configured to analyze the at least one image captured by the x-ray imaging device for each of the smoking-related articles, the analysis unit being configured to execute: an inspection tool to determine values for one or more parameters of each of the smoking-related articles based on the analysis of the at least one image; and a comparison tool to determine an acceptability of the smoking-related articles for further processing based on comparing the determined values for the one or more parameters to ideal values for the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A smoking article for use in an aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-forming substrate located at an extreme upstream end of the smoking article; and a support element located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The support element abuts the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-forming substrate is configured to be penetrable by a heating element of an aerosol-generating device having a diameter of between about 40 percent and about 70 percent of the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate without substantial deformation of the smoking article. The support element is configured to resist downstream movement of the aerosol-forming substrate during insertion of the heating element of the aerosol-generating device into the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a control body, an atomizer body including an atomizer, and a cartridge including a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The control body may be configured to releasably engage the atomizer body and the atomizer body may be configured to releasably engage the cartridge. The atomizer may be configured to receive an electrical current from the control body and the aerosol precursor composition from the cartridge to produce an aerosol.

Abstract: A nicotine salt liquid formulation for generating an inhalable aerosol in an electronic cigarette comprising nicotine salt that forms about 0.5% to about 20% nicotine is provide.

Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a heater assembly and a manually operated pump. The pump includes a hollow member with an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion of the hollow member is configured connectable with a liquid storage portion. The outlet portion of the hollow member is in fluid communication with a dispensing assembly. The pump is configured to dispense a liquid material onto the heater assembly. The pump is configured to pump the liquid material from the liquid storage portion via the dispensing assembly and onto the heater assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable crimped web material is provided, including feeding a substantially continuous web material; crimping a first region of the material at a first crimp value; and crimping a second region of the material, adjacent the first region, at a second crimp value, the crimping using a set of two rollers, each being corrugated across at least a portion of its width and corrugated around its circumference, and being configured so the corrugations across the width interleave with each other to crimp the material, so the troughs of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the first crimp value, and so the peaks of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the second crimp value. An apparatus for manufacturing a crimped web material, and a method of manufacturing air flow directing elements for smoking articles are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to give a tobacco pulp and a tobacco extract; (ii) treating the tobacco pulp with at least one of a caustic reagent and an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp; (iii) clarifying the tobacco extract to remove higher molecular weight components; and (iv) combining the whitened tobacco pulp with a clarified tobacco extract to form a whitened tobacco material. The whitened tobacco material can be isolated and incorporated into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a whitened tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be a snus-type formulation contained within a sealed pouch.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose an atomizer of electronic cigarette, comprising an ultrasonic atomization piece, wherein one surface of the ultrasonic atomization piece is in contact with a tobacco tar storage piece; the tobacco tar storage piece communicates with a tobacco tar cavity; the tobacco tar storage piece communicates with an airflow passage; and the tobacco tar storage piece and the ultrasonic atomization piece are sequentially provided along a smoke outflow direction.

Abstract: An atomizing device is provided. The atomizing device includes a heating member and a temperature control switch. The temperature control switch is positioned adjacent to the heating member or the heating member is sleeved on the temperature control switch. Both of the heating member and the temperature control switch are electrically coupled to a power supply device. An electronic cigarette including the atomizing device is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic vaporizing inhaler comprises a liquid reservoir adapted to receive vaping liquid, and a vaporizer. The vaporizer comprises a solid partition having a plurality of capillary apertures extending transversely through the solid partition, wherein the capillary apertures provide fluid communication between the vaporizer and the liquid reservoir. A sponge is disposed in physical contact with the solid partition and overlays the plurality of capillary apertures. A wick is disposed in physical contact with and overlaying the sponge, and a heating element is disposed above the wick.

Abstract: A plug (25) of vaporisable material for a vapour generating device (1) which generates a vapour by heating at least the base of the plug (25) is disclosed. The plug (25) comprises vaporisable material shaped such that it defines a cavity (26) within the vaporisable material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose an atomizer of electronic cigarette and electronic cigarette. The atomizer comprises a housing; the housing is in fixed connection with a suction nozzle; an ultrasonic atomization piece is fixed in the housing; the ultrasonic atomization piece comprises a solid piezoelectric ceramic piece; one surface of the solid piezoelectric ceramic piece is in contact with a liquid guide structure, and the other surface thereof is in contact with solid perfume; the liquid guide structure communicates with a tobacco tar storage cavity; both of the liquid guide structure and the solid perfume communicate with an airflow passage; and an air inlet of the airflow passage communicates with the outside of the housing, and an outlet of the airflow passage communicates with the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A nicotine liquid formulation comprising nicotine, an acid, and a biologically acceptable liquid carrier, wherein heating an amount of said nicotine liquid formulation using low temperature electronic vaporization device, i.e. an electronic cigarette, generates an inhalable aerosol, and wherein at least about 50% of said acid in said amount is in said aerosol, and wherein at least about 90% of said nicotine in said amount is in said aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette for convenient injection of cigarette liquid, manufacturing method thereof, and a method for injecting cigarette liquid into the electronic cigarette. A liquid injection hole is opened at a bottom of a liquid storage cup of the electronic cigarette, and the liquid injection hole is sealed by a sealing element which is self-closing once an injection device has been pulled out from the sealing element. The components of the electronic cigarette of the present invention can be assembled together first prior to the injection of cigarette liquid. Therefore, the problem of leakage and contamination of cigarette liquid during the manufacture of existing electronic cigarettes can be overcome. The automated injection of cigarette liquid can be carried out at places where the electronic cigarettes are sold.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette for preventing mutual rotation of an atomizing assembly and a battery assembly is provided. The battery assembly and the atomizing assembly of the electronic cigarette are connected by magnetic attraction. The atomizer connecting end is provided with a retaining member with a corner angle; the battery connecting end is provided with an accommodating cavity which allows the atomizer connecting end to be inserted therein; and the accommodating cavity is provided with a guiding retaining groove allowing the retaining member to be inserted therein. When the battery assembly and the atomizing assembly are connected by magnetic attraction, the mutual rotation can be interfered and restrained as the connection section has the corner angles, and the atomizing assembly and the battery assembly can not rotate with respect to one another.

Abstract: An exemplary atomizer for an electronic cigarette includes an atomizing sleeve, a liquid chamber sealed in the atomizing sleeve, and an atomizing assembly arranged at a bottom end of the sleeve. The atomizing sleeve defines an air outlet at a top end thereof. The atomizing assembly includes a hollow fixing holder, a transmission component, a seal cover, an elastic element, an air pipe, and a heating component. The seal cover is movable with the transmission component between a first position where a liquid passage is formed between the seal cover and the fixing holder, and a second position where the liquid passage is closed. The elastic element is configured for storing energy when the liquid passage is open, and for driving the transmission component to move downwards and bringing the seal cover to move downwards to close the liquid passage.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette with a thermal flow sensor based controller is provided which comprises a housing; a battery, a controller assembly; an air inlet for allowing air to enter into the housing, a mouthpiece; a fluid reservoir; an atomizer; at least a light emitting diode; and a display. The thermal flow sensor is fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technologies which is amenable to create the electronic cigarette with a thermal flow sensor based controller having stable evaporated liquid delivering, immediately response to smoker inhalation, like normal cigarette inhalation resistance, low power consumption, and no accidental actuation take place.

Abstract: An electronic simulation cigarette comprises a shell. One end of the shell installs the air inlet port while in the shell the power source, atomization and spray device, capsule with smoke solution in it are set up. Connect the power source and the heater, the capsule and the atomization and spray device. Install the capsule aspiration device at one end of the atomization and spray device and penetrate the device in the capsule. Spraying solutions used for the electronic simulation cigarette include the polyethylene glycol, the propylene glycol and the taste modifier. A smoking set of the electronic simulation cigarette includes the suction nozzle which is linked with the shell of the smoking set.

Abstract: This application provides high yielding tobacco plants with Oriental tobacco aroma and flavor characteristics and development of these plants via breeding. This application also provides hybrid seeds that give rise to high yielding tobacco plants with Oriental tobacco aroma and flavor characteristics. This application provides methods of growing and harvesting high yielding tobacco plants with Oriental tobacco aroma and flavor characteristics. This application further provides tobacco products made from high yielding tobacco plants with Oriental tobacco aroma and flavor characteristics, and methods making such tobacco products.

Abstract: Smoking articles, and other flow delivery articles A flow delivery article (1) to deliver a gaseous flow to the mouth of a user has a vibration component (4) to provide tactile stimulation to the user.

Abstract: A flow delivery article (1) comprises a flow control component (5) configured to provide at least one flow during a draw on the flow delivery article (1), said at least one flow comprising a respective plurality of flow peaks.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having opposed lighting and mouth ends, and including a mouth end portion at the mouth end. A tobacco portion is between the lighting end and the mouth end portion. An aerosol-generation system is between the lighting end and the tobacco portion. The aerosol-generation system includes a heat generation portion, comprising an elongate fluted member actuated by ignition of the lighting end. The fluted member defines grooves extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, with the first end being at the lighting end and the grooves being equidistantly spaced apart about the fluted member. Each groove has a maximum depth. The depth maxima of the grooves define a circle having a radius. The maximum depth of each groove is no more than the radius of the circle. A heat generation apparatus for an aerosol-generation system of a smoking article is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid tobacco composition comprises tobacco dissolved in an ionic liquid. Removal of selected tobacco constituents is aided by dissolving the tobacco in the ionic liquid. The tobacco, having selected constituents removed, may be regenerated from the liquid tobacco composition by separating the tobacco from the ionic liquid.

Abstract: Two genes, A622 and NBB1, can be influenced to achieve a decrease of nicotinic alkaloid levels in plants. In particular, suppression of one or both of A622 and NBB1 may be used to decrease nicotine in tobacco plants.

Abstract: A component of a smoking article having tobacco beads. The tobacco beads can be located in a filter and/or a tobacco rod. The filter can be a multi-component filter, wherein an sorbent (preferably upstream) removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and downstream tobacco beads compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The tobacco beads optionally include flavorants in addition to tobacco particulates. The tobacco beads can be located within a cavity in the filter or within the tow. This component can comprise additional flavors, which are released into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The tobacco beads optionally include binders such as microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material, which can be formed into a paste with tobacco powder and optionally with additional flavors. The paste can be extruded and spheronized to form the tobacco beads.

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.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette 1 has a wrapper in the form of a tube 5 that has lines of weakness 10 formed e.g. by laser cutting on the inside to define an array of visually discernable facets 12 on the outside.

Abstract: A finished tobacco product is formed by an inner shell and attached outer pre-rolled sheet where the inner shell has a means to open an interior volume to add selected tobacco filler material.

Abstract: Porous masses that include taggants may provide for product authentication and counterfeit identification, especially products like smoking device filters and smoking devices. In some instances, a tagged porous mass may include a plurality of binder particles; a taggant that comprises at least one taggant component selected from the group consisting of an elemental marker, a molecular fluorophore, a particulate fluorophore, and any combination thereof; a plurality of second particles, wherein the second particles comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of active particles, organic particles, and any combination thereof; and wherein the binder particles are bound to the second particles at sintered contact points.

Abstract: Two genes, A622 and NBB1, can be influenced to achieve a decrease of nicotinic alkaloid levels in plants. In particular, suppression of one or both of A622 and NBB1 may be used to decrease nicotine in tobacco plants.

Abstract: A smoking article includes a sheet material comprising a fibrous layer formed of cellulosic fibers and at least 50% by weight of inorganic filler material having a particle size in range of from 0.1 microns and 50 microns, wherein the sheet material has a tensile strength of at least 900 N/m. The fibrous layer preferably further comprises a binder material, preferably an organic binder material such as a cellulosic binder material. A coating layer may be provided on at least one side of the fibrous layer.

Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod, which filters the first puff differently than subsequent puffs. The tobacco rod includes an inner rod of tobacco material having an impervious outer wrap and an impervious cap at an upstream end thereof and an outer rod of tobacco material, wherein the inner rod of tobacco material is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer rod of tobacco material. The filter includes an outer cellulose acetate filter and an inner activated carbon filter, wherein the inner activated carbon filter is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer cellulose acetate filter.

Abstract: A tobacco plant comprising at least one mutation in a HMA gene, wherein the non-mutated HMA gene comprises the nucleotide sequence. of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a homolog sequence, wherein the mutation causes a substitution or a deletion or an insertion of at least one amino acid in the polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence and wherein the mutation reduces the heavy metal uptake by the leaves of the plant by at least 30% in relation to the heavy metal uptake of plants comprising SEQ ID NO:1 or the homolog.

Abstract: A cigarillo includes a tobacco rod including a tobacco cut filler circumscribed by an inner binder, a filter adjacent to the tobacco rod, a band of tipping paper circumscribing the filter, and an outer wrapper of natural tobacco circumscribing the tobacco rod and a rod end portion of the band of tipping paper such that a mouth end portion of the band of tipping paper is visible. A method of making the cigarillo includes convoluting an inner binder around a tobacco cut filler to form a tobacco rod, axially aligning and abutting a filter with the tobacco rod, convoluting a band of tipping paper around the filter, and convoluting an outer wrapper of natural tobacco around the tobacco rod and a rod end portion of the band of tipping paper such that a mouth end portion of the tipping paper is visible.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Strands of homogenized tobacco material include at least one aerosol former, An aerosol-generating substrate includes a plurality of those strands of homogenized tobacco material. A smoking article may further include the aerosol-generating substrate. Those strands of homogenized tobacco material preferably have a mass-to-surface-area ratio of at least about 0.09 mg/mm2 and an aerosol former content of between about 12% and about 25% by weight.

Abstract: A smoking article, and a method and apparatus for producing a smoking article, in which a web material containing an adsorbent material such as activated carbon and a stabilized flavorant such as menthol is positioned adjacent an interior surface of a cigarette wrapper to deliver flavor to a smoker with minimal/insignificant migration of flavor to other parts of the smoking article or packaging. The web material may be a section that extends over only a portion of the smoking article to deliver flavor to a smoker at a specific point during smoking and if positioned at the mouth end of a smoking article will be able to deliver a flavor sensation in the final puff(s).

Abstract: A process for producing a reduced tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) tobacco plant comprising reducing and/or eliminating anatabine biosynthesis in wild-type tobacco plant. In addition, use of such plants for discovery of molecular markers that are closely linked with genes required for anatabine biosynthesis and for discovery of genes required for anatabine biosynthesis. In addition, a smoking composition, a smoking article and a smokeless tobacco oral delivery product contain the tobacco material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tobacco inbred plants TN90 SRC, CMS TN90 SRC, KY14 SRC, CMS KY14 SRC, L8 SRC, NC775 SRC, CMS NC775 SRC, NC645 SRC, NC638 SRC, CMS NC638 SRC, TN86 SRC, and CMS TN86 SRC, and hybrids KY14 X L8 SRC, NC7 SRC, and NCBH129 SRC. The present disclosure also provides parts of such plants and products made from those parts. The present disclosure also includes progeny of the provided plants including hybrids.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding transcription factors and methods of using these nucleic acids to modulate nicotine production in plants and to produce plants having modulated nicotine production.

Abstract: Smoking articles having reduced ignition proclivity characteristics are disclosed. The smoking articles include a wrapper comprising cellulosic fibers and a filler. In accordance with the present disclosure, the filler has a particle size of at least about 3.2 microns and is present in the wrapper in an amount less than about 20% by weight. Further, the wrapper may have a basis weight of less than about 23 gsm and a permeability of from about 15 Coresta to about 110 Coresta. It has been discovered that such wrappers are capable of reducing the ignition proclivity characteristics of a smoking article. If desired, the particular wrapper as described above can also contain discrete areas treated with an ignition reducing composition which further serves to reduce the ignition proclivity characteristics of the article.

Abstract: Two genes, A622 and NBB1, can be influenced to achieve a decrease of nicotinic alkaloid levels in plants. In particular, suppression of one or both of A622 and NBB1 may be used to decrease nicotine in tobacco plants.

Abstract: A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.

Abstract: A method for engineering a transgenic plant that replicates the nitrogen fixation mechanism of photosynthetic bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, or that of other bacteria, by targeting to or expressing in plant plastids bacterial nif (nitrogen fixation) genes is provided. A method for reducing the overall concentration of nitrogen in soil is provided using a plant that replicates the nitrogen fixation mechanism of photosynthetic bacteria. Progeny of a plant that replicates the nitrogen fixation mechanism of photosynthetic bacteria is also provided.

Abstract: A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to TSNAs are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of TSNAs from biological fluids. Such polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.

Abstract: A novel cigar is provided with an elongated cigar puller device which extends into the interior of the cigar. By removing the cigar puller from the device, the tobacco fill material of the cigar is disrupted so as to improve the draw of the cigar. Some of the cigar puller devices can be used to infuse flavorants into the cigar to alter the taste and/or aroma of the cigar.

Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.

Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, comprises a lighting end and a mouth end. The smoking article possesses an aerosol-generation system that includes (i) a heat generation segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment. A mouth end piece segment can be located at the mouth end of the smoking article. A segment of tobacco cut filler, gathered tobacco paper, or other type of flavor source material, can be positioned between the mouth end piece segment and the aerosol-generation segment. Optionally, segment composed of tobacco cut filler can be positioned so as to provide a lighting end segment.

Abstract: A smoking article comprises a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part. A control mechanism comprises a first control surface on one of the first part or second part; and a second control surface on the other of the first and second parts. The second control surface is configured to engage with the first control surface to control relative rotation between the first part and second part.