U.S. patent application number 10/674909 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for smokable rod for a cigarette.
Invention is credited to Beeson, Dwayne William, Brinkley, Paul Andrew, McClanahan, David Neil, Mitchell, Henry Davis III, Nestor, Timothy Brian, Newton, Donald A., Poindexter, Dale Bowman, Shelar, Gary Roger, White, Jackie Lee, Williams, Elwood Lee JR., Willis, Jeffrey Allen.
Application Number | 20050066986 10/674909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34376982 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050066986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nestor, Timothy Brian ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Smokable rod for a cigarette
Abstract
A smokable rod for a smoking article, such as a cigarette,
possesses a co-axial or concentric construction. A longitudinally
extending inner core of tobacco cut filler is positioned within a
smokable rod. The outer material that circumscribes the inner core
in an annular fashion is composed of a tobacco material treated
with an optional burn suppressing agent, and the outer material
acts as a substrate for an aerosol forming material. A preferred
aerosol forming material is glycerin. An outer paper wrapper
circumscribes the length of the smokable rod, and another paper
wrapping material also can circumscribe the inner core material. In
use, one end of the smokable rod is lit. When the opposite end of
the smokable rod is drawn upon, an aerosol composed of tobacco
smoke, thermal decomposition products of tobacco, and volatilized
aerosol forming material, is provided. Alternatively, a smokable
rod can be provided by positioning the tobacco cut filler in the
outer annular region, and by constructing the inner core portion
using the tobacco material treated with aerosol forming material
and an optional burn suppressing agent. Alternatively, a smokable
rod possesses a single blend of smokable materials; at least a
portion the smokable material being a tobacco material carrying a
relatively high amount of aerosol forming material; and optionally
at least a portion of the smokable material being in intimate
contact with a burn suppressing agent. A filtered cigarette can be
produced by attaching a filter element to one end of any of those
smokable rods.
Inventors: |
Nestor, Timothy Brian;
(Advance, NC) ; Willis, Jeffrey Allen; (Germanton,
NC) ; Beeson, Dwayne William; (Kernersville, NC)
; Mitchell, Henry Davis III; (Advance, NC) ;
Brinkley, Paul Andrew; (Winston-Salem, NC) ;
Williams, Elwood Lee JR.; (Lewisville, NC) ;
Poindexter, Dale Bowman; (East Bend, NC) ;
McClanahan, David Neil; (Winston-Salem, NC) ; White,
Jackie Lee; (Pfafftown, NC) ; Newton, Donald A.;
(Winston-Salem, NC) ; Shelar, Gary Roger;
(Summerfield, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Family ID: |
34376982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/674909 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/364 ;
131/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/364 ;
131/360 |
International
Class: |
A24B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A smokable rod for a cigarette comprising: (a) a lighting end
and a mouth end; (b) an inner portion incorporating a smokable
material composed predominantly of tobacco and aerosol forming
material; the aerosol forming material in intimate contact with a
processed tobacco material that is processed such that at least a
portion of a solvent soluble portion of the tobacco material is
removed therefrom and such that the processed tobacco material is a
substrate for the aerosol forming material; and (c) an outer
wrapping material circumscribing the inner portion.
2. The rod of claim 1 having a cylindrical shape, the rod having a
longitudinally extending outer surface, the outer wrapping material
providing the longitudinally extending outer surface, and the
lighting end and mouth end each being open to expose the inner
portion.
3. The rod of claim 1 or 2 having a mouth end piece attached to the
mouth end thereof.
4. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol forming material
includes glycerin.
5. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the outer wrapping material is
composed of paper.
6. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the outer wrapping material
exhibits an inherent porosity of at least about 15 CORESTA
units.
7. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein essentially all of the smokable
tobacco material is composed of tobacco in cut filler form.
8. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein essentially all of the smokable
tobacco material is composed of tobacco laminae, processed tobacco,
or a blend thereof.
9. The rod of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the tobacco
material is cased and/or top dressed.
10. The rod of claim 8 wherein the processed tobacco is composed of
essentially all tobacco.
11. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol forming material is
present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about 5
percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
12. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol forming material is
present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about 10
percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
13. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol forming material is
present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about 15
percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
14. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol forming material is
present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about 20
percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
15. The rod of claim 1 or 2 further including aerosol forming
material that has been applied to at least a portion of the
smokable material in the form of a spray.
16. The rod of claim 1 or 2 wherein a portion of the smokable
material further includes a material composed primarily of aerosol
forming material.
17. A smokable rod for a cigarette comprising: (a) a lighting end
and a mouth end; (b) smokable material composed primarily of
tobacco material and aerosol forming material; (c) at least a
portion of the tobacco material acting as a substrate for the
aerosol forming material; and (e) a wrapping material
circumscribing the smokable material, the wrapping material having
an inherent porosity of at least about 15 CORESTA units.
18. The rod of claim 17 having a cylindrical shape, the rod having
a longitudinally extending outer surface, the outer wrapping
material providing the longitudinally extending outer surface, and
the lighting end and mouth end each being open to expose the inner
portion.
19. The rod of claim 17 or 18 having a mouth end piece attached to
the mouth end thereof.
20. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the aerosol forming material
includes glycerin.
21. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the outer wrapping material
is composed of paper.
22. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the outer wrapping material
exhibits an inherent porosity of at least about 20 CORESTA
units.
23. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein essentially all of the
smokable tobacco material is composed of tobacco in cut filler
form.
24. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein essentially all of the
smokable tobacco material is composed of tobacco laminae, processed
tobacco, or a blend thereof.
25. The rod of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of the tobacco
material is cased and/or top dressed.
26. The rod of claim 24 wherein the processed tobacco is composed
of essentially all tobacco.
27. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the aerosol forming material
is present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about 5
percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
28. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the aerosol forming material
is present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about
10 percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
29. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the aerosol forming material
is present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about
15 percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
30. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein the aerosol forming material
is present within the smokable rod in an amount of at least about
20 percent, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material and
aerosol forming material within the smokable rod.
31. The rod of claim 17 or 18 including aerosol forming material
that has been applied to at least a portion of the smokable
material in the form of a spray.
32. The rod of claim 17 or 18 wherein a portion of the smokable
material includes a material composed primarily of aerosol forming
material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to tobacco products, such as
smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Popular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a
substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure and include a
charge, roll or column of smokable material, such as shredded
tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form), surrounded by a paper wrapper,
thereby forming a so-called "smokable rod" or "tobacco rod."
Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in
an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a
filter element comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow
circumscribed by a paper material known as "plug wrap." Certain
filter elements can incorporate polyhydric alcohols. See, for
example, UK Pat. Spec. 755,475. Certain cigarettes incorporate a
filter element having multiple segments, and one of those segments
can comprise activated charcoal particles. See, for example, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,360,023 to Blakley et al. and 6,537,186 to Veluz.
Typically, the filter element is attached to one end of the tobacco
rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as "tipping
paper." It also has become desirable to perforate the tipping
material and plug wrap, in order to provide dilution of drawn
mainstream smoke with ambient air. Descriptions of cigarettes and
the various components thereof are set forth in Tobacco Production,
Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). Certain types
of cigarettes have possessed tobacco rods of relatively small
circumference, such as those marketed commercially as "Capri" by
Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation and "Virginia Slims
Superslims" by Philip Morris Inc. See, for example, the types of
cigarettes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,637,410 to Luke; 4,878,507
to Case et al and 4,911,184 to Case et al. A cigarette is employed
by a smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco
rod. The smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth
by drawing on the opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the
cigarette.
[0003] There have been proposed numerous types of cigarettes, each
of which has a rod composed of tobacco material configured such
that a longitudinally extending central portion of that rod is
formed as an air channel or is composed of a lesser amount of
tobacco material than is used to provide the outer portion of that
rod. U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,772 to Korber proposes a cigarette rod
possessing tobacco filler formed so as to have a centrally located
longitudinally extending air channel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,776 to
Bell et al. proposes a cigarette having an outer region of tobacco
surrounding a longitudinally extending column of a lower density.
British Pat. No. 1,086,443 proposes a cigarette having a centrally
extending cylindrical passage or a core whose density is less than
the density of the surrounding outer layer. UK Pat. Spec. 1,054,557
and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,632,130 to Heitmann et al. and 4,736,754 to
Heitmann et al. each propose the manufacture of a cigarette rod
having a central portion of smokable material of lesser density and
an outer layer of smokable material of greater density.
[0004] There have been proposed numerous types of cigarettes, each
of which has an axial inner zone of smokable material of a
constitution different from that of a smokable material that is
disposed outside of that zone. U.S. Pat. No. 1,829,559 to Gilliam
proposes a cigarette having a paper wrapper and filler composed of
different species of tobacco, and each species is disposed in a
separate stratum or layer throughout the entire length of the
cigarette. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,736,941 to Molins et al.; 3,957,062;
3,987,804 to Molins et al.; and 4,207,906 to Seehofer et al.; and
UK Pat. Spec. 1,416,020 propose manufacturing a cigarette rod
having a core of filler material different from an annulus of
shredded tobacco. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,579 to Wahle et al. and
4,593,704 to Wahle et al. each propose equipment and methods for
producing a rod of tobacco filler having a core containing a first
particulate material surrounded by an annular envelope containing a
different second particulate material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,913 to
Brackmann proposes a cigarette having a core of lesser quality
tobacco smoking material surrounded by an annulus of higher quality
smoking material.
[0005] There have been proposed numerous types of cigarettes, each
of which has an inner zone of smokable material contained within a
wrapper and an outer zone of smokable material that is disposed
outside of that zone. U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,287 to Walton proposes a
cigarette-type smoking device having inner and outer wrappers of
cigarette paper or reconstituted tobacco, with the space within the
inner wrapper defining the major volume of the device and the
principal tobacco-filled combustion zone, while the space between
the wrappers defines a minor volume and a secondary tobacco-filled
combustion zone. A so-called "coaxial cigarette" possesses an inner
core of tobacco material, a sheath for the inner core, an outer
jacket of material coaxially surrounding the inner core and sheath,
and a sheath for the outer jacket. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,986,287 to Schneider et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,004 to Borowski
et al. proposes a coaxial cigarette having an inner core of a
smokable material, a first wrapper for the inner core, an outer
jacket of another smokable material surrounding the inner core, and
a second wrapper for the outer jacket. U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,243 to
Muller et al. proposes a coaxial cigarette possessing an inner
segment of smokable material, a covering for the inner segment, an
outer segment of tobacco material surrounding the inner segment,
and a covering for the outer segment. PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et
al. proposes a coaxial cigarette possessing an inner segment of
tobacco material, a wrapper for the inner segment, an outer segment
of smokable material surrounding the inner segment, and a covering
for the outer segment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,888 to Luke proposes
manufacturing a cigarette rod by surrounding a rod of filler
material wrapped in a wrapper material with a smoking material, and
wrapping a wrapper material about the smoking material. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,987,804 to Molins et al. and 6,202,648 to Schumacher et al.
each propose equipment and methods for manufacturing a cigarette
rod having a tubular insert that is surrounded by a smokable
material.
[0006] Other types of coaxial or concentric-type smoking articles
have been proposed. Certain proposed cigarette-type smoking
articles have possessed tobacco smokable materials surrounding
longitudinally extending cores of other materials. UK Pat.
Application 2,070,409 proposes smoking article having a rod of
smoking material having at least one filament extending over a
least a major portion of the length of the rod. U.S. Pat. No.
3,614,956 to Thornton proposes a smoking article having an annular
outer portion made of tobacco smoking material and a central
cylindrical core of absorbent material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,031 to
Rainer et al. proposes a smoking article having a central core of
carbonized fibers circumscribed by tobacco. U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,481
to Nichols et al. proposes a cigarette possessing an ignition
element surrounded by tobacco, which is in turn surrounded by a
composite outer wrapper. One type of cigarette-type smoking article
has possessed a rod of tobacco smokable material surrounded a
longitudinally extending annulus of some other material. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,105,838 to White et al. proposes a rod of smokable material,
normally circumscribed by a layer of wrapping materials, which is
in turn circumscribed by an insulating material (e.g., glass
fibers). PCT WO 98/16125 to Snaidr et al. proposes a smoking device
constructed from a very thin cigarette designed to fit into a
tubular ceramic cartridge.
[0007] Through the years, there have been proposed various methods
for altering the composition of mainstream tobacco smoke. In PCT WO
02/37990 to Bereman, it has been suggested that metallic particles
and/or carbonaceous particles can be incorporated into the smokable
material of a cigarette in an attempt to reduce the amounts of
certain compounds in the smoke produced by that cigarette. In
addition, numerous tobacco substitute materials have been proposed,
and substantial listings of various types of those materials can be
found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,079,742 to Rainer et al. and 4,771,795 to
White et al. Certain cigarette-type products that employ
non-tobacco materials (e.g., dried vegetable leaves, such lettuce
leaves) as filler that is burned to produce smoke that resembles
tobacco smoke have been marketed under the tradenames "Cubebs,"
"Triumph," "Jazz," and "Bravo." See, for example, the types of
materials described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,727 to Torigian.
Furthermore, tobacco substitute materials having the tradenames
"Cytrel" and "NSM" were introduced in Europe during the 1970s.
Representative types of proposed synthetic tobacco substitute
materials, and cigarettes incorporating those materials, are
described in British Pat. No. 1,431,045; and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,738,374 to Bennett; 3,844,294 to Webster; 3,878,850 to Gibson et
al.; 3,931,824 to Miano et al.; 3,943,941 to Boyd et al.; 4,044,777
to Boyd et al.; 4,233,993 to Miano et al.; 4,286,604 to Ehretsmann
et al.; 4,326,544 to Hardwick et al.; 5,046,514 to Bolt; 5,074,321
to Gentry et al.; 5,092,352 to Montoya et al.; 5,778,899 to Saito
et al.; 6,397,852 to McAdam; and 6,408,856 to McAdam. Various types
of highly processed smokable materials incorporating tobacco and
other ingredients are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,874,000 to
Tamol et al.; 5,072,744 to Luke et al.; 5,829,453 to White et al.
and 6,182,670 to White et al.
[0008] Numerous references have proposed various smoking articles
of a type that generate flavored vapor, visible aerosol, or a
mixture of flavored vapor and visible aerosol. Some of those
proposed types of smoking articles possess tubular sections or
longitudinally extending air passageways. See, for example, those
types of smoking articles described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,258,015 to
Ellis et al.; 3,356,094 to Ellis et al.; 3,516,417 to Moses;
4,347,855 to Lanzellotti et al.; 4,340,072 to Bolt et al.;
4,391,285 to Burnett et al.; 4,917,121 to Riehl et al.; 4,924,886
to Litzinger; and 5,060,676 to Hearn et al. Many of those types of
smoking articles have employed a combustible fuel source that is
burned to provide an aerosol and/or to heat an aerosol forming
material. See, for example, the background art cited in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,714,082 to Banerjee et al. and 4,771,795 to White et al.;
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
See, also, for example, those types of smoking articles described
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,714,082 to Banerjee et al.; 4,771,795 to White
et al.; 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh; 4,917,128 to Clearman et al.;
4,961,438 to Korte; 4,966,171 to Serrano et al.; 5,033,483 to
Clearman et al.; 5,065,776 to Lawson; 5,099,861 to Clearman et al.;
5,105,835 to Drewett et al.; 5,159,940 to Hayward et al.; 5,178,167
to Riggs et al.; 5,183,062 to Clearman et al.; 5,211,684 to Shannon
et al.; 5,551,451 to Riggs et al.; 5,595,577 to Bensalem et al.;
5,819,751 to Barnes et al.; 6,095,153 to Beven et al; 6,578,584
Beven; and PCT WO 97/48294. Furthermore, certain types of
cigarettes have been commercially marketed under the brand names
"Premier" and "Eclipse" by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. See, for
example, those types of cigarettes described in Chemical and
Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of
Burn Tobacco, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988) and
Inhalation Toxicology, 12:5, p. 1-58 (2000).
[0009] Yet other types of smoking articles, such as those types of
smoking articles that generate flavored vapors by subjecting
tobacco or processed tobaccos to heat produced from chemical or
electrical heat sources are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,947,874
to Brooks et al.; 5,224,498 to Deevi; 5,285,798 to Banerjee et al.;
5,357,984 to Farrier et al.; 5,593,792 to Farrier et al.; 5,369,723
to Counts; and 6,164,287 to White. One type of smoking article that
has employed electrical energy to produce heat has been
commercially marketed by Philip Morris Inc. under the brand name
"Accord."
[0010] Smoking articles that employ tobacco substitute materials,
and smoking articles that employ sources of heat other than tobacco
cut filler to produce tobacco-flavored vapors or tobacco-flavored
visible aerosols, have not received widespread commercial success.
It would be highly desirable to provide a smoking article, such as
a cigarette, that possesses the ability to provide to a smoker the
benefits and advantages of conventional cigarette smoking without
delivering considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and
pyrolysis products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a smokable
rod, and a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette) incorporating such
as rod. That smokable rod possesses an outer wrapping material; and
a smokable material (e.g., a tobacco material in cut filler form)
is disposed within that outer wrapping material. Aerosol forming
material is incorporated within the smokable rod; and typically, at
least a portion of the smokable material within the smokable rod
acts as a substrate for an aerosol forming material. For example,
the aerosol forming material in intimate contact with a processed
tobacco material that is processed such that (i) at least a portion
of a solvent soluble portion (e.g., a water soluble extract
portion) of the tobacco material is removed therefrom, and (ii)
that processed tobacco material is a substrate for the aerosol
forming material. Optionally, at least a portion of the smokable
material within the smokable rod can be treated with an agent
capable of having an effect upon the thermal decomposition
properties of the smokable material with which that agent is in
intimate contact; and such an agent is referred to as a "burn
suppressing agent." At least a portion of the smokable material can
both act as a substrate for the aerosol forming material and be in
intimate contact with the burn suppressing agent.
[0012] In use, the lighting end of a cigarette incorporating the
smokable rod is lit, and the smokable material undergoes thermal
decomposition, and hence yields smoke. At least some of the
smokable material (i.e., that which has been treated so as to avoid
the tendency to burn) undergoes char or smolder. Such charring or
smoldering is characteristic of smokable material that does not
undergo the type of burning that would be considered complete when
a traditional type of tobacco cut filler is consumed during use of
the smokable rod of a traditional type of tobacco burning
cigarette. Some portion or all of the smokable material (e.g., that
portion that is not treated with burn suppressing agent) can
undergo burning, and hence yield smoke that can be considered to be
somewhat characteristic of a traditional type of cigarette that is
intended to burn tobacco cut filler. In addition, the aerosol
forming material that is located within the smokable rod (e.g.,
that is carried by at least some portion of the smokable material
of the smokable rod) is volatilized by the action of heat so
produced when the smokable rod is smoked. As such, when the mouth
end of the cigarette is drawn upon by the smoker, the smoker can
inhale smoke from some of the burning smokable material, as well as
volatilized aerosol forming material, and other components
resulting from the action of heat upon the smokable material.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a
smokable rod, and a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette)
incorporating such a rod. That smokable rod possesses an outer
wrapping material; a first material (e.g., a smokable material,
such as tobacco material in cut filler form) is disposed within the
outer wrapping material; a second material (e.g., a smokable
material, such as tobacco material in cut filler form) is disposed
within the first material, and extends longitudinally through the
first material; and preferably an inner wrapping material is
disposed between first and second materials. That is, the rod
possesses (i) a portion or region of a smokable material that is
configured in a rod-like shape that extends longitudinally through
the central region of that rod, thereby providing an inner core
region of smokable material; (ii) an outer portion or region of
material positioned around the inner core, thereby forming an
annulus or sheath that circumscribes or coaxially surrounds the
inner core of smokable material; (iii) a wrapping material that
longitudinally circumscribes the outer portion of outer material;
and preferably (iv) a wrapping material that longitudinally
circumscribes the inner core region of smokable material and is
positioned so as to physically separate the outer and inner
portions of the respective first and second materials from one
another.
[0014] In use, the lighting end of a cigarette incorporating the
smokable rod is lit, and the inner core material (e.g., tobacco cut
filler) burns to yield smoke. The outer material of the smokable
rod (e.g., tobacco cut filler), which optionally can be treated so
as to avoid the tendency to burn, undergoes some type of thermal
decomposition, and hence, generates heat as well as thermal
decomposition products of tobacco. For example, at least a portion
of the outer material can be in intimate contact with a burn
suppressing agent. At least a portion of the inner core material
and/or at least a portion of the outer sheath material can be
configured so as to be in intimate contact with an aerosol forming
material (e.g., components of either or both of those first and
second materials can act as substrates for the aerosol forming
material). As such, when the mouth end of the cigarette is drawn
upon by the smoker, the smoker can inhale smoke that results from
burning the material of the inner core, as well as volatilized
aerosol forming material, and other components resulting from the
burning or other action of heat upon the material of the outer
sheath.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a
smokable rod, and a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette)
incorporating such a rod. That smokable rod possesses an outer
wrapping material; a first material (e.g., a smokable material,
such as tobacco material in cut filler form) is disposed within the
outer wrapping material; a second material (e.g., a smokable
material, such as tobacco material in cut filler form) is disposed
within the first material, and extends longitudinally through the
first material; and preferably an inner wrapping material is
disposed between first and second materials.
[0016] In use, the lighting end of a cigarette incorporating the
smokable rod is lit, and the outer material (e.g., tobacco cut
filler) burns to yield smoke. At least a portion of the inner core
material and/or at least a portion of the outer sheath material can
be configured so as to be in intimate contact with an aerosol
forming material (e.g., components of either or both of those first
and second materials can act as substrates for the aerosol forming
material). The inner material of the smokable rod (e.g., tobacco
cut filler), which optionally can be treated so as to avoid the
tendency to burn, undergoes some type of thermal decomposition, and
hence, generates heat. For example, at least a portion of the inner
material can be in intimate contact with a burn suppressing agent.
As such, when the mouth end of the cigarette is drawn upon by the
smoker, the smoker can inhale smoke from burning the material of
the outer sheath, as well as volatilized aerosol forming material,
and other components resulting from the burning or other action of
heat upon the material of the inner core.
[0017] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a
smoking article (e.g., a cigarette) incorporating a smokable rod of
any of the types described previously. That cigarette possesses a
smokable rod, a mouth end piece, and a segment of smokable material
(e.g., tobacco material in cut filler form) located between the
smokable rod and the mouth end piece.
[0018] In use, the lighting end of the smokable rod of the
cigarette is lit, and the smokable material of that rod burns to
yield smoke. The portion of the smokable material of the smokable
rod that optionally has been treated so as to avoid the tendency to
burn undergoes some type of thermal decomposition. Aerosol forming
material, which is in intimate contact with at least some of the
smokable material within the smokable rod, is subjected to the heat
produced by action of heat generated by the burning or other
associated thermal decomposition of those materials. As such, when
the mouth end of the cigarette is drawn upon by the smoker, the
smoker can inhale smoke from burning tobacco, as well as
volatilized aerosol forming material, and other components
resulting from the burning or other action of heat upon those
materials. The drawn aerosol passes through the segment of smokable
material before passing through the mouth end piece.
[0019] A preferred cigarette of the present invention, when smoked,
provides a flavorful and satisfying mainstream aerosol. Highly
preferred cigarettes provide the flavors, sensations and
satisfaction of popular cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler,
because those preferred cigarettes generate mainstream aerosol, at
least in part, by burning, charring or otherwise causing thermal
degradation of tobacco cut filler. Those preferred cigarettes
smolder at acceptable rates, provide an acceptable number of puffs,
and are capable of maintaining acceptable static smolder, at least
when smoked under FTC smoking conditions. A preferred cigarette,
when smoked, yields a firecone and ash that are acceptable. A
preferred ash is not easily dislodged for the cigarette, and is not
overly flakey. A preferred firecone has an acceptable shape and
size, is not overly cohesive (i.e., desired portions of the ash can
be flicked, or otherwise easily removed, from the cigarette in much
the same manner that the ash is removed from a cigarette that burns
down), and is not overly fragile (i.e., the firecone and ash
maintain their integrity to an acceptable degree). Generally, the
ash of a cigarette possessing smokable material treated with burn
suppressing agent has a tendency to exhibit a darker color than
that of traditional cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler,
because of the smokable material that has been treated with burn
suppressing agent preferably has a tendency to smolder or char,
rather than burn more completely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIGS. 1 through 4 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of
smokable rods and smoking articles representative of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relating to
various smoking articles are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1
through 4. Like components are given like numeric designations
throughout the figures.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a representative preferred smoking
article 10 in the form of a cigarette is shown. The smoking article
10 has rod-like shape. The cigarette 10 includes a generally
cylindrical smokable rod 20; and a generally cylindrical mouth end
piece 30 positioned at one end of that smokable rod. As such, the
cigarette 10 possesses a lighting end 40 and a mouth end 50.
[0023] The smokable rod 20 possesses an outer wrapping material 60.
A first material 70 is disposed within, and circumscribed by, the
outer wrapping material 60. As such, the longitudinally extending
outer surface of the smokable rod 20 is provided by the outer
wrapping material 60. A representative first material 70 is a
smokable material (e.g., tobacco material in cut filler form). An
aerosol forming material (not shown) can be located in the region
occupied by the first material 70, and as such, the first material
can act as a substrate for that aerosol forming material. The first
material 70 also can be treated in such a manner that the material
does not exhibit a tendency to burn, but rather, that material
exhibits a propensity to smolder or char. A second material 80 is
disposed within the first material 70. A representative second
material 80 is a smokable material (e.g., tobacco material in cut
filler form). A charge or roll of the second material 80 is
contained in an optional circumscribing inner wrapping material 90.
Both ends of the smokable rod 20 are open to expose the first and
second materials 70, 80. That is, it is preferable that both the
inner core of smokable material 80 and the outer material 80 be
configured so that both of those materials extend along the entire
length of the smokable rod.
[0024] The second material 80 and preferred circumscribing inner
wrapping material 90 are assembled and configured so as to form a
rod-like shape, thereby forming an inner rod 100. The inner rod 100
extends longitudinally through the central region of the cigarette
10, thereby providing an inner core region of smokable material 80.
Preferably, the inner rod 100 is centrally located with the
smokable rod 20; however, it is not strictly necessary that the
radial depth of the outer material 70 be identical over all regions
of the smokable rod. The outer portion or region of the first
material 70 is positioned around the inner rod 100, thereby forming
an annulus or sheath that circumscribes or coaxially surrounds that
inner rod. The inner wrapping material 90 that longitudinally
circumscribes the second material 80 is positioned so as to
physically separate the first and second materials 70, 80 from one
another. That is, the first and second materials 70, 80 are
radially disposed from one another.
[0025] The cigarette 10 normally includes a filter element 120, or
other suitable mouthpiece, positioned at the mouth end 50 thereof.
The filter element 120 is positioned adjacent one end of the
smokable rod 20, such that the filter element and smokable rod are
axially aligned in an end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting
one another. The general cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of
the smokable rod 20 and filter element 120, when viewed
transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette, are
essentially identical to one another. Both ends of the filter
element 120 are open to permit the passage of aerosol therethrough.
The filter element 120 includes filter material 130 (e.g.,
plasticized cellulose acetate tow) that is overwrapped along the
longitudinally extending surface thereof with circumscribing plug
wrap material 140. A typical plug wrap material 140 is a paper
material, such as a paper that his highly porous to air flow.
[0026] The filter element 120 most preferably is attached to the
mouth end 50 of the smokable rod 20 using tipping material 150,
which circumscribes both the entire length of the filter element
and an adjacent region of the smokable rod. The inner surface of
the tipping material 150 is fixedly secured to the outer surface of
the plug wrap material 140 and the outer surface of the outer
wrapping material 60 of the smokable rod 20, using a suitable
adhesive. A ventilated or air diluted cigarette is provided with an
air dilution means, such as a series of perforations 160, each of
which extend through the tipping material 150 and plug wrap
material 140.
[0027] During use, the smoker lights the lighting end 40 of the
cigarette 10 using a match or cigarette lighter, in a manner
similar to the way that conventional cigarettes are lit. As such,
the smokable material 80 of the inner rod 100 at the lighting end
of the cigarette begins to burn. The mouth end 50 of the cigarette
10 is placed in the lips of the smoker. Smoke generated by the
burning smokable material 80 is drawn through the cigarette 10 from
the smokable rod 20, through the filter element 120, and into the
mouth of the smoker. Heat generated during lighting, and heat
generated by the burning smokable material 80 is transferred to the
region of the cigarette that surrounds the outer periphery of the
inner rod 100. As such, the first material 70 is subjected to
conditions sufficient for it to undergo some degree of thermal
decomposition (e.g., the first material can burn and/or, depending
upon the optional degree of treatment with burn suppressing agent,
can undergo smolder or char). As a result, components derived from
that first material 70 (e.g., volatile flavorful components of that
first material) are entrained in the air that is drawn through that
region of the smokable rod 20 of the cigarette 10. Also as a
result, aerosol forming material (not shown), located in that
region occupied by the first material 70, is volatilized and
entrained in the air that is drawn through that region of the
smokable rod 20 of the cigarette 10. The aerosol so formed also is
drawn through the filter element 120 and into the mouth of the
smoker, along with the aerosol (i.e., smoke) formed as a result of
the burning of the smokable material 80. Due to the essentially
random nature of the positioning of the cut filler in each
longitudinally extending portion of the smokable rod, the aerosol
generated within the rod passes through a rather tortuous, random
path defined by the air spaces between pieces of cut filler, as
opposed to a hollow passageway of the type that is formed within a
formed (e.g., extruded or molded) processed smokable material. For
a highly preferred cigarette, the inner core of smokable material
80, inner wrapping material 90 and outer wrapping material 60
gradually burn down, essentially as is the case for a traditional
tobacco burning cigarette; while the outer material 70 undergoes
burning, or if treated with burn suppressing agent, undergoes
smolder, charring, or similar change in character, rather than a
more complete burning. For a highly preferred cigarette, the
thermal decomposition of the various materials of the smokable rod
occur at comparable linear rates along the length of that rod, and
as such, a coal or burning tip region produced during consumption
of the smokable rod resembles in many regards the type of coal or
burning tip of a traditional tobacco burning cigarette. Ash and
charred materials that result as the hot coal passes from the
lighting end to the mouth end can be flicked, or otherwise removed,
from the cigarette, essentially in the manner that ash generated
from burned tobacco cut filler is removed from a traditional type
of tobacco burning cigarette.
[0028] Various embodiments of the smoking article 10 described with
reference to in FIG. 1 can be provided by modifying the general
composition of the inner material 80 that makes up the inner core
100 of the smokable rod 20. In one representative embodiment, at
least a portion of the inner core material 80 can be combined with
aerosol forming material. For example, some amount or all of the
inner core material can be in intimate contact with aerosol forming
material. In another representative embodiment, at least a portion
of the inner core material 80 can be combined with aerosol forming
material and optional burn suppressing agent. For example, some
amount of the inner core material can be combined with aerosol
forming material and some other amount of the inner core material
can be combined with burn suppressing agent, some amount of the
inner core material can be combined with both aerosol forming
material and burn suppressing agent, or all of the inner core
material can be combined with aerosol forming material and burn
suppressing agent. For an embodiment incorporating optional burn
suppressing agent within both the inner material 80 and outer
material 70, it is preferable that the outer material incorporate
an amount and type of burn suppressing agent sufficient to provide
a higher degree of burn suppression.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 1, another embodiment of the type of
smokable rod 20 and smoking article 10 in the form of a cigarette
is shown. That embodiment is representative of a less preferred
aspect of the present invention. That cigarette 10 also includes a
generally cylindrical smokable rod 20; and a generally cylindrical
mouth end piece 30 positioned at one end of the smokable rod. The
cigarette 10 also possesses a lighting end 40 and a mouth end
50.
[0030] The smokable rod 20 possesses an outer wrapping material 60.
A first material 70 is disposed within, and circumscribed by, the
outer wrapping material 60. As such, the longitudinally extending
outer surface of the smokable rod 20 is provided by the outer
wrapping material 60. A representative first material 70 is a
smokable material (e.g., tobacco material in cut filler form). A
second material 80 is disposed within the first material 70. A
representative second material 80 is a smokable material (e.g., a
processed tobacco material in cut filler form). An aerosol forming
material (not shown) can be located in the region occupied by the
second material 80, and as such, the second material can act as a
substrate for that aerosol forming material. The second material 80
optionally can be treated in such a manner that the material does
not exhibit a tendency to burn, but rather, that material exhibits
a propensity to smolder or char. A charge or roll of the second
material 80 is contained in an optional circumscribing inner
wrapping material 90. Both ends of the smokable rod 20 are open to
expose the first and second materials 70, 80. That is, it is
preferable that both the inner core of smokable material 80 and the
outer material 80 be configured so that both of those materials
extend along the entire length of the smokable rod. The second
material 80 and preferred circumscribing inner wrapping material 90
are assembled and configured so as to form a rod-like shape,
thereby forming an inner rod 100. The inner rod 100 extends
longitudinally through the central region of the cigarette 10,
thereby providing an inner core region of smokable material 80, in
the general manner that is described previously.
[0031] The cigarette 10 normally includes a filter element 120, or
other suitable mouthpiece, positioned at the mouth end 50 thereof.
General details concerning the construction and positioning of the
filter element 120 are set forth previously. The filter element 120
includes filter material 130 overwrapped along the longitudinally
extending surface thereof with circumscribing plug wrap material
140. The filter element 120 is attached to the smokable rod 20 by
tipping material 150; and the cigarette 10 can be air diluted by
providing a series of perforations 160, each of which extend
through the tipping material 150 and plug wrap material 140.
[0032] During use, the smoker lights the lighting end 40 of the
cigarette 10 using a match or cigarette lighter, in a manner
similar to the way that conventional cigarettes are lit. As such,
the smokable material 70 that circumscribes the inner rod 100 is
burned. The mouth end 50 of the cigarette 10 is placed in the lips
of the smoker. Smoke generated by the burning smokable material 70
is drawn through the cigarette 10 from the smokable rod 20, through
the filter element 120, and into the mouth of the smoker. Heat also
is generated by burning or other type of thermal decomposition of
the material that makes up the inner rod 100. As a result, smoke or
other types of components derived from that second material 80
(e.g., volatile flavorful components of that second material) are
entrained in the air that is drawn through that region of the
smokable rod 20 of the cigarette 10. Also as a result, aerosol
forming material (not shown), located in that region occupied by
the second material 80, is volatilized and entrained in the air
that is drawn through that region of the smokable rod 20 of the
cigarette 10. The aerosol so formed also is drawn through the
filter element 120 and into the mouth of the smoker, along with the
aerosol (i.e., smoke) formed as a result of the burning of the
smokable material 70. Due to the essentially random nature of the
positioning of the cut filler in each longitudinally extending
portion of the smokable rod, the aerosol generated within the rod
passes through a rather tortuous, random path defined by the air
spaces between pieces of cut filler, as opposed to a hollow
passageway of the type that is formed within a formed (e.g.,
extruded or molded) processed smokable material. For a preferred
cigarette, the outer smokable material 70, inner wrapping material
90 and outer wrapping material 60 burn down, essentially as is the
case for a traditional tobacco burning cigarette; and the inner
core material 80 burns, or if treated with burn suppressing agent,
undergoes smolder, charring, or similar change in character, rather
than burning. For a highly preferred cigarette, the thermal
decomposition of the various materials of the smokable rod occur at
comparable linear rates along the length of that rod, and as such,
a coal or burning tip produced during consumption of the smokable
rod may resemble in some regards the type of coal or burning tip
region of a traditional tobacco burning cigarette. Ash and charred
materials that result as the hot coal passes from the lighting end
to the mouth end can be flicked, or otherwise removed from the
cigarette, essentially in the manner that ash generated from burned
tobacco cut filler is removed from a traditional type of tobacco
burning cigarette.
[0033] Further embodiments of the smoking article 10 shown in FIG.
1 can be provided by modifying the general composition of the outer
material 70 that circumscribes the inner core 100 of the smokable
rod 20. In one representative embodiment, at least a portion of the
outer material 70 can be combined with aerosol forming material.
For example, some amount or all of the outer material can be in
intimate contact with aerosol forming material. In another
representative embodiment, at least a portion of the outer material
70 optionally can be combined with burn suppressing agent. For an
optional embodiment incorporating burn suppressing agent within
both the inner material 80 and outer material 70, it is preferable
that the outer material incorporate an amount and type of burn
suppressing agent sufficient to provide a higher degree of burn
suppression.
[0034] Further embodiments of the smoking article 10 shown in FIG.
1 also can be provided by modifying the general compositions of
both of the inner material 80 and the outer material 70 of the
smokable rod 20. In one representative embodiment, at least a
portion of the outer material 70 can be combined with aerosol
forming material, but not with any appreciable amount of burn
suppressing agent; while at least a portion of the inner material
80 can be combined with optional burn suppressing agent, but not
with an appreciable amount of aerosol forming material. In another
representative embodiment, at least a portion of the inner material
80 can be combined with aerosol forming material, but not with any
appreciable amount of burn suppressing agent; while at least a
portion of the outer material 70 can be combined with optional burn
suppressing agent, but not with any appreciable amount of aerosol
forming material.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, cigarette 10 incorporates the
components and configuration essentially as set forth in FIG. 1.
The cigarette 10 possesses a smokable rod 20 having an inner core
of smokable material 80, an optional wrapping material 90 for that
smokable material, an outer smokable material 70 circumscribing the
inner smokable material, and an outer wrapping material 60. The
cigarette also possesses a mouth end piece 30, such as a filter
element 120. A cylindrical segment 200 of smokable material 210 is
positioned between the mouth end 50 of the smokable rod 20 and the
filter element 120. That segment 200 is composed of smokable
material 210 (e.g., tobacco cut filler) circumscribed by a
cigarette paper wrapping material 220. The segment 200 can have the
general configuration of a traditional type smokable rod that is
used for cigarette manufacture, and manners and methods for
producing those types of segments by subdividing a continuous
smokable rod into segments of the desired lengths are set forth
generally in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/324,418, filed
Dec. 20, 2002; 10/440,290, filed May 16, 2003; and Ser. No.
10/645,996, filed Aug. 22, 2003. An overlayer 230 of cigarette
paper (e.g., that acts as a form of tipping material) circumscribes
the outer surface of the wrapping material 220 of the segment 200
and the outer wrapping material 60 of smokable rod 20 over a
portion an adjacent region of the smokable rod. Manners, methods
and equipment for combining cylindrical segments of cigarette
components, such as plug-tube combining techniques, will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette design and
manufacture. The segment 200 and filter element 120 are positioned
adjacent one end of the smokable rod 20, such that the filter
element, segment and smokable rod all are axially aligned in an
end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting one another. The
general cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of the smokable rod
20, segment 200 and filter element 120, when viewed transversely to
the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 10, are essentially
identical to one another. The ends of the filter element 120 and
segment 200 both are open to permit the passage of aerosol
therethrough. The filter element 120 includes filter material 130
(e.g., plasticized cellulose acetate tow) that is overwrapped along
the longitudinally extending surface thereof with circumscribing
plug wrap material 140. Tipping material 150 is used to attach the
filter element to the smokable rod, such that the segment 200 is
located between the smokable rod and the filter element. The
cigarette can possess a series of air dilution perforations
160.
[0036] The cigarette 10 is used in much the same manner as the
cigarette that is set forth previously with reference to FIG. 1.
However, the aerosol formed during burning of the smokable rod 20
is drawn through the segment 200 prior to being drawn through the
filter element 120 and into the mouth of the smoker. If desired,
the smoker also can allow the cigarette to burn down through the
segment 200, and hence, draw tobacco smoke produced as a result of
the burning of a portion of that segment. Alternatively, the smoker
can smoke the longitudinally segmented portion of the smokable rod
of the cigarette up until the point that the firecone approaches
the segment 200.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, cigarette 10 incorporates the
components and configuration essentially as set forth in FIG. 1.
The cigarette 10 possesses a smokable rod 20 having an inner core
of smokable material 80 optionally treated with burn suppressing
agent, an optional wrapping material 90 for that material, an outer
region smokable material 70 circumscribing the inner material, and
an outer wrapping material 60. The cigarette also possesses a mouth
end piece 30, such as a filter element 120. A cylindrical segment
of smokable material 200 is positioned between the mouth end 50 of
the smokable rod 20 and the filter element 120. That segment 200 is
composed of smokable material 210 (e.g., tobacco cut filler)
circumscribed by the outer wrapping material 220. The segment 200
can be provided by not extending the inner core material entirely
through the entire length of the smokable rod 20; and hence, the
segment is composed of the type of material used to provide the
smokable material of the outer region 70 of that rod. The segment
200 is located at the mouth end 50 of the smokable rod 20, and the
filter element 120 is positioned adjacent to the segment, such that
the filter element, segment and smokable rod all are axially
aligned in an end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting one
another. The general cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of the
smokable rod 20, segment 200 and filter element 120, when viewed
transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 10, are
essentially identical to one another. The ends of the filter
element 120, and the ends of both portions of the smokable rod 20
(i.e., the concentric portion and the segment portion) all are open
to permit the passage of aerosol therethrough. The filter element
120 includes filter material 130 (e.g., plasticized cellulose
acetate tow) that is overwrapped along the longitudinally extending
surface thereof with circumscribing plug wrap material 140. Tipping
material 150 is used to attach the filter element to the smokable
rod, such that the segment 200 is located between the smokable rod
20 and the filter element 120. The tipping material 150 can extend
over the outer wrapping material 60 of the smokable rod 20 such
that an observant smoker will be inclined not to allow the smokable
rod to burn down through the segment (as is shown). Alternatively,
the tipping material 150 can be selected so that the smoker can
allow the smokable rod to burn through at least a portion of the
segment 200. The cigarette can possess a series of air dilution
perforations 160.
[0038] The cigarette 10 is used in much the same manner as the
cigarette that is set forth previously with reference to FIG. 1.
However, the aerosol formed during use of the smokable rod 20 is
drawn through the segment 200 prior to being drawn through the
filter element 120 and into the mouth of the smoker.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, a representative preferred smoking
article 10 in the form of a cigarette is shown. The smoking article
10 has rod-like shape. The cigarette 10 includes a generally
cylindrical smokable rod 20; and a generally cylindrical mouth end
piece 30 positioned at one end of that smokable rod. As such, the
cigarette 10 possesses a lighting end 40 and a mouth end 50. Such a
smokable rod 20, and a cigarette 10 incorporating that rod, can be
manufactured using conventional types of manufacturing techniques
and equipment. See, for example, the general types of equipment and
methodologies set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/324,418, filed Dec. 20, 2002; Ser. No. 10/440,290, filed May 16,
2003; and Ser. No. 10/645,996, filed Aug. 22, 2003; which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0040] The smokable rod 20 possesses an outer wrapping material 60.
A smokable material 70 is disposed within, and circumscribed by,
the outer wrapping material 60. As such, the longitudinally
extending outer surface of the smokable rod 20 is provided by the
outer wrapping material 60. A representative smokable material 70
is a plant-derived material (e.g., tobacco material in cut filler
form). An aerosol forming material (not shown) can be located in
the region occupied by the smokable material 70, and as such, at
least a portion of that material can act as a substrate for that
aerosol forming material. Optionally, at least a portion of the
smokable material 70 can be treated in such a manner that the
material does not exhibit a tendency to burn, but rather, that
material exhibits a propensity to smolder or char.
[0041] The cigarette 10 normally includes a filter element 120, or
other suitable mouthpiece, positioned at the mouth end 50 thereof.
Both ends of the smokable rod 20, and both ends of the filter
element 120, preferably are open to allow the passage of air and
aerosol therethrough. General details concerning the construction
and positioning of the filter element 120 are set forth previously
with reference to FIG. 1. The filter element 120 includes filter
material 130 overwrapped along the longitudinally extending surface
thereof with circumscribing plug wrap material 140. The filter
element 120 is attached to the smokable rod 20 by tipping material
150; and the cigarette 10 can be air diluted by providing a series
of perforations 160, each of which extend through the tipping
material 150 and plug wrap material 140.
[0042] During use, the smoker lights the lighting end 40 of the
cigarette 10 using a match or cigarette lighter, in a manner
similar to the way that conventional cigarettes are lit. As such,
smokable material 70 burns, or optionally, at least a portion of
the smokable material 70 undergoes smolder, charring or other
comparable type of thermal decomposition. The mouth end 50 of the
cigarette 10 is placed in the lips of the smoker. Smoke generated
by that thermally degrading smokable material 70 is drawn through
the cigarette 10 from the smokable rod 20, through the filter
element 120, and into the mouth of the smoker. Also as a result,
aerosol forming material (not shown), located in that region
occupied by the smokable material 70, is volatilized and entrained
in the air that is drawn through that region of the smokable rod 20
of the cigarette 10. The aerosol so formed also is drawn through
the filter element 120 and into the mouth of the smoker, along with
the aerosol (i.e., smoke) formed as a result of the thermal
degradation of the smokable material 70. Due to the essentially
random nature of the positioning of the cut filler in the smokable
rod, the aerosol generated within the rod passes through a rather
tortuous, random path defined by the air spaces between pieces of
cut filler, as opposed to a hollow passageway of the type that is
formed within a formed (e.g., extruded or molded) processed
smokable material. For a preferred cigarette, the smokable material
70 and outer wrapping material 60 burn down, essentially as is the
case for a traditional tobacco burning cigarette; while at least a
portion of the smokable material, if treated with optional burn
suppressing agent, undergoes smolder, charring, or similar change
in character, rather than burning. For a highly preferred
cigarette, the thermal decomposition of the various components of
the smokable rod occur at comparable linear rates along the length
of that rod, and as such, a coal or burning tip region produced
during consumption of the smokable rod resembles in many regards
the type of coal or burning tip of a traditional tobacco burning
cigarette. Ash and charred materials that result as the hot coal
passes from the lighting end to the mouth end can be flicked, or
otherwise removed from the cigarette, essentially in the manner
that ash generated from burned tobacco cut filler is removed from a
traditional type of tobacco burning cigarette.
[0043] The dimensions of representative cigarettes of the type
shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 can vary. Typical cigarettes are
cylindrically shaped rods having circumferences of about 20 mm to
about 27 mm, and preferably about 22 mm to about 25 mm. Typical
cigarettes are cylindrically shaped rods that have overall lengths
of about 80 mm to about 120 mm, and generally have overall lengths
of about 83 mm to about 100 mm. Typical filter elements have
lengths of about 20 mm to about 40 mm, and generally about 25 mm to
about 35 mm; and typical smokable rods generally have lengths of
about 50 mm to about 70 mm.
[0044] The dimensions of representative cigarettes of the type
shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can vary. Typical cigarettes are
cylindrically shaped rods having circumferences of about 20 mm to
about 27 mm, and preferably about 22 mm to about 25 mm. Typical
cigarettes are cylindrically shaped rods that have overall lengths
of about 80 mm to about 120 mm, and generally have overall lengths
of about 83 mm to about 100 mm. Typical filter elements have
lengths of about 20 mm to about 40 mm, and generally about 25 mm to
about 35 mm; and typical smokable rods generally have lengths of
about 50 mm to about 70 mm. The segment located between the
smokable rod and the filter element has a length that can vary; but
typically the length of that segment is about 5 mm to about 30 mm,
generally about 10 mm to about 15 mm.
[0045] The cross-sectional dimensions of the smokable rod can vary.
Typically, the cross-sectional area of the inner or core cylinder
of a co-axial rod makes up about 25 to about 65, often about 35 to
about 60 percent of the total cross-sectional area of the smokable
rod; while the cross-sectional area of the outer or circumscribing
portion of a co-axial rod makes up about 35 to about 75, often
about 40 to about 65 percent of the total cross-sectional area of
the smokable rod. For example, for a generally cylindrical smokable
rod having a circumference of about 24 mm to about 26 mm, a
representative inner or core portion has a generally cylindrical
shape and a circumference of about 13 mm to about 19 mm.
[0046] The smokable rod, components of the smokable rod, the filter
element, components of the filter element, the optional segment,
components of the optional segment, and the cigarette resulting
from the combination smokable rod, filter element and optional
segment, can be manufactured using conventional types of cigarette
and cigarette component manufacturing techniques and equipment. The
various component parts and pieces can be processed and assembled
into cigarettes using the conventional types of technologies known
to those skilled in the art of cigarette design and
manufacture.
[0047] The manner by which the co-axial or concentric type of
smokable rod is assembled can vary. In one regard, a small
circumference rod is manufactured, and filler material and an outer
wrapping material is fashioned around that inner rod. In another
less preferred regard, an outer rod with a central cavity or
passageway is formed, and a small circumference inner rod is
positioned in that central cavity. Methods for manufacturing small
circumference inner rods for smoking articles are known to those
skilled in the art of cigarette manufacture, and those techniques
have been used to manufacture rods of small circumference for those
cigarettes marketed commercially as "Capri" by Brown and Williamson
Tobacco Corporation and "Virginia Slims Superslims" by Philip
Morris Inc. Representative manners and methods for manufacturing a
smokable rod having a core region of wrapped filler surrounded by
an annular region or sheath of filler are set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,727,888 to Luke; and PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et al.; which
are incorporated herein by reference. Equipment and techniques such
as those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,838 to White et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference, can be suitably modified
and employed. Representative manners and methods for manufacturing
a tobacco rod having a core region of one type of smokable filler
surrounded by an annular region or sheath of another type of
smokable filler are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,736,941 to Molins
et al.; 3,987,804 to Molins et al.; 4,580,579 to Wahle et al.;
4,593,704 to Wahle et al.; which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0048] Smokable materials and other associated materials useful for
carrying out the present invention can vary. Smokable materials are
material that can be incorporated into the smokable rod, and
provide mass and bulk to some region within that smokable rod.
Smokable materials undergo some type of destruction during
conditions of normal use of the smokable rod into which they are
incorporated. Destruction of the smokable material, due at least in
part to thermal decomposition of at least some component of that
smokable material, results in the formation of an aerosol.
[0049] It is most highly preferred that smokable materials
incorporate tobacco of some form. Preferred smokable materials are
composed predominantly of tobacco of some form, based on the dry
weights of those materials. That is, the majority of the dry weight
of that material, and the majority of the weight of a mixture
incorporating that material (including a blend of materials, and a
material having additives applied thereto or otherwise incorporated
therein) is provided by tobacco of some form. For example, those
materials can be processed tobaccos that incorporate minor amounts
non-tobacco filler materials (e.g., calcium carbonate particles,
carbonaceous materials, grains or wood pulp) and/or binding agents
(e.g., guar gum, sodium alginate or ammonium alginate); and/or a
blend of those materials can incorporate tobacco substitutes or
extenders. Those materials, and blends incorporating those
materials, frequently are composed of greater than about 70 percent
tobacco, often are greater than about 80 percent tobacco, and
generally are greater than about 90 percent tobacco, on a dry
weight basis, based on the combined weights of the tobacco,
non-tobacco filler material, and non-tobacco substitute or
extender. Those materials can be shredded tobacco that has been
cured and aged (e.g., lamina), and/or those materials can be
tobacco materials that are in processed forms. It is highly
preferred that essentially all (e.g., virtually 100 percent by
weight) of the smokable material be composed of tobacco of some
form.
[0050] Smokable materials typically are used in forms, and in
manners, that are traditional for the manufacture of smoking
articles, such as cigarettes. For example, those materials normally
are used in cut filler form (e.g., shreds or strands of tobacco
filler cut into widths of about {fraction (1/10)} inch to about
{fraction (1/60)} inch, preferably about {fraction (1/20)} inch to
about {fraction (1/35)} inch, and in lengths of about {fraction
(1/8)} inch to about 3 inches, usually about {fraction (1/4)} inch
to about 1 inch). Tobacco materials can include, or can be derived
from, various types of tobaccos, such as flue-cured tobacco, burley
tobacco, Oriental tobacco or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco,
dark-fired tobacco and Rustica tobaccos, as well as other rare or
specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Descriptions of various
types of tobaccos, growing practices, harvesting practices and
curing practices are set for in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and
Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). Most preferably, the
tobacco materials are those that have been appropriately cured and
aged.
[0051] Typically, tobacco materials are used in a so-called
"blended" form. For example, certain popular tobacco blends,
commonly referred to as "American blends," comprise mixtures of
flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco and Oriental tobacco. Such
blends, in many cases, contain tobacco materials that have
processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut-rolled
stems, cut-rolled-expanded stems or cut-puffed stems), volume
expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, such as dry ice expanded
tobacco (DIET), preferably in cut filler form). Tobacco materials
also can have the form of reconstituted tobaccos (e.g.,
reconstituted tobaccos manufactured using paper-making type or cast
sheet type processes). Tobacco reconstitution processes
traditionally convert portions of tobacco that normally might be
wasted into commercially useful forms. For example, tobacco stems,
recyclable pieces of tobacco and tobacco dust can be used to
manufacture processed reconstituted tobaccos of fairly uniform
consistency. The precise amount of each type of tobacco within a
tobacco blend used for the manufacture of a particular cigarette
brand can vary, is a manner of design choice, depending upon
factors such as the sensory characteristics desired. See, for
example, Tobacco Encyclopedia, Voges (Ed.) p. 44-45 (1984), Browne,
The Design of Cigarettes, 3rd Ed., p. 43 (1990) and Tobacco
Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) p. 346
(1999).
[0052] Various representative tobacco types, processed types of
tobaccos, types of tobacco blends, cigarette components and
cigarette configurations are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,224
to Lawson et al.; 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al.; 5,056,537 to Brown
et al.; 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al.; 5,220,930 to Gentry;
5,360,023 to Blakley et al.; and 5,714,844 to Young et al.; US Pat.
Applications 2002/0000235 to Shafer et al.; 2003/0075193 to Li et
al.; and 2003/0131859 to Li et al.; PCT WO 02/37990 to Bereman;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/285,395, filed Oct. 31, 2002,
to Lawson et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/463,211,
filed Jun. 17, 2003, to Perfetti et al.; and Bombick et al., Fund.
Appl. Toxicol., 39, p. 11-17 (1997); which are incorporated herein
by reference. One representative American blend is provided by
combining about 60 to about 70 weight percent flue-cured tobacco
lamina, about 12 to about 20 weight percent burley tobacco lamina,
about 15 to about 20 weight percent Oriental tobacco, about 15 to
about 20 weight percent reconstituted tobacco sheet manufactured
from flue-cured and/or Oriental tobacco leaf, about 20 to about 30
weight percent volume expanded flue-cured tobacco lamina,
optionally about 10 to about 15 weight percent expanded flue-cured
tobacco stems, and optionally a casing material in an amount of
about 3 to about 5 weight percent. Another representative American
blend is provided by (i) combining about 20 weight parts burley
tobacco, about 30 weight parts flue-cured tobacco, about 25 weight
parts reconstituted tobacco material (e.g., a reconstituted tobacco
made using a papermaking process), and about 25 weight parts
Oriental tobacco; (ii) applying about 3 weight parts of an aqueous
casing material, comprised of humectants and flavors, and cutting
into filler form; (iii) combining the foregoing with about 30
weight parts of a DIET-type expanded tobacco filler (e.g., a blend
composed of about 65 weight parts expanded flue-cured shredded
lamina and about 35 weight parts expanded burley shredded lamina)
to prepare the final cut filler; and then (iv) conditioning the
blend to a moisture content of about 12 to about 13 weight percent.
Portions of that blend (e.g., those non-volume expanded tobacco
filler components) can be cased and top dressed. Tobacco materials
also can be used in an essentially "unblended" form. For example,
the tobacco material can be made up of on one type of tobacco
(e.g., only burley tobacco or only flue-cured tobacco), or one type
of processed tobacco (e.g., only volume expanded tobacco laminae,
only reconstituted tobacco cut filler, or only shredded tobacco
stems).
[0053] A variety of materials can be used to provide the material
for the portion or portions of the smokable rod that is intended to
burn to yield tobacco smoke. The selection of tobacco types and
tobacco blends can determine the chemical composition of, and the
characteristics of, that aerosol produced when that tobacco or
tobacco blend is burned. That material incorporates tobacco of some
form, normally is composed predominantly of tobacco, and can be
provided by virtually all tobacco material. The form of the
smokable material can vary; but most preferably the smokable
material is employed in an essentially traditional filler form
(e.g., as cut filler). Smokable materials, such as processed
tobacco materials, can be used in other forms (e.g., as
longitudinally extending strands or as sheets formed into the
desired configuration). The smokable material can be treated with
tobacco additives of the type that are traditionally used for the
manufacture of cigarettes, such as casing and/or top dressing
components.
[0054] It is desirable to produce a mainstream aerosol that
incorporates relatively low levels of incomplete combustion
products, pyrolysis products, and other thermal degradation
products of tobacco. However, it also is desirable to provide
mainstream aerosol possessing the desirable sensory characteristics
traditionally associated with those incomplete combustion products,
pyrolysis products, and other thermal degradation products of
tobacco. For this reason, it is desirable to manufacture a smokable
rod that generates a relatively low amount of smoke, and it is
desirable that the smoke so generated, be considered to be highly
flavorful and as having a relatively great degree of strength.
Those types of tobaccos can be obtained by selection of certain
cultivars (e.g., by employing certain amounts of Bafra, Samsun and
Agonya types of Oriental tobaccos). Those types of tobaccos also
can be provided by suitable selection of upper stalk leaves from
flue-cured, burley and Oriental tobaccos. Those tobaccos and blends
incorporating those types of tobaccos are preferred, because the
smoker can be provided with aerosol possessing a desirably high
degree of tobacco flavor, organoleptic sensations and satisfaction,
while ingesting a significantly reduced overall amount of smoke
generated by the burning of tobacco.
[0055] A variety of materials can be used to provide the material
for that portion of the smokable rod that acts as a substrate for
the aerosol forming material. That material incorporates tobacco of
some form, normally is composed predominantly of tobacco, and can
be provided by virtually all tobacco material. The form of the
smokable material can vary; but most preferably the smokable
material is employed in an essentially traditional filler form
(e.g., as cut filler). Smokable materials, such as processed
tobacco materials, can be used in other forms (e.g., as
longitudinally extending strands or as sheets formed into the
desired configuration). The smokable material can be treated with
tobacco additives of the type that are traditionally used for the
manufacture of cigarettes, such as casing and/or top dressing
components. The smokable material optionally can be treated with
burn suppressing agent.
[0056] A variety of materials can be used to provide the optional
section or segment that is positioned between the smokable rod and
the filter element. The material most preferably is a smokable
material. The material can incorporate the same types of components
used to provide the materials of the smokable rod that are intended
to burn to yield tobacco smoke, that act as substrates for aerosol
forming materials, or that are treated with burn suppressing agent.
The form of the material can vary; but most preferably the material
is employed in an essentially traditional filler form (e.g., as cut
filler). That material most preferably incorporates tobacco of some
form, normally is composed predominantly of tobacco, and can be
provided by virtually all tobacco material. Smokable materials,
such as processed tobacco materials, can be used in other forms
(e.g., as longitudinally extending strands or as sheets formed into
the desired configuration). The material can be treated with
tobacco additives of the type that are traditionally used for the
manufacture of cigarettes, such as casing and/or top dressing
components.
[0057] Optionally, at least some portion of the smokable material
of the smokable rod is treated with an agent capable of having an
effect upon the thermal decomposition properties of the smokable
material with which that agent is in intimate contact; and such an
agent is referred to as a "burn suppressing agent." That agent
preferably is an additive that provides the smokable material with
the ability to char or smolder. That is, an exogenous component is
placed in intimate contact with at least some portion of the
smokable material of the smokable rod. The presence of additive in
intimate contact with the smokable material acts to decrease the
tendency of that material to burn, at least under those conditions
experienced during normal use of the smokable rod. A relatively
wide variety of additive materials can be used to achieve such a
purpose. See, for example, Fire Retardants, EHC 192 (1997).
Smokable material in intimate contact with burn suppressing agent
is a smokable material that is in physical contact with that agent,
such that the agent is capable of providing the desired effect to
that smokable material. A smokable material in intimate contact
with burn suppressing agent can be surface treated with that agent,
or can be treated so that the agent is impregnated within the
physical structure of that material.
[0058] Most preferably, the burn suppressing agent is of an
effective type, and is employed in an effective amount. That is,
the burn suppressing agent is a material, or mixture of materials,
that can act to lower the overall temperature experienced by the
smokable material with which that agent is in intimate contact, and
hence can act to effectively inhibit the propensity or ability of
that smokable material to burn, at least during normal conditions
of use of the smokable rod. Furthermore, the amount of a particular
burn suppressing agent with which the smokable material is in
intimate contact is sufficient to (i) decrease the propensity of
the smokable material to undergo what can be considered normal
burning of that smokable material, (ii) allow smolder, charring or
other thermal degradation of the smokable material, and (iii) avoid
introduction of a high degree of thermal decomposition retardant
properties to that smokable material. That is, it is desirable for
the smokable rod to possess some amount of treated smokable
material such that under conditions of normal use of the smokable
rod, the treated smokable material (i) undergoes some type of
non-complete burning type of thermal decomposition (e.g., undergoes
smolder but does not burn), and (ii) sustains smolder as desired.
Typically, undesirable excess addition of a particular burn
suppressing agent to the smokable material results in a treated
smokable material that tends to not undergo any significant visible
thermal decomposition (e.g., the smokable material does not sustain
smolder). Typically, insufficient addition of a particular burn
suppressing agent to the smokable material results in a treated
smokable material that tends to undergo a more complete combustion
that is desired.
[0059] The optional burn suppressing agent can vary. Typically, the
burn suppressing agent is a material that is compatible with the
other components of the smokable rod. It also is desirable that the
burn suppressing agent not introduce an unacceptable level of
undesirable sensory attributes to the smokable rod, and to the
aerosol generated during the use of a cigarette incorporating that
smokable rod. Preferred burn suppressing agents are additive
materials that undergo some type of phase change and/or chemical
change when exposed to those conditions of heat and temperature
normally experienced by smokable materials (e.g., tobacco cut
filler) in the smokable rod when that smokable rod is consumed
during normal use. The additive material can be a salt, such as a
water soluble salt. Preferred salts are salts possessing alkali
metal ions (e.g., sodium salts and potassium salts). Exemplary
salts include alkali metal carboxylates (e.g., potassium citrate,
potassium succinate, potassium malate, potassium acetate, potassium
tartrate, potassium oxalate, sodium citrate, sodium succinate,
sodium acetate, and sodium malate). Other exemplary salts include
alkali halides (e.g., sodium chloride and potassium chloride).
Other burn suppressing agents also can include potassium hydroxide,
sodium hydroxide, sodium borate decahydrate, boric acid,
phosphonium salts (e.g., trihydrophosphate acetate), sodium
carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonium borate, ammonium
sulfamate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate and
ammonium carbamate phosphate. The burn suppressing agent can be
composed of one suitable material. However, the burn suppressing
agent can be composed of a mixture of various materials, and
depending upon the characteristics of a particular burn suppressing
material, it can be highly desirable to employ a suitable mixture
of materials. For example, burn suppressing agents can be
formulations incorporating (i) potassium chloride and potassium
succinate, (ii) sodium citrate, potassium malate and potassium
tartrate, or (iii) boric acid, potassium succinate and potassium
citrate. See, for example, Mattina, 39.sup.th TCRC(1985); Tobacco
Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999);
and Liu et al., Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int., 20: 341-347 (2003).
[0060] The amount of exogenous burn suppressing agent that is
applied to, or otherwise placed in intimate contact with, the
smokable material, can vary. The amount of any particular burn
suppressing agent typically depends upon the ability of agent to
prevent the smokable material from undergoing a more complete type
of burning, while still allowing that smokable material to smolder,
char, or otherwise undergo some type of lower temperature thermal
decomposition. For example, highly effective alkali metal chlorides
generally can be employed in lower amounts than moderately
effective alkali metal carboxylates. Typically, the optimum amount
of optional burn suppressing agent that is employed for treatment
of a particular smokable material or smokable blend can be
determined by experimentation; and, when employed, can be in the
range of about 1 percent to about 20 percent, based on the dry
weight of the smokable material with which that agent is combined.
However, the amount of an optional alkali metal carboxylate, such
as potassium citrate, added to a smokable material is such that the
smokable material so placed in intimate contact with such an
exogenous additive frequently possesses at least about 3 percent,
often possesses at least about 5 percent, generally possesses at
least about 6 percent, usually at least about 8 percent, and
sometimes possesses at least about 10 percent, of that additive,
based on the dry weight of the smokable material with which that
additive is combined. Generally, the amount of alkali metal
carboxylate, such as potassium citrate, added to a smokable
material is such that the smokable material so placed in intimate
contact with such an exogenous additive usually possesses less than
about 20 percent, frequently possesses at less than about 15
percent, and often possesses less than about 13 percent, of that
additive, based on the dry weight of the smokable material with
which that additive is combined.
[0061] Modifications to the smokable rod can be made to account for
changes in performance characteristics of that rod due to the
presence of the optional burn suppressing agent within at least a
portion of the smokable material of that rod. For example, if use
of burn suppressing agent results in the production of a smokable
rod that exhibits an increased resistance to draw, then the
smokable material within that rod can be less tightly packed and/or
an increased level of volume expanded tobacco filler can be
employed within the smokable blend. Alternatively, if a concentric
smokable rod possessing an outer region of smokable material
treated with burn suppressing agent smolders much slower that the
linear rate at which the inner core of smokable material burns,
then the filler material of the inner core can be more tightly
packed and/or chemical treatments to the wrapping materials of the
concentric rod can act to assist in ensuring that the two segments
are consumed at a more even linear rate. Furthermore, if a smokable
rod possessing smokable material treated with burn suppressing
agent produces an ash that is overly strong or undesirably
cohesive, then further chemical treatment of the smokable material
and/or the wrapping material of the smokable rod can act to assist
in achieving a smokable rod possessing more acceptable ashing
qualities.
[0062] For a smokable rod, the amount of optional smokable material
treated with burn suppressing agent can vary. Some or all of the
smokable material that is a substrate for the aerosol forming
material optionally can be treated with burn suppressing agent.
Some or all of the smokable material making up the other portion of
the smokable material of the smokable rod can be treated with
optional burn suppressing agent. Typically, for smokable rods
having higher levels of aerosol forming materials, higher levels of
the smokable materials within those rods can incorporate smokable
materials that are in intimate contact with optional burn
suppressing agent.
[0063] For certain smokable rods, virtually all of the smokable
material within those rods can be treated with some amount of burn
suppressing agent. However, less than 100 percent, generally less
than about 90 percent, often less than about 80 percent, and
frequently less than about 70 percent, of the total dry weight of
the smokable material within a smokable rod can be smokable
material that has been treated with an effective amount of burn
suppressing agent. Typically, more than about 15 percent, generally
more than about 20 percent, often at least about 25 percent, and
frequently more than about 30 percent, of the total dry weight of
the smokable material within a smokable rod is smokable material
that has been treated with an effective amount of burn suppressing
agent, when such an optional burn suppressing agent is
employed.
[0064] Smokable material of the smokable rod, including smokable
material that is treated with the intention of causing that
material to smolder during use, can act as a carrier or substrate
for an aerosol forming material. The aerosol forming material can
vary, and mixtures of various aerosol forming materials can be
used. Representative types of aerosol forming materials are set
forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; and
5,101,839 to Jakob et al.; PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et al.; and
Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that
Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Monograph (1988); which are incorporated herein by reference. A
preferred aerosol forming material produces a visible aerosol upon
the application of sufficient heat thereto, and a highly preferred
aerosol forming material produces an aerosol that can be considered
to be "smoke-like." A preferred aerosol forming material is
chemically simple, relative to the chemical nature of the smoke
produced by burning tobacco. A highly preferred aerosol forming
material is a polyol, such as glycerin.
[0065] The smokable material composition most preferably is
composed predominantly of tobacco of some form of tobacco and
aerosol forming material, based on the dry weight of that
composition. That is, the majority of the dry weight of that
composition is provided by tobacco and aerosol forming material.
Such a composition frequently is composed of greater than about 70
percent tobacco and aerosol forming material, often greater than
about 75 percent tobacco and aerosol forming material, and
generally greater than about 85 percent tobacco and aerosol forming
material, on a dry weight basis. However, due to the presence of
other ingredients within the smokable material composition (e.g.,
flavoring agents), such a composition can be composed of less than
about 95 percent tobacco and aerosol forming material, on a dry
weight basis.
[0066] The amount of aerosol forming material employed relative to
the dry weight of smokable material present in a smokable rod can
vary. For a smokable rod, the amount of aerosol forming material
present in that rod is more than about 2 percent, and generally is
more than about 3 percent, of the combined dry weight of the
aerosol forming material and tobacco material within that rod. For
a preferred smokable rod, the amount of aerosol forming material
present in that rod typically is at least about 5 percent,
generally is at least about 10 percent, often is at least about 15
percent, frequently is at least about 20 percent, and even can be
at least about 25 percent, of the combined dry weight of the
aerosol forming material and tobacco material within that rod. For
a preferred smokable rod, the amount of aerosol forming material
present in that rod typically does not exceed about 65 percent,
generally does not exceed about 60 percent, often does not exceed
about 55 percent, and frequently does not exceed about 50 percent,
of the combined dry weight of the aerosol forming material and
tobacco material in that rod. Smokable materials possessing
exceedingly high levels of aerosol forming material typically are
difficult to process into cigarette rods using conventional types
of automated cigarette manufacturing equipment.
[0067] Cast sheet types of smokable materials typically can
incorporate relatively high levels aerosol forming material.
Reconstituted tobaccos manufactured using paper-making types of
processes typically can incorporate moderate levels of aerosol
forming material. Tobacco strip and tobacco cut fuller can
incorporate lower amounts of aerosol forming material. For
processed materials, such as cast sheet materials and paper-type
reconstituted tobaccos, tobacco pulp materials that are extracted
with aqueous liquids can be used as components thereof. The removal
of essentially all or some fraction of the water soluble components
of tobacco can assist in providing a processed material that is
capable of acting as an effective substrate for higher levels of
aerosol forming material. In addition, dusting processed materials
with dry tobacco powders can assist in providing processed
materials having relatively high levels of glycerin while not
demonstrating overly tacky or sticky characteristics. Cast sheet
materials, and particularly cast sheet materials incorporating
certain amounts of tobacco pulp materials that have extracted with
water, often can comprise up to about 65 percent, often up to about
60 percent, and frequently up to about 55 percent, aerosol forming
material, based on the dry weight of the tobacco and aerosol
forming material in the material so produced. Paper-type
reconstituted tobacco materials, and particularly those materials
incorporating certain amounts of tobacco pulp materials that have
extracted with water, and not reapplying some or all of the water
soluble extract components back to that pulp, often can comprise up
to about 55 percent, often up to about 50 percent, and frequently
up to about 45 percent, aerosol forming material, based on the dry
weight of the tobacco and aerosol forming material in the material
so produced. A material produced by spraying tobacco strip or cut
filler with aerosol forming material often does not comprise more
than about 20 percent, and frequently does not comprise more than
about 15 percent, aerosol forming material, based on the dry weight
of the tobacco and aerosol forming material of the material so
produced.
[0068] Other types of materials incorporating relatively high
levels of aerosol forming material can be incorporated into a
smokable material blend. Formed, encapsulated or microencapsulated
materials can be employed. Such types of materials are composed
primarily of aerosol forming material, and those materials can
incorporate some amount and form of tobacco. An example of such a
type of material is a film produced by casting and drying an
aqueous solution of about 70 weight parts glycerin and about 30
weight parts binder (e.g., citrus pectin, ammonium alginate, sodium
alginate or guar gum), and then surface coating that film with
about 2 weight parts of a finely divided powder that is provided by
milling tobacco lamina.
[0069] Smokable materials having appropriate amounts of aerosol
forming materials can be processed efficiently and effectively
using conventional types of automated cigarette making machinery.
Overly high levels of aerosol forming material can cause the
smokable material to exhibit a sticky or tacky behavior. Increased
levels of aerosol forming material in processed tobaccos having
acceptable physical characteristics can be accomplished providing
processed tobaccos that are deficient in the amount of water
soluble extract components, and using aerosol forming material to
replace that amount of tobacco extract portion that has been
removed from that processed tobacco. Higher levels of binder also
can be used to provide processed materials incorporating relatively
high levels of aerosol forming material. Processed materials
incorporating relatively high levels of aerosol forming material
also can be surface treated using dried, finely ground tobacco
particles, such as is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob
et al. Alternatively, a tobacco material having a relatively high
loading level of aerosol forming material can be dried (e.g., by
subjecting the tobacco material to a flow of hot air) to a moisture
content of about 4 percent to about 5 percent, by weight; the dried
tobacco then can be processed to form smokable rods; and then the
smokable rods can be re-equilibrated to a moisture content of about
12 to about 13 weight percent.
[0070] If desired, the smokable material that is intended to burn
and/or the smokable material that is intended to smolder can be
treated with other additive agents. Those materials optionally can
be ammoniated (e.g., by treatment with anhydrous ammonia, aqueous
ammonium hydroxide, or ammonium salts such as diammonium
phosphate). Alternatively those materials can be absent, or
virtually absent, of any type of added ammonia (e.g., whether by
treatment with anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonium hydroxide, or
ammonium salts such as diammonium phosphate). Those materials also
can be treated with other additives, such as potassium carbonate or
sodium bicarbonate. Other materials, such as catalytic agents,
nanoparticle compositions, and the like, also can be incorporated
within any of the smokable materials of the smokable rod. See, for
example, the types of components set forth in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/382,244, filed Mar. 5, 2003, to Crooks et
al. Typically, the smokable material is not treated with more that
about 5 percent of any of those additive agents, based on the dry
weight of tobacco material within that smokable material.
[0071] The manner by which the aerosol forming material, optional
burn suppressing agent, and other additive agents are contacted
with the substrate material (e.g., the tobacco material) can vary.
The burn suppressing agent and/or aerosol forming material can be
applied to a formed tobacco material, or can be incorporated into
processed tobacco materials during manufacture of those materials.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,588 to Brown et al. The burn
suppressing agent and/or aerosol forming material can be dissolved
or dispersed in an aqueous liquid, or other suitable solvent or
liquid carrier, and sprayed onto that substrate material. Casing
techniques and equipment are useful for such types of applications.
Aerosol forming materials having liquid forms can be sprayed
directly onto that substrate material. The materials can be applied
in one spraying step, or multiple spraying and drying steps can be
employed to provide the desired level of additive formulation to
the tobacco material. Those materials can be sprayed onto volume
expanded tobacco materials, such as DIET-type expanded tobacco
filler, steam expanded tobacco stems or cut rolled expanded stems.
Exogenous materials, aerosol forming materials, and other additives
can be placed in intimate contact with tobacco materials by
processing tobacco materials using the manners and methods set
forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,025,812 to Fagg et al.; 5,065,775 to
Fagg; 5,131,414 to Fagg et al.; 5,234,008 to Fagg; 5,360,022 to
Newton et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.
Exogenous materials, aerosol forming materials, and other additives
can be placed in intimate contact with reconstituted tobacco
materials manufactured using a paper-making type reconstitution
process by applying those additives to a formed sheet, during
and/or after the manufacturing process associated with that sheet;
or by incorporating those additives into that sheet during the
manufacture of that sheet using the general types of techniques set
forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al. Processed
tobacco materials incorporating aerosol forming materials and other
exogenous materials are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,105,836 to
Gentry et al.; 5,327,917 to Lekwauwa et al.; 5,101,839 to Jakob et
al.; 5,271,419 to Young et al.; 5,598,868 to Jakob et al. and
5,715,844 to Young et al.; which are incorporated herein by
reference. Cast sheet types of materials can use a variety of
binding agents, including for example, guar gum, xanthan gum,
locust bean gum, carrageenans, tragacanths, alginates (e.g.,
ammonium alginate), and blends of materials (e.g., a blend of
xanthan, guar and locust bean gums). Cast sheet type materials can
have single layer forms or multi-layer forms. For example, a three
layer sheet can possess outer layers comprised principally of
tobacco material and binding agent, and an inner or center layer
comprised principally of aerosol forming material, a calcium
source, and an alginate binder. Multilayer sheet materials can be
produced using the types of extrusion equipment available from
Cloeren Incorporated.
[0072] The aerosol forming material can be in intimate contact with
a processed tobacco material that is processed such that at least a
portion of a solvent soluble portion of the tobacco material is
removed therefrom and such that the processed tobacco material is a
substrate for the aerosol forming material. Cast sheet materials
incorporating aerosol forming material can be manufactured from
water extracted tobacco pulp, and the aerosol forming material
incorporated into the resulting processed cast tobacco material can
replace at least a portion of the tobacco extract portion that is
not incorporated within the resulting processed cast tobacco
material. Reconstituted tobacco paper-type sheet incorporating
aerosol forming material can be manufactured by forming water
extracted pulp and applying a mixture of water soluble tobacco
extract and aerosol forming material to that pulp. For example, for
tobacco materials having hot water soluble contents of about 45
weight percent, formed water extracted pulp portions can have
mixtures of glycerin and aqueous tobacco extract applied that can
be comprised of (i) about 5 weight parts glycerin and about 40
weight parts tobacco extract, (ii) about 10 weight parts glycerin
and about 35 weight parts tobacco extract, (iii) about 15 weight
parts glycerin and about 30 weight parts tobacco extract, (iv)
about 20 weight parts glycerin and about 25 weight parts tobacco
extract, (v) about 25 weight parts glycerin and about 20 weight
parts tobacco extract, (vi) about 30 weight parts glycerin and
about 15 weight parts tobacco extract, (vii) about 35 weight parts
glycerin and about 10 weight parts tobacco extract, or (viii) about
40 weight parts glycerin and about 5 parts tobacco extract.
[0073] It is desirable that the smokable materials (and
particularly those materials that are treated with optional burn
suppressing agent) not incorporate inorganic filler material. That
is, it is preferred that exogenous inorganic filler materials are
not added to, or incorporated within, processed materials that are
used in carrying out the present invention. Inorganic filler
materials can be considered to be those materials that provide some
type of bulk to a processed material with which those filler
materials are associated, or into which those filler materials are
incorporated. Typical inorganic materials are used in particulate
form. Exemplary inorganic filler materials are calcium carbonate,
perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth materials, colloidal
silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate,
and other types inorganic filler materials.
[0074] If desired, the smokable materials and other associated
materials can be treated with additives in order to improve the
ashing characteristics of the smokable rod, or otherwise improve
the performance characteristics of that rod. For example, either or
both of the materials that make up the inner core or outer portion
of the concentric smokable rod can be treated with additives that
provide improved ashing characteristics to that rod. Exemplary
additives that improve the ashing characteristics of the rod are
monoammonium phosphate, potassium phosphate, sodium phosphate,
monoammonium acetate, sodium carbonate, and attapulgite clay. Those
additives typically are added to the relevant material being
treated in amounts of less than about 5 percent, generally less
than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the material being
treated.
[0075] For a concentric smokable rod, at least some of the smokable
material that is used to provide the segment that is intended to
smolder is treated with burn suppressing agent. In such a
circumstance, the smokable material that is treated with burn
suppressing agent also can be blended with other materials (e.g.,
tobacco cut filler) that have not been treated with burn
suppressing agent. The smokable material that is treated with burn
suppression agent can comprise the predominant amount of the
portion of the co-axial or concentric rod that is intended to
smolder. For example, regions of the smokable rod that are intended
to smolder or char during use preferably comprise less than about
30 percent, generally less than about 20 percent, and often less
than about 10 percent, of material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) that
has not been treated with burn suppressing agent, based on the
total combined dry weight of those smokable materials that are
treated and untreated with burn suppressing agent. A smokable
material that acts as a substrate for the aerosol forming material
optionally can be treated with burn suppressing agent. A smokable
material that is not used as a substrate for the aerosol forming
material optionally can be treated with burn suppressing agent. If
desired, two or more smokable materials, each treated with
different amounts and/or different types of burn suppressing
agents, can be blended together. If desired, two or more smokable
materials, each treated with different amounts and/or different
types of burn suppressing agents, can be used in different
locations within the smokable rod.
[0076] The amount of aerosol forming material and optional burn
suppressing agent that is used within the smokable rod is such that
the smokable rod exhibits acceptable sensory properties. It is
desirable for those components to not introduce significant degrees
of unacceptable off-taste, filmy mouthfeel, or an overall sensory
experience that is significantly different from that of a
traditional type of cigarette. The selection of the burn selection
agent, the amount of burn suppressing agent used, and the amount of
tobacco material not treated with burn suppressing agent relative
to the amount of tobacco material that is treated, can be altered
in order to control the overall chemical composition of the aerosol
produced by that tobacco material.
[0077] Any or all of the smokable material of the smokable rod can
further include other added components. For a concentric smokable
rod, smokable materials that comprise the optional segment, and/or
either or both of the core and outer portions of that smokable rod,
can further include other added components. Those added components
include casing materials. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,419,015 to Wochnowski; 4,054,145 to Berndt et al.; 4,887,619 to
Burcham, Jr. et al.; 5,022,416 to Watson; 5,103,842 to Strang et
al.; and 5,711,320 to Martin. Typical casing materials include
water, sugars and syrups (e.g., sucrose, glucose and high fructose
corn syrup), humectants (e.g. glycerin or propylene glycol), and
flavoring agents (e.g., cocoa and licorice). Those added components
also include top dressing materials (e.g., flavoring materials,
such as menthol). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,541 to Mays
et al. Additives also can be added to the smokable materials using
the types of equipment described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,405 to
Lettau or that are available as Menthol Application System MAS from
Kohl Maschinenbau GmbH. The selection of particular casing and top
dressing components is dependent upon factors such as the sensory
characteristics that are desired, and the selection and use of
those components will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art of cigarette design and manufacture. See, Gutcho, Tobacco
Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972) and
Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972).
Because it is desirable to manufacture a smokable rod that
generates a relatively low amount of smoke derived directly from
burning tobacco, it can be desirable to employ flavorings and
flavor packages that provide flavor, strength and body to an
aerosol that might be otherwise perceived as having overall sensory
attributes that can be characterized as being an overly bland,
weak, mild or unsatisfying. In addition, because it is desirable to
manufacture a smokable rod that generates a relatively low amount
thermal decomposition products derived directly that is considered
to be tobacco that is high in flavor and strength, it can be
desirable to employ flavorings and flavor packages that ameliorate
some of the negative sensory attributes that might be associated
with that aerosol. For example, tobacco that generates smoke that
might be considered to be overly harsh or irritating can be
combined with organic acids, such as levulinic acid, pyruvic acid,
citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, malic acid and/or ascorbic
acid (e.g., tobacco that produces smoke that might be considered
harsh or irritating can be combined with a top dressing formulation
incorporating equal amounts of pyruvic acid, lactic acid and
levulinic acid, and such top dressing formulation can be employed
in an amount sufficient improve the sensory attributes of the
mainstream smoke generated by that tobacco). See also, for example,
the types of organic acids set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,224 to
Lawson et al.
[0078] The amount of smokable material employed to manufacture the
smokable rod can vary. For a typical concentric smokable rod of the
type described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3,
inner core region can possess a greater amount, a lesser amount, or
the same amount of smokable material as does the outer region that
encircles that inner core. However, for a representative type of
concentric smokable rod, the amount of smokable material in the
inner core region generally is between about 100 mg and about 250
mg; while the amount of smokable material in the outer region that
encircles the core region generally is between about 500 mg and
about 1,000 mg. This is, the weight of the inner region typically
is less than the weight of the outer region. Furthermore, for a
typical concentric smokable rod, the packing density of the
smokable material of the inner core region is less than the packing
density of the smokable material in the outer region that encircles
the core region. The smokable material normally is employed so as
to fill the inner core region of the smokable rod at a packing
density of less than about 400 mg/cm.sup.3, and generally less than
about 350 mg/cm.sup.3; while the packing density of the smokable
material in that inner core region generally exceeds about 100
mg/cm.sup.3, and often exceeds about 150 mg/cm.sup.3. The smokable
material normally is employed so as to fill the region surrounding
the inner rod of the smokable rod at a packing density of less than
about 650 mg/cm.sup.3, generally less than about 600 mg/cm.sup.3,
and often less than about 550 mg/cm.sup.3; while the packing
density of the smokable material in that outer region encircling
the inner core region normally exceeds about 250 mg/cm.sup.3,
generally exceeds about 300 mg/cm.sup.3, and often exceeds about
350 mg/cm.sup.3. For a typical smokable rod of the type described
previously with reference to FIG. 4, the packing density of the
smokable material within the rod generally is greater than about
100 mg/cm.sup.3, and often is greater than 150 mg/cm.sup.3; while
the packing density of the smokable material within the rod
generally is less than about 300 mg/cm.sup.3, and often is less
than about 250 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0079] For a concentric smokable rod, the inner core material and
the outer circumscribing material are in a heat exchange
relationship with one another. The physical arrangement of those
materials is such that heat is transferred (e.g., by means that
includes conductive heat transfer) from the burning smokable
material to the adjacent treated tobacco material, throughout the
period that the smokable material is burned during use of smokable
rod. Typically, the heat exchange relationship is achieved by
positioning those components in close proximity to one another. For
example, the inner wrapping material of the smokable rod is used to
separate the inner and outer materials from one another.
[0080] The smokable material typically burns at a relatively high
temperature. Typical smokable materials, such as tobacco cut filler
materials, often burn such that maximum coal temperature of a
cigarette incorporating those materials reaches about 850.degree.
C., and sometimes reaches about 950.degree. C. Typical smokable
materials that are treated with suitable amounts of suitable burn
suppressing agent typically undergo thermal decomposition (e.g., as
smolder or char) at temperatures that usually exceed about
450.degree. C., often exceed about 500.degree. C., and frequently
exceed about 550.degree. C. Typical smokable materials, such as
tobacco cut filler materials, that are treated with suitable
amounts of suitable burn suppressing agent, can generate maximum
coal temperatures that do not exceed about 750.degree. C., often do
not exceed 700.degree. C., and sometimes do not exceed about
650.degree. C. See, for example, The Chemistry of Tobacco and
Tobacco Smoke, Schmeltz (ed.) (1972); Baker, Prog. Ener. Combust.
Sci., 7: 135-153 (1981); Proceedings of the International
Conference on the Physical and Chemical Processes Occurring in a
Burning Cigarette (Apr. 26-29, 1987); and Tobacco Production,
Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) p. 398-439 (1999).
Typically, maximum coal temperatures during periods of smolder are
lower than maximum coal temperatures during periods of draw. See,
for example, Lyman et al., Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int., 20: 381-388
(2003).
[0081] The temperatures to which the aerosol forming material and
associated substrate material are exposed during use of the
smokable rod can vary. Substrate materials optionally can be
treated with suitable amounts of suitable burn suppressing agents.
For example, appropriately treated substrate materials, such as
treated tobacco containing smokable materials, when incorporated
into smokable rods, generally undergo smolder or char at
temperatures that usually exceed about 450.degree. C., often exceed
about 500.degree. C., and frequently exceed about 550.degree. C.
Typical appropriately treated substrate materials, when
incorporated into smokable rods, generate maximum coal temperatures
that do not exceed about 750.degree. C., often do not exceed
700.degree. C., and frequently do not exceed about 650.degree.
C.
[0082] Smokable materials that are components of the smokable rod
(e.g., tobacco materials), and that burn, produce smoke that is
made up of gases and particulate materials, and that smoke contains
volatilized components of the smokable material, combustion
products (e.g., carbon dioxide and water), incomplete combustion
products and products of pyrolysis. Materials that are components
of the smokable rod (e.g., treated tobacco materials), and that
have a tendency not to burn, but rather exhibit a propensity to
smolder or char, produce thermal decomposition products. Typically,
the levels of combustion products (e.g., in particular, carbon
dioxide) generated by materials treated with burn suppressing
agents and that undergo smolder or char, rather than a more
complete burning, are considerably less than those levels of
combustion products generated by the burning of similar materials
that are not treated with burn suppressing agents.
[0083] The outer wrapping material can vary. Preferably, the outer
wrapping material is a paper material, such as the type of paper
material typically used in cigarette manufacture. The wrapping
material can have a wide range of compositions and properties. The
selection of a particular wrapping material will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette design and
manufacture. Smokable rods can have one layer of wrapping material;
or smokable rods can have more than one layer of circumscribing
wrapping material, such as is the case for the so-called "double
wrap" smokable rods. The wrapping material can be composed of
materials, or be suitably treated, in order that the wrapping
material does not experience a visible staining as a result of
contact with components of the smokable material (e.g., aerosol
forming material). Exemplary types of wrapping materials, wrapping
material components and treated wrapping materials are described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,105,838 to White et al.; 5,271,419 to Arzonico et
al. and 5,220,930 to Gentry; PCT WO 01/08514 to Fournier et al.;
PCT WO 03/043450 to Hajaligol et al.; US Pat. Application
2003/0114298 to Woodhead et al.; US Pat. Application 2003/0131860
to Ashcraft et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
10/324,418, filed Dec. 20, 2002; Ser. No. 10/440,290, filed May 16,
2003; and Ser. No. 10/645,996, filed Aug. 22, 2003; which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Representative outer wrapping materials are commercially available
as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grades 119, 170, 419, 453, 454,
456, 465, 466, 490, 525, 535, 557, 652, 664, 672, 676 and 680 from
Schweitzer-Maudit International. Wrapping materials can be treated
so as to avoid visible spotting and staining caused by relatively
high levels of aerosol forming material. Untreated conventional
types of wrapping materials for smokable rods can have the
propensity to exhibit spotting and staining caused by the presence
of aerosol forming material for tobacco materials sprayed with more
than about 5 weight percent aerosol forming material, for
paper-type reconstituted tobacco materials incorporating more than
about 15 weight percent aerosol forming material, and for cast
sheet reconstituted tobacco materials incorporating more than about
35 weight percent aerosol forming material. Colored wrapping
materials (e.g., brown colored papers) can be employed. The
porosity of the outer wrapping material can vary, and normally is
at least about 5 CORESTA units, generally is at least about 10
CORESTA units, often is at least about 15 CORESTA units, and
frequently is a least about 20 CORESTA units. The porosity of the
outer wrapping material normally is less than about 100 CORESTA
units, often is less than about 90 CORESTA units, and frequently is
less than about 80 CORESTA units.
[0084] The inner wrapping material can vary. Preferably, the inner
wrapping material is a paper material, such as the type of paper
material typically used in cigarette manufacture. Exemplary types
of wrapping materials, wrapping material components and treated
wrapping materials are of the types that are set forth previously
as being exemplary of the outer wrapping material. Selection of
component materials, dyes, or the addition of tobacco components to
the wrapping material can provide that wrapping material with a
brown color, and hence render that wrapping material less visibly
noticeable. Reconstituted tobacco materials also can be used as the
inner wrapping materials, and representative reconstituted tobacco
materials useful as wrapping materials for smokable rods are set
forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,074,321 to Gentry et al.; 5,159,944 to
Arzonico et al.; 5,261,425 to Raker; 5,462,073 to Bowen; and
5,699,812 to Bowen; which are incorporated herein by reference. The
inner wrapping material also can be a cast sheet type of
reconstituted tobacco material, including such a material
incorporating a relatively high level of aerosol forming
material.
[0085] The porosity of the inner wrapping material can vary. The
porosity of the inner wrapping material frequently is between about
0 CORESTA unit and about 100 CORESTA units, often is between about
10 CORESTA units and about 90 CORESTA units, and frequently is
between about 20 CORESTA units and about 80 CORESTA units. The
porosity of the inner wrapping material can exceed 100 CORESTA
units, often can exceed about 200 CORESTA units, and frequently can
exceed about 500 CORESTA units. Highly porous papers have
porosities that can exceed about 1,000 CORESTA units, often can
exceed about 3,000 CORESTA units, and frequently can exceed about
5,000 CORESTA units. Certain highly porous papers can exceed about
10,000 CORESTA units. Exemplary highly porous papers are available
from Schweitzer-Maudit International as Porowrap Plug Wrap 17-M1,
33-M1, 45-M1, 65-M9, 95-M9, 150-M4, 260-M4 and 260-M4T.
Representative types of highly porous wrappers for use in the
manufacture of smokable rods are described in Canadian Pat. No.
1,235,039. If desired, inner wrapping materials can be
electrostatically perforated to provide wrapping materials having
high net porosities.
[0086] Smokable rods can possess outer and inner wrapping materials
that are the same, or the wrapping materials can be different from
one another. A smokable rod can possess outer wrapping material
that exhibits a porosity that is the same as that of the inner
wrapping material, is less than that of the inner wrapping
material, or is greater than that of the inner wrapping
material.
[0087] The mouth end piece can vary. Preferred mouth end pieces
have the form of filter elements. Representative filter element
components and designs are described in Browne, The Design of
Cigarettes, 3.sup.rd Ed. (1990); Tobacco Production, Chemistry and
Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) 1999; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,508,525 to
Berger; 4,807,809 to Pryor et al.; 4,920,990 to Lawrence et al.;
5,012,829 to Thesing et al.; 5,025,814 to Raker; 5,074,320 to
Jones, Jr. et al.; 5,101,839 to Jakob et al.; 5,105,834 to
Saintsing et al.; 5,105,838 to White et al.; 5,271,419 to Arzonico
et al.; 5,360,023 to Blakley et al; 5,595,218 to Koller et al.;
5,718,250 to Banerjee et al.; and 6,537,186 to Veluz; US Pat.
Applications 2002/0014453 to Lilly, Jr. et al.; 2002/0020420 to Xue
et al.; 2002/0166563 to Jupe et al.; and 2003/0168070 to Xue et
al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/600,712, filed Jun. 23,
2003, to Dube et al.; PCT WO 02/37990 to Bereman; PCT WO 03/059096
to Paine et al.; and European Patent No. 920816. Representative
filter materials can be manufactured from tow materials (e.g.,
cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow) or gathered web materials
(e.g., gathered webs of paper, cellulose acetate, polypropylene or
polyester). Certain filter elements can have relatively high
removal efficiencies for selected gas phase components of the
mainstream aerosol. Certain filter elements can have relatively low
filtration efficiencies for the volatilized aerosol forming
material.
[0088] For cigarettes of the present invention that are air diluted
or ventilated, the amount or degree of air dilution or ventilation
can vary. Frequently, the amount of air dilution for an air diluted
cigarette is greater than about 10 percent, generally is greater
than about 20 percent, often is greater than about 30 percent, and
sometimes is greater than about 40 percent. Typically, the upper
level for air dilution for an air diluted cigarette is less than
about 80 percent, and often is less than about 70 percent. As used
herein, the term "air dilution" is the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) of the volume of air drawn through the air dilution
means to the total volume and air and aerosol drawn through the
cigarette and exiting the extreme mouth end portion of the
cigarette. Higher air dilution levels can act to reduce the
transfer efficiency of aerosol forming material into mainstream
aerosol.
[0089] Preferred cigarettes of the present invention exhibit
desirable resistance to draw. For example, an exemplary cigarette
exhibits a pressure drop of between about 50 and about 200 mm water
pressure drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Preferred cigarettes
exhibit pressure drop values of between about 60 mm and about 180,
more preferably between about 70 mm to about 150 mm, water pressure
drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Typically, pressure drop values of
cigarettes are measured using a Filtrona Filter Test Station (CTS
Series) available form Filtrona Instruments and Automation Ltd or a
Quality Test Module (QTM) available from the Cerulean Division of
Molins, PLC.
[0090] Cigarettes of the present invention, when smoked, yield an
acceptable number of puffs. Such cigarettes normally provide more
than about 6 puffs, and generally more than about 8 puffs, per
cigarette, when smoked under FTC smoking conditions. Such
cigarettes normally provide less than about 15 puffs, and generally
less than about 12 puffs, per cigarette, when smoked under FTC
smoking conditions. FTC smoking conditions consist of 35 ml puffs
of 2 second duration separated by 58 seconds of smolder.
[0091] Cigarettes of the present invention, when smoked, yield
mainstream aerosol. The amount of mainstream aerosol that is
yielded per cigarette can vary. When smoked under FTC smoking
conditions, an exemplary cigarette yields an amount of FTC "tar"
that normally is at least about 1 mg, often is at least about 3 mg,
and frequently is at least about 5 mg. When smoked under FTC
smoking conditions, an exemplary cigarette yields an amount of FTC
"tar" that normally does not exceed about 25 mg, often does not
exceed about 20 mg, and frequently does not exceed about 15 mg.
[0092] Preferred cigarettes exhibit yields of FTC "tar" to FTC
nicotine of less than about 30. Preferred cigarettes exhibit yields
of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of more than about 5. Preferred
cigarettes exhibit yields of FTC "tar" to FTC carbon monoxide of
less than about 2. Techniques for determining FTC "tar" and FTC
nicotine are set forth in Pillsbury et al., J. Assoc. Off. Anal.
Chem., 52, 458-462 (1969). Techniques for determining FTC carbon
monoxide are set forth in Horton et al., J. Assoc. Off. Anal.
Chem., 57, 1-7 (1974).
[0093] Aerosols that are produced by cigarettes of the present
invention are those that are composed of air containing components
such as vapors, gases, suspended particulates, and the like.
Aerosol components are generated by burning tobacco of some form
(and optionally other components that are burned to generate heat),
as well as by thermal decomposition of tobacco caused by heating
tobacco, smoldering tobacco, and charring tobacco. Aerosol
components also are generated by the action of heat from burning
tobacco of some form (and optionally other components that are
burned to generate heat), upon substances that are located in a
heat exchange relationship with tobacco material that is burned and
other components that are burned. Preferred aerosols are visible,
and most preferably are those aerosols perceived to be
"smoke-like."
[0094] The composition of the mainstream aerosol can vary. A
preferred smokable rod of the present invention provides an aerosol
composed of a significant amount of components that are chemically
simple (e.g., comprising components such as air, water, aerosol
forming material, oxides of carbon, vaporized flavors, and
volatilized or other types of components resulting from the thermal
decomposition of a tobacco material). In situations in which some
or all of the tobacco material is treated with optional burn
suppressing agent, those components can be formed at relatively low
thermal decomposition temperatures. The mainstream aerosol is
composed of reduced amounts of certain incomplete products of
combustion, and pyrolysis products derived from the burning of
substances such as tobacco, as compared to the mainstream smoke
produced by burning conventional blends of tobacco cut filler in
traditional types of tobacco burning cigarettes. Collected
condensate of the mainstream aerosol typically possesses a
significant amount of water. For example, collected condensate of
the mainstream aerosol of a filtered cigarette of the present
invention frequently can be composed of greater than about 15
percent water, and often can be composed of greater than about 20
percent water, based on the weight of that collected
condensate.
[0095] The amount of aerosol forming material within the mainstream
smoke of cigarettes of the present invention can vary. The transfer
efficiency of aerosol forming material typically is lower, when
higher levels of aerosol forming material are incorporated into the
smokable rod such that the aerosol forming material is in intimate
contact with at least a portion of the smokable material within
that rod. The transfer efficiency of aerosol forming material
typically is less than about 15 percent, generally less than about
12 percent, often less than about 8 percent, and frequently less
than about 5 percent, for cigarettes that are smoked under FTC
smoking conditions. For typical cigarette mainstream smoke
condensate that is collected during smoking, the amount of aerosol
forming material within that condensate usually makes up at least
about 30 percent, generally at least about 40 percent, frequently
at least about 50 percent, often at least about 60 percent, and
sometimes at least about 70 percent, of the total dry weight
thereof. For condensate that is collected, the amount of aerosol
forming material within that condensate typically makes up less
than about 90 percent, and generally less than about 85 percent,
frequently less than about 75 percent, of the total dry weight
thereof. See, for example, Laurene et al., Tob. Sci., 9: 1-4
(1965).
EXPERIMENTAL
[0096] The following examples are provided in order to further
illustrate various aspects of the invention but should not be
construed as limiting the scope thereof. Unless otherwise noted,
all parts and percentages are by weight.
[0097] The cigarettes of Example 1 through 5 are prepared as
follows. A 100 mm by 25 mm block of "Teflon" brand
tetrafluoropolyethylene is positioned in a drill press. A 25 mm
circumference hole is drilled through the 100 mm length of the
block. The block is cut in half length-wise through the center of
the bored hole. Piano hinges are mounted on the block so that the
resulting device can be opened length-wise and can securely hold a
smokable rod having a circumference of 25 mm. Filtered cigarettes
of the desired sizes and dimensions are prepared employing a drill
press. A formed tobacco rod possessing an outer wrapping material
containing tobacco cut filler, or a formed cigarette possessing a
filter element attached to a rod possessing an outer wrapping
material containing tobacco cut filler, is provided. The tobacco
rod or the cigarette is placed into device, and the device is
secured into the base of the drill press. A smooth pointed plastic
dowel rod of about 18 mm circumference is placed into the chuck of
the drill press, the drill press is turned on, the dowel is slowly
plunged down into the tobacco rod that is secured within the
device, the dowel rod is allowed to spin slowly in place for about
one minute, and then the dowel rod is slowly removed. A straw
plastic tube of similar diameter to the dowel rod is slid into the
cavity produced so produced within the tobacco rod. In this way,
the tobacco filler within the tobacco rod is compressed to form an
annulus surrounding the straw. The depth of the cavity produced is
determined by the depth that the dowel rod is displaced into the
cigarette. Cigarettes of Examples 1 and 2 are produced by plunging
the dowel rod the entire length of the tobacco rod, thereby forming
inner and outer radially disposed segments that run the entire
length of the smokable rod. Cigarettes of Examples 3 through 5 are
produced in a similar manner so as to form a cavity of about 50 mm
in depth, while allowing for the presence of a cylindrical tobacco
filler segment of about 7 mm in length. For the cigarettes of
Examples 3 through 5, those segments are positioned adjacent to the
filter elements of those cigarettes. A formed inner rod, or filler
material for an inner core section, is inserted into the bored
hollow region occupied by the straw as the straw is removed from
the bored cigarette rod. As such, a cigarette having a smokable rod
possessing a co-axial or concentric construction can be
provided.
Example 1
[0098] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 1 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm.
[0099] The inner rod having a generally cylindrical shape is
produced by wrapping the smokable material in a wrapping material.
The wrapping material circumscribes the smokable material such that
the wrapping material and smokable material each extend along the
total length of the rod. The wrapping material provides the outer
longitudinal surface of the inner rod, and due to the tubular shape
of the wrapping material, each end is open to expose the smokable
material within that rod. The rod has a length of about 57 mm and a
circumference of about 14 mm.
[0100] The wrapping material of the inner rod is a 17 mm wide
cigarette paper wrapper. The paper wrapper is composed of wood pulp
and calcium carbonate. The paper wrapping material has a dry basis
weight of about 25 g/m.sup.2, a porosity of about 38 CORESTA units,
and is available as Tercig LK38 from Tervakoski. The paper wrapper
is a type that has been conventionally used for tobacco rod
manufacture by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The wrapping
material and side seam adhesive of the inner rod have a combined
weight about 27 mg.
[0101] The smokable material of the inner rod is a blend of various
types of tobaccos, and is the type of blend known as an "American
blend." The blend is that type of cased and top dressed tobacco cut
filler blend used for the commercial manufacture of cigarettes that
are available from R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Each of the cut
filler materials are shredded materials that are cut into pieces at
about 28 cuts per inch. The blend contains about 17 percent burley
tobacco lamina, about 34 percent flue-cured tobacco lamina, about
21 percent reconstituted tobacco material manufactured using the
paper-type reconstitution process employed by R. J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company and known as "G-7," and about 16 percent Oriental
tobacco. The blend is a smokable material that is composed of
virtually all tobacco, and no tobacco substitutes, non-tobacco
fillers or non-tobacco extenders are used in the blend or within
processed tobaccos of the blend. The blend has about 6 percent of
an aqueous casing of sugars, cocoa, licorice, glycerin and flavors
applied thereto prior to cutting into filler form. About 6 percent
DIET-type expanded tobacco filler (which is composed of about 65
percent expanded flue-cured shredded lamina and 35 percent expanded
burley shredded lamina), then is added to the cut tobacco blend
prior to prepare the final cut filler blend. The moisture content
of the tobacco cut filler blend of the inner rod is about 12
percent to about 13 percent. The resulting smokable material of the
inner rod weighs about 150 mg. The packing density of the material
within the inner smokable rod is about 120 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0102] The inner rod is positioned within an outer rod. The inner
rod is centrally positioned within the outer rod so that the
smokable material of the outer rod completely circumscribes the
entire length of the inner rod at a radial depth of about 1.5
mm.
[0103] The wrapping material of the inner rod is a 27 mm wide
cigarette paper wrapper. The paper wrapper is composed of wood pulp
and calcium carbonate. The paper wrapping material has a dry basis
weight of about 25 g/m.sup.2, a porosity of about 38 CORESTA units,
and is available as Tercig LK38 from Tervakoski. The wrapping
material and a conventional type of side seam adhesive are used to
manufacture an outer wrapping material having the shape of a tube
possessing a circumference of about 25 mm.
[0104] The material that is disposed inside of the outer wrapping
material and encircling the inner rod is a blend of tobaccos in cut
filler form. About 50 parts of that outer blend is composed of cut
filler produced from a cast sheet type of reconstituted tobacco
incorporating a relatively high level of glycerin. About 50 parts
of the blend is composed of an "American blend" of tobacco cut
filler incorporating various additives. Each of the cut filler
materials are shredded materials that are cut into pieces at about
28 cuts per inch.
[0105] The cast sheet material is provided by forming an aqueous
slurry of about 6 parts guar gum, about 60.7 parts glycerin, about
27 parts of a paper-type reconstituted tobacco manufactured from
water extracted burley tobacco (and hence possessing essentially no
water soluble extract portion), about 3.6 parts diammonium
phosphate, and about 2.7 parts of finely milled particles of burley
tobacco lamina. The slurry is mixed and is cast as a sheet, and
heat is applied to dry the cast slurry to a moisture content of
about 12 to about 13 percent. During casting of the slurry, a top
load of finely divided particles of burley tobacco lamina is
applied to the sheet, such that the final sheet incorporates about
90 parts of the slurry components and about 10 parts of the milled
burley tobacco lamina, on a dry weight basis. That resulting cast
sheet material is of the type used as an aerosol generating
substrate in the "Eclipse" brand cigarette that is commercially
marketed by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The cast sheet material
is treated with potassium citrate. That is, a solution of about 50
percent potassium citrate dissolved in about 50 percent water is
applied to the tobacco by spraying. The treated tobacco then is
dried to a moisture content of about 12 percent to about 13
percent. The amount of potassium citrate within that treated cast
sheet material is about 8 percent, based on the dry weight of the
tobacco within that material.
[0106] The remaining portion of the blend that provides the outer
portion of the concentric rod includes about 8.5 percent burley
tobacco lamina, about 17 percent flue-cured tobacco lamina, about
10.5 percent paper-type reconstituted tobacco material, and about 8
percent Oriental tobacco. The blend has about 3 percent of an
aqueous casing of sugars, cocoa, licorice, glycerin and flavors
applied thereto prior to cutting into filler form. The portion of
the blend that includes burley, flue-cured, Oriental and
reconstituted tobacco material is treated with potassium citrate,
in the manner described previously with reference to the treatment
of the cast sheet material. The treated tobacco then is dried to a
moisture content of about 12 percent to about 13 percent. Then, the
final portion of that blend is provided by mixing the 97 percent of
the tobacco blend treated so as to be in intimate contact with
potassium citrate with about 3 percent DIET-type expanded tobacco
filler (which is composed of about 65 percent expanded flue-cured
shredded lamina and 35 percent expanded burley tobacco shredded
lamina). The amount of potassium citrate within that treated
tobacco blend is about 8 percent, based on the dry weight of the
tobacco within that blend.
[0107] The treated smokable material blend of the outer portion of
the smokable rod weighs about 890 mg. The packing density of the
cut filler blend within the outer portion of the smokable rod is
about 500 mg/cm.sup.3. The filler material that is used to
manufacture the outer portion of the smokable rod is composed of
virtually all tobacco of some form. The predominant amount of the
filler material used to manufacture the outer portion of the
smokable rod is treated with a burn suppressing agent (i.e., the
exogenous salt); and a portion of the physical blend of that
material is composed of a material that consists predominantly of
tobacco and aerosol forming material.
[0108] The filter element is manufactured using conventional
cigarette filter making technology from cellulose acetate tow (2.7
denier per filament, 35,000 total denier) plasticized using
triacetin, and circumscribing non-air permeable paper plug wrap.
The smokable rod and filter element are aligned in an abutting,
end-to-end relationship and secured together using a non-air
permeable tipping paper. The tipping paper is adhesively secured to
the filter element and the adjacent portion of the smokable rod.
The tipping material circumscribes the length of the filter element
at about 4 mm of the length of the smokable rod.
[0109] Cigarettes prior to providing the cavity for the inner rod
so described are manufactured using a Pilot Cigarette Maker from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations is
provided around the periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the
extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations penetrate through the
tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided using a Laboratory
Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Each
perforated cigarette is about 24 percent air diluted.
[0110] When smoked, the cigarette yields visible mainstream aerosol
that resembles the mainstream tobacco smoke of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The mainstream aerosol
produced by the cigarette includes tobacco smoke produced by
burning tobacco, components resulting from the thermal
decomposition of the treated tobacco, and volatilized aerosol
forming material. The cigarette generates tobacco smoke sensations,
taste and quality that are comparable to that of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The cigarette does not
generate any perceptible amount of the undesirable thermal
decomposition products characteristic of the thermal decomposition
of glycerin. The smokable rod of the cigarette burns down, in a
manner similar to a traditional type of cigarette that burns
tobacco cut filler. The smoker can smoke the cigarette until for a
desired number of puffs, but the smoker typically extinguishes the
cigarette when the firecone of the burning smokable rod approaches
the region occupied by the tipping paper. The cigarette produces an
ash that is similar in certain regards to other traditional types
of cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler, although the color of
the ash is slightly darker than the light gray ash characteristic
of those traditional types of cigarettes.
Example 2
[0111] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 1 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm.
[0112] The inner rod having a generally cylindrical shape is
produced by wrapping a filler material within a wrapping material.
The wrapping material circumscribes the filler material such that
the wrapping material and filler material each extend along the
total length of the rod. The wrapping material provides the outer
longitudinal surface of the inner rod, and each end is open to
expose the filler material within that rod. The rod has a length of
about 57 mm and a circumference of about 14 mm.
[0113] The wrapping material of the inner rod is a 17 mm wide
cigarette paper wrapper of the type described in Example 1.
[0114] The filler material of the inner rod is a cast sheet
material composed of tobacco and glycerin, and is of the type
described previously in Example 1. The filler material has a
moisture content of about 12 to about 13 percent. The amount of
that material that is positioned in the wrapping material of the
inner rod weighs about 180 mg. The packing density of the material
within the inner rod is about 130 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0115] The packing density of the cut filler blend within the outer
portion of the smokable rod is about 500 mg/cm.sup.3. The filler
material that is used to manufacture the outer portion of the
smokable rod is composed of virtually all tobacco of some form. The
predominant amount of the filler material used to manufacture the
outer portion of the smokable rod is treated with a burn
suppressing agent (i.e., the exogenous salt); and a portion of the
physical blend of that material is composed of a material that
consists predominantly of tobacco and aerosol forming material.
[0116] The smokable material that is disposed in the region between
the outer wrapping material and the inner rod is a blend of various
tobaccos. The blend contains about 17 percent burley tobacco
lamina, about 34 percent flue-cured tobacco lamina, about 21
percent reconstituted tobacco material manufactured using the
paper-type reconstitution process employed by R. J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company and known as "G-7," and about 16 percent Oriental
tobacco. The blend is composed of virtually all tobacco, and no
tobacco substitutes, non-tobacco fillers or non-tobacco extenders
are used in the blend or within processed tobaccos of the blend.
The blend has about 6 percent of an aqueous casing of sugars,
cocoa, licorice, glycerin and flavors applied thereto prior to
cutting into filler form. The burley, flue-cured, reconstituted
tobacco material and Oriental portion of the blend is treated with
potassium citrate. That is a solution of about 50 percent potassium
citrate dissolved in about 50 percent water is applied to the
tobacco by spraying. The treated tobacco then is dried to a
moisture content of about 12 percent to about 13 percent. The
amount of potassium citrate within the treated blend is about 10
percent, based on the dry weight of all of the tobacco within the
final blend. Then, the final blend is provided by mixing the 94
percent of the tobacco blend treated so as to be in intimate
contact with potassium citrate with about 6 percent DIET-type
expanded tobacco filler (which is composed of about 65 percent
expanded flue-cured shredded lamina and 35 percent expanded burley
tobacco shredded lamina). The moisture content of the tobacco cut
filler blend of the outer portion of the rod is about 12 percent to
about 13 percent. The resulting treated smokable material of the
outer section of the smokable rod weighs about 700 mg. The packing
density of the smokable material within the outer portion of the
smokable rod is about 400 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0117] The inner rod is positioned within an outer rod. The inner
rod is centrally positioned within the outer rod so that the
smokable material of the outer rod completely circumscribes the
entire length of the inner rod at a radial depth of about 1.5
mm.
[0118] The wrapping material of the inner rod is a 27 mm wide
cigarette paper wrapper of the type described in Example 1.
[0119] The filter element is manufactured using conventional
cigarette filter making technology from cellulose acetate tow (2.7
denier per filament, 35,000 total denier) plasticized using
triacetin, and circumscribing non-air permeable paper plug wrap.
The concentric smokable rod and filter element are aligned in an
abutting, end-to-end relationship and secured together using a
non-air permeable tipping paper. The tipping paper is adhesively
secured to the filter element and the adjacent portion of the
smokable rod. The tipping material circumscribes the length of the
filter element at about 4 mm of the length of the smokable rod.
[0120] Cigarettes so described prior to providing the cavity for
the inner rod are manufactured using a Pilot Cigarette Maker from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations are
provided around the periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the
extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations penetrate through the
tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided using a Laboratory
Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Each
perforated cigarette is about 24 percent air diluted.
[0121] When smoked, the cigarette yields visible mainstream aerosol
that resembles the mainstream tobacco smoke of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The mainstream aerosol
produced by the cigarette includes tobacco smoke produced by
burning tobacco, components resulting from the thermal
decomposition of the treated tobacco, and aerosol forming material.
The cigarette generates a tobacco smoke sensations, taste and
quality that are comparable to that of traditional cigarettes that
burn tobacco cut filler. The cigarette does not generate any
perceptible amount of the undesirable thermal decomposition
products characteristic of the thermal decomposition of glycerin.
The smokable rod of the cigarette burns down, in a manner similar
to a traditional type of cigarette that burns tobacco cut filler.
The smoker can smoke the cigarette until for a desired number of
puffs, but the smoker typically extinguishes the cigarette when the
firecone of the burning smokable rod approaches the region occupied
by the tipping paper. The cigarette produces an ash that is similar
to other traditional types of cigarettes that burn tobacco cut
filler, although the color of the ash is slightly darker than the
light gray ash characteristic of those traditional types of
cigarettes.
Example 3
[0122] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 2 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The cigarette is produced using the same outer blend
and cigarette paper outer wrapper described previously in Example
1. However, except the longitudinally extending cavity produced for
the tobacco of the inner core is about 50 mm in depth. As such,
there is provided a cylindrical segment of filler material
extending about 7 mm along the length of that rod. The cylindrical
segment of filler material is positioned adjacent to the filter
element.
[0123] The inner smokable material is a reconstituted tobacco
material manufactured using the paper-type reconstitution process
employed by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and known as "G-7." The
tobacco is in used in cut filler form. No wrapping material is
positioned between the inner and outer sections of the smokable
rod. The weight of the inner cut filler smoking material is about
180 mg. Care is taken to avoid commingling of the materials of the
inner and outer sections. As such, an inner core of smokable
material and an outer circumscribing region for that core region is
provided.
[0124] The material that is disposed inside of the outer wrapping
material and forms the annulus encircling the inner rod, as well as
the cylindrical segment located at the mouth end of the smokable
rod, is a blend of tobaccos in cut filler form. That blend is
virtually identical to the blend of smokable material described
previously in Example 1 as being the smokable material that is
disposed in the region between the outer wrapping material and the
inner rod. The amount of that blend used to provide the outer
segment that encircles the inner core, and that is used to provide
the cylindrical segment, weighs about 890 mg. The packing density
of the smokable material within the outer annular portion of the
smokable rod is about 500 mg/cm.sup.3, and the packing density of
the cylindrical segment is about 350 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0125] The filter element is of the type described in Example 1.
The filter element is attached to the rod in the manner described
in Example 1.
[0126] Cigarettes so described prior to providing the cavity for
the inner rod are manufactured using a Pilot Cigarette Maker from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations are
provided around the periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the
extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations penetrate through the
tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided using a Laboratory
Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. The
perforated cigarette is about 24 percent air diluted.
[0127] The cigarette is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The
cigarette yields about 12 puffs. The cigarette yields about 16.2 mg
wet total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 12 mg
"tar," about 0.5 mg nicotine, and about 17.3 mg carbon monoxide.
About 3.7 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water.
About 33 percent of the "tar" consists of glycerin. Thus, greater
than about 45 percent of the wet total particulate matter of that
cigarette consists of glycerin and water. Thus, the mainstream
aerosol generated by that cigarette possesses a significant amount
of components that that are chemically simple.
Example 4
[0128] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 3 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses the same outer wrapping
material as is used for manufacturing the smokable rod described in
Example 1. However, the cavity produced for the smokable material
of the inner core is about 50 mm in depth allowing for a
cylindrical segment of tobacco filter of about 7 mm in length to be
present adjacent to the filter element.
[0129] The filler material of the inner rod is a cast sheet
material composed of tobacco and glycerin, and is of the type
described previously in Example 1. The filler material has a
moisture content of about 12 to about 13 percent. The amount of
that material that is positioned in the wrapping material of the
inner rod weighs about 180 mg. The packing density of the material
within the inner rod is about 130 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0130] The material that is disposed inside of the outer wrapping
material and forms the annulus encircling the inner rod, as well as
the cylindrical segment located at the mouth end of the smokable
rod, is a blend of tobaccos in cut filler form. That blend is
virtually identical to the blend of smokable material described
previously in Example 2 as being the smokable material that is
disposed in the region between the outer wrapping material and the
inner rod. The amount of that blend used to provide the outer
segment that encircles the inner core, and that is used to provide
the cylindrical segment, weighs about 890 mg. The packing density
of the smokable material within the outer annular portion of the
smokable rod is about 500 mg/cm.sup.3, and the packing density of
the cylindrical segment is about 350 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0131] The filter element is of the type described in Example 1.
The filter element is attached to the rod in the manner described
in Example 1.
[0132] Cigarettes so described prior to providing the cavity for
the inner rod are manufactured using a Pilot Cigarette Maker from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations is
provided around the periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the
extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations penetrate through the
tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided using a Laboratory
Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. The
perforated cigarette is about 24 percent air diluted.
[0133] The cigarette is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The
cigarette yields about 11.6 puffs. The cigarette yields about 15.8
mg wet total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 12.3 mg
"tar," about 0.62 mg nicotine, and about 15.7 mg carbon monoxide.
About 2.9 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water.
About 34 percent of the "tar" consists of glycerin. Thus, greater
than about 40 percent of the wet total particulate matter of that
cigarette consists of glycerin and water. Thus, the mainstream
aerosol generated by that cigarette possesses a significant amount
of components that that are chemically simple.
Example 5
[0134] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 3 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses the same outer wrapping
material as is used for manufacturing the smokable rod described in
Example 1. However, the cavity produced for the smokable material
of the inner core is about 50 mm in depth allowing for a
cylindrical segment of tobacco filter of about 7 mm in length to be
present adjacent to the filter element.
[0135] The smokable material of the inner rod is a cast sheet
material composed of tobacco and glycerin, and is of the type
described previously in Example 1. However, that material is not
provided in cut filler form. A rectangular sheet of the material,
weighing about 160 mg, and having dimensions of about 25 mm by
about 50 mm, is rolled to produce a cylinder having a length of
about 50 mm and a diameter of about 14 mm. The sheet is rolled so
that when the cylinder is viewed end-on, the configuration of the
rolled sheet resembles a spiral. The filler material has a moisture
content of about 12 to about 13 percent.
[0136] The material that is disposed inside of the outer wrapping
material and forms the annulus encircling the inner rod, as well as
the cylindrical segment located at the mouth end of the smokable
rod, is a blend of tobaccos in cut filler form. That blend is
virtually identical to the blend of smokable material described
previously in Example 2 as being the smokable material that is
disposed in the region between the outer wrapping material and the
inner rod. The amount of that blend used to provide the outer
segment that encircles the inner core, and that is used to provide
the cylindrical segment, weighs about 890 mg. The packing density
of the smokable material within the outer annular portion of the
smokable rod is about 500 mg/cm.sup.3, and the packing density of
the cylindrical segment is about 350 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0137] The filter element is of the type described in Example 1.
The filter element is attached to the rod in the manner described
in Example 1.
[0138] Cigarettes so described prior to providing the cavity for
the inner rod are manufactured using a Pilot Cigarette Maker from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations is
provided around the periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the
extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations penetrate through the
tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided using a Laboratory
Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. The
perforated cigarette is about 24 percent air diluted.
Example 6
[0139] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend,
and that blend is employed to provide one blended filler component
of essentially consistent composition over the entire region within
the outer wrapping material. The outer wrapping material is of the
type described previously in Example 1. The single smokable blend
is virtually identical to that blend of the outer sheath of the
co-axial smokable rod described previously in Example 1. The
blended smokable material is packed within the rod at a packing
density of about 290 mg/cm.sup.3.
[0140] The filter element is virtually identical to the type of
filter element described in Example 1; and the filter element is
attached to the smokable rod using tipping material, in the manner
described in Example 1. As such, the tipping material circumscribes
the length of the filter element at about 4 mm of the length of the
smokable rod.
[0141] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a Pilot
Cigarette Maker from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of
laser perforations is provided around the periphery of the
cigarette about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The
perforations penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and
are provided using a Laboratory Laser Perforator from Hauni-Werke
Korber & Co. KG. The perforated cigarette is about 22 percent
air diluted.
[0142] The cigarette is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The
cigarette yields about 10.4 puffs, and about 15.4 mg wet total
particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 11.2 mg "tar," about
0.45 mg nicotine, and about 12 mg carbon monoxide. About 3.7 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of water. About 43.7
percent of the "tar" consists of glycerin. Thus, greater than about
50 percent of the wet total particulate matter of that cigarette
consists of glycerin and water. Thus, the mainstream aerosol
generated by that cigarette possesses a significant amount of
components that that are chemically simple.
[0143] When smoked, the cigarette yields visible mainstream aerosol
that resembles the mainstream tobacco smoke of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The mainstream aerosol
produced by the cigarette includes tobacco smoke produced by
burning tobacco, components resulting from the thermal
decomposition of the treated tobacco, and aerosol forming material.
The cigarette generates tobacco smoke sensations, taste and quality
that are comparable to that of traditional cigarettes that burn
tobacco cut filler. The cigarette produces a mainstream smoke that
can be characterized as being smooth, not being harsh and
exhibiting pleasant mouthfeel. The cigarette does not generate any
perceptible amount of the undesirable thermal decomposition
products characteristic of the thermal decomposition of glycerin.
The smokable rod of the cigarette is consumed, in a manner similar
to the manner that a traditional type of cigarette that burns
tobacco cut filler. The smoker can smoke the cigarette until for a
desired number of puffs, but the smoker typically extinguishes the
cigarette when the firecone of the burning smokable rod approaches
the region occupied by the tipping paper. The cigarette produces an
ash that in certain regards resembles the ash of other traditional
types of cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler, although the
color of the ash is slightly darker than the light gray ash
characteristic of those traditional types of cigarettes.
Example 7
[0144] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Ecusta Corp. as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grade No. 456
cigarette paper.
[0145] The smokable material is a blend of various types of
tobaccos, and is the type of blend known as an "American blend."
The blend is that type of cased and top dressed tobacco cut filler
blend used for the commercial manufacture of cigarettes that are
available from R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Each of the cut
filler materials are shredded materials that are cut into pieces at
about 28 cuts per inch. The blend contains about 14 percent burley
tobacco lamina, about 21 percent flue-cured tobacco lamina, about
17.5 percent reconstituted tobacco material manufactured using the
paper-type reconstitution process employed by R. J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company and known as "G-7," and about 17.5 percent Oriental
tobacco. The blend is a smokable material that is composed of
virtually all tobacco, and no tobacco substitutes, non-tobacco
fillers or non-tobacco extenders are used in the blend or within
processed tobaccos of the blend. The blend of tobacco strip is
cased with water prior to cutting into filler form. The blend is
heated so as to be dried to a moisture content of about 8 percent.
Then, a mixture of glycerin and water is sprayed onto that blend.
The casing mixture is a mixture of about 40 percent water and about
60 percent glycerin. The mixture is sprayed onto the smokable blend
using casing spraying equipment. The blend then is re-ordered such
that the moisture content of the tobacco cut filler blend is about
12 percent to about 13 percent. Then, about 30 percent DIET-type
expanded flue-cured tobacco filler then is added to the cut tobacco
blend to prepare the final cut filler blend.
[0146] For one cigarette blend, sufficient glycerin is applied to
the blend to provide a blend possessing about 3 percent glycerin,
based on the total dry weight of the blend. For another cigarette
blend, sufficient glycerin is applied to the blend to provide a
blend possessing about 6 percent glycerin, based on the total dry
weight of the blend. For another cigarette blend, sufficient
glycerin is applied to the blend to provide a blend possessing
about 12 percent glycerin, based on the total dry weight of the
blend. For a comparative cigarette blend, no additional glycerin is
applied to that blend.
[0147] The filter element for each cigarette is manufactured using
conventional cigarette filter making technology from cellulose
acetate tow (2.7 denier per filament, 32,000 total denier)
plasticized using triacetin, and circumscribing non-air permeable
paper plug wrap. The smokable rod and filter element are aligned in
an abutting, end-to-end relationship and secured together using a
non-air permeable tipping paper. The tipping paper is adhesively
secured to the filter element and the adjacent portion of the
smokable rod. The tipping material circumscribes the length of the
filter element at about 4 mm of the length of the smokable rod.
[0148] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a cigarette
maker supplied by Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser
perforations is provided around the periphery of the cigarette
about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations
penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided
using a laser perforator obtained from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co.
KG. Each perforated cigarette is about 32 percent air diluted.
[0149] The cigarette having about 3 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 660
mg. The cigarette yields about 8.3 puffs, and about 11.3 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 9.2 mg "tar,"
about 0.71 mg nicotine, and about 11.1 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.3 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 1.11 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
[0150] The cigarette having about 6 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 675
mg. The cigarette yields about 8.4 puffs, and about 12.6 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 10.0 mg "tar,"
about 0.73 mg nicotine, and about 11.4 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.9 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 2.16 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
[0151] The cigarette having about 12 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 690
mg. The cigarette yields about 8.9 puffs, and about 14.0 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 10.8 mg "tar,"
about 0.63 mg nicotine, and about 12.4 mg carbon monoxide. About
2.6 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 3.94 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
[0152] The comparison cigarette not having further glycerin
incorporated into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions.
The weight of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette
is about 670 mg. The cigarette yields about 8.1 puffs, and about
11.3 mg wet total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about
9.3 mg "tar," about 0.77 mg nicotine, and about 11.3 mg carbon
monoxide. About 1.0 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists
of water, and about 0.16 mg of the wet total particulate matter
consists of glycerin.
Example 8
[0153] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Ecusta Corp. as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grade No. 456
cigarette paper.
[0154] The smokable material is a blend that incorporates the
tobacco blend of components of an "American blend" and a cast sheet
material incorporating glycerin. The cast sheet material is
provided by forming an aqueous slurry of about 3.4 parts ammonium
alginate, about 40.0 parts glycerin, about 36.1 parts flue-cured
tobacco stem pieces, about 13.6 parts of flue-cured tobacco lamina
pieces, about 3.6 parts diammonium phosphate, and about 2.7 parts
of finely milled particles of burley tobacco lamina. The slurry is
mixed and is cast as a sheet, and heat is applied to dry the cast
slurry to a moisture content of about 12 to about 13 percent. The
moisture content of the blend is about 12 percent to about 13
percent.
[0155] For one cigarette blend, sufficient cast sheet material is
blended with the tobacco cut filler blend to provide a blend
possessing about 3 percent glycerin, based on the dry weight of the
total blend. For another cigarette blend, sufficient cast sheet
material is blended with the tobacco cut filler blend to provide a
blend possessing about 6 percent glycerin, based on the dry weight
of the total blend. For another cigarette blend, sufficient cast
sheet material is blended with the tobacco cut filler blend to
provide a blend possessing about 12 percent glycerin, based on the
dry weight of the total blend. For a comparative cigarette blend,
no additional glycerin is applied to that blend; and that
comparative cigarette is of the type as that comparative cigarette
set forth in Example 7.
[0156] The filter element and tipping material for each cigarette
are of the type set forth with in Example 7.
[0157] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a cigarette
maker supplied by Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser
perforations is provided around the periphery of the cigarette
about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations
penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided
using a laser perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Each
perforated cigarette is about 32 percent air diluted.
[0158] The cigarette having about 3 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 650
mg. The cigarette yields about 7.9 puffs, and about 12.3 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 10.1 mg "tar,"
about 0.80 mg nicotine, and about 11.6 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.4 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 1.23 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin. The blend for the cigarette is prepared by combining
about 16.5 parts burley tobacco lamina, about 25 parts flue-cured
tobacco lamina, about 21 parts Oriental tobacco and about 7.5 parts
of the cast sheet; cutting that blend to cut filler form; and
blending that filler with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler.
[0159] The cigarette having about 6 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 630
mg. The cigarette yields about 7.6 puffs, and about 12.4 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 9.7 mg "tar,"
about 0.57 mg nicotine, and about 11.7 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.7 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 2.05 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin. The blend for the cigarette is prepared by combining
about 15 parts burley tobacco lamina, about 22 parts flue-cured
tobacco lamina, about 18 parts Oriental tobacco and about 15 parts
of the cast sheet; cutting that blend to cut filler form; and
blending that filler with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler.
[0160] The cigarette having about 12 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 630
mg. The cigarette yields about 7.7 puffs, and about 12.4 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 9.7 mg "tar,"
about 0.57 mg nicotine, and about 12.1 mg carbon monoxide. About
2.1 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 2.97 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin. The blend for the cigarette is prepared by combining
about 11 parts burley tobacco lamina, about 16 parts flue-cured
tobacco lamina, about 21 parts Oriental tobacco and about 30 parts
of the cast sheet; cutting that blend to cut filler form; and
blending that filler with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler.
[0161] Each cigarette possessing increased levels of glycerin
within its smokable blend yields mainstream smoke possessing
increased amounts of ammonia, relative to the comparative
cigarette.
Example 9
[0162] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Ecusta Corp. as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grade No. 456
cigarette paper.
[0163] The smokable material is a blend that incorporates a blend
of tobacco materials and a cast sheet material incorporating
glycerin. The cast sheet material incorporating glycerin is of the
type described in Example 8. The blend for the cigarette is
prepared by combining burley tobacco lamina, flue-cured tobacco
lamina, Oriental tobacco and the cast sheet; cutting that blend to
cut filler form; spraying a glycerin mixture onto that blend in the
manner set froth in Example 7; and blending the cut filler of that
treated blend with DIET-type volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut
filler. Sufficient glycerin is sprayed onto that portion of the
blend so as to provide about one half of the glycerin that is
incorporated into the final blend; and sufficient cast sheet
material is blended with that tobacco blend to supply about one
half of the glycerin that is incorporated into the final blend.
[0164] For one cigarette blend, sufficient glycerin application and
sufficient cast sheet material is blended with the tobacco cut
filler blend to provide a blend possessing about 3 percent
glycerin, based on the dry weight of the total blend. For another
cigarette blend, sufficient glycerin application and sufficient
cast sheet material is blended with the tobacco cut filler blend to
provide a blend possessing about 6 percent, based on the dry weight
of the total blend. For another cigarette blend, sufficient
glycerin application and sufficient cast sheet material is blended
with the tobacco cut filler blend to provide a blend possessing
about 12 percent, based on the dry weight of the total blend. For a
comparative cigarette blend, no additional glycerin is applied to
that blend; and that comparative cigarette is of the type set forth
in Example 7. The moisture content of the each blend is about 12
percent to about 13 percent.
[0165] The filter element and tipping material for each cigarette
are of the type set forth with in Example 7.
[0166] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a cigarette
maker supplied by Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser
perforations is provided around the periphery of the cigarette
about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations
penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided
using a laser perforator obtained from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co.
KG. Each perforated cigarette is about 32 percent air diluted.
[0167] The cigarette having about 3 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 640
mg. The cigarette yields about 7.5 puffs, and about 11.3 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 9.3 mg "tar,"
about 0.71 mg nicotine, and about 11.0 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.4 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 1.23 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
[0168] The cigarette having about 6 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 630
mg. The cigarette yields about 7.8 puffs, and about 12.4 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 9.9 mg "tar,"
about 0.70 mg nicotine, and about 11.6 mg carbon monoxide. About
1.8 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 1.64 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
[0169] The cigarette having about 12 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 640
mg. The cigarette yields about 8.5 puffs, and about 13.5 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 10.4 mg "tar,"
about 0.62 mg nicotine, and about 12.3 mg carbon monoxide. About
2.5 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 2.88 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
Example 10
[0170] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Ecusta Corp. as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grade No. 456
cigarette paper.
[0171] For one cigarette blend, about 13 parts burley lamina, about
20 parts flue-cured lamina, about 17 parts Oriental tobacco and
about 17 parts of the type of glycerin containing cast sheet
material described in Example 8 are blended together; about 3 parts
of a casing of cocoa, licorice, glycerin, potassium carbonate and
fig extract is applied to that blend; and cut filler provided from
that cased blend is blended with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded cut filler. The moisture content of the blend is about 12
percent to about 13 percent.
[0172] For a second cigarette blend, about 12 parts burley lamina,
about 17 parts flue-cured lamina, about 15 parts Oriental tobacco
and about 23 parts of the type of glycerin containing cast sheet
material described in Example 8 are blended together; about 3 parts
of a casing of cocoa, licorice, glycerin, potassium carbonate and
fig extract is applied to that blend; and cut filler provided from
that cased blend is blended with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded cut filler. The moisture content of the blend is about 12
percent to about 13 percent.
[0173] For third cigarette blend, about 10 parts burley lamina,
about 17 parts flue-cured lamina, about 12 parts Oriental tobacco
and about 30 parts of the type of glycerin containing cast sheet
material described in Example 8 are blended together; about 3 parts
of a casing of cocoa, licorice, glycerin, potassium carbonate and
fig extract is applied to that blend; and cut filler provided from
that cased blend is blended with about 30 parts of DIET-type volume
expanded cut filler. The moisture content of the blend is about 12
percent to about 13 percent.
[0174] The filter element for each cigarette is a filter element
containing activated carbon, and is available a Cavitec by
Baumgartner Papiers SA. The filter element is attached to the
smokable rod using tipping material, in the general manner set
forth with in Example 7.
[0175] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a type of
cigarette maker available a PROTOS from Hauni-Werke Korber &
Co. KG. A ring of laser perforations is provided around the
periphery of the cigarette about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end
thereof. The perforations penetrate through the tipping paper and
plug wrap, and are provided using a laser perforator obtained from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Each perforated cigarette is about
32 percent air diluted.
[0176] The cigarette having the first blend is smoked under FTC
smoking conditions.
[0177] The weight of the blend within the smokable rod of that
cigarette is about 660 mg. The cigarette yields about 8.2 puffs,
and about 15.2 mg wet total particulate matter. The cigarette
yields about 11.9 mg "tar," about 0.89 mg nicotine, and about 11.3
mg carbon monoxide. About 2.3 mg of the wet total particulate
matter consists of water, and about 2.66 mg of the wet total
particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0178] The cigarette having the second blend is smoked under FTC
smoking conditions. The weight of the blend within the smokable rod
of that cigarette is about 650 mg. The cigarette yields about 8.0
puffs, and about 16.5 mg wet total particulate matter. The
cigarette yields about 12.7 mg "tar," about 0.84 mg nicotine, and
about 12.3 mg carbon monoxide. About 3.0 mg of the wet total
particulate matter consists of water, and about 4.17 mg of the wet
total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0179] The cigarette having the third blend is smoked under FTC
smoking conditions. The weight of the blend within the smokable rod
of that cigarette is about 650 mg. The cigarette yields about 8.2
puffs, and about 16.6 mg wet total particulate matter. The
cigarette yields about 12.7 mg "tar," about 0.74 mg nicotine, and
about 12.7 mg carbon monoxide. About 3.3 mg of the wet total
particulate matter consists of water, and about 4.65 mg of the wet
total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0180] The cigarette possessing the activated carbon filter and
possessing the blend incorporating about 12 percent glycerin yields
mainstream smoke having decreased levels of formaldehyde,
acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, hydroquinone, catechol, phenol,
p-,m-cresol, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen cyanide relative to a
similarly cased comparison cigarette possessing a cellulose acetate
filter of the type described in Example 7, a smokable blend of the
type set forth in Example 7, and having only about 1 percent
glycerin added thereto, based on the dry weight of the total
blend.
[0181] Each cigarette possessing increased levels of glycerin
within its smokable blend yields mainstream smoke possessing
increased amounts of ammonia, relative to the comparative
cigarette.
Example 11
[0182] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Miguel Y Costas & Miquel, SA as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Grade No. 456 cigarette paper.
[0183] The smokable material is a blend that incorporates an
"American blend" of tobacco cut filler. The smokable material
consists of flue-cured, burley, Oriental, DIET-type volume expanded
flue-cured tobacco, and a reconstituted tobacco sheet material
manufactured using a paper-making process. The blend incorporates
about 18 percent of the reconstituted tobacco sheet material, based
on the total dry weight of that blend. For each cigarette,
sufficient glycerin is sprayed onto the portion of the tobacco
blend that does not incorporate the DIET-type volume expanded
tobacco, in the general manner set forth in Example 7, such that
the about 2 percent of the final blend is provided by glycerin. In
addition, sufficient reconstituted sheet material incorporating
glycerin is substituted for the reconstituted tobacco sheet and is
blended with that tobacco blend in order to supply the remaining
amount of glycerin that is incorporated into the final blend.
[0184] For a first comparative reconstituted sheet material, the
amount of water extracted tobacco portion applied back to the
extracted and formed tobacco pulp is about 46 percent, based on the
total dry weight of the resulting sheet material. For a second
comparative reconstituted sheet material, the amount of water
extracted tobacco portion applied back to the extracted and formed
tobacco pulp is about 25 percent, based on the total dry weight of
the resulting sheet material. For the comparative blends,
essentially all of that amount of solvent extracted portion of the
tobacco material is recombined with the extracted tobacco pulp, and
virtually no glycerin is incorporated into the resulting processed
tobacco material. For a first reconstituted sheet material, the
amount of water extracted tobacco portion applied back to the
extracted and formed tobacco pulp is about 31 percent, based on the
total dry weight of the resulting sheet material; and the amount of
glycerin incorporated with the aqueous extract and applied to the
formed tobacco pulp is about 31 percent, based on the total dry
weight of the resulting sheet material. For a second reconstituted
sheet material, the amount of water extracted tobacco portion
applied back to the extracted and formed tobacco pulp is about 16
percent, based on the total dry weight of the resulting sheet
material; and the amount of glycerin incorporated with the aqueous
extract and applied to the formed tobacco pulp is about 30 percent,
based on the total dry weight of the resulting sheet material. For
a third reconstituted sheet material, the amount of water extracted
tobacco portion applied back to the extracted and formed tobacco
pulp is about 10 percent, based on the total dry weight of the
resulting sheet material; and the amount of glycerin incorporated
with the aqueous extract and applied to the formed tobacco pulp is
about 15 percent, based on the total dry weight of the resulting
sheet material. For a fourth reconstituted sheet material, the
amount of water extracted tobacco portion applied back to the
extracted and formed tobacco pulp is about 5 percent, based on the
total dry weight of the resulting sheet material; and the amount of
glycerin incorporated with the aqueous extract and applied to the
formed tobacco pulp is about 20 percent, based on the total dry
weight of the resulting sheet material. For the foregoing tobacco
materials, the aerosol forming material in intimate contact with a
processed tobacco material that is processed such that (i) at least
a portion of a solvent soluble portion of the tobacco material is
removed therefrom, and (ii) the processed tobacco material is a
substrate for the aerosol forming material.
[0185] For a first cigarette blend, sufficient glycerin application
and sufficient first reconstituted sheet material is blended with
the tobacco cut filler blend to provide a blend possessing about
4.8 percent glycerin, based on the dry weight of the final blend.
For a second cigarette blend, sufficient glycerin application and
sufficient second reconstituted sheet material is blended with the
tobacco cut filler blend to provide a blend possessing about 7.6,
based on the dry weight of the final blend. For a third cigarette
blend, sufficient glycerin application and sufficient third
reconstituted sheet material is blended with the tobacco cut filler
blend to provide a blend possessing about 4.8 percent, based on the
dry weight of the final blend. For a fourth cigarette blend,
sufficient glycerin application and sufficient third reconstituted
sheet material is blended with the tobacco cut filler blend to
provide a blend possessing about 7.6 percent, based on the dry
weight of the final blend. For two comparative cigarette blends,
each of the respective comparative reconstituted tobacco is
incorporated into each respective blend, and no additional glycerin
is applied to that blend. The moisture content of the each blend is
about 12 percent to about 13 percent.
[0186] The filter element for each cigarette is manufactured using
conventional cigarette filter making technology from cellulose
acetate tow (2.0 denier per filament, 35,000 total denier)
plasticized using triacetin, and circumscribing non-air permeable
paper plug wrap. The tipping material for each cigarette is of the
type set forth with in Example 7.
[0187] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a cigarette
maker supplied by Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser
perforations is provided around the periphery of the cigarette
about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations
penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided
using a laser perforator obtained from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co.
KG. Each perforated cigarette is about 55 percent air diluted.
[0188] The cigarette incorporating the first reconstituted sheet
material and having about 4.8 percent glycerin incorporated into
the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the
blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg.
The cigarette yields about 8.4 puffs, and about 6.8 mg wet total
particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 5.5 mg "tar," about
0.52 mg nicotine, and about 8.5 mg carbon monoxide. About 0.7 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and about 0.85
mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0189] The cigarette incorporating the second reconstituted sheet
material and having about 7.6 percent glycerin incorporated into
the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the
blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg.
The cigarette yields about 8.4 puffs, and about 6.8 mg wet total
particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 5.4 mg "tar," about
0.44 mg nicotine, and about 8.3 mg carbon monoxide. About 1.0 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and about 1.42
mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0190] The first comparative cigarette incorporating the first
reconstituted comparative sheet material and having about 2 percent
glycerin incorporated into the blend as a result of casing is
smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the blend within
the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg. The cigarette
yields about 8.4 puffs, and about 6.1 mg wet total particulate
matter. The cigarette yields about 5.1 mg "tar," about 0.51 mg
nicotine, and about 7.6 mg carbon monoxide. About 0.5 mg of the wet
total particulate matter consists of water, and about 0.36 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0191] The cigarette incorporating the third reconstituted sheet
material and having about 4.8 percent glycerin incorporated into
the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the
blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg.
The cigarette yields about 8.5 puffs, and about 6.7 mg wet total
particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 5.5 mg "tar," about
0.54 mg nicotine, and about 8.1 mg carbon monoxide. About 0.7 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and about 0.76
mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0192] The cigarette incorporating the fourth reconstituted sheet
material and having about 7.6 percent glycerin incorporated into
the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the
blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg.
The cigarette yields about 8.3 puffs, and about 6.8 mg wet total
particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 5.5 mg "tar," about
0.55 mg nicotine, and about 8.4 mg carbon monoxide. About 0.8 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and about 0.93
mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0193] The second comparative cigarette incorporating the second
comparative reconstituted sheet material and having about 2 percent
glycerin incorporated into the blend as a result of casing is
smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight of the blend within
the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680 mg. The cigarette
yields about 8.2 puffs, and about 5.5 mg wet total particulate
matter. The cigarette yields about 4.5 mg "tar," about 0.44 mg
nicotine, and about 8.0 mg carbon monoxide. About 0.5 mg of the wet
total particulate matter consists of water, and about 0.34 mg of
the wet total particulate matter consists of glycerin.
[0194] When smoked, the cigarette yields visible mainstream aerosol
that resembles the mainstream tobacco smoke of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The mainstream aerosol
produced by the cigarette includes tobacco smoke produced by
burning tobacco, components resulting from the thermal
decomposition of the treated tobacco, and volatilized aerosol
forming material. The cigarette generates tobacco smoke sensations,
taste and quality that are comparable to that of traditional
cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler. The cigarette does not
generate any perceptible amount of the undesirable thermal
decomposition products characteristic of the thermal decomposition
of glycerin. The smokable rod of the cigarette burns down, in a
manner similar to a traditional type of cigarette that burns
tobacco cut filler. The smoker can smoke the cigarette until for a
desired number of puffs, but the smoker typically extinguishes the
cigarette when the firecone of the burning smokable rod approaches
the region occupied by the tipping paper. The cigarette produces an
ash that is similar in certain regards to other traditional types
of cigarettes that burn tobacco cut filler.
Example 12
[0195] A cigarette of the general type described previously with
reference to FIG. 4 is provided. The cigarette has a total length
of about 84 mm. The cigarette possesses a smokable rod having a
length of about 57 mm and a filter element having a length of about
27 mm. When viewed end on, the cigarette has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. The circumference of the smokable rod is
about 25 mm. The smokable rod possesses a single smokable blend.
The outer wrapping material is a conventional type of wood pulp and
calcium carbonate containing cigarette paper wrapper provided by
Ecusta Corp. as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grade No. 456
cigarette paper.
[0196] The smokable material is a blend that incorporates the
tobacco blend of components of an "American blend" and a cast sheet
material incorporating glycerin. The cast sheet material is that
type of cast sheet material described in Example 1. For the
cigarette blend, sufficient cast sheet material is blended with the
tobacco cut filler blend to provide a blend possessing about 12
percent glycerin, based on the dry weight of the total blend. A
casing formulation of the type described in Example 10 is applied
to a portion of the blend, and that cased portion is blended with
DIET-type volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler. The
moisture content of the blend is about 12 percent to about 13
percent.
[0197] The filter element and tipping material for each cigarette
are of the type set forth with in Example 10.
[0198] Cigarettes so described are manufactured using a cigarette
maker supplied by Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. A ring of laser
perforations is provided around the periphery of the cigarette
about 13 mm from the extreme mouth end thereof. The perforations
penetrate through the tipping paper and plug wrap, and are provided
using a laser perforator from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Each
perforated cigarette is about 32 percent air diluted.
[0199] The cigarette having about 12 percent glycerin incorporated
into the blend is smoked under FTC smoking conditions. The weight
of the blend within the smokable rod of that cigarette is about 680
mg. The cigarette yields about 9.3 puffs, and about 18.5 mg wet
total particulate matter. The cigarette yields about 13.9 mg "tar,"
about 1.20 mg nicotine, and about 10.8 mg carbon monoxide. About
3.5 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of water, and
about 4.94 mg of the wet total particulate matter consists of
glycerin.
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