U.S. patent application number 12/863686 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for smoking article.
This patent application is currently assigned to STAGEMODE OY. Invention is credited to Eero Hurme, Kaj Kuistila, Vesa Kunnari.
Application Number | 20100300467 12/863686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39004352 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuistila; Kaj ; et
al. |
December 2, 2010 |
SMOKING ARTICLE
Abstract
The invention relates to a smoking article comprising tobacco,
suction resistance and a chemical heat source in conjunction with
the tobacco. According to the invention, the heat source comprises
a heat chamber and is activated by external excitation. The
invention relates further to a method for producing the smoking
article.
Inventors: |
Kuistila; Kaj; (Pernio,
FI) ; Kunnari; Vesa; (Espoo, FI) ; Hurme;
Eero; (Espoo, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
STAGEMODE OY
Helsinki
FI
|
Family ID: |
39004352 |
Appl. No.: |
12/863686 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 21, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI09/50056 |
371 Date: |
August 13, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/328 ;
131/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/165 20130101;
A24F 47/006 20130101; A24F 42/10 20200101; A24F 42/80 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/328 ;
131/194 |
International
Class: |
A24F 11/00 20060101
A24F011/00; A24F 1/32 20060101 A24F001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 22, 2008 |
FI |
20085052 |
Claims
1. A smoking article, comprising: tobacco; suction resistance;
chemical heat source in conjunction with the tobacco, wherein the
heat source comprises a heat chamber formed by one continuous
volume and that the heat source is activated by external heat
and/or oxygen excitation.
2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the heat
chamber is closed.
3. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the heat
chamber contains chemical compounds which are capable of producing
heat.
4. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the chemical
compounds include a metal/metals, such as Fe, Al, Mg, Li, Co, Pt,
Pd, Cu, Si and/or a strong oxygen-containing oxidizer.
5. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the material
of the heat chamber is a polymer-, paper-, natural fiber-,
ceramic-, glass- and/or metal-based material.
6. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the heat
chamber is provided with a heat insulating and/or accumulating
layer.
7. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the chemical
compounds in the heat chamber include iron and potassium
permanganate, their reaction being activated by heat.
8. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the weight
ratio between the potassium permanganate and iron ranges from 5/95
to 95/5, preferably from 25/75 to 50/50 and is more preferably
30/70.
9. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the chemical
compounds in the heat chamber include Fe, Na.sub.2S, C and CaO,
their reaction being activated by oxygen.
10. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the suction
resistance is a filter.
11. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the article
further comprises a starting heat providing element.
12. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the starting
heat providing element is a detonator, resistance wire, fuse and/or
firing tape.
13. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the article
further comprises a cooling part.
14. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the heat
chamber is surrounded by the tobacco.
15. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco
is surrounded by the heat chamber.
16. A method for producing the smoking article, the method
comprising the steps of: forming the heat chamber by combining the
chemical compounds and enclosing them inside the heat chamber,
contacting a layer of tobacco with the heat chamber, disposing
suction resistance at one end of the smoking article, and coating
the heat chamber contacted with the layer of tobacco.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a heat insulating
and/or accumulating layer is disposed between the heat chamber and
the tobacco.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein an insulating layer
is disposed onto the tobacco or the heat chamber before coating or
in conjunction with the coating.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein a cooling part is
disposed at one end of the smoking article before coating or in
conjunction with the coating.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cooling part is
disposed between suction resistance and tobacco.
21. A method for producing the smoking article, the method
comprising the steps of: fixing the chemical compounds onto a
planar structure, rolling the structure to form a tubular
structure, disposing the tobacco inside or outside the tubular
structure.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the planar structure
includes tobacco paper, an insulating layer and/or a heat
accumulating layer.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein a protective film,
insulating and/or accumulating layer is disposed onto the chemical
compounds preferably by lamination.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a smoking article as defined in the
preamble of claim 1 and to a method for preparing a smoking article
as defined in the preamble of claims 16 and 21.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is very hard for a smoker to give up smoking entirely due
to the addictive nature of nicotine in the tobacco. An acceptable
alternative has been to arrange the nicotine in some other form or
some other way instead of smoking.
[0003] Known articles used to replace cigarettes and/or to assist
in giving up smoking include chewing gums, plasters, nasal sprays
or lozenges with added nicotine.
[0004] A problem with these articles is that their use does not
provide a smoking experience. Smokers want to have the actual
smoking experience, whereby they want e.g. to feel the taste of
tobacco and smoke in their mouth.
[0005] Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,549 discloses a
smokeless smoking article. The smoking article contains tobacco and
a smokeless chemical heat source that heats and volatilizes the
tobacco providing the tobacco aroma or a tobacco-aromized aerosol.
The heat chamber of the heat source comprises a heat cartridge
which contains a chemical compound (such as magnesium and iron)
capable of producing heat, and an activating solution (such as a
solution of potassium chloride and nitrate) separated by a
frangible partition. In the article, the heat producing reaction is
provided by combining the heat cartridge and the activating
solution by breaking the partition.
[0006] A problem with the smokeless smoking article is the slow
rising of the temperature to the optimum volatilization temperature
region of tobacco, which is about 125 to 150.degree. C. In
addition, the smoking article requires that two separate chambers
be combined to start the heat producing reaction.
[0007] Patent publication EP 0371285 discloses a smoking article
comprising tobacco, a filter element and a heat source. The heat
source contains material (e.g. metal oxides and anhydrous metal
sulfates) which is capable of exothermic reaction when contacted
with water. The contact between water and the components of the
heat source forms heat which warms and volatilizes the tobacco. The
water required in the reaction may be injected into the heat
source, it may be incorporated in a separate rupturable capsule or
it can be incorporated in a solid salt, a salt hydrate.
[0008] Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,798 discloses a
smoking article comprising tobacco, a filter element and a heat
source. The chemical agents of the heat source, which comprise at
least two metallic agents, interact electrochemically when
contacted with an electrolyte solution, e.g. water. The
electrochemical interaction produces heat which warms and
volatilizes the tobacco.
[0009] A problem with the above-mentioned smoking articles is that
the water which provides the exothermic reaction must be separated
from the co-reacting compounds in the smoking articles. These
smoking articles always require a separate water capsule, water
injection or release of water from a hydrous salt to provide the
exothermic heat producing reaction.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of
smokeless smoking article which is simple in structure and
operation and wherein the heat source quickly reaches the
temperature of the optimum volatilization region of tobacco without
a separate addition or chamber of liquid/water. A further objective
of the smoking article of the invention is to provide a smoking
experience to the smoker without combusting tobacco or other
ingredients, without outside smoke and without generating any
combustion products, such as carbon monoxide. One specific
objective of the invention is to alleviate the problems referred to
above.
[0011] One further objective of the invention is to disclose a
method for producing the smoking article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The smoking article according to the invention is
characterized by what has been presented in claim 1.
[0013] The method for producing the smoking article according to
the invention is characterized by what has been presented in claims
16 and 21.
[0014] The smoking article according to the invention comprises
tobacco, suction resistance and a chemical heat source in
conjunction with the tobacco.
[0015] The chemical heat source comprises a heat chamber formed
from one continuous volume and is activated by external thermal
and/or oxygen excitation. The chemical heat source is based on
exothermic reaction.
[0016] The heat chamber may be closed.
[0017] The heat which is forming in the heat chamber reaches the
preferred volatilization region of 125 to 150.degree. C. of tobacco
quickly and keeps the temperature in this region. The heat
volatilizes the aroma and nicotine from the tobacco. The tobacco
aroma and other active agents, such as nicotine, can be best
released without combustion or production of smoke in the preferred
volatilization region.
[0018] The heat chamber contains chemical compounds which are
capable of producing heat. The chemical compounds normally include
a metal/metals and/or a strong oxygen-containing oxidizer. The
metal may be a transition metal, alkali metal, alkali earth and/or
a metal of some other group. Examples of typical applicable metals
include iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li),
cobalt (Co), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), copper (Cu), silicon
(Si), preferably iron. The strong oxygen-containing oxidizer may be
a metal oxide, metal peroxide and/or metal oxide salt, for example
potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide, lead-3-tetraoxide,
barium peroxide, bromates, chlorates etc. The strong
oxygen-containing oxidizer is preferably potassium permanganate
(KMnO.sub.4) or oxygen.
[0019] The chemical compounds are selected so as to produce a safe
reaction and so that the temperature produced by the reaction rises
quickly to the maximum temperature which is not too high, and so
that the heat production in the reaction lasts for a long time.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the chemical
compounds are anhydrous.
[0021] The heat chamber may also contain a reaction catalyzing
agent, for example carbon.
[0022] It is also possible to add inert filler material in
conjunction with the chemical starting compounds in the heat
chamber. The inert filler material may also contain typical
additives, such as binder, which may for example accumulate
heat.
[0023] The heat chamber is made from a material which holds the
temperatures generated by the heat chamber reaction, and typically
temperatures of about 220.degree. C. Polymer-, paper-, natural
fiber-, ceramic-, glass- and/or metal-based materials, which stand
the temperature and pressure generated in the reaction and the
compounds formed in the reaction, can be used for making the heat
chamber. The polymer-based materials may include polypropylene,
polyethylene, other polyolefins, polyesters and/or other equivalent
polymeric materials and/or mixtures thereof. The paper-based
material may include paper and/or coated paper and/or other
material based on natural fibers.
[0024] The material of the heat chamber is impermeable to oxygen
when oxygen is used as the oxidizer.
[0025] The heat chamber may be provided with a heat insulating
and/or heat accumulating layer. The heat chamber is preferably
provided with an insulating layer when it is made from
heat-conducting material, such as for example aluminum. The
insulating layer may be made from natural or synthetic polymeric
material, such as textile, paperboard or polystyrene or from
ceramic, glass- or metal-based material. The heat accumulating
layer enables to obtain steady and longer-lasting optimum heat. The
heat accumulating layer may be made for example from wax.
[0026] The external excitation which activates the heat source is
heat and/or oxygen. The heat is provided by fire for example using
a match or a lighter, by electricity using for example an
electrically heated resistance wire, by a detonator and/or other
starting heat providing excitation. The applied oxygen may normally
be oxygen contained in the air contacted with the heat source for
example by breaking the wall of the airtight heat chamber which is
impermeable to oxygen, by removing, in a smoking article covered by
a protective film/package that is impermeable to oxygen, this
film/package, and/or by contacting the heat chamber which is
impermeable to oxygen with air in an equivalent manner.
[0027] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat
source contains iron and potassium permanganate as the chemical
compounds. Reaction between the staring materials is initiated by
introducing starting heat to the mixture by a match, lighter,
detonator and/or resistance wire. Oxygen is not required in
starting the reaction.
[0028] Reaction rate and heat produced in the reaction can be
adjusted by weight ratios of the chemical compounds. The weight
ratio is also selected according to thermal conductivity of the
coating material in the heat chamber.
[0029] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight
ratio between potassium permanganate and iron ranges from 5/95 to
95/5, preferably from 25/75 to 50/50 and is more preferably
30/70.
[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat
chamber contains iron, sodium sulfide and carbon, which are
contacted with each other in the presence of oxygen or air
according to the following reaction:
Na.sub.2S.times.H.sub.2O+C+Fe+CaO+O.sub.2.fwdarw.Na.sub.2SO.sub.4+CaCO.s-
ub.3+Fe.sub.nO.sub.m (iron oxides)
[0031] By the catalyzing effect of carbon, iron heats up and raises
further the heat produced in the reaction. The sodium sulfide may
be hydrous or anhydrous. Calcium oxide reacts with the sodium
suplhide crystal water and temperature produced in the reaction
raises more quickly. Material of the heat chamber is impermeable to
oxygen.
[0032] The tobacco may include one type of tobacco and/or a mixture
of tobacco, which may have been processed by the raw tobacco
processing methods known in the tobacco industry. The tobacco
and/or the mixture thereof may include tobacco which has been
processed in many different ways, such as tobacco fine cut, tobacco
strands, tobacco flakes, tobacco dust, processed tobacco, extruded
tobacco, reconstructed tobacco, tobacco extracts and equivalent
processed forms of tobacco used in the tobacco industry. Tobacco
extracts include for example tobacco essences, aromatic oils of
tobacco, spray-dried and freeze-dried tobacco extracts and the
corresponding tobacco extracts used in preparing the tobacco raw
material.
[0033] Also flavoring agents, such as menthol, vanillin, cocoa,
licorice, cinnamic aldehyde and the like, as well as tobacco aroma
modifiers and other modifiers, additives and fillers used in
producing tobacco, and nicotine may be added to the tobacco.
[0034] The amount of nicotine included in the tobacco of the
smoking article is typically 0.1 to 1.0 mg.
[0035] Suction resistance of the smoking article provides
resistance when drawing on the cigarette, and the smoker is, in
this manner, able to use the sucking rhythm to control his or her
smoking rhythm. Suction resistance is preferably disposed at one
end of the smoking article.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, suction
resistance is a filter which prevents the tobacco from being
contacted with the smoker and/or filters any harmful products which
are formed during volatilization of the tobacco, such as tar.
[0037] The smoking article may further comprise a heat-providing
element in conjunction with the heat source used to activate the
heat source. The heat-providing element may be a detonator whereby
the heat chamber is activated for example by snapping the smoking
article, or a resistance wire, for example wolfram, which heats up
intensely when current is being conducted to the wire, a fuse
and/or a firing tape to introduce the starting heat to the heat
chamber.
[0038] The smoking article may further comprise a cooling part
which cools down the fume drawn in and breathed by the user and
formed by volatilization of the tobacco. The cooling part also
enables one to adjust the amount of fume deriving from the fine cut
tobacco. The flow section of the cooling part is equal or
substantially smaller than the flow section of the smoking article.
Adjusting the cross-section of the cooling part to be smaller than
the cross-section of the smoking article reduces the amount of fume
to be drawn in and extends the time of use of the smoking article.
The cooling part is preferably disposed between suction resistance
and the tobacco.
[0039] Material of the cooling part includes any heat insulating
and resistant material, preferably heat resistant plastic.
[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the heat chamber is
surrounded by the tobacco in the smoking article. The heat chamber
may be a bar- or spiral-shaped, accordion-shaped or waved structure
or one which has been folded in any other form. By shaping the
structure of the heat chamber to the above-mentioned form it is
possible to fit a longer heat chamber in the smoking article. A
longer heat chamber provides steadier and longer lasting optimum
heat and longer time of use for the smoking article.
[0041] In a further embodiment of the invention, the tobacco is
surrounded by the heat chamber in the smoking article. The heat
chamber is tubular.
[0042] The smoking article may be coated with tobacco paper and/or
other material which is similar to tobacco paper.
[0043] Surface of the tobacco paper may be treated with a colorant,
such as thermochrome pigment which changes color by the effect of
heat. This makes the cigarette look like burning.
[0044] The smoking article may be in the form of a substantially
tubular/bar-shaped object of a substantially round cross-section.
The cross-section may also be angular or flattened. The smoking
article is preferably in the form of a traditional cigarette.
[0045] The smoking article is produced by
[0046] forming the heat chamber by combining the chemical compounds
and enclosing them inside the heat chamber,
[0047] contacting a layer of tobacco with the heat chamber,
[0048] disposing suction resistance at one end of the smoking
article, and
[0049] coating the heat chamber contacted with the layer of
tobacco.
[0050] The heat chamber may be formed as a structure which is
either substantially bar-shaped, spiral, accordion-shaped, waved or
folded in any other form, or as a tubular structure.
[0051] The layer of tobacco can be disposed to surround the heat
chamber which is substantially bar-shaped, spiral,
accordion-shaped, waved or folded in any other form, or inside the
substantially tubular heat chamber.
[0052] Where required, a heat insulating and/or accumulating layer
is disposed between the heat chamber and the tobacco.
[0053] An insulating layer may be disposed, if necessary, onto the
layer of tobacco or the heat chamber before coating or in
conjunction with the coating. The smoking article is typically
coated with tobacco paper.
[0054] If desired, a cooling part may be disposed at one end of the
smoking article. The cooling part is preferably disposed between
suction resistance and the tobacco.
[0055] The smoking article according to the invention wherein the
tobacco is surrounded by the heat chamber can also be produced by
gluing/fixing the reaction starting materials, the chemical
compounds, on a planar structure which is rolled to form a tubular
structure. A protective film, insulator and/or accumulating layer
may be disposed onto the starting materials for example by
lamination. The tobacco is disposed inside or outside the tubular
structure. The planar structure may be formed by tobacco paper, an
insulating layer and/or heat-accumulating layer.
[0056] Production of the heat source requires a substantially
oxygen-free atmosphere including for example nitrogen, carbon
dioxide or argon gas when oxygen is used as the external heat
source excitation. The production is carried out as a batch
process. In this case, the chemical compounds are mixed and the
heat chamber seamed in an entirely closed oxygen-free space filled
with nitrogen or argon gas. Airtightness should be maintained from
production to the user. The smoking article may be packed in an
airtight individual pack.
[0057] The smoking article according to the invention is
immediately ready to use when the smoker activates the exothermic
heat chamber reaction by the starting heat or oxygen. The
temperature of the heat chamber quickly rises to the volatilization
temperature of tobacco and volatilizes nicotine and aromas of the
tobacco and/or flavoring agents added to the tobacco. The smoker is
able to sense the volatilized nicotine and aromas of the tobacco
and have the smoking experience without smoke when drawing in
tobacco through the filter. The heat chamber produces heat
sufficiently and quickly to volatilize the components of the
tobacco while maintaining the temperature in the preferred
volatilization region for minutes. The smoking article and its heat
chamber are simple is structure and operation. No combining of
chemical compounds with water for example by injecting water into
the heat chamber, breaking a separate liquid capsule or using
hydrous salts is required in the production of energy in the heat
chamber. When handled, the smoking article feels the same as a real
smoking article, such as a cigarette or cigar, and has the same
visual appearance. In addition, the smoking article has good
storage endurance. Reaction products of the smoking article are not
toxic and can be safely disposed of with normal household
waste.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0058] FIG. 1 shows a smoking article according to the invention as
seen from the side,
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a second smoking article according to the
invention as seen from the side,
[0060] FIG. 3 shows a third smoking article according to the
invention as seen from the side,
[0061] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the smoking article
according to the invention,
[0062] FIG. 5 the effect of the chemical compounds in the heat
chamber and their weight ratio on the heating rate, maximum
temperature and temperature changes in time.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows a fourth smoking article according to the
invention as seen from the side,
[0064] FIG. 7 shows a fifth smoking article according to the
invention as seen from the side, and
[0065] FIG. 8 shows a sixth smoking article according to the
invention as seen from the side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] The smoking article (1) according to FIG. 1 is formed as a
cigarette. The smoking article comprises a substantially bar-shaped
heat source (2), which is a closed heat chamber surrounded by a
layer of tobacco (3). At one end of the smoking article there is
suction resistance (4) which is normally a filter. The heat source
(2) contains chemical compounds which provide an exothermic
reaction, preferably an oxidizable metal Fe and a strong
oxygen-containing oxidizer KMnO.sub.4. The compounds of the heat
chamber may be present in an inert filler. The smoking article (2)
has been coated with tobacco paper (7).
[0067] In the smoking article (1) according to FIG. 2 tobacco (3)
is surrounded by the bar-shaped closed heat source (2). In other
respects, the smoking article is similar to that described
above.
[0068] In the smoking article (1) of FIGS. 3 and 4 a heat
accumulating layer (5) has been disposed between the heat source
(2) and the layer of tobacco (3), releasing heat more steadily and
maintaining the temperature for a longer period of time in the
desired volatilization region of tobacco. The heat accumulating
layer (5) is a layer that contains for example metal, such as
aluminum. Further, the layer of tobacco (3) has been coated with a
heat insulating layer (6), for example a polystyrene-based
material, which has low ability of conducting heat, so that the
cigarette would not feel too hot in the hand.
[0069] Instead of the heat accumulating layer (5) there may be
disposed, in the position of the layer or in conjunction with the
layer, a heat insulating layer, if the material of the heat chamber
is heat conductive and/or the reaction of the heat chamber produces
heat which exceeds the volatilization temperature of tobacco.
[0070] Alternatively, in the smoking article according to FIGS. 3
and 4, the heat source (2) may be disposed in the position of the
tobacco (3) and the tobacco (3) in the position of the heat source
(2). In this case, the tobacco is surrounded by the heat source and
the heat accumulating layer (5) is disposed between them. In
addition, the heat source is coated by a heat insulating layer
(6).
[0071] In the smoking article (1) according to FIG. 6 the
bar-shaped heat source (2) has been bent to a spiral form and the
heat source is surrounded by the tobacco (3). A longer heat chamber
keeps the temperature longer in the desired volatilization
region.
[0072] In the smoking article (1) according to FIG. 7 the
bar-shaped heat source (2) has been folded in accordion form and
the heat source is surrounded by the tobacco (3). Disposed between
suction resistance (4) at one end of the smoking article and the
part which forms the tobacco (3) and the heat chamber (2) there is
a cooling part (8) which is smaller in cross-section than the
smoking article and cools down the fume that passes through it
volatilizing from the tobacco, reducing the amount of fume drawn in
and thereby extending the time of use of the smoking article. The
cooling part (8) is normally made from heat resistant plastic. The
section (9) which surrounds the cooling part (8) normally contains
air.
[0073] The cross-section of the cooling part (8) may also be equal
to that of the smoking article, in which case the cooling part
merely cools down the fume that volatilizes from the tobacco to be
suitable for the user.
[0074] In the smoking article (2) according to FIG. 8 the heat
chamber (3) has been formed by combining three bar-shaped heat
chambers. A longer heat chamber provides longer time of use.
Example 1
[0075] The effect of the chemical compounds, starting materials, of
the heat chamber on the exothermic reaction was tested in the
experiments. Weight ratios of different starting materials were
used in the tests to establish their effect on the heating rate,
maximum temperature and temperature changes in the course of time.
The heating tests were conducted with the reaction of potassium
permanganate and iron in weight ratios of 30/70 and 70/30. A
starting material mixture of 1.0 g was used in the tests. The
reactions were conducted by positioning the starting materials in
aluminum or glass tubes, whereupon the reaction was actuated by an
electric fuse. The temperature was followed by a thermoelement
attached to the tube.
[0076] The tubes fitted inside the fine cut tobacco part of a
normal-size cigarette in such manner that space was left for the
fine cut tobacco. The internal and external diameter and wall
thickness of the aluminum and glass tubes were: Al 4.75 mm, 4.05 mm
and 0.35 mm: glass 5.06 mm, 3.06 mm and 1 mm. The tube length was
55 mm, which is suitable for a rolling machine with filter.
[0077] The results of the conducted heating tests are shown in FIG.
5.
[0078] The results indicate that in all tests the temperature rose
to the optimum volatilization region of tobacco in less than 20
seconds.
[0079] The weight ratio of 70/30% KmnO.sub.4/Fe produced clearly
too high a temperature, in particular if one intends to use paper
as the wrapper. This weight ratio requires the use of an insulating
layer.
[0080] The weight ratio of 30/70% KmnO.sub.4/Fe was compared in the
glass tube, aluminum tube and insulated glass tube. According to
the results, the glass tube kept the heat longer than the aluminum
tube and the maximum temperature rose about 50.degree. C.
higher.
[0081] Insulating the glass tube with an aluminum foil covered by a
thin fabric delayed the time of reaching the maximum temperature
for a few dozen seconds. Reaching the volatilization region was
delayed by about 10s, but the temperature was maintained above this
region 2.5 times longer than with the non-insulated tube, i.e. for
about 2 minutes.
Example 2
[0082] The functionality of the smokeless smoking article was
tested in the experiment. Insulated glass tube was used as the heat
chamber structure. The structure was similar to that of Example 1.
The thickness of the insulating layer formed by the aluminum foil
and the fabric was 0.56 mm.
[0083] 1.0 g of a mixture of potassium permanganate and iron
(30/70) was introduced into the heat chamber.
[0084] The smoking article was produced by placing the heat chamber
into a rolling machine with tobacco paper, filter and tobacco fine
cut and by rolling the smoking article.
[0085] Reaction starting heat was introduced to the smoking article
by a resistance wire which was heated by conducting electric
current to the wire.
[0086] After the test, the smoking article was examined visually
and it was observed that tar had been separated from the tobacco
onto the paper surface. From the filter it was visible that the
heat chamber reaction had separated ingredients from the fine cut
tobacco. There was no observed burning or blackening of the fine
cut tobacco in the cigarette when opened after the test.
[0087] The test proved that by the contrived heat chamber
composition and structure it is possible to volatilize the tobacco
aroma and nicotine from the tobacco in the smoking article.
Example 3
[0088] The test comprised analyzing the volatile elements of the
smokeless smoking article according to the invention, a normal
cigarette and a commercial smokeless smoking article: nicotine,
carbon monoxide (CO) and tar. The smoking article according to
Example 2 was used as the smokeless smoking article and Philip
Morris "Gold" Marlboro as the normal cigarette. A smoking article
according to Woodleaf Corporation brand A ros was used as the
commercial smokeless reference smoking article, which is based on a
plastic tube that has been seamed at both ends and contains a
matrix including nicotine and tobacco aroma. The smoker cuts off
the ends of the plastic tube, and nicotine and tobacco aroma are
released into the mouth and organs of the smoker when drawing in
air through the tube.
[0089] Nicotine and tar components were determined by a
GC-MS-apparatus and carbon dioxide by a GC-TDCapparatus. Two
parallel assays were conducted for the cigarettes. The results of
the smoking article according to the invention (SAI) have been
scaled to the amount of fine cut tobacco in a normal cigarette. The
results have been assembled in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 SAI Marlboro Aeros Nicotine (mg) 0.125 1.7
.+-. 0.5 <0.1 indicated 0.6 0.05 Tar (mg) -- 9.4 .+-. 0.3 --
indicated 8.0 Carbon monoxide (mg) 0.5 12.0 .+-. 0.7 -- indicated
9.0
[0090] The invention is not limited merely to the exemplary
embodiments referred to above; instead, many variations are
possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the
claims.
* * * * *