Cigarette

• US 4,917,128 A
• Filed: 12/22/1987
• Issued: 04/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Original Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Inventors: Clearman, Jack F., Shelar, Gary R., Gentry, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Welsh, J.
• Application Number:
  US07/136,261
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 131/194, 131/195, 131/196, 131/359, 131/360, 131/347, 131/273
• US Class Current: 131/359
• CPC Class Codes: A24D 1/22 Cigarettes with integrated combustible heat sources, e.g. with carbonaceous heat sources

Abstract

Embodiments of the present cigarette comprise a roll or rod of tobacco wrapped by a paper wrapper, a short conbustible carbonaceous fuel element encircled by a resilient insulating member, a physically separate smoke generator including smoke forming substance located within a heat conductive container, the tobacco forming a jacket around the container and the smoke generator, and a relatively long mouthend piece.

These cigarettes provide the smoker with the taste, satisfaction, feel and aroma of a cigarette without burning tobacco. Preferred cigarettes are capable of producing substantial quantities of smoke, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without thermal degradation of the smoke former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke.

Claims

1. A cigarette comprising:

(a) a rod of tobacco having a longitudinal passage therein;

(b) a heat conductive container located in the passage in the tobacco rod, containing a smoke forming material;

(c) a carbonaceous fuel element less than 30 mm in length and 7 mm in diameter prior to smoking, having a plurality of longitudinal passages, the fuel element being located at one end of the heat conductive container;

(d) a resilient insulating member at least 0.5 mm thick circumscribing the periphery of the fuel element; and

(e) a mouthend piece attached to the tobacco rod for delivering smoke and tobacco flavor from the tobacco rod and the heat conductive container to the smoker.

2. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the rod of tobacco comprises cut filler.

3. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the heat conductive container further contains a source of tobacco flavor.

4. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous fuel element contacts the heat conductive container.

5. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous fuel element is less than about 15 mm in length, and between about 4 and 5 mm in diameter.

6. The cigarette of claim wherein the resilient insulating member comprises glass fibers.

7. The cigarette of claim wherein the resilient insulating member comprises tobacco.