US4391285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smoking article
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
•
Filing: 1980-05-09
•
Granted: 1983-07-05
•
Expires: 2000-05-09
Abstract
Abstract Smoking articles comprising a high density, relatively low porosity coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material having at least one passage extending therethrough are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the smoking article is a cylinder having at least one passage axially therethrough. The smoking article may further comprise a plug of ignitable material in passage blocking position at one end of the passage, said plug being such as to permit puff induced air flow therethrough. At least one additional plug may be similarly disposed at the opposite end of the passage or at an intermediate point in the passage. By adjusting the density, the surface area and/or the porosity of the mass available for combustion, the per puff delivery of tar by the smoking article upon combustion may be controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 George H. Burnett
- 👤 Warren E. Claflin
- 👤 Harry V. Lanzillotti
- 👤 A. Clifton Lilly, Jr.
- 👤 John F. Nienow
- 👤 Thomas S. Osdene
- 👤 Alline R. Wayte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:40
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D1/00; A24C; A24C5/00; A24D1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage and said mass further being of a density, porosity and cross-sectional surface area such as to produce from 0.1 mg to 0.3 mg of tar per puff.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage and said mass further being of a density, porosity and cross-sectional surface area such as to produce from 0.1 mg to 0.3 mg of tar per puff.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass having a density of about 1 g/cc, the density and porosity of said mass being such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass having a density of about 1 g/cc, the density and porosity of said mass being such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The smoking article of claim 1 or 2 wherein said mass has a cylindrical shape and at least one passage extending axially therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent cylindrical mass of combustible tobacco-containing material having a passage extending axially therethrough, said passage having a cross-sectional surface area greater than the corresponding surface area of the mass, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent cylindrical mass of combustible tobacco-containing material having a passage extending axially therethrough, said passage having a cross-sectional surface area greater than the corresponding surface area of the mass, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material formed by extruding a mixture comprising water and comminuted tobacco, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material formed by extruding a mixture comprising water and comminuted tobacco, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material formed by extruding a binder-free mixture comprising comminuted tobacco, water and a volatile organic liquid compatible with the tobacco, and drying the extrudate, said mixture having a solids content of from about 55 to 75 weight percent, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material formed by extruding a binder-free mixture comprising comminuted tobacco, water and a volatile organic liquid compatible with the tobacco, and drying the extrudate, said mixture having a solids content of from about 55 to 75 weight percent, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The smoking article of claim 5 or 6 wherein the comminuted tobacco is less than 30 mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The smoking article of claim 6 wherein the ratio of organic liquid to water is from about 1:6 to about 1:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The smoking article of claim 6 or 8 wherein the organic liquid is a low molecular weight alcohol compatible with tobacco.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The smoking article of claim 9 wherein the organic liquid is ethanol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The smoking article of claim 6 wherein the comminuted tobacco is less than -60 mesh and the ratio of organic liquid to water is about 1:2.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The smoking article of claim 6 wherein the tobacco-containing material further comprises filler particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The smoking article of claim 12 wherein said filler particles comprise up to about 40 to 50 weight percent of the solids in the mixture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
91 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible material, said material comprising tobacco and filler particles, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible material, said material comprising tobacco and filler particles, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The smoking article of claim 14 wherein the filler particles are selected from the group consisting of carbon, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth and attapulgite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible material, said material comprising tobacco and burn additives, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible material, said material comprising tobacco and burn additives, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass further being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude gas flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The smoking article of claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14 or 32 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of bright tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, prepyrolyzed tobacco and mixtures thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The smoking article of claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14 or 16 which further comprises at least one air permeable plug of readily ignitable material disposed in passage blocking position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The smoking article of claim 18 which further comprises a first plug disposed in passage blocking position at one end of said passage and a second plug disposed in passage blocking position remote from said first plug.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smoking article of claim 19 wherein the second plug is at the other end of said passage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The smoking article of claim 18, wherein at least one plug includes a thermally releasable flavorant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The smoking article of claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14 or 16 wherein said mass includes a thermally releasable flavorant.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The smoking article of claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14 or 16 wherein said mass includes a humectant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
102 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude as flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage, said article including at least one air permeable plug of readily ignitable material disposed in passage blocking position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
102 words
A smoking article comprising a coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, said mass having at least one through passage extending from a first opening in the surface of said mass to a second opening remote from the first, said mass having a porosity such as to support combustion of said mass when ignited, said mass being of a density and porosity such as to substantially occlude as flow therethrough, thereby providing that puff induced air flow through the smoking article is through the passage, said article including at least one air permeable plug of readily ignitable material disposed in passage blocking position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The smoking article of claim 24 which further comprises a first plug disposed in passage blocking position at one end of said passage and a second plug disposed in passage blocking position remote from said first plug.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The smoking article of claim 25 wherein the second plug is at the other end of said passage.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The smoking article of claim 24 wherein at least one plug includes a thermally releasable flavorant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |