US4677995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter cigarette
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-24
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Granted: 1987-07-07
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Expires: 2006-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A filter cigarette is provided in which the smoker can select varying levels of one or more flavorants to be added to the smoke stream. A rotatable filter segment having several smoke flow paths, each containing a different flavorant material, cooperates with a baffle to select one or more paths through which the smoke stream will travel.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew G. Kallianos
- 👤 Francis M. Sprinkel, Jr.
- 👤 Paula Decker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:25
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/04; A24D3/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A filter cigarette, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod; a substantially cylindrical filter assembly; and tipping paper circumscribing and joining said filter assembly and said tobacco rod; wherein: said filter assembly comprises: a first filter assembly segment having a mouth end, a rod end, and a plurality of smoke flow paths therethrough separated by at least substantially smoke-impervious barrier means, at least one of said smoke flow paths containing a smoke flavoring medium; means abutting said first filter assembly segment and rotatable relative thereto for selectively directing smoke through at least one of said smoke flow paths, and excluding it from the remainder of said smoke flow paths; and means for sealing at least one of said smoke flow paths when smoke is not being directed therethrough, thereby preventing escape of said smoke flavoring medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A filter cigarette, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod; a substantially cylindrical filter assembly; and tipping paper circumscribing and joining said filter assembly and said tobacco rod; wherein: said filter assembly comprises: a first filter assembly segment having a mouth end, a rod end, and a plurality of smoke flow paths therethrough separated by at least substantially smoke-impervious barrier means, at least one of said smoke flow paths containing a smoke flavoring medium; means abutting said first filter assembly segment and rotatable relative thereto for selectively directing smoke through at least one of said smoke flow paths, and excluding it from the remainder of said smoke flow paths; and means for sealing at least one of said smoke flow paths when smoke is not being directed therethrough, thereby preventing escape of said smoke flavoring medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter cigarette of claim 1 wherein said first filter assembly segment and said abutting relatively rotatable means are retained against axial displacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The filter cigarette of claim 1 wherein said first filter assembly segment remains stationary relative to said tobacco rod and said abutting relatively rotatable means rotates relative to said tobacco rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The filter cigarette of claim 1 wherein said first filter assembly segment rotates relative to said tobacco rod and said abutting relatively rotatable means remains stationary relative to said tobacco rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The filter cigarette of claim 4 wherein said abutting relatively rotatable means is fixed to said tobacco rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filter cigarette of claim 4 wherein said abutting relatively rotatable means is fixed to a segment of said filter assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter cigarette of claim 4 wherein said abutting relatively rotatable means comprises a baffle having at least one opening therein for registry with at least one of said smoke flow paths for the passage of smoke therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The filter cigarette of claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a flapper valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
177 words
A filter cigarette, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod; a substantially cylindrical filter assembly; and tipping paper circumscribing and joining said filter assembly and said tobacco rod; wherein: said filter assembly comprises: a first filter assembly segment having a mouth end, a rod end, and a plurality of smoke flow paths therethrough separated by at least substantially smoke-impervious barrier means, at least one of said smoke flow paths containing a smoke flavoring medium, and means abutting said first filter assembly segment and rotatable relative thereto for selectively directing smoke through at least one of said smoke flow paths, and excluding it from the remainder of said smoke flow paths; said first filter assembly segment remains stationary relative to said tobacco rod and said abutting relatively rotatable means rotates relative to said tobacco rod; and said abutting relatively rotatable means comprises a baffle abutting the mouth end of said first filter assembly segment, said baffle having at least one opening therein for registry with at least one of said smoke flow paths for the passage of smoke therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A filter cigarette, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod; a substantially cylindrical filter assembly; and tipping paper circumscribing and joining said filter assembly and said tobacco rod; wherein: said filter assembly comprises: a first filter assembly segment having a mouth end, a rod end, and a plurality of smoke flow paths therethrough separated by at least substantially smoke-impervious barrier means, at least one of said smoke flow paths containing a smoke flavoring medium, and means abutting said first filter assembly segment and rotatable relative thereto for selectively directing smoke through at least one of said smoke flow paths, and excluding it from the remainder of said smoke flow paths; said first filter assembly segment remains stationary relative to said tobacco rod and said abutting relatively rotatable means rotates relative to said tobacco rod; and said abutting relatively rotatable means comprises a baffle abutting the mouth end of said first filter assembly segment, said baffle having at least one opening therein for registry with at least one of said smoke flow paths for the passage of smoke therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter cigarette of claim 9 wherein said abutting relatively rotatable means further comprises a second filter assembly segment having a mouth end and a rod end, said baffle being on the rod end of said second segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter cigarette of claim 10 wherein said second filter assembly segment is a segment of filter tow material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The filter cigarette of claim 11 wherein said segment of filter tow material has a longitudinal bore therein extending from said opening to the mouth end thereof.
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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) | 1990-07-06 | 1991-01-05 | 1991-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-06 | 1995-01-05 | 1995-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-06 | 1999-01-05 | 1999-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |