US4836224A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cigarette
Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co
•
Filing: 1987-12-24
•
Granted: 1989-06-06
•
Expires: 2007-12-24
Abstract
Abstract Cigarettes having high nicotine content tobacco cut filler are rendered smooth smoking and palatable by incorporating an organic acid additive therein. For example, a cigarette having a cut filler with a blend nicotine content of greater than 2 percent has at least one organic acid additive incorporated into the cigarette in an amount of greater than 1 percent. Smooth smoking cigarettes yielding good tobacco taste and minimal off-taste are provided when the majority of the organic acid additive is levulinic acid. The levulinic acid can be in a dissociated and/or nondissociated form. For cigarettes having filter elements, at least a portion of the levulinic acid can be present in the filter element. Alternatively, cigarettes can have at least a portion of the levulinic acid provided in the form of nicotine levulinate. Cigarettes having high nicotine content tobaccos and levulinic acid and cigarettes having a salt such as nicotine levulinate incorporated therein can exhibit low FTC "tar" to nicotine ratios while providing a smooth, palatable and flavorful taste.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry W. Lawson
- 👤 Bruce R. Bullings
- 👤 Thomas A. Perfetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:23
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D1/00; A24D1/002; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/28; A24B15/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein the smokable material is smokable cut filler material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein essentially all of the levulinic acid is in nondissociated form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the levulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the form of nicotine levulinate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 3 to 6.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the levulinic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the levulinic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 3 including a filter element, at least a portion of the levulinic acid being present within the filter element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2.25 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2.25 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cigarette of claim 10 wherein the smokable material is smokable cut filler material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 10 wherein essentially all of the levulinic acid is in nondissociated form.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the levulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the form of nicotine levulinate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12, or 13 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 3 to 6.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the organic acid additive is incorpoated therein in an amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cigarette of claim 10 or 12 including a filter element, at least a portion of the levulinic acid being present within the filter element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2.5 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2.5 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cigarette of claim 19 wherein the smokable material is smokable cut filler material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 19 wherein essentially all of the levulinic acid is in nondissociated form.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cigarette of claim 19 wherein a portion of the levulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the form of nicotine levulinate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 3 to 6.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 19 or 21 including a filter element, at least a portion of the levulinic acid being present within the filter element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cigarette having smokable material contained in a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, and (ii) levulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondissociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cigarette of claim 28 wherein the smokable material is smokable cut filler material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 28 wherein essentially all of the levulinic acid is in nondissociated form.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cigarette of claim 28 wherein a portion of the levulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the form of nicotine levulinate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 28, 29, 30 or 31 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 28, 29, 30 or 31 having a ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 3 to 6.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 28, 29, 30 or 31 wherein the organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 28, 29, 30 or 31 wherein the organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 28 or 30 including a filter element, at least a portion of the levulinic acid being present within the filter element.
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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) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |