US4924887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tobacco rods and filters
Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co
•
Filing: 1986-02-03
•
Granted: 1990-05-15
•
Expires: 2006-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco containing cigarette filter plugs comprise strands of tobacco material which are bound with an activated binding agent. The filter plugs exhibit good firmnless and integrity, and provide cigarettes exhibiting a unique tobacco taste. Filter plugs are prepared by forming an intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, forming rods and activating the binding agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L. Raker
- 👤 Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr.
- 👤 Stephen W. Jakob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:37
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/04; A24D3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing an intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than 16 percent, and then (e) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (f) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing an intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than 16 percent, and then (e) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (f) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said particles of tobacco material are strands of tobacco material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said strands have widths which range from less than about 45 cuts per inch to greater than about 60 cuts per inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing filter plug, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing and intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (e) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (f) providing filter elements from the rod, and then (g) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing filter plug, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing and intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (e) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (f) providing filter elements from the rod, and then (g) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said particles of tobacco material are strands of tobacco material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said strands have widths which range from less than about 45 cuts per inch to greater than about 60 cuts per inch, is dextrin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the filter plug so provided is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing an intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (e) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions, and then (f) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (g) subjecting the rod shaped article to conditions sufficient to provide further firmness thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing particles of tobacco material, and (b) providing a binding agent, and (c) contacting the particles of tobacco material and the binding agent with one another, and then (d) providing an intimate admixture of the tobacco material and the binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (e) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions, and then (f) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (g) subjecting the rod shaped article to conditions sufficient to provide further firmness thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said particles of tobacco material are strands of tobacco material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said strands have widths which range from less than about 45 cuts per inch to greater than about 60 cuts per inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
A tobacco containing cigarette filter plug comprising a filter element and a circumscribing wrap, said wrap circumscribing the longitudinally extending surface of the filter element such that the ends of the filter plug are open in order to permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough, wherein said filter element comprises strands of tobacco material in intimate contact with binding agent which has been subjected to activation conditions so as to provide a filter element which is characterized as having a firmness value of less than 10 units as measured for a cylindrical rod shaped element having a circumscribing wrap, said rod shaped element having a length of about 100 mm and a circumference of about 24.5 mm, the measurement being performed at 76° F. and 60 percent relative humidity using a Cigarette Firmness Tester Model No. CFTA supplied by Fairchild Industries.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
A tobacco containing cigarette filter plug comprising a filter element and a circumscribing wrap, said wrap circumscribing the longitudinally extending surface of the filter element such that the ends of the filter plug are open in order to permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough, wherein said filter element comprises strands of tobacco material in intimate contact with binding agent which has been subjected to activation conditions so as to provide a filter element which is characterized as having a firmness value of less than 10 units as measured for a cylindrical rod shaped element having a circumscribing wrap, said rod shaped element having a length of about 100 mm and a circumference of about 24.5 mm, the measurement being performed at 76° F. and 60 percent relative humidity using a Cigarette Firmness Tester Model No. CFTA supplied by Fairchild Industries.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter plug of claim 14 characterized as having a firmness value of less than about 5.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter plug of claim 15 wherein said wrap is cigarette paper wrap or paper plug wrap.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The filter plug of claim 14 wherein the binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette comprising a rod of smokable material axially aligned with the tobacco containing filter plug of claim 14.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The filter plug of claim 18 wherein particles of tobacco stem material is combined with the aforementioned strands.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette of claim 18 wherein the tobacco containing filter plug is further aligned with a second filter element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The filter plug of claim 14 wherein said plug has a substantially cylindrical shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter plug of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the strands of tobacco material have been subjected to volume expansion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter plug of claim 14 wherein said wrap is cigarette paper wrap or paper plug wrap.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette comprising a rod of smokable material axially aligned with the tobacco containing filter plug of claim 23.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette of claim 24 wherein the tobacco containing filter plug is further aligned with a second filter element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The filter plug of claim 14 wherein particles of tobacco stem material is combined with the aforementioned strands.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent, and then (b) contacting the intimate admixture with a further amount of particles of tobacco material in order to provide a further intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (c) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the further intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (d) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing rod suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter plugs, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent, and then (b) contacting the intimate admixture with a further amount of particles of tobacco material in order to provide a further intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (c) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the further intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (d) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 27 wherein at least a portion of the tobacco material which is provided has been subjected to volume expansion conditions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent is subjected to conditions sufficient to provide volume expansion of the tobacco material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 27 wherein said binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 27 wherein said particles of tobacco material are strands of tobacco material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent is provided by spraying an aqueous solution of binding agent onto said tobacco material while subjecting the tobacco material and binding agent to mixing or blending action.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 32 wherein said intimate admixture is subjected to conditions sufficient to provide volume expansion of the tobacco material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent is provided by spraying an aqueous solution of binding agent onto said tobacco material while subjecting the tobacco material and binding agent to mixing or blending action.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 34 wherein said intimate admixture is subjected to conditions sufficient to provide volume expansion of the tobacco material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing filter plug, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent, and then (b) contacting the intimate admixture with a further amount of particles of tobacco material in order to provide a further intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (c) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the further intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (d) providing filter elements from the rod; and then (e) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for providing a tobacco containing filter plug, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intimate admixture of particles of tobacco material and binding agent, and then (b) contacting the intimate admixture with a further amount of particles of tobacco material in order to provide a further intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, the admixture having a moisture content of less than about 16 percent, and then (c) forming a rod shaped article having a circumscribing outer wrap from the further intimate admixture using a tobacco rod-making apparatus, and then (d) providing filter elements from the rod; and then (e) subjecting the binding agent to activation conditions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 36 wherein at least a portion of the tobacco material which is provided has been subjected to volume expansion conditions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 36 wherein the intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent is subjected to conditions sufficient to provide volume expansion of the tobacco material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 36 wherein said binding agent is dextrin.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 36 wherein said particles of tobacco material are strands of tobacco material.
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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) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-11-13 | 1994-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-14 | 1997-11-13 | 1998-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-14 | 2001-11-13 | 2002-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |