US4924888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smoking article
Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co
•
Filing: 1987-05-15
•
Granted: 1990-05-15
•
Expires: 2007-05-15
Abstract
Abstract Cigarettes having low efficiency filters, rods of cut filler having a low packing density, and paper wraps having a high net permeabilities and low inherent permeabilities can yield good taste, low gas phase mainstream deliveries as well as low amounts of visible sidestream smoke. Typical cigarettes have relatively large amounts of volume expanded flue-cured tobacco materials as cut filler, paper wraps containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, and relatively high levels of air dilution.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Perfetti
- 👤 Alan B. Norman
- 👤 Michael F. Dube
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:19
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D1/00; A24D1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) a majority by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 30 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece in the form of a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) a majority by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 30 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece in the form of a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein the ratio of FTC carbon monoxide to FTC "tar" thereof is less than 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cigarette of claim 1 wherein the ratio of FTC carbon monoxide to FTC "tar" thereof is less than 0.8.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the flue-cured tobacco material is volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 having a length from about 84 mm to about 120 mm, a filter element having a length of about 20 mm to about 35 mm, and the air dilution means which includes a series of perforations positioned in a region along the filter element from about 19 to about 34 mm from the extreme mouthend of the cigarette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the smokable material also includes a blend of Oriental tobaccos.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cigarette of claim 3 wherein the paper wrap has a basis weight of about 20 g/m 2 to about 50 g/m 2 ; and the magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide contained therein ranges from about 10 to about 45 weight percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 which delivers an FTC "tar" delivery of from about 2 mg to about 10 mg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the smokable material is absent of Burley tobacco.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the smokable material is absent of Maryland tobacco.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein more than about 80 weight percent of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette of claim 1 or 2 having a circumference of from about 16 mm to about 28 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cigarette of claim 1 or 2 having a circumference of from about 19 mm to about 22 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the wrapping material is electrostatically perforated so as to have a net permeability greater than about 80 CORESTA units.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing greater than about 15 percent by weight magnesium oxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein the smokable material includes from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of Oriental tobacco material, and from about 80 to about 90 percent by weight of flue-cured tobacco material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 further comprising methanol flavorant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) a majority by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece in the form of a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) a majority by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece in the form of a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cigarette of claim 19 wherein the paper wrap contains magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide at an amount greater than about 15 percent, based on the total weight of the wrap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
9 words
The cigarette of claim 19 further comprising methanol flavorant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cigarette of claim 19 comprising means for providing greater than about 50 percent air dilution thereto, and wherein a majority of the volume of the smokable material is volume expanded flue-cured tobacco material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cigarette of claim 19 having a length of about 120 mm or less.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
134 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing air dilution to the cigarette, wherein the ratio of FTC carbon monoxide to FTC "tar" of the cigarette is less than 0.8.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
134 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability between about 80 CORESTA units and about 140 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing air dilution to the cigarette, wherein the ratio of FTC carbon monoxide to FTC "tar" of the cigarette is less than 0.8.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cigarette of claim 24 wherein the mouthend piece is a filter element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cigarette of claim 27 further comprising nicotine as an additive thereto.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 26, 27 or 28 wherein the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap having an inherent permeability of less than 15 CORESTA units and a net permeability of greater than about 80 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap having an inherent permeability of less than 15 CORESTA units and a net permeability of greater than about 80 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
129 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured tobacco material; (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than about 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cigarette of claim 31 further comprising nicotine as an additive thereto.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cigarette of claim 30, 31 or 32 wherein the mouthend piece is a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
122 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material; wherein (i) the rod has a circumference of about 21 mm or less, (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than about 50 CORESTA units, and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) filter means axially aligned with one end of the rod, and which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream smoke particulate removal efficiency; the cigarette further comprising (c) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
122 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material; wherein (i) the rod has a circumference of about 21 mm or less, (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than about 50 CORESTA units, and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) filter means axially aligned with one end of the rod, and which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream smoke particulate removal efficiency; the cigarette further comprising (c) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
132 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material; wherein (i) the rod has a circumference of about 21 mm or less, (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than about 50 CORESTA units, and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) filter means axially aligned with one end of the rod, and which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream smoke particulate removal efficiency; the cigarette further comprising (c) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
132 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material; wherein (i) the rod has a circumference of about 21 mm or less, (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than about 50 CORESTA units, and (iii) the packing density of the smokable material within the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about the rod is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 200 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) filter means axially aligned with one end of the rod, and which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream smoke particulate removal efficiency; the cigarette further comprising (c) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cigarette of claim 35 further comprising nicotine as an additive thereto.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cigarette of claim 34, 35 or 36 further comprising means for providing air dilution thereto.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cigarette of claim 34, 35 or 36 further comprising means for providing greater than about 30 percent air dilution thereto.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cigarette of claim 34, 35 or 36 wherein the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cigarette of claim 34, 35 or 36 wherein the wrapping material is electrostatically perforated so as to have an inherent permeability of less than about 15 CORESTA units, and a net permeability of greater than about 80 CORESTA units.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than a45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than a45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) nicotine levulinate as an additive thereto.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cigarette comprising: (a) a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material, wherein (i) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing inorganic oxide and/or inorganic hydroxide, has an inherent permeability of less than 45 CORESTA units, and has a net permeability of greater than 50 CORESTA units; and (ii) the packing density of the smokable material is between about 100 mg/cm 3 and about 250 mg/cm 3 ; and (b) mouthend piece axially aligned with one end of the rod; and (c) means for providing greater than about 40 percent air dilution to the cigarette; the cigarette further comprising (d) levulinic acid as an additive thereto.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cigarette of claim 42 further comprising nicotine as an additive thereto.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cigarette of claim 41, 42 or 43 wherein (i) the mouthend piece is a filter element which is capable of providing about 40 weight percent or less mainstream tobacco smoke particulate removal efficiency, and (ii) the wrapping material is a paper wrap containing magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cigarette of claim 1 or 2 wherein at least about 70 percent by weight of the smokable material is flue-cured 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 |