JP4322936B2 - Heater for use in smoking equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an electric smoking device, and more particularly to a cigarette adapted to cooperate with an electric lighter of the electric smoking device and a heater for use in the electric smoking device.

  Traditional cigarettes deliver flavors and aromas to smokers as a result of combustion when combustible materials, primarily tobacco mass, are burned at temperatures often above 800 ° C. during combustion. Heat is drawn through the adjacent mass of tobacco by suction at the mouthpiece end. Upon heating, incompetent oxidation of the flammable material releases various combustion products and distillates from the tobacco. As these gaseous products are drawn through the cigarette, they cool and condense to form an aerosol that combines with smoking to provide flavor and aroma.

  Traditional cigarettes have various recognized disadvantages combined with them. One of these is the generation of sidestream smoke that may be unpleasant to non-smokers when smoldering between puffers. Once ignited, they must be completely consumed or discarded. Traditional cigarette reignitions are possible, but are usually not an attractive suggestion for sensitive smokers for subjective reasons (flavor, flavor, smell).

  More traditional cigarette alternatives include those where the flammable material itself does not release tobacco aerosol itself. Such a smoking article can include a combustible, carbonaceous heating element (heat source) located at or near one end of the smoking article and a cigarette-loading element bed located adjacent to the heating element. The heating element is ignited with a match or cigarette lighter, and when the smoker inhales the cigarette, the heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the bed of the cigarette-carrying element so that the bed emits tobacco aerosol. Although this type of smoking device produces little or no sidestream smoke, it generates combustion products in the heat source and is easy to extinguish for future use in a practical sense once the heat source is ignited. Not.

  In both the more conventional and the above-described carbon heating devices, combustion occurs during their use. This process naturally involves many by-products when the burned material decomposes and interacts with the surrounding atmosphere.

  A U.S. application filed on September 30, 1995, of the same co-pending applicant. S. Patent application Serial No. 08/380718 (PM1697Cont) and Serial No. 07/943504 (PM1550) filed on Sep. 11, 1992 are selectively temporary by smokers along with US Pat. Nos. 5,093,894, 5225498, 5060671 and 5095921. Various heating elements and flavor generating articles are disclosed that significantly reduce sidestream smoke while allowing to stop and re-start smoking. However, the cigarette articles disclosed in these patents are not very durable and may collapse, tear or tear due to continued or severe handling. In some circumstances, these advance cigarettes may be crushed when they are weaker, or may tear or tear when they are removed from the lighter.

  U.S. S. Patent applications Serial No. 08/380718 (PM1697Cont) and US Pat. No. 5,388,594 describe an electrical smoking device including a novel electrical output lighter and a novel cigarette that cooperates with the lighter. A preferred embodiment of the lighter includes a plurality of serpentine metal heaters arranged to slidably receive the cigarette tobacco rod portion.

  A preferred embodiment of the cigarette disclosed in Serial No. 08/380718 (PM1697Cont) and also in EP-A-0615411 is a cigarette loaded tubular carrier, cigarette paper wrapped around the tubular carrier, the mouthpiece end of the carrier And a filter plug at the free (distant) end of the carrier. Cigarettes and lighters are located around the cigarette where each heater receives the cigarette against the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted into the lighter and each heater is activated for each puffer (hereinafter referred to as the “heater footprint”). Arranged so that local charring occurs at the point. Once all heaters have been activated, these charing points are closely spaced from one another and surround the center of the cigarette carrier portion.

  Depending on the maximum temperature delivered by the heater and the total energy, the charing point appears more than a simple discoloration of cigarette paper. In most cases, charing will create at least a fine tear in the cigarette paper and the underlying carrier material, and this tear tends to mechanically weaken the cigarette. For a cigarette pulled out of a lighter, the charing point must at least partially pass through the heater. In adverse environments, such as cigarettes that are moist or toying or twisting, cigarettes may tend to break or leave fragments when pulled out of the lighter. The debris left in the lighter device can interfere with the proper operation of the lighter and / or add taste to the next cigarette smoke. If the cigarette breaks into two while being pulled out, the smoker is not only frustrated with the failed cigarette product, but also with the possibility of removing the debris from the jammed lighter before he or she enjoys another cigarette May be.

  The preferred embodiments of the cigarettes of US Serial No. 08/380718, EP-A-0615411 and US Pat. No. 5,388,594 are essentially hollow cylinders between the filter plug at the mouthpiece end and the plug at the far end. This structure is believed to enhance delivery to the smoker by providing enough space for the aerosol to be released with minimal impact and minimal condensation of the aerosol onto the nearby surface.

  Several proposals have been submitted to significantly reduce undesirable sidestream smoke while allowing smokers to quit smoking the article for a desired period and then resume smoking. For example, U.S. S. Patents 5093894; 5225498; 5060671 and 5095921 disclose various heating elements and flavor generating devices. EP-A-0615411 and U.S. Pat. S. Japanese Patent No. 5,388,594 discloses an electric smoking device having a heater that operates upon sensing of suction by a control and logic circuit. The heater preferably has a relatively thin serpentine structure to transfer an appropriate amount of heat to the cigarette and to reduce weight.

  Although these devices and heaters overcome the observed problems and achieve the stated objectives, many embodiments are subject to the stress induced by insertion or removal of tubular tobacco media and also adjustment or play of inserted cigarettes. To cause mechanical weakness and possibly failure.

  Furthermore, if the shape of the heater device is changed, for example by adjusting or playing with an inserted cigarette, undesirable electrical shorts can occur.

  In addition, the electrical smoking device employs an electrical resistance heater that requires a relatively complex electrical connection that can be disturbed by the insertion and removal of cigarettes.

  When including chopped fillers with the cigarette cavity structure of EP-A-0615411, when such cigarettes are completely filled with chopped filler tobacco, the first few pumices operate properly in an electric lighter. It was discovered that there is a tendency to be. Thereafter, the delivery tends to taper. A similar phenomenon will tend to occur when more traditional cigarettes are smoked in an electric lighter such as the electric lighter disclosed in EP-A-0615411.

  When placed unfilled, the hollow cigarette structure of the preferred embodiment of EP-A-0615411 also had some weakness that it collapses due to excessive or rough handling.

  The present invention, in its various features, is manifested by the independent claims appended hereto.

  A heater embodying features of the present invention generates smoke from tobacco media without sustained combustion, reduces unwanted sidestream smoke generation, allows smokers to cease and resume use, and within the smoking device. It will improve the aerosol generation.

  The heater structure embodying the invention provides a desirable number of puffs and can be easily modified to vary the number and / or duration of the puffs provided without sacrificing the subjective quality of the tobacco.

  A heating element embodying the invention would be mechanically suitable for cigarette insertion and removal.

  An electrical resistance heater embodying features of the invention will have a simplified connection to a combined power source.

  A heating element embodying features of the invention will be mechanically stable during the heating cycle.

  Embodiments of the invention will minimize the change in the interface between the heating element and the cigarette to avoid changes in heat transfer.

  A heater embodying the invention will be more economical to manufacture.

  A heater embodying the present invention preferably includes a plurality of electrically resistive heater blades that form a support hub and a socket that receives the inserted cigarette. Each blade has a first heater blade leg having a first end and a second end and extending from the support hub at the first end, a second heater blade leg having a first end and a second end, and a second end of the first leg And a connecting portion for connecting the first ends of the second legs. The second end of the second leg extends toward the support hub and is electrically insulated therefrom. The resistance heating circuit is configured to electrically heat the resistance heater blade, which in turn heats the inserted cigarette. The first and second legs are separated by a gap and allow entrainment of air to help release flavor substances from the cigarette heated by suction by the smoker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are perspective views of an electric smoking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the cigarette engaged in the heater installation of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a detailed perspective view of the cigarette shown in FIG. 4A with certain elements of the cigarette partially removed.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams of the steps of a preferred process for making the cigarette tobacco web bobbin shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and FIG. 5A shows the steps of transferring tobacco material into a sheet of tobacco web. FIG. 5B illustrates the steps of converting a tobacco web sheet into a tobacco web bobbin.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a substantially hollow embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is a graphical representation of the aerosol product versus time during each puff as generated by a cigarette constructed according to the substantially hollow embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6C is the layout of the smoke measuring device used to establish the data represented in FIGS. 6B, 7B and 8.
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a fully filled embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a graphical representation of the aerosol product versus time between each squeeze when generated by a cigarette constructed according to the fully filled embodiment of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8 is a graphical comparison of aerosol volume in each series of pouts emitted by each cigarette as described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 6A, and 7A.
FIG. 9 illustrates the relationship between the amount of heater that overlaps the filling of a partially filled cigarette constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 4A) and the delivery of total particulate matter (TPM). It is a graph display.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a heater installation that implements further aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a heater embodying a further aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater installation that implements a further aspect of the present invention employing an electrical insulation coating.
FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater installation that employs the points of the present invention that employ an electrical insulation coating that forms a hub.
FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater installation employing the point of the present invention having serpentine heater blade legs.
FIG. 17A is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having a flat lower side facing an inserted cigarette.
FIG. 17B is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having an angled lower side facing an inserted cigarette.
FIG. 17C is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having a curved lower side facing an inserted cigarette.
FIG. 18 is a top view of a symmetrical arrangement of heater blades in a flat state before rolling.
FIG. 19 is a top view of the asymmetrical arrangement of the heater blades in a flat state before rolling.
FIG. 20 is a radial cross-sectional view of an electrical smoking device employing the present invention showing another heater embodiment.
21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flavor cartridge housing cavity of the electrical insulation device of FIG. 20 as viewed from line AA of FIG.
FIG. 22 is a radial cross-sectional view showing another modified heater embodiment.
23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flavor cartridge housing cavity of the electric smoking device of FIG. 22 as viewed from line BB of FIG.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a smoking device 21 including a partially filled filler cigarette 23 and a reusable lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is inserted into or removed from the mouth 27 at the front end 29 of the lighter 25. Once the cigarette 23 is inserted, the smoking device 21 is used in much the same manner as a conventional cigarette, but does not ignite or smolder the cigarette. Cigarette 23 is discarded after one or more puff cycles. Preferably, each cigarette 23 provides a total of eight puffs (puff cycles) or more for each smoking; however, adjusting the increase or decrease in the total number of puffs available is a matter of design.

  The lighter 25 includes a housing 31 having front and rear housing portions 33 and 35. One or more batteries 35a are removably disposed in the rear housing part 35 and supply energy to a plurality of electrical resistance heating elements 37 arranged in the front housing part 33 adjacent to the mouth 27. . The control circuit 41 in the front housing part 33 establishes electrical communication between the battery 35 a and the heating element 37. Preferably, the rear portion 35 is adapted to be easily opened and closed, such as a screw or snap fit element, to facilitate battery replacement. Desirably, an electrical socket or contact may be provided to recharge the battery with household current or the like.

  Preferably, the front housing portion 33 is removably connected to the rear housing portion 35, such as by a joint or socket fit. The housing 31 is preferably made from a hard refractory material. Preferred materials include metals or more preferably polymeric materials. Preferably, the housing 31 has an overall dimension of about 10.7 cm × 3.8 cm × 1.5 cm, thus it fits comfortably in the smoker's hand.

  The battery 35a is sized to provide sufficient power for the heater 37 to function as intended and is preferably of a replaceable and rechargeable type. Another power source, such as a capacitor, is suitable. In the preferred embodiment, the power source consists of four nickel-cadmium batteries connected in series and having a total unloaded voltage of about 4.8 to 5.6 volts. However, the required characteristics of the power source are selected in view of the other elements in the smoking device 21, in particular the characteristics of the heating element 37. U. S. Patent No. 5,144,962 (PM1345), incorporated herein by reference, includes various types of power sources useful with the smoking device of the present invention, such as power including a rechargeable battery source and a battery recharged capacitor. Explains the equipment.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the front housing 33 of the lighter 25 supports a substantially cylindrical heater facility 39 that slidably houses the cigarette 23. The heater equipment 39 accommodates the heater elements 37 and supports the cigarettes 23 that are fixedly inserted with respect to the heater elements 37. Thus, the heater elements 37 are laid along the cigarettes in substantially the same arrangement along each cigarette. Is located. The location where each heater element 37 receives against (or is in thermal contact with) the fully inserted cigarette 23 is referred to herein as the heater footprint.

  In order to ensure a solid arrangement of the heating element 37 from cigarette to each cigarette 23, the heater equipment 39 is provided with a stop 182 to which the cigarette is pressed during installation in the lighter 25. The Other means may be used instead to align the cigarette 23 with respect to the lighter 25.

The front housing portion 33 of the lighter 25 also includes an electrical control circuit 41 that delivers a predetermined amount of energy from the power source 35 a to the heating element 37. In the preferred embodiment, the heater installation 39 includes eight circumferentially spaced heating elements 37 that are concentrically aligned with the mouth 27 and are serpentine. Details of the heater 37 can be found in U.S. S Serial No. 07/943504 (PM1550), U.S. S. US Pat. No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697), which is illustrated and described, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additional heater equipment 37 that can operate as part of lighter 25 is a commonly assigned U.S. patent filed on Jan. 6, 1995. S. Patent application serial number (Athony Docket No. PM1729B CIP II); U.S. S. All of these documents, including those disclosed in Serial No. 08/291690 (Athony Docket No. PM1719), are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety; and the remainder of this description given with respect to FIGS. 13-23 Including those disclosed in. Preferably, the heaters 37 are individually energized by the power source under the control of the circuit 41 to heat the cigarette 23 preferably eight times at spaced locations around the periphery of the cigarette 23. The heating provides eight puffs from cigarette 23, as is usually achieved with more traditional cigarette smoking. Preferably, more than one heater is ignited simultaneously for one or more of the puffers.

  Another preferred heater arrangement is the pending commonly assigned U.S. filed on Apr. 8, 1994. S. It is disclosed in patent application serial number 08/224848 (PM-1729B), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the circuit 41 is preferably actuated by a puff activation sensor 45. The sensor 45 is sensitive to either a change in the speed of air flow or a change in pressure that occurs at the start of a suction to the cigarette 23 by a smoker. The puff activation sensor 45 is preferably disposed in the front housing portion 33 of the lighter 25 and into a space within the heater installation 39 adjacent to the cigarette 23 via a spacer at the base of the heater installation 39 and preferably a prick sensor pipe (not shown). Communicate. A prickly activation sensor 45 suitable for use in the smoking device 21 is commonly assigned U.S. Pat. S. Patent 5060671 (PM1337), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The puff sensor 45 preferably comprises a Model 163PCO1D35 silicon sensor manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell of Freeport, Illinois. A flow sensing device, such as one using the hot wire anemometer principle, has been well proven to be useful for activating the appropriate one of the heater elements 37 with detection of changes in air flow. Once activated by sensor 45, control circuit 41 directs current to the appropriate one of heater elements 37.

  An indicator 51 is provided along the outside of the lighter 25, preferably in the front housing portion 33, to indicate the number of puffs remaining in smoking the cigarette 23. Indicator 51 preferably includes a seven segment liquid crystal display. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator 51 displays the number 8 when the cigarette detector 53 detects the presence of cigarette in the heater equipment 39. The detector 53 is preferably an optical sensor at the bottom of the heater facility 39 and detects the insertion cigarette 23 when the light beam is not reflected. The cigarette detector 53 then provides a signal to the circuit 41, which in turn provides the signal to the indicator 51 in response. The display of the numeral 8 on the indicator 51 reflects the usefulness of the eight puffs given to each cigarette 23, i.e., none of the heater elements 37 are activated to heat the cigarette 23. . After the cigarette 23 is fully smoked, the indicator displays the number 0. When cigarette 23 is removed from lighter 25, cigarette detector 53 no longer detects the presence of cigarette 23 and indicator 51 is turned off. The cigarette detector 53 is adjusted so as not to emit the light beam steadily, otherwise it will cause unnecessary outflow to the power source. A preferred cigarette detector 53 suitable for use in the smoking system 21 is a Type OPR5005 light sensor manufactured by OPTEX Technology, Inc., US 75006 Texas Carrollton, West Crosby Road 1215.

  In another embodiment of displaying the remaining number of puffs, the detector display may instead be arranged to indicate whether the device is activated or deactivated ("on" or "off").

  As one of several possible alternatives to using the cigarette detector 53 described above, a mechanical switch (not shown) may be provided to detect the presence or absence of the cigarette 23 and When a new cigarette is inserted into the lighter 25, a reset button (not shown) for resetting the circuit 41 is provided so that, for example, the numeral 51 is displayed on the indicator 51. Power sources, circuits, prickly motion sensors and indicators useful for the smoking device 21 of the present invention are commonly assigned U.S. Pat. S. Patent No. 5060671 (PM1337) and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. S. Patent application Serial No. 07/943504 (PM1550), both of which are incorporated by reference.

  Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4b, the cigarette 23 as constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a tobacco rod 60 and a filter mouth 62, which are connected to each other by a tip paper 64.

  The partially filled filled cigarette 23 preferably has an essentially constant diameter along its length and, like traditional cigarettes, is preferably between about 7.5 mm and 8.5 mm. The smoking device 21 thus has a diameter and gives the smoker an intimate mouth feel. In a preferred embodiment, the cigarette 23 has a total length of 62 mm, thereby facilitating the use of conventional packaging machines in cigarette 23 packaging. The combined length of the mouthpiece filter 104 and the free flow filter 102 is preferably 30 mm. The tipping paper preferably extends about 6 mm onto the tobacco rod 60. The total length of the tobacco rod 62 is preferably 32 mm. Other ratios, lengths and diameters can be selected in place of those described above for the preferred embodiment. The tobacco rod 60 of the cigarette 23 preferably includes a tobacco web 66 which is wrapped in a cylindrical shape.

  The overwrap 71 closely surrounds the tobacco web 66 and is held together along the longitudinal seam in the same manner as is common in traditional cigarette configurations. The upper wrap 71 holds the tobacco web 66 in a state of being wrapped around the free-flow filter 71 and the tobacco plug 80.

Preferably, the cigarette wrapper 71 is tightly wrapped around the tobacco web 66 to provide a more traditional cigarette look and feel. For better trial smoking, the wrapper 71 is a standard type cigarette paper, preferably about 20-50 CORESTA (through a square centimeter of material per minute at a pressure drop of 1.0 kilopascal, eg a paper sheet More preferably about 30 to 45 CORESTA flax paper, defined as the amount measured in cubic centimeters of air passed, and about 23 to 35 grams per square meter (g / m ² ). It has a basis weight, more preferably about 23 to 30 g / m ² and a loading load (preferably calcium carbonate) of about 23 to 35% by weight, more preferably 28 to 33% by weight. Overwrap paper 71 has a preferred level of citrate in the range of 0 to about 2.6% by weight of this paper, more preferably less than 1%, with little citrate or other burn modifier. It is preferably not included or not included at all.

  The tobacco web 66 itself preferably comprises a base web 68 and a layer of tobacco flavoring material 70 disposed along the inner surface of the base web 68. At the mouth end 72 of the tobacco rod 60, the tobacco web 66 is wrapped around the tubular free-flow filter plug 74 together with the overwrap 71. A free-flow filter 74 provides structural clarity and support at the tip end 72 of the tobacco rod 60 and allows aerosol to be drawn from the inside of the tobacco rod 60 with minimal pressure drop. The free-flow filter 74 also acts as a flow restrictor at the mouth end 72 of the tobacco rod 60, which is believed to assist and facilitate the formation of aerosol during suction into the cigarette 23. The free flow filter is preferably at least 7 millimeters long to facilitate machine handling and is preferably annular, but other forms and types of low efficiency filters include cylindrical filter plugs, Suitable.

  At the free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60, the tobacco web 66 is wrapped around the cylindrical tobacco plug 80 with the overwrap 71. It is preferably constructed separately from the tobacco web 66 and consists of a relatively short cylinder of nick-filled tobacco wrapped and held in a plug wrap 84.

  Preferably formed on a conventional cigarette bar making machine, where the kneading filler (preferably blended) is air-formed into a continuous bar of tobacco on the transition belt and surrounded by a continuous ribbon of plug wrap 84. The wrap 84 is then glued and heat sealed along its longitudinal seam. However, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plug wrap 84 is preferably formed from a cellulose web with little or no filler, sizing or burn additive, and preferably no sizing. There is only a little. Preferably, the tobacco plug wrapper 84 has a low basis weight of less than 15 grams per square meter, more preferably about 13 grams per square meter. The tobacco plug wrapper 84 has a high gas permeability, preferably in the range of about 20000 to 35000 CORESTA, more preferably in the range of about 25000 to 35000 CORESTA, preferably softwood fiber pulp, abaca-type cellulose. Or other long fiber pulp. Such paper is available from Papierfabrik Schoeller and Hoescht GMBH, Gernsback D-76584 Postfach 1155. Another paper suitable for use as plug wrap 84 is TW2000 paper from DeMaudit of Euimple FRANCE, with the addition of carboxymethylcellulose at a level of 2.5 weight percent.

  Tobacco stick making machines per cubic centimeter. 17 thru. Operated to give an approximate tobacco rod density of 30 grams (g / cc), more preferably at least. 20 to. In the range of 30 g / cc, most preferably about. 24 to. 28 g / cc. Increased density is preferred to avoid loose ends at the free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60. However, it is understood that a low bar density will allow the tobacco pillar to allow a greater portion of the aerosol and flavor to contribute to smoking. Thus, there is a balance between aerosol delivery (which favors low rod density in the tobacco column 82) and loose edge avoidance (which favors an increased range of rod densities).

  Tobacco pillar 84 preferably includes a traditional cigarette flavor, and includes a blend of bright, barley, and oriental tobacco along with optionally reconstituted tobacco and other blend components, a typical tobacco blend step in the industry. Contains filler. However, in a preferred embodiment, the tobacco pillar 84 kneading filler is a blend of bright, barley, oriental tobacco that does not contain reconstituted tobacco or after kneading flavor. S. Consists of a blend of approximately 45:30:25 ratio for the market. Optionally, an expanded tobacco component may be included in the blend and a flavor may be added to adjust the rod density.

  A continuous tobacco rod formed as described above is cut for a tobacco plug 80 according to a predetermined plug length. This length is preferably at least 7 mm to facilitate handling of the machine. However, the length may vary from about 7 mm to 25 mm or more depending on the cigarette design choices that will become apparent in the following description, particularly with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4b.

  As a general matter, the length 86 of the tobacco plug 80 is set with respect to the overall length 88 of the tobacco rod 60 such that the cavity 90 is defined between the free flow filter 74 and the tobacco plug 80 along the tobacco rod 60. Is preferred. The cavity 90 corresponds to the unfilled portion of the tobacco rod 60 and is in immediate fluid communication with the mouthpiece 62 via the free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60.

  With particular reference to FIG. 4A, the length 86 of the tobacco plug 80 and its relative position along the tobacco rod 60 are also selected with respect to the features of the heater element 37. When the cigarette is properly positioned relative to the stop 182 of the heater installation 39, the portion 92 of each heater element 37 contacts the tobacco rod 60 along the area of the tobacco rod 60. This contact area is referred to as the heater footprint 94. The heater footprint 94 (as shown by the double arrow in FIG. 4A) is not part of the cigarette structure itself, but instead is a heater element 37 that is expected to reach the operating heating temperature during cigarette 23 smoking. This represents the area of the tobacco rod 60 at. Since the heating element 37 has a fixed distance 96 from the stop 182 of the heater equipment 39, the same predetermined distance 96 is placed from the free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60 for each cigarette 23 fully inserted into the lighter 25. The heater footprint 94 is consistently positioned along the tobacco rod 60.

  Preferably, the length of the tobacco plug 80, the length of the heater footprint 94 and the distance between the heater footprint 94 and the stop 182 are such that the heater footprint 94 extends beyond the tobacco plug 80 and is hollow by a distance 98. It is selected so as to overlap the 90 portion. The distance 98 over which the heater footprint 94 overlaps the cavity 90 (the unfilled portion of the tobacco rod 60) is also referred to as the "heater cavity overlap" 98. The distance at which the remainder of the heater footprint 94 overlaps the tobacco plug 80 is referred to as the “heater filler overlap” 99.

  The mouthpiece 62 preferably comprises a free-flow filter 102 disposed adjacent to the tobacco rod 60 and a mouthpiece filter plug 104 at the distal end of the mouthpiece 62 from the tobacco rod 60. Preferably, the free-flow filter 102 is cylindrical and transmits air with a very small pressure drop. However, other low efficiency filters with a standard profile can be used instead. The inner diameter for the free flow filter 96 is preferably 2 to 6 millimeters and is preferably larger than that of the free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60.

  The mouthpiece filter plug 104 closes the free end of the mouthpiece 62 for visual purposes and provides some filtering if desired, but the mouthpiece filter plug 104 is preferably about 15 to 25 percent. It is preferable to comprise a low-efficiency filter with a low efficiency.

  The free-flow filter 102 and the suction filter plug 104 are preferably connected together as a combined plug 110 in a plug wrap 112. Plug wrap 112 is preferably a porous, low weight plug wrap as is conventionally available for cigarette manufacturing technology. The combination plug 110 is attached to the tobacco rod 60 with a tipping paper 64 of specifications that are commonly used and standard throughout the cigarette industry. The tipping paper 64 may be coke, white or other colors as taught by decorative preferences.

  Preferably, the cigarette 23 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment has an overall length of about 62 mm, 30 mm of which includes the mating plug 110 of the mouthpiece 62. Accordingly, the tobacco rod 60 is 32 mm long. The free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60 is at least 7 mm long and the cavity 91 between the free flow filter 74 and the tobacco plug 80 is preferably at least 7 mm long. In the preferred embodiment, the heater footprint 94 is approximately 12 mm long and is positioned to provide a 3 mm heater cavity overlap 98, leaving 9 mm of the heater footprint 94 overlying the tobacco plug 80.

  The length of the cavity 91 and the length of the tobacco plug 80 are adjusted, including adjustments in its flavor, suction and delivery, to facilitate manufacture and more importantly to adjust the smoking characteristics of the cigarette 23. You will understand that. The length of the cavity 91 and the amount of heater-filler overlap (and heater-cavity overlap) also promotes consistency in delivery (as well as between cigarettes and on the basis of a scum and scum) and an aerosol in or around the heater It can also be manipulated by hand to control the condensation.

  In the preferred embodiment, the cavity (the unfilled portion of tobacco rod 60) extends approximately 7 mm to ensure sufficient clearance between heater footprint 94 and free flow filter 74. In this way, an edge is provided so that the heater footprint 94 does not heat the free flow filter 74 during smoking. Other lengths are suitable if, for example, manufacturing tolerances allow, the cavity 91 is contoured to approximately 4 mm or slightly shorter, and at other extremes, there are no elongated filler portions along the tobacco rod 60. It extends beyond 7 mm so that it can be established. The preferred range of length for the portion without the filler (cavity 91) is approximately 4 mm to 18 mm, more preferably 5 to 12 mm.

  The base web 68 physically separates the heating element 37 from the tobacco flavor material and transfers the heat generated by the heater element 37 to the flavor material 70 for tobacco rod during insertion into the lighter 25 and removal after smoking. Maintain the physical coupling of

  In the description that follows, certain percentage levels and / or relative weights are described for the various elements that make up the tobacco web 66. Unless stated otherwise, the weight percentage list is based on dry weight, unless otherwise apparent to the skilled artisan. That is, the listed percentage levels and / or relative weights are adjusted for (not including) moisture content.

The process for producing the tobacco web 66 is preferably without the addition of carbon fibers as described in the text that follows. At the end of the preferred manufacturing process, the base web 68 itself has a preferred overall basis weight of approximately 35 to 45 g / m ² , more preferably approximately 40 g / m ² . At 40 g / m ² , the base web 68 preferably includes approximately 28 g / m ² tobacco fibers and approximately 12 g / m ² cellulose fibers such as from wood pulp or flax. The cellulose fibers act as cellulosic reinforcing agents in the base web 68 composition. It is desirable to minimize the amount of cellulosic fibers in the base web for subjective reasons to avoid the establishment of paper notes for the cigarette flavor. Overall, the ratio of tobacco fibers to cellulosic fibers in the base web 68 on a dry weight basis is in the range of approximately 2: 1 to 4: 1. The preferred cellulosic material is raw kraft softwood cellulose, although most wood and flax pulp are available.

  Another reinforcing agent for the base web 68 is cellulosic fibers from produced tobacco stems.

Although not preferred, the alginate may be coated along one side of the base web 68 at a level of approximately 1 g / m ² . If alginate is applied, it is preferably applied to the side of the base web 68 opposite to the side receiving the tobacco flavor material 70.

The tobacco material 70 is preferably applied to the base web at a dry weight level of at least twice the weight of the base web 68, more preferably about 3 to 4 times. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco material has a basis weight of approximately 130 g / m ² and preferably the total total weight of the tobacco web 66 is approximately 170 g / m ² . Based on dry weight, tobacco material 70 is a portion of solids and ground tobacco extracted at a weight ratio of approximately 3.5 to 1 (3.5: 1) to 5 to 1 (5: 1). This ratio may vary from approximately 3: 1 to 9: 1. In the preferred embodiment, this ratio is approximately 4: 1.

  Glycerin is added to the tobacco material 70 as a humectant and as an aerosol precursor at a level of about 10-14%, most preferably approximately 12%, by dry weight of the tobacco material 70. It can vary anywhere from approximately 5% to 20% or more by weight. When glycerin is reduced to a dry weight of only about 5-7%, the tobacco web 66 becomes somewhat harder and more resistant to folding when wound into a cylindrical shape.

  About pectin. It is added to the tobacco material 70 at a level of dry weight percentage ranging from 5 to 2%, preferably about 1.4%. Pectin is added as a coating. In its absence, the tobacco material 70 tends to expel (invade) into the base web 68 excessively during the coating operation, providing a granular surface texture on the coated side of the tobacco web 66. Too much pectin prevents invasion and weakens the bond between the tobacco material 70 and the base web 68. At approximately 1%, pectin promotes sufficient penetration and interlaminar bonding, thus the base web 68 withstands the rigors of automated cigarette making.

  Most preferably, the tobacco material 70 on the base web 68 is approximately 16-20 dry weight percent extracted tobacco solids, 66-71 dry weight percent tobacco grain, 8-14% glycerin, and approximately 1.4%. Contains pectin. U. S. For the market, the ground tobacco incorporated into tobacco material 70 preferably comprises a blend of bright, burley and oriental tobacco, the majority of which is bright tobacco, approximately 1 / 3 is Bari and the rest is Oriental. The components and relative amounts of the blend elements are U.S. S. Or it may be advantageously adjusted to suit other market consumer preferences.

  With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the preferred method of producing a stock of tobacco web 66 in a form suitable for automated production of cigarette 23 is the conversion of tobacco raw material, preferably tobacco strip, into a continuous sheet of tobacco web 66. One or more of a tobacco web that is ready for use in a first series of steps 120 (shown in FIG. 5A) and a continuous sheet of tobacco web 66s for automated manufacture of cigarette 23 A second series of steps 122 (shown in FIG. 5B) to turn into a wound bobbin 66b.

  With particular reference to FIG. 5A, the process 120 of converting tobacco raw material to a continuous sheet of tobacco web sheet 66s is an extraction step 124 (preferably into tobacco raw material to separate tobacco fibers from the tobacco raw material of the original raw material. Start with). The tobacco material preferably constitutes a tobacco strip, although other forms of tobacco and / or tobacco layers are suitable for use in this process. Preferably the tobacco strip comprises a blend of bright and bari tobacco and optionally may contain oriental or various others.

  The tobacco fibers collected from the extraction process 124 itself undergo a papermaking type process 126 to form a continuous sheet 68s of the base web.

  In process 126, the tobacco fibers from extraction step 124 are dispersed with water with the addition of a predetermined amount of cellulosic fibers that act as a reinforcing agent in the composition of base web 68. Preferably, the cellulosic fibers comprise pulp cellulose from wood, flax and / or tobacco stem. Once combined, the mixed dispersion of tobacco and cellulosic fibers is refined to form a web slurry 128 suitable for molding in the casting step 130, which is directed to the casting box arrangement of the web forming machine and directed to the long web. It is cast on a papermaking wire or an endless steel belt, preferably the former.

  It is more convenient to refine the dispersed mixture of tobacco fiber and reinforcing agent after mixing the two components together. Alternatively they may be purified separately and combined therewith.

  After the pouring step 130, the resulting web 132 is then directed through one or more dryers in the drying step 134. This step preferably includes passing the web over a Yankee dryer and one or more can dryers, but many other alternative arrangements and devices are known in the art for performing the drying step 134. It is useful. At the end of the web drying step 134, the moisture content and weight measurement of the dry web is performed in the monitoring step 136. The output 138 relating to the measurement of moisture content is used to adjust the drying operation 134 to achieve and maintain the desired final moisture level in the sheet of base web 68s for the purpose of the subsequent coating operation 144. . The sheet of base web 68s is preferably about 15% by weight or moisture in the coating operation 144.

  Referring back to the monitoring step 136, the output 140 relating to the seat weight of the base web 68s is used to adjust the operation of the pouring step 130 to achieve the preferred base weight of the base web 68 as previously described. The Such adjustment includes changing the rate at which the web slurry 128 is introduced into the casting box of the web former in the casting step 130.

  The web forming step 126 may optionally further include a coating step 142, which is a base web with alginate at the level previously described along one side of the base web 68s opposite to the side receiving the tobacco flavoring material 70. One side of 68s is covered. However, it is a preferred practice to proceed without applying alginate.

  At the end of the web forming process 126, the base web is in the form of a continuous sheet 68s, which is useful for receiving the coating operation 144. In another example, it may be collected for subsequent coating operation offline. However, it is desirable to proceed immediately to the coating operation 144 once the base web 68s sheet is formed.

  Preferably, the base web 68s enters the coating operation 144 with a moisture content of approximately 12-17%, more preferably 14.5-15.5%.

  Referring back to extraction step 124, tobacco solubles leave extraction step 124 in the form of a dilute solution. The diluted solution contains approximately 5 to 10 percent dissolved tobacco component (soluble matter), more preferably 7 to 8 percent dissolved tobacco component. Preferably, the dilute solution does not undergo any evaporative treatment to minimize the application of heat to the solution. The application of heat affects the flavor contributed by the soluble tobacco when smoked as part of cigarette 23.

  These solubles from extraction step 124 (known as “extracts”) are mixed with additional, finely ground tobacco, glycerin and pectin in mixing step 146 with water. All these relative amounts ultimately give the final proportional content as described above for the dry state of the tobacco material 70. With respect to the mixing step 146, sufficient water is added (or retained) to provide a dispersion of approximately 20 to 35 percent solids content, more preferably approximately 24 to 26 percent solids content at the end of the mixing step 124. ) The ground tobacco particles of the mixture are preferably in the range of 60 to 400 mesh. It should be noted that the term “mesh” refers to 95% passage of tobacco particles through a mesh having a given number of openings per square inch. More preferably, the additional ground tobacco particles are in the range of approximately 100 to 200 mesh and most preferably approximately 120 mesh.

  If the mesh size of the ground tobacco particles is 120 mesh or greater, more specifically about 180-220 mesh or more, the solids content of the slurried tobacco material at the end of the mixing step 146 is increased to approximately 28- It looks like the 31% level.

  At the end of the mixing step 146, the resulting slurryed tobacco material is immediately directed to the coating operation 144, although the coating operation may be selectively performed at some later time on an off-line basis. In the coating operation 144, the slurried tobacco material has a solids content of approximately 22-27% by weight, more preferably about 24-25% or more.

  In the coating step 144, the slurryed tobacco material has a target weight percent of 4 to 8 percent tobacco solubles, more preferably 5.5 to 6.5 weight percent of tobacco solubles. Preferably, the slurryed tobacco material enters the coating operation 144 in the range of approximately 70-130 F, more preferably about 90 F plus or minus 5 F or temperature.

  The coating step 128 is preferably performed in a standard reverse roll coater positioned after the Yankee dryer and beyond the endless belt or long papermaking wire. The coating step can be accomplished with other suitable application equipment known and available to those having ordinary skill in the art of web forming operations. Tobacco material 70 may alternatively be cast or extruded onto base web 68. Alternatively, the applying step 128 may be performed off-line away from the production of the sheets of base web 68s. During or after the coating step 128, flavors that are common in the cigarette industry are added if desired.

  At the end of the coating operation 144, a continuous sheet of tobacco web 66s is produced.

  Referring now to FIG. 5a, the process now proceeds through step 122 of converting the sheet of tobacco web 66s into a tobacco web wound bobbin 66b suitable for automated production of cigarettes 23. Preferably, this conversion step 122 is performed online with the production of a continuous sheet of tobacco web 66s. During the conversion step 122, the operator tears the tobacco web sheet 66s so that a continuous web of tobacco web is obtained with a bobbin 66b with little or no splice, causing tears or other imperfections. The condition should be avoided. In addition, the sheet of tobacco web 66s is trimmed so that the tobacco web does not bind to itself and unwinds and unrolls from bobbin 66b at the end of conversion step 122.

  The conversion step 122 begins with a drying step 146 where preferably a sheet of tobacco web 66s is obtained from Airtech Systems Corp. of Stroughton, Maine. From a gas fire hot air impingement drier such as the type that can be obtained from or continuously with a steam heated hot air drier. Other dryers known in the web forming art can be employed instead. The drying step 146 should be performed with minimal heat application, but leaves the tobacco web 68s in its initial state (approximately 15% moisture content in the base web and approximately 75% moisture content in its own coating). ) To drying step 146 at the end of the step 146 in an amount sufficient to dry to a total moisture content of about 8.5 to 12%. More preferably, the dried tobacco web sheet 66d is in the range of approximately 10-11% moisture content. This final moisture content has several reasons: to facilitate subsequent slitting operations in the conversion process 122; design the moisture level at which the material is approximately equilibrated when the material is stored and / or sent to the fabrication facility And to establish a moisture level that avoids binding and stickiness of the base web material to itself in the bobbin 66b.

  Following the drying step 126, the dried tobacco web sheet 66d is cooled at ambient temperature, preferably at a location temperature such as storage and / or associated fabrication equipment, typically in the range of 65-80F. . This cooling step 148 not only facilitates equilibration of the tobacco web 66 to the operating environment, but also avoids the risk of heat being retained in the bobbin 66b that may otherwise cause self-heating. If left unchecked, self-heating will lead to extreme temperatures and degradation of the subject properties of the tobacco web 66. Preferably, the cooling step is performed by Airtech Systems Corp. of Stroton, Maine. There are many other cooling devices known to those having ordinary skill in the web forming art, although performed with a cooling water cooled air impingement cooler available from

  After the web drying and cooling steps 146 and 148, Auburn, Maine, Thermo Electron Web Systems, Inc. A flattening device such as that provided by the above or some other suitable web flattening device that may already be known and used by those having ordinary skill in the art relating to web formation. A web sheet 66dc is passed. At the end of the flattening step 150, the tobacco web 66 is substantially free of thermally induced warpage along its edges and is in a state for subsequent winding and cutting steps 152 and 154. However, prior to performing these steps, it is preferred to monitor the temperature, moisture level, and total weight of the tobacco web sheet 66s as it leaves the flattening step 150, and thus the tobacco web 66s is wound. Ensure that the conditions are in place for turning and notching and that the process is fed back and controlled to ensure that the desired target temperature, humidity, and total weight for the bobbin 66b will result.

  In particular, in monitoring the tobacco web sheet 66, its total weight reading is to adjust the coating operation 144, such as in the gap in the coater nip or the feed rate of the slurryed tobacco material to the reverse roll applicator. used. The moisture level reading in the monitoring step 151 is used to control the drying operation to achieve the target moisture level in the sheet as described above. Similarly, the cooling step 148 is controlled in response to the temperature reading of the sheet of tobacco web 66 in the monitoring step 151.

  Thereafter, in the winding step 152, the sheet 66 of tobacco web is wound and performed by a web winding machine already known and used by those having ordinary skill in the web processing art. Following this, the rolled web sheet 68s is cut into individual bobbins 66b, and the cutting width for each bobbin is made to each of the desired perimeters of the cigarette 23.

  At the end of the conversion step 122, bobbin 66b is a commonly assigned copending U.S. filed on September 11, 1992. S. Serial 07/943504 is in a state for an automated manufacturing process for cigarette 23 as in the combination operation disclosed with reference to FIG. 6 of the patent application incorporated and referenced herein.

  The glycenline in the tobacco material 70 facilitates the formation of an aerosol that is visible during cigarette 23 smoking and serves as an aerosol precursor. In addition, when glycerin is released to the atmosphere, it typically condenses with the expected cigarette smoke appearance. Other moisturizers suitable for use in the tobacco industry would be used in situ.

  Optionally, after pouring step 123, alginate may be applied along one side of web 68 before, during, or after coating step 126. The alginate coating provides additional strength and film formation along one side of the base web 68. However, the base web 68 has sufficient strength without alginate and it is a preferred practice to construct the base web 68 without it.

  The present invention relates to co-pending common transfer U.S.A. S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/943504 (PM1550); Serial No. 07/9434747 (PM1655); S. Patent 5388594 (PM1697); and the literature of our transmission European patent application EP-A-0615411, all of which include the metallic or screen mats or carbon fiber mats mentioned in their entirety and incorporated herein by reference. Other types of base web 68 (carrier) are implemented.

EP-A-0615411 and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. S. Patent No. 5388594 (PM1697), the continuation of which is the same for a carbon fiber mat as disclosed in Serial No. 08/380718 (PM1697 Cont) filed Sep. 30, 1995 and co-pending therewith. preferred components in the range of 20-30 g / ^{m 2} of a matting, more preferably approximately 24 to 28 g / ^{m 2,} most preferably tobacco fibers ^{26g / m 2; 2-9g / m} 2 range, more preferably 2 To 4 g / m ² , and most preferably approximately 3 g / m ² of carbon fiber; and approximately. A base web 68 comprising pectin in the range of 5 to 1.5 g / m ² and most preferably approximately 1 g / m ² is constructed. Preferably these constituents are balanced to establish a base web 68 having an overall basis weight of approximately 30 g / m ² . It is also preferred to use 1/4 inch strand length carbon fibers to facilitate dispersion between the slurry forming portions of the process. U. S. The initiation of carbon fiber feed stock dispersion is facilitated when procedures such as those disclosed in patents 4007083 and 4234379 are used.

In another embodiment of the tobacco base web 66 (ie, carbon fiber mat), the total finished dry sheet weighs preferably about 160 g / m ² , of which 30 g / m ² constitutes the base web 68. , And 130 g / m ² constitutes tobacco material 70. In contrast, a more preferred embodiment of the tobacco base web 66 without carbon fibers has a dry sheet weight of approximately 170 g / m ^2, of which 40 g / m ² constitutes the base web 68 and 130 g / m ² is Tobacco material 70 is constructed.

  Regardless of which type of base web 68 (or carrier) is used, the tobacco material 70 is preferably disposed on the inner surface of the base web 68 and, when heated (in response), a tobacco flavor aerosol. To free. Such materials may also include a continuous sheet of tobacco material, foam, gel, dry slurry or dry spray deposited slurry.

  With reference to FIG. S. When the cigarette 23 of the preferred embodiment together with what is taught by reference from US Pat. No. 5,388,594 (PM1697) is inserted into the socket 27, the cigarette 23 is placed in a stop 182 fixedly arranged at the base of the heater equipment 39. The cigarette is guided into the heating equipment 39 until the free end 78 abuts. Once the cigarette is placed in place, smoking may begin, at which time the cigarette's wiping action by the smoker is detected by the wiping sensor 45, which cooperates with the control circuit 41 to pre-select Current is sent to one heater 37. Power is delivered through an electrical circuit including a lead 183 at one end of each heater 37, a common ring 184 at the other end of each heater 37, and a common lead 186 extending from the common ring 184 to near the lead 183. When each heater 37 is actuated, thermal energy is passed through the overwrap 71 and the tobacco web 68 in an amount sufficient to cause tobacco flavor material 70 of the tobacco web 66 to release tobacco aerosol within the boundaries of the tobacco rod 60. The aerosol is sucked from the cigarette 23 in response to the smoker's wiping action on the mouth end of the cigarette 23.

  Smoker inhalation on cigarettes typically lasts approximately 1.5 to 2.0 seconds, while the FTC cigarette test procedure assumes an indwelling duration of 2.0 seconds.

  Where the heater footprint 94 overlaps the cavity 91, as the aerosol is drawn directly into and through the mouthpiece 62 with a very small pressure drop into the heated tobacco flavoring material 70, Released into the cavity 91. On the other hand, where the heater footprint 94 overlaps the tobacco plug 80 (heater / filler overlap 99), the adjacent portion of the tobacco plug 80 is heated with the adjacent portion of the tobacco web 66. Thus, the blended tobacco of tobacco plug 80 contributes to their own proportion of the total aerosol and contributes to their flavor and other subject attributes. Release aerosol from the tobacco plug 80 at or around the heater / filler overlap 99 undergoes some filtration and pressure drop as it is drawn through the tobacco plug 80 into the cavity 91.

  The aerosol resulting from the heating of the tobacco plug 80 has flavors and characteristics that can be altered by the tobacco blend and by adjusting the extent to which the heater foot flint 94 overlaps the tobacco plug 80. The components of the aerosol born in the vicinity of the cavity 91 are more instantly released from the cigarette because there is little thermal inertia in the cavity 91, and the tobacco material that has thermally evaporated in the cavity 91 is tobacco. This is because the pressure drop of the plug 80 is not received, and instead, the free flow filter 74 is communicated with the suction port 62 more directly. However, it has different characteristics than those released from the tobacco plug 80. This is because it is predominantly released from the tobacco flavoring material 70 on the base web 68. As will be explained in more detail below, the aerosol exiting cigarette 23 for smoker satisfaction is a flavor note attributed to the components of the aerosol and blended filler filler that ensures direct delivery to the smoker. ) Preferably containing both components of the aerosol. As will become apparent in the teachings that follow, the presence of the cavity 91 (and the first delivery immediacy) ensures consistent smoking versus smoking of cigarettes 23 and ensures consistency between cigarettes. Facilitate. Produced in the comparative puff-to-puff attributes of a partially filled cigarette 23 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment (with plug of pimple filler 80 and cavity 91), pimple filler in a rolled tobacco web. In comparison with a second alternative design (FIG. 7a) having a cigarette web entirely filled with cigarette 23 'and kneading filler of the first alternative design (FIG. 6a). In the description of these alternative designs, the tobacco webs 66 'and 66 "include a base web 68 and a layer of tobacco material 70 as in the preferred embodiment. These alternative designs of tobacco rods 60' are also included in the overwrap 71. It is.

  A serpentine-shaped heater element with a 15 Joule energy setting was used to generate comparative data as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B for the cigarette shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 6A, a cigarette adapted for smoking in a first alternative design of an electric smoking system includes a tobacco rod 60 'and a mouthpiece 62', each of which is an element of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4A. The element specified by the number with a dash which has correspondence with is included. However, the tobacco rod 60 'of the cigarette 23' does not enclose any knot filler within its tobacco web 66 ', and a free-flow filter 200' is provided at the free end 78 'of the tobacco rod 60'. As described above, the base web 68 'of the tobacco web 66' was a type containing carbon fibers. The configuration of the cigarette 23 'is a commonly assigned U.S.C. S. Patent No. 5388594 (PM1697), which is also described in detail in the patent incorporated herein and referenced in its entirety. For the purposes of the following description, reference to this cigarette 23 'is made as a cigarette 23' without filler.

  Referring to FIG. 6C, the experiment was conducted using a smoking machine in cooperation with the smoking device 21. The output of the smoking machine is directed through a smoke measuring device 6y having a transparent chamber 6v between each pouch, where the light beam 6u from the light source 6w passes through the transparent chamber 6v and is on the opposite side of the transparent chamber 6v. Was passed through the container 6z. The output of the light sensor 6z is processed to determine the intensity of the light beam 6u when it strikes the sensor 6z. Any tobacco aerosol that passes through the chamber 6v has a light diffusing effect on the light beam 6u, thus any resulting change in the light intensity detected at the photodetector 6z will conversely reduce the total particle object (TPM) in the aerosol. I will tell you. In accordance with the FTC cigarette test run, the smoker draws a standard 2 second peek from the smoking device 21.

  The information presented graphically in FIG. 6B shows the strength registered in the smoke measuring device with respect to time as the smoking machine advances each of the series of puffs in the cigarette 23 'without filler. The data indicates the following trend: For cigarette 23 'without filler, the first and second puffs are inconsistent with the remaining three puffs, the latter three puffs being more consistent with each other. And the aerosol is fully dispensed before the passage of 2 seconds for each puff. Cigarette 23 'without filler is inconsistent in delivery in the first few pouts, and consistency is predominant only in later puffs. The data associated with the first puffer is a remedial action such as piercing the tobacco rod 60 'or U.S. S. Machines smoking cigarettes 23 'without fillers are fairly consistent with the general observation that only a small amount of aerosol is delivered during the first puff if other treatments taught in patent 5388594 (PM1697) are not performed. .

  Referring now to FIG. 7A, another design of electrically operated cigarette 23 ″ includes a mouthpiece 62 ″ and a tobacco rod 60 ″ having an arrangement and elements similar to that of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4A. In addition, the same elements are provided with a double dash symbol. However, the cigarette 23 "in FIG. Includes a column of kneading filler 220 "extending along the entire length of the tobacco rod 60" between. The cigarette 23 "tobacco column 220" is a blend of Bari, Bright and Oriental tobacco, .275 grams of rod per cubic centimeter. In the discussion that follows, cigarette 23 "is referred to as a fully filled cigarette 23".

  Referring now to FIG. 7B, the measurement in light intensity from the smoke measuring device 6y consists of a series of 1 to 7 numbered pouches on the fully filled cigarette 23 "and the progress of each puff over time. The data presented in Fig. 7B symbolizes two appreciable trends in the performance of cigarettes constructed in accordance with a fully filled cigarette 23 ": the first few puffs Gives significant aerosol delivery, but subsequent delivery fades to the extent that the next three puffs give substantially less delivery than the first few puffs (if corrective action is not taken); and enough In the filled cigarette 23 ″, the aerosol delivery was delayed and the initial puff (puff 1, 2 and 3) was after a substantial portion of the 2 second period had elapsed. It does not achieve the maximum sent out until.

  During the first few puffs, a fully filled cigarette 23 "tends to deliver a greater total amount of aerosol than a cigarette 23 'without filler. A comparison of the data presented in Figures 7B and 6B. Demonstrates this general observation that the total area above the first few pricklines in FIG. 7B for a fully filled cigarette 23 ″ is the first number in FIG. 6B for a cigarette 23 ′ without filler. It is larger than the total area above the koshikoshi line. The area above each puff line in FIGS. 7B and 6B indicates the total delivery during that puff.

  However, the delay in delivery of the fully filled filler cigarette 23 "induces the smoker a longer and stronger suck as a reaction to him or her who does not get an immediate flavor response from the cigarette 23". The more emphasized wicking is then made so that the heated portion of the overwrap 71 "and tobacco web 66" is more fully consumed (oxidized) by the additional air drawn through it. Significant tears and possibly local crushing occur during the first few puffs, in addition, once pyrolysis is initiated in a fully filled cigarette, it tends to become more self-sustaining because it can burn. This is due to the presence of a large lump of tobacco and / or a more packed state of it, in any case air is more easily passed into the tobacco rod through the first few prickly violation "burning" positions. These local violations are believed to cause short circuiting of the desired air flow path of the subsequent puff, so that the fully filled cigarette 23 is fully filled. It is sent out declines between puffs later in.

  The data presented in FIG. 7B and the above description show that fully filled cigarettes 23 'or traditional cigarettes tend to reduce delivery as they are smoked with an electric lighter as they progress. Consistent with the general observation that there is.

  With its delayed, yet much self-sustaining pyrolysis, a fully filled cigarette 23 'tends to generate a large amount of aerosol at a later stage of puffing, and sometimes a smoker actually does cigarette Continue to generate a certain amount of aerosol over the period of inhalation. The latter case results in “post-blown” aerosol production, which hangs in the housing 33 of the lighter 25, in particular around or around the heater installation 39. Some of these “after-blown” aerosols are hung long enough to cause problematic condensation on the heater element 33 or be drawn into the cigarette 23 ″ during the next lull. It is against the delivery of a favorite flavor that you like.

  Referring back to FIG. 6B, the filler line of the cigarette 23 'without filler has a maximum aerosol delivery well before the two-second duration of the standardized puff has passed ( (Where it sinks most), and at the later stages of puffing, the delivery is minimal, thus demonstrating that the production of “post-frozen” aerosols is not a problem with the unfilled cigarette 23 ′. However, as noted above, the unfilled cigarette 23 'delivers less total amount of aerosol than the fully filled cigarette 23 ", which is sometimes inconsistent in delivery between the first few puffers If it contains a blended (or even unblended) knurled filler, it lacks the theme attributes and versatility that are enjoyed.

  FIG. 8 shows data from comparative smoking in a smoker using a smoke measuring device as described above for a cigarette constructed according to cigarette 23 'without filler; a fully filled filled cigarette 23 "; And a comparison of partially filled filled cigarettes 23 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention (as shown in FIG. 4A), all carbon fiber used in these cigarettes as a base web. Fig. 8 will disclose that the partially filled filled cigarette 23 of the present invention provides more consistent delivery throughout a smoking session. The lowering of delivery that occurs in later puffs and avoids the cigarette 23 'that is not in the filler during the first few puffs. There is more consistency.

  The partially filled filling cigarette 23 tested to collect the data used in FIG. 8 is half-filled with step filler so that the heater overlap over the cavity in the cigarette design is relatively large and approximately 6 mm. It was. The heater element 37 used to generate the data shown in FIG. 8 was a serpentine type with an energy of 15 joules per heating cycle.

  With particular reference to FIG. 8, the data presented therein is for aerosols generated during the first 2 seconds of each puff in the progression of puffs while smoking each particular type of cigarette. Amount (in milligrams). With respect to the data shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, the amount of aerosol indicated in FIG. 8 analytically corresponds to the accumulation (area defined above) of each peek line from 0 to 2 seconds in FIGS. 6B and 7B. Will do.

  The presentation of data in FIG. 8 clearly illustrates the drop in delivery experienced when a person advances from the first puff to the next puff with a fully filled fill cigarette 23 ″. None of the cigarettes suffered from the drop in delivery as with fully filled cigarettes 23 ".

  The presentation of data in FIG. 8 also clearly illustrates that a partially filled filled cigarette 23 provides consistency in delivery that is comparable to that of a fillerless cigarette 23 'throughout the six pouches. . In addition, it serves as such with the contribution of kneading fillers to flavor and theme effects.

Referring to Table II, collected to indicate how changes in the amount of heater overlap in the cavity in cigarettes constructed according to cigarette 23 affect delivery. The data presented in Table II originates from a machine that smokes a 32mm tobacco rod, a 7mm free-flow filter at the tip of the tobacco rod, and a partially filled cigarette with a 30mm long tip, and the heater footprint is 12cm long And centered on the center point of each cigarette's tobacco rod.
Table II
Cavity length (mm) 4 7 10
Heater along the cavity 1 4 7
Overlap (mm)
11 8 5 along the tobacco plug
Heater overlap Average TPM 4.9 5.5 7.0
Adjusted average TPM 5.2 5.9 7.3
(The bottom reading was omitted.) Standard deviation of the adjusted mean. 34. 53. 50

  FIG. 9 provides a graphical representation of total particulate matter (TPM) delivered versus the amount of heater-filler overlap (in millimeters). The data presented there was generated using a standard test technique to determine the level of FTC “tar” using a 2 second puff interval and a Cambridge pad in a standard smoker. The cigarettes tested were partially filled filled cigarettes, having a carbon fiber base web and a total length of 58 mm, the data appearing along the ordinate in FIG. 9 is a carbon fiber base web and a fill having the same total length Excluded from non-agent cigarettes. When the heater-tobacco overlap is changed, the heater footprint remains constant and remains centered on the midpoint of the tobacco rod. Thus, an increase in heater-tobacco overlap resulted in a proportional decrease in heater-cavity overlap. The heater was a serpentine type with a heater footprint of approximately 10 mm. All data taken together indicates that there is a secondary relationship in these environments between the total particulate matter delivered and the amount of heater filler overlap. The data shown in FIG. 9 and another set of data shown in Table II indicate that the amount of heater-filler overlap in order to obtain a desired (target) level of delivery in a partially filled filling cigarette 23. Indicates that it may be adjusted.

  Adjusting the amount of heater-filler overlap is a preferred method of achieving the desired “tar” level in partially filled fill cigarettes, and changes in heater filler overlap are changes in rod density in the tobacco plug 80. Including the finding that it has a more emphasized and controllable impact on delivery than making. This also allows a person to control the rod density of the tobacco plug 80 for purposes other than tar levels, control the loose end and / or produce the desired degree of pressure drop and / or filter at the free end of the tobacco rod 60. To allow a desired degree of selection, or otherwise, for purposes such as to facilitate fabrication. It also provides the capacity to change the tar delivery in the associated cigarette product without necessarily having to change either the tobacco web 66 or the tobacco plug 80.

  It is also advantageous to form the relative dimensions of the partially filled filling cigarette 23 and that of the lighter 21 heater installation as follows. That is, when the cigarette 23 is inserted into the lighter 21, each heater element 37 is positioned beside the tobacco rod 60, and thus at least some if not all of the heater footprint is filled with the tobacco rod 60. It overlaps only on the part (on the tobacco plug 80). In such a profile, the cavity 91 still facilitates aerosol formation and helps cool the smoking. It is believed that the free flow filter 74 assists in promoting aerosol formation by presenting a flow restrictor for the aerosol component as it is drawn from the wide cavity 91. In this regard, it should be noted that the free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60 exhibits edges 73 and 75 respectively at the transition between the cavity 91 on one side and the free flow filter 102 on the other side. . These edges 73 and 75 are the result of a free-flow filter 74 having an inner diameter that is smaller than either of the other two adjacent areas (the space enclosed in the free-flow filter 102 and the cavity 91). These edges 73 and 75 (and possibly other adjacent parts of the free-flow filter 74) are suitable for forming an aerosol from the vapor phase and particulate phase components released from the heated tobacco portion of the tobacco rod 60. It is believed to promote turbulence or other flow conditions.

  Referring now to FIG. 10, the cigarette 23a is the same as disclosed in the discussion of cigarette 23 with reference to FIG. 4A, but with the addition of a backflow filter 200a located at the free end 78a of the tobacco rod 60a. And according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention having the arrangement. The reverse flow filter 200a prevents the tobacco from escaping from the tobacco plug 80a at the free end 78a. The free-flow filter 200a may be colored to indicate that the cigarette 23a is for use in an electric smoking device instead of being fired with a match or conventional cigarette lighter as in a more traditional cigarette Good. Although the backflow filter 200a is illustrated as a separate element of the wrapped cigarette plug 80a, the cigarette plug 80a and the backflow filter 200a may be combined in a plug wrap (not shown) for convenience in manufacturing the cigarette 23a. Good. The cigarette 23a may be provided with a cigarette plug 80a having a low rod density that is free of problems such as tobacco falling from the tobacco rod 60a or a loose end with a reverse flow filter plug. As disclosed in EP-A-0615411 and U.S. Pat. S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/943504 (PM1550) and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. S. As in US Pat. No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697), the reverse flow filter 200a limits the amount of air released from the free end 78a of the tobacco rod 60a at the end of the puff and prevents the amount of air entering along the side of the tobacco rod 60a. Is contoured to produce a pressure drop at the free end 78a that conveniently limits the amount of air drawn from the free end 78a into the cigarette 23a in a proportional relationship.

  With respect to the design technique for the partially filled filling cigarette 23 of the preferred embodiment, the heater energy and the amount of heater-filler overlap are used to adjust and / or establish delivery to the desired "tar" level. Can be done. Thus, during the design of a new partially filled filling cigarette 23, the choice of rod density in the tobacco plug 80 may be used to achieve the desired degree of pressure drop at the free end and / or another embodiment 23a. Can generally be used to control the backflow in the same manner as is achieved with the backflow filter 200a.

  Referring to FIG. 11, another cigarette 23b constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a low density portion 320b adjacent to cavity 91b and a high density portion 320b adjacent to free end 78b of cigarette rod 60b. Including a tobacco plug 80b. The cigarette 23b is contoured so that the heater footprint 94B overlaps the low density portion 310b of the tobacco plug 80b to obtain an enhanced delivery achievable at a lower rod density. The high density region of the kneading filler 320b is arranged to avoid loose ends and limit air transmission axially through the rod 60b in a manner similar to the backflow filter 200a.

  A presently preferred heater embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12-21. These heaters are fully loaded, partially filled and free of fillers in any of the cigarette embodiments described so far, ie, FIGS. 4a, 4b, 6a, 7a, 10 and 11. Also suitable for cigarettes and modified versions of these cigarettes.

  These heaters provide improved mechanical strength for repeated insertion, adjustment and removal of the cigarette 23 and significantly improve aerosol generation from the heated cigarette while leaving the energy requirements intact. It has been found that the generated aerosol tends to flow radially inward from the pulse heater.

  Overall, there are preferably eight heater blades 121 to provide eight puffs in subsequent ignition of the heater blades 121, thereby resembling the number of puffs in a conventional cigarette. In particular, the heater blade 121 extends from the hub 110 to form a cylindrical array of heater blades to receive the inserted cigarette 23. Preferably, a gap 129 is defined between adjacent heater blades 121.

  It may be desirable to change the number of puffs achieved when the cigarette is inserted into the cylindrical socket CR, and hence the number of heater blades 121. This desired number is achieved by forming the desired number of heater blades 121. This is accomplished by providing equal or unequal sized blades.

  The heater facility is disposed at the orifice 27 in the lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is first inserted into the optional backflow filter 200 and inserted into the orifice 27 of the lighter 25 into the substantially cylindrical space of the heater equipment 39, which equipment 39 is in the form of a ring having an opening for receiving the cigarette. Made cap 83, cylindrical air channel sleeve 87, heater assembly 100 including heater blade 121, conductive pin or common lead 104A serving as a common lead for the heater elements of the heater assembly, conductive positive pin or It is defined by the lead 104B and the spacer. The inner surface 81 at the bottom of the spacer stops the cigarette 23 in the desired position of the heater equipment 39 and the heater blade 121 is positioned adjacent to the cigarette recess 79, and in the preferred embodiment, with reference to FIGS. To be arranged as described above.

  Substantially all of the heater equipment 39 is arranged in a fixed position on the inside by a close fit with the housing 31 on the front 33 of the lighter 25. The front edge 93 of the cap 83 is preferably arranged at the first end 29 of the lighter 25, extending slightly or outwardly, and preferably beveled inward to facilitate ingress and egress guidance to the heater installation 39 of the cigarette 23. Includes parts made or rounded. Pins 104A and 104B are preferably received in corresponding sockets (not shown), thereby providing support for the heater equipment 39 in the lighter 25, and conductors or printed circuits from the socket. Lead to the electrical element. Other pins can provide additional support to strengthen the pin assembly. Pins 104A and 104B are made of a suitable material, preferably tin-plated phosphor bronze. The spacer 47 and the passage 47 in the base 50 communicate with the puffing operation sensor 45, and the light sensor 53 senses whether or not the cigarette 23 is present in the lighter 25.

  As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the heater assembly 100 is preferably a unitary structure and includes eight heater blades 121 that are arranged in a symmetric arrangement from the central hub 1110 or discussed below with reference to FIG. As such, it extends in an asymmetrical arrangement. As best seen in FIG. 13, the heater assembly defines a generally circular insertion opening 360 that has a throat 365 that points the inserted cigarette to a coaxially formed cylindrical socket CR. The socket CR has a smaller diameter than the insertion opening 360. The insertion opening 360 is defined by each end 118B of the connection section 118 of the heater blade 121, and the throat section 365 is defined by the portion of the section 118 between the connection edge 118A and the end 118B. The insertion end 360 preferably has a larger diameter than the inserted cigarette 23 and guides the cigarette towards the socket CR, which has a diameter approximately equal to the cigarette 23 for good transfer of thermal energy. Ensures a snug fit. Cigarette 23 has a diameter approximately equal to the range of diameters known in the art. With a given receptive manufacturing tolerance for cigarette 23, the gradually narrowing area or throat 365 at the transition between the distal end and socket CR is a cigarette to increase thermal contact with the surrounding blade 121 acting as the inner wall of the socket. It also serves to compress a little. As a non-limiting example, the insertion end 360 preferably has an inner diameter of approximately 0.356 inches ± 0.02 inches, and the socket CR preferably has an inner diameter of approximately 0.278 inches ± 0.02 inches. The blade 120 can be bowed inward to increase thermal contact with the cigarette by reducing the diameter of the cylindrical socket.

  Each U-shaped heater blade 121 has a first section or leg 116A extending from the hub 111 at a first end, a connection section 118 connected to a second end or leg 116A opposite the first section, and a connection section at a first end. A second section or leg 116B extending from 118 toward the hub 111 is included. The first and second legs 116A and 116B are separated by a gap 125, which is relatively constant and preferably substantially parallel in the unwrapped state as in FIGS. 18 and 19 discussed below. Yes, oriented in the direction of cigarette insertion to reduce undesirable breakage of the cigarette and oriented to define a cylindrical socket CR for the insertion cigarette 23. The connecting section 118 has a curved connecting edge 118A for connecting opposite inner edges of the blade legs 116A and 116B to form an elongated U-shaped resistive path that is substantially the same as the longitudinal axis of the insertion cigarette. And extends sideways to the cigarette as discussed in more detail below. The curved continuous edge 118A preferably has a bend of approximately 180 ° ± 20 ° so that the U-shaped blade is formed and has a bend that is concave toward the hub 111 and convex toward the insertion opening 360. . The first end of the first blade leg 116A in the hub 111 is approximately 115 at the portion 115 relative to the remainder of the first leg 116A to reduce power and current density at the portion 115 to reduce ohmic heating of the portion 115. Same width and increased width. This enlargement also increases the mechanical integrity of the blade 121 in the hub 111.

  The second end 122 of the second blade leg 116B is preferably stepped with respect to the main portion of the second blade section 116B, thereby facilitating electrical connection with each positive pin 104B. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the end 122 has three sections, namely a section 122A that is a substantially planar continuation of the main section of the second blade leg 116B, a raised transition at an angle as shown. It includes section 122B and a connecting end section 122C that is generally parallel to section 122A. The section of the end 122 can have a wider width than the second blade leg 122B for increased strength, providing sufficient contact area for a positive connection at the connection end section 122C, and current density Thus reducing the ohmic heating of the end 122. The end section 122C is preferably tack welded to the positive pin 104B or electrically and mechanically connected by other techniques.

  Another embodiment for achieving a positive connection for the heater blade 121 is shown in FIGS. The connecting end 122 is preferably not stepped as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, rather it is a substantially planar extension of the second heater leg 116B, which simplifies the fabrication described below. To reduce the possibility of a short circuit resulting from contact between the positive end 122 and the hub 111 and / or the section 115 of the first leg 116A, such as when the inserted cigarette is twisted or otherwise adjusted by the smoker In addition, an electrically insulating ceramic 300 is applied to the end 122, hub 111 and section 115, particularly at the respective facing edges of these elements.

  Preferably, the ceramic coating is applied to hub 111, connecting end 122, and section 115 of first leg 116A by any conventional technique, such as plasma spraying. The ceramic preferably has a relatively high dielectric constant. Any suitable electrically insulating material such as alumina, zirconia, mulite, cordierite, spinel, fosterite, combinations thereof, etc. can be employed. Preferably, zirconia or other ceramic with a thermal expansion coefficient that closely matches that of the underlying metal heater structure is employed to avoid differences in expansion and contraction rates between heating and cooling. To avoid cracking and / or peeling during operation. The ceramic remains physically and chemically stable when the heater element is heated. For example, a thickness of approximately 0.1 to 10 mils, alternatively 0.5-6 mils, and more preferably 1-3 mils is preferred for electrical insulation. Preferably, a portion of end 122 is not covered. Positive pin 104B is then connected to this exposed portion as will be discussed. To simplify masking, the corresponding portion of section 115 is likewise not coated with ceramic.

  The ceramic is in the gap 127 between the end 122 and the section 115 of the first leg 116A and to form the ceramic hub structure to increase the mechanical integrity of the heater assembly as shown in FIG. In the gap 126 between 110, ceramic can be applied in the same plasma spray stage. The dimensions of the ceramic hub can be larger than that shown. With or without this additional ceramic application, the ceramic coating electrically insulates the positive connection end 122 and the width gaps 127 and 125 can be reduced while providing protection against short circuits. Accordingly, section 115 and end section 122 of first leg 116A can have an increased area, thereby further strengthening the socket and, in the case of a ceramic hub, increasing the skeletal structure and further strengthening the heater assembly. . In addition, such ceramic coatings can smooth the sharp edges that define the gaps 125 and 127 and can cut or damage the cigarette, particularly during cigarette insertion and removal and any adjustment by the smoker. Reduce sex. Alternatively, the entire blade 121, and in particular the first and second legs 116A and 116B, for example, an outer surface facing away from the cigarette, for example about 2 mils of zirconia ceramic layer, both inner and outer surfaces, And / or completely coated on the edges defining the gap, strengthening the heater blade and maintaining the gap if desired. The blade 121 can thus be made thinner, for example, approximately 2 to approximately 6 mils. This increases the resistance of the heater path and allows the blade to be wider due to the increased thermal interface with the inserted cigarette 23 while maintaining the same overall blade resistance. This increased blade width, along with the ceramic layer, further strengthens the heater structure. Also, the ceramic coating on the outer surface of the blade 121 facing away from the insertion cigarette may prevent thermal loss to the heated blade or surroundings. The ceramic is preferably applied by plasma spray or other methods described in related applications, preferably avoiding the incentive of residual stresses that may be induced by surface treatment and / or particle impact during processing in the plasma spray. To be applied by electron beam physical vapor deposition.

  Each blade 121 forms a resistance heating element. More particularly, the first end 115 of the first blade section 116A is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the power source, and more particularly is an integral extension of the hub 111 or mechanically and electrically connected to the hub 111. And then the hub 111 is electrically and mechanically connected to the negative terminal pin 104A via other techniques such as brazing or soldering or tack welding. Preferably, two terminal pins 104A are used to provide balanced support. This is because the negative and positive connections also serve to mechanically support the heater. The hub 111 thus functions as an electrical common for all heater blades 121. In either embodiment, the negative connection to each heater can be made individually, for example by a suitable negative contact placed at the end of the heater opposite the respective positive contact area 122.

  A respective positive connection for each heater blade is made at the connection end section 122C of the second blade section 116B as discussed. The connecting end section 122C is electrically separated from the common hub 110 by a gap 127; the first blade section 116A of the associated heater blade 120, and in particular by the gap 125 from the first end 115; Insulated to avoid short circuit and allow thermal expansion. In addition, the discussed ceramic coating is optionally applied. As another aspect, each of the connection end sections 122C is connected to ground.

  The positive and negative connections discussed are resistance paths for the current applied to the specific blade (s) 120 from an electrical energy source, for example via a control circuit, during operation of the smoking device by smoker inhalation, and more details Provide a circuit. The basic heated area of the blade includes a first blade leg 116A, an edge portion 118A, and a second blade leg 116B. Accordingly, a portion of the lower insertion cigarette 23 in contact with the laterally extending actuating blade 121 has an outer surface pattern corresponding to the heated portion of the blade, i.e. an elongated U corresponding to the upper blade. In the shape of a letter, it is heated by some possible convection, essentially by conduction and radiation. In addition, the portion of the inserted cigarette between the legs, i.e., below the gap 125, is heated by the overlap or crossing of cumulative radiation and conduction heat transfer from both legs 116A and 116B. If the gap 125 is too large, the desired overlap will not occur and the portion of the inserted cigarette located below the gap 125 will not be heated sufficiently. Also, radiant and conductive heating will heat the strips of the inserted cigarette slightly beyond the outer edges of the heater blade legs 116A and 116B. The various heated parts together make up the heated area of the cigarette, which is actuated slightly beyond the outer edge of leg 116A, below leg 116A, across gap 125, below leg 116B, and so on. Extends slightly beyond the legs 116B of the blade 121 and corresponds to a fluffy tobacco flavor. The size of the heated part depends on the blade geometry and heating characteristics as well as the amount and duration of the energy pulse. Preferably, the heater blade is dimensioned to ultimately heat a segment of the inserted cigarette having a dimension sufficient to generate an acceptable scum for the smoker, for example, 18 square mm, in response to the squealing energy pulse. Designed thermally.

  The relatively large blade end areas 115 and 122 that form part of the current path are not heated to these operating temperatures because their relatively large volume reduces the current density and thus reduces ohmic heating. Also, the section of the connecting end section 118 is not heated to these operating temperatures. This is because the heating path tends to follow the edge 118A and this section constitutes a relatively large volume and thus has a low current density, thus having a lower ohmic heating than the edge 118A and the immediately adjacent section. To further reduce the remaining undesired heating of the connecting portion 118, (1) the monolithic material of portion 118 relative to the curved edge 118A in region 118C to further reduce current density and ohmic heating, as shown in FIG. Increase thickness, (2) perforate portion 118 to reduce ohms and / or heat transfer path, and / or (3) add heat sink material to portion 118 to reduce heat transfer, as shown in FIG. Add 119. To achieve this heat sink function, a thermally non-conductive material, i.e. a thermally insulating material such as ceramic, is applied. Examples of suitable ceramics include alumina, zirconia, a mixture of alumina and zirconia, mullite, etc., as in the case of a heater blade coating. Any of these modifications should be evaluated for any adverse impact on the mechanical integrity of the connecting portion 118 that supports the heater assembly 100 and defines the insertion drawer opening for the cigarette.

  There is a predetermined minimum time after the heater blade 121 is pulsated and before the next blow is allowed. Unusual heating of a portion of the cigarette may also result in undesirable and / or partial aerosol generation or heat-induced degradation of the cigarette portion prior to the desired heating. Subsequent reheating of the previously heated portion results in the development of undesirable flavors and flavors.

  If a puff longer than that obtained by a single heater blade pulsation is desired, the control logic heats the other segments of the cigarette immediately after the first heater blade pulsation or during the final part of the first pulsation. As such, it is configured to ignite other heaters or additional heater blades. The additional heater blade may be a heater blade that continues in the radial direction or another heater blade. The heater blade should be dimensioned to obtain the total desired number of peeks of the desired duration.

  In one embodiment, the number of heater blades 121 corresponds to the desired number of puffs, eg eight. In another embodiment, the number of heater blades 121 formed is twice the number of puffs, for example, there are 16 parts of the heater for eight puff cigarettes. Such a profile allows a normal continuous ignition of approximately 2 seconds, and a different ignition sequence than the radial subsequent ignition sequence for the embodiment preferably having a number of heating blades 121 corresponding to the puff count. For example, the logic circuit may simultaneously and simultaneously ignite a sufficient amount of cigarettes so that the two circumferentially opposed heater blades 121, i.e., 180 ° separated heater blades on the tube, will produce one puff. You can command. As another aspect, the first ignition sequence of every other heater blade 121 for one cigarette is followed by the second ignition sequence of the heater blade 121 interposed for the next cigarette. Alternatively, this first ignition sequence can be repeated for a given life cycle of many cigarettes and then the second ignition sequence is initiated. Any combination of heater blades can be employed. The number of heater blades can be less than, equal to or greater than the number of cigarette puffs employed. For example, a 9 blade system can be employed for 6 puffer cigarettes, with a different set of 6 heaters fired for each subsequent cigarette and the associated set of remaining 3 heaters not fired.

  The heater assembly is electrically and mechanically secured to one end via welding of the pin 104A to the hub 110 and to the end 122 of the pin 104B. Pins 104A and 104B are preferably preformed into a plastic hub, or otherwise fixedly connected thereto, preferably in a manner that minimizes air leakage. Preferably, this fixed end faces the insertion opening 360. Connection section 118, and in particular opposite ends 118B opposite connection edge 118A, define an insertion opening 360. The end section 118B can be extended outwardly to define a throat section 365. The blade 121 thus defines an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion cigarette 23, for example at the center point of the blade, to provide the desired thermal contact, ie, a pressing force, between the blade and cigarette that narrows from this throat section. Each section 118B expands freely when heated. That is, the end section 118 is not fixed. More specifically, each end 118 is located in a corresponding channel 210 disposed on the inner wall 201 of the lighter end cap 83. More specifically, the radially outward movement of the end section 118B of the inwardly biased blade 121 is constrained by the end 118B contacting the radially outer wall of the channel 210, thereby establishing a boundary for bias. Limit inward bias. This inward bias may be supplemented by an inward production bias as described. As shown, the inner wall 201 is widened outwardly to allow insertion of the blade end 118B portion. The radially outer wall of the channel 200 in contact with the end 118B is dimensioned and shaped to allow a sufficient amount of insertion of the blade end 118B, and during heating or cooling of the blade or cigarette insertion or withdrawal. In between, the blade ends should not leave the channel 210. If desired, this radially outer channel wall is provided with a rest, eg, a trapezoid, in contact with end 118B. In another embodiment, a portion 118D of the blade end 118B is rounded prior to the insertion end portion 118B and more particularly is elliptical. This rounded portion 118D allows the insert portion to pivot in response to a thermally or mechanically induced moment in the channel 210, thus maintaining the blade end insert in the channel 210. . Additionally or alternatively, blade end 118B is further rounded.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the channel 210 is dimensioned so that it can expand in a translational manner, ie towards the end face 202 of the channel 210, upon heating of the cigarette 23 and / or blade. The desired contact between the blade and the blade is achieved. Such an arrangement in which one end of the blade is free with respect to the opposed hub allows for mechanical movement and / or thermal expansion and contraction of the heater blade in the longitudinal direction during cigarette insertion / withdrawal and / or blade heating / cooling, respectively. This reduces stress. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14, when the heater blade is thermally expanded upon heating or displaced when the cigarette 23 is inserted, the end 118B contacts the abutment 204 to establish a pivot point. A contiguous portion 204, which may be trapezoidal, is disposed in the channel 210 to allow the blade 121 to bias inward toward the insertion cigarette 23. This reduces the stress on the blade and increases the desired thermal contact between the blade and cigarette, i.e., the pressing force. By pivot point it means: That is, the blade 121 rotates freely at the contact portion 204, but preferably does not translate.

  The heater assembly 100 is preferably a monolithic structure optionally coated with ceramic as discussed above. The hub 111 and the heater blade 121 are made of a material having a desired electric resistance and strength. For example, materials having an electrical resistance in the range of approximately 50 to approximately 500 microohm centimeters, and more preferably approximately 100 to 200 microohm centimeters are preferred, thus, approximately 200 ° C. to approximately 1000 ° C., and preferably A temperature of 400 ° C. to approximately 950 ° C., and more preferably approximately 300 ° C. to approximately 850 ° C., with approximately 10 to approximately 50 joules, more preferably approximately 10 to approximately 25 joules, and even more preferably 20 joules, Achieved with blade 120 operated for 0.2 to 2.0 seconds. The material is capable of withstanding pulsations such as approximately 1800 to approximately 10,000 without suffering undesired sagging or failure of the blade 121 and significant degradation.

  The material from which the heater blade 121 is made is preferably selected to ensure reliable repeated use of at least 1800 on / off cycles without failure. The heater installation 39 is preferably separable from the power source 37 and the lighter containing the circuit, and is preferably discarded after 3600 cycles or more. Heater materials and other metal elements are also selected on the basis of their oxidation resistance and overall lack of reactivity to ensure that they do not oxidize, or at any temperature that would otherwise be encountered No reaction with 23. If desired, the heater blade 121 and other metallic elements are encapsulated in an inert heat conducting material such as a ceramic material suitable to further avoid oxidation and reaction.

  More preferably, however, the heater blade 121 and other metal elements are made from a refractory alloy that exhibits a combination of resistance to surface oxidation, erosion and degradation and high mechanical strength at elevated temperatures. Preferably, the heater blade 121 is made from a material that exhibits high strength and surface stability at temperatures up to about 80 percent of its melting point. Such alloys include those commonly referred to as superalloys and are generally based on nickel, iron or cobalt. For example, an essentially iron or nickel alloy with aluminum and yttrium is suitable. Preferably, the alloy of the heater blade 121 includes aluminum to further improve the performance of the heater element, for example by providing oxidation resistance.

Preferred materials include iron and nickel aluminide, most preferably commonly assigned copending U.S. application filed on Dec. 29, 1994. S. Serial No. 08 / 365,952, patent application serial number filed concurrently with the present application entitled “Iron Aluminide Alloys Useful as Electrical Resistance Heating Elements”. (Althony Docket No. PM1769). Both applications are incorporated and referenced as they are.

Several elements can be used as additives to the Ni ₃ Al alloy. B and Si are basic additives to the alloy for the heater layer 122. B is considered to increase the grain boundary strength, and is most effective when Ni ₃ Al is nickel-rich, for example, Al ≦ 24 in%. Si is not added in a large amount to the Ni ₃ Al alloy. This is because the addition of Si in excess of up to 3 weight percent forms nickel silicide and leads to SiO _x during oxidation. The addition of Mo improves strength at low and high temperatures. Zirconium helps to improve the oxide resistance during thermal cycling. Hf can also be added to improve high temperature strength. A preferred Ni ₃ Al alloy for use as the substrate 300 and resistance heater 122 is the designated IC-50, Van Nestland Reinhold New York 1994 Table 4, Stalloff et al., Intermetallic Metallurgy and Processing International Compounds V. It is reported in Sikk “Processing of International Alumines” that it contains approximately 77.92% Ni, 27.73% Al, 0.34% Zr and 0.01% B. Various elements can be added to the iron aluminide. Possible additives include Nb, Cu, Ta, Zr, Ti, Mn, Si, Mo and Ni. Heater material is Haynes® 214 alloy (Haynes® alloy No. 214: nickel-based alloy with 16.0 percent chromium, 3.0 percent iron, 4.5 percent aluminum, trace amounts Inconel 702 alloy, MCrAlY alloy, FeCrAlY, Nichrome® brand alloy (54-80%), which can be yttrium and the balance (approximately 75 percent) and is commercially available from Haynes International, Kokomo, Indiana Nickel, 10-20% chromium, 7-27% iron, 0-11% copper, 0-5% manganese, 0.3-4.6% silicon, and sometimes 1% molybdenum and 0.25% titanium; Nichrome I Is 60% nickel, 25% iron, Nichrome II is said to contain 1% chromium and 2% manganese; Nichrome II contains 75% nickel, 22% iron, 11% chromium and 2% manganese; Nichrome III contains 85% nickel and 15% chromium. Is a heat-resistant alloy containing) commonly assigned patent application Serial No. 08/380718 filed Jan. 30, 1995 and U.S. Pat. S. It may be a material as disclosed in Patent No. 5,388,594 or having similar properties.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the heater blades 121 are arranged to extend in contrast to the hub 111. As another aspect, an asymmetric arrangement is employed. For example, a plurality of 6 or 8 heater blades 121 may be divided into, for example, two equal numbers, eg, 3 or 4 subgroups of heater blades. The heater blades in each subgroup are separated by a gap 131 as previously discussed. The subgroups are separated by a wide gap 135 as shown in FIG. The gap 135 is defined such that conductive and particularly radiative heat transfer from adjacent blades 121 of adjacent subgroups to the portion of the cigarette 23 located below the gap 135 is minimized. Thus, the gap 135 provides a wider unheated and strong portion of the cigarette that is stronger than the unheated portion of the cigarette located below the narrowed gap 131, but the column strength of the cigarette 23 is improved and the smoking portion of the smoking portion is improved. Helps in cigarette removal after subsequent heating and weakening. If desired, the logic can simultaneously operate more than one heater in a symmetric or asymmetric arrangement.

  The present invention having two heater legs 116A and 116B separated by a gap 125 results in a significant improvement in the amount of aerosol generated compared to the amount generated by a solid heater element. The solid heater achieves good heat transfer with the cigarette; however, the mass transfer of the aerosol into the drawn air flow, especially if the smoking device housing enclosure communicates its outer air to the cigarette outer surface If a perforation is provided, it is compromised by a solid structure that prevents the best entrainment of air located outside the cigarette into the cigarette. The heater of the present invention having the same volume as the solid heater and having a large perimeter results in a higher chance of entrainment, for example due to the gap 125, and thus improved flavor delivery per unit of energy to the blade 121. Result. As discussed, gap 125 is dimensioned to provide the best radiation overlap for a given blade geometry. As higher amounts of aerosol are generated, the required mass of the blade can be reduced, while reducing the energy required to generate the same desired amount of flavor and sufficiently heat the heater blade 121 and the inserted cigarette in the lighter unit. As a result, this further reduces the weight of the unit. This is because the power source, such as a battery, can be made smaller. As a non-limiting example, the gap 125 is approximately 0.020 inches ± approximately. 005 inches wide; blade legs 116A and 116B are approximately 0.0125 inches to approximately 0.017 inches ± approximately. 005 inches wide and approximately 0.55 inches ± approximately .5 inches. 005 inches long and approximately. 008 inches to almost. 010 inches thick, ±. 005 inches; and the length from the edge of the hub 110 to the tip of the connection section 118 is approximately 1.062 inches ± 0.625 inches.

  It has been found that the basic transverse or radial airflow for the inserted cigarette results in a more desirable smoking outbreak than the basic longitudinal flow. The gaps 125, 127 and 131 provide a path for air to be drawn to contact the insertion cigarette. Additional air passages are provided to optimize cross air flow due to the perforated section of the heater blade.

  Another embodiment of the blade geometry is shown in FIG. 16, where both the first leg 116A and the second leg 116B are serpentine. The serpentine shapes of the legs 116A and 116B are made parallel so that the legs are evenly spaced, and the gap 125 is also serpentine. Such a serpentine shape increases the circumference of the blade and thus improves aerosol entrainment. This serpentine shape is described in EP-A-0615411 as described, and commonly assigned parent patent application Serial No. 08/380718, filed January 30, 1995, and U.S. Pat. S. Patent 5388594 is more fully described.

  A first preferred fabrication method is described below with reference to FIGS. The fabrication steps defined herein are carried out somewhat as desired to achieve manufacturing speed, material savings, and the like.

  For example, a sheet or strip of suitable material having a thickness of approximately 2 to 20 mils, for example 10 mils, is formed to form a generally straight section 111A in the comb-like array from the first blade section 116A respectively, and in particular each second A plurality of flades 121 extending substantially vertically through the one end section 115 are defined. The blade 121 is substantially parallel to each other with a gap 131 disposed between opposing edges of the second blade section 116B of one blade and the adjacent first blade section 116A of the blade. As discussed, the blades 121 are arranged symmetrically with an equal gap 131 between them as shown in FIG. 18 or large between two subgroups having a width X as shown in FIG. Arranged asymmetrically with, for example, equal gaps 131 between adjacent blades 121 defining distance 133 and blade subgroups 121A and 121B. Note that the straight section 111A has two ends having a length that is at least half the length of one half X to form the second distance 133 when wound. These ends should be longer than X to provide overlap for the connection. As a non-limiting example, the gap 131 is approximately 0.040 inches ±. 005 inches wide and the gap 135 is approximately 0.125 inches ±. It can be as large as 005 inches.

  The blade is contoured to form connecting section 118 and legs 116A and 116B as previously discussed.

  This formation of the profile describing the sheet or strip material is accomplished by any conventional technique such as stamping or cutting using, for example, CO2 or a yag laser. If a strip format is employed, the number of heater blades 121 formed from this strip can exceed the number required for a single cylindrical heater arrangement. The straight strip is cut, if necessary, to form section 111A. This has the desired number of heater blades 121 extending therefrom. If employed, the stepped shape of sections 122A, 122B and 122C is formed via stamping.

  If employed, the ceramic coating 300 masks the contour imprinting the coating onto sections 111A, 115, 122 or the entire blade or any portion thereof to form the desired pattern as discussed, and for example thermal Applied by spraying. Alternatively, the ceramic coating is applied after the winding step according to this procedure, if desired, before the formation of the blade. As is known, appropriate masking is applied prior to performing each heater and ceramic deposition stick to define the application area.

  Section 111A is then wound to form round hub 111. The section 111A can be wound in either direction. Preferably, section 111A is formed to simplify the connection with pin 104B and avoid damage during cigarette insertion and removal, and a positive contact 122C at end section 122 on the outer surface of the cylindrical heater, i.e., the side opposite the cigarette. Wound like there is. The winding section can be wound into a diameter smaller than the final desired diameter and inserted into the equipment. The winding section is then expanded and further retained in shape by electrical connection. Alternatively, the winding sections are joined via some welding technique such as spot welding or laser welding to form the hub 111.

  Preferably, when the heater assembly is formed as shown in FIG. 13, each blade 121 is biased so that the legs 116A and 116B and the connecting edge 118A exert a pressing force on the insertion cigarette. This bias preferably occurs before winding, but may be performed after winding. This bias increases the thermal contact between the heater blade and the insertion cigarette and improves the heat transfer efficiency.

  Heat transfer efficiency can also be improved by optimizing the amount of surface area of the blade legs 116A and 116B in effective thermal relationship with the underlying cigarette. As seen in FIG. 17A, the lower surface 117 of legs 116A and 116B (leg 116A is shown as an example) is flat or flat in the transverse direction of the blade legs in the discussed embodiment. To improve the heat transfer relationship, as illustrated in FIGS. 17B and 17C, respectively, without undesirably increasing the volume and hence undesirably increasing the current density of the heater legs and the resulting ohmic heating. In order to maximize the surface area of the heated leg with respect to the cigarette without lowering, the lower surface 117 is formed in various non-flat geometric shapes, for example, angled or curved. This formed lower surface 117 is preferably not pierced in any part of the cigarette in order to weaken the cigarette during insertion, adjustment or removal or to avoid possible tearing. Rather, the center point or vertex of the lower surface 117 is in contact with or in thermal proximity to the cigarette 23 and the remaining portion of the lower surface 117 is in a radiant thermal relationship with the cigarette 23.

  Preferably, this lower side shape is achieved by imprinting the legs 116A and 116B of the blade 121 in an unrolled state. This stamp can occur at the same time as the stamp that achieves the above bias. This inscription that shapes the lower surface also increases the strength of the legs 116A and 116B, thereby avoiding unwanted shorts and deformations.

  The second method of production will be described below. A tube of suitable material is provided. The blade 121 is then formed by any technique such as laser cutting. Alternatively, the blade is formed by a swaging technique in which an inner mandrel is inserted into the tube to form the discussed blade profile, and then either an inward or outward upset. Adopted to cut the contour. The ceramic coating 300 is applied to a tube contoured as discussed, if desired.

  The present invention also minimizes potentially damaging thermally induced stress. Since the heater blade 121 and the hub 111 are monolithic, stresses resulting from the interconnection of discontinuities in the heater elements are avoided.

  The various embodiments of the present invention are all designed to allow delivery of an effective amount of flavored tobacco in response to a smoker under standard use conditions. In particular, it is currently considered desirable to deliver between 5 and 13 mg, preferably between 7 and 10 mg of aerosol to smokers for 8 puffs, each of which is a 35 ml puff having a duration of 2 seconds. It has been. In order to achieve such delivery, it has been found that the heater element 121 should be able to carry the temperature as discussed at times in the heat transfer relationship with the cigarette 23. Furthermore, the heater blade 121 should preferably consume the energy discussed. The low energy requirement is enjoyed by the heater blade 121 bowed inward toward the cigarette 23 to improve the heat transfer relationship.

  Of course, the resistance of the heater is also indicated by a special power source 37 that is used to provide the electrical energy required to heat the heater blade 121. For example, the resistance of the upper heater element corresponds to an embodiment powered by four nickel cadmium batteries connected in series and having a total no-load power supply voltage of approximately 4.8 to 5.8 volts. In another aspect, if 6 or 8 such series connected batteries are used, the heater blade 121 preferably has a resistance between about 3Ω and about 5Ω, or between about 5Ω and about 7Ω, respectively. .

  Another embodiment 450 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and includes a plurality of heating elements 451. Each heating element 451 has an elongated U shape, each having opposite ends 452, 453 with respective legs connected to the sidewalls of the recess 430 adjacent to the end wall 443 of the recess 430. Each respective end 452 is individually connected to a control circuit, and ultimately to an electrical energy source, for individual activation of the heating element 451, while end 453 is commonly connected to ground. Yes. While the end 454 adjacent the mouth end of the indentation 430 is not electrically connected and thus does not need to touch the side wall of the indentation 430, they are nevertheless as illustrated in both FIGS. , Directed toward the sidewall of the indentation 430 to provide retraction for the disposable part, ie, the insertion cigarette, as discussed above. Note that in FIG. 21, the uppermost and lowermost elements 451 cut through the U-shaped tip 454 are shown.

  In another embodiment 470 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the heating element 471 is somewhat further spaced from the wall of the recess 430, and each includes a fold 473 to increase its rigidity. Similarly, a somewhat sharper V-shaped tip 472 is provided. In this way, the heating element 471 pierces and extends into the disposable part to provide the desired intimate thermal contact. The open cell structure described above is particularly well suited for such embodiments. In this embodiment, the heating elements 430 are further spaced from the sidewalls of the recesses 430, so that the ends 452, 453 are not attached to the sidewalls of the recesses 430 but are attached to the end walls 443. Preferably, the end 452, 453 is connected to the end wall 443 by a spacer 480 that conducts neither heat nor electricity. In this manner, the wiping action wipes the rest over the spacers 480 past the ends 452, 453, the rest of which is S. It is not reheated as fully described in US Pat. No. 5,249,586. Perforations 412 are provided in the wall and are S. As described more fully in US Pat. No. 5,249,586, outside air is allowed to be drawn through portion 420. It should be noted that the above patent is incorporated and referred to as it is.

  Many modifications, substitutions and improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein and defined in the claims that follow. For example, the flattening step may be performed before the cooling step by modifying a portion of the process described above with reference to FIG.

1 is a perspective view of an electric smoking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an electric smoking device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cigarette engaged in a heater installation of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a detailed perspective view of the cigarette shown in FIG. 4A with certain elements of the cigarette partially removed. 4B is a flow chart of the steps of a preferred process for making the cigarette tobacco web bobbin shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing the steps of transferring tobacco material into a sheet of tobacco web. 4B is a flow diagram of the steps of a preferred process for making the cigarette tobacco web bobbin shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing the steps of converting a tobacco web sheet into a tobacco web bobbin. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a substantially hollow embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a graphical representation of the aerosol product versus time during each puff as generated by a cigarette constructed according to the substantially hollow embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6A. FIG. 9 is a layout of a smoke measuring device used to establish the data represented in FIGS. 6B, 7B and 8. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed according to a fully filled embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a graphical representation of the aerosol product versus time between each skein when generated by a cigarette constructed according to the fully filled embodiment of FIG. 7A. 7B is a graphical comparison of aerosol volume in each series of pouts emitted by each cigarette as described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 6A, and 7A. In a graphical representation of the relationship between the amount of heater overlapped on the filling portion of a partially filled cigarette constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 4A) and the delivery of total particulate matter (TPM). is there. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a heater facility for carrying out a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of a heater implementing a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of a heater installation that implements a further aspect of the invention that employs an electrical insulation coating. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater installation that employs the points of the present invention that employ an electrical insulation coating that forms a hub. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater installation employing a point of the present invention having serpentine heater blade legs. FIG. 17A is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having a flat lower side facing an inserted cigarette. FIG. 17B is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having an angled lower side facing an inserted cigarette. FIG. 17C is a front, cross-sectional view of a heater blade having a curved lower side facing an inserted cigarette. It is a top view of the symmetrical arrangement | sequence of a heater blade in the flat state before rolling. It is a top view of the asymmetrical arrangement of the heater blades in a flat state before rolling. FIG. 3 is a radial cross-sectional view of an electrical smoking device employing the present invention showing another heater embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the flavor cartridge accommodation cavity of the electrical insulation apparatus of FIG. 20 seen from line AA of FIG. It is a radial cross-sectional view showing another modified heater embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the flavor cartridge accommodation cavity of the electric smoking apparatus of FIG. 22 seen from line BB of FIG.

Claims (20)

A heater (39) for use in a smoking device having an electrical energy source for heating cigarettes,
A first heater blade leg forming a container for receiving an inserted cigarette and comprising a plurality of electrical resistance heater blades (121) extending along the inserted cigarette, each blade having a first end and a second end (116A), a second heater blade leg (116B) having a first end and a second end (122), and a second end of the first heater blade leg connected to the second heater blade leg A connection section (118) connected to one end;
The first and second heater blade legs of each heater blade are separated by a respective gap (125);
The first end of the first heater blade leg is in electrical contact with an electrical energy source and includes each of the first heater blade leg, the connection section and the second heater blade leg. Forming a resistance heating path to heat each of the electrical resistance heater blades along the first and second blades, thus heating the inserted cigarette, and the first end of the first blade; Is a heater with a common connection.   The gap (125) separating the first heater blade leg and the second heater blade leg is sized to allow the smoker to draw an air flow into the heated cigarette when inhaled. The heater described. A support hub (111), and a first end of each of the first heater blade legs (116A) extends from the support hub;
The heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support hub is in electrical contact with an electrical energy source to form a common body with respect to a first end of the first heater blade leg.   Each of the second ends of the second heater blade legs (116B) is in electrical contact with an electrical energy source and includes the first heater blade legs, the connection edge section and the second heater blade. 4. The heater according to claim 3, wherein each resistance heating circuit is formed to heat each of the electric resistance heater blades (121), thereby heating the inserted cigarette.   The heater according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a second end (122) of the second heater blade leg (116B) extends toward and is electrically insulated from the support hub (111).   The heater according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a second end (122) of the second heater blade leg (116B) is separated from the hub by a gap.   The heater of claim 3 further comprising an electrical insulator applied to at least one of the hub and a second end of the second heater blade leg.   The heater of claim 3, further comprising an electrical insulator applied to at least one of the second end of the second heater blade leg and the first end of the first heater blade leg.   A ceramic hub support structure is formed around the support hub (111), a second end (122) of the second heater blade leg (116B) and a first end of the first heater blade leg (116B). The heater of claim 3, further comprising an electrical insulator (300).   The heater according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the support hub and the blade are integrated.   11. A heater according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection section (118) further comprises a free end (118B) for compensating for thermal expansion when the heating element is heated.   At least one portion of the first heater blade leg (116A) and the second heater blade leg (116B) is coated with ceramic (300) so that the first heater blade leg and the second heater blade leg The heater according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one is reinforced and electrically insulated.   13. A lower surface facing the inserted cigarette of at least one of the first and second heater blade legs (116A, B) is substantially non-planar in the transverse direction of the heater blade legs. The heater according to any one of the above.   A plurality of the electric resistance heater blades (121) are provided in groups, and the cigarettes into which the gaps (133) between the groups are inserted are provided with a non-heated portion so as to provide strength to facilitate the removal of cigarettes after smoking. The heater according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein:   The heater according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second heater blade legs (116A, B) is serpentine.   The heater of claim 15, wherein both the first and second blade legs are serpentine and are parallel to each other such that the gap between the legs is serpentine.   2. At least one end of at least one blade (121, 122) is wider than an adjacent working part of said at least one leg, and one end of said leg has a lower current density and ohmic heating than the working part of said leg. The heater described in 1.   The heater according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection section (119) is perforated.   The heater according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first and second heater blade legs (116A, B) are biased inwardly toward the inserted cigarette.   The first and second heater blade legs (116A, B) and the connecting edge section comprise an electrically resistive material selected from the group consisting of iron aluminides and nickel aluminides. The heater according to any one of 19 above.

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