ES2202437T3 - CIGARETTE AND HEATER TO USE IN A SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC SMOKING. - Google Patents

Abstract

A CIGARETTE (23) UNDERSTANDS A TOBACCO BAR THAT HAS FILLED AND UNFILLED PARTS, WAYS PROVIDED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENTS (31) CAN COVER BOTH PARTS. THE BAR INCLUDES A TOBACCO TUBULAR FRAME. THE FRAME IS BUILT BY CONVIRTING THE SUPPLY OF TOBACCO IN GROSS, IN A CONTINUOUS TOBACCO SHEET SHEET, AND CONVIRTING THE CONTINUOUS TOBACCO TOOTHEAD SHEET, IN ONE OR MORE TOBACCO TOOLS ADEQUATE TO MANUFACTURE OF AUTOMATIC MANUFACTURING. A HEATER (25) UNDERSTANDS A SUPPORT AXLE AND HEATING SHEETS BY ELECTRIC RESISTANCE (37), DEFINING A CONTAINER (27) FOR AN INSERTED CIGARETTE (23). EACH LAMINILLA UNDERSTANDS FIRST AND SECOND LEGS OF HEATING LAMP, HAVING EACH ONE FIRST AND SECOND EXTREME, AND A CONNECTION AREA THAT JOINS THE SECOND END OF THE FIRST PATA AND THE FIRST END OF THE SECOND PAW. THE LAMINILLAS (37) HEAT THROUGH A RESISTANCE HEATING CIRCUIT, AND HEAT THE INSERTED ELCIGARRILLO (23). THE LEGS ARE SEPARATED BY A HOLLOW, TO ALLOW THE TRACK OF GUSTATIVE SUBSTANCES JUST AFTER THEIR EXTRACTION.

Description

Cigarette and heater for                                                                                    use in an electric smoking system.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to electric smoking systems, and in particular cigarettes adapted to cooperate with electric lighters of systems for Electric smoking and a heater for use in smoking systems electric

Background of the invention

Traditional cigarettes deliver to the smoker flavor and aroma as a result of combustion, during which it has place the combustion of a mass of combustible material, mainly tobacco, at temperatures that frequently exceed 800 ° C during a smoke or puff. The heat is sucked through an adjacent mass of tobacco, aspiring for it at the end of mouth. During heating, the inefficient oxidation of the combustible material releases several gaseous products from the combustion and tobacco distillates. When these products are aspirated soda through the cigarette, they cool and condense to form an aerosol that provides the flavors and Aromas associated with smoking.

Traditional cigarettes have several perceived inconveniences associated with them. One of these is the production of smoke in lateral current during the time in which aren without flame among smoked, which can be objectionable to no smoking Once lit, they must be consumed completely or discarded The re-ignition of a traditional cigarette is possible, but it is usually a non-attractive ratio for a smoker who discerns, for subjective reasons (aroma, taste, odor).

An alternative to more cigarettes traditional includes those in which it is not the material itself fuel which in itself releases the spray. Such items for smoking can comprise a carbonaceous heating element fuel (heat source) located in, or in the vicinity of, one end of the smoking article, and a bed of loaded items with tobacco located adjacent to the heating element before mentioned. The heating element is turned on with a match or with a cigarette lighter, and when a smoker cigarette snuff, the heat generated by the element of heating is communicated to the bed of elements loaded with tobacco, so that it makes the bed release a tobacco spray. Although this type of smoking device produces little or no sidestream smoke, continues to generate products derived from the combustion in the heat source, and once its power is turned on heat source, it is not easily extinguished for future use, in a practic sense.

Both in the most traditional device and in the coal-heated described above, during use combustion takes place. This process naturally gives rise to many by-products by decomposing the material that has experienced the combustion and act in reciprocity with the atmosphere surrounding.

In U.S. patent applications pending processing together with this and assigned in common, Serial No. 08 / 380,718, filed on September 30, 1995 (PM 1697 Cont) and Serial No. 07 / 943,804, filed with date of September 11, 1992 (PM 1550), together with the Patents of USA Numbers 5,093,894, 5,225,498, 6,060,671 and 5,095,921 se describe various heating element and generation items of aroma that significantly reduce current smoke lateral, while allowing the smoker to quit smoking and come back to smoke later, selectively. However, the articles of cigarettes described in those patents are not very durable and they can crush, tear or break as a result of a prolonged or intense handling. In certain circumstances, these previous cigarettes can crack, since they are even more weak and may tear or break when removed from the lighter.

In the aforementioned patent application for USA No. 08 / 380,718 (PM 1697 Cont) and in US document 5,388,594 describes an electric smoking system that includes a new electric powered lighter and a new cigarette that Cooperate with the lighter. The preferred embodiment of the lighter includes a plurality of metal winding heaters arranged in a configuration that receives slip to a part of cigarette tobacco rod.

The preferred embodiment of cigarette Document Serial No. 08 / 380,718 (PM 1697 Cont) and also described in the document EP-A-0.615.411, comprises a support tubular loaded with tobacco, a cigarette paper wrapped around of the tubular support, an arrangement of flow felt plugs through at one end of the mouthpiece of the support, and a stopper felt at the free (distant) end of the support. The cigarette and the lighter are set in such a way that when you enter the cigarette in the lighter and when the heaters are activated individual for each smoked, scorching occurs located at points around the cigarette in the place where each heater was leaning against the cigarette (to which we will call here in what follows as a "footprint of heater "). Once they have been activated all heaters, these scorched points are spaced very close each other and surround a central part of the support part of the cigarette.

\hbox{otro cigarrillo.}

Depending on the maximum temperatures and the total energies delivered to the heaters, the scorched points manifest themselves as more than mere discolorations of cigarette paper. In most applications, scorching will create at least tiny breaks in the cigarette paper and in the support material underneath, whose breaks tend to mechanically weaken the cigarette. To remove the cigarette from the lighter, the scorched points must be made to slide, at least partially, beyond the heaters. When circumstances have worsened, such as when the cigarette is moist, or has been twisted or fiddled with it, the cigarette may be exposed to breakage or to lose pieces when removed from the lighter. The pieces that remain in the lighter device can interfere with the proper functioning of the lighter and / or communicate a bad taste to the smoke of the next cigarette. If the cigarette breaks in two while it is being removed, the smoker may face not only the frustration of seeing that the cigarette product has failed, but also the prospect of having to clean the remains of a lighter stuck before he or she can enjoy

 \ hbox {another cigarette.} 

The preferred embodiment of the request for U.S. Patent Serial No. 08 / 380,718, of the document EP-A-0.615.411 and Patent No. 5,388,594. it is essentially a hollow tube between the plugs of filter at the end of cigarette mouthpiece and the cap on the distant end. This construction is believed to raise delivery to the smoker, by providing sufficient space within which he can evolve the spray by detaching from the support with a minimal incidence and condensation of the spray on any nearby surfaces.

Several proposals have been anticipated that reduce significantly unwanted sidestream smoke, at time that allow the smoker to stop smoking the item for a desired period of time and then continue again smoking. For example, in US Pat. ceded in common Numbers 5,093,894, 5,225,498, 5,060,671 and 5,095,921 are described various heating elements and aroma generation systems. In document EP-A-0.615.411 and in U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594 a smoking system is described electric that has heaters that are actuated by being perceived an aspiration by the control and logic circuit. The heaters are preferably a winding structure relatively thin to transfer adequate amounts of heat to the cigarette, and that is light.

Although these devices and heaters exceed the problems that have been observed and achieve the objectives expressed, many embodiments are subject to weakening mechanical and possible failure, due to the induced efforts introduce and when removing the cylindrical tobacco medium, and also when adjust or fiddle with the inserted cigarette.

Short circuits can also occur unwanted electrical if the shape of a set of heater, for example, adjusting or fiddling with the cigarette inserted.

Also, electric smoking systems employ electric resistance heaters that have needed relatively complex electrical connections, which can be disturbed when introducing and removing the cigarette.

When we include filler cut with the hollow document cigarette structure EP-0.615.411, it was discovered that such cigarettes, when completely filled with cut filler tobacco, they tended to work properly in an electric lighter during The first several smoked. After that, his delivery tended to go decreasing The same phenomena would tend to occur when they will smoke more traditional cigarettes in an electric lighter, such as the electric lighter described in the document EP-A-0.615.411.

When left unfilled, the structures hollow cigarette of the preferred embodiments of the document EP-A-0.615.411 were also something vulnerable to crushing as a result of manipulation Intense or careless.

The invention, in its various aspects, remains defined in the independent claims herein accompany.

A cigarette that incorporates aspects of The present invention has the advantage of containing cut filler and can, however, be operated in a consistent manner when it is smoked as part of an electric smoking system.

A cigarette that incorporates aspects of invention has the advantages of containing cut filler, and of being adapted to cooperate with an electric lighter and render levels Satisfactory taste and delivery.

A cigarette that incorporates aspects of The present invention has the advantage of including cut filler and provide, however, an improved consistency of delivery from smoked to smoked.

Cigarettes that incorporate aspects of invention can be easily manufactured and packaged in containers attractants

Cigarettes that incorporate aspects of invention can be physically robust and minimize condensation and / or the aerosol filtrate inside the cigarette and / or the lighter. They can also be resistant to breakage during removal of the cigarette lighter the same.

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Cigarettes that incorporate aspects of present invention and suitable for consumption with a lighter of a electric smoking system, may be less vulnerable to crushing or breakage during careless handling by part of the consumer

Cigarettes that incorporate aspects of present invention and suitable for consumption with a lighter of a Electric smoking system may not be exposed to crushing or breakage during manufacturing or packaging of cigarette.

Cigarettes that incorporate aspects of invention and operants with an electric lighter can lead to manufacturing methods of good characteristics of cost-effectiveness, even at speeds of production.

The heaters that incorporate aspects of invention can generate smoke from a tobacco medium, without a sustained combustion, can reduce the creation of smoke in unwanted sidestream, may allow the smoker to discontinue use and come back later to resume it, and may improve aerosol generation within the smoking system.

A heater structure that performs the invention can provide a desired number of smoked and be modified in a direct way to change the number and / or duration of the smokes you provide, without sacrificing subjective qualities of tobacco

A heating element that performs the invention may be mechanically suitable to be introduced in, and removed from, a cigarette.

An electric resistance heater that incorporate aspects of the invention may have connections simplified with an associated energy source.

A heating element that incorporates aspects of the invention can be mechanically stable during heating cycles

Embodiments of the invention can minimize the variation of an interface between the heating element and the cigarette, to avoid changes in heat transfer.

A heater that carries out the invention can be of cheaper manufacturing.

A preferred embodiment provides a system to smoke, to deliver a scent response to a smoker tobacco. The system includes a cigarette and a cigarette lighter electrical operation, whose lighter includes a plurality of electric heaters, each of them being adapted heaters for, either singularly or concerted, release a predetermined amount of tobacco spray from cigarette when activated the same. The cigarette comprises a soul of tubular tobacco, in which a first part of the soul of tobacco Tubular is filled with a tobacco column, preferably in cut filling form, and a second part of the tobacco soul tubular is left unfilled or hollow, so that it defines a space vacuum in the tobacco column.

More particularly, the aforementioned cigarette preferably comprises a tobacco rod formed from of a tubular tobacco soul and a tobacco plug located inside the Soul of tubular tobacco. The tobacco rod is adapted to be received by sliding by an electric heating device, of such that the heating elements are located along of the tobacco rod in a position between the free end and a opposite end of the tobacco rod. Preferably, the plug (or column) of tobacco extends from the free end of the tobacco rod to a place that is spaced from the end opposite of the tobacco rod, so that it defines an empty space (or hollow part) adjacent to the opposite end.

The relative dimensions of the cigarette and the lighter heater device are determined in such a way that when the cigarette is introduced into the lighter, each heater it will be located along the tobacco rod in one place predetermined along the tobacco rod and, preferably, such that the longitudinal extension of the contact between the heater and the cigarette (named here below "heater footprint") overlaps at least one part of the aforementioned empty space, and at least one part of the plug tobacco. By doing so, you get consistent delivery and satisfactory when the cigarette is smoked electrically, and reduces condensation of the tobacco spray in or around heating elements.

In the alternative, the dimensions are determined Relative cigarette and lighter heater device, such that when the cigarette is introduced into the lighter, each heater is located along the tobacco rod of such that at least some, if not all, of the heater tracks overlap only the stuffed part of the tobacco rod (on the tobacco plug). In such configurations, the empty space can still be used to facilitate the formation of aerosol and to keep the smoke cold.

Preferably, a paper of cigarette around the tubular tobacco soul so that it provide the look and feel of the most traditional cigarette during manipulation by the smoker.

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The tobacco soul preferably comprises a core of non-woven tobacco loom and a layer of material tobacco located along at least one face of the core soul of tobacco.

The cigarette also preferably includes a filter nozzle on the opposite end of the tobacco rod mentioned above, which comprises a flow filter plug intern, also known in the art as "whistle to its through ", a mouthpiece filter plug and a paper nozzle that connects the plugs to the tobacco rod.

When you introduce a cigarette that performs the present invention in a lighter of a smoking system electric, the cigarette matches against a stop located inside the lighter heater device (or at some point of equivalent match), so that the heating element Electric lighter are placed regularly along the cigarette, generally the same place for each cigarette. To the start a smoke, at least one of the heaters of the lighter is activated in response to heat the cigarette in the aforementioned place along the tobacco rod. TO as you progress in smoking, the tobacco rod is heated and the aerosol of the tobacco soul and the filling is released. Where the heater sheet overlaps the empty space on the rod tobacco, the tobacco spray is released almost immediately at defined space within the unfilled part of the rod tobacco and sucked out of the cigarette. The soul of tobacco contributes with most of this fraction of the total spray delivered by the cigarette, and it is believed that its immediacy favorably affects the nature and extent of aspiration by the smoker in the cigarette. Due to the greater mass of tobacco in the stuffed part of the tobacco rod, there is a slight delay in the release of spray from where the heater footprint overlaps the part Stuffed from the rod. The spray that emerges from the part stuffed with the tobacco rod contributes to the smoke, providing an additional character and predominant aroma.

Another aspect of the present invention is that of the ability to adjust the delivery of a system cigarette for electric smoking, in which the proportional amount of overlap between the stuffed and unfilled parts of the dipstick tobacco by the heater footprint makes the desired adjustments in the delivery of one brand of cigarettes to another, or within extension lines of the same brand.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is the of a method to improve the levels and consistency of spray delivery from a cigarette operated with a electronic heater device, in which the cigarette has a free end and an opposite end. The method comprises the steps of superimpose a heater footprint on both a part of the cigarette stuffed with tobacco adjacent to the free end, as on a part of the unfilled cigarette adjacent to the opposite end, at time that is simultaneously heated by electrical resistance to along the heater footprint and sucked on the cigarette to through the opposite end of it.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is the of providing a cigarette that contains a filler that is operant with an electric lighter, whose cigarette includes a tobacco rod that has a free flow filter and a part of free fill rod adjacent to the free flow filter, so that a consistent aerosol production is favored.

Another aspect of the present invention is that of a reinforced tubular tobacco core that has cellulosic fiber of wood or linen added to your core soul so that you provides additional mechanical resistance. As an alternative, it may include cellulosic fiber from nerve material of tobacco in the composition of the core soul, as an agent of reinforcement.

The robustness of the cigarette is improved by inclusion of cut filler within the confines of your soul of tubular tobacco, in order to provide a cigarette that can better withstand handling, including handling by Cigarette maker machines and by consumers.

A heater carrying out the invention comprises preferably a support hub and a plurality of sheets of electric resistance heater that define a receptacle for Receive an inserted cigarette. Each sheet comprises a first heater blade branch that has a first end and a second end and that extends through the first end from the bucket of support, a second branch of heater sheet that has a first end and a second end, and a connecting section that connects the second end of the first branch with the first end of the Second branch The second end of the second branch extends towards the support hub and is electrically isolated from it. I know forms an electrical resistance heating circuit for heat the electric resistance heater sheet, which heats the inserted cigarette in turn. The first and second are separated by a separation space to allow that the air drag helps to release aromatic substances from the heated cigarette when a smoker sucks.

Embodiments of the following will be described invention, by way of examples, and with reference to the drawings that are accompany, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a electronic smoking system according to one embodiment preferred of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view. developed from a cigarette applied to the heating device of the smoking system illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4A is a 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 illustrated in Fig. 4A, with certain components of the cigarettes that have been partially exposed;

Figs. 5A and 5B are flow charts of steps in a preferred manufacturing process of tobacco soul coils cigarette illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B, in which Fig. 5A illustrates the steps of converting tobacco feed material into a tobacco soul leaf, and Fig. 5B illustrates the steps of the Conversion of the tobacco soul leaf into soul coils of tobacco;

Fig. 6A is a sectional side view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with a substantially embodiment hollow of the present invention;

Fig. 6B is a graphic representation of the spray production as a function of time during each smoke, as generated by a cigarette built in accordance with the substantially hollow embodiment of the present invention of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6C is an arrangement of a device to measure the smoke that was used to establish the data that they have represented in Figs. 6B, 7B and 8;

Fig. 7A is a sectional side view of a cigarette built according to a completely realization filled in with the present invention;

Fig. 7B is a graphic representation of the spray production as a function of time during each smoke, as generated by a cigarette built in accordance with the fully filled embodiment of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8 is a graphical comparison of volume spray on each successive smoke, as delivered by each cigarette of those described in the reference to Figs. 4A, 6A and 7A;

Fig. 9 is a graphic presentation of the relationship between the delivery of total particulate matter (TPM) and the amount of overlap of the heater on the part partially filled cigarette fill constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment (Fig. 4A) of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of a cigarette built according to a second embodiment preferred of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional side view of a cigarette built in accordance with a third embodiment preferred of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional side view of a heating device that performs another aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a side view of an assembly of heater that performs another aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a sectional side view of a heating device that performs another aspect of the present invention, in which an insulator coating is used electric;

Fig. 15 is a sectional side view of a heating device that performs an aspect of the present invention, in which an electrical insulating coating that forms a Cube;

Fig. 16 is a sectional side view of a heating device that performs an aspect of the present invention, which has serpentine shaped leaf branches;

Fig. 17A is a front sectional view of a heater sheet that has a flat bottom face that faces an inserted cigarette;

Fig. 17B is a front sectional view of a heater sheet that has an angled bottom face that gives in front of an inserted cigarette;

Fig. 17C is a front sectional view of a heater blade that has a curved bottom face facing to an inserted cigarette;

Fig. 18 is a top view of a symmetrical arrangement of heater sheets in a flat state, before rolling them up;

Fig. 19 is a top view of a asymmetric arrangement of heater sheets in a flat state before rolling them up;

Fig. 20 is a radial sectional view of the electric smoking system that performs the present invention, showing an alternative heater embodiment;

Fig. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cavity that the aroma cartridge receives from the smoking system electrical of Fig. 20, taken along line A-A of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a radial sectional view, in the that another alternative embodiment of heater has been illustrated; Y

Fig. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cavity that receives the aroma cartridge of the smoking system electrical of Fig. 22, taken along line B-B of Fig. 22.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an embodiment Preferred of the present invention provides a smoking system 21 which includes a 23, partially filled, filler cigarette and a reusable lighter 25. Cigarette 23 is adapted to be inserted in and removed from a receptacle 27 at an extreme part front 29 of the lighter 25. Once the cigarette 23 is inserted, it use the smoking system 21 very similarly to how a more traditional cigarette, but without lighting or letting it burn without call cigarette 23. Cigarette 23 is discarded after one or More smoking cycles. Preferably, each cigarette 23 provides a total of eight smoked (smoking cycles) or more per every time you smoke However, it is a matter to be solved in the design to adjust to a greater or lesser total number of smoked available.

The lighter 25 includes a housing 31 that It has front and rear housing parts 33 and 35. Within the rear part 35 housing are located so that they can remove one or more batteries 35a, which supply power to a plurality of resistance heating elements 37 electrical, which are arranged within part 333 housing front adjacent to receptacle 27. A circuit of control 41 on the front part 33 of the housing set electrical communication between the batteries 35a and the elements heaters 37. Preferably, the rear part 35 is adapted to be easily opened and closed, such as with screws or with snap fit components, to facilitate the replacement of the batteries If desired, contacts or a electrical receptacle for recharging batteries with power Domestic, or similar.

Preferably, the front part 33 of the housing is detachably attached to the rear part of the accommodation, such as with a dovetail joint or with an adjustment plug The housing 31 is preferably made of a hard, heat resistant material. As preferred materials are include the metallic materials or, more preferably, the polymers Preferably, the housing 31 has dimensions totals of approximately 10.7 cm by 3.8 cm by 1.5 cm, so It can fit comfortably in the hand of a smoker.

The batteries 35a are sized to provide enough energy for the heaters to work 37 as intended, and are preferably of the substitutable type and rechargeable There are suitable alternative sources of energy, such as capacitors In the preferred embodiment, the source of Energy comprises four nickel-cadmium batteries connected in series with a total voltage without being charged approximately 4.8 to 5.6 volts. The required characteristics of the energy source are selected, however, in view of the characteristics of other components of sdf 21, particularly of the characteristics of the heating elements 37. In the U.S. Patent No. 5,144,962 (PM 1345) various types are described. of useful energy sources in relation to the smoking system of the present invention, such as rechargeable battery sources and energy arrangements comprising a capacitor, which is Recharge using a battery.

Referring now to Fig. 3, part 33 front of the lighter housing 25 supports a device substantially cylindrical heater 39, which receives sliding to the cigarette 23. The heating device 39 houses the heating elements 37 and is adapted to withstand a cigarette 23 inserted, in a fixed relationship with the elements heaters 37 such that the heating elements 37 are located along the cigarette in approximately the same place throughout each cigarette. Where each heating element 37 supports against (or is in thermal contact with) a cigarette 23 fully inserted, it is here designated as the footprint of Heater.

To ensure consistent placement of heating elements 37 relative to each cigarette 23, of one cigarette to another cigarette, the heater device 39 is provided with a stop 182 against which the cigarette is pushed during placement inside the lighter 25. Instead, they can use other means to match cigarette 23 with relation to the lighter 25.

The front part 33 of the housing of the lighter 25 also includes an electrical control circuit 41, which delivers a predetermined amount of energy from the source of energy 35a to the heating elements 37. In the preferred embodiment, the heating device 39 includes eight heating elements spaced circumferentially from each other 37, which are concentrically aligned with receptacle 27 and that They are meandering. The details of the heaters 37 have been illustrated and described in the US patent application. ceded in common Serial No. 07 / 943.504 (PM 1550), pending processing together with this, and in US Pat. ceded in common Nº 5,388,594 (PM 1697). As additional heating devices 37 which are operable as part of the lighter 25 include the described in the US patent application ceded in common pending processing together with this Serial No. ____________ filed on January 6, 1995 (File Prosecutor No. PM 1719); and in the last part of this description that does with respect to Figs. 13 to 23. Preferably, the heaters 37 are individually excited by the source of energy 35a under the control of circuit 41 to heat the cigarette 23 preferably eight times in spaced places around the periphery of the cigarette 23. The warming provides eight smoked cigarettes 23, which is what It is commonly obtained by smoking a more traditional cigarette. It may be preferred to simultaneously turn on more than one heater to one or more of the smoked.

Another preferred heater arrangement has been set forth in U.S. patent application ceded in common, pending processing together with this, Serial No. 08 / 224,848, filed on April 8, 1994 (PM 1729B).

With reference again to Fig. 2, circuit 41 is preferably activated by a sensor 46 powered by smoking, which is sensitive to either changes in pressure or whether the changes in the airflow regime that they take place at the start of an aspiration in cigarette 23 by Part of a smoker. The sensor 45 actuated by smoking is preferably located within the front part 33 of the lighter housing 25, and is connected to a space inside the heating device 39 adjacent to cigarette 23, a through a step that extends through a spacer in the base of the heating device 39 and, if desired, of a sensor tube of smoked (not represented). A sensor 45 actuated by smoking, suitable for use in the smoking system 21, has been described in U.S. Patent jointly assigned No. 5,060,671 (PM 1337). The smoking sensor 45 preferably comprises a sensor Model 163PCO1D35 silicon, manufactured by the MicroSwitch Division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Illinois (USA). It has been also successfully demonstrated that the sensor devices of the flow, such as those that make use of the principles of hot wire anemometry are useful for activating an appropriate one of the heating elements 37 upon detection of a change in the air flow. Once activated by sensor 45, the circuit control 41 directs electrical current to an appropriate one of the heating elements 37.

An indicator 51 is planned in one place length of the exterior of the lighter 25, preferably in part 33 front of the accommodation, to indicate the number of smoked they are left of a cigarette 23 that is smoking. Indicator 51 preferably includes a liquid crystal presentation of Seven segments In the preferred embodiment, indicator 51 presents the digit "8" when a cigarette detector 53 detects the presence of a cigarette in the heating device 39. The detector 53 preferably comprises a light sensor in the base of the heating device 39, which detects when it is reflected a beam of light from an inserted cigarette 23. Then the detector of cigarettes 53 provides a signal to circuit 41 which, at its instead, it provides a signal to indicator 51 in response. presentation of the digit "8" in indicator 51 reflects that has the eight smokes provided in each cigarette 23, is say that none of the heating elements has been activated 37 to heat cigarette 23. After it has been smoked by complete cigarette 23, the indicator shows the digit "0". When the cigarette 23 is removed from the lighter 25, the detector 53 of cigarettes stops detecting the presence of a cigarette 23 and indicator 51 is switched off. Cigarette detector 53 is modulated so that it does not constantly emit a beam of light, which in another case would create unnecessary consumption of the energy source 35th A preferred cigarette detector 53, suitable for use with the smoking system 21, is a Light Sensor of the OPR5005 type, manufactured by OPTEX Technology, Inc., of 1215 West Crossby Road, Carrollton, Texas 75006, USA

As an alternative to presenting the rest of the smoked count, detector presentation may instead be arranged so that it indicates whether the system is active or inactive ("connected" or "disconnected").

As one of several possible alternatives to use of the cigarette detector 53 indicated above, can be provided a mechanical switch (not shown) to detect the presence or the absence of a cigarette 23 and a button can be provided reset (not shown) to reset the circuit 41 when a new cigarette is inserted into the lighter 25, by example, to make indicator 51 present the digit "8", etc. Energy sources, circuits, triggered sensors for smoking, and useful indicators with the smoking system 21 of the present invention have been described in US Pat. ceded in common No. 5,060,671 (PM 1337) and in the patent application of US, jointly assigned Serial No. 07 / 943,504 (PM 1550).

With reference now to Figs. 4A and 4B, the x 23 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a tobacco rod 60 and a filter nozzle 62, which are joined together with emboquillar paper 64.

The filling cigarette 23, partially filling, preferably has an essentially constant diameter at along its length and, for those who like cigarettes more traditional, preferably between approximately 7.5 mm and 8.5 m in diameter, so that the smoking system 21 It gives a smoker a familiar "mouthfeel." In the preferred embodiment, cigarette 23 is 62 mm long total, thereby facilitating the use of usual packaging machines for the packaging of cigarettes 23. The combined length of the filter 104 of the mouthpiece and free flow filter 102 is preferably 30 mm. The emboquillar paper extends preferably in about 6 mm on the tobacco rod 60. The total length of the tobacco rod 60 is preferably 32 mm Other proportions, lengths and diameters, instead of those just cited above, for the preferred embodiment.

Tobacco rod 60 of cigarette 23 includes preferably a tobacco soul 66 that has been folded into a tubular shape (cylindrical).

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An envelope 71 intimately envelops the soul of tobacco 66 and is held together along a seam longitudinal, as is common in the construction of more traditional cigarettes. The envelope 71 retains the soul of tobacco 66 in a wrapped condition around a filter free flow 74 and a tobacco plug 80.

Preferably, the wrapping paper 71 of cigarette is wrapped intimately around the soul of tobacco 66 so that it produces the external appearance and the feeling of a more traditional cigarette. It has been proven that smoke is achieved better tasting when wrapping paper 71 is of a type normal cigarette paper, preferably a linen paper of approximately 20 to 50 CORESTA (defined as the amount of air, measured in cubic centimeters, that passes through a square centimeter of material, for example, of a sheet of paper, in a minute, with a pressure drop of 1.0 kilopascal) and more preferably about 30 to 45 CORESTA, of a weight basic of approximately 23 to 35 grams per square meter (g / m2), and more preferably from about 23 to 30 g / m2, and a filler charge (preferably carbonate calcium) of approximately 23 to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 28 to 33% by weight.

The wrapping paper 71 contains, preferably, little or no citrate or other modifiers of the combustion, with preferred levels of citrate ranging from 0 to approximately 2.6% by weight of paper 71 of the wrapper, and more preferably less than 1%.

The soul of tobacco 66 includes, in turn, preferably, a base core 68 and a layer of mdat 70 located at along the inner surface of the base core 68. In the end of the nozzle 72 of the tobacco rod 60, the soul of tobacco 66, together with wrap 71, are wrapped around the Tubular free flow filter plug. The free flow filter 74 provides structural definition and support at the end of nozzle 72 of tobacco rod 60 and allows it to be aspirated spray inside the tobacco rod 60 with a drop of minimum pressure The free flow filter 74 also acts as a narrowing of the flow at the nozzle end 72 of the rod of tobacco 60, which is believed to contribute to training spray during an aspiration in cigarette 23. The filter of free flow is preferably at least 7 millimeters in length, to facilitate machine handling, and is preferably cancel, although other types and forms of bass filters are suitable performance, including cylindrical filter caps.

At the free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60, to the soul of tobacco 66, together with the envelope 71, are wrapped around a cylindrical tobacco plug 80. Preferably, the tobacco plug 80 is constructed separately of the tobacco soul 66 and comprises a relatively short column of cut stuffed tobacco that has been wrapped inside, and retained by, a plug wrap 84.

Preferably, the tobacco plug 80 is Built in a usual cigarette rod manufacturing machine, in which it conforms to the cut filled air (preferably mixed) on a continuous rod of tobacco on a tape that shifts and that is wrapped with a continuous wrapping tape of plug 84, which is then glued along its seam longitudinal and heat sealed. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, plug wrap 84 it is constructed, preferably, from a cellulosic soul of little or no fillers, sizing or combustion additives (each one at levels below 0.5% by weight) and preferably little or No sizing ready. Preferably, the plug wrap Tobacco 84 has a low basic weight, less than 15 grams per square meter, and more preferably about 13 grams per square meter. The tobacco plug wrap 84 has preferably a high permeability in the range of approximately 20,000 to 35,000 CORESTA, and more preferably in the margin of approximately 25,000 to 35,000 CORESTA, and it is built preferably of soft wood fiber pulp, cellulose type of abaca (Manila hemp), or other long fiber paste. Such papers can be obtained from Papierfabrik Schoeller and Hoechst GmbH, Postfach 1155, D-76584, Gernsback, GERMANY; other paper suitable for use as the plug wrap 84 It is the role TW 2000 of the firm De Mauduit de Euiemperte FRANCE, with the addition of carboxy methyl cellulose, at a level of 2.5% in weight.

The machine for the manufacture of rod tobacco is operated so as to provide a density of tobacco rod of approximately 0.17 to 0.30 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc), but more preferably in a range of at least 0.20 to 0.30 g / cc, and more preferably between approximately 0.24 to 0.28 g / cc. Densities are preferred raised to avoid loose ends at free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60. However, it should be understood that the Lower rod densities will allow the tobacco column 82 contribute a higher proportion of spray and aroma to smoke. Consequently, a balance must be achieved between aerosol delivery (for which it favors a low density of the rod in the tobacco column 82), and that the loose ends (for which they favor the high margins of rod densities).

The tobacco column 84 preferably comprises stuffing cut from a typical tobacco blend of industry, including mixtures comprising bright tobacco, Burley (tobacco American from Kentucky and southern Ohio), and eastern, along with, optionally, reconstituted tobacco and other mixing components, including the aromas of traditional cigarettes. However, in the preferred embodiment, the cut filler of the column of Tobacco 84 comprises a mixture of bright tobacco, Burley and oriental, in the ratio of approximately 45:30:25 to the market of the US, without inclusion of reconstituted tobacco or aroma Some after cutting. Optionally, it could be included in the mix an expanded tobacco component, to adjust the density of the rod, and aromas can be added.

The continuous tobacco rod formed as it has been described above is cut into slices according to a predetermined length of the stopper for the tobacco stopper 80. This length is preferably at least 7 mm, in order to facilitate the machine manipulation However, the length may vary from approximately 7 mm to 25 mm or more, depending on the preferences regarding the design of cigarettes, which It will be evident in the description that follows, with reference to particular to Figs. 4A and 4B.

As a general matter, it is established preferably the length 86 of the tobacco plug 80 in relation to the total length 88 of the tobacco rod 60, such that an empty space 90 is defined along the rod of tobacco 60 between free flow filter 74 and tobacco plug 80. The empty space 90 corresponds to an unfilled part of the rod of tobacco 60 and is in immediate fluid communication with the tipped 62 through rod 74 free flow filter of tobacco 60.

With particular reference to Fig. 4A, also select the length 86 of the tobacco plug 80 and its relative position along tobacco rod 60 relative to the characteristics of the heating elements 37. When a cigarette is correctly placed in position against the stop 182 of the heating device 39, a part of each heating element 37 will make contact with the tobacco rod 60 along a tobacco rod region 60. This contact region is designates as a heater footprint 94. The heater footprint 94 (as illustrated with a double arrow in Fig. 4A) it is not part of the structure of the cigarette itself, but is instead a representation of that region of the tobacco rod 60 where it would be expected that the heating element 37 reached the operational heating temperatures during smoking of cigarette 23. Since the heating elements 37 are at a fixed distance 96 of the stop 182 of the heating device 39, the Heater footprint 94 is consistently located along the tobacco rod 60 at the same predetermined distance 96 of the free end 78 of tobacco rod 60 for each cigarette 23 that is fully inserted into the lighter 25.

Preferably, the length of the tobacco plug 80, the length of the heater footprint 94, and the distance between heater footprint 94 and stop 182 are selected thereby that the heater footprint 94 extends beyond the plug of tobacco 80 and overlap a portion of the empty space 90 in a distance 98. The distance 98 at which the heater footprint 94 overlaps the empty space 90 (the unfilled part of the rod of tobacco 60) is also designated as the "overlap of space heater vacuum "98. The distance in which the rest of the heater footprint 94 overlaps tobacco plug 80 se designates as the "heater overlap overlap" 99.

The tipping 62 preferably comprises a free flow filter 102 located adjacent to the tobacco rod 60 and a mouthpiece filter plug 104 at the far end of the tipped 62 of the tobacco rod 60. Preferably, the free flow filter 102 is tubular and transmits the air with very Little pressure drop. However, they could be used instead Other filters of low performance of normal configuration. The inner diameter for free flow filter 96 is preferably between 2 and 6 millimeters, and is preferably greater than that of the free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60.

The filter plug 104 of the mouthpiece closes the free end of the emboquillado 62 for purposes of obtaining its best aspect and, if desired, to perform a certain filtering, although prefers that the filter plug 104 of the mouthpiece comprises a low performance filter of preferably a performance of approximately 15 to 25 percent.

The free flow filter 102 and the filter plug 104 of the mouthpiece are preferably joined together as a combined plug 110 with a plug wrap 112. The envelope 112 of plug is a porous plug wrap of low weight, such as which is usually available to those who are dedicated to the technique of cigarette manufacturing. The combined cap 110 is attached to the tobacco rod 60 by the blotting paper 64 of specifications that are normal and those usually used in The entire cigarette industry. Blotting paper 64 it can be either cork, or white or any other color, such as decorative preferences may suggest.

Preferably, a cigarette 23 constructed of according to the preferred embodiment it has a total length of approximately 62 mm, of which 30 mm constitute the plug combined 110 of the embossing 62. Accordingly, the rod of Tobacco 60 is 32 mm long. Preferably, the filter free flow 74 of tobacco rod 60 has at least 7 mm of length, and the empty space 91 between the free flow filter 74 and tobacco plug 80 preferably has at least 7 mm of length. In the preferred embodiment, the heater footprint 94 it is approximately 12 mm long and is located in such a way which provides a 3 mm overlap 98 of the empty space of the heater, leaving 9 mm of the footprint of heater 94 overlapping tobacco plug 80.

It should be understood that the length of the empty space 91 and the length of the tobacco plug 80 can adjust to facilitate manufacturing and, most importantly, to adjust the characteristics of cigarette smoking 23, including adjustments of its flavor, aspiration and delivery. The length of the empty space 91 and the amount of overlap of the heater filling (and overlapping the empty space of the heater) can also be manipulated to adjust the immediacy of the answer, to favor the consistency of the delivery (about a base from smoked to smoked, as well as between cigarettes), and for control aerosol condensation in, or around, the heaters

In the preferred embodiment, the empty space 91 (the filling-free part of the tobacco rod 60) extends in approximately 7 mm, to ensure adequate clearance between the heater footprint 94 and free flow filter 74. Thus, a margin is provided such that the heater footprint 94 does not heats the free flow filter 74 during smoking. If the manufacturing tolerances allow it, others are suitable lengths, for example, the empty space 91 could be set as short as about 4 mm or less, or at the other end, extend well beyond 7 mm, so that an elongated free part of filling be established along the tobacco rod 60. The preferred range of lengths for the fill-free part (empty space 91), is approximately 4 mm to 18 mm, and more preferably 5 to 12 mm.

The base soul 68 physically separates the heating elements 37 of the mdat, transfers the heat generated by the heating elements 37 to the aroma material 70, and maintains the physical cohesion of the tobacco rod during handling, insertion into lighter 25 and removal of the cigarette after smoking.

In the description that follows they have been established certain percentage levels and / or relative weights for the various components that constitute the soul of tobacco 66. Unless expressly say otherwise, or otherwise easily apparent to those who possess current knowledge of the technique that is the opposite, the percentage by weight is set on a dry weight basis, that is, the levels of percentages and / or the relative weights that are established have adjusted to take into account (not include) the content of humidity.

The process for the manufacture of tobacco soul 66 is preferably without the addition of carbon fiber, as will describe in the following paragraphs. At the conclusion of the process of preferred manufacture, the core core 68 itself has a weight Preferred total basic of about 35 to 45 g / m2, plus preferably about 40 g / m2. With 40 g / m2 the base core 68 preferably comprises about 28 g / m2 of tobacco fiber and approximately 12 g / m2 of fiber cellulosic, such as wood pulp or linen. The fiber cellulosic serves as a cellulosic reinforcing agent in the composition of the base core 68. It is preferred to minimize the amount of cellulosic fiber in the core soul for subjective reasons (for avoid setting a stationery note on the taste of the cigarette). In general, the ratio of tobacco fiber to cellulosic fiber in the base core 68, on a dry weight basis, must be between approximately 2: 1 and 4: 1. Cellulosic material preferred is a Kraft soft wood pulp without whiten, although most pastes can be worked wood and linen.

An alternative reinforcing agent for the soul of base 68 is the cellulosic fiber of the tobacco nerve produced.

Although not preferred, it can be coated with alginate along a base soul face 68 at a level of approximately 1 g / m2. If alginate is applied, it is preferred apply it on a face of the base 68 soul opposite the face that receive mdat 70.

Tobacco material 70 is applied preferably to the core core 68 at dry weight levels of at less twice, and more preferably about three or four times, that of the base soul 68. In the preferred embodiment the Tobacco material has a basic weight of approximately 130 g / m2, so that preferably the total set weight of the Tobacco core 66 is approximately 170 g / m2. Over one dry weight basis, the tobacco material 70 comprises a part of minced tobacco and solids extracted in a relationship in the margin of approximately 3.5 to 1 (3.5: 1) to five to one (5: 1) by weight, although this ratio can be varied in a range from about 3: 1 to 9: 1. In the preferred embodiment the ratio is approximately 4: 1.

70 glycerin is added to the tobacco material as moisturizer and as a precursor to aerosol at levels of about 10-14%, more preferably of approximately 12% dry weight of tobacco material 70, but this level of addition can be varied in any case from approximately 5% until it reaches 20% or more of the weight in Dry tobacco material 70. When glycerin is reduced to only 5 to 7% of the dry weight of the composition, the soul of tobacco 68 can be somewhat stiffer and more resistant to crushing when rolled in tubular form.

Pectin is also added to tobacco material 70 at levels of percent of dry weight that vary from about 0.5 to 2%, and preferably about 1.4% Pectin is added as a coating agent. In its absence, the tobacco material 70 may tend to drain (penetrate) into base core 68 excessively during operation coating, producing a granular surface texture on the coated face of the tobacco soul 66. Too much pectin harms penetration and weakens the bond between the material of tobacco 70 and the base soul 68. Approximately 1%, pectin it favors an adequate penetration and ligation between the layers, of so that the base soul 68 can withstand the rigors of the automated cigarette manufacturing.

More preferably, the tobacco material 70 on the base soul 68 comprises approximately the 16-20% of the dry weight of solids extracted from tobacco, 66-71% by weight of tobacco particles chopped, 8-14% glycerin, and approximately 1.4% pectin. For US markets, chopped tobacco which is incorporated into tobacco material 70 preferably comprises a mixture of bright tobacco, Burley and Oriental, in which almost the entire mixture is bright tobacco, approximately 1/3 is from Burley tobacco, and the rest is from eastern tobacco. The composition and relative amounts of the components of the mixture can be advantageously adjusted to meet the consumer preferences in the US markets or in others markets

With reference to Figs. 5A and 5B, the method preferred manufacturing of a mdat 66 in a form suitable for the automated manufacture of cigarettes 23 comprises a first series of steps 120 (illustrated in Fig. 5A) for the conversion of tobacco feed material, preferably strips of tobacco, in a continuous sheet of soul of tobacco 66s, and a second series of steps 122 (shown in Fig. 5B) of conversion of the continuous sheet of tobacco soul 66s in one or more rolled coils 66b of tobacco soul that are in conditions for use in the automated manufacture of cigarettes 23.

With particular reference to Fig. 5A, the process 120 of conversion of tobacco feed material into a continuous 66s sheet of tobacco soul begins by subjecting the tobacco feed material at an extraction step 124 (preferably with water) to separate tobacco fiber from Soluble tobacco from the original feedstock. The tobacco feed material preferably comprises strip of tobacco, but other forms of use are suitable for use in the process tobacco and / or tobacco leaf. Preferably, the tobacco strip It comprises a mixture of bright tobacco and Burley, and may include optionally oriental tobacco or other varieties of tobacco.

Tobacco fiber collected from the process of extraction 124 is in turn subjected to a process of the type of paper making 126, to form a continuous sheet 68a of soul base.

In process 126, the tobacco fiber from from extraction step 124 is dispersed in water with the addition of a predetermined amount of cellulosic fiber that serves as a reinforcing agent in the composition of the base core 68. Preferably, the cellulosic fiber comprises cellulose in the form of pulp from wood, linen, and / or tobacco nerve. A once combined, the dispersion of the fiber blend is refined tobacco and cellulosic fiber, so that a soul paste is formed 128 suitable for casting in the casting step 130, in which directs the soul paste 128 to a cast box arrangement of a soul forming machine and sneaks on an endless belt of metallic fabric (or Fourdrinier), or on an endless belt of steel, preferably on the first.

It is more practical to refine the dispersed mixture of tobacco fiber and the reinforcing agent after mixing together The two components. These can otherwise be refined by separate and combine them later.

After casting step 130, soul 132 resulting is then directed through one or more dryers, in a drying step 134, which step preferably comprises making pass the soul over a Yankee or drum dryer, and one or more boat dryers, although many arrangements are known and alternative devices in the relevant art and that are available to execute drying step 134. At the conclusion of the step 134 of drying the soul a surveillance step 136 is executed to measure moisture content and dry soul weight. It's used output 138 paying attention to the measurement of the content of humidity, to adjust the drying operation 134 to achieve maintain the desired final level of moisture on the soul sheet of 68s basis for the purposes of the subsequent operation of coating 144. The base core sheet 68s preferably has 15% by weight, or about that amount, of moisture in the coating operation 144.

With reference again to the surveillance step 136, output 140 is used paying attention to the weight of the sheet core core 68s to adjust the operation of the casting step 130 of so that the preferred basic weight is achieved in the core core 68, as described above. Such adjustments include changes in the regime with which the 128 soul paste is introduced in the box of casting the soul forming machine in the casting step 130.

Step 126 of soul formation can further comprising, optionally, a coating step 142, in which covers a base soul face 68s with alginate, at levels described above, along one face of the base soul 68s opposite the face received by mdat 70. Without However, the preferred practice is to proceed without the application of alginate.

At the conclusion of the process of formation 126 of the soul, the core soul is shaped like a 68s continuous leaf that leads to it being subjected to the coating operation 144. As alternatively, it can be collected for subsequent operations of coating outside the line. It is however preferable to proceed to coating operation 144 immediately after the 68s core soul sheet formation.

Preferably, the base soul 68s enters the coating operation 144 with a moisture content of about 12 to 17%, more preferably 14.5 to 15.5% moisture.

With reference back to the extraction step 124, tobacco soluble exits from extraction step 124 in form of a diluted solution comprising approximately 5 to 10 percent dissolved tobacco constituents (soluble), and more preferably 7 to 8 percent of constituents of the dissolved tobacco Preferably, the diluted solution is not subjected to no evaporation treatment, to reduce minimum application of heat to the solution. Heat application it can have an impact on the aroma that the soluble tobacco brings when smoking, as part of the cigarette 23.

These soluble (also known as "liquor extracted ") from extraction step 124, are mixed in one step of mixture 146 with additional finely chopped tobacco, glycerin and pectin, together with water, all in relative amounts that finally provide the final proportional content like the one previously described for the dry condition of the material of tobacco 70. In relation to mixing step 146, it is added (or remove) water in sufficient quantities to produce, at conclusion of mixing step 124, a dispersion of approximately 20 to 35 percent solids content, more preferably of approximately 24 to 26 percent solids content. The chopped tobacco particles of the mixture are preferably in the margin between 60 to 400 mesh sieves, where the term "meshes" refers to a rate of 95% of tobacco particles through a mesh that has that given number of openings per square English inch (one English inch square = 6.45 cm2). More preferably, the particles of Additional chopped tobacco are in the range of approximately 100 to 200 meshes, and more preferably they are about mesh number 120.

If the mesh size of the chopped tobacco particles above the 120 mesh, more specifically in, or about in, a mesh number of 180 to 220, the solids content of the tobacco material can be raised in paste at the conclusion of mixing step 146, such as up to levels of approximately 28 to 31%.

At the conclusion of mixing step 146, the The resulting pulp tobacco material is immediately directed to the coating operation 144, although the coating operation, at your choice, at some point subsequent on an off-line basis. In the operation of coating 144, the paste tobacco material should have a solids content of about 22 to 27% by weight, and more preferably 24, or about 24, at 25%.

In the coating step 144, the material of Tobacco paste has a percentage of fixed weight as target of tobacco soluble 4 to 8%, more preferably of 5.5 to 6.5% by weight of soluble tobacco. Preferably, the Paste tobacco material enters the coating operation 144 at a temperature in the range from about 21 to 54 ° C, and more preferably at 32 ° C, or at about that temperature, plus or minus 2.5 ° C.

The coating weight 128 is effected, preferably, with a normal reverse roller coater located after a Yankee dryer beyond the endless fabric belt metallic (or Fourdrinier). The coating step can be performed with other suitable coating devices that are known and available to those who own the current knowledge of the operations technique of soul formation The tobacco material 70 may instead be cast or extruded on the base core 68. Alternatively, it you can execute application step 128 off the line, for Separated from the production of the base soul sheet 68s. During or after the coating step 128, are added if desired Usual aromas in the cigarette industry.

At the conclusion of the coating operation 144, a continuous sheet of tobacco soul 66s has been produced.

With reference now to Fig. 5B, the process proceed now through steps 122 of conversion of the sheet tobacco soul 66s in a rolled coil 66b of tobacco soul which It is suitable for automated cigarette production 23. Preferably, conversion steps 122 are executed online. with the production of the continuous leaf of soul of tobacco 66s. During the execution of conversion steps 122, the operator must avoid conditions that cause breakage, tearing or other imperfections in the 66s tobacco soul sheet, so that it get a continuous coil of tobacco soul in the coil 66b, with few or no splices. In addition, the tobacco soul leaf 66s must be configured in such a way that at the conclusion of the conversion steps 122 the soul of tobacco does not get stuck on itself same and can be quickly wound and unwound from the coil 66b, no breaks.

Conversion steps 122 begin with a drying step 146, in which the sheet is preferably fed 66s tobacco soul continuously through a heated dryer by gas, hot air incidence, such as the type that can be obtained from Stroughton Airtech Systems Corp., Maine (USA), or with a dryer heated by steam, of hot air. Instead of these other dryers can be used which are known in the art of soul formation. Step 146 drying must be performed with a minimum application of heat, but in sufficient quantity to dry the soul of tobacco 68s to from its initial condition (of approximately 15% of moisture content in the core soul and approximately one level 75% humidity in the coating itself), up to approximately 8.5 to 12% of total moisture content at conclusion of drying step 146. More preferably, the sheet of 66d tobacco soul is in the range of approximately 10 to 11% of moisture content. The final moisture content is preferred. for several reasons: to facilitate chopping board operations in a later stage in the conversion process 12; to establish a humidity level that approximates what the material would balance when stored and / or sent to an installation of manufacturing; and to establish a humidity level that avoids stickiness and jam of core soul material on itself in coil 66b.

Following drying step 126, it is cooled 66d tobacco soul leaf dries to room temperature, preferably one that is similar to that of the storage place and / or the associated manufacturing facility, usually in the range of 18 to 27 ° C. This cooling step 148 not only facilitates the balancing of the soul of tobacco 66 for the environments operational, but also avoids the risk that the heat inside a 66b coil, which could otherwise start a self-heating process If left unchecked, the self-heating could lead to extreme temperatures and to degradation of the subjective nature of the tobacco soul 66. Preferably, the cooling step is carried out with a air cooler, water cooled chilled, from Airtech Systems Corp., of Stroughton, Maine (USA), although those who have the current knowledge of the technique of soul formation know a multitude of cooling systems Alternative

After the drying and cooling steps of the soul 146 and 148, the dried and cooled tobacco soul leaf 66dc is passed through a smoothing device, such as offered by Thermo Electron Wire Systems, Inc., of Auburn, Maine (USA), or some other device to smooth the soul suitable as those that will be easily known for, and will be available to those who possess the current knowledge of the relevant technique of soul formation. At the conclusion of the step of smoothing 150, the tobacco soul 66 is substantially free of thermally induced warping along its edges and is in conditions for subsequent winding and cutting steps 152 and 154. However, before the execution of these steps is preferably monitor temperature, humidity level and weight total of the 66s tobacco soul leaf when it leaves the passage of smooth 150, so that feedback and control of the process to ensure that the 66s tobacco soul sheet is in conditions for winding and slashing, and which will be obtained as result the desired values set as temperature targets and humidity, and total weight for coils 66b,

In particular, in monitoring sheet 66 of tobacco soul, the reading of its total weight is used to adjust the coating operation 144, as in the regime of feed of tobacco material in paste to the roller coater inverse, or the separation space in the grip separation of the coater. Moisture level readings are used in the step monitoring 151 to control drying operations so that the humidity levels set as objectives, as described above. Similarly, it controls cooling step 148 in response to readings d the temperature of the tobacco soul leaf 66 in the passage of surveillance 151.

Then, the tobacco soul sheet 66 is rolled in a step of winding 152, which is carried out with machines of roll soul easily known to, and available to, those possess current knowledge of the processing technique of soul. Following this, the soul sheet 68s of rolled tobacco in individual coils 66b, in which the width of the cut for each coil is fixed with respect to the circumference desired cigarette 23.

At the conclusion of conversion steps 122, coil 66b is in condition for manufacturing processes Automated cigarette 23, as in the operations of combination described with reference to Fig. 6 of the application for U.S. Patent pending processing together with this, assigned in common, Serial No. 07 / 943,504, filed on 11 September 1992

Glycerin in tobacco material 70 serves as an aerosol precursor and facilitates the formation of an aerosol visible during cigarette smoking 23. Also, when released the glycerin into the atmosphere, it condenses and provides a Typically expected aspect of cigarette smoke. Instead of this can be used other humectants, suitable for use in the tobacco industry

Optionally, after casting step 123, can be coated with alginate along a soul face 68 before, during, or after the coating step 126. The alginate coating provides additional strength and film formation along a base soul face 68. No However, the base core 68 has sufficient strength without the alginate, and the preferred practice is to build the core soul 68 without it.

The present invention can be practiced with other core types of bases 69 (supports), including mats Carbon fiber or metal or grid mats described in U.S. patent applications pending processing together herewith and jointly assigned Serial No. 07 / 943,504 (PM 1550); Serial No. 07 / 943,747 (PM 1655); and in US Pat. ceded in common No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697); and in our transmission of European Patent Application EP-A-0.615.411.

With respect to carbon fiber mats, as described in the document EP-A-0.615.411, and in the Patent of USA jointly assigned No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697), whose continuation pending processing with her as Serial No. 08 / 380,718, filed on September 30, 1995 (PM 1697 Cont), a preferred composition of such mats comprises a soul base 68 comprising tobacco fiber in the margin of 20-30 g / m2, more preferably of about 24 to 28 g / m2, most preferably 26 g / m2; carbon fiber in the range of 2-9 g / m2 more preferably from 2 to 4 g / m2, and most preferably about 3 g / m2, and pectin in the range of about 5 to 1.5 g / m2, and most preferably 1 g / m2 pectin. Preferably these constituents are balanced so that a soul is established base 68 that has a total basic weight of approximately 30 g / m2. It is also preferred to use 0.64 cm carbon fiber of cord length, to facilitate dispersion during the part of the pasta formation process. The initiation of the dispersion of carbon fiber feed material when procedures such as those set forth in the Patents of USA Numbers 4,007,083 and 4,234,379.

In the alternative embodiment of the base soul 66 of tobacco (i.e. carbon fiber mat), the total weight of the finished dried sheet is preferably about 160 g / m 2, of which 30 g / m 2 constitute the base soul 68 and 130 g / m2 constitute tobacco material 70. In contrast with this, the most preferred embodiment of the core soul 56 of tobacco, which does not include carbon fiber, has a leaf weight of approximately 170 g / m2, of which 40 g / m2 constitute the base soul 68 and 130 g / m2 constitute the tobacco material 70.

Whatever the base soul type 68 (or support) used, tobacco material 70 is disposed preferably on the inner surface of the base core 68 and releases a tobacco-scented spray (answer) when heats up. Such materials may also include continuous sheets, foams, gels, dried pastes, or dried spray-deposited pastes of tobacco material.

With reference to Fig. 3, and in conjunction with what is disclosed in US Pat. ceded in common Nº 5,388,594 (PM 1697), when a cigarette 23 of the preferred embodiment in receptacle 27, it is guided to the heating device 39 until the free end 78 of the cigarette 23 rests on a stop 182 arranged fixed at the base of the heating device 30. Once the cigarette is in position, it you can start smoking, so any smoking action in the cigarette by a smoker is detected by the sensor smoked 45, which in cooperation with the control circuit 41, does that electric current is supplied to a preselected one of the heaters 37. The energy is delivered through a circuit electrical that includes terminals 183 at one end of each heater 37, a common ring 184 at the opposite end of each heater 37, and a common cable 186 extending from the ring common 184, back to the vicinity of terminals 183. Al if such heater 37 is activated, thermal energy is transferred to through wrap 71 and tobacco soul 68, in quantity enough to make the mdat 70 of the tobacco soul 66 release a tobacco spray into the confines of the rod tobacco 60, which is aspirated from cigarette 23 in response to the smoking action of the smoker at the tipped end of the cigarette 23.

The aspiration of a smoker in a hard cigarette typically about 1.5 to 2.0 seconds, while in FTC cigarette testing procedures are supposed to duration of smoking of 2.0 seconds.

Where the heater footprint 94 overlaps the empty space 91, the aerosol is released directly from the mdat 70 heated to empty space 91, after which it is removed to and from through the emboquillado 62 with very little pressure drop. For other part, where the heater footprint 94 overlaps the tobacco plug 80 (heater / filler overlap 99), the next parts of the Tobacco plug 80 will be heated together with the nearby parts of the tobacco soul 66. Accordingly, the mixed tobacco of the stopper of tobacco 80 contribute their own fraction to the total aerosol, of so that they contribute with their flavor and with other subjective attributes. The aerosol released from tobacco plug 80 in, or around, the heater / filler overlap 99, experience a certain filtered and pressure drop when activated through the cap tobacco 80 and empty space 91.

The aerosol produced by heating the tobacco plug 80 has a character and taste that can be altered by the tobacco mixture, as well as by adjustments in how much from the heater footprint 94 overlaps the tobacco plug 80. The aerosol component that is produced in the vicinity of the empty space 91 is released more instantaneously from the cigarette, because there is less thermal inertia in space vacuum 91 and because of the vaporized tobacco substance in the empty space 91 is not subject to the pressure drop of the plug tobacco 80, and instead communicates more immediately with the emboquillado 62 through the free flow filter 74. It has no however a different character from that released from the cap of tobacco 80, because it is predominantly released from mdat 70 in the base soul 68. As will be explained in greater detail in which follows, it has been proven that for the smoker's satisfaction, the spray delivered from a cigarette 23 preferably includes both aerosol components, to ensure immediate delivery to smoker and to include aroma notes attributable to tobacco mixed filler cut. As will also be evident from the principles that follow the presence of empty space 91 (and the immediacy of your initial delivery) ensures a regular form of smoking, smoked to smoked, from cigarette 23, and favors regularity between cigarettes This relationship is based on the attributes comparisons of smoked to smoked from a cigarette 23 partially filler, constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment (which it has a filler plug cut 80 and an empty space 91), in comparison with 23 'cigarettes of a first alternative design (Fig. 6A) that has no filler cut inside its tobacco soul rolled up, and a second alternative design (Fig. 7A) that has a Soul of rolled tobacco completely filled with cut filling. In the descriptions of these alternative designs must remain understood that the soul of tobacco 66 'and 66' 'comprises a core soul 69 and a layer of tobacco material 70, as in the embodiment preferred. The 60 'tobacco rods of these alternative designs they also include a wrap 71.

A heating element of the type was used meandered with an established energy of 15 joules to generate the comparative data, presented in Figs. 6B and 7B with the cigarettes illustrated in Figs. 6A and 7A, respectively.

With reference to Fig. 6A, a cigarette adapted for smoking in an electric smoking system of the first alternative design comprises a 60 'tobacco rod and a emboquillado 62 ', each of which includes components designated with numbers with the tilde of number notation cousins, who have correspondence with the components of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4A. However, the Tobacco rod 60 'of cigarette 23' does not contain cut filler some within his tobacco soul 66 ', and the free end 78' of the Tobacco rod 60 'is provided with a reflux filter 200'. The base soul 68 'of the tobacco soul 66' was of the type that includes carbon fiber, as previously described. Construction of cigarette 23 'has also been detailed in US Pat. jointly assigned No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697). For the purpose of the description that follows, this 23 'cigarette will be referred to as to a 23 'filler free cigarette.

With reference now to Fig. 6C, they were taken to conduct experiments using a smoking machine in cooperation with a smoking system 21. The exit of the smoking machine was directed during each smoke through a 6y smoke measuring device which has a 6v transparent camera, where a ha z of light 6u, from a 6w spring, it passes through the chamber 6v transparent to a 6z photodetector on the opposite side of the camera 6v transparent The 6z photosensor output is processed to resolve the intensity of the light beam 6u by influencing it in the 6z sensor Any tobacco spray that passes through the 6v camera will have a light scattering effect on the beam of 6u light, such that any resulting change in intensity of light detected in the 6z photodetector will be a type indicator inverse of total particulate matter (TPM) in the aerosol, of According to the FTC testing practices of cigarettes. I know prefers the smoking machine to take a normal two-smoke seconds of the smoking system 21.

The information presented graphically in Fig. 6B reveals the intensity recorded in the device to measure the smoke in relation to time while the smoking machine progressed through each of a succession of smoked in a 23 'filler free cigarette. The data indicate the following trends: that with a cigarette free of filler 23 'the smoked first and second are inconsistent with respect to the three smoked remaining, whose last three smoked are much more consistent each; and that the spray is delivered well before The time span of two seconds of each smoke passes. The 23 'filler free cigarette is less consistent in delivery in the first several smoked, and consistency prevails Only in the last smoked. The data relating to the first smoked are quite consistent with the general observation that the machine that smokes a 23 'fill-free cigarette delivers less spray during the first smoke, unless they are put into practice measures to remedy it, such as piercing the rod 60 'tobacco, or other measures such as those taught in the Patent of USA No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697).

Referring now to Fig. 7A, another design of an electrically operative 23 '' cigarette comprises a rod of 60 '' tobacco and a 62 '' tip that has components and a arrangement similar to those of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4A, having been assigned to components that are similar designations the same numbers with the double tilde of the numbers cousins However, cigarette 23 '' of Fig. 7A includes a reflux filter 200 '' at the free end 78 '' and a column of 220 '' cut filler that extends along the entire length of the tobacco rod 60 '' between the reflux filter 200 '' and the 74 '' free flow filter of the 60 '' tobacco rod. The spine of tobacco 220 '' of cigarette 23 '' comprises the tobacco mixture Burley, bright and oriental, with a rod density of 275 grams per cubic centimeter. The core soul 68 '' of the soul of Tobacco 66 '' is the type that includes carbon fiber, as has been previously described. In the following study reference will be made to the 23 '' cigarette like a fill cigarette, totally Stuffed, 23``.

With reference now to Fig. 7B, correlated measurements of the intensity of the light coming of the 6y device to measure the smoke with the progress in the span of time of each smoke, for a succession of numbered smokes of one to seven in the 23 '' cigarette filler, fully filled. The data presented in Fig. 7B are representative of two recognizable trends in the performances of a cigarette Built in accordance with the 23 '' cigarette filler, fully filling; that the first several smoked provide a delivery significant spray, but nevertheless delivery decreases later to such an extent that the last three smoked provide substantially less delivery than the first several smoked (a unless corrective action is taken); and with the 23 '' cigarette of Filled, fully filled, spray delivery is delayed and in the initial smokes (the smoked one, two and three) are not achieved maximum delivery until a substantial part has elapsed of a period of two seconds.

During the first several smokes, the 23 '' fully filled cigarette tends to deliver a volume total spray greater than the one that delivers the 23 'cigarette free of filling. A comparison of the data presented in Figs. 7B and 6B substance this general observation supporting it in that the areas totals above the lines of the first several smoked in Fig. 7B, for the 23 '' full-fill cigarette, are larger than the total areas above the lines of the several first smokes of Fig. 6B for the 23 'free cigarette of filling. The area above each smoking line in Figs. 7B and 6B is indicative of total delivery during that smoke.

It is believed, however, that the delay in 23 '' cigarette delivery of filler, fully filled, induces a smoker to perform a prolonged, more intense aspiration, such as reaction that he or she doesn't get an aroma response immediate cigarette 23 ''. The most intense aspiration can make in turn that the heated parts of the envelope 71 '' and of the soul of tobacco 66 '' are consumed (oxidized) by the addition of air sucked through it, so that one more break occurs significant and perhaps a localized crush of the column of 220 '' tobacco during the first several smoked. In addition, it is believed that once started the pyrolysis in the cigarette totally filling, it tends to feed itself, due to the presence of a greater mass of combustible tobacco and / or due to its state more compact. In any case, since you can breathe more air easily on the tobacco rod through the places "burned" broken in the first several smoked, it is believed that those localized breaks short-circuit the desired paths of the air flow of subsequent smokes. Therefore, during the last smoked in the 23 '' cigarette filler, Completely filled, delivery decreases.

The data presented in Fig. 7B and the explanation given above are consistent with a general observation that a 23 'cigarette filling, totally stuffing, or a traditional cigarette, when they smoke with electric lighters, tend to decrease delivery as you continue smoking in them.

With its delayed pyrolysis, and yet more self-feeding, the 23 'fully filled cigarette tends to generate large amount of spray in the last stages of smoking, and sometimes it can continue to produce a larger amount of spray beyond the period of time during which the smoker is really vacuuming of the cigarette. This last situation can translate into the production of a spray "after smoking" that can stay a long time inside housing 33 of lighter 25, in particular in or around the heating device 39. Something of such a spray "after smoking" will condense problematically about the heating elements 33 or will remain for a long enough time to be sucked on cigarette 23 '' during the next smoke. One or another of the consequences are contrary to the delivery of a flavor nice and regular.

With reference again to Fig. 6B, the lines of smoked cigarette 23 'fill-free evidence that the spray delivery is maximized (where smoking lines go down more) well before the course of the two (2) seconds that lasts a normal smoke, and delivery is minimal in the last stages of the smoked, so that the aerosol production "after the smoked "is not such a problem with cigarette 23 'free of filling. However, as indicated above, the 23 'filler-free cigarette delivers less total volume of spray that 23 '' cigarette filler, fully refilled, sometimes suffers from inconsistency in delivery times during the first several smoked, and lacks the subjective attributes and flexibilities that would otherwise be enjoyed if it were included mixed cut filler (or even unmixed).

Fig. 8 is a presentation of smoking data comparatives in smoking machines using a 6y device for measure the smoke, as described above to cigarettes built according to cigarette 23 'free of Filling, 23 '' cigarette filler, fully filling, and the 23 fill cigarette, partially filled, constructed of in accordance with the principles of the preferred embodiment (as has been illustrated in Fig. 4A) of the present invention. In all these Cigarettes were used carbon fiber mats as core core. As will be clear from the study of the data in Fig. 8, the filling cigarette 23, partially filled, of the present invention, provides a more consistent delivery during a smoke. Avoid the same drop in delivery that takes place in the last Smoked 23 '' cigarette filler, fully filled, and is of more consistent delivery than the 23 'fill-free cigarette during the first several smokes.

The filling cigarette 23, partially padding, which was tested to collect the data used in Fig. 8, was half filled with cut filler, so that heater overlap over empty space in design of the cigarette was relatively large, about 6 mm. The heating elements 37 used to generate the data presented in Fig. 8 were of a meandering type, with a energy of 15 joules per heating cycle.

With reference to Fig. 8 in particular, the data presented in it are the amount of spray (in milligrams) generated during the first two seconds of each smoke in a smoking progression during smoking of each particular type of cigarette, in relation to the data presented in Figs. 6B and 7B, an indicated amount of aerosol would analytically correspond to an integration (the area defined above) of each line of smoking from 0 to 2 seconds in Figs. 6B and 7B.

The data presentation in Fig. 8 illustrates clearly the drop in delivery experienced with a cigarette 23 '' of filling, fully filled, when progressing from the first smoked until subsequent smokes. In contrast with this, the fill-free cigarette did not suffer from the fall of Delivery as with the 23 '' cigarette filler, fully filling.

The data presentation in Fig. 8 illustrates also clearly that cs 23 filler, partially filled, provides consistency in delivery comparable to that of 23 'cigarette free of filling, during the six smoked. Further, It does so with a contribution of the cut filling to its flavor and its subjective impact.

With reference to Table II, the Indicative data on how changes in delivery may affect the amount of overlap of the heater in the empty space in a cigarette built according to cigarette 23. The data that presented in Table II were obtained from smoking in the partially stuffed cigarette machine with a rod 32mm tobacco, a 7mm free flow filter at the end emboquillado of the tobacco rod, and a emboquillado of 30 mm of length, in which the heater footprint was 12 cm in length and it was centered on the midpoint of the tobacco rod of each cigarette.

TABLE II

Empty space length (mm) 4 7 10 Overlap of the heater along the empty space (mm) one 4 7 Overlap of the heater along the plug tobacco eleven 8 5 TPM medium 4.9 5.5 7.0 TPM medium adjusted (skip reading more low) 5.2 5.9 7.3 Deviation normal average tight 0.34 0.53 0.5

Fig. 9 provides a graphic presentation of the total particulate matter (TPM) delivered, depending on the heater-fill overlap amount (in millimeters) The data represented in it was generated using normal test techniques to determine the levels of FTC pitch using Cambridge pads and intervals of smoked for two seconds in normal smoking machines. The cigarettes tested were filler cigarettes, partially filled, with a carbon fiber base mat and a total length of 58 mm, except that the data that appears in ordinates in Fig. 9 were obtained from a cigarette free of filled, with a core of carbon fiber base and the same total length. By varying the overlap of heater-tobacco, heater footprint remained of a constant length and centered on the midpoint of the tobacco rod. Consequently, any increase in heater-tobacco overlap created a proportional decrease in overlap of empty space heater. The heater was from a winding type, with a heater footprint of approximately 10 mm All data considered together indicate that there is a second order relationship in these circumstances between the total of particulate matter delivered and the amount of overlap of heater-fill. The data presented in Fig. 9 and the set of separate data set forth in Table II reveal that you can adjust the amount of overlap of heater-fill to obtain a desired level (set as target) on a fill cigarette 23, partially filling.

The adjustment of the amount of overlap of heater-fill is the preferred method for get a desired "pitch" level in cigarettes from filling, partially filled, for reasons that include the finding that changes in the overlap of heater-fill have a more pronounced effect and controlled in the delivery that the changes in the density of the rod in the tobacco plug 80. In addition, this approach allows you to select the density of the rod in the cap tobacco 80 for purposes other than setting the pitch level, such as to control loose ends and / or create a desired degree pressure drop and / or filtration at the free end 78 of the Tobacco rod 60, or otherwise facilitate manufacturing. It also provides the ability to alter pitch delivery between related cigarette products, without having to necessarily change neither the soul of tobacco 66 nor the tobacco plug 80.

It is also advantageous to configure the dimensions relative of the partially filled filler 23 and the of the heating device 39 of the lighter 21, so that at the cigarette 23 be inserted into the lighter 21, each element heater 37 is placed along the tobacco rod 60 of such so that at least some, if not all, of the traces of heater overlap only to the stuffed part of the rod of tobacco 60 (on the tobacco plug 80). In such configurations, empty space 91 continues to facilitate training of spray and helps cool the smoke. It is believed that the filter free flow 74 helps promote aerosol formation by present a narrowing of the flow of the constituents of the spray as these are aspirated from the widest empty space 91. In this regard, it should be noted that the free flow filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60 has edges 73 and 75 in the transitions between it and the empty space 91 on one side, and between it and the free flow filter 102 on the other side, respectively. These edges 73 and 75 are a consequence of the free flow filter 74 has an inner radius smaller than the from any of the other two adjacent regions (the empty space 91 and the space enclosed within the free flow filter 102). I know believe that these edges 73 and 75 (and possibly other parts adjacent to the free flow filter 74) favor turbulence and other favorable flow conditions for the formation of a aerosol from the gas phase and phase constituents in particles released from the heated tobacco parts of the tobacco rod 60.

With reference now to Fig. 10, it has been constructed a cigarette 23a according to another embodiment preferred of the present invention having components and arrangements equal to those exposed in the study of cigarette 23 at sight of Fig. 4A, but with the addition of a reflux filter 200a located at the free end 78a of the tobacco rod 60a. The reflux filter 200a prevents tobacco from tobacco plug 80a escape from the free end 78a. The free flow filter 200a can also be colored so that it indicates that cigarette 23a It is one for use in an electric smoking device, instead of one to be lit with a match, or with a lighter for usual cigarettes as with more traditional cigarettes. Although the reflux filter 200a has been represented as a separate component of the wrapped tobacco plug 80a, it can, by convenience for the manufacture of cigarette 23a, combine the cap of tobacco 80a with the reflux filter 200a with a wrap of stopper (not shown). With the reflux filter plug, the cigarette 23a may be provided with a tobacco plug 80a which have a low rod density, without risk of such problems such as those with loose ends or that tobacco falls off the tobacco rod 60a. As disclosed in the document EP-A-0.615.411, and in the application for U.S. Patent pending processing together with this and assigned in common Serial No. 07 / 943,504, filed on 11 September 1992 (PM 1550) and in US Pat. ceded in Common No. 5,388,594 (PM 1697), reflux filter 200a is configured to limit or completely prevent the release of spray from the free end 78a of the tobacco rod 60a to the conclusion of a smoke and to create a pressure drop in the free end 78a, so that the quantity is favorably limited of air that is aspirated to the cigarette 23a from the free end 78a in relation to the proportional amount of air admitted along from the sides of the tobacco rod 60a.

Regarding the design techniques for the filling cigarette 23, partially filled, of the embodiment preferred, heater energies and quantity can be used heater-fill overlap for establish and / or adjust the delivery to a desired "pitch" level. Consequently, in the course of designing a new cigarette of filled, partially filled, 23, a general density selection of the rod in the tobacco plug 80 for achieve a desired degree of pressure drop at the end free 78 and / or to control the reflux, in the same way as got with a reflux filter 200a of the realization alternative 23a.

With reference now to Fig. 11, another cigarette 23b constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a tobacco plug 80b comprising a low density portion 310b adjacent to the empty space 91b and a high density part 300b adjacent to free end 78b of the 60d cigarette rod. The cigarette 23b is configured of such that heater footprint 94B overlaps part 310b of low density of tobacco plug 80b, so that a improved delivery that can be achieved with lower densities of the rod The high density region of the cut filler 320b is ready to avoid loose ends and to limit the air transmission axially through the rod 60b, of a analogously as in the reflux filter 200a.

In Figs. 12-21 have represented the currently preferred heater embodiments. These heaters are suitable for any of the cigarette embodiments described herein above; it is say, fully filled, partially filled, and cigarettes free of filling, of Figs. 4a, 4b, 6a, 7a, 10 and 11, and Modifications of these cigarettes.

These heaters provide resistance Improved mechanics for repeated insertions, adjustments and removed from cigarettes 23 and significantly improve the generation of aerosols from a heated cigarette, while energy requirements are maintained. It has been proven that generated aerosols tend to flow radially in, out of a pulsating heater.

Generally, there are preferably eight sheets of heater 121 to provide eight smokes after ignition successive of heater sheets 121, thereby simulating the number of smoked from a usual cigarette. Specifically, the leaves of heater 121 extend from hub 110 to form a cylindrical arrangement of heater sheets to receive a 23 cigarette inserted. Preferably, between the sheets of adjacent heater 121 there is a separation space defined 129.

You may want to change the number of smoked, and consequently the number of heater sheets 121, which is achieved when a cigarette is inserted into the CR cylindrical receptacle. This desired number is achieved by forming a desired number of sheets. of heater 121. This can be achieved by providing sheets sized equally, or unevenly.

The heating device is arranged in the hole 27 in the lighter 25. Cigarette 23 is inserted, with the reflux filter 200 ahead, in hole 27 in the lighter 25, in a substantially cylindrical space of the heating device 39 defined by a hood 83 in the form of ring that has an open end to receive the cigarette, a cylindrical air channel sleeve 87, a heater assembly 100 including heater blades 121, a conductive pin electrical or common terminal 104A, which serves as a common terminal for the heating elements of the heater assembly, positive electrical conductive pins or terminals 104B, and the spacer The lower inner surface 81 of the spacer serves stop for cigarette 23 in a desired position in the heater device 39, such that the heater blades 121 are arranged adjacent to cavity 79 in the cigarette, and in a preferred embodiment they are arranged as described above with respect to Figs. 1 to 11

Substantially the entire device heater 39 is arranged inside and secured in position by a tight fit with the housing 31 of front 33 of the lighter 25. A leading edge 93 of the hood 83 is preferably arranged in, or extends slightly outward of, the first end 29 of the lighter 25, and includes preferably an internally rounded or bevelled part for facilitate the guidance of cigarette 23 to and outside the device heater 39. The pins 104A and 104B are preferably received in corresponding receptacles (not shown), thereby providing support for the heating device 39 in the lighter 25, and conductors or printed circuits lead from the receptacles to the various electrical elements. Other spikes can provide additional support for reinforcement of the set of spikes The pins 104A and 104B can comprise any suitable material, and preferably comprise phosphor bronze tinned Step 47 in the spacer and base 50 communicates with the sensor 45 actuated by smoking, and the light sensor 53 perceives the presence or absence of a cigarette 23 in the lighter 25.

As seen in Figs. 12 and 13, the set of heater 100 is preferably a monolithic structure that It comprises eight heater sheets 121 extending from a central hub 1110 in a symmetrical arrangement or, as discussed in what follows with reference to Fig. 19, in an arrangement asymmetric As best seen in Fig. 13, the set of heater defines an insertion opening 360, in general circular, which has a throat 365 that directs the cigarette inserted towards the cylindrical receptacle CR coaxially defined which has a diameter that is smaller than the insertion opening 360. The insertion opening 360 is defined by respective parts ends 118B of the connection sections 118 of the sheets heater 121, and throat section 365 is defined by the section section 118 between the connecting edge 118A and the end 118B. The insertion end 360 preferably has a diameter which is larger than that of the inserted cigarette 23, to guide the cigarette towards the CR receptacle, and the CR receptacle has a diameter approximately equal to that of cigarette 23 to ensure a Tightening adjustment for good thermal energy transfer. The cigarette 23 preferably has a diameter that is approximately equal to the range of diameters known in the art. Given acceptable manufacturing tolerances for cigarettes 23, the area that gradually narrows or throat 365 in the transition between the distant end and the CR receptacle, can also serve to slightly compress the cigarette to increase thermal contact with the surrounding 121 sheets serving as the interior wall of the receptacle. As an example, no limiter, the insertion end 360 preferably has a internal diameter of about 0.904 cm ± 0.05 cm, and the CR receptacle preferably has an internal diameter of about 0.706 cm ± 0.05 cm. The sheets 120 may be arched inward to increase thermal contact with the cigarette by narrowing the diameter of the cylindrical receptacle.

Each U-shaped heater sheet 121 comprises a first section or branch 116A has at a first end from hub 111, a connection section 118 connected to a second opposite end of the first section or branch 116A, and a second section or branch 116B extending at a first end from connection section 118 to hub 111. The branches first and second 116A and 116B are separated by a space of separation 125 which can be relatively constant, are preferably substantially parallel in any state of unwound as in Figs. 18 and 19 before considered, are continue in the direction of cigarette insertion to decrease unwanted cigarette hooks, and they are oriented to define a cylindrical receptacle CR for the 23 cigarette inserted. Connection section 118 has an edge curved joint 118A to join opposite inner edges of the branches 116A and 116B of the sheet such that a path is formed elongated U-shaped resistive, which is substantially parallel to longitudinal geometric axis of the inserted cigarette and that extends along the cigarette, as considered with greater detail in what follows. The curved joint edge 116A has preferably a curvature of approximately 180 ° ± 20 °, of so that a U-shaped sheet is formed and it has a curvature which is concave towards the hub 111 and convex towards the opening of 360 insert. The first end of the first leaf branch 116A in the hub 111 may have an increased width, with the same thickness approximate in part 115 in relation to the rest of the first branch 116A, to decrease the density of the current and the density of the energy in part 115, to decrease the ohmic heating of part 115. In addition, this widening increases integrity mechanical blade 121 in hub 111.

A second end 122 of the second branch 116B of the blade is preferably raised relative to the part main of the second section 116B of the sheet, in a form of step, to facilitate electrical connection with a pin respective positive 104B. More specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, end 122 comprises three sections, namely, a section 122A that is substantially flat continuation of the main section of the second branch 116B of the sheet, a section of transition 122B that rises at an angle as illustrated, and an end section of connection 122C which is generally parallel to section 122A. End sections 122 may have a greater width than the second branch 122B of the sheet so that have a greater mechanical resistance, to provide an area of suitable contact for a positive connection in the extreme section of 122C connection, and to decrease the current density and by consequently the ohmic heating of the end 122. The section extreme 122C is preferably welded by points, or it is electrically and mechanically connected by any other technique to the 104B positive spike,

In Figs. 14 and 15 another one has been illustrated realization to get the positive connections of the sheets heater 121. Connection end 122 preferably does not have the step shape, as in Figs. 12 and 13; on the contrary, it is a substantially flat extension of the second branch 116B of the heater, which simplifies the manufacturing considered in Whats Next. To decrease the possibility of short circuits that arise from the contact between the positive end 122 with the hub 111 and / or section 115 of the first branch 116A, for example when the inserted cigarette is twisted or otherwise adjusted by the smoker, an electrical insulating ceramic coating 300 is applied at end 122, cube 111 and section 115, especially at respective facing faces of those elements.

Preferably, the ceramic coating is applied by any usual technique, for example, by spraying Plasma, hub 111, connection end 122 and section 115 of the first branch 116A. The pottery preferably has a relatively high dielectric constant. You can use any Appropriate electrical insulator, such as alumina, zirconia. mulita, Sliding, spinel, fosterite, combinations thereof, etc. Preferably, zirconia or other ceramics having a thermal expansion coefficient that is very close to that of the metal heater structure underneath, to avoid dilatation and contraction regime differences during heating and cooling, avoiding cracks and / or Exfoliations during the operation. Ceramic layer remains physically and chemically stable when the element is heated Heater. For the electrical insulator a thickness of, for example, approximately 0.0025 to 0.250 mm, or about 0.0125-0.150 mm, and more preferably 0.025- 0.075 mm Preferably, a portion of the end 122 is not coated. Then the positive pins 104B are connected as You have seen for this exposed part. To simplify the masking, a part is not covered with ceramic corresponding to section 115.

Ceramics can also be applied, by example, in the same plasma spray step, in the space of separation 127 between ends 122 and sections 115 of the first branches 116A and in the separation space 126 between the ends 122 and hub 110, to form a hub structure of ceramic to increase the mechanical integrity of the set of heater, as illustrated in Fig. 15. The size of this ceramic cube structure can be larger than the one that has illustrated. With or without this additional ceramic application, the ceramic coating electrically insulates the ends of positive connection 122, and the width of the separation spaces 127 and 125 while providing Short circuit protection. Consequently, the section end 122 and section 115 of the first branch 116A may have a larger area, thereby strengthening the receptacle and, in the ceramic cube case, increasing the structure of your skeleton and further strengthening the heater assembly. In addition, such ceramic coating softens the sharp edges that define the separation spaces 125 and 127, to reduce the possibilities of attachment and damage to cigarettes, especially during insertion, withdrawal and any adjustment by the smoker. Alternatively, the entire sheet 121 is completely coated, and in particular the first and second branches 116A and 116B, for a surface, for example, by the surface that looks out from the cigarette, both inside and outside surfaces, and / or the edges that define the separation spaces, with a layer of ceramic of, for example, approximately 0.050 mm, of zirconia, to reinforce the heater sheets, keeping the spaces of separation if desired. As a consequence, sheets 121 may be thinner, for example, from about 0.050 to approximately 0,150, thereby increasing the resistance of the heater circuit and allowing the blades to be wider, for greater thermal interface with cigarette 23 inserted, when time that the same total resistance of the sheet is maintained. Is wider sheet width, together with the ceramic coating, further strengthens the heater structure. In addition, the coating ceramic on the outer surface of the 121 looking sheet out of the inserted cigarette, can prevent losses thermal of a sheet heated to the environment. The pottery is applied, preferably, by plasma spray or by any other method described in the associated applications, and preferably applies by physical vapor deposit by electron beam, to avoid induce residual stresses that may be induced during processed in plasma spray, by surface treatment and / or by the impact of the particles

Each sheet 121 forms a heating element resistive More specifically, the first end 115 of the first section 116A of the blade is electrically connected to the terminal negative of the power supply, and more specifically is a integral extension of hub 111, or is mechanically connected and electrically to hub 111, which is in turn connected electrically and mechanically to the negative terminal pin 104A, by spot welding or other technique, such as welding With tin or strong solder. Preferably, two are used. 104A terminal pins to provide balanced support, since that the negative and positive connections also serve to support mechanically the heater. The cube 111 works accordingly as an electric common for all heater sheets 121. In any of the embodiments, the connection can be made relative for each heater by, for example, a contact appropriate negative deposited at one end of the heater opposite to the respective positive contact areas 122.

In connection end section 122C of the second section 116B of the sheet, a positive connection is made for each heater sheet 121, as considered. The connecting end section 122C is electrically insulated, or well insulated from common hub 110 by a separation space 127; from the first section 116A of the sheet, and in particular of the first end 115, of the associated heater sheet 120, for a space separation 125; and of the adjacent heater sheet by the separation space 131, to avoid short circuits and to allow thermal expansion. In addition, optionally the ceramic coatings that have been considered. As an alternative, the extreme sections of 122C connection.

The positive and negative connections considered they provide a resistive circuit, and more specifically a circuit for the current applied from the power source, by for example, by means of the control circuit, to one or more sheets 120 particular when the smoking system is activated when aspirating a smoker. The main heated area of the sheet comprises the first blade branch 116A, edge portion 118A and second branch 116B of the sheet. Consequently, a part of the inserted cigarette 23 which is below, and in contact with, sheet 121 on which It acts that extends along, will be heated according to a pattern of the outer surface corresponding to the heated part of the sheet, that is, in an elongated U-shape corresponding to that of the overlapping sheet, mainly by conduction and by radiation, and probably with something by convection. In addition, the part of the cigarette inserted between the branches, that is, the space of separation 125 which is below, is heated by overlapping or by cut off the cumulative radiation and heat transfer by driving both from branch 116A and from branch 116B. If he separation space 125 is too large, the desired overlap and the part of the inserted cigarette that is below the gap 125. In addition, the radiation and conduction heat will heat the parts of the cigarette strip inserted slightly beyond the outer edges of branches 116A and 116B of the heater sheet. The various heated parts together constitute a region heated cigarette 23 that extends from something beyond the outer edge of branch 116A, below branch 116A, through of the separation space 125m below the branch 116B, and slightly beyond branch 116B of a sheet 121 on which act, and that corresponds to a smoked aroma of tobacco generated. The size of the heated part depends on the configuration geometric sheet and heating characteristics, as well as the amount and duration of the energy impulse. Preferably, the heater sheet is sized and designed thermally to finally heat a segment of the cigarette inserted that is of sufficient size, for example, 18 mm square, to generate a smoker acceptable to the smoker in response to a boost of energy driven by smoking.

Its area of leaf ends relatively major and the 122 that are part of the non-current circuit they heat up to those operating temperatures, since their relatively larger volumes decrease the density of the current, and consequently decrease ohmic heating. Neither a section of the connecting end section 118 is heats up to these operating temperatures, since the heating circuit tends to follow the edge 118A and that section constitutes a relatively larger volume, and has in consequence a lower current density, and therefore experience less ohmic warming than edge 118A and that the immediately adjacent sections. To further reduce the unwanted heating of the rest of the connection part 118, is can: (1) increase the thickness of the monolithic material of the part 118 relative to the curved edge 118A in a region 118 C for further reduce current density and ohmic heating, such as is illustrated in Fig. 5; (2) drill part 118 to reduce ohmic and / or heat conduction circuits; and (3) add a additional heat sink material 119 over part 118 for reduce the thermal transfer to the part, as illustrated in Fig. 6. To achieve this heat dissipation function, apply a thermal nonconductive material, that is, an insulator thermal such as a ceramic. As examples of suitable ceramics alumina, zirconia, a mixture of alumina and zirconia are included, the fine, etc., as in the case of the coating of the leaf of heater. Any of these modifications must be assessed for any detrimental effect on the mechanical integrity of the connection parts 118 that support the heater assembly 100 and defining an insertion opening and Withdrawal for cigarette.

After pressing a heater sheet 121, there is a predetermined minimum time before a smoked next. Premature heating of a part of the cigarette could also result in a generation of unwanted and / or partial aerosol, or degradation induced by the heat of the cigarette part before the desired heating. Subsequent overheating of a previously heated part it can result in aromas and flavors not developing desired

If a longer smoke is desired than the one obtained by pressing a single sheet of heater, it is then configured control logic to turn on another heater or one or more sheets of additional heater immediately after pressing the blade of initial heater, or during a final part of the initial pulse, to heat another segment of the cigarette. The Additional heater sheet can be a heater sheet radially successive, or another heater sheet. The sheets of heater must be sized to get the total number desired of smoked for a desired duration.

In one embodiment, the number of sheets of heater 121 corresponds to the number of desired smokes, per example, eight, and in another embodiment the number of sheets of heater 121 formed is twice the number of smoked, per example, there are sixteen parts with heaters for a cigarette Eight smoked Such configuration allows power-up sequences. different from the normal ignition sequences of approximately 2 seconds, and preferably the sequential ignition sequence radially for an embodiment in which the number of sheets of heater 121 corresponds to the smoking count. For example, him logic circuit can impose that two heater sheets circumferentially opposite 121, ie heater sheets 180º apart in the tube, turn on simultaneously to jointly heat an adequate amount of the cigarette to generate a smoke Alternatively, a first sequence of ignition of a heater sheet 121 and another not for a cigarette, is followed by a second firing sequence of the intermediate heater sheets 121 for the next cigarette. Alternatively, this first ignition sequence can repeat for a predetermined life cycle of numerous cigarettes, and then start the second ignition sequence. I know You can use any combination of heater sheets. The number of heater sheets may be less, equal or greater than the number of smoked single-cigarette employees. For example, it you can use a nine sheet system for a six cigarette smoked, which turns on a different set of six heaters for each next cigarette, and the associated set of the three remaining heaters.

Heater assembly 100 is relatively electrically and mechanically fixed at one end through the welding of the spike or spikes 104A to the hub 110, and the spikes 104B to ends 122. The pins 104A and 104B are preferably molded into the plastic bucket, or connected to it fixed from otherwise, preferably so as to minimize the air leaks Preferably, this fixed end is opposite to the Opposition opening 360. Connection sections 118, and specifically the opposite ends 118B. opposite the edges of connection 118A, define the insertion opening 360. Sections 118B ends may be flared out to define a throat section 365. The leaves 121 are then narrowed from that throat section, to define an internal diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inserted cigarette 23 at, for example, the midpoint of the sheet, to provide the desired thermal contact, that is, the compression forces between The leaves and the cigarette. The 118B end sections are free of expand when heated, that is, the extreme sections 118B are not fixed. More specifically, each end 118B is located within a corresponding channel 210 located in the wall interior 201 of the end cap 83 of the lighter. Plus specifically, the movement radially out of the end sections 118B of the sheets 121 loaded inwardly is prevented by the 118B ends that make contact with the walls that are radially out of channels 210, setting with it a limit for the load and defining the load inwards. This inward load can be supplemented by the load of the Inward manufacturing, as seen. As illustrated, the inner wall 201 is flared out to allow the insertion of a part of the ends 118B of the sheet. Wall radially out of channel 200 that makes contact with the end 118B is sized and shaped to allow insertion of an appropriate amount of blade end 118B, of such so that the end of the sheet does not leave channel 210 during the heating or cooling of the sheet, or insertion or cigarette withdrawal If desired, this channel wall radially out is provided with a rest support, by example, of a trapezoid, which makes contact with the ends 118B. In an alternative embodiment, a part 118D of the end 118B of the blade is rounded, and more specifically it is elliptical, before the inserted end 118B. This rounded part 118D allows that the inserted part pivots into channel 210 in response to thermally or mechanically induced moments, staying with it the part inserted from the end of the sheet into the channel 210. In addition, or as an alternative, the ends 118B of the blade are more rounded.

In a first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, a channel 210 is sized such that the end 118B of heater sheet 121 can be expanded such that moves, that is, towards the extreme face 202 of channel 210, being inserted cigarette 23 and / or when a sheet is heated, so that the desired contact between the cigarette and the leaves is achieved. Such arrangement, in which one end of the blade is free in relation to the bucket located in opposition, allows mechanical displacement and / or thermal expansion and contraction of heater sheets 121 in the longitudinal direction, when the respective ones take place actions of insertion / withdrawal of the cigarette and / p of heating / cooling of the sheet, thereby reducing the tensions In a second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14, a rest support 204, which can be trapezoidal, is located inside of the channel 210 so that when the sheet of thermally expands heater 121, for being heated or displaced when inserting the cigarette 23, end 118B makes contact with the support of break 204 and set a pivot point to allow the sheet 121 load inward, towards the inserted cigarette 23, thereby reducing tensions in the sheet and increasing the desired thermal contact, that is, the compression forces between The leaf and the cigarette. Pivot point means that the blade 121 is free to turn, but preferably not to move, in this rest support 204.

Heater assembly 100 is therefore preferably a monolithic structure that is optionally ceramic coated, as seen. The cube 111 and the leaves of heater 121 are made of a material that has a resistance desired electrical resistance and mechanical resistance. For example, it prefer materials that have an electrical resistance in the range of about 50 to about 500 µm, cm, and more preferably from about 100 to about 200 \ muohm.cm, such that activated sheet 120 reaches temperatures of about 200 ° C to about 1000 ° C, and preferably from about 400 ° C to about 950 ° C, and more preferably from about 300 ° C to about 850 ° C, in about 0.2 to about 2.0 seconds, with a impulse from about 10 to about 50 joules, more preferably from about 10 to about 25 joules, and even more preferably about 20 joules. The material should be able to withstand approximately 1800 to approximately 10,000 such impulses without failure, my significant degradation, or unwanted curvature of the leaves 121.

The materials from which the heater sheets 121 are preferably chosen to ensure reliable repeated uses of at least 1800 cycles of connection / disconnection without failure. The heating device 39 is disposable, preferably separately from lighter 25, including power source 37 and the circuit, which is discarded preferably after 3500 cycles, or more. The materials of heater and / or other metal components are also chosen based on its resistance to oxidation and general absence of reactivity, to ensure that they do not oxidize or react from another mode with cigarette 23 at any temperature that is likely Let it be experienced. If desired, heater sheets 121 and others metal components are encapsulated in an inert material to the heat conduction, such as in a suitable ceramic material, to further prevent oxidation and reaction.

More preferably, however, the heater sheets 121 and other metal components of a heat-resistant alloy that presents a combination of high mechanical resistance and oxidation resistance of the surface, corrosion, and high degradation temperatures Preferably, heater sheets 121 are made of a material that has a high strength and stability of the surface at temperatures up to 80 percent of its points fusion. Such alloys include those commonly designated as superalloys, and are generally based on nickel, iron, or cobalt. For example, iron alloys are suitable primary, or nickel and yttrium. Preferably, the alloy of heater sheets 121 includes aluminum to further improve the performances of the heating element, for example, by providing oxidation resistance

Preferred materials include the aluminum halides with iron and nickel, and more preferably the alloys described in US patent applications pending processing together with this, assigned in common, Serial No. 08 / 365,952 filed on December 29, 1994, and especially in Serial No. ___________, presented simultaneously with this one, entitled "Iron Aluminide Alloys Useful on Electrical Resistance Heating Elements " Aluminum Halide with Iron Useful as Elements of Heating Electric Resistance ") (Fiscal File No. PM 1769),

Several elements can be used as additions to Ni 3 Al alloys. B and Si are the main ones Alloy additions for heater layer 122. It is believed that the B improves the limit resistance of the grain and that has its maximum efficiency when Ni 3 Al is rich in nickel, for example, with Al = 24 in%. Si is not added to Ni 3 Al alloys in large quantities, since the addition of Si beyond a maximum 3% by weight will form nickel silicides and oxidize will form SiO_ {2}. The addition of Mo improves resistance to low and high temperatures Zirconium helps improve resistance to oxide peel during thermal cycles. Can it be added also Hf to improve high temperature resistance. Preferably, the Ni 3 Al alloy for use as the substrate 300 and resistive heater 122 has been designated by Ic-50, and is defined as comprising approximately 77.92% of Ni, 21.73% of Al; 0.34% of Zr, and 0.01% of B, in the article "Processing of Intermetallic Aluminides" ("Processing of Intermetallic Aluminum Halogenides" by V. Sicka, in Intermetallic Metallurgy and "Processing Intermetallic Compounds ", edition of Stoloff and others, Van Nostrand Reinhold, N.Y. (USA), 1994, Table 4. Several elements can be added to the aluminum and iron halide. Possible additions include the: Nb, Cu, Ta, Zr, Ti, Mn, Si, Mo and Ni. Heater material it can be the Haynes® 214 alloy (Haynes® Alloy No. 214, a nickel-based alloy containing 16.0% chromium, 3.0% of iron, 4.5% aluminum, traces of yttrium, and the rest (approximately 75%), commercially available from the firm Haynes International of Kokomo, Indiana, USA), Inconel alloy 702, MCrAlY alloy, FeCrALY, Nichrome® brand alloys (54.80% nickel, 10-20% chromium, 7-27% iron, 0-11% copper, 0-5% manganese, 0.3-4.6% of silicon, and sometimes 1% molybdenum and 0.25% titanium; from Nichrome 1 It is said to contain 60% nickel, 25% iron, 11% of chrome, and 25% manganese; Nichrome 2 (75% of Ni, 22% of iron, 11% chromium, and 2% manganese; and the Nichrome 3 a Heat resistant alloy containing 85% nickel and 15% chrome, as described in the main patent application assigned in common Serial No. 08 / 380,718 filed dated 30 January 1995, and in US Pat. No. 5,388,594, or materials that have similar properties.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, the sheets of heater 121 are arranged to extend symmetrically from cube 111. Alternatively, asymmetric arrangements are employed. For example, the plurality, which can be six or eight, of leaves of heater 121 can be subdivided into, for example, two subgroups also numbered of, for example, three or four, sheets of Heater. The heater sheets of each subgroup are separated by separation spaces 131, as seen above. The subgroups are separated by a separation space 135 more width, as illustrated in Fig. 19, in the flat state unwound. The separation space 135 is defined in such so that heat transfer by conduction, and especially by radiation, from adjacent sheets 121 of the subgroups adjacent, is minimized, to the part of cigarette 23 which is below the separation space 135. Consequently, the separation space 135 provides a robust part and not warmed wider cigarette, which is more resistant than heated parts of the cigarette that are below 131 narrower separation spaces, thereby improving the column resistance of cigarette 23, as an aid in withdrawal of the cigarette after smoking and the subsequent heating, and weakening of parts. If desired, logic can activate more of a heater simultaneously in the symmetrical arrangement or in the asymmetric

Having the present invention two branches of heater 116A and 116B separated by a gap 125 is translates into significant improvements in the amount of spray generated, when compared to the amount generated by an item solid heater. A solid heater gets a good Thermal transfer with the cigarette. However, the Aerosol mass transfer to the flow of aspirated air is set in compromise, for blocking the solid structure an optimal drag from the air outside the cigarette to the cigarette, especially if the enclosure of the smoking system accommodation is provided of perforations to communicate the outside air to the enclosure with the outer surface of the cigarette. A heater according to the present invention having the same volume as a heater solid, but having a larger perimeter, results in a better drag opportunity, for example, due to the space of separation 125, and consequently results in an aroma delivery to sheet 121 improved per unit of energy. As seen, the separation space 125 should be sized to provide optimal radiation overlap for a given geometric configuration of the sheet. Since a more aerosols, the required mass of the sheets can be reduced, while generating the same desired amount of aromas, which results in a lighter unit and a decreased energy required to properly heat the heater sheets 121 and the inserted cigarette, which reduces even more the weight of the unit, given that the power source, by example batteries, can be smaller. As an example, no limiter, the separation space 125 may have approximately 0.051 cm ± about 0.013 cm wide; the branches 116A and 116B can be approximately 0.0318 cm to approximately 0.043 cm, ± 0.013 cm wide, and approximately 1.40 cm ± approximately 0.013 cm in length; and about 0.020 cm to about 0.025 cm thick ± 0.013 cm; and the length from the edge of the hub 110 to the tip of connection section 118 can be approximately 2,698 cm ± about 0.1588 cm.

It has been seen that an air flow mainly transverse or radial in relation to the inserted cigarette gives resulted in a more desirable smoke generation than a flow mainly longitudinal. The separation spaces 125, 127 and 131 provide paths for air to be drawn in contact With the cigarettes inserted. Air passages are planned additional to optimize transverse air flow, perorando for it sections of the heater sheets.

Another embodiment of geometric configuration of the leaf, in which both the first branch 116A as the second branch 116B are meandering. The forms meandering of branches 116A and 116B are parallel, so that the branches are uniformly spaced and the separation space 125 also has a serpentine shape. Such meandering shape increases the perimeter of the sheet and therefore improves the drag of aerosol. The winding form has been described in more detail in EP-A-0.615.411 and in the common patent application assigned in common Serial No. 08 / 380,718, filed on January 30, 1995, and in the U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594.

A first method will be described below. preferred manufacturing, with reference to Figs. 18 and 19. The manufacturing steps defined here can be carried out in any desired order to get the speeds of manufacturing, material savings, etc.

A sheet or strip of a material is formed appropriate thickness of, for example, about 0.050 to about 0.50 mm, for example about 0.25 mm, to define a plurality of sheets 121 that extend in general perpendicularly through the respective first sections 116A of the sheets, and in particular through the respective first extreme sections 115, from a generally straight section 111A in an arrangement similar to that of a comb. The 121 sheets are substantially parallel to each other, with separation spaces 131 located between opposite edges of the second sheet section 116B of a sheet and the first section of sheet 116A of a sheet adjacent. As seen, the sheets 121 are either arranged. symmetrically with equal separation spaces 131 between them, as illustrated in Fig. 18, or they are arranged asymmetrically, for example, with equal separation spaces 131 between adjacent sheets 121 defining subgroups 121A and 121B of leaves, and a distance 133 greater between the two width subgroups X, as illustrated in Fig. 19. Note that the section straight 111A has two end parts of a length of at least the half the length of half of X, to form a second distance 133 when rolling. These extreme parts should be more long than X to provide an overlap for connection. By way non-limiting example, the separation space 131 may be of approximately 0.102 cm ± 0.013 cm wide in any of the embodiments, and the separation space 135 may be of approximately 0.0318 cm ± 0.013 cm wide in the asymmetric realization.

The sheets are set as seen above, to form the connection section 118 and the branches 116A and 116B.

This formation of the sheet or strip of material with the described configuration is carried out by any technique usual, such as stamping or cutting, for example, with a laser of CO2 or Yag. If a strip format is used, the number of heater sheets 121 formed from the strip may exceed number required for a single cylindrical heater arrangement. The straight strip is then cut, if necessary, to form sections 111A having the desired number of sheets of heater 121 extending from it. If used, the last of step of sections 122A, 122B and 122C consists of print.

If used, the coating is then applied ceramic 300 masking for this the stamped profile and, for example, by thermally spraying the coating on the sections 11A, 115, 122, either on the entire sheet or on any part of it, to form the desired pattern, as seen. Alternatively, the ceramic coating is applied after winding step, by this procedure or, if desired, before of the formation of the leaves. As is known, the appropriate masking before performing each of the steps of heater and ceramic tank, to define the areas of application.

Section 111A is then rolled to form the rounded cube 111. Section 111A can be rolled into one or other sense Preferably, section 111A of such is wound so that the positive contacts 122C in the end section 122 are on the outer surface of the cylindrical heater formed, that is, on the opposite side of the cigarette, to simplify the connection with the 104B pins and to avoid damage during insertion and withdrawal of the cigarette. The rolled section can be rolled up with a diameter smaller than its final diameter desired, and inserted into the device. The rolled section is then expands and continues to be retained with its shape by electric connections. Alternatively, the section is joined rolled, for example, by any welding technique, such as spot welding or laser welding, to form the cube 111.

Preferably, a charge is imposed on each sheet 121, such that branches 116A and 116B and the edge of connection exert a compressive force on the cigarette inserted when heater assembly is formed, as has been illustrated in Fig. 13. This loading preferably takes place before winding, but it can be applied after winding. Is load increases the thermal contact between the heater sheet and the inserted cigarette, to improve the performance of the thermal transfer

It also improves the performance of the thermal transfer optimizing the amount of surface areas of the branches 116A and 116B of the leaf that are in a relationship Thermal efficient with the cigarettes below. As it looks in Fig. 17A, the bottom face 117 of the branch 116A and the branch 116B (branch 116A is illustrated by way of example) is flat, it is that is, flat in the transverse direction of the leaf branch in the realizations that are being considered. To improve the relationship of thermal transfer, the lower face 117 is formed with several non-flat geometric configurations, for example, at an angle or curve, to maximize the surface area of the heated branch in relation to cigarettes, without undesirably increasing the volume, and therefore undesirably decrease the current density and ohmic heating resulting from the heater branch, as represented respectively in the Figs. 17B and 17C. Shaped underside 117 does not pierce, preferably, any part of cigarette 23, to avoid weakening and possible tearing of the cigarette during its insertion, adjustment or withdrawal. On the contrary, the midpoint or vertex of the lower face 117 makes contact, or is in narrow thermal proximity, with cigarette 23, and the rest of the face lower 117 is in a thermal radiation relationship with the cigarette 23.

Preferably, this shape of the lower face is achieved by stamping branches 116A and 116B of sheets 121 in a unrolled state. This print can take place at the same time than stamping to get the load before considered. This pattern to form the lower face also increases the resistance of branches 116A and 116B, thus avoiding Short circuits and deformations that are not desired.

Next, a second method of manufacturing. A tube of appropriate material is provided. They form then the blades 121, by any technique such as cutting with laser Alternatively, the leaves are formed by a technique of highlighted, in which an internal mandrel is inserted into the tube to form the leaf profiles considered, and then another stressed, either internally or externally, to cut the profile. Yes if desired, a ceramic coating 300 is provided, as He saw for the profiled tube.

In addition, the present invention minimizes stresses. potentially thermally induced. Since the heater sheets 121 and hub 111 are monolithic, avoid tensions arising from the interconnections of separate parts of A heating element.

The various embodiments of the present invention all have been designed to allow delivery of an amount effective response of smoked tobacco to the smoker, under the normal conditions of use. In particular, it is currently accepted that it is desirable to deliver between 5 and 13 mg, preferably between 7 and 10 mg, spray to a smoker for 8 smoked, each being smoked a smoke of 35 ml lasting two seconds. It has been verified that, in order to achieve such delivery, the elements 121 heaters should be able to conduct a temperature as seen, when they are in thermal transfer relationship with the cigarette 23. In addition, heater sheets 121 should consume, preferably, the energy that has been seen. Heater sheets 121 that are bowed inward, toward cigarette 23, to improve the thermal transfer ratio, enjoy some more Low energy requirements

Of course, heater resistance comes also imposed by the particular energy source 37 that is used to provide the electrical energy necessary to heat the heater sheets 121. For example, element resistances previous heater correspond to embodiments in which the power is supplied by four batteries of nickel-cadmium connected in series, with a total of uncharged power source voltage of approximately 4.8 to 5.8 volts Alternatively, if six or eight such batteries are used connected in series, heater sheets 121 must have, preferably, a resistance between about 3 \ Omega and about 5 \ Omega, or between about 5 Ω and approximately 7 Ω, respectively.

In Figs. 20 and 21 another one has been illustrated embodiment 450 of the present invention comprising a plurality of heating elements 451. Each heating element 451 It has an elongated "U" shape, which each has both ends 452, 453 of the respective branches connected to the wall side or cavity 430 adjacent to the end wall 443 of the cavity 430. Each respective end 452 is individually connected to the control circuit, and finally to the source of electrical energy, for individual actuation of heating elements 451, while ends 453 are connected in common to ground. Although the ends 454 adjacent to the mouth end of the Cavity 430 are not electrically connected, and therefore it is not necessary to touch the side wall of cavity 430, they are however turned towards the side wall of cavity 430, as illustrated in the two Figs. 20 and 21, to provide a input conduit for the disposable part, that is, the inserted cigarette, as seen in the foregoing. Is to do note that in Fig. 21 the upper and lower elements 451 have been shown cut by their tips 454 in the form of OR.

In another embodiment 470 illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23, the heating elements 471 are spaced somewhat further of the wall of the cavity 430, and each is provided with a tip 472 in "V", somewhat sharper, as well as with the fold 473 to Increase your stiffness. In this way, the heating elements 471 actually pierce and extend into the disposable part, to provide the desired intimate thermal contact. The structure Open cell foam described above is particularly suitable for such an embodiment. In this embodiment, since the heating elements 471 are spaced more than the wall side of cavity 430, ends 452, 453 are not attached to the side wall of the cavity 430, but to its extreme wall 443. Preferably, the end connections 452, 453 with the extreme wall 443 are made through spacers 480 that do not They are conductors neither of heat nor of electricity. In this way, a rubbing action dragging rubbing debris beyond the ends 452, 453 and over the spacers 480, where the waste is not reheated, as described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586. On the wall are planned perforations 412 to allow outside air to be sucked into through part 420, as described in more detail in the U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586.

For those who are skilled in the art, they can many modifications, substitutions and improvements become evident, without exceeding the scope of the present invention as it is described and defined herein and in the claims that follow. By example, the smoothing step can be carried out before the cool, in a modification of the part of the process described in above with reference to Fig. 5B.

Claims (91)

1. A cigarette (23) comprising a rod of tobacco, said tobacco rod (60) comprising a soul of tubular tobacco (66) and a tobacco plug (80) disposed within said tubular tobacco soul, said tobacco rod having a free end (78) and an opposite end (72), said said tubular tobacco soul a core soul (68) and a layer (70) of tobacco aroma material supported by said core soul, said core core adapted to transfer heat from an element of electric heating to said tobacco aroma material, adapted said tobacco rod (60) to receive for operation an electric heating element (37) at along said tobacco rod (60) in a position between said free end (79) and said opposite end (72), located said stopper of tobacco (80) adjacent to said free end, being spaced said tobacco stopper of said opposite end so as to define a space (91) not filled between said tobacco stopper and said end opposite. 2. The cigarette according to Claim 1, in the that said position along said tobacco rod is such that said position overlaps at least a part of said space not padding (91) and overlaps at least a portion of said stopper of tobacco (80). 3. The cigarette according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said tobacco rod includes a free flow filter (74) adjacent to said opposite end, said filter being spaced free flow of said tobacco plug (80) so that defines said unfilled space (91) between said flow filter free and said tobacco plug. 4. A cigarette and lighter adapted to cooperate as a system for electric smoking, understanding said cigarette a tobacco soul tube, partially filled with stuffed tobacco cut, so that it defines a rod part of stuffed tobacco and a portion of unfilled tobacco rod (91), said cigarette (23) and said lighter (25) being arranged mutually so that an electric heater element of the lighter overlaps, at least partially, at least one of the stuffed part and the unfilled part of the tobacco rod when the cigarette is in an operating position in said lighter. 5. The cigarette according to Claim 4, in the that said part of stuffed tobacco rod includes a stopper of tobacco, and said electric heater overlaps at least one part of said unfilled space, and overlaps at least one part of said tobacco stopper when the cigarette is in said operating position in the lighter. 6. The cigarette according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein said cigarette has a free end, being located said tobacco stopper adjacent to said free end, including said cigarette a spaced tubular element of said stopper of tobacco so that it defines a part of unfilled tobacco rod between said free flow filter and said tobacco stopper. 7. The cigarette according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tubular element (74) It is a filter. 8. The cigarette according to Claim 7, in the that said tubular element (74) is constructed of a material of plasticized bast. 9. The cigarette according to Claim 7, in the that said free flow filter (74) is constructed of a material molded 10. The cigarette according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising embossing of filter (62) adjacent to said opposite end. 11. The cigarette according to Claim 10, in which said emboquillado (62) comprises a second flow filter free (102) adjacent to said opposite end, further comprising said cigarette emboquillar paper (64) linking said second free flow filter (102) to said opposite end. 12. The cigarette according to Claim 11, in which said mouthpiece further comprises a filter plug (104) of mouthpiece adjacent to said second free flow filter (102). 13. The cigarette according to Claim 12, in which said free flow filter (74) of said tobacco rod (60) includes a first step (75) and said second flow filter Free (102) of said emboquillado includes a second step, communicating said first and second steps said unfilled space (91) of said tobacco rod with said filter plug (104) of mouth piece, said second step having a second inner radius greater than a first inner radius of said first step (75). 14. The cigarette according to Claim 12, in which said tobacco rod further comprises a reflux filter (200 '') at said free end.

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15. The cigarette according to Claim 12, in which said tobacco stopper (80b) includes a first part (320b) adjacent to said free end (78b) having a density more high than that of a second part (310b) of said tobacco stopper distant from said free end. 16. A cigarette (23) comprising a rod of tobacco (60) having a free reflux resistive end (78) and an opposite end (72), said tobacco rod comprising a tubular tobacco core (66) that includes a layer of material tobacco (78), a narrowing of the flow (74) operating in said opposite end of said tubular and tobacco core (78, 80) located to operation adjacent to said free end and spacing of said narrowing of the flow, including cut stuffed tobacco which partially fills said tobacco rod, so that it defines a part of stuffed tobacco rod and a part of rod of unfilled tobacco, said adjacent unfilled part being located to said flow narrowing, said tubular core arranged to communicate the heat received by said tubular soul to said tobacco, said tobacco rod (60) being arranged such that during a smoke on said cigarette, with application of heat to along a region of said tubular core, at least one part of tobacco releases tobacco spray that is sucked through of said narrowing of the flow. 17. The cigarette according to Claim 16, in which said narrowing of the flow (74) is defined by a tubular element 18. The cigarette according to Claim 17, in which said tubular element comprises a first flow filter free (74), said first free flow filter defining a first step (75) therethrough, further comprising said cigarette emboquillado (652), said emboquillado including a second filter free-flowing tubular (102) located adjacent to said first filter of free flow of said tobacco rod, said second defining Tubular free flow filter a second step through it, being said first step of said first narrower free flow filter that said part does not fill (91) of said tobacco rod and more narrows that said second step of said second flow filter free (102). 19. The cigarette according to Claim 18, in which said cut filler tobacco forms a resistive plug of Reflux. 20. The cigarette according to Claim 19, in which said part of said cut filler tobacco (80) is located at said free end (76) and has a density greater than that of the rest of said stuffed tobacco cut away from said free end 21. The cigarette according to Claim 20, in which said emboquillado (62) further comprises a filter (104) of mouth piece adjacent to said second free flow filter (102). 22. The cigarette according to Claim 20, in which said tubular soul includes a cigarette wrap (71) around said tobacco rod (60), joined said emboquillado to said tobacco rod with an emboquillar paper (64). 23. The cigarette according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tobacco or stopper of Tobacco (80) comprises a cut filler tobacco. 24. The cigarette according to Claim 23, in which said tobacco or tobacco plug (80) comprises a mixture of cut filling tobacco, said mixture comprising a combination of at least two of the tobacco: bright, from Burley, and Oriental, 25. The cigarette according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein said tobacco stopper includes a stopper wrap (84) arranged around said cut filler tobacco (80). 26. The cigarette according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein said tobacco (70) is located along a inner surface of said tubular tobacco core (66). 27. The cigarette according to Claim 26, in which said tobacco rod comprises a wrapper (71) arranged around an outer surface of said rod or part of tubular tobacco rod. 28. A method to improve smoke delivery from a cigarette (23) operated with a lighter electronic, said cigarette comprising a tubular core (66) that It has a free end (78), and an opposite end (72), and can be smoke extracted from said opposite end, said said Method the steps of:

set a part no fills along said tubular core in a position adjacent to said opposite end and a part stuffed with tobacco along said tubular core in a position adjacent to said free end; Y

superimpose an element electric heater of said electronic lighter at least partially on said filled part of said tubular core at time that said electric heater element is activated so that the smoke constituents release from said tobacco.

29. The method according to Claim 28, in the that said overlap step includes overlapping said element electric heater partially over both said stuffed part of said tubular soul as said part not filled with said soul tubular, while said heating element is activated electric. 30. The method according to Claim 28 or 29, which also includes the step of passing said constituents of tobacco released through a construction located adjacent to said opposite end. 31. A tobacco soul adapted to be rolled up on a tubular tobacco rod (60) of a working cigarette (23) with an electric cigarette lighter (25), said said tobacco soul a core soul (68) and a tobacco material (70) arranged along a first side of said base soul;

comprising said soul of base a combination of tobacco fiber and cellulosic fiber, combined said tobacco fiber and said cellulosic fiber in a ratio within the range of approximately 2: 1 to 4: 1, having said base soul a basic weight comprised in a range of about 35 to 45 g / m2;

having said material of tobacco at least twice the basic weight of said core soul, said tobacco material comprising a finely chopped tobacco and tobacco solids extracted, in a relationship comprised in a margin between approximately 3: 1 to 9: 1, and a level moisturizer from about 5% to 20% by weight of said material.

32. The tobacco soul according to Claim 31, wherein said tobacco material has a basic weight of approximately three or four times that of said core soul. 33. The tobacco soul according to Claim 31 or 32, wherein said tobacco material further comprises pectin a a level of up to about 2% by weight of said material of tobacco. 34. The tobacco soul according to Claim 33, wherein said base core comprises approximately 28 g / m2 of tobacco fiber and about 12 g / m2 of fiber cellulose of a wood pulp, or of flax paste, or of Tobacco Nerve Paste 35. The tobacco soul according to Claim 34, wherein said tobacco material comprises approximately 66 71% by weight of tobacco particles, approximately 16 to 20% by weight of tobacco solids extracted, approximately 10 14% by weight glycerin, and approximately 1-2% pectin. 36. A tobacco soul adapted to be rolled up on a tubular tobacco rod (60) of a working cigarette (23) with an electric cigarette lighter (25), said said tobacco soul a core soul (68) and a tobacco material (70) arranged along a first side of said base soul;

comprising said soul of base a combination of tobacco fiber of a basic weight of component of approximately 20 to 30 g / m2 and carbon fiber with a basic component weight of approximately 2-9 g / m2, and pectin with a basic weight of component of about 1 g / m2;

having said material of tobacco a basic weight three to four times that of the soul of base, said tobacco material comprising a finely tobacco minced and extracted tobacco solids, in a relationship included in the margin of approximately 3: 1 to 9: 1, and a level moisturizer in the range of approximately 5% to 20% by weight of said tobacco material

37. An operating cigarette with a lighter electric cigarette, said cigarette comprising a rod of tubular tobacco (60) constructed of a tobacco soul according with any of claims 31 to 36. 38. The cigarette according to Claim 37, which comprises a cut filler plug (80) adjacent to one end free (78) of said tobacco rod (69), at least one filter of tubular free flow (74) adjacent to an opposite end (72) of said tobacco rod, and a filling-free space (91) located between said cut filler cap and said free flow filter tubular. 39. A method of manufacturing a tobacco soul (66) comprising a core core (68) and a layer of material of tobacco (70), said soul of folding tobacco being with a shape tubular as part of a cigarette (22) operating with a lighter electric (25) of cigarettes, said method comprising the steps from:

separate the soluble (in 124) of the fibers of tobacco feed materials, comprising said soluble which are in solution of about 5% to about 10% by weight of dissolved tobacco constituents;

produce (in 128) that soul base forming a pasty mixture of said fiber of separate tobacco and a reinforcing agent to form pasty mixture and strain (at 130) said pasty mixture into an apparatus for forming soul;

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produce (in 146) a material of tobacco by mixing said solution of approximately 5% to about 10% of tobacco constituents with additional tobacco particles, a humectant and pectin, for thus form a dispersion of tobacco material and adjust the water content so that in said dispersion a solids content in the range of approximately 20 to 30%;

apply (in 144) said dispersion of tobacco material along said core soul to form a sheet of said tobacco soul;

dry (in 146) said sheet of said tobacco soul to a moisture content of approximately 8.5% to approximately 12%;

cool (in 148) said sheet of said tobacco soul to an ambient temperature;

smooth (in 150) said sheet of said tobacco soul;

roll (in 152) said sheet of said tobacco soul to form a tobacco soul roll; Y

chop (at 154) said roll of tobacco soul to produce a tobacco soul coil.

40. The method according to Claim 39, in the that said solution of tobacco soluble comprises approximately 7 to 8% by weight of dissolved tobacco constituents. 41. The method according to Claim 39 or 40, in which said ambient temperature is in the range of 18.3 to 26.7 ° C. 42. A method according to the Claims 39, 40 or 41, wherein said pectin is added with a basic weight of component from about 0.5 to about 1.5 g / m2. 43. A method according to any of the Claims 39 to 42, wherein said humectant is glycerin added to a level in the margin of approximately 5 to 20% in dry weight of said tobacco material. 44. The method according to Claim 40, 41, 42 or 43, in which the amount of water is adjusted to achieve, to the conclusion of the mixing step, a dispersion of approximately 22 to 27% solids content. 45. The method according to Claim 44, in the that adjusts the amount of water to get, to the conclusion of the mixing step, a dispersion of approximately 24 to 26% of solids content. 46. The method according to Claim 45, in the that tobacco particles are in the margin of those that pass through sieves of approximately 100 to 220 mesh number. 47. The method according to Claim 46, in the that tobacco particles correspond to those that go through a sieve of approximately 120 paddle number. 48. The method according to any of the Claims 39 to 47, wherein said reinforcing agent of the pasty mixture comprises at least one of wood pulp, Flax and tobacco nerve paste. 49. The method according to any of the Claims 39 to 48, wherein said application step includes applying said dispersion of tobacco material to said base soul, with a dry weight ratio of at least 3: 1. 50. The method according to any of the Claims 39 to 49, wherein said application step includes applying said dispersion of tobacco material to said base soul in a dry weight ratio of at least 3: 1. 51. The core core according to Claim 36, wherein said tobacco fiber is with a basic weight of component of approximately 24 to 28 g / m2, carbon fiber It has a basic component weight of approximately 2 to 4 g / m2, and the pectin is with a basic component weight of 2.5 at 1.5 g / m2. 52. A heater (39) for use in a system for smoking that has a source of electrical energy to heat a cigarette, including the heater:

a plurality of the sheets of electric resistance heater (121) defining a receptacle to receive an inserted cigarette and that extend along of the inserted cigarette, each leaf comprising a first branch of heater sheet (116A) having a first end and a second end, a second branch of heater sheet (116B) that it has a first end and a second end (122), and a section of connection (118) connecting said second end of said first leaf branch with said first end of said second branch of the sheet;

wherein said first and said second branches of the heater sheet of each of the heater sheets are separated by a respective separation space (125); Y in which the first ends of said first heater blade branch are adapted to be in contact electrical with the source of electrical energy, in which there are formed respective heating paths by electrical resistance that comprise said 'first branch of the heater sheet, said second connecting edge section, and said second leaf branch of heater to heat, respectively, each of said electric heater heater sheets, which heats your Once the cigarette inserted. 53. The heater according to the Claim 52, wherein the second ends (122) of said second heater blade branches (116B are set to Earth. 54. The heater according to the Claim 52 or 53, wherein the second ends of said second branches of the heater sheets are connected in common. 55. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 54, wherein the separation space (125) separating said first and second branches of sheet of heater is sized to allow flow drag of air inside the heated cigarette, when aspirating a smoker. 56. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 55, further comprising a hub of support (111), extending the first ends of each of said first branches (116A) of the heater sheets from said support cube; wherein said support hub is adapted to be in electrical contact with the power source to form a common for the first ends of said first Heater leaf branches. 57. The heater according to the Claim 56, wherein the second ends of said second branches (116B) of said heater sheets are adapted to be in respective electrical contact with the power source electric, in which the respective heating circuits by resistance are formed comprising said first leaf branch of heater, said connecting edge section, and said second heater sheet to respectively heat each of said electric heater heater sheets (121), which heats turn to the inserted cigarette. 58. The heater according to the Claim 56 or 57, wherein the second ends (122) of said second branches (116B) of the heater sheets extend towards said support hub (111) and are electrically isolated of the same. 59. The heater according to the Claim 56 or 57, wherein the second ends (122) of said second branches (116B) of the heater sheets are separated from said cube by a separation space. 60. The heater according to the Claim 56, further comprising an electrical insulator applied to at least one of said cube and the second ends of said second branches of the heater sheets. 61. The heater according to the Claim 56, further comprising an electrical insulator applied to at least one of the second ends of said second branches of heater blades and first ends of said first branches of the heater sheets. 62. The heater according to the Claim 56, further comprising an electrical insulator (300) which forms a ceramic cube support structure around said support hub (111), of the second ends (122) of said second branches (116B) of the heater sheets, and of the first ends of said first branches (116B) of the leaves of Heater. 63. The heater according to any of Claims 56 to 62, wherein said support hub and These sheets are monolithic. 64. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 63, wherein said connection section (118) further comprises a free end (118B) to compensate for the thermal expansion when the heating element is heated. 65. The heater according to the Claim 64, further comprising a support structure (83) located stationary within the smoking system and defining channels (210) to receive the free ends (118B) of said connection sections of said sheets (121). 66. The heater according to the Claim 65, wherein said channels (210) are arranged to allow thermal expansion and contraction of translation of said heater sheets. 67. The heater according to the Claim 65 or 66, further comprising a pivot point (204) located in each of said channels, said point of pivot such that the associated free end (118B) of said connection section pivots around said pivot points to loading said first and second branches (116A, B) of the sheets of heater inwards, towards the inserted cigarette, at heat the associated heater sheet. 68. The heater according to any of Claims 51 to 67, wherein parts of at least one of said first (116A) of heater sheet and said second branch (116B) heater sheet is coated with a ceramic (300) to electrically reinforce and isolate the at least one of said first branch of heater sheet and said second branch of sheet of Heater. 69. The heater according to the Claim 67, wherein a part of said second branch (116B) of heater sheet adjacent to said ceramic is adapted to be in electrical contact with the source of electrical energy. 70. The heater according to any of Claims 62 to 69, wherein said (121) are ready to receive the inserted cigarette slip. 71. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 70, wherein the second end of said second branch of heater sheet is stepped, said step shape comprising an end section (122C) adapted to be in electrical contact with the power source electric 72. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 71, wherein said first and second (116A, B) heater sheet, one heater sheet respective (121), are substantially parallel. 73. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 72, wherein said connecting edge It has a curvature between approximately 160º and 200º. 74. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 73, wherein a lower face of at minus one of said first and second branches (116A, B) of sheet of heater facing the inserted cigarette, is substantially not flat in a transverse direction of said leaf branch of Heater. 75. The heater according to the Claim 74, wherein said bottom face is curved. 76. The heater according to the Claim 74, wherein said lower face is angled. 77. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 76, wherein said plurality of sheets of electric resistance heater (121) are arranged in groups, in which the separation spaces (133) between the groups are sized to provide unheated parts of the inserted cigarette that provide resistance to facilitate the Cigarette withdrawal after smoking. 78. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 77, wherein at least one of said branches First and second (116A, B) heater sheet is shaped snaked. 79. The heater according to the Claim 78, wherein both of said first and second branches of the leaf are meandering and mutually parallel, so that The space between the branches is meandering. 80. The heater according to the Claim 52, wherein one of at least one sheet (121, 122) is wider than an adjacent active part of said at least a branch, in which the end of said branch has a density of lower current and ohmic heating lower than the part active of said branch. 81. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 80, wherein said connection section (119) is perforated. 82. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 81, wherein said first and Second (116A, B) heater sheet are loaded in, towards the inserted cigarette. 83. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 82, wherein said first and second (116A, B) of heater sheet and said connecting edges they have a resistance of about 100 to about 200 \ muohm.cm. 84. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 83, wherein said first and second (116A, B) of heater sheet and said connecting edges they have a resistance of about 50 to about 500 \ muohm.cm. 85. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 84, wherein said first and second (116A, B) of heater sheet and said connecting edges they are capable of reaching temperatures of approximately 200ºC at about 1000 ° C at about 0.2 to about 2.0 seconds, with an impulse of approximately 10 to approximately 50 joules 86. The heater according to the Claim 85, wherein said first and second branches (116A, B) and said connecting edges are capable of being pressed to those temperatures for about 1800 to about 10,000 of such impulses.

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87. The heater according to the Claim 53, wherein the separation space (125) which separates said first and second branches (116A, B) from sheet of heater is sized to maximize heating by cumulative radiation of each of said first and second branches of heater sheet, of a heater sheet associated with a part of the inserted cigarette that is below the space of separation. 88. The heater according to any of Claims 52 to 87, wherein said first and second (116A, B) of heater sheet and said edge section of connection comprise an electrical resistance material selected from the group consisting of aluminum halides and iron and nickel halides. 89. An electric smoking system comprising a cigarette according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 and a lighter, the lighter having a plurality of sheets of resistance heater that define a receptacle to receive the heater sheets, so that the sheets overlap at least partially to said tobacco stopper when said cigarette is inserted into said receptacle. 90. An electric smoking system according with Claim 89, wherein said heater sheets are extend along the length of said tobacco stopper and partially overlap said unfilled space. 91. An electric smoking system according with Claim 89 or 90, wherein the lighter includes a heater according to any of claims 52 to 88.