JP2013509889A - Aligned banded cigarette paper, cigarette, and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An alignable banded wrapper (23) for a smoking article (20) is disclosed. The banded regions (32) are spaced from each other by a distance equal to the length of the tobacco rod of the smoking article divided by an integer. This results in a banded region starting at substantially the same location on each cigarette. Each banded area is therefore positioned at a preferred predetermined distance from the end of the cigarette, and cigarettes made using such paper are consistent compared to banded areas positioned randomly or pseudo-randomly. And improved ignition tendency. A cigarette made using an alignable banded wrapping paper is disclosed, and a method of making a cigarette with an alignable banded paper is disclosed.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  This disclosure relates broadly to cigarettes and cigarette wrappers having one or more ignition tendency adjustment structures such as circumferential bands. Furthermore, this disclosure deals with a method of making a banded cigarette wrap so that the individual cigarette bands are substantially uniformly positioned with respect to the cigarette structural features. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a cigarette in which a band is uniformly positioned relative to a feature of the finished cigarette.

  In the past, banded wrapping paper for cigarettes exhibited bands of preferred width that were spaced longitudinally along the length of the paper by a preferred nominal distance. Using the paper, the finished cigarette is positioned randomly or pseudo-randomly with respect to the cigarette structural features such as the ignitable end, or the filter end, or the labial end, or the filter itself. Had a band that was exposed.

US 6 596 125 US 5 417 228 US 5 474 095 US 5 534 114 US 5 144 964

  When cigarettes incorporate banded wrapping to adjust self-extinguishment and combustion promotion, etc., if the random or pseudo-random band positioning gives inconsistent results for properties such as self-extinguishment and combustion promotion There is. Recently, regulators have begun to impose requirements for characteristics such as self-extinguishment on cigarettes offered for sale within specific jurisdictions. Such randomness or pseudo-randomness in cigarette structural features can complicate compliance with such regulations.

  With the disclosed method, the nominal finished length of the cigarette tobacco rod can be selected. The pitch of the predetermined position of the band relative to the nominal length is determined. The relationship of the band position to the structural features of the finished cigarette can be selected or determined based on the pitch. The number of bands for each finished cigarette can be selected or selected. The predetermined width for the band can be selected from a preferred range of band widths measured along the longitudinal length of the tobacco rod. The predetermined band width and the predetermined position can then be determined by adjusting the spacing between the bands on the cigarette paper so that the band positioning is performed at substantially the same position of each completed cigarette. And correlated with each other.

  Cigarette paper according to the present disclosure has transverse bands spaced from each other such that the relationship between one or more bandwidths and interband spacings corresponds to a fraction of the nominal finished length of the tobacco rod. . Preferably, the cigarette paper has a band positioned based on the above-described features.

  A finished cigarette according to this disclosure has a nominal length of tobacco rod, can include a filter, and is preferably manufactured using the cigarette paper described above. Cigarettes, specifically tobacco rods, have an ignitable end. The tobacco rod also has a labial end or a filter end. If a filter is used, it is attached to the filter end of the tobacco rod in a conventional manner. The wrapping paper for a cigarette preferably includes at least one band positioned at a first predetermined distance from either the ignitable end or the filter end, the predetermined distance from one cigarette to the next It is basically constant up to cigarettes. If desired, another band can be positioned at a second predetermined distance from the other of the ignitable end and the filter end. Furthermore, more than two bands can be provided on each cigarette as required.

  Preferably, the first predetermined distance is selected such that the first band is spaced from the ignitable end by a distance corresponding to about ½ of the pitch between adjacent bands.

1 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to this disclosure. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a wrapping paper according to this disclosure. FIG. FIG. 7 is a graph of percent full length burn of cigarettes with banded regions starting from 12 mm to 18 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette versus percent full length burns of cigarettes with randomly positioned banded regions. It is the schematic which shows each part of a cigarette manufacturing process.

  As used herein, “alignment” or “aligned” or “alignable” means making or adjusting to correspond substantially accurately. The “ignitable end” or “ignition end” of a cigarette or cigarette tobacco rod means the end of a cigarette or cigarette tobacco rod that is intended to be ignited when smoking is initiated. Alignment of the position of the start of the banded area from the ignition end of the cigarette can further be used to minimize the number of cigarette self-extinguishing. Where the term “about”, “substantially”, or “approximately” is used, the term is intended to include equivalents within the modified feature. When any of these terms are used in connection with numbers, it is intended that the numbers have a tolerance of ± 5%.

Tobacco In the case of cigarettes made according to this disclosure, suitable types of tobacco materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Bur1ey tobacco, Mary1and tobacco, 0rienta1 tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty Includes tobacco, and blends thereof. Tobacco materials include, but are not limited to: (i) cut filler tobacco, (ii) tobacco leaves, (iii) processed tobacco materials such as volume expanded or expanded tobacco, (iv) cut rolls or cut puff stems Can be provided in any suitable form including (v) reconstituted tobacco material, (vi) blends thereof, and the like. Tobacco substitutes can also be used. Cut filler tobacco is preferred.

  In conventional cigarette manufacture, tobacco is typically in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 1.2 mm (1/10 inch to about 1/20 inch) or even about 0.6 mm (1/40 inch). It is used in the form of cut fillers cut into pieces, ie in the form of shreds or strands. The length of individual tobacco strands ranges between about 6 mm and about 75 mm (0.25 inches and about 3.0 inches). Tobacco materials used for cigarettes further include one or more flavorings or other suitable additives (eg, combustion additives, combustion modifiers, colorants, binders, etc.) Can do.

Cigarette Structure Referring to FIG. 1, a cigarette 20 according to this disclosure typically includes a tobacco rod 22 having an ignitable end 26 and a second end 34. The second end 34 may be a labial end or may include a filter 24 having an end 28. Conventionally, the filter 24 is attached to the tobacco rod 22 by the tip paper 25. The tobacco rod 22 contains a certain amount of tobacco material as described above and is surrounded by the wrapping paper 23.

  Certain jurisdictions may determine the portion of a cigarette that will be burned from the ignition end 26 to the filter end 34 when the cigarette offered for sale is stationary on a given substrate under special conditions. It currently requires that the statistically defined ignition tendency requirements should be followed. For example, ASTM standard E2187-04 is a test protocol used to satisfy such ignition tendency requirements. One way to address such a requirement involves the provision of one or more banded regions 30, 32 spaced along the tobacco rod 22. These bands 30, 32 are part of the wrapping paper 23 and can extend circumferentially around the tobacco rod 22. The band typically has a width in the range of about 5 mm to about 7 mm when measured along the axis of the tobacco rod.

  In conventional cigarette manufacturing, the tobacco rod is formed when the wrapping paper moves along its longitudinal axis. The tobacco material is deposited on the moving wrapping paper, which is then wrapped around the tobacco, sealed and cut to form the tobacco rod 22. So far, that conventional cigarette manufacturing process has resulted in random or pseudo-random positioning of the band 30 relative to the ignitable or ignitable end 26 of the cigarette.

  In accordance with this disclosure, the first band is preferably positioned at a first predetermined distance from the ignitable or ignitable end 26 of the cigarette. Band 30 includes an ignition tendency adjusting structure and (i) an add-on layer of material from which the base web is constructed, (ii) one or more printed layers of an aqueous or non-aqueous film forming solution, Or (iii) can be made from other materials such that the ignition tendency of the tobacco rod 22 is adjusted, controlled, managed, or adjusted.

  Preferably, the first predetermined distance corresponds to about 50% of the pitch between adjacent banded regions, more preferably the cigarette rod in the finished smoking article where the smoking article has two banded regions. Corresponds to about 25% of the length of Further, the predetermined distance is also preferably in the range of about 12 mm to about 18 mm. The preferred predetermined distance can be adjusted by selecting the number of banded areas on the cigarette or tobacco rod so that 50% of the pitch falls within the preferred range. Furthermore, the predetermined distance is preferably substantially constant for all smoking articles in a conventional pack of smoking articles. When the predetermined distance is maintained substantially uniform during cigarette manufacture, the resulting cigarette 20 not only has improved ignition tendency performance when tested, but also has a tendency to ignition tendency previously observed. Even more uniform between smoking articles.

Banded cigarette paper The banded cigarette paper 23 disclosed in the present invention is produced in a manner as disclosed in commonly owned US Pat. No. 6,596,125, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. And relates to a method and apparatus for applying a predetermined pattern of add-on slurry material to a base web, preferably in the form of transversely extending stripes. More particularly, this patent relates to a method and apparatus for producing cigarette paper having a banded region of additional material. As disclosed therein, the banded regions can exhibit a slower burning rate than the region of the base web positioned between the banded regions. Further disclosures relating to banded cigarette paper include US Pat. No. 5,417,228, US Pat. No. 5,474,095, and US Pat. No. 5,534,114, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Banded regions can also be formed by other techniques such as printing, specifically gravure printing. See Applicants' owned US 5 417 228 and US 5 144 964, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The width of the banded region is preferably in the range of about 5 mm to about 7 mm, more preferably about 6 mm.

  The resulting banded cigarette wrapping paper 23 is typically wound on a bobbin. Each bobbin can hold a strip of paper, for example, about 6000 meters long. The width of the paper strip on the bobbin is related to the circumference of the cigarette that is formed. Typically, the width is well beyond the cigarette circumference to include the adhesive strip area.

Cigarette Generation Referring to FIG. 4, in cigarette generation, cut filler tobacco 101 is continuously deposited along a strip of advancing cigarette wrapping paper 23 fed from bobbin 104 at tobacco rod manufacturer 103. The paper 23 is wrapped around the filler tobacco, creating a substantially continuous long column 106. The column 106 is cut into two up rods 108 suitable for making two individual cigarettes 20, 20 '. For example (see FIG. 2), the column can be cut transversely at positions 40, 44 of the rod manufacturer 103, producing a tobacco rod 108 having a nominal length 2l. The 2-up tobacco rod 108 is then fed into a tipping machine 110 such as “Hauni MAX”, where the 2-up tobacco rod 108 is cut into two tobacco rods 22, 22 ′ at position 42, It is moved away to receive the 2-up filter segment 112 in the meantime. The two up filter segments 112 are attached to longitudinally spaced pairs of cigarette tobacco rods 22, 22 ′ using tip paper 114. The double length cigarette assembly 116 is then cut in half to produce two finished cigarettes 20, 21 (see FIG. 1). Multiple tobacco rods can be 2 up, 4 up, 6 up, etc. and other tipping operations can be used.

  The banded region 30 can include additional add-on materials and / or burn rate modifiers to achieve the desired reduction in ignition tendency. In addition or alternatively, the banded region 30 can be used to impart a subjective quality of cigarette. For example, the banded region can include a flavor. A banded region that includes a flavor may exhibit a burning rate equal to an unbanded region of cigarette paper or may exhibit a slower burning rate compared to an adjacent bandless region of cigarette paper.

  Each band 30, 32 (see FIG. 1) is configured to have a leading edge 31 and a trailing edge 33 in the sense that a smoldering call that advances from the firing end 26 first approaches the leading edge 31.

  The position or location of the band within the finished cigarette depends on the nominal length l of the cigarette tobacco rod sliced from the tobacco rod made using banded cigarette wrapping paper. As pointed out, the band typically has a constant width. When all bands of a cigarette wrap strip have a uniform spacing (ie, the distance from the end of one banded area, ie, the trailing edge 33 to the beginning of the next banded area, ie, the leading edge 33) Is a constant value), the banded region will be randomly or pseudo-randomly placed on the completed cigarette.

Alignment The cigarette paper 23 disclosed in the present invention (see FIG. 1) preferably has a finished cigarette 20 structure in which the banded region of the finished cigarette is such as the ignitable end 26 or the labial end 34 or both. Designed to be positioned or aligned with the body. The disclosed cigarette paper 23 includes at least each tobacco rod 22 made from the cigarette paper 23, one aligned with the firing end 26 and one aligned with the filter end 34 or 28. It can be designed to have two banded regions 30,32. Typically, each band 30, 32 exhibits a slower burning rate compared to the adjacent bandless region of the cigarette paper 23, thus adjusting the ignition tendency of the associated tobacco rod.

  The center of the first banded region 30 is preferably positioned at a predetermined distance d from the first end (ie, the ignition end 26). That is, the front edge 31 of the banded region is separated by a distance from the ignition end portion 26 corresponding to a length shorter than the predetermined distance d by half the width of the banded region 30. The cigarette tobacco rod preferably has a second banded region 32 centered at a predetermined distance d from the second end of the cigarette tobacco rod 22 (ie, the labial end or ignition end). Including. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of a continuous strip of cigarette paper with four banded areas to form two cigarettes is shown, each cigarette having two banded areas 30, 32. I think that. The pitch P or spacing between adjacent banded regions is measured from the leading edge 31 of one banded region 30 to the leading edge 31 of the adjacent banded region 32 or between the trailing edges 33 of adjacent banded regions. can do.

  The banded regions, for example 30, 32, are preferably substantially evenly spaced along the length of the base web 23. Furthermore, each banded region 30, 32 extends transversely over substantially the entire width of the base web 23 and extends from its longitudinal edge to its longitudinal edge. Each banded region 30, 32 also has a common width measured in the longitudinal direction of the base web. Typically, the width is in the range of about 4 mm to about 10 mm, more preferably about 5 mm to about 7 mm.

  Preferably, the distance d from the ignition end to the center of the adjacent banded region 30 corresponds to a half of the pitch P between the adjacent banded regions. Further, the predetermined distance from the ignition end of the adjacent banded region to the leading edge 31 ranges from about 12 mm to about 18 mm. Typical lengths of cigarette rods used for cigarette manufacture fall in the range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm, preferably in the range of about 55 mm to about 90 mm. Recognizing that the predetermined distance from the ignition end to the leading edge 31 corresponds to one half the width of the banded region 30 less than P / 2 (the width is the longitudinal dimension of the base web). , Or along the axis of the smoking article), the selection of the band width and the number of bands for each tobacco rod length allows the predetermined distance to be selected in the preferred range of about 12 mm to about 18 mm. To do. Usually there will be 1 to 10 banded areas on the tobacco rod, preferably in the range of 2 to 4 banded areas.

  Preferably, the distance d from the center of the second banded region 32 to the second end (labial end) of the cigarette tobacco rod also falls within the range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm, more preferably the filter tip In the case of an attached king size 84 mm cigarette, it is about 15 mm. Furthermore, the spacing of the banded areas along the tobacco rod is preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the ignition end and the labial end of the tobacco rod.

  That is, the aligned banded cigarette paper starts at the first alignment location 40 on the banded cigarette paper 23 and then at the second alignment location 44 on the aligned banded cigarette paper 23. Includes ending band spacing. Alignment locations 40, 44 are where a tobacco rod manufacturer's cutter (see FIG. 4) repeatedly cuts a substantially continuous tobacco rod to form a 2-up tobacco rod 22, 22 '. The alignment location 42 is where the cutter on the tipping machine cuts the 2 up tobacco rods 22, 22 ′ to form the two cigarettes 20.

The paper (wrapping paper) 23 is provided with a pattern that repeats every 2 liters.
K ₁ , K ₂ , K ₁
Where l is the nominal tobacco rod length and K ₁ is the distance between the first alignment location 40 on the aligned banded cigarette paper 23 and the middle or center of the first band 30 ( Or corresponding to a first predetermined distance d). K ₂ corresponds to the center-to-center spacing between the first band 30 and the last band 32 (second band in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the wrapping paper in length l. The spacing between the first alignment location 40 and the second alignment location 42 is preferably selected to correspond to an integral multiple of the length l of the tobacco rod used.

Preferably, the pattern repeats multiple times along the length of the wrapping paper 23, more preferably the pattern repeats along the entire length of the wrapping paper 23. If the preferred spacing of the band is the same for the ignition end and the labial end of the tobacco rod, K ₂ can be equal to 2K ₁ , so the pattern is considered to be equivalent to .
K ₁ , 2K ₁ , K ₁

In general, a tobacco rod 22 having a predetermined length l formed from aligned banded cigarette paper can have n bands, where n is greater than or equal to 2, The band-to-band spacing is P. Preferably n is less than or equal to 10. Most preferably n can be equal to 2 or 3. P can be measured from a band center to an adjacent band center, from a band leading edge to an adjacent band leading edge, or from a band trailing edge to an adjacent band trailing edge. For a tobacco rod having a length l and an n band:
2 [(n−1) +1] K ₁ = 2 [(n1) +1] d = nP = 1

  Therefore, when the nominal length l of each cigarette and the number of bands n are known from the above relationship, the required spacing P between adjacent bands, as well as between the ignition end and the center of the first banded region, A predetermined distance d is determined.

  In order to avoid randomly or pseudo-randomly placing the banded areas on the cigarette, the continuous tobacco rod 106 (see FIG. 4) is accurately centered between the center-to-center distance between two adjacent banded areas. Divided (or reasonably close to it). The positions to be divided are identified by, for example, 40, 42, and 44 in FIG. Due to the uniformity of the banded areas on the paper web and their respective spacings, all subsequent cuts that form the 2-up tobacco rod are adjacent after the first cut is made on the continuous tobacco rod. This is done at the same relative position between the banded regions. Thus, the predetermined distance d between the ignition end and the first band is substantially uniform for all smoking articles assembled from tobacco rods made from one bobbin of banded wrapping paper.

  From the above description and FIGS. 2 and 4, it can be seen that the wrapping paper 23 exhibits a repeating pattern along its longitudinal length. The pattern has a predetermined length, which preferably corresponds to twice the nominal length l of the tobacco rod for cigarettes. The predetermined length is measured from the first alignment location 40 to the second alignment location 44. Further, within a predetermined length, the pattern is symmetric with respect to the transverse axis corresponding to the alignment location 42. During manufacture of the smoking article, the tobacco rod manufacturer 103 (see FIG. 4), for example, at the first and second alignment locations 40, 44 to form a 2-up tobacco rod having a predetermined length. The continuous tobacco rod 106 is cut or otherwise cut. The tipping machine 110 rotates the 2-up tobacco rod in an axis of symmetry with respect to the pattern such that the resulting smoking article has a substantially uniform spacing of the banded region relative to the ignitable or lit end of the smoking article. Cut or otherwise sever.

  A series of prototype cigarettes were prepared using various levels of chalk filling, all less than 12%. A series of prototypes are identified as A, B, C, and D in the table below. The following table summarizes the testing of these prototypes conducted according to ASTM standard E2187-04.

The test results are summarized in the following table according to the prototype and according to the distance from the ignition end to the first banded region. The first data column summarizes the results for cigarettes where the first banded region 30 starts from 12 mm to 18 mm (ie, d or K ₁ ) from the ignition end of the cigarette. The second data column summarizes the results for cigarettes where the first banded region begins outside the 12 mm to 18 mm region from the ignition end of the cigarette. For each prototype, the number of full length burns (FLB) and extinguishing (EXT) when tested was recorded along with the total number of cigarettes in this prototype tested that also fell in the range of distance from the ignition end of the cigarette. As used herein, fire extinguishing means non-full length combustion. In short, the data is free when a cigarette having a first banded region in the range 12 mm to 18 mm from the ignitable or ignitable end is compared to a cigarette with the first banded region outside the region. It shows that it exhibits a substantially reduced percentage of cigarettes that result in long burning.

(table)

  The table summarizes the results achieved for all prototypes at the bottom. In the case of cigarettes with the first band in the preferred range, only about 4.6% of the cigarettes tested had free length combustion. In contrast, for cigarettes where the first band was outside the preferred range, about 31.2% of the cigarettes tested had free length combustion. Since the percentage of free-length combustion is related to the ignition tendency, these tests show that the ignition tendency of cigarettes outside the preferred range is about 7 times the ignition tendency of cigarettes with the first band inside the preferred range. It is shown that.

  FIG. 3 shows four prototype cigarettes listed in the table, as well as four additional prototype cigarettes all with randomly placed banded regions, all for percent full length combustion from 12 mm to 18 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette. The percent full length combustion of the four prototype cigarettes listed in the table with the banded region starting at, as well as four additional prototype cigarettes is compared. A randomly placed banded region can begin less than 12 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette, 12 mm to 18 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette, or more than 18 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette. Dashed lines best fit data points. FIG. 3 shows that a cigarette having a banded region starting from 12 mm to 18 mm from the ignition end of the cigarette is less likely to exhibit full-length combustion when compared to a cigarette having a randomly placed banded region. Indicates that the prospect is about three times lower.

In order to effectively use this data in cigarette manufacture, a wrapping paper is prepared with a banded region that repeats along its longitudinal length according to the K ₁ , K ₂ , K ₁ pattern described above. Wrapping paper having a predetermined band pattern is fed into the decorating machine during cigarette manufacture, and the first cut of the tobacco column is preferably a first predetermined distance located in the range of about 12 mm to about 18 mm. This is performed at a position separated from the banded region 30 (see FIG. 2). Thus, each subsequent cut of the tobacco column prepares a double length tobacco rod, which is then divided to make two cigarettes. As described above, a filter can then be added. Referring to FIG. 4, the preferred cutting operation is to activate the cutter 124 in response to the sensor 120 adapted to generate a signal upon detection of the banded regions 30 and / or 32 and the signal generated by the sensor 120. This is accomplished in the rod manufacturer 103 with the processor 122 now adapted.

  By this step, each cigarette 20 (see FIG. 1) has a first banded region positioned at a predetermined distance from the ignitable or ignitable end of the cigarette. In addition, each cigarette in a pack of 20 such cigarettes will also have a first banded region positioned at a predetermined distance from the cigarette end. This alignment method and wrapping construction process can be used to treat selected bands differently from other bands, depending on the desired properties. For example, it may be possible to add a flavoring to the first banded region to improve smoking enjoyment. It would also be possible to modify the last banded area of the cigarette in such a way that the cigarette can be extinguished statistically more frequently when left on the substrate. For example, the last banded region could include additional add-on material or a wider width.

  While various embodiments have been described, it should be understood that many modifications, variations, and equivalent means may be appealed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications, variations and equivalents are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

20 Smoking article 23 Alignable banded wrapping paper 32 Banded area

Claims (11)

Alignable wrapping paper for a smoking article having a nominal length,
A base web having a machine direction and a transverse direction;
A plurality of ignition tendency adjustment structures that are substantially uniformly spaced in the longitudinal direction of the base web, extend in the transverse direction of the base web, and have a nominal width measured in the longitudinal direction of the base web; ,
Including
The pitch between adjacent firing tendency adjustment structures in the machine direction of the base web is selected as the nominal length divided by an integer;
Wrapping paper characterized by that.   The alignable wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the ignition tendency adjustment structure is a substantially continuous band extending across the width of the base web.   The alignable wrapping paper according to claim 2, wherein the integer is 1, 2, 3, or 4. A smoking article,
A tobacco rod comprising a certain amount of tobacco having a longitudinal direction and a rod length;
A wrapping paper surrounding the tobacco, spaced substantially uniformly in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod, extending substantially around the tobacco rod, and measured in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod The wrapping paper including a plurality of ignition tendency adjusting structures having a width;
Including
The pitch between adjacent ignition tendency adjustment structures in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod is selected as the rod length divided by an integer greater than 1.
A smoking article characterized by that.   The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the ignition tendency adjusting structure includes at least one band printed from an aqueous starch material.   The tobacco rod has an end, and the center of the ignition tendency adjusting structure closest to the end is spaced from the end by 1/2 of the pitch between adjacent ignition tendency adjusting structures. The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the article is a smoking article.   The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the ignition tendency adjusting structure has a width in a range of about 5 mm to about 7 mm.   The smoking article according to claim 4, further comprising a filter attached to one end of the tobacco rod.   The smoking article of claim 4, wherein the nominal length is in the range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.   The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the integer is 2, 3, or 4. A method of enhancing the ignition tendency performance of a smoking article having a tobacco rod having a nominal length comprising:
Determining a predetermined pitch for the banded region as the nominal length divided by the integer x;
Establishing a banded region along the tobacco rod using the predetermined pitch;
Splitting the tobacco rod at a midpoint between two adjacent banded regions at a rod manufacturer to produce a tobacco rod where x banded regions occur for each nominal length of the tobacco rod; ,
Cutting the tobacco rod to a length that establishes a tobacco rod portion spaced from the ignition end of the tobacco rod portion by a distance corresponding to one half of the predetermined pitch at the center of the first of the banded regions; When,
A method comprising the steps of:

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