R.j. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Ernest G Farrier

Chandra K Banerjee

Andrew J Sensabaugh, Jr

Michael D Shannon

Henry T Ridings

James L Resce

Richard L Lehman

Gary R Shelar

Alan B Norman

Joseph J Chiou

John H Reynolds, Iv

James L Harris

Jack F Clearman

Thomas L Gentry

Olivia P Furin

Jackie L White

William C Squires

Stephen W Jakob

Dennis M Riggs

Joseph T Meers

Electrochemical heat sources, materials used to make electrochemical heat sources and methods of forming electrochemical heat sources are disclosed. The electrochemical heat sources includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemical with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco in a smoking article. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn may be used to volatilize nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco. The heat sources may also be used to heat foods or beverages, in hand warmers, and to heat equipment or materials.

Electrochemical heat source

Electrochemical heat sources, materials used to make electrochemical heat sources and methods of forming electrochemical heat sources are disclosed. The electrochemical heat sources includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemically with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco in a smoking article. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn may be used to volatilize nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco. The heat sources may also be used to heat foods or beverages, in hand warmers, and to heat equipment or materials.

A method of making an electrochemical heat source is disclosed. The non-combustion heat source includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemically with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco in a smoking article. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn may be used to volatilize nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco.

Method of forming an electrochemical heat source

A smoking article with an electrochemical heat source is disclosed. The non-combustion heat source includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemically with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. Preferably, the heat source is self-extinguishing if ignited. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn volatilizes the nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco. Preferably, any gases from the heat chamber are directed away from air intake holes through which air enters the smoking article.

Tobacco smoking article with electrochemical heat source

The present invention is directed to cigarettes and other smoking articles which contain a catalytic composition, preferably as part of the fuel element, that substantially decreases the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the mainstream smoke during smoking. The present invention also relates to the catalyst-containing carbonaceous fuels themselves, as well as to methods of making such carbonaceous fuels. Fuel elements which contain a catalytic composition in accordance with the presentation are especially useful in smoking articles having an aerosol generating means which is physically separate from the fuel element.

Catalyst containing smoking articles for reducing carbon monoxide

A combustible smokable filler material includes an agglomerated matrix of an inorganic component (e.g., particles of calcium carbonate) and an organic component (e.g., an alginate). The smokable filler material also includes a binding agent, and an aerosol forming material. Tobacco extracts and/or pieces of tobacco laminae can be incorporated into the smokable filler material, and/or the smokable filler material can be blended with tobacco cut filler. Cigarettes are provided by wrapping the smokable filler material in a paper wrapping material. A typical paper wrapping material has a porosity of less than about 5 CORESTA units.

Cigarette and smokable filler material therefor

The present invention is directed to methods for producing carbon containing fuel elements especially suited for use in cigarette--like smoking articles. One method of the present invention makes use of two separate pyrolysis steps to ensure that the carbon used to form the fuel elements for smoking articles is substantially free of materials which could adversely affect the aerosol delivered by such articles. Also disclosed is a method in which a fuel element formed from carbon and a binder is pyrolyzed after formation to convert the binder to carbon.

Method for preparing carbon fuel for smoking articles and product

The present invention relates to fuel elements useful in smoking articles which produce an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel elements, usually less than about 20 mm in length, preferably from about 5 to 15 mm in length, and most preferably about 10 mm in length. The diameter of the fuel elements of the present invention generally is less than about 8 mm, preferably from about 3 to 7 mm, and most preferably from about 4 to 6 mm. Smoking articles utilizing the fuel elements of the present invention are capable of providing an aerosol 'smoke' which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials. The aerosol 'smoke' from the preferred embodiments has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the fuel element may be made to be virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.

Smoking article

Making an aerosol generating cartridge useful for a smoking article is described. The method comprises filling a non-combustible elongated capsule, open at one end, with a substrate bearing an aersol forming material, and applying a fuel element to the open end of the capsule to enclose the substrate within the capsule.

Method for making aerosol generating cartridge

The present invention preferably relates to an insulated smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of smoke, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke. Thus, the article of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without burning tobacco. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use. Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short i.e., 30 mm or less (prior to smoking), combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a short heat stable, preferably carbonaceous, substrate longitudinally disposed relative to the fuel element bearing an aerosol forming substance, an efficient insulating means surrounding at least a portion of the fuel element and a relatively long mouthend piece. The fuel element, insulator and substrate are arranged in a heat exchange relationship, providing aerosol formation without significant degradation of the aerosol former.

Insulated smoking article

The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products of sidestream aerosol. The article of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the substantial combustion products produced by burning tobacco in a conventional cigarette. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use. Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, preferably less than 30 mm in length prior to smoking and less than about 8 mm in diameter a short, heat stable, preferably carbonaceous substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, an efficient insulating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece. The fuel element is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways which act to control the heat transferred from the burning fuel element to the aerosol generating means.

Smoking article with improved fuel element

The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol. The article of the present invention is able to provide the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the substantial combustion products produced by burning tobacco in a conventional cigarette. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use. Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable, preferably particulate alumina, substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, an efficient insulating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece. The fuel element is provided with a plurality of peripheral passageways i.e., passageways on the outer surface of the fuel element and/or just beneath the surface of the fuel element, which provides heat transfer from the burning fuel element to the aerosol generating means while reducing levels of carbon monoxide in the aerosol generated and delivered to the user.

The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products. Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, a heat conducting member which contacts a portion of the fuel element and the substrate, and an insulating jacket surrounding at least a portion of the fuel element. The smoking article of the present invention is capable of providing an aerosol 'smoke' which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amount of other materials. The aerosol 'smoke' from the preferred embodiments has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.

The present invention relates to a smoking article, preferably in cigarette form, which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke. The article preferably comprises a short combustible fuel element having a density greater than 0.5 g/cc, a separate substrate bearing an aerosol forming material, a heat conducting member recessed from the lighting end of the fuel element, which preferably encloses the substrate, a resilient insulating jacket encircling at least a portion of the fuel element, and an optional tobacco jacket encircling at least a portion of the aerosol forming material.

Growing community of inventors

Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Ernest G Farrier