Smoking article with dual burn rate fuel element

Abstract

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 employes a dual burn rate fuel element, which utilizes a fast burning segment and a slow burning segment. The use of such a dual burn rate fuel element has several advantages over conventional homogeneous fuels. For example, the fast burning component assists in the ease of lighting the fuel element, and provides rapid heat transfer to the aerosol generating means. This in turn, provides early aerosol delivery. The slow burning component provides for even heat distribution throughout the burn period. The slow burning material ensures steady aerosol delivery in terms of amount and provides adequate fuel for simulating the number of puffs obtained from a conventional cigarette, i.e., about nine or ten, when smoked under standard FTC conditions.