Thermal indicators for smoking articles and the method of application of the thermal indicators to the smoking article
AssigneePhilip Morris Incorporated
InventorsF. Murphy Sprinkel, John M. Campbell, D. Bruce Losee, Jr.
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Abstract
Thermal indicators for non-combustion smoking articles which chemically react when heated to provide visual indications of temperature changes are disclosed. The indicators comprise organic acids, sugars, or amines combined with sugars. The indicators are printed in a variety of patterns along the length of the smoking articles to show temperature changes and to indicate whether the smoking article is finished and should be discarded.
Claims20
A method for determining whether a non-combustion smoking article is at a predetermined operating state, comprising the steps of:
- applying a non-toxic fluid that changes color at a predetermined temperature to an outer surface of the smoking article in a predetermined pattern from a distal end to a first predetermined point during manufacture of the smoking article;
- marking the smoking article at a second predetermined point along its length, between said distal end and said first predetermined point, during manufacture;
- and
- monitoring the portion of the length of said smoking article that contains the temperature-sensitive fluid during smoking for color changes indicating that the smoking article is at said predetermined operating state.
A non-combustion smoking article having a system for visually indicating internal temperature changes, comprising:
- a cylindrical member forming an outer surface of the smoking article;
- and
- a non-toxic medium that changes color at a predetermined temperature that is disposed on the outer surface of the smoking article from the distal end to a predetermined point in a predetermined pattern.
A non-combustion smoking article having a system for visually indicating whether the article has reached a predetermined operating state, comprising:
- a cylindrical member forming an outer surface of the smoking article;
- a non-toxic medium that changes color at a predetermined temperature, disposed on said outer surface and along the length of the smoking article in a predetermined pattern from a distal end to a first predetermined point;
- and
- a marking for indicating when the article has reached a predetermined operating state, disposed at a second predetermined point between said distal end and said first predetermined point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.