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AssigneeR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorsJack F. Clearman, Robert L. Meiring, Jerry W. Lawson, Kenneth O. Baker
Estimating the term…
The present invention is directed to improvements in carbonaceous fuel elements wherein (a) the fuel elements are provided with a composite support member which assists in retaining the fuel element within the cigarette structure during smoking, and (b) the fuel elements burn at a lower average temperature than previously known carbonaceous fuel elements. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel element comprises at least two different materials contiguous throughout the length thereof, and including one material which burns, and another material which preferably does not burn, or burns more slowly than the burnable material. The non-burning, or substantially non-burning material is advantageously a heat exchange material such as graphite. In preferred embodiments, the nonburning support or retaining member extends beyond the periphery of the burnable material such that it interacts with the insulating jacket which surrounds the fuel element, locking the same in place, particularly during smoking.
A composite fuel element for smoking articles comprising at least two integral but distinct component materials, said component materials being contiguous throughout the length of the composite fuel element, and wherein said component materials include a carbonaceous material which burns, and a material situated substantially within the periphery of the carbonaceous material which does not burn significantly when compared to the burning material, and wherein said fuel element has a length of less than about 20 mm before burning.
A composite fuel element for smoking articles comprising at least two different materials, contiguous throughout the length thereof, including a carbonaceous material which burns, and a material which does not burn significantly when compared to the burning material, wherein said fuel element has a length of less than about 20 mm before burning, and wherein the nonburning material comprises a plurality of segments of non-burning material.
An extruded composite fuel element for smoking articles comprising at least two coextruded materials contiguous throughout the length thereof, including a carbonaceous material which burns, and a carbonaceous heat exchange material which does not burn significantly when compared to the burning material, wherein said non-burning material is situated substantially within the periphery of the carbonaceous material and wherein said fuel element has a length of less than about 20 mm before burning.
An extruded composite fuel element for smoking articles comprising at least two materials contiguous throughout the length thereof, including a carbonaceous material which burns, and a metal heat exchange material which does not burn, wherein said non-burning material is situated substantially within the periphery of the carbonaceous material and wherein said fuel element has a length of less than about 20 mm before burning.
A cigarette comprising:
A method of reducing the average temperature of carbonaceous fuel elements for smoking articles comprising forming such fuel elements as a composite member comprising at least two materials, contiguous throughout the length thereof, including a carbonaceous material which burns, and a material which does not burn significantly when compared to the burning material, wherein said non-burning material is situated substantially within the periphery of the carbonaceous material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.