Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~313;3
-- 1 --
l~DJUSri'ABLr. FIL'rEl~ C'[C,~;r~:~r~TE
ED A Mri~`lIO~ OF ~lA~ F~crruR~ TI~E~EOF
_. .
The present invention relates to filter cigarettes
which are adjustable by the smo1cer to vary one or more
of the air dilu-tion value the resistance to draw
value, and the flavour of the cigarette.
Various mechanisms have been disclosed in hereto-
fore issued patents whic~1 provide for ad jus-tment of thy
air dilution value of à filter ciyarette, but these
mechanisins are not without certain disadvantages.
While rnany complicated mechanisms have been disclosedl
the simpler mechanisms generally involved making one or
more operiings in a substântially air impermeable filter
plug wrap and the overlying, suhstantially air
impermeable tipping paper. A s'eeve containing one or
more corresponding openings is placed over the tipping
paper and is t1-lerl either rotated or moved axially to
select the deyree to which the two sets of openings are
in registry. In another embodimen-t found in the art,
the filter is not glued to the tipping paper and thus
may be moved axially witl1in the cylinder formed by the
tipping paper. Openings are made in the tipping paper
which correspond to openings made in the filJer plug
wrap. The air dilution value is adjusted by axially
moving the filter pluy within the tipping paper to
adjust the degree to which the two sets of openings are
in registry.
Among the problems associated with such mechanisms
are that the sleeve or the filter plug may be removed
from the cigarette by the srnoker and not readily
replaced. Also, registry between the two sets of
openings may be inadver-tently destroyed by a slight
axial movement of the sleeve OF pluy~ Accordingly, t1--e
air dilution value selected by the smoker is not
ensured of any degree of consistency. Yet another
-- 2 --
problem associated with a null1ber of these prior devices
is -that they have not been readily adaptable to a high
rate of produccion on c:igare-tte makirlg machinery of
conventional d~signO
These prior adjus-table cigarettes also do not
provide a means to main~ail~ the resistance -to draw
value constant as the air dilution value changes, nor
are such cigarettes ad jus-.able to vary -the re~istanc~
tc draw value wile maintaining a substan-tially
constan-t air dilution value. Also, these prior
adjustable cigarettes do not provide an encapsulated
flavourant which is released in varying amounts during
adjustment of the air dilution value, the resistance to
draw value or both values.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a filter cigarette, which can be
readily manufactured on conventional cigarette making
equipment, that is adjustable by the smoker to vary one
or more of the air dilution value, the resistance to
draw value, and the flavour of the cigarette.
According to the invention there is provided a
filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rod, a
substantially cylindrical filter plug, a substantially
air impermeable plug wrapping circumscribing the filter
plug, and tipping paper circumscribing and joining the
jilter plug and a portion of the -cobacco rod,
characterised in that the filter plug comprises a mouth-
end segment connected at least axially to a rod-end
segment for rotation about the axis of the cigarette.
In some preferred variable air dilution
embodiments, at least one opening is made through the
tipping paper, which is substantially air impermeable,
and in the underlying portion of the filter plug wrap,
such that, as the first segment of the filter is
rotated about the axis of the central core, the opening
in the tipping paper ancl the opening in the underlyincJ
-- 3 --
portion of the filter plug are in varying degrees of
registry to permit varying amounts of air to enter the
filter and combine with smoke, thereby varying the air
dilution value of the cigarette. The air dilution
value is the ratio of the volume of air to the volume
of smoke exiting the mouth end of the filter and is
expressed as a percentage.
The present invention also includes within its
scope a filter cigarette without the variable dilution
feature but which has a variable resistance to draw
provided by assembling the filter and im~er;neable
tipping paper as described above but without the
openings therethrough and providing a plurality o-E
longitudinally extending c'nannels in the first segment
and a plurality of longitudinaLly extending channels in
the second segment o the filter which are in varying
degrees of registry as the first segment is rotated
about the axis of the core, thereby providing pa-ths of
less resistance for the flow of the smoke through the
filter, thus varying the resistance to draw value of
the cigarette.
Also included within the scope of the present
invention is a filter cigarette having the previously
described variable dilution feature as well as the sets
of channels of the variable resistance to draw
embodiment. As the first segment is rotated about the
central core to increase the air dilution value the
resistance to draw decreases. The channels of this
embodiment are configured such that, as the air
dilution value is decreasea by rotation of the first
segment, toe channels are subject to increasing
deregistry which increases the resistance to draw. The
net effect of the increased air dilution and deregistry
of the channels is -to rnain-tain a constant resistance
to draw.
Yet another embodiment included within the scope
-- 4 --
o the present inverltion i5 a filter cigarette with or
without the variable dilution fea~-ure and Witll or
without -the va'riable OJ. cons-tant- resis-tance to raw
feature itch is prov:ided with an encapsula-ted
flavourant which i5 released in varyil1g amounts
responsive to rotation of the first segmen-t abou', the
longi.tudinal axis of the core.
In other preferred embodiments, the wrapping has a
plurality o-f first longitudinallv extel1ding,
substantially air impermeable depressions spaced about
the circumference of the first segment which are
registrable with corresponding second longltudinally
extending, substantially air impermeable depressions
spaced about the circumference of the second segment,
such that as the first segment is rotated relativ2 to
the second segment, the degree of registry of the first
and second depressions varies, thereby admitting
varying amounts of air to the interior of the first
segment. The air enters through the air transmissive
tipping paper and travels along the depressions into
the exposed portions of the abutting ends of the first
and second segments. The air transmissive p.operty of
the tipping paper may be provided either by employing
air pf.rmeable tipping paper or by providing plurality
of openings in air impermeable tipping paper which
overlie and communicate with the depressions in the
first segment or the second segment or both segments.
The cigarettes of the present invention may be
manufactured employing conventional equipment witn only
minor modifications and a method of manufacturing is
provided characterised in that it comprises cutting a
tobacco rod and a wrapped filter plug to a desired
length, bri.nging the tobacco rod and the wrapped filter
plug into axial alignment, overwrapping the tobacco rod
and t.he wrapped filter plug witll tipping paper, forming
a circumferential. cut in the.wrapped filter plug and
v
-- 5 --
the tippillg paper, the circumEerential cut extendirg
partially throuyh tlLe wl^apped filter plug so as to
leave a central bore aLong the longitudinal axis of ale
wrapped filter plug, thereby permi-tting rotational
movemerlt of tie segments of the filter plug clefined by
the circurnferential Cllt
The invention wil] be further described, by way of
example, with reference to the drawings, in which.
Fig. l is an enlarged fragmentary perspective
view of the filter plug and tobacco rod of the filter
cigarette of the present invention taken from the mouth
end;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one
embodiment of -the filter cigarette of the present
invention aeon from the mouth end and showing the
tobacco rod, filter, and tipping paper as well as the
openings provided throuyh the tipping paper and plug
wrap to provide for variable dilution;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the
lien A-A of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
second embodiment of the present invention td~en from
the mouth end;
jig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled
embodiment of E'ig. 4;
Fig 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
third variable esistance to draw embodiment of toe
cigarette of the present invention'
Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a
fourth embodiment of the invention which provides a
variable amoun-t of ~avourant,
Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a
fifth embodiment cf the invention in which the segments
of the filter plug are joined by a plastic extrusion;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged, partially fragmentary,
perspective view, taken from the mouth end, of a sixth
1~2~1 0
- 6 -
preferred embodiment of the filter cigarette of the
present invention;
Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view, taken
from the mouth end, of the assembled embodiment of
Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the
line B-B of Fig. lO;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged, partially fragmentary,
perspective view, taken frcm the mouth end, of a
seventh preferred embodiment of the filter cigarette of
the present invention;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view, taken
from the mouth end, of the assembled embodiment of
Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the
line C-C of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is an enlarged, partially fragmentary,
perspective view, taken rom the mouth end, of an
eighth preferred embodiment of the filter cigarette of
the present invention;
Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view, taken
from the mouth end, of the assembled embodiment of
Fig. 15;
Fig 17 is a c.oss-sectional view taken along the
2S line D-D of Fig.16;
Fig. 18 is a perspect:ive view of a wrapped filter
plug of the present invention showing the circular
cutting disc forming the circumferentially extending
cut in the filter plug;
3G Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line
E - E of Fig. 18 showing the depth of the cut of the
circular blade into the filter ylug and the resultant
axial core;
Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section taken on the
line F - F of Fig. l;
Fig. 21 is a view in perspective of a laser
~2~
-- 7 --
system for use in making -the openings in the tipping
paper and underlying plug wrap of the variable
dilution Eilter cigarette of the present invention;
Fig. 22 is a partial elevational view of a
mechanical appara-tus for use in making openings in the
tipping paper and underlying plug wrap of the variable
dilution cigare-tte of the preser.t invention;
Fig. ~3 is a partial elevational view of the
cutting mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 22; and
Fig. 24 shows an alternative embodiment of the
apparatus of Fig. 22.
A preferred embodiment of the variable dilution
cigarette of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1,
2 and 3 and comprises a tobacco rod l, which is a
subs-tantially cylindrical charge of tobacco 2 wrapped
in cigarette paper 3. The tobacco rod is joined in
abutting end-to-end rela-tion to a wrapped filter plug 4
which has a circumferentially extending cut 5
intermediate the mouth end and the tobacco rod end
defining a central axial core 16, as shown in Figs. 3,
7 and Al, and which divides the filter plug in-to a
first mouth-end segment 6 and a second rod-end
segment 7~
The filter plug and a portion of the mouth end of
~5 the tobacco rod are circumscribed by non-porous tipping
paper 8. The tipping paper has a circumferentialy
extending row of closely spaced perforations 9 which
overlie the second segment 7 of the filter plug
adjacent the mouth end of the tobacco rod l. This row
of perforations divides the tipping paper into a first
mouth-end band lO and a second rod-end band ll.
The inner surface of band lO is attached adjacent
the mouth end to the first segment 6 of the filter
plug, preferably by means of an adhesive band 13. The
inner sur-face of band ll joins the second segment 7 of
the filter plug to the mouth end of the tobacco rod l,
20~0
---8
preferah]y by means of a bclnd of adhesive 12 extendinyr
in wiclth, between the row of perfora-tions 9 and -the rod
end o band 11. it least one operling is made through
the tipping paper and the underlying plug wrap at a
position on bancl 10 intermediate the row of
perforations 9 and the cut 5.
Since the openings, 14 and 15 respec-tlvelsT, are
formed simultaneously, they are initially in regist.ry
and variable di]u~ion is ac.'nieved by rotat.ing band 10
and breaking the row of perforatioils 9, thereby
allowing band 10 and Jche segment 6 to rotate in unison
about the cen-tral core 16. This core may t.ypically
have a diameter within the range of from about 12.7~ to
. about 38.1% of the diameter of the filter plugl a vallle
of about 25.4% being preferable. This range will
permit segment 6 to be rotated ;60 without breaking
the core 16. Rota.tion of the band 10 rota-tes opening
14 re].a-tive to opening 15 thus varying the degree of
registry, thereby vary.ing the air dilution value of the
cigarette.
Both the tipping paper 8 and the wrapping of the
filter plug 4 are substantially air impermeable
wrappings which restrict any radii air flow through
the filter paper and underlying hug wrap to the area
of registry between openinys 14 and 15. The filter
paper may be any commercially available, substantially
air impermeable, paper and the filtel- plug may be any
conventional, substantial.ly cylindrical filter such as
a cellulose acetate filt:er or the liXe. the filter
material can be of uniform density or it can contain a
substantially cylindrical axial core of relat:ively high
density filter material circumscribed by filter
material of relatively lower density. When it is
35 - desired to use the non-uniform density fil-ter plug, the
higher density filter material preEerably forms the
pres~iously described axial core 16. Any conventional,
''' ''"`;
~12~
g
substan-tially air impermeable plug wrap may be
employed O
Means for permit-ting the smoker to select the
specific air dilution ratio may be provided through
indicia (not shown) printed on opposite sides of the
row of perforations 9, and which are made readily
visible and are designed to show the degree of registry
of the openings.
A second preferred embodiment shown in Fits. 4 and
5 comprises a tobacco rod 1 containing a charge of
tobacco 2 wrapped in cigarette paper 3 and joined to
filter plug 4 in abutting, end-to-end relation. the
filer plug has a circumferentially extending cut 5
intermediate the mouth end and the tobacco rod end
which divides the filter plug into a first mouth-end
segment 6 and a second rod-end segment 7. The filter
plug is joined to the tobacco rod by tipping paper 17,
preferably by a band of adhesive 18 on the inner
surface of the tipping paper which overlaps the
abutting ends of the filter and the tobacco rod. The
tipping paper extends from a position on the tobacco
rod adjacent the filter to a point intermediate the cut
5 and the mouth end of the segment 6. An opening 14 is
made through the tipping paper at a yosition between
the cut 5 and the mouth end of the tipping paper.
corresponding opening 15 is made in the plug wrap at a
position underlying opening 14. Openings 14 and 15 are
preferably made simultaneously and thus are initiallY in
registry.
The circumferentially extending cut 5 defines a
cen.ral, axiall.y extending core 16 having a preerred
diameter as no-ted in connection with t'ne first
preferred embodiment. In practice, t'nat portion of
filter plug segment 6 which is not wrapped by tipping
paper 17 is grasped by the smoker and rotated about
the central core 16, thus rotating openings 15 relative
10 -
to opellings 14, thereby vary.ing the degree of reyistry
of tl-le two sets of openirlgs and, accordingly, the air
dilu-tlon value of the clgarette.
In a thir(l ernbod:iment of ill present invention
shown in Fig. 6, t.he ol>eninys l and 15 of the first
and second eml~odimen-t may be omitted or retained and a
plurality of axicl:lly e~-tending passages 19 made in the
first and second seyments 6 ana 7 of the f:ilter plug.
These passages in the first and second segmen-ts 6 and 7
are made such that, as the first segment 6 of the
filter plug is rota-ted about the axis of the central
core 16, the passages in the first and second segments
are in varying degrees of registry thus varying the
resistance to draw of the cigaret-~e. Variable
resistance Jo draw may be selected in conjunction with
variable dilution such that the resistance to draw is
cons-tant as the dilution is varied or may be selected
in the absence of variable dilution to provide a
variable resistance to draw.
In a fourth preferred embodiment shown in Fiy. 7,
a flavour encapsulation means is inserted within the
filtex. This means may comprise an axially extending
cellophane tube 20 containing individual cells 21 of
flavourant which are ruptured in response to rotation
of the first segment of thy filter plug about the
central. core 16. As can be seen from Fig. 6, increased
rotation of the first segment of the filter plug
serves to increase the -twist experienced by the
cellophane tube, thereby rupturing an increasing number
oE flavourant cells. l'he smoker can thus vary the
intensity of flavour released by the flavour capsule by
rotating the filter plus a desired amount. The flavour
system of this embodiment may be used in conjunction
- wit.h any of the embodiments.
Fig. 8 shows an alternative arranyement for
maintaining a rotational connection between the first
segmen-t 6 and the second segment 7 of the filter plug
I. In this arrangement, plastic extrusion 22, formed
as part of the filter plug, lies along the axis of the
first and second segments. The cut 5 extends down to
this extrusion. It will be appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the plastic extrusion
shown in Fig. 8 can be used with any of the first,
second and third embodiments.
Three further embodiments of the present invention
will now be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 17
in which live parts are given like reference numbers
throughout.
Common to these three embodiments are the
hollowing elements: A tobacco rod lOO, comprising a
substantially cylindrical charge of tobacco lOl
enclosed in cigarette paper 102, is axially aligned in
abutting end-to-end relation with a filter plug 103,
which comprises a first segment 104 and a second
segment 105. rrhe first and second segments are axially
aligned and abut each other at the line of abutment
106. the second segment abuts the tobacco rod lO0 at
the line of abutment lO7 and is joined there-to. Means
are provided joining the first segment to the second
segment for rotation of the first segment about the
longitudinal axis of the cigarette The first and
second segments are wrapped in a substantially air
impermeable plug wrap 108 which has a plurality of
first depressions lO9 which are substantially air
impermeable and spaced about toe circumference of the
first segment. these depressions extend from a
position intermediate the mouth end of the irst
segment and the line of abutment 106, to the line 106
A corresponding set of depressions llO, which are
regis-trable with the first depressionsl extend rom the
line 106 -to a position intermediate line 106 and line
107. when the depressions lO9 and llO are in registry,
~21;~
- 12 -
the filter Dow is not exposed and air does not flow
-through the tippiny paper, along the depressions ancl
into the fil.tel^ tow. The filter plug 103 alld the
tobacco rod 100 are ci.rcumscribed by a layer of t:ipping
paper 111 whic]l extends rom a posi-tion on the firs-t
segmen-t to a posi.tion on the tobacco rod adjacen-t line
107.
The tipping paper 111 is air transmissive, and, as
shown in the flgures. cornp-ises an air impermeable
papcr which is rendered air transmissive by means of
rows of perforations 112, which communicate with the
second set of depressions 110. J.n an alternative
embodiment, the tipping paper 111 may be air permeable
and the perforations 112 omitted These perforations,
when presenc, may overlie the secvnd segment, or the
first segment, or both segments. The perforations may
be formed hy conventional means known to those skilled
in the art, such as elect.rostati.c discharge, mechanical
perforation, or laser perforation. The depressions may
be formed by pa.ssing the filter rod between rollers
having ridges which malce the depressions in the plug
wrap.
Means join the first and second segments such that
the first segment is rotatable about the longitudinal
axis of the cigarette. Thls mean in one preferred
embodiment shown in the figures, is an extruded plastic
rod 113. This embodiment ma be formed by extruding a
plastic rod, enveloping it in the filter tow and
overwrapping with plug wrap. The filter is then sli-t
circumferentially down to the extruded rod, whereby the
first segment is rendered rotatable rela-tive to the
second segment. Alternatively, a conventional
cellulose aceta-te filter may be cut circumferentially
so as to leave a central core about which the first
segment may be rotated, or a filter may be prepared
having an axial core of a denser filter tow surrounded
~Z~2~
- 13
by a toss dense filter tow and then circumEel-entially
slit dowr. Jo -the clenser corer ther-~by renderillg the
first seg~nent rotatclble relative to the second segment.
In one prefer]^ed emboc1il-nent: shown in Figs. 9 to
11, the tippincJ paper 111 extends frorn the mout'n end of
the first segn,en-~ 104 to a position on the [obacco rod
adjacen-t -the line of abutment 107. The tipping paper
111 has a circumferentially eY~tending row oE closely
spaced perforatiQns formillg a break-a~ay line 113 which
overlies the second segmen-~ in-termedia-te -the
depressions 110 and the line of abutment 107. This
line 113 divides the tipping paper inlo a mou-~ end
sleeve and a rod-end sleeve. The rod-end sleeve
at-taches the second segment to the tobacco rod,
preferably by means of an overlapping band of adhesive
material 114 as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. The mouth-end
sleeve is attached to the Eirst segment 104, preferably
by a band of adhesive 115 intermecliate the mouth end
and the depressions 109, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11.
This embodiment may be fabricated using existing
cigarette making equipment known to -those skilled in
the art with only minor modifications. The row of
perforations 113 is preferably made employing laser
perforation system to provide closely spacecl and small
diameter perforations such that the line 113 retains
only sufficient strength to remain intact during
application of the tippinq paper to -the plug wrap and
tobacco rod. Preferably the laser system is employed
to make about 39 perforations per cm (about 100
perforations per inch).
In practice, the mouth end of the cigarette and
the tobacco column are grasped and rotated one relative
to the other to break tlle row of perforations 113 and
- rotate the first segment, thereby varying the degree of
registry of the c~epressions 109 and 110 and varying the
amoun-t of air flowing through the openings 112 into the
- 14 -
depressions and -then into the ter matelial where the
air mixes with the smote, thereby diluting the smoke
and changing the air dilu-tion v~llue of the cigarette.
In anotl~er preferred embo~liment sihowrl in jigs. 12
to 14, the tip}?ing paper 1l1 extends as in the first
embodinien-t jut bands ll5 and 117 are interposed between
the -tipping paper ]11 and the plug wrap 10~. The first
band 116 extends froln -tne mou-t'n end of the filter plug
103 to a position in-termed.a-te -the mouth end and the
depressions 109, This band 116 is at-tac'ned to the
underlying plug wrap, prefer2bly by an adhesive
material 118~ A second band extends from a position
intermediate the depressions 110 and the line o-,
abutment 107 to a position on -the tobacco rod 100 which
corresponds to the position of the rod end of tlle
tipping paper 111.
This band 117 joins the second segmerl-t 105 to the
tobacco rod 100, preferably by means of an adhesive
Material 119. The tipping paper is attached only to
the first band 116, preferably by means of an adhesive
material 120. Thus, the entire tipping paper rotates
with the first segment 104, about the longitudinal axis
of the cigarette. Air dilution oCcur-s as described for
the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 11.
In another preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs.
15 to 17, the tipping paper 111 extends from a position
intermediate the mouth end of the first segment 104 and
the depressions 109 to a position on tobacco rod 100
adjacent -the line of abutmen-t 107. The tipping paper
joins the second segment 105 to the -tobacco rod lOQ,
preferably by means of an overlapping band of adhesive
121. Thus, the tipping paper is attached only to the
tobacco column 100 and the second scgment 105. The
- first segment 104 pro-trudes Erom the mouth end of the
tipping paper 111 and may be grasped by the s!noker and
rotated within the tipping paper 111 -to vary the degree
:~2~2~
- 15 -
of regi.stry of the depre.ssions l09 and 110. fir
dilu-cion occurs as described :Eor the embodimnt of
Figs. 9 to 11
The ciyarettes of tie present illvention may be
rcadily producect on conventional cigare-tte making and
tippi.ng apparatus wi-th a minimurn of modification.
Forrning and cutting the cigaret.te rod and the filter
plug to ~enyth are done conventionally. Also, bringing
the filter plug into axial aligrlment W:i th the cigare~cte
rod and the overwrapping witn .ippiny paper are
accomplished in -the same manner as in the manufacture
of conventional ci.~aretttes.
Furtherrnore, additional simplicity in
manufacturing is made possible in the embodiments of
Figs. 1 to 8 by simu].taneously forming the openings in
the tipping paper and the unclerlying plug wrap. This
is accomplished, in one manner, simply by slitting or
perforating the tipping aper and underlying plug wrap
on each c;.garette as it passes through the conventional
cigarette making machinery at or near a rolling shoe
station.
As shown in Figs. 18 and 19 T the c~rcumferentially
extending cut 5 in the filter plug 4 may be made using
a circular knife 22 which ;s set to penetrate a
speci.fied distance into the filter plug, perpendicular
to the longi.tudinal axis of the filter plug.
Typically, the circular kn.ife and the filter plug are
both rotated as sho~.Tn in Fig 19, resulting in a
circumferentially ex-tending cut wlaich leaves a central
3~ core 16 along the longitudinal axis of the filter plug.
The row of perforations 9 in the tippi.ns paper in
the irst embodiment may be made by any conventional
means such as laser perforat:ion, electr.ostatic
peroration, or mechanical perforati.on using points or
knives. In practice, the tipping paper is fed through
a perforation zvne wl~ere it is exposed -to a laser light
beam. The power setting and focus;.ng o. the laser and
the raze of feed of the tipping paper are selected so
as to all bu'c part he paper along -.he "break a~Jay"
line 9 shown in Fig. 2. The at-tachment w~ic-ll remains
is selected to reta.in on]y enougl-l streng-th to hold the
first and seconcl bands of the -tipping paper toyeher
durilig asselnbly. Preferably, a laser ~ys-tem is
employed to make about 39 perforat;ons per cm (about
100 perforations per inch) in the paper.
The tippiny paper may be applied -.o the filter
plug and tobacco rod employing conventional ciyare-t-te
makiny equipment and then the openings 14 and 15 are
made thr-ugh -the tipping paper and underlying plug wrap
- employing either a laser system as shown in Fig. 21 or
a mechanical system as shown in Fiys. 22, 23 and 24.
Preferably, a shown in Fig. 21, a laser
perforatlon system is employed which uses a laser 23 to
generate a laser beam 25 that is reflected by mirror 26
and collected by lens 27 which focuses the beam. The
laser beam 25 is focused to traverse the rotating
cigarette and is set to remain Oll for a time period
sufficient to make an opening, preferably a slit oE a
desired length, through the tipping paper and the
underlying plug wrap. Slits one millime-ter wide are
~5 preferred. If it is desired Jo establish a line oE
perforations ins-tead of 5i i.t5, the laser beam may be
pulsed.
The openings through the -zipping payer and the
underlying plug wrap may also be made by mechanical
means as shown in Figs. 22, 23 and 24. As shown in
Fig 22, cigarettes 28 are passed between rotatiny
drums 32 and 33. Drum 32 feeds -the cigarettes beneath
a fixed plate 31 into contact Witll a circular knife 29
rota-ting about shaft 30 and having a V-shaped edge 34
as shown in Fig. 23. In an alternative embodiment
shown in Fig. 2~, the cigare-ttes 28 are fed between a
~3LZ~l~
-- 17 -
rotatLncJ drum 35 ancl a :Elxed plate 36 past
serni-circul~r knife blades 37 which are Eixed to lie
p1ate 36.
It wi11 be unclers-l-ood -tlla-t the particular
el~bodim~ents described above are only illustrative oE
the principles of the present :in~en-tion, and that
various modifications can be made by those skill.ed in
the ar-t.
... ..
