United States Patent [19]
`Counts et al.
`
`1111111111111~1111111111
`
`US005750964A
`[111 Patent Number:
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`5,750,964
`May 12, 1998
`
`(54] ELECTRICAL BEATER OF AN ELECTRICAL
`SMOKING SYSTEM
`
`7/1934 Tiffany.
`1,968,509
`2,057.353 10/1936 Whittemore.
`2,104,266
`1/1938 McConnick .
`
`(75]
`
`Inventors: Mary E. Counts. Richmond;
`Seetharama Deevi. Midlothian; Grier
`S. Fleischhauer. Midlothian;
`Mohammad R. Hajalogol. Richmond;
`Patrick B. Hayes, Chester; Charles T.
`Higgins. Richmond; WU.lie G. Bouck,
`Jr .. Richmond; Billy J. Keen, Jr ..
`Chesterfield; Bernard C. Laroy.
`Richmond; Peter J. Lipowicz.
`Midlothian; Donald E. Miser.
`Midlothian; Constance H. Nichols.
`Chesterfield; William H. Stevens.
`Midlothian; Mantharam Subbiah.
`Midlothian; Michael L. Watkins,
`Chester; Susan E. WrelDl, Chesterfield.
`all of Va.
`
`[73] Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated. New
`York, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 790,179
`Jan. 29, 1997
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[60) Continuation of Ser. No. 451,081, May 25, 1995, aban(cid:173)
`doned, which is a division of Ser. No. 380,718, Jan. 30,
`1995, Pat. No. 5,666,978, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
`118,665, Sep. 10, 1993, Pat. No. 5,388,594, which is a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 943,504, Sep. 11, 1992, Pat.
`No. 5,505,214, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`666,926, Mar. 11, 1991, abandoned.
`[51] Int. CL 6
`········-----············ ...... HOSB 3/58
`[52] U.S. CI ............................ 219/535: 338/294; 131/194
`[58] Field of Search ... ,, .. _ _ _ ........ 219/535. 538.
`219/539. 542. 544. 552. 553: 338/283.
`117. 294. 310; 131/194; 392/386. 390
`
`[56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,771,366
`
`711930 Wyss et al ..
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PA1ENT DOCUMENTS
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`1202378
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`61-68061
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`2 148 676
`86/02528
`
`3/1986
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`12/1988
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`6/1991
`8/1988
`5/1989
`4/1986
`711984
`5/1985
`5/1985
`5/1986
`
`Canada.
`China.
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off.
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`Germany.
`Germany
`Japan.
`United Kingdom .
`United Kingdom .
`United Kingdom .
`v.'IPO .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Excerpt from "NASA Tech Briefs." Jul./Aug. 1988. p. 31.
`"PCT Thermistors. " Keystone Carbon Company product
`literature.
`U.S. application No. 07/443.636. Nov. 29. 1989.
`
`Primary Examiner-Tu B. Hoang
`Assistant Examiner-Sam Paik
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E.B. Glenn; James E.
`Schardt; James T. Moore
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`
`A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable
`cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically
`heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within
`a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in
`vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette
`and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through
`the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the
`cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery
`to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual
`heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.
`
`20 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`137"
`
`101
`
`129
`
`Ex. 2014-0001
`
`

`

`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1948 Hayward-Butt .
`2,442,004
`3/1961 Ellis .
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`8/1965 Gilbert .
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`6/1966 Selke.
`1/1968 Weber.
`3,363,633
`9/1968 Hu.
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`3,482,580 12/1969 Hollabaugh .
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`9/1971 Briskin et al. .
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`6/1973 Bennett.
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`3,804,100
`4/1974 Fariello .
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`6/1975 Guarnieri .
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`4,068,672
`1/1978 Guerra.
`4,077,784
`3/1978 Vayrynen.
`4,131,119 12/1978 Blasutti .
`4,141,369
`2/1979 Burruss .
`4,164,230
`8/1979 Pearlman.
`3/1980 Faris et al ..
`4,193,411
`8/1980 Bron.
`4,215,708
`4,219,032
`8/1980 Tabatnik et al. .
`1/1981 Ogden et al ..
`4,246,913
`4,256,945
`3/1981 Carter et al ..
`4/1981 Green.
`4,259,970
`4,303,083 12/1981 Burruss.
`4,319,591
`3/1982 Keith et al ..
`4,393,884
`7/1983 Jacobs .
`4,431,903
`2/1984 Riccio .
`4,436,100
`3/1984 Green.
`7/1984 Lawrence et al ..
`4,463,247
`3/1985 Cogbill et al. .
`4,505,282
`4,562,337 12/1985 Lawrence.
`4,570,646
`2/1986 Herron.
`4/1986 Green.
`4,580,583
`4,621,649 11/1986 Osterrath.
`4,623,401 11/1986 Derbyshire et al. .
`
`5,750,964
`Page 2
`
`131/194
`
`4,637,407
`1/1987 Bonanno et al ..
`4/1987 Derbyshire .
`4,659,912
`............................
`4,732,168
`3/1988 Resse et al.
`4/1988 Gerth et al ..
`4,735,217
`4,771,796
`9/1988 Myer.
`4,776,353 10/1988 LIija et al ..
`4,837,421
`6/1989 Luthy.
`7/1989 Rose.
`4,846,199
`4,848,376
`7/1989 Lilja et al ..
`4,874,924 10/1989 Yamamoto et al ..
`4,877,989 10/1989 Drews.
`5/1990 Brooks et al ..
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`4,945,931
`8/1990 Gori.
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`4,947,874
`8/1990 Brooks et al ..
`4,947,875
`4,966,171 10/1990 Serrano et al. .
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`1/1991 Nichols et al ..
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`4,991,606
`3/1991 Perletti et al . .
`4,998,541
`5,016,656
`5/1991 McMurtrie.
`8/1991 Nystrom et al ..
`5,040,552
`5,042,510
`8/1991 Curtiss et al ..
`5,0(i(),671 10/1991 Counts et al ..
`5,076,296 12/1991 Schleich et al ..
`5,093,894
`3/1992 Deevi et al ..
`5,095,921
`3/1992 Losee et al ..
`5,144,962
`9/1992 Counts et al ..
`5,159,940 11/1992 Hayward et al ..
`5,179,966
`1/1993 Losee et al ..
`8/1993 Blackburn.
`5,235,157
`5,249,586 10/1993 Morgan et al. .
`5,269,327 12/1993 Counts et al . .
`5,274,214 12/1993 Blackburn.
`5,285,050
`2/1994 Blackburn.
`5,479,948
`1/1996 Counts et al ..
`4/1996 Collins et al. .
`5,505,214
`
`Ex. 2014-0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`5,750,964
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`May 12, 1998
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 12, 1998
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 12, 1998
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 12, 1998
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`May 12, 1998
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`5,750.964
`
`1
`ELECTRICAL HEATER OF AN ELECTRICAL
`SMOKING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLIClXITONS
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/451.081, filed May 25. 1995. abandoned. The application
`Ser. No. 08/451.081 is a divisional application of application
`Ser. No. 08/380.718. filed Jan. 30, 1995, issued as U.S. Pat.
`No. 5.666.978. which is a continuation of application Ser.
`No. 08/118.665, filed Sep. 10, 1993 which is issued Feb. 14,
`1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5388.594. The application Ser. No.
`08/118,665 is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
`07/943,504. filed Sep. 11, 1992. issued as U.S. Pat. No.
`5.505.214, which is in tum a continuation-in-part of appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 07/666.926. filed Mar. 11, 1991. now aban(cid:173)
`doned in favor of file wrapper continuation application Ser.
`No. 08/012.799. filed Feb. 2. 1993. Ser. No. 08/012,799
`issued Oct. 5. 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,249.586.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`tobacco flavor generation. That application addresses prob(cid:173)
`lems relating to the long-term use of heating elements and
`other permanent structural components of the article. That
`application also describes a manufacturing process for malc-
`5 ing the disposable portion of the smoking article using
`conventional high-volume assembly machinery. More
`specifically, that application describes a disposable tobacco
`flavor unit having a "tube-in-tube" construction, wherein
`tobacco flavor material positioned on a carrier and formed
`IO into a cylinder around free-flow, back-flow, and mouthpiece
`filters is disposed within an aerosol barrier tube. Heater
`elements are placed between the aerosol barrier tube and the
`tobacco flavor unit to heat the tobacco flavor unit. The
`aerosol barrier tube prevents aerosols formed during heating
`15 of the tobacco flavor unit and the heaters from condensing
`on permanent portions of the electrical smoking article. That
`application also describes the use of phosphorous doped
`silicon heater elements having the ability to cycle to tem(cid:173)
`peratures of between 200° C. and 900° C. and deliver
`20 between 5 and 40 Joules of energy repeatedly without
`failure.
`In light of the above. it is therefore desirable to be able to
`provide an improved smoking system in which the heating
`elements of the lighter are reusable.
`It is also desirable to be able to provide such a system in
`which condensation of aerosol onto the heating elements and
`other structural components of the lighter is minimized.
`It is further desirable to provide a smoking article which
`is easier to manufacture.
`It is still further desirable to provide a smoking article
`which provides improved flavor delivery to the smoker.
`
`25
`
`This invention relates to smoking systems in which ciga(cid:173)
`rettes are used with lighters. and methods for making the
`same.
`An electrical smoking article is described in commonly-
`assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671. which is hereby incorpo(cid:173)
`rated by reference in its entirety. That patent describes a
`smoking article which is provided with a disposable set of
`electrical heating elements. A charge of tobacco flavor
`medium containing. for example, tobacco or tobacco(cid:173)
`derived material is deposited on each of the heating ele(cid:173)
`ments. The disposable heater/flavor unit is mated to a source
`of electrical energy such as a battery or capacitor. as well as
`to control circuitry to actuate the heating elements in 35
`response to a puff by a smoker on the article or in response
`to the depression of a manual switch. The circuitry is
`designed so that at least one, but less than all of the heating
`elements are actuated for any one puff. and so that a
`predetermined number of puffs. each containing a pre-
`measured amount of tobacco flavor substance. e.g., an
`aerosol containing tobacco flavors or a flavored tobacco
`response, is delivered to the smoker. The circuitry also
`preferably prevents the actuation of any particular heater
`more than once, to prevent overheating of the tobacco flavor
`medium thereon.
`With such articles, the heater is thrown away with the
`spent remainder of tobacco material. Also. the electrical
`connections between the heaters and the battery must be able
`to endure repeated release and reconnection as flavor units
`are replaced.
`In copending. commonly-assigned U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 07/666.926, filed Mar. 11. 1991. now abandoned in
`favor of Continuing application Ser. No. 08/012,799, filed
`Feb. 2. 1993. an electrical smoking article is disclosed that
`has reusable heating elements and a disposable portion for
`tobacco flavor generation. The disposable portion preferably
`includes a flavor segment and a filter segment. attached by
`a tipping paper or other fastening arrangement. Certain
`operational difficulties are. however. associated with reus(cid:173)
`able heating elements, particularly in that residual aerosol
`tends to settle and condense on the heating elements and
`other permanent structural components of the article.
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/943,504, filed Sep. 11.
`1992. which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety. describes another electrical smoking article that has
`reusable heating elements and a disposable portion for
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly. a primary object of the present invention is
`to provide a novel smoking system which provides advan(cid:173)
`tages over prior systems.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`improved flavor delivery from a smoking system in which
`cigarettes are used with lighters.
`It is also an object of this invention to provide a smoking
`system in which the heating elements of a lighter are
`reusable. and of which the volume of disposable portions is
`minimized.
`It is also an object of this invention to provide a system
`in which condensation of aerosol onto heating elements and
`other structural components of a lighter is minimized.
`It is a further object of this invention to provide a smoking
`article and manufacturing processes for making the same
`50 that are easier and cost effective, even at state-of-the-art
`mass production speeds.
`It is a still further object of this invention to provide
`improved aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
`55 cigarette for use in a smoking system for delivering a
`flavored tobacco response to a smoker, the system including
`heating means, is provided. The cigarette includes a carrier
`having first and second ends spaced apart in a longitudinal
`direction and having first and second surfaces. The first
`60 surface defines a cavity between the first and second ends.
`and the second surface includes an area for being disposed
`adjacent heating means. Tobacco flavor material is disposed
`on the first surface of the carrier. The tobacco flavor material
`generates the flavored tobacco response in the cavity for
`65 delivery to a smoker when the tobacco flavor material is
`heated by the heating means. The carrier and the tobacco
`flavor material allow transverse air flow into the cavity.
`
`Ex. 2014-0018
`
`

`

`5,750,964
`
`3
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, a lighter for use in combination with a removable
`cigarette in a smoking system that delivers a flavored
`tobacco response to a smoker is provided. The lighter
`includes a heater fixture for receiving. through a first end. a 5
`removable cigarette. The heater fixture has means for pro(cid:173)
`viding a transverse flow of air to at least a portion of the
`cigarette. A plurality of electrical heater elements are dis(cid:173)
`posed in the heater fixture. Each of the heater elements has
`a surface for being disposed adjacent a surface of the portion 10
`of the cigarette to which the transverse flow of air is
`provided. Means are provided for activating one or more of
`the plurality of electrical heating means such that a prede(cid:173)
`termined quantity of flavored tobacco response is generated
`in the cigarette. The transverse flow of air is generated when 15
`a smoker draws on a cigarette inserted in the lighter.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, a smoking system for delivering a flavored
`tobacco response to a smoker is provided. The system
`includes a removable cigarette, a lighter, and. means for 20
`individually activating the plurality of electrical heating
`means such that a predetermined quantity of flavored
`tobacco response is generated in a cavity in the cigarette.
`In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
`invention, a heater element for use in a smoking system for
`delivering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker is
`provided. The heater element includes a first end. a second
`end. and a plurality of curved regions between the first and
`second ends for increasing electrical resistance of the heater
`element The heater element is formed from resistive mate(cid:173)
`rial having first and second surfaces substantially oriented in
`a plane and having an overall length L. overall width W. and
`thickness T. The effective electrical length of the heater
`element is greater than the length L and the effective
`electrical cross-sectional area of the heater element is less 35
`than the product of W and T.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the present
`invention. a method for manufacturing an integrated heater
`assembly for use in a smoking system for delivering a 40
`flavored tobacco response to a smoker is described. Accord(cid:173)
`ing to the method, a sheet of resistive material is cut to form
`a plurality of heater elements connected to one another at at
`least one end. The sheet is formed into a cylindrical shape.
`
`4
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heater assembly accord(cid:173)
`ing to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is an outline of a heater assembly according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a heater
`element according to an embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pin assembly according
`to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. IOA is a schematic. side cross-sectional view of a
`spacer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 10B is a schematic view taken at section 10B-10B
`of FIG. lOA;
`FIG. lOC is a schematic view taken at section lOC-lOC
`of FIG. lOA;
`FIG. llA is a schematic, side cross-sectional view of a
`base according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11B is a schematic view taken at section 11B-11B
`of FIG. llA;
`FIG. UC is a schematic view taken at section llC-llC
`of FIG. llA;
`FIG. 12A is a schematic, perspective view of a combined
`25 spacer base member according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 12B is a schematic. side cross-sectional view taken
`at section 12B-12B of FIG. 12A;
`FIG. 12C is a schematic view taken at section 12C-12C
`30 of FIG. 12A;
`FIG. 12D is a schematic view taken at section 12D-12D
`of FIG. 12A;
`FIG. 13 is an end view of a ring according to an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 14A is a schematic. perspective view of a cap
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 14B is a schematic. side cross-sectional view taken
`at section 14B-14B of FIG. 12A;
`FIG. 14C is a schematic view taken at section 14C-14C
`of FIG. 14A;
`FIG. 14D is a schematic view taken at section 14D-14D
`of FIG. 14A;
`FIG. ISA is a schematic side view of a heater sleeve
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. lSB is an end view taken at section lSB-15B of
`FIG. ISA;
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic side cross-sectional views
`of portions of a smoking system showing air flow paths in
`the smoking system; and
`FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram showing circuitry
`according to an embodiment of the invention.
`
`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRlPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention can be further understood with
`reference to the following description in conjunction with
`the appended drawings. wherein the same elements are
`provided with the same reference numerals. In the drawings: 50
`FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking
`system according to an embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a partially broken, schematic perspective view of
`a smoking system according to an embodiment of the 55
`present invention;
`FIG. 3A is a side. cross-sectional view of a heater fixture
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3B is an end view of taken at section 3B-3B of FIG.
`3A;
`FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view taken at section
`4B-:1B of FIG. 4A;
`FIG. S is a schematic assembly view of a heater fixture
`according to another embodiment of the present invention;
`
`DETAILED DESCRlPTION
`
`60
`
`A smoking system 21 according to the present invention
`is seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The smoking system
`21 includes a cigarette 23 and a reusable lighter 25. The
`cigarette 23 is adapted to be inserted in and removed from
`an orifice 27 at a front end 29 of the lighter 25. The smoking
`system 21 is used in much the same fashion as a conven(cid:173)
`tional cigarette. The cigarette 23 is disposed of after one or
`more puff cycles. The lighter 25 is preferably disposed of
`65 after a greater number of puff cycles as the cigarette 23.
`The lighter 25 includes a housing 31 and has front and
`rear portions 33 and 35. A power source 37 for supplying
`
`Ex. 2014-0019
`
`

`

`5,750,964
`
`5
`energy to heating elements for heating the cigarette 23 is
`preferably disposed in the rear portion 35 of the lighter 25.
`The rear portion 35 is preferably adapted to be easily opened
`and closed. such as with screws or with snap-fit components.
`to facilitate replacement of the power source 37. The front 5
`portion 33 preferably houses heating elements and circuitry
`in electrical communication with the power source 37 in the
`rear portion 35. The front portion 33 is preferably easily
`joined to the rear portion 35. such as with a dovetail joint or
`by a socket fit. The housing 31 is preferably made from a
`hard. heat-resistant material. Preferred materials include
`metal-based or. more preferably, polymer-based materials.
`The housing 31 is preferably adapted to fit comfortably in
`the hand of a smoker and. in a presently preferred
`embodiment, has overall dimensions of 10.7 cm by 3.8 cm
`by 1.5 cm.
`The power source 37 is sized to provide sufficient power
`for heating elements that heat the cigarette 23. The power
`source 37 is preferably replaceable and rechargeable and
`may include devices such as a capacitor or, more preferably.
`a battery. In a presently preferred embodiment, the power
`source is a replaceable, rechargeable battery ( actually four
`nickel cadmium battery cells connected in series) with a
`total. non-loaded voltage of approximately 4.8 to 5.6 volts.
`The characteristics required of the power source 37 are.
`however. selected in view of the characteristics of other
`components in the smoking system 21, particularly the
`characteristics of the heating elements. U.S. Pat. No. 5.144,
`962 describes several forms of power sources useful in
`connection with the smoking system of the present
`invention. such as rechargeable battery power sources and
`quick-discharging capacitor power sources that are charged
`by batteries. and is hereby incorporated by reference.
`A substantially cylindrical heating fixture 39 for heating
`the cigarette 23. and. preferably. for holding the cigarette in 35
`place relative to the lighter 25. and electrical control cir(cid:173)
`cuitry 41 for delivering a predetermined amount of energy
`from the power source 37 to heating elements (not seen in
`FIGS. 1 and 2) of the heating fixture are preferably disposed
`in the front 33 of the lighter. In the presently preferred 40
`embodiment. the heating fixture 39 includes eight radially
`spaced heating elements 43. seen in FIG. 3A. that are
`individually energized by the power source 37 under the
`control of the circuitry 41 to heat eight areas around the
`periphery of the cigarette 23 to develop eight puffs of a 45
`flavored tobacco response. While other numbers of heating
`elements 43 may be provided. eight heater elements are
`preferred. at least because there are nominally eight puffs on
`a conventional cigarette and because eight heater elements
`lend themselves to electrical control with binary devices.
`The circuitry 41 is preferably activated by a puff-actuated
`sensor 45. seen in FIG. 2. that is sensitive either to pressure
`changes or air flow changes that occur when a smoker draws
`on the cigarette 23. The puff-actuated sensor 45 is preferably
`disposed in the front 33 of the lighter 25 and communicates 55
`with a space inside the heater fixture 39 and near the
`cigarette 23 through a passageway 47 extending through a
`spacer 49 and a base 50 of the heater fixture and. if desired,
`a puff sensor tube (not shown). A puff-actuated sensor 45
`suitable for use in the smoking system 21 is described in 60
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,060.671. the disclosure of which is incor(cid:173)
`porated by reference, and is in the form of a Model
`163PC01D35 silicon sensor, manufactured by the
`MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport. ID ..
`which activates an appropriate one of the heater elements 43 65
`as a result of a change in pressure when a smoker draws on
`the cigarette 23. Flow sensing devices. such as those using
`
`6
`hot-wire anemometry principles. have also been success(cid:173)
`fully demonstrated to be useful for activating an appropriate
`one of the heater elements 43 upon detection of a change in
`air flow.
`An indicator 51 is preferably provided on the exterior of
`the lighter 25, preferably on the front 33. to indicate the
`number of puffs remaining on a cigarette 23 inserted in the
`lighter. The indicator 51 preferably includes a seven(cid:173)
`segment liquid crystal display. In the presently preferred
`10 embodiment. the indicator 51 displays the digit "8" when a
`light beam emitted by a light sensor 53. seen in FIG. 2. is
`reflected off of the front of a newly inserted cigarette 23 and
`detected by the light sensor. The light sensor 53 is preferably
`mounted in an opening 55 in the spacer 49 and the base 50
`15 of the heater fixture 39, seen, for example. in FIG. 3A. The
`light sensor 53 provides a signal to the circuitry 41 which.
`in turn. provides a signal to the indicator 51. The display of
`the digit "8" on the indicator 51 reflects that the preferred
`eight puffs provided on each cigarette 23 are available. i.e ..
`20 none of the heater elements 43 have been activated to heat
`the new cigarette. After the cigarette 23 is fully smoked. the
`indicator displays the digit "O". When the cigarette 23 is
`removed from the lighter 25. the light sensor 53 does not
`detect the presence of a cigarette 23 and the indicator 51 is
`25 turned off. The light sensor 53 is modulated so that it does
`not constantly emit a light beam and provide an unnecessary
`drain on the power source 37. A presently preferred light
`sensor 53 suitable for use with the smoking system 21 is a
`Type OPR5005 Light Sensor. manufactured by OPTEK
`30 Technology. Inc., 1215 West Crosby Road. Carrollton. Tex.
`75006.
`As one of several possible alternatives to using the
`above-noted light sensor 53. a mechanical switch (not
`shown) may be provided to detect the presence or absence
`of cigarette 23 and a reset button (not shown) may be
`provided for resetting the circuitry 41 when a new cigarette
`is inserted in the lighter 25. e.g .. to cause the indicator 51 to
`display the digit "8", etc. Power sources, circuitry, puff(cid:173)
`actuated sensors. and indicators useful with the smoking
`system 21 of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,060.671 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/943.
`504. both of which are incorporated by reference. The
`passageway 47 and the opening 55 in the spacer 49 and the
`heater fixture base 50 are preferably air-tight during smok(cid:173)
`ing.
`A presently preferred cigarette 23 for use with the smok(cid:173)
`ing system 21 is seen in detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. although
`the cigarette may be in any desired form capable of gener(cid:173)
`ating a flavored tobacco response for delivery to a smoker
`50 when the cigarette is heated by the heating elements 43. The
`cigarette 23 includes a tobacco web 57 formed of a carrier
`or plenum 59 which supports tobacco flavor material 61.
`preferably including tobacco. The tobacco web 57 is
`wrapped around and supported by a cylindrical back-flow
`filter 63 at one end and a cylindrical first free-flow filter 65
`at an opposite end The first free-flow filter 65 is preferably
`an "open-tube" type filter having a longitudinal passage 67
`extending through the center of the first free-flow filter and.
`hence. provides a low resistance to draw or free flow.
`If desired, cigarette overwrap paper 69 is wrapped around
`the tobacco web 57. Types of paper useful as the overwrap
`paper 69 include a low basis weight paper. preferably a
`paper with a tobacco flavor coating. or a tobacco-based
`paper to enhance the tobacco flavor of a flavored tobacco
`response. A concentrated extract liquor in full or diluted
`strength may be coated on the overwrap paper 69. The
`overwrap paper 69 preferably possesses a minimal base
`
`Ex. 2014-0020
`
`

`

`5,750,964
`
`7
`weight and caliper while providing sufficient tensile strength
`for machine processes. Presently preferred characteristics of
`a tobacco-based paper include a basis weight (at 60%
`relative humidity) of between 20-25 grarns/m2
`• minimum
`permeability of 0-25 CORESTA (defined as the amount of 5
`air. measured in cubic centimeters. that passes through one
`square centimeter of material. e.g .• a paper sheet. in one
`minute at a pressure drop of 1.0 kilopascal). tensile strength
`s;ZO0O grarns/27 mm width (1 in/min), caliper 1.3-1.5 mils.
`CaCO 3 content ~5%. citrate 0%. Materials for forming the 10
`overwrap paper 69 preferably include s;75% tobacco-based
`sheet (non-cigar, flue- or flue-lair-cured mix filler and bright
`stem). Flax fiber in amounts no greater than that necessary
`to obtain adequate tensile strength may be added. The
`overwrap paper 69 can also be conventional fl.ax fiber paper 15
`of basis weight 15-20 g/m2 or such paper with an extract
`coa