Low ignition propensity (LIP) paper smoking articles

Abstract

Apparatus for producing low ignition propensity (“LIP”) smoking articles provides independent control of the belt drive transport speed and the cutting head rotational speed in dependence on the relative position of the cutting head blades to the position of the continuous tobacco column on the tape drive, by detecting the presence of synchronizing marks disposed on the outer surface of the tobacco column LIP paper wrapper, thereby controlling cutting of the continuous column to provide registration of the LIP paper's LP bands to their designated location within the finished article's tobacco column.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to the manufacture of smoking articles, and more particularly to the manufacture of low ignition propensity smoking articles which are designed to self extinguish if left unattended. BACKGROUND ART [0002] With smoking articles, such as cigarettes, the paper wrapper is important to the overall quality of the cigarette. The paper affects the taste and ash appearance of the cigarette, and the paper porosity (i.e. the oxygen permeability) determines the rate and direction of airflow through the cigarette. Higher porosity papers produce lower tar and nicotine yields to the user by increasing the heat and burn rate of the cigarette without altering the flavor. This has led to the use of higher porosity papers by cigarette manufacturers. Today's conventional cigarette papers have porosity levels on the order of 40 to 50 Coresta units (cu), which are expressed as: cu=cc / minute / cm2 at 100 mb pressure (1000 mm water). [0003] While these high poros...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The present invention provides for controlled placement of the LP bands of the LIP paper along the cigarette's rod length, so as to provide repeatable registration of the LP bands and a cons

Problems solved by technology

While these high porosity papers introduce air into the smoke stream to lower the concentration of gases and particulate matter in the smoke, an unintended result of their high oxygen permeability is that, when lighted, they can burn their entire length without the user having to draw smoke or the cigarette having to be placed in a free burn environment.

As a result, if left unattended, they can ignite flammable objects they come in contact with.

Also, since the wet slurry processes of forming the LP bands cannot be performed during the manufacture of the smoking article due to the likelihood of the wet paper breaking when placed under tension,

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