SI9400086A - Electric smoking system for delivering flavors and methods for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoking system is provided in which it is recoverable a cigarette containing tobacco material aroma, electrically heated with the electric item the heating elements contained in the lighter. to promote tobacco flavors and other components in in the form of steam or aerosol for delivery to the smoker. The cigarette and the cigarette lighter are tailored to allow air flow patterns through the smoking system, to flow air transversely into a cigarette. Such patterns make it worse giving the aerosol and aroma to the smoker and reducing condensation of residual steam / aerosol in the area heaters of the smoking system

Description

PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS INC.

Electric smoking system for flavoring and procedures for its implementation

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to smoking systems in which cigarettes are used with lighters and methods for their implementation.

Electric Smoking Product is described in our U.S. Pat. 5,060,671, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This patent described a smoking object that is equipped with a removable electric heating element. Filling with a tobacco flavoring medium containing e.g. tobacco or tobacco derived material is attached to each of the heating elements. The readily adjustable heat and aroma unit is combined with a power source such as a battery or a capacitor as well as a control circuit to activate the heating elements in response to the smoker's down on the object, or also in response to pressing the switch. The circuit is designed to activate at least one but less than all heating elements on any fluff, and to provide a smoker with a predetermined amount of fluff, each containing a pre-metered amount of aromatic tobacco substance, e.g. an aerosol containing tobacco flavorings or a response of flavored tobacco. The circuit also preferably prevents the activation of any heater more than once, to prevent the medium with tobacco flavor on it from overheating.

With such products, the heater with the spent tobacco material is thrown away. The electrical connections between the heater and the battery must also be able to withstand repeated disconnections and reconnections as the aroma units change.

In our contemporaneous patent application, U.S. Ser. no. No. 07 / 666,926, filed March 11, 1991, now abandoned in favor of continuing application by Ser. no. No. 08 / 012,799, filed Feb. 2, 1993, describes an article for electrical smoking that has reusable heating elements and a removable tobacco flavor aroma part. The removable portion preferably comprises an aroma segment and a filter segment secured with a tissue paper or other attachment. Reusable heating elements are, of course, associated with certain operating problems, especially since the remaining aerosol tends to deposit condensate on the heating elements or other permanent elements of the product structure.

The present invention tends to reduce the above problems.

In its various aspects, the invention is made with the independent claims to which we will refer.

The smoking system containing the invention, which uses cigarettes with lighters, has the advantage of delivering improved flavor delivery. The smoking system comprising the invention has the advantage that the lighter elements of the lighter are reusable and that the volume of removable parts is minimized.

The system containing the invention has the advantage that the condensation of the aerosol on the heating elements and other structural elements of the lighter is minimized.

The smoking article containing the invention and the manufacturing processes for its manufacture, which also comprise the invention, have the advantage of being easier and more cost-effective, even at speeds of known mass production.

Embodiments of the invention may have the further advantage of providing the smoker with improved aerosol and flavor delivery.

According to one preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cigarette for use in a smoking system for delivering a response of flavored tobacco to a smoker, wherein the system comprises heating means. The cigarette comprises a carrier having the front and rear ends spaced apart from one another and having the first and second surfaces. The first surface defines a cavity between the first and second ends and the second surface comprises a surface to be placed adjacent to the heating means. The tobacco-flavored material is placed on the first surface of the carrier. Tobacco flavored material produces in the cavity a response of flavored tobacco to feed to the smoker if the tobacco flavored material with the heating elements is heated. The tobacco-flavored carrier and material allow transverse airflow into the cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, a lighter for use in combination with a removable cigarette in a smoking system is provided, which gives the smoker a response of flavored tobacco, the lighter comprising a heater holding device for receiving the removable cigarette through the first end. The heater holding device has means for delivering a transverse flow of air to at least a portion of the cigarette. Several electrical heating elements are installed in the heater holder. Each of the heating elements has a surface which will be located next to the surface of the portion of the cigarette for which the transverse airflow is intended. To activate one or more of the many electrical heating elements, means are provided to produce a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response in a cigarette. A transverse airflow occurs when a smoker pulls a cigarette inserted into a cigarette lighter.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, a smoking system is provided for administering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker. The system individually activates several electrical heating agents so that a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response is produced in the cigarette cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, a heating element is provided for use in a smoking system for delivering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker. The heating element comprises a first end, a second end and a plurality of curved regions between the first and second ends to increase the electrical resistance of the heating element. The heating element is formed of a resistive material having a first and second surface oriented in a plane and having an entire length L, a total width W and a thickness T. The effective electric length of the heating element is greater than the length L and the effective electrical cross-sectional area of the heating element is smaller from W and T.

According to a preferred embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, there is described a process for the production of an integrated heating composition for use in a smoking system for delivering a response to flavored tobacco to a smoker.

According to the process, a plate of resistive material is cut to form several, at least one end of connected heating elements. The plate is cylindrical in shape.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in their various aspects, by way of example and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which they show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking system containing the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking system comprising the invention, partly in the cut-out,

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional side view of a heater holding device of the invention,

FIG. 3B is an end view taken in cross-section 3B-3B of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette containing the invention,

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view taken in cross-section 4B-4B of FIG. 4A,

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an assembly of a heater holding device comprising the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heating assembly comprising the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a heating composition comprising the invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a heating element comprising the invention,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pin assembly comprising the invention;

FIG. 10A is a schematic side elevation view of a spacer comprising the invention,

FIG. 10B is a schematic view taken along section 10B-10B of Figure 10A,

FIG. 10C is a schematic view taken in cross section 10C-10C of Figure 10A,

FIG. 11A is a schematic cross sectional view of a base comprising the invention;

FIG. 11B is a schematic view taken in cross section 11B-11B of FIG. 11A,

FIG. 11C is a schematic view taken in cross section 11C-11C of FIG. 11 A,

FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of a combined spacer-base article comprising an invention,

FIG. 12B is a schematic side sectional view taken after section 12B-12B of FIG. 12A,

FIG. 12C is a schematic view taken in cross section 12C-12C of FIG. 12A,

FIG. 12D is a schematic view taken in cross section 12D-12D of FIG. 12A,

FIG. 13 shows an end-to-end view according to an embodiment 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 sectional view taken after section 14B-14B of FIG. 14A,

FIG. 14C is a schematic view taken in cross section 14C-14C of FIG. 14A,

FIG. 14D is a schematic view taken in cross section 14S-14D of FIG. 14A,

FIG. 15A is a schematic side view of a heating sleeve containing the invention;

FIG. 15B is an end view taken in cross section 15B-15B of FIG. 15A,

FIG. 16 and 17 are schematic side sectional views of the parts of the smoking system that show the air flow paths in the smoking system,

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit containing the invention,

FIG. 19 is a schematic side sectional view of a further smoking system comprising embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross sectional side view of a further holding device of a heater comprising the present invention,

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for producing an incoming part of a dismantled cigarette for the smoking system in FIG. 19,

FIG. 22 is a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment for the peripheral draft of a smoking system comprising the present invention,

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a further circuit containing the invention; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic circuit of a timing network of a control circuit of FIG. 23.

Detailed description

The smoking system 21 of the present invention is shown in accordance with FIG. 1 and 2. The smoking system 21 includes a cigarette 23 and a reusable cigarette lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the mouthpiece 27 at the front end of the cigarette lighter 25. The smoking system 21 is used in much the same manner as a conventional cigarette. . Cigarette 23 is preferably discarded after one or more blowing cycles. The lighter 25 is preferably discarded after a larger number of blowing cycles than the cigarette 23.

The lighter 25 comprises a housing 31 and has a front and a back portion 33 and 35. A power source 37 for supplying energy to the cigarette heating elements 23 is preferably located in the rear portion 35 of the lighter 25. The rear portion 35 is preferably adapted for easy opening and closing, such as with screws or snaps to facilitate replacement of the 37 power source. Preferably, the front portion 33 comprises heating elements and a circuit in electrical connection with a power source 37 in the rear portion 35. The front portion 33 is preferably easily connected to the rear portion 35, such as a swallowtail connection or a matching base. The housing 31 is preferably made of a solid, heat-resistant material. Preferred materials include metal-based or more preferably polymer-based materials. The housing 31 is preferably designed to fit comfortably with the smoker's arm and, in the present preferred embodiment, has dimensions of 10.7 cm by 3.8 cm by 1.5 cm.

The power source 37 is sized to provide enough power to the heating elements that heat the cigarette 23. The power source 37 is preferably interchangeable and can be refilled and may include devices such as a condenser or preferably a battery. In the present preferred embodiment, it is a replaceable rechargeable battery (currently four consecutively connected nickel-cadmium battery cells) with a total voltage of 4.8 to 5.6 volts without load. The necessary characteristics of the power source 37 are selected according to the characteristics of the other components in the smoking system 21, especially with regard to the heating elements. U.S. Pat. 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 fast-discharge capacitor batteries. is thus made abundant by reference to it.

In essence, the cylindrical holding device 39 of the heater for heating the cigarette 23 and preferably for holding the cigarette in the space near the lighter 25, and the electrical control circuit 41 for giving a predetermined amount of energy from the source 37 to the heating elements (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) holding devices are preferably located on the front of the 33 lighter. In the presently preferred embodiment, the holding device 39 heats the eight radially spaced heating elements 43 seen in FIG. 3A, which are individually powered by a circuit 37-controlled power source 37 to heat eight areas around the perimeter of cigarette 23 to produce eight fluffy flavored tobacco responses. While a different number of heating elements 43 may be contemplated, eight heating elements are preferred, at least because it is nominally eight fluffes per conventional cigarette and because eight heating elements are adapted to electrical control by binary devices.

The circuit 41 is preferably activated by the down-roasted sensor 45 shown in FIG. 2, which is sensitive to either pressure changes or changes in air flow that occur when the smoker pulls out a cigarette 23. With a blown roast, the sensor 45 is preferably located on the front 33 of the lighter 25 and is connected to the space inside the holding device 39 of the heater and close. cigarettes 23 through passage 47 extending through the spacer 49 and the base 50 of the heater holding device and, if desired, through the (not shown) pipe of the downwind sensor. A blown-roasted sensor 45 suitable for use in a smoking system 21 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671, the description of which is incorporated by reference, and is in the form of Model 163PC01D35 silicone sensor manufactured by Microswitch, a division of Honeywell, Inc. Freeport, 111., which activates the corresponding one of the heating elements 43 as a result of a change in pressure if the smoker pulls out a cigarette 23. They have also successfully shown themselves useful for activating the corresponding one of the heating elements 43 after detecting a change in the flow rate of the flow sensing device , such as those using the principles of hot wire anemometry.

An indicator 51 is preferably located on the exterior of the lighter 25, preferably on the front 33, to indicate the number of fluff remaining cigarettes 23 inserted in the lighter. The indicator 51 preferably comprises a seven-segment liquid crystal display. In the present preferred embodiment, indicator 51 is indicated by number 8 if the light beam emitted from the light sensor 53 shown in FIG. 2, deducted from the front of newly inserted cigarettes 23 and detected by a light sensor. The light sensor 53 is preferably attached to the opening 55 in the spacer 49 and the base 50 of the holding device 39 of the heater, e.g. shown in FIG. 3A. The light sensor 53 gives a signal to the circuit 41, which in turn gives a signal to the indicator 51. The display of number 8 on the indicator 51 indicates that the preferred eight fluffs given by each cigarette 23 are available, that is, none of the heating elements 43 was activated to heat a new cigarette. After cigarette 23 has been completely smoked, indicator number 0 is displayed. When cigarette 23 is removed from cigarette lighter 25, light sensor 53 does not detect the presence of cigarette 23 and indicator 51 is turned off. The light sensor 53 is modulated in such a way that it does not emit a light beam continuously and does not cause unnecessary load on the power source 37. The now preferred light sensor 53 suitable for use with the smoking system 21 is the OPR5005 light sensor type manufactured by OPTEKTechnology Inc., 1215 West Crosby Road, Carrollton, Texas 75006.

As one of several possible alternatives to the use of the light sensor 53 above, a mechanical switch may be provided for detecting the presence of cigarette 23, and for restoring the circuit 41 to its original state when a new cigarette is inserted into the lighter 25, e.g. . caused indicator 51 to show number 8, etc., the intended (not shown) return button. Power sources, circuit, fluff-triggered sensors and indicators useful with the smoking system 21 of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. 5,060,671, which is incorporated by reference. The passage 47 and the opening 55 in the spacer 49 and the base 50 of the holding device of the heater are preferably airtight during smoking.

The now preferred cigarette 23 for use with the smoking system 21 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4A and 4B, although the cigarette may have any desired shape capable of producing a response of flavored tobacco to the smoker if the cigarette is heated by heating elements 43. The cigarette 23 includes a tobacco fabric 57 formed from a carrier or a sheath 59 that wears tobacco flavored material 61, preferably including tobacco. The tobacco fabric 57 is wound around and supported at one end by a cylindrical backflow filter 63 and at the opposite end by a cylindrical first free flow filter 65. The first free flow filter 65 is preferably an open tube type filter having a longitudinal passage 67 extending beyond the center of the first free flow filter, thus allowing low resistance for traction or free flow.

If desired, the cigarette wrapping paper 69 is wrapped around the tobacco fabric 57. Types of paper useful as wrapping paper 69 include low-weight, preferably tobacco-flavored or tobacco-based paper to emphasize the tobacco flavor of the flavored tobacco response. The wrapping paper 69 may be coated with the liquid of concentrated extract at full or diluted strength. Preferably, the wrapping paper 69 has a minimum base weight and thickness, with sufficient tensile strength for machining. Now the preferred features of tobacco-based paper include a base weight (at 60% relative humidity) of between 20-25 grams / m ² , a minimum permeability of 0-25 CORESTA (defined as the amount of air measured in cubic centimeters passing through one square centimeter of material , e.g., sheet of paper, at one minute at a pressure drop of 1.0 kilopascal), tensile strength> 2000 grams / 27 mm width (2.54 mm / min), thickness 0.0254-0.0381 mm, CaCO content ₃ <5%, citrate 0% . Preferably, wrapping paper materials include> 75% tobacco-based sheet (not cigar, draft or air-dried mixed filler and light rib). Flax fiber may be added in quantities not exceeding that required to obtain sufficient tensile strength. Wrapping paper 69 may also be plain linen paper with a base weight of 15-20 g / m ^2, or such paper with an extract coating. Citrus pectin binder may be added in an amount less than or equal to 1%. Glycerin may be added in quantities not greater than is necessary to achieve a paper stiffness similar to that of conventional cigarette paper.

Cigarette 23 also preferably contains a cylindrical mouth filter 71, which is preferably a filter of the conventional RTD type (drag resistance), and a second free flow filter 73. The mouth filter 71 and the second free-flow filter 73 are connected to one another by a coil paper 75. The coil paper 75 extends over one end of the second free-flow filter 73 and is attached to the wrapping paper 69 to secure one end of the first filter 65 in position at one end of the second free-flow filter. As the first free-flow filter 65, the second free-flow filter 73 is preferably formed by a longitudinal passage 77 extending through its center. The return flow filter 63 and the first free flow filter 65 determine, together with the tobacco fabric 57, the cavity 79 inside the cigarette 23.

Preferably, the internal diameter of the longitudinal passage 77 of the second free flow filter 73 is greater than the internal diameter of the longitudinal passage 67 of the first free flow filter 65. The preferred internal diameters of longitudinal passage 67 are now honey

1-4 mm and for longitudinal passage 77 are between 2-6 mm. It has been observed that the different internal diameters of passages 67 and 77 are facilitated by the development of desirable mixing or turbulence between the aerosol developed from the heated tobacco flavored material and the air absorbed from the outside of the cigarette 23 while pulling the cigarette, resulting in an improved response of flavored tobacco and facilitating the exposure of a large portion of one end of the mouthpiece filter 71 to a mixed aerosol. The response of flavored tobacco developed by heating the tobacco flavored material 61 in the cavity 79 is thought to be primarily in the vapor phase and is altered after mixing in passage 77 into a visible aerosol. In addition to the above-described first free-flow filter 65 having a longitudinal passage 67, include other arrangements capable of producing the desired mixing of the aromatized tobacco vapor response with the introduced air, those in which the first free-flow filter is provided in the form of a filter having a plurality of small mouths, that is, the first free-flow filter may be in the form of a honeycomb or metal plate in which many holes are formed.

The air is preferably pushed into the cigarette 23 mainly through the tobacco fabric 57 and the wrapping paper 69 in the transverse or radial direction, rather than through the return flow filter 63 in the longitudinal direction. However, as will be explained below, it is desirable to allow air to flow through the backflow filter during the first cigarette down in order to reduce RTD. It is now understood that the longitudinal pushing of air into the cigarette 23 implies that the aerosol developed by heating the tobacco fabric 57 with heating elements 43 radially arranged around the tobacco fabric does not properly remove from the cavity 79. preferably, the aromatized tobacco response is produced almost entirely as a function of the composition of the tobacco fabric 57 and the energy level of the heating elements 43. Therefore, the proportion of air flow through the cigarette resulting from the longitudinal flow through the backflow filter 63 is preferably minimal during smoking except during the first fluff. It further reduces the return flow filter 63, preferably the return flow of the aerosol in the return direction from the cavity 79 after heating the tobacco aroma material 61, so that the possibility of damage to the components of the lighter 25 with the aerosol flowing from the cigarette 23 back is minimized.

A carrier or jacket 59 that supports tobacco flavored material 61 permits separation between the heating elements 43 and the flavoring material, transfers heat produced by the heating elements to the flavoring material and maintains the cohesion of the cigarette after smoking. Preferred carriers 59 comprise those consisting of a non-woven carbon fiber braid, preferably for their thermal stability. Such bearers are discussed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Co-Filed Serial No. No. 07 / 943,747, filed Sept. 11; 1992, which is incorporated by reference. Such knitters should preferably have a thickness between approx. 0.05 mm and approx. 0.11 mm and consist of non-woven carbon fibers (having a base weight of the order of about 6 g / m ² to about 12 g / m ² with fiber diameters between about 7 μπι and about 30 / im). The lengths of the fibers should allow the knitter to withstand the tensile stresses that occur during machining. Preferably, knitwear should comprise a binder suitable for use in electric smoking items (i.e., having acceptable subjective properties).

Other supports 59 comprise low-weight, open-loop metal meshes or perforated metal foils. It is used e.g. a net having an order mass of approx. 5 g / m ² up to approx. 15 g / m ² and having wire diameters of the order of approx. 0.038 to approx. 0.076 mm. Another mesh design is formed of 0.0064 mm thick foil (eg aluminum) having perforations with diameters of the order of approx. 0.3 mm or. approx. 0.5 mm to reduce the film weight by approx. 30 percent, or. for approx. 50 percent.

Preferably, the perforation pattern of such foil is delayed or interrupted (i.e. not in a straight line) in order to reduce the transverse heat transfer away from the tobacco aroma 61.

Such metal nets and foils are incorporated into the cigarette 23 in a number of ways including e.g. (1) pouring the tobacco flavoring suspension onto the strip and placing the mesh or foil carrier on the wet suspension prior to drying, and (2) connecting the carrier with the mesh or foil to the leaf or knit with the tobacco flavoring base with a suitable binder. Due to the possibility of electrical short circuits in or between heating elements 43 using a metal carrier, suitable binders and low base weight paper such as this are used to create electrical insulation between the metal carrier 59 and the electrical heating elements 43. wrapping paper 69.

The now preferred tobacco fabric 57 is formed using a type of paper-making process. In this process, the tobacco strip is washed with water. The dissolved substances are used at a later stage of overlap. The remaining (extracted) tobacco fiber is used to construct the basic knitwear. The carbon fibers are dispersed in water and sodium alginate is added. Instead of sodium alginate, any aqueous colloid may be added that does not interfere with the response of flavored tobacco, which is water-soluble and has a molecular weight appropriate to give the fabric 57 of tobacco its strength. The dispersion is mixed with a suspension of extracted tobacco fibers and additional flavors. The resulting mixture is laid wet on Fourdrinier wire and the fabric is passed along the rest of the traditional paper machine to form the base fabric. The solutions that have been removed by washing the tobacco strip are applied to one side of the base fabric, preferably with a standard inverted roller applicator located after the drum or self-priming dryer. The ratio of tobacco solutions to tobacco powder or particulates is preferably varied between 1: 1 and 1:20. The sludge can be poured or extruded onto the base blanket. Alternatively, the overlap phase may be produced off-line. During or after the overlay phase, flavorings that are common in the cigarette industry are added. Pectin or other hydrocolloid, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 2.0%, is added to improve the ability to cover the sludge.

Regardless of the type of carrier 59 used, it releases a tobacco-flavored material present on the inner surface of the carrier when heated, flavored and able to adhere to the surface of the carrier. Such materials include continuous sheets, foams, gels, dried suspensions or spray-dried suspensions containing, preferably but not necessarily, tobacco or tobacco derived materials, and which are discussed in more detail in U.S. Pat.

07 / 943,747.

During treatment, a tobacco moistener 57, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, is added to the fabric 57 in amounts corresponding to between 0.5% and 10% by weight of the wetting agent. The moisturizer facilitates the formation of a visible aerosol by acting as an aerosol adapter. If the smoker exhales an aerosol containing the response of flavored tobacco and a humidifying agent, the humidifying agent condenses in the atmosphere and the condensed humidifying agent creates the appearance of normal cigarette smoke.

Since the tobacco flavor material 61 is applied to the surface of the carrier 59 according to the present invention, its flavor delivery properties can be spatially varied to allow the flavor delivery profile to fluctuate from fluff to fluff selectively. The tobacco flavoring material 61 at the first heating element 43 may contain the first amount or type of flavoring, while the tobacco flavoring material at the second heating element may contain a different different amount or type of flavoring. Thus, the delivery of the flavored tobacco response to the smoker may be selectively modified or adjusted using profiles of material with unbalanced tobacco aroma applied to the surface of the carrier material. The smoker may e.g. direct the available cigarette 23 with respect to the durable heating elements in a particular manner when the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette lighter 25, if it is desirable for a particular heater to heat a predetermined portion of the tobacco-flavored material.

Additionally, the response of flavored tobacco can be selectively varied according to the invention by giving a controlled amount of energy to the heating element 43. If e.g. the amount of energy given to the first heating element 43 (eg 20 Joules) is greater than the amount given to the second heating element (eg 15 Joules), then the temperature reached by the first heating element will be generally higher than that of the second heating element. Thus, the first heating element generally produces more response from flavored tobacco than the second heating element. In this way, the amount of response of flavored tobacco can be selectively controlled by varying the amount of energy given from fluff to fluff.

Preferably, the cigarette 23 has a substantially constant diameter throughout its length, which, as with conventional cigarettes, is between about 7.5 mm and 8.5 mm, so that a smoker with a smoking system 21 has a similar mouth feel to that of a conventional cigarette. In the present preferred embodiment, the cigarette 23 is 58 mm overall, which facilitates the use of conventional packaging machines in the packaging of such cigarettes. The composite length of the oral filter and the second free flow filter 73 is preferably 30 mm. The paper 75 extends preferably 5 mm beyond the end of the second free flow filter 73 and through the tobacco fabric 57. The length of the tobacco fabric 57 at the opposite end is supported by a backflow filter 63 preferably 7 mm long and a first free flow filter 65 preferably 7 mm long. The hollow 79 defined by the tobacco fabric 57, the backflow filter 63 and the first free flow filter 65 is preferably 14 mm long.

When the cigarette 23 is inserted into the mouthpiece 27 at the first end 29 of the lighter 25, it hits or nearly hits the inner surface 81 of the floor of the spacer 49 of the heater support 39 shown in FIG. 3 A at passage 47, which is in conjunction with the downwash actuated sensor 45 and the opening 55 for light sensor 53. In this position, the cavity 79 of cigarette 23 is preferably adjacent to the heating elements 43 and substantially all of that portion of the cigarette, including the second free-flow filter 73 and the mouth filter 71 extends beyond the lighter 25. The parts of the heating elements 43 are preferably radially inclined, to facilitate holding the cigarette 23 in position relative to the lighter 25 such that they are either directly or through the wrapping paper 69 in the ratio of thermal transfer to the tobacco fabric 57. Accordingly, the cigarette 23 may be preferably compressed to facilitate the allowability of the heating elements 43 to be pressed into the sides of the cigarette.

The flow of air through cigarette 23 is implemented in several ways. In the embodiment of cigarette 23 shown in FIG. 4A and 4B, e.g. the wrapping paper 69 and the tobacco fabric 57 are sufficiently airtight to achieve a desirable RTD such that when the smoker pulls a cigarette, the air into the cavity 79 passes through the wrapping paper and the tobacco fabric transversely or radially. As mentioned above, an air-permeable backflow filter 69 may be used to allow longitudinal airflow into the cavity 79.

If desired, the transverse flow of air into the cavity 79 is facilitated by performing a series of (not shown) radial perforations through the wrapping paper 69 and the tobacco fabric 57 in one or more cavity regions. Such perforations have been observed to improve the response of flavored tobacco and aerosol formation. Perforations having a density of about 1 hole per 1-2 square millimeters and a hole diameter between 0.4 mm and 0.7 mm are passed through the tobacco fabric. This results in a preferential CORESTA porosity between 100-500. The wrapping paper 69 preferably has a throughput of between 100 and 1000 CORESTA. Of course, different perforation densities and associated hole diameters, as described above, can be used to achieve desirable smoking characteristics such as drag resistance.

The transverse flow of air into the cavity 79 is also facilitated by carrying out (not shown) perforations through both the wrapping paper 69 and the tobacco fabric 57. In designing a cigarette 23 having such perforations, the wrapping paper 69 and the tobacco fabric 57 are attached to each other such that the perforations in each are aligned or overlap.

The preferred embodiment of the holding device 39 of the heater is now apparent from FIG. 3A-3B. A widespread view of a reworked embodiment of the heater retaining device 39A having a combined spacer and a base member 49A is shown in FIG. 5. Article 49A of the heater holding device 39A replaces the spacer 49 and the base 50 of the heater holding device 39 shown in FIG. 3A. The general functions of predicting the space for receiving a cigarette 23 and predicting the heating elements for heating a cigarette may, of course, be realized by means of other holding devices of the heater, such as those shown in FIG. 3A-3B and 5.

As shown in FIG. 3A-3B, there is a holding device 39 of the heater in the nozzle 27 in the cigarette lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is inserted, first with a backflow filter 63, into the nozzle 27 in the lighter 25 in a substantially cylindrical space of the holding device 39 of the heater, defined by a ring-shaped a hat 83 having an open end for receiving a cigarette, an additional cylindrical protective flange 85 of the heater, a cylindrical flange 87 of the air duct, a heating assembly 89 including heating elements 43, an electrically conductive pin or a common line assembly 91 to serve as a common conductor for the heating elements, the composition of the heater, and the spacer 49. The lower inner surface 81 of the spacer 49 stops the cigarette 23 in the desired position in the holding device 39 of the heater so that the heating elements 43 are adjacent to the cavity 79 in the cigarette. In the holding device 39A of the heater shown in FIG. 5, stop the lower inner surface 81A of article 49A of cigarette 23 in the holding position of the heater in the desired position.

The heater attachment 39 is substantially fully contained within and is fixed in its position by a good fit to the housing 31 of the front 33 of the lighter 25. The leading edge 93 of the cap 83 is preferably located on or extends slightly outward from the first end 29 of the lighter 25 and includes preferably an internally tapered or rounded portion to facilitate the guidance of cigarette 23 into the holding device 39 of the heater. Parts of heating elements 43 assembly 89 of the heater and pins 95 assembly 91 of the pins are fastened around the outer surface 97 of the spacer 49 by friction bearing with the ring 99. The rear ends 101 of the heating elements 43 and the rear ends 103 preferably of two of the pins 95 are preferably welded to the pins 104, fixedly fixed in and extending through the lower outer surface 105 shown in FIG. 3B, bases 50 through holes 107 in os16 new for connection to circuit 41 and power source 37. The pins 104 are preferably attached to the base 50 sufficiently well to inhibit the flow of air through the holes 107. The pins 104 extend preferably into suitable (not shown) sockets, thus supporting the holding device 39 of the heater in the lighter 25 and leading from the socket to various electrical elements leads or printed circuits. The other two pins 95 provide additional support to strengthen the pins assembly 91. The passage 47 in the spacer 49 and the base 50 is connected to a blow-triggered sensor 45, and the light sensor 53 detects the presence or absence of cigarette 23 in the lighter 25.

Similarly, in the holding device 39A, the heaters shown in FIG. 5, parts of heating elements 43 assembly 89 of the heater and pins 95 assembly 91 of the pins fastened around the outer surface 97A of article 49A with friction bearing 99. The rear ends 101 of the heating elements 43 and the rear ends 103 preferably of two of the pins 95 extend beyond the lower outer surface 105A of Article 49A for connection to circuit 41 and power source 37.

The member 49A is preferably formed by a trapped end 109 in which at least two grooves or holes 107A are formed and through which the rear ends 103 of two of the pins 95 extend through the lower outer surface 105A. The other two pins 95 give extra power to the 91 pins assembly. The rear ends 101 of the heating elements 43 are bent according to the curvature of the trapped end 109 and extend beyond the lower outer surface 105A radially outward from the outer edge 111 of the trapped end. The passage 47 in article 49A, in conjunction with the down-triggered sensor 45 and the light sensor 53, detects the presence or absence of cigarette 23 in the lighter 25.

The heater assembly 89 shown in FIG. 3A, 5 and 6 are preferably formed from a single laser-cut sheet of so-called superalloy material, which contains a combination of high mechanical strength and resistance to surface destruction at high temperatures. Leaves cut or shaped, such as by punching or erupting, or preferably by a CO ₂ laser, to form at least the general contour 115 of the composition 89 of the heater shown in FIG. 7.

In contour 115, the heating elements 43 are attached to each other at their rear ends 101 by the back portion 117 of the contour 115 of the cut sheet, and at the front ends 119 by the part forming the front 121 of the heater assembly 89. The two side sections 123 extend between the rear portion 117 and the front portion 121. The rear portion 117 and the lateral portions 123, which do not form part of the fabricated heater assembly 89, facilitate the handling of contour 115 during processing.

After the contour 115 has been formed, each of the heating elements 43 has a wide portion 125 located in the fabricated assembly 89 of the heater next to the tobacco fabric 57, and a narrow portion 127 for forming electrical connections to the circuit 41. If desired, the narrow section 127 of each heating element 43 is provided near the rear end 101 with tabs 129 to facilitate the formation of welded terminals with pins 104 or to be secured into (not shown) sockets for electrical connection to the circuit 41. The general contour 115 is further processed, preferably by further cutting with a laser to form a footprint 131 in the form of turns shown in FIG. 6 and 8. Of course, if desired, the prints 131 may be cut at the same time as the general contour 115.

The cut or patterned sheet is preferably electropolished to smooth the edges of the individual heating elements 43. The smoothed edges of the heating elements 53 make it easier to insert the cigarette 23 into the lighter 25 without being pinched. A cut or patterned sheet is wound around a (not shown) attachment to form a cylindrical shape. The rear part 117 and the side parts 123 are cut off and the edges 133 of the front part 121 are welded together to form a single piece or such a combined heating assembly 89 as shown in FIG. 6.

The heating assembly 89 may also be manufactured by any of the other various methods available. According to another different procedure, e.g. a heating assembly formed from a sheet initially transformed into a (not shown) tube and then cut to form more individual heating elements, as in FIG. 6. Further, the heating assembly may be formed of several individual heating elements 43, which are fixed, as by spot welding, to a (non-shown) common ring or strip to perform the same functions as that of the electrical common element for the heating elements. and providing mechanical support for heating elements, such as the front 121. Further, the front 121 of the heating assembly 89 may be welded or otherwise fastened around a (not shown) calibrated ring having an inner diameter substantially identical to the cigarette 23. A calibrated ring facilitates preservation cylindrical heating composition in the desired shape and gives additional strength.

The plug assembly 91 shown in FIG. 9 is preferably formed by any of several procedures similar to those described above with respect to the heating assembly 89. Like the heating assembly 89, the individual pins 95 and the strip-shaped front portion forming part 135 of the plug assembly 91 are preferably cut from a flat sheet made of electrically conductive material and are twisted and welded to form a cylindrical shape. The plug assembly 91 is preferably formed with an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the heating assembly 89. The front part 121 of the heating assembly 89 is then inserted into the front portion 135 of the plug assembly 91 and the two parts are attached to each other, preferably by spot welding so that the four pins 95 are arranged in open spaces between adjacent pairs of heating elements 43. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, four pins 95 (of which only two are electrically connected to pins 104 extending through the base 50 in a preferred embodiment) are preferably disposed radially at an angle of 22.5 ° with respect to the adjacent eight heating elements 43 and their connecting pins. 104 extend through the base.

The various embodiments of lighter 25 of the present invention are all designed to allow the smoker to dispense an effective amount of response to the smoker under standard conditions of use.

In particular, it is now understood that it is desirable to administer to a smoker for 8 fluffs between 5 and 13 mg, preferably between 7 and 10 mg aerosol, each fluff being 35 ml fluff lasting two seconds. It was found that in order to achieve such emission, the heating elements 43 must be able to reach a temperature of between about 200 ° C and about 900 ° C if they are in a heat transfer relationship with the cigarette 23. Furthermore, the elements 43 preferably consume between about 5 and about 40 Joules of energy - more preferably between about 10 Joules and about 25 Joules and more preferably about 18 Joules. Lower energy requirements are achieved by heating elements 43 curved inwards towards the cigarette 23 to improve the thermal transfer ratio.

Heating elements 43 having the desired characteristics preferably have an active surface area between about 3 mm ² and about 25 mm ² and preferably have a resistance between about 0.5 Ω and about 3.0 Ω. More preferably, the heating elements 43 have a resistance between about o, 8 Ω and about 2.1 Ω. Of course, the resistance of the heater also depends on the individual power source 37 used to supply the necessary electricity to heat the heating elements 43. The above resistance of the heating elements corresponds to embodiments where the power is obtained from four nickel-cadmium battery cells connected in series with the entire voltage unloaded power source about 4.8 to 5.8 volts. Alternatively, if six or eight such sequentially coupled batteries are used, the heating elements 43 should preferably have a resistance of between about 3 Ω and about 5 Ω or. between about 5 Ω and about 7 Ω.

The materials of which the heating elements 43 are made are preferably selected to ensure reliable re-use of at least 1800 on / off cycles without failure. The heater attachment 39 may preferably be positioned separately from the lighter 25 including a power source 37 and a circuit that is preferably removed after 3600 cycles or more. The materials of the heating elements are also selected on the basis of their oxidation resistance and the general absence of reactivity to ensure that they do not oxidize or otherwise react with the cigarette 23 at any temperature that may occur. If desired, the heating elements 43 are encapsulated in an inert, heat-conducting material, such as a suitable ceramic material, to further prevent oxidation and reaction.

Electric heating materials based on these criteria include doped semiconductors (eg silicon), charcoal, graphite, stainless steel, tantalum, metal-ceramic mixtures and metal alloys such as e.g. alloys containing nickel, chromium and iron. Silicon semiconductor material doped with phosphorus impurities to the level of 5 χ 10 ¹⁸ impurities / cm ³ oz. 5 χ 10 ¹⁹ impurity / cm ³ , which corresponds to a resistance of the order of about 1 χ 10 ' ² cm-cm or. approx. 1 x 10 ' ³ Ω-cm, is described in U.S. Patent Application Co-Filed, Serial No. No. 07 / 943,505, which is incorporated by reference. Suitable metal-ceramic mixtures include silicon carbidalumin and silicon carbide-titanium. They are also suitable for oxidizing resistant metal compositions such as nickel and iron aluminides.

More preferably, the electric heating elements 43 are made of a heat-resistant alloy that represents a combination of high mechanical strength and resistance to surface degradation at high temperatures. Preferably, the heating elements 43 are made of a material that exhibits high strength and surface stability at temperatures up to about 80 percent of their melting points. Such alloys include those generally known as super-alloys and generally based on nickel, iron or cobalt. Preferably, the super-alloy of the heating element 43 is aluminum in order to further improve the property of the heating element (eg resistance to oxidation). Such material is available from Haynes International, Inc. from Kokomo, Indiana, under the name Haynes alloy ^R 214 ^IM . This high-temperature material contains about 75 weights among other elements. para. nickel, about 16 weights. para. chrome, about 4.5 weights. para. aluminum and about 3 weights. para. iron.

As noted above, the individual heating elements 43 of the heating assembly 89 preferably comprise a portion of a footprint 131 having several interconnected curved regions - substantially S-shaped - to increase the effective resistance of each heating element. The curved footprint 131 of the heating element 43 provides increased electrical resistance without the need to increase the overall length or reduce the cross section width of the heating element. Heating elements 43 having a resistivity of the order of about 0.5 fl to about 3 il and having an imprint length adapted to match the heater support 39 in FIG. 3A, and with the holding device 39A, heated in FIG. 5, preferably have N interconnected S-shaped regions, where N is preferably from about six to about ten.

If the print 131 is heated, shown in FIG. 8, first cut into the shape of the wide portion 125 of FIG. 7, so that the wide part has width Wl, length Ll and thickness T, the resistance from one end 125 'to the opposite end 125 of the wide part is represented by the equation:

p.Ll R = ........

W1.T where o is the resistance of the particular material used. After imprint 131 is formed, the imprint resistance is increased because the effective electrical length of the resistive heating element 43 is increased and the cross-sectional area is reduced. After being e.g. the footprint in the heating element 43 is formed, the flow path flows through the heating element along path P. Path P has an effective electrical length of about 9 or 10.W1 (for almost five complete turns of the footprint of the heating element), as opposed to the initial electrical length of Ll. Further, the cross-sectional area decreased from W1.T to W2.T. According to the present invention, both increasing the electrical length and reducing the surface have the tendency to increase the overall electrical resistance of the heating element 43, since the electrical resistance is proportional to the electrical length and inversely proportional to the sectional surface.

Thus, by forming a footprint 131 in the heating element 43, a smaller volume of the conductive material is used in order to perform a predetermined resistivity through a specified heated surface, e.g. 3 mm ² to 25 mm ² . This property of the present invention provides at least three benefits.

Thus, for the first time for a given resistance, the heating element 43 is formed from a rectangular plate having a length which, if formed as a linear element, should be longer. This allows for a more compact holding device 39 of the heater and construction of a lighter 25 with a lower cost.

Second, since the energy required to heat the heating element 43 to a given operating temperature in a stationary air increases as the weight of the heating element increases, the wrapped heating element is energy efficient in that it gives a given resistance at reduced volumes. If, for example, the volume of the heating element 43 reduced by a factor of two, the mass reduced by the same factor. Since the energy required to heat the heating element 43 to a given operating temperature in the still air is proportional to the mass and thermal capacity of the heating element, it reduces the volume reduction by a factor of two by half the required energy. This results in a more energy efficient heating element 43.

A third benefit of the reduced volume of the wrapped heating element 43 relates to the time response of the heating element. The time response is defined by how long it takes for the temperature of the given heating element 43 to change from the first to the second, higher temperature in response to a given energy input. Since the response time of heating element 43 is substantially proportional to its mass, it is desirable that the reduced volume heating element also has a reduced response time. Thus, the wrapped heating elements 43 are in addition to being compact and energy efficient, even in the condition that they are heated faster to the operating temperature. This feature of the present invention also results in a more efficient heating element 43.

Thus, by introducing more turns into the heating element 43 (eg in the form of a wrapped pattern), the resistance of the heating element is increased without the need to increase the length or reduce the cross-sectional area of the heating element. Of course, there are patterns for the application of the principles contained in such a configuration, which are different from those of the heating element 43 shown in FIG. 8, which also provides a compact and efficient heating element.

Footprint 131 is engraved into the heating elements 43 by any compatible process, preferably a laser (preferably a CO ₂ laser). Due to the small dimensions used in the wrapped heating elements 43 (the slot B in FIG. 8 is, for example, preferably in the order of about 0.1 mm to 0.25 mm), laser cutting is preferred over other methods for cutting the print 131. Because Laser energy is tailored to focus on small volumes, allowing laser energy to be versatile, fast, accurate and automated. It further reduces the laser treatment compared to other cutting processes (eg electro-erosion), the voltage introduced in the material being cut and the elongation with the heat of the treated material (i.e. oxidized material).

Other compatible processes include electro-erosion, precision stamping, chemical etching and chemical treatment. Part 131 of the print may also be formed by conventional die-cutting processes, but it should be borne in mind that the wear of the die makes this alternative less attractive, at least for curved designs.

In addition to using a laser for cutting wrapped heating elements 43, the laser is also preferably used to effectively interconnect the lighter components of the lighter (preferably a Yttrium aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser). Heating assembly 89 and plug assembly 91 are e.g. preferably spot welded to one another using a CO ₂ or YAG laser. In addition, the rear ends 101 or tongues 129 of the heating elements 43 are preferably also welded to the electrical connecting pins 104 at the base 50 or to the corresponding circuit or socket elements. Of course, there are different known connection procedures for interconnecting different components of a lighter.

Potentially harmful thermal input voltages in the heating elements 43 are minimized in accordance with the present invention. As seen with reference to FIG. 6, the rear end pieces 101 (or tongues 129) welded to pins 104 or other electrical circuit or components, and the heat-producing imprints 131 formed as a single element heating element 43, eliminating the need for welding to each other separate parts of the print and the finished parts. It is observed that such welding produces unwanted twists while heating the heating elements. Further, the opposite ends 131 'and 131 of the prints 131 are preferably aligned with the curved portions of the heating element 43 in a symmetrical form, i.e. all points are in the same direction. The symmetry of the ends 131 'and 131 tends to prevent the ends of the prints 131 from twisting while heating in opposite directions, which would damage the print. Transition areas 137 'or. 137 at ends 131 'respectively. 131 of the footprint 131, and between the unscrewed portions of the heating element 43 and the ends are preferably captured as seen in FIG. 6. The recorded transition regions 137 'and 137 are also now considered to reduce the thermal input voltages.

The heating elements 43 and the heater holding device 39 have additional features to avoid other problems associated with heating and reheating. For example, it is expected that the heating elements 43 tend to stretch during heating. Because the heating elements 43 are secured between the positionally permanent front 135 of the plug assembly 91, attached to the front 121 of the heating assembly 89, and the ring 99 near the rear ends 101 of the heating elements, it tends to extend the heating elements to warp or descend inwardly towards cigarette 23 or unwanted outwards from the cigarette. Twisting outward tends to cause a thermal gap between the heating element 43 and the cigarette 23. This, due to the changing degree of interaction between the surfaces of the heating element and the cigarette, results in inefficient and uneven heating of the tobacco fabric 57.

In order to prevent outward bending, the individual heating elements 43 of the heating assembly 89 are preferably configured to have the desired inward bending, as shown in FIG. 3A. Inward wrapping facilitates a smooth fit and good thermal contact between the heating elements 43 and the cigarette 23. The inwardly wrapped shape of the heating elements 43 is accomplished by any of a number of possible procedures, such as by forming a cylindrical heater such as the one shown in FIG. 6, on the (not shown) attachment having the desired inward curvature. Preferably, the inwardly curved shape in the heating element 43 is molded in a mold and (not shown) press before forming the heating assembly 89 into a cylinder. The inward bent shape of the heating elements 43 results in a further inward bending if the heating elements expand during heating. Bending is preferably relatively weak over the length of the print 131. Oblique transition regions 137 &apos; and 137 may be bent sharper than a more sensitive imprint 131. In this way, it is understood that thermal stress concentration on the more sensitive parts of the heating elements is prevented 43.

If desired, a (non-displayed) ring is provided around the footprint 131 of the heating elements 43. It is considered that the ring acts as a heat sink and that if the prints 131 of the heating elements 43 extend after heating, they must extend inwards towards the cigarette 23.

In addition to the heating assembly 89 described above, it includes a holding device 39 of the heater shown in FIG. 3A, also spacer 49 and base 50 of holding device. The spacer 49 shown alone in FIG. 10A-10C, has a cylindrical outer surface 97 on which they are secured by a friction joint with a ring 99 of pins 91 and heating elements 43.

In addition to the heating assembly 89 described above, it includes a holding device 39 of the heater shown in FIG. 3A, also spacer 49 and base 50 of holding device. The spacer 49 shown alone in FIG. 10A-10C, has a cylindrical outer surface 97 on which are fixed by a friction joint with a ring 99 pins 91 and heating elements 43. The spacer 49 further comprises a lower wall 139, whose lower inner surface 81 blocks the further movement of the cigarette 23 in the lighter 25, the cigarette is correctly positioned relative to the heating elements 43 and that the cylindrical inner wall 41 allows the cigarette to pass into the spacer. In the lower wall 139, a portion 47 'of passage 47 is formed to connect to the downwash actuated sensor 45. Part 47 'preferably has the shape of a hole or bore extending through the lower wall 139 parallel to the center line of the spacer 49. Additionally, in the lower wall 139, a portion 55' of the opening 55 for the light sensor 53 is formed. The first fluff mouthpiece 143 extends from the outer surface 97 of spacer 49 to portion 55 'of opening. The first puff mouthpiece 143 facilitates the administration of the preferred RTD during the first draw of the cigarette 23 by allowing an additional passage for air flow from the area surrounding the cigarette to the area adjacent to the backflow filter 63. Because the heavy fabric 57 of tobacco and wrapping paper 69, in order to restrict the flow of air into the cigarette 23 after the heating element 43 has heated the area of the cigarette, the first nozzle 143 for the downward flow of air to the area of the holding device 39 is heated by a return filter 63 the flow of the cigarette itself. The return flow filter 63 permits sufficient airflow into the cigarette 23 to allow a lower RTD than might otherwise be expected. However, it is preferable that the backflow filter 63 is as tight as possible while still allowing the above mentioned airflow during the first blow so that the aerosol left in the cavity 79 after passing the cigarette for the first time does not pass through the backflow filter flow back to the burner 25. After the first cigarette lint 23, the area of the tobacco fabric 57 becomes wrapped and the wrapping paper 63 heated by the ignition of the heating element becomes more permeable to air. Accordingly, the air flow through the first puff mouthpiece 143 and the backflow filter become irrelevant to the puffs from cigarettes 23 after the first puff.

The base 50, which is itself visible in FIG. 11A-11C is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a bottom wall 151, pins or water 104 for connection with pins 95, and heating elements 43 extending through holes 107 formed in the bottom wall and for the lower outer surface 105 of the base. The base 50 is preferably formed by a cylindrical outer surface 153 and a cylindrical inner wall 155, the inner wall having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the spacer 49 and substantially equal to the outer diameter of the ring 99. The spacer 49 is preferably fixed in place with respect to a base 50 with a friction joint between the inner wall 169 of the air duct flange 87, the ring 99, and the outer surface 97 of the spacer. As will be discussed further below, means are provided for attaching the air duct flange 87 to the base 50. The spacer and base 50 may be secured by other or additional means, such as adhesives, screws or snaps. Further, one or more longitudinal ridges and grooves (not shown) may be formed on the spacer and base 50 to facilitate the provision of the desired angular relationship between the spacer and the base. Part 47 of passage 47 is formed in the lower wall 151 and extends preferably from near the center line of the base 50 to the peripheral edge of the base. If desired, the part 47 is partly in the form of a groove in the lower inner surface 157 of the base, the groove being airtight after the installation of spacer 49. Preferably, the section 47 is in the form of intersecting longitudinally and radially drilled holes in the lower wall 151. In the lower wall, a portion 55 of the opening 55 is formed. In order to form the passage 47 and the opening 55, the parts 47 'and. 55 'of spacer 49 aligned with parts 47 and. 55 basics 50.

Article 49 in embodiment of the heater holding device 39A shown in FIG. 5 is further visible with reference to FIG. 12A-12D. Article 49A has a cylindrical outer surface 97A, to which are secured by a ring 99 pins 95 and heating elements 43. Article 49A further comprises a lower wall 139A whose lower inner surface 81A blocks the further movement of the cigarette 23 into the lighter 25 such that the cigarette is relative to the heating elements 43 and the cylindrical inner wall 141A of the member are correctly positioned to allow the passage of the cigarette into the member. Article 49A may also provide for a (non-displayed) first fluffy mouthpiece. The passage 47A for connection to the down-flexible flexible sensor 45 is formed in the lower wall 139A. The passage 47A is preferably in the form of a hole or bore extending through the lower wall 139A parallel to the center line of article 49A. An opening 55A for the light sensor 53 is also formed in the lower wall 139A. As mentioned above, the rear ends 101 of the heating elements 43 and the rear ends 103 preferably extend at least two of the pins 95 through the lower outer surface 105A of article 49A to connect to the circuit 41 and the power source 37. The member 49A is preferably formed by a trapped end 109 in which at least two grooves or holes 107A are formed and through which the rear ends 103 of two of the pins 95 extend through the lower outer surface 105A. The rear ends 101 of the heating elements 43 are bent according to the shape of the trapped end 109 and extend radially outwardly from the lower outer surface 105A through the outer edge 111 of the trapped end. The air duct clamp 87A rests around the outer edge 111 of the trapped end 109 to further provide position to the ends 111 of the heating elements 43.

Unless otherwise stated, further discussion of the smoking system 21 relates, for the sake of ease of reference, in particular to the components of the holding device 39 of the heater shown in FIG. 3A-3B. However, it is understandable that the discussion may in general also relate to the implementation of the holding device 39A of the heater shown in FIG. 5, as well as other embodiments not specifically shown or discussed herein. As mentioned above, the heating attachment may include other devices that are capable of performing various functions of the holding device, such as allowing space near the heating elements to heat the cigarette.

An end view of the ring 99, which secures the heating elements 43 and the pins 95 around the outer surface 97 of the spacer 49 in FIG. 13. The inside diameter of the ring 99 is large enough to allow the ring to surround and secure with the friction joint the heating elements 43 to the cylindrical outer surface 97. The longitudinal grooves 159 are formed at 90 ° angles around the inner circumference of the ring 99 to accommodate the thicker pins 95 at all, such that the ring is adapted to engage and secure the pins to the outer surface 97.

The air duct clamp 87 is attached at the first end 161 to the base 50 and the second end 163 to the cap 83. The first end 161 of the air duct 87 is preferably formed by an outer ridge 165 to accommodate the inner groove 167 into the inner wall 155 of the base 50. Similarly, the other end 163 of the air duct sleeve 87 preferably formed by an outer ridge 171 for engaging the inner groove 173 into the inner rim 175 of the cap 83. The air duct 87A of the heater holding device 39A shown in FIG. 5, is different from the embodiment of the air duct clamp 87 shown in FIG. 3, in that the first end 161A of the air duct volley 87A is preferably formed by an inner groove 165A to engage the inner ridge 167A at the outer edge 111 of the flange end 109 of article 49A. The parts of the heating elements 43 near the rear ends 101 extend between the gripping members of the article 49A and the socket 87A of the air duct. As will be further discussed below with reference to FIG. 17, if it is desirable to increase the air flow, one or more radial holes or bores such as the air duct 87, preferably at points along the length of the air duct sleeve where the air flow is not blocked, may be provided through the portions of the holding device 39, or where he would have to travel through a winding path through cap 83 or spacer 49 before reaching cigarette 23.

The cap 83 of the holding device 39 of the heater visible in FIG. 3A, and the cap 83A of the heater holding device 39A seen in FIG. 5, they are similar in all respects except that the cap 83 has a longer inner wall 177 than the inner wall 177A of the cap 83A. The inner diameter of the inner wall 177 of the cap 83 is preferably no larger than the outer diameter of the cigarette 23, and is preferably slightly smaller so that the cigarette is compressed after insertion into the cigarette lighter and securely secured in place in the interference joint. The longer inner wall 177 of the cap 83 is preferred and gives the cigarette 23 additional support. For the sake of consideration, the cap 83A itself is shown in FIG. 14A-14D.

The cap 83A is formed by a plurality of longitudinal holes or passages 179A extending through the cap from a rounded or convex front end 93A to a rear face 181A to allow air to flow into the space in the holding device 39A of the cigarette heater 23 between the cigarette and the sleeve 87 by passing the transverse (i.e. radially inwardly directed) air flow through the tobacco fabric 57 through the prints 131 of the heating elements 43. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, in the preferred embodiment of the cap 83 of the holding device 39 holes or passages 179 are designed to be larger near the rear face 181 than near the front end 93 to facilitate obtaining the desired RTD. In another embodiment of the cap, the longitudinal holes or bores are replaced by (not shown) longitudinal grooves formed on the inner wall of the cap. According to FIG. 14A-14D is a circumferential groove 183A formed in the rear face 181A to receive and support an additional protective sleeve 85 of the heater only shown in FIG. 15A-15B. The heater sleeve 85 is a tubular member having first and last ends 185 and 187, one of which is adapted for insertion into groove 183A. The circumferential groove 183A is formed over a larger radius than the holes or passages 179A to facilitate the introduction of air into the holding device 39 of the heater when the smoker pulls a cigarette.

The cap 83 shown in FIG. 3A, can be molded or machined. The cap is preferably formed by casting the cap in a single piece, such as cap 83A in FIG. 5. If formed by machining, the cap 83 is preferably formed in two pieces, with the outer piece 83 'and the inner piece 83 shown in FIG. 3A, which are interconnected. Before inserting the inner piece into the outer piece 83 ', a circumferential recess is formed in the outer surface of the inner piece 83, accepting the recesses of the grooves 183 if the inner and outer pieces are joined. The machined cap 83 in two parts eliminates the need for machining the cap in a single piece to form a groove 183. The smoker removes, discards and replaces the heater sleeve 85 with a new heater sleeve at any desired smoking interval (eg, after smoking) 30-60 Cigarettes 23). The heater sleeve 85 prevents the inner wall 169 of the air channel socket 87 from being exposed to the remaining aerosol produced in the area between the heating elements 43 and the air channel sleeve. Instead, such an aerosol is exposed to the 85 heater sleeve.

The heater sleeve 85 is made of a heat-resistant paper or plastic-like material, which is replaced by the smoker after having smoked several cigarettes 23. This is in contrast to the tube-in-tube construction including an aerosol closure tube attached to the the tobacco flavor unit described below and which is discarded with the flavor unit after it has ceased to smoke, the socket 85 of the submitted smoking system 21 is adapted to be reused. Accordingly, the production of cigarette 23 is simplified and the volume of material discarded after each cigarette that has stopped smoking is reduced.

FIG. 16 schematically shows preferred airflow patterns developed in the holding device 39 of the heater and the cigarette 23 when the smoker pulls through the mouthpiece filter 71. The air is drawn, as a result of the heart on the filter 71 of the mouthpiece, through the longitudinal holes or passages 179 inside the retaining device 39 between the air duct socket or the heater socket (not numbered in this respect) behind the (not shown) heating elements in contact with the cigarette 23 and through the air-permeable outer wrap 69 and the tobacco fabric 57 (or through the punctures made therein) and into the cavity 79 in the cigarette. From the cavity 79, air flows into the longitudinal passage 67 into the first free flow filter 65, the longitudinal passage 77 in the second free pass filter 73 and through the mouthpiece filter 71 to the smoker. The number and size of passages 179 are selected to optimize the administration of the total particulate matter (TPM) to the smoker. In the presently preferred embodiment, six or eight passages 179 are formed in stroke 83.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, alternative air passages are provided, instead of or in addition to passages 179, if desired, to allow air to enter the inside of the holding device 39 of the heater and the cavity 79 of the cigarette 23. In the holding device 39 may be heated in any one or more radial passages 189. In the holding device 39, the longitudinal passages 191 may be formed through the base or base and the spacer (not shown in the drawing) in the desired position, usually in the sleeve of the air duct 191. The passages 179 in the cap 83 may also be in the form holes or holes, as discussed above, or longitudinal grooves formed in the inner wall 177 of the cap. As discussed above, a backflow filter 63 may be provided, if desired, allowing longitudinal flow into the cavity 79 if the smoker pulls a cigarette.

If desired, the lighter 25 may include an additional (not shown) sharpened tube located inside the heater support 39 to pierce the filter 63 for the return flow of the cigarette 23 after insertion of the cigarette. The tube is arranged to terminate within the cavity 79 and allow direct air flow into that cavity if the smoker pulls out a cigarette 23. The tube is provided with one or more nozzles at the leading end, the mouthpieces being preferably formed on the sides of the pipes which opposite the guide end of the pipe to establish high-velocity airflow in directions that facilitate the vortex flow of air within the cavity. Such swirling improves the mixing of the intake air with the aerosol and steam produced in the cigarette 23.

The electrical control circuit 41 of the smoking system 21 is shown schematically in FIG. 18.

Circuit 41 includes a logic circuit 195 which has an application specific integrated circuit or ASIC, with a down-triggered sensor 45 for detecting a smoker pulling a cigarette 23, a light sensor 53 for detecting cigarette insertion in a lighter 25, an LCD indicator 51 for indicating the number of fluffs that are remaining cigarettes, power source 37, and timing 197. Logic Circuit 155 is any conventional circuit capable of performing the functions discussed herein. A field programmable gate array (e.g., ACTEL type A010A EPGA PL44C, available from Actel Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) can be programmed to perform digital logic functions with analog functions performed by other components, while ASIC is required to perform both analog and digital functions in one component. The properties of a control circuit and a logic circuit similar to the control circuit 41 and the logic circuit 195 of the present invention are described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671, the description of which is incorporated by reference.

In a preferred embodiment, the eight individual heating elements 43 (not shown in FIG. 18) are connected to the positive power source terminal 37 and to the mass via the respective field effect transistor (FET) 201-208 heating switches. Each of the heating switches 201-208 will be switched on when controlling the logic circuit 195 via the terminal 211-218. Logic circuit 195 provides signals for activating and deactivating individual of the heating switches 201-208 in order to activate and deactivate the respective of the heating switches.

The fluff-triggered sensor 45 gives the logic circuit 195 a signal that is a signal for activating the smoker (i.e., a continuous drop in pressure or air flow over a sufficiently stable period of time). Logic circuit 195 comprises separating means to distinguish between minor changes in air pressure and stronger pulls of the cigarette to prevent unintentional activation of the heating elements in response to a signal from the down-activated sensor 45. The down-activated sensor 45 may comprise a piezo-resistive sensor at a pressure or optical sensor on a flap usable for operating an operational amplifier, the output of which is inversely used to give a logical signal to a logic circuit 195. Flux-triggered sensors suitable for use in conjunction with a smoking system include a Model 163PC01D35 silicon sensor which manufactured by the MicroSwitch Division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, I1L, or the NPH-502.5G NOVA type sensor supplied by Lucas-Nova, Freemont, California, or the SLP004D type sensor supplied by SenSym Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California.

The cigarette stop light sensor 53 gives the logic circuit 155 a signal that indicates the stop of the cigarette 23 in the lighter 25 to the correct depth (i.e., the cigarette is within a few millimeters of the light sensor attached to the spacer 49 and the base 50 of the holding device 39 heats as is detected by reflected light). A light sensor suitable for use in conjunction with the smoking system is an OPR5005 type light sensor manufactured by OPTEK Technology, Inc., 1215 West Crosby Road, Carrollton, Texas 75006.

In order to save energy, it is preferable to connect and disconnect the down-triggered sensor 45 and the light sensor 53 in low-functioning cycles (eg, cycles with about 2 to 10% functioning). For example, it is advantageous, for example, to activate the down-flow sensor 45 for 1 millisecond every 10 milliseconds. If e.g. a down-triggered sensor 45 detects a drop in pressure or airflow, which is a sign of pulling on a cigarette, between four consecutive pulses (i.e., over a period of 40 milliseconds), giving the down-triggered sensor through the terminal 221 to the logic circuit 195 signal. The logic circuit 195 then outputs a signal through the corresponding one from terminals 211-218 to activate the respective FET heating switches 201-208.

Similarly, light sensor 53 is preferably switched on for 1 millisecond of duration every 10 milliseconds. If e.g. light sensor 53 detects four consecutive reflected pulses indicating the presence of cigarette 23 in the lighter, transmits a light sensor through terminal 223 to logic circuit 195. The logic circuit 195 then transmits a signal to the down-triggered sensor 45 via terminal 225 to activate the down-triggered sensor. The logic circuit also transmits a signal through the terminal 227 of indicator 51 to activate it. The modulation techniques described above reduce the time-averaged current required from the roast sensor 45 and the light sensor 53, thereby extending the life of the power source 37.

Time circuit 197 is preferably a time constant for Joule energy and is used to give a disconnect signal to logic circuit 195 at port 229 after one of the heating elements activated by switching on one of the FETs of other switches 201-208. included for the desired time period. According to the present invention, the timing circuit 197 gives a disconnect signal to the logic circuit 195 after a period of time, measured as a function of the voltage of the power source, which decreases during heating of the heating elements. The timing circuit 197 is also adapted to prevent the individual heating element 43 from being triggered relative to the following when the battery is discharged. Other timing circuit configurations may be used as described below.

During operation, the cigarette 23 is inserted into the cigarette lighter 25 and the presence of the cigarette is known by the light sensor 53. The light sensor 53 transmits a signal to the logic circuit 195 through terminal 223. The logic circuit 195 is satisfied that the power source 37 is charged or the voltage is low. If the logic circuit 195, after inserting a cigarette 23 into the lighter 25, detects that the source voltage 37 is low, then the indicator 51 flashes and the lighter operation will be blocked until the power source is filled or replaced. The voltage of the power source 37 is also determined during the ignition of the heating elements 43 and the ignition of the heating elements is interrupted if the voltage drops below a predetermined value.

If the power source 37 is charged and the voltage is sufficient, it outputs the logic circuit 195 via the connector 225 to the down signal sensor 45 to determine if the smoker is pulling a cigarette 23. At the same time, the logic circuit 195 via the terminal 227 signals the indicator 51 so that The LCD shows a character 8, which means that there are eight fluffs available.

If the logic circuit 195 receives through the connector 221 from the blown-out sensor 45 a signal that a continuous pressure drop or airflow has been detected, it switches off the logic circuit during blowing by the light sensor 53 to save power. The logic circuit 195 transmits a signal through terminal 231 to the timing circuit 197 to activate the timing circuit with a constant Joule energy. The logic circuit 195 also determines by subtraction which of the eight heating elements is the turn of the heating and transmits a signal through the corresponding connector 211-218 to switch on one of the FET heating switches 201-208. The corresponding heater stays on while the timing circuit is running.

When the timing circuit 197, through the terminal 229 to the logic circuit 195, signals a signal indicating that the timing circuit has stopped running, the specified ON FET switch 211-218 heats off, disconnecting power from the heating element. The logic circuit 195 also subtracts and outputs a signal to the indicator 51 through terminal 227, so that the indicator will show that one down remains (i.e. after the first down 7). When the smoker pulls out cigarette 23 again, logic circuit 195 will include one of the other predefined FET switches 211-218, delivering power to another predetermined heating element. The process will be repeated until indicator 51 shows 0, which means that no more fluff is left in cigarette 23. When cigarette 23 is removed from lighter 25, it indicates to light sensor 53 that the cigarette is not inserted and the logic circuit 195 is reset.

The control circuit 41 may include, in addition to or in addition to the features described above, features other than those described below. For example, they may be predicted if different preventative properties are desired. One type of deterrent property involves a (not shown) timing circuit to prevent successive fluffs from running too close to one another so that the source 37 has time to recover. Another preventative feature includes means for disabling the heating elements 43 if a non-approved product is inserted into the holding device 39 of the heater. Cigarette 23 may be provided e.g. with an identifying characteristic that the lighter 25 must recognize before power is applied to the heating elements 43.

Another embodiment of the smoking system 222 of the present invention is apparent from FIG. 19. The smoking system 222 comprises a removable cigarette 224 and a reusable cigarette lighter 226 having a mouthpiece 228 into which the cigarette is inserted. The smoking system 222 is a centrally drawn system in that air flows substantially through the center of the cigarette 224 and the cigarette lighter. Lighter 226 includes a (not shown) power source at the end away from the mouthpiece 228 and the (not shown) control circuit. As a smoking system 21, the smoking system 222 is preferably equipped with such features as a down-triggered sensor and a (non-displayed) indicator.

Cigarette lighter 226 is enclosed in a housing 232 that gives a appearance similar to that of a conventional cigarette. The housing 232 is preferably in the form of tubes and may be formed of heat-resistant plastic or aluminum or may be formed of spiral wound double-layer heavy paper. The housing 232 has perforations 233 that allow the outside air to be drawn into the cigarette lighter 226. During smoking, (non-displayed) air passages may be formed in the cigarette 224 or at other points along the cigarette lighter 226. achieved desirable air flow.

Cigarette 224 is similar to cigarette 23. Cigarette 224 includes a tobacco fabric 257 formed from a carrier or collector 259 that supports tobacco flavoring material 261, which preferably includes tobacco. The tobacco fabric 257 is wrapped around one end and supported by a cylindrical return filter 263 and at the other end by a cylindrical first filter 265 for free flow. The first free flow filter may have a longitudinal (not shown passage).

Cigarette 224 also preferably includes a cylindrical mouth filter 271, which is preferably a conventional RTD-type filter (drag resistance). Cigarette 224 may include a (not shown) cylindrical second free-flow filter that facilitates mixing of the steam-flavored tobacco and air response, similar to the second free-flow filter 73 discussed above. The free flow filter 263 and the first free flow filter 265 determine the cavity 279 with tobacco fabric 257 inside the cigarette 224. The first free flow filter 265, the return flow filter 263 and the mouth filter 271 are preferably stitched together in accordance with a process that is comparable to conventional high volume hardware.

Unlike Cigarette 23, it includes Cigarette 224 An annular sealing tube 273 towards the aerosol positioned around and spaced a predetermined distance from the tobacco fabric 257. The aerosol stop tube 273 minimizes the condensation of the aerosol formed by heating the tobacco aroma material 261 on the inner wall of the housing 232 to a minimum. The aerosol stopper 273 is preferably attached to a cigarette 224 around the first filter 263 for free circulation with a collar 275. The collar 275 and the aerosol stopper 273 are sufficiently rigid to prevent the cigarette from crushing and to maintain the barrier bar against the aerosol and the outside of the fabric 257 tobacco so that a substantially even gap is maintained between the inside of the aerosol closure tube and the fabric. Preferably, the wrapping paper 269 provides the mouth filter 271 with a position next to the first free flow filter 265, a collar 275 and one end of the stopper 273 towards the aerosol.

Lighter 226 includes a holding device 239 comprising more preferably eight heating elements 243 for heating the cigarette 224. The heating elements 243 are preferably linear in shape and extend from a point inside the lighter 226 near the mouthpiece 228 to a point near the cavity 245 of the backflow filter which is adapted to receive a return flow filter 263. The heating elements 243 are connected together at one end, preferably at the end near the cavity 245 of the return flow filter, and grooved at one end near the mouthpiece 228 to facilitate insertion of the cigarette 224 without damage to the heating elements. The heating elements 243 are then located in a gap formed between the tobacco fabric 257 and the stopper tube 273 against the aerosol.

A schematic view of the holding device 239 of the heater is shown in FIG. 20. The heater support 239 includes a heating base 249, a heating support 251, and several heating support arms 253, all made of thermally stable, electrically insulating material. The heaters 243 are attached to the support arms 253. The heaters 243 are electrically connected at opposite ends 243 ', 243 with conductive fingers 255A and 255B.

The ends 243 'of the heater 243 are all electrically interconnected to form a common connector of the heating system. Common port 291 is connected to conductive plate 293, which is inversely connected to common conductive fingers 255A, which are electrically connected at the ends 243 'of the heater 243. The plate 293 includes one or more air passages 295 to allow air flow while pulling a cigarette to the area at filter 263 for the return flow of a cigarette 224.

The heater collar 297 receives a door 299 mounted around a portion of the common connector 291 adjacent to the conductor plate 293. The neck 299 is provided with one or more passages 301 to allow air flow in passage 295. To perform electrical connection between conductive fingers 255B and circuit 241 the conductive pins 303 extend through a portion of the heater collar 297. Conductive fingers 255B extend along the outer edges of the support arms 253 of the heater and are individually electrically connected to the ends 243 of the heating elements 243.

The ends 255B 'of the conductive fingers 255B are preferably bent to facilitate connection to the snap joint between the heater collar 297 and the neck 299 in which the ends 255B' come into contact with the pins 303. The snap connection facilitates the removal or repair of removal of the heating elements 243 from the lighter 226. To connect the heating elements 243 to the circuit 241 for individual heating of the heating elements, the pins 303 and the joint connector 291 are located in the corresponding (not shown) sockets.

An embodiment of the apparatus 321 for producing a portion 224 'of a cigarette 224 comprising a tobacco fabric 257, a first filter 265 for free flow and a filter 263 for backflow is shown schematically in FIG. 22. The carrier material 259 'for forming the carrier 259 is extracted from the feed roll 323 with a (not shown) measuring roller. The fabric 259 'of the supporting material shown in this embodiment comprises spaced tobacco flavored material regions 261 added to the fabric 259' of the supporting material at a position 325 or at any desired position, such as before winding the coil 323. Support fabric 259 'passes through then through an adhesive additive means comprising an adhesive adding station 327, where several adhesive regions 261A are applied to the fabric surface 259 'of the carrier material. Alternatively, tobacco flavoring material 261 may be applied continuously over the length of the carrier fabric 259, and the adhesive regions 261A may be applied to the top of the tobacco flavoring material at predetermined positions. The filter application station 329 is located behind the adhesive application station 327. For alternately applying one or the other filter 333 or filter 335 to the adhesive regions 261A on the fabric 259 'of the carrier material, the filter application station 329 preferably comprises a rotating drum device 331. The rotation speed of the device 331 is synchronized with the speed of the carrier fabric 259 '.

For filter application station 329, a wrapper station 337 is provided. The carrier fabric 259 'is wrapped around filters 333 and 335 to form a continuous rod. After the rod has been formed, it is cut in the cutting station 339. The cutting station 339 includes means for cutting the rod through the centers of the filters 333 and 335 so that the cut off portions of the filter 333 of two parts 224 'to form a cigarette 224 are two first filters 265 for free flow and the cut off portions of filter 335 are two filters 263 for backflow . If desired, after cutting, the return flow filters 263 are machined to form an end at an angle, thereby facilitating the placement of the heating elements 243 around the portions 224 '. After cutting, each portion 224 'is inserted into the stopper tube 273 against the aerosol at the (non-shown) stopping tube location and secured therein by the collar 275. The stopper tube 273 has a diameter greater than the diameter of a continuous bar and has a length that is each as large as the cut-off cigarettes 224. A substantially cylindrical oral filter 271 is attached to each filter 265 for free circulation, and each closure tube 273 to the aerosol and its corresponding mouth filter 271 are wrapped in (not shown) additional stations with wrapping material.

A further embodiment of the smoking system 421 is shown schematically with reference to FIG. 23. The smoking system 421 is arranged to form a peripheral draft smoking system in which the heating elements 443 of the lighter 425 are arranged within a cavity 429 bounded by the annular portion of the cigarette 423.

Cigarette 423 includes a tobacco fabric 457 having a tobacco flavor material 461 arranged on the surface of the carrier 459 opposite the cavity 427. The cigarette 423 further comprises a barrier tube 473 against the aerosol, a plug 475, a annular filter 465 for free flow, a annular filter 463 for backflow, and mouth filter 471. Free flow filter 465, backflow filter 463, tobacco fabric 457 and aerosol barrier 473 determine the cavity in which the aromatized tobacco response is produced after heating material 461 with the tobacco aroma 443. Cigarette 423 is preferably wrapped with war or paper 469. The holding device 439 of the heater is provided with a plug 477, which together with the plug 475 works to reduce the transfer of the aerosol through the heating areas of the smoking system 421 to a minimum. Plug 477 is provided with punctures allowing the passage of conductors 481 to control the heating elements 443.

A schematic diagram of an alternative electrical control system 541 is apparent from FIG. 24. The control system 541 preferably fulfills several functions. Preferably, it passes through the (conventional) eight heating elements 43 to collect the next available heating element 43 each time the downstream actuated sensor 45 is activated. Preferably, it supplies a current to the selected heater for a predetermined duration long enough to produce a sufficient response. flavored tobacco for average fluff, but not until the tobacco flavored material 61 burns. Preferably, the indicator 51 controls, indicating: (1) how much of the cigarette 23 remains (i.e., how many more fluff); (2) If the source voltage is 37 power from the area; (3) if no cigarette is inserted into lighter 25; and (4) if a heater attachment is inserted into the lighter, such as a heater support 239 adapted to be inserted into the lighter 226 by a latch.

The control circuit 541 also controls the total amount of power supplied by the power source 37 to each heating element 43. Since the voltage supplied by the power source 37 can fluctuate from down to down, it is more preferable than providing a variable amount of power and energy by by activating each heating element 43 for the same period of time, supplying a constant amount of energy for each down. In order to supply constant energy, the control circuit 541 determines the voltage at the load of the power source 37 while the heating element 43 is activated, and continues to supply power to the heating element until the desired amount of Joule energy is delivered.

As can be seen in FIG. 24, comprises a control system 541 logic circuit 570, a BCD decoder 580, a voltage detector 590, a timing circuit 591, with a down-triggered sensor 45, an indicator 51, and a charge pump circuit 593. Logic Circuit 570 may be any conventional circuit capable of performing the functions described herein, such as field-programmable logic sequencing (eg, ACTEL A1010A FPGA PL44C type supplied by Actel Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) , which is programmed to perform such functions. Preferably, the logic circuit 570 has a low time cycle (eg 33 kHz) in order to save energy.

Each heating element 43A-43H is connected to the positive terminal of the power source 37 and to the ground via a suitable field effect transistor (FET) 595A-595H. The designated FET 595A-595H is included by controlling the BCD-Decimal Decoder 580 (preferably a standard type CD4514B Decoder of 4 to 16 types) via terminals 581-588. The BCD decoder 580 receives through the control terminal 580A from the logic circuit 570 two types of signals: (1) the BCD code of the particular heater 43A-43H to be activated; and (2) the ON and OFF signals to activate this heater.

The BCD decoder 580 is connected through terminal 580B to terminal 593A of the charge pump circuit 593, which provides the voltage used to drive the door of each FET

595Α-595Η. The charge pump circuit 593 includes a diode 594 coupled to a power source 37 and a capacitor 595 coupled to a logic circuit 570. A logical 570 circuit includes a (not specifically shown) conventional switch circuit connected to a terminal 572 that provides voltages at a circuit terminal 593B. 593 for pumping the thread to rise to preferably about double the value of that of the power source 37. Diode 594 prevents such voltages from being coupled back to the power source 37. Thus, the double voltage at terminal 580B of the decoder 580 is used to drive the FETs 595A-595H gate at elevated voltage levels in order to increase the efficiency of the circuit 541. The 595A-595H FET ports are connected in series with resistors 596Α-596Η and are designed for in order to extend the charging time of the corresponding door in order to reduce the production of higher harmonic frequencies that could cause interference in the control system 541.

The fluff-triggered sensor 45 gives the logic circuit 570 a signal that is a sign of the smoker's activation (i.e., a continuous pressure drop of about 2.5 cm in the water column). Thus, fluff-triggered sensors 45 may include a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, which is used to drive an operational amplifier whose output is inversely used to give a logical signal to a logic circuit 570. For example, a pressure sensor may be. type NPH-5-002.5G NOVA available from LucusNova in Freemont, California, or the SLP004D type sensor obtained from SenSym Incorporated in Sunnyvale, California.

In order to save energy, it is preferable to switch on and off the down-triggered sensor 45 on and off in cycles with a low operating period (eg, with a cycle of approximately 2 to 10% of the operating period). Preferably, e.g. if the down-triggered sensor 45 is only activated for a period of about 0.5 ms every 16 ms. This modulation technique reduces the flow of time averaging required with the down-flexed sensor 45, thereby extending the life of the power source 37.

Time circuit 591 is used to give a tripping signal to logic circuit 570 after a heater 43A, 43H has been activated for a predetermined period of time, depending on the amount of energy supplied to the heater. According to the present invention, it is preferred that each heater 43A-43H is activated for a period of time by supplying each heater with a constant amount of energy (e.g., in the range of 5 to 40 Joules, or preferably about 15 to 25 Joules), independently from the voltage under load of the power source 37. Thus, terminal 591A gives the timing circuit 591 information about the start-up time of each heater 43 and the voltage under load of the power source 37 assuming that the resistance of the heater is known and constant (eg 1.2 fl). The terminal 591B then gives a disconnect signal to the logic circuit terminal 570 of the logic circuit 570, which is an indication of a time period corresponding to the supply of a constant amount of energy.

A preferred embodiment of the timing circuit 591 is shown in FIG. 24. Timing 591 includes a terminal 591A that receives a signal from logic circuit 570 that varies from about zero volts to the battery voltage level under load at the time of initial activation of the individual heater 43A-43H. This signal is filtered through a resistor capacitor network 601 (which includes resistors 603-606, capacitor 607, and diode 608) and is used to drive the surge detector 602. The prestress detector 602 is preferably an ICL7665A over / under voltage detector supplied by Maxim Corporation of Sunnyvale, California. In accordance with the present invention, the resistor-capacitor network 601 is selected such that the terminal 591B of the time network 591 changes from HIGH to LOW at the time when a predefined constant amount of energy is supplied to each heater. Of course, other configurations of the time network circuit may be used.

If desired, the control circuit 541 provides a maximum time limit for delivering a constant amount of energy for a time period. If the source voltage is 37 power e.g. so low that it would take more than 2 seconds to deliver 20 Joules of energy, then the logic circuit 570 at terminal 571, after the heater was turned on for 2 seconds, automatically switches off the signal, although 20 Joules of energy were not supplied.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a timing circuit 591 is used to give a tripping signal to a logic circuit 570 for a predetermined time period independent of the energy input. Thus, the timing circuit 591 gives a tripping signal according to e.g. over a period of time from about 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds.

A voltage detector 590 is used to control the voltage of the power source 37 and to give a signal to the logic circuit 170 if the voltage or (1) is lower than the first, predetermined voltage (e.g. 3.2 volts) indicating that the source can be recharged, or (2) higher than the second predetermined voltage (eg 5.5 volts), indicating that the power source has fully charged after the voltage has dropped below the first predetermined voltage level. The voltage detector 590 is preferably an ICL7665A over / under voltage detector, supplied by Maxim Corporation, from

Sunnyvale, California.

As discussed above, the logic circuit 570 is used to control the BCD of the decoder 580 through port 571. The logic circuit 570 is also controlled by an indicator 51 used to indicate the number of fluffs available to the user, which is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD ) for one number with seven segments for an eight-fluff smoking system. Thus, having a newly inserted cigarette having eight corresponding fractions of tobacco-flavored material shows indicator 51 number 8, while for a cigarette with the rest of one fluff it shows indicator 51 number 1. After the last fluff was used, it shows indicator 51 number 0.

It additionally shows the indicator 51 0, if there is no cigarette or if a heating attachment or a heating assembly (eg heating elements 243 with snap connection are not inserted into the holding device 239 of the heater) are not inserted in the cigarette lighter. Further, to indicate that the power source voltage is out of range, that it has therefore fallen below the recharge level (eg 3.2 volts) or has not been fully charged after the voltage has dropped below the recharge level, indicator 51 repeatedly switches it on and off at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. If e.g. immediately after the first blow, the power source voltage drops below 3.2 volts, flashing on the indicator 51 7 twice a second.

The terminal circuit 570 determines through the terminals 597A and 598A by measuring the corresponding voltage drops through high-resistance resistors 597 and 598 (eg 1 ΜΩ) if a heating attachment or assembly is inserted into the igniter. Resistors 597 and 598 have each one connector pernately connected to the sinks of FETs 595G or. 595H, and another connection coupled to ground. If no heating assembly is inserted into the lighter, the heaters indicated in FIG. 23 with reference numbers 43G respectively. 43H, disconnect from FET sources 595G or. 595H. Thus, the power source 37 is also disconnected from the sinks of FETs 595G and 595H. As a result, through resistors 597 respectively. 598, which are inversely observed through terminals 597A or. 598A of logic circuit 570, no voltage is applied. Thus it detects if no heating fixture is inserted into the lighter, logic circuit 570 at terminals 597A and 598A two 0.

While a heating fixture is inserted into the electrical lighter, the power source 37 is coupled via 43G or 43G heaters. 43H with resistors 597 oz. 598. As a result, through the resistors 597 and 598, a voltage drop and the logic circuit 570 are therefore typically detected at terminals 597A and 598A by two 1. The logic circuit 570 detects two resistors (i.e. resistors 597 and 598) because if one is a FET 595G and 595H included to activate its proper heater, the corresponding resistor 597 or 598 substantially connected to ground. As a result, it is possible that even with a heating attachment inserted, an indication that a failure has not been made can only be produced if only one resistor has been used. However, if two resistors are used, for example, while the FET 595G is on, the voltage across the resistor 597 is near zero and the voltage across the resistor 598 is a logical 1 and while the FET 595H is on, the voltage across the resistor 598 close to zero and the voltage across resistor 597 is a sign of logic 1. Therefore, two resistors 597, 598 are used and the corresponding signals from resistors 597 and 598 together with the logic circuit 570 are logical OR to determine if the heating attachment is inserted into the electrical a lighter.

In order to determine whether a cigarette is inserted into a cigarette lighter, the logic circuit 570 comprises an additional connector 595 that receives a signal whether the cigarette is physically present in the cigarette lighter. The signal at connector 599 is produced by a conventional 599A switch that is mechanically and electrically actuated by the presence of a cigarette. However, if the cigarette contains a carbon fiber network of the present invention discussed above, it is preferable that the signal at terminal 599 is produced by connecting a single electrical probe directly to the carbon network in order to detect electrical currents passing through through the net. Since the carbon grid does not completely isolate if a heater is supplied which has one of its connectors connected to the power source 37, as in FIG. 23, in contact with the carbon grid of the present invention, some electricity flows into the carbon grid, whether or not FETs 595A-595H are activated. According to the present invention, such leakage current is detected by an electrical probe connected directly to the carbon grid in order to detect the presence of a cigarette.

In addition to using electrical conductivity through the carbon grid to determine whether a cigarette is inserted into the electrical cigarette lighter, such conductivity is also used, if desired, to determine the presence of individual cigarette types (eg X-type cigarettes, as opposed to Y-type cigarettes ). According to this property of the present invention, the logic circuit 570 is used to determine the resistance of the carbon grid using two (not shown) additional terminals spaced in contact with the carbon grid. In the production of a particular type of carbon grid that is intended to have a pre-selected resistance within a pre-selected area (ie by varying the type and amount of carbon fibers and / or binders contained therein) that uniquely matches a particular type of cigarette, a resistance measurement is used to it would differentiate between the different types of cigarettes that are inserted into an electric cigarette lighter. This information is then used from the logic circuit 570 to provide the selected power delivery profiles.

The first type or type of cigarette is e.g. produced with a carbon grid having the first pre-selected resistance, while the second type or type of cigarette is produced with a second but different pre-selected resistance. Thus, if the logic circuit 570 is able to determine the resistance associated with the inserted cigarette in situ, such a measurement can be used to actively control the application of electricity to the lighter heater.

According to the above feature of the present invention, the conditions of supply of electricity then vary depending on the individual type or type of cigarette found to be in the cigarette lighter. After e.g. logic circuit 570 determines the resistance associated with a particular cigarette, logic circuit 570 is designed to give either 15 Joules or 20 Joules of energy, depending on the resistance measurement. Further, the logic circuit 570 also includes a circuit to prevent the supply of any electricity if it is determined that the resistance corresponding to a particular cigarette is not consistent with the particular lighter into which it was inserted.

Again according to FIG. 23 shows an indicator 51 prior to performing the initial smoker blow, e.g. 8 because it indicates that there are eight fluffs available. Accordingly, the logic circuit 570 supplies the address of the first heater (eg, heater 43A) to terminal 571 such that the BCD decoder 580 selects this heater (eg via terminal 581) for ignition upon activation by the smoker. If the smoker performs a fluff, he sends a fluff-activated sensor 45 via the 575 terminal to the logic circuit 570 to the HIGH signal to indicate that the pressure in the lighter has dropped, e.g. for at least 2.5 cm of water column. At this point, the logic circuit 570 sends a signal through port 571 to signal the BCD of decoders 580 that the FET 595A for the first heater should be turned on. Thereafter, the voltage at terminal 580B of the BCD decoder 580 is coupled via the BCD decoder 580 to the door of the first FET 595 in order to activate the heater.

Simultaneously with the start of activation of the first heater 43A, the time circuit 591 records the current total amount of energy transmitted to the heater and transmits to the logic circuit 570 via terminal 578 a logical signal at the moment when that amount has reached a predetermined amount (e.g. 20 Joules). Thereafter, the logic circuit 570 transmits a disconnect signal through terminal 571 of the BCD of the decoder 580 which, in response, causes the heater 43A to disconnect.

Then, while waiting for the smoker to execute a second fluff, the logic circuit 570 addresses the second heater (eg, 43B) through the 573 BCD connector to the decoder 580, so that a second FET 595B is activated during the next fluff of the smoker. The logic circuit 570 also transmits a sig42 nal to indicator 51 to display 7, indicating to the smoker that seven more fluff are available.

If desired, the logic circuit 570 also includes a timing circuit to prevent the smoker from making the next fluff within a predetermined period of time by allowing the power source to be restored. The logic circuit 570 may include e.g. (not shown separately) A circuit that prevents the start signal being transmitted via terminal 571 to the BCD decoder 580 for a disabling period of 6 seconds after the last tripping signal has been transmitted to the BCD decoder 580. If desired, in order to indicate to the smoker that the lighter is in such a disabled state, the indicator 51 can be repeatedly switched on at a frequency of about 4 Hz (i.e., in a ratio different from that used to indicate to the smoker that the voltage is a source of power out of range).

Regardless of whether the lighter includes the down-deflection property described above or the disable indication property, repeat the control circuit 541 when the smoker performs another lighter-down (after a predetermined disabling time, if applicable) of the upper stages used for activation of the first heater.

The upper cycle is then repeated until the last heater has been heated. During this time, the logic circuit 570 (1) signals to indicator 51 to cause a blank display, and (2) prevents any further heat from activating until a new available cigarette is inserted into the lighter.

Although it shows the control circuit 541 of FIG. 23 logic circuit 570, BCD decoder 580, voltage detector 590 and timing circuit 591 as single and discrete circuits, it is obvious that their functions can also be integrated into a single integrated network (eg into a single integrated circuit board).

If desired, the available cigarette according to the present invention includes means for communicating to the smoker that it has already been inserted into the cigarette lighter and subsequently removed. In one embodiment, it includes e.g. unused cigarette A removable tow bar or other device that must first be removed or disabled from the cigarette before being inserted into the cigarette lighter. The previously used cigarette no longer has an adhesive tape or other similar attachment attached to it. Alternatively, the unused cigarette includes a physically variable area where, when stopped, it is scraped, opened, compressed or otherwise physically altered after being stopped.

Thus, by visually observing a physically altered area, the smoker is able to determine whether such a cigarette has been inserted into a cigarette lighter before.

It further includes, if desirable, the available cigarette, a means of informing the smoker that a particular cigarette has already been warmed to produce and give its response to flavored tobacco. A cigarette may e.g. includes a thermally sensitive indication area that changes color to indicate to the smoker that the cigarette has already been warmed. Alternatively, the thermally sensitive indication area may include a meltable strip that melts, breaks, or otherwise physically changes shape to indicate to the smoker that the cigarette has already been warmed. Of course, many other thermally activated agents are available to indicate that the cigarette has already been warmed. It is further apparent that many other electrically or mechanically activated means can be used to achieve the same purpose, i.e. indicated to the smoker that the cigarette was already warm.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that variations and variations can be effected therewith without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims (162)

PATENT APPLICATIONS A cigarette for use in a smoking system (21; 221; 421) for delivering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker, wherein the system comprises at least one electric heating means (39; 239; 439) characterized in that it comprises a carrier (59; 259) ; 459) having a first and a second end in a longitudinal direction spaced apart and having a first and a second surface, the first surface between the first and second ends defining a cavity (79; 279; 479) and including the second surface a region to be located near electric heater; and a tobacco flavored material mounted on the first surface of the carrier, wherein the tobacco flavored material (61; 261; 461) produces in the cavity (79; 279; 479) the response of flavored tobacco for delivery to the smoker if the tobacco flavored material with electric heaters (39; 239; 439) are heated, allowing the carrier and the tobacco-flavored tobacco to cross the air into the cavity. A smoking system for delivering a response to flavored tobacco to a smoker, characterized in that it comprises a removable cigarette (23; 222; 423), wherein the cigarette comprises a carrier (59; 259; 459) having a first and a second end in a longitudinal direction spaced and having a first and second surfaces, fjri defining a first surface between the first and second ends of the cavity (79; 279; 479); and a tobacco-flavored material (61; 261; 461) for producing a cavity-flavored tobacco response, said tobacco-flavored material being disposed on the first surface of the carrier; a lighter (25; 226; 425), wherein the lighter comprises: a holding device (39; 239; 439) heated to receive a removable cigarette through the first end and several electrical heating elements (43; 243; 443) mounted in the holding device of the heater, each of the heating elements having a surface for fitting to the other surface of the cigarette and the heating elements heating a tobacco flavored material (61; 261; 461) to produce a cavity of tobacco flavored in the cavity; and means (41) for individually activating the multiple heating elements so as to produce a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response in the cavity, allowing the carrier and material of the flavored tobacco to cross the air into the cavity. Cigarette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier (59; 259) is essentially a hollow cylinder, the first surface being the inner surface and the second surface the outer surface. Cigarette according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a free flow filter (65; 265; 465) at the other end of the carrier, the free flow filter providing structural support to the cigarette and allowing longitudinal air flow from the cavity ; and a backflow filter (63; 263; 463) at the first end of the carrier, wherein the backflow filter provides structural support to the cigarette and limits the longitudinal flow of air through the cigarette. Cigarette according to claim 4, characterized in that the free flow filter (65; 265; 465) and the return flow filter (63; 263; 463) are substantially cylindrical and each surface defining a portion of the cavity. A cigarette according to claim 4, further comprising an oral filter (71; 271; 471). Cigarette according to claim 6, further comprising a coil paper (75) wound around the mouth filter (71) and at least part of the carrier (59) in order to attach the mouth filter to the carrier. Cigarette according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a second free flow filter (73) along the first free flow filter (65) and wherein the first free flow filter (65) and the second free filter (73) each flow formed by longitudinal passages (67, 77), wherein the longitudinal passage (77) of the second free flow filter has a larger internal diameter than the longitudinal passage (67) of the first free flow filter. A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises wrapping paper (69) wrapped around the carrier (59). A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the carrier (59; 259; 459) consists of a non-woven carbon fiber knit. A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a tobacco flavored material tobacco material. A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tobacco flavored material comprises a continuous sheet of tobacco material. A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tobacco-flavored material comprises a dried fragment of tobacco material. A cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a number of punctures are made in the carrier and the tobacco-flavored material to allow a transverse flow of air during smoking. Cigarette according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the permeability of the carrier and the tobacco flavored material are determined in advance and allow for a desirable transverse airflow. 16. A cigarette lighter for use in combination with a removable cigarette in a smoking system (21; 221; 421), which gives a smoker tobacco response, characterized in that the lighter comprises: a holding device (39; 239; 439) of a first-end, removable cigarette receiving heater (23; 222; 423), wherein the holding device has means for allowing air to flow to at least a portion of the cigarette; and that several electric heating elements (43; 243; 443) are provided in the holding device (393; 239; 439), wherein each of the heating elements has a surface adjacent to the surface of the portion of the cigarette for which the air flow is intended, and means (41) for individually activating several of the heating elements so that a predetermined amount of the aromatized tobacco response is produced in the cigarette, whereby when the smoker pulls the cigarette inserted into the cigarette lighter, the air crosses the cigarette. A lighter according to claim 2 or 16, characterized in that the holding device comprises a heater (83) at the first end, the cap (83) having an open end for receiving a cigarette. 18. A lighter according to claim 17, characterized in that the cap (83) forms an interference connection with the cigarette. 19. A lighter according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the means for facilitating air flow include one or more in the stroke shaped air passageways (179). 20. A lighter according to claim 19, characterized in that one or more air passages (179) are holes formed through the cap, 21. A lighter according to claim 19, characterized in that one or more air passages (179) are grooves formed on the inner wall of the cap and wherein the grooves are limited by the cigarette after insertion of the cigarette into the cigarette lighter. 22. A lighter according to claim 17, 18, 19 or 20, characterized in that it includes a holding device for heating a substantially cylindrical wall, which together with the cap defines a space in which at least a portion of the cigarette is received. 23. A lighter as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the means for enabling air flow comprises one or more air passageways formed in strokes that allow air to flow into the room. 24. A lighter according to claim 2 or 16, characterized in that the holding device of the heater comprises a substantially cylindrical wall defining a space in which at least a portion of the cigarette is received. 25. A lighter according to claim 24, characterized in that, after inserting a cigarette into the lighter, air can flow between the cylinder wall and the cigarette. 26. A lighter according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that they comprise means for providing air flow to one or more air passages formed through a substantially cylindrical wall. 27. A lighter according to claim 26, characterized in that one or more air passages are formed at the first end of the holding device of the heater. 28. A lighter according to claim 26, characterized in that one or more air passages are formed near the other end of the holding device of the heater. 29. Lighter according to claim 26, characterized in that several air passages are distributed over the cylindrical wall. 30. A heating element for use in a smoking system (21; 221; 421) for delivering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker, characterized in that it comprises a first end (101), a second end (119) and several wrapped areas (131) between the first and the second end (101, 119) for increasing the electrical resistance of the heating element, the heating element being formed of a resistive material having a first and second surfaces substantially oriented in a plane and having an entire length L, a total width W and a thickness T, in which the effective electrical length of the heating element is greater than the length L and the effective electric cross-sectional area of the heating element is smaller than the product W and T. 31. A heating element according to claim 30, characterized in that it comprises several folded regions (131) of several interconnected regions substantially S-shaped. 32. A heating element according to claim 31, characterized in that it comprises N interconnected S-shaped regions (131), wherein N is greater than three and less than twelve. 33. A heating element according to claim 32, characterized in that N is greater than six and less than ten. A heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that the heating element has a resistance in the range of from about 0.8 0 to about 2.1 Ω. A heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 34, characterized in that the resisting material comprises a material having surface stability at temperatures up to about 80% of its melting point. 36. The heating element according to any of claims 30 to 35, characterized in that the resisting material is a super alloy. A heating element according to claim 36, characterized in that the super alloy is based on at least one material selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron and cobalt. A heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 35, characterized in that the resisting material is a metal compound. 39. A heating element according to claim 38, characterized in that the oxidation-resistant material is a resistant metal compound based on at least one material selected from the group consisting of nickel and aluminum aluminides. A heating element according to claim 37, characterized in that it comprises a resistive material of more than about 1% aluminum. A heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 40, characterized in that the first and second ends (101,119) extend over most of the folded areas (131) and are first and second ends (101, 119) and most of the folded areas (131 ) formed from a single piece of material. Heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 41, characterized in that the longitudinal center lines of the first and second ends (101, 1119) and most of the folded areas (131) are aligned. Heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 42, characterized in that the transition areas (137 ', 137') are between the first end (101) and most of the folded areas (131) and between the second end (119) and most of the folded areas (131) oblique. A heating element according to any one of claims 30 to 43, characterized in that the end curves (13Γ, 131 ”) of most curved regions along the first and second ends are shown in a common direction. t 45. A process for producing an integrated heating assembly for use in a smoking system for delivering an aromatized tobacco response to a smoker, characterized in that it comprises cutting steps of a plate (115 ') of resistive material to form more than one end of the interconnected heating elements ( 125 '); and molding the plate into a cylindrical shape. A method according to claim 45, characterized in that it comprises a further phase of forming the heating elements such that at least part of the heating elements (125 ') are wrapped inwards towards the center line of the cylindrical shape. The method of claims 45 to 46, further comprising the step of smoothing the edges of the heating elements. Process according to claim 45, 46 or 47, characterized in that the heating elements are electropolished during the smoothing phase. A method according to claim 45, 46, 47 or 48, characterized in that the plate is shaped into a cylindrical shape after the plate has been cut to form several heating elements. A method according to any one of claims 45 to 49, characterized in that it comprises a further phase of welding the edges of the connecting part connecting most of the heating elements. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the edges are laser-welded during the welding phase. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the laser is a yttrium aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser. A method according to any one of claims 45 to 52, characterized in that, during the cutting phase, the plate of the resist material (115 ') is laser-cut. 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the laser is a CO ₂ laser. A method according to any one of claims 45 to 52, characterized in that the plate of the resist material (115 ') is cut by punching during the cutting phase. 56. The method according to claims 45 to 52, characterized in that, during the cutting phase, the plate of the resist material (115 ') is cut with precision punching. A method according to claims 45 to 52, characterized in that during the cutting phase, the plate of the resist material (115 ') is cut by chemical milling. 58. A method according to claim 45 to 52, characterized in that during the cutting phase the plate of the resist material (115 ') is cut by chemical etching. 59. Cigarette, characterized in that it comprises: a thermally portable base fabric (57; 257; 457) formed into a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer surface for receiving heat and an inner surface; and a tobacco flavor material (61; 261; 461) arranged on at least a portion of the inner surface, the tobacco material releasing the response of the flavored tobacco when the outer surface of the base fabric is heated. A cigarette according to claim 59, further comprising wrapping paper (69; 269; 469) wrapped around the outer surface. 61. Tobacco product adapted for co-operation with a discrete source of heat, characterized in that the tobacco product comprises a carbon fiber fabric and fibrous tobacco (57; 257; 457) and a tobacco flavoring material (61; 261; 461) arranged along the first surface of the fabric, and a carbon fiber knitting device adapted to receive heat in at least one location along the second surface and to transfer a substantial portion of the heat to portions of the tobacco-flavored material near its site. Tobacco product according to claim 61, characterized in that the fabric is essentially a hollow cylinder made of a fabric having an internal cavity (79; 279; 479). 63. The tobacco product of claim 62, further comprising: a free flow filter (65; 265; 465) at the other end of the fabric cylinder (57; 257; 457), the free flow filter providing structural support to the fabric cylinder and allowing longitudinal airflow from the cavity; and a backflow filter (63; 263; 463) at the first end of the fabric roller, the return flow filter providing structural support to the fabric roller and limiting the longitudinal airflow from the cavity. Tobacco product according to claim 63, characterized in that the free flow filter (65; 265; 465) and the return flow filter (63; 263; 463) are substantially cylindrical and have each surface defining a portion of the cavity. Tobacco product according to claim 63 or 64, characterized in that it further comprises an oral filter (65; 265; 465) along the filter (71; 271; 471). Tobacco product according to claim 65, characterized in that it further comprises a tubular paper (75) wrapped around the mouth filter (71) and at least part of the fabric roller (57) in order to attach the mouth filter (71) to the cylinder made of fabrics. Tobacco product according to claims 63, 64, 65 or 66, characterized in that it further comprises a second free flow filter (73) along the first free flow filter (65) and wherein the first free flow filter and the second filter are the free flow is each formed by longitudinal passages (67, 77), wherein the longitudinal passage (77) of the second free flow filter has a larger internal diameter than the longitudinal passage (67) of the first free flow filter. Tobacco product according to any one of claims 63 to 67, further comprising wrapping paper (69) wrapped around a fabric roller (57). 69. Tobacco product according to any one of claims 63 to 68, characterized in that several punctures are made in the fabric roller that allow a transverse airflow during smoking. A cigarette according to any one of claims 63 to 69, characterized in that the permeability of the fabric roller is pre-determined and permits a desirable transverse airflow. 71. A removable cigarette for use in a smoking system, characterized in that it includes a smoking system a lighter (25) for delivering the response of flavored tobacco to a smoker, characterized in that the lighter has electric heating means (243; 443) arranged in a permanent cavity and includes a removable cigarette: a carrier (259; 459) having a first end and a second end and having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a cavity (279; 479) of a flavoring for producing a response of flavored tobacco between the first end and the second end, and being the second surface adapted to be located adjacent to an electric heating medium; a tobacco flavoring agent (261; 461) disposed on the first surface of the carrier, at which time an appropriate fraction of the tobacco flavoring medium is heated in thermal transfer with the heating agent (243; 443) and produces a predetermined amount of aromatized response smoker tobacco, and filtering means (263, 265, 271, 273; 463, 465, 471, 473) to filter a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response prior to smoker delivery. 72. A removable cigarette according to claim 71, characterized in that it comprises a filtering agent: a filter (265; 465) for free circulation at the other end of the carrier (259; 459) and adapted to be positioned between the cavity (279; 479) of the aromatizer and the mouth of the smoker to allow structural support for the cigarette; and a return flow filter (263; 463) at the first end of the carrier for filtering the return flow of flavored tobacco in such a way as to reduce the condensation of the residual response of flavored tobacco on any of the heating means (243; 443) and portions of the permanent cavity of the lighter. Removable cigarette according to claim 72, characterized in that the carrier (259) is essentially a hollow cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the electric heating means (243) being positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the carrier; and the tobacco flavoring medium (261) is arranged on the inner surface of the cylindrical carrier, where a flavored tobacco response is produced within the carrier. Removable cigarette according to claim 73, characterized in that the free flow filter (265) and the return flow filter (263) are substantially cylindrical and have each surface forming part of the carrier aroma cavity. Removable cigarette according to claim 74, further comprising a substantially cylindrical barrier tube (273) against an aerosol concentric with a diameter greater than the carrier, the inner surface of the barrier tube and the outer surface of the carrier determining the area of the acceptance of an electric heating agent and reduces the barrier condensation of the residual response of flavored tobacco to portions of the permanent cavity of the lighter. 76. Removable cigarette according to claim 75, characterized in that the substantially cylindrical barrier tube (273) against the aerosol is attached to a filter (265) for free circulation by a collar (275) of a material having high resistance to traction, determining the collar (275) of the size of the cigarette heater receiving area. Removable cigarette according to claim 76, characterized in that it further comprises a substantially cylindrical mouth filter (271) adjacent to the free flow filter (265) and wrapping paper (269) for wrapping the barrier tube (273) against the aerosol and mouth filter (271) and to secure the mouth filter on the barrier tube (273) to the aerosol. Removable cigarette according to claims 76 to 77, characterized in that the carrier (259) consists of a non-woven carbon fiber braid. 79. A removable cigarette according to claim 78, characterized in that the carbon fibers in the knitwear have a base weight of the order of between about 6 g / m and about 12 g / m. 80. A removable cigarette according to claim 79, wherein the tobacco flavor is tobacco material. that it comprises a medium of s 81. A removable cigarette according to claim 80, characterized in that it comprises a tobacco flavored medium of a continuous plate of tobacco material. Removable cigarette according to claim 80, characterized in that it comprises a tobacco flavored foam medium made from tobacco material. 83. A removable cigarette according to claim 80, characterized by a tobacco flavoring gel of tobacco material. in that it comprises a medium of s 84. A removable cigarette according to claim 80, wherein the tobacco is a flavored dried suspension of tobacco material. that it comprises a medium of s 85. A removable cigarette according to claim 80, characterized in that it comprises a tobacco-flavored medium of spray-dried tobacco material. Removable cigarette according to any one of claims 72 to 85, characterized in that the carrier (495) is essentially a hollow cylinder with an inner surface and an outer surface, where the electric heating means (443) is arranged on the inside of the carrier; and the tobacco flavoring medium (44) is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical carrier (459), the response of the flavored tobacco being produced outside the carrier. Removable cigarette according to claim 86, characterized in that the free flow filter (465) and the return flow filter (463) are substantially annular and have each surface forming part of the aroma cavity to produce a flavored tobacco response. Removable cigarette according to claim 87, characterized in that it further comprises a substantially cylindrical barrier tube (473) against the aerosol, a cavity for producing the aromatized tobacco response, the barrier tube (473) reducing the condensation of the remaining aromatized tobacco response on portions of the permanent cavity lighters. Removable cigarette according to claim 88, characterized in that it further comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of material (475) which has high resistance to traction and essentially fills the empty center portion of the free flow filter (466). Removable cigarette according to claim 89, further comprising a substantially cylindrical mouth filter (471) adjacent to the free flow filter (465); and wrapping paper (469) for wrapping the barrier tube (473) against the aerosol and the mouth filter (471) and for securing the mouth filter (471) on the barrier tube (473) against the aerosol. Removable cigarette according to any one of claims 72 to 90, characterized in that it comprises a tobacco flavored medium (261; 461), a spatially variable tobacco flavored medium, and selectively changes the delivery of the aroma to the smoker. 92. A removable cigarette according to claim 71, further comprising means for indicating to the smoker that the cigarette was previously inserted into the cigarette lighter and subsequently removed. 93. Removable cigarette according to claim 92, characterized in that the marked cigarette agents must be removed before the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette lighter. 94. A removable cigarette according to claim 92, characterized in that the marking means is the area on the cigarette that becomes physically altered after the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette lighter. 95. A removable cigarette according to claim 71, further comprising means for indicating to the smoker that the cigarette has been preheated. 96. A removable cigarette according to claim 95, characterized in that the indicative agent is thermally activated and changes color to indicate that the cigarette has been preheated. 97. A removable cigarette according to claim 71, characterized in that the carrier (259; 459) consists of a non-woven carbon fiber braid having a pre-selected resistance and where it corresponds to the resistance of a particular type of cigarette by allowing the lighter control circuit to distinguish between different types of cigarettes. 98. A method for producing a removable cigarette for use in a smoking system, wherein the smoking system includes a lighter (25) for giving the smoker a response of flavored tobacco, characterized in that the lighter has electrical heating means housed in a permanent cavity and comprises the placement of a fabric (59 ; 259; 459) of a carrier having tobacco flavored material areas (61; 261; 461), applying adhesive areas to the surface of the carrier fabric so as to form spaced adhesive regions between spaced tobacco flavored material regions, of filter material placement to the adhesive area on the surface of the carrier fabric, wrapping the carrier fabric around the filters to form a continuous rod of changing filter and tobacco flavoring material, and dividing the continuous rod into the filter material regions to form an individually removable cigarette. 99. The method of claim 98, wherein the phase of attachment of the filter material comprises the fixation of substantially cylindrical filter material. 100. The method of claim 99, characterized in that the attachment phase of the filter material comprises alternatively the attachment of the free flow filter material and the return flow filter material to the adhesive regions to form recurrent areas of the free flow filter material, tobacco material the aroma and material of the backflow filter. 101. The method of claims 98, 99, or 100, characterized in that the continuous-bar division phase comprises splitting each area of the filter material substantially in half to form an alternative pair of return flow filters and a pair of free-flow filters. 102. The method of claim 101, further comprising treating the removable cigarettes to form a curved insertion end on the return flow filters. Process according to claim 101 or 102, characterized in that it further comprises fixing and essentially cylindrical barrier tubes against the aerosol on the free flow filter, the barrier tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of a continuous bar and having a length of at least as big as split individual cigarettes. 104. The method of claim 102 or 103, further comprising the steps of installing a substantially cylindrical lip filter on each free flow filter, wrapping each barrier tube against the aerosol and its corresponding lip filter with a wrapping material. 105. An apparatus for producing a removable cigarette for use in a smoking system, the smoking system including a lighter (25) for delivering a response to flavored tobacco to the smoker, wherein the lighter has electric heating means (43) arranged in a permanent cavity, characterized in that comprising means (323, 325) for delivering a carrier fabric having areas of tobacco flavored material, means (327) for applying an adhesive to apply adhesive areas to a carrier fabric surface by forming spaced adhesive regions between spaced tobacco flavoring material regions , means (329) for mounting the filter in adhesive areas on the surface of the carrier fabric, wrapping means (337) for wrapping the carrier fabric around the filters to form a continuous bar of alternative areas of filters and tobacco flavored material, and separating means (339) separating the continuous bar into filter areas to form individual removable cigarettes. Apparatus according to claim 105, characterized in that the filter means (329) for mounting the filter are substantially cylindrical filters. Apparatus according to claim 106, characterized in that the means (329) for mounting a filter for changing the free flow filters and the return flow filters to the adhesive regions to form recurrent free flow filter regions of the material with tobacco aroma and backflow filter. Apparatus according to claim 105,106 or 107, characterized in that the dividing means (339) for dividing each filter is substantially halved. Apparatus according to claim 108, characterized in that it comprises a further means for forming a curved insert end on the backflow filters. 110. The apparatus of claim 108, further comprising mounting means for a barrier tube for mounting a substantially cylindrical barrier tube against an aerosol to each free flow filter, the barrier tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the continuous bar and has a length substantially equal to the split individual cigarettes. 111. Apparatus according to claim 110, further comprising: lip filter mounting means for mounting a substantially cylindrical lip filter to a free flow filter and wrapping means for wrapping an aerosol barrier tube and lip filter with wrapping material. 112. Permanent holding device of the heater for use in the smoking system, including the smoking system a lighter, characterized in that the permanent holding device of the heater forms part of the lighter for giving a response to flavored tobacco to the smoker, so that the smoking system has a removable cigarette which has a tobacco medium. an aroma arranged on the first surface of the carrier, that the carrier has a second surface opposite the first surface, and that the permanent holding device of the heater comprises a base (249) of the heater defining the first end of the cavity for receiving the removable cigarette, the cavity having air passages from the first end to the second end to allow air to pass between them; and a plurality of permanent electric heaters mounted on the base (249) of the heater, each having a surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to the other surface of the carrier, where, when the electric heating medium is activated, it is heated in thermal transfer with heating means an appropriate portion of the tobacco flavored medium, producing a predetermined amount of the flavored tobacco response for delivery to the smoker. 113. Smoking system for delivering the response of flavored tobacco to a smoker, characterized in that the smoking system comprises a permanent holding device (39; 239; 439) of the heater, which includes a base (50; 249; 449) of the heater that determines the first end of the receiving cavity removable cigarettes, and the cavity has a passage (143; 295) for air from the first end to the second end to allow the air to pass between them, multiple permanent electric heaters (43; 243; 443) mounted on the base of the heater, at each of the heaters having a surface adapted to be mounted on a removable cigarette, a power source for supplying multiple permanent heaters, a control means (41; 451) for supplying electricity to the permanent heaters to selectively heat at least one of several permanent heaters, and a removable cigarette (23; 222; 423) received in the cavity of the heater near several permanent heaters, whereby when any of several electric heaters are activated, the corresponding fraction of the tobacco-flavored medium is heated in a thermal transfer condition rust with one of the heaters, and produce a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response for delivery to the smoker. Permanent heater support according to claims 112 or 113, wherein the cavity is substantially cylindrical, characterized in that it further comprises attaching several fingers (253) to support the heater mounted from the first end of the base (249) of the heater to support several permanent ones. the heaters in which the fingers (253) are elongated, have an inner surface and an outer surface and are arranged to determine the surface of the cylinder. Permanent heater support according to claim 114, characterized in that several permanent heater (243) are attached to the inner surface of the fingers (253) to support the heater. Permanent heater support according to claim 115, characterized in that the cavity is adapted to receive a return flow filter (263), where the filter is positioned between the air passage of the base of the heater and several permanent heats (243). Permanent heater support according to claim 116, characterized in that the return flow filter (295) is substantially cylindrical. Permanent heater support according to claim 112 or 113, characterized in that it forms a cavity ring and further comprises attaching several fingers to support the heater (443) positioned from the first end of the heater base to support more permanent heater, the fingers being elongated, having an inner surface and an outer surface and arranged to determine the surface of the cylinder. 119. Permanent heater support according to claim 118, characterized in that the majority of the permanent heater is attached to the outer surface of the fingers to support the heater. 120. Permanent heater support according to claim 119, characterized in that the cavity of the heater base is adapted to receive a return flow filter (463), the filter being positioned between the air passage of the heater base and several permanent heaters (443). Permanent heater support according to claim 120, characterized in that the return flow filter (463) is annular. Permanent heater support according to claim 115, characterized in that several permanent heats (263) are derived from silicon semiconductor material. 123. Permanent heater support according to claim 122, characterized in that the silicon semiconductor material is doped with phosphorus impurities to a level in the order of between about 5 χ 10 ¹⁸ impurities / cm ³ and about 5 χ 10 ¹⁹ impurities / cm ³ . 124. Permanent heater support according to claim 119, characterized in that several permanent heater (463) is made of silicon semiconductor material. 125. The permanent holding device of the heater according to claim 124, characterized in that the silicon semiconductor material is doped with phosphorus impurities to a level in the range between about 5 χ 10 ¹⁸ impurities / cm ³ and about 5 χ 10 ¹⁹ impurities / cm ³ . Smoking system for delivering aromatized tobacco response to a smoker, characterized in that it comprises a lighter (225), the lighter comprising a heater base (249) determining the first end of the cavity for receiving a removable cigarette, wherein the cavity has a passage (295) for air from the first end to the second end to allow air to pass between them, several permanent electric heaters (243) mounted on the base (249) of the heater, each having a surface adapted to be positioned next to the removable cigarette , a power source (37) for supplying multiple permanent heaters, and a control means (41; 541) for supplying electricity to the permanent heaters to selectively heat at least one of the multiple permanent heaters, and a removable cigarette (224), wherein the removable the cigarette includes a carrier (259) having a first end and a second end and having a first surface and a second surface, defining the first surface of the cavity (279) of the flavoring agent to produce a response of flavored t both between the first end and the second end and wherein the second surface is mounted next to electric heating means (243), filter means (263, 265, 271) to filter a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response before being fed to the smoker and tobacco flavored medium (261) mounted on the first surface of the carrier, whereby when any of several electric heaters (243) are activated, the respective tobacco flavored medium portion (261) is heated in a thermal transfer relationship with the heating means, producing a predetermined amount of aromatized response smoking tobacco. 127. A smoking system for delivering a response to flavored tobacco to a smoker, characterized in that it comprises: a lighter (425), wherein the lighter includes electric heating means (443) mounted in a permanent cavity, a source (37) of electricity for supplying electric heating means (443), and controls (41; 541) for supplying electricity to electric heating elements means for selectively heating at least one heating element from several heating elements of electric heating means (443) and a removable cigarette, wherein the removable cigarette includes a carrier (459) having a first and a second end and having a first surface and a second surface , wherein the first surface determines the cavity (481) of the flavoring agent to produce a response of flavored tobacco between the first end and the second end, the second surface being located adjacent to the electric heating means (443), the filter means (463, 465, 471) for filtering the predefined the amount of response of the flavored tobacco prior to delivery to the smoker, and the tobacco flavored medium mounted on the first surface of the carrier, wherein if, when any of several heating elements (443) is activated, a suitable fraction of the tobacco flavored medium is heated in thermal transfer with one of the heating elements, which produces a predetermined amount of aromatized tobacco response for delivery to the smoker. A smoking system according to claim 113, characterized in that it comprises a battery source. 129. A smoking system according to claim 128, characterized in that the power source comprises a charge pump circuit coupled to a battery for raising the battery voltage. Smoking system according to claim 129, characterized in that the battery is removable. Smoking system according to claim 129, characterized in that the battery can be recharged. Smoking system according to claim 113, 126 or 127, characterized in that the control means (41; 541) comprise means (195; 570) for selecting one of several electric heaters and means (201 208; 580, 595) for then , when the smoker wants to blow into the smoking system, supplying a pulse of electricity to heat selected from electric heaters. Smoking system according to claim 132, characterized in that the selection means is manual. A smoking system according to claim 132, characterized in that the selection means is automatic. Smoking system according to claim 134, characterized in that it selects a means for automatically selecting each of several electric heaters. Smoking system according to claims 134 or 135, characterized in that the control means further comprises means for sequential indication to indicate the number of more than electric heaters which can be sequentially heated until at least once activated for the associated removable cigarette. each of several electric heaters. Smoking system according to claim 136, characterized in that the means (51) for sequential indication comprises a liquid crystal display. t Smoking system according to claim 137, characterized in that it shows a liquid crystal display (51) with repeated switching on and off when the battery voltage drops below a preselected LOW voltage level. Smoking system according to claim 137, characterized in that the liquid crystal display (51) shows when the battery voltage dropped below a pre-selected LOW voltage level and when the battery was charged to a pre-selected HIGH voltage level after it dropped below the pre-selected LOW voltage level. A smoking system according to claim 137, characterized in that it shows a liquid crystal display (51) if no removable cigarette is inserted into the cigarette lighter. Smoking system according to claim 137, characterized in that it shows a liquid crystal display (51) if no holding device of the heater is inserted into the lighter. Smoking system according to claim 132, characterized in that it supplies the means (197, 201 63) 208; 580, 595) to deliver a pulse with a pulse of predetermined duration. Smoking system according to claim 132, characterized in that it provides a pulse delivery means with a predetermined pulse in the range from about 0.5 seconds to about 5 seconds depending on the desired amount of energy intended to be delivered to selected one of the electric heaters. Smoking system according to claim 143, characterized in that it supplies a pulse delivery means with a predetermined pulse duration in the range of from about one second to about 3 seconds depending on the amount of energy supplied to one of the selected electric heaters. Smoking system according to claim 144, characterized in that it supplies a pulse delivery means with a pulse having a predetermined duration in the range of from about 1 second to about 2 seconds depending on the amount of energy supplied to one of the selected electric heaters. Smoking system according to any one of claims 132 to 145, characterized in that it contains a pulse of electricity further a pulse with a predetermined amount of electricity. Smoking system according to claim 146, characterized in that the predetermined amount of electricity ranges from about 5 Joules to about 40 Joules. Smoking system according to claim 147, characterized in that the predetermined amount of electricity ranges from about 15 Joules to about 25 Joules. Smoking system according to any one of claims 132 to 148, characterized in that it comprises a pulse delivery means (45) and delivers a pulse in response to the trigger actuation by the smoker. Smoking system according to claim 149, characterized in that it comprises a pressure sensitive sensor (45). Smoking system according to claim 149 or 150, characterized in that the actuating means (45) is switched on and off in such a way as to maintain the source of electricity. Smoking system according to claim 150, characterized in that the actuating means (45) is engaged for less than about 50% of the specified period of time. Smoking system according to claim 159, characterized in that the actuating means (45) is switched on for less than about 20% of the specified time period. Smoking system according to claim 153, characterized in that the actuating means (45) is switched on for less than about 5% of the specified time period. Smoking system according to claim 113 or any of claims 128 to 154, characterized in that the control means (195; 570) comprises a logical sequence that can be programmed with a field. Smoking system according to any one of claims 132 to 155, characterized in that it comprises a control means (195; 570) further for a voltage detection circuit, for detecting (590) if the battery voltage has dropped to a preselected LOW voltage level and for detecting if the battery has been recharged to a preselected HIGH voltage level after falling below a pre-selected LOW voltage level. Smoking system according to claim 156, characterized in that the preselected LOW voltage level is less than about 5 volts and the preselected HIGH voltage level is higher than about 5 volts. Smoking system according to claim 157, characterized in that the preselected LOW voltage level is from about 3 to about 3.5 volts and the preselected HIGH voltage level from about 5 to about 6 volts. Smoking system according to claim 113 or any of claims 128 to 158, characterized in that the carrier consists of a non-woven carbon fiber braid having a pre-selected resistance and corresponding to the resistance of a particular type of cigarette in order to allow a cigarette lighter to differentiate between different types of cigarettes. Smoking system according to claim 159, characterized in that the control means comprises means ((195; 570) for selecting one of several electric heaters and means (45; 201 - 208; 580, 595) to be whenever desired the smoker, to blow into the smoking system, supplies a pulse of electricity to heat one of the selected electric heaters. Smoking system according to claim 160, further comprising means for measuring a pre-selected resistance. Smoking system according to claim 161, characterized in that the first pulse of electricity is supplied by heating one of the selected electric heaters if the first pre-selected resistance is measured, and the second pulse of electricity is supplied to heat one of selected electric heaters if another pre-selected resistance is measured. For PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS INC .: SUMMARY An electric smoking system for flavoring and the process for making it A smoking system (21; 221; 421) is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco-flavored material (61; 261; 461) is electrically heated by a sentence of electric heating elements (43; 243; 443) contained in a cigarette lighter to promote tobacco flavors or other vapor or aerosol components for delivery to the smoker. The cigarette and the cigarette lighter are designed to allow air flow patterns through the smoking system so that the air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve the delivery of aerosol and flavor to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual steam / aerosol in the heating area of the smoking system.