Cigarette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plurality of manufactured cigarettes adapted to be arranged in a packaged configuration thereof. Each of the cigarettes include a rod of smokable material contained in a circumscribing paper wrapper (i.e., a "smokable rod"). Each of the smokable rods have a plurality of substantially flat sides and have at least one crease longitudinally extending substantially along the total length thereof. Preferably, each of the smokable rods includes a pair of creases longitudinally extending substantially along the length thereof to define one of the flat sides. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing cigarettes adapted to be arranged in a packaged configuration. The method includes providing a plurality of cigarettes including a smokable rod having a substantially circular or oval cross-section, and applying a compressive pressure to the smokable rods to provide a plurality of flat sides and at least one crease in the smokable rod.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes adapted to be arranged in a packaged configuration thereof, each of said cigarettes including a smokable rod and each of said smokable rods having a plurality of substantially flat sides and having at least one crease longitudinally extending substantially along the total length thereof. 
     
     
       2. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 1 wherein said cigarettes have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       3. A package of the plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 1. 
     
     
       4. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 1 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 5-7 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       5. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 1 wherein said smokable rods include a pair of creases longitudinally extending substantially along the total length thereof, the pair of creases defining one of said flat sides. 
     
     
       6. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said smokable rods have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       7. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 6 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 10-2 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       8. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 6 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 4-5 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       9. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 6 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 5-7 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       10. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 6 wherein each of said cigarettes includes a filter element having substantially the same shape as the smokable rod. 
     
     
       11. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 6 wherein each cigarette rod have a packing density of from about 100 mg/cm 3  to about 300 mg/cm 3 , a length of about 50 mm to about 85 mm and a perimeter of about 17 mm to about 28 mm; wherein each smokable rod utilizes up to about 40 percent less smokable material relative to a conventional smokable rod have a circular cross-sectional shape, and having a smokable rod having a length and perimeter substantially the same as said smokable rod having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       12. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes adapted to be arranged in a packaged configuration thereof, said cigarettes including a smokable rod and each of said smokable rods having a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of top and bottom walls when viewed end on, wherein the opposing side walls are in a substantially parallel relationship to each other, and the top and bottom walls are in a substantially parallel relationship to each other wherein said smokable rod includes a pair of creases longitudinally extending substantially along the total length of the smokable rod, the pair of creases defining at least one flat side. 
     
     
       13. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 12 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 10-2 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       14. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 12 wherein said cigarettes are packaged in a 4-5 configuration and have a void volume of substantially zero. 
     
     
       15. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes of claim 12 each of said cigarettes including a filter element having substantially the same shape as the smokable rod. 
     
     
       16. A plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 12 wherein each cigarette rod have a packing density of from about 100 mg/cm 3  to about 300 mg/cm 3 , a length of about 50 mm to about 85 mm and a perimeter of about 17 mm to about 28 mm wherein each smokable rod utilizes up to about 40 percent less smokable material relative to a conventional smokable rod have a circular cross-sectional shape, and having a smokable rod having a length and perimeter substantially the same as said smokable rod having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       17. A package of the plurality of manufactured cigarettes according to claim 12. 
     
     
       18. A method of manufacturing cigarettes adapted to be arranged in a packaged configuration thereof, said method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of cigarettes including a smokable rod having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and   (b) applying a compressive pressure to the smokable rods of step (a) having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape to provide a plurality of flat sides and at least one crease in the smokable rod.   
     
     
       19. A method according to claim 18 whereby the smokable rods provided in step (b) have one crease. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim 18 whereby the cigarettes provided in step (b) have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       21. A method according to claim 18 whereby the cigarettes provided in step (b) have two creases. 
     
     
       22. A method according to claim 18 whereby the cigarettes provided in step (b) have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape.