[go: up one dir, main page]

US20050000526A1 - Cigarette and cigarette filter - Google Patents

Cigarette and cigarette filter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20050000526A1
US20050000526A1 US10/885,027 US88502704A US2005000526A1 US 20050000526 A1 US20050000526 A1 US 20050000526A1 US 88502704 A US88502704 A US 88502704A US 2005000526 A1 US2005000526 A1 US 2005000526A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cigarette
amino acid
basic amino
filter
arginine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/885,027
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Masafumi Tarora
Kazuhiko Katayama
Takashi Hasegawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Assigned to JAPAN TOBACCO INC. reassignment JAPAN TOBACCO INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HASEGAWA, TAKASHI, KATAYAMA, KAZUHIKO, TARORA, MASAFUMI
Publication of US20050000526A1 publication Critical patent/US20050000526A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
    • A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances
    • A24B15/32—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances by acyclic compounds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/14—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as additive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
    • A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cigarette low in the amounts of aldehydes contained in the mainstream smoke and to a cigarette filter that permits lowering the amounts of aldehydes contained in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette and a cigarette filter, which permit effectively lowering the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette and which also permit suppressing the detrimental effects such as degradation of the cigarette taste.
  • a cigarette containing a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt.
  • a cigarette filter containing a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt.
  • a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt it is desirable for a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt to be contained in an amount of at least 1 mg/cigarette.
  • the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt it is desirable for the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt to be contained in the cigarette or the cigarette filter in the form of an aqueous solution. It is also desirable for the cigarette or the cigarette filter of the present invention to further contain a surfactant.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of an apparatus for measuring formaldehyde contained in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette, which was used in the Examples of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a cigarette used in the Examples of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a cigarette filter used in another Example of the present invention.
  • the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt includes, for example, arginine, arginine salt, lysine, lysine salt, histidine, histidine salt, ornithine, ornithine salt, citrulline, citrulline salt, hydroxyzine and hydroxyzine salt.
  • arginine and a salt thereof are admitted as food additives.
  • that portion of the cigarette to which the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt is added is not particularly limited.
  • the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt can be added to any of the cut tobacco, the cigarette wrapper and the filter.
  • the cigarette filter of the present invention is a filter attached to the inhaling side of the tobacco portion of the cigarette or to be a filter in the form of a cigarette holder.
  • the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt is contained in an amount of at least 1 mg/cigarette. If the amount of the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt is smaller than the amount noted above, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient effect of lowering the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette.
  • the effect of lowering the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette can be increased in the present invention.
  • the effect of lowering the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette can also be increased in the case where the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt is used together with a surfactant. It is considered reasonable to understand that an aqueous solution containing a surfactant and a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt exhibits an improved wettability so as to permit the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt to be dispersed sufficiently, with the result that the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette is lowered.
  • the surfactant used in the present invention includes ionic surfactants such as potassium sorbate, sodium oleate and sodium laurate, and nonionic surfactants such as sucrose laurate, sucrose myristate, sucrose palmitate, and sucrose stearate, though the surfactant used in the present invention is not limited to those exemplified above.
  • the derivative of 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH), a trapping substance was measured by high-speed liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  • the substances that can be measured simultaneously by this method are eight components including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, propionaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone and n-butylaldehyde.
  • the description is directed to formaldehyde among the aldehydes (carbonyl compounds) that were to be measured.
  • a trapping solution was prepared by dissolving 9.51 g of 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) in 1 L of acetonitrile, followed by adding 5.6 mL of 60% perchloric acid and subsequently diluting the resultant solution with ultra pure water to 2 L.
  • DNPH 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine
  • a DNPH trapping solution 12 is put in a Drechsel type trap 11 .
  • the Drechsel type trap 11 had an inner volume of 250 mL, the amount of the DNPH trapping solution was 100 mL, and the dead volume was 150 mL.
  • the Drechsel type trap 11 was put in an ice water bath 13 so as to cool the trap 11 .
  • the lower end of a glass pipe 14 having a cigarette 1 mounted in the tip is dipped in the trapping solution 12 housed in the Drechsel type trap 11 .
  • a glass pipe 15 having a Cambridge pad 16 mounted thereto is mounted to communicate with the dead volume of the Drechsel type trap 11 , and a smoking machine 17 was connected to the Cambridge pad 16 .
  • the cigarette 1 was attached to the glass pipe 14 so as to permit the cigarette 1 to be automatically smoked under the standard smoking conditions specified in ISO standards. To be more specific, the operation of sucking 35 mL of the smoke in a single puff for two seconds for a single cigarette was repeated at an interval of 58 seconds. While the mainstream smoke was being bubbled, formaldehyde was converted into a derivative of DNPH. Two cigarettes were used for the measurement.
  • the formaldehyde derivative thus formed was measured by HPLC.
  • the trapping solution was filtered, followed by diluting the filtered trapping solution with a Trizma Base solution (4 mL of trapping solution: 6 mL of Trizma Base solution). Then, the diluted solution was measured by HPLC.
  • the measuring conditions of the HPLC were as follows:
  • Mobile phase Gradients by three phases (solution A: ultra pure aqueous solution containing 30% of acetonitrile, 10% of tetrahydrofuran and 1% of IPA; solution B: ultra pure aqueous solution containing 65% of acetonitrile, 1% of tetrahydrofuran and 1% of IPA; solution C: 100% of acetonitrile).
  • the cigarette having comprised a cigarette section 20 in which cut tobacco 21 was wrapped with a cigarette wrapper 22 , and a filter section 30 in which a filter 31 was wrapped with a forming paper 32 .
  • the filter section 30 was mounted on the cigarette section 20 by using a tipping paper 40 . It is possible to use, for example, cellulose acetate tow as the material of the filter.
  • the individual filter plugs are wrapped with an individual plug wrap paper, followed by wrapping integrally the filter plugs with a forming paper so as to obtain the filter section 30 .
  • a tobacco section was taken out by cutting the acetate filter from a cigarette available on the market, which contained 6 mg of tar, and a sample was prepared by connecting the tobacco section to the filter for the testing.
  • An atomizer was used for adding a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt to the filter for the testing.
  • the cut tobacco was once taken out of a cigarette available on the market. Then, a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt was added to the cut tobacco by using a sprayer, followed by wrapping again the cut tobacco with a cigarette wrapper so as to obtain a tobacco section sample.
  • the formaldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette was measured by the measuring method described above with the number of puffs set at 7.
  • the formaldehyde content was found to be 110 ⁇ g.
  • An acetate filter without a plasticizer was prepared as base filter A.
  • a filter for the testing was prepared by adding 35 mg of an aqueous solution containing 10% by weight of arginine to base filter A by using an atomizer, followed by drying the base filter A for 48 hours, the prepared filter containing 3.5 mg of arginine.
  • another filter for the testing was prepared by adding 35 mg of an aqueous solution containing 10% by weight of arginine glutamate to base filter A by using an atomizer, followed by drying base filter A for 48 hours, the prepared filter containing 3.5 mg of arginine glutamate.
  • Base filter B was prepared by adding 6% by weight of triacetin as a plasticizer to base filter A.
  • Base filter B is equal to the filter used in the cigarette product.
  • a filter for the testing was prepared by adding 35 mg of an aqueous solution containing 10% by weight of arginine to base filter B, followed by drying base filter B for 48 hours, the prepared filter containing 3.5 mg of arginine.
  • another filter for the testing was prepared by adding 35 mg of an aqueous solution containing 10% by weight of arginine glutamate to base filter B, followed by drying base filter B for 48 hours, the prepared filter containing 3.5 mg of arginine glutamate.
  • aqueous solution containing 20% by weight of arginine was added in an amount of 20% by weight by spraying to cut tobacco put in a mixing drum by using a hand sprayer, followed by drying the cut tobacco at 80° C. for 5 minutes in a dryer. Then, the cut tobacco was conditioned for 48 hours so as to prepare a tobacco section consisting of 690 mg of the cut tobacco and having a length of 59 mm. Cigarette wrapper 4P35 manufactured by Mishima Seishi K.K. was used as the cigarette wrapper. The arginine addition amount was 4% by weight (27.6 mg) based on the amount of cut tobacco.
  • Example 4 A measurement similar to that for Example 4 was performed in order to evaluate the effect of lowering the formaldehyde content produced by various basic amino acids or basic amino acid salts in the presence of water.
  • Example 2 A measurement similar to that for Example 2 was performed in order to evaluate the effect of lowering the formaldehyde content produced by various basic amino acids or basic amino acid salts in the presence of a surfactant.
  • a prescribed amount of an aqueous solution containing arginine alone or an aqueous solution containing both arginine and each of various surfactants was added to base filter B, as shown in Table 7, followed by conditioning for 48 hours and subsequently measuring the formaldehyde content (FA) in the mainstream smoke and the increase in water content ( ⁇ W).
  • the surfactants used included ionic surfactants of potassium sorbate, sodium oleate and sodium laurate and nonionic surfactants of sucrose laurate, sucrose myristate, sucrose palmitate, and sucrose stearate. Table 7 shows the result.
  • the effect of lowering the formaldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette can be obtained in the case of using a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt together with a surfactant even if water is not present together with the basic amino acid or the basic amino acid salt. It is considered reasonable to understand that, in the case of using an aqueous solution containing both arginine and a surfactant, the wettability of the aqueous solution with the filter is improved so as to improve the dispersion capability of arginine.
  • Sucrose laurate available from Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation under the trade name of L-1695;
  • Sucrose myristate available from Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation under the trade name of M-1695;
  • Sucrose palmitate available from Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation under the trade name of P-1670;
  • Sucrose stearate available from Mitsubishi-Kagaku Foods Corporation under the trade name of S-1670;
  • Glycerin fatty acid ester (decaglycerin monolaurate): available from Riken Vitamin under the trade name of Poem J-0021.
  • the cigarette filter of the present invention can also be used in the form of a cigarette holder constructed as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the cigarette filter comprises a cylindrical cigarette holder body 41 and a filter 31 arranged within the cigarette holder body 41 .
  • a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt is contained in the filter 31 .
  • the cigarette holder body 41 is formed integral with a mouthpiece section 42 .
  • the aldehyde content in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette can also be lowered in the case of using the cigarette filter of the particular construction.
  • using the cigarette and the cigarette filter of the present invention can effectively lower the content of aldehydes in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
US10/885,027 2002-01-08 2004-07-07 Cigarette and cigarette filter Abandoned US20050000526A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002-001508 2002-01-08
JP2002001508 2002-01-08
JP2002-128953 2002-04-30
JP2002128953 2002-04-30
PCT/JP2003/000040 WO2003056945A1 (en) 2002-01-08 2003-01-07 Cigarette and cigarette filter

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2003/000040 Continuation WO2003056945A1 (en) 2002-01-08 2003-01-07 Cigarette and cigarette filter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050000526A1 true US20050000526A1 (en) 2005-01-06

Family

ID=26625449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/885,027 Abandoned US20050000526A1 (en) 2002-01-08 2004-07-07 Cigarette and cigarette filter

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20050000526A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP1470760A4 (ja)
JP (1) JP3905886B2 (ja)
KR (1) KR100596552B1 (ja)
CN (1) CN1313038C (ja)
AU (1) AU2003202480A1 (ja)
CA (1) CA2472386C (ja)
RU (1) RU2273448C2 (ja)
TW (1) TW200302057A (ja)
WO (1) WO2003056945A1 (ja)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070267034A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-11-22 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Ventilated smoking article
US20100300463A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US8944072B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2015-02-03 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US8991403B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2015-03-31 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US9386802B2 (en) 2010-11-11 2016-07-12 Daicel Corporation Composite particle, cigarette filter and process for producing the same, and cigarette

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5317394B2 (ja) * 2006-05-30 2013-10-16 株式会社ダイセル たばこフィルター用素材及びたばこフィルター
US20080135058A1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-06-12 Ted Calvin Germroth Tobacco smoke filter and method for removal of aldehydes from tobacco smoke
US7855261B2 (en) 2006-12-08 2010-12-21 Eastman Chemical Company Aldehyde removal
FI120526B (fi) * 2007-05-16 2009-11-30 Biohit Oyj Filtteri tupakkatuotteeseen
WO2009031246A1 (ja) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-12 Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. たばこフィルター用素材及びたばこフィルター
CN102499479A (zh) * 2011-11-03 2012-06-20 湖南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种可降低卷烟主流烟气重金属释放量的络合吸附剂及其制备和应用
CN102499476A (zh) * 2011-11-03 2012-06-20 湖南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种卷烟减害颗粒复合嘴棒及其制备和应用方法
CN102499477B (zh) * 2011-11-03 2014-04-16 湖南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种具有减害作用的卷烟滤棒添加剂及其制备和应用方法
GB201412752D0 (en) 2014-07-17 2014-09-03 Nicoventures Holdings Ltd Electronic vapour provision system
CN109105946A (zh) * 2017-06-22 2019-01-01 中国烟草总公司广东省公司 卷烟嘴过滤材料及其制备方法
CN109588772A (zh) * 2018-11-27 2019-04-09 韩庆斌 香烟过滤嘴材料及其制备方法以及由其制成的香烟过滤嘴
CA3154417A1 (en) * 2019-12-17 2021-06-24 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-forming substrate with nitrogen-containing nucleophilic compound

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2968306A (en) * 1956-02-29 1961-01-17 Eastman Kodak Co Tobacco smoke filter capable of selective removal of aldehydes
US4333484A (en) * 1978-08-02 1982-06-08 Philip Morris Incorporated Modified cellulosic smoking material and method for its preparation
US5501238A (en) * 1993-01-11 1996-03-26 Von Borstel; Reid W. Cigarette filter containing a humectant
US5829449A (en) * 1997-09-19 1998-11-03 Thione International, Inc. Smoking products containing antioxidants

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ZA792187B (en) * 1978-05-16 1980-05-28 British American Tobacco Co Tobacco smoke filters
JPS6214774A (ja) * 1985-07-10 1987-01-23 中島　三夫 タバコ有害物質除去剤
JPH0775535B2 (ja) * 1986-03-31 1995-08-16 三井東圧化学株式会社 煙草の燃焼ガス用フイルタ−
CN1044583A (zh) * 1989-02-02 1990-08-15 欧内斯特·C·森纳斯 处理烟叶的方法和用此方法生产的烟叶
HU201865B (en) * 1989-04-28 1991-01-28 Pecsi Dohanygyar Tobacco-smoke filter of high efficiency
JP2613652B2 (ja) * 1989-05-30 1997-05-28 長谷川香料株式会社 乾燥果実エキスの製造方法及び香味変調剤
IL104930A (en) * 1992-03-25 1995-12-31 Reynolds Tobacco Co R Components for smoking articles and their manufacture
US5746231A (en) * 1993-01-11 1998-05-05 Craig Lesser Tobacco smoke filter for removing toxic compounds

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2968306A (en) * 1956-02-29 1961-01-17 Eastman Kodak Co Tobacco smoke filter capable of selective removal of aldehydes
US4333484A (en) * 1978-08-02 1982-06-08 Philip Morris Incorporated Modified cellulosic smoking material and method for its preparation
US5501238A (en) * 1993-01-11 1996-03-26 Von Borstel; Reid W. Cigarette filter containing a humectant
US5829449A (en) * 1997-09-19 1998-11-03 Thione International, Inc. Smoking products containing antioxidants

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070267034A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-11-22 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Ventilated smoking article
US8100134B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-01-24 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Ventilated smoking article
US20100300463A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US8434496B2 (en) * 2009-06-02 2013-05-07 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US8944072B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2015-02-03 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US8991403B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2015-03-31 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials
US9386802B2 (en) 2010-11-11 2016-07-12 Daicel Corporation Composite particle, cigarette filter and process for producing the same, and cigarette

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPWO2003056945A1 (ja) 2005-05-12
EP1470760A4 (en) 2011-05-11
EP1470760A1 (en) 2004-10-27
KR20040066936A (ko) 2004-07-27
WO2003056945A1 (en) 2003-07-17
RU2004124063A (ru) 2005-03-10
AU2003202480A1 (en) 2003-07-24
CN1313038C (zh) 2007-05-02
TW200302057A (en) 2003-08-01
CA2472386A1 (en) 2003-07-17
JP3905886B2 (ja) 2007-04-18
RU2273448C2 (ru) 2006-04-10
CN1612699A (zh) 2005-05-04
CA2472386C (en) 2010-03-30
KR100596552B1 (ko) 2006-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2472386C (en) Cigarette and cigarette filter containing a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt
US4729391A (en) Microporous materials in cigarette filter construction
US5465739A (en) Cigarette and cigarette filter element therefor
US7487782B2 (en) Cigarette filter
JP2002233351A (ja) 毒性化合物を除去するタバコ煙フィルタ
US3667478A (en) Filter cigarette incorporating vitamin a
US7104265B2 (en) Filter containing a metal phthalocyanine and a polycationic polymer
CA2499648C (en) Cigarette filter
US20050211260A1 (en) Cigarette filter
HK1079059B (en) Cigarette filter
JPH03219860A (ja) たばこ煙用フィルター
UA76021C2 (en) Cigarette filter and a cigarette filter
HK1079058B (en) Cigarette filter

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: JAPAN TOBACCO INC., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TARORA, MASAFUMI;KATAYAMA, KAZUHIKO;HASEGAWA, TAKASHI;REEL/FRAME:015557/0007

Effective date: 20040622

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION