Cigarette wrapper with novel pattern

Abstract

A wrapper for a smoking article has a base web and a plurality of crenellated bands, each having a diffusivity value in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. The add-on material can be applied by gravure printing in a single pass in a chevron pattern such that an apex of the element is co-linear with substantially symmetrically spaced points on a trailing, outer edge of an adjacent chevron element. Testing elements may be simultaneously printed with the add-on material to monitor diffusivity and/or presence of add-on material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of achieving ignition propensity performance in a smoking article together with statistically fewer self-extinguishments in such smoking articles, comprising:
 establishing on a wrapper of said smoking article a plurality of crenellated bands arranged in circumferential extending, longitudinally spaced-apart relation;   said establishing step including establishing said bands at predetermined size and diffusivity value such that said smoking article exhibits an IP performance of less than about 15%; and exhibits an average SE performance less than about 50%.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said diffusivity value is established in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further including establishing the bands by single-pass printing an aqueous solution containing starch, calcium carbonate, and an anti-wrinkling agent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , said establishing further comprises applying the rows of bands to a base web according to a chevron form. 
     
     
         5 . A process of making wrapper for a smoking article comprising:
 applying an add-on material on a base web in the form of a plurality of crenellated bands; and   controlling diffusivity values in the bands to lie in the range of 0 to about 0.2 cm/sec using an aqueous solution of starch, calcium carbonate, and an anti-wrinkling agent.   
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5 , further including selecting the anti-wrinkling agent from the group consisting of propylene glycol; 1,2 propylene glycol; and glycerin. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 4 , further including slitting the base web to form bobbins. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the bands are applied to the base web in a chevron pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the zones of bands are applied to the base web in a chevron pattern such that an apex of a lagging chevron is essentially transverse of an outer edge portion of a leading chevron. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the chevron pattern has an angle with respect to the transverse direction of the web, which angle lies in the range of about 0.5° to about 5°.