(19)

(11)

EP 1 441 603 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 28.08.2003 (43) Date of publication: 04.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/32 (21) Application number: 02778767.0 (22) Date of filing: 07.11.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A24B 15/28, A24D 3/16 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/035741 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/041521 (22.05.2003 Gazette 2003/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 09.11.2001 US 338168 P (71) Applicant: Vector Tobacco Inc. Timberlake, NC 27853 (US)	(72) Inventor: SHI, Xuling Raleigh, NC 27613 (US) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  Belgrave HallBelgrave Street Leeds LS2 8DD Leeds LS2 8DD (GB)