(19)

(11)

EP 2 343 996 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.07.2011 Bulletin 2011/29 (21) Application number: 09789845.6 (22) Date of filing: 18.06.2009

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A24D 1/02(2006.01) A24D 3/04(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2009/047802 (87) International publication number: WO 2010/051076 (06.05.2010 Gazette 2010/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA RS (30) Priority: 31.10.2008 US 263031 31.10.2008 US 263019 (71) Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY Winston-salem, NC 27101 (US)

(72) Inventors: JOYCE, Leigh, Ann, Blevins Lewisville NC 27023 (US) SEBASTIAN, Andries, Don Clemmons NC 27012 (US) POWELL, Robert, H. Colfax NC 27235 (US) MATTHEWS, Stephen, T. Clemmons NC 27012 (US) STOKES, Cynthia, Stewart Lexington NC 27292 (US) BEARD, Kenneth, A. Lexington NC 27295 (US) DUBE, Michael, F. Winston-Salem NC 27106 (US) CHAPMAN, Paul, Stuart Winston-Salem NC 27107 (US) NORMAN, Allen, B. Clemmons NC 27012 (US) HOLLAND, Andrea, P. Charlotte NC 28262 (US) (74) Representative: Hoeger, Stellrecht & Partner Patentanwälte  Uhlandstrasse 14c 70182 Stuttgart 70182 Stuttgart (DE)