Tobacco Documents Online

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Pro3ect SSA Executive Sumnary Products have been developed, using microencapsulation technology, which improve sidestream smoke aroma while maintaining acceptable mainstream taste characteristics. The microcapsules are incorporated into the cigarette via the sideseam glue. These capsules are composed of a urea-formaldehyde polymer wall with a 65% vanillin/ ethyl-vanillin payload and are supplied by 3M. The sweet, pleasant aroma of vanillin is liberated into the surrounding air when the cigarettes are burned. An initial consumer test (MARC, blind two-pack) will field on 7/14.

Project SSA Project Leaders: M. F. Dube, B. L. Saintsing Objective: To develop cigarettes which address identified social acceptability concerns of smokers. In particular, to improve the sidestream smoke aroma. Benefits: Products with improved sidestream smoke aroma (SSA) offer the following potential benefits: • Improved aroma while smoking • Improved room aroma (lingering aroma) • Less absorbed tobacco smoke odor (clothes, drapes, etc.) • Less offensiveness to others Status: • Sidestream aroma exploratory study conducted 11/19/8' by Walker Research. Fifty-four aromas were evaluated. Results, received 1/86, indicated that vanillin-type aromas were preferred (marshmallow, toffee, coconut, vanillin). Additionally, females ranked floral types high. Based on these results, R&D narrowed down the potential number of aromas to the top fifteen. • Firmenich, Naarden, IFF and Florasynth, the flavor houses supplying the top fifteen flavors, have signed special confidentiality agreements with RJR. • The top fifteen aromas have been submitted to Tox for approval. All required reformulation. The flavor houses have complied, although approval has not been granted. • Contract research with Battelle Columbus has been ongoing. Attempts to prepare microcapsules by organic phase separation have been unsuccessful. Prilled microspheres containing wax and vanillin cause staining problems. Direction, now, is to prepare prills of 100% vanillin and overcoat with ethyl-cellulose.

• Microcapsules, prepared by a proprietary 3M process, cocnposed of an urea-formaldehyde polymer wall and a vanillin/ ethyl-vanillin core, perform well. These capsules have been evaluated by Tox and approved for use. Scale-up capability has been demonstrated. One hundred pounds of capsules were prepared and shipped to RJR. • Microcapsules have been incorporated in the sideseam glue and applied to cigarettes using a Kaymich applicator (gravity-fed, Molins Mark 9) and a pumped delivery system (Protos). Both methods successfully added microcapsules to products without mechanical breakage at controllable rates and with only minor and correctable problems in sealability. • Efforts with Ecusta, under a joint-development agreement, have resulted in an alternate method of applying microcapsules to cigarettes. Using a Gravure printing method, microcapsules.have been dispersed over the surface of the paper and adhered using ethyl-cellulose. • U. S. Patent No. 827568, a cigarette having sidestream aroma, was filled on 2/10/86 to protect such products.

Pro3ect AP Executive SumoarY Cigarette packaging materials have been developed which incorporate controlled release flavor delivery systems. When opened, packages employing this technology, provide a noticeable aroma. The expectation is that this aroma will coanuunicate quality and freshness to the consumer.

Pro3ect AP Project Leaders: M. F. Dube, B. L. Saintsing Objective: To develop packaging materials which release preferred aromas when opened. Benefits: Pack aroma technology offers the following benefits: • Communication to end-user of product quality and freshness. • Basis for brand uniqueness and identity. • Reinforcement of cigarette characteristics by the package into a total concept. • Ability to subtly alter flavor characteristics (taste) of cigarette products. Status: • Confidentially agreements have been negotiated with IFF (Po1yIFF) and Naarden (PFC, Polymer-Fragrance- Complex). • U.S. Patent No. 857710, cigarette packaging having unique aromas, was filed on 5/1/86 to cover our interests in this area. • LDPE (low density polyethylene) slow-release materials containing vanillin, chocolate, cinnamon, peppermint, cedar, lemon have been prepared by IFF and Naarden. • Flavored LDPE has been blown into film and laminated onto cigarette foil and carton-stock by Archer. Additionally, flavored LDPE in roll form has been supplied by the flavor houses. • Flavored LDPE has been placed in the top of te1KS/CPB and shown to consumers at focus groups. Reaction to aromas was positive and product taste differences were noted.

• WKS/CPB products with cinnamon and chocolate flavored LDPE strips inserted into the box top were evaluated on the SED external QDA panel. Products with the strips were judged intermediate to Marlboro and WINSTON on the majority of attributes, indicating that subtle taste modifications can be made in cigarettes by i:his technology. • WCS foil laminated with flavored LDPE has not been successfully run on the packer in the R&D plant. The laminated foil does not slide through the inlet to the slitter. R&D plant personnel indicate that minor machine modifications will be required. i

Project DFC Executive SummarY Puffing parameters (puff volume, frequency and duration) have been shown to vary depending on which product is smoked and„who smokes it. These objective measurements of smoking behavior were,obta.ined concurrently with subjective ratings of satisfaction and Desire For a Cigarette (DFC). The subjective measures effectively detect product differences as do the objective measures. Preliminary results of a consumer study of WINSTON and Marlboro smokers indicate that WINSTON and Marlboro smokers smoke products differently (Marlboro smokers tend to take puffs with larger volume, longer duration and less frequently). Males and females also smoke the same products using widely different puffing parameters. These results suggest methods for measuring objectively the effect of product changes on smoking behavior and allow correlation with the ratings of satisfaction and DFC.

Project DFC Project Leaders: A. B. Norman, M. F. Dube, R. W. Hawley (Jointly with Biobehavioral R&D). Objectives: To evaluate methodology for measurement of sm6kers' desire for cigarettes. To evaluate the viability of objectively measured smoking behavior as a means of detecting differences among products. Benefits: The benefits of this methodology are: • Ability to measure objectively whether or not products are different. • Ability to tailor product deliveries.to the smoking requirements of specific smokers. • Ability to objectively determine similarities and differences among smokers of the same brand. Status: • Contract with outside marketing research firm (Bellomy Research, Inc.) was made to supply a panel of Marlboro and WINSTON smokers (total of 60 consumers). • Testing site (Northpoint Office Complex) was rented and outfitted for use. • Initial test of the "desire for cigarette" (DFC) methodology was completed 3/14/86. Preliminary findings indicated that the methodology effectively measured differences in "L>FC" and satisfaction among test cigarettes including WINSTON, Marlboro, CAMEL Light, Marlboro Light and NOW. The NOW and Marlboro Light products had significantly lower ability to quench "desire for cigarette" than the other products. No differences owing to the usual brand of the smoker were found.