BE1024591B1 - END FILTER TUBE FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter tip tube for a smoking article is provided. The filter-tipped tube may comprise an empty tube and a filter attached to the empty tube, the empty tube being arranged to receive a user-introduced smokable material. The filter may include a first filter section comprising a filter material, and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, and a second filter section comprising a filter material.

Description

(73) Holder (s):

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED

WC2R 3LA, LONDON

United Kingdom (72) Inventor (s):

MEYER Christian WC2R 3LA LONDON United Kingdom (54) FILTER TUBE FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE (57) A filter tip tube for a smoking article is available. The filter-tipped tube may include an empty tube and a filter attached to the empty tube, the empty tube being arranged to receive a smokable material introduced by a user. The filter may include a first filter section comprising a filter material, and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, and a second filter section comprising a filter material.

Figure 1

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, SMEs, Middle Classes & Energy

Publication number: 1024591 Deposit number: BE2017 / 5286

Intellectual Property Office International Classification: A24C 5/46 A24D 3/04 A24D 3/06 Date of issue: 19/04/2018

The Minister of the Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of March 20, 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Considering the law of March 28, 1984 on patents for invention, article 22, for patent applications introduced before September 22, 2014;

Given Title 1 “Patents for invention” of Book XI of the Code of Economic Law, article XI.24, for patent applications introduced from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 relating to the request, the issue and the maintenance in force of invention patents, article 28;

Given the patent application received by the Intellectual Property Office on 25/04/2017.

Whereas for patent applications falling within the scope of Title 1, Book XI of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter CDE), in accordance with article XI. 19, §4, paragraph 2, of the CDE, if the patent application has been the subject of a search report mentioning a lack of unity of invention within the meaning of the §ler of article XI.19 cited above and in the event that the applicant does not limit or file a divisional application in accordance with the results of the search report, the granted patent will be limited to the claims for which the search report has been drawn up.

Stopped :

First article. - It is issued to

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED, Globe House, 1 Water Street, WC2R 3LA LONDON United Kingdom;

represented by

OFFICE KIRKPATRICK S.A., Avenue Wolfers 32, 1310, LA HULPE;

a Belgian invention patent with a duration of 20 years, subject to the payment of the annual fees referred to in article XI.48, §1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: TUBE A BOUT FILTRE POUR AN ARTICLE A

MEYER Christian, c / o British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited, Globe House 1 Water Street, WC2R

3LA, LONDON;

TO SMOKE.

INVENTOR (S):

PRIORITY (S):

04/29/2016 GB 1607607.7;

DIVISION:

divided from the basic application: filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior examination of the patentability of the invention, without guarantee of the merit of the invention or of the accuracy of the description thereof and at the risk and peril of the applicant (s) ( s).

Brussels, 04/19/2018, By special delegation:

B E2017 / 5286

Filter tip tube for a Smoking Item

Technical area

The invention relates to a filter tip tube for a smoking article. Embodiments of the invention relate to a filter tip tube for a smoking article having a first section formed from filter material and having at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material.

Background

Do-it-yourself cigarettes are known and are typically formed using a filter-tipped tube which the user fills with tobacco, for example using a portable filling device or a larger filling station.

Known smoking article filters, such as cigarette filters, generally include a continuous tow of filamentous cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate is brought together to form a rod which is cut to form individual filter segments. The smoking article filter can be made of a filter rod segment, or can be made from several segments, with or without a cavity or spaces between them.

B E2017 / 5286

summary

According to embodiments of the invention, there is provided a tube with a filter end for a smoking article comprising an empty tube and a filter fixed to the empty tube, the empty tube being arranged to receive a smokable material introduced by a user, the filter comprising a first filter section comprising a filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, and a second filter section comprising a filter material.

The first filter section may be located at the proximal end of the filter tip tube, and the second filter section may be located upstream of the first filter section.

The first filter section may include a tubular filter section. The tubular filter section can be formed from a fibrous filter material.

The tubular filter section may have an outer circumference in the range of 14mm to 28mm and / or a channel diameter in the range of 1mm to 6mm.

The second filter section may include a filter material having a smoke-modifying additive disposed in the axial region thereof. The smoke-modifying additive can be disposed at a higher concentration in the axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the second filter section. The smoke-modifying additive may include a

B E2017 / 5286 encapsulated additive or an additive placed on a support material.

The filter tip tube may further include a third filter section located upstream of the second filter section, the third filter section comprising a fibrous filter material and a granular adsorbent material.

The first filter section may have a length between 4 mm and 10 mm and / or the second filter section may have a length between 10 mm and 20 mm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a filter-tipped tube for a smoking article, the filter-tipped tube having a filter with a tubular downstream filter section and an upstream filter section, · Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a filter tip tube for a smoking article, the filter tip tube having a filter with a tubular downstream filter section and an upstream filter section comprising an encapsulated additive, in this example a frangible capsule ;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a filter tipped tube for a smoking article, the tipped tube

BE2017 / 5286 filter having a filter with a tubular filter section and a filter section comprising a wire carrying an additive; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a filter tipped tube having a filter similar to that described with reference to Figure 2 but also comprising an additional filter section having an adsorbent dispersed in a filter material.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and also heat-not-burn products and other nicotine delivery devices capable of generating an aerosol for distribution to a consumer. Such smoking articles may be provided with a filter for the gas flow drawn in by the smoker.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes and their formats are often named according to the length of the cigarette: "ordinary" (typically in the range 68 - 75 mm, for example from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), " short ”or“ mini ”(68 mm or less),“ large ”(typically in the range 75 - 91 mm, for example from about 79 mm to about 88 mm),“ long ”or“ super large ”(typically in the range 91 - 105 mm, for example from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and "ultra-long"

B E2017 / 5286 (typically in the range of about 110 mm to about

121 mm).

They are also named according to the circumference of the cigarette: "ordinary" (approximately 2326 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "fine" (approximately 22-23 mm), "semi-fine" (approximately 19-22 mm), "super-fine" (about 16-19 mm), and "micro-fine" (less than about 16 mm). As a result, a large, super-thin format cigarette will, for example, have a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm. Regular size cigarettes are preferred by many consumers, that is, with a circumference in the range of 23 to 26 mm and an overall length in the range of 75 to 91 mm.

Each format can be produced with filters of different lengths, the smaller filters being generally used in formats of smaller circumferences and lengths. Typically, the filter length will be 15 mm, associated with short, ordinary formats, to 30 mm, associated with ultra-long, super-fine formats. The cuff paper will be longer than the filter, for example 2 to 10 mm in length.

The filter tipped tubes and filters described below can be manufactured in any of the above formats. The filter-tipped tube may, for example, have a length in the range of 70 to 125 mm and a circumference in the range of 14 to 28 mm, to produce cigarettes of a similar size.

B E2017 / 5286

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" used herein are relative terms defined with respect to the direction of the primary stream of smoke (or other aerosol) drawn through a smoking article in use. Consequently, a first element of the filter-tipped tube is upstream of a second element if it is further from the proximal end of the filter-tipped tube than the second element.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a filter-tipped tube 1 for use in forming a smoking article, in the present example a cigarette. The filter-tipped tube 1 is generally cylindrical in shape and is in the long, ordinary format, i.e. having a length in the range 91-105 mm and a circumference in the range from 23 to 26 mm. In the present example, the filter tip tube 1 has a diameter of 8.03 mm. The filter-tipped tube 1 can have a circumference of 25.13 mm. The filter-tipped tube 1 comprises an empty tube 3, in the present example formed of paper, and a filter 4. The empty tube 3 and the filter 4 are connected together by a cuff paper 5, which wraps around and covers the filter 4 and part of the tube 3. The empty tube 3 is capable of receiving a smokable material, such as tobacco, which can be introduced inside the tube 3 by the user in order to form a smoking article.

The filter 4 comprises a first section 6 at the proximal end of the filter 4 comprising a fibrous filter material 7 formed in a tubular shape and having a channel 8 extending through the center of the filter material 7. The channel 8 is empty, or hollow. Channel 8 can, for

B E2017 / 5286 example, have a diameter in the range from 1 mm to 6 mm, for example a diameter in the range from 2 mm to 5 mm. The channel 8 extending through the center of the filter material 7 is, in the present example, an empty, hollow passage for the primary stream of smoke or other aerosol sucked through the filter 4. The channel 8, in certain modes embodiment, extends through an axial region of the filter material 7 of the first filter section 6. The axial region of the first filter section 6 is a region, in the present example, centered on the axis "a" of the filter tip tube 1, having a radius of about 2.5 mm. In another embodiment, the radius of the axial region can be of any value in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or be about 1 mm, 1, 5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm.

In the present example, the first filter section 6 is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and is not wrapped in filter paper, thus having its fibers exposed on the outer surface of the first filter section. filter 6. Alternatively, the first filter section 6 may be a wrapped filter section wrapped in filter paper. The first filter section 6 may include a plasticizer to achieve a desired stiffness, and in the present example comprises about 17% triacetin (glycerin triacetate) by weight of the filter. The level of plasticizer can alternatively be of any value between 15% and 22% by weight of the filter. The wall thickness of the first filter section around the channel 8 may, for example, be in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm. However, specific dimensions can be chosen

B E2017 / 5286 on the basis of the density of the filter material forming the first filter section 6 and the level of plasticizer applied to the material, for example so as to obtain a tube of the desired rigidity, the desired porosity or the like desired characteristics. The first tubular filter section 6 can be fabricated using existing methods and machines.

The filter 4 further comprises a second filter section 10 upstream of the first filter section 6, comprising a filter material 11. The second filter section 10 is wrapped in filter paper (not shown), although in alternatively it could be an unwrapped filter segment.

The first and second filter sections 6, 10 are held together by filter paper 12. The first filter section 6 (downstream) has, in the present example, a length of 7 mm. The second filter section 10 (upstream) has, in the present example, a length of 17 mm.

The first and second filter sections 6, 10 are aligned with the empty tube 3 along the longitudinal axis of the filter-tipped tube 1 which is indicated by "a" in Figure 1.

The filter-tipped tube 1 is, in the present example, provided with ventilation holes (not shown) through the cuff material 5 and the filter paper material surrounding the second filter section 10, ensuring ventilation inside from the second filter section 10. In a filter-tipped tube with a

ΒΕ2017 / 5286 first filter section 6 (downstream) with a length of 7 mm and a second filter section 10 (upstream) with a length of 17 mm, ventilation can be provided at 14 mm, or alternatively 20 mm from the proximal end, or at a location between 10 mm and 25 mm from the proximal end.

In use, a consumer introduces a smokable material, such as tobacco, inside the paper tube 3 to form a smoking article. The smoking article is then ignited by the consumer and the tobacco smoke is drawn from the resulting burning charcoal, through the filter 4. The channel 8 in the first filter section 6 has resistance to the primary stream of flowing smoke through the filter 4 lower than that of the adjacent tubular filter material 7, and therefore a greater proportion of primary smoke stream is directed through the channel 8. As an alternative to lighting the smoking article, in d other smoking items, the consumer can, for example, use a heating mechanism to heat the tobacco, but not burn it, or simply draw air through a smokable material which is deposited inside the tube 3 to release an aerosol.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a filter-tipped tube 21 according to another embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the filter tip tube 21 are the same as those of the filter tip tube 1 described with reference to Figure 1, except where noted below, and the same reference numbers have been used to identify equivalent components. In this example, the filter 24 includes a second section of

B E2017 / 5286 filter 30 comprising a filter material 31 having a capsule 32 disposed inside of it. The second section 30 is wrapped in filter paper (not shown) and is arranged at the upstream end of the filter 24.

The second filter section 30 of Figure 2 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous filters of cellulose acetate and a plasticizer. Capsule 32 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm, although other capsule shapes and sizes can be used. The capsule 32 has a rigid outer wall containing a fluid additive which modifies properties of the primary stream of smoke (or other aerosol) passing from the smokable material during use. The capsule 32 can be manufactured and introduced into the second filter section 30 using existing methods and machines. In the present example, the capsule 32 contains a menthol flavoring agent, although other granular fluids or additives may be contained inside the capsule 32. The capsule can be ruptured by a consumer to release the fluid additive into the filter material 31.

The axis of the filter tip tube 21, along which the empty tube 3 and the first and second filter sections 6, 30 are aligned, is indicated by "a" in Figure 2. The first filter section 6 (in downstream) has, in the present example, a length of 7 mm. The second filter section 30 (upstream) has, in the present example, a length of 17 mm.

B E2017 / 5286

In the present example, the capsule 32 is located in an "axial region" of the second filter section 30, in particular so that the center of the capsule is closer to the axis "a" of the tube with filter tip. 21 only from the outer periphery of the filter tip tube 21. The capsule 32, or other additive material, may be disposed only in the axial region of the filter material of the second filter section 30, or may be disposed at a concentration larger in the axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the second filter section 30. The axial region of the second filter section 30 may be a region, in the present example centered on the axis "a »Of the filter tip tube 21, having a radius of about 2.5 mm. In other embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be of any value in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or be about 1 mm, 1 , 5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm.

In the present example, the capsule 32 is located with its center along the axis "a". In the present example, the capsule 32 is offset from the longitudinal center of the second filter section 30. In particular, the capsule 32 is located inside a part of the second filter section 30 closer to the end downstream of the second filter section 30. In particular, the distance "d" between the center of the capsule 32 and the downstream end of the second filter section 30 is less than half the total longitudinal length of the second filter section 30. In certain embodiments, the distance “d” is less than 40% ·, less than 30 £ or less than 25% of the total longitudinal length of the second filter section 30.

B E2017 / 5286

In the present example, the distance "d" is approximately 30% of the total longitudinal length of the second filter section 30. In other embodiments, the capsule 32 can be located longitudinally centrally inside from the second filter section 30 or closer to the upstream end of the second filter section 30 than to the downstream end.

The filter-tipped tube 21 is, in the present example, provided with ventilation holes (not shown) through the cuff material 5 and any filter paper enveloping the second filter section 30, ensuring ventilation in the second filter section 30. If formed by in-line laser perforation, the ventilation holes are preferably located in a longitudinal position other than that in which the capsule 32 is located, to avoid damaging the capsule 32 during manufacture. For example, in a filter-tipped tube with a first filter section 6 (downstream) with a length of 7 mm and a second filter section 30 (upstream) with a length of 17 mm, ventilation can be ensured 20 mm from the proximal end, while the capsule 32 is located longitudinally centrally inside the second filter section and, at a diameter of 3.5 mm, consequently extends by 13, 75 mm to 17.25 mm from the proximal end.

Although only one capsule 32 is used in the illustrated example, two, three or more capsules 32 may alternatively be located within the axial region of the second filter section 30. For example, for a second section filter 30 having a length

BE2017 / 5286 of 17 mm and a first filter section having a length of 7 mm, a first capsule can be located with its center 12 mm from the proximal end of the filter and a second capsule can be located with its center at 18 mm from the proximal end of the filter 24. Ventilation perforations can be located 22 mm from the proximal end of the filter 24.

In use, a consumer introduces a smokable material, such as tobacco, inside the paper tube 3 to form a smoking article. The smoking article is then ignited by the consumer and tobacco smoke is drawn from the resulting burning charcoal, through the filter 24. The channel 8 in the first filter section 6 has resistance to the primary stream of flowing smoke through the filter 4 lower than that of the adjacent tubular filter material 7, and therefore a greater proportion of primary smoke stream is directed through the channel 8. As an alternative to lighting the smoking article, in d other smoking articles, the consumer can, for example use a heating mechanism to heat the tobacco, but not burn it, or simply draw air through a smokable material which is deposited inside the tube 3 The consumer can also break the capsule 32 before, during or after smoking the smoking article, in order to release the smoke-modifying additive contained therein. In the present example, the additive is released in greater concentration in the axial region of the second filter section 30 through which an increased flow of primary smoke stream is directed, following the first filter section 6. As a result, the increased flow of primary smoke stream

B E2017 / 5286 improves the distribution of the smoke-modifying additive to the consumer and the smoking article may therefore exhibit a distribution of a smoke-modifying additive to the consumer which is improved compared to smoking articles formed of conventional filter tip tubes.

Since the capsule 32 is located inside part of the second filter section

30 closer to the first filter section 6, the effect of an increased flow of primary smoke stream on the contents of the capsule 32, once released, is further improved. The use of the first tubular filter section 6 at the proximal end of the filter tip tube 21 allows the capsule 32 to be located closer to the proximal end of the filter tip tube 21 than would be possible. if the second filter section 30 containing the capsule 32 was at the proximal end of the filter tip tube 21. This is due to the fact that the first tubular filter section 6 separates the second filter section 30 from the mouth of the consumer , thereby preventing the contents of the capsule 32 from coming into contact with the consumer's mouth.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a filter tip tube 41 having a filter 44 according to another embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the filter tip tube 41 are the same as those of the filter tip tube 21 described with reference to Figure 2, except where noted below, and the same reference numbers have been used to identify equivalent components.

B E2017 / 5286

The filter tip tube 41 comprises an empty paper tube 3, connected longitudinally to a filter 44 by a cuff material 5 covering the filter 44 and partially covering the paper tube 3. The filter 44 comprises a second section 50 at the upstream end of the filter 44, comprising a filter material 51. In the present case, rather than having a capsule placed in the second filter section, the filter material 51 has a wire 52 carrying the additive, disposed at the inside thereof in an axial region (not shown) of the second section 50, the axial region of the second filter section 50 being as defined with respect to the second filter section 30 of the filter-tipped tube 21 described above. The yarn can, for example, be formed from cotton fibers or cellulose acetate and be loaded with between 0.1 and 10 mg of flavoring agent, such as a menthol flavoring agent. Load levels between 0.2 and 2 mg, or between 0.2 and 1 mg, of flavoring agent have been found to be effective. The second section 50 is wrapped in filter paper (not shown), although alternatively it can be provided in the form of an unwrapped filter segment. The wire 52 carries an additive capable of modifying the main stream of smoke passing through the filter 44, in this case a menthol flavoring.

The filter 44 further comprises a first section 6 at the proximal end of the filter 44, comprising a fibrous filter material 7 formed into a tubular shape and having a channel 8 extending through the center of the filter material 7, or through an axial region thereof, similar to the first section 6 of the filter 24 of Figure 2 described above.

B E2017 / 5286

The second filter section 50 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous fibers of cellulose acetate and a plasticizer. The wire 52 can be introduced into the filter material during the formation of the second filter section 50 using existing methods and machines. Although a single wire 52 is used in the present example, two, three or more wires 52 may alternatively be located within the axial region of the second filter section 50.

In use, the smoking article made from the filter tip tube 41 shown in Figure 3 operates in a similar fashion to a smoking article made from the filter tip tube 21 shown in Figure 2 However, rather than breaking a capsule to release a smoke-modifying additive, the consumer can simply smoke the smoking article in the usual way. When it does this, a larger stream of primary smoke stream is directed, following the first filter section 6, through the axial region of the second filter section 50 in which the wire 52 carrying the additive smoke modifier is located. Consequently, when the smoking article is smoked, the increased flow of primary smoke stream improves the distribution of the smoke-modifying additive to the user and the smoking article may therefore exhibit an additive distribution. consumer smoke modifier which is improved compared to conventional smoking articles.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a filter tipped tube 61 having a filter 64 according to another

B E2017 / 5286 embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the filter tip tube 61 are the same as those of the filter tip tube 21 described with reference to Figure 2, except where noted below, and the same reference numbers have been used to identify equivalent components. The filter tip tube 61 comprises an empty paper tube 3, connected longitudinally to a filter 64 by a cuff material 65 covering the filter 64 and partially covering the tube 3. The filter 64 comprises three filter sections, comprising a first section of filter 6 as described here with reference to Figures 1 to 3, a second filter section 30 as described here with reference to Figure 2, and a third additional filter section 70 at an upstream end of the filter 64 closest to the tube 3.

The third filter section 70 is disposed at the upstream end of the three-part filter 64 and comprises granules of adsorbent material 72, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed inside a fibrous filter material 71. In the present example, the fibrous filter material 71 is formed from a tow of cellulose acetate. In the present example, 40 mg of activated carbon granules are used, although other amounts, such as between 10 mg and 80 mg or between 10 mg and 50 mg, can be used.

The second filter section 30 has a length of 12 mm in the present example, the first filter section 6 has a length of 7 mm and the third filter section 70 has a length of 10 mm, although other lengths of section can be used. A

B E2017 / 5286 ventilation is ensured in the second filter section 30 at a position of 17 mm from the proximal end of the tube with filter end 61. The capsule 32 is located with its center 13 mm from the proximal end of the filter 64, that is to say that it extends from 11.25 mm to 14.75 mm from the proximal end of the filter 64.

In use, a smoking article formed from the filter tip tube 61 shown in Figure 4 operates in a similar fashion to a smoking article formed from the filter tip tube 21 shown in Figure 2, with the third additional filter section 70 ensuring additional selective smoke filtration upstream of the second filter section 30 and therefore without influencing the distribution of the smoke-modifying additive to the consumer from the capsule 32.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been described, although the invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, although the first filter section has been described above as a tubular part of fibrous filter material, this may take other forms, such as sections of filter material with regions of lower density extending to across an axial region thereof. Also, the tubular section or other section having reduced density in an axial region has been described as being at the proximal end of the filter in some embodiments above, but in any of the embodiments it may variant be used as a central component or an upstream end of multi-part filters, for

B E2017 / 5286 19 example upstream of the section in which the smoke-modifying additive is located, while still benefiting from the effect of the invention. In particular, the presence of such a filter section can encourage the primary smoke stream to be directed to an axial region of a smoke article both upstream and downstream of the region, due to the fact that the lower suction resistance coincides with the axial region.

The first, second and (if present) third filter sections described above are discrete segments. Although the first, second and (if present) third filter sections described above are connected together using cuff material, they are individually separated and distinct after they are formed and before being connected together. The cuff material also connects the filter sections to the respective empty tube 3 of each embodiment. In exemplary variations of each of the embodiments described, filter paper is used to connect the first, second and (if present) third discrete filter sections before they are connected to the tube 3 using the cuff material. Additional filter papers may surround one or more of the first, second, and third individual filter sections, or may be omitted. The third filter section 70 is described as being added to the first and second tube filter sections 21 of Figure 2, but could also be added upstream of the first and second filter sections of the filter tipped tubes 1, 41 of the Figures 1 and 3.

B E2017 / 5286

In order to respond to various problems and advance the technique, the entirety of the present disclosure shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the claimed invention (s) can be implemented and allow better smoke distribution. , aerosol and / or smoke modifying additives. The advantages and characteristics of the disclosure are only of a representative sample of the embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed characteristics. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered as limitations of the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations to equivalents of claims, and that other embodiments may be used and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or the spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., disclosed. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

B E2017 / 5286

Claims (10)

Claims 1 - Tube with filter end for a smoking article comprising an empty tube and a filter fixed to the empty tube, the empty tube being arranged to receive a smokable material introduced by a user, the filter comprising: a first filter section comprising a filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, and a second filter section comprising a filter material. 2 - Tube with filter end according to claim 1, in which the first filter section is located at the proximal end of the tube with filter end, and the second filter section is located upstream from the first filter section. 3- Tube with filter end according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first filter section comprises a tubular filter section. 4 - Tube with filter tip according to claim 3, wherein the tubular filter section is formed from a fibrous filter material. The filter-tipped tube of claim 4, wherein the tubular filter section has an outer circumference in the range of 14 mm to 28 mm and a channel diameter in the range of 1 mm to 6 mm. 6 - Tube with filter end according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second section B E2017 / 5286 filter comprises a filter material having a smoke modifier additive disposed in the axial region thereof. 7 - Tube with filter end according to claim 6, in which the smoke-modifying additive is arranged in a greater concentration in the axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the second filter section. 8 - Tube with filter end according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the smoke-modifying additive comprises an encapsulated additive or an additive disposed on a support material. 9 - Filter tip tube according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third filter section located upstream of the second filter section, the third filter section comprising a fibrous filter material and a granular adsorbent material. 10 - Tube with filter end according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first filter section has a length between 4 mm and 10 mm and / or the second filter section has a length between 10 mm and 20 mm. BE2017 / 5286 I BE2017 / 5286 BE2017 / 5286 Abridged Filter tip tube for a Smoking Item 5 A filter-tipped tube for a smoking article is proposed. The filter-tipped tube may include an empty tube and a filter attached to the empty tube, the empty tube being arranged to receive a smokable material introduced by a user. The filter may include a first section 10 of filter comprising a filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, and a second filter section comprising a filter material. Nati on request number