BR212013014455Y1 - SMOKING ARTICLE HAVING EXTERNAL CASE WITH CUT OUT PORTION - Google Patents

Abstract

smoking article having an outer wrapper with a cut-out portion. the present model relates to the smoking article (10) (30) (50) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (12) (32); a nozzle (14) (34) (54) in axial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate, the nozzle comprising one or more segments (16) (36, 38, 40) (56, 58, 60) at least one segment incorporating a particulate flavoring material; a substantially transparent housing (18) (42) (64) circumscribing the nozzle along at least a portion of the length of the nozzle; and an outer shell (20) (44) (66) overlays the substantially transparent shell (18) (42) (64) and comprises at least a cut-out portion (22) (46) (68, 68') extending to the around less than the full circumference of the mouthpiece (14) (34) (54) and exposing an area of the substantially transparent housing (18) (42) (64), through which an underlying portion of the mouthpiece is visible.

Description

The present model relates to a novel smoking article having a mouthpiece circumscribed by an outer casing with a cut-out portion for viewing a portion of the mouthpiece, and a method for producing such a smoking article.

Filter cigarettes typically comprise a cylindrical stem cut of filler tobacco surrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter axially aligned in end-to-end relationship with the coated tobacco stem. Conventionally, the coated tobacco rod and the filter are joined by a filter wrapper, typically formed of a band of paper material that encircles the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the coated tobacco rod.

Various smoking articles in which the tobacco is heated rather than burned have also been proposed in the art. In heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavor-generating substrate such as tobacco. Known heated smoking articles include, for example, electrically heated smoking articles and smoking articles in which an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a fuel element, or heat source, to an aerosol-forming material. physically separated. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol generating substrate by heat transfer from the fuel element and are drawn into the air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

It has previously been proposed to provide a wrapper on a smoking article that is at least partially formed of a transparent material, such that at least a part of the smoking article is visible through the wrapper. For example, US-A-5,396,909 describes a filter having a filter paper formed from a transparent sheet or film material, such as a clear polymeric or cellulosic material, which allows the consumer to observe the effectiveness of the underlying filter. WO-A-2009/106374 similarly describes a filter with a filter paper formed of a transparent material, but wherein an opaque coating is applied to a portion of the filter housing so that only the underlying filter part is visible.

However, it has been found that the use of such transparent, polymeric or cellulosic materials can be unpleasant to the consumer, due to the different mouthfeel of the material compared to traditional filter paper. In particular, the texture of transparent materials is typically very different from that of a paper material and gives a different sensation to the consumer when the filter is placed between the lips during smoking.

It would be desirable to provide a smoking article having new, alternative means of allowing the consumer to visualize a portion of the smoking article but providing an outer wrapper that has a more acceptable lip feel. It would be particularly desirable if such a smoking article could be assembled using standard coating techniques and apparatus.

According to the model, there is provided a smoking article comprising: an aerosol generating substrate; a nozzle in axial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate, the nozzle comprising one or more segments, at least one segment incorporating a particulate flavoring material; a substantially transparent housing circumscribing the nozzle along at least a portion of the length of the nozzle; and an outer shell circumscribing the mouthpiece. The outer shell overlies the substantially transparent shell and comprises at least a cut-out portion, extending around less than the full circumference of the nozzle and exposing an area of the substantially transparent shell through which an underlying portion of the nozzle segment, including the particulate flavoring material, is visible.

The term 'substantially transparent' is used to describe a material that allows at least a significant proportion of incident light to pass through it, so that it is possible to see through the material. In the present embodiment, the substantially transparent housing allows enough light to pass through it so that the mouthpiece is visible through the housing. The substantially transparent housing may be completely transparent. Alternatively, the housing may have a lower level of transparency while still transmitting enough light so that the nozzle is visible through the housing.

The thickness of the substantially transparent shell is preferably at least 25 micrometers, and more preferably between 25 and 75 micrometers. The weight of the substantially transparent wrapper is preferably at least 40 grams per square meter (gsm), and more preferably between 40 and 80 gsm. Materials suitable for use as the substantially transparent wrapper of smoking articles in accordance with the present embodiment include, but are not limited to, cellophane and polypropylene. Different grades, thicknesses and weights of suitable substantially transparent materials are commercially available from various sources. For example, Innovia Films Ltd. makes a variety of different grades of such materials.

In some cases, the substantially transparent wrapper may be dyed or colored or may have a repeating pattern or other type of graphic applied to it. For example, the substantially transparent wrapper may have an embossed pattern on the surface. The embossed pattern reduces the surface area of the substantially transparent casing that contacts a consumer's lips, reducing any unpleasant sensation of the substantially transparent casing in the mouth. In some cases, the image of the nozzle area, which is visible from the cut-out portion of the outer shell, will be visually altered by the substantially transparent shell.

In smoking articles according to the present embodiment, a portion of the mouthpiece including the particulate flavoring material is visible to the consumer through the window formed by the cut-out portion of the outer wrapper and the cut-out area of the substantially transparent wrapper. The outer shell does not need to be formed from a transparent material and therefore can be formed from an alternative material that provides desirable surface and texture properties. Preferably, the outer shell is opaque. Preferably, the outer wrapper is a filter paper formed from a cellulosic paper sheet material, as in conventional cigarettes. In this way, the outer shell provides a familiar texture and mouthfeel to the consumer.

The position and size of the cut-out portion is provided such that the cut-out portion covers the mouthpiece segment that incorporates the particulate flavor material, so that the particulate flavor material within the mouthpiece is visible. Furthermore, the position and size of the cut-out portion on the outer wrapper can be advantageously provided such that the substantially transparent wrapper exposed through the cut-out portion does not contact the consumer's lips during smoking. However, even if the scalloped portion comes into contact with the consumer's lips during smoking, the exposed surface area of the substantially transparent housing is typically small compared to the surface area of filter housings that are constructed entirely of a fiberglass material. transparent film. This relatively small surface area limits the adverse sensation that can result from using substantially clear films.

At least one cut-out portion extends around less than the full circumference of the nozzle, so that the outer casing may conveniently be formed from a single piece of sheet material that can be coated around the nozzle using apparatus and techniques. standard. The outer casing remains an integral outer casing even if the cut-out portion has been removed from the outer casing.

At least one cut-out portion may be of any suitable shape, including, but not limited to, a circle, oval, square, triangle, rhombus, or rectangle. A single undercut portion may be provided in the outer wrapper, or two or more undercut portions may be provided which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article or circumferential direction of the smoking article or both. This allows the consumer to see different parts or segments of the mouthpiece, which may or may not look the same. For example, where the mouthpiece has a plurality of different segments, the cut-out portions may be positioned so that multiple segments are visible. Where two or more cut-out portions are provided, cut-out portions may be of the same size and shape, or at least one of the size and shape may be different.

The outer casing is provided over the substantially transparent casing and is preferably glued or laminated to the substantially transparent casing.

The particulate flavoring material includes at least one flavoring material which is capable of releasing flavor in the smoke generated by the smoking article during smoking. Preferably, the particulate flavoring material comprises the plant material.

In certain preferred embodiments, the particulate flavoring material may include particles of an absorbent or cellulosic material impregnated with a flavoring liquid. In some preferred embodiments, the particulate flavoring material may comprise plant leaf particles, as described in EP-A-1,958,523. For example, the filter segment may include tobacco leaf, green tea, peppermint, spearmint, bay leaf, eucalyptus, basil, sage, verbena and tarragon. In addition, portions of mint plant can also be used. The term "mint" refers to plants belonging to the genus Mentha. The plant material may alternatively be in the form of a seed, root, bark or flower, such as those typically used as seasonings.

If desired, the particulate flavor material may be colored, for example, by the addition of a suitable dye or pigment. For example, the particulate flavor material may be of a color that corresponds to the flavor provided by the material, such as a green color for a mint flavor.

The mouthpiece of smoking articles in accordance with the present embodiment may alternatively include a particulate material which does not comprise a flavorant, such as beads or granules of a cellulosic material or an absorbing agent.

Smoking articles, in accordance with the present embodiment, may be filter cigarettes or other smoking articles in which tobacco material or other combustible material is combusted to form smoke. Alternatively, smoking articles in accordance with the present embodiment may be articles in which the material is heated to form an aerosol, rather than being burned. In one type of heated smoking article, tobacco material or other aerosol forming material is heated by one or more electrical heating elements to produce an aerosol. In another type of heated smoking article, an aerosol is produced by transferring heat from a combustible or chemical heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming material, which may be located in, around, or downstream of the heat source. .

In certain preferred embodiments of the present embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate of the smoking article comprises a tobacco rod and the mouthpiece comprises a filter including one or more filter segments. Preferably, the substantially transparent housing and the outer housing both enclose one or more filter segments along at least a portion of the length of the filter so that an underlying portion of the filter, including the particulate flavor material, is visible through the cut-out portion. in the outer casing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer wrapper is a filter paper which joins the tobacco rod to the filter.

Where the smoking article mouthpiece, according to the model, comprises a filter, the filter may be formed from a single segment or may be a multi-segment filter comprising two or more filter segments which are connected in a longitudinal direction. Where two or more filter segments are provided, the filter segments may be of the same construction and materials as each other but more preferably having a different construction or containing different filter materials or additives. The particulate flavoring material may be supplied in a single filter segment, or in two or more filter segments. The same or a different particulate flavoring material may be supplied in two of more filter segments. The position of the cut-out portion on the outer casing can be adjusted to choose which of the filter segments is visible.

The substantially transparent housing may encircle the filter along the entire length of the filter. Alternatively, the substantially transparent housing may circumscribe the filter along only a portion of the length of the filter. In the latter case, the substantially transparent wrapper must encircle the filter segment or the portion of the filter segment which is the base of the cut-out portion of the outer wrapper on the mounted smoking article.

Preferably, at least a cut-out portion of the outer casing is provided at least 2 mm from the circumferential edge of the outer casing adjacent to the rod end of the filter, more preferably at least 5 mm. Where the outer casing is a filter casing that extends along the tobacco rod approximately 2 to 5 mm from the end of the filter rod, this spacing of the cut-out portion ensures that the cut-out portion covers the filter rather than the filter rod. tobacco.

Where the filter comprises a single segment, the substantially transparent housing may be a plug housing which surrounds the filter material. Where the filter comprises two or more segments, the segments are typically enclosed in a plug housing. Some or all of the two or more segments may each be individually encased in a plug housing. Preferably, the filter segment which forms the basis of the cut-out portion of the outer housing is circumscribed by a substantially transparent plug housing. The filter segment or segments which are not visible through the cut-out portion of the outer casing may be wrapped in opaque plug casing paper in a conventional manner. The filter segments can then be further connected together in a conventional manner using a substantially transparent housing.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present embodiment, the nozzle comprises a multi-segment filter including a filter segment comprising filter material with the particulate material dispersed by the filter material, wherein a portion of the aforementioned filter segment is visible through at least one window cut out in the outer casing. In such embodiments, the particulate material within the filter segment is visible to the consumer.

Preferably, the filter material within the filter segment is a plug of fibrous filter material such as cellulose acetate or paper. A filter plasticizer can be applied to the fibrous filter material in a conventional manner by spraying it onto the separated fibers, preferably before applying the particulate material to the filter material.

Alternatively or in addition to the filter segment described above, the multisegment filter may include a hollow cavity at least partially filled with particulate material, wherein at least a portion of the partially filled cavity is visible through at least one window cut out in the housing. external. The particulate material within the cavity is therefore visible to the consumer. In such embodiments, the hollow cavity is preferably provided between two plugs of a filter material.

Preferably, between 40% and 100% of the cavity volume is filled with particulate material, more preferably between 60% and 80% of the cavity volume. Cavity filters according to the second aspect of the model can be produced using known techniques and machinery for producing carbon filters. In such a technique, two plugs of filter material are placed in a substantially transparent housing material with a space between them. The space between them is at least partially filled with the particulate material, and then the substantially transparent housing is wrapped around the plugs, forming a cavity between the plugs which is at least partially filled with the particulate material. A detailed process is described, for example, in EP-A-1,571,933. The machinery to carry out these manufacturing methods is available from Filtrona International Ltd., Great Britain.

The mouthpiece may further comprise at least one absorber capable of removing at least one constituent gas phase component of the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter. Preferably, at least one absorbing agent is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, carbon grains, active aluminum, zeolites, sepiolites, molecular sieves and silica gel.

Smoking articles in accordance with the present model may include a variety of different types of filter segments or combinations of filter segments, including those described above as well as other types of filter segments that would be known to the skilled person, such as including restrictors and segments that are used to adjust aspiration resistance (RTD).

Preferably, at least one cut-out portion on the outer wrapper is provided at least 10 mm from the mouth end of the smoking article. This spacing helps to avoid any contact between the consumer's lips and the area of the substantially transparent wrapper that is exposed by the cut-out portion during smoking.

Preferably, at least one circumferential line of perforations is provided at a position along the smoking article, wherein the perforations extend through the substantially transparent wrapper, if present, and the outer wrapper. This provides ventilation to the smoking article so that conventional smoke is mixed with ambient air during smoking. The substantially transparent housing will typically be non-porous and therefore, where the substantially transparent housing is the basis of the position in which the perforations are provided, the perforations should extend through the substantially transparent housing as well as the outer housing. Where the mouthpiece comprises a filter, the circumferential lines of perforations are preferably provided at a location along the filter.

Preferably, at least one circumferential line of perforations is located upstream of the cut-out portion of the outer shell. The term "upstream" is used to describe the relative positions of the attributes of the smoking articles, according to the model, in relation to the direction of conventional smoke or air drawn from the aerosol generating substrate through the mouthpiece during use. The upstream location of the perforations advantageously minimizes deposition of particulate matter on the substantially transparent casing underlying the cut-out portion, which may otherwise affect the filter's visibility through the cut-out portion of the outer casing.

Where the mouthpiece comprises a filter, preferably the perforations are provided between 9 and 20 mm from the mouth end of the filter. More preferably, the perforations are provided approximately 12 mm from the mouth end of the filter. This prevents blockage or occlusion of the perforations by the consumer's lips during smoking.

The present model further provides a method of producing a smoking article in accordance with the model as described above, the method comprising: providing a plurality of discrete, coated filters wrapped in a substantially transparent housing, the filters comprising one or more filter segments; providing a coated tobacco rod; providing an outer wrapper sheet having a succession of portions cut out therein; arranging one of the coated filters in axial alignment with one of the tobacco rods; and coating the outer wrapper sheet around at least a portion of a coated filter and at least a portion of an adjacent tobacco rod so that the outer wrapper attaches the coated filter to the tobacco rod and the cut-out portion overlies the wrapper substantially transparent.

The cut-out portions of the outer casing may be provided using any suitable means, including, for example, laser cutting or rotary die cutting or perforation methods. Apparatus suitable for laser cutting includes High-Speed Laser Die Cutting Machine or Finecut-Plus-Rotary™ System from Spartanics of Illinois, USA. A suitable apparatus for rotary die cutting or rotary drilling includes Small Web Punching Machine from Schober GmbH of Germany. Cutting the outer wrapper to provide the cut-out portions is preferably performed on a continuous sheet of wrapping material, prior to cutting the material to form discrete outer wrappers for each smoking article.

However, it may also be possible to use certain cutting techniques with which the cut-out portions can be formed on the outer layer only, since the filter material is located around the nozzle.

Cutting the outer wrapper to provide the cut-out portions can be performed on a cigarette manufacturer's production line, incorporating cutting apparatus in any position on the machine after the outer wrapper is unwound and before the outer wrapper is coated. around the components of the smoking article.

Alternatively, the cutting of the outer wrapper to provide the cut-out portions can be performed off the cigarette manufacturer's production line, using a separate apparatus, which may be supplied in the same or a different position to the cigarette manufacturer. In this case, the steps of the method of the present embodiment can be carried out using standard coating techniques and apparatus, to apply the new arrangement of the substantially transparent casing and outer casing with cut-out portions.

The spacing of the cut-out portions on the outer wrapper can be adjusted according to the desired number and position of cut-out pieces on each smoking article.

The web of filter material is cut to form discrete, individual outer wrappers for smoking articles, each having the cut-out portion provided in the desired position. Cutting the outer wrapper may take place before the outer wrapper is wrapped around the smoking article. Alternatively, the smoking articles can be formed two at a time in a known manner. For example, a filter rod comprising filter segments for more than one filter may have a tobacco rod placed at both ends of the filter rod. A portion of the filter outer shell material may be coated around the filter rod and an adjacent portion of both tobacco rods. In this process, the cutout in the outer casing is positioned to cover the portion of the filter that is desired to be visible. After coating, the outer shell and filter rod piece of material are cut to form the two adjacent smoking articles.

A suitable vision system, including for example one or more cameras, is preferably used to ensure registration of the cut-out portions in the desired position on the filter of the smoking articles.

Where circumferential lines of perforations are provided on the outer casing and the casing substantially transparent (where present in the position of the perforations), the perforations are preferably provided on the production line using a known laser technique. The position of the perforations is recorded so that the perforations are at least 9 mm and preferably at least 12 mm from the mouth end of the smoking article.

According to the embodiment there is also provided the use of an outer wrapper in a smoking article comprising an aerosol generating substrate and a mouthpiece, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least a cut-out portion extending around less than the full circumference of the nozzle.

The model will now be further described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a smoking article according to a first embodiment of the present model;

Figure 2 shows the smoking article of Figure 1 with the uncoated filter;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the outer wrapper of the smoking articles shown in Figures 1 and 2 (not to scale);

Figure 4 shows a smoking article according to a second embodiment of the present embodiment with the uncoated filter; and

Figure 5 shows a smoking article according to a third embodiment of the present model with the uncoated filter.

The filter cigarette 10, shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a filled tobacco rod 12 which is attached at one end to an axially aligned filter 14 comprising a single filter segment 16 formed of cellulose acetate that has been coated with a substantially transparent housing in the form of substantially transparent plug housing 18. Filter segment 16 incorporates particles of a cellulosic material (not shown) impregnated with a liquid flavoring, which are dispersed within the cellulose acetate. Coated tobacco rod 12 and filter 14 are joined by an outer wrapper 20 formed of filter paper that encloses the entire length of filter 14 and an adjacent portion of tobacco rod 12.

The outer shell 20 comprises a circular cut-out portion 22 having a diameter of approximately 5 mm, which is positioned approximately 5 mm from the rod end of the outer shell. The substantially transparent underlying casing plug 18 is exposed through the cut-out portion 22 in the outer casing 20 and an area of the filter including the cellulosic granules is therefore visible through the cut-out portion 22.

Circumferential lines of perforations 24 are provided approximately 12 mm from the mouth end of cigarette 10.

The filter cigarette 30 shown in Figure 4 comprises a coated tobacco filled rod 32 that is attached to an axially aligned filter 34, comprising three filter segments in adjacent end-to-end relationship: a mouth end segment 36, away from the coated tobacco rod 32; a flavor release segment 38 located upstream of the mouth end segment 36; and a rod end segment 40 adjacent and adjoining the coated tobacco rod 32 and located upstream of the first flavor releasing segment 38.

The mouth end segment 36 comprises a low filtration efficiency cellulose acetate plug. Flavor delivery segment 38 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate through which the chopped peppermint leaf particles have been substantially uniformly dispersed. The rod end segment 40 comprises a medium to low filtration efficiency cellulose acetate plug loaded with activated carbon. Mouth end segment 36 and shank end segment 40 are each coated with a porous plug housing (not shown) in a known manner. The aroma release segment 38 is coated with a substantially transparent plug housing 39.

The combined filter segments are coated with a substantially transparent wrapper 42 that circumscribes the entire length of the filter 34. The coated tobacco rod 32 and coated filter 34 are joined by an outer wrapper 44 formed of filter paper, which circumscribes the entire length of filter 34 and an adjacent portion of tobacco rod 32.

The outer casing 44 comprises a diamond-shaped cut-out portion 46 which is provided in a position which overlies the aroma release segment 38 and is approximately halfway along the filter 34. As described above with respect to the cigarette 10, a The surface area of the filter is visible through the substantially clear plug housing and the substantially clear housing 42 under the cut-out portion 46. The peppermint leaf particles within the cellulose acetate plug forming the flavor release segment are, therefore they are visible.

The filter cigarette 50 shown in Figure 5 has a similar construction to the cigarette 30 shown in Figure 4, except the aroma-releasing segment comprises a cavity 58 filled with activated carbon particles, impregnated with a liquid flavoring, provided between the segment. mouth end segment 56 and stem end segment 60. In addition, mouth end segment 56 comprises a central flavor segment 62 loaded with a liquid flavoring, for example a menthol flavoring.

Mouth 56 and shank 60 end segments each are coated with a porous plug housing (not shown) in a known manner. The filter segments are then coated in a substantially transparent wrapper 64, which also forms the cavity in the filter 54. The coated tobacco rod and filter 54 are joined by an outer wrapper 66 of filter paper, as described above. in relation to cigarette 30.

Outer housing 66 includes a square cut-out portion 68 which is provided in a position overlying cavity 58, forming aroma release segment, and is approximately halfway along filter 54. An identical cut-out portion 68' (not shown ) is provided on the opposite side of the filter 54. The activated carbon particles within the cavity in the aroma release segment are therefore visible through the cut-out portion 68, 68' and the underlying substantially transparent housing 64.

Cigarette filters 30 and 50 are produced in a conventional manner, using substantially transparent sheet materials to coat filter segments or filters, in place of a conventional paper material. The cut-out portions are formed into the sheet of filter material prior to application of the outer shell around the filters.

It will be appreciated that, while the specific embodiments described above pertain to conventional smoking articles comprising a filter and a tobacco rod, a similar arrangement of the substantially transparent outer wrapper can also be used in a distillation-based smoking article or a electrically heated smoking article.

Claims (1)

1. A smoking article (10, 30, 50) characterized in that it comprises: an aerosol generating substrate; a nozzle in axial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate, the nozzle comprising one or more segments (16; 36, 38, 40; 56, 58, 60), wherein at least one filter segment incorporates a particulate flavoring material; a substantially transparent housing (18, 42, 64) circumscribing the nozzle along at least a portion of the nozzle's length; and an outer shell (20, 44, 66) circumscribing the mouthpiece, wherein the outer shell overlies the substantially transparent shell (18, 42, 64) and comprises at least a cut-out portion (22, 46, 68, 68') extending around less than the full circumference of the smoking article (10, 30, 50) and exposing an area of the substantially transparent housing through which an underlying portion of the filter (14, 34, 54) of the mouthpiece segment incorporating the particulate flavoring material is visible.

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