CN111918563A

CN111918563A - Smoking article

Info

Publication number: CN111918563A
Application number: CN201980024520.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·布鲁克班克; K·卡尔祖拉
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-10
Filing date: 2019-04-09
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Also published as: CA3096573A1; JP2022169677A; CA3207793A1; AU2021277621A1; KR20200136483A; JP2021517822A; EP3773018A1; CA3096573C; AU2019253505B2; JP7463453B2; MY195352A; US20210092991A1; BR112020020901A2; JP2023164948A; AU2021277621B2; GB201805949D0; WO2019197817A1; AU2019253505A1; KR20240042190A

Abstract

A material for packaging smoking articles (1) is disclosed, comprising a wrapper (3) material and a flavour patch (10), wherein the flavour patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco. Also disclosed is a smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material (2), a wrapper (3) surrounding the rod of smokable material, and a patch of flavourant (10) at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco. Also disclosed is a material for wrapping a smoking article (101), comprising a wrapper material (103), a first tobacco flavour patch (110) and a second tobacco flavour patch (111), the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that when the material is wrapped around a rod of smokable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokable material. Also disclosed is a smoking article (101) comprising a rod of smokable material (102), a wrapper (103) surrounding the rod of smokable material, a first tobacco flavour patch (110) at a first location along the length of the rod of smokable material and a second tobacco flavour patch (111) at a second location along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first location being different from the second location; wherein the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch do not comprise a flavorant other than tobacco. Methods for producing the disclosed smoking articles are also disclosed.

Description

Smoking article

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to smoking articles.

Background

The smoking article may comprise a rod of smokable material, a wrapper around the rod of smokable material and a patch at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material. Such patches may provide flavour to the smoke provided to the user, or ventilation within the smoking article. For example, the tobacco patch may be located between the wrapper and the rod of smokable material and have a structure that provides ventilation within the smoking article. The tobacco patch, located at a position along the length of the rod of smokable material, may act as a carrier for flavour compounds that may impart flavour to the smoke produced during use of the smoking article.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a material for packaging a smoking article comprising a wrapper material and a flavour patch, wherein the flavour patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrapper around the rod of smokable material, and a patch of flavourant at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a material for packaging a smoking article, the material comprising a wrapper material, a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that when the material is wrapped around a rod of smokable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at different positions along the rod of smokable material.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrapper around the rod of smokable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first location along the length of the rod of smokable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second location along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first location being different from the second location; wherein the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch do not comprise a flavorant other than tobacco.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper and a fragrance patch; and wrapping the wrapper and the tab of flavoring around the smokable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavor patch at a first location along a length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavor patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second patches of flavourant around a smokable material to form the rod of smokable material such that the first patch of tobacco flavourant is located at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material and the second patch of tobacco flavourant is located at a second position along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first position being different from the second position.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of a second aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a top view of the components of the smoking article of figure 1 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 is a top view of the components of the smoking article of figure 2 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a top view of the components of the smoking article of figure 3 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a top view of a material of an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the material of an exemplary embodiment of the third aspect.

Detailed Description

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a rod of smokable material, a wrapper and a fragrance patch; and wrapping the wrapper and fragrance patch around the rod of smokeable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a rod of smokable material, a wrapper, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first location along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second flavor patches around the rod of smokable material such that the first tobacco flavor patch is located at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material and the second tobacco flavor patch is located at a second position along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first position being different from the second position.

As used herein, the terms "aroma" and "fragrance" refer to materials that can be used to produce a taste or aroma desired by an adult consumer in a product, as permitted by local regulations. They may include extracts (e.g. licorice, hydrangea, japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, coriander (Drambuie), bornel (Drambuie), scotch whisky, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, corium, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, french brandy, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or mint oil from any species of the genus mentha), flavour enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose) Acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, mineral or plant extracts, or breath fresheners.

As used herein, a synthetic or isolated flavorant is generally a compound or group of compounds that are not contained in or on any plant material in which a flavorant may naturally occur. A synthetic or isolated fragrance may be a compound or group of compounds that have been isolated, for example, from naturally occurring cellular material, or a compound or group of compounds that have been synthesized. The synthetic or isolated fragrance may be in any suitable form, such as an oil, a liquid or a powder. Non-limiting examples of synthetic or isolated fragrances include the compound menthol (5-Methyl-2- (propan-2-yl) cyclohex-1-ol)), if and when not in or on any substantially intact cell structure from a plant of the genus Mentha.

As used herein, a plant spice or plant material is typically a naturally occurring plant material having a substantially intact cellular structure. Examples of botanical flavors include materials comprising the substantially intact cell structure of licorice, hydrangea, japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, bitter corium, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cinnamon, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, and coffee.

In some embodiments, the patch may be a discrete layer of sheet material. For example, the patch may be a discrete layer of sheet material manufactured separately from the wrapper and can be subsequently adhered to or placed on the wrapper during manufacture of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the patch is an area of the wrapper that includes a flavorant disposed directly on the wrapper material. For example, the patch may be an area of the wrapper on which the plant material is adhered to the wrapper by means of a suitable adhesive (e.g. starch). For example, in some embodiments, an adhesive may be applied to an area of the wrapper paper and loose plant material deposited onto the area of the adhesive such that the plant material adheres to the surface of the wrapper paper in the area where the adhesive is applied.

As used herein, a fragrance patch comprising a plant material may be a patch comprising a plant fragrance. Patches comprising a botanical flavor other than tobacco can be prepared in a manner similar to known methods. For example, in embodiments in which the patch is a discrete layer of sheet material, the patch may be prepared by a method similar to that used to prepare tobacco patches, such as reconstituted tobacco patches.

Smoking articles typically have a front end and a mouth end. The front end of the smoking article is typically the end lit by the user of the smoking article. The mouth end of a smoking article is typically the end opposite the front end of the smoking article from which smoke can be drawn into the mouth of a user when the smoking article is lit. The rod of smokeable material typically has a front end and a mouth end. The front end of the rod of smokeable material is typically the end which is lit by the user of the smoking article and may be co-located with the front end of the smoking article. The mouth end of the rod of smokeable material is typically the end opposite the front end of the rod of smokeable material. In some embodiments, the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material may be co-located with the mouth end of the smoking article. In other embodiments (for example in a smoking article comprising a filter), the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material may be located at a position between the mouth end of the smoking article and the front end of the smoking article.

In an exemplary embodiment of a smoking article of the present disclosure, the rod of smokeable material may be a tobacco rod.

Certain embodiments of smoking articles according to the present disclosure described herein include tobacco rods, wrappers, and patches, and thus may be filter-less smoking articles. In this case, colour or other distinguishing markings or features may be applied to the outside of the wrapper paper at the mouth end of the finished smoking article to assist the consumer in correctly identifying the mouth end prior to smoking. Alternatively, a smoking article according to the present disclosure may be provided with a filter unit to provide a filter-tipped smoking article, wherein the filter unit is joined to the mouth end of the wrapped rod of smokeable material by tipping paper (tipping paper). The filter unit may have any configuration, including a single component or multiple components, and may or may not be provided with ventilation, such as circumferential rows or areas of ventilation holes made by in-line laser machining or provided by pre-perforation. Thus, the term "smoking article" as used herein is intended to include: a filterless smoking article comprising a filterless rod of smokeable material, a filterless smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material with a filter unit attached, and a smoking article which is filterless but to which a filter unit can be attached by a later stage of manufacture to form a filterless smoking article.

The materials of the first and third aspects of the present disclosure are for use (e.g. suitable) for packaging smoking articles. The material of the first and third aspects comprises a wrapper material, which may be of the type commonly used for wrapping smoking articles, for example paper. The material of the first aspect further comprises a flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco. The material of the third aspect further comprises a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch configured such that when the material is wrapped around the rod of smokable material, the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch will each be located at a different position along the rod of smokable material.

The material of the first or third aspect may be in bulk form (bulk form), i.e. may represent a quantity of material that may be divided into a plurality of individual pieces of material, each individual piece of material wrapping a single smoking article. The material of the first or third aspect in bulk form may be wound into a cylindrical shape. When wound into a cylindrical shape in this manner, the material may be carried on a scaffold (bobbin). The wound cylinder of material of the first aspect can be loaded onto an apparatus for manufacturing smoking articles (e.g. a cigarette making machine) and the apparatus operated so as to produce smoking articles according to the second aspect. The wound cylinder of material of the third aspect can be loaded onto an apparatus for manufacturing smoking articles (e.g. a cigarette making machine) and the apparatus operated so as to produce smoking articles according to the fourth aspect.

The material of the first aspect may comprise two or more fragrance patches. For example, the material of the first aspect may comprise two or more patches of fragrance configured such that when the material is wrapped around a rod of smokable material, each of the two or more patches will be at a different position along the rod of smokable material.

The flavour patch of the material of the first aspect will be described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the second aspect, and the first and second tobacco flavour patches of the material of the third aspect will be described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the fourth aspect.

The botanical patch in the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure can provide a non-tobacco flavour in the smoke delivered to the user without the need for a patch comprising synthetic or isolated flavour compounds. The use of plant material other than tobacco in this manner is advantageous because it provides the user with a non-tobacco flavour which may be different from that of the synthetic or isolated flavour compounds. Thus, the taste provided to the user by the smoking article of the present disclosure may be preferred to the taste of a smoking article comprising a patch flavoured with synthetic or isolated flavour compounds. Thus, in some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect, the plant patch does not comprise an isolated flavour compound.

Providing the flavourant in the form of a patch has the advantage that the flavourant is inert, as opposed to for example spraying the flavourant onto the smokable material. This means that the botanical flavor is only released upon application of heat, allowing precise control over the timing of flavor release during smoking of the smoking article.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco does not comprise tobacco. In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article does not comprise a patch comprising tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavour patch is located between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of smoking articles according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavour patch extends substantially around a circumferential portion of the rod of smokable material at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco comprises a substantially intact cellular structure of a plant material selected from the group consisting of licorice, hydrangea, japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, coriander, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cinnamon, caraway, jasmine, ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco comprises a substantially intact cellular structure of an herbal plant material. In some embodiments, a flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco comprises a substantially intact cellular structure of a plant material selected from the group consisting of chamomile, thyme, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5) flavour patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco. In such embodiments, the plant material other than tobacco in one flavor patch may be the same or different than the plant material other than tobacco in another flavor patch. In some such embodiments, at least two of the two or more fragrance patches have the same scent, and/or at least two of the two or more fragrance patches have different scents. In some embodiments, all of the two or more fragrance patches have the same scent. In other embodiments, each of the two or more fragrance patches has a different scent.

For example, a smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure may comprise: a first flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, a second flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, and a third flavor patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco. In some such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco may be the same in each of the first flavor patch, the second flavor patch, and the third flavor patch. In other such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco may be the same in two of the first flavor patch, the second flavor patch, and the third flavor patch, and may be different in the third flavor patch. In further such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco may be different in each of the first flavor patch, the second flavor patch, and the third flavor patch.

The location of the flavour patch along the length of the rod of smokable material comprising a plant material other than tobacco is not particularly limited. For example, the flavour patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be at or near the leading end of the rod of smokable material, at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material, or at a location between the leading end and the mouth end of the rod of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more flavour patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco, wherein each of the two or more flavour patches is at a different position along the rod of smokable material. For example, a first flavour patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be located at or near the front end of the rod of smokable material, and a second flavour patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material. In embodiments in which the smoking article comprises more than two flavour patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco, the third and any further flavour patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco may each be located at a different position between the front end of the rod of smokable material and the mouth end of the rod of smokable material.

The smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure improves the versatility of the tobacco patch in altering the tobacco flavour of the smoke provided to the user. Thus, the first tobacco flavor patch may provide the first tobacco flavor to the user when the burning carbon of the lit smoking article is at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material. The second tobacco flavor patch may provide a second tobacco flavor to the user when the burning coal has advanced to a second position along the rod of smokable material at a later stage during the smoking process. For example, the tobacco flavor patch at the first location may provide the user with additional satisfaction with the onset of the smoking experience and may ensure taste consistency throughout the smoking experience. The tobacco flavor patch in the second position can provide a smooth aftertaste to the user to prolong the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch do not comprise synthetic or separate flavorants.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavour patch and/or the second tobacco flavour patch is/are located between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavour patch and/or the second tobacco flavour patch extend substantially around a circumferential portion of the rod of smokable material at a first location and/or a second location, respectively, along the length of the rod of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavor patch and/or the second tobacco flavor patch comprises tobacco. In some such embodiments, the first tobacco flavor patch and/or the second tobacco flavor patch comprise reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first location is at or near the front end of the smoking article.

In some embodiments of smoking articles according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the second position is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the composition of the first tobacco flavor patch is different from the composition of the second tobacco flavor patch. For example, the first tobacco flavour patch may have a composition which imparts a stronger tobacco flavour than the material in the rod of smokable material, and the second tobacco flavour patch may have a composition which imparts a smoother tobacco flavour than the material in the rod of smokable material. In embodiments in which the first position is at or near the front end of the smoking article and the second position is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material, the first tobacco flavour patch may enhance flavour near the beginning of the smoking experience and the second tobacco flavour patch may provide a smooth flavour near the end of the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect, the smoking article comprises one or more additional tobacco flavor patches (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 additional tobacco flavor patches) in addition to the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch. In such embodiments, each of the one or more additional tobacco flavor patches may each have a different or the same composition as the composition of the first tobacco flavor patch and/or the composition of the second tobacco flavor patch. When two or more additional tobacco flavor patches are present, each patch may have the same or different composition as the other additional tobacco flavor patches. The or each further tobacco flavour patch may be located at a different position along the rod of smokable material to the first and second positions. When there are two or more further tobacco flavour patches, each may be at a different position along the rod of smokable material. The or each further tobacco flavour patch may be located between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper. In some embodiments, the or each additional tobacco flavour patch does not comprise a synthetic or separate flavour.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper and a fragrance patch; and wrapping the wrapper and the tab of flavoring around the smokable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco. A wrapped rod of smokable material comprising a patch of flavourant may be formed by wrapping a wrapper and a patch of flavourant around the smokable material. The wrapper and the fragrance patch may be provided in the form of a material according to the first aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the fragrance patch may be provided at a location along the length of the wrapper before the wrapper is wrapped around the rod of smokable material. In some embodiments, disposing the fragrance patch at a location along the wrapper can comprise: the patch is placed on or adhered to a rod or wrapper of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, two or more (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5) flavour patches are provided according to corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments, additional fragrance patches may be provided at locations along the wrapper in a manner similar to that described above.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavor patch at a first location along a length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavor patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second patches of flavourant around a smokable material to form the rod of smokable material such that the first patch of tobacco flavourant is located at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material and the second patch of tobacco flavourant is located at a second position along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first position being different from the second position. The wrapper, first fragrance patch and second fragrance patch may be provided in the form of a material according to the third aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch may be disposed at a first location and a second location along the length of the wrapper before the wrapper is wrapped around the smokable material. Disposing the first and second tobacco flavor patches at first and second locations along the wrapper may comprise: the patch is placed on and/or adhered to a wrapper.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, one or more further tobacco flavour patches (e.g. 1, 2 or 3 further tobacco flavour patches) are provided according to corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments, additional tobacco flavor patches may be provided at locations along the wrapper in a manner similar to that described above.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to figure 1, a smoking article 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokable material 2, a wrapper 3 surrounding the rod of smokable material 2, and a patch of flavourant 10 at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material 2. The flavor patch 10 includes a plant material other than tobacco. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the flavour patch 10 is located at the front end of the smoking article 1. In other embodiments, the flavour patch 10 is located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 2, or at an intermediate position between the front end of the smoking article 1 and the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 2.

The smoking article 1 comprises a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is circumscribed by a plug wrap (plugwrap) 5 and is attached to the rod of smokable material 2 by tipping paper 6.

Referring to figure 2, a smoking article 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokable material 2, a wrapper 3 of paper material surrounding said rod of smokable material 2, a first patch of flavourant 10 at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material 2 and a second patch of flavourant 11 at a second position along the length of the rod of smokable material 2. The

flavor patches

10, 11 comprise a plant material other than tobacco. In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the first flavour patch 10 is located at the front end of the smoking article 1 and the second flavour patch 11 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 2, and in other embodiments (not shown) one or more further flavour patches are located at one or more intermediate positions between the front end of the smoking article 1 and the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 2.

The smoking article 1 comprises a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is circumscribed by a plug wrap 5 and attached to the rod of smokable material 2 by tipping paper (tipping paper) 6.

Referring to figure 3, a smoking article 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokable material 102, a wrapper 103 surrounding the rod of smokable material 102, a first tobacco flavour patch 110 at a first location along the length of the rod of smokable material 102 and a second tobacco flavour patch 111 at a second location along the length of the rod of smokable material 102. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the first flavour patch 110 is located at the front end of the smoking article 101 and the second flavour patch 111 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 102. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more additional tobacco flavor patches are located at one or more intermediate locations between the front end of the smoking article 101 and the mouth end of the rod of smokable material 102.

The smoking article 101 comprises a filter unit 104 at the mouth end of the smoking article 101. The filter 104 is circumscribed by a plug wrap 105 and attached to the rod of smokable material 102 by tipping paper 106.

Referring to figure 4, in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the components of the smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step, wherein the reference numerals have the same meaning as described above in connection with the smoking article shown in figure 1. A fragrance patch 10 is provided on the wrapper 3.

Referring to figure 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the components of the smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step, wherein the reference numerals have the same meaning as described above in connection with the smoking article shown in figure 2. A fragrance patch 10 is provided on the wrapper 3.

Referring to figure 6, in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the components of the smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step, wherein the reference numerals have the same meaning as indicated above in connection with the smoking article shown in figure 3. A fragrance patch 110 is disposed on the wrapper 103.

Referring to fig. 7, the material 200 of the first aspect comprises wrapper material 203 and a fragrance patch 210. The material is shown partially wound into a cylinder.

Referring to fig. 8, the material 200 of the third aspect comprises wrapper material 203, a first perfume patch 210 and a second perfume patch 211. The material is shown partially wound into a cylinder. The material 200 is configured such that each of the two or more patches will be located at a different position along the rod of smokeable material when the material is wrapped around the rod of smokeable material.

The term "smoking article" as used herein is to be understood to encompass all tobacco industry products, and to encompass smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release the compound without burning off. Examples of such products are so-called "heated but not burning" products or tobacco heating devices or products which release compounds by heating but not burning the material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. The present disclosure is intended to encompass such heated, non-combustible products, apparatus and methods for making such products, and components for making such products. Such heated, but non-combustible products are intended to be encompassed within the term "smoking article" as used herein. Further, in one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is not a conventional cigarette. In addition to the above, the present disclosure is intended to encompass products in which a material, such as tobacco or other smokable material, is not burned or burned, but is provided to impart sensory properties to the aerosol flow through the material. Such an aerosol stream may comprise air, vapour or other inhalant. All such products and materials are intended to fall within the scope of the terms "smoking article" and "smokable material" as used herein.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided merely as representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, a suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., in addition to those specifically described herein. Moreover, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A material for packaging a smoking article comprising a wrapper material and a flavour patch, wherein the flavour patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

2. The material for packaging smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the flavor patch has a flavor selected from the group consisting of: licorice, hydrangea, japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, mint, lavender, cardamom, celery, caraway, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cinnamon, coriander, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, and coffee.

3. A material for packaging smoking articles according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two or more patches of flavourant.

4. A material for packaging smoking articles according to claim 3, configured such that when the material is wrapped around a rod of smokeable material, each of the two or more patches will be located at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

5. The material for packaging smoking articles according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least two of the two or more fragrance patches have the same flavour.

6. A smoking article according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein at least two of the two or more flavour patches have different flavours.

7. A smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrapper around the rod of smokable material and a patch of flavourant at a location along the length of the rod of smokable material; wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

8. A smoking article according to claim 7, wherein the flavour patch is a discrete layer of sheet material located between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper.

9. A smoking article according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the flavour patch has a flavour as defined in claim 2.

10. A smoking article according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising two or more flavour patches.

11. A smoking article according to claim 10, wherein each of the two or more flavour patches is at a different location along the rod of smokable material.

12. A smoking article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the two or more flavour patches are as defined in claim 5 or 6.

13. A material for packaging a smoking article, the material comprising a wrapper material, a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that when the material is wrapped around a rod of smokable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokable material.

14. A smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrapper around the rod of smokable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first location along the length of the rod of smokable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second location along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first location being different from the second location; wherein the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch do not comprise a flavorant other than tobacco.

15. A smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and/or the second tobacco flavour patch is a discrete layer of sheet material located between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper.

16. A smoking article according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first and/or second tobacco flavour patches comprise reconstituted tobacco.

17. A smoking article according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the first position is located at or near a leading end of the rod of smokeable material.

18. A smoking article according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the second position is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material.

19. A smoking article according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the composition of the first tobacco flavour patch is different to the composition of the second tobacco flavour patch.

20. A method for producing a smoking article according to any one of claims 7 to 12, comprising:

providing a wrapper and a fragrance patch; and

wrapping the wrapper and the flavor patch around a smokable material;

wherein the flavor patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco.

21. A method for producing a smoking article according to any one of claims 14 to 19, comprising:

providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavor patch at a first location along a length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavor patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper; and

wrapping the wrapper and the first and second flavor patches around a smokable material to form the rod of smokable material such that the first tobacco flavor patch is located at a first position along the length of the rod of smokable material and the second tobacco flavor patch is located at a second position along the length of the rod of smokable material, the first position being different from the second position.