CN114173583A

CN114173583A - Humidifying insert and method for humidifying a smoking article

Info

Publication number: CN114173583A
Application number: CN202080054806.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: O.詹森; C.麦克洛南; E.奥尔森; P.施莱默
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-07-29
Filing date: 2020-07-29
Publication date: 2022-03-11
Also published as: US20220312836A1; EP4003071A1; WO2021018944A1; JP2022543198A

Abstract

The invention relates to a humidifying insert (1) for a smoking article package (2), wherein the humidifying insert (1) has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article package (2) and comprises a humidifying agent (3) and a humidity transducer (4) which transfers the humidifying agent (3) from the humidifying insert (1) into an interior volume (5) of the smoking article package (2). The invention is characterized by a storage compartment (6) in which the humidifying agent (3) is stored, the storage compartment having a fluid connection (7) with the humidity transducer (4), wherein the fluid connection (7) is blocked with a breakable barrier (8). The invention also relates to a method for humidifying a smoking article.

Description

Humidifying insert and method for humidifying a smoking article

The invention relates to a humidifying insert for a smoking article package, wherein the humidifying insert has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article package and comprises a humidifying agent and a humidity transducer which transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into an interior volume of the smoking article package. The invention also relates to a method for humidifying a smoking article.

During packaging of smoking articles (e.g. combustible cigarettes), the smoking article package is typically sealed to prevent or limit air circulation between the interior volume of the smoking article package and its surroundings, which may lead to a loss of humidity of the smoking articles contained in the smoking article package. But after a user opens the smoking article package for the first time and the seal of the smoking article package is broken, the smoking article may be susceptible to undesirable drying, which may negatively impact the sensory experience.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and method to prevent or minimise the loss of moisture or drying of smoking articles in a smoking article package which is opened at least once, and to maintain the quality, taste and overall sensory experience of the smoking articles during use by the consumer. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device and method which is easy to produce, low cost, easy to use, consumer friendly and easily integrated into the production and/or packaging process of smoking articles.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the aforementioned drawbacks are eliminated by a humidifying insert according to claim 1. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a humidifying insert for a smoking article package, wherein the humidifying insert has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article package and comprises a humidifying agent and a humidity transducer which transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into an interior volume of the smoking article package. The invention features a storage compartment in which a humidifying agent is stored, the storage compartment having a fluid connection with a humidity transducer, wherein the fluid connection is blocked with a breakable barrier.

The humidifying insert includes a planar shape. By the planar shape, the humidifying insert may be easily inserted into the smoking article package. The smoking articles contained in the smoking article package are humidified with the humidifying agent being transferred by the humidity transmitter into the interior volume of the smoking article package. By storing the humidifying agent in a storage compartment having a fluid connection with the humidity transducer and the fluid connection is blocked with a breakable barrier, the humidifying insert can be activated by breaking the breakable barrier. This ensures that the user can activate the humidifying insert as desired. Preferably, the humidifying insert is activated by the consumer after the smoking article package is opened for the first time. In this way, the smoking articles contained in the smoking article package remain humidified and/or wetted after the first opening of the smoking article package. In this way, a constant product freshness may be ensured from the first smoking article to the last smoking article in the smoking article package.

As long as the breakable barrier is intact, the humidifying agent remains in the storage compartment and cannot leave the humidifying insert. At this point, the humidifying insert is in an inactive state. By breaking the breakable barrier, the humidifying agent may be transferred from the storage compartment through the fluid connection to the humidity transducer, which then transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the interior volume of the smoking article package. At this point, the humidifying insert is in an activated state.

It is very advantageous to activate the humidifying agent by breaking the breakable barrier, as the humidifying insert will humidify the smoking article only according to the needs of the user. In this way, the humidifying agent in an inactivated state may be packaged with smoking articles already in the smoking article package at the production site (compatible with inline packaging) and will not be consumed as long as the original package and seal remain intact and prevent the smoking articles from drying out as a result of the seal. Moreover, the user may decide that it is not necessary to humidify the smoking article and may defer activation of the humidifying insert according to individual needs.

According to another embodiment, the storage compartment and the humidity transducer are enclosed between the front sheet layer and the back sheet layer. The sheet material is a sheet-shaped material, i.e., in one dimension of the three-dimensional space X, Y, Z, the size is at most one-tenth of the other two dimensions. The storage compartment and the humidity transducer enclosure between the front sheet and the rear sheet achieve a very flat shape of the humidifying insert. This makes the humidifying insert particularly easy to insert into a smoking article package. Moreover, the production of the humidifying insert is simplified by using the front sheet and the rear sheet. Any portion enclosed between the front sheet and the back sheet may be located on the back sheet, wherein the front sheet is subsequently arranged on top of the back sheet and the portion located thereon. After so placing, the front and back sheets may be at least partially attached to each other, enclosing all portions previously placed on the back sheet between them. This represents a very simple and efficient way of producing the humidifying insert and is therefore also cost-efficient.

According to another embodiment, the front and rear sheet layers are attached to each other at least circumferentially along the edges of their sides facing each other, wherein at least central portions of the front and rear sheets are unattached to each other, thereby forming a cavity enclosing the storage compartment, the humidity transmitter. This is a very simple and efficient way for forming the storage compartment. No other parts than the front and back sheet layers are required for the manufacture of the storage compartment. In addition to the storage compartment, the cavity may enclose a humidifier, humidity transducer and/or breakable barrier. It may also be desirable to produce a humidifying insert without humidifying agent and fill the storage compartment with humidifying agent in a subsequent step. Preferably, the storage compartment is sealed after the humidifying agent is placed in the storage compartment so that the humidifying agent is securely contained within the storage compartment.

According to another embodiment, the front sheet and the back sheet are composite films comprising at least two material layers. Preferably, the material layers of the composite film consist of different materials. The at least two material layers preferably consist of a plastic material. Preferably, the material layers consist of different plastic materials. By using the composite film as the front sheet and the rear sheet, the characteristics of the sheets can be individually adjusted. In this way, it is possible to combine a waterproof material, which may be arranged to contact at least the storage compartment, for example, with a printable material on the outer surface of the humidifying insert and/or a material with improved tactile properties and/or a special decorative material. Any other advantageous material combination can also be used by the person skilled in the art.

According to another embodiment, a composite film comprises a first layer of polyethylene terephthalate, a second layer of polyethylene terephthalate coated on at least one side with a coating, and a third layer of polyethylene. Preferably, the coating is aluminum oxide (AlOx). Preferably, the first layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) comprises a layer thickness of 5 μm to 20 μm, particularly preferably 12 μm. Preferably, the second layer PETP also comprises a layer thickness of 5 to 20 μm, preferably 12 μm. The third layer of Polyethylene (PE) preferably comprises a layer thickness of between 20 μm and 70 μm, particularly preferably 50 μm. It is advantageous to coat at least one side of the second PETP film with alumina, since the initially transparent PETP film is silver or white, depending on the type and/or particle size of the alumina. The alumina may also be mixed with any type of pigment to achieve any color. Alternatively, a silicon oxide (SiOx) -coated film may be used instead of the AlOx-coated PET film.

According to another embodiment, the composite film is printable. Where the composite film is printable, any text or picture may be printed on the humidifying insert. The outer surface of the humidifying insert may be fully or partially printed. If the outer surface of the humidifying insert is only partially printed, it is very advantageous to combine it with an alumina-coated PETP layer, since alumina can provide the base color of the humidifying insert to complement the printing of the composite membrane. In this way, it is not necessary to print the entire surface of the moisturizing insert. The printed text or picture may include user information about how to use the humidifying insert. Alternatively or additionally, the printed text or picture may include a logo, brand name, or additional decorative or user information.

According to another embodiment, the front sheet comprises perforations at the humidity transducer, thereby establishing a second fluid connection between the humidity transducer and the atmosphere surrounding the humidification insert. Preferably, the second fluid connection penetrates the front sheet. Through the second fluid connection, the humidifying agent can easily pass from the humidity transmitter through the front sheet. Preferably, the humidity transducer is enclosed in a cavity between the front sheet and the back sheet. By means of the second fluid connection, the sheet material itself may be liquid-tight if the humidity transmitter is enclosed in a cavity between the front sheet material and the back sheet material. Piercing is the easiest and most cost-effective way to establish the second fluid connection. Alternatively or additionally, the back sheet may also comprise perforations.

According to another embodiment, the perforations exhibit a hole size of 0.01mm to 4mm, preferably 0.1mm to 3 mm. These pore sizes are advantageous because they permit the passage of the humidifying agent through the composite via the perforations, but prevent the smoking article adjacent the humidifying insert from becoming wet or even sodding (sodding). The perforations are preferably microperforations, i.e. perforations of sub-millimeter diameter. The pore size determines the rate of passage of the humidifying agent through the perforations. The larger the pore size, the greater the permeability of the humidifying agent through a particular pore. The permeability of the humidifying agent can be adjusted through the pore size. The pore size is preferably selected to establish the rate of transmission of the humidifying agent in terms of humidification level and/or duration with respect to optimal humidification of smoking articles contained in the smoking article package.

According to another embodiment, the perforations comprise at least 1 to 200 holes. By adjusting the number of perforations, the rate of passage of the humidifying agent through the perforations can be adjusted. To prevent the smoking article adjacent the humidifying insert from becoming wet or even grassed, a smaller hole size in combination with a larger number of holes may be advantageous. The number of apertures is preferably selected to establish the rate of transmission of the humidifying agent in terms of the level and/or duration of humidification in relation to optimal humidification of smoking articles contained in the smoking article package. Preferably, the particular combination of hole number and size is selected to achieve optimal humidification of the smoking articles contained in the smoking article package in terms of humidification level and duration.

According to another embodiment, the humidity transducer comprises a tissue material located directly between the front and back sheets at the perforations. The tissue material may absorb the humidifying agent as it passes from the storage compartment to the humidity transducer and then slowly release the humidifying agent. The use of a textured material provides an additional option of adjusting the transmission of the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the interior volume of the smoking article package. This makes the humidifying insert more versatile and compatible with more types of humidifying agents. For example, by using tissue material, a more liquid humidifying agent may be used to humidify the insert. Preferably, the tissue material may be wool tissue. But it is also contemplated that any other tissue material suitable for the present application may be used.

According to another embodiment, the breakable barrier is a sealing varnish. The sealing varnish is a very easy way to establish a breakable barrier in the fluid connection between the storage compartment and the humidity transducer. The varnish provides the advantage of being provided in a liquid state which dries to a solid state after the varnish is applied to a surface. As previously mentioned, the humidifying insert is preferably produced by layering the components housed in the humidifying insert on the back sheet to form a stack. At this stage, the sealing varnish may be deposited at the desired location of the breakable barrier on the back sheet, preferably in the fluid connection between the storage compartment and the humidity transducer. Preferably, the front sheet is placed on top of the stack before the sealing varnish is completely dried. Preferably, the sealing varnish attaches the front and back sheets to each other at the location of the breakable barrier. Thus, the front and back sheets are easily fixed by the sealing varnish. In this way, a breakable barrier is formed at the desired location.

However, it is also contemplated that the frangible barrier is comprised of one or more materials other than varnish. Any material that is impermeable to the wetting agent and breakable is possible. To ensure the barrier's frangibility, the barrier may include a predetermined breaking point. Preferably, this is achieved by a thinner material thickness at the predetermined breaking point.

According to another embodiment, the breakable barrier can be broken with a pressure gradient between the storage compartment and the humidity transmitter.

Breaking a breakable barrier with a pressure gradient is a very simple and easy to apply method for the user. The user need only pressurize the storage compartment of the humidifying insert. This pressurization may be done by pressing the storage compartment in the direction of the surface normal of the front and back sheets. Pressurization may also be achieved by folding the humidifying insert along a folding axis parallel to the surfaces of the front and back sheets and intersecting the storage compartment. The folding axis intersects the storage compartment to divide the storage compartment into two sub-compartments. When folded along the folding axis, the pressure in the sub-compartments increases due to the overall volume of the storage compartment decreasing by pressing the front and rear sheets together at the folding axis.

The higher pressure in the storage compartment creates a pressure gradient between the two compared to an unpressurized humidity transmitter. This pressure gradient breaks the barrier and allows the humidifying agent to pass through the fluid connection from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter.

The humidity transducer preferably comprises a perforation of the front sheet. This means that the interior volume of the humidity transmitter is connected to the surroundings of the humidifying insert via a second fluid connection. Accordingly, the humidity transmitter preferably includes ambient pressure. To facilitate breaking of the breakable barrier, the storage compartment may be pre-pressurized with a quantity of a humidifying agent and/or another liquid or gaseous substance in the storage compartment.

According to another embodiment, the humidifying agent is a water-based solution.

The water-based solution offers a very cost-efficient possibility for humidifying agents. Humidifying the smoking article with a water-based solution is also beneficial, as water is a natural humidifier and the addition of unnecessary chemicals can be omitted. Preferably, the humidifying agent consists of pure water. The moisturizing agent can also include salt, thickening agents (e.g., alginates), and/or flavoring agents. Preferably, the humidifying insert contains 1.2g of humidifying agent, preferably 1.2g of water.

The object is also achieved by a method of humidifying smoking articles in a package with a humidifying insert having a planar shape and comprising a humidifying agent, a humidity transmitter and a storage compartment in which the humidifying agent is stored, wherein the storage compartment has a fluid connection with the humidity transmitter, wherein the fluid connection is blocked with a breakable barrier, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) breaking the breakable barrier by pressurizing the storage compartment to open the fluid connection such that the humidifying agent can flow from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter;

(b) inserting a humidifying insert into a smoking article package;

the humidifying insert is transitioned from the inactive state to the active state by breaking the barrier by applying a pressure gradient between the storage compartment and the humidity transducer and/or applying gravity. This is the case because the humidifier passes from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter after the barrier is broken.

After activation, the humidifying insert is inserted or reinserted into the smoking article package. The humidity transducer preferably comprises a tissue material, preferably a fleece, woven or non-woven tissue, which absorbs the humidifying agent in the humidity transducer and then slowly releases the humidifying agent from the humidity transducer into the interior volume of the smoking article package, preferably via perforations of the front sheet. Preferably, the humidifying insert is inserted into the smoking article package with the front sheet facing the smoking articles. In this way, the humectant evaporates towards the smoking article, humidifying the surrounding environment.

According to a further embodiment of the previously described method, the storage compartment is pressurized by folding the humidifying insert in the area where the storage compartment is located. Folding is a very simple and easy to apply method for the user to pressurize the storage compartment. The fold axis is aligned parallel to the surface of the humidifying insert. Preferably, the fold axis is aligned parallel to the front and back sheets. Preferably, the fold axis intersects the storage compartment. The preferably printable surface preferably comprises instructions on how and where to fold and/or press the humidifying insert in use.

Other advantages, objects and features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from the practice of the invention. In the drawings, similar components in different embodiments may exhibit the same reference numerals.

The figures show:

figure 1 is an overall view of a smoking article package 2 with a humidifying insert 1;

fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the humidifying insert 1;

fig. 3 is a sectional view along a-a of the humidifying insert 1;

fig. 4 is a sectional view along B-B of the humidifying insert 1;

fig. 5 is a sectional view along C-C of the humidifying insert 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a layer stack of composite material 11;

fig. 7a to 7b are sectional views along a-a of the folded humidifying insert 1.

In fig. 1, a smoking article package 2 with a humidifying insert 1 is depicted. The smoking article package 2 comprises an outer wall 2c enclosing an interior volume 5 of the smoking article package 2. In the inner volume 5, smoking articles 17 are arranged. The humidifying insert 1 may be inserted into the smoking article package 2 in an insertion direction I. The humidifying insert 1 may also be removed from the smoking article package 2 in a removal direction E. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 may be inserted into and/or removed from the smoking article package 2 in the same way as smoking articles 17 may be inserted into and/or removed from the smoking article package 2. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 is inserted into the smoking article package 2 through a top opening 2a, which can be closed with a flap 2b hinged to the rear wall of the smoking article package 2. The insertion direction I and the removal direction E will be interpreted as being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the package walls, i.e. perpendicular to the plane into which the top opening 2a extends in any orientation of the package 2.

The humidifying insert is preferably interposed between the smoking article 17 and the outer wall 2c of the smoking article package 2. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 is arranged with its rear sheet 10 facing the outer wall 2c of the smoking article package 2 and its front sheet 9 facing the smoking articles 17.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the humidifying insert 1 in an inactivated state, with the front sheet 9 in front. The humidifying insert 1 has a rectangular shape with edges 11. The corners of the rectangular shape may be rounded or framed to simplify insertion of the humidifying insert into the smoking article package 2. The rectangular shape comprises a long edge 11a and a short edge 11b which together define the front surface plane 9 of the humidifying insert 1. Preferably, the long edge 11a comprises a length of 85 mm. Preferably, the short edge 11b comprises a length of 40 mm. Preferably, the corner between the long edge 11a and the short edge 11b may be rounded with a radius of 6 mm. This size ensures machine compliance. Spaced from the edge 11 and near the center of the front surface plane 9, the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 are arranged. Preferably, the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transducer 4 are arranged next to each other along the long edge 11a of the rectangular shape of the humidifying insert 1.

Preferably, the storage compartment 6 comprises a rectangular shape when viewed from the front surface plane 9. The rectangular shape of the storage compartment 6 comprises a major axis a-a and a minor axis B-B. The long axis a-a is parallel to the long edge 11a of the humidifying insert 1, wherein the short axis B-B is parallel to the short edge 11B of the humidifying insert 1. Humidity transmitter 4 also includes a generally rectangular shape when viewed from top surface plane 9. The rectangular shape of humidity transmitter 4 includes a major axis C-C and a minor axis A-A. The minor axis a-a of the humidity transmitter 4 and the major axis a-a of the storage compartment are preferably parallel or even identical to each other. The fluid connection 7 is located at the edge 6a of the storage compartment 6 next to the edge 4a of the humidity transmitter 4.

Edges

6a and 4a are parallel to each other.

The long edge 4a facing the storage compartment 6 comprises a kinked shape, wherein the corner 18 is in the middle of the edge 4 a. The corners 18 are closer to the storage compartment 6 than the two ends 19 of the edge 4 a. This results in an angled arrangement of the two halves of edge 4a separated by corner 18.

The storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 are connected via a fluid connection 7. The fluid connection 7 is at least temporarily blocked by a breakable barrier 8. Thus, the breakable barrier is arranged in the fluid connection 7 between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4. The breakable barrier 8 extends along the entire edge 4a of the humidity transmitter 4. In humidity transmitter 4, tissue material 15 is arranged in a centered manner. At the location of the tissue material 15, the front sheet 9 comprises perforations 14.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the humidifying insert 1 along the axis a-a depicted in fig. 2 and perpendicular to the drawing plane of fig. 2. The front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 are stacked on each other. The front and

back sheets

9, 10 are attached to each other at their respective edges 11 with their

sides

9a, 10a facing each other. The front sheet 9 and the back sheet 10 are preferably attached to each other by heat sealing. The front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 are attached to each other only in a fixing region 11c extending from the edge 11 of the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 toward the center thereof.

The fixing area 11c does not cover the

entire sides

9a, 10a of the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10. The central portions 12 of the front and

rear sheets

9, 10 remain unfixed, forming a cavity 13. The cavity 13 is divided into two sections by the breakable barrier 8. One of the sections represents the storage compartment 6, while the other section represents the humidity transmitter 4. The breakable barrier 8 secures the front and

back sheets

9, 10 to each other at least temporarily with their

sides

9a, 10a facing each other. The breakable barrier 8 at least temporarily blocks the fluid connection 7 between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4.

In the storage compartment 6 and between the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10, the humidifying agent 3 is stored. In humidity transducer 4 and between front sheet 9 and back sheet 10, tissue material 15 is positioned. The tissue material 15 is located directly below the perforations 14 of the front sheet 9. Preferably, surface 15a of tissue material 15 is disposed adjacent to and in planar contact with front sheet 9 and perforations 14.

Fig. 4 depicts a sectional view of the humidifying insert 1 along the axis B-B depicted in fig. 2 and perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of fig. 2. The axis B-B intersects the humidifying insert 1 perpendicular to the axis a-a at the storage compartment 6. The short edges of the rectangular shape of the storage compartment 6 (compare fig. 2) are realized by a larger extent of the fixing area 11c from the edge 11 towards the centre of the front and

back sheets

9, 10. By freely selecting the extent of the fixing area 11c from the edge 11 towards the centre of the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10, the shape of the storage compartment 6 and/or the humidity transducer 4 can be determined. In the storage compartment 6, the humidifying agent 3 is stored. To simplify the production of the moisturizing insert 1, the front 9 and rear 10 sheets can consist of a single sheet, equivalent to the shape of the two halves folded onto each other at the fold 20, forming one of the edges 11, 11a, 11b of the front 9 and rear 10 sheets.

Fig. 5 shows a third sectional view of the humidifying insert 1. In this figure, the humidifying insert 1 is sectioned along an axis C-C, which is parallel to the section axis B-B but intersects the humidifying insert 1 at the humidity transducer 4. Between the front sheet 9 and the back sheet 10, a tissue material 15 is positioned. Directly above the surface 15a of the tissue material 15, perforations 14 are arranged. In this arrangement, the humidifying agent 3 in the activated state, which is evaporated from the tissue material 15, can travel from the humidifying insert 1 directly to the surroundings of the humidifying insert 1 through the perforations 14. Also at one edge 11, the front and

back sheets

9, 10 are folded along the crease 20, as they consist of one piece of composite material 16.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the composite material 16. The composite material 16 comprises several individual material layers 16a to 16d arranged in direct planar contact with each other and on top of each other. The individual layers 16 a-16 d are in contact with at least one of the other layers 16 a-16 d over at least one entire surface of the layers 16 a-16 d. The individual layers 16a to 16d of the composite film 16 are fixed to each other over their entire contact area. The composite film 16 includes a first layer 16a composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The composite film 16 includes a second layer 16b, which is also comprised of polyethylene terephthalate. The second layer is coated on at least one side with a coating 16 c. The coating preferably consists of aluminum oxide (AlOx). Alternatively, a silicon oxide (SiOx) coating film may be used. The composite film 16 further includes a third layer 16d composed of Polyethylene (PE).

Fig. 7a and 7b show the humidifying insert folded along the folding axis F. The folding axis F is arranged parallel to the top edge 11b of the humidifying insert 1. The folding axis F intersects the storage compartment 6. When the humidifying insert 1 is folded along the folding axis F, a crease F is created. Along the fold F, the storage compartment 6 is divided into a first sub-compartment 6b and a second sub-compartment 6 c. The first sub-compartment 6b is located on the side of the fold F facing away from the humidity transmitter 4. The second sub-compartment 6c is located on the side of the fold F facing the humidity transmitter 4. In general, the storage compartment 6 is folded along a folding line F acting as a rotation axis, dividing the storage compartment 6 into a first sub-compartment 6b and a second sub-compartment 6c at the folding line F, wherein the first sub-compartment 6b is rotated relative to the second sub-compartment 6c about the folding line F.

In fig. 7a and 7b, the first sub-compartment 6b is rotated counter clockwise. The first sub-compartment 6b is rotated about the fold line F acting as a rotation axis towards the back sheet 10 of the second sub-compartment 6 c. However, it is also possible to rotate the first sub-compartment 6b clockwise. It is also possible to rotate the first sub-compartment 6b towards the front panel 10 of the second sub-compartment 6c about the fold line F acting as a rotation axis.

The humidifying agent 3 is stored in the storage compartment 6 between the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10. This shows that the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 are separated from each other by the humidifying agent 3. By folding the moisturizing insert 1 along the folding line F, the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 are pressed against each other along the folding line F. The humidifying agent 3 previously occupying the space between the front sheet 9 and the rear sheet 10 at the location of the folding line F is then pressed into the remaining space of the storage compartment 6, in particular into the two

sub-compartments

6b, 6 c. Due to the additional humidifying agent 3 in both

sub-compartments

6b, 6c, the pressure in both

sub-compartments

6b, 6c is increased. This pressure increase causes a pressure gradient between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transducer 4, which is necessary to break the breakable barrier 8. In fig. 7b the broken state of the breakable barrier 8 is depicted. After breaking the breakable barrier 8, the fluid connection 7 between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 is opened. The humidifying agent 3 can now pass from the storage compartment 6 through the fluid connection 7 into the humidity transmitter 4. In the humidity transmitter, the humidifying agent 3 is absorbed in the tissue material 15. From the organizing material 15, the humidifying agent 3 slowly evaporates through the perforations 14 into the interior volume 5 of the smoking article package 2. In the interior volume 5 of the smoking article package 2, at least one smoking article 17 is arranged, which is then wetted by the evaporated humidifying agent 3 from the humidifying insert 1.

After the moisturizing insert 1 is folded along the folding line F and the breakable barrier 8 is broken, the moisturizing insert 1 can be folded back to its original shape along the folding line F. In this original shape, the wetness insert 1 may be easily inserted into a smoking article package.

Instead of folding the humidifying insert 1, it is also possible to pressurize the storage compartment 6 to create the necessary pressure gradient to break the breakable barrier 8. Preferably, this pressurization is achieved by pressing the humidifying insert 1 in two opposite directions, both parallel to the surface normal of the front and

back sheets

9, 10. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 is pressurized at the location where the storage compartment 6 is arranged. The pressing force generated by the pressing is directed to the inner volume of the storage compartment 6. For example, the moisturizing insert can be pressurized by holding the moisturizing insert between at least two fingers (e.g., thumb and forefinger) of one hand at the storage compartment 6 and pressing the two fingers together. Preferably, one finger is placed on the front sheet 9 and the other finger is placed on the back sheet 10. And then press the two fingers together.

A combination of pressing and folding of the humidifying insert 1 is also possible. In this embodiment, the user first pressurizes the storage compartment 6 at the location of the first sub-compartment 6 b. This causes the humidifying agent 3 to move towards the breakable barrier 8, as the space in the storage compartment 6 for the humidifying agent 3 is reduced. This already creates a certain pressure gradient between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4. The moisturizing insert 1 is then folded along the folding line F. This further reduces the space for humidifying agent 3, thereby creating an event higher pressure gradient between storage compartment 6 and humidity transmitter 4. In this way it is possible to use a breakable barrier 8, which requires a higher pressure gradient to break. This may be beneficial as it reduces the likelihood of accidental breaking of the breakable barrier 8 which would result in unnecessary and/or untimely activation of the humidifying insert 1.

In view of the prior art, the applicant reserves all the features disclosed in the claims as essential features of the invention, as long as they are novel, separate or combined. Furthermore, it should be noted that features are depicted in the figures, which features may be individually advantageous. Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that certain features disclosed in the figures may also be advantageous without the need to employ other features in the figures. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that advantages may accrue from combinations of various features disclosed in one or more of the figures.

List of reference numerals

1 humidifying insert

2 smoking article packaging

2a open at the top

2b flip cover

2c outer wall

3 humidifying agent

4 humidity transducer

4a edge

5 inner volume

6 storage compartment

6a edge

6b first sub-compartment

6c second sub-compartment

7 fluid connection

8 breakable barrier

9 front sheet, front surface plane

9a side surface

10 rear sheet

10a side surface

11 edge of

11a long edge

11b short edge

11c fixed area

12 center part

13 chamber

14 perforation

15 tissue material

15a surface

16 composite membrane

16a first layer

16b second layer

16c coating

16d third layer

17 smoking article

18 corner

19 end part

20 fold mark

F fold axis, crease

I direction of insertion

E taking out direction

Claims

1. A humidifying insert (1) for a smoking article package (2), wherein the humidifying insert (1) has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article package (2) and comprises a humidifying agent (3) and a humidity transmitter (4) which transmits the humidifying agent (3) from the humidifying insert (1) into an interior volume (5) of the smoking article package (2),

it is characterized in that

A storage compartment (6) in which the humidifying agent (3) is stored, the storage compartment having a fluid connection (7) with the humidity transmitter (4), wherein the fluid connection (7) is blocked with a breakable barrier (8).

2. Humidifying insert (1) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the storage compartment (6) and the humidity transducer (4) are enclosed between front and rear sheet layers (9, 10).

3. Humidifying insert (1) according to claim 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the front and rear sheet layers (9, 10) are attached to each other at least circumferentially along edges (11) of sides of the front and rear sheet layers (9, 10) facing each other, wherein at least a central portion (12) of the front and rear sheets (9, 10) are unattached to each other, thereby forming a cavity (13) enclosing the storage compartment (6), the humidity transmitter (4).

4. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the front and back sheets (9, 10) are composite films (16) comprising at least two material layers.

5. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the composite film (16) comprises a first layer (16a) of polyethylene terephthalate, a second layer (16b) of polyethylene terephthalate coated on at least one side with an oxide layer (16c), and a third layer (16d) of polyethylene.

6. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the composite film is printable.

7. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the front sheet (9) comprises perforations (14) at the humidity transducer (4) establishing a second fluid connection between the humidity transducer (4) and the atmosphere surrounding the humidification insert (1).

8. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

these perforations (14) exhibit a hole size of 0.01mm to 4mm, preferably 0.1mm to 3 mm.

9. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the perforations (14) comprise at least 1 to 200 holes.

10. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the humidity transmitter (4) comprises a tissue material (15) directly at the perforations (14) between the front and rear sheets (9, 10).

11. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the breakable barrier (8) is a sealing varnish.

12. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the breakable barrier (8) can be broken by a pressure gradient between the storage compartment (6) and the humidity transmitter (4).

13. Humidifying insert (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the wetting agent (3) is a water-based solution.

14. A method of humidifying smoking articles in a pack (2) with a humidifying insert (1) having a planar shape and comprising a humidifying agent (3), a humidity transmitter (4) and a storage compartment (6) in which the humidifying agent (3) is stored, wherein the storage compartment (6) has a fluid connection (7) with the humidity transmitter (4), wherein the fluid connection (7) is blocked with a breakable barrier (8),

the method comprises the following steps:

(a) breaking the breakable barrier (8) by pressurising the storage compartment (6) to open the fluid connection such that humidifying agent can flow from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter;

(b) the humidifying insert (1) is inserted into a smoking article pack (2).

15. Method according to claim 10, wherein the storage compartment (4) is pressurized by folding the humidifying insert (1) in the area where the storage compartment (4) is located.