EP3873270B1

EP3873270B1 - Elongated smoking article

Info

Publication number: EP3873270B1
Application number: EP19798202.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco FALK; Kate FERRIE; Christopher Lord; Edward Ross SHENTON; Ian Stuart
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd Great Britain
Current assignee: IMPERIAL TOBACCO Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2023-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-28
Also published as: PL3873270T3; US20210244087A1; JP2022507040A; WO2020089155A1; TW202019298A; EP3873270A1; JP7491917B2; TWI826561B

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elongated smoking article comprising a smoking body filled with a combustible material and a hollow element downstream to the cylindrical smoking body and comprising a first base area facing the smoking body. A filter membrane is disposed between the smoking body and the hollow element and comprises at least one filter aperture that is aligned with the hollow bore of the hollow element, that is permeable for vapor emitted by the heated smoking body and that has an effective size between 0.5 µm and 1.5 mm. The filter membrane is configured as second heating element when the smoking body is heated by a primary heat source of a heating device so that the filter membrane distributes heat emitted by the heated smoking body and/or generated by a device for heating the smoking body. The present invention further refers to a smoking system comprising the elongated smoking article of the invention and a heating device for heating the elongated smoking article.

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
Elongated smoking articles, such as e.g. (filter) cigarettes or cigarillos, are usually of cylindrical shape and comprise a smoking body that is filled with a combustible material. Therein, the combustible material comprises tobacco or a tobacco related product, such as e.g. shredded tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. For forming the smoking body, the combustible material is surrounded by a wrapping paper. Usually cigarettes have a cylindrical filter element that is aligned with the smoking body. The filter element is configured to filter substances, e.g. tar, from the combustion gases emitted by the burning combustible material and might comprises cellulose acetate, paper, and/or charcoal. Usually, the filter element is packed using a so-called plug wrap, e.g., a paper plug wrap. The filter element is usually attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as tipping paper. Therein, the tipping paper can be overlaid with and attached to both, the filter element and the smoking body. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite the filter element and burning the smoking body. The smoker receives smoke into their mouth by drawing on the filter element of the cigarette.
Exemplary conventional cigarettes as described above and designed for being consumed by burning the tobacco are disclosed US 3 964 493 A , US 7 625 328 B2 , and US 3 395 713 A1 .
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems (or "substitute smoking systems") in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco. Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine. In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown in the past years. There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilizing a different smoking substitute approach.
One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "heat not burn" ("HNB") approach in which tobacco (rather than an "e-liquid") is heated or warmed to release vapor. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapor may contain nicotine and/or flavorings. In the HNB approach, the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion. In the following, products used in such HNB approach are referred to as heated tobacco products, even when referring to a state in which these tobacco products are not yet heated. In other words, the term heated tobacco products refers to products that can be used, i.e., heated, in a HNB type device.
A typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a heated tobacco product as a consumable. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. Further the heated tobacco product might also be formed as an elongated smoking article and can be used without burning the combustible material of the smoking body. In use, heat may be imparted to the smoking body by a heating element of the device such that the combustible material of the smoking body is heated to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the combustible material. The heated combustible material, usually tobacco or a tobacco related product, emits vapor that can be drawn and inhaled by a user. Therein, moisture in the combustible material can be released as vapor and vapor may also be formed from a carrier/humectant in the combustible material, including e.g., propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine, as well as from additionally volatile compounds released from the combustible material.
A HNB type smoking tool for smoking a HNB cigarette is disclosed in EP 2 394 520 A1 .
In heated tobacco products the amount of vapor might be less than the amount of vapor and/or smoke emitted by a burning combustible material. Hence, a user experience might be different from a classical tobacco product. Further, while heating the combustible material, particles might be emitted by the heated combustible material and hence the emitted vapor is usually filtered before it can reach the mouth of a user. However, the filtering might also diminish the amount of vapor that can reach the mouth of the user thus further distinguishing the smoking experience from a classical tobacco product. Further, known heated tobacco products often provide insufficient mixing of the vapor components i.e. incomplete mixing of the nicotine with the carrier, because they are vaporized from the tobacco at different temperatures. Unmixed nicotine gas can also result in an unpleasant sensation for the user.
It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome or reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an elongated smoking article that is configured to be used as a heated tobacco product without combustion and that provides an improved user experience.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One or more of the drawbacks of the prior art could be avoided or at least reduced by means of the present invention, particularly by an elongated smoking article that is extending in a longitudinal direction. The elongated smoking article comprises a cylindrical smoking body that is configured to be heated during smoking of the smoking article. Therefore, the smoking body comprises combustible material that is preferably surrounded by a plug wrap.
The elongated smoking article further comprises a hollow element that is disposed (positioned) downstream to the cylindrical smoking body and comprises a first base area that is facing the smoking body. The hollow bore filter element further comprises a second base area that is opposite the first base area as well as a hollow bore that is extending through the whole hollow element from the first base area to the second base area. In the context of the present disclosure, the terms downstream and upstream refer to a flow direction of the vapor components when a user draws on the elongated smoking body. Preferably, the hollow element is disposed (positioned) adjacent to the smoking body.
The elongated smoking article according to the present invention further comprises a filter membrane that is arranged between the smoking body and the hollow element, particularly between a base area of the cylindrical smoking body and the first base area of the hollow element. The filter membrane comprises at least one filter aperture that is aligned with the hollow bore, i.e., that is arranged in a section of the filter membrane that is overlaying the hollow bore. In other words, the filter aperture is overlaid with the hollow bore in the first base area of the hollow element. The filter aperture has a smaller (effective) size than a diameter of the hollow bore in the first base area of the hollow element. The at least one filter aperture is permeable for vapor emitted by the heated smoking body and has an effective size between 0.5 µm and 1.5 mm.
In a preferred embodiment the at least one filter aperture of the filter membrane is configured to filter particles emitted by the heated smoking body. For heated tobacco products, hollow elements as specified below have been shown to provide a pleasant user experience, particularly by allowing a user to draw amounts of vapor comparable to conventional tobacco products with a resistance to draw also comparable to conventional tobacco products. However, due to the hollow bore extending through the whole filter element, the filtering capacity is limited. The present invention advantageously allows reducing the risk of particles and/or heat of the heated smoking body to reach the mouth of a user without significantly increasing the resistance to draw experienced by the user. In other words, the filter membrane can advantageously be used in combination with hollow bore filter elements or, in combination with a hollow tube portion as described below, even instead of hollow bore filter elements.
For filtering particles emitted by the heated smoking body, the at least one filter aperture preferably has an effective size between 0.5 µm and 0.5 mm, further preferred between 1 µm and 0.1 mm and particularly preferred between 10 µm and 50 µm. Filter apertures of this size are particularly suitable for filtering particles emitted by the heated smoking body.
Further preferred, the at least one filter aperture of the filter membrane is configured for mixing the various components of the vapor while passing through the at least one filter aperture. In other words, by providing the filter element with at least one filter aperture downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, the various components of the vapor are forced to co-locate and mix as they pass through the at least one filter aperture. Hence, the user is not exposed to unmixed nicotine gas and user experience is further improved.
In an embodiment directed predominantly to mixing the vapor components, the filter membrane may only have a single filter aperture that might be positioned at the axial center of the filter membrane. In such embodiment, the at least one filter aperture has an effective size between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm e.g., around 1 mm. Filter apertures of this size are particularly suitable for mixing vapor emitted by the smoking body. Further, the filter membrane may preferably comprise filter apertures of different effective sizes.
By the aforementioned advantageous effects of filtering and mixing the present invention advantageously allows utilizing the advantages of hollow elements, such as e.g., hollow bore filter elements and hollow tube portions, in a heated smoking article. Exemplarily, the use of the filter membrane allows to provide a heated tobacco product with a resistance to draw that is similar to conventional tobacco products, while at the same time minimizing the risk of particles or unmixed vapor components reaching the user's mouth. Hence, user experience while smoking the heated tobacco product is significantly increased.
However, by positioning an additional filter membrane in the flow path of the vapor emitted by the heated smoking body, the vapor might be cooled by the filter membrane. Such cooling may lead to unwanted precipitation of vapor components at the filter membrane. Hence, in the present invention, the filter membrane is configured as second heating element when the smoking body is heated by a primary heat source of a heating device. The filter membrane is configured to distribute heat emitted by the heated smoking body and additionally or alternatively the filter membrane is configured to distribute heat that is generated by a device for heating the smoking body. The filter membrane configured to distribute heat emitted by the heated smoking body and/or generated by a device for heating the smoking body provides further advantageous effects. First, the (heated) filter membrane advantageously improves particle size by slowing the cooling rate of the vapor, while the vapor passes through the filter membrane. Research has shown that such slower cooling and thus the generation of larger particle sizes leads to a better vaping experience.
Essentially, by distributing heat emitted by the heated smoking body and/or generated by a device for heating the smoking body, the filter membrane provides a second heating element, which is slightly cooler than a primary heat source for heating the smoking body. As this second heating element equally contacts the vapor as it passes through the membrane, the temperature difference experienced by the vapor as it moves from the smoking body to the user mouth via a mouthpiece is reduced, hence creating a slower vapor cooling rate.
A further benefit of the (heated) filter membrane acting as second heating element is that the vapor particles are allowed more easily through the filter membrane so that they can condense at a later stage into larger particles. In other words, the vapor which passes through will not be condensed on the filter membrane, meaning that the vapor won't be reduced by the filter membrane. In an embodiment, wherein the filter membrane is directly adjacent to the smoking body, another benefit is due to secondary heating of the combustible material of the smoking body. Therein, the heating of the combustible material may be improved by better distribution of the heat due to the filter membrane and/or by bringing additional heat generated by the device for heating the smoking body to the smoking body. Such improved heating advantageously benefits to vapor production by increasing thermal transfer across the diameter of the combustible material and a reduction in preheating time.
In a further preferred embodiment, the hollow element is attached to one of the base areas of the smoking body in an end-to-end relationship and elongates the smoking body. Particularly, a first base area of the hollow element faces a base area of the smoking body in an end-to-end relationship. A second base area of the hollow element is opposite the first base area. Therefore, the hollow element preferably is also of cylindrical shape with the same cross section as the smoking body. The hollow element is further configured to draw vapor, from the heated smoking body. In another embodiment, the hollow element, e.g., a hollow tube portion, is located downstream the smoking body with another element, e.g., a filter, being located in between the smoking body and the hollow element.
The elongated smoking article preferably comprises a tipping paper that is circumscribing the smoking body and the hollow element. In other words, the tipping paper circumferentially encloses the cross sections of the smoking body and the hollow element and extends in the longitudinal direction across the smoking body and the hollow element. The tipping paper is further preferably attached to the external surfaces of both, the smoking body and the hollow element and thus connects the smoking body and the hollow element. Preferably, the tipping paper is adhered to the external surfaces of the smoking body and the hollow element. In another preferred embodiment, the smoking body and the hollow element are affixed to each other by other means such as e.g., by the wrapping paper of the elongated smoking article, e.g., if further elements are in between hollow element and smoking body.
Preferably, the hollow element of the elongated smoking article according to the present invention is one of a hollow bore filter element and a hollow tube portion. Therein, the hollow bore filter element is configured to reduce specific substances from combustion gases that are emitted from the heated smoking body, particularly the heated combustible material. The filter element may comprise a filter plug, e.g., from cellulose acetate, that comprises a central hollow bore extending along the whole length of the filter. At the same time and in comparison to completely hollow tube portions, such hollow bore filters, when disposed adjacent to the smoking body, further provide a support base surface for the combustible material of the smoking body and sufficient mechanical support for a tipping paper and/or a wrapping paper surrounding the elongated smoking article.
However, in another preferred embodiment the hollow element is a hollow tube portion, such as e.g. a hollow cardboard tube. In such an embodiment, the hollow bore extends substantially over the whole first base area as well as the whole second base area. Such hollow tube is configured to allow for cooling and/or mixing of the vapor emitted by the heated smoking body. Particularly, in such embodiment, the positioning of the filter membrane upstream (and adjacent) the hollow tube portion allows for the expansion of the restricted vapor flow into the hollow tube portion and hence improves mixing of the vapor components. Hence mixing of the vapor in the hollow element and thus uniformity of the vapor drawn by a user is improved by the at least one filter aperture of the filter membrane. A hollow tube portion as the hollow element may be positioned downstream the smoking body with another filer element disposed between hollow tube portion and smoking body.
The hollow tube portion may further comprise embedded flavoring materials for improving the gustatory qualities of the vapor. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tube portion is positioned adjacent the smoking body and a support base surface for the combustible material of the smoking body is preferably formed by the filtering membrane that is covering the first base area. Alternatively, the support base surface for the combustible material of the smoking body is formed by another filter element that is disposed between the smoking body and the downstream hollow tube portion (hollow element) or filter membrane.
In another preferred embodiment, the hollow element is the hollow bore filter element as described above and a hollow tube portion as described above is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the hollow bore filter element. Alternatively, another hollow bore filter element is disposed adjacent to the smoking body and the hollow element is the hollow tube portion disposed downstream of the another hollow bore filter element.
Further preferred, the elongated smoking article of the invention also comprises a second filter element that is adjacent to and downstream of the hollow element and that is configured as a mouthpiece for a user. The hollow element and the second filter element preferably are of cylindrical shape and of at least nearly the same diameter as the smoking body and/or the hollow bore filter element. The second filter element preferably is a second hollow bore filter element that does not significantly increase a resistance to draw experienced by a user. The smoking body, the hollow element, i.e., the hollow bore filter element and/or the hollow tube portion, and/or the second filter element are preferably circumferentially wrapped by a wrapping paper and connected therewith.
In a further preferred embodiment, the filter membrane is disc-shaped, particularly preferred with the same diameter as the cylindrical smoking body and hollow element. In other words, the base areas of the filter membrane are of essentially circular shape. However, other shapes such as e.g., elliptical shapes are also possible for these base areas. Depending on a thickness of the filter membrane, the filter membrane might be either considered of flat shape or of cylindrical shape. Such filter membrane is preferably attached to one or both of the smoking body and the adjacent element, e.g., the hollow element.
Exemplarily, a suitable adhesive can be applied to a base area of the adjacent element facing the smoking body, e.g., on the first base area of the hollow element. Also preferred, the filter membrane is wedged between the smoking body and the adjacent element, e.g., between smoking body and hollow element. In such an embodiment, the filter membrane can be secured in position without being adhered/attached to the smoking body and/or the adjacent element, e.g., by force closure and/or by the wrapping paper circumferentially surrounding the elements of the elongated smoking article.
Particularly preferred, the filter membrane comprises a plurality of filter apertures. Therein, the filter apertures are preferably configured as a plurality of through holes in the membrane, as a plurality of openings in a mesh-shaped material and/or as a plurality of openings or pores in a cloth shaped material. In other words, the filter apertures are preferably inserted into the material of the filter membrane, e.g., by perforation, or are formed by the material of the filter membrane itself, e.g., as voids between the web bars of a mesh-material.
In the context of this disclosure, the effective size of the filter apertures as introduced above preferably refers to a linear extension characteristic for the cross-sectional area of the openings available for vapors to pass through the aperture openings. For a circular aperture, the effective size refers to a diameter of the filter aperture and to a square aperture the effective size refers to a side length of the filter aperture.
The aperture openings are preferably suitable for filtering particles emitted by the heated smoking body while being permeable for vapors emitted by the heated smoking body. Further, the aperture openings are significantly smaller than the hollow bore of the hollow element, usually having a size of several millimeters, e.g., 3.5 mm. Further, the aperture openings are significantly larger than the pores or channels of a full cellulose acetate filter, particularly with respect to a hollow bore filter element being the hollow element.
Hence, the aperture openings advantageously allow for filtering particles from the vapor emitted by the heated smoking body without increasing the resistance to draw significantly. Further, the aperture openings advantageously contribute to mixing of the emitted vapor. The size of the filter apertures advantageously ensures that no ash or tobacco particles can pass. It is thus possible to build up a secure stick design while having a hollow bore through all filter and tube segments which generates an intensive tobacco taste and smoke experience.
In a preferred embodiment of the elongated smoking article of the invention, the filter membrane is configured for distributing heat emitted by the heated smoking body and/or generated by a device for heating the smoking body. Further preferred, the filter membrane is configured for deflecting and/or absorbing heat emitted by the heated smoking body and/or generated by a device for heating the smoking body.
In other words, the filter membrane preferably is configured to block, dissipate and/or distribute heat which is generated by the device for heating the smoking body. All of these effects finally lead to an improved distribution of heat in the elongated smoking article. By the filter membrane, a user's mouth is advantageously protected from too much heat. Further, by distributing the heat the uniformity of heating of the smoking body might be improved. At the same times any other elements of the elongated smoking article downstream of the filter membrane, such as e.g., the hollow element, are protected from too much heat. In the case of cellulose acetate filter elements downstream the filter membrane, blocking and/or absorbing the heat advantageously protects these downstream elements from melting.
The filter membrane is preferably configured to reflect heat radiation and/or to block heat transport by heat conduction by comprising at least one layer of material with low heat conductivity. Alternatively or additionally, the filter membrane is configured to absorb heat by comprising at least one additional layer with high heat conductivity, whereas such layer is preferably combined with a downstream layer of low heat conductivity. In other words, a layer of the filter membrane facing the smoking body is preferably configured with heat reflecting property and a high heat conductivity for absorbing and/or distributing heat, whereas a downstream layer of the filter membrane is preferably configured with a low heat conductivity in order to block heat transport. Hence, a first layer of the filter membrane facing the smoking body has a higher heat conductivity of a second layer adjacently downstream the first layer.
In another preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the filter membrane that is facing the smoking body comprises a heat-deflecting material, i.e., a material configured for reflecting heat radiation. Preferably, the heat deflecting material is aluminum commonly used in the tobacco industry. Advantageously, aluminum distributes the heat that is not reflected. Further preferred, at least one layer of the filter membrane is of low heat conductivity, such as e.g., of a paper material. Particularly preferred, the filter membrane is formed of a laminate sheet comprising an aluminum layer and a paper layer, wherein the aluminum layer is either adhered to or coated onto the paper layer. Such paper-aluminum-laminates are commonly used in the packaging of tobacco-related products. In this embodiment, the aluminum layer is facing the smoking body for reflecting the heat emitted therefrom. Further preferred, the filter membrane comprises a metal mesh, wherein such metal mesh can also be combined with a paper layer for forming a metal-paper-laminate sheet. Therein, the metal mesh is preferably circumferentially surrounded by the paper sheet that is used for fixation.
In a preferred embodiment of the elongated smoking article of the invention, the at least one aperture opening is, preferably the plurality of aperture openings are, formed in the filter membrane by laser perforation. However, other forms of perforation such as e.g., needle punching or the like, are also preferred for generating the at least one aperture opening. However, as already mentioned above the aperture openings may also be formed by the material of the filter membrane itself, such as a mesh material, and perforation is obsolete. Therein, during manufacture of the elongated smoking article, the size of the perforation(s)/channel(s) can be selected depending on the desired nicotine "hit" delivery. Particularly preferred, the filter membrane is fully or partially formed of aluminum foil, paper, mesh material, activated carbon, extruded tobacco and/or cloth material. Particularly preferred, the mesh material is a metal mesh, e.g., from copper or aluminum.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter membrane of the invention further comprises at least one first portion and a second portion. The at least one first portion extends along a lateral surface of the hollow bore filter element, e.g., along the whole length or part thereof and is bent from a second portion of the filter membrane. The second portion of the filter membrane is bent from the at least one first portion, particularly over the first base area of the hollow element such that it extends over the first base area of the hollow element at least partially. In other words, the second portion is covering at least part of the first base area of the hollow element and the at least one first portion is bent to cover a part of the lateral surface of the hollow element. Further, the second portion of the filter membrane comprises the at least one filter aperture as described above, i.e., being aligned with the hollow bore in the first base area. This embodiment advantageously provides an improved fixation of the filter membrane to the hollow element, particularly via the at least first portion being fixed to the lateral surface of the hollow bore filter element. Preferably, the filter membrane is formed of aluminum foil, paper, mesh material and/or cloth material or a mixture of those materials, such as e.g., an aluminum-paper-laminate.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one first portion and the second portion of the filter membrane are formed of a metal mesh. Further preferred, such filter membrane comprises a plurality of first portions, e.g., two ore more, first portions that are bent from the second portion covering the first base area onto the lateral surface for providing a form and/or form closure between the first portions and the lateral surface of the filter element. Further preferred, the second portion is formed of a metal mesh and configured for being placed on the first base area, e.g., by comprising a disc-shape. Then, the at least one first portion is extending outward from the second area in the plane of the second area before being bent onto the lateral surface of the hollow bore filter element. Further preferred, in this embodiment the at least one first portion can also be formed of a paper material or a cloth material and is configured to be glued to the lateral surface of the hollow bore filter element. Also preferred, a form closure is provided with lateral surfaces of the smoking body.
Further preferred, the second portion has a rectangular or circular shape that is suitable for covering the hollow bore in the first base area of the hollow element. According to a preferred embodiment, at least two first portions extend laterally from respective parts of the circumference of the second portion. In other words, the first portions protrude as flaps from the second portion, wherein the flaps are separate from each other and can be separately bent to extent over the lateral surface of the hollow element. In such embodiment, each of the flaps can be glued to the lateral surface of the hollow element or the plurality of flaps commonly provides a form closure with the hollow element. In an alternatively preferred embodiment, one first portion surrounds the entire second portion circumferentially. Exemplarily, in case of a circular second portion, the first portion is formed by a circular ring connected to the second portion in a radially outward direction. Such one first portion can also be glued to or provide a from closure with the lateral surface of the hollow element.
The first portion of the filter membrane is preferably glued to the lateral surface of the hollow element. Hence, the filter membrane is properly fixed to the hollow element. However, the first portion can also be attached to the hollow element by other means, such as e.g., stitching or the like. Also preferred, the first portion is attached to the hollow element solely by the wrapping paper wrapped around the hollow element and the first portion and/or by the second portion being wedged between the smoking body and the hollow element.
Further preferred, the filter membrane comprises a third portion that is bent from the first portion and that extends over the second base area. In other words, the third portion is preferably bent over the second base area, particularly above the hollow bore in the second base area. According to this embodiment, the third portion also has at least one filter aperture that is aligned with the hollow bore in the second base area. The filter apertures in the third portion are preferably configured as described above. By providing such third portion a second filter membrane is provided in the flow path of the vapor emitted by the smoking body hence increasing the filter efficiency with respect to particles emitted by the heated smoking body and/or increasing the heat deflecting efficiency of the membranes.
The (combustible material of the) smoking body is preferably capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably located at the upstream end of the elongated smoking article. In order to generate an aerosol, combustible material comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporized/aerosolized and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise plant material. The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos. Any suitable parts of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers. The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon). The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenized (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet. In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the combustible material of the smoking body has a grammage greater than or equal to 100 g/m², e.g. greater than or equal to 110 g/m² such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m². The sheet may have a grammage of less than or equal to 300 g/m² e.g. less than or equal to 250 g/m² or less than or equal to 200 g/m². The sheet may have a grammage of between 120 and 190 g/m². The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material. The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material.
The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavorings, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders. Humectants are provided as vapor generators - the resulting vapor helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapor. Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the combustible material of the smoking body in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%. The humectant content of the combustible material of the smoking body may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %. The humectant content of the combustible material of the smoking body may have an upper limit of at most 50 % by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt%. Preferably, the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the combustible material of the smoking body, such as 1 to 20 wt % Suitable binders are known in the art and may act to bind together the components forming the combustible material of the smoking body. Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins. Preferably the binder content is 5 to 10 wt% of the combustible material of the smoking body e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%. Suitable fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the combustible material of the smoking body. Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibers, lignocellulose fibers (e.g. wood fibers), jute fibers and combinations thereof. Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the combustible material of the smoking body e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%. The combustible material of the smoking body may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent. In some embodiments, the combustible material of the smoking body has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6 to 9 wt% such as between 7 to 9 wt%. The flavoring may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavor (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavor. The flavoring may be evenly dispersed throughout the combustible material of the smoking body or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the combustible material.
The combustible material of the smoking body may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. The smoking body may have a diameter of between 5 and 10 mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 11 and 14 mm such as around 12 or 13 mm. The combustible material of the smoking body may be circumscribed by a wrapping layer e.g. a paper wrapping layer. The wrapping layer may overlie an inner foil layer or may comprise a paper/foil laminate (with the foil innermost).
The filter elements mentioned herein, particularly the hollow bore filter elements, may each have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the smoking body (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The axial length of one or each filter element may be less than 20 mm, e.g. between 8 and 15 mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12 mm. At least one hollow bore filter element may have a bore diameter between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm. The bore diameter is preferably greater than the diameter of the flow aperture(s).
The elongated smoking article may further comprise another (solid) filter element. That another (solid) filter element may include a capsule e.g. a crushable capsule (crush-ball) containing a liquid flavoring e.g. any of the flavorings listed above. The capsule can be crushed by the user during smoking of the elongated smoking article to release the flavoring. The capsule may be located at the axial center of the (solid) filter element.
A hollow tube element defines a space or cavity or chamber between the combustible material of the smoking body and the downstream end of the elongated smoking article. The hollow tube element acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the aerosol. The hollow tube element may be at least partly (e.g., entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer. The hollow tube element may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10 mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14 mm e.g. around 14 mm
In some embodiments, the elongated smoking article may further comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the combustible material of the smoking body (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user. The aerosol-cooling element will be downstream from the combustible material of the smoking body. The aerosol cooling element may be at least partly (e.g. completely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer. The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a plastics material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximize heat exchange and aerosol cooling.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing or manufacturing a hollow element, preferably a hollow bore filter element or a hollow tube portion for an elongated smoking article according to the present invention. The so produced hollow element can thus be used for manufacturing an elongated smoking article according to the invention. The method for manufacturing the hollow element comprises at least the following steps.
In a first step of the method, a hollow element is provided that has a first base area, a second base area opposite to the first base area and a hollow bore that extends from the first base area to the second base area. Such hollow elements are known from the prior art and the provided hollow element does not differ from those elements. In another step of the method of the invention, a membrane sheet is provided that has a width that exceeds a distance between the first base area and the second base area. In other words, the width of the membrane sheet exceeds the length of the hollow element.
In the method of the invention, then an adhesive is applied to a first portion of the membrane sheet, wherein the first portion has a width that corresponds to the distance between the first base area and the second base area. In other words, the first portion of the membrane sheet is only a part of the membrane sheet and thus a portion of the membrane sheet is not covered by the adhesive. Depending on the position of the first portion, either one second portion of the membrane sheet on one side of the first portion remains free of adhesive or second portion and a third portion on both sides of the first portion remain free of adhesive.
In a next step of the method of the invention, a segment is separated from the membrane sheet, wherein the segment has a length corresponding to the width of the membrane sheet, In other words, the segment is separated, e.g., cut, from the membrane sheet in the width direction of the membrane sheet. Hence, a plurality of segments connected to each other in a length direction of the membrane sheet perpendicular to the width direction of the membrane sheet form the membrane sheet. The separation of the segment is preferably performed by blade-cutting or the like. The segment has thus a first portion covered by the adhesive and a second portion without adhesive on one side of the first portion and eventually also a third portion.
In the method of the invention, the first portion of the segment is then attached to a lateral surface of the hollow element via the adhesive. In other words, the segment is adhered to the hollow element. This can be done by placing the segment onto the hollow element or by rolling the hollow element over the segment or the like. After the segment is attached to the hollow element and, eventually, after the adhesive is dried, the second portion of the segment is bent over the first base area of the hollow element. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the first portion is a central portion of the membrane sheet in a width direction thereof as described above, further a third portion of the segment is bent over the second base area of the hollow element.
Preferably, the membrane sheet used in the method of the invention comprises at least one aperture opening as described above that is located in the second portion and, eventually, in the third portion of the membrane sheet. Then, the first portion is bent over the first base area such that the aperture openings in the first portion are aligned with the hollow bore in the first base area and, eventually, the second portion is bent over the second base area such that the aperture openings in the second portion are aligned with the hollow bore in the second base area. Alternatively, the method further comprises the step of perforating, preferably laser perforating, the second portion and/or the third portion of the membrane sheet, i.e., before the segmentation of the segment, or the step of perforating, preferably laser perforating, the second portion and/or the third portion of the segment, i.e., after the segmentation of the segment.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a smoking system comprising an elongated smoking article according to the present invention and a heating device for heating the elongated smoking article. Therefore, the heating device comprises a main body and a cavity that is configured for receiving the smoking body of the elongated smoking article. In other words, the smoking body of the smoking article can be inserted into the cavity of the device. According to the present invention, the heating device is configured for heating the smoking body and the filter membrane of an elongated smoking article that is inserted in the cavity. In other words, with the smoking system of the invention, the advantages of a filter membrane configured to distribute heat generated by the device for heating the smoking body are achieved. Particularly, the cooling rate of the vapor is reduced, the evaporation of vapor constituents at the filter membrane is avoided and formation of larger particles is improved.
The heating device preferably is a HNB device, i.e. a device adapted to heat but not combust the combustible material of the smoking body. The main body of the device is preferably configured for housing the heating element, e.g., within the cavity of the heating device. The main body is further preferably configured to house a power source for the heating element as well as control electronics for the heating element. The main body may further comprise display means and control means for interaction with a user of the heating device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heating element comprises an elongated e.g. rod-, tube- or blade-shaped heating element. The heating element preferably projects into the cavity within the main body for receiving the elongated smoking article, particularly the smoking body, as described above. The elongated heating element is preferably configured for penetrating the smoking body of the inserted elongated smoking article for heating the combustible material of the smoking body. The elongated heating element is further configured to contact the filter membrane of an elongated smoking article inserted into the cavity of the smoking device with its smoking body. Hence, by heating the elongated heating element also the filter membrane is heated by means of heat conduction and hence the filter membrane is distributing the heat generated by the elongated heating element of the device.
According to this embodiment, the filter membrane is preferably positioned immediately adjacent to the smoking body such that the elongated heating element does not have to extend unnecessarily out of the smoking body. As the filter membrane contacts the heating source an optimal thermal transfer into the filter membrane is ensured. The temperature of the filter membrane will depend upon the temperature of the heating element, the shape and style of the heating element, how well the heating element contacts the filter membrane, the material of the filter membrane, the conductivity of the heating element and the airflow through the filter membrane. Depending on these conditions, the filter membrane will reach a peak temperature between 100°C and 250°C. In other words, a second heating element is provided by the filter membrane tby distributing the heat generated by the heating element.
In this embodiment, the filter membrane is preferably constructed from a thermally conductive material which is porous enough to enable the vapor to flow through and fine enough to prevent particulate matter from passing through the filter membrane. Particularly, preferred, the filter membrane is made from a woven metal mesh, such as stainless steel (304 or 316 grade), copper, aluminum, brass or Kanthal (FeCrAl) mesh. The aforementioned metals allow for a suitable heat transfer whilst matching the permeability criteria. Particularly preferred, the metal mesh has at least one filter aperture with an effective size lower than 0.1 mm, further preferred a filter aperture with effective size between 10 µm and 50 µm. Further preferred, the filter membrane is formed by a permeable ceramic disc, cloth or a metallic foil which has been perforated with a plethora of holes smaller than 100 µm. In such embodiment, the majority of the holes are preferably below 50 µm.
In a further preferred embodiment, the filter membrane is provided as a thin metallic component, e.g. from aluminum, which is photoetched, chemically etched or chemically milled. Such metallic component can also be provided as a thin component with precise, holes or openings in the micron range and customized for optimal heat transfer and filtration. Further preferred, the filter membrane is made of a polymer material, such as e.g., PP, nylon, polyester, PET, PEEK, PTFE or PLA. PLA is particularly preferred as a biodegradable polymer. Particularly preferred, the polymers are blended with other additives, such as glass fibers in order to increase or decrease particular mechanical properties or characteristics of the filter membrane such as e.g., the thermal stability or the electrical conductivity thereof.
Further preferred, according to this embodiment the filter membrane is configured to be a flexible component, i.e., to flex in reaction of the elongated heating element being pushed against it. In other words, the flexible membrane is preferably not rigid. Further preferred, the filter membrane has a Young's modulus below 2 GPa, preferably below 1 GPa and particularly preferred below 0.5 GPa. The flexibility of the filter membrane ensures a good thermal contact with the heating element while minimizing the risk of damages to the filter membrane, particularly when the elongated smoking article may be used in devices from different manufacturers with heating elements of different length. Also in this embodiment, the filter membrane may be formed as a laminate with a plurality of layers as set forth above.
According to another preferred embodiment of the smoking system, the heating device comprises a heat source for contactless heating of the filter membrane or an electric contact for providing a heating current to the conductive filter membrane. In other words, in this embodiment, the filter membrane is heated up by energy transmission to the filter membrane, wherein the transmitted energy has another form than heat energy. In other words, a non-contact heating arrangement is provided for the filter membrane by the device.
The heat source for contactless heating of the filter membrane is preferably realized as an inductive heating device, i.e., a device configured to emit electromagnetic waves that heat up the filter membrane when received by the filter membrane. In such an embodiment, the inductive heat source preferably is the same heat source as one used to create vapor from the smoking body. However, the inductive heat source for heating the filter membrane may also differ from a heat source used for heating the smoking body, wherein the latter may be inductive or not. In such case, the heat source for heating the filter membrane preferably acts from one or two sides of the filter membrane or annularly surrounds the smoking body.
If the same inductive heat source is used for the heating smoking body and filter membrane, the filter membrane of a smoking body inserted into the cavity is preferably in the magnetic field range of the inductor coil used to heat an electromagnetic susceptor disposed in the smoking body. In case of an inductive heat source, the filter membrane is preferably constructed from a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material that contains a magnetic element such as iron, cobalt or nickel or an alloy of these material. Each of the aforementioned materials is an acceptable susceptor material for the use in inductive heating applications.
However, the method for heating the filter membrane may also be different from the method for heating the smoking body. Exemplarily, an IR lamp, a laser or another form of radiative heating method may be used for heating the filter membrane. When using such radiative heat source, the material used for the filter membrane preferably has an emissivity value of at least 90% or more in order to absorb the radiation and not reflect it. If a metal is used for the filter membrane, a coating is preferably applied to the material for increasing emissivity. Such coating may also improve the resistance of the filter membrane towards external influences, such as e.g., the acidity of the vapor emitted by the heated smoking body.
Further preferred, the heating device comprises at least one electric contact for providing a heating current to the metal filter membrane. Such heating may also be considered as contact heating, wherein the heating energy is transmitted as electric energy to the filter membrane and transformed to heat by the filter membrane itself. In such embodiment, the filter membrane may exemplarily formed by a wound glow filament or by a mesh formed of glow filaments. If only one electric contact is provided, an electric ground may be provided by the housing of the heating device contacting the filter membrane directly or indirectly. The electric contact may also be formed semi-annularly in the cavity to contact a wire that is wound around the smoking body and that is contacting or constituting the filter membrane.
In this embodiment, the filter membrane can be principally positioned anywhere within the elongated smoking article. However, it is preferred for the component to be within a range of 10 mm from the smoking body in order to allow for the advantageous effects as described above, e.g., related to a reduced cooling rate of the vapor. Also preferred, the filter membrane is positioned more than 15 mm away from the vapor outlet, i.e., the mouth piece, in order to avoid that the vapor reaching the user's mouth is of too high temperature. Also in this embodiment, the filter membrane is preferably heated to a temperature of 50°C to 250°C, which is eventually slightly less than the heating temperature of the smoking body.
Further aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims, the drawings and the following description of the drawings. Different disclosed embodiments are advantageously combined with each other if not stated otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Fig. 1: illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article according to the prior art;
Fig. 2: illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 3: illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article according to a second embodiment;
Fig. 4: illustrates a schematic perspective view of an hollow bore filter element according to an embodiment and schematic front views of the base areas of such hollow bore filter element;
Fig. 5: illustrates a schematic perspective partial view of an elongated smoking article according to the second embodiment;
Fig. 6: illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article according to a third embodiment;
Fig. 7: schematically illustrates schematic front views of filter membranes according to embodiments;
Fig. 8: schematically illustrates schematic front views of filter membranes according to further embodiments;
Fig. 9: illustrates a side view of an elongated smoking article according to a fourth embodiment;
Fig. 10: illustrates a side view of an elongated smoking article according to a fifth embodiment;
Fig. 11: illustrates a smoking system comprising the elongated smoking article according to a fourth embodiment and a prior art heating device comprising a heating element for heating the elongated smoking article;
Fig. 12: illustrates a smoking system according to an embodiment and comprising an elongated smoking article and a heating device; and
Fig. 13: illustrates a smoking system according to another embodiment and comprising an elongated smoking article and a heating device.

DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1, a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article according to the prior art is illustrated. The elongated smoking article includes a cylindrical smoking body 10 filled with combustible material 11. The cylindrical surface of the smoking body 10 is surrounded by a wrapping paper. The wrapping paper 12 typically incorporates a fibrous material, such as a cellulosic material, e.g. a lignocellulosic material. Exemplary cellulosic materials include flax fibers, hardwood pulp, softwood pulp, hemp fibers, esparto fibers, and sisal fibers, wherein mixtures of cellulosic materials can be employed.
One base area of the smoking body 10 is open to expose the combustible material 11. At this open base area of the smoking body 10 a heating element to heat the combustible material 11 could be inserted into the smoking body. At the other base area a hollow bore filter element 20 is positioned. The filter element 20 may be at least partially formed of a weave, mesh, paper, membrane, and/or other appropriate structure providing the desired diffusivity. Its thickness and density may be determined during manufacture or altered thereafter to provide desired diffusivity. The hollow bore filter element comprises a hollow bore 25. Preferably, smoking body 10 and the hollow bore filter element 20 has a diameter of 7.2 mm and the hollow bore 25 has a diameter of 3.5 mm.
Adjacent to the hollow bore filter element 20 a hollow tube portion 30 is positioned that is formed by a cardboard tube having the same diameter as the smoking body 10 and the hollow bore filter element 20. Adjacent to the hollow tube portion 30 a second hollow bore filter element 40 with a hollow bore 45 having a diameter of 2 mm is positioned. The hollow tube portion 30 and the second hollow bore filter element 40 have also a diameter of 7.2 mm.
The smoking body 10, the hollow bore filter element 20, the hollow tube portion 30 and the second hollow bore filter element 40 are axially aligned in an end-to-end relationship along a longitudinal relationship of the elongated smoking article. The base areas 21, 22 of the hollow bore filter element 20 are open to permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough. One of these base areas, i.e., the first base area 21, contacts the smoking body 10 and the other base area opposite the first base area, i.e., the second base area 22, contacts the hollow tube portion 30. The hollow bore filter element 20 includes a filter material, such as e.g. plasticized cellulose acetate or a biodegradable material, which is configured to reduce substances in combustion gases that are drawn by a smoker from the heated smoking body 10 through the second base area 22 of the hollow bore filter element 20.
Preferably, the smoking body 10, the hollow bore filter element 20, the hollow tube portion 30 and the second hollow bore filter element 40 are fixed to each other via a wrapping paper (not shown) that is circumscribing all of the aforementioned components. The wrapping paper is wrapped around these components along the longitudinal direction and is attached by an adhesive to external surfaces of these components and/or to itself. Thus, the wrapping paper provides a force closure between the aforementioned components via an indirect adhesive bond using a suitable adhesive, such as e.g., a water-based adhesive of the type traditionally employed by cigarette manufacturers for application of wrapping paper during filtered cigarette manufacture. The wrapping paper hence extends around the longitudinally extending periphery of substantially the entire length of the elongated smoking article.
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The elongated smoking article 100 of Figure 2 differs of that from Figure 1 in that a disc-shaped filter membrane 50 is positioned in between the smoking body 10 and the hollow bore filter element. The filter membrane is adhered to the first base area 21 of the hollow bore filter element 20 and/or wedged between the smoking body 10 and the hollow bore filter element 20 by indirect force closure due to the wrapping paper (not shown). The filter membrane 50 comprises a plurality of aperture openings 55 that are aligned with the hollow bore 25 of the hollow bore filter element 20 as schematically shown in Figure 2. The function of the filter membrane 50 is described in detail with respect to Figure 5 and a redundant description is thus omitted with respect to Figure 2.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The elongated smoking article 100 of Figure 2 differs of that from Figures 1 and 2 in that a first portion 51 of the filter membrane 50 is attached to a lateral surface of the hollow bore filter element 20. A second portion 52 of the filter membrane 50 is bent from the first portion 51 and over the first base area 21 of the hollow bore filter element 20. A plurality of aperture openings (not shown) are arranged in the second portion 52 and aligned, i.e., overlaid, with hollow bore 25. The filter membrane 50 is advantageously well attachable to the hollow bore filter element 20.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a hollow bore filter element 20 according to an embodiment and schematic front views of the base areas 21, 22, of such hollow bore filter element 20. The hollow bore filter element 20 has a first portion 51 of a filter membrane 50 attached thereto as already described with respect to Figure 3. A second portion 52 of the filter membrane 50 is bent over the first base area 21 of the hollow bore filter element 20 and comprises a plurality of aperture openings 55 that are overlaid with the hollow bore 25 in the first base area 21 as shown in the plan view on the first base area 21. Further, a third portion 53 is bent over the second base area 22 of the hollow bore filter element 20 and comprises a mesh 56 with a plurality of openings that are overlaid with the hollow bore 25 in second base area 22 as shown in the plan view thereon.
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic perspective partial view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to the first embodiment as well as a working principle thereof. As can be seen in Figure 5, particles 70, such as e.g., ash, as well as vapor 80 are emitted from the smoking body 10 that is heated to a temperature below its combustion temperature. These particles 70 and vapor 80 are drawn from a user in a downstream direction of the elongated smoking article 100 towards the hollow bore filter element 20 thereof. A distance between smoking body 10 and hollow bore filter element 20 is solely shown for illustrative purposes, the smoking body 10 and hollow bore filter element 20 are actually located directly adjacent.
The hollow bore filter element 20 is configured as already described with respect to Figures 3 and 4 and comprises a second portion 52 of a strip-shaped segment 50 bent over the hollow bore 25 with a plurality of aperture openings 55 aligned with hollow bore 25. The strip-shaped segment 50 is formed from a paper-aluminum laminate, wherein the aluminum layer is facing upward in the first portion 51 and in direction of the smoking body 10 in the second portion 52. Due to the second portion 52 heat emitted by the smoking body 10 and/or a heating element (not shown) inserted therein, is deflected back towards the smoking body 10 and thus kept away from a user's mouth. Further, the aperture openings 55 with a size of 10 µm filter the particles 70 out of the stream and let only vapor 80 pass to the user's mouth. The vapor 80 then passes predominantly through the hollow bore 25 of the hollow bore filter element 20 as illustrate in Figure 5 by the central set of arrows marked with reference 80. Hence, a user experience is characterized by less/low heat, particles and resistance to draw.
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to a third embodiment. The elongated smoking article 100 differs from the smoking articles 100 according to the first and second embodiment in two respects. First, in the third embodiment the hollow element is a hollow tube portion 30 that is positioned adjacent to the smoking body 10. In other words, the first hollow bore filter element 20 is omitted, whereas the second hollow bore filter element 40 downstream the hollow tube portion 30 is kept as a mouthpiece for the user. Second the filter membrane 50 is formed differently then in the first and second embodiment, particularly as shown in Figure 7A as described below.
Figure 7 schematically illustrates schematic front views of filter membranes 50 according to embodiments. The filter membranes 50 of Figure 7 are fully formed of a metal mesh, e.g. a copper or aluminum mesh, wherein the mesh openings form the aperture openings as described above. Each of the filter membranes shown in Figure 7 comprises a central circular second portion 52 that is configured to be overlaid with, i.e., to cover, the hollow bore 25, 35 of the hollow element 20, 30. Further, each of the filter membranes 50 of Figure 7 comprises at least one first portion 51. Particularly, the filter membrane 50 of Figure 7A comprises four first portions 51 that extend laterally from the second portion 52. Each of the first portions 51 has a rectangular shape and is configured to be bend to cover the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30. Due to the plasticity of the metal mesh, the first portions 51 stay fixed in the bent position and provide a form and/or force closure with the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30. The filter membrane 50 of Figure 7B comprises two first portions 51 that are configured identically to the first portions 51 of Figure 7A. The filter membrane 50 of Figure 7C comprises a single first portion 51 that is formed as a circular ring circumferentially surrounding the central second portion 52. The single first portion 51 is also configured to be bent over the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30, to be plastically deformed and to provide a form and/or force closure with the lateral surface.
Figure 8 schematically illustrates schematic front views of filter membranes 50 according to further embodiments. In the filter membranes 50 of Figure 8, only the central second portion 52 is formed from a metal mesh material that is circumferentially embedded by a paper carrier 54. The paper carrier 54 might be double layered and an edge region of the metal mesh second portion 52 might be glued between the layers of the paper carrier 54. First portions 51 extend from the paper carrier of the filter membrane and are configured to be bend over the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30 and to be glued to the lateral surface. Particularly, the filter membrane 50 of Figure 8A comprises four first portions 51 that extend laterally from the second portion 52. Each of the first portions 51 has a rectangular shape and is configured to be bend to be glued to the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30. The filter membrane 50 of Figure 8B comprises two first portions 51 that are configured identically to the first portions 51 of Figure 7A. The filter membrane 50 of Figure 8C comprises a single first portion 51 that is formed as a circular ring circumferentially surrounding the central second portion 52. The single first portion 51 is also configured to be bent over the lateral surface of the hollow element 20, 30, to be glued to the lateral surface.
Figure 9 illustrates a side view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to a fourth embodiment. Again, the elongated smoking article 100 comprises a smoking body 10 at the upstream end of the elongated smoking article 100. The smoking body 10 comprises reconstituted tobacco as combustible material 11 which includes nicotine as a volatile compound. The combustible material 11 comprises 65 wt% tobacco which is provided in the form of gathered shreds produced from a sheet of slurry/paper recon tobacco. The tobacco is dosed with 20 wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7 to 9 wt%. The combustible material 11 further comprises cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder. The smoking body 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the elongated smoking article 100 resembles a conventional cigarette. It has diameter of around 7 mm and an axial length of around 12 mm.
The smoking body 10 is circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer and the elongated smoking article 100 comprises an upstream hollow bore filter element 20 and a downstream (terminal) second hollow bore filter element 40. The two hollow bore filter elements 20, 40 are spaced by a hollow tube portion 30. Both hollow bore filter elements 20, 40 are formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped with a respective paper plug layer (not shown). Both hollow bore filter elements 20, 40 have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream hollow bore filter 20 matches the diameter of the smoking body 10. The diameter of the second hollow bore filter element 40 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the smoking body 10 and the wrapping layer. The upstream hollow bore filter element 20 is slightly shorter in axial length than the second hollow bore filter element 40 at an axial length of 10 mm compared to 12 mm for the second hollow bore filter element 40.
The cardboard hollow tube portion 30 is longer than each of the two hollow bore filter elements 20, 40 having an axial length of around 14 mm. Each hollow bore filter element 20, 40 comprises a hollow, longitudinally extending bore. The diameter of the bore in the upstream filter 20 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter 40 having a diameter of 3 mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element 40. The cardboard hollow tube portion 30 and the upstream hollow bore filter element 20 are circumscribed by the wrapping layer. The terminal hollow bore filter element 40 is joined to the upstream elements forming the elongated smoking article 100 by a circumscribing paper tipping layer. The tipping layer encircles the terminal filter 40 and has an axial length of around 20 mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard hollow tube portion 30.
A filter membrane 50 in the form of a foil disc with a single filter aperture 55 having a 1 mm diameter is provided downstream of the of the upstream hollow bore filter element 20, i.e., it is interposed between the smoking body 10 and the cardboard hollow tube portion 30 as well as between the hollow bore filter element 20 and the cardboard hollow tube portion 30.
Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an elongated smoking article 100 according to a fifth embodiment which is identical to that of Figure 9 except that the terminal filter element is a solid third filter element 46 and comprises a crushable capsule 47 (crushball) having a shell wall containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavoring. The capsule 47 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5 mm. It is positioned within the axial center of the third filter element 46.
Figure 11 illustrates a smoking system 300 comprising the elongated smoking article 100 according to a fourth embodiment and a heating device 200 according to the prior art that is comprising a heating element for heating the elongated smoking article 100. The elongated smoking article 100 is inserted into the heating device 200 which is comprising a rod-shaped heating element (not shown). The heating element projects into a cavity 61 within the main body 60 of the heating device 200. 5 The elongated smoking article 100 is inserted into the cavity 61 of the main body 60 of the heating device 200 such that the heating rod penetrates the smoking body 10. Heating of the reconstituted tobacco 11 in the smoking body 10 is effected by powering the heating element, e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown).
As the tobacco is heated, moisture and nicotine from within the tobacco and the humectant are released as a vapor and entrained within an airflow generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal hollow bore filter element 40. After the vapor passes through the upstream hollow bore filter element 20, the nicotine, moisture and humectant are forced to co-locate as they pass through the filter aperture 55 in the filter membrane 50 thus effecting good mixing. The vapor flow path then increases in cross-sectional area within the cardboard hollow tube portion 30 which further effects efficient mixing of the vapor components. As the vapor cools within the hollow tube 30, it condenses to form an aerosol containing the volatile compounds.
Figure 12 illustrates a smoking system 300 comprising an elongated smoking article 1020 and a heating device 200 according to an embodiment. Therein, the heating device 200 comprises a main body 60 having a cavity 61 which is configured to receive the elongated smoking article 100, particularly the smoking body 10 thereof. An elongated heating element 62 extends into the cavity 60. The elongated smoking article 100 shown in Figure 12 comprises a smoking body 10 that is separated by a filter membrane 50 from an adjacent hollow bore filter element 20. A hollow tube portion 30 is adjacent and downstream of the hollow bore filter element 20. When the smoking body 10 of the elongated smoking article 100 is inserted into the cavity 61, the elongated heating element 62 protrudes into the smoking body 10 for heating the combustible material 11 of the smoking body 10.
As illustrated in Figure 12, the length of the elongated heating element 62 is adapted to the length of the smoking body 10 in a lengthwise direction of the elongated smoking article 100.
As the length of the elongated heating element 62 is the same or slightly more than the length of the smoking body 10, the elongated heating element 62 contacts the filter membrane 50. Hence, when the elongated heating element 62 is activated to heat the smoking body 10 it also heats the filter membrane 50. The filter membrane 50 then distributes the heat generated by the heating device 200 for achieving advantageous effects such as a reduced cooling rate of the vapor and hence forming of larger particles in the vapor as well as reduced precipitation of vapor particles at the filter membrane 50.
Figure 13 illustrates a smoking system 300 comprising an elongated smoking article 100 and a heating device 200 according to another embodiment. Therein, the heating device 200 again comprises a main body 60 having a cavity 61 which is configured to receive the elongated smoking article 100, particularly the smoking body 10 thereof. An elongated heating element 62 extends into the cavity 60. The elongated smoking article 100 shown in Figure 13 comprises a smoking body 10 with an adjacent hollow bore filter element 20. The hollow bore filter element 20 is separated from an adjacent and downstream hollow tube portion 30 by the filter membrane 50. When the smoking body 10 of the elongated smoking article 100 is inserted into the cavity 61, the elongated heating element 62 protrudes into the smoking body 10 for heating the combustible material 11 of the smoking body 10. However, in this embodiment, the heating element 62 does not directly contact the filter membrane 50.
As illustrated in Figure 13, the heating device 200 of this embodiment further comprises inductive heat sources 63. These inductive heat sources 63 are connected to a power source, e.g., a battery, of the heating device 200 for drawing electric power from the power source and generating an electromagnetic field from the drawn electric power. The electromagnetic field emitted by the heat sources 63 is such that it induces an electric current in the filter membrane 50, and this current is sufficient for heating up the filter membrane 50.

REFERENCE SIGNS

10: cylindrical smoking body
11: combustible material
20: hollow bore filter element
21: first base area
22: second base area
25: first hollow bore
30: hollow tube portion
40: second hollow bore filter element
45: second hollow bore
46: third filter element
47: crushable capsule
50: filter membrane
55: filter aperture
51: first portion
52: second portion
53: third portion
60: main body of heating device
61: cavity of heating device
62: elongated heating element
63: heat source
100: elongated smoking article
200: heating device
300: smoking system

Claims

Elongated smoking article (100), comprising:
a cylindrical smoking body (10) with a combustible material;

a hollow element (20, 30) downstream to the cylindrical smoking body (10) and comprising a first base area (21, 31) facing the smoking body (10) and a second base area (22, 32) opposite the first base area (21, 32) and a hollow bore (25, 35) extending from the first base area (21, 31) to the second base area (22, 32); and

a filter membrane (50) arranged between the smoking body (10) and the hollow element (20, 30), comprising at least one filter aperture (55) aligned with the hollow bore (25, 35), permeable for vapor emitted by the heated smoking body (10) , characterized in that

the at least one filter aperture (56) has an effective size between 0.5 µm and 1.5 mm, and in that the filter membrane (50) is configured as second heating element when the smoking body (10) is heated by a primary heat source of a heating device (200) so that the filter membrane (50) distributes heat emitted by the heated smoking body (10) and/or generated by a device (200) for heating the smoking body (10).
Elongated smoking article (100) according to claim 1, wherein the filter membrane (50) is configured for mixing vapor components emitted by the heated smoking body (10).
Elongated smoking article (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter membrane (50) is configured for filtering particles emitted by the heated smoking body (10).
Elongated smoking article (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow element (20, 30) is one of a hollow bore filter element (20) configured for filtering substances from vapor emitted by the heated smoking body (10) and a hollow tube portion (30) configured for mixing the vapor emitted by the heated smoking body (10).
Elongated smoking article (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter membrane (50) is disc-shaped and/or wedged between the smoking body (10) and the hollow element (20, 30).
Elongates smoking article (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane (50) is formed of aluminum foil, paper, mesh material and/or cloth material.
Elongated smoking article (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter membrane (50) comprises at least one first portion (51) extending along a lateral surface of the hollow element (20, 30) and bent from a second portion (52) extending over the first base area (21, 31) and comprising the at least one filter aperture (55).
Elongate smoking article (100) according claim 7, wherein the at least one first portion (51) is glued to the lateral surface of the hollow element (20, 30) and/or formed of paper and/or wherein the second portion (52) is formed of metal mesh.
Elongated smoking article (100) according to claim 7, wherein the filter membrane (50) is formed of a metal mesh and is attached to the smoking body (10) or the hollow element (20, 30) by a form closure and/or force closure between the at least one first portion (51) and the smoking body (10) or the hollow element (20, 30).
Method for producing a hollow element for an elongated smoking article (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:
providing a hollow element (20, 30) with a first base area (21, 31), a second base area (22, 32) opposite the first base area (21, 32) and a hollow bore (25, 35) extending from the first base area (21, 31) to the second base area (22, 32);

providing a membrane sheet with a width exceeding a distance between the first base area (21, 31) and the second base area (22, 32);

applying an adhesive to a first portion (51) of the membrane sheet, the first portion having a width corresponding to the distance between the first base area (21, 31) and the second base area (22, 32);

separating a segment from the membrane sheet, the segment having a length corresponding to the width of the membrane sheet;

attaching the first portion (51) of the segment to a lateral surface of the hollow element (20, 30) via the adhesive; and

bending a second portion (52) of the segment over the first base area (21, 31) of the hollow element (20, 30).
Smoking system (300), comprising an elongated smoking article (100) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10 and a heating device (200) comprising a main body (60) and a cavity (61) configured for receiving the smoking body (10) of the elongated smoking article (100) and being configured for heating the smoking body (10) and the filter membrane (50) of the elongated smoking article (100) inserted in the cavity (61).
Smoking system (300) according to claim 11, wherein the heating device (200) comprises an elongated heating element (62) projecting into the cavity (61) and configured for penetrating the smoking body (10) and contacting the filter membrane (50) of an elongated smoking article (100) inserted into the cavity (61).
Smoking system (300) according to claim 11, wherein the heating devices (200) comprises a heat source (63) for contactless heating of the filter membrane (50) or an electric contact for providing a heating current to the conductive filter membrane (50).