EP4003071A1

EP4003071A1 - Humidifying insert and method for humidifying smoking articles

Info

Publication number: EP4003071A1
Application number: EP20746653.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Olaf JANSON; Chris McLornan; Erik Olsen; Paul Schlemmer
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-07-29
Filing date: 2020-07-29
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Also published as: US20220312836A1; JP2022543198A; WO2021018944A1; CN114173583A

Abstract

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

Description

Humidifying insert and method for humidifying smoking articles

Description

The present invention relates to a humidifying insert, for a smoking articles packaging, wherein the humidifying insert has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking articles packaging and comprises a humidifying agent and a humidity transmitter, which transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the inner volume of the smoking articles packaging. The invention also relates to a method for humidifying smoking articles.

During the packaging of smoking articles, for example combustible cigarettes, the smoking articles packaging is normally sealed to prevent or limit air circulation between the inner volume of the smoking articles packaging and its surrounding, which could lead to a loss of moisture of the smoking articles contained in the smoking articles packaging. But after the smoking articles packaging was opened for the first time by the user and the sealing of the smoking articles packaging was broken, smoking articles can easily exhibit unwanted drying, which negatively affects the sensory experience. It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a device and method to prevent or min imize the moisture loss or the drying of a smoking article in an at least once opened smoking articles packaging, and to maintain the quality, taste and overall sensory experience of the smoking article during use by consumers. It is further the objective of the invention to provide such a device and method, which is easy to produce, low in cost, easy to use, consumer friendly, and is easily integratable into the production and/or packaging process of smoking articles. The afore mentioned drawbacks are eliminated according to a first aspect of the invention by a humidifying insert according to claim 1. The invention therefore comprises a humidifying insert, for a smoking article packaging, wherein the humidifying insert has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article packaging and comprises a humidifying agent and a humidity transmitter, which transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the inner volume of the smoking article packaging. The invention is characterized by a storage compart ment, in which the humidifying agent is stored, having a fluidic connection to the humidity transmitter, wherein the fluidic connection is blocked with a breakable barrier.

The humidifying insert comprises a planar shape. With the planar shape, the humidifying insert is easily insertable into the smoking articles packaging. With the humidifying agent transferred into the inner volume of the smoking articles packaging by the humidity transmitter, the smok ing articles contained in the smoking articles packaging are humidified. By storing the humidi fying agent in the storage compartment, which has a fluidic connection to the humidity trans mitter and the fluidic connection being 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 on demand. Preferably, the humidifying insert is activated by the con sumer after the first opening of the smoking articles package. In this way, the smoking articles contained in the smoking articles package remain humidified and/or moisturized after the smoking articles packaging has been opened for the first time. In this way, constant product freshness from first to last smoking article in the smoking articles packaging can be ensured.

As long as the breakable barrier is intact, the humidifying agent is kept in the storage compart ment and cannot exit the humidifying insert. At this point, the humidifying insert is in an inacti vated state. By breaking the breakable barrier, the humidifying agent can pass from the storage compartment through the fluidic connection to the humidity transmitter, which then transfers the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the inner volume of the smoking articles packaging. At this point, the humidifying insert is in an activated state.

The possibility to activate the humidifying agent by breaking the breakable barrier is highly advantageous, as the humidifying insert will humidify the smoking articles only on demand of the user. In this way, the humidifying agent in its inactivated state can be packed with the smoking articles in the smoking articles packaging already at the production site (compatible with inline packaging) and will not be expended, as long as the original packaging and sealing remains intact and the smoking articles are prevented from drying by the sealing. Also, the user may decide that a humidification of the smoking articles is not necessary yet and may postpone the activation of the humidifying insert according to individual demands.

According to another embodiment, the storage compartment and the humidity transmitter are enclosed between a front and a back sheet material layer. A sheet material is a material of laminar shape, i.e. having a size, in one dimension in a 3-dimensional space X, Y, Z, being at most a tenth of that in the other two dimensions. The enclosing of the storage compartment and the humidity transmitter between a front and back sheet material enables a very flat shape of the humidifying insert. This makes the humidifying insert especially easily insertable into a smoking articles packaging. Also, the production of the humidifying insert is simplified by the use of the front and back-sheet material. Any parts enclosed between the front and back sheet materials can be positioned on the back sheet material with subsequent arrangement of the front sheet material on top of the back sheet material and the parts positioned on it. After this positioning the front and back sheet materials can be affixed to each other at least in part enclosing all parts previously positions on the back sheet material in between. This denotes a very simple and effective way of production of the humidifying insert, which is therefore also cost effective.

According to another embodiment, the front and back sheet material layers are affixed to each other at least circumferentially along the edges of sides of the front and back sheet material layers facing each other, wherein at least a center part of the front and back sheet material is unaffixed to each other forming a cavity enclosing the storage compartment the humidity trans mitter. This is a very simple and efficient way to form the storage compartment. No other parts than the front and back sheet material layers are needed to manufacture the storage compart ment. In addition to the storage compartment, the cavity may also enclose the humidifying agent, the humidity transmitter and/or the breakable barrier. It may also be desirable to pro duce the humidifying insert without the humidifying agent and fill the storage compartment in a subsequent step with the humidifying agent. Preferably, the storage compartment is sealed after placing the humidifying agent in it, so the humidifying agent is securely contained in the storage compartment.

According to another embodiment, the front and back sheet material is a composite film, com prising 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 a composite film as the front and back sheet material, the properties of the sheet material can be tailored indi vidually. In this way it is possible to combine for example a waterproof material, which may be arranged at least in contact to the storage compartment, with a printable material and/or a material with improved haptic properties and/or a specifically embellished material on the outer surface of the humidifying insert. A person skilled in the art may also use any other advanta geous material combinations.

According to another embodiment, the composite film comprises a first layer of polyethylene terephthalate, a second layer of polyethylene terephthalate coated on at least one side with a coating layer and a third layer of polyethylene. Preferably, the coating layer is aluminum oxide (AIOx). Preferably, the first layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) comprises a layer thick ness of 5 to 20 pm, especially preferable 12 pm. Preferably, the second layer of PETP also comprises a layer thickness of 5 to 20 pm, preferably 12 pm. The third layer of polyethylene (PE) preferably comprises a layer thickness between 20 and 70 pm, especially preferable 50 pm. The coating of at least one side of the second PETP film with an aluminum oxide is ad vantageous, as the initially transparent PETP film appears silver or white depending on the type and/or particle size of the aluminum oxide. The aluminum oxide may also be mixed with any type of pigment to realize any kind of color. Alternatively, Silicon Oxide (SiOx) coated films may be used in lieu of AIOx coated PET films.

According to another embodiment, the composite film is printable. With the composite film being printable, any kind of text or pictures can be printed on the humidifying insert. The outer surface of the humidifying insert may be printed on completely or in part. If the outer surface of the humidifying insert is printed only in part, the combination with the aluminum oxide coated PETP-layer is highly advantageous, as the aluminum oxide may provide the base color of the humidifying insert supplemental to the printing of the composite film. In this way it is not nec essary to print the whole surface of the humidifying insert. The printed text or pictures may comprise user information on how to use the humidifying insert. Alternatively or in addition, the printed text or pictures may comprise logos, brand names or further embellishments or user information.

According to another embodiment, the front sheet material comprises perforations located at the humidity transmitter establishing a second fluidic connection between the humidity trans mitter and the atmosphere surrounding the humidifying insert. Preferably the second fluidic connection penetrates through the front sheet material. With the second fluidic connection, the humidifying agent can easily pass from the humidity transmitter through the front sheet mate rial. Preferably, the humidity transmitter is enclosed in the cavity between the front and back sheet material. With the second fluidic connection, the sheet material itself can be liquid tight, if the humidity transmitter is enclosed in the cavity between the front and back sheet material. Perforations are the easiest and most cost effective way to establish the second fluidic con nection. Alternatively or in addition, the back sheet material may also comprise perforations.

According to another embodiment, the perforations exhibit a hole size of 0.01 to 4 mm, prefer ably 0.1 to 3 mm. These hole sizes are advantageous as they permit a transfer of the humidi fying agent via the perforation through the composite material but prohibit wetting or even sodding of smoking articles adjacent to the humidifying insert. The perforation preferably is a micro perforation, i.e. a sub-millimeter diameter perforation. The hole size determines the transmission rate of the humidifying agent through the perforation. The larger the hole size, the larger is the transmission rate of the humidifying agent through that specific hole. The transmission rate of the humidifying agent is adjustable via the hole size. The hole size is preferably chosen to establish an optimal transmission rate of the humidifying agent with re gard to an optimal humidification of the smoking articles contained in the smoking articles packaging in terms of humidification level and/or duration.

According to another embodiment, the perforations comprise at least 1 up to 200 holes. By adjusting the hole number of the perforation, the transmission rate of the humidifying agent through the perforation can be adjusted. To prevent wetting or even sodding of the smoking articles adjacent to the humidifying insert, a smaller hole size combined with a larger number of holes can be advantageous. The hole number is preferably chosen to establish an optimal transmission rate of the humidifying agent with regard to an optimal humidification of the smok ing articles contained in the smoking articles packaging in terms of humidification level and/or duration. Preferably, the hole number and size are chosen in a specific combination to achieve an optimal humidification of the smoking articles contained in the smoking articles packaging in terms of humidification level and duration.

According to another embodiment, the humidity transmitter comprises a tissue material located directly at the perforations between the front and back sheet material. The tissue material can absorb the humidifying agent, when transferred from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter, and then slowly release the humidifying agent. The use of the tissue material en ables an additional option to adjust the transmission rate of the humidifying agent from the humidifying insert into the inner volume of the smoking articles packaging. This makes the humidifying insert more versatile and compatible with more types of humidifying agents. For example, by using the tissue material a more liquid humidifying agent may be used with the humidifying insert. Preferably, the tissue material is a fleece tissue. But it is also conceivable to use any other tissue material suitable for this application.

According to another embodiment, the breakable barrier is a seal varnish. A seal varnish is a very easy way of establishing a breakable barrier in the fluidic connection between the storage compartment and the humidity transmitter. A varnish offers the advantage of being provided in a liquid state which dries into a solid state after application of the varnish to a surface. As previously described, the humidifying insert is preferably produced by layering the components contained in the humidifying insert on the back sheet material, forming a stack. At this stage, the seal varnish can be deposited at the desired position of the breakable barrier on the back sheet material, preferably in the fluidic connection between the storage compartment and the humidity transmitter. Preferably before the seal varnish is fully dried, the front sheet material is positioned on top of the stack. Preferably, the seal varnish affixes the front and back sheet material at each other at the position of the breakable barrier. This fixation of the front and back sheet material with the seal varnish is breakable. In this way a breakable barrier at the desired position is formed.

However it is also conceivable that the breakable barrier consists of one or multiple materials, which are not varnishes. Any material being impermeable to the humidifying agent and being breakable is possible. In order to ensure the breakability of the barrier, the barrier may com prise a predetermined breaking point. Preferably, this is achieved by a thinner material thick ness at the predetermined breaking point.

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

The breaking of the breakable barrier with a pressure gradient is a very simple and easy to apply method for the user. The user simply has to pressurize the storage compartment of the humidifying insert. This pressurization can be accomplished by pressing the storage compart ment in a direction of the surface normal of the front and back sheet material. The pressuriza tion may also be realized by folding the humidifying insert along a folding axis being parallel to the surface of the front and back sheet material and intersecting the storage compartment. The intersection of the folding axis with the storage compartment divides the storage compartment into two sub-compartments. When folded along the folding axis, the pressure in the sub-com partments is increased due to the overall reduction in volume of the storage compartment caused by pressing the front and back sheet material together at the folding axis.

The higher pressure in the storage compartment in comparison with the unpressurized humid ity transmitter creates a pressure gradient between the two. This pressure gradient breaks the barrier and allows the humidifying agent to pass through the fluidic connection from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter.

The humidity transmitter preferably comprises the perforations of the front sheet material. This means, that an inner volume of the humidity transmitter is connected to the surrounding of the humidifying insert via the second fluidic connection. Therefore, the humidity transmitter prefer ably comprises ambient pressure. To ease the breaking of the breakable barrier, the storage compartment may be pre-pressurized by the amount of 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.

A water-based solution provides a very cost effective possibility for a humidifying agent. The humidification of smoking articles with a water-based solution is also beneficial, as water is a natural humidification agent and the addition of unnecessary chemicals can be omitted. Pref erably, the humidifying agent consists of pure water. But the humidifying agent may also com prise salt, thickening agents (e.g. an alginate) and/or flavoring agents. Preferably, the humidi fying insert contains 1 ,2 g of humidifying agent, preferably 1 ,2 g of water.

The objective is also reached by a method for humidifying smoking articles in a packaging with a humidifying insert, which has a planar shape and comprises a humidifying agent, a humidity transmitter and a storage compartment, in which the humidifying agent is stored, wherein the storage compartment has a fluidic connection to the humidity transmitter, wherein the fluidic connection is blocked with a breakable barrier, comprising the steps:

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

(b) inserting the humidifying insert into a smoking articles package; By breaking the barrier with application of a pressure gradient between storage compartment and humidity transmitter and/or gravity, the humidifying insert is transferred from an inactivated state to an activated state. This is the case, as the humidifying agent is transferred from the storage compartment to the humidity transmitter after the barrier has been broken.

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

According to another embodiment of the previously described method, the storage compart ment is pressurized by folding the humidifying insert in the area, where the storage compart ment is located. Folding is a very simple and easy to apply method for the user to pressurize the storage compartment. The folding axis is aligned parallel to the surface of the humidifying insert. Preferably, the folding axis is aligned parallel to the front and back sheet material. Pref erably, the folding axis intersects the storage compartment. The preferably printable surface preferably comprises indications for the use how and where to fold and/or pressurize the hu midifying insert.

Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a general view of a smoking articles package 2 with the humidifying insert 1 ;

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

Fig. 3 a sectional view along A-A of the humidifying insert 1 ;

Fig. 4 a sectional view along B-B of the humidifying insert 1 ; Fig. 5 a sectional view along C-C of the humidifying insert 1 ; Fig. 6 schematic view of the layer stack of the composite material 1 1 ;

Fig. 7a-b a sectional view along A-A of the folded humidifying insert 1.

In Fig. 1 depicts the smoking articles package 2 with the humidifying insert 1. The smoking articles package 2 comprises outer walls 2c, which enclose an inner volume 5 of the smoking articles package 2. In the inner volume 5 smoking articles 17 are arranged. The humidifying insert 1 is insertable in the smoking articles package 2 in an insertion direction I. The humidi fying insert 1 can also be extracted from the smoking articles package 2 in an extraction direc tion E. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 can be inserted into and/or extracted from the smok ing articles packaging 2 in the same way as smoking articles 17 can be inserted into and/or extracted from the smoking articles packaging 2. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 is inserted into the smoking articles packaging 2 through a top opening 2a, which is closable with a lid 2b hinged to a back wall of the smoking articles packaging 2. The insertion and extraction direc tions I, E are to be construed as parallel to the packaging walls longitudinal direction, i.e. per pendicular to the plane into which the top opening 2a extends in any orientation of the pack aging 2.

The humidifying insert is preferably inserted between the smoking articles 17 and the outer walls 2c of the smoking articles package 2. Preferably, the humidifying insert 1 is arranged with its back sheet material 10 facing the outer walls 2c of the smoking articles packaging 2 and its front sheet material 9 facing the smoking articles 17.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the humidifying insert 1 in the inactivated state with the front sheet material 9 in front. The humidifying insert 1 has a rectangular shape with edges 11. The corners of the rectangular shape may be rounded or bezelled to simplify the insertion of the humidifying insert into a smoking articles package 2. The rectangular shape comprises a longer edge 11 a and a shorter edge, 11 b, which together define a front surface plane 9 of the humidifying insert 1. Preferably, the longer edge 1 1a comprises a length of 85 mm. Preferably, the shorter edge 1 1 b comprises a length of 40 mm. Preferably, the corners between the longer and shorter edges 1 1a, 11 b are rounded with a radius of 6 mm. This sizing ensures machine compliance. Distanced from the edges 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 transmitter 4 are arranged next to each other along the longer edge 1 1a 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 longer axis A-A and a shorter axis B-B. The longer axis A-A is parallel to the longer edge 1 1a of the humidifying insert 1 , wherein the shorter axis B-B is parallel to the shorter edge 11 b of the humidifying insert 1. The humidity transmitter 4 also comprises an approximately rectangular shape, when viewed from the top surface plane 9. The rectangular shape of the humidity trans mitter 4 comprises a longer axis C-C and a shorter axis A-A. The shorter axis A-A of the hu midity transmitter 4 and the longer axis A-A of the storage compartment preferably are parallel to each other or even identical. The fluidic connection 7 is located at an edge 6a of the storage compartment 6 next to an edge 4a of the humidity transmitter 4. The edges 6a and 4a are parallel to each other.

The longer edge 4a facing the storage compartment 6 comprises a kinked shape with a corner 18 in the middle of the edge 4a. The corner 18 is located nearer to the storage compartment 6 than the two ends 19 of the edge 4a. This results in an angled arrangement of the two halves of the edge 4a, which are separated by the corner 18.

The storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 are connected via a fluidic connec tion 7. The fluidic connection 7 is at least temporarily blocked with a breakable barrier 8. There fore, the breakable barrier is arranged in the fluidic connection 7 between storage compartment 6 and humidity transmitter 4. The breakable barrier 8 extends along the complete edge 4a of the humidity transmitter 4. In the humidity transmitter 4, a tissue material 15 is arranged in a centered manner. At the position of the tissue material 15, the front sheet material 9 comprises a perforation 14.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the humidifying insert 1 along the axis A-A, which is depicted in figure 2, and perpendicular to the drawing plane of figure 2. The front and back sheet mate rial 9, 10 are layered above each other. The front and back sheet materials 9, 10 are affixed to each other at their respective edges 11 with their sides 9a, 10a facing towards each other. The front and back sheet materials 9, 10 are preferably affixed to each other by heat sealing. The front and back sheet materials 9, 10 are permanently affixed to each other only in a fixation area 11 c extending from the edges 11 of the front and back sheet materials 9, 10 towards their center.

The fixation area 11c does not cover the complete sides 9a, 10a of the front and back sheet material 9, 10. A center part 12 of the front and back sheet materials 9, 10 remains unfixed forming a cavity 13. The cavity 13 is divided into two sections by the breakable barrier 8. One of the sections denotes the storage compartment 6 whereas the other section denotes the humidity transmitter 4. The breakable barrier 8 fixes the front and back sheet material 9, 10 with their sides 9a, 10a facing towards each other at least temporarily at each other. The breakable barrier 8 blocks the fluidic connection 7 between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 at least temporarily.

In the storage compartment 6 and between the front and back sheet material 9, 10 the humid ifying agent 3 is stored. In the humidity transmitter 4 and between the front and back sheet material 9, 10, the tissue material 15 is located. The tissue material 15 is located directly below the perforations 14 of the front sheet material 9. Preferably, a surface 15a of the tissue material 15 is arranged adjacent and in planar contact front sheet material 9 and the perforations 14.

Figure 4 depicts a sectional view of the humidifying insert 1 along the axis B-B, which is de picted in figure 2, and perpendicular to the drawing plane of figure 2. The axis B-B intersects the humidifying insert 1 at the storage compartment 6 perpendicular to the axis A-A. The shorter edge of rectangular shape of the storage compartment 6 (compare fig. 2) is realized by a larger extent of the fixation area 1 1c from the edges 11 towards the center of the front and back sheet material 9, 10. By freely choosing the extent of the fixation area 11 c from the edges 11 towards the center of the front and back sheet materials 9, 10, the shape of the storage compartment 6 and/or the humidity transmitter 4 can be determined. In the storage compartment 6 the humidifying agent 3 is stored. T o simplify the production of the humidifying insert 1 , the front and back sheet material 9, 10 may consist of a single piece of material whose shape-equivalent two halves have been folded over each other at a crease 20 forming one of the edges 11 , 1 1a, 1 1 b of the front and back sheet material 9, 10.

Figure 5 shows a third sectional view of the humidifying insert 1. In this figure, the humidifying insert 1 is sectioned along the axis C-C, which is parallel to the sectional axis B-B but intersects the humidifying insert 1 at the humidity transmitter 4. Between the front and back sheet material 9, 10, the tissue material 15 is located. Directly above the surface 15a of the tissue material

15 the perforation 14 is arranged. With this arrangement, the humidifying agent 3 evaporating from the tissue material 15 in the activated state can directly travel through the perforation 14 out of the humidifying insert 1 to the surrounding of the humidifying insert 1. Again, at one edge 11 the front and back sheet material 9, 10 are folded along the crease 20, as they consist of one piece of the composite material 16.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the composite material 16. The composite material 16 com prises several individual material layers 16a-d, which are arranged in direct planar contact and on top of each other. The individual layers 16a-d are in contact with at least one of the other layers 16a-d on at least one complete surface of the layer 16a-d. The individual layer 16a-d of the composite film 16 are fixed to each other over their entire contact area. The composite film

16 comprises a first layer 16a, which consists of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The com posite film 16 comprises a second layer 16b, which also consists of polyethylene terephthalate. This second layer is coated on at least one side with a coating layer 16c. The coating layer preferably consists of aluminum oxide (AIOx). Alternatively, a Silicon Oxide (SiOx) coated film may be used. The composite film 16 further comprises a third layer 16d, which consists of polyethylene (PE).

Figure 7a and 7b show the humidifying insert folded along a folding axis F. The folding axis F is arranged parallel to the top edge 11 b of the humidifying insert 1. The folding axis F intersects the storage compartment 6. When folding the humidifying insert 1 along the folding axis F, a crease F is generated. Along the crease F, the storage compartment 6 is divided into a first and a second sub-compartment 6b, 6c. The first sub-compartment 6b is located on the side of the crease F averted from the humidity transmitter 4. The second sub-compartment 6c is lo cated on the side of the crease F facing the humidity transmitter 4. Generally speaking, the storage compartment 6 is folded along a folding line F serving as the rotational axis, dividing the storage compartment 6 into a first and a second sub-compartment 6b, 6c at a crease F, wherein the first sub- compartment 6b is rotated around the folding line F with respect to the second sub-compartment 6c.

In figures 7a and 7b, the first sub-compartment 6b is rotated anti-clockwise. The first sub compartment 6b is rotated around the fold line F serving as the rotational axis towards the back sheet material 10 of the second sub-compartment 6c. However it is also possible to rotate the first sub-compartment 6b clockwise. It is also possible to rotate the first sub-compartment 6b around the fold line F serving as the rotational axis towards the front sheet material 10 of the second sub-compartment 6c.

The humidifying agent 3 is stored in the storage compartment 6 between front and back sheet material 9, 10. This implies that the front and back sheet material 9, 10 are distanced from each other by the humidifying agent 3. By folding the humidifying insert 1 along the folding line F, the front and back sheet material 9, 10 are pressed onto each other along the folding line F. The humidifying agent 3, previously occupying the space between front and back sheet material 9, 10 at the position of the folding line F, is then squeezed into the remaining space of the storage compartment 6, in particular the two sub-compartments 6b, 6c. Due to the ad ditional humidifying agent 3 in the two sub-compartments 6b, 6c, the pressure in the two sub compartments 6b, 6c is increased. This pressure increase leads to the pressure gradient be tween storage compartment 6 and humidity transmitter 4, which is necessary to break the breakable barrier 8. The broken state of the breakable barrier 8 is depicted in figure 7b. After breaking the breakable barrier 8, the fluidic connection 7 between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4 is open. The humidifying agent 3 can now pass from the storage compartment 6 through the fluidic connection 7 into the humidity transmitter 4. In the humidity transmitter, the humidifying agent 3 is absorbed in the tissue material 15. From the tissue material 15, the humidifying agent 3 slowly evaporates through the perforation 14 into the inner volume 5 of a smoking articles packaging 2. In the inner volume 5 of the smoking articles packaging 2 at least one smoking articles 17 is arranged, which is then moisturized by the evaporated humidifying agent 3 from the humidifying insert 1.

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

Instead of folding the humidifying insert 1 , it is also possible to pressurize the storage compart ment 6 to create the necessary pressure gradient to break the breakable barrier 8. Preferably, this pressurization realized is by pressing the humidifying insert 1 in two opposing directions, which both are parallel to the surface normal of the front and back sheet material 9, 10. Pref erably, the humidifying insert 1 is pressurized at a position at which 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 humidifying insert may be pressurized by holding it at the storage compartment 6 between at least two fingers of one hand, for example thumb and index finger, an pressing the two fingers together. Preferably, one finger is laid on the front sheet material 9 and the other finger is laid on the back sheet material 10. Then the two fingers are pressed together.

A combination of pressurizing and folding of the humidifying insert 1 is also possible. In this embodiment the user first pressurizes the storage compartment 6 at the position of first the sub-compartment 6b. This leads to a movement of the humidifying agent 3 towards the break able barrier 8, as the room for the humidifying agent 3 in the storage compartment 6 is reduced. This already creates a certain pressure gradient between the storage compartment 6 and the humidity transmitter 4. Then the humidifying insert 1 is folded along the folding line F. This further reduces the room for the humidifying agent 3 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 needs a higher pressure gradient to be broken. This can be benefi cial, as it reduces the possibility of accidentally breaking the breakable barrier 8, which would lead to an unwanted and/or untimely activation of the humidifying insert 1.

The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combi nation, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or vari ous figures.

List of reference symbols

1 humidifying insert

2 smoking articles packaging

2a top opening

2b lid

2c outer walls

3 humidifying agent

4 humidity transmitter

4a edge

5 inner volume

6 storage compartment

6a edge

6b first sub-compartment

6c second sub-compartment

7 fluidic connection

8 breakable barrier

9 front sheet material, front surface plane

9a side

10 back sheet material

10a side

11 edges

11a longer edge

11b shorter edge

11c fixation area

12 center part

13 cavity

14 perforation

15 tissue material

15a surface

16 composite film

16a first layer

16b second layer

16c coating layer 16d third layer

17 smoking article

18 corner

19 end

20 crease

F folding axis, crease

I insertion direction

E extraction direction

Claims

Humidifying insert and method for humidifying smoking articles Claims

1. Humidifying insert (1), for a smoking article packaging (2), wherein the humidifying insert (1) has a planar shape, is insertable into a smoking article packaging (2) and comprises a humidifying agent (3) and a humidity transmitter (4), which transfers the humidifying agent (3) from the humidifying insert (1) into the inner volume (5) of the smoking article packaging (2),

characterized by,

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

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

characterized in that,

the storage compartment (6) and the humidity transmitter (4) are enclosed between a front and a back sheet material layer (9, 10).

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

characterized in that,

the front and back sheet material layers (9, 10) are affixed to each other at least cir cumferentially along the edges (11) of sides of the front and back sheet material lay ers (9, 10) facing each other, wherein at least a center part (12) of the front and back sheet material (9, 10) is unaffixed to each other 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,

characterized in that,

the front and back sheet material (9, 10) is a composite film (16), comprising at least two material layers.

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

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,

characterized in that,

the composite film is printable.

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

characterized in that,

the front sheet material (9) comprises perforations (14) located at the humidity trans mitter (4) establishing a second fluidic connection between the humidity transmitter (4) and the atmosphere surrounding the humidifying insert (1).

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

characterized in that,

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

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

characterized in that,

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

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

characterized in that,

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

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

characterized in that,

the breakable barrier (8) is a seal varnish.

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

characterized in that, the breakable barrier (8) is breakable with 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,

characterized in that,

the humidifying agent (3) is a water based solution.

14. Method for humidifying smoking articles in a packaging (2) with a humidifying insert (1), which has a planar shape and comprises 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 fluidic connection (7) to the hu midity transmitter (4), wherein the fluidic connection (7) is blocked with a breakable barrier (8),

comprising the steps:

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

(b) inserting the humidifying insert (1) into a smoking article package (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.