EP4091461A1

EP4091461A1 - Filter, flavor inhalation article, flavor inhalation article assembly, method for producing filter, method for producing flavor inhalation article, and method for producing flavor inhalation article assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4091461A1
Application number: EP20913631.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takuya OTOKAWA; Ayane KAWAGOSHI
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2020-01-15
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2022-11-23
Also published as: JP7326487B2; WO2021144887A1; EP4091461A4; TW202128036A; JPWO2021144887A1

Abstract

This filter has: a first filter body which has a first end surface and a second end surface and a longitudinal axis which intersects the first end surface and the second end surface; and an impregnated section positioned between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first filter body on the first end surface side including the first end surface and impregnated with a color development substance and/or a coloring substance.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a filter for a flavor inhalation article, a flavor inhalation article, a flavor inhalation article assembly, a method for producing the filter, a method for producing the flavor inhalation article, and a method for producing the flavor inhalation article assembly.

BACKGROUND

For example, Japanese Patent No. 6370780 discloses a tobacco smoke filter having a groove extending in the long axis direction.
In the case of providing a design to a filter by forming a groove therein, it is difficult to form a complicated shape. Furthermore, since the filtration behavior of a substance passing through the filter from a tobacco material varies depending on the shape of a groove, a flavor inhalation article needs to be redesigned in accordance with the shape of the groove (overall design of the filter).

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide a filter to which a pattern can be easily applied, a flavor inhalation article containing the filter, a flavor inhalation article assembly containing the flavor inhalation article, a method for producing the filter, a method for producing the flavor inhalation article, and a method for producing the flavor inhalation article assembly.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a filter includes: a first filter body including a first end surface and a second end surface, the first filter body being defining a longitudinal axis that intersects the first end surface and the second end surface; and an impregnated section configured to be impregnated with a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance at a side of the first end surface, the side being located between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first filter body and including the first end surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a combustion-type flavor inhalation article (cigarette) according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an end surface of a filter of a cigarette as viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow 2A in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line 2B-2B shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line 2C-2C shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a combustion-type flavor inhalation article assembly.
FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a flavor inhalation article is about to be inserted into a box body (storage section) using a pusher assembly.
FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the flavor inhalation article assembly as viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow 4A in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4B is a schematic view of a flavor inhalation article assembly according to a first modification of the first embodiment, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow 4A in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view showing a first end surface of the filter of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view showing a first end surface of a filter of a flavor inhalation article according to a second modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette according to a third modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article according to a first modification of the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a flavor inhalation article assembly containing the non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a filter used for a flavor inhalation article, the flavor inhalation article, a flavor inhalation article assembly, and a method for producing the flavor inhalation article will be described with reference to the drawings.
Members for a flavor inhalation article according to embodiments include a base member. The base member is, for example, a member for a flavor inhalation article to be used in combination with a tobacco material. The base member may be at least one of a member forming a combustion-type flavor inhalation article, a member forming a non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article, and a member forming a non-heating-type flavor inhalation article.
A tobacco material is, for example, a cut tobacco. A material of a cut tobacco is not particularly limited, and a known material such as a lamina, a stem, etc., can be used. Other than a cut tobacco, a tobacco material may be in the form of granules, for example.
A combustion-type flavor inhalation article is a smoking article that provides a consumer with a tobacco flavor by burning a tobacco material.
A non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article is an article that provides a customer with a tobacco flavor by heating a tobacco material without burning it. A heating temperature of the non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article can be set as appropriate; however, the heating temperature ranges broadly from, for example, a temperature approximate to room temperature to a temperature at which a tobacco material is not burned. The heating temperature of the non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article is, for example, around 30 °C to 350 °C.
A non-heating-type flavor inhalation article is an article that provides a customer with a tobacco flavor without burning or heating a tobacco material.

(First Embodiment)

The first embodiment will describe a cigarette which is a typical example of a combustion-type flavor inhalation article (smoking article) 10 including a tobacco material. The first embodiment will describe an example of the cigarette 10 with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5A.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the cigarette 10. The cigarette 10 includes a tobacco rod 12, a filter 14, and a tipping paper 16.
The tobacco rod 12 includes a tobacco material (cut tobacco) 22 and a wrapping paper 24 with which the periphery of the tobacco material 22 is wrapped. The tobacco rod 12 has, for example, a peripheral length of about 14 to 26 mm and a length of 15 to 70 mm.
The filter 14 has a filter plug (filter rod) 32. The filter plug 32 is formed into a substantially columnar shape. The filter plug 32 includes a filter member (first filter body) 42 and a wrap paper (cylindrical section) 44 to be wound around the outer periphery of the filter member 42. The filter member 42 has a first end surface 52 and a second end surface 54. The first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54 are formed into, for example, a circular shape. The filter member 42 is defines a longitudinal axis (central axis) L that intersects the first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54. The first end surface 52 of the filter plug 32 is located at the mouthpiece side, and the second end surface 54 is located at the tobacco material side.
The filter 14 extending along a longitudinal axis L is formed by using the wrap paper 44 on the filter member 42. The filter 14 is cut into a desired length, thereby forming the first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54 both intersecting the longitudinal axis L.
With the filter plug (filter rod) 32 being used as a non-wrap filter, the filter wrap paper 44 may be unnecessary.
The tipping paper 16 is wound around the outer periphery of the tobacco rod 12 and the filter 14 in such a manner as to couple the tobacco rod 12 to the filter 14.
The filter 14 may adopt, for example, an acetate filter (acetate tow) as the filter plug 32. The acetate filter can be set such that, for example, a single yarn fineness ranges from 1.9 to 8.6 (g/9000 m), a total fineness ranges from 17000 to 44000 (g/9000 m), the number of fibers ranges from 2400 to 23500 (lines), and a ventilation resistance ranges from 100 to 600 (mmH₂O/120 mm). The filter 14 may adopt, for example, a polypropylene filter (polypropylene tow) as the filter plug 32. It is preferable that the acetate filter have a fiber direction in parallel to the central axis L.
Herein, an example in which the acetate filter is adopted as the filter plug 32 of the filter 14 will be described. For example, a paper filter or an AFT filter having a serrated groove on its outer surface may be adopted as the filter plug 32. Therefore, the filter plug 32 is selected as appropriate according to the cigarette 10.
As a color of the filter plug 32, an appropriate color such as brown, etc., in addition to white may be adopted. Therefore, the base color of the first end surface 52 corresponds to the color of the filter plug 32.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the filter 14 includes an impregnated section (print section) 46 in which the filter member 42 is impregnated with ink, at the first end surface 52 side including the first end surface 52 of the filter plug 32. An example of the ink is a color-forming substance (color-developing substance) and/or a coloring substance. It is preferable that the color-forming substance and/or the coloring substance be impregnated, as the impregnated section 46, into the first end surface 52 of the filter member 42, that at least one of the hue, the lightness, and the saturation be different even slightly from that of the first end surface 52 not yet impregnated with the color-forming substance and/or the coloring substance in a state in which the atmosphere, etc., is appropriately dry, and that the difference be recognizable by a user's color vision. With the color-forming substance serving as the impregnated section 46, the impregnated section 46 develops a different color from that of the filter member (first filter body) 42. With the coloring substance serving as the impregnated section 46, the impregnated section 46 is colored in a different color from that of the filter member (first filter body) 42.
An example of the ink is a food additive. An example of the food additive is an edible ink (coloring agent and/or color forming agent) of various colors approved in a country in which the cigarette 10 is on sale. An example of the food additive may be gold leaf or silver leaf. Therefore, the food additive may be liquid or solid. As the liquid food additive, those that dry at room temperature are used.
A pattern 62 of the impregnated section 46 is printed, for example. In the impregnated section 46 according to the present embodiment, the first end surface 52 is partially colored with an edible ink. An edible ink that meets the safety standards for food in the country in which the cigarette 10 is on sale is used. The color, density, viscosity, and dryness of the edible ink are adjusted as appropriate. An edible flavor may be mixed with the edible ink.
An appropriate pattern (seal imprint) 62 is applied as the impregnated section 46 to the first end surface 52. Since the pattern 62 is printed, it has reproducibility. That is, the plurality of cigarettes 10 in which the first end surfaces 52 of the filters 14 are printed with the same pattern 62 are provided. As an example, it is preferable that the first end surface 52 include a region with the pattern 62 printed thereon in such a manner that the ratio of the area occupied by this region (including the inside of the pattern 62) relative to the area outside from the outer periphery of the pattern 62 is about 50% or smaller.
In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the pattern 62 on the first end surface 52 of the impregnated section 46 of the filter 14 is point-symmetrical to the center (central axis) L of the first end surface 52.
For example, when the ink of the impregnated section 46 is brought into contact with the rear end of a tipping paper 16, a part of the ink may permeate the tipping paper 16 from the rear end to the distal end of the tipping paper 16. Therefore, it is preferable that the impregnated section 46 be formed within the range of the filter 14 to prevent the ink from coming into contact with the tipping paper 16.
The cigarette 10 having the pattern 62 applied to the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 can generate a sense of beauty in consumers through sight, for example.
The pattern 62 is applied to the cigarette 10 to exert a quality assurance function. A genuine manufacturer of the cigarette 10 can create and print an appropriate pattern according to the date of manufacture and/or the manufacturing factory in consideration of the possibility that similar products will be on the market. Therefore, the genuine manufacturer of the cigarette 10 can easily determine whether or not the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product. In addition, consumers of the cigarette 10 can easily determine whether the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product or a genuine product.
In the case where the genuine manufacturer of the cigarette 10 recognizes that a counterfeit cigarette printed with the same pattern 62 is on the market, the genuine manufacturer can immediately change the pattern 62. This enables the genuine manufacturer and/or consumers of the cigarette 10 to easily determine whether the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product or a genuine product by visually confirming the first end surface 52. Furthermore, the genuine manufacturer of the cigarette 10 can easily determine whether the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product or a genuine product by analyzing the ink component.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the same pattern 62 as in FIG. 2A is applied to the cross section of the filter 14 in the range up to the distance D1 extending from the first end surface 52 toward the second end surface 54. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C, the pattern 62 cannot be visually confirmed on the cross section of the filter 14 in the range exceeding the distance D1 up to the distance D2 (>D1) extending from the first end surface 52 toward the second end surface 54.
The ink used for the impregnated section 46 may include a flavor component such as an edible flavor mentioned in the above. The flavor component is more abundant at the mouthpiece side than at the tobacco material side of the filter 14. This enables the manufacture of the cigarette 10 to, by using a smaller amount of flavor component than in a case of the flavor component being continuously impregnated between the first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54 of the filter 14, design the cigarette 10 in such a manner that customers can perceive the flavor component to the same extent as in the aforementioned case.
The first end surface 52 of the filter plug 32 is, for example, white, and the pattern 62 of the impregnated section 46 is given an appropriate color other than white. It is preferable that the color be easily visually confirmable by customers relative to a base color of the filter plug 32. The color of the pattern 62 of the impregnated section 46 may be a single color or a plurality of colors. In the case of the pattern 62 being annular or substantially annular, it is also preferable that the color gradually change as in a hue circle. In the case of the pattern 62 having a plurality of colors, they may be gradations in which the distinction between the colors is not clear.
FIG. 2A shows an example in which the line of the pattern 62 on the impregnated section 46 is in a color other than white. A color other than white (base color) may be applied to the inside of the line of the pattern 62 on the impregnated section 46.
The ink used for the impregnated section 46 may be transparent. The ink may be the same color as the filter plug 32. As the ink, for example, one that reacts with saliva may be used. As the ink, for example, one that reacts to a temperature may be used. In the case of using saliva and/or temperature-reactive ink, it is preferable to use an ink which allows the impregnated section 46 of the filter 14, that is, the ink, to change in color or to become colored when a consumer smokes the cigarette 10. Other than the above, as the ink, one that changes in color in response to nicotine and tar may be used. Therefore, the ink used for the impregnated section 46 according to the present embodiment is not limited to one that can be recognized by a user's color vision before he or she uses the cigarette 10 in the atmosphere in an appropriately dry state, for example, and may be one that can be recognized by the user's color vision after he or she uses the cigarette 10.
As described in the above, by applying an appropriate pattern to the filter 14, the flavor inhalation article 10 and the flavor inhalation article assembly 100 can be distinguishable. Applying an appropriate pattern to the filter 14 enables the determination as to whether each of the flavor inhalation article 10 and the flavor inhalation article assembly 100 is a genuine product or a counterfeit product. Appropriate adjustment of the impregnated section 46 of the filter 14 enables the determination as to whether each of the flavor inhalation article 10 and the flavor inhalation article assembly 100 is pre-use or not.
As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, for example, 20 cigarettes 10 are inserted as one set into a box body (storage section) 90 having a predetermined size, are produced as the flavor inhalation article assembly (smoking article assembly) 100 at a factory, and are sold domestically or exported abroad. The first end surface 52 of the filter 14 of the cigarette 10 is arranged at an opening 90b side of the box body 90. The first end surface 52 of the filter 14 of the cigarette 10 is exposed to the outside of the box body 90 through the opening 90b of the box body 90.
The box body 90 includes a main body 90a and the opening 90b formed in the main body 90a, in which the main body 90a is formed in accordance with the outer diameter and length of the cigarette 10 in such a manner that the main body 90a includes 20 cigarettes 10 side by side with almost no gap therebetween. Therefore, the positions of 20 cigarettes 10 with respect to the box body 90 are predetermined. Therefore, the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 of each cigarette 10 inserted into the box body 90 is placed at a predetermined position.
The main body 90a of the box body 90 may include an inner frame such as, e.g., an aluminum wrapping paper and/or a spacer.
In the case where 20 cigarettes 10 are inserted side by side into one box body 90 as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, a pusher assembly 110 as shown in FIG. 3B is used. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the pusher assembly 110 is linearly moved and, for example, 20 cigarettes 10 are aligned and inserted into the box body 90. In addition to linearly moving the pusher assembly 110, for example, by rotating the pusher assembly 110 with an appropriate position as a fulcrum, 20 cigarettes 10, for example, may be aligned and pushed into the box body 90.
The pusher assembly 110 has, for example, the same number of rods (pushing sections) 112 as the number of cigarettes 10 to be inserted into the box body 90. The rods 112 are aligned in the same state as the alignment state of the cigarettes 10 inserted into the box body 90. In addition, in the pusher assembly 110, for example, 20 rods 112 may be integrated. In the pusher assembly 110 in this case, the rods 112 may be indistinguishable from each other and be formed into a block shape.
By pushing the first end surface 52 of each cigarette 10 toward the box body 90 with a distal end section 114 of each rod 112, for example, 20 cigarettes 10 can be stored in one box body 90.
A pattern (stamp surface) that forms the impregnated section (seal imprint) 46 is formed in the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. As an example of a food additive, an ink, for example, is applied to the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. In this state, the rods 112 are moved with respect to the box body 90 by bringing the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10 into contact with the distal end section 114 of each of the rods 112. Therefore, the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 of each of the cigarettes 10 is pushed toward the box body 90 with the distal end section 114 of each of the rods 112. Accordingly, the cigarettes 10 are inserted into the box body 90 while they are aligned. Then, the distal end section 114 of each of the rods 112 is separated from the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10. By this, the pattern of the distal end section 114 of the rod 112 is transferred to the first end surface 52 of the filter 14, thereby resulting in the formation of the impregnated section 46. The pattern (seal imprint) 62 that forms the impregnated section 46 is plane-symmetrical with the pattern (stamp surface) formed in the distal end section 114 of the rod 112.
In the case where the impregnated section 46 is formed in the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 using the distal end section 114 of the rod 112, an ink may permeate from the distal end section 114 of the rod 112, and the ink may be applied to the distal end section 114 of the rode 112 before the first end surface 52 of the cigarette 10 is pushed with the distal end section 114 of the rode 112.
The ink permeates along the longitudinal axis L from the first end surface 52 toward the second end surface 54, thereby forming the impregnated section 46. In the case of adopting, e.g., an acetate filter as the filter plug 32, the ink permeates along fibers, thereby forming the impregnated section 46.
The impregnated section (impregnated region) 46 is present in a range of the first distance D1 extending from the first end surface 52 of the filter member 42 toward the second end surface 54. The first distance D1 is smaller than the distance D2 (length of the filter plug 32) between the first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54.
In the first end surface 52 shown in FIG. 2A, the color applied to the impregnated section 46 is deepest. As shown in FIG. 2B, at an appropriate position closer to the second end surface 54 than the first end surface 52, the color applied to the impregnated section 46 is lighter than the first end surface 52. The color of the impregnated section 46 gradually becomes lighter from the first end surface 52 toward the second end surface 54. As shown in FIG. 2C, the color of the impregnated section 46 is not recognized at a position that is more distant from the first end surface 52 than the distance D1 and is closer to the first end surface 52 than the distance D2. For this reason, the impregnated section 46 is formed in a portion of the first end surface 52 side and is not formed in the second end surface 54.
Meanwhile, since an acetate filter, for example, is used as the filter plug 32, the first end surface 52 is impregnated with the ink in the fiber direction and is also impregnated with the ink in the direction orthogonal to the fiber direction. Therefore, on each first end surface 52, bleeding may occur in the pattern.
As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, 20 cigarettes 10a to 10t are stored in the box body 90. When or after 20 cigarettes 10a to 10t are stored in the box body 90, an appropriate one of patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 is transferred to the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 of each of the cigarettes 10a to 10t, as shown in, for example, FIG. 4A.
In the case where the impregnated section 46 is printed on the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 using the distal end section 114 of the pushing rod 112, the pattern 62 is applied to the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 when it is pushed with the distal end section 114 of the pushing rod 112. Therefore, printing the impregnated section 46 has no effect or little effect on the manufacturing time of the cigarettes 10. Therefore, in the case of printing the impregnated section 46, the manufacturing time of the cigarettes 10 can be prevented from increasing.
FIG. 5A shows an example in which the pattern (seal imprint) 62 of the impregnated section 46 is applied to the first end surface 52 by pushing the first end surface of the cigarette 10 with the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. In this case, the first end surface 52 is flat without any recess. Therefore, since the filter 14 does not change in shape, redesigning of the filter 14 is not necessary.
As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, a cross pattern 62 is printed on the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10c, 10j, 10l, and 10p. The pattern indicated by reference numeral 62 in FIG. 4A is the same as the cross pattern 62 shown in FIG. 2A. A sun pattern 64 is printed on the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10a, 10h, 10k, and 10n. The inside of the pattern 64 is colored red, for example. For example, a smile pattern 66 is printed on the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10b, 10i, 10m, and 10o. The pattern 66 is symmetrical with respect to an appropriate virtual axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. The inside of the pattern 66 is colored green, for example. A moon pattern 68 is printed on the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10d, 10e, 10q, and 10r. The pattern 68 is symmetrical with respect to the appropriate virtual axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. The inside of the pattern 68 is colored yellow, for example. A thunder pattern 70 is printed on the first end surface 52 of each of the cigarettes 10f, 10g, 10s, and 10t. The pattern 70 is symmetrical with respect to the center (central axis) L and is asymmetrical with respect to the appropriate virtual axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. The inside of the pattern 70 is colored orange, for example. Therefore, a pattern applied as the impregnated section 46 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L. Furthermore, a pattern applied as the impregnated section 46 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the appropriate virtual axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L.
It is preferable that each of the cigarettes 10a to 10t having the first end surfaces 52 of the filters 14 to which the patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are applied generate a sense of beauty in consumers through sight.
As an example, these patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 exert a quality assurance function. A genuine manufacturer can create and print an appropriate pattern according to the date of manufacture and/or the manufacturing factory in consideration of the possibility that similar products will be on the market. Therefore, the genuine manufacturer can easily determine whether or not the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product. In addition, consumers of the cigarette 10 can easily determine whether the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product or a genuine product.
In the case where the genuine manufacturer of the cigarette 10 recognizes that a counterfeit product with the same pattern printed is on the market, they can immediately change the pattern. This enables the genuine manufacturer and/or consumers to easily determine whether the cigarette 10 in circulation is a counterfeit product or a genuine product by visually confirming the first end surface 52.
The cigarette 10 to which the sun pattern 64 is applied, the cigarette 10 to which the smile pattern 66 is applied, the cigarette 10 to which the cross pattern 62 is applied, the cigarette 10 to which the moon pattern 68 is applied, and the cigarette 10 to which the thunder pattern 70 is applied are different from each other in terms of flavor, the amount of tar, and the amount of nicotine. The cigarettes 10a, 10h, 10k, and 10n having the sun pattern 64 applied thereto are the same products. The cigarettes 10b, 10i, 10m, and 10o having the smile pattern 66 applied thereto are the same products. The cigarettes 10c, 10j, 10l, and 10p having the cross pattern 62 applied thereto are the same products. The cigarettes 10d, 10e, 10q, and 10r having the moon pattern 68 applied thereto are the same products. The cigarettes 10f, 10g, 10s, and 10t having the thunder pattern 70 applied thereto are the same products. For example, various types of cigarettes 10 can be packed in one box body 90. The example in FIG. 4A shows a flavor inhalation article group 100a in which the cigarettes 10 of five types are packed. These patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 exert a quality display function, as an example. For example, a flavor capsule 80 is present in the filter 14 of each of the cigarettes 10b, 10i, 10m, and 10o on which the smile pattern 66 is printed. It is preferable that the pattern 66 be given a color suggestive of a flavor such as blue or green. The pattern 70 is given a shape and/or a color suggestive of the fact that the amount of tar and/or the amount of nicotine per one cigarette is largest among the cigarettes 10 in the box body 90. As described in the above, the patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 attached to the cigarettes 10 exhibit a quality display function that makes a consumer recognize what property the corresponding cigarette 10 exhibits. That is, the impregnated section 46 of each cigarette 10 serves as an indicator showing the product characteristics of each cigarette (flavor inhalation article).
The flavor inhalation article assembly 100 may be configured in such a manner that, for example, 20 cigarettes 10 of the same type respectively having the impregnated sections 46 that are partially different in pattern (see FIG. 4A) or are respectively different in pattern are packed in the box body 90.
In the example described in the above, the impregnated section 46 is formed in the first end surface 52 at a timing when the cigarettes 10a to 10t are inserted into the box body 90. However, the patterns may be printed on the respective first end surfaces 52 after the cigarettes 10a to 10t are inserted into the box body 90. Printing on the first end surface 52 (method for producing the flavor inhalation article 46) may use a spray (inkjet printing) other than a stamping with the distal end section 114 of the rod 112.
When printing an appropriate pattern on the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 by using a spray, no cost such as a plate making cost is required. Therefore, a desired pattern can be easily printed without forming a printing plate (stamp surface) on the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. Furthermore, in the case of printing a multicolored pattern on the first end surface 52, such a pattern can be printed at an appropriately low cost. Furthermore, in the case where printing is performed using a spray, an appropriate pattern can be printed by gradation or full-color printing.
As described in the above, forming an appropriate pattern as the impregnating section 46 on the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 enables the filter 14 to exhibit aesthetics without significantly increasing the manufacturing cost.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, an appropriate pattern can be printed, regardless of whether the pattern is symmetrical or asymmetrical, on the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 by using the stamp surface of the distal end section 114 of the push rod 112 or by using a spray. At this time, the ink is impregnated from the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 toward the second end surface 54; however, it is only necessary to impregnate the vicinity of the first end surface 52, without the need for the ink to reach the second end surface 54, so that the ink cost can be suppressed.
Regardless of whether the impregnated sections 46 are formed when, for example, 20 cigarettes 10 are inserted into the box body 90, or the impregnated sections 46 are formed after 20 cigarettes 10 are inserted into the box body 90, the patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 of the impregnated sections 46 with respect to the box body 90 can be made coincident with each other in terms of arrangement and orientation for each flavor inhalation article assembly (smoking article assembly) 100.
The patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 may be, for example, a corporate mark, an appropriate character, etc. There can be an infinite number of patterns 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70.
As described in the above, according to the present embodiment, the filter 14 can be appropriately designed to improve the attractiveness of the flavor inhalation article 10 including the filter 14 with respect to the consumer. As described in the above, the present embodiment can provide a method for producing a filter 14 which does not require redesigning and enables a design to be easily given, the flavor inhalation article 10, the flavor inhalation article assembly 100, and the method for producing the flavor inhalation article 10.
In the case of using gold leaf as a food additive, for example, arranging the gold leaf on the distal end section (stamp surface) 114 of the pusher rod 112 and pushing the gold leaf against the first end surface 52 of the filter 14 enables the first end surface 52 to be impregnated with a portion of the gold leaf to form the impregnated section 46 of a predetermined pattern (seal imprint), as with the case of using edible ink. Therefore, a food additive is not limited to a liquid and may be a solid.

(First Modification)

A first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. An example of the ink of the impregnated section 46 is a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance such as that described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the case in which the ink is edible will be described as an example.
The above embodiment described the example in which a pattern is attached to each of the cigarettes 10. As shown in FIG. 4B, some of the cigarettes 10 in the flavor inhalation article assembly 100 may not have a pattern applied thereto. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the respective first end surfaces 52 are printed in such a manner that 20 cigarettes 10a to 10t form one pattern 72. The pattern 72 shows, for example, smoke coming out of a cigarette. In the pattern 72, the cigarette is colored blue at a position including the tobacco material and brown at a position including the filter. In the pattern 72, the position corresponding to the smoke is colored silver.
In FIG. 4B, cigarettes (second flavor inhalation articles) 10a, 10b, 10m, 10n, and 10o to which a pattern is not applied each have a second filter 14 including the filter plug 32 having both the filter member (second filter body) 42 without the impregnated section 46 and the wrap paper 44 to be wound around the outer periphery of the filter member 42. Even with the cigarettes (second flavor inhalation articles) 10a, 10b, 10m, 10n, and 10o with no pattern applied thereto, they may be impregnated with a transparent edible ink, that is, a food additive, such as that described in the first embodiment.
The example in FIG. 4B shows a flavor inhalation article group 100b in which the cigarettes 10 of one type are packed. The impregnated section 46 of the flavor inhalation article group 100b represents one pattern 72 when viewed as a whole. The impregnated section 46 of the flavor inhalation article group 100b may represent a plurality of patterns when viewed as a whole. In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of patterns be those such as "+" and "-" which suggest to a user that they are associated with each other.
The example in FIG. 4B can provide a method for producing a filter 14 which does not require redesigning and enables a design to be easily given, the flavor inhalation article 10, the flavor inhalation article assembly 100, and the method for producing the flavor inhalation article 10.

(Second Modification)

A second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5B.
FIG. 5A shows an example in which the pattern (seal imprint) 62 of the impregnated section 46 is applied to the first end surface 52 by pushing the first end surface of the cigarette 10 with the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. The first end surface 52 is flat without any recess. In this case, the pattern 62 is not recessed on the first end surface 52.
FIG. 5B shows an example in which the pattern (seal imprint) 62 of the impregnated section 46 is applied to the first end surface 52 by pushing the first end surface 52 of the cigarette 10 with the distal end section 114 of the rod 112. In this case, the pattern 62 has a recess 48 on the first end surface 52. The recess amount of the recess 48 of the first end surface 52 is, for example, 1 mm or smaller. With a recess of this extent, its influence on the appearance and performance of the filter 14 can be ignored. As described in the above, since the change in shape of the filter 14 is small enough to ignore, redesigning of the filter 14 is not necessary.
In the case in which the pattern (seal imprint) 62 of the impregnated section 46 is applied to the first end surface 52 by pushing the first end surface 52 of the cigarette 10 with the distal end section 114 of the rod 112 as described in the above, the first end surface 52 may maintain its flat-face shape as shown in FIG. 5A or may have the recess 48 formed thereon as shown in FIG. 5B.
Meanwhile, in the same products with the same patterns 62 (see FIG. 2A) applied, it is preferable that they be coherent in terms of whether the recess 48 is present or not in the first end surface 52. Furthermore, in the case where the recess 48 is formed in the first end surface 52, it is preferable that the amount of the recess in the first end surface 52 is substantially the same.

(Third Modification)

A third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 6, the filter 14 may include a plurality of filter plugs (filter rods) 34 and 36.
The first filter plug 34 has a filter member (first filter body) 42a and a wrap paper (cylindrical section) 44a. The first filter plug 34 has a first end surface 52 and a second end surface 54. The second filter plug 36 has a filter member (second filter body) 42b and a wrap paper (cylindrical section) 44b. The second filter member 36 has a third end surface 56 and a fourth end surface 58. The filter 14 has a second filter plug 36 at the second end surface 54 side of the first filter plug 34. The third end surface 56 of the second filter plug 36 faces the second end surface 54 of the first filter plug 34. The third end surface 56 of the second filter plug 36 may be in contact with the second end surface 54 of the first filter plug 34. The fourth end surface 58 of the second filter plug 36 is located at the tobacco material 22 side.
In the case of the filter 14 including the plurality of filter plugs 34 and 36, the filter plug (first filter) 34 at the mouthpiece side and the filter plug (second filter) 36 at the tobacco material side may be the same or different in terms of material and configuration.
In the case of the filter 14 including two filter plugs 34 and 36, the filter 14 may adopt a cellulose acetate filter or a charcoal filter as one filter plug 34, and a paper filter as the other filter plug 36. Other than that, the filter 14 may adopt an AFT filter having a serrated groove on its surface as one filter plug 34, and an acetate filter as the other filter plug 36.
As described in the above, the number of filter plugs contained in the filter 14 may be one or more.

(Second Embodiment)

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. This embodiment corresponds to a modification of the first embodiment including the respective modifications. The arrangement of a flavor inhalation article 210 to be described later with respect to the box body 90 described in the first embodiment, the pattern of the filter, etc., can be used as described in the first embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 210 is one of the members forming the non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article.
The flavor inhalation article 210 shown in FIG. 7 is a replaceable cartridge used with a heater. The flavor inhalation article 210 has a columnar shape extending in one direction.
As shown in FIG. 7, the flavor inhalation article 210 includes a base material section 212 forming one end of the flavor inhalation article 210 and a mouthpiece section 214 forming the other end opposite to the base material section 212. The base material section 212 and the mouthpiece section 214 are connected via a wrapping paper 216.
The base material section 212 includes a filler 222 and a first wrapping paper 224 with which the filler 222 is wrapped.
The filler 222 includes, for example, a tobacco material and an aerosol source.
The aerosol source is heated at a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol. Examples of the aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and a mixture thereof. The content of the aerosol source in the filler 222 is not particularly limited, and is usually 5% by mass or more, preferably 10% by mass or more, and usually 50% by mass or less, preferably 25% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of generating a sufficient amount of aerosol and imparting a good flavor.
The filler 222 includes a tobacco material as a flavor source. The tobacco material is, for example, a cut tobacco. The content of the filler 222 in the flavor inhalation article 210 is, for example, 200 to 400 mg and preferably 250 to 320 mg in the case of the base material section 212 having a peripheral length of 22 mm and a length of 20 mm. The water content of the filler 222 is, for example, 8 to 18% by mass, preferably 10 to 16% by mass. With this water content, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrapping stains and improve the hoisting suitability of the base material section 212 at the time of manufacture.
The mouthpiece section 214 includes a paper tube section 232 and a filter 234 adjacent thereto.
The filter 234 has a filter plug (first filter plug) 242, a hollow plug (second filter plug) 244, and a molded paper 246 that covers these plugs to couple them together. The paper tube section 232 is a paper tube formed by wrap paper into a cylindrical shape, and is hollow in its inside. The hollow plug 244 is arranged between the paper tube section 232 and the filter plug 242.
The filter plug 242 has a substantially columnar shape including a filter member 252 and a first plug wrap paper (filter wrap paper) 254 to be wound around the filter member 252. The filter member 252 is preferably, for example, a cellulose acetate filter. A paper filter or a charcoal filter may be adopted as the filter member 252.
In the case of using the filter plug 242 as a non-wrap filter, the first plug wrap paper (cylindrical section) 254 may be unnecessary.
In the filter plug 242, an ink impregnated section 46 is formed as with the filter plug 242 described in the first embodiment. The impregnated section 46 is impregnated with the ink in the range of the appropriate distance D1 that includes the first end surface 52 of the filter member 252 of the filter plug 242 and extends from the first end surface 52 toward the second end surface 54 of the filter member 252 of the filter plug 242. The ink of the impregnated section 46 is not impregnated into the second end surface 54 of the filter member 252 which is located in a position at the distance D2 exceeding the distance D1 extending from the first end surface 52 of the filter plug 242.
The hollow plug 244 includes a filled layer 262 and a second plug wrap paper 264 to be wound around the filled layer 262. The filled layer 262 is formed of densely filled fibers and has one or more channels (hollow sections). Each of the one or more channels extends in the length direction (hereinafter referred to as a longitudinal direction) of the flavor inhalation article 210. Therefore, at the time of inhalation, air and aerosol flow only through the channel, with almost no flow through gaps between the fibers. With the flavor inhalation article 210, when it is desired to suppress the decrease in aerosol component due to filtration in the filter plug 242, shortening the length of the filter plug 242 and replacing it with the hollow plug 244 is effective in increasing the delivery amount of aerosol.
The filter 234 may include a plurality of filter plugs 242 and 244 as shown in FIG. 7, and may include one filter plug 242. For example, the filter 234 may omit the hollow plug 244 and include only the filter plug 242. That is, the mouthpiece section 214 can be formed by arranging the paper tube section 232 and the filter plug 242 side by side.
The mouthpiece section 214 is formed of two segments, i.e., the paper tube section 232 and the filter 234; however, the mouthpiece section 214 may be formed of one segment. Furthermore, the mouthpiece section 214 may be formed of three or more segments.
Although not shown, in order to appropriately adjust the ventilation resistance of the flavor inhalation article 210, an opening may be provided in the mouthpiece section 214 to take in air from the outside. In this case, it is desirable to provide an opening in the paper tube section 232.
The longitudinal dimension, or length, of the flavor inhalation article 210 is preferably 40 to 90 mm, more preferably 50 to 75 mm, and even more preferably 50 to 60 mm. The peripheral length of the flavor inhalation article 210 is preferably 15 to 25 mm, more preferably 17 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 20 to 23 mm. The flavor suction article 210 may be configured in such a manner that the base material portion 212 has a length of 20 mm, the paper tube portion 232 has a length of 20 mm, the hollow plug 244 has a length of 8 mm, and the filter plug 242 has a length of 7 mm; however, the length of each of these segments can be changed as appropriate according to manufacturing suitability, required quality, etc.
There are no particular limitations on the size of cut tobacco used for the filler 222 and the method for preparing it. For example, dried tobacco leaf cut into strips having a width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm may be used. Alternatively, the dried tobacco leaf may be pulverized and homogenized to have an average particle size of about 20 to 200 µm, processed into a sheet, and then cut into strips having a width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm for use. Furthermore, the above sheet-processed material may be gather-processed without being chopped, and the result may be used as the tobacco material.
As the first wrapping paper 224 and the second wrapping paper 216, the same papers as the wrapping paper and the tipping paper used in the cigarette can be used, respectively. Furthermore, as the first plug wrapping paper, the second plug wrapping paper, and the molded paper 246, the same paper as the wrap paper used in the cigarette can be used.
In the example described in the above, the filter 234 has the plurality of filter plugs 242 and 244; however, the filter 234 may have only the filter plug 242.

(Modification)

A modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
The flavor inhalation article 310 is one of the members forming the non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article.
The flavor inhalation article (capsule) 310 shown in FIG. 8 is a replaceable cartridge used with a heater. The flavor inhalation article 310 has a columnar shape extending in one direction.
As shown in FIG. 8, the flavor inhalation article 310 includes a capsule body (cylindrical section) 312, a tobacco material 314 enclosed in the capsule body 312, a filter 316 that prevents the tobacco material 314 from leaking out, and a ringshaped cap (end piece) 318 that supports the filter 316 with respect to the capsule body 312.
The capsule body 312 includes an opening 322 at one end (mouthpiece side) and a net section 324 at the other end (tobacco material side). The capsule body 312 has a step 326 on which the filter 316 is placed. The mesh size of the net section 324 of the capsule body 312 is adjusted in such a manner as to, for example, allow air and appropriate steam to pass through but prevent the tobacco material 314 from leaking out.
An appropriate material such as a resin material or a paper material is used for the capsule body 312. In the case where the capsule body 312 and the cap 318 are resin materials, some of the materials may be recyclable.
The filter 316 allows air and appropriate steam to pass therethrough and is formed into a substantially columnar shape. As the filter 316, an appropriate one such as an acetate filter (acetate tow), a paper filter, an AFT filter, etc., may be used. In addition, the filter 316 is formed to have an appropriate hardness.
As the tobacco material 314, not only cut tobacco but also granular tobacco is used.
The filter 316 includes the first end surface 52 and the second end surface 54. An ink impregnated section 46 is formed in the first end surface 52 of the filter 316. The ink impregnated section 46 may be applied when the filter 316 is formed into a columnar shape having an appropriate size, may be formed when the filter 316 is placed on the step 326 of the capsule body 312, or may be applied to the first end surface 52 through an opening 318a of a cap 318 after the cap 318 is attached to the capsule body 312.
As described in the first embodiment, an appropriate pattern is applied to the ink impregnated section 46 by transferring, a spray, etc., for example.
The flavor inhalation article assembly 400 has a flavor inhalation article group in which the plurality of flavor inhalation articles 310 are arranged, and a storage section 402 into which the flavor inhalation article group is inserted. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the plurality of (for example, five) flavor inhalation articles 310 are enclosed as the flavor inhalation article assembly 400 in a PTP (press through pack) packaging sheet (blister pack) 402. The packaging sheet 402 includes a mount 404, which is preferably made of aluminum foil, and a plastic 406.
In the case of the plastic 406 being transparent, a manufacturer and consumers can view the first end surface 52 of the filter 316 of each of the flavor inhalation articles 310 through the transparent plastic 406 in addition to a product name and cautionary notes attached to the mount 404.
In the case of the plastic 406 being opaque, a manufacturer may give consumers appropriate information by letting them view the filter 316 of the flavor inhalation article 310 when removing the flavor inhalation article 310 from the PTP packaging sheet 402.
As described in the above, the present embodiment can provide a filter 316 to which a design can be easily given, the flavor inhalation article 310, and the flavor inhalation article assembly 400.
The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, each embodiment may be carried out in combination as appropriate as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above-described embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination in a plurality of disclosed constitutional requirements.

Claims

A filter comprising:
a first filter body including a first end surface and a second end surface, the first filter body being defining a longitudinal axis that intersects the first end surface and the second end surface; and

an impregnated section configured to be impregnated with a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance at a side of the first end surface, the side being located between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first filter body and including the first end surface.
The filter according to claim 1, wherein:
the impregnated section is present in a range of a first distance that extends from the first end surface to the second end surface of the first filter body; and

the first distance is smaller than a distance between the first end surface and the second end surface.
The filter according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second filter body at a side of the second end surface of the first filter body,
wherein the second filter body includes a third end surface facing the second end surface.
The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
a center is defined in the first end surface; and

the impregnated section includes a pattern asymmetrical with respect to the center in the first end surface.
The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the color-forming substance and/or the coloring substance includes a food additive.
The filter according to claim 5, wherein the food additive includes a flavor component.
A flavor inhalation article comprising a filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the first end surface of the filter is located at a mouthpiece side.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 7, wherein the impregnated section serves as an indicator showing a product characteristic of each flavor inhalation article.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the flavor inhalation article is a smoking article or a non-combustible heating-type flavor inhalation article.
A flavor inhalation article assembly comprising:
a flavor inhalation article group in which a plurality of flavor inhalation articles according to any one of claims 7 to 9 are arranged; and

a storage section into which the flavor inhalation article group is inserted.
The flavor inhalation article assembly according to claim 10, wherein:
the storage section includes a box body including a main body and an opening formed in the main body;

the first end surface is exposed to an outside of the box body through the opening of the box body; and

the impregnated section of the flavor inhalation article group represents one or more patterns when viewed as a whole.
The flavor inhalation article assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a second flavor inhalation article including a second filter including a filter plug.
The flavor inhalation article assembly according to claim 10, wherein the storage section includes a package sheet including a mount and a plastic having the flavor inhalation article arranged between the mount and the plastic.
A method for producing a filter, the method comprising:
forming a filter plug extending along a longitudinal axis;

cutting the filter plug into a desired length and forming a first end surface and a second end surface both intersecting the longitudinal axis; and

forming an impregnated section by impregnating a portion of the first end surface with a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance in a direction from the first end surface to the second end surface along the longitudinal axis.
A method for producing a flavor inhalation article, the method comprising:
arranging a rod at a side of the second end surface;

wrapping the filter and the rod with a tipping paper; and

producing the filter using the method for producing the filter according to claim 14.
A method for producing a flavor inhalation article assembly, the method comprising:
forming a flavor inhalation article containing a filter for a flavor inhalation article that extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a first end surface and a second end surface both intersecting the longitudinal axis;

arranging a predetermined number of the flavor inhalation articles; and

inserting the arranged flavor inhalation articles into a box body while forming an impregnated section by impregnating a portion of the first end surface with a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance in a direction from the first end surface to the second end surface along the longitudinal axis.
A method for producing a flavor inhalation article assembly, the method comprising:
forming a flavor inhalation article containing a filter for a flavor inhalation article extending along a longitudinal axis and including a first end surface and a second end surface both intersecting the longitudinal axis;

arranging a predetermined number of the flavor inhalation articles;

inserting the arranged flavor inhalation articles into a box body; and

forming an impregnated section by impregnating a portion of the first end surface with a color-forming substance and/or a coloring substance in a direction from the first end surface to the second end surface along the longitudinal axis.