ES2464279T3 - Scratched paper with slits - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrapper of a smoking article, comprising: a base sheet (100); and at least one transverse striped region (10) (20) (30) comprising first (11) (21) (31), second (12) (22) (32) and third (13) (23) (33) zones ), said first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) areas comprising additional material, which reduces the permeability of said envelope, said first and third zones being separated by said second zone (12) (22) (32), said envelope having greater permeability along said second zone (12) (22) (32) than along said first zones (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33), said second zone having a width less than the width of any of said first and third zones, characterized in that the additional material is uniform across each of the first zones ( 11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33); each of said first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones has a width of from 2 mm to 5 mm such that if any of the aforementioned first and third zones are apply separately to wrappers for smokers, smokers items would exhibit total burning and would not substantially exhibit any incidence of self-extinguishing under free burning conditions; the sum of said widths of the aforementioned first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones is such that if the first and third zones were applied to wrappers of smoking articles as a single Continuous band, the smoking articles would not substantially exhibit any incidence of total and self-extinguished burning under free burning conditions, so that lit smoking articles comprising said first (11) (21) (31), second (12) zones ( 22) (32) and third (13) (23) (33) exhibit reduced incidences of auto-shutdown under free-burn conditions, compared to smoking articles comprising envelopes on which the first and third zones are applied as a single continuous band, while substantially no incidence of total burning is maintained.

Description

Scratched paper with slits

US-A-2004/0099280 describes a cigarette wrap that has two zones of three superimposed layers of additional material separated by a gap to form a scratched region. The lower layer of the zones is wider than the intermediate layer that is wider than the upper layer.

SUMMARY In accordance with the present invention, a wrapping of a smoking article is provided, comprising a base sheet and at least one transverse striped region comprising first, second and third zones, said first and third zones comprising additional material, which reduces the permeability of said envelope, said first and third zones being separated by said second zone, said envelope having greater permeability along said second zone than along said first and third zones, said second zone having a smaller width that the width of any of said first and third zones, characterized in that the additional material is uniform across each of the first and third zones, each of said first and third zones having a width of from 2 mm to 5 mm in such a way that if any of said first and third zones were applied separately to wrappers of smoking articles, the articles for smokers they would exhibit total burn and would not substantially exhibit any incidence of auto-shutdown under free burn conditions. The sum of said widths of the aforementioned first and third zones is such that if the first and third zones were applied to wrappers of smoking articles as a continuous band, the smoking articles would not substantially show any incidence of total burning and auto-off in conditions of free burning, in such a way that lighted smoking articles comprising the aforementioned first, second and third zones exhibit reduced incidences of auto-off in conditions of free burning, in comparison with smoker articles comprising envelopes on which the First and third zones are applied as a single continuous band, while substantially no incidence of total burning is maintained.

In some embodiments, the at least one cross-sectional region is free of fillers.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a striped envelope comprising supplying a base sheet and forming at least one transverse striped region comprising first, second and third zones on the base sheet, where the first and third zones are outside the second zone, where the second zone has a greater permeability compared to the first and third zones, where the width of the second zone is smaller than the widths of the first and third zones, characterized in that the first and third zones are shaped so that the additional material is uniform across each of the first and third zones and because the first and third zones are shaped so that each of the first and third zones has a width of 2 mm to 5 mm, such that if any of the aforementioned first and third zones were applied separately to smoker items wraps, the smoker items would exhibit total burning and they would not substantially exhibit any incidence of auto-shutdown under free burn conditions. Preferably, at least the first and third zones are formed from an additional material free of fillers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1-3 are illustrations of smoker items that comprise lined paper with slits that

It is described in this document.

Figures 4-5 illustrate alternative embodiments of smoking articles comprising lined paper.

with slits described in this document.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a multi-stage printing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferably, a smoking article is turned off when placed on a substrate, and this document refers to the tendency to do this by saying that a smoking article has "low propensity to ignite." Ideally, a smoking article with a low propensity to ignition will continue to burn when it is freely suspended, such as inside an ashtray stand or when it is held in the hand without puffing ("free burning"). Many earlier designs of cigarettes that achieve low ignition propensity requirements exhibit high rates of auto-off under free burn conditions.

The phrase "total burn" as used herein refers to tests in accordance with Standard E218704, "Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes" of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), the which provides a measure of the capacity of a lighted lined paper cigarette, located on a combustible substrate, to continue burning without receiving puffs. In this way, the term "total burning" refers to the situation in which the coal completely crosses a striped region located on a cigarette wrap and does not cause the lit cigarette to be switched off. Also, the phrases "auto-off in

Free burn conditions ”or“ auto-off under free burn conditions ”as used herein, refer to the extinguishing of a lit cigarette that does not receive puffs, when said cigarette is in free burn conditions.

The striped regions described in this document exhibit low ignition propensity and reduced self-shutdown rates under free burn conditions. The striped regions are preferably formed by printing, specifically gravure printing, as described in detail below. As an alternative to printing, the scratched regions may comprise a highly refined fibrous cellulose pulp (e.g., fibers, fibrils, microfibrils, or combinations thereof) or other additional material applied using different spraying or coating techniques, including coating techniques. application using a mobile orifice applicator in the forming section of a papermaking machine such as that described in common property patents US 5 997 691 and US 6 596 125.

The second zone may include perforations that are preferably filled with an occlusive material that melts

or it evaporates when the burning coal approaches the striped region to provide greater permeability to the second zone.

Each of the first and third zones has a width such that if any of said first and third zones were applied separately to wrappers of smoking articles, the smoking articles would exhibit statistically significant incidents of total burning and statistically few or no incidents. auto-off under free burning conditions (for example, after testing a batch of 20 to 50 cigarettes). The sum of the widths of the first and third zones is such that if the zones were applied to envelopes of smoking articles as a single continuous band (without a slit or other discontinuity), the smoking articles would statistically exhibit few or no incidents. total burning and statistically significant incidents of auto-shutdown under free burn conditions. The first and third zones are separated by the second zone. The second zone comprises less additional material than the first and third zones or does not comprise any additional material. The second zone has a width less than any width of the first and third zones (which may have the same or different widths), such that lighted smoking articles comprising the first, second and third zones exhibit statistically reduced auto incidents. - Off in conditions of free burning, compared to smoking articles that include envelopes on which the first and third zones are applied as a single continuous band, while maintaining few incidents or none of total burning. Preferably, the first and third zones are of uniform additional material through the first and third zones. Optionally, the second zone may have a width essentially equal to the widths of the first and third zones.

The total weight of additional material for the striped region is preferably within the range of from 0.5 grams per square meter (g / m2) to 15 g / m2, more preferably within the range of from 0.5 g / m2 to 3 g / m2, even more preferably in the range of from 0.5 g / m2 to approximately 1.5 g / m2. Conventional cigarette paper is permeable, usually being designated the permeability in CORESTA, which measures the permeability of the paper in terms of volumetric flow rate (cm3 / s) per unit area (cm2) per unit pressure drop (cm of water). The permeability of cigarette paper normally exceeds 20 CORESTA and, preferably, cigarette paper has a permeability of from about 33 to about 60 CORESTA and a basis weight of about 22 g / m2 to 30 g / m2. However, preferably, the permeability across the scratched regions and the underlying cigarette paper is within the range of from 10 to 15 CORESTA. The decrease in permeability preferably reduces the air flow necessary to support combustion of the cigarette embers near the scratched region.

Preferably, the first and third zones have a basis weight in grams per square meter greater than the second intermediate zone; for example, the basis weight in grams per square meter of the first and third zones may be at least twice the basis weight in grams per square meter of the second zone. The second zone may comprise a gap. As used herein, the term "hollow" refers to a discrete area of a scratched region, between the first and third zones, which lacks any additional permeability reducing material (ie, it does not contain any layers of additional material reducing permeability). To aid combustion in the second zone, the shell may comprise iron oxide in the position of the second zone. The second zone preferably has a greater permeability than that of the first and third zones.

Preferably, the at least one transverse striped region comprises a first printed layer that makes contact with the base sheet and a second printed layer, preferably with a basis weight in grams per square meter equal to or greater than that of the first printed layer, on the First layer printed. However, the second layer and / or the subsequent layers may have a lower base weight than that of the first layer. For example, the basis weight in grams per square meter of the second printed layer may be at least twice the basis weight in grams per square meter of the first printed layer. In one embodiment, the second zone may comprise a single layer.

printed and each of the first and third zones may comprise at least two printed layers (more preferably three or more layers). Alternatively, each of the first and third zones may comprise at least three or four printed layers, and the second zone may comprise only one or two printed layers or none.

Preferably, the non-scratched areas of the base sheet do not comprise additional permeability reducing material. As described below with reference to Figure 2, the transverse striped region may comprise more than three zones. For example, the transverse striped region may comprise, for example, five zones, separating the second and fourth zones to the first, third and fifth zones and the envelope having a permeability along the second and fourth zones greater than along of the first, third and fifth zones.

The at least one cross-sectioned region may be free of fillers and optionally at least one of the zones is formed at least in part from an additional material that includes a filler. Preferably, the additional material is uniform across the first and third zones. The first and third zones are outside the second zone, and the overall structure of the envelope in the second zone has a greater permeability than the overall structure of the envelope in the first and third zones.

The casings of the invention are preferably supplied in coils and it is preferred that the coil casing comprises regularly spaced cross-sectional regions or a repeating series of cross-sectional regions.

Optionally at least one of the zones is formed at least in part from an additional material that includes a filler. Preferably, the additional material is uniform across the first and third zones.

Figures 1-3 illustrate smoking articles comprising lined paper with slits such as that described in this document. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a smoking article having two regions 10 lined on a base sheet 100, each of which comprises first 11 and third zones 13 of additional material separated by a second zone 12, which may have the form of a hole or it may have the form of a zone of reduced additional material. Each of the first 11 and third zones 13 of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately from 2 mm to 5 mm, preferably from approximately 2 mm to 3 mm, and the second zone 12 may have a width of , for example, from about 1 mm to 2 mm. More specifically, each of the first 11 and third zones 13 of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately 3 mm, and the second zone 12 may have a width of, for example, approximately 1.5 mm or 2 mm Preferably the first 11 and third zones 13 of additional material comprise multiple layers of additional material, such as, for example, two, three or four layers of additional material. Preferably, the additional material is uniform across the first 11 and third zones 13.

Figure 2 illustrates a smoking article having two regions 20 lined on a base sheet 100, each of which comprises first 21, third 23 and fifth 25 zones of additional material separated by second 22 and fourth 24 zones, which may have the shape of holes or the shape of reduced levels of additional material. Each of the first 21, third 23 and fifth 25 zones of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately from 2 mm to 3 mm, and each of the second 22 and fourth 24 zones may have a width of, for example, from about 1 mm to 2 mm. More preferably, each of the first 21, third 23 and fifth 25 zones of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately 2 mm, and each of the second 22 and fourth 24 zones may have a width of, by example, about 1 mm or less. Preferably, the first 21, third 23 and fifth 25 zones of additional material comprise multiple layers of additional material, such as, for example, two, three or four layers of additional material. Preferably, the additional material is uniform across the first 21, third 23 and fifth 25 zones.

Figure 3 illustrates a smoking article having two regions 30 lined on a base sheet 100, each of which comprises first 31 and third zones 33 of additional material separated by a second zone 32 of less additional material. Each of the first 31 and third zones 33 of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately 2 mm to 3 mm, and the second zone 32 of less additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately from 1 mm to 2 mm. More preferably, each of the first 31 and third zones 33 of additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately 3 mm, and the second zone 32 of less additional material may have a width of, for example, approximately 2 mm. or less. Preferably, the first 31 and third zones 33 of additional material comprise multiple layers of additional material, such as, for example, two, three or four layers of additional material, while the second zone of less additional material may comprise, for example, one or two layers of additional material. Preferably, the additional material is uniform across the first 31 and third zones 33. Although second zones 32 with a width of 1 mm are operative, the embodiment works best with a width of 1.2 mm or greater.

Referring to Figures 1-3, the lined paper with slits facilitates the use of wraps of less permeability, for a given level of CO, than earlier lined paper designs. For example, it was observed in some circumstances that a tobacco cylinder comprising paper with a permeability of 33 CORESTA and a generation of CO (FTC) of 11 mg would produce 15 mg of CO (FTC) if previous versions of unchanged bands were applied additional. To counteract this increase, the permeability of the envelope would have to be increased to approximately 46 CORESTA. These changes create a multitude of consequences in cigarette design, such as, for example, affecting the number of puffs, possibly reducing the ease of paper mechanization, and the like. In contrast to this, lined paper with slits with a permeability of 33 CORESTA provided 12 mg of CO (FTC). In this way, the scratch technology with slits described in this document facilitates the application of bands with a lower impact on CO (FTC) levels.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, additional embodiments may include striped regions in which the zones extend longitudinally rather than circumferentially. More specifically, Figure 4 corresponds to the striped region configuration of Figure 2 extending the zones longitudinally instead of circumferentially, and Figure 5 corresponds to the striped region configuration of Figure 3 extending the zones longitudinally instead of circumferentially.

In a preferred embodiment, the first layer of each striped region is preferably formed using an aqueous occlusive composition, which extends completely through the striped region. The successive layer (s) of each scratched region can be formed using the same aqueous film forming composition or different aqueous compositions. For example, multiple layers may all comprise layers containing exclusively starch or multiple layers may comprise one or more layers containing exclusively starch or one or more layers containing calcium carbonate (in any order). During gravure printing, the occlusive composition is preferably heated to a temperature at which its viscosity is within the range of viscosities appropriate for gravure printing. When the heated occlusive composition is applied, said occlusive composition is cooled or tempered and can be gelatinized. In this way, a portion of the free water of the occlusive composition is bound and is not available for setting

or migrate into the underlying fibers of the base sheet. That ligation of free water inhibits the formation of undulations, twitching, and / or wrinkles on the base sheet. Preferably, the successive layers of the scratched regions are thicker than the first layer. The scratched regions provide a reduction in permeability to the underlying base sheet, which preferably restricts the air flow necessary to support combustion of the cigarette embers near the scratched region. Additional details of progressive multiple pass printing can be found in the U.S. Commonly Owned Provisional Patent Application. Nº 60 / 707,964 entitled PROGRESSIVE MULTI-PASS PRINT BANDED PAPER presented on August 15, 2005.

The occlusive composition used in the occlusive composition can be selected from the group consisting of starch, alginate, carrageenan, guar gum, pectin and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the occlusive composition comprises starch, more preferably oxidized starch, such as, for example, tapioca starch, more specifically oxidized tapioca starch. In embodiments, the occlusive composition preferably does not contain fillers, such as, for example, calcium carbonate, which would increase the burn rate through the scratched region. In a preferred embodiment, the occlusive composition used for printing comprises water and from about 20% to about 50%, by weight, of the occlusive composition. At higher concentrations of the occlusive composition in the composition, said composition may undergo gelatinization when its temperature is rapidly reduced. In this way, free water ligation can occur inside the printed striped region.

At room temperature (approximately 23 ° C), the occlusive composition with high solids content has a viscosity that exceeds approximately 2 mPa · s (200 centipoise (cP)) and is not suitable for gravure printing; however, at a temperature within the range of from about 40 ° C to about 90 ° C, the viscosity of the occlusive composition is reduced enough to be used as a gravure printing composition. For gravure printing, the upper limit of appropriate viscosity is approximately 2 mPa · s (200 cP). Most preferably, the occlusive composition has a viscosity of about 1 mPa · s (100 cP) at a temperature within the range of 40 ° C to 90 ° C such that the composition can be tempered upon contact with the paper after printing. by gravure at that temperature. The viscosity of the composition at room temperature is also important. High viscosity at room temperature is necessary for the occlusive composition to gel at room temperature.

Preferably, the scratched regions are applied to the envelope using a successive gravure printing process. Gravure printing operations are capable of accurately recording successive printing operations. Accordingly, gravure printing can be used to effectively print not only the first layer of the scratched areas, but also the optional successive layers.

In a successive gravure printing process, preferably after the first layer has been applied to the base sheet it is allowed to dry on it using appropriate systems, before advancing it to a second gravure printing station where it is applied a second layer to the first layer using rotogravure printing equipment of conventional successive passes. Preferably, the second layer has the same extension as the first layer in both width and length; however, the second layer may have a basis weight in grams per square meter different from that of the first layer. The occlusive composition of the second layer gels on the first colder layer - and the free water does not migrate or be absorbed by the paper. Preferably, the second layer is allowed to dry using appropriate systems before advancing it to a successive printing station or stations, where a successive layer or layers are applied. Preferably, the successive layer (s) have the same extent as the previous layer (s) in both width and length (ie, the layers do not have a staggered appearance); however, the successive layer (s) may have base weights in grams per square meter different from the previous layer (s) or may comprise different additional compositions. Preferably, the successive layer (s) is allowed to dry after the printing of each successive layer according to well known gravure printing techniques and conventional gravure printing systems.

The gravure printing process can be used immediately after papermaking, that is, at a printing station at a position near the end of the papermaking machine. Alternatively, the gravure printing process can be used in connection with reels carrying the envelopes on which the scratched regions have to be printed. For example, a wrap reel with a selected permeability and a selected base weight is mounted such that the wrap can be unwound from the reel as a continuous base sheet.

The base sheet advances or passes through a first gravure printing station in which the first layer of each striped region is printed on paper. The printing process can be applied to the felt side or the fabric side of the paper, or both. Next, the envelope passes through a second gravure printing station in which a second layer of each striped region is printed on the corresponding first layer. Additional layers are applied in a manner similar to that described. Finally, the envelope with the printed striped regions is wound on a collection reel. The pickup reel is then cut into coils. The coils are then used during the manufacture of the desired smoking article in conventional tobacco cylinder manufacturing machines.

The apparatus in each of the gravure printing stations is essentially the same in its material aspects. Therefore, it will suffice to describe in detail one of the gravure printing stations, it being understood that the other gravure printing stations have common features, unless otherwise indicated. To make the lined paper instead of a multiple pass technique, a single pass technique can be used.

In the first gravure printing station, the apparatus includes a gravure cylinder or roller generally mounted so that it rotates about a horizontal axis. The generally cylindrical surface of the roller is carved according to a pattern (ie, with dots, lines, cells, etc.) in an appropriate process to define a negative of the first layer of scratched regions. For carving according to a pattern the surface of the gravure cylinder can be used conventional engraving (etching), chemical engraving, electronic engraving, and photogravure. The perimeter of the circumference of the roller is determined such that it is an integer multiple of the sum of the nominal distance between striped regions plus the width of the striped region. Thus, for each revolution of the roller, that whole number of first layers of the scratched regions is printed on the envelope.

With gravure printing, although each layer of additional material can be applied evenly, it is not necessary to apply each layer of additional material uniformly. For example, a layer of additional material may be applied such that discrete portions of the layer have weights in grams per square meter different from those in other areas of the layer. This can be achieved, for example, by printing a discrete portion of the layer with a different base weight than other areas of the layer at a separate printing stage using additional material having a different base weight. Alternatively, a layer of additional material may be applied such that discrete portions of the layer have different depths to other areas of the layer. This can be achieved, for example, by carving a gravure cylinder or roller according to a pattern to provide a discrete portion of the layer having a different depth than other areas of the layer.

The multiple zones, for example, the first, second and third zones, of the striped regions described herein can be applied in a single printing stage or in multiple printing stages. When applied in multiple printing stages, each zone containing additional material can be applied in a separate printing stage. For example, for a striped region that contains first, second and third zones,

where only the first and third zones contain additional material, the first zone can be applied in a first printing stage and the third zone can be applied in a second printing stage. Alternatively, when applied in a single printing stage, areas containing additional material are applied using a carved gravure cylinder or roller according to a pattern in an appropriate manner. For example, for a striped region containing first, second and third zones, in which only the first and third zones contain additional material, the gravure cylinder or roller is carved according to a pattern to apply additional material only in the first and first zones. third.

A printing cylinder is mounted so that it rotates counterclockwise on an axis parallel to the axis of the roller. In some applications, the printing cylinder includes a non-metallic elastic surface. The printing cylinder is located between the roller and a support roller, which is also mounted so that it rotates on an axis parallel to the axis of the roller and rotates in the opposite direction to the printing cylinder. One of the functions provided by the support roller is to increase the stiffness of the central portions of the printing cylinder so that the uniform printing pressure between the roller and the printing cylinder is reached. The gravure cylinder or roller and the printing cylinder interact to define a space between rollers through which the base sheet advances during the printing process. This space between rollers is sized to press the base sheet as it passes between the gravure cylinder and the printing cylinder. The pressure of the rollers on the base sheet guarantees the correct transfer of the composition from the cylinder to the paper.

A reservoir contains the occlusive composition explained above to form striped regions on the envelope. The reservoir communicates with an appropriate pump that is capable of handling the viscous occlusive composition. The occlusive composition can then flow to an appropriate heat exchanger in which the temperature of the occlusive composition is adjusted to a level that is appropriate for gravure printing. As explained above, the viscosity for gravure printing usually has to be less than about 200 cP. Preferably, the temperature of the occlusive composition is selected so that the viscosity is less than about 100 cP.

Although an independent heat exchanger is described, it may be desirable to provide thermal conditioning of the occlusive composition in the reservoir itself. For example, heating elements and stirring devices can be included in the tank to maintain the high temperature for the occlusive composition. The placement of the thermal conditioning inside the tank has the advantage of simplifying the selection of the pump and the operational requirements since the pump does not have to handle the occlusive composition at the highest viscosity associated with lower temperatures because the occlusive composition would already be heated and, therefore, at the lowest viscosity. Regardless of whether the thermal conditioning takes place inside the tank or in an independent heat exchanger, it is important that the thermal conditioning step occurs at a selected temperature to avoid scorching the occlusive composition. Singe may cause discoloration of the occlusive composition, and may affect the occlusive characteristics of the composition. In this way, scorching should be avoided while the occlusive composition is subjected to thermal conditioning.

Regardless of where the thermal conditioning step occurs, the heated occlusive composition is sent to an appropriate applicator that extends the occlusive composition along the length of the gravure cylinder. This extension step can be carried out by spraying or spraying the occlusive composition on the gravure cylinder, or simply by sending the liquid occlusive composition to a bath of occlusive composition that is collected at the bottom of the gravure cylinder, between the gravure cylinder and a collector. The cylinder can be heated to prevent premature cooling of the composition.

Typically, the manifold extends vertically around the gravure roller up to a height sufficient to pick up the bath, but up to a height well below the top of the gravure cylinder. When the bath reaches the top of the collector, the occlusive composition can flow through a drain located at the bottom of the apparatus back into the tank. In this way, the occlusive composition circulates through the printing station and can be maintained at an appropriate printing viscosity by the thermal conditioning apparatus explained above.

As the gravure cylinder is rotated through the applicator and / or the bath, the occlusive composition adheres to the surface of the gravure cylinder, included within the prints provided therein to define the scratched regions. An additional rotation of the rotogravure cylinder towards the space between rollers moves the surface of the cylinder by passing it through an appropriate cleaning blade. The cleaning blade extends along the length of the gravure cylinder and is positioned such that it cleans the surface of the gravure cylinder. In this way, the occlusive composition of those portions of the rotogravure cylinder that define the nominal separation between adjacent striped regions is essentially cleaned, while engraved portions of the rotogravure cylinder defining the striped regions themselves advance into the space between rollers filled with the composition. stop.

As the envelope and the surface of the gravure cylinder move through the space between rollers, the occlusive composition is transferred to the surface of the envelope. The linear scalar velocity or vector velocity of the envelope coincides with the tangential surface velocity of the gravure cylinder and the printing cylinder when the envelope passes through the space between rollers. In this way, slippage and / or drag of the occlusive composition on the envelope is avoided.

Preferably, the thickness of the multi-layered striped regions is less than about 20% of the thickness of the base sheet, and may be less than 5% of the thickness of the base sheet. Preferably, the thickness of the first layer of the scratched region applied in the first gravure printing station is less than 4% of the thickness of the base sheet, and may be less than 1% of the thickness of the base sheet. In this way, it is observed that the thickness of the first layer is small compared to the thickness of the underlying base sheet.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a multi-stage printing apparatus. Referring to the above description for multi-stage printing, Figure 6 illustrates a spool 40, first gravure printing station 42, second gravure printing station 44, third gravure printing station 46, pickup reel 48, rollers 50, printing cylinder 52, support roller 54, roller spaces 56, tank 58, pump 60, heat exchanger 62, applicator 64, bath 66, manifold 67, drain 68, cleaning blade 70, adjusting cylinders 72, and 74 tensioner roller. In Figure 6, the features of the first gravure printing station 42 contain reference numbers with the suffix "a", the corresponding features of the second gravure printing station 44 contain the same reference numbers with the suffix "b ", And the corresponding features of the third gravure printing station 46 contain the same reference numbers with the suffix" c ".

EXAMPLES The following examples are intended to be non-limiting and merely illustrative. Cigarettes with five different envelopes (ie, wrapped with five different striped region configurations) were tested to determine their propensity for ignition ("IP") and auto-off ("SE") at 0 ° (horizontal). The base sheet of each of the envelopes had a permeability of 33 CORESTA and a basis weight of 25 g / m2. As used herein, the term "IP" refers to total burning of a cigarette. Therefore, an IP value of 0% indicates that 0% of the cigarettes tested exhibited total burning, an IP value of 2.5% indicates that 2.5% of the cigarettes tested exhibited total burning, and a value of 5% IP indicates that 5% of the cigarettes tested exhibited total burning. As used herein, the term "SE" refers to auto-off under free burn conditions. Thus, for example, an SE value of 95% indicates that 95% of the tested cigarettes exhibited self-extinguishing under free burn conditions, while an SE value of 20% indicates that 20% of the cigarettes tested exhibited auto-off under free burn conditions.

Table 1

Wrapped

Striped Region Settings * Total Width of the Striped Region IP Trial 1 IP Trial 2 IP Trial 3 IP Media SE @ 0º

TO

Control 6 mm 0% 0% 0% 0% 95%

B

3-1-3 7 mm 0% 2.5% 0% 0.8% 60%

C

3-2-3 8 mm 0% 0% 5% 1.7% 25%

D

2-1-2-1-2 8 mm 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% twenty%

* The numbers refer to widths of the zones in mm (see Tables 2-5, below)

Referring to Table 1, envelope A was a control, comprising a solid, continuous 6mm printed region, with an addition rate of 5.5x. As used herein, an addition rate of 5.5x results in 8 g / m2 to 9 g / m2 of additional material on a dry weight basis, and a basis weight of 26.5 g / m2 for 6 mm striped regions with a 27 mm phase (that is, the distance from the leading edge of a striped region to the leading edge of the next striped region) applied to a base sheet with a base weight of 25 g / m2

Table 2 - Envelope Details B

Zone 1

Zone 2 Zone 3

Width

3 mm 1 mm 3 mm

Layers of Additional Material

2 one 2

Addition Rate per Layer

1.5x / 4x 1.5x / 0 1.5x / 4x

Total Additional Material

5.5x 1.5x 5.5x

Table 3 - Envelope Details C

Zone 1

Zone 2 Zone 3

Width

3 mm 2 mm 3 mm

Layers of Additional Material

2 one 2

Addition Rate per Layer

1.5x / 4x 1.5x / 0 1.5x / 4x

Total Additional Material

5.5x 1.5x 5.5x

Table 4 - Envelope Details D

Zone 1

Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5

Width

2 mm 1 mm 2 mm 1 mm 2 mm

Layers of Additional Material

2 one 2 one 2

Addition Rate per Layer

1.5x / 4x 1.5x / 0 1.5x / 4x 1.5x / 0 1.5x / 4x

Total Additional Material

5.5x 1.5x 5.5x 1.5x 5.5x

Compared to the control envelope A, the B-D envelopes exhibited the desired reduction in SE while maintaining the IP (ie, without significantly increasing the IP). In particular, envelope B exhibited an improvement with respect to control envelope A, as evidenced by the decrease in mean SE from 95% to

10 60% The width of the second zone is preferably greater than 1 mm, preferably approximately 1.5 mm or approximately 2 mm. Although envelope C showed good results, exhibiting an average SE of 45%, the best results were provided by envelope D, which exhibited an average SE of 20%.

It should be noted that envelope D, which has a striped region comprising first, second,

15 third, fourth and fifth and which showed the best results, had first and fourth zones of 1 mm of greater permeability. Unlike it, envelope B, with a scratched region comprising only first, second and third zones, with a second 1 mm zone of greater permeability, did not give such good results. Thus, envelopes with striped regions comprising only first, second and third zones preferably have wider areas of greater permeability (i.e., approximately 1.5 mm or

20 approximately 2 mm) than the areas of greatest permeability of envelopes that have striped regions that comprise first, second, third, fourth and fifth zones.

The terms and phrases used in this document should not be interpreted with mathematical or geometric precision, but that geometric terminology should be interpreted as having a meaning close to or similar to

25 geometric terms and concepts. Terms such as "generally" are intended both to encompass precise meanings of the associated terms and concepts and to provide reasonable freedom that is consistent with form, function and / or meaning.

Although different embodiments have been described, it should be understood that variations and

30 modifications, as will be apparent to those with experience in the art. For example, the embodiments are described as having slits of 1 mm to 2 mm in width; Other embodiments could be constructed with slits 1 mm to 3 mm wide. These variations and modifications should be considered within the scope and scope of the claims attached to this document.

Claims (18)

one.

A wrapper of an article for smoker, comprising:

a base sheet (100); and at least one transverse striped region (10) (20) (30) comprising first (11) (21) (31), second (12) (22) (32) and third (13) (23) (33) zones ), said first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) areas comprising additional material, which reduces the permeability of said envelope, said first and third zones being separated by said second zone (12) (22) (32), said envelope having greater permeability along said second zone (12) (22) (32) than along said first zones (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33), said second zone having a width less than the width of any of said first and third zones, characterized in that the additional material is uniform across each of the first zones ( 11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33); each of said first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones has a width of from 2 mm to 5 mm such that if any of the aforementioned first and third zones are apply separately to wrappers for smokers, smokers items would exhibit total burning and would not substantially exhibit any incidence of self-extinguishing under free burning conditions; the sum of said widths of the aforementioned first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones is such that if the first and third zones were applied to wrappers of smoking articles as a single continuous band, the smoking articles would not substantially exhibit any incidence of total and self-extinguished burning under conditions of free burning, so that lit smoking articles comprising said first (11) (21) (31), second (12) zones ( 22) (32) and third (13) (23) (33) exhibit reduced incidences of auto-shutdown under free-burn conditions, compared to smoking articles comprising envelopes on which the first and third zones are applied as a single continuous band, while substantially no incidence of total burning is maintained.

2.

A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which each of the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones of additional material has a width of 2 mm to 3 mm , preferably about 3 mm.

3.

A casing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second zone (12) (22) (32) has a width of from 1 mm to 2 mm, preferably from about 1 mm to 1.5 mm.

Four.

A wrap according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones have a basis weight in grams per square meter greater than the second zone (12) (22) (32).

5.

A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which the basis weight in grams per square meter of the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones is at least twice the basis weight in grams per square meter of the second zone (12) (22) (32).

6.

A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which the second zone (12) (22) (32) does not comprise any additional material.

7.

A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which the at least one transverse striped region (10) (20) (30) comprises a first printed layer that contacts the base sheet and a second printed layer on the first printed layer .

8.

A wrap according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cross-sectioned region (10) (20) (30) is an occlusive composition with high solids content.

9.

A wrap according to claim 8, wherein the occlusive composition with high solids content has a viscosity at approximately 23 ° C that exceeds approximately 2 mPa · s (200 centipoise) and the viscosity at 40 ° C to 90 ° C is reduced sufficiently to that said composition can be used as gravure printing composition, preferably at about 1 mPa · s (100 cP).

10.

A shell according to any preceding claim, in which the transverse striped regions (10) (20) (30) comprise first (21), third (23) and fifth (25) zones of additional material separated by second zones (22 ) and fourth (24) with no additional material or with lower levels.

eleven.

A shell according to claim 10, wherein the first (21), third (23) and fifth (25) zones have a width of from 2 mm to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

12.

A wrap according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second (22) and fourth (24) zones have a width of from 1 mm to 2 mm.

A casing according to any preceding claim, in which the total weight of additional material for said region (10) (20) (30) transverse striped is from 0.5 g / m2 to 15 g / m2 , preferably from 0.5 g / m2 to 3 g / m2, more preferably from 0.5 g / m2 to 1.5 g / m2. 14. A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which the permeability of the base sheet (100) 10 exceeds 20 CORESTA, preferably from 33 CORESTA to 60 CORESTA. 15. A wrap according to any preceding claim, in which the base weight of the base sheet (100) is from 22 g / m2 to 30 g / m2. 16. A wrap according to any preceding claim, wherein the permeability of the transverse striped regions (10) (20) (30) and the underlying cigarette paper (100) is from 0 to 15 CORESTA. 17. A method of manufacturing a striped envelope according to any preceding claim comprising: supply a base sheet (100); Y forming at least one region (10) (20) (30) transverse striped comprising first zones (11) (21) (31), second (12) (22) (32) and third (13) (23) (33) on the base sheet; in which the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones are outside the second zone 25 (12) (22) (32), in which the second zone (12) (22) (32) has a greater permeability than the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) zones ) (33), in which the width of the second zone (12) (22) (32) is smaller than the widths of the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) ( 33), characterized in that 30 the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones are formed so that the additional material is uniform across each of the first and third zones and because the first zones (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) are shaped so that each of the first and third zones has a width of from 2 mm to 5 mm so that if any of the aforementioned first and third zones will be applied separately to smokers items wraps, articles for 35 smokers would exhibit total burn and would not substantially exhibit any incidence of auto-shutdown under free burn conditions. 18. A method according to claim 17 comprising forming at least the first zones (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) by printing a first printed layer of additional material on the base sheet 40 (100). 19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the at least one transverse striped region (10) (20) (30) is formed by printing an occlusive material on the base sheet (100). A method according to claim 18, wherein the printing comprises: heat the occlusive material; apply the heated occlusive material to a gravure cylinder carved according to a pattern; contacting the advancing envelope with the gravure cylinder carved according to a pattern; Y 50 gel the occlusive material by contact with the surface of the envelope so that the occlusive material does not break the flatness of the envelope. 21. A method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein at least the first (11) (21) (31) and third (13) (23) (33) zones are formed from a material Additional free of fillings.