ES2512017T3 - Smoking item with improved flow restriction element - Google Patents

Abstract

An article (10) for smoking comprising: a bar of smokable material (12); a filter (14) comprising a flow restriction element (26, 26 ') attached to the bar of smokable material (12), wherein the flow restriction element (26, 26') comprises a first tubular part (30 , 30 ') integrated upstream; a second tubular part (32, 32 ') integrated downstream, substantially of the same outside diameter as the first tubular part (30, 30'); a centrally integrated third tubular part (34, 34 '), located between the first and second tubular portions 30, 30'; 32, 32 '), the third tubular part (34, 34') having a reduced outer diameter compared to the first and second tubular parts (30, 30 '; 32, 32'); and a transverse barrier (36, 36 ') having at least one hole (38, 38') disposed therein, the transverse barrier (36, 36 ') being disposed between a first upstream cavity (40, 40'), defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the first tubular part (30, 30 ') and a second downstream cavity (42, 42'), defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the second tubular part (32, 32 ' ); and a ventilation zone in communication with the second cavity (42, 42 ') in a place along the filter (14).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Smoking item with improved flow restriction element

In various jurisdictions, there are regulations that stipulate the maximum contributions of carbon monoxide, tar and nicotine from cigarettes.

It is known to provide cigarettes and other smoking articles with wraps that have low permeability, in order to reduce the lateral flow smoke generated while smoking it. However, although the lateral flow smoke is advantageously reduced, the inclusion of a low permeability envelope can disadvantageously increase the carbon monoxide contributions and therefore the carbon monoxide to tar ratios of the smoke generated by the main flow generated by Such items for smoking.

Although ventilation can be used to reduce the delivery of carbon monoxide and tar, high levels of ventilation can, disadvantageously, result in unacceptably low levels of suction resistance (RTD). Moreover, since ventilation reduces the delivery of both the gas phase and the particle phase, it has little effect on the carbon monoxide to tar ratios.

For example, the inclusion of one or more high density cellulose acetate filter segments can be used to increase the overall RTD of smoking articles with low permeability wraps and high levels of ventilation to an acceptable level. However, high density cellulose acetate filter segments typically reduce tar delivery, while having little or no effect on the delivery of carbon monoxide.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a smoking article having a side-flow smoke reducing envelope and a carbon monoxide to tar ratio less than or equal to 1.

In accordance with the invention, a smoking article is provided comprising a bar of smokable material, and a filter comprising a flow restriction element attached to the bar of smokable material. The flow restriction element comprises a first upstream integrated tubular part, a second integrated downstream tubular part of external diameter substantially the same as the first tubular part, and a central integrated third tubular part, located between the first and second tubular parts , the third tubular part being of a reduced outer diameter compared to the first and second tubular parts. A transverse barrier is provided that has at least one hole disposed therein between a first upstream cavity defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the first tubular part, and a second downstream cavity defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the second tubular part. A ventilation zone is arranged in communication with the second cavity in a place along the filter.

According to the invention, a flow restriction element is further provided for inclusion in a smoking article, in accordance with the invention, the flow restriction element comprising a first integrated tubular part, a second integrated tubular part, substantially of the same outer diameter as the first tubular part; a central integrated third tubular part located between the first and second tubular parts, the third tubular part being of a reduced outside diameter compared to the first and second tubular parts; a transverse barrier having at least one hole disposed therein between a first cavity, defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the first tubular part and a second cavity defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the second tubular part; and one or more openings in a surface of the second or third tubular parts, in communication with the second cavity.

According to the invention, a filter is also provided for the smoking article comprising a flow restriction element, according to the invention.

Throughout this report, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative positions of the components of the smoking article of the invention, with respect to the smoke direction of the main flow extracted from the bar of smokable material through the filter, while smoking it.

The inclusion of a filter comprising a flow restriction element and a ventilation zone having the characteristics specified above, advantageously allows the production of highly ventilated smoking articles according to the invention, with a desired RTD in which the ratio Carbon monoxide to tar is maintained at an acceptable value. As described in more detail below, this is the case even when the smoke bar of the smoking article comprises a smoke reduction wrap of the lateral flow.

The smoking articles according to the invention with filters that include a flow restriction element with the characteristics specified above, can be advantageously manufactured using existing filter combination and cigarette manufacturing equipment, without the need for significant modification. Due to its shape, the flow restriction element is elastic and can be compressed during the manufacture of filters and smoking articles according to the invention, in particular during the process of joining the filters according to the invention to the bars of smokable material, in order to produce smoking articles in accordance with the

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invention. This advantageously facilitates the manufacture of filters and smoking articles according to the invention, using existing filter combination and cigarette manufacturing equipment.

The reduced external diameter of the third tubular part of the flow restriction element, compared to the first and second tubular parts thereof, advantageously establishes a ventilation zone between the periphery of the filter and the outside of the third tubular part. At the same time, increasing the diameter size of the first and second tubular parts of the flow restriction element, compared to the third tubular part, advantageously provides a reinforcement, so that the filter does not collapse when, for example, the smoking article is held between the fingers of the consumer.

The first cavity upstream of the flow restriction element advantageously allows smoke from the main flow extracted through the bar of smokable material during use, to concentrate around at least one hole in the transverse barrier, before further water is extracted down through the at least one hole. In addition, the first upstream cavity helps prevent blocking of at least one hole while smoking.

The number of holes provided in the transverse barrier and the dimensions thereof can be selected in order to achieve a desired RTD and a carbon monoxide to tar ratio. Preferably, the transverse barrier comprises a single hole; more preferably, a single substantially central hole. When the transverse barrier comprises a single substantially central hole, the hole is preferably between about 0.4 mm and about 0.8 mm in diameter, and more preferably, about 0.6 mm in diameter.

Preferably, the at least one hole is between about 0.2 mm and about 1 mm in length; more preferably about 0.7 mm in length. Throughout memory, the term "length" is used to indicate the longitudinal direction dimension of the smoking article. The length of the at least one hole is equal to the thickness of the transverse barrier.

Preferably, the at least one hole has a size such that it contributes to a sufficient pressure drop, so that the smoking article has an RTD between about 30 mm WG (water column) and about 120 WG, more preferably of at least about 40 mm WG.

The smoke impermeable cross barrier can have any suitable shape. For example, the transverse barrier may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. Alternatively, the transverse barrier may be conical and convergent or divergent with respect to the smoke direction of the main flow extracted from the bar of smokable material through the filter. In yet other embodiments, the transverse barrier may be concave or convex with respect to the smoke direction of the main flow extracted from the bar of smokable material through the filter. Preferably, the transverse barrier is concave with respect to the smoke direction of the main flow extracted from the bar of smokable material through the filter. This advantageously facilitates the compression of the flow restriction element during the manufacture of filters and smoking articles according to the invention, in particular during the process of joining the filters according to the invention to the bars of smokable material, with the in order to produce smoking articles according to the invention.

The second cavity downstream of the flow restriction element advantageously allows the smoke from the main flow, extracted through one or more holes arranged in the transverse barrier, to mix with the air extracted through the ventilation zone, before be drawn to the mouth of the consumer.

The ventilation zone provides ventilation of the main flow smoke extracted from the bar of smokable material in the second cavity of the filter flow restriction element, that is, in a place downstream of the at least one orifice of the transverse barrier of the element of flow restriction. Preferably, ventilation is not provided upstream of the at least one hole of the transverse barrier. The provision of ventilation only downstream of the at least one hole advantageously limits the extent to which a consumer may attempt to aim harder at the smoking article during a blow. As the flow rate of a blow increases, the pressure drop in the flow restriction element increases more rapidly, as compared to the smoking article comprising a conventional cellulose acetate filter. Therefore, a consumer who breathes harder during a blowout results in an increase in smoke ventilation from the main flow rather than an increase in the supply of smoke from the main flow. In addition, the provision of ventilation only downstream of the at least one orifice of the transverse wall of the flow restriction element advantageously separates the functions of the ventilation zone and the at least one orifice (ventilation levels and RTD, respectively).

Preferably, the filter is attached to the bar of smokable material by means of a band of smoking paper substantially impermeable to air. Preferably, the ventilation zone comprises at least one circumferential row of perforations arranged along a part of the smoking paper, more preferably at least one circumferential row of perforations arranged along a part of the smoking paper superimposed on the third tubular part of the flow restriction element.

Preferably, the at least one circumferential row of perforations is located at least 12 mm from the mouthpiece of the smoking article.

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The perforations in the smoking paper can be done before or during the construction of the smoking article, using conventional techniques. For example, perforations in cigarette paper can be created using online laser drilling, mechanical drilling, or electrostatic drilling. Preferably, the smoking paper is previously perforated.

In one embodiment, the first cavity of the flow restriction element is at least partially defined by an inner periphery of the first and second tubular parts of the flow restriction element, and the second cavity of the flow restriction element is defined at least partially through an inner periphery of the second tubular part of the flow restriction element.

In this embodiment, one or more openings are preferably arranged in a transverse end surface upstream of the second tubular part, which form a communication path between the second cavity and the at least one circumferential row of perforations of the ventilation zone . More preferably, a plurality of substantially spaced circumferentially spaced openings are disposed on a transverse end surface upstream of the second tubular part that form a communication path between the second cavity and the at least one circumferential row of perforations in the area of ventilation. For example, twelve substantially spaced openings equally circumferentially can be arranged on the transverse end surface upstream of the second tubular part extending radially outwardly from the third tubular part.

Preferably, the one or more openings have a diameter of between about 0.3 mm and about 0.8 mm, more preferably about 0.5 mm.

In an alternative embodiment, the first cavity of the flow restriction element is at least partially defined by an inner periphery of the first tubular part of the flow restriction element, and the second cavity of the flow restriction element is defined at less partially by an inner periphery of the second and third tubular parts of the flow restriction element.

In this embodiment, one or more openings are preferably arranged in a circumferential surface of the third tubular part, which form a communication path between the second cavity and the at least one circumferential row of perforations of the ventilation zone. For example, a pair of opposite elongated openings can be arranged on the circumferential surface upstream of the third tubular part.

Preferably, the smoking articles according to the invention have a ventilation level of between about 50 percent and about 90 percent, more preferably between about 60 percent and about 80 percent, and most preferably , about 70 percent.

The flow restriction element may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. Suitable materials from which the flow restriction element can be formed include, but is not limited to, plastic (for example polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester and polyurethane), cellulose material and combination or compounds thereof.

Preferably, the flow restriction element is made of biodegradable material, more preferably of a biodegradable polymeric material. Suitable biodegradable polymeric materials are known in the art and commercially available under the brand name Mater-Bi® from Novamont in Novara, Italy, and under the trade names Ecoflex® and Ecovio® from BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Preferably, the flow restriction element is a single piece, and more preferably a single injection molded part.

Preferably, the flow restriction element is between about 10 mm and about 20 mm in length, more preferably between about 12 mm and about 14 mm in length, and most preferably about 13 mm in length.

Preferably, the first tubular part of the flow restriction element is at least about 4 mm in length and more preferably about 5 mm in length.

Preferably, the second tubular part of the flow restriction element is at least about 3 mm in length and most preferably about 3.5 mm in length.

Preferably, the third tubular part of the flow restriction element is at least about 3 mm in length and most preferably about 3.5 mm in length.

Preferably, the transverse barrier is at least about 1 mm, more preferably at least about 1.5 mm from the downstream end of the second tubular part of the flow restriction element.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the first and second tubular parts of the flow restriction element is between about 6 mm and about 9 mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and about 8.4 mm, and most preferably between around 7.5 and around 7.9 mm.

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Preferably, the outer diameter of the third tubular part of the flow restriction element is between about 4 mm and about 7.5 mm, more preferably between about 4.5 mm and about 6.8 mm, and most preferable between about 4.5 mm and about 5.5 mm.

The filter may further comprise one or more filter segments upstream of the flow restriction element. Alternatively, or in addition, the filter may also comprise one or more filter segments downstream of the flow restriction element. In a preferred embodiment, the filter further comprises a first filter segment upstream of the flow restriction element and a second filter segment downstream of the flow restriction element. Preferably, the first and second filter segments are between about 5 mm and about 12 mm in length, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 8 mm in length, and most preferably about 7 mm in length.

When the filter comprises one or more filter segments upstream of the flow restriction element and one or more filter segments downstream of the flow restriction element, the upstream and downstream filter segments may be the same or different. For example, the filter may comprise a pair of identical segments of cellulose acetate tow, arranged on each side of the flow restriction element. Alternatively, the filter may comprise a cellulose acetate tow plug upstream of the flow restriction element and a hollow tube, for example of paper, card stock or cellulose acetate downstream of the flow restriction element.

Preferably, the one or more filter segments comprise filtering material of low particle phase filtration efficiency. Preferably, the particle phase filtration efficiency of each or more segments of the filter is less than about 30 percent, more preferably less than about 20 percent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a first low efficiency filter segment of the particle phase, upstream of the flow restriction element, and a second low efficiency filter segment of the phase filter of particles, downstream of the flow restriction element.

The one or more filter segments may comprise cellulose material, such as a cellulose acetate tow or other suitable fibrous filter material of low filtration efficiency. When the one or more filter segments comprise a cellulose acetate tow, the denier per filament and the total denier of the tow can be selected, in order to achieve a desired filtration efficiency and RTD of the particle phase. Preferably, the cellulose acetate tow has a denier per filament of about 8 or greater, and a total denier of about 28,000 or less.

Preferably, the flow restriction element and, when present, one or more filtering elements, are circumscribed by means of a coating wrapping band. In one embodiment, the flow restriction element and one or more filter segments are circumscribed by means of a substantially air impermeable coating band, preferably a coating band or wrap having a permeability of between about 7000 units Coresta and about 20,000 units Coresta. In an alternative embodiment, the flow restriction element and one or more filter segments are circumscribed in a substantially air permeable liner wrap band.

Preferably, the coating wrapping band is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular part of the flow restriction element. More preferably, the lining shell is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular part of the flow restriction element, so that it establishes a substantially air tight seal on the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular part. More preferably, the coating wrapping band is fixed to the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second tubular parts of the flow restriction element.

When the filter comprises a filter segment upstream of the flow restriction element, the coating wrap band is preferably fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the filter segment upstream. More preferably, the lining shell is fixed to the outer circumferential surfaces of the first upstream filter segment and the first tubular part of the flow restriction element, so that a substantially air tight seal is established on the outer surface of the first tubular part of the flow restriction element.

When the filter comprises a filter segment downstream of the flow restriction element, the coating wrap band is preferably fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the filter segment downstream.

The coating wrapping band may be attached to the flow restriction element and to one or more filter segments, using for example an adhesive. An air tight seal can be obtained between the coating wrapping band and the first tubular part of the flow restriction element, by using an adhesive that offers good cohesion and high surface tack. Suitable adhesives are known in the art and are commercially available under the trademark Adhesin of Henkel, Düsseldorf, Germany.

As stated above, the filter comprising the coating wrapping band is fixed

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preferably to the bar of smokable material by means of a band of smoking paper substantially impermeable to air.

When the filter comprises a substantially air impermeable liner wrap band, the ventilation zone preferably comprises at least one circumferential row of perforations arranged along a portion of the smoking paper and the liner wrap that are formed online during the manufacture of the smoking article.

When the filter comprises a substantially air-permeable liner wrapping band, the filter is preferably fixed to the bar of smokable material by means of a previously perforated smoking paper web, comprising at least one circumferential row of perforations.

The RTD of smoking articles according to the invention can be adjusted using the previously perforated smoking paper and the air permeable coating wrap. The at least one orifice of the flow restriction element may have a size such that it allows substantially all of the ventilation air that, during use, flows through the perforations of the smoking paper and the air permeable lining envelope , flow into the second cavity downstream. Furthermore, by providing perforations in a part of the smoking paper superimposed on the third tubular part of the flow restriction element, and therefore of the ventilation zone, and by separating the ventilation zone from the second downstream cavity, where the main flow smoke extracted from the bar of smokable material is mixed with the ventilation air, the main flow smoke does not flow upstream and exits through the perforations of the smoking paper. The ventilation levels of the smoking articles according to the invention can then advantageously vary by means of the use of different previously perforated smoking papers or lining wraps with different levels of porosity or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the filter has an overall length of between about 20 mm and about 34 mm, more preferably between about 25 mm and about 30 mm, and most preferably, about 27 mm.

Preferably, the filters of the smoking articles according to the invention have an encapsulated global RTD of between about 250 mm of WG and about 350 mm of WG, more preferably between about 275 mm of WG and 325 mm of WG.

Preferably, the smoking articles according to the invention have an encapsulated RTD of at least about 30 mm of WG and more preferably of at least about 40 mm of WG.

Preferably, the bar of smokable material comprises tobacco circumscribed by a wrapper, more preferably fine tobacco bite circumscribed by a wrapper.

Preferably, the bar of smokable material comprises a wrap which results in the production of reduced amounts of side-flow smoke. Side-flow smoke reducing wraps suitable for use in smoking articles according to the invention and the methods for producing such wraps are well known in the art and are described, for example, in US-A-5,152. 304.

Preferably, the wrap has a high base weight and a low permeability. More preferably the wrapper is of the type described in US-A-5,152,304.

Preferably, the wrapper has a basis weight of at least about 35 g / m2, more preferably a basis weight of between about 35 g / m2 and about 60 g / m2, and most preferably a basis weight of between about 40 g / m2 and about 50 g / m2.

Preferably, the wrapper has a permeability of about 18 Coresta units or less, more preferably between about 4 Coresta units and about 18 Coresta units, and most preferably, between about 5 Coresta units and about 8 Coresta units.

Preferably, the envelope comprises a filler, more preferably an inorganic filler, and most preferably calcium carbonate. Preferably, the wrap has a filler load of between about 20 percent and about 50 percent by weight, more preferably, about 40 percent by weight.

Preferably, the envelope further comprises a burn modifier. More preferably, the envelope comprises between 0.3 percent and 5 percent by weight of a burn modifier. Suitable burn modifiers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, acid salts of inorganic or organic acids, including monobasic potassium and sodium salts of polyvalent inorganic acids (such as phosphoric, pyrophosphoric, boric acids , and sulfuric) and mono-potassium and sodium salts of carboxylic acids (such as citric, succinic and fumaric acids), compounds that thermally decompose to generate acidic species in situ, including salts of polyvalent acids with at least one labile proton , various esters that are acidic precursors, including phosphate esters (such as the potassium salt of α-Dglucose-1-phosphate) and combinations thereof. Preferably, the burn modifier is an acidic salt, more preferably a monobasic potassium phosphate.

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Preferably, the smoking articles according to the invention have a ratio of carbon monoxide to tar less than or equal to 1.

Preferably, the smoking articles according to the invention have a total dry matter of nicotine-free particles (NFDPM) or tar delivery of between about 3 mg and about 12 mg.

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a smoking article in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with the smoking paper and the wrapper cover partially unwrapped to expose the internal components of the filter;

Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the filter of the smoking article of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flow restriction element of the smoking article filter of Figure 2 along line A-A (illustrated by a dotted line in Figure 2);

Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smoking article filter, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Y

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flow restriction element of the filter of the smoking article of Figure 4, along the line B-B (illustrated with dotted line in Figure 3).

The smoking article 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical tobacco bar 12 and a filter 14. The filter 14 is attached to the tobacco bar 12 by means of a band of smoking paper 16, which circumscribes the filter 14 and an adjacent part of the tobacco bar 12, which comprises a load of fine tobacco bite 18 circumscribed by a wrapper 20 of paper of high base weight and low permeability.

The filter 14 comprises a first segment 22 of contiguous filter and resting on the tobacco bar 12, a second filter segment 24 on the mouthpiece of the article 10 for smoking and a flow restriction element 26 of a single piece molded by injection, disposed between the first filter segment 22 and the second filter segment 24. The first and second filter segments 22, 24 are preferably low efficiency particle cellulose acetate toothed filter segments.

The first and second filter elements 22 and 24 and the flow restriction element 26 are circumscribed in a coating wrapping band 28.

As illustrated in more detail in Figure 2, the flow restriction element 26, which is preferably formed of biodegradable polymeric material, includes a first tubular part 30 integrated upstream, contiguously and resting on the first filter segment 22, a second downstream integrated tubular part 32, of substantially the same external diameter as the first tubular part 30, which is contiguous and rests on the second filter segment 24, and a centrally integrated third tubular part 34, of reduced external diameter in comparison with the first and second tubular parts 30, 32 and located between them. The coating envelope 28 is fixed to the circumferential outer surface of the first filter segment 22 and the first tubular part 30 of the flow restriction element 26, by means of an adhesive (not shown) to form a substantially air tight seal on the outer surface of the first tubular part 30 of the flow restriction element 26.

Due to the reduced external diameter of the third tubular part 34, in comparison with the first and second tubular parts 30, 32, the inner surface of the lining shell 28 is separated from the circumferential outer surface of the third tubular part 34, as illustrated in Fig. 2. As described in more detail below, the space between the lining envelope 28 and the overlapping band portion of smoking paper 16 and the circumferential outer surface of the third tubular part 34 forms a ventilation zone.

The flow restriction element 26 further comprises a transverse barrier 36 with a single central hole 38 of reduced diameter provided therein. As illustrated in Figure 2, the transverse barrier 36 is disposed between a first upstream cavity 40, which is at least partially defined by the internal peripheries of the first and third tubular portions 30, 34 of the flow restriction element 26, and a second downstream cavity 42, which is at least partially defined by the inner periphery of the second tubular part 32 of the flow restriction element.

One or more circumferential rows of perforations 44 (illustrated by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2) are arranged along a part of the smoking paper 16 and the lining envelope 28 which overlaps the third tubular part 34 of flow restriction element 26. As illustrated in Figure 3, a plurality of openings 46 substantially circumferentially equally spaced, are disposed on the transverse end surface upstream of the second tubular part 32, which extends radially outwardly around the third tubular part

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34. These openings 46 form a communication path between the one or more circumferential rows of perforations 44 arranged in the smoking paper 16 and in the lining envelope 28 and in the second cavity 42, as illustrated in Figure 2.

During use, the smoke from the main flow of the tobacco bar 12 of the smoking article 10 is extracted downstream through the first segment 22 of the filter 44 and into the first cavity 40 of the flow restriction element 26. The smoke from the main flow extracted to the first cavity 40 is concentrated around the central hole 38 of the transverse barrier 36 of the flow restriction element 26, before being further drawn downstream through the central hole 38 towards the second cavity 42 of the flow restriction element 26.

The ventilation air is also drawn into the second cavity 42, through one or more circumferential rows of perforations 44 in the smoking paper 16 and in the lining envelope 28 and in the plurality of openings substantially substantially circumferentially separated, arranged in the transverse final surface upstream of the second tubular part 32. The smoke from the main flow extracted through the central hole 38 in the transverse barrier 36, is mixed with the ventilation air of the second cavity 42, before being extracted further downstream through the second filter segment 24.

During use, the wrapper 20 of high base weight paper and low permeability of the tobacco bar 12 advantageously reduces the smoke from the lateral flow generated by the article 10 for smoking in the known manner.

The smoking article according to the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, is of a construction and design quite similar to those of article 10 for smoking according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. Similar reference numerals in Figures 4 and 5 are used for the characteristics of the smoking article according to the second embodiment of the invention, which correspond to the characteristics of the smoking article according to with the first embodiment of the invention described above.

The only differences between article 10 for smoking according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and the article for smoking according to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 , are the places of the openings that form a communication path between the one

or more circumferential rows of perforations in the smoking paper and the lining envelope and the second cavity, and the place of the transverse barrier of the flow restriction element.

As illustrated in Figure 4, in the flow restriction element 26 of the filter 14 of the smoking article according to the second embodiment of the invention, the transverse barrier 36 'is disposed between a first cavity 40' upstream , which is defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the first tubular part 30 'of the flow restriction element 26, and a second cavity 42' downstream, which is at least partially defined by the inner peripheries of the second and third tubular parts 32 ', 34' of the flow restriction element 26 '.

In the second embodiment, a pair of elongated opposite openings 46 'are provided, which form a communication path between the one or more circumferential rows of perforations 44 in the smoking paper 16 and the liner envelope 28 and the second cavity 42 ', on the circumferential surface of the third tubular part 34' of the flow restriction element 26, as illustrated in Figure 5.

During use, the ventilation air is drawn into the second cavity 42 'through the one or more circumferential rows of perforations 44 in the smoking paper 16 and in the lining envelope 28 and the pair of opposite elongated openings 46' arranged on the circumferential surface of the third tubular part 34 ', where it is mixed with the smoke from the main flow extracted through the central hole 38' of the transverse barrier 36 '.

The tobacco bars 12 of the smoking articles according to the first and second embodiments of the invention can be constructed using conventional equipment for manufacturing the cigarette bars, where the tobacco sting 18 is formed in the air as a continuous bar on a transmission belt and are wrapped with a continuous wrapping tape 20 of high base weight paper and low permeability, which is then glued along its longitudinal seam.

The filters 14 of the smoking articles according to the first and second embodiments of the invention can also be constructed using existing high speed filter bar manufacturing equipment, using known combination techniques.

The filters 14 and the tobacco bars 12 can then be combined and joined together by fixing the smoking paper band 16 around the filter 14 and the contiguous part of the tobacco bar 12, using the existing machinery used to attach filters to tobacco bars during the production of known filter cigarettes.

Table 1 provides the sucking count, total amounts of nicotine in the huma (SN), the tar and carbon monoxide (CO) and the CO / tar and CO / SN ratios for a first cigarette (cigarette A) constructed according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in which the first and

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second filter segment are low efficiency particle cellulose acetate bast caps; a second cigarette (cigarette B) according to the invention of construction practically identical to that of cigarette A, but in which the second filter segment is replaced by a hollow cylindrical tube of cellulose acetate tow; and a third cigarette (cigarette C) according to the invention of construction practically identical to the

5 of cigarette A, but in which the wrap of high base weight and low permeability of the tobacco stick is replaced by a wrap of paper of conventional base weight and permeability.

For comparison purposes, Table 1 also provides the suck count, total amounts of nicotine in smoke (SN), tar and carbon monoxide (CO) and CO / tar and CO / SN ratios for three cigarettes that are not in accordance with the invention and that have conventional tow acetate filters of

10 cellulose Two of the cigarettes have tobacco bars with high base weight and low permeability wraps (cigarettes D and E) and one of the cigarettes has a tobacco bar with a conventional base weight and permeability wrap (cigarette F).

Table 1

Cigarette

TO

B C D AND F

Tobacco Bar

Length (mm)

57 57 57 57 57 57

Base weight of the envelope (g / m2)

Four. Five Four. Five 25 Four. Five Four. Five 25

Sheath permeability (Coresta units)

6 6 56 6 6 56

Filter

Overall Length (mm)

27 27 27 27 27 27

Resistance to extraction (mm WG)

298 298 298 65 67 108

Ventilation (percentage)

71 70 70 53 39 46

Length of the first segment of the filter

7 7 7 27 27 27

Flow restriction element length

13 13 13 - - -

Length of the second segment of the filter

7 7 7 - - -

Denier per filament of the cellulose acetate tow of each filter segment

8Y 8Y 8Y 5.5Y 5.5Y 2,5Y

Total denier of the cellulose acetate tow of each filter segment

28,000 28,000 28,000 35,000 35,000 37,000

Flow Restriction Element Length

13 13 13 - - -

Cigarette

Resistance to extraction (mm WG)

42 33 44 71 82 109

SN (mg / cigarette)

0.49 0.58 0.49 0.63 0.76 0.56

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Tar (mg / cigarette)

5.09 5.90 4.46 7.00 8.90 5.98

CO (mg / cigarette)

4.12 4.03 2.95 9.30 12.80 7.03

Sucking account (number / cigarette)

7.60 7.33 6.95 7.60 7.00 7.50

CO / Tar

0.8 0.7 0.7 1.3 1.4 1.2

CO / SN

8.4 6.9 6.0 14.8 16.8 12.6

As illustrated in Table 1, for cigarettes that have the inclusion of conventional filters with a cellulose acetate tow of high base weight and low permeability (cigarettes D and E), this leads to an increase in the contribution of carbon monoxide. In addition, although increasing the level of ventilation of cigarettes that have

5 conventional filters with a wrap of cellulose acetate with a high base weight and low permeability (cigarettes D and E), the contribution of carbon monoxide is significantly reduced, the ratio of carbon monoxide to tar is not significantly affected.

In contrast to cigarettes having conventional cellulose acetate bast filters, cigarettes according to the invention (cigarettes A, B and C) all have carbon monoxide to tar ratios 10 of less than 1.0. In particular, as illustrated in Table 1, the sucking count and the contributions of nicotine in smoke (SN) and tar in the cigarette according to the invention, which has a high base weight and low permeability envelope and a second filter segment consisting of a hollow cylindrical tube of cellulose acetate tow (cigarette B), are very similar to those of a cigarette having a cellulose acetate filter and a conventional high base weight and permeability envelope (cigarette F). However, despite the inclusion of

15 a side-flow smoke reducing envelope, the contribution of carbon monoxide and the ratios of carbon monoxide to tar and carbon monoxide to nicotine in cigarette smoke B are advantageously significantly reduced compared to cigarette F.

The invention has been exemplified above with respect to smoking articles comprising filters with a first and second filter segments comprising cellulose acetate tow plugs. But nevertheless,

It will be appreciated that the smoking articles according to the invention may comprise filters with one or more filter segments comprising other materials such as paper (for example, filter paper or carbon paper), cardboard, plastic (for example , polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester or polyurethane), biopolymers and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, although the invention has been exemplified above with respect to smoking articles that

25 comprise filters with flow restriction elements comprising transverse barriers substantially with a single central hole disposed therein, it will be appreciated that the smoking articles according to the invention may comprise filters comprising transverse barriers with a single non-central hole or with two or more holes arranged in them.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty E10725969 06-10-2014 1. An article (10) for smoking comprising: a bar of smokable material (12); a filter (14) comprising a flow restriction element (26, 26 ’) attached to the bar of smokable material (12), where the flow restriction element (26, 26’) comprises a first tubular part (30, 30 ’) integrated upstream; a second tubular part (32, 32 ’) integrated downstream, substantially of the same outside diameter as the first tubular part (30, 30’); a centrally integrated tubular third part (34, 34 ’), located between the first and second tubular parts 30, 30’; 32, 32 ’), the third tubular part (34, 34’) having a reduced outer diameter compared to the first and second tubular parts (30, 30 ’; 32, 32’); Y a transverse barrier (36, 36 ') having at least one hole (38, 38') disposed therein, the transverse barrier (36, 36 ') being arranged between a first upstream cavity (40, 40'), defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the first tubular part (30, 30 ') and a second downstream cavity (42, 42'), defined at least partially by an inner periphery of the second tubular part (32, 32 ') ; Y a ventilation zone in communication with the second cavity (42, 42 ’) in a place along the filter (14).

2.

An article (10) for smoking according to claim 1, wherein the transverse barrier (36, 36 ') has a single substantially central hole (38, 38') having a diameter between 0.4 mm and 0, 8 mm arranged in it.

3.

An article (10) for smoking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter (14) is attached to the bar of smokable material (12) by means of a paper band (16) for smoking, and the area The vent comprises at least one circumferential row of perforations (44) arranged along the smoking paper (16) that overlaps the third tubular part (34, 34 ') of the flow restriction element (26, 26') .

Four.

A smoking article (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first cavity (40) of the flow restriction element (26) is at least partially defined by an internal periphery of the first and third tubular parts (30, 3. 4).

5.

An article for smoking according to claim 4, wherein one or more openings (46) are arranged in a transverse end surface upstream of the second tubular part (32) forming a communication path between the second cavity (42) and the at least one circumferential row of perforations (44).

6.

A smoking article according to claim 3, wherein the second cavity (42 ') of the flow restriction element (26') is at least partially defined by an inner periphery of the second and third tubular parts (32 ', 3. 4').

7.

An article for smoking according to claim 6, wherein one or more openings (46 ') are arranged on a circumferential surface of the third tubular part (34) that form a communication path between the second cavity (42') and the at least one circumferential row of perforations (44).

8.

An article (10) for smoking, according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter (14) further includes a first filter segment (22) upstream of the flow restriction element (26, 26 ’), and a second segment

(24) filter downstream of the flow restriction element (26, 26 ’).

9.

An article (10) for smoking, according to any preceding claim, wherein the envelope (20) has a basis weight of between 35 g / m2 and 60 g / m2, a bite load of between 20 percent and 50 weight percent, a permeability between 2 Coresta units and 18 Coresta units, and between 0.3 percent and 5 percent by weight of a burn modifier.

10.

A smoking article (10) according to any preceding claim, which has a ventilation level of at least about 50 percent, preferably at least about 60%.

eleven.

A smoking article (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow restriction element (26, 26 ’) is at least about 10 mm in length, more preferably at least about 13 mm in length.

12.

An article (10) for smoking, according to any preceding claim, wherein the transverse barrier (36, 36 ') is concave with respect to the direction of the smoke from the main flow extracted from the bar of smokable material (12) through the filter (14).

13.

An article (10) for smoking, according to any preceding claim, wherein the number of

eleven E10725969 06-10-2014 holes (38, 38 ’) arranged in the transverse barrier (36, 36’) and their dimensions, in order to achieve a ratio of carbon monoxide to tar less than or equal to 1. 14. A flow restriction element (26, 26 ’) for inclusion in the smoking article (10) according to any preceding claim, the flow restriction element comprising: 5 an integrated first tubular part (30, 30 ’); a second integrated tubular part (32, 32 ’) of outer diameter substantially equal to that of the first tubular part (30, 30’); a centrally integrated third tubular part (34, 34 '), located between the first and second tubular parts (30, 30'; 32, 32 '), the third tubular part (34, 34') having a reduced outer diameter in comparison with the first and 10 second tubular parts (30, 30 ’; 32, 32’); a transverse barrier (36, 36 ') having at least one hole (38, 38') disposed therein, the transverse barrier (36, 36 ') being arranged between a first cavity (40, 40'), defined at least partially by an internal periphery of the first tubular part (30, 30 '), and a second cavity (42, 42'), defined at least partially by an internal periphery of the second tubular part (32, 32 '); Y 15 one or more openings in a surface of the second or third tubular parts (32, 34 ’) in communication with the second cavity (42, 42’). 15. A filter (14) for a smoking article (10), comprising a flow restriction element (26, 26 ’) according to claim 14. 12