GB2507479A

GB2507479A - Smoking article

Info

Publication number: GB2507479A
Application number: GB1217891.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Fawcus; Karl Kaljura; Stuart Dunlop
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-05
Filing date: 2012-10-05
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: GB201217891D0

Abstract

A smoking article 100 comprises one or more rod articles 110, 111 and an inner layer 113 extending around the rod articles. An outer layer 125 extends around the inner layer and the inner and outer layers are formed by a composite sheet of material 213, 225 wrapped around the rod articles. At least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer. Preferably the inner layer 113 and the outer layer 125 each include a separation line 136,138. An indexing mechanism may be attached to an inner surface of the inner layer. Also disclosed is a blank for wrapping around one or more rod articles to form the smoking article and a method of manufacturing the smoking article. Advantageously the relative movement between the inner and outer layers controls a property of the smoking article, such as an amount of ventilation or a limit on the amount of rotation or movement between the inner and outer layers.

Description

A smoking article

Technical Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to a smoking article, a blank for forming a smoking article, and a method of manufacturing a smoking article.

Background

US 4,699,158 describes a smoking article in which a ventilation can be controlled by rotation of a part of the smoking article.

Summary

An embodiment of the invention provides, in a first aspect, a smoking article comprising: one or more rod articles, an inner layer extending around the rod articles, an outer layer extending around the inner layer, wherein the inner and outer layers are formed by a composite sheet of material wrapped around the rod articles; and wherein at least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer.

An embodinient of the invenLion provides, in a second aspect, a blank for wrappig around one or more rod articles to form a smoking article, the blank comprising: an inner layer for extending around the rod articles, an outer layer for extending around the inner layer, wherein the inner and outer layers are formed by a composite sheet of material for wrapping around the rod articles; wherein at least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer.

An embodiment of the invention provides, in a third aspect, a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising: providing one or more rod articles, wrapping a blank around the rod articles, wherein the blank is wrapped to form an inner layer extending around the rod articles, and an outer layer extending around the inner layer, wherein the blank is a composite sheet of material wrapped around the rod articles, the composite sheet of material forming the inner and outer layers, wherein at least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention wifl now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of a smoking article according to the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a Nank according to the invention.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products (i.e. products in which flavour is generated from a smoking material by the application of heat without causing combustion of the material).

A smoking article formed by an embodiment of the apparatus or method comprises an elongate source of smokable material. In particular, the smokaNe material is tobacco, and is arranged in a cylindrical tobacco rod. One or more fillers or filler secLions are aLiaclied Lo Lhe tobacco rod. The filler or filler sections define a longitudinal axis, which is common to a longitudinal axis of the tobacco rod. As used herein, the term "component of a smoking article" inchides any component part of a smoking article such as a tobacco rod, filter, filter section or mouthpiece, or a combination of these. One or more components of the smoking article are circumscribed by a wrap. The wrap can have the function of one or more of: connecting two components, providing structural support to one or more components, movable relative to another part of the smoking artide to control a property of the smoking article (e.g. ventilation), limit relative movement between first and second parts of the smoking article, or any other function.

Figure 1 shows an exemp'ary smoking artide 100, which may be manufactured according to an embodiment of the apparatus or method. This smoking article is merely an example, and the apparatus and method may be used in the manufacture of different types of smoking articles having a first wrapped layer, and a second wrapped layer circumscribing the first wrapped ayer.

The smoking article 100 comprises a first part comprising a source of smokable material 111. In this example, the smokable material is tobacco, in the form of a tobacco rod. The smoking article 100 further comprises one or more filter sections attached to the source of smokable material 111. The exemplary smoking article comprises a part movable to select a property of the smoking article e.g. a ventilation level. In this example, the movement is a rotation. In some implementations, the smoking article optionally comprises a limiter (limiting mechanism), configured to limit movement to a pre-determined range.

The smoking article comprises a first filter section 112 and a second filter section 114. The first filter section 112 is attached to the source of smokable material to form a single unit. The tobacco rod and first filter section 112 maybe connected with a covering layer to affix the first filter section 112 to the tobacco rod, for example formed of sheet material, e.g. tipping paper, as is known. The tobacco rod and first filter section are referred to as a first part of the smoking article, or as a tobacco unit. The elongate tobacco rod and first filter section define a longitudinal axis of the smoking artide. A rearward direction is defined towards a mouth end of the smoking article, and a forward direction is defined towards a tobacco, or lit, end of the smoking article.

A second part of the smoking article comprises the second filter section 114. The second filter section 114 is co-axial with the first filter section 112, and is located rearwardly of the first filter section 112. The tobacco rod, first filter section 112 and second filter section 114 can be considered as examples of rod articles 110 or a "core" of the smoking article, around which an inner wrap and an outer wrap are wrapped. The smoking article may be formed with one or more rod articles.

The first and/or second filter sections 112,114 are made of a conventional filtration material, e.g. cellulose acetate tow. The first and/or second filter sections 112,114 further comprises a sheet material, for example paper, e.g. plugwrap, which is wrapped around the filtration material. The filtration material and surrounding wrapped sheet material forms an example of a rod article. The inner and outer wraps described are separate and additional to the sheet material wrapped directly around the filtration material or tobacco material, and forming the filter rods or tobacco rod.

The smoking article 100 comprises an inner wrap 113, in the form of a sleeve. The inner wrap 113 is a tube, e.g. a cylindrical tube. The tube extends around the circumference of the tobacco rod iii, first filter section 112 and/or second filter section 114. The inner wrap 113 forms part of the second part of the smoking article.

The tobacco rod and first filter section are dimensioned to rotate as a unit around a longitudinal axis within the inner wrap 113. The inner wrap is also termed the inner layer.

The inner wrap is optionally formed with a separation line 136 which extends substantially circumferentially, for example, in the form of a perforation line. The separation line 136 is a frangible connection between a part of the blank which is movable relative to the other layer, and a part which is not movable. The materia' of the inner wrap is configured to easily break along the separation line 136 into a rearward part iia and a forward part 113b to allow rotation between the first and second parts of the smoking article.

The smoking article 100 further comprises an outer wrap 125. The outer wrap 125 extends around the circumference of the inner wrap 113. The outer wrap 125 is in the form of a tube, e.g. cylindrical tube. The outer wrap 125 is formed from a second blank of sheet material. The outer wrap 125 forms part of the first part of the smoking article. The outer wrap is also termed the outer layer.

In some embodiments, the material forming the outer wrap 125 includes a separation line 138, which extends substantially circumferentially. The material of the outer wrap 125 is configured to easily break along the separation line 138 into a forward part ia and a rearward part 125b. The separation line 138 is a frangible connection between a part of the blank which is movable relative to the other layer, and a part which is not movable. The forward part ia is affixed to the first part of the smoking article, and may be a component of the first part of the smoking article which is rotatable around the second part as described for the outer wrap 125 above.

The rearward part iia maybe affixed to the second filter 114 by a first connection area 150. The forward part 113b may be affixed to the first filter 112 and/or tobacco rod 11 by a second connection area 152.

The forward part 125a may be affixed to the first part of the smoking article by a third connection area 154. In particular, the third connection area 154 may connect the forward part ia of the outer wrap 125 to the forward part 113b of the inner wrap 113. The rearward part 125b of the outer wrap may be affixed to the inner wrap 113 by a fourth connection area i6.

The first, second, third and fourth connection areas 150,152,154,156 comprise adhesive to adhere the adjacent layers together. In some aspects, the inner and outer wraps comprise one or more further areas of adhesive to connect the inner and outer wraps and/or inner wrap and rod articles.

The smoking article may comprise a ventilation system (not shown) configured to allow adjustment of a ventilation of the smoking article. The ventilation system may include one or more ventilation areas, which in turii include venLilaLion apertures and/or air permeable material, in one or each of the first part and second part. For example, when ventilation areas in the inner layer and/or outer layer of sheet material around the first and/or second filter sections are aligned or overlap, air can flow into the body of the first and/or second filter section. The ventilation is selected by selecting a position of the second part relative to the first part to determine an amount of overlap of the ventilation areas.

The embodiment described is an example only of a smoking article having an inner layer and an outer layer around one or more rod articles. The inner and/or outer layers may be configured differently, with tess or more separation lines or adhesive areas. The outer wrap is at least partially arranged around the inner wrap, such that at least part of the inner wrap is radially within the outer wrap.

The inner and outer wraps are generally tubular, and in particular, cylindrical.

Figure 2 shows a blank 200 for forming a smoking article. The blank 200 forms the inner layer 113 and the outer layer 125 of the smoking article 100 shown in Figure 1, and so corresponding features are described.

The blank 200 is a composite material comprising the inner layer 113 and the outer layer 125. The blank 200 is arranged to be wrapped once around the rod articles, such that the inner layer and outer layer are affixed together and attached to the rod articles, as will be explained.

The blank 200 is a composite material comprising two sheets of material affixed together.

The term "composite" is intended to mean formed from two components, i.e. two sheets of material. The sheets of material are formed of any material which can be wrapped around the rod articles into a tubular form, e.g. paper or sheet cellulose acetate. The sheet of composite material is a single piece of sheet material. The inner and outer ayer are affixed together such that the two layers of the sheet material define a single sheet material. The thickness of the composite material is substantially the sum of the thickness of the inner layer of sheet material and outer layer of sheet material. Thus, the inner and outer layer are wrapped around the rod arLicles LogeLher and simullaneously.

The blank 200 comprises an inner layer sheet 213 arranged to form the inner layer of a smoking article. An edge 236 of the blank is arranged to be attached to the one or more rod articles, and wrapped around to circumscribe the rod articles. As shown, the edge 236 at the right is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the rod articles, and attached to the rod articles. The blank 200 has a length to extend around the whole circumference of the rod articles. The blank 200 can extend once around the rod articles. The length of the blank 200 is shown as the length extending horizontally from the edge 236 to edge 239, at an opposite end of the blank to the edge 236.

The blank 200 further comprises an outer layer sheet 225 arranged to form the outer layer of the smoking article. The outer layer extends around the inner layer, and hence also around the rod articles. The outer layer sheet extends from the edge 236 to the edge 239 of the blank, which is the same dimensions as the inner layer sheet. The outer layer sheet 225 also has a length to extend around the whole circumference of the rod articles and inner layer.

The sheets of material 213,225 forming the composite material are laminated together, i.e. their major sides are affixed together. Adhesive is used to affix together the sheets of material. The sheets are affixed together over only a part of their common area. Some parts of the area of the sheets are not affixed, allowing relative movement on separation of that part of the sheet.

The inner layer sheet 213 and outer layer sheet 225 are affixed together to form the composite blank 200, prior to wrapping of either layer around the rod articles. The composite blank is a single piece of sheet material. Thus, the inner and outer layer sheets are handled and wrapped around the rod articles as a single sheet of material. The inner and outer layer sheets are pre-laminated. The blank 200 is wrapped once around the rod articles to form the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layer of the single sheet of materia' are configured to at least partially frangibly detach from each other in use, to modify or control a property of the smoking article, e.g. level of ventilation or maximum extent of movement of parts of the smoking article.

AddiLionally, the blank 200 is dimensioned Lo exLend further than a circumference of the rod articles, and overlap with itself. The longitudinally extending overlap secures the blank 200 as a cylinder around the rod articles.

The outer layer sheet 213, and optionally the inner layer sheet 225 also, is configured to define a forward part 230 and a rearward part 232. In particular, both inner layer sheet and outer layer sheet define a forward part 230 and a rearward part 232. The blank 200 is arranged to split both the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet into a forward part and a rearward part, which are rotatable relative to each other in the smoking article.

The Nank 200 comprises a selection portion 240 formed as an area of the forward part 230 of the outer layer sheet. The selection portion 240 is configured to rotate over the inner layer. The selection portion 240 defines an outer interface 238 between the forward and rearward parts of the outer layer 225. The further boundaries of the selection portion 240 are defined below. The outer interface 238 is equivalent to the separation line 138 described with respect to Figure 1. The outer interface 238 is a frangible connection on the outer layer between a forward and a rearward part of the composite blank for a smoking article.

The blank 200 further defines an inner interface 237 between the forward and rearward parts 230,232 of the inner layer 213. The inner interface 237 is a frangible connection between a part of the blank which is movable relative to the other layer, and a part which is not movable. The inner interface 237 and outer interface 238 extend substantially circumferentially when the blank 200 is wrapped around the rod articles.

The inner interface 237 is longitudinally spaced from the outer interface 238, and in particular, is forward of the outer interface 238. The inner interface 237 is equivalent to the separation line 136 described with respect to Figure 1. The inner layer sheet 213 underlying the selection portion 240 is a part of the rearward part 232. Alternatively, the inner and outer interfaces are longitudinally aligned.

The selection portion 240 extends around the whole circumference of the inner sheet.

The selection portion 240 extends longitudinally between the interfaces 238,237. In addition, the selection portion 240 extends further circumferentiallyto form an overlap, and secure the selection portion as a cylinder, i.e. edge 239 overlaps with edge 236. The selection portion is configured to be movable relative to the underlying area of inner sheet, by an area not covered with adhesive. A further frangible connection or separation line (e.g. perforations) extending longitudinally can form a selection portion interface (not shown) between the inner and outer interfaces 237,238, to further define the selection portion. In some aspects, the blank can be shaped (e.g. shaped edges 236,238) to allow movement of a selection portion of the blank, e.g. to control whether there is an overlap over only part of the length.

The blank 200 is configured such that the forward and rearward parts 230,232 are initially connected. The inner interface 237, outer interface 238 and if present, the selection portion interface, are initially not separated by a break in the blank 200. The blank 200 is configured to separate on application of a force, e.g. preferentially break along the inner interface, outer interface and selection portion interface. In particular, the inner interface 237, outer interface 238 and selection portion interface are formed by a frangible connection, e.g. perforation lines, in the sheet material of the blank 200. The parts of the blank 200 are integrally formed, and configured to separate along the perforation lines to form separate forward and rearward parts when an external force is first applied to rotate the selection portion.

The selection portion 240 is configured to move relative to an underlying area 262 to control a property of the smoking article. In some aspects, the selection portion 240 is rotatable relative to the underlying part, around a longitudinal axis of the rod articles.

The property controlled is a ventilation of the smoking article. The inner layer comprises a first ventilation area 271 and the outer layer comprises a second ventilation area 280 movable relative to the first ventilation area. An overlapping area of the first and second ventilation areas determines an effective ventilating area and a ventilation of the smoking article.

For example, the rotational position of the selection portion controls an area of the one or more second ventilation area, which can be an aperture 280 in the outer layer, aligned with the first ventilation area, which can be an aperture 271 in the inner layer. The coincident ventilation areas allow ingress of ventilating air. Alternatively or in addition, the movement of the outer layer relative to the inner layer, e.g. movement of the selection portion, controls a different properLy of the smoking article, e.g. a flavourant release.

The smoking article optionally comprises a limiter (limiting mechanism) configured to limit movement between the first and second parts of the smoking article when assembled, i.e. limit rotational movement of the selection portion 240. The limiting mechanism is configured to limit rotation to a pre-determined range. In some embodiments, the pre-determined range of rotation may be through an angle of from about 90 to 180 degrees, and can be, for example, approximately 120 degrees. The limiting mechanism can limit rotation between a position in which the first and second ventilation areas 271,280 have no overlap, and a further position in which the first and second ventilation areas are in full overlap. The initial level of ventilation prior to relative movement of the inner and outer layers can be selected by appropriate positioning of the ventilation areas 271,280 on the composite blank.

The limiting mechanism comprises engaging parts on the inner wrap 213 or outer wrap 225, with a connection of an engaging part to the other of the inner wrap 213 and outer wrap 225. Thus, the limiting mechanism is configured to limit movement between the first and second parts of the smoking article to a predetermined range, which in some examples is by limiting movement between the partiafly laminated inner wrap 213 and outer wrap 225.

The limiting mechanism comprises a first contact surface 270a and a second contact surface 27Db. The first contact surface 270a and second contact surface 27Db are configured to engage with a stop 272 to limit the range of movement in a first and second direction respectively. The first and second contact surfaces 270a, 27Db are at opposite ends of aperture 27t, also termed a window or slot 271. The slot 271 is formed as a cut-out from the blank 200, for example in the inner layer sheet 213. The aperture 271 has the dua' function of providing the first contact surface 270a and the second contact surface 270b as part of the limiting mechanism, and &so controls a level of ventilation by allowing ventilating air through the inner layer dependent on alignment with the second ventilation area 280.

The stop 272 is attached to one or more of the outer layer sheet 225 and rod articles 110. The stop 272 is moveable within the slot 271 to limit movement between the first and second parts of the smoking article (forward and rearward parts 230,232 of the blank 200). The first contact surface 270a and the second contact surface 27Db are circumferentiaHy spaced to limit rotation, i.e. the slot 271 extends circumferentiaHy. In some examples, the stop 272 and first and second contact surfaces 270a, 27Db have engaging edges which are complementary, i.e. match to engage simultaneously across their width. For examp'e, the first and second contact surfaces 270a, 27Db and engaging edges of the stop 272 extend perpendicularly to the axis of the slot 271, i.e. parallel to the axis of the smoking article. The stop 272 may have a substantially square or rectangular area.

In the example shown, the slot 271 is in the form of an aperture extending circumferentially through the sheet material of the inner layer sheet 213 of the blank 200, which when wrapped, overlies the first filter section 112.

In some examples, the stop 272 is affixed to an interior of the outer wrap 225 when wrapped, which corresponds to the outer layer sheet 225. In particular, the stop is affixed to the selection portion 240. The stop 272 forms a protrusion, extending radiafly into the slot 271.

In some examples, the stop 272 is initially formed as a part of one of the inner layer sheet 225, outer layer sheet 213 or rod articles. In particular, the stop 272 is initially formed as part of, i.e. integrally formed with, the inner layer sheet 213.

The area of sheet material of the blank 200 for forming the stop 272 is separable from the remainder of the blank 200 along a separation line 275, for example, by perforations formed in the material of the blank 200. The slot 271 is formed adjacent the area of sheet material for forming the stop 272, in the same one of the inner layer or outer layer in which the stop 272 is formed. The area of sheet materi& of the inner wrap for forming the stop is affixed to one or more adjacent layers, in particular, to the outer layer sheet, and optionally also to the tobacco uniL The sWp 272 is affixed Lo the adjacenL layer of the wrap prior o atiaching the wrap to the rod articles of the smoking article. For example, the stop 272 is affixed to the adjacent layer(s) by adhesive. The stop 272 is formed from the same layer of material as the slot and first and second contact surfaces, i.e. the same one of the inner layer sheet 225, outer layer sheet 213 or rod articles. On an initial movement between the inner and outer wraps of the smoking article, the area of sheet material forming the stop 272 is urged towards the s'ot 271, separating that area of sheet materia' from the remainder of the inner wrap, and forming a distinct movable stop 272.

The first contact surface 270 is initially formed as an edge of the s'ot 271. The second contact surface 27ob is defined by the separation line 275. The stop 272 is formed with edges which are complementary to the first and second contact surfaces 270a, 270b, for example, having rounded edges as shown.

The present invention provides a smoking article in which an inner layer and an outer ayer are attached to rod articles together as a single composite sheet of material. At least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer. In particular, at least a part of the outer or inner ayer is separaNe to allow movement. The relative movement between the inner and outer layers controls a property of the smoking article. For example, the property is an amount of ventilation (effective size of ventilating areas) or a limit on the amount of rotation or movement between the inner and outer layers. In addition, the inner and outer layers can attach two components of the smoking article together. For example, the inner and outer layers can attach the first filter section to the tobacco rod, and/or, attach the first filter section to the second filter section. The two layers of the composite material can extend between and around those rod articles. A part of an indexing mechanism can also be attached to an inner surface of the inner layer.

Optionally, the smoking article further comprises an indexer (indexing mechanism) configured to provide for indexing of movement of the selection portion 240. One or more pawls (not shown) are affixed to an interior surface of the selection portion 240 during manufacture. The pawl is one or more upsLanding protrusions arranged Lo releasably engage wiLh a plLtraliLy of discrete features to form the indexer. The pawl is configured to engage with features (e.g. ridges) on an exterior of the rod articles, to provide indexing on rotation between the selection portion and at least one of the rod articles, in particular, the first filter section 112.

A method of manufacturing the smoking artide of the invention comprises providing one or more rod articles, and hi particuhir, the rod articles described above. The blank as described in any embodiment formed of composite material is wrapped around the rod articles. The blank comprises a sheet of material for the inner layer and a sheet of material for the outer hiyer, affixed (laminated) together. Composite material for the blank can be supplied on a spool, and drawn from the spool to be cut into individual blanks. The composite materi& is drawn as a single sheet of material.

The blank is secured as a tube, e.g. a cylinder, around the rod articles. In particular, an overlap of the blank is adhered to itself. The material forming the inner and outer layers is affixed together, as a composite blank, prior to wrapping around the rod articles. Therefore, only a sing'e wrapping process is needed to apply two layers of sheet material. In addition, the application of adhesive between the inner layer sheet and outer layer sheet is carried out in a separate process prior to the wrapping. As such, the adhesive can be accurately applied, e.g. to affix the stop 272 of the inner layer sheet to the outer layer sheet, without also affixing surrounding areas which are intended to move relative to each other.

The blank has been described as having two layers of sheet material. Alternatively, the blank can comprise two or more layers of sheet material, e.g. three or four layers. Additional separate sheets of material can be wrapped around the rod articles before or after wrapping of the blank of the invention.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior smoking articles or manufacturing of smoking. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exdusive. They are presented odyto assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the daims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims 1. A smoking article comprising: one or more rod articles, an inner layer extending around the rod articles an outer layer extending around the inner layer, wherein the inner and outer layers are formed by a composite sheet of material wrapped around the rod articles; and wherein at least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer.
2. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner layer comprises a first ventilation area, and the outer layer comprises a second ventilation area movable relative to the first ventilation area, wherein an overlapping area of the first and second ventilation areas determines a ventilation of the smoking article.
3. The smoking article as claimed iii claim i or 2 wherein Lhe inner and oLaer layers comprise a limiter configured to limit movenient of at least a portion of the outer layer or inner layer relative to the other of the outer or inner layer.
4. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the limiter comprises a slot defined by one of the outer or inner layer, and a limiter element attached to the other of the outer or inner layer and nioveable within the slot to limit movement of the portion of the outer or inner layer relative to the other of the outer or inner layer.
5. The smoking article as claimed in claim 2 and 4 wherein the slot of the limiter defines one of the first or second ventilation area.
6. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the composite sheet of material comprises an inner layer sheet of material laminated to an outer layer sheet of material over a part only of the area of the inner layer and outer layer.
7. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer ayer comprises a s&ection portion configured to move over an underlying part of the inner layer to select a property of the smoking article.
8. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer byer, and optionally the inner layer, comprises a frangible connection to detach a portion of the outer layer, and optionally a portion of the inner layer.
9. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer layer, and optionally also the inner layer, comprises a forward part and a rearward part longitudinally rearward of the forward part, wherein the forward part is configured to detach from the rearward part on application of a force.
10. The smoking artide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising an indexing mechanism configured for indexing movement between the outer layer and a said rod article.
ii. A blank for wrapping around one or more rod arflcles io form a smoking arLicle, the blank comprising: an inner layer for extending around the rod articles, an outer layer for extending around the inner layer, wherein the inner and outer layers are formed by a composite sheet of material for wrapping around the rod articles; wherein at east a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable rdative to the inner layer.
12. The blank as claimed in claim ii wherein the inner layer comprises a first ventilation area, and the outer layer comprises a second ventilation area movaNe relative to the first ventilation area, wherein an over'apping area of the first and second ventilation areas determines a ventilation of the smoking article.
13. The blank as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein the inner and outer layers comprise a limiter configured to limit movement of the outer layer relative to the inner layer.
14. A method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising: providing one or more rod articles, wrapping a blank around the rod articles, wherein the blank is a composite sheet of material wrapped around the rod articles, and the composite sheet of material comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the blank is wrapped around the rod articles such that the inner layer extends around the rod articles, and the outer layer extends around the inner layer, wherein at least a part of the outer layer is configured to be movable relative to the inner layer.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the composite blank is wrapped once only around a circumference of the rod articles to form the inner layer and outer layer.ib. The method as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the inner layer comprises a first ventilation area, and the outer layer comprises a second ventilation area movable relative to the first ventilation area, wherein an overlapping area of the first and second ventilation areas determines a ventilation of the smoking article.17. The method as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the inner and outer layers comprise a limiter configured to limit movement of at least a portion of the outer layer or inner layer relative to the other of the outer or inner layer.18. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the limiter comprises a slot defined by one of the outer or inner layer, and a limiter element attached to the other of the outer or inner layer and moveable within the slot to limit movement of the portion of the outer or inner layer relative to the other of the outer or inner layer.19. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein the composite sheet of material comprises an inner layer sheet of material laminated to an outer layer sheet of material over a part only of the area of the inner layer and outer layer.20. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the outer layer, and optionally the inner layer, comprises a frangible connection to detach a portion of the outer layer, and optionally a portion of the inner layer.21. A blank as hereinbefore shown and described with respect to the accompanying drawing Figure 2.