JP2010508864A - Smoking articles including flow restrictors - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoking article (10) includes a rod (12) of smoking material and a filter (14) attached to a cylinder of smoking material. The filter includes a first upstream plug (18) of filter material, a downstream plug (22) of filter material, and a cavity (46) between the upstream plug of filter material and the downstream plug of filter material. A flow restrictor (26) is located in the cavity and has at least one orifice (30), and a series of perforations (40) provide breathability to the smoking article.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Conventionally, smoking articles with high ventilation levels typically have unacceptably low RTD levels unless some measures are taken to compensate for the lack of suction resistance (RTD). In the past, high density cellulose acetate filter segments have been used to address this shortage. However, such filtered segments tend to reduce tar delivery with little or no effect on the gas phase components of tobacco mainstream smoke such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO). (FTC). This solution tended to worsen the CO to tar ratio in FTG tar cigarettes with reduced delivery (FTC).

  Breathability has a desirable characteristic in that it reduces both the particulate phase and the gas phase of mainstream smoke when acting alone. However, as described above, highly breathable cigarettes have drawbacks in RTD.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a smoking article constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment, with the filter chip paper partially expanded to show the internal filter component. FIG. 6 is a side view of a smoking article in a further embodiment with the chip paper partially expanded to show the internal filter component. FIG. 6 is a side view of a smoking article in a further embodiment with the chip paper partially expanded to show the internal filter component. FIG. 6 is a side view of a smoking article with the tip paper partially expanded to show an internal filter component including a flow restricting filter segment that is symmetrical between ends. FIG. 6 is a side view of a smoking article in a further embodiment with the chip paper partially expanded to show the internal filter component. FIG. 6 is a side view of a smoking article in a further embodiment with the chip paper partially expanded to show the internal filter component. It is a figure which shows the process in which the filter rod disclosed above is formed and inserted into a smoking article.

  The embodiments disclosed below provide the advantage of a highly breathable smoking article having a desired amount of suction resistance and / or measures to facilitate high speed cigarette manufacturing in conventional cigarette manufacturing equipment.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment provides a smoking article 10 that includes a tobacco rod 12 and a filter 14 connected to the tobacco rod 12 by tip paper 16. Preferably, the filter 14 includes a first filter segment 18 at the upstream portion 20 of the filter 14, a mouthpiece filter segment 22 at the downstream end 24 of the filter 14, a first filter segment 18 and a mouthpiece filter segment. And a flow restricting filter segment 26 located between them. In this embodiment, filter segments 18 and 22 are low particle efficiency filter segments and are preferably composed of cellulose acetate tow with 8.0 denier per filament and 35,000 total denier. This embodiment includes a relatively short flow restricting filter segment 26 (hereinafter referred to as a restrictor disk) adjacent to a first upstream filter plug 18 that is about 3 mm to 10 mm long, more preferably about 3 mm to 7 mm long. Call). In this embodiment, the cylindrical tubular filter segment 48 defines a cavity 46 in the filter 14 at least in part. The cavity 46 preferably extends from the mouthpiece filter 22 to the ventilation zone 40 and preferably extends past the zone 40 to the flow restriction 30. Tubular filter segment 48 is preferably constructed of a relatively heavy filter plug, paper, or other material such as cellulose acetate.

  In this embodiment, the vent zone 40 includes a plurality of vent holes that extend through the tip paper 16 and through the tubular filter segment 48. This configuration facilitates the use of on-line laser drilling techniques to provide vents during manufacture of the smoking article 10.

  Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment provides a smoking article that includes a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod by tip paper. The filter comprises a first filter segment 18 composed of cellulose acetate tow at the upstream portion of the filter, a mouthpiece filter segment 22 composed of cellulose acetate tow at the downstream end of the filter, and a first segment 18. And a restrictor disk 26 located between the mouthpiece filter segment 22. In this embodiment, there is at least a cavity 46 in the filter, preferably a spirally wound paper tube 48 that extends the entire length of the filter and is strong enough to be self-supporting and thin enough to accommodate on-line laser drilling. The degree is determined. The outer ring of the restrictor disk is preferably slip-fit on the inner surface of the paper tube 48. The cavity 46 preferably extends from the mouthpiece filter 22 to the ventilation zone 40 and preferably extends past the zone 40 to the flow restriction 30. The tube 48 can be made using other materials or other forming techniques such as tube extrusion or tube formation with longitudinal joints.

  Referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment provides a smoking article that includes a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod by tip paper. The filter comprises a first filter segment 19 composed of carbon-on-tow in the upstream portion of the filter, a second filter segment 18 composed of cellulose acetate tow downstream of the first filter segment 19, and the filter It is preferable to include a mouthpiece filter segment 22 made of cellulose acetate tow at the downstream end, and a restrictor disk 26 located between the second filter segment 18 and the mouthpiece filter segment 22. In this embodiment, the outer ring of the restrictor disk 26 is preferably slightly frustoconical to facilitate pushing the restrictor disk 26 from left to right along the tube 48. The cavity 46 preferably extends from the mouthpiece filter 22 to the ventilation zone 40, and preferably extends beyond the ventilation zone 40 to the flow restriction unit 30.

  Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment provides a smoking article that includes a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod by tip paper. The filter comprises a first filter segment 19 composed of carbon-on-tow in the upstream portion of the filter, a second filter segment 18 composed of cellulose acetate tow downstream of the first filter segment 19, and the filter A flow rate including a restrictor disk 26 having a mouthpiece filter segment 22 composed of cellulose acetate tow at the downstream end and a flow restriction orifice 30 located between the second filter segment 18 and the mouthpiece filter segment 22. And a limiting filter. In this embodiment, the restrictor disk 26 is preferably bilaterally symmetric or symmetrical between the ends. The cavity 46 preferably extends from the mouthpiece filter 22 to the ventilation zone 40, and preferably extends beyond the ventilation zone 40 to the flow restriction unit 30.

  Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment provides a smoking article that includes a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod by tip paper. The filter 14 preferably includes a segment 18 of filter tow material in an upstream portion of the filter 14 and a flow restricting filter segment including a restrictor disk 26 having a flow restricting orifice 30 located downstream of the filter segment 18. The cavity 46 preferably extends to the ventilation zone 40 and preferably extends past the zone 40 to the flow restriction 30.

  Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment provides a smoking article that includes a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod by tip paper. The filter includes a first filter segment 19 made of carbon-on-tow in the upstream portion of the filter, a second filter segment 18 made of cellulose acetate tow downstream of the first filter segment 19, and a second filter segment 18. And a flow restricting filter including a restrictor disk 26 having a flow restricting orifice 30 located downstream of the filter segment 18. The cavity 46 preferably extends to the ventilation zone 40 and preferably extends past the zone 40 to the flow restriction 30.

  5 illustrates a process for forming the disclosed filter rod in a smoking article. FIG. 7A shows a double length paper filter tube 48 'and a double length (two-up) cellulose acetate segment 18'. As shown in FIG. 7B, the double-length cellulose acetate segment 18 'is pushed in or otherwise placed in the center of the double-length paper filter tube 48'. As shown in FIG. 7C, the restrictor disks 26, 26 are slid into the opposite ends of the tube 48 ′, for example using a plunger 27, and pushed into place or otherwise disposed. Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the mouthpiece segments 22, 22 are slid into the opposite ends of the tube 48 ', for example using the plunger 27, or pushed into place or otherwise positioned. . The resulting double-length filter rod is inserted between two spaced tobacco rods 12, 12 and secured with tip paper 16, as shown in FIG. 7E. Laser drilling 40 is performed and then the two-up cigarette is cut. All of these operations can be performed using a high speed cigarette making machine.

  In a manufacturing embodiment having a filter segment 19 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6), the two-up filter segment 19 ′ is first placed at the center of the two-up tube 48 ′ and then a single plug 18 is installed. The two-up filter segment 19 ′ is pushed into a predetermined position on both side surfaces facing each other, or is arranged by another method. Next, the restrictor disk 26 is pushed into a predetermined position on the opposite side surfaces of the adjacent plug 18 or is arranged in another manner, and the mouthpiece plug 22 is pushed into the opposite side surfaces adjacent to the restrictor plug, or Arrange in another way.

  Preferred dimensions for an 83 mm smoking article include, for example, a 27 mm long filter, a 7 mm long mouth end filter segment, a 12 mm vent from the mouth end of the smoking article, a 5 mm length list Includes a Rector disk, a 2.5 mm long cellulose acetate tow segment, and a 7 mm long carbon-on-toe filter segment.

  The vent zone 40 is defined by a first row (and optionally a second row and possibly a third row) of vent holes through the tip paper 16 and the filter tube 48 '. Accordingly, it is preferred that air be sucked through the vent holes in the vent zone 40 and into the cavity 46 formed between the flow restrictor 30 and the mouthpiece segment 22.

  By placing the ventilation zone 40 near or adjacent to the flow restriction 30, air drawn through the ventilation zone 40 can be mixed with mainstream smoke before reaching the mouthpiece filter 22. It is preferable to do.

  The distance between the ventilation zone 40 and the mouthpiece filter 22 is preferably at least 5 mm or in the range of 5 mm to 12 mm.

  The ventilation zone 40 preferably achieves a ventilation level of the smoking article of at least 25%, more preferably at least 50% to 90%.

  The restrictor disk 26 may include an annular section (a lateral wall having one or more orifices therein) that defines a flow restriction 30, specifically in the form of a reduced diameter orifice. This section may be any frustoconical and tapered shape that either enters or leaves the direction of mainstream smoke flow through the section. Further, a pair of compartments can be arranged inside the restrictor disk 26 so that the ends of the restrictor disk 26 are symmetrical. Easily produce high-speed filter rods with symmetrical end-to-end filter parts, where the part functions the same regardless of whether the rod-making machine initially points one end of the part in the forward or reverse direction become.

  The end-to-end symmetrical restrictor disk 26 has tubular body portions of the same length on opposite sides of the transverse wall (section). Such an arrangement facilitates the manufacture of the filter by the symmetry between the ends of the restrictor disk 26.

  Optionally, in addition to or in place of the ventilation zone 40 described above, a second zone of ventilation may be located upstream of the flow restriction 30.

  The use of pre-perforated chip paper facilitates the manufacture of the smoking article 10 according to the present disclosure.

  In all embodiments, sizing the flow restrictor 30 to provide a sufficient pressure drop so that the smoking article 10 exhibits a suction resistance of at least 70 mm water column or more, preferably in the range of 90 mm to 120 mm water column. It is preferable to make it. The compartment (lateral wall) preferably has a diameter of about 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm, more preferably about 7.4 mm to 7.8 mm, in which case the compartment has a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 0.00 mm. It is preferred to have one or optionally at least one orifice of 9 mm, more preferably about 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. Since the pressure drop of the restrictor component is determined by the opening area, multiple orifices can be used. For example, in one embodiment, there are two orifices in the compartment, each 0.5 mm in diameter.

  The restrictor disk 26 can be constructed of paper, plastic, polymer, or metal, and more preferably can be made of paper product, or biodegradable plastic / polymer, or other suitable material having degradable properties.

  It is preferable that the flow restriction unit 30 and the mouthpiece filter 22 be separated from each other by a sufficient distance on the upstream surface of the mouthpiece filter 22 to suppress the adhesion of smoke particulate components. The flow restriction unit 30 is preferably spaced from the mouthpiece filter 22 by about 4 mm to 15 mm, more preferably from about 6 mm to 10 mm.

  In all embodiments, it should be appreciated that the filter can be constructed from simple combinatorial techniques commonly used in the industry of producing cigarettes at high speed. Individual embodiments also include a tubular support around the cavity 46 to provide the desired stiffness throughout the length of the filter 14. Furthermore, this embodiment maintains the desired degree of breathability throughout smoking while providing the required amount of suction resistance. The latter characteristic is achieved by placing a ventilation zone 40 downstream of the flow restriction 30. Further, by arranging a ventilation portion in the ventilation zone 40 in a spaced relationship with the mouthpiece segment 22, the air sucked into the filter 14 through the ventilation zone 40 and the mainstream smoke sucked from the tobacco rod 12. Mixing is ensured. In one tested embodiment, a uniform stain pattern indicating good mixing appeared at the buccal end of the mouthpiece filter 22.

  During smoking of cigarettes constructed according to the present disclosure, it is preferred that the desired degree of breathability (such as 50% to 90%, preferably about 70%) be maintained throughout smoking.

  On the other hand, if a vent hole is arranged upstream of the flow restriction unit 30, the breathability tends to decrease as smoking progresses over and over.

  It should be understood that the above description is of the preferred embodiment and is therefore only representative of the articles and methods of manufacture described above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications to the different embodiments will be readily apparent in light of the above teachings. Accordingly, alternative embodiments can be constructed in a similar manner to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the articles and methods as set forth in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Smoking article 12 Tobacco rod 14 Filter 16 Tip paper 18 First filter segment 20 Upstream part 22 Mouthpiece filter segment 24 Downstream end part 26 Flow restriction filter segment 30 Flow restriction part 40 Ventilation zone 46 Cavity 48 Cylindrical tubular filter segment

Claims (11)

A smoking article comprising: a tobacco rod adapted to emit mainstream smoke; and a filter having an upstream end and a downstream end and configured to receive mainstream smoke at the upstream end, the filter Is
A low particle efficiency first filter plug segment at the upstream end;
A low particle efficiency mouthpiece filter plug segment at the downstream end;
A flow restriction filter segment including a restriction portion located adjacent to the first filter segment and defining a substantial portion of a predetermined suction resistance of the smoking article;
The restriction of the flow restricting filter segment spaced from the mouthpiece filter by a distance sufficient to attach the filter to the tobacco rod and to prevent sticking of mainstream smoke components at the upstream end of the mouthpiece filter A tip paper comprising a ventilation zone allowing air, located along the filter between the part and the mouthpiece filter;
A cylindrical segment that overlaps with the ventilation zone, at least partially forms a cavity between the mouthpiece filter and the restriction portion of the flow restriction filter segment, and is air permeable in the ventilation zone;
A smoking article comprising: The cylindrical segment includes a discontinuous tubular filter segment, and a row of perforations extends through the tip paper and the tubular filter segment in the vent zone.
The smoking article according to claim 1. The cylindrical segment includes first and second integral tubular portions of the flow restricting filter segment, the first and second tubular portions being symmetrical about the restricting portion;
The smoking article according to claim 1. The ventilation zone is spaced from the mouthpiece filter by a distance sufficient to facilitate mixing of air drawn through the ventilation zone and mainstream smoke drawn through the tobacco rod;
The smoking article according to claim 1. The flow restricting filter segment includes a frustoconical transverse wall;
The smoking article according to claim 1. The flow restricting filter segment includes a lateral wall tapering downstream;
The smoking article according to claim 5. The flow restricting filter segment includes a lateral wall tapering upstream;
The smoking article according to claim 5. A smoking article comprising a tobacco rod and a filter, the filter comprising:
A cylindrical tube attached to the tobacco rod with tip paper;
A first filter segment located along the cylindrical tube adjacent to and downstream of the tobacco rod;
A flow restricting filter segment adjacent to and in a downstream relationship to the first filter segment;
Including
A cavity adjacent to and in downstream relation to the flow restricting filter segment;
A vent zone located along the cavity including perforations through the tip paper and the cylindrical tube and in a downstream relationship to the flow restricting filter segment;
A smoking article further comprising: The flow restricting filter includes a tubular segment having a lateral wall including one or more orifices therein.
The smoking article according to claim 8. The lateral wall is located in the center between the upstream and downstream ends of the tubular segment;
The smoking article according to claim 9. A method for making a filter for a smoking article comprising:
Disposing a first filter segment within a cylindrical filter tube;
Disposing a flow restricting filter segment in the filter tube adjacent to the first filter segment such that the filter further includes a cavity adjacent to the flow restricting filter segment;
Defining a vent zone including a perforation through the filter tube at a location along the cavity;
A method comprising the steps of:

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