JP2015507935A - Smoking filter - Google Patents

Abstract

Filter used for smoking products. The filter includes a filter material and a member that is actuated by a user to denature smoke passing through the filter. The filter also includes a display unit for displaying that the member operated by the user is operated in conjunction with the member operated by the user. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter for smoking articles. In particular, the present invention relates to a smoking article filter through which smoke before inhalation of a user passes. Of course, filters for smoking articles are well known.

  It is also relatively well known to provide a filtered smoking article having one or more members that are actuated by the user.

  The purpose of the member actuated by the user is to allow actuation of the member when the user wants to denature the smoke during smoking. For example, the member may be a capsule that adds flavor to the smoke when squeezed by the user during use of the smoking article.

  As such smoking articles are gaining popularity among users, it is difficult for the user to recognize whether the member has been fully activated until it can provide the desired effect on smoke. May be a point.

  According to the present invention, a filter for a smoking article is provided, the filter comprising a filter material and a member that is activated by a user and that changes the smoke passing through the filter, the filter further comprising: When the user operates the member (user activation unit) that is operated by the user, the display unit displays that the member that is operated by the user is operated in conjunction with the member that is operated by the user. .

  “Interlocking” in the context of the present invention is understood to mean a physical and / or chemical interaction between the display part of the mouthpiece element and / or its contents having a member actuated by the user. It is necessary to Preferably, the interlocking between the display part of the mouthpiece element with the member actuated by the user and / or its contents consists of a fluid flow between at least these two components. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece indicator and the user actuated member and / or its contents may be fluid flow between these two components, particle and / or synthetic material interaction, A case may consist of a chemical reaction or some physical contact between components that induces a change in one or more properties of the components.

  The member actuated by the user is a means for releasing the flavor and may be in the form of a capsule or thread.

  The display unit may have a thread shape. The display unit can flow the liquid released by the member operated by the user faster and deeper into the remaining portion of the filter material in at least one direction. Further, the display unit can be preliminarily immersed with the liquid discharged by the member operated by the user, at least in one direction, more quickly into the remaining portion of the filter material. . The display unit is actuated by wetting the yarn with liquid from a member actuated by the user.

  The filter is arranged such that a member actuated by the user is activated when the user applies pressure to the side surface of the filter or applies a twisting force to the filter in the outer circumferential direction.

  The display unit may be disposed around at least a part of the outer periphery of the filter. In addition, the display unit may be disposed in an adjacent part of the filter close to a position where the user hits his / her mouth during use.

  In some embodiments, the filter may be provided with a liquid retaining means that prevents liquid from flowing out of the filter through a thread or indicator.

  In some embodiments, the member that is actuated by the user may be surrounded by a material that forms part of the display before being inserted into the filter.

  The display unit is arranged so as to display the operation degree of the member operated by the user.

  In some embodiments, the filter may include a plug wrap surrounding the filter material and the indicator may be formed on or within the plug wrap material.

  The filter according to the present invention makes it possible to clearly indicate to the user that the operation of the member that is operated by the user who changes the smoke has been reliably performed. This helps the user to know when the filter has been activated, and also indicates when the smoke-changing member that has been activated by the user has been used, and the user does not activate the member again Can be.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an indicator used in the filter described in the present invention as described above, and is arranged to indicate that a member actuated by a user has been activated for use. .

  According to the present invention, there is provided a smoking article comprising the above filter or display section.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings shown below.

1A and 1B are side cross-sectional views of a smoking article using a filter according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a series of end views showing the position of the display unit in the smoking article of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the display unit arrangement according to the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing other examples of the display unit arrangement according to the present invention. 5A and 5B show an embodiment of the present invention that prevents the display from extending to the distal end. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a liquid moving direction setting portion in the filter according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which capsules are arranged inside the filter according to the present invention. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of other filter pairs in the filter according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one smoking article 1 includes a tobacco rod 2 and a filter 3. When using the smoking article 1, when the distal free end 2 a of the tobacco rod 2 is ignited, smoke is sucked from the distal free end 2 a of the tobacco rod 2 through the filter 3 and into the proximal end 3 b of the filter 3. The user inhales this smoke.

  The cigarette stick 2 is usually wrapped in a package 6, which is usually made of paper and is used to hold the cigarette stick 2 and direct the smoke to the filter 3.

  Also usually provided with a mouthpiece element 4, which encloses the filter 3 and extends these to the packaging 6 of the tobacco rod 2 to connect these members. The mouthpiece element 4 provides the structural integrity of the smoking article 1 by holding the proximal connecting end 2b of the tobacco rod 2 and the distal connecting end 3a of the filter 3 between both adjacent portions. Yes. Thereby, appropriate guidance of smoke from the distal end 2a to the proximal end 3b of the smoking article 1 is possible.

  In these embodiments, the filter 3 comprises a member 5 actuated by the user, for example in the form of a capsule 5 of the type disclosed in EP 1906775. As another example, the user actuated member 5 may be a plurality of capsules, or one or more threads, such as extruded material incorporated in a filter material of the type disclosed in WO 2001/058319. It can also take the shape.

  The member 5 actuated by the user may consist of a member or substance that changes smoke, such as a denaturing liquid that changes the flavor of the smoke when activated. If one or more yarns are provided for the member 5 actuated by the user, these yarns may be impregnated with smoke modifying liquids or other substances. However, what is common in all possibilities is that the actuation of the member 5 actuated by the user is twisted to obtain a compression or similar effect, such as deforming the capsule or releasing the smoke modifying material. This is done by an operation such as adding. When actuated by twisting, the filter 3 may be composed of two members that can twist with respect to each other, and this twisting applies a force to the member 5 actuated by the user to induce actuation.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention also provides a display 7 for displaying to the user that the member 5 actuated by the user has been activated. The display unit 7 can be, for example, one thread (FIG. 1A) or a plurality of threads (FIG. 1B).

  In the case of the example of FIG. 1A, the display unit 7 takes the shape of a single thread. The yarn is impregnated with a color or hue change agent or dye, and these members are ideally brought into contact with smoke modifiers released by activation of the member 5 actuated by the user. to start. As another example of use, it can be activated by applying the same force that activates the member 5 actuated by the user. The yarn extends toward the proximal end 3b of the filter 3 and is placed at a position where it can be easily seen by the user. The mark 8 indicates the exact position of the member 5 and the display unit 7 that are actuated by the user, and is arranged outside the filter 3 so that it can be easily seen by the user.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 1B, a plurality of yarns are provided as an indicator 7, in which case the yarns are made to be pushed into the filter and the proximal end of the filter 3 to which the user normally lies. Only the portion 3b is exposed to the outside. A symmetrical shape is displayed, which is a design based on the convenience of the manufacturer, but is not essential. Of course, as shown in FIG. 1A, the extruded material can be replaced by a plurality of single yarns, for example, to form a pattern of dots.

  In both of these embodiments, the thread is displayed as the display unit 7. However, these yarns can be replaced by members made from paper, non-woven fabric, hollow fibers or hollow tubes. In this case, it may be preferable to change the appearance particularly when the display unit 7 is used in a wet state. The display unit 7 shows a faster capillary reaction compared to the surrounding filter material, and the display unit 7 can be operated quickly, providing a clear visual display to the user as soon as possible.

  FIG. 2 shows a front view of a plurality of proximal ends of the filter 3 according to the invention, each of which shows a differently arranged display. In FIG. 2A, four examples relating to the display unit 7 are shown, each using a separate thread extending to the proximal end 3 b of the filter 3. These vary from a single hollow yarn to a plurality of hard yarns.

  FIG. 2B shows some examples of the shape display 7, all of which are generally symmetric for manufacturing convenience. All of these may or may not extend to the proximal end 3b of the filter 3, as will be described below.

  FIG. 2C illustrates three examples where the display unit 7 forms a flat surface of the display material in the filter 3. Again, this may or may not be formed in these planes.

  Finally, FIG. 2D shows various examples of the annular display unit 7 having different shapes, which are filter materials surrounding the external display unit, and are generally symmetrical but simple. It may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a more complicated shape.

  3 to 5B show an example using the filter 3 according to the present invention. The liquid holding means is provided in the filter 3, and the liquid discharged by the member operated by the user is filtered through the display unit 7. The case where it is prevented from flowing out from 3 is shown.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a barrier layer 10 is provided on the central display 7 to ensure that all smoke modifiers from the member 5 actuated by the user are It is designed to be directed to the proximal end 3b of the filter 3 as quickly as possible. The barrier layer 10 can be a wax coat on the display unit 7, a plastic sheath, or other sealing material.

  FIG. 4A shows a similar form of an annular structure. An outer barrier layer material 10 is provided below the mouthpiece paper 4 to prevent liquid from seeping out to the mouthpiece paper 4 and associated wear. As another example, the mouthpiece paper 4 itself can act as an external barrier layer to prevent liquid from seeping into the outer surface of the mouthpiece paper and moistening the user's finger. Similarly, the mouthpiece paper 4 is at least partially translucent so that it can contribute not only to the proximal end 3b of the filter 3 but also to the visual effect of the side display 7.

  FIG. 4B shows a side cross-sectional view in the case where the filter 3 is composed of the plug wrap 11 and the display unit 7 is disposed in the plug wrap 11. In FIG. 4B, the display unit 7 is shown as a series of threads in the plug wrap 11, but it can be seen that the plug wrap 11 itself is formed as a member capable of providing the necessary display function. Also, the plug wrap 11 can provide other examples of indications to the user after actuation of the member 5 actuated by the user by means of an external or internal surface formed of a display material. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece paper 4 can be used for visualizing the display 7 on the side of the plug wrap 11.

  5A and 5B show a configuration in which the display unit 7 forms a recess at the proximal end 3b of the filter 3 and does not reach the proximal end 3b completely. However, this is obvious to the user and prevents the liquid flowing through the thread from being exposed from the filter 3. In FIG. 5A, the display portion 7 is formed with a recess from the proximal end 3b, and in FIG. 5B, the end seal 12 is used as a member for preventing liquid penetration, for example, wax, a melted thread for sealing the end. It is provided as one that allows a person to confirm a light / dark difference or a color change in the thread of the display unit 7.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the filter 3 according to the present invention. The member 5 actuated by the user is a capsule 14 which is put into the thread 13 in a “sock” shape and is designed so that the liquid is quickly drawn into the thread and the display is activated. FIG. 7 shows an array of capsules 14 that can be provided as a series of filter media and can be sliced to form individual filters according to the present invention. This “sock” shape can help avoid unintended damage during the process of inserting the capsule 14 into the filter at the manufacturing site.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B show another embodiment, in which the smoke modifier is retained in a user-actuated member 5 in the form of a compressible bag 15, along with one or more plugs or valves 16. These plugs or valves are actuated by compressing the bag in order to push the smoke-modifying material through the plug or valve 16 to the indicator 7, where the indicator 7 is, for example, one or more Made of more yarn. A filter part as an option consisting of a general and well-known filter material can be incorporated in the vicinity of the cigarette when the filter 3 is incorporated in the smoking article 1.

  In some embodiments, it may be preferable to provide a display 7 that displays the degree of actuation of the member 5 that is actuated by the user. For example, it is known that the member 5 actuated by the user not only needs to be actuated, but also requires continuous pressure application to release the encapsulated smoke modifier. The user may have to continue to apply pressure over a long period of time in order to release the smoke modifier, for example a liquid substance, from the member 5 applied by the user. In such a case, the display unit 7 may be set to change the contrast or color according to the amount of liquid received from the member 5 operated by the user, and may be able to display the operating degree. As another example, when a plurality of display units 7 are used, the number of display units affected by the operation of the member 5 operated by the user is designed to be different depending on the degree of operation of the member 5 operated by the user. It is possible.

  In all these embodiments, the yarn functioning as the display unit 7 is set to flow quickly so that any smoke modifier is instantaneously displayed on the surface visually recognizable by the user. Thereby, the instantaneous display of an operation | movement can be performed reliably.

  The filter form according to the present invention is a member 5 that is actuated by the user and that is used for the smoke modifying agent simply and effectively to the user that it has acted while bringing different experiences to smoking. Alternatively, it is possible to provide the filter 3 accompanied by what can be displayed in a substance-independent manner.

Claims (15)

A filter for a smoking article, the filter including a filter material and a member that is operated by a user and that changes smoke passing through the filter, and is interlocked with the member that is operated by the user. And a display unit for displaying that the member operated by the user is operated. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the member operated by a user is a means for releasing a flavor. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the member operated by a user is in the form of a capsule or a thread. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is a thread. The liquid emitted by a member actuated by a user can flow in the display unit at least in one direction faster or deeper than other filter materials. 4. The filter according to 4. The display material to be operated is infiltrated into the display unit in advance when the user operates the member that is operated by the user, according to any one of claims 4 to 5. filter. The filter according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the display unit is operated by wetting the thread with the liquid from the member operated by a user. The member actuated by a user is arranged to be actuated when a user applies pressure to a side surface of the filter or applies a twisting force to the filter in an outer circumferential direction. The filter as described in any one of thru | or 7. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display unit is disposed at least around a part of the outer periphery of the filter. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display unit is arranged in an adjacent part of the filter in a vicinity of a position where a user hits his / her mouth during use. The filter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising liquid holding means for preventing liquid from flowing out of the filter through the display unit. In any one of the preceding claims, the member actuated by a user is surrounded by a material forming a part of the display unit before being inserted into the filter material. filter. The filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit is designed to display an operating degree of the member operated by a user. The filter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plug wrap surrounding the filter material, wherein the display portion is formed on or in the plug wrap material. A smoking article comprising the filter according to any one of claims 1 to 14.