JP2022525846A - Aerosol generator with environmentally optimized filter - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generator (10) including an aerosol generator rod (12) and a filter rod (14) is disclosed. The filter rod (14) includes a first filter unit (16), a second filter unit (18), and a chip paper (20). The first filter portion (16) contains acetate tow and is located at the mouth end portion (15) of the aerosol generator (10). The second filter section (18) is biodegradable and extends from the first filter section (16) to the aerosol-forming material rod (12). The chip paper (20) is part of the filter rod (14) and the aerosol-forming material rod (12) so that the filter rod (14) and the aerosol-forming material rod (12) are connected together along a common longitudinal axis. Surrounds. The second filter unit (18) surrounds a volume exceeding (50)% of the coupling volume surrounded by the first filter unit and the second filter unit (16, 18). The chip paper (20) is directed from the mouth end towards the aerosol-forming material rod (12) so that at least a portion of the chip paper (20) can be opened by the user, preferably removable. Includes an extending weakening line (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a filter for an aerosol generator.

Conventional cigarettes and currently available non-combustible heated tobacco sticks include tobacco-containing rods, filters and chip paper. Acetate tow is often selected as a filter material because it can effectively filter substances such as tar and nicotine without compromising the flavor or aroma of the cigarette. However, due to its resistance to biodegradation, acetate tow filters are known to take years to decompose when discarded.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the environmental impact of disposal of cigarettes, non-combustion heated sticks, or generally aerosol generators, without affecting the consumer's smoking experience. In particular, it is to accelerate the biodegradation of filters containing acetate as the main component.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/224268A1 relates to a smoking article filter. However, the filter contains a polymer insert, which makes positioning and alignment during filter manufacturing and the combination of filter components difficult. In addition, the plastic insert does not promote the overall degradability of the filter after use and therefore does not sufficiently reduce the environmental impact.

International Publication No. 2009/016513A2 pamphlet relates to decomposable cigarette filters.

European Patent Application Publication No. 2002737A1 relates to smoking articles and filters. However, smoking articles do not sufficiently improve the degradability of the filter material. In particular, the article requires the introduction of threads, etc. into the tear string, which results in the use of additional material, which is at the tip of all chip paper reels to bond the threads to form a weakening line. Registration or pretreatment is required, which increases the difficulty of the process during filter manufacturing. This significantly increases the filter manufacturing cost as compared with the present invention.

According to aspects of the present invention, an aerosol-generating material rod, a first filter unit containing acetate tow and located at the mouth end of the aerosol generator, and a biodegradable, first filter unit and aerosol-generating material rod. The chip paper is weakened so that the user can remove at least a part of the chip paper, including the second filter unit located between the first filter unit and the chip paper surrounding the first filter unit and the second filter unit. Provided is an aerosol generator including a wire.

In this way, the biodegradation of the cigarette filter accelerates after its disposal. The two-piece filter configuration offers two major advantages. The biodegradable part accelerates the decomposition of the filter and the acetate toe part ensures that the taste, aroma and visible filter aesthetics of the cigarette remain comparable to traditional cigarettes. In addition, the introduction of weakening lines in the chip paper allows consumers to easily remove the outer material before discarding the cigarette. It has been found that chip paper provides a barrier to filter penetration of liquid and biological components and otherwise accelerates filter degradation. Therefore, by providing consumers with the ability to remove this barrier, biodegradation can be accelerated and the environmental impact of cigarette disposal can be reduced.

The second filter section can be a paper-based material. Advantageously, paper-based filter materials such as "loess" have been found to biodegrade faster than acetate tow. However, paper-based materials are often less effective than acetate tow in consumer taste tests and exhibit an off-white color. For this reason, the two-piece construction of the filter element with the acetate tow material located at the visible end of the mouth does not affect the beauty of the filter, but only has a minimal effect on the taste of smoking and is biodegradable. Improve sex.

Preferably, the chip paper weakening line extends axially about the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol generator. In this way, applying a tearing force along the length of the weakening line will completely and effectively divide the chip paper, completely exposing the lower filter element.

Typically, the chip paper has two parallel weakening lines. In this way, a piece of chip paper can be removed, allowing meaningful penetration of liquid and biological components into the filter.

A tab can be formed between two parallel weakening lines of the chip paper so that the user can grab the chip paper. In this way, the easier removal of chip paper is brought to the consumer.

Preferably, two notches are provided adjacent to the parallel weakening lines at the edge of the tip paper and a tab is provided between the notches. In this way, the tab can be grabbed and torn by the consumer. The applied force concentrates on the tip of the incision, which improves the reliability of the tearing process by ensuring that the rift propagates along the weakening line.

Preferably, the weakening line is the perforation line. In this way, the weakening lines can be readily provided on the chip paper using versatile means such as laser perforation or the use of perforation wheels.

In one example, the aerosol generator can be a smoking article such as a tobacco rod. In another example, the aerosol generator can be a non-combustion heated stick.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a step of providing an aerosol-generating material rod, a step of providing a first filter portion containing an acetate tow at the mouth end of the aerosol generator, and a second biodegradable filter portion are provided. A step of providing between the filter portion of 1 and the aerosol-generating material rod, a step of providing a chip paper surrounding the first filter portion and the second filter portion, and a step of providing at least a part of the chip paper so that the user can remove it. Provided is a method for manufacturing an aerosol generator, which comprises a step of providing a weakening line on a chip paper.

Preferably, the weakening line is the perforation line. In one example, the perforation line can be formed using a laser. In another example, the perforation line can be formed using a perforation wheel.

The weakening line can be provided on the chip paper after the chip paper has been attached to the aerosol generator. Alternatively, the weakening line may be provided on the chip paper before the chip paper is attached to the aerosol generator.

Here, an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the drawings.

It is a perspective view which includes the notch part of the example of a cigarette in embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded view of the cigarette shown in FIG. It is a side view of the cigarette shown in FIG. It is a side sectional view of the cigarette shown in FIG. 1. It is a side sectional view of the structure of the cigarette element used in the manufacture of a cigarette in embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the structure of the cigarette element used in the manufacture of a cigarette in embodiment of this invention.

1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B are schematic views of the smoking article 10 in the embodiment of the present invention, in this case the cigarette 10. References to smoking article 10 in the context and description of the present invention are to be construed as being limited to cigarettes or other types of tobacco products that require the burning of tobacco material to produce an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. It's not something. Ordinary tobacco leaves, tobacco cut fillers, reconstituted tobacco, or any other term for smoking articles to produce an aerosol that can be inhaled by any kind of heating technique, even for terms that are oppositely compatible and interpreted. Even the form of tobacco extract includes any type of aerosol generator that uses a tobacco-containing substrate. This may specifically include any non-combustible heat-not-burn tobacco, including consumables used in connection with a filter for consumption by the user.

The cigarette 10 includes a smoking rod 12 connected to the filter 14. The filter 14 has two cylindrical filter units, a first filter unit 16 located at the mouth end portion 15 of the filter 14, and a second filter unit 18 located between the first filter unit 16 and the smoking rod 12. And include.

The first filter unit 16 contains an acetate tow material, and the second filter unit 18 contains a biodegradable material that decomposes at a faster rate than the acetate tow. In one example, the second filter section 18 may contain the paper-based material "loess", which has been found to decompose faster than filters made of acetate tow. In another example, the second filter section 18 may include any other filter material that biodegrades faster than acetate tow.

The first filter unit 16 and the second filter unit 18 surround each volume. The second filter unit 18 constitutes most of the volume of the coupling filter 14 according to the present invention. Therefore, the second filter unit 18 is configured to exceed 50% of the volume of the coupling filter 14. Preferably, it is at least 75% and up to 95%. In a preferred embodiment, the second filter section 18 forms about 85% of the total filter volume, the rest (ie 15%) is formed by the first filter section 16. In this way, the second filter unit 18 contributes more to the overall decomposition rate of the filter 14 than the first filter unit 16 of the acetate tow, thereby accelerating the overall decomposition. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative proportions of the 14 parts of the two filters may be composed of specific smoking requirements that take into account the principles defined above. In this way, other filter characteristics such as taste, pressure drop, filtration characteristics, decomposition rate, and cost are controlled by changing the relative proportions of the first filter unit 16 and the second filter unit 18. obtain.

By positioning the first filter portion 16 of the acetate tow on the mouth end portion 15, the exposed surface of the filter 14 looks similar to that of a conventional cigarette. For this reason, the consumer perception of the cigarette 10 remains unaffected and a similar taste experience is provided.

The filter 14 is wrapped in the chip paper 20, which matches the shape of the lower filter 14. The chip paper 20 includes at least one, preferably two parallel perforations 22, 23 as presented, which extend axially about the main longitudinal axis of the cigarette 10. Two notches 24 and 25 are provided in the mouth end portion 15 of each perforation line 22 and 23, and a tab 26 is formed between the notches 24 and 25.

The consumer can grab the tab 26 and apply a tearing force along the perforations 22 and 23, resulting in the removal of a piece of chip paper 20 from the filter 14. In this way, after discarding the cigarette 10, the infiltration of liquid and biological components into the filter 14 is no longer hindered by the chip paper 20, thus accelerating the biodegradation of the filter 14.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, there are numerous other possible perforation configurations. In one example, the perforations may extend circumferentially or spirally around the filter 14, or may be only one perforation line. In another example, the cuts 24, 25, and tab 26 may be located at the other end of the filter 14 adjacent to the smoking rod 12. In another example, the notches 24, 25 or tabs 26 may not be present.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the perforation line may include any substitutable weakening line shape, which allows the consumer to easily tear the chip paper 20. In one example, the weakening line may include a portion of the chip paper 20 and is thinner than the rest of the chip paper 20. In another example, the weakening line may include a chemically weakened portion. In another example, the weakening line may include a radially weakened portion. In another example, the weakening line may include a mechanically weakened portion. In another example, the weakening line may include a portion of the chip paper 20 made of a weaker material than the rest of the chip paper 20.

In embodiments of the present invention, the perforations 22 and 23 extend from the end of the mouth towards the smoking rod 12 by more than 50% of the length of the chip paper along the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. Therefore, when the user breaks the chip paper, both the first filter unit 16 and the second filter unit 18 are exposed to the external environment, and as a result, in the biodegradable second filter unit 18. It is possible to ensure that water is infiltrated into the water.

Preferably, the perforations 22 and 23 extend from the end of the mouth toward the smoking rod 12 over the entire length of the chip paper 20, whereby the user completely opens the chip paper after smoking the article 1. Both filter units 16 and 18 can be freely released and exposed to the external environment.

The smoking rod 12 contains chopped tobacco 28. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, some other products and aerosol-producing components may be provided within the smoking rod 12.

The filter 14 is wrapped in a chip paper 20 that extends beyond the length of the filter 14. In this way, the tip paper 20 also wraps around a portion of the smoking rod 12, which ensures that the filter 14 is attached to the smoking rod 12. In an alternative embodiment, the chip paper 20 can be the same length as the filter 14. In one example, the chip paper 20 can be fed from a reel during manufacturing and affixed to the cigarette 10.

The filter 14 is wrapped in a plug wrap paper 30 provided between the filter 14 and the chip paper 20. As is generally known in the manufacture of cigarette filters, the plug wrap paper 30 ensures that both the two filter elements 16 and 18 are held together during manufacture and use, and therefore, in particular, a smoking rod with the tip paper 20 of the filter 14. It is used to ensure proper coupling when attached to the twelve. In one example, the chip paper 20, the plug wrap paper 30, the first filter section 16 and the second filter section 16 can be joined using an adhesive.

The perforations of the perforations 22 and 23 only penetrate the chip paper 20 and do not extend through the plug wrap paper 30. This ensures that the properties of the filter 14, such as pressure drop during inhalation and material permeability, are not affected by the presence of perforations. In this way, consumers are provided with the same smoking experience as traditional cigarettes.

In an alternative embodiment, the perforations may extend through the plug wrap paper 30 to allow removal of both the chip paper 20 and the plug wrap paper 30. This further increases the degree of liquid and biological penetration into the filter 14 and further accelerates degradation.

Perforations 22 and 23 can be formed using methods such as laser perforation, the use of perforation wheels, or any other suitable perforation technique. In one example, the perforations may be formed before the chip paper 20 is attached to the filter 14. In an alternative example, perforations may be formed after the chip paper 20 is attached to the filter 14.

4A and 4B are side views and side sectional views of the configuration of the cigarette element used in the manufacture of the cigarette according to the embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

The configuration includes a smoking rod 12, a second filter unit 18, a first filter unit 16, another second filter unit 16, and another smoking rod 12, which are provided in the joining order, respectively. The chip paper 20 is wrapped around the configuration and used by a laser, or any other suitable tool, to form two parallel perforations 22, 23 that extend axially about the principal longitudinal axis of the configuration. Will be done. The laser is also used to form two cuts 24, 25 in the chip paper 20, one in the center of each perforation line about the main longitudinal axis of the configuration. In an alternative example, the perforations 22, 23 can be any other weakening line, such as a thinner portion of the chip paper 20.

A cutting device such as a saw or laser can be used to cut through a mirror surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the configuration, which creates two cigarettes 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B. As described above, two parallel perforations 22, 23 and two notches 24, 25, respectively, are provided in these mouth end portions 15.

Claims (18)

Aerosol generator
Aerosol generation material rod and
A first filter section containing acetate tow and located at the mouth end of the aerosol generator, and a second filter that is biodegradable and extends from the first filter section to the aerosol generator rod. The filter rod, including the part, and
The filter rod and the chip paper surrounding a part of the aerosol-forming material rod are provided so that the filter rod and the aerosol-forming material rod are connected together along a common longitudinal axis.
The second filter section surrounds a volume exceeding 50% of the coupling volume surrounded by the first filter section and the second filter section.
A weakening line extending from the mouth end toward the aerosol-forming material rod so that the chip paper is preferably removable so that at least a portion of the chip paper can be opened by the user. include,
Aerosol generator. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the second filter unit is a paper-based material. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weakening line of the chip paper extends by more than 50% of the length of the chip paper along the longitudinal axis. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the weakening line of the chip paper extends along the entire length of the chip paper along the longitudinal axis. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chip paper has two parallel weakening lines. The aerosol generator of claim 5, wherein a tab is formed between the two parallel weakening lines of the chip paper, allowing the user to grab the chip paper. The aerosol generator according to claim 6, wherein two cuts are provided adjacent to parallel weakening lines at the mouth end of the chip paper, and tabs are provided between the cuts. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the weakening line is a perforation line. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol generator is a smoking article. A method of manufacturing an aerosol generator,
The process of installing the aerosol generation material rod and
A first filter unit containing acetate tow and located at the mouth end of the aerosol generator, and a biodegradable first filter unit extending from the first filter unit to the aerosol generation rod and the first filter unit. And a step of providing a filter rod including the second filter portion, which surrounds a volume of more than 50% of the coupling volume surrounded by the second filter portion.
A step of providing a chip paper surrounding a part of the filter rod and the aerosol-forming material rod so that the filter rod and the aerosol-forming material rod are connected together along a common longitudinal axis.
The chip paper is provided with a weakening line extending from the mouth end toward the aerosol-forming material rod so that at least a portion of the chip paper can be opened by the user, preferably removable. Process and
A method of manufacturing an aerosol generator, including. The method according to claim 10, wherein the weakening line is a perforation line. 11. The method of claim 11, wherein the perforation line is formed using a laser or a perforation wheel. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the weakening line is provided on the chip paper before or after the chip paper is attached to the aerosol generator. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the weakening line of the chip paper extends by more than 50% of the length of the chip paper along the longitudinal axis. 14. The method of claim 14, wherein the weakening line of the chip paper extends along the overall length of the chip paper along the longitudinal axis. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the second filter portion is a paper-based material. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the step of providing the weakening line includes a step of providing two weakening lines extending in parallel from the mouth end portion toward the aerosol-forming material rod. .. 17. The method of claim 17, wherein two cuts are provided adjacent to the parallel weakening lines at the mouth end of the chip paper, and tabs are provided between the cuts.

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