JP6664330B2 - Mouthpiece for smoking article - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as, for example, smoking articles, and more particularly, to assembling covered mouthpieces useful for such devices. Electric resistance heaters are made from or derived from tobacco to form a respirable substance for human consumption, or materials that can incorporate the tobacco in other ways. It may be configured to heat.

  Many smoking devices have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking products that require the burning of tobacco for use. Many of these devices are intentionally designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking with cigarettes, cigars or pipes without carrying significant amounts of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products resulting from the burning of tobacco Have been. For this purpose, to use electrical energy to evaporate or heat volatile substances or to give the sensation of smoking with cigarettes, cigars or pipes without burning the tobacco to a considerable extent In addition, a number of smoking products, flavor generators and medical inhalers have been proposed. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0255702, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 13 / 536,438, 2012 to Sebastian et al., Filed June 28, 2012. US Patent Application No. 13 / 602,871 to Collett et al., Filed September 4, 2012, and US Patent Application No. 13 / 647,000 to Sears et al. See the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol transport devices and heat sources shown in the background art, incorporated herein by reference.

  Certain tobacco products that use electrical energy to generate heat to produce smoke or aerosols, and in particular, so-called e-cigarette products, are commercially available worldwide. Representative products that mimic many of the characteristics of conventional types of cigarettes, cigars or pipes are ACCORD® by Philip Morris Incorporated; ALPHA®, JOYE 510® and M4® by InnoVapor LLC. ); As CIRRUS® and FLING® by White Cloud Cigarettes; Epuffer® International Inc. As COHITA ™, COLIBRI ™, ELITE CLASSIC ™, MAGNUM ™, PHANTOM ™, and SENSE ™ by Electronic Cigarettes, Inc. As DUOPRO®, STORM® and VAPORKING®; as EGAR® by Egar Australia; as eGo-C® and eGo-T® by Joytech; ELUSION® by Elusion UK Ltd. ); As EONSMOKE® by Eonsmoke LLC; Green Smoke Inc. USA as GREEN SMOKE (R); Greenarette LLC as GREENARETE (TM); (Trademark); Philip Morris International, Inc. As HEATBAR (TM); from Crown 7 as HYDRO IMPERIAL (TM) and LXE (TM); as LOGIC (TM) and THE CUBAN (TM) by LOGIC Technology; Luciano Smokes Inc. As LUCI® by Nicotek, LLC as METRO®; Sottera, Inc. As NJOY® and ONEJOY ™ by SS Choice LLC. 7 (TM); by PREMIUMESTORE LLC as PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETE (TM); Ruyan America, Inc. As RAPP E-MYSTICK ™; Red Dragon Products, LLC as RED DRAGON ™; Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd. As RUYAN®; The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd. As SMART SMOKER®; as SMOKE ASSIST® by Coastline Products LLC; Smoking Everywhere, Inc. As SMOKING EVERYWHERE®; as V2CIGS ™ by VMR Products LLC; as VAPOR NINE ™ by VaporNine LLC; Vapor 4 Life, Inc. As VAPOR4LIFE (R) by E.-CigaretteDirect, LLC as VEPPO (TM); J. Marketed as VUSE® by Reynolds Vapor Company. Still other devices that carry aerosols by electric power, especially those that are characterized as so-called e-cigarettes, are BLU ™; COOLER VISIONS ™; DIRECT E-CIG ™; DRAGONFLY ™; EMIST ™ EVERSMOKE®; GAMUCCI®; HYBRID FLAME®; KNIGHT STICKS®; ROYAL BLUES®; SMOKETIP® and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE®.

  The heat generated by the electrical energy is used to burn the tobacco to a significant extent, without the need for a combustion heat source, and to require a significant amount of incomplete combustion and / or pyrolysis products. It would be desirable to provide a smoking article that provides the sensation of smoking by a cigar, cigarette or pipe without carrying it. Further, it is desirable that such a smoking article comprises a mouthpiece associated with an existing smoking article, such as, for example, a cigar, cigarette or pipe, and / or a comfortable mouthpiece that is similar in terms of a sensory profile. right. In other aspects, the user is provided with a comfortable sensory experience while in contact with the user's mouth (eg, lips, teeth and / or tongue), for example, product identification, advertising, labels or other eyes It would be desirable to provide such a smoking mouthpiece with a solid, rigid main body surrounded by a coating material that also displays visible indicia, such as visible indicia. Additionally, the mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece that provides a comfortable mouth sensation that the smoker characterizes as a "biting sensation" or "biting sensation," the mouthpiece having a rigid body that can effectively display information about the smoking article. It would be desirable to provide a smoking article having a.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 US Patent Application No. 13 / 536,438 US Patent Application No. 13 / 602,871 US Patent Application No. 13 / 647,000

  The present disclosure relates to wrapping materials and other assemblies for mouthpiece components, or portions of smoking articles, or other aerosol delivery devices configured to generate an aerosol. In certain embodiments, the body of the rigid tube may form part of a mouthpiece for a smoking article, comprising a tip cover surrounding the circumference along the length of the mouthpiece, wherein the tip cover is , The polymer label in a form selected from a seamless tube, a seamless tube, an overmold, or a combination thereof, and may be on the tip wrap. In certain embodiments, the body of the rigid tube may form part of a mouthpiece for a smoking article, surrounds the outer circumference along the length of the mouthpiece, and is more flexible than the rigid tube. It has a tip wrap that forms at least a double layer that is highly resistant and / or has low resistance to permanent dents.

1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an aerosol transport device including a control body and a cartridge including an atomizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the smoking article. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the mouthpiece of the smoking article. 1 shows a perspective view of a smoking article. 3A and 3B show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece portion. 3A and 3B show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece portion. 3 shows a tubular body shell. FIG. 4B shows a spirally wound / angled tip wrap around the tubular body shell of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B illustrates a tip cover embodied as a label around the tubular body shell and angled tip wrap of FIGS. 4A-4B. Fig. 4 illustrates a step of assembling a mouthpiece tip material including a label on a tube of a smoking article. Fig. 4 illustrates a step of assembling a mouthpiece tip material including a label on a tube of a smoking article. Fig. 4 illustrates a step of assembling a mouthpiece tip material including a label on a tube of a smoking article. Fig. 4 illustrates a step of assembling a mouthpiece tip material including a label on a tube of a smoking article. Fig. 4 illustrates a step of assembling a mouthpiece tip material including a label on a tube of a smoking article. FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating a tip cover that may have one or more layers. FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating a tip cover that may have one or more layers. FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating a tip cover that may have one or more layers. FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating a tip cover that may have one or more layers.

  Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. The relationships and functions of the various elements of the embodiments may be better understood with reference to the following detailed description. However, embodiments are not limited to those shown in the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in certain cases, may omit details (eg, conventional manufacturing and assembly) that are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is. Although the term "smoking article" is used herein as having its conventional meaning, many embodiments do not actually burn cigarettes with fire or emit aerosols based on combustion (smoke or other May not), but rather, the terms "smoking" and / or "inhale" refer to the aerosol in the user's mouth for the purpose of experiencing flavors and / or other sensations associated with the aerosol component. Used to indicate that

  The present invention is defined by the claims, and may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments Are provided so that their disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will allow complete disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein and in the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" mean where the context clearly dictates otherwise. Except for plural forms. References to "dry weight percent" or "dry weight basis" refer to weight on a dry component (ie, all components except water).

  The present disclosure provides a description of mechanisms, components, features, and methods in which visible features are configured to change significantly in response to feedback. Although the mechanism is generally described herein in terms of embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices such as so-called "electronic cigarettes," the mechanism, elements, features and methods may be embodied in many different forms. It should be understood that these may be related to various articles. For example, the description provided herein may refer to conventional smoking articles (eg, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), non-burning tobacco, and associated packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. It may be used in combination with the embodiments. Accordingly, the description of features, components, features, and methods configured to provide and disclose what has been disclosed and set forth herein is set forth merely by way of example in terms of embodiments relating to aerosol delivery mechanisms. It should be understood that various other products and methods may be embodied and used.

  In this regard, the present disclosure provides a description of an aerosol delivery device that uses electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without burning the material to a significant extent) to produce an inhalable substance; Such articles are most preferably small enough to be considered "portable" devices. Aerosol delivery devices provide the sensation of smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe (e.g., sucking and exhaling, taste or flavor type, sensory, without burning the article or any component of the device to a significant degree). Some or all of the physical effects, bodily sensations, uses, and visual cues, such as those provided by visible aerosols. Aerosol transport devices will not generate smoke in terms of aerosols generated from the by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis. Rather, the article or device is a vapor obtained from the volatilization or vaporization of certain elements of the article or device (aerosol, which may be considered to be a visible aerosol that may be described as being smokey). Including vapors in). In a highly preferred embodiment, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate tobacco and / or components derived from tobacco.

  The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can also be characterized as being a vapor generating article or a drug delivery article. Accordingly, such an article or device can be adapted to provide one or more substances (eg, flavors and / or pharmaceutically active ingredients) in inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in the form of a vapor (ie, a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below the critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance may be in the form of an aerosol (ie, a dispersion of fine solid particles or droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is suitable for human inhalation, whether visible or in a form considered to be like smoke. Including vapors, gases and aerosols of different forms or types.

  In use, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure is used by individuals when using conventional types of smoking articles (eg, cigarettes, cigars or pipes used by igniting and inhaling tobacco). Many physical effects. For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure holds the article like a conventional type of smoking article, inhales one end of the article to inhale the aerosol produced by the article, and blows out at predetermined time intervals. And so on.

  The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure generally comprises a number of components provided within an outer body or shell. The overall design of the outer body or shell may vary, and the type or structure of the outer body that determines the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device may vary. Typically, the elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single uniform shell, or the elongated body may be formed from two or more separate pieces. You may. For example, an aerosol delivery device may include an elongate shell or body, which may be substantially tubular in shape and may resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. . In one embodiment, all of the components of the aerosol delivery device are in one outer body or shell. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more detachable shells connected. For example, an aerosol transport device may include, on one end, one or more reusable elements (eg, a rechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling the operation of the article), an outer body or shell. May have an outer body or shell at the other end that includes a disposable portion (eg, a cartridge containing a disposable flavor) that is removably connected to the control body. More specific forms, structures and arrangements of components within a single shell-type unit or within a shell-type unit separable into multiple pieces may be considered in view of the further disclosure provided herein. It will be obvious. Furthermore, the design and component placement of various aerosol delivery devices can be understood in view of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices (eg, representative products listed in the Background section of this disclosure). .

  The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure is most preferably a power supply (i.e., a power source), at least one control element (e.g., by controlling the flow of current from the power supply to other components of the article, e.g. Means for driving, controlling, regulating, and shutting down the power to generate the heat, a heater or heat generating element (eg, an electrical resistance heating element or element commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), and an aerosol precursor A body composition (eg, a liquid that can provide an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as components commonly referred to as “smoke juice”, “e-liquid”, and “e-juice”); And the area or tip of the mouthpiece that can inhale the aerosol delivery device to inhale the aerosol (eg, the aerosol generated when inhaled As can be taken out including a combination of paths) of a given air flow through the article. Exemplary formulations for aerosol precursor materials that can be used in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Be incorporated.

  The arrangement of the components in the aerosol delivery device can vary. In a specific embodiment, the aerosol precursor composition may be near the user's mouth or near the end of the article to maximize transport of the aerosol to the user. (For example, in a cartridge, in a particular environment, it is replaceable and disposable.) However, other structures are not excluded. In general, the heating element is used for heat from the heating element to volatilize and carry to the user an aerosol precursor (and one or more flavoring materials, medicaments, etc. that may also be provided for delivery to the user). May be located sufficiently close to the aerosol precursor composition so that an aerosol can be made. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol is generated, released, or made in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The term above includes references to releasing, releasing, releasing, or releasing, including forming or generating, forming or generating, formings or generatings, forming or generating. It should be noted that they mean that they are interchangeable. Specifically, the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or aerosol, or a mixture thereof. In addition, the selection of various aerosol delivery device components can be understood in view of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices (eg, representative products listed in the Background section of this disclosure).

  Aerosol transport devices incorporate a battery or other power source to provide sufficient current to the article to provide various functions (eg, heating by resistance, energizing a control system, energizing an indicator, etc.). The power supply can take various embodiments. Preferably, the power source is capable of delivering sufficient power to quickly heat the heating member, generate an aerosol, and power the article during use for a desired duration. The power source is preferably sized to be conveniently mounted inside the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled, and furthermore, the preferred power source is sufficient to not reduce the desired smoking experience. Light.

  An exemplary embodiment of the aerosol delivery device 100 is provided in FIG. As can be seen from the cross-section shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol delivery device 100 may include a control body 102 and a cartridge 104, which are permanently or removably arranged in a functional relationship. May be. Although a threaded engagement is shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that additional engagement means (eg, press-fit engagement, interference fit, magnetic engagement, etc.) may be used.

  In particular embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may be described as being disposable or reusable. For example, the control body may include a replaceable or rechargeable battery, thus connecting to a typical outlet, connecting to a vehicle charger (ie, a lighter receptacle for cigarettes), It may be combined with any type of charging technology, including connection to a computer, for example, connection via a universal serial bus (USB) cable. For example, an adapter having a USB connector at one end and a control body connector at the other end is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 840,264, filed March 15, 2013. , Which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, in certain embodiments, the cartridge is as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 603,612, filed September 5, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It may include a single use cartridge.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 102 includes a control element 106, a flow sensor 108, a battery 110, which may be variously arranged, and a plurality of indicators at the distal end 114 of the outer body 116. 112 may be provided. The indicator 112 may be provided in various numbers, may be differently shaped, and may be an opening in the body (eg, to make a sound when such an indicator is present).

  The air intake 118 may be located on the outer body 116 of the control body 102. A coupler 120 may also be provided at the proximal connection end 122 of the control body 102 and with the atomizer or its components, such as a resistive heating element (described below) when the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body. It may extend into the control body projection 124 to facilitate electrical connection. Although an air intake 118 is shown as being provided on the outer body 116, in another embodiment, the air intake may be, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. / 841,233, as provided in the coupler.

  The cartridge 104 has an outer body 126, has a mouth-side opening 128 in the mouthpiece 130, and air from the cartridge to the consumer and vapor contained therein while breathing the aerosol delivery device 100 (ie, (A) of the aerosol precursor composition in inhalable form. The aerosol delivery device 100 may, in certain embodiments, be substantially rod-shaped or substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical in shape.

Cartridge 104 further includes an atomizer 132, which includes a resistive heating element 134 (eg, a wire coil) configured to generate heat, and a liquid transport element configured to transport liquid. 136 (eg, wicks). Various embodiments of materials that are configured to generate heat when an electrical current flows may be used to create the resistive heating element 134. Examples of materials from which wire coils can be made include cantal (FeCrAl), nichrome, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi ₂ ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), molybdenum disilicide doped with aluminum (Mo (Si, Al ₂ ), and ceramics (eg, ceramics having a positive temperature coefficient). Further, in addition to those described above, exemplary heating elements and materials for use therein are described in US Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al .; US Pat. No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al .; Sprinkel Jr .; U.S. Patent No. 5,228,460 to Deevi et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,498,850 to Das; U.S. Patent No. 5,659,656 to Das; U.S. Patent No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,530,225 to Hajarigol; Nos. 5,665,262 to Hajarigol; 5,573,692 to Das et al .; and 5,591,368 to Fleischauer et al., The disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The specification is incorporated by reference.

  Conductive heater terminals 138 (eg, positive and negative terminals) at opposite ends of the heating element 134 are configured to pass current to the heating element and when the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body 102. In addition, it is configured to connect to appropriate wires or circuits (not shown) to create an electrical connection between the heating element and the battery 110. Specifically, the plug 140 may be located at the distal connection end 142 of the cartridge 104. When the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body 102, the plug 140 engages the coupler 120 and forms an electrical connection such that current can be controllably flow from the battery 110 through the coupler and plug to the heating element 134. The outer body 126 of the cartridge 104 continues across the distal connection end 142 such that the distal connection end of the cartridge is substantially closed with a plug 140 protruding from the distal connection end. Good.

  The container may utilize a liquid transport element to transport the aerosol precursor composition to the aerosolized region. Such an example is shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the cartridge 104 comprises a container layer 144, which in this embodiment comprises a layer of non-woven fibers formed in the shape of a tube surrounding the inside of the outer body 126 of the cartridge. The aerosol precursor composition is held in the container layer 144. For example, the liquid component can be absorbed and held by the container layer 144. The container layer 144 is in fluid connection with the liquid transport element 136. The liquid transport element 136 carries the aerosol precursor composition stored in the container layer 144 to the aerosolized region 146 of the cartridge 104 by capillary action. As shown, the liquid transport element 136 is in this embodiment directly connected to the heating element 134 in the form of a coil of metal wire.

  It should be understood that aerosol delivery devices that can be manufactured in accordance with the present disclosure may include various combinations of elements useful for making electronic aerosol delivery devices. For example, a plurality of aerosolizations in an electronic smoking article disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 536,438, filed June 28, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Reference is made to a container and heater system for controllable transport of possible materials. Further, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 602,871, filed September 4, 2012, discloses an electronic smoking article comprising a microheater, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  In another embodiment, substantially the entire cartridge may be made from one or more carbon materials, which will provide advantages in terms of biodegradability and the absence of wires. In this regard, the heating element may include carbon foam, the container may include carbonized fabric, and may use graphite to form electrical connections with batteries and controls. . In certain embodiments, such a carbon cartridge may be combined with one or more elements as described herein to provide a description of the cartridge. One exemplary embodiment of a carbon-based cartridge is provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 432,406, filed March 28, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  In use, when the user inhales the article 100, the heating element 134 is activated (eg, by a puff sensor or the like) and the components for the aerosol precursor composition evaporate in the aerosolized region 146. When the suction port 130 of the article 100 is sucked, ambient air enters through the air inlet 118 and flows through the central opening of the coupler 120 and the central opening of the plug 140. In the cartridge 104, the inhaled air passes through the air path 148 of the air path tube 150 and combines with the vapor created in the aerosolization region 146 to produce an aerosol. The aerosol is carried from the aerosolization region 146 and passes through the air path 152 of the air path tube 154 and exits through the opening 128 on the mouth 130 of the article 100.

  The various components of the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may be selected from those described in the art and those that are commercially available. Examples of batteries that can be used in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0028766, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  Exemplary mechanisms that can provide the drive capability of the puff include MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc. Model 163PC01D36 silicon sensor manufactured by Freeport, Illinois. Additional examples of on-demand operated electrical switches that can be used in the heating circuits of the present disclosure are described in US Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. . Further descriptions of current control circuits and other regulating elements, including microcontrollers that may be useful in the aerosol delivery device of the present invention, are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874 and U.S. Patent No. 4,947,875 (all to Brooks et al.); U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al .; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischauer et al .; U.S. Patent No. 7,040, to Nguyen et al. No. 314, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  Aerosol precursors may be referred to as aerosol precursor compositions or vapor precursor compositions, and may include one or more different components. For example, the aerosol precursor may include a polyhydric alcohol (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof). Representative types of additional aerosol precursor compositions are described in Sensabaugh, Jr .; U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Jakob et al .; U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al .; PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et al .; Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cargoate in the United States of America. . J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Still further components may be utilized in the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure. See, for example, Sprinkel, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,424 discloses a piezoelectric sensor that can be attached to the mouthpiece of a device to detect user lip movement associated with inhalation and initiate heating. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. Discloses a puff sensor for controlling the flow of energy to an array that applies heat in response to a pressure drop on a mouthpiece. U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. Discloses an identifier for detecting the non-uniformity of the infrared transmission of an inserted element and a control for performing a detection operation when the element is inserted into a container. A receptacle for a smoking device comprising the same is disclosed. US Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauser et al. Describes a viable predetermined power cycle having a plurality of different phases. U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al. Discloses a photonic-optronic element. U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. Discloses a means for altering suction resistance through a smoking device. US Patent No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. Discloses a specific battery structure for use in a smoking device. U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. Discloses various charging systems for use in smoking devices. U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. Discloses a computer interface means for a smoking device to facilitate charging and control the device with a computer. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0166303 by Fernando et al. Discloses an identification system for a smoking device. And WO 2010/003480 by Flick disclose a system for detecting fluid flow indicative of puffs in an aerosol generation system. All of the above disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For additional examples of elements associated with electronic aerosol transport articles and disclosed materials or elements that can be used in the articles, see US Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al .; US Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al .; U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al .; U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 to White; U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges. U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al .; U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi. US Patent No. 7,8 to Hamano; No. 6,006; U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Patent Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0196518 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/02/02 to Oglesby et al. Nos. 0149118 and 2010/0024834; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; WO 2010/091593 to Hon; U.S. Patents filed on Mar. 15, 2013 It includes gun Publication No. 13 / 841,233, respectively, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. The various materials disclosed in the above documents may be incorporated into the device in various embodiments, and all of the above disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  It is desirable to provide a "mouth feel" or "chewing feeling" that users find comfortable in smoking articles having a rigid body, especially in electronic cigarettes. Of course, this can vary from user to user, but many users prefer an assembly that allows holding the smoking article between the lips and / or between the teeth and where the hard metal or ceramic surface does not directly contact the teeth. You should understand that. In certain smoking articles, certain plastics or other polymers are used to assemble the mouthpiece. Preferred embodiments described herein may include a metal and / or ceramic assembly of a rigid tubular body that contains components for carrying an aerosol (components include electrical circuits, heating elements, And may include feedback devices and other components.) In particular, embodiments described herein include Vuse ™ digital electronic cigarettes (RJ Reynolds Vapor Company) and / or US Pat. No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al .; US Pat. U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594; Counts et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al .; U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Patent to Felter et al. No. 6,810,883; U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Patent to Robinson et al. 7,726, No. 320; U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Patent No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0095311 to Hon. U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0196518, 2009/0126745 and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009 to Monsees et al. US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al .; US Patents to Wang. WO 2010/0307518; WO 2010/091593 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 432,406 filed March 28, 2012; U.S. Patent Application filed June 28, 2012 Publication No. 13 / 536,438, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 602,871, filed Sep. 4, 2012, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13/647, filed Oct. 8, 2012. No. 000, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 13 / 827,994, filed March 14, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and / or a smoking article as described in one or more of the following: Embodiments of the components of the smoking article may be included and include all features, examples and implementations therein in a manner that will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. It includes that embodiments may be combined with each other and with aspects of the present disclosure.

  Advanced materials in typical cigarettes and in smoking articles that use combustible fuel elements and are compartmentalized to heat rather than burn a smokeable material such as tobacco are typically Typically, it includes a paper material covering the filter material (which may be wrapped by a plug wrap material) to form a mouthpiece for the intended smoking article. Examples of advanced materials are U.S. Patent No. 7,789,089 to Dube et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 2010/0108081 to Joyce et al., And 2010/0108084 to Norman et al. No. 2013/0167849 to Ademe et al., Each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Representative techniques for making smoking articles incorporating or to which a wrapping material is incorporated are U.S. Patent No. 5,469,871 to Barnes et al .; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/2010 to Crooks et al. No. 0186575, 2012/0067360 to Conner et al.

  One embodiment of the smoking article 500 may include a covered mouthpiece 502 (eg, may be embodied as a cartridge or control body as described above with reference to FIG. 1 above). .). The smoking article is described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, where a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of smoking article 500 and a side view of mouthpiece 502 are shown. The smoking article 500 includes a shell 513 shown as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel. Shell 513 may have a non-circular / cylindrical profile and / or may include another metal, ceramic or other hard material. The indicator 512 at the distal end may also provide a visual indication (eg, by light, color change, or other indication) of the operation and / or status of the device (eg, battery life, suction, etc.). Good. The internal components and their functions may comprise the internal components of an aerosol-generating smoking device and its functions as known in the art and / or, in particular, FIG. And / or other devices referred to herein, in a manner that can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the present disclosure. All features, examples and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other and with aspects of the present disclosure.

  The smoking article may incorporate the tobacco in a device that generates an aerosol that is powered by electricity. At least one form of tobacco may be located at one or more specific locations within the smoking article. In addition to tobacco, aerosol-generating materials may be used. Mouthpiece 502 may be used by a smoker to inhale the constituents of tobacco made by heating the elements of the smoking article. Typical smoking articles include a power source (e.g., a battery) and a control that includes a sensor that can selectively apply power to certain elements of the device (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element) at least while inhaling. A mechanism and at least one heating device (eg, an electrical resistance heating unit) for producing a heat-generated aerosol incorporating the components of the tobacco. In use, a cartridge containing some form of tobacco may be placed in or connected to the smoking device, and after use, the used cartridge may be removed from the device. If desired, another cartridge may be placed for future use.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C (but not clearly visible in all figures), the mouthpiece 502 also includes a shell 503, shown as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel. The mouthpiece shell 503 is shown as a rigid tube, may have a non-circular / cylindrical profile, and / or may include another metal, ceramic or other hard material. The large perimeter mouthpiece area of the tubular shell 503 is provided with a tip cover 504 that is laterally arranged around and forms at least a double layer. The smaller peripheral region 508 of the tubular shell 503 is configured to engage the distal portion 510 of the smoking article (the distal portion may be configured, for example, as a cartridge or a control body. ). In the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece 502 is configured to be discarded (or recycled) while the distal portion 510 continues / multiple uses with a continuous plurality of mouthpieces 502. Each mouthpiece may have the same, similar or different flavors and / or other sensory profiles associated with use. Each of the embodiments described below with reference to FIGS. 3A to 5E may have a similar or identical appearance to those shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

  3A-3B show one embodiment of a double-wrapped mouthpiece 202 for a smoking article. This mouthpiece 202 may be incorporated as part of any of the smoking articles described herein (including items incorporated by reference, subject to their technical considerations).

  FIG. 3A shows a schematic / simplified perspective view of the mouthpiece of mouthpiece 202, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A. The innermost element shown is a metallic tubular body shell 203. The shell 203 circumscribes the double-layer tip wrap 220. The inner / lower layer 222 is a cushioning layer that provides a comfortable bite / mouth feel to many users by providing an elastic layer between the user's tongue and / or teeth and the rigid shell 203. The inner / lower layer may be foam tape (e.g., e.g., 3M Scotch (TM) Permanent (TM) Mounting Foam Tape (Cat # 110), one or more of rayon web fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug wrap, and / or cellulose acetate nonwoven web. Is also good. The longitudinal connection / edge may be, for example, an abutment joint (preferably slightly mitered along the curve of the underlying tube and may overlap to some extent), or another connection May be made as an assembly. In general, the inner layer of this and other embodiments may include a fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, a non-woven cellulose acetate web, a polymer membrane, a polymer foam, or any combination thereof.

  The upper / outer layer 224 of the bilayer tip wrap 220 is provided in the form of an adhesive label or sleeve 224. In many embodiments, inner / lower layer 222 has a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of upper / outer layer 224. In the illustrated embodiment, and in other embodiments, the upper / outer layer 224 includes indicia (characters / words, images, colors, characters / words) that identify the characteristics of the mouthpiece 202 and / or smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. Texture or other indicia). Exemplary indicia may convey flavor, product source identification (eg, brand, trademark, etc.), and / or other information, and / or may be aesthetically pleasing. Label 224 may be an adhesive label having a paper and / or polymer assembly. For example, the assembly may be the same as or similar to filter paper or plug wrap used in conventional cigarettes. In general, the outer layer of this and other embodiments may include a fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, a non-woven cellulose acetate web, a polymer membrane, a polymer foam, or any combination thereof.

  Softness, "mouth feel", or other characteristics of how a user experiences and interacts with the mouthpiece / mouthpiece of a smoking article can be described in different ways. Regarding the focus of the present disclosure on providing the desired sensual interaction, particularly where the main body of the smoking article is substantially rigid, consider means to describe or describe this qualitative aspect. May be useful. In certain embodiments, the features are described in connection with a durometer, including the following real constructive experimental examples, which measure hardness as a "Shore M" hardness as a resistance to permanent indentation of a material or structure. A well-understood means for measuring on a scale. In each embodiment, the wrapped mouthpiece portion, whether wrapped once, twice wrapped, and / or multiple times, is wrapped with an outer wrapping material (eg, printable With or without pre-printed polymer) and / or less resistance to permanent dents.

Another means of describing this feature with respect to one or more of a polymer label, a wrapped coating, or any combination thereof applied to a smoking article is Young's modulus, wherein Young's modulus is Is a general means of describing the elastic modulus, and is sometimes called an elastic modulus. This is a measure of the hardness of the elastic material and provides a qualitative means of characterizing the material. This is defined as the ratio of stress along the axis to strain along the axis in the stress range where Hooke's law holds. The SI unit is Pascal (Pa or N / m ² or m ⁻¹ kg · s ⁻² ). The actual units used are megapascals (MPa or N / mm ² ) or gigapascals (GPa or kN / mm ² ). In anisotropic materials, the Young's modulus may have different values depending on the direction of the force applied to the structure of the material. Young's modulus E can be calculated by dividing the tensile stress by the tensile strain in the elastic (initial linear) portion of the stress-strain curve and applying a standard formula.

  Different polymer materials, including a choice of various "softness" features, may be used for cushioning of the mouthpiece over the rigid body. At least three categories of polymers may be used on their own, in blended formulations, and / or in multilayer composite structures. The "softness" of the composite label may vary depending on the choice of materials, the processing conditions of the film (i.e., alignment steps and layer architecture). Elastic modulus ranges fall into these three general categories.

  In one embodiment, the 3M Scotch ™ Permanent ™ Mounting foam tape (available September 2013 from Catalog No. 110, 3M Co., St. Paul, Minn.) Comprises an inner / lower layer. Formed and wrapped laterally around a stainless steel tube assembled as a mouthpiece for smoking articles / adhesive to the stainless steel tube, a pre-printed polymer wrapper label adheres around the outer surface To form an upper / outer layer. The foam tape of this example is about 1.5 mm thick and 13 mm wide and includes a foam layer having adhesive on both sides separated by a release liner. When wrapped around a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube at the e-cigarette mouthpiece, the resulting tobacco mouthpiece has an outer diameter if it contains a peel-type printed rigid polymer wrapper label. Is about 12.7 mm, the durometer reading is about 90 hardness, and when the label is peeled off, it is about 47 hardness. One skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, these dimensions will vary to accommodate the dimensions of the underlying tube body. The uncoated durometer is about 100 (may be about 98 to about 100 readings if the tube is a wall thin enough to bend).

  In another example, a Southeast Non-Woven HNB3 substrate (a nonwoven cellulose acetate web having a thickness of about 1.7 mm and a width of about 25 mm) was cut by hand to a length of 29 mm. This forms an inner / lower layer and is wound / bonded laterally around a stainless steel tube that is assembled as a mouthpiece for smoking articles, and adheres to the stainless steel tube, with the wrap impinging at the end. The joint is formed and the outermost pre-printed polymer wrapper layer is placed over it to form the final mouthpiece assembly. When wrapped around a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube and a printed polymer wrapper label is affixed onto the web, the resulting tobacco mouthpiece shows a 11.2 mm diameter and a durometer. Is a Shore M hardness of about 90. In another embodiment, a Schweitzer-Maduit 240M9S plug wrap (commercially available September 2013) was glued around this outer surface to create an upper / outer layer rather than a polymer wrapper.

  In another embodiment, a rayon web fleece (eg, SDH27 from BFF Technical Fabrics, GB, Bridgewater, Somerset; GB; Z8713, from Hoftex Group AG, Hof, Germany) is wrapped around a stainless steel mouthpiece outer periphery of a tubular shell. And cut to substantially the same length. This fleece creates an inner / lower layer and is wound laterally around / adhered to a stainless steel tube that is assembled as a mouthpiece for smoking articles and adheres to the stainless steel tube, a pre-printed polymer wrapper The label adheres around the outer surface to form an upper / outer layer. When wrapped twice around a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube and affixed with a printed polymer wrapper, the resulting tobacco mouthpiece shows a 10.0 mm diameter and the durometer reading is , Shore M hardness of about 91. When using three fleece wraps, the outer diameter is about 11.1 mm and the hardness remains unchanged at 92. The individual layers of the fleece (without the pre-printed polymer wrapper label) show a hardness number of 83 for 3 layers, 87 for 2 layers and 92 for 1 layer.

  The term "substantially" will be understood by those skilled in the art when used above with respect to the length of the rectangular piece of fleece relative to the outer circumference of the tubular shell of the stainless steel mouthpiece. Specifically, the length and perimeter need not be exactly the same, but within reasonable tolerances (eg, about ± 1% to about 10% of a given value) around the circumference of the cylinder. Taking into account the possibility of slightly tethered or tapered ends that may be used to smoothly join / attach rectangular three-dimensional materials end-to-end Will be understood. This same relative dimension considerations apply everywhere throughout this disclosure, including when referring to lengths that are described at least approximately multiple times (eg, one, two, three times) the circumference. . That is, "at least about twice as long as the perimeter" means that the length need not be exactly twice as long as the perimeter, but is preferably within reasonable tolerances and slightly miter Alternatively, a rectangular three-dimensional material may be smoothly mounted around the cylindrical shape at or slightly overlying the tapered end. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the length may be slightly smaller or slightly larger than the stated multiple of the perimeter and substantially encompass the perimeter of the perimeter. .

  4A to 4C show another embodiment of a double wound mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article. The innermost element shown is a metallic tubular body shell 303, shown uncovered in FIG. 4A, which is part of any of the smoking articles described herein. (Including items incorporated by reference, subject to this technical consideration).

  FIG. 4B shows an assembly view of the intermediate steps of a double wound mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article. In this embodiment, the shell 303 circumscribes the bilayer tip wrap 320 and the inner / lower layer 322 (shown in FIG. 4B), relative to the longitudinal axis of the rigid tube. It is wound and cut laterally, rather than vertically, to produce a cylindrical wrap 322, which is substantially cylindrical and substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The spirally wound or otherwise angled inner / lower layer 322 preferably provides an elastic layer between the user's tongue and / or teeth and the rigid shell 313 It is thus a cushioning layer that gives many users a comfortable bite / mouth feel. The inner / lower layer may be foam tape (e.g., e.g., 3M Scotch (TM) Permanent (TM) Mounting Foam Tape (Cat # 110), one or more of rayon web fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug wrap, and / or cellulose acetate nonwoven web. Is also good.

  FIG. 4C illustrates an inner / lower layer cut to create a cylindrical shape as described, and an adhesive label or sleeve portion 324 (including pressure sensitive adhesive or pressure activated adhesive). 4) shows the upper / outer layer 324 of the double-layered tip wrap 320 provided in the form of a double layer. In many embodiments, inner / lower layer 322 has a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of upper / outer layer 324. In the illustrated embodiment, and in other embodiments, the upper / outer layer 324 includes indicia (characters / words, images, colors) that identify the characteristics of the mouthpiece 302 and / or smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. , Texture or other indicia). Exemplary indicia may convey flavor, product source identification (eg, brand, trademark, etc.), and / or other information, and / or may be aesthetically pleasing. Label 324 may be an adhesive label having a paper and / or polymer assembly. For example, the assembly may be the same or similar to the filter paper or plug wrap used in conventional cigarettes. The materials and methods described herein with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C may be used with the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 3A-3B.

  5A through 5D illustrate a method of assembling a double-wrapped mouthpiece 402 for a smoking article, and FIG. 5E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled mouthpiece. As shown in FIG. 4A, the inner layer portion 422 of the elongated double tip wrap 420 connects to the mouthpiece tube 403 (eg, by a pressure sensitive adhesive or other adhesive or connection means). The double tip wrap 420 preferably has a total length that is at least about twice the circumference of the tube 403 so that when wrapped around the mouthpiece, the outermost end of the elongated tip wrap is the innermost May include an overlapping portion (e.g., about 3 mm to about 6 mm, or larger) that forms a length beyond the circumference of the tube so as to overlap the end of the tube. In other embodiments, the length can be three or more times the circumference, but preferably is about an integer multiple of the circumference.

  As shown in FIGS. 5B to 5C, the first portion of the length is sufficient to surround the outer circumference of the mouthpiece tube 403 as the mouthpiece tube is wound onto the wrap 420. is there. This first length preferably comprises a buffered material, for example, one of the buffered materials described above with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4C. The second length of the double tip wrap 420 includes one that creates an outward facing surface configured as an upper / outer layer 424, a mouthpiece 402 and / or a smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. An indicia (character / word, image, color, texture or other indicia, such as the one identified by reference numeral 427) may be included that identifies the characteristics, source of manufacture, or other information of the article.

  FIG. 5D shows the mouthpiece 402 with a double tip wrap 420 wrapped approximately twice around the body 403 of the tube, with the body of the tube approximately 720 to engage the double tip wrap 420. ° Turn / rotate. The upper / outer layers include inner / lower layers, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5E, and FIG. 5E shows the mouthpiece 402 as fully assembled. As shown here, the layer contours and assembly steps are configured such that the outermost end of the upper / outer layer 424 is provided with a noticeable tactile, seamless, substantially circular outer profile. There may be.

  Certain embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the described wrapping assembly, may include a tip cover, may be configured as (for example) a polymer label, and may have a visible indicium (for example, a trademark). (Providing information about the smoking article or elements of the smoking article, such as name, flavor or other features). The tip cover may be configured as a strip, tube or other shape that can be wrapped. Examples of tip covers that include a polymer label that may be assembled as a heat-shrinkable tube or other shape include those described below and referring to FIGS. 1 schematically shows a structural layer for the tubular or strip-like assembly of FIG. Assembly of such a tubular tip cover may be slid, rotated, and / or otherwise oriented around the mouthpiece, and depending on the size and composition, may be heat shrunk to the mouse. It may be along the piece, applied with an adhesive, or otherwise secured using means suitable for the tip cover, as will be understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the particular composition of the tip cover. Good.

  FIG. 6 may be configured as a tip cover 604 (tubular sleeve, wrap, or other assembly, including, for example, a heat shrinkable, tight-fitting structure, or other sized assembly). 2) schematically shows an exploded view. This multi-layer assembly may include print / graphics 604b applied outward / upward to the inner surface of outer layer 604a or the outer surface of inner layer 604g. In this and other embodiments, the “printing / graphics / coloring layer” has no substantial structural thickness and, like the other figures, schematic diagrams 6 through 9 are not to scale. It should be understood that there is no. The adhesive layer 604h (eg, a pressure-sensitive adhesive or other adhesive) may be applied to the mouthpiece body 603 and / or cushioning material (not shown) around the body as described with reference to FIGS. 3A-5E. May be provided for fixing to When the tip cover 604 is affixed to a mouthpiece, smoking article, etc., the final appearance may be substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

  In one embodiment, a heavy gauge (ie, about 100 μm to about 150 μm thick) reverse-printed PVC or PETG sleeve is used, and the unwound surface of the mouthpiece, a single wound cushioning surface , Or may cover and / or embellish a multi-turn cushioning surface. Printed materials (eg, graphic images, text) may use water-based or solvent-based inks. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, which schematically illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the tip cover 704 (which may be configured as a sleeve, wrap, or other assembly). The single layer 704a may include print / graphics 704b affixed outward / upward to an inner surface of the layer 704a, the inner surface being affixed to the mouthpiece body and / or cushioning material around the body. Will be attached / fixed. As described elsewhere, this and other embodiments of fixing, or combinations thereof, may be performed using other means of fixing, including heat shrinking, gluing, and / or potentially a friction fit. Is also good. When the tip cover 704 is affixed to a mouthpiece, smoking article, etc., the final appearance may be substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

  In one embodiment, a standard gauge (ie, about 50 μm to about 70 μm thick) PETG, PS and / or PVC shrink sleeve material is laminated together with an adhesive and the two layers of shrink A sleeve section (about 125 μm to about 170 μm thick) may be made. The inside of the outer, outwardly facing layer may be reverse-printed with the indicia and adhered (eg, via an emulsified laminated adhesive) to the solvent-interposed layer of PETG, PS and / or PVC. . It is applied in the form of a strip or as a heat-shrinkable cylinder and is used to form an unwound surface, a single-wound buffer surface or a multiple-wound buffer surface of a mouthpiece May be covered and / or decorated. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, which schematically illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of a composite tip cover 804 (which may be configured as a sleeve, wrap, or other assembly). Outer layer 804a may include print / graphics 804b affixed outward / upward to the inner surface of outer layer 804a, and the inner surface will be bonded to inner layer 804g by adhesive 804c. . The inward / downward facing surface of the inner layer 804g will be affixed / secured to the mouthpiece body and / or cushioning material (not shown) around the body. As described elsewhere, this and other embodiments or combinations thereof may be performed using other means of securing, including heat shrinking, gluing, and / or a friction fit. When the tip cover 804 is affixed to a mouthpiece, smoking article, etc., the final appearance may be substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

  Suitable adhesives, whether in the form of polymer labels or other forms, used to make the multi-layer tip cover include, for example, dry-bonded or wet-bonded adhesives right. Illustrative (but not limiting) examples of dry bonding adhesives may be generally applied as follows. The substrate (one layer of the multilayer composite) was coated with an adhesive in liquid form (eg, polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsion, aqueous EVA and PVOH, high solids silicone solvent), dried and then heated A nip roll may be used to laminate the second and third base materials. Illustrative (but not limited) examples of wet-bonding adhesives may generally be applied as follows. A substrate (one layer of a multilayer composite) is coated with a liquid form adhesive (eg, polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsion, aqueous EVA, PVOH, latex) and laminated to a second, third, etc. substrate. It may then be dried using heat, such as a heated stream of air. The ink may be an aqueous or solvent based ink, preferably approved for use with food, tobacco and similar products (e.g., well-known inks available from Sun Chemical, Richmond, VA) Including ink).

  In yet another embodiment, a three-ply polymer label comprising an outer, outwardly facing layer of PETG, PS and / or PVC shrink sleeve material (the indicia may be reverse printed) is provided. May be provided. This outer layer may be adhesively laminated to an intermediate core layer (eg, a bulk softening material of PE, EVA and / or CoPP). This intermediate core layer may be adhesively laminated to the inner layer of PETG, PS and / or PVC which is connected by solvent. The inner surface of the intermediate layer and / or the outer facing surface of the inner layer may be printed with a solid color, the same or different graphics as the outer layer. This will help the printing of the outer layer to give a "3D optical effect" that appears to float over or otherwise appear to be different in depth relative to the inner layer. Thus, in a triple stack embodiment, a standard (about 50 μm thick) shrinkable sleeve material of PETG is applied to both sides of a low melting (about 50 μm to about 75 μm thick) polyolefin core layer. The composite may be laminated with an adhesive to have a thickness of about 150 μm to about 175 μm. The core layer may be colorless and the thickness and / or high elasticity and / or low durometer of the core layer is preferably more comfortable / desirable for the user than the uncoated metal tube body of the smoking article. Will give a mouth feel that seems to be.

  One embodiment of such a triple stack is shown in FIG. 9, which schematically illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of a composite tip cover 904 (which may be configured as a sleeve, wrap, or other assembly). Is shown. Outer layer 904a may include print / graphics 904b affixed outward / upward to an inner surface of outer layer 904a, with the inner surface adhered to middle / core layer 904d by adhesive 904c. Is also good. A second layer of adhesive 904e may secure intermediate layer 904d of the three-layer assembly to inner layer 904g, and the outer facing surface of the inner layer 904g may be a printed layer (eg, a graphic layer). 904f). The inward / downward facing surface of the inner layer 904g may be affixed / secured to the mouthpiece body and / or cushioning material (not shown) around the body. When the tip cover 904 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article, etc., the final appearance may be substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

  In each preferred shrink sleeve embodiment, the shrink sleeve material is heated or otherwise activated to shrink around a single layer or multiple layers of wrapping material, and to adhere. Once applied, it may provide a lower durometer / greater flexibility than the rigid body of the tubular mouthpiece (corresponding to a more desirable mouth sensation / chewing comfort for many users). In some embodiments, it may be applied directly to the rigid tube body. In such embodiments, the fixation may be achieved in a manner known in the art by using heat shrink activation appropriate for the particular heat shrink properties known for a given material. In some embodiments, the material may be applied as an overmold. In a suitable overmolding technique, steel tubing can be used with or without sleeves, or with a wrapped label or cushioning material already applied or not applied. It may be placed in the cavity of a slightly larger diameter injection mold, and then the molten thermoplastic is injected into the gap between the tube and the wall of the cavity, forming an outer cylindrical shape tightly glued around the tube Create a sleeve part. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be used to secure the tip cover to the underlying material. In various embodiments, using any combination of heat shrink, adhesive, and overmolding, the rigid tube body and / or directly to the underlying material, such as the cushioning material described herein, The tip cover may be secured to the mouthpiece and a larger portion of the smoking article.

  Different embodiments of the tip cover include silicone, latex, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG, in a single layer, in each layer of the multilayer composition, and / or in each separate layer. (Polyethylene terephthalate copolymer), PS (polystyrene), OPP (oriented polypropylene), BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene), OPS (oriented polystyrene), PE (polyethylene), EPS (expanded polystyrene), PEF (polyethylene furano) Eate), PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), PEX (crosslinked polyethylene), PEBAX (polyether block amide; including heat shrinkable PEBAX), PE (polyethylene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), CoPP (polypropylene) (Polyethylene copolymer), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or any combination thereof (eg, alone or with other materials) One or more materials in each layer, in combination with each layer of the multi-layer tip cover may include the same or different compositions, and those skilled in the art will refer to the properties of each component. And will recognize).

  Each of these materials is readily available from various suppliers. Tip covers made of these materials can be jointed or unsealed shrinkable tubing, shrinkable sleeves, soft sleeves (eg, silicone tubing / sleeve; slidably mounted, heat, UV or A sleeve portion that may be stretched, covered over the tube, and then opened and contoured, as opposed to a tube or sleeve portion that may shrink by other means), adhesive labels, elastic labels, elastic Or a composite / hybrid of one or more such structures.

  The elastic sleeve (or tube) heats or otherwise treats the shrinkable material along the underlying tube (which may include a cushioning wrap material), and in many embodiments. Is clearly different from the described resilient rotatable or other soft sleeve embodiment, which does not use a step of bonding to the underlying tube. It should also be noted that the wrap material may be applied in a manner other than the surrounding / wrapping movement. Also, the shrinkable sleeve portions and / or shrinkable tubing described herein have well-known properties in the materials science arts, and as a result, have the skill of the art. The person who obtains the information by assembling such a tube and / or sleeve section and curing or other treatment suitable for the material (eg, UV or other EMF irradiation, heat, chemical treatment, or other means) Can be applied to shrink the tube and / or sleeve portion in a manner along the underlying generally rigid tube body (which may further include one or more cushioning wrap layers). Would. In other words, the tip cover embodiment, when processed in a manner appropriate for the material, provides a tight fit around the mouthpiece tube body and / or any material between the tube body and the tip cover. It may include, or consist essentially of, a contracted material that has been configured (eg, in the form of a tube and / or sleeve portion).

  Table 1 below shows different combinations of one-layer and two-layer structures for embodiments of the mouthpiece with a tip cover that identifies where visible marks can be printed. The inner layer may be a single roll of cushioning material or other material (including a polymer label type material) or may be a multiple roll of cushioning material or other material. A “patch” label or layer refers to a layer that surrounds less than the entire circumference of the underlying tube body.

  Table 2 below shows different combinations of one-layer and two-layer tip cover structures for mouthpiece embodiments.

  Certain aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood with reference to the following examples. These examples are given by way of illustration and should not be construed as limiting.

Example 1 : A stainless steel tube having a diameter of 9.2 mm and a length of about 50 mm, and an elongate piece of 3M Scotch (TM) Permanent (TM) Mounting foam tape (catalog number 110) on one edge of the tube. The pieces are applied at an angle of about 25 ° to the longitudinal axis of the tube and wrapped in a spiral so that the edges of the tape are in close contact with each other, creating a continuous layer of foam about 1.5 mm thick did. The edges were cut to create a cushioned surface about 35 mm in length, and a preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied (multilayer laminate including PE and OPP membranes). The diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was 12.7 mm. A desirable thickness range for the foam is from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm, or in certain embodiments, a mouthpiece of smaller diameter than the foam tape of about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm thickness provided in this example. Embodiments that are desirable to use may include from about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm. Another repetition of this concept would have a foam layer pre-applied as part of the assembly of a pre-printed label (eg, Labec ™ by Commodore Solutions, Bloomfield, NY). (This embodiment is similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 4A-C.)

[ Example 2 ]: A piece of non-woven cellulose acetate web having a thickness of about 1.7 mm and a width of about 25 mm was cut into a piece having a length of about 29 mm to separate a mouthpiece wrapped a plurality of times. Assembled example. After securing the web piece to a stainless steel tube with an outer diameter of about 9.2 mm using transparent tape, a length of about 29 mm surrounds the circumference of the tube, and a nonwoven cellulose acetate piece is wrapped around the tube, Formed an abutment joint. Thereafter, another specimen of approximately the same dimensions is connected in the same manner directly along the respective longitudinal end to the first specimen, and then along the tube, along with the padded tube. The mouthpiece was cut in the circumferential direction so that the length in the longitudinal direction was about 36 mm. The previously printed polymer wrapper label was then applied. In this example, the outer diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was about 11.2 mm. A desirable range of web thickness may be from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm, or, in some embodiments, from about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm, and may be about 0.5 mm. . (This embodiment is somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, except that the abutting seam between the web portions is not wound in a helical shape but is laterally around the circumference of the tube body. ing.).

[ Example 3 ]: Using a nonwoven rayon fleece web piece having a thickness of about 0.15 mm and a width of about 36 mm, cutting this piece to a length of about 29 mm, and assembling another example of a mouthpiece wound multiple times. Was. After fixing the test piece to a stainless steel tube having an outer diameter of about 9.2 mm using transparent tape, a length of about 29 mm was surrounded around the tube, and a nonwoven rayon fleece web piece was wrapped around the tube. . A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to the fleece piece to create a cushioned mouthpiece tip. The diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was about 9.6 mm. Desirable fleece thicknesses may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm in certain embodiments where small diameters are desired, and in certain embodiments preferably from about 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm. , About 0.5 mm.

[ Example 4 ]: Further, a non-woven rayon fleece piece having a length of about 58 mm was fixed to a stainless steel pipe having an outer diameter of about 9.2 mm using a transparent tape. Another similar cigarette mouthpiece was assembled (as in Example 2) by wrapping around and wrapping around the tube to create an overlapping joint. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to the fleece piece to create a mouthpiece tip. The diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was about 10 mm.

[ Example 5 ]: A non-woven rayon fleece piece having a length of about 88 mm was fixed to a stainless steel pipe having an outer diameter of about 9.2 mm using transparent tape, and a length of about 88 mm surrounded the pipe three times. Another cigarette mouthpiece (similar to Examples 2 and 3) was assembled by wrapping around the tube and creating an overlapping joint. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to the fleece piece to create a mouthpiece tip. The diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was about 11.1 mm. Desirable fleece thicknesses may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm in certain other embodiments, or in certain embodiments from about 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm, with about 0.5 mm It may be. (The assembly of this embodiment will be understood with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, which do not show multiple turns of the fleece piece.)

[ Example 6 ]: A piece of tip paper web having a thickness of about 0.077 mm and a width of about 36 mm and having a length of 50 g / m ² was cut into a piece having a length of about 29 mm to separate a mouthpiece wound multiple times. Assembled example. After securing a piece of paper web to a stainless steel tube having an outer diameter of about 9.2 mm using transparent tape, a length of about 29 mm surrounds the circumference of the tube, and a 50 gram tip piece of paper was wrapped around the tube. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to a piece of paper to create a mouthpiece tip. The outer diameter of the mouthpiece thus produced was about 10.0 mm. The desirable thickness range of the paper web may be from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm in certain other embodiments, or in some embodiments from about 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm, It may be 0.4 mm or about 0.5 mm.

Example 7: a transparent tape to the tube of stainless steel having an outer diameter of 9.2 mm, by fixing the 50 tip paper of grams / m ² to about 58mm in length, the mouthpiece of another cigarette Assembled. Thereafter, a length of about 58 mm surrounded the circumference of the tube twice, and the tipping paper was wrapped around the circumference of the tube to create an overlapping joint. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to a piece of paper to create a mouthpiece tip structure. The final outer diameter of the mouthpiece was about 10.4 mm.

Example 8 : Another cigarette mouthpiece (Example 5 and Example 8 ) was secured to a 9.2 mm stainless steel tube using transparent tape and securing a 50 gram tip piece of about 88 mm in length. 6). Tip paper was wrapped three times around the tube to create a buffered mouthpiece. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was affixed to a piece of paper to create a mouthpiece tip. The outer diameter of the obtained mouthpiece was about 11.5 mm. The desirable thickness range of the paper web may be from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm in certain other embodiments, or from about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm in certain embodiments, and from about 0 to about 0.70 mm. 0.4 mm or about 0.5 mm.

[ Example 9 ]: A mouthpiece of another smoking article was assembled as follows. A piece of self-adhesive label about 33 mm wide and about 36 mm long with printed indicia was affixed to a stainless steel tube about 9.2 mm in outside diameter and about 37 mm in height. The label was manually wrapped widthwise around a stainless steel tube such that the label itself overlapped about 4 mm. A length of Raychem RNF-100-1 / 2-CL-FSP colorless crosslinked polyethylene shrink tubing was received in flat form from Tyco Electronics (Menlo Park, CA). Approximately 37 mm long specimens were cut and slid over steel tubing prepared as previously described. This shrinkable tube has an original flat width of 22 mm and, when rounded, corresponds to an outer diameter of 14 mm, so that it can slide over a steel tube without much difficulty. I was able to. The tube was shrunk in a natural convection oven preheated to 235 ° F. for 5 minutes, then removed from the oven and cooled to room temperature. In the final product, the tube had shrunk tightly around the steel tube and the self-adhesive label. The lengths of the shrinkable tubing and the stainless steel tubing closely matched each other. The shrink tubing had two axial folds originally due to being flattened by the manufacturer, but the folds had disappeared. The markings on the self-adhesive label were clear and vividly visible through the contractile tube. The shrinkable tubing had a final thickness of about 0.45 mm. No overlap of the self-adhesive labels was felt upon touching the shrinkable tubing, and there was no detectable seam line. The tip cover embodied herein as a heat-shrinkable sleeve portion can be a full or partial length of the smoking article (e.g., limited to the length of the mouthpiece, or other lengths if desired). It should also be understood that the following can be covered:

  Those skilled in the art may, within the scope of the claims, combine features described herein for different embodiments with one another and / or with currently known or future-developed technology. It will be appreciated that embodiments not explicitly described herein, including but not limited to, may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Although certain terms are used herein, they are used only in the light of the general description and unless otherwise specifically defined by context, use, or other obvious indication. Not for limiting purposes. Accordingly, the above detailed description is considered to be illustrative, not limiting. It is also to be understood that the following claims, including any equivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned advantages are not necessarily the only advantages of the present invention, and it is not necessarily anticipated that all described advantages will be achieved in all embodiments. In cases where the disclosure or definition from the present application is inconsistent and inconsistent with any document incorporated by reference, the present disclosure or definition should be considered to control.

Claims (17)

A mouthpiece for a smoking article, wherein said mouthpiece comprises:
A rigid tube having an outer circumference made of a metallic or ceramic material;
Have a partially longitudinal length covering the mouthpiece around the tube of the rigid, it surrounds the outer periphery of the mouthpiece portion, at least a single resistance is small for more flexible than the tube stiffness and indentation the tip cover forming a layer,
A first thickness and a first thickness, located between the tip cover and the rigid tube, wrapped laterally around the outer periphery of the mouthpiece portion and greater than the second thickness and the second length of the upper / outer layer, respectively. A tip wrap comprising multiple layers including a lower / inner buffer layer having a length to form a double layer, wherein the multiple layers are more flexible than a rigid tube;
A pressure-sensitive adhesive for bonding the lower / inner buffer layer to the rigid tube ;
Before SL front cover is provided with a polymer label to form a free seams tube having a lower hardness than the metal material or ceramic material of the rigid tube, the mouthpiece.   The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the rigid tube is constructed of a combination of a metal material and a ceramic material.   The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the tip cover receives and / or displays a visible indicia. Before SL distal wrap portion comprises an elongate tip lap portion having at least about twice the length of the outer periphery;
The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the elongated tip wrap is doubly wound laterally around an outer periphery of the mouthpiece to form at least a double layer.   The mouthpiece of claim 4, wherein the elongated tip wrap comprises a fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, a cellulose acetate nonwoven web, a polymer membrane, a polymer foam, or any combination thereof.   The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the tip cover is in direct contact with the rigid tube.   The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the tip cover includes a polymer label having a visible indicia containing information about the smoking article. One or both of the lower / inner and upper / outer layers may be in each layer and / or in each of the inner and outer layers, silicone, latex, PETG, PS, PET, OPP, BOPP, OPS, 2. The mouthpiece of claim 1 , comprising PE, EPS, PEF, PVDF, PEX, PEBAX, PE, EVA, CoPP, FEP, PTFE, and PVC, or any combination thereof. The mouthpiece of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the upper / outer layer, the outer surface of the lower / inner layer, or both, are printed with one or more of colors, graphics, and other indicia. Further comprising at least one intermediate layer is bonded between the outer layer and the inner layer, the mouthpiece of claim 1. The at least one intermediate layer, generally colorless / transparent, the inner surface, an outer surface of the inner layer of the outer layer or both the color, one or more of the graphics and other indicia are printed claim 10 The mouthpiece described in the above. The mouthpiece of claim 10 , wherein the at least one intermediate layer comprises PE, EVA and CoPP, or any combination thereof.   The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the tip cover comprises a heat shrinkable material that closely fits around the tube and / or any material between the tube and the tip cover.   The tip cover comprises a tube and / or sleeve portion of a shrinkable material that, when processed in a manner appropriate for the material, closely follows the tube and / or any material between the tube and the tip cover. The mouthpiece according to claim 1. A smoking article comprising the mouthpiece of claim 1 .   16. The smoking article according to claim 15, wherein the tip cover extends beyond the mouthpiece and covers at least a further portion of the smoking article. Tube by remote low hardness stiffness is lower Dirometa than the tube of the rigidity of the mouthpiece, smoking articles according to claim 1.

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