JP6728423B2 - Smoking articles with invisible markings - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to smoking articles and wrappers for smoking articles having invisible indicia.

Combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically have shredded tobacco surrounded by a paper wrapper that forms a tobacco rod. Cigarettes are used by smokers by igniting one end of the cigarette and burning a shredded tobacco rod. The smoker then accepts mainstream smoke into his mouth, usually by withdrawing it at the opposite or mouth end of the cigarette containing the filter. The finely cut tobacco may be a single type of cigarette or a mixture of two or more types of cigarettes, depending on the cigarette brand.

Other known smoking articles include, for example, smoking articles in which an aerosol is produced by electrical heating or by transferring heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to an aerosol-generating substrate. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from a heat source and become entrained in the air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compound cools, it condenses to form an aerosol, which is inhaled by the consumer. Also known are smoking articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is produced from a tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other source of nicotine without burning and in some cases without heating, for example by a chemical reaction. is there.

Various portions of the smoking article may include a consumer visible wrapper or housing. For example, cigarette filter rods are usually wrapped with plug wrap paper, tobacco rods are usually wrapped with cigarette paper, and tobacco rods and filter rods are usually attached with tipping paper. Non-combustible smoking articles may have similar wrappers or housings for containing the smoking article components. The plug wrap, cigarette paper, tipping paper, or other portion of the wrapper or housing of the smoking article may be visible to the consumer.

The housing or wrapper is usually solid white or colored. Sometimes indicia, such as images, logos or text, are printed on one or more of these wrappers so that the user can easily recognize and identify the product. At least one published patent application WO 2011/042354 describes a wrapper with aligned printed patterns and embossed V-shaped features, where one side of the features is described. One color is provided and the other side is provided with another color so that different colors dominate when viewed from different angles.

While indicia such as images, logos, text, or color shifting can be used to identify authentic products, the number of counterfeit smoking articles continues to grow. Therefore, in order to prevent counterfeiting, a more sophisticated mechanism for identifying a product as authentic is desirable.

One object of the present disclosure is to depict smoking articles or wrappers thereof that have more difficult to counterfeit indicia than those previously delineated. The indicia may allow the user to more easily identify that the smoking article is authentic. In embodiments, the indicia is visible only from a single particular angle or some particular angles, but not when viewed from other angles.

Another object of this disclosure is to depict smoking articles or wrappers thereof that have invisible indicia that become visible when viewed from a particular angle. Such smoking articles and wrappers can be more easily accepted by users as a sign of authentication.

In a first aspect, a smoking article or a wrapper or housing for a smoking article is hidden with or within adjacent portions when viewed from at least one angle and viewed from at least one other angle. Includes indicia that sometimes become visible to adjacent areas. For example, in embodiments, a smoking article or wrapper or housing for a smoking article includes markings that include patterned portions and adjacent portions. The patterned portion includes a printed pattern and an embossed pattern aligned with the printed pattern. The printed pattern includes a first color and an adjacent second color. A first color of the print pattern is provided on one side of the embossed feature that is visible from the first angle, and a second color of the print pattern is embossed that is visible from the second angle. The features provided are provided on the second side. The first color and the adjacent second color mix when viewed from a third angle to produce a third color. Adjacent portions of the marking are provided with one of the first, second or third colors. Thus, when aligned and embossed features and colored features are viewed from a single particular angle, they are not easily distinguished from adjacent portions. For example, if the adjacent portion is of a third color, the aligned embossed and colored features may be in or with the adjacent portion when viewed from a third angle. Hidden and invisible. However, when viewed from the first or second angle, the aligned embossed features and colored features are distinguishable from adjacent portions and are not hidden.

In a second aspect, the smoking article or wrapper or housing for the smoking article includes indicia that become visible when viewed from a selected range of angles. For example, in embodiments, a smoking article or wrapper or housing for a smoking article includes markings that include a printed pattern and an embossed pattern aligned with the printed pattern. The printed pattern includes a first color and an adjacent second color. In the first part, a first color is printed on the first side of the embossed feature that is visible from a first angle, and a second color is embossed that is visible from a second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the feature. In the second portion, the embossed pattern is offset with respect to the printed pattern so that the second color is printed on one side of the embossed feature visible from the first angle. Adjacent first and second colors mix when viewed from a third angle to produce a third color. Thus, in some embodiments, the indicia is visible when viewed from the first angle but not when viewed from the second or third angle.

In a third aspect, a smoking article or a wrapper or housing for a smoking article includes invisible indicia when viewed from a selected range of angles. For example, in embodiments, a smoking article or wrapper or housing for a smoking article includes markings that include a printed pattern and an embossed pattern aligned with the printed pattern. The print pattern includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the printed pattern comprises a first color and an adjacent second color. The second portion of the printed pattern comprises the first color and the adjacent third color. In the first part, a first color is printed on the first side of the embossed feature that is visible from a first angle, and a second color is embossed that is visible from a second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the feature. In the second part, the first color is printed on one side of the embossed feature visible from the first angle, and the third color is embossed visible from the second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the features. Thus, in some embodiments, the indicia may not be visible when viewed from the first angle, but may be visible when viewed from the second or third angle.

In each of the embodiments of the various aspects described above, the printed pattern is aligned with the embossed pattern such that the indicia are visible when viewed from one or more angles. When the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with each other at the marked part, the first color is dominant when viewed from the first angle and the second color is dominant when viewed from the second angle. Is. A third color, where the printing pattern and the embossing pattern are offset, when viewed from the first angle, the second color is predominant or a mixture of the first and second colors. Is dominant. Despite the offset of one or more of the printed and embossed patterns, the printed and embossed patterns are generally considered to be aligned to the extent that the desired appearance and disappearance of indicia is achieved. Be understood.

One or more embodiments of smoking articles or wrappers described herein may provide one or more advantages over previously manufactured or depicted smoking articles or wrappers for smoking articles. For example, the high degree of complexity of the pattern and its confusion or invisible indicia can result in smoking articles or wrappers that are more difficult to counterfeit or provide the user with additional assurance that the smoking article is authentic. .. Moreover, the smoking articles or wrappers described herein provide manufacturers with additional flexibility and options for marking smoking articles, including the ability to create invisible indicia. These and other advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Any suitable smoking article or wrapper or housing for a smoking article may include the markings described herein. The term "smoking article" includes other articles in which smokable materials such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes are ignited and burned to produce smoke. The term "smoking article" also includes smoking articles, such as, but not limited to, smoking articles that directly or indirectly heat a smoking composition and smoking articles that do not burn or heat the smoking composition. Does not burn, but rather uses an air stream or chemical reaction to deliver an article of nicotine or other material from a smokable material.

Generally, smoking articles are in a form that allows the user to grab the article and inhale smoke as desired. Smoking articles include a smokable composition and often include a filter disposed downstream of the smoking composition to filter components released from the smoking composition. Smoking articles typically have other elements such as an outer wrapper or a housing that is visible to the consumer. The housing may include a smokable composition or filter.

The markings may be provided on or incorporated into the wrapper, housing or any other component of the consumer visible smoking article. Regardless of which component of the smoking article is provided with the marking, the marking is provided on the visible area of the smoking article. It is understood that the "visible area" is one area of the article that is visible to the user. The markings are preferably provided on the outer surface. Of course, markings can be provided on surfaces other than the outer surface. For example, when viewed from the exterior of a fully assembled article, where one or more outer layers of the smoking article, or portions thereof, are transparent or translucent, or include windows, underlying layers, or portions thereof. be able to. Thus, in some embodiments, the underlying layer or portions thereof may provide a visible area. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "substantially transparent" is used herein to describe a material through which at least a sufficient proportion of incident light can pass, so that it can be seen through the material.

In embodiments, the component on which the marking is provided is a wrapper such as plug wrap, cigarette paper, tipping paper, or other suitable wrapper for smoking articles. Typically, smoking article wrappers are formed from paper or other materials such as cellulosic materials. In other embodiments, the wrapper is a film such as a cellulose film or other film such as a polylactic acid film. The film can be substantially or completely transparent.

When the marking is provided on a transparent or translucent component or portion of a smoking article, the marking is visible externally through the transparent component or portion, such as a transparent film wrapper, so the marking is a transparent or translucent configuration. It may be provided on the internal surface of the element or part. The markings may also be provided on or incorporated into the underlying component or components that are transparent.

Optional markings may be provided on or in the smoking article or components of the smoking article. For example, the marking can be in the form of indicia. "Indicator" as used herein means an individual visual element or repeated element or pattern. The indicia may be in the form of logos, text, images, patterns, or the like, or combinations thereof. As an example, the indicia may include a brand or manufacturer logo that allows the consumer to identify the type and source of the smoking article. The indicia are generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, or at any other angle than parallel or at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article and along the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. Can be aligned with the axis. If the indicia are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the indicia or portion thereof may be visible or disappear from view when the consumer swivels the smoking article. When the indicia are aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, the indicia or portion thereof is visible when the consumer rotates the smoking article about the smoking article's longitudinal axis. It can disappear or disappear.

The marking comprises a combination of printed and embossed features. The printed features are preferably printed patterns. In an embodiment, the patterns are adjacent to each other such that one color is on one side of the embossed feature and another color is on the other side of the embossed feature. Includes first and second colors. In some embodiments, the first or second color is provided by the color of the embossed material. That is, another color is not added to the area corresponding to the first or second color. In other embodiments, colors are added to the areas corresponding to both the first and second colors.

Embossing and printing can occur in any order, such as printing first, embossing first, or printing and embossing simultaneously. In embodiments, the markings are generated by first printing and then embossing. Any suitable printing process may be employed. For example, gravure printing (such as rotary gravure printing), offset printing, flexographic printing or digital printing (such as inkjet or laser jet printing) may be used. Any suitable material may be printed with ink, dyes, pigments, or the like.

Any suitable embossing process may be employed. For example, a plate or roller with features corresponding to the desired embossing features may be used. The sheet of the embossed wrapper may be manufactured before manufacturing the smoking article, in which case the apparatus for manufacturing the smoking article may be embossed due to crushing, for example by rollers or the like. A surface relief pattern may be included that matches the embossed pattern on the wrapper to prevent damage to the textured features. In embodiments, embossing, printing, or both embossing and printing occur sequentially during the manufacturing process of a smoking article.

The combination of printing and embossing is aligned to produce indicia that are not visible when viewed from certain angles, but are visible when viewed from other angles. In embodiments, the markings include a print pattern and an embossed pattern that are in register with the print pattern on the first portion of the smoking article or wrapper, and are offset from the print pattern on the second portion of the smoking article or wrapper. The print pattern includes the first and second colors, as described above. The first and second colors are preferably sufficiently small in width to be printed adjacent to each other and mixed when viewed from a particular angle to produce the third color. Where the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register, the first color is provided to the first side of the embossed features that are visible when viewed at the first angle. The second color is provided on the second side of the embossed feature that is visible when viewed at the second angle. Thus, where the printed and embossed patterns are in register, the first color is visible when the smoking article is viewed from the first angle and the second color is the smoking article viewed from the second angle. Sometimes, the third color (mixed color) is visible when the smoking article or wrapper is viewed from a third angle.

In the second part, the second color is printed on one side of the embossed features visible from the first angle when the embossed pattern is offset from the printed pattern. Thus, the invisible mark when viewed from the third angle is that when the second color is viewed from the first angle, the second color is visible from the first angle in the area where the emboss pattern and the print pattern are not aligned. Looks like.

In embodiments, the indicia is a wrapper or other component of a smoking article such that the alternating strips of the first and second colors, or other suitable alternating features, abut one another. Printed on. The strips or other suitable features may be straight, curved, wavy, or any suitable or desired shape. Adjacent strips or features are narrow enough so that when viewed from the proper angle, the first and second colors are not visually distinguishable and do not mix to produce a third color. It is preferable. In embodiments, the width of adjacent strips or features is about 10 micrometers or less, such as about 5 micrometers or less, about 2 micrometers or less, or about 1 micrometer or less. Generally, the width of the strip or feature is about 50 nanometers or more, such as about 100 nanometers or more or 500 nanometers or more. In embodiments, the width of the strip is from about 1 micrometer to about 8 micrometers.

Adjacent strips or features preferably have a color selected from a primary color (such as red, yellow or blue) or a secondary color (such as green, orange or violet). As an example, if the adjacent strips are narrow enough and are blue and yellow, the pattern or indicia produced by the strips will appear green when viewed from the proper angle.

The first printed color is provided on the first side of the embossed feature that is visible when viewed from the first angle, and the second printed color is viewed from the second angle The apex of the embossed feature is printed in the area where the embossed feature is registered with the print pattern so that it is provided on the second side of the embossed feature. It is preferable to define the intersection of the first color and the adjacent printed second color. In embodiments, the color provided on one side of the embossed feature may be partially present on the other side of the embossed feature, so that the color between the two colors is The transition may be smoother, shade effects may be created, and movement effects may be increased.

The embossed features can be of any suitable shape, such as having an inverted V-shaped or U-shaped cross section. In embodiments, the embossed features are generally in the form of prisms.

In an embodiment, the embossed features have ridges with vertices. The vertices can be flat, rounded, pointed, or the like. Ridges with flattened or rounded vertices may be easier to manufacture than ridges with sharp vertices. The upper surface of the ridge, which may be flattened or has rounded vertices, may be provided with a third color, or may be provided with both a first color and a second color, whereby It can provide an overall mixed color when viewed from three angles. The boundary between colors can be approximately the center of the top surface. Also, this type of flattened or rounded apex may provide more latitude in aligning the printed and embossed patterns. The reason is that the boundaries of the first and second colors do not require exact alignment as in the case of sharp vertices.

The embossed features can be of any suitable height, width and length. In embodiments, the embossed features have a width, height, or both width and height of about 10 micrometers or less, about 5 micrometers or less, about 2 micrometers or less, or about 1 micrometer. For example: Generally, embossed features have a height, width, or both width and height of about 50 nanometers or more, such as about 100 nanometers or more or 500 nanometers or more. In embodiments, the embossed features have a height and width of about 1 micrometer to about 5 micrometers. The height and width may be the same or different. One or more of the embossed features can be of the same or different height and width. All of the embossed features are preferably of substantially similar height and width. The height and width of the embossed features are preferably substantially the same as the length of the features varies.

Embossed features can have any suitable slope. For example, if the cross-sectional shape of the embossed feature is V-shaped, or if the embossed feature is prismatic, the feature has a side slope of about 20 degrees (°) to about 80 degrees. It may be in degrees. The tilt is preferably from about 30 degrees (°) to about 70 degrees (°). The slope on one side may be the same as or different from the slope on the other side. The width of the printed strips is preferably approximately equal to the base to apex length of the embossed feature.
As described above, in place, the registration of the print pattern or strip and the embossed features is offset. The print may be offset from the embossing or the embossing may be offset from the print. In either case, the length of the offset is preferably half or an integral multiple of the width of the printed strip. The length of the offset is preferably equal to the width of one printed strip. If the offset is equal to the width of one printed strip, a second color is provided on the first side of the embossed feature and also a second color is visible from the first angle. Become. If the offset is equal to half the width of one printed strip, the sides of the embossed feature visible from the first angle will now include both the first and second colors .. Thus, the second color, when viewed from the first angle, provides half of the width of the first side of the embossed feature with the first color and half provides the second color. So that it becomes visible as a mixed third color.

The part or region where the printed feature and the embossed feature are in register with each other and the part or region where the similarly printed feature and the embossed feature are offset are embossed The first side or face of the feature provided with is preferably visible from a first angle at right angles to the first side. The second side or surface of the embossed feature is preferably visible from a second angle at right angles to the second side. At a third angle between the first and second angles, both the first and second sides of the embossed feature are visible, and either the embossed feature It is preferred that the colors on the side of are mixed when viewed from the third angle. Only the first side of the embossed feature can be seen from the angle range near the first angle, and only the second side of the embossed feature from the angle range near the second angle. Is visible, and that both the first and second sides are visible from angles in the range near the third angle. By way of example and in various embodiments, when viewed from an angle of about +25 degrees from the first angle, only the first side or predominantly only the first side is visible and about +25 degrees from the second angle. When viewed from an angle of degrees, only the second side or mainly only the second side is visible, and when viewed from an angle of about +25 degrees from the third angle, both the first and second sides. Are preferably visible and a mixed color is produced.

When incorporated into a smoking article, markings that include a combination of embossed and printed features are different from when incorporated on or in a flat component (such as a wrapper) that is incorporated into the smoking article. It is understood that they can have different visual effects. For example, when incorporated onto or into an article having a flat surface, the angles at which different sides of the marking are visible will be substantially similar throughout the marking. However, when incorporated into or on a curved plane, or when the flat surface is curved, different portions of the marking may be viewed from different angles with respect to the flat surface. For example, on a flat surface, the pattern of embossed features and the pattern of printed features are embossed at the location where adjacent strips of the first and second printed colors intersect. The first color is visible from the first angle and the second color is visible from the second angle when including the vertices of the marked feature. However, by bending a flat surface into a cylinder, when viewed from a particular angle, the printed features and the embossed features are particularly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, The part of the first color becomes visible, the part of the mixed color becomes visible and the part of the second color becomes visible. However, when the printed and embossed features are generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, bending is more likely to result in a visual marking marking than when flat. It should not have a significant effect on appearance.

In embodiments, the marking includes a portion adjacent to the patterned portion that includes a combination of embossed features and printed features. The combination of embossed and printed features may be as described above. The alignment of the embossed and printed features may be registered over the patterned portion, and may include the registered and offset portions as described above. As mentioned above, the patterned areas allow the viewer to see both sides of the embossed feature, as the colors provided on either side mix to form a third color. You can see it from the third angle. The portion adjacent to the patterned portion is colored with the same color as the first, second or third color. The adjacent portion and the patterned portion are visually indistinguishable or substantially invisible when viewed from an angle where the same color as the portion adjacent to the patterned portion is viewed. However, when the color seen in the patterned portion is viewed from an angle different from the color of the adjacent portion, the patterned portion can be visually distinguished from the adjacent portion. Thus, the patterned portion may be invisible when viewed from the third angle and visible when viewed from the first or second angle. Thus, the patterned portion may be in the form of an indicia, but not visible when viewed from a particular angle and visually identifiable when viewed from another angle. In embodiments, the adjacent portions at least partially or completely surround the patterned portion. Alternatively, the patterned portion may surround at least partially or completely adjacent portions.

As used herein, all scientific and technical terms have the meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are provided to facilitate understanding of certain terms frequently used herein.

As used herein, the singular forms (“a” and “the”) contemplate embodiments with the plural subject, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Absent.

As used herein, "or" is generally used in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. “And/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

The terms “having”, “including”, “comprising”, and the like, as used herein are used in the open-ended sense and generally mean “including but not limited to”. It is understood that "substantially composed", "consisting of" and like expressions are subsumed in "including" and like expressions.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments, under the same or other circumstances, may also be preferred. Moreover, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that the other embodiments are not useful, and excludes other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. I have no intention of doing it.

A "patterned" portion, as used herein, refers to a combination of one or more embossed and printed features that produces different visual effects when viewed from different angles. It is a part that includes. The patterned portion can, but need not be, in the form of a repeating pattern.

For purposes of this disclosure, black, white and gray are considered colors.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, there are depicted schematic diagrams illustrating various embodiments of smoking articles or components of smoking articles having or capable of having the above-described markings. The markings preferably produce invisible indicia when viewed from certain angles and visually identifiable indicia when viewed from other angles. The scale of the figures is not necessarily accurate and is presented for purposes of illustration and is not limiting. The figures depict various aspects described in this disclosure. However, other embodiments not depicted in the figures are understood to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps, and the like. However, it is understood that the use of a single number to refer to a component in a given figure does not limit that numbered component in another figure. Furthermore, the use of different numbers to refer to components does not indicate that the differently numbered components cannot be the same or similar.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a smoking article having markings. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking article having a wrapper on which markings may be provided. FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of markings generally viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of markings generally viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the marking when viewed from the angle X. FIG. 3D is a schematic view of the marking when viewed from the angle Z. FIG. 4A is a schematic view of markings when viewed from the top to the bottom. FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB′ of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line CC′ of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is a sectional view taken along line DD′ of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a marking having a patterned portion and an adjacent portion, generally a schematic view of the marking as viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 5B is a marking with a patterned portion and adjacent portions, and is a schematic view of the marking, generally viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a marking, generally viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view of the marking, generally viewed from the opposite side.

The scale of the schematic drawings presented herein are not necessarily accurate and are shown for illustration purposes only.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a smoking article 10 is illustrated. The smoking article 10 has markings 99 that are visible to the consumer when viewed from the proper angle. As mentioned above, markings may be provided on or in the article 10, or components thereof. In FIG. 1, marking 99 is illustrated as three numbers “123”. The three numbers can be considered as a single marking or as three different markings.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a partially expanded smoking article 10 (in this case a cigarette) is illustrated. The smoking article 10 includes a tobacco rod 20 and a mouth end filter 30. Although shown as separated by a gap, the tobacco rod 20 and filter 30 may be adjacent to each other. The smoking article 10 includes a plug wrap 60 that surrounds at least a portion of the filter 30 and a cigarette paper 40 that surrounds at least a portion of the tobacco rod 20. A tipping paper 50 or other suitable wrapper surrounds the plug wrap 60 and the cigarette paper 40, as generally known in the art. Markings (such as marking 99 shown in FIG. 1) may be provided on plug wrap 60, cigarette paper 40, or tipping paper 50. When the markings are provided on the plug wrap 60 or the cigarette paper 40 in a position covered by the tipping paper 50, at least a portion of the tipping paper is transparent, making the marking visible to the consumer. The markings are preferably provided on a portion of the smoking article 10 that is not burned in use, such as a portion of the tipping paper 50 on the plug wrap 60 or filter 30.

The smoking article illustrated in FIG. 2 is a cigarette and the wrappers 40, 50, 60 are cigarette paper, tipping paper and plug wrap, while other smoking articles have similar wrappers, components or colors. It is understood that it can have a surface that can provide markings.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D, marking 99 is shown. 3A and 3B generally show perspective views from the opposite side. The marking 99 includes adjacent printed strips 110, 112 and an embossed feature 100 having an apex 102 at the intersection of the adjacent printed strips 110, 112. The printed strips have alternating first colored strips 110 (eg, blue) and second colored strips 112 (eg, yellow). In the first region, the printed strips 110, 112 are on the first side 104 of the embossed feature 100 of the first color strip 110 and the second color strip 112. Are aligned with the embossed feature 100, such as on the second side 106 of the embossed feature 100. In this area, the first color 110 is visible when viewed from the first angle (Y). The second color 112 is visible when viewed from the second angle (X). When viewed from the third angle (Z), both sides 104, 106 of the embossed feature 100 are visible and thus both colors 110, 112 are visible. If the width of the colored strips 110, 112 and the embossed features 100 is small enough, the colors of the first and second strips 110, 112 are mixed to produce a third color (eg, , Blue + yellow = green).

In the second region, the printed strips 110, 112 are not aligned with the embossed features 110. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the printed features and the embossed features are not aligned to be offset by a distance (O) equal to the width of one printed strip, but this is illustrated. It is also the width of one embossed feature 100 in an embodiment. In this area, a second color 112 is provided on the first side 104' of the embossed feature 100. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, the first color 110 is provided on the second side 106 ′ of the embossed feature 100.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example of what can be seen when looking at the marking 99 from a second angle (X). In this case, the first color 110 is visible in the unaligned areas, while the second color 112 is visible in the aligned areas.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example of what may be seen when looking at the marking 99 from a third angle (Z). The alternating first 110 and second 112 colored strips are visible even in unaligned areas. If the strips are small enough in width, the colors will appear as mixed colors. Therefore, the features illustrated in FIG. 3C (first color 110, background second color 112) are not visible when viewed from angle Z as illustrated in FIG. 3D, but as shown in FIG. It is visible when viewed from above.

4A-D are different views showing that features of marking 99 that are not visible in one view may be visible when viewed from different angles. FIG. 4A is a top-down view (top-down view) of a marking 99 having alternating strips of different colors 110, 112, such as that seen from angle Z in FIG. In certain portions, such as the portions at lines B-B' and D-D', the apex 102 of the embossed feature is aligned with the intersection of the different colored strips 110, 112. The print and emboss patterns are not aligned so that the vertex 102 is offset by the width of one printed strip in the portion that includes the cross section through line C-C'. As shown in FIGS.4B-D, when different parts of the marking 99 are viewed from the same angle, they differ depending on whether they contain print patterns and embossed patterns that are aligned or not aligned. I can see the color. 4B and 4D are cross-sections at lines B-B' and D-D', respectively, and as shown therein, the embossed and printed features are aligned and at a first angle The first color 110 is visible when viewed from above. FIG. 4C is a cross-section at line C-C', which shows that the embossed and printed features are not aligned (offset) and when viewed from the first angle. The second color 112 is visible.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, generally shown in perspective view of the marking from the opposite, where the colored portion 120 shows a pattern with adjacent strips of the first color 110. Adjacent to the stud, the second color 112 is aligned with the embossed feature 100. In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent colored portions 120 surround the patterned portion. The embossed feature 100 has a first side provided with a first color 110 and a second side provided with a second color 112. The first color 110 is visible when viewed from an angle that is generally at right angles to the first side of the embossed feature 100 (see FIG. 5B). The second color 112 is visible when viewed from an angle that is generally at a right angle to the second side of the embossed feature 100 (see FIG. 5A). When viewed from an angle between these two angles (eg, from top to bottom), the colors 110, 112 on either side of the embossed feature 100 are mixed and are the same or substantially the same as the adjacent portion 120. Produces the same color as. Thus, the indicia produced by the patterned area may not be visible when viewed from a particular angle, or may merge with adjacent parts and be visually distinguishable from adjacent parts when viewed from different angles. To be done.

Reference is now made to Figures 6A and 6B, which generally show perspective views of markings from the opposite side. The marking may be an adjacent strip of a first color 110 and a second color 112 aligned with the embossed feature 100 or a first color 110 aligned with the embossed feature 100. And a patterned portion with a third color 114. The embossed feature 100 has a first side provided with a first color 110 and a second side provided with a second color 112 or a third color 114. The first color 110 is visible when viewed from an angle generally perpendicular to the first side of the embossed feature 100 (see FIG. 6B). The second color 112 and the third color 114 are visible when viewed from an angle that is generally at right angles to the second side of the embossed feature 100 (see FIG. 6A). When viewed from an angle between these two angles (eg, from top to bottom), the colors 110, 112 or 110, 114 on either side of the embossed feature 100 are mixed, respectively the fourth or fifth. Colors are provided. The width of the colored features is thus small enough to be mixed when viewed from the proper angle. The width of the features is about 10 micrometers or less, preferably about 5 micrometers or less, about 2 micrometers or less, or about 1 micrometer or less. Generally, the width of the features is about 50 nanometers or more, such as about 100 nanometers or more or 500 nanometers or more. In embodiments, the strip width is from about 1 micrometer to about 8 micrometers. In this way, the indicia produced by the patterned portion is invisible when viewed from the first angle and visible when viewed from the second angle. The indicia appears in a different color when viewed from an angle between the first angle and the second angle (such as top to bottom in the illustrated drawing).

Claims (5)

A smoking article,
A marking including a printed pattern and an embossed pattern aligned with the printed pattern,
The printed pattern includes a first color and an adjacent second color,
In a first portion, the first color is printed on a first side of an embossed feature that is visible from a first angle, and the second color is visible from a second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the feature that has been
In a second portion, the embossed pattern is offset with respect to the printed pattern such that the second color is printed on one side of the embossed feature visible from the first angle.
The widths of the adjacent first and second colors are sufficiently small when viewed from a third angle, and the first color and the second color are mixed when viewed from the third angle. And generate a third color ,
The smoking article further comprises
A smoking article comprising a portion adjacent to the marking that is not patterned and is not embossed . In the second portion, the embossed pattern is offset with respect to the printed pattern and the first color is printed on one side of the embossed feature visible from the second angle. Item 2. The smoking article according to item 1 . A smoking article,
A marking including a printed pattern and an embossed pattern aligned with the printed pattern,
Wherein the print pattern comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the print pattern having a first color and an adjacent second color, and the print pattern A second portion having the first color and an adjacent third color,
In the first portion, the first color is printed on a first side of an embossed feature that is visible from a first angle, and the second color is visible from a second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the processed feature,
In the second portion, the first color is printed on one side of an embossed feature that is visible from a first angle, and the third color is the embossing that is visible from the second angle. The embossed pattern is registered with the printed pattern so that it is printed on the second side of the processed feature ,
The smoking article further comprises
A smoking article comprising a portion adjacent to the marking that is not patterned and is not embossed . The widths of the adjacent first and second colors are sufficiently small when viewed from a third angle (the first color and the second color are mixed when viewed from the third angle). To produce a fourth color) and the widths of the adjacent first and third colors are sufficiently small when viewed from the third angle (the first color and the second color). A smoking article according to claim 3 , wherein the colors mix to produce a fifth color). The smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising:
With the filter part wrapped by the filter plug wrapper,
A rod of smokable material wrapped in a wrapper of smokable material,
A tipping wrapper that surrounds at least a portion of the filter portion and at least a portion of the rod of smokable material,
Smoking article, wherein the markings are provided on at least one of the filter plug wrapper, the smokable material wrapper or the tipping wrapper.