JP7480060B2 - Smoking products - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to smoking articles.

A smoking article may include a rod of smoking material, a wrapper surrounding the rod of smoking material, and a patch located along the length of the rod of smoking material. Such a patch may impart flavor to the smoke presented to a user or ventilate the smoking article. For example, a tobacco patch may be located between the wrapper and the tobacco rod and have a structure that ventilates the smoking article. The tobacco patch located along the length of the rod of smoking material may be used as a carrier for flavorant compounds that impart flavor to the smoke generated during use of the smoking article.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a packaging material for a smoking article comprising a wrapper material and a flavourant patch, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, and a flavourant patch located along the length of the rod of smoking material, the flavourant patch including a plant material other than tobacco.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a wrapping material for a smoking article comprising a wrapper material, a first tobacco flavor patch, and a second tobacco flavor patch, the first and second tobacco flavor patches being configured such that when the wrapping material is wrapped around a rod of smoking material, the first and second tobacco flavor patches are positioned differently along the rod of smoking material.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, a first tobacco flavored patch at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material, and a second tobacco flavored patch at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location and the second location being different, and the first tobacco flavored patch and the second tobacco flavored patch being free of flavorants other than tobacco.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises providing a wrapper and a flavourant patch and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch around a rod of smoking material, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect includes providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavored patch at a first location along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavored patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper, and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second tobacco flavored patches around the smoking material to form a rod of smoking material such that the location of the first tobacco flavored patch is a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material and the location of the second tobacco flavored patch is a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location being different from the second location.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top view of the components of the smoking article of FIG. 1 prior to assembly into a finished smoking article of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a top view of the smoking article components of FIG. 2 prior to assembly into a finished smoking article of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a top view of the smoking article components of FIG. 3 prior to assembly into a finished smoking article of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top view of the packaging material of the exemplary embodiment of the first aspect. FIG. 13 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging material of the third aspect.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a packaging material for a smoking article comprising a wrapper material and a flavourant patch, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article that includes a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, and a flavorant patch located along the length of the rod of smoking material, the flavorant patch including a plant material other than tobacco.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a wrapping material for a smoking article comprising a wrapper material, a first tobacco flavor patch and a second tobacco flavor patch, the first and second tobacco flavor patches being configured such that when the wrapping material is wrapped around a rod of smoking material, the first and second tobacco flavor patches are positioned differently along the rod of smoking material.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, a first tobacco flavored patch at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material, and a second tobacco flavored patch at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location and the second location being different, and the first tobacco flavored patch and the second tobacco flavored patch being free of flavorants other than tobacco.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises providing a rod of smoking material, a wrapper and a flavourant patch, and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch around the rod of smoking material, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises providing a rod of smoking material, a wrapper, a first tobacco flavor patch at a first location along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavor patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper, and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second flavor patches around the rod of smoking material such that the location of the first tobacco flavor patch is at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material and the location of the second tobacco flavor patch is at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location being different from the second location.

As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavoring agent" refer to ingredients permitted by local regulations that may be used to impart a taste or aroma desired by adult consumers to a product. Such ingredients include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, etc.) , ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, etc.), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanical breath fresheners, etc.

As used herein, a synthetic or isolated flavoring is a compound or compounds that are typically not contained within or present in any plant material in which the flavoring is found in nature. A synthetic or isolated flavoring may be, for example, a compound or compounds isolated from naturally occurring cellular material or a compound or compounds that have been synthesized. A synthetic or isolated flavoring may be in any suitable form, for example, an oil, liquid, or powder. A non-limiting example of a synthetic or isolated flavoring is the compound menthol (5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol) when present within or on any substantially intact cellular structure of a plant of the genus Mint.

As used herein, botanical flavors or plant materials are naturally occurring plant materials that typically have a substantially intact cell structure. Examples of botanical flavors include materials that contain substantially intact cell structures of licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, and coffee.

In some embodiments, the patch may be a separate layer of sheet material. For example, the patch may be a separate layer of sheet material that is manufactured separately from the wrapper and then adhered to or placed onto the wrapper during manufacture of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the patch is an area of a wrapper that includes a flavoring agent that is disposed directly on the wrapper material. For example, the patch may be an area of a wrapper where plant material is adhered to the wrapper by a suitable adhesive, such as starch. For example, in some embodiments, adhesive may be applied to the wrapper and the area of loose plant material may be deposited on the adhesive area such that the plant material adheres to the surface of the wrapper in the area where the adhesive is applied.

As used herein, a flavor patch containing botanical material may be a patch containing a botanical flavor. Patches containing botanical flavors other than tobacco may be prepared in a conventional manner. For example, in embodiments where the patch is a separate layer of sheet material, the patch may be prepared in the same manner as tobacco patches, such as reconstituted tobacco patches.

Typically, a smoking article has a front end and a mouth end. Typically, the front end of the smoking article is the end that is lit by a user of the smoking article. Typically, the mouth end of the smoking article is the end opposite the front end of the smoking article from which smoke is drawn into the user's mouth when the smoking article is lit. Typically, a rod of smoking material has a front end and a mouth end. Typically, the front end of the rod of smoking material is the end that is lit by a user of the smoking article and is co-located with the front end of the smoking article. Typically, the mouth end of the rod of smoking material is the end opposite the front end of the rod of smoking material. In some embodiments, the mouth end of the rod of smoking material may be co-located with the mouth end of the smoking article. In other embodiments (for example, the smoking article includes a filter), the mouth end of the rod of smoking material may be located between the mouth end of the smoking article and the front end of the rod of smoking material.

In an exemplary embodiment of the smoking article of the present disclosure, the rod of smoking material may be a tobacco rod.

Certain embodiments of smoking articles according to the present disclosure described herein may include a tobacco rod, a wrapper paper, and a patch, and thus may be filter-free. In such cases, a color or other distinguishing mark or feature may be painted or applied to the outside of the wrapper at the mouth end of the finished smoking article to help the consumer correctly identify the mouth end before smoking. Alternatively, smoking articles according to the present disclosure may be provided with a filter unit to be a filtered smoking article, in which the filter unit is joined to the mouth end of the wrapped rod of smoking material by tipping paper. The filter unit may have any construction, including a single member or multiple members, and may be provided with ventilation, such as a circumferentially extending row or area of ventilation holes made by on-line laser machining, or ventilation provided by pre-drilling. Thus, the term "smoking article" as used herein is intended to include a non-filter smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material without a filter unit, a filtered smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material with a filter unit attached, and a smoking article without a filter but where the filter unit is attached by a subsequent assembly process to form a filtered smoking article.

The wrapping material of the first and third aspects of the present disclosure is for (e.g. suitable for) wrapping a smoking article. The wrapping material of the first and third aspects comprises a wrapper material, which is of a type typically used for wrapping smoking articles, e.g. paper. The wrapping material of the first aspect further comprises a flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco. The wrapping material of the third aspect further comprises a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second flavour patches being configured such that when the wrapping material is wrapped around a rod of smoking material, the first and second flavour patches are respectively positioned differently along the rod of smoking material.

The wrapping material of the first or third aspect may be in bulk, i.e. it represents a quantity of material that can be divided into a number of individual pieces of material, each enclosing one smoking article. The wrapping material of the first or third aspect in bulk may be wound into a cylinder. When wound in such a cylinder, the wrapping material may be supported on a bobbin. The wound cylinder of wrapping material of the first aspect may be loaded into an apparatus for producing smoking articles (e.g. a cigarette making machine), the apparatus being operated to produce smoking articles according to the second aspect. The wound cylinder of wrapping material of the third aspect may be loaded into an apparatus for producing smoking articles (e.g. a cigarette making machine), the apparatus being operated to produce smoking articles according to the fourth aspect.

The wrapping material of the first aspect may include two or more flavourant patches. For example, the wrapping material of the first aspect may include two or more flavourant patches configured such that when the wrapping material is wrapped around a rod of smokable material, each of the two or more flavourant patches is at a different position along the rod of smokable material.

The flavourant patch of the wrapping material of the first embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the second embodiment, and the first and second tobacco flavour patches of the wrapping material of the third embodiment are described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the fourth embodiment.

The patch of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure can provide a non-tobacco flavor to the smoke delivered to the user without the need for a patch containing synthetic or isolated flavorant compounds. The use of plant materials other than tobacco in this manner is advantageous because it provides the user with a non-tobacco flavor that is different from synthetic or isolated flavorant compounds. Thus, the taste provided to the user by the smoking article of the present disclosure is more preferable than the taste of a smoking article that includes a patch flavored with synthetic or isolated flavorant compounds. Thus, in some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect, the plant patch does not include isolated flavorant compounds.

For example, providing a flavourant in the form of a patch as opposed to spraying the flavourant onto the smoking material has the advantage that the flavourant is inert. This means that the botanical flavourant is only released by the application of heat, which means that the timing of flavourant release during smoking of the smoking article can be precisely controlled.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavorant patch containing non-tobacco plant material does not contain tobacco. In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article does not contain a patch containing tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch is disposed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch extends along the length of the rod of smoking material substantially around the circumference of the rod of smoking material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavorant patch containing non-tobacco plant material comprises substantially intact cell structures of licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the flavorant patch containing non-tobacco plant material comprises substantially intact cell structures of herbaceous plant material. In some embodiments, the flavorant patch containing non-tobacco plant material comprises substantially intact cell structures of plant material selected from chamomile, thyme, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4 or 5) flavorant patches comprising non-tobacco plant material. In such embodiments, the non-tobacco plant material in one flavorant patch may be the same or different from the non-tobacco plant material in another patch. In some such embodiments, at least two of the two or more flavorant patches may be the same flavor and/or at least two of the two or more flavorant patches may be different flavors. In some embodiments, all of the two or more flavorant patches may be the same flavor. In other embodiments, each of the two or more flavorant patches is a different flavor.

For example, a smoking article of the second aspect of the invention may include a first flavorant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, a second flavorant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, and a third flavorant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco. In some such embodiments, the plant material other than tobacco may be the same in each of the first, second and third flavorant patches. In other such embodiments, the plant material other than tobacco may be the same in two of the first, second and third flavorant patches and different in the third flavorant patch. In further such embodiments, the plant material other than tobacco may be different in each of the first, second and third flavorant patches.

The location of the flavorant patch containing plant material other than tobacco along the length of the rod of smoking material is not particularly limited. For example, the location of the flavorant patch containing plant material other than tobacco may be at or near the forward end of the rod of smoking material, at or near the mouth end of the rod of smoking material, or between the forward end and the mouth end of the rod of smoking material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more flavourant patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco, each of the two or more flavourant patches being at a different location along the rod of smoking material. For example, a first flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be located at or near the forward end of the rod of smoking material, and a second flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smoking material. In embodiments where the smoking article comprises more than two flavourant patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco, each of the third and any further flavourant patches comprising a plant material other than tobacco may be located at a different location between the forward end of the rod of smoking material and the mouth end of the rod of smoking material.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, a first tobacco flavored patch at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material, and a second tobacco flavored patch at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location and the second location being different, and the first tobacco flavored patch and the second tobacco flavored patch being free of flavorants other than tobacco.

The smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure enhances the versatility of tobacco patches in altering the tobacco flavor of the smoke delivered to the user. Thus, a first tobacco flavor patch provides a first tobacco flavor to the user when the ember of the lit smoking article is at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material. A second tobacco flavor patch provides a second tobacco flavor to the user when the ember progresses along the rod of smoking material to a second location during a subsequent smoke. For example, a tobacco flavor patch in a first location may provide the user with additional satisfaction early in the smoking experience and ensure consistency of taste throughout the smoking experience. A tobacco flavor patch in a second location may provide the user with a smoother aftertaste to extend the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first tobacco flavor patch and the second tobacco flavor patch do not contain synthetic or isolated flavorants.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second tobacco flavor patch is disposed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second tobacco flavor patches extend substantially around the circumference of the rod of smoking material at first and/or second locations, respectively, along the length of the rod of smoking material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second tobacco flavored patch comprises tobacco. In some such embodiments, the first and/or second tobacco flavored patch comprises reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first location is at or near the forward end of the smoking article.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the second location is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the composition of the first tobacco flavored patch is different from the composition of the second tobacco flavored patch. For example, the first tobacco flavored patch may have a composition that imparts a stronger tobacco flavor than the material of the rod of smoking material, and the second tobacco flavored patch may have a composition that imparts a smoother tobacco flavor than the material of the rod of smoking material. In embodiments where the first location is at or near the forward end of the smoking article and the second location is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smoking material, the first tobacco flavored patch may provide a stronger flavor early in the smoking experience and the second tobacco flavored patch may provide a smoother flavor toward the end of the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect, the smoking article further comprises one or more tobacco flavor patches (e.g. one, two or three further tobacco flavor patches) in addition to the first and second tobacco flavor patches. In such embodiments, each of these one or more further tobacco flavor patches may have a different or the same composition as the composition of the first tobacco flavor patch and/or the composition of each of the second tobacco flavor patches. When there are two or more further tobacco flavor patches, each may have the same or different composition as the composition of the other further tobacco flavor patches. The or each further tobacco flavor patch may be at a position along the rod of smoking material different from the first and second positions. When there are two or more further tobacco flavor patches, each may be at a different position along the rod of smoking material. The or each further tobacco flavor patch may be disposed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper. In some embodiments, the or each further tobacco flavor patch does not comprise a synthetic or isolated flavorant.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect includes providing a wrapper and a flavourant patch, and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch around a rod of smoking material, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco. The wrapping of the wrapper and flavourant patch around the smoking material may form a wrapped rod of smoking material comprising the flavourant patch. The wrapper and flavourant patch may be provided in the form of a wrapping material according to the first aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the flavorant patch may be positioned at a location along the length of the wrapper prior to wrapping the wrapper around the rod of smoking material. Positioning the flavorant patch at a location along the wrapper in some embodiments includes placing or adhering the patch to the rod of smoking material or the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, two or more (e.g., two, three, four or five) flavorant patches are provided according to the corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments, the additional flavorant patches may be positioned at locations along the wrapper in a manner similar to that described above.

In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect includes providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavor patch at a first location along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavor patch at a second location along the length of the wrapper, and wrapping the wrapper and the first and second flavor patches around the smoking material to form a rod of smoking material such that the location of the first tobacco flavor patch is a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material and the location of the second tobacco flavor patch is a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material, the first location being different from the second location, and the wrapper, the first flavor patch and the second flavor patch may be provided in the form of a wrapping material of the third aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second tobacco flavored patches may be disposed at first and second locations along the length of the wrapper prior to wrapping the wrapper around the smoking material. Disposing the first and second tobacco flavored patches at the first and second locations along the wrapper may include placing the patches on the wrapper and/or adhering the patches to the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, one or more additional tobacco flavored patches (e.g., one, two, or three additional tobacco flavored patches) are provided in accordance with the corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments, the one or more additional tobacco flavored patches may be positioned along the wrapper in a manner similar to that described above.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a smoking article 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a rod of smoking material 2, a wrapper 3 wrapped around said rod of smoking material 2, and a flavourant patch 10 located along the length of the rod of smoking material 2. The flavourant patch 10 comprises a plant material other than tobacco. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the flavourant patch 10 is located at the forward end of the smoking article 1. In other embodiments, the flavourant patch 10 is located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smoking material, or at an intermediate position between the forward end of the smoking article 1 and the mouth end of the rod of smoking material 2.

The smoking article 1 includes a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is surrounded by a plug wrapper 5 and attached to the rod of smoking material 2 by tipping paper 6.

2, a smoking article 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a rod of smoking material 2, a wrapper 3 wrapped around the rod of smoking material 2, a first flavourant patch 10 at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material 2, and a second flavourant patch 11 at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material 2. The flavourant patches 10, 11 include a plant material other than tobacco. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first flavourant patch 10 is located at the forward end of the smoking article 1 and the second flavourant patch 11 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smoking material 2. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more further flavourant patches are located at one or more intermediate locations between the forward end of the smoking article 1 and the mouth end of the rod of smoking material 2.

The smoking article 1 includes a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is surrounded by a plug wrapper 5 and attached to the rod of smoking material 2 by tipping paper 6.

3, a smoking article 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a rod of smoking material 102, a wrapper 103 wrapped around the rod of smoking material 102, a first tobacco flavor patch 110 at a first location along the length of the rod of smoking material 102, and a first tobacco flavor patch 111 at a second location along the length of the rod of smoking material 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first flavor patch 110 is located at the forward end of the smoking article 101 and the second flavor patch 111 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smoking material 102. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more additional tobacco flavor patches are located at one or more intermediate locations between the forward end of the smoking article 101 and the mouth end of the rod of smoking material 102.

The smoking article 101 includes a filter unit 104 at the mouth end of the smoking article 101. The filter 104 is surrounded by a plug wrapper 105 and attached to the rod of smoking material 102 by tipping paper 106.

Referring to Figure 4, components of a smoking article are provided prior to the packaging step in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, where like reference numerals have the same meanings as described above in relation to the smoking article shown in Figure 1. A flavourant patch 10 is disposed in the wrapper 3.

Referring to Figure 5, a smoking article component is provided prior to the packaging step in another exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, where like reference numerals have the same meaning as described above in relation to the smoking article shown in Figure 2. A flavourant patch 10 is disposed in the wrapper 3.

Referring to Figure 6, components of a smoking article are provided prior to the packaging step in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, where like reference numerals have the same meanings as described above in relation to the smoking article shown in Figure 3. A flavourant patch 110 is disposed in the wrapper 103.

Referring to FIG. 7, a first embodiment of the packaging material 200 includes a wrapper material 203 and a flavor patch 210. The packaging material is shown partially rolled into a cylindrical shape.

Referring to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the wrapping material 200 includes a wrapper material 203, a first flavorant patch 210, and a second flavorant patch 211. The wrapping material is shown partially rolled into a cylindrical shape. The wrapping material 200 is configured such that when the material is rolled onto a rod of smoking material, the position of each of the two or more patches is different along the rod of smoking material.

The term "smoking article" as used herein should be understood to encompass all tobacco industry products, including cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use, producing smoke. Attempts have been made to create alternatives to these articles that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products include so-called "non-combustion heating" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. The present disclosure is intended to encompass such non-combustion heating products, apparatus and methods for the manufacture of such products, and components used in the manufacture of such products. Such non-combustion heating products are intended to be included within the scope of the term "smoking article" as used herein. Additionally, in one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is not a traditional cigarette. In addition to the above, the present disclosure is intended to encompass products in which a material, such as tobacco or other smoking material, is not burned or combusted but is provided to impart a sensory characteristic to an aerosol stream passing through the material. Such an aerosol stream may include air, vapor or other inhalants. All such products and materials are intended to be within the scope of the terms "smoking article" and "smoking material" as used herein.

The various embodiments described herein are provided merely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative examples and are not intended to be comprehensive or exclusive. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure to the scope of the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, but that other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the disclosed components, ingredients, features, parts, steps, means, or other combinations. The present disclosure also includes other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (13)

A wrapping material for a rod of smoking material for a smoking article comprising a wrapper material and a flavourant patch, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, the plant material having a substantially intact cellular structure, comprising:
The flavorant patch is a separate layer of sheet material that is placed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper when the wrapping material is wrapped around the rod of smoking material.
Packaging material for smoking rods of smoking articles. The wrapping material for a smoking material rod of a smoking article according to claim 1, characterized in that the flavor patch has a flavor selected from licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander and coffee. A wrapping material for a smoking article rod of smoking material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it contains two or more flavourant patches. The wrapping material for a rod of smoking material of a smoking article according to claim 3, wherein each of the two or more patches is configured to be at a different position along the rod of smoking material when wrapped around the rod of smoking material. A wrapping material for a smoking article rod of smoking material according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least two of the two or more flavour patches are of the same flavour. A wrapper for a rod of smoking material for a smoking article according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have different flavours. A smoking article comprising a rod of smoking material, a wrapper wrapped around the rod of smoking material, and a flavourant patch located along the length of the rod of smoking material, the flavourant patch comprising a plant material other than tobacco, the plant material having a substantially intact cellular structure, and further wherein the flavourant patch is a separate layer of sheet material disposed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper. 8. The smoking article of claim 7, wherein the flavorant patch has a flavor selected from licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander and coffee . A smoking article according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it contains two or more flavourant patches. The smoking article of claim 9, wherein each of the two or more flavourant patches is at a different position along the rod of smoking material. 11. A smoking article according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein at least two of the two or more flavourant patches are of the same flavour. 11. A smoking article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have different flavours. providing a wrapper and a flavor patch;
and wrapping a wrapper and a flavorant patch around a rod of smoking material;
the flavourant patch comprises a plant material other than tobacco, the plant material having a substantially intact cell structure, and further wherein the flavourant patch is a discrete layer of sheet material disposed between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper;
A method of producing a smoking article according to any one of claims 7 to 12 .

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