KR20170083101A - A smoking article, a smoking article filter section and a method of manufacturing a smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smoking article and a method of manufacturing a smoking article. The smoking article includes a filter section for accommodating smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article, a variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user-controllable ventilation level to the filter section, And a flavor source configured to discharge the flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article at a location within the smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of the ventilation arrangement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a smoking article, a smoking article filter section and a smoking article manufacturing method,

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a smoking article, a filter section for smoking articles, and a method of making a smoking article.

The cigarettes may include a filter section for filtering mainstream smoke. It is known to provide a flavor source, such as a flavor capsule, in the cigarettes in the filter section to add additional flavor to the smoke produced by the cigarette.

Embodiments of the present invention, in a first aspect, provide a smoking article comprising a filter section for accommodating smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article, A variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a ventilation level to the filter section and a ventilation arrangement disposed upstream of the ventilation arrangement and / or the smoke generated by the smoking article at a location within the aerosol and / or And a flavor source configured to release the flavor to the other aerosol.

The flavor source may be configured to selectively emit flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol. The flavor source may include one or more capsules. One or more capsules may each have a diameter of 2 mm to 6 mm.

The flavor source may comprise at least one selected from a plant material, a chamber containing flavorant, a flavor dispersant dispersed in the filter tow, flavor impregnated particles and a sheet material comprising a flavoring agent. The flavor source may be located within the filter section.

The smoking article may further comprise an additional vent arrangement configured to provide a ventilation level into a filter section that the user can not control.

The ventilation level provided by the additional variable vent arrangement is between 5% and 50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosols produced by the smoking article passing through the filter section when the variable vent is at its minimum level, Lt; / RTI >

The variable vent arrangement may provide a user-controllable vent within a subrange within the range of 0% to 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article passing through the filter section have.

The filter section may form at least one component of the first portion of the smoking article and the smoking article further comprises a second portion movable relative to the first portion to control the venting level provided by the variable venting arrangement can do. The first or second portion may include a sleeve configured to move relative to the other of the first or second portion to control the venting level provided by the variable vent arrangement. The sleeve may be rotatable relative to the filter section and the venting level is varied by changing the angular position of the sleeve relative to the filter section.

The filter section may comprise a first filter section having a length of from 5 to 25 mm and / or the smoking article may further comprise a second filter section having a length of from 5 to 25 mm and / May provide ventilation air at a position of 6 to 20 mm from the mouth end of the smoking article.

The filter section may comprise a first filter section and the smoking article may further comprise a second filter section and the second filter section is located downstream of the first filter section, The resistance to gaseous flow through the length is lower than the resistance to gas flow through the length of the first filter section and the resistance to gas flow through the length of the filter arrangement is substantially It remains constant.

The first and second filter sections may comprise tow filaments wherein the first filter section is formed by one or more of a tow weight, a number of tow filaments of unit volume, a cross section of tow filaments, Section.

The second filter section may include at least one air passageway extending lengthwise longitudinally through its length. The second filter section may comprise a fibrous filtration material formed to have an annular cross-section.

The second filter section may comprise a tube of fibrous filtration material and the air passage extends along the central longitudinal axis through the length of the second filter section.

Smoking articles may include cigarettes.

Embodiments of the present invention provide, in a second aspect, a filter section for smoking article for accommodating smoke and / or other aerosols produced by the smoking article, the filter section comprising a user- And / or a flavor in the smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article in the location of the smoke and / or other aerosols upstream of the vent arrangement And a flavor source configured to emit.

Embodiments of the present invention, in a third aspect, provide a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising forming a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article, Providing a variable vent arrangement configured to provide a controllable ventilation level to the filter section and providing a variable vent arrangement in which the smoke and / And / or providing a flavor source configured to release flavors to other aerosols.

The various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of a smoking article according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking article illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig.
3A is a plan view of a blank for forming a wrapper for a smoking article according to the second embodiment.
3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article according to the second embodiment.
4 is a perspective view of the smoking article according to the second embodiment.
5 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to a third embodiment.
6 is a schematic flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a smoking article.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and also Smoking products, such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, based on heat-not-burn products and other nicotine delivery devices that enable the consumer to produce aerosols for delivery do. These smoking articles may be provided with a filter for the gas flow drawn by the smoker.

Smoking articles such as cigarrettes and cigarette types are often named according to cigarette length: "regular" (typically 68-75 mm, e.g., about 68 mm to about 72 mm) Short "or" mini "(68 mm or less)," king-size "(typically 75 to 91 mm, eg, about 79 mm to about 88 mm) quot; long "or" super-king "(typically between about 91 and 105 mm, such as between about 94 mm and about 101 mm) About 121 mm).

These are also named according to the circumference of the cigarette: "regular" (about 23-25 mm), "wide" (over 25 mm), "slim" (about 22-23 mm), "demi-slim" (About 19 to 22 mm), "super-slim" (about 16 to 19 mm), and "micro-slim" (less than about 16 mm). Thus, a cigarette in a king size, super slim format would be, for example, about 83 mm in length and about 17 mm in circumference. Many customers prefer cigarettes that are regular, king size, ie, 23-25 mm perimeter and 75-91 mm overall length.

Each format can be made of filters with different lengths, and smaller filters are typically used for smaller lengths and perimeter types. Typically, the filter length will be 30 mm associated with the ultra long super slim formats from 15 mm associated with the short regular formats. The tipping paper will have a longer length than the filter, for example, 3-10 mm longer.

The smoking articles and filters described below may be manufactured in any of the above forms. The smoking article may be, for example, 70-100 mm in length and 14-25 mm in circumference.

As used herein, the terms " upstream " and " downstream " are relative terms defined relative to the orientation of the mainstream smoke (or other aerosol) inhaled through the smoking article in use.

Fig. 1 illustrates a smoking article 10 according to the first embodiment. The smoking article 10 is cigarette in this embodiment. However, other smoking articles may be used.

The smoking article 10 includes a source of a smokable material, such as a cigarette, attached to a filter arrangement comprising a first filter section 12 and a second filter section 14. The source of the smokable material is in the form of a tobacco rod 11 attached to the first filter section 12. The second filter section (14) is located downstream of the first filter section (12) and the tobacco rod (11). The vent arrangement 17 provides a user-controllable variable level vent to the first filter section 12, as will be described in greater detail below.

The first filter section 12 includes a flavor source configured to discharge the flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article 10 in the upstream location of the vent arrangement 17. In this example, the flavor source includes plant flavor particles, although other flavor sources such as those described herein can be used. Plant-based flavorants and plant flavor particles are referred to as botanicals and botanical particles, respectively, and will be described in more detail below.

The smoking article 10 comprises a first portion comprising a tobacco rod 11 and a first filter section 12. [ The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are connected to a covering layer for attaching the first filter section to the tobacco rod formed of tipping paper. The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are referred to as a tobacco unit. The long tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 define the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

The second part of the smoking article comprises a second filter section (14) and a sleeve (13) movable relative to the first part of the smoking article. The sleeve 13 is in the form of a tube extending around the periphery of the tobacco rod 11 and / or the first filter section 12. The tube may be cylindrical. The sleeve 13 is formed of paper in this embodiment, but other materials can be used. Each of the first and second filter sections 12,14 includes a filtration material wrapped in a sheet of material, which may be paper, for example, a plugwrap. The first and second filter sections (12, 14) form a filter arrangement. The first filter section (12) is upstream of the second filter section (14). The second filter section (14) is at the mouth end of the sleeve (13) adjacent to and separated from the first filter section (12).

The tobacco rod 11 and the attached first filter section 12 are connected by a tipping paper (not shown). The tipping paper is a standard tipping paper or a relatively thick concave tipping paper or board type tipping paper.

The ventilating arrangement (17) is configured to adjust the ventilation level of the smoking article (10). The vent arrangement (17) includes one or more first vent areas (15) on the sleeve (13). In this example, the first vent areas 15 are in a location closer to the downstream end of the first filter section 12 than the upstream end. The smoking article further comprises one or more second vent areas (16) around the first filter section (12). For example, one or more second vent areas 16 are defined by the layer (s) of sheet material around the first filter section 12 or around the filtration material of the first filter section 12. The vent arrangement 17 provides ventilation air to enter the first filter section.

The vent areas 15, 16 are formed of entilation apertures or an air-permeable material. In some embodiments, air may flow into the body of the smoking article 10 when the vent areas 15 on the sleeve 13 are exposed. The air can flow into the body of the smoking article 10 when the first vent areas 15 on the sleeve 13 and the corresponding second vent area 16 around the second filter section 12 are aligned have. The vent areas 15, 16 are aligned by rotation of the first part of the smoking article with respect to the second part. In particular, venting is controlled by the rotation of the sleeve 13 relative to the first filter section 12. The vent arrangement (17) provides a selectable variable level of vent that is controlled by adjusting the overlap of the first vent area (15) and the second vent area (16). The aeration amount depends on the effective vent area, which is determined by the overlap area of the first vent area and the second vent area. The ventilation level is selected, for example, by rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion by selecting the position of the second portion relative to the first portion. Thus, the ventilating arrangement 17 provides an effective venting area of varying size, providing a variable intake of air.

The first filter section 12 and the second filter section 14 are constructed of a known filtration material. The filtration material for both filter sections may be, for example, a cellulose acetate tow. The filtration material of the first filter section is homogeneous and independently, the filtration material of the second filter section is homogeneous. The term "homogenous" means that the filtration material is substantially uniform throughout each of the filter sections, particularly in the longitudinal and / or radial directions through each of the first and second filter sections 12,14. It is used to mean uniform. At least one physical feature of the homogeneous first filter section may be different from the homogeneous second filter section.

Both the first and second filter sections include a fibrous material comprising tow filaments. The tow weight is a measure of the amount of tow fibers in a certain volume. The tow weight may provide an indication of the density of the fibrous material within the filter section. The first and second filter sections are fabricated using a filtration material that is formed or processed to have the required characteristics, e.g., providing different pressure drops per unit length for the first and second filter sections.

The first filter section 12 includes botanical particles (not shown) embedded in the fibrous material. The first filter section 12 is similar to a " Dalmatian "type filter that includes a fibrous filter material that is sprinkled with botanical particles before the fibrous material is folded and wrapped in a wrapping material. Chopped plant material and may be formed in botanicals such as menthol, juniper, coffee, anise or any other botanical having suitable taste and aroma properties. , Roots, leaves, flowers, stems or buds can be used to form botanical particles.

The plurality of botanical particles of the first filter section (12) impart flavor and / or aroma to the smoke passing through the first filter section (12). As the level of ventilation changes, the dilution level of the flavored smoke changes. Thus, the amount of flavored smoke reaching the mouth end of the smoking article can be controlled, resulting in the entire smoking article 10, both of which can be controlled simultaneously and the smoke intensity and the secondary flavor intensity.

2, the tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are dimensioned to rotate as a unit about a longitudinal axis in a state in which the second filter section 14 is positioned within the sleeve 13, . Restraining means (not shown) maintains the first and second portions in the fixed longitudinal arrangement and prevents extension of the smoking article 10. Thus, the first portion can not slide longitudinally with respect to the second portion, i.e., the sleeve can not move longitudinally with respect to the second filter section 14.

The ventilation level can be selected by selecting the angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14.

In some instances, the first vent areas 15 are configured to increase in size non-linearly with respect to the angular position. The first and second vent areas 15 and 16 are configured such that the ventilation level is substantially linearly dependent on the angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14. [

In some aspects, one or more of the first and second venting regions 15,16 may be configured such that when the sleeve 13 is rotated relative to the second filter section 14, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > position. ≪ / RTI >

In this embodiment, the second filter section 14 is rigidly attached and secured within the sleeve 13. Thus, rotation of the second filter section 14 relative to the first filter section 12 causes rotation of the first filter section 12 in the sleeve 13.

By selecting different angular positions of the second filter section 14 with respect to the first filter section 12 the sheet material around the first ventilation areas 15 and the first filter section 12 of the sleeve 13 The registry between the second vent areas 16 of the plug wrap can be selectively increased or decreased. Thus, the ventilation level of the smoking article 10 can be increased or decreased.

The first filter section (12) includes botanical particles located downstream of the vent areas (15). The ventilation level of the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke passing through the first portion of the smoking article 10 with air entering the smoking article 10 through the ventilation areas 15. Thus, the ventilation level also controls the dilution of the flavored smoke passing through the botanical particles with unflavoured air entering the smoking article through the venting areas 15. Thus, the flavor level of the smoking article can be increased or decreased.

3A is a plan view of a blank 30 forming a wrapper for a smoking article according to a second embodiment. Figure 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smoking article 32 to which the blank 30 of Figure 3A is applied. The smoking article 32 comprising the blank 30 has substantially the same function as that described above. Unless otherwise stated, the features have the same arrangement and function.

3B, the rod article 32 includes a tobacco rod 11 similar to that already described, and first and second filter sections 12, 14 downstream of the tobacco rod 11. The second filter section 14 is provided at the mouth end of the smoking article, downstream of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11. A first filter section (12) is provided between the second filter section (14) and the tobacco rod (11). The first filter section 12 comprises the botanical particles 18 as described in connection with the first embodiment. The first filter section 12 is divided into a first portion 12 'and a second portion 12' 'by a cut 12' '' so that the first portion 12 of the first filter section 12 'To move relative to the second portion 12' '.

The blank 30 is configured to wrap around the entire circumference of the rod article 32 twice, and in this example, only twice. The blank 30 includes a first section 30a wrapping around the rod article 32 forming the inner layer first and a second section 30b wrapping around the first section 30a forming the outer layer . Thus, the blank 30 is configured to define two complete layers extending around the perimeter of the rod article 32 and includes regions 30a, 30b defining the inner and outer layers.

The first section 30a of the blank 30 is connected to the second filter section 14 and to the first section 12'of the first filter section 12 and thus to the second filter section 14 and the first And a first end portion 30a 'connecting the first portions 12' of the filter sections 12 together. The first section 30a of the blank 30 also includes a second end portion 30a "connected to the second portion 12" of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11 . The second section 30b of the blank 30 is separated into the first portion 30b 'and the second portion 30b' 'by the cut 31. [

The blank 30 includes a control element 34 movable on a first section 30a in a circumferentially extending channel 36 configured to control venting and limit movement.

The control element 34 is circumferentially movable within a limited range. The control element 34 is movable between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface. The first engagement surface and the second engagement surface define a circumferentially extending channel 36 in which the control element 34 is movable.

The control element 34 defines the first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b at the edges of the movement direction control element, i.e. at the circumferential edge of the control element 34. [ The contact of the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface of the circumferentially extending channel 36 with the first and second restricting surfaces 34a, 34b of the control element 34 causes the first and second engagement surfaces 34a, Limit relative rotation between two parts.

The first and second restricting surfaces 34a, 34b extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. The first and second engagement surfaces also extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article and / or at an angle relative to the axis of movement of the control element. The first and second engagement surfaces extend at the same angle and / or have a complementary shape to the first and second restricting surfaces 34a, 34b.

The longitudinal movement restraining arrangement 35 includes a sliding element 37 arranged to move between the first and second restricting elements 38a, 38b. The sliding element 37 is attached to the first and second restricting elements 38a, 38b with a frangible connection. The weak connection is a line of perforations extending in the circumferential direction. A portion of the blank, including the sliding element 37, the control element 34, the first and second restricting elements 38a, 38b and the circumferentially extending channel 36, , And once around the entire circumference of the smoking article. The sliding element 37 is attached to the first portion 30b 'of the second section 30b of the blank 30 along with the first portion 30a' of the first section 30a of the blank, With the first portion 30a of the first section 30a and the second portion 30a "of the first section 30a of the blank 30, The first portion 12 'of the section 12 and the second portion 12' 'of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11 are moved.

The second section 30b of the blank 30 forming the outer layer comprises a vent area 39 'in the location 39 on the blank. In some instances, the vent area 39 'includes a gap. Alternatively, the vent area 39 ' includes a plurality of discrete areas or gaps. For example, the gaps are formed by electroperforation (EP). The vent area 39 'is arranged to align with the channel 36 when the blank 30 is wrapped around the rod article 32.

The control element 34 has an additional function of controlling the ventilation of the smoking article. In particular, the control element 34 directly controls the venting of the smoking article by selectively blocking one or more vent areas. The control element 34 is configured to be movable relative to one or more vent areas in a portion of the smoking article that is radially adjacent and integrally formed. The control element 34 is formed of a material that is substantially impermeable to air, particularly to paper that does not transmit air. The control element 34 is configured to move between a vent area 39 'and a rod article 32 underlying the smoking article so that vent air is channel 36 blocked by the control element 34, Can not enter the smoking article. The control element is impermeable to air between the first and second restricting surfaces 34a, 34b. Both the first and second restricting surfaces 34a, 34b define limits of rotation and define the amount of vented areas that are covered or not covered.

 Thus, the control element 34 directly controls the level of ventilation by covering a portion of the ventilation zone, thereby limiting the relative movement of the first and second portions of the smoking article between the maximum and minimum levels of ventilation .

In some embodiments, the first filter section 12 includes a reductant in the form of botanical particles. However, the first filter section 12 may comprise one or more capsules, a chamber containing a flavoring agent, a flavoring agent dispersed in the filter tow, a flavoring agent such as a sheet material comprising flavor-impregnated particles or a flavoring agent Other configurations - which lie upstream of the vent area 39 '- can be included. The ventilation level of the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke passing through the first portion of the smoking article 10 with the air entering the smoking article 10 through the ventilation area 39 '. Thus, the ventilation level also controls the dilution of the flavored smoke that has passed through the ventilation areas 39 with the unflavoured air entering the smoking article. Thus, the flavor level of the smoking article can be increased or decreased.

In some aspects, the blank 30 includes an additional vent area (not shown) in the location 33 on the blank downstream of the variable vent arrangement 39 '. The additional vent areas include, for example, a plurality of individual vent areas or gaps on the circumferentially extending lines. The additional vent area may be formed by a laser. Generally, one or more of the vent areas include a plurality of separate vent areas or gaps. The additional vent area provides a constant minimum ventilation level that is unaffected by the variable amount of ventilation from the vent area 39 '. The aeration amount provided by the additional vent area can be predetermined in the manufacture of the smoking article 10, for example, the smoke generated by the smoking article passing through the filter section when the variable vent is at its minimum level, And / or from 5% to 50% of the volume of the other aerosol. The variable vent arrangement 39 ', 36 may be user controlled within a subrange within the range of 0% to 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article passing through the filter section To provide an aeration, e. G., 0% to 50% aeration.

4 is a perspective view of the smoking article 32 according to the second embodiment.

5 is a perspective view of a smoking article 40 according to the third embodiment in that in the third embodiment the first filter section 12 is replaced with a user activated activated component instead of the botanical particles 18 flavor release component) of the smoking article 32 of the second embodiment. The release agent release component is preferably in the form of a capsule 41 comprising an inner volume filled with an outer wall and a fluid-evolving agent. The debonding agent may be selectively released by the user of the smoking article 40 to adjacent filter material by squeezing the outer side of the filter to deform or rupture the outer wall of the capsule 41. [ In this example, the capsules may be microcapsules or macrocapsules having diameters of different sizes, for example, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 4.5 mm, diameters from 1 mm to 7 mm or more, .

Capsule 41 defines a cavity having a volume filled with an orienting agent. The outer wall or shell may be formed using gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polysaccharide, polysaccharide derivatives or any other suitable material using methods known in the art . The outer shell surrounds and encapsulates the flavoring agent. The capsule 41 is configured to release all of the effervescent contents when the outer wall is ruptured. The outer shell is vulnerable to compression and may be configured to break against substantially the entire surface of the outer shell, or alternatively may be configured to be ruptured only in predetermined areas when compressed.

Alternatively, the capsule 41 may be configured to release only a portion of the modifying agent from the user to the inward pressure, so that the modifying agent contents are emitted in a plurality of separate transmissions. The outer shell may be resiliently deformable and configured to rupture only a portion of a predetermined area or surface area to form one or more slits or crevices upon compression.

The outer shell may be formed as a single portion or a plurality of portions sealed together. The outer shell formed of the two parts may be configured to break in a weakened region, for example, a longitudinal or circumferential seam joining the two parts, which is open at pressure to define the slit - < / RTI > The capsule 41 can only release part of the contents through the slit when the capsule 41 is compressed before the capsule 41 is at least partially restored to its original shape when the compression of the capsule 41 is stopped.

In addition, the capsule 41 may comprise a substrate that is the body of an absorbent material impregnated with a defoamer. The substrate is an open structure, particularly a porous matrix having an open cell structure, for example, an open cell foam structure. The substrate is configured to be progressively compressible and is configured to release at least a portion, preferably only a portion, of the refractory ingredients when partially compressed. The flavoring agent is distributed in the substrate, and is preferably absorbed by the substrate. The substrate is preferably formed of a filtering material, such as cellulose acetate. The filtration material may be in the form of a known tow of a filtration material suitable as a filter. The outer shell does not inhibit the release of the flavoring agent if it ruptures. The substrate may be at least partially resiliently deformable and may at least partially return toward its original shape when the compression of the capsule 49 ceases. Upon partial expansion of the substrate following release of a compressive force, the substrate may reabsorb a portion of the released release agent. Thus, references to the release of the reverberator refer to the net release of the reverberator after the compressive force is terminated. The substrate can be formed by extrusion of the material containing the reverberant, Next, it is cut to an appropriate length. The closed cell foam material may not require the outer shell to retain the debonder and may form the capsule 41 without the outer shell. Alternatively, the capsule 41 may comprise a closed cell foam material encapsulated in an outer shell.

The first filter section 12 includes one or more capsules 41 located upstream of the variable vent area 39 '. The ventilation level of the smoking article 40 controls the dilution of smoke passing through the first portion of the smoking article with air entering the smoking article 40 through the variable vent area 39 '. After the cheating agent has been released from one or more of the capsules by compression of the first filter section, the ventilation level is reduced to the unflavored air entering the smoking article through the venting region 39 ' It also controls the dilution of the flared smoke that has passed. Thus, the flavor level of the smoking article can be increased or decreased.

In the embodiments described herein, the flavor source is provided upstream of the variable vent arrangement. In addition, an additional flavor source may be provided downstream of the variable vent arrangement. For example, the first filter section 12 may include one or more first flavor release components, and the second filter section 14 may include one or more second flavor release components have. Each of the first and second flavor release components may be any of the flavor sources described herein. As described above, the amount of flavor provided by the flavor source upstream of the variable vent areas 17, 39 'can be increased or decreased by varying the ventilation level of the smoking article. The amount of flavor provided by the second flavor release component can be predetermined and is substantially independent of the ventilation level of the smoking article. In this way, a basic amount of flavor can be provided at a minimum level by the second flavor release component. The total amount of flavor can be increased to a maximum level by reducing the amount of vent air that dilutes the flavor of the first flavor release component. Accordingly, the amount of flavor provided by the smoking article can vary widely to suit the taste of the user.

In some embodiments, the first flavor release component comprises a first capsule and the second flavor release component comprises a second capsule.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a method of manufacturing smoking articles according to the present invention. The method includes forming a filter section, in this example, a known filter material, such as a cellulose acetate tow (step S1). A variable vent arrangement, for example, an arrangement as described herein, is provided (step S2) in which the user is arranged to provide a controllable ventilation level to the filter section. The variable vent arrangement may be provided by inner and outer wrappers having, for example, selectively overlapping vent areas.

A flavor source is provided to release the flavor in the upstream location of the vent arrangement (step S3). In some embodiments, the excipient source is a plurality of Botanical particles as described herein, which are applied to the filter tow of the filter section upstream of the filter section to which the variable venting is applied. In alternate embodiments, other flavor sources, such as those described herein, may be used, for example, capsules or flavor loaded yarns.

The first and second filter sections may be longitudinally aligned with the source of the smokable material.

Any other known filter components may be added to the smoking articles described herein. Examples of additional filter components include an additional hollow section having a third filter section, for example a filter section with particulate material such as carbon, activated charcoal, or air passages therethrough, . Each of the first and / or second filter sections may be considered to comprise one or more discontinuous filter sections. The filter section is generally considered to be upstream and downstream of the variable vent area.

In a further embodiment, the second filter section that is located downstream of the first filter section is configured such that the resistance to gas flow through the length of the second filter section is less than the resistance to gas flow through the length of the first filter section . The resistance to gas flow through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the venting level changes. The first filter section may differ from the second filter section by, for example, one or more of a tow weight, a number of tow filaments of unit volume, a cross-section of the tow filaments, and a degree of crimp. The second filter section may be, for example, a tubular section having at least one air passage extending longitudinally through its length. The second filter section may comprise, for example, a tube of fibrous filtration material having an annular cross-section, particularly a fibrous filtration material having an air passageway extending along a central longitudinal axis through the length of the second filter section have.

The packaging material is applied to the smoking article assembly to attach the component parts. The paper packaging material is tipping paper. In addition, the sleeves wrap around the smoking article. The sleeve is configured to move relative to the first filter section, and is optionally rigidly attached to the second filter section.

The smoking article is configured to permit entry of an optionally variable amount of air upstream of the second filter section. For example, venting crevices are formed in the outermost layer of the paper wrap and / or the paper sleeve. The ventilation gap is formed by a mechanical cutting tool or a laser. The vent clearance is formed in the packaging material prior to assembly of the smoking article (i. E., Pre-perforated gaps) or, optionally, when the smoking article is assembled.

Venting has been described by entering the smoking article upstream of the second filter section, in particular into the first filter section. Alternatively, the vent may be at least partially adjacent to the second filter section, e.g., the upstream end of the second filter section.

The smoking article may include one or more vent areas providing a basic ventilation level. The size of these vent areas does not vary.

To address various issues and develop this field, the entirety of this disclosure illustrates, by way of example, various embodiments that can implement the claimed invention (s) and provide superior smoking articles. The advantages and features of the disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments, are not inclusive, and / or are not exclusive. They are presented only to help understanding, and to teach the claimed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the disclosure may be combined with other aspects of the invention, such as limitations on disclosure as defined by the claims, , It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the disclosure. The various embodiments may suitably comprise, constitute, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, and the like. In addition, this disclosure includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (20)

In a smoking article,
A filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article;
A variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user with a controllable ventilation level in the filter section; And
And a flavor source configured to release a flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article at a location of the smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of the ventilation arrangement.
Smoking goods. The method according to claim 1,
The flavor source is configured to selectively emit a flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol.
Smoking goods. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the flavor source comprises one or more capsules,
Smoking goods. The method of claim 3,
Each of the one or more capsules having a diameter of from 2 mm to 6 mm,
Smoking goods. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the flavor source comprises at least one selected from a sheet material comprising a plant material, a yarn containing flavorant, a flavoring agent dispersed in a filter tow, flavor-impregnated particles and a flavoring agent, / RTI >
Smoking goods. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Wherein the flavor source is located within the filter section,
Smoking goods. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Further comprising an additional vent arrangement configured to provide a vent level to a filter section that the user can not control,
Smoking goods. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the ventilation level provided by the further variable vent arrangement is less than 5% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosols generated by the smoking article passing through the filter section when the variable vent is at its minimum level 50%
Smoking goods. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The variable vent arrangement provides a user-controllable vent within a subrange within the range of 0% to 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article passing through the filter section doing,
Smoking goods. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Wherein the filter section is capable of forming at least one component of a first portion of the smoking article and further comprises a second portion movable relative to the first portion to control the ventilation level provided by the variable vent arrangement Including,
Smoking goods. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the first portion or the second portion comprises a sleeve configured to move relative to the other of the first or second portion to control the ventilation level provided by the variable vent arrangement.
Smoking goods. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the sleeve is rotatable relative to the filter section and the vent level is varied by varying the angular position of the sleeve relative to the filter section,
Smoking goods. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Wherein the filter section comprises a first filter section of 5 to 25 mm in length and the smoking article further comprises a second filter section of 5 to 25 mm in length, Which provides ventilation air at a position of 6 to 20 mm from the end,
Smoking goods. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The filter section comprising a first filter section, the smoking article further comprising a second filter section, the second filter section being located downstream of the first filter section;
The resistance to gas flow through the length of the second filter section is lower than the resistance to gas flow through the length of the first filter section; And
Wherein the resistance to gas flow through the length of the filter arrangement is maintained substantially constant as the ventilation level changes,
Smoking goods. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the first and second filter sections comprise tow filaments and wherein the first filter section comprises one or more of tow weight, number of tow filaments of unit volume, section of tow filaments, And a second filter section,
Smoking goods. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15,
Said second filter section including at least one air passage extending longitudinally through its length,
Smoking goods. 17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
Wherein the second filter section comprises a fibrous filter material formed to have an annular cross section.
Smoking goods. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Said second filter section comprising a tube of fibrous filtering material, said air passage extending along a central longitudinal axis through the length of said second filter section,
Smoking goods. A filter section for a smoking article for accommodating smoke and / or other aerosols produced by said smoking article,
The filter section comprises:
A variable vent arrangement configured to provide a user with a controllable ventilation level in the filter section; And
And a flavor source configured to release a flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article at a location of the smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of the ventilation arrangement.
Filter section for smoking articles. A method of manufacturing a smoking article,
In the above manufacturing method,
Forming a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosols produced by the smoking article;
Providing a variable vent arrangement configured to provide a user with a controllable ventilation level in the filter section; And
And a flavor source configured to release a flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol produced by the smoking article at a location of the smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of the ventilation arrangement.
Filter section for smoking articles.

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