KR20170102955A - Variable pressure drop Smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising providing a filter element comprising first and second sections rotatable relative to each other between two extreme positions. The first section of wrapping material covers the first segment and partially covers the second segment within the overlap region. The second section of wrapping material covers the remainder of the second segment. The first and second sections are bonded to the first and second segments, respectively. However, the first section is not bonded to the plug in the overlap region. When the first segment is rotated to the first extreme position, the first section and the filter material are pierced in the overlap region to form a venting orifice configured to provide a maximum vent at the first extreme position and a minimum vent at the second extreme position, do.

Description

Variable pressure drop Smoking article

The present invention relates to a smoking article and a method for producing the smoking article. In particular, the present invention relates to a smoking article comprising a filter element which enables a user to change the ratio of tobacco smoke to inhaled air by providing a mechanism by varying the pressure drop across the filter .

Filter elements for smoking articles are, of course, well known. It is also well known to provide a filter element having means for varying the ratio of tobacco smoke to air inhaled by a user by providing the user with a mechanism to change the pressure drop across the filter. An example of such a configuration is shown in US4570649. These arrangements enable a change in the tar emissions of the smoking articles between a change in the ventilation level of the filter, thus a change in smoke intensity, and a minimum and maximum tar emission / flavor state. The filter element is generally adjusted from a minimum state to a maximum state by rotating the section of the filter about 45 degrees to the left or right with respect to the rest of the smoking article. Correspondingly, the 'MIN' label typically appears outside the wrapping paper and is surrounded by 'MAX' labels on both sides.

Smoking articles containing such filter elements are often referred to as variable pressure drop (VPD) cigarettes. According to a consumer survey, it has been shown that the provision of a second maximum state brings about an uncertainty factor for how to use VPD cigarettes. Thus, it may be desirable to remove the second maximum state such that the filter can be simply adjusted between a single maximum state and a single minimum state. However, as described herein, a new type of smoking article needs to be produced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising the steps of providing a filter element having a plug of filter material having first and second segments, The first segment being rotatable about a second segment about the longitudinal axis between two extreme positions, the end of the filter element being rotatable relative to the first and second segments about a longitudinal axis of the filter element, Attaching the wrapping material to a rod of smoking material, the first section covering the first segment, the first section partially covering the second segment within the overlap region, The first and second sections are bonded to the first and second segments, respectively, and the first section is bonded to the plug in the overlap region Negative, the step of the rotation to the first extreme position to the first segment and the first section to the second segment and a second section; And a first section in the overlap region and a second section in the overlap region when the first segment is rotated to the first extreme position to form an aeration orifice configured to provide a maximum vent at the first extreme position and a minimum vent at the second extreme position, And piercing the filter material.

Accordingly, there is provided a method of making a smoking article having a filter element that enables control of smoke intensity between single maximum and minimum flavor states. Thus, a more convenient VPD cigarette can be produced. The current manufacturing process is effectively controlled so that an initial twist is applied to the filter plug at a first extreme position (not more than the first extreme position) before the venting orifice is formed, instead of forming a venting orifice at an intermediate position between the two poles It will not rotate securely). This method adds an additional step to the manufacturing process, but nevertheless can be implemented with minimal additional cost. In one example, the first and second extreme positions are generally defined by a significant and / or abrupt increase in resistance to twist because the first section and segment are twisted (rotated) about each other about a common longitudinal axis . The increase in resistance may be due to the common, uncut portion of the filter element that combines the first and second segments and reaches a material limit, i.e., beyond that at which the filter element begins to break.

The method preferably further comprises the step of displaying an intensity indicator on the exterior of the wrapping material. The intensity indicator provides a means by which a user can see how the vent orifice is opened or closed, and correspondingly, a means of seeing the intensity of the smoke to be delivered through the filter (with respect to 'flavor' or tar). The intensity indicator preferably exhibits a minimum taste intensity when the first and second segments are oriented at a first extreme position and a maximum taste intensity when the first and second segments are oriented at a second extreme position. Preferably, the intensity indicator comprises a scale and a corresponding pointer formed on opposing sections of the wrapping paper, the rotation of the first segment relative to the second segment between the two extreme positions, Move the pointer over. The scale may be provided using any kind of display, including, for example, color coding and numbering.

The method preferably further comprises rotating the first segment and the first section to a second extreme position relative to the second segment and the second section after forming the vent orifice. This step completes the process of manufacturing the smoking article and ensures that it is at maximum tar evacuation when packaged and sold to the end user. The angle of rotation between the two extreme positions is preferably between 40 and 100 degrees, more preferably between 50 and 80 degrees.

The vent orifice is preferably a slit. Preferably, the slit has a length of 2 mm to 6 mm. The plug of the filter material may comprise an outer layer of the plug wrap, and the vent orifice comprises a perforation of the plug wrap. The plug wrap can be porous or non-porous plug wrap. Further, the plug of the filter material preferably comprises cellulose acetate and / or paper.

At least two, preferably three vent orifices are formed and each vent orifice is configured to provide a maximum vent at the first extreme position and a minimum vent at the second extreme position. Most preferably, however, no more than three vent orifices are formed.

The step of providing the filter element advantageously comprises the steps of forming a first and a second segment of the filter material by forming a cylindrical plug of the filter material to form a first and a second segment rotatable relative to each other about a common core extending along the longitudinal axis between the first and second segments, Partially cutting in the transverse direction relative to its longitudinal axis. Subsequently, adhering the filter element preferably includes covering the plug with the wrapping material and cutting the wrapping material in the circumferential direction to form the first and second sections of the wrapping material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article, comprising: a rod of smoking material attached to the filter element by a wrapping material; And a filter element having a plug of filter material having a first segment and a second segment, wherein the segments are aligned along a common longitudinal axis, and wherein the first segment is rotated about a second segment about the longitudinal axis between two extreme positions Wherein the filter element further comprises a wrapping material comprising first and second sections rotatable relative to one another about a longitudinal axis of the filter element, the first section covering the first segment, One section partially covering the second segment in the overlap region and the second section covering the remaining portion of the second segment, wherein the first and second sections are respectively bonded to the first and second segments, The first section is not adhered to the plug in the overlap region, the filter element is configured to provide a maximum vent at the first extreme position and a minimum vent at the second extreme position Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > orifice. ≪ / RTI >

The smoking article preferably includes a strength indicator formed on the exterior of the wrapping material, wherein the strength indicator is configured such that when the first and second segments are oriented in the first extreme position, the minimum taste strength state and the first and second segments are in the second maximum ≪ tb >

An example of the present invention, together with its manufacturing method, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
1 and 2 are schematic views of a smoking article according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the center of the filter element for a smoking article according to the invention;
4 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to the present invention; And
5 is a schematic view of a prior art variable pressure drop cigarette.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the filter cigarette 1 comprises a tobacco rod 2 and the filter elements 3 are arranged about a common longitudinal axis. The filter element (3) is configured to allow adjustment of the filter ventilation by the user to adjust the taste intensity of the cigarette (1). The filter element 3 comprises a cylindrical plug of a filter material such as a cellulose acetate tow and has a plug wrap 4 extending over its outer surface and is substantially impermeable (or 'non-porous') to the air.

The filter element 3 is divided into a first segment 5 (or a 'mouth end filter segment') and a second segment (a second segment) by a circumferential transverse cut 7 cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 1. [ 6) (or " cigarette end filter segment "). 3, the cut 7 has a diameter of the filter plug 4, in order to leave the central connecting member, or " core " 15, of the filter material between the two segments 5,6, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > partially < / RTI > This connecting member 15 advantageously serves as the axis of rotation of the segments 5, 6 relative to one another to enable a change in filter venting. The first segment 5 extends from an intermediate position (where the plug is not twisted) with respect to the second segment 6 and about the longitudinal axis, in a clockwise direction until the first extreme position is reached, And can be rotated counterclockwise until the position is reached. The first segment 5 can not be rotated beyond both extreme positions without exerting an excessive force to damage or break the plug (in the core 15 in general).

A wrapping material (or "tipping paper") 9 wraps over the filter segments 5,6. The wrapping material 9 is composed of two sections / tipping bands 10, 11 which are detachable from the cut line 12. The wrapping paper and the actual cut line 12 are shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 3 and overlap the plug of the filter material. In some embodiments, pre-perforated wrapping paper 9 may be used. Alternatively, the wrapping paper 9 may be perforated to define a cut line 12 between the two sections 10,11 of the tipping paper 9, and may be cut, preferably pre-cut. The first section 10 is attached to the first segment 5 of the cigarette 1, generally by means of an adhesive. The first section 10 extends all around the first segment 5, the core 15, and the second segment 6. The first section 10 is partly attached to the second segment 6 along the longitudinal axis and not at the core 15 or the second segment 6 and in the longitudinal axis (at the 'overlap region' 19) Extends the entire length of the first segment 5 and the core 6. The segment 5 is rotated to the first extreme position relative to the second segment 6 and the laser (or alternatively the blade) is moved downward (within the core of the filter element 3) 1 section and the plug wrap at the same time. The transverse slots 13 are thus formed in the overlapping area 19 of the first section 10 and are combined with the apertures 8 to form adjustable vent orifices 8, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > tobacco smoke < / RTI > Alternatively, when lapping the wrapping paper 9 and attaching it to a plug, the slots 13 and apertures 8 may be formed separately and then aligned at a first extreme position. The second section 11 of the wrapping paper 9 is attached to the remainder of the second segment 6 not covered by the first section 10 and partially attached to the tobacco rod 2 by means of an adhesive So that the filter element 3 can be attached to the tobacco rod 2.

In use, the user changes the relative position of the slot 13 and the perforations 8 and changes the air mixture received by the user from the mouth end of the filter element 3 when the tobacco rod 2 is ignited The first segment 5 can be rotated relative to the second segment 6 to change the ventilation for the filter element 3. [ A strength indicator 19 is displayed on the outside of the wrapping paper 9 so that the user can see how the vent orifices 8 and 13 are opened or closed and correspondingly (for 'flavor' or tar) You can see the strength. An example of this is shown in FIG. In addition to the cut line 12, a pointer / arrow is provided on the first section 10 and a corresponding 'MAX-MIN' label is provided next to the cut line 12, on the adjacent edge of the second section 11 / RTI > When the first segment 5 is rotated to the first extreme position (the slots 13 and the apertures 8 are in full agreement), the wrapping paper 9 is wrapped and the arrow is adjusted to the MIN label. The arrow is adjusted to the MAX label at the second extreme position (where slot 13 does not overlap with apertures 8). Thus, the arrows can move across the length of the scale formed by the MIN and MAX labels, but do not exceed this scale without damaging the filter element 3.

Finally, the first segment 5 is twisted about the second segment 6 to make the apertures 8 and the slots 13 misaligned, thereby often causing the cigarette 1 to flow through the lowest level of ventilation . The angle of rotation between the two extreme positions is between 40 and 100 degrees, preferably between 50 and 80 degrees. The finished cigarette is gathered to form a bundle packed for later sale.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the filter element 3 passing through the perforations 8 and the position of the slot 13. From this it is possible to control the amount of air that can pass into the filter element 3 through the combination of the slots 13 and the apertures 8 and when the smoke of the cigarette 1 exits, It can be seen that the relative rotation of the first segment 5 relative to the slot 13 can regulate the relative position of the slot 13 and the perforations 8. In the left image, the filter element 3 is shown at the first extreme position and maximum air suction through the walls of the filter element 3 is permitted. In the central image, the first segment 5 is rotated with respect to the second segment 6 at the intermediate position, the core 15 is not twisted and the perforations 8 are partially blocked by the first section 10 do. The first segment 5 is rotated to the second extreme position with respect to the second segment 6 and the perforations 8 are completely blocked by the first section 10 and therefore the vent orifices 8, 13) are closed.

Any number of perforations 8 and / or slots 13 may be provided to achieve the same function of varying the ventilation level of the filter element 3, the common principle of venting change being the same, and the tobacco end segment ( 6 based on the alignment / misalignment of the apertures 8 and the slots 13 in accordance with the rotation of the mouth end segment 5 of the filter relative to the apertures 6,

Preferably, the perforations 8 are of the same length and can vary, for example, from 2.00 mm to 6 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the three perforations 8 formed in the plug wrap are coplanar and positioned at an angle of approximately 120 degrees with respect to each other.

In an alternate example of the invention, the plug wrap is porous so that the air flow always passes through the filter element 3 and brings about a relatively weak but permanent air flow to dilute the inhaled smoke.

5 is a diagram of a prior art variable pressure-reducing cigarette 21 provided for comparison with the present invention. The cigarette 21 is similar to the cigarette of the example discussed above and includes a similar variable flow filter. However, in the prior art, the perforations 8 and the slots 13 are aligned in an intermediate position (not at the first extreme position) between the two maximum positions. Correspondingly, the intensity indicator has a MAX label at the middle position and a MAX label at the first and second extreme positions (both sides of the MIN label). Instead, the method of the present invention requires that an initial twist be applied to rotate the first segment 5 to the first extreme position relative to the second segment 6. This additional step allows for a more intuitive and easy to use intensity indicator to be provided although it is unclear as it may delay the manufacturing process slightly.

Claims (15)

A method of manufacturing a smoking article,
Providing a filter element having a plug of a filter material having first and second segments, the segments being aligned along a common longitudinal axis, the first segment having a first segment and a second segment, Rotatable,
Attaching the end of the filter element to a rod of smoking material with a wrapping material comprising first and second sections rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the filter element, The first section partially covering the second segment within the overlap region and the second section covering the remaining portion of the second segment, wherein the first and second sections are bonded to the first and second segments, respectively, The first section is not bonded to the plug in the overlap region,
Rotating the first segment and the first section to a first extreme position relative to the second segment and the second section; And
In order to form a vent orifice configured to provide a maximum vent at the first extreme position and a minimum vent at the second extreme position, when the first segment is rotated to the first extreme position, the first section and the filter material are punctured ≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising the step of displaying an intensity indicator on the exterior of the wrapping material. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the intensity indicator represents a minimum taste intensity when the first and second segments are oriented at a first extreme position and a maximum taste intensity when the first and second segments are oriented at a second extreme position. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Wherein the intensity indicator comprises a scale and corresponding pointer formed on opposing sections of the wrapping paper and rotation of the first segment relative to the second segment between the two extreme positions moves the pointer across the entire length of the scale , Way. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further comprising rotating the first segment and the first section to a second extreme position relative to the second segment and the second section after forming the vent orifice. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Wherein the angle of rotation between the two extreme positions is between 40 and 100 degrees, preferably between 50 and 80 degrees. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Wherein the vent orifice is a slit. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the slit has a length of 2 mm to 6 mm. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the plug of the filter material comprises an outer layer of a plug wrap and the vent orifice comprises a perforation of the plug wrap. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the plug wrap is a porous or non-porous plug wrap. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Wherein the plug of the filter material comprises cellulose acetate and / or paper. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Wherein at least two, preferably three vent orifices are formed, each vent orifice being configured to provide a maximum vent at a first extreme position and a minimum vent at a second extreme position. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Providing the filter element comprises:
Partially cutting the cylindrical plug of the filter material transverse to the longitudinal axis to form first and second segments rotatable relative to each other about a common core extending along the longitudinal axis between the first and second segments, Including,
Wherein attaching the filter element comprises covering the plug with a wrapping material and cutting the wrapping material circumferentially to form first and second sections of the wrapping material. A rod of smoking material attached to the filter element by a wrapping material;
A filter element having a plug of a filter material having first and second segments, wherein the segments are aligned along a common longitudinal axis, the first segment being rotated about a second segment about the longitudinal axis between two extreme positions, Wherein the filter element further comprises a wrapping material comprising first and second sections rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the filter element, the first section covering the first segment, The section partially covers the second segment in the overlap region and the second section covers the remainder of the second segment and the first and second sections are respectively bonded to the first and second segments, One section is not bonded to the plug in the overlap region,
Wherein the filter element further comprises a vent orifice configured to provide a maximum vent at a first extreme position and a minimum vent at a second extreme position. 15. The method of claim 14,
And a strength indicator formed on the exterior of the wrapping material, the strength indicator having a minimum taste strength state when the first and second segments are oriented at a first extreme position, and a second extreme position Wherein the smoking article exhibits a maximum taste strength state when oriented in a smoking article.

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