KR20170123689A - Smoking article wrapper - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The composite web includes a strip of lapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches. The thermally conductive patches are located on the surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a smoking article component.

Description

Smoking article wrapper

The present invention relates to a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a smoking article component.

It is known in the art to provide smoking articles having cigarette rods and smoking article components. The smoking article component may include one or more cylindrical elements arranged coaxially with the tobacco rod.

According to the present invention there is provided a strip of wrapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches positioned on the surface of the strip and spaced along the length of the strip, a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper is provided.

The first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip to define a region of the surface of the strip that is not covered by the thermally conductive patches. The first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the strip by 1 to 10 mm and preferably by 3 to 7 mm. The second edge of each thermally conductive patch may rest on an adjacent second longitudinal edge of the strip.

The thermally conductive patches may be adhered to the strip and / or laminated.

The strip of lapping material may comprise paper. The thermal conductive patches may comprise a metal foil or a metallized paper and, preferably, an aluminum foil or an aluminum foil.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article component, the method comprising: providing a composite web comprising a strip of lapping material and a thermally conductive patch located on a surface of the strip; The smoking article elements overlap the first thermally conductive patch of the composite web and are axially spaced apart to extend axially beyond the opposite edges of the first thermally conductive patch so that the first and second smoking article elements ; Wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements; And cutting the composite web to form a tubular structure comprising a portion of the composite web surrounding the smoking article elements and the smoking article elements.

The composite web can include a plurality of thermally conductive patches positioned on a surface of the strip and spaced along the length of the strip and providing the first and second smoking article elements on the composite web comprises Providing the plurality of rods of smoking article element material on the composite web such that the distal ends of the rods rest on adjacent thermally conductive patches of the composite web. In one embodiment, cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure comprises cutting one of the rods of the smoking article element material so that one half of the smoking article element forms the first or second smoking article element of the tubular structure To a half of the load.

In one embodiment, cutting the composite web to form a tubular structure comprises cutting the composite web such that the portion of the composite web is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and the first and second smoking article elements, And cutting the composite web to surround at least one rod of the element material.

In one embodiment, the composite web comprises a strip of lapping material, and a first edge of the or each thermally conductive patch is spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip such that the surface of the strip is separated from its Wherein the step of wrapping the composite wrap around the smoking article elements comprises providing an adhesive on the area of the strip and then applying an adhesive to the area, Wrapping a wrapper around the smoking article elements to adhere to an outer surface of the strip.

Wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements may include feeding the composite web through the tongues.

The first and second smoking article elements may be adhered to the composite web before the composite web is wrapped around the smoking article elements. The or each thermal conductive patch may comprise a metal foil or a metallized paper and preferably comprises an aluminum foil or an aluminum foil.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article component, the method comprising the steps of:

Providing a tubular structure comprising a plurality of axially spaced smoking article elements surrounded by a composite web; And

Cutting the composite web of tubular structures to form a plurality of wrappers wrapped around respective smoking article elements such that a portion of each wrapper extends past an end of each smoking article element to form a recess.

In one embodiment, the tubular structure is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and the first and second smoking article elements at the distal ends of the tubular structure and extends axially from the first and second smoking article elements And the method further comprises cutting the or each load of the smoking article element material in half to form a pair of smoking article elements .

The method may further comprise providing the medium in each recess. The medium may comprise a substrate or a flavorant of tobacco.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising the steps of: manufacturing a smoking article component according to the method of the present invention; And attaching the tobacco rod to the smoking article component.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the drawings.
1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the smoking article wrapper of the smoking article of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the composite web for forming the smoking article element wrapper of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a schematic depiction of the steps of a method of manufacturing a smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1 after the third step of the manufacturing method of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1 after the fifth step of the manufacturing method of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1 after the sixth step of the manufacturing method of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1 after the eighth step in the manufacturing method of Figure 4;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the smoking article component of the smoking article of Figure 1; And
Figure 10 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for use in the manufacturing method of Figure 4;

A portion of the smoking article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. The smoking article 1 comprises a tobacco rod 2 and a smoking article component 3. An outer wrap (4) surrounds the tobacco rod (2) and the smoking article component (3).

The smoking article component 3 is arranged coaxially with the tobacco rod 2 such that the smoking article 1 is generally cylindrical. The smoking article component (3) comprises a smoking article element (5) and a smoking article element wrapper (10) wrapped around the smoking article element (5).

The wrapper 10 extends beyond one end of the smoking article element 5 to define the recess 6. [ The recess 6 is filled with a medium 7. The medium 7 may comprise, for example, a flavoring agent in the form of a granular material or gel, a substrate of tobacco and / or a filter medium. The wrapper 10 surrounds the recess 6 and abuts the inner surface of the outer wrap 4.

The wrapper 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 in a flat state before being wrapped around the smoking article element 5.

The wrapper 10 includes an inner layer 11 and a plug wrap 12. The wrapper 10 is configured such that the inner layer 11 is located close to the smoking article element 5 and the recess 6 and the plug wrap 12 is located close to the outer wrap 4 . In one embodiment the plug wrap 12 is permeable and a portion of the smoking article element 5 is not surrounded by the inner layer 11 which may be air impermeable so that ventilation air is radially To enter the smoking article element 5 in the direction of the smoking article.

The inner layer 11 of the wrapper 10 includes a thermally conductive material that facilitates a more uniform heat distribution across the periphery of the smoking article element 5 and the recess 6, As it conveys heat from the hotter zones of the periphery of the smoking article element 5 and the recess 6 to the cooler zones thereof. Thus, the thermally conductive inner layer 11 helps to equalize the temperature of the smoking article element 5 and the recess 6.

The wrapper 10 is made from a composite web 13, which is shown in Fig. The composite web 13 includes a strip of lapping material 14 in the form of a paper strip 14 and a thermally conductive layer 15 in the form of an aluminum foil 15. The paper strip 14 forms the plug wrap 12 of the wrapper 10 and the thermally conductive layer 15 forms the inner layer 11. The thermally conductive layer 15 is disposed on the inner surface 14A of the paper strip 14. [

The paper strip 14 includes parallel first and second longitudinal edges 16A and 16B and a width W1 extending between the first and second longitudinal edges 16A and 16B I have.

The thermally conductive layer 15 includes a plurality of conductive patches 17. Each of the conductive patches 17 is substantially rectangular and includes parallel first and second edges 18A, 18B. In this embodiment, each of the conductive patches 17 is made of aluminum foil. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention, the conductive patches 17 can be formed of different thermally conductive materials, for example, different types of metallic foils, such as silver foil or metallic paper, such as aluminum or silver paper .

A plurality of conductive patches 17 are disposed on the paper strip 14 and spaced longitudinally of the paper strip 14 to form a plurality of discrete sections of the thermally conductive material. The conductive patches 17 are fixed to the paper strip 14 by an adhesive. Alternatively, or additionally, the conductive patches 17 may be laminated to the paper strip 14.

The second edge 18B of each conductive patch 17 extends to the second longitudinal edge 16B of the paper strip 14 and lies over the second longitudinal edge. Each conductive patch 17 has a width W2 extending between the first and second edges 18A, 18B of the conductive patch 17. [ In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the width W2 of each conductive patch 17 is smaller than the width W1 of the paper strip 14, so that the first edge 18A of each conductive patch 17 Away from the adjacent first longitudinal edge 16A of the paper strip 14. [ A portion of the internal surface 14A of the paper strip 14 positioned between the first longitudinal edge 16A of the paper strip 14 and the first edges 18A of the conductive patches 17 is electrically conductive Is not covered by the patches 17, and instead forms the uncovered portion 19. The uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 extends uninterrupted in the lengthwise direction of the paper strip 14.

In this embodiment, the difference between the width W1 of the paper strip 14 and the width W2 of each conductive patch 17 is between 1 and 10 mm, and preferably between 3 and 7 mm, The width of the section 19 is between 1 and 10 mm, and preferably between 3 and 7 mm. In one embodiment, the width W1 of the paper strip is 12 to 19 mm, and the width W2 of each conductive patch 17 is 11 to 17 mm. However, it should be appreciated that the difference between the respective widths W1 and W2 and the widths W1 and W2 may be different from those described above. The width W2 of each conductive patch 17 is greater than the circumference of the smoking article element 5 so that the conductive patch 17 corresponds to the entire periphery of the smoking article element 5, And the first and second edges 18A, 18B overlap around the smoking article element 5. The width W2 of each conductive patch 17 is substantially the same as the circumference of the smoking article element 5 so that the conductive patch 17 is wrapped around the entire periphery of the smoking article element 5 And the first and second edges 18A and 18B are tangent as shown in Figure 6, described in more detail below. The paper strip 14 is held in contact with the first conductive patch 17A against the circumference of the first and second smoking article elements 5A and 5B and adhered to the first conductive patch 17A And is not separated from this first conductive patch close to the area of the overlap / abutment, as shown in Fig.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the width W1 of the paper strip 14 is equal to the width W2 of each conductive patch 17. In this embodiment, the first longitudinal edge 18A of each conductive patch 17 rests on the first longitudinal edge 16A of the paper strip 14, and each conductive patch 17 The two longitudinal edges 18B rest on the second longitudinal edge 16B of the paper strip 14 such that the composite web 13 includes an uncovered zone between the first longitudinal edges 16A and 18A I never do that.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing first and second smoking article components 3A, 3B according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

In step S1, the continuous cylindrical portion of the smoking article element material is cut to form first and second rods 20A, 20B of double-length. In step S2, the first and second rods 20A and 20B are positioned such that the first and second rods are axially spaced from each other.

In step S3, the first rod 20A is positioned on the composite web 13 (as shown in Fig. 5) so that the first rod has an end overlapping the first conductive patch 17A And is located at the free end 13A of the web 13. Also in step S3, the second rod 20B has a second conductive patch 17A, one end of which overlaps the first conductive patch 17A and the other end of which is adjacent to but spaced from the first conductive patch 17A. (17B). The first and second rods 20A, 20B are axially spaced on the composite web 13. Step S2 may be omitted and the first and second rods 20A and 20B may be sequentially spaced on the continuous composite web 13 and supplied.

In step S4 the adhesive is applied in the exemplary embodiment shown particularly along the section of the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 which is close to the free end 13A of the composite web 13, Is applied along one edge of the composite web 13 to form an adhesive zone 19A.

The composite web 13 is wrapped around the first and second rods 20A and 20B such that the adhesive zone 19A overlaps a portion of the outer surface 14B of the paper strip 14. In step S5, And adhered thereto by an adhesive (as shown in FIG. 6). Since the adhesive zone 19A includes a portion of the uncovered portion 19 of the inner surface 14A of the paper strip 14 formed of the same material as the outer surface 14B of the paper strip 14, It is easier to adhere the uncovered portion 19 to the outer surface 14B of the paper strip 14 than it was made of the dissimilar materials and the bonding is stronger and / The advantages of the arrangement of the exemplary embodiment have emerged in that a small amount of adhesive can be used. For example, the aluminum foil of the first and second conductive patches 17A, 17B may be removed from the outer surface of the paper (not shown) of the paper strip 14, if the paper strip 14 does not include an uncovered portion 19 instead 14B, so that the adhesive will provide a weaker bond. Thus, although the increased amount of adhesive and / or the stronger adhesive can be used to alleviate this, the resulting smoking article 1 will not be robust.

The width W2 of the first and second conductive patches 17A and 17B is set such that the first and second conductive patches 17A and 17B are located on the entire circumference of each of the first and second rods 20A and 20B 20B, so that the first and second edges 18A, 18B of the first and second rods 20A, 20B abut against each other as shown in Fig. The width W2 of the first and second patches 17A and 17B is greater than the circumference of the first and second rods 20A and 20B so that the first and second conductive patches 17A and 17B overlap with each other.

In step S5A, composite web 13 and first rod 20A are cut along a first cut line (shown by chain-dashed line 'A-A' in Fig. 3). The first cut line AA extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and is located at the center of the first rod 20A parallel to the free end 13A of the composite web 13 . When the composite web 13 and the first rod 20A are cut along the first cutting line AA the half of the first rod 20A and the section of the composite web 13 at the free end 13A section is separated from the rest of the composite web 13.

In step S6, the composite web 13 is cut along a second cut line (shown by dashed line "B-B" in Fig. 3). The second cutting line BB extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and extends in a half-way between the first and second conductive patches 17A and 17B, 20B. When the second rod 20B is cut along the second cutting line BB, the second rod 20B is separated from the first smoking article element 5A by the second smoking article element 5B and the first smoking article element 5B, And a third smoking article element (not shown) distal to the article element 5A. As a result, one end portion of the composite web 13 separates from the rest of the continuous composite web 13 and surrounds the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 5B to form the tubular structure 21, (As shown in Fig. 7). 7, the portion of the paper strip 14 at the distal ends of the tubular structure 21 lies directly adjacent to the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 5B, It should be noted that, as shown in Fig. 7, it is not separated therefrom.

The aforementioned cutting of the composite web 13 results in a tubular structure 21 known as a " 2-up " rod, i.e. the tubular structure is two smoking article elements 5A, 5B, Is combined with a section of the composite web 13 that can eventually be cut in half to provide two single smoking article components. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the second cut line B-B may be made of one or more rods spaced from the first rod 20A. Which comprises a first smoking article element 5A and a second smoking article element 5B spaced apart from each other and a tubular element 21 with one or more double lengths of rod therebetween and spaced therefrom, . These tubular elements are known as " 4-up ", " 6-up ", " 8-up ", and the like.

At step S7 the composite web 13 of the tubular structure 21 is cut along a third cutting line (shown by dot-dash line 'C-C' in Fig. 3) to form first and second smoking To form first and second smoking article element wrappers 10A, 10B surrounding the article elements 5A, 5B. The third cutting line CC extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and extends through the first conductive patch (not shown), which is at the same distance to the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 17A.

A portion of the first wrapper 10A extends beyond the end of the first smoking article element 5A in the axial direction thereof to define a first recess 6A (as shown in Fig. 8) . Similarly, a portion of the second wrapper 10B extends beyond the end of the second smoking article element 5B in the axial direction thereof to define a second recess 6B (as shown in Fig. 8) Cup-shaped.

The first and second smoking article elements 5A and 5B are axially spaced from each other and when the tubular structure 21 is cut along the third cutting line CC, And second concave portions 6A and 6B. This arrangement ensures that the end portions of the composite web 13 are supported at the respective ends by the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 5B when the tubular structure 21 is cut along the line CC , Thereby providing an advantage in helping to prevent the composite web 13 from creasing or crumpling.

In step S8 the first and second wrappers 10A and 10B are separate elements and then the first and second wrappers (not shown) having respective enclosed smoking article elements 5A and 5B 10A and 10B are moved away from each other and the first and second recesses 6A and 6B are filled with the media 7A and 7B, for example granules of a debonder or filter material, Thereby forming first and second smoking article components 3A, 3B (as shown). Each of the smoking article components 3A, 3B includes smoking article elements 5A, 5B, smoking article element wrappers 10A, 10B and media 7A, 7B. The smoking article components 3A, 3B are then attached to the tobacco rods, respectively, to form smoking articles using a tipping wrapper in a known manner.

In one embodiment, the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 5B and the first and second wrappers 10A, 10B that are secured to the first and second smoking article elements 5A, 5B are joined to the first and second recesses 6A, Are oriented upward before being filled with the medium 7A, 7B. That is, the subsequent manufacturing steps include orienting the components from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position before filling the recesses 6A, 6B with the media 7A, 7B.

The steps of the method can then be repeated to produce additional smoking article components as a continuous process. For example, in one embodiment, the double-length third rod of the smoking article element material (not shown) overlaps the second conductive patch 17B at one end and the second conductive patch 17B Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 17B) < / RTI > The adhesive is then applied to the area of the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 and the composite web 13 is wrapped around the third rod and third smoking article element (not shown) A third smoking article element is located at the end of the composite web 13 and is formed from the second rod 20B. The composite web 13 and the third rod are then placed in a fourth smoking article element (not shown) where the third rod is spaced from the third smoking article element in half, and a fourth smoking article element (Not shown) on the other side of the element. Thus, a portion of the composite web 13 surrounds the third and fourth smoking article elements and forms a tubular structure (not shown). The tubular structure is then cut across its central axis to form third and fourth smoking article loopers (not shown), which wrap around each of the third and fourth smoking article elements and form a third And fourth smoking article elements to form corresponding recesses. The recesses can then be filled with a medium to form third and fourth smoking article components (not shown).

In the above-described embodiment, each of the steps S1 to S8 is performed sequentially. However, it should be appreciated that one or more of the steps S1 to S8 may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that steps S1 through S8 may be performed in a different order than that shown in FIG.

In an alternate embodiment, steps S1 through S6 are performed in one process, and subsequent filling with media 7A, 7B to form a smoking article and subsequent filling with tobacco rods 2 Steps S7 and S8 are performed in a separate second process. That is, the plurality of tubular structures 21 are fabricated in one process, and then the plurality of tubular structures 21 are formed in steps S7 to S8 and a plurality of smoking articles < RTI ID = 0.0 > Is stored and transported as a separate device that performs subsequent formation of the components and subsequent combination with the cigarette loads (2). This pre-forming of the tubular structures 21 can be facilitated by the fact that the tubular structures 21 are easily stored in different processes depending on the medium that can be used to fill the recesses of the smoking article components and then used .

An apparatus 30 for performing the steps of the manufacturing method of Fig. 4 is schematically shown in Fig. The apparatus 30 includes a spacing station 31, a wrapping station 32 and a cutting station 33.

The spacing station 31 includes a first conveyor belt 35 and a first cutting blade 36. The lapping and cutting stations 32, 33 together comprise a second conveyor belt 37. The first conveyor belt 35 includes first and second distal ends 35A and 35B and the second conveyor belt 37 includes first and second distal ends 37A and 37B .

The first conveyor belt 35 proceeds at a constant speed, and the second conveyor belt 37 proceeds at a constant speed. The first and second conveyor belts 35 and 37 move objects disposed on the first and second conveyor belts in the conveying direction (shown by arrow X in FIG. 10). The first and second conveyor belts 35 and 37 are configured such that the objects to be positioned on the first conveyor belt 35 advance from its first end 35A to its second end 35B, And passes over the first end 37A of the second conveyor belt 37. [ Thereafter, objects traveling on the second conveyor belt 37 pass from its first end 37A to its second end 37B.

The continuous cylindrical portion of the smoking article element material is disposed on the first end 35A of the first conveyor belt 35 and the first cutting blade 36 is configured to separate the cylindrical portion of the smoking article element material from a double And cut into the first and second rods 20A, 20B of the length. The first and second rods 20A, 20B are axially aligned on the first conveyor belt 35. The first and second rods 20A, The movement of the first conveyor belt 35 advances the first and second rods 20A and 20B in the conveying direction X and onto the first end 37A of the second conveyor belt 37.

The constant speed of the second conveyor belt 37 is greater than the constant speed of the first conveyor belt 35. [ When the first and second rods 20A and 20B are advanced onto the second conveyor belt 37 they are accelerated from the speed of the first conveyor belt 35 to the speed of the second conveyor belt 37 . The first rod 20A is positioned in the forward direction of the second rod 20B in the conveying direction X and thus proceeds on the second conveyor belt 37 before the second rod 20B. The first rod 20A is moved in the axial direction of the second rod 20B so that the first and second rods 20A and 20B are axially spaced in the conveying direction X on the second conveyor belt 37, 2 < / RTI >

The first and second rods 20A, 20B then proceed to the lapping station 32. The wrapping station 32 includes a reel 38, a tongue 39 and an adhesive applicator 40 of the composite web 13 of the type shown in FIG. The composite web 13 is fed from the reel 38 onto the second conveyor belt 37 and proceeds along the second conveyor belt 37 in the conveying direction X. [

The tongue 39 is a tapered duct having a wide inlet opening 39A and a narrow outlet opening 39B. The tongue portion 39 is generally circular in cross section and can be opened on its lower side in the form of a elongated slot (not shown) extending along the length of the tongue portion 39 in the axial direction thereof, (39) do not form a complete circle in cross-section. The tongue 39 can be positioned on a guide (not shown) that includes a molded track on which the second conveyor belt 37 advances.

The composite web 13 is fed from the reel 38 onto the surface of the second conveyor belt 37. The adhesive application device 40 is provided along the edge of the paper strip and along the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 adjacent the free end 13A of the composite wrap 13, To form an adhesive zone 19A.

The progression of the first and second rods 20A and 20B onto the second conveyor belt 37 is timed with the progression on the composite web 13 on the second conveyor belt 37, An end portion of the rod 20A which overlaps the first conductive patch 17A is positioned. The second rod 20B is positioned so as to overlap the second conductive patch 17B whose end overlaps the first conductive patch 17A and whose opposite end is adjacent to but spaced from the first conductive patch 17A.

The composite web 13 is conveyed in the conveying direction X through the tongue 39 by the movement of the second conveyor belt 37. As the composite web 13 moves through the tongue 39, the formed track of the tongue 39 is configured to deform the second conveyor belt 37 and portions of the composite web 13 thereon The composite web 13 is configured such that the composite web enters the inlet opening 39A of the tongue 39 and the first and the second webbing (when the composite web is on the reel 38) Leading to a closed circle as it leaves the narrow exit opening 39B of the tongue 39 surrounding the second rods 20A, 20B. The composite web 13 is configured such that when the composite web 13 passes through the tongue portion 39 the first and second conductive patches 17A and 17B pass through the first and second rods 20A and 20B And the paper strip 14 is oriented to form the outer periphery of the wrapped composite web 13. The paper strip 14 is oriented inwardly toward the web 12,

The tongue 39 is configured such that when the composite web 13 is wrapped around the first and second rods 20A and 20B the bonding zone 19A contacts the outer surface 14B of the paper strip 14 . This causes the adhesive zone 19A to adhere to the outer surface 14B of the paper strip 14 so that the composite web 13 is held in a cylindrical shape. The composite web 13 is thus wrapped around the outer peripheries of the first and second rods 20A and 20B such that the first and second rods 20A and 20B are spaced apart from the narrow outlet opening 39B, the first and second rods are surrounded by the composite web 13.

The composite web 13 and the first and second rods 20A and 20B are then advanced in the transport direction X to the cutting station 33. [ The cutting station 33 includes a second cutting blade 41 and, optionally, a third cutting blade 42.

The second cutting blade 41 is configured to cause the composite web 13 and the first rod 20A to move along the first cutting line 22A as the composite web 13 and the first rod 20A exit the tongue 39 AA. ≪ / RTI > When the composite web 13 and the first rod 20A are cut along the first cutting line AA the one half of the first rod 20A and the free end 13A of the composite web 13 of the free end 13A Portions of the composite web 13 are separated from the rest of the composite web 13. The other half of the first rod 20A forms a first smoking article element 5A.

The second cutting blade 41 is then moved so that the composite web 13 and the second rod 20B are cut into the second cut 20 as the composite web 13 and the second rod 20B come out of the tongue 39. [ Line BB so that the second rod 20B is separated into a second smoking article element 5B and a third smoking article element (not shown). The end portion of the composite web 13 separates from the rest of the composite web 13 and surrounds the axially spaced first and second smoking article elements 5A and 5B to form the tubular structure 21, . This includes a " two-up " load of virtually two smoking article components 3A, 3B coupled together and without media 7A, 7B. The above process continues as a continuous process to form a plurality of tubular structures 21.

In an optional configuration of the device 30 the third cutting blade 42 is then placed in a tubular shape along the third cutting line CC to form the first and second smoking article element wrappers 10A, The portion of the composite web 13 that is part of the structure 21 can be cut. The first and second wrappers 10A and 10B enclose the first and second smoking article elements 5A and 5B, respectively. However, the third cutting blade 42 can be omitted, and thereafter the " 2-up " rod can be removed from the recesses 6A and 6B to form smoking articles with media 7A and 7B, May be discharged at the end of the apparatus 30 to be collected, stored and transported to the article manufacturing apparatus.

Whether cut with the third cutting blade 42 or cut as part of a subsequent smoking article manufacturing process, in the resultant tubular structures 21 cut once, a portion of the first wrapper 10A extends in the axial direction thereof Extends beyond the end of the first smoking article element 5A and forms a cup-shape defining the first recess 6A. Similarly, a portion of the second wrapper 10B extends beyond the end of the second smoking article 5B in the axial direction thereof to form a cup-shape defining the second recess 6B.

The first and second recesses 6A and 6B are then filled with media 7A and 7B to form the first and second smoking article components 3A and 3B. The first and second smoking article components 3A, 3B are each attached to a tobacco rod to form respective smoking articles.

Composite web 13 can be made by bonding conductive patches 17A, 17B to paper strip 14 and then rolling composite web 13 into the reel. This causes the thermally conductive patches 17A, 17B to be compressed against the paper strip 14, thereby promoting adhesion to the paper strip.

In the described embodiment, the first and second rods 20A and 20B are arranged on the second conveyor belt 37 which accelerates the first and second rods 20A and 20B, respectively, Spaced axially on the composite web 13 by advancing each of the webs 20A, 20B. However, it should be appreciated that other means of axially spacing the first and second rods 20A, 20B are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, instead, the first and second rods 20A, 20B can be moved by hand, by compressed air, or through the first and second rods (not shown) in a groove on a rotating spacing drum 20B may be spaced axially by positioning both the first and second rods 20A, 20B and then pressing the element between the first and second rods 20A, 20B so that the first and second rods 20A, And is axially spaced apart from the grooves of the rotating spacing drum. In addition, the steps of the above-described method of the present invention for providing and properly cutting, separating, and aligning tubular structures 21, such as 2-up, 4-up, 6-up, The manufacturing steps can be accomplished using a system of a plurality of drums, as is known in the art.

The composite web 13 is cut by the second cutting blade 41 such that the tubular structure 21 comprises the first and second smoking article elements 5A and 5B. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), instead, the tubular structure may comprise a different number of smoking article elements, such as "4-up", "6-up", or "8- Four, six or eight smoking article elements known in the art. In these tubular structures, the distal ends, including the single smoking article elements, between and spaced therefrom, may have one or more double length rods 20A, 20B, i.e., one 2 in the 4-up tubular structure Two double length rods in a six-up tubular structure, three two double rods in an eight-up tubular structure, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the third rod of smoking article element material is located on a composite web that is axially spaced from the second rod on the other side thereof to the first rod. The composite wrapper is wrapped around the first, second, and third rods, and then the third rod is cut so as to be divided in half in the axial direction to form the 4-up tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a second (double-length) rod in the middle of the tubular structure having a smoking article element at each end (single length), axially spaced from the second rod. The four-up tube structure can then be cut three times so that the tubular structure is divided into four smoking article components, each containing a smoking article element and a recess.

In the described embodiment, the double-length rods 20A, 20B are provided on the composite web 13 and then cut in half to form the smoking article elements 5, 5A, 5B . However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), smoking article elements pre-cut to size may be provided on the composite web.

In the embodiment described above, the first and second rods 20A, 20B are then moved axially on a continuous length of the composite web 13 wrapped around the first and second rods 20A, And is positioned. The composite web 13 and the first and second rods 20A, 20B are then cut to form the tubular structure 21. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the composite web is preferentially cut to size and then the first and second smoking article elements are positioned thereon and axially spaced from one another. The composite web is then wrapped around the first and second smoking article elements to form a tubular structure, the tubular structure having first and second wrapper elements surrounding each of the first and second smoking article elements, Which is then cut in half to form the second layer. In one embodiment, the composite web is wrapped around the smoking article element using a type of rolling drum construction known in the art. The advantage of this alternative arrangement is that the first and second smoking article elements support the composite web at its respective ends, which can help prevent the composite web 13 from creasing or crumbling during lapping It is a point. For example, if the smoking article elements were not axially spaced apart and instead were placed close to one another in the middle of the portion of the composite web 13, the ends of the composite web 13 could be joined to the first or second smoking article elements ( 5A, 5B. Thus, when the composite web 13 is wrapped around the smoking article elements 5A, 5B, the free ends of the composite web 13 can be creased or crumbled.

In one embodiment, the or each smoking article element 5, 5A, 5B is in the form of a filter element (not shown) comprising, for example, a plug of filtering material. In an alternative embodiment, the or each smoking article element (5, 5A, 5B) is of a different type.

Although strips of lapping material 14 are in the form of paper strips 14, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the strips of lapping material 14 may be formed of different materials, for example, Plastic wrap. The strip of lapping material 14 may be transmissive to allow for the flow of air into the smoking article element 5, 5A, 5B in the axial direction thereof.

The term "smoking article " as used herein, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and also heat-not- Includes other nicotine delivery products such as aerosol generators including smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, cigarette heating devices and e-cigarettes do. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for gas flow sucked by the smoker.

In order to solve various problems and to advance the present invention, the entirety of this disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing an excellent composite web and a smoking article element component in which the claimed invention (s) can be implemented and which produces a smoking article element component Illustrate various embodiments that may be provided. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to aid understanding, and teach the claimed features. It should be understood that advantages of the disclosure, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects are not limited by the limits of the disclosure as defined by the claims or by the equivalents to the claims It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. The various embodiments suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, and the like. The disclosure also includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (22)

A composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper,
A strip of wrapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches positioned on the surface of the strip and spaced along the length of the strip.
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a first edge of each thermally conductive patch is spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip to define a region of the surface of the strip that is not covered by the thermally conductive patches.
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first edge of each thermally conductive patch is spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the strip by 1 to 10 mm, preferably by 3 to 7 mm,
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Wherein a second edge of each thermally conductive patch overlies an adjacent second longitudinal edge of the strip,
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The thermally conductive patches may be laminated and / or laminated to the strip,
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Wherein the strip of lapping material comprises paper.
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Wherein the thermal conductive patches comprise a metal foil or a metallized paper and, preferably, an aluminum foil or an aluminum foil.
Composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. A method of manufacturing a smoking article component,
Providing a composite web comprising a strip of lapping material and a thermally conductive patch located on a surface of the strip;
Wherein the smoking article elements are axially spaced to overlap the first thermally conductive patch of the composite web and extend axially beyond the opposite edges of the first thermally conductive patch so that the first and second Providing smoking article elements;
Wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements; And
Comprising cutting the composite web to form a tubular structure comprising smoking article elements and a portion of the composite web surrounding the smoking article element.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the composite web comprises a plurality of thermally conductive patches positioned on a surface of the strip and spaced along a length of the strip and providing first and second smoking article elements on the composite web, Providing a plurality of rods of smoking article element material on the composite web such that the distal ends of each rod rest on adjacent thermally conductive patches of the composite web.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure comprises the steps of cutting one of the rods of the smoking article element material so that one half of the smoking article element forms the first or second smoking article element of the tubular structure. Further comprising the steps of:
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
Wherein the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure comprises the step of cutting the composite web such that the portion of the composite web is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and the smoking article Cutting the composite web to surround at least one rod of the element material.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
Wherein the composite web comprises a strip of lapping material and wherein the first edge of the or each thermally conductive patch has a region where the surface of the strip is not covered by the or each thermally conductive patch. Wherein the step of wrapping the composite wrap around the smoking article elements comprises providing an adhesive on the area of the strip and then applying an adhesive to the area, Wrapping the wrapper around the smoking article elements to adhere to an outer surface of the strip.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
Wherein the step of wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements comprises feeding the composite web through a tongue-
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13,
The first and second smoking article elements are bonded to the composite web before the composite web is wrapped around the smoking article elements.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14,
The or each thermally conductive patch comprises a metal foil or a metallized paper, and preferably comprises an aluminum foil or aluminum paper,
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. A method of manufacturing a smoking article component,
Providing a tubular structure comprising a plurality of axially spaced smoking article elements surrounded by a composite web; And
Cutting the composite web of the tubular structure to form a plurality of wrappers wrapped around the respective smoking article elements so that a portion of each wrapper extends past an end of each smoking article element to form a recess ≪ / RTI >
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 17. The method of claim 16,
The tubular structure is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and the first and second smoking article elements at the distal ends of the tubular structure and is axially spaced from the first and second smoking article elements The method further comprising cutting at least one of the or each load of the smoking article element material in half to form a pair of smoking article elements,
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 18. The method according to claim 16 or 17,
Providing a medium in each recess;
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the medium comprises a substrate or flavorant of tobacco,
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. 20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19,
Wherein the tubular structure is made according to the method of any one of claims 8 to 15,
A method of manufacturing a smoking article component. A method of manufacturing a smoking article,
20. A method of making a smoking article component, comprising: preparing a smoking article component according to the method of any one of claims 16 to 20; And attaching a tobacco rod to the smoking article component.
A method of manufacturing a smoking article. A composite web as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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