KR20210142597A - Sub-unit of smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

The sub-unit of the smoking article comprises a tubular segment 2 and a connecting strip 3 of the tobacco industry, inside the tubular segment 2 terminating at opposite ends of the tubular segment 2 with end openings 4 A through duct is provided, the connecting strip 3 being applied longitudinally over the tubular segment 2 and comprising a first part 3a and a second part 3b. A first portion 3a of the connecting strip 3 is superimposed on the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 , covering a first angular portion 3a of the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 and covering the tubular segment 2 . a second angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment having an uncovered transverse dimension, the second portion 3b defining an extension of the first portion 3a and being folded transverse to the first portion 3a to form a tubular segment forming a closing wall at least partially closing the at least one end opening 4 of (2).

Description

Sub-unit of smoking article

The present invention relates to the field of article technology in the tobacco industry.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a sub-unit of an electronic cigarette or smoking article, which may for example be of a type configured to generate an aerosol by heating, preferably without burning.

In this context, in order to ensure the quality of the final product, it is very important to ensure that active substances, i.e. substances that generate aerosols, are stored and maintained correctly both during the product production process and during the article.

The prior art manufacturing method involves manufacturing a smoking article composed of a plurality of sub-units adjacent one another end-to-end along a major axis of orientation, each designed to perform a specific function determined by the type of material it contains. do.

More specifically, at least one of the sub-units is a tubular segment into which an aerosol generating element is inserted.

However, this solution is not very suitable for ensuring the integrity of the article, especially since it does not ensure correct retention of the aerosol generating element (i.e. the active part of the smoking article) in the tubular segment when inhaled by the smoker. .

This means that during use of the smoking article the aerosol generating element may exit the sub-unit and enter the adjacent sub-unit, which may adversely affect product operation.

Indeed, the effect of a smoker puffing in a smoking article can have the undesirable effect of allowing the aerosol generating element or any other material that makes up the smoking article to reach the filter or even be inhaled by the smoker.

In this context, the technical object forming the basis of the present invention is to propose a sub-unit of a smoking article for overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a subunit of smoking articles which can optimize the production process while at the same time improving the quality and stability of the final product which can be manufactured using it.

The stated technical object and the stated object are substantially achieved by a sub-unit of a smoking article comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

The present invention discloses a sub-unit of a smoking article comprising a tubular segment of the tobacco industry and a connecting strip applied thereon.

A through duct is provided within the tubular segment which terminates with an opening at opposite ends of the tubular segment.

The connecting strip is longitudinally applied over the tubular segment and comprises a first portion and a second portion.

More specifically, a first portion of the connecting strip overlaps an outer surface of the tubular segment, covering a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment, leaving a second angled portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment uncovered The two have transverse dimensions.

On the other hand, the second portion defines an extension of the first portion and is folded transversely with respect to the first portion to form a closing wall at least partially closing each end opening of the tubular segment.

Advantageously, the sub-unit according to the present invention comprises, when the sub-unit is assembled into a smoking article, the sub-unit itself or any tobacco industry material used to fill the sub-unit adjacent to the end of the sub-unit. It includes a closing wall that prevents it from escaping through the

Dependent claims incorporated herein by reference correspond to other embodiments of the invention.

It is also an object of the present invention to be a smoking article comprising a plurality of sub-units of the smoking article end-to-end abutting each other along the main direction of extension of the smoking article.

In particular, at least one of the sub-units is an intermediate sub-unit produced according to the invention, in such a way that a second part of the connecting strip is interposed between the tubular segment and one of the neighboring sub-units, located inside

Thus, it is possible to ensure that the aerosol generating material is accurately retained within the sub-unit in which it is disposed and that the different sub-units constituting the smoking article are effectively and efficiently prevented from moving.

It is also an object of the present invention to be a semi-finished product for the tobacco industry comprising tubular segments and connecting strips from the tobacco industry.

A through duct is provided within the tubular segment which terminates into an opening at opposite ends of the tubular segment.

The connecting strip is longitudinally applied to the tubular segment and has a first portion and a pair of second portions disposed on opposite sides of the first portion.

More specifically, the first portion of the connecting strip overlaps the outer surface of the tubular segment, and covers a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment, leaving a second angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment uncovered. It has transverse dimensions.

Generally speaking, the width of the first portion is such that it covers the outer surface of the tubular segment for an angular amplitude of between 5 degrees and 120 degrees.

Also generally speaking, the first portion extends between two opposing ends of the tubular segment. That is, it extends over the entire length of the tubular segment.

Each second portion, on the other hand, defines an extension of each end of the first portion and is folded transversely relative to the first portion to form a closing wall that at least partially closes each end opening of the tubular segment.

Preferably, the second part is glued to the end of the tubular segment.

Advantageously, the semi-finished product described herein can be cut in two through an intermediate plane to make a pair of sub-units of a smoking article according to the invention.

Preferably, the connecting strip has a rectangular profile with a constant cross-section.

Preferably, the width of the second portion is greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment and preferably greater than the outer diameter of the tubular segment.

According to this aspect, the second portion of the connecting strip may be made of a porous material and/or the second portion may be provided with a plurality of holes or perforations to increase the air or gas permeability of the closure wall.

Alternatively, in another possible embodiment, the width of the connecting strip is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular segment.

According to this embodiment, at least a second part, preferably the entire connecting strip, of the connecting strip is made of a material impermeable to air.

Generally speaking, at least a second part of the connecting strip, preferably the entire connecting strip, is made of a metallic material, preferably aluminum.

Also generally speaking, at least a second part of the connecting strip, preferably the entire connecting strip, is made of a flame-retardant material.

Preferably, the connecting strip is between 1 cm and 15 cm in length and between 0.2 cm and 1.5 cm in width.

Preferably, the second portion is between 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm in length.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following non-limiting description which references preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of sub-units of smoking articles as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view of a sub-unit according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the sub-unit of FIG. 1 ;
3 shows a smoking article comprising a plurality of sub-units, at least one of which is manufactured according to the invention;
4 shows a semi-finished product suitable for manufacturing the sub-unit of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sub-unit according to the invention in a variant of FIG. 1 ;

In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a sub-unit of a smoking article according to the invention, generally referred to in the present disclosure as “sub-unit ( 1 )”.

The sub-unit 1 comprises a tubular segment 2 of the tobacco industry and a connecting strip 3 .

Inside the tubular segment 2 there is provided a through duct terminating into a respective opening 4 at opposite ends of the tubular segment 2 .

In other words, the interior of the tubular segment 2 defines a duct which terminates at the open ends of the tubular segment 2 itself and also serves as a containment chamber for containing filling material of the tobacco industry.

By way of non-limiting example, the penetrating duct may thus be formed of a filling material such as aerosol-generating material, tobacco pellets in loose or other form, flavoring material (eg micro-capsules containing flavoring liquid) or filtering material (activated carbon, silica gel or other materials known in the reference section) or materials with a cooling effect (eg PLA pellets).

The connecting strip 3 is applied longitudinally on the tubular segment 2 and comprises a first part 3a and a second part 3b.

More specifically, the connecting strip 3 is of a rectangular profile with a constant cross-section. That is, the width of the connecting strip 3 remains constant in both the first and second portions 3a, 3b.

Alternatively, the connecting strip may have a profile with a variable cross-section, wherein the first part 3a has a certain width, preferably constant, while the second part 3b has a different width, preferably a constant width. have

Generally speaking, the connecting strip 3 is between 1 cm and 15 cm in length and between 0.2 cm and 1.5 cm in width.

Operationally, the first portion 3a overlaps the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 and covers a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 , and covers the second portion of the outer surface of the same tubular segment 2 . The 2 angle part has a transverse dimension that allows it to be left uncovered.

In other words, the shape and size of the connecting strip is such that the connecting strip covers only a part of the tubular segment with its first part 3a in particular, leaving the remaining surface uncovered to the outside of the tubular segment 2 . to be applicable.

More specifically, the width of the first part 3a preferably the width of the first part 3a of the entire connecting strip 3 is the tubular segment 2 for an angular amplitude denoted α in FIG. 2 of 5 to 120 degrees. to cover the outer surface of

In this way, it is possible to use connecting strips 3 with limited lateral dimensions, thus saving material and avoiding the complexity of wrapping the material all around the tubular segment 2 .

In a preferred embodiment, the first part 3a extends between two opposite ends of the tubular segment 2 as in the variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 .

In other words, the first part 3a of the connecting strip 3 covers the first angular part of the tubular segment 2 over its entire length extending from one end of the tubular segment 2 to the other.

Alternatively, the first part 3a extends from only one end of the tubular segment 2 as in the variant illustrated in FIG. 5 .

The second part 3b forms an extension of the first part 3a and is folded transversely with respect to the first part 3a to at least partially close each end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 . form a closed wall.

Preferably, the second part 3b is glued to the end of the tubular segment 2 , closing the opening.

Preferably, the second part 3b is provided with an adhesive layer only on the part intended to come into contact with the end of the tubular segment 2 in which the opening is closed.

In other words, the second part 3b has a second overlapping on the edge of the tubular segment 2 , leaving the part of the second part 3b directly facing the duct defined by the tubular segment 2 free. An adhesive layer applied according to a pattern along the profile of the part of the part 3b may be provided.

The second part 3b thus extends beyond the end of the tubular segment 2 and is folded over the end in such a way as to create a closed wall blocking access to the duct inside the tubular segment 2 .

Advantageously, the structure of the connecting strip allows the first part 3a to use a larger surface for contact between the connecting strip 3 and the tubular segment 2 , thereby connecting the second part 3b to the tubular segment. (2) Since it can be connected to, it ensures the correct holding effect and stability of the closed wall.

Furthermore, if the sub-unit 1 is further packaged with a suitable packaging material so that it can be incorporated into the smoking article, the first part 3a is held between the packaging material and the sidewall of the tubular segment 2 so that the stability of the closure wall further improve

In particular, the closing wall provides a barrier preventing any filling material of the smoking article into which the sub-unit 1 is placed from passing through the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 .

At the same time, the closure wall allows air and/or gases and/or aerosols to pass through the end of the sub-unit 1 , in particular in the direction of the smoker during use of a smoking article in which the sub-unit 1 is inserted. it should be to allow

In a first possible embodiment, it is preferred that the width of the second part 3b is greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment 2 and smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular segment 2 .

Alternatively, in another possible embodiment, the width of the second part 3b is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular segment 2 .

Similarly, the second portion 3b may be between 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm in length so as to partially or completely cover the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 .

In other words, the length and width of the second part 3b is such that two separate alternative situations can occur. In the first situation the size of the second portion 3b folded over the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 is such that it completely covers the end opening 4 , and in the second situation the end of the tubular segment 2 . The size of the second portion 3b folded over the opening 4 is such that it partially closes the end opening 4 .

In order to ensure a correct flow of air and/or gas and/or aerosol through the sub-unit, when the closing wall completely covers the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 , at least the second The portion 3b is made of a porous material and/or has a plurality of holes or perforations to increase the air or gas permeability of the closed wall.

In other words, such that the closing wall completely blocks access to the duct defined by the interior of the tubular segment 2 , the second part is in all cases capable of passing air and/or gases and/or aerosols. This is because the closing wall is made of a porous material and/or the closing wall is provided with suitable openings.

On the other hand, if it is such that the closing wall only partially covers the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 , the correct flow of air and/or gas and/or aerosol through the sub-unit remains uncovered. This is ensured by the portion of the end opening 4 which is located, whereby the second part 3b can be made of a material impermeable to air.

However, even if the closing wall only partially covers the end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 , the second part 3b is made of a porous material or the second part 3b is made of air or gas permeability of the closing wall. It is also possible for a plurality of holes or perforations to be provided for increasing.

More specifically, at least the second part 3b of the connecting strip 3 , preferably the entirety of the connecting strip 3 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum.

Preferably, at least the second part 3b of the connecting strip 3 , preferably the entirety of the connecting strip 3 is made of a flame-retardant material.

Advantageously, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and achieves a predetermined object in that the presence of a closure wall ensures that the aerosol generating element is correctly retained within the smoking article and prevents it from being exhaled or inhaled by the smoker do.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a smoking article 5 shown in FIG. 3 comprising a plurality of sub-units 1 of the smoking article end-to-end abutting one another along the main direction of extension of the smoking article 5 . am.

More specifically, at least one of the sub-units 1 is an intermediate sub-unit 1a and is manufactured as described above. That is, it comprises a tubular segment 2 on which a connecting strip 3 is applied.

As described above, the connecting strip 3 has a first portion 3a superimposed on the lateral outer surface of the tubular segment 2 and a second portion 3b that is folded to form a wall closing the tubular segment 2 itself. has

The intermediate sub-unit 1a is thus formed in such a way that the second part 3b of the connecting strip 3 is interposed between the adjacent sub-unit 1b and the tubular segment 2 on which the connecting strip 3 is applied. It is arranged inside the smoking article 5 .

In this way, the second part 3b prevents any material filled in the smoking article 5 from passing from one sub-unit to another but nevertheless allows air or gas to permeate. form a closed wall.

More specifically, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3 , the intermediate sub-unit 1a is interposed between the sub-unit 1b comprising the filter material of the tobacco industry and the sub-unit 1c comprising the aerosol generating material. It may be a separate sub-unit interposed in

The smoking article 5 also has the sub-units 1a, 1b in such a way that the first part 3a of the connecting strip 3 is arranged and held between the respective tubular segment 2 and the outer cover material 6 . ) can be suitably wrapped with an outer cover material 6 wound in the form of a tube around it.

Preferably, the first part 3a of the connecting strip 3 is glued to the tubular segment 2 to further improve the stability and adhesion inside the smoking article 5 .

Also an object of the present invention is a semi-finished product 11 of the tobacco industry, which in particular is configured to produce a pair of sub-units 1 of a smoking article according to the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the semi-finished product 11 comprises a tubular segment 12 and a connecting strip 13 of the tobacco industry.

More specifically, the length of the tubular segment 12 forming part of the semi-finished product 11 is twice the length of the tubular segment 12 . That is, the length of the tubular segment 12 can be divided into two equal length separate parts to form two respective sub-units 1 of the smoking article.

In other words, the semi-finished product 11 is divided into two separate parts along the center line M to make two separate sub-units 1 of the smoking article, in particular the two sub-units 1 according to the invention. configured to be

A through duct is provided inside the tubular segment 12 , which terminates with an opening at the end of the tubular segment 12 .

The connecting strip 13 is applied longitudinally to the tubular segment 12 and comprises a first portion 13a and a pair of second portions 13b.

The second portions 13b are disposed at both ends of the first portion 13a.

A first portion 13a of the connecting strip 13 overlaps the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 , and covers a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 , and of the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 . The second angled portion has a transverse dimension that allows it to remain uncovered.

On the other hand, each second part 13b forms an extension of the first part 13a and is folded transversely with respect to the first part 13a to form a respective closing wall.

The closing wall at least partially closes each end opening of the tubular segment 12 .

In other words, the connecting strip 13 has two second portions 3b, each of which is configured to at least partially cover each end of the tubular segment, the first portion 3a being disposed between the two portions 3b. extends from and connects the second portion and covers a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 for the entire length of the tubular segment 12 .

The semi-finished product described herein is a closed wall that does not impede the passage of filler materials in a smoking article inserted therein, and does not impede the flow of air and/or gases and/or aerosols generated during normal use of the smoking article. It is advantageous in that it makes it possible to manufacture a pair of sub-units 1 of a smoking article comprising

Claims (16)

As a sub-unit of a smoking article,
- a tubular segment (2) of the tobacco industry, in which the tubular segment (2) is provided with a through duct terminating in an end opening (4) of the tubular segment (2);
- a connecting strip 3 applied longitudinally over the tubular segment 2 and comprising a first part 3a and a second part 3b,
A first portion 3a of the connecting strip 3 is superimposed on the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 , covering a first angular portion 3a of the outer surface of the tubular segment 2 and covering the tubular segment 2 . a second angular portion of the outer surface of the
The second part 3b defines an extension of the first part 3a and is folded across the first part 3a to close at least partially closing at least one end opening 4 of the tubular segment 2 . A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that it forms a wall. According to claim 1,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the connecting strip (3) has a rectangular profile of constant cross-section. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the width of the second part (3b) is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular segment (2), preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular segment (2). 4. The method of claim 3,
At least the second part 3b of the connecting strip 3 is made of a porous material and/or the second part 3b of the connecting strip 3 has a plurality of holes or A sub-unit of a smoking article characterized in that it has a perforation. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the width of the second part (3b) is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular segment (2). 6. The method of claim 5,
Sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that at least the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3), preferably the entire connecting strip (3) is made of a material impermeable to air. According to one or more of the preceding claims,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the width of the first part (3a) of the connecting strip (3) is adapted to cover the outer surface of the tubular segment (2) for an angular amplitude between 5 degrees and 120 degrees. According to one or more of the preceding claims,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the first part (3a) of the connecting strip (3) extends over the entire length of the tubular segment (2). According to one or more of the preceding claims,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the first part (3a) and/or the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3) is glued to the end of the tubular segment (2). According to one or more of the preceding claims,
Sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that at least the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3), preferably the entire connecting strip (3) is made of a metallic material, preferably aluminium. According to one or more of the preceding claims,
Sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that at least the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3), preferably the entire connecting strip (3) is made of a flame-retardant material. According to one or more of the preceding claims,
A sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the length of the connecting strip (3) is between 1 cm and 15 cm, and the width is between 0.2 cm and 1.5 cm. According to one or more of the preceding claims,
The sub-unit of a smoking article, characterized in that the length of the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3) is between 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm. A smoking article, comprising a plurality of sub-units (1) of a smoking article adjacent to each other end-to-end along a main extension direction of the smoking article, wherein at least one of the sub-units (1) is an intermediate sub-unit unit (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims such that the second part (3b) of the connecting strip (3) is interposed between the tubular segment (2) and the sub-unit (1) adjacent thereto A smoking article, characterized in that it is manufactured. 15. The method of claim 14,
It further comprises an outer cover material (6) tubularly wrapped around the sub-units, wherein the first part (3a) of the connecting strip (3) is located between each tubular segment (2) and the outer cover material (6) Smoking article, characterized in that the first part (3a) of the connecting strip (3) is preferably adhered to the tubular segment (2). A semi-finished product for the tobacco industry, in particular configured to produce a pair of sub-units (1) of a smoking article according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, comprising:
- a tubular segment (12) of the tobacco industry, in which the tubular segment (12) is provided with a through duct terminating in an end opening of the tubular segment (12);
- a connecting strip 13 applied longitudinally over the tubular segment 12 and comprising a first part 13a and a pair of second parts 13b located at opposite ends of the first part 13a ), including
A first portion 13a of the connecting strip 13 is superimposed on the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 , covering a first angular portion of the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 and covering the outer surface of the tubular segment 12 . a second angular portion of which has an uncovered transverse dimension,
Each second portion 13b defines an extension of the first portion 13a and is folded across the first portion 13a to at least partially close each end opening 4 of the tubular segment 12 . Semi-finished product, characterized in that it forms a closed wall.

Images