RO201700025U2 - Smoking article, smoking article filter section and process for manufacturing a smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a smoking article as smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products and other nicotine delivery devices capable of generating an aerosol for delivery to a consumer. According to the invention, the smoking article, which is a cigarette, comprises a source of smokable material, such as tobacco, attached to a filter arrangement which comprises two filter sections (12 and 14) for receiving the smoke and/or other aerosol, a variable ventilation arrangement (17) configured to provide a user-controllable variable level of ventilation into the first filter section (12) and a flavour source configured to release flavour to the smoke and/or other aerosol, at a location upstream of the ventilation arrangement (17).

Description

Technical field

Embodiments of the invention relate to a smoking article, to a filter section for a smoking article, and to a smoking article manufacturing process.

Background Art Cigarettes may include a filter section for primary smoke filtering. It is known to provide cigarettes with a source of flavor, such as a flavor capsule, inside the filter section to add an additional flavor to the cigarette smoke generated.

Summary In a first aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a smoking article comprising a filter section for receiving the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, a variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a level of user controllable ventilation in the filter section and a flavor source configured to release flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said article for smoking at a location in said smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of said venting arrangement .

The flavor source may be configured to selectively release flavor in smoke and / or other aerosol. The flavor source may comprise one or more capsules. That one or more capsules can each have a diameter of 2 mm to 6 mm.

The flavor source may comprise at least one substance selected from a vegetable material, a flavor-loaded lace, a flavoring agent dispersed in the filter pad, flavored impurities, and a sheet-like material comprising a flavoring agent. The flavor source may be located in the said filter section.

I

The smoking article may further comprise a further ventilation arrangement configured to provide a ventilation level in the filter section that is not user controllable.

The ventilation level provided by the variable ventilation arrangement may be in the range of 5% and 50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article passing through the filter section when said variable ventilation is at its minimum level.

J

The variable ventilation arrangement can provide user controllable ventilation within a sub-range in the range of 0% to 90% of the smoke volume and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article passing through the filter section.

I

The filter section may form at least one component of the first part of the smoking article, and the smoking article may further comprise a second movable part relative to the first part to control the ventilation level provided by the variable ventilation arrangement. The first or second part may comprise a sleeve configured to move relative to the other of the first or second part to control the ventilation level provided by the variable ventilation arrangement. The sleeve may be rotatable with respect to the filter section and the ventilation level is varied by changing an angular position of the sleeve relative to the filter section.

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

The filter section may comprise a first filter section and the smoking article may further comprise a second filter section, the second filter section being located downstream of the first filter section, and wherein a gas flow resistance through the length of the second filter section is less than a gas flow resistance through the length of the first filter section and the gas flow resistance through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the ventilation level is varied.

The first and second filter sections may comprise tow filaments, and the first filter section may be different from the second filter section by one or more of: the weight of the paddles, the number of tow filaments in the unit of volume, the cross-section of the filaments and the degree of creasing. The second filter section may comprise at least one air passage which extends longitudinally along its length. The second filter section may comprise a fibrous filter material having an annular cross-section. The second filter section may comprise a tube of fibrous filter material and the air passage extends along a central longitudinal axis along the length of the second filter section.

The article for smoking may comprise a cigarette.

The embodiments of the invention provide, in a second aspect, a filter section for a smoking article for receiving the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, the filter section comprising a variable ventilation arrangement configured for providing a level of ventilation controllable by the user in the filter section and a flavor source configured to release flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article at a location in said smoke and / or other aerosol upstream by said ventilation arrangement. In a third aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a method for manufacturing a smoking article, the process comprising forming a filter section for receiving the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, providing an arrangement of variable ventilation configured to provide a user controllable level of ventilation in the filter section and providing a flavor source configured to release flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said article for smoking at a location in said smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of said venting arrangement. >

Brief description of the drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the smoking article according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the smoking article illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3a is a plan view of a blank for forming a casing for a smoking article according to a second embodiment;

Figure 3b is a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article according to the second embodiment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the article for smoking according to the second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to a third embodiment;

Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram showing a process for manufacturing a smoking article;

Detailed Description As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarettes, whether tobacco-based, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, such as and other non-combustion heaters and other nicotine delivery devices capable of generating an aerosol for delivery to a consumer. Such smoking articles may be provided with a filter for the smokable gaseous stream.

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and their formats, are often referred to by the length of cigarettes: "ordinary" (typically 68 to 75 mm, for example from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), " short "or" mini "(68 mm or less)," king-size "(usually in the range 75-91 mm, for example from about 79 mm to about 88 mm)," long "or" super-king "(typically in the range of 91-105 mm, for example from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and" ultra-long "(typically in the range of about 110 mm to about 121 mm).

They are also named according to the circumference of cigarettes: "normal" (about 23-25 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "thin" (about 22-23 mm), "semi-thin" ( about 19-22 mm), "super-thin" (about 16-19 mm) and "micro-thin" (less than about 16 mm). Consequently, a cigarette in a super-thin, king-size size format, for example, will have a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm. Standard size king size cigarettes are preferred by many customers, with a circumference ranging from 23 to 25 mm and a total length of 75 to 91 mm.

Each format can be produced with filters of different lengths, smaller filters being generally used in smaller lengths and circumference formats. Typically, the filter length will be from 15 mm, associated with short, up to 30 mm standard formats, associated with ultra-thin ultra-thin shapes. The filter paper will have a length longer than the filter, for example from 3 to 10 mm longer.

The smoking articles and filters described below can be manufactured in any of the above formats. The article for smoking may have, for example, from 70 to 100 mm in length and from 14 to 25 mm in circumference.

The terms " upstream " and " downstream " used herein are relative terms defined in the J direction relative to the direction of the main smoke (or other aerosol) fired through a smoking article during use.

Figure 1 illustrates a smokable article 10 according to a first embodiment. The smoking article 10 is a cigarette in the present example. However, other smoking articles may be used.

The smoking article 10 comprises a source of smokable material, such as tobacco, attached to a filter arrangement comprising a first filter section 12 and a second filter section 14. The source of the fumigant material is in the form of a tobacco rod 11 which is attached to the first filter section 12. The second filter section 14 is located downstream of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11. A ventilation arrangement 17 provides a variable ventilation level user controllable in the first filter section 12 as described in detail below.

The first filter section 12 comprises a flavor source configured to release flavor in the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article 10 at a location upstream of the ventilation arrangement 17. In the present example, the flavor source contains particulate plant flavor, although other sources of flavor may be used as described herein. Herbal flavorings and herbal aromatics are referred to as botanical flavors and botanical particles, and will be described in more detail below.

The smoking article 10 comprises a first part comprising the tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12. The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are connected with a cover layer to secure the first filter section to the tobacco rod, is made up of filter paper. The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are referred to as a tobacco unit. The elongated tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 define a longitudinal axis of the smoking article. A second part of the smoking article comprises a second filter section 14 and a sleeve 13 which is movable relative to the first portion of the smoking article. The sleeve 13 is in the form of a tube extending around the circumference of the tobacco rod 11 and / or the first filter section 12. The tube may be cylindrical. The sleeve 13 is formed of paper in the present example, although other materials may be used. The first and second filter sections 12, 14 comprise each filtering material which is wrapped in a sheet-like material, which may be paper, e.g., a casing. The first and second filter sections 12, 14 form a filter arrangement. The first filter section 12 is upstream of the second filter section 14. The second filter section 14 is at a mouth end of the sleeve 13 adjacent to and separated from the first filter section 12. The filter section 14 is at a mouth end of the sleeve 13 adjacent to and separated from the first filter section 12.

The tobacco rod 11 and the first attached filter section 12 are connected through filter paper (not shown). The filter paper is a standard filter paper or a relatively thick filter paper or cardboard filter paper.

The ventilation arrangement 17 is configured to allow adjustment of the ventilation level of the smoking article 10. The ventilation arrangement 17 comprises one or more ventilation zones 15 on the sleeve 13. In this example, the first ventilation zones 15 are in a a location closest to the downstream end of the first filter section 12 than the upstream end. The smoking article further comprises one or more second ventilation zones 16 around the first filter section 12. For example, that one or more second ventilation zones 16 are defined by one or more sheets of sheet material around the first filter section 12 or around the filter material of the first filter section 12. The ventilation arrangement 17 ensures that the ventilating air enters the first filter section.

The ventilation zones 15, 16 are formed as ventilation apertures or air permeable material. In some embodiments, when the ventilation zones 15 on the sleeve 13 are exposed, the air may flow into the body of the smoking article 10. When the first ventilation zones 15 on the sleeve 13 and the corresponding second ventilation areas 16 around the one the second filter sections 12 are aligned, the air may flow into the body of the smoking article 10. The ventilation zones 15, 16 are aligned by rotating the first part of the smoking article with respect to the second portion. In particular, the ventilation is controlled by rotating the sleeve 13 relative to the first filter section 12. The ventilation arrangement 17 provides a selectable ventilation level in a variable manner, controlled by adjusting the overlapping of the first ventilation zone 15 with the second ventilation zone 16 The amount of ventilation depends on the effective ventilation area, which is determined by the overlapping zone of the first and second ventilation zones. The ventilation level can be selected by selecting a position of the second part relative to the first part, for example by rotating the second part with respect to the first part. Thus, the ventilation arrangement 17 provides a variable size of the effective ventilation area, providing a variable air intake.

The first filter section 12 and the second filter section 14 are made of a known filtering material. The filter material for both filter sections may be towed, for example, cellulose acetate tows. The filter material of the first filter section is homogeneous and, independently, the filter material of the second filter section is homogeneous. The term " homogeneous " is used to designate that the filter material is substantially uniform throughout the filter section and, in particular, uniformly in a longitudinal and / or radial direction through each of the first and second filter sections 12 and 14. At least one physical property of the first homogeneous filter section may be different from the second homogeneous filter section.

The first and second filter sections comprise both fibrous webs, including filament tows. The weight of the paddles is a measure of the amount of tow weavers in a

II II of a certain volume. The weight of the ribbons can provide an indication of the density of the fiber material in the filter section. The first and second filter sections are manufactured using

The filtering material formed or treated to have the required properties, for example, providing a different pressure drop across the length unit for the first and second filter sections. 1

The first filter section 12 comprises botanical particles (not shown) incorporated into the fibrous material. The first filter section 12 is similar to a "Dalmatian" type filter containing fibrous filtering material through which the botanical particles have been sputtered before the fibrous material is folded and wrapped in a wrapping material. Botanical particles are composed of dried and chopped vegetable matter and can be formed from botanical elements such as menthol, juniper, coffee, anise, or any other botanical plant with appropriate taste and flavor characteristics. Any part of a chosen plant, for example roots, leaves, flowers, stems or buds, can be used in the formation of botanical particles.

The plurality of botanical particles in the first filter section 14 confers a taste and / or flavor of the smoke passing through the first filter section 14. As the ventilation level is varied, the dilution level of the non-flavored smoke changes. The amount of flavored smoke that reaches the mouth end of the smoking article can be controlled thereby, resulting in a smoking article 10 as a whole in which both the smoke intensity and the secondary flavor intensity can be controlled simultaneously. As illustrated in Figure 2, the tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are dimensioned to rotate as a unit around the longitudinal axis with the second filter section 14 positioned inside the sleeve 13. A retaining means (not shown) retains the first and second portions in a fixed longitudinal arrangement and prevents the smoking article 10 from expanding. Thus, the first part can not slide longitudinally with respect to the second part, i.e. the sleeve is not movable longitudinally relative to the second section filter 14.

The ventilation level can be selected by selecting an angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14. In some embodiments, the first ventilation zones 15 are configured to increase in size in a non-linear manner relative to the angular position . The first and second ventilation zones 15, 16 are configured such that the ventilation level has a substantially linear dependence on the angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14. In some embodiments, one or more the first and second ventilation zones 15 and 16 maintain a fixed longitudinal position relative to the first and second filter sections when the sleeve 13 is rotated relative to the second filter section 14. In the present embodiment, the second filter section 14 is securely attached and secured to the sleeve 13. The rotation of the second filter section 14 with respect to the first filter section 12 therefore causes rotation of the first filter section 12 in the sleeve 13.

1 I

By selecting a different angular position of the second filter section 14 from the first filter section 12, the alignment between the first ventilation zones 15 in the sleeve 13 and the second ventilation zones 16 of sheet material or the closure cap around the first filter section 12 can be selectively increased or lowered. Thus, the ventilation level in the smoking article 10 may be increased or decreased. 1

The first filter section 12 comprises botanical particles located upstream of the ventilation zones 15. The ventilation level in the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke passing through the first part of the smoking article 10 with the air entering the smoking article 10 by the ventilation zones 15. The ventilation level also controls the dilution of the aromatic smoke that has passed the bottoms of non-volatile air entering the smoking article through the ventilation zones 15. The flavor level in the smoking article can therefore be increased or reduced.

Figure 3a is a plan view of a blank 30 forming a casing for a smoking article according to a second embodiment. Figure 3b is a longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 32 to which the blank 30 of Figure 3a has been applied. The smoking article 32 comprising the blank 30 has substantially the same functions as described above.

1 »I

The features have the same arrangement and function, unless otherwise described.

Referring to Figure 3b, the rod member 32 includes a tobacco rod 11 similar to that previously described and the first and second filter sections 12, 14 downstream of the tobacco rod 11. The second filter section 14 is provided downstream of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11 at the mouth end of the smoking article. The first filter section 12 is provided between the second filter section 14 and the tobacco rod 11. The first filter section 12 comprises botanical particles 18 as described in connection with the first embodiment. The first filter section 12 is divided into a first portion 12 'and a second portion 12' 'through a cut 12' ', allowing the first portion 12' of the first filter section 12 to move towards the second portion 12 ' .

The blank 30 is configured to wrap itself twice in the present example only twice around the entire circumference of the rod article 32. The blank 30 has a first section 30a which winds first the rod member 32 which forms an inner layer and a second section 30b which then winds around the first section 30a, forming an outer layer. The blank 30 is therefore configured to define two complete layers extending around the circumference of the rod member 32 and comprises the zones 30a, 30b to define an inner layer and an outer layer.

J

The first section 30a of the blank 30 comprises a first end portion 30a 'connected to the second filter section 14 and the first part 12' of the first filter section 12, and thereby connecting together the second section the filter 14 and the first part 12 'of the first filter section 12. The first section 30a of the blank 30 also comprises a second end portion 30a " connected to the second part 12 " of the first filter section 12 and the rod Tobacco 11. The second section 30b of the blank 30 is separated into a first portion 30b 'and a second portion 30b' by a cut 31.

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

The control element 34 is circumferentially movable within a limited range. 1

The control element 34 is movable between a first coupling surface and a second coupling surface. The first coupling surface and the second coupling surface define the circumferentially extending channel 36 in which the control member 34 is movable.

The control element 34 defines the first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b at the edges of the control element in the direction of movement, i.e. at the circumferential edge of the control member 34. The contact between the first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b of the control element 34 with the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface of the channel 36 extending circumferentially limits the relative rotation between the first and second portions of the smoking article.

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

A restriction arrangement of the longitudinal movement 35 comprises a sliding member 37 which is arranged to move between the first and second restricting members 38a and 38b. The slider 37 is attached to the first and second restricting members 38a and 38b with a fragile connection. The fragile connection is a line of perforations that extends circumferentially. The semifinished part which includes the sliding element 37, the control element 34, the first and second restricting members 38a and 38b and the groove 36 which extends circumferentially extends once around the entire circumference of the article for smoking, for example to form a tube. The slider 37 is attached to the first portion 30b 'of the second section 30b of the blank 30 along with the first portion 30a' of the first section 30a of the blank and therefore moves along with the first portion 30a ' the first section 30a, the second filter section 14, and the first portion 12 'of the first filter section 12 with respect to the second portion 30a " of the first section 30a of the blank 30 and the second portion 12 " of the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11. The second section 30b of the blank 30 forming the outer layer comprises a ventilation zone 39 'at a location 39 of the blank. In some embodiments, the ventilation zone 39 'comprises a single opening. Alternatively, the ventilation zone 39 'comprises a plurality of discrete permeable zones or apertures. For example, openings are formed by electro-perforation (EP). The ventilation zone 39 'is arranged to align with the channel 36 when the blank 30 is wound around the rod member 32.

The control element 34 has an additional function for controlling the ventilation of the smoking article. In particular, the control element 34 directly controls the ventilation of the smoking article by selectively blocking one or more ventilation zones. The control element 34 is configured to be movable relative to one or more ventilation areas in an adjacent, and integral, radial portion of the smoking article. The control element 34 is formed of a material that is substantially impermeable to air, particularly paper that is not permeable to air. The control element 34 is configured to move between the ventilation zone 39 'and the rod member 32 located beneath the smoking article so that the ventilating air can not enter the smoking article through the channel 36 which is blocked by the control member The control element is impermeable to air between the first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b. The first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b define both rotation limits and define the size of the ventilation surface area that is covered or uncovered.

Thus, the control element 34 has the dual function of directly controlling a ventilation level by covering a part of the ventilation zone and limiting the relative movement of the first and second parts of the smoking article between the maximum and minimum ventilation levels. In some embodiments, the first filter section 12 comprises a flavoring agent in the form of botanical particles. However, the first filter section 12 may comprise other flavoring forms, such as one or more capsules, a flavor-loaded filament, a flavoring agent dispersed in filter strains, flavored impregnated particles, or a type material sheet comprising a flavoring agent upstream of the ventilation zone 39 '. The ventilation level in the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke passing through the first part of the smoking article 10 with the air entering the smoking article 10 through the ventilation zone 39 '. Therefore, the ventilation level also controls the dilution of the flavor smoke which has passed through the non-aromatic flavor agent entering the smoking article through the ventilation zone 39 '. The flavor level in the article for smoking can therefore be increased or reduced. In some embodiments, the blank 30 comprises a further venting area (not shown) at a blank 33 located downstream of the variable ventilation arrangement 39 '. The additional ventilation zone comprises a plurality of discrete ventilation zones or openings, for example, in a circumferentially extending line. The additional ventilation area may be formed with a laser. In general, one or more of the ventilation areas comprise a plurality of discrete ventilation zones or openings. The additional ventilation zone provides a minimum ventilation level that is not affected by the variable amount of ventilation in the ventilation zone 39 '. The amount of ventilation provided by the additional ventilation area may be predetermined during manufacture of the smoking article 10 and is, for example, between 5% and 50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article passing through the filter when said variable ventilation is at its minimum level. The variable ventilation arrangement 39 ', 36 may be arranged to provide ventilation which is controllable by the user within a sub-range in the range of 0% and 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article which passes through the filter section, for example from 0% to 50% ventilation.

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

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a smoking article 40 according to a third embodiment which is the same as the smoking article 32 of the second embodiment except that in the third embodiment, filter section 12 comprises a user-activated flavor release component in place of the botanical particles 18. The flavor-releasing component is preferably in the form of a capsule 41 comprising an outer wall and an inner volume filled with agent liquid flavoring. The flavoring agent may be selectively released by the user of the smoking article 40 into the adjacent filter material by tightening the outside of the filter to deform or break the outer wall of the capsule 41. In the present example, the capsule has a diameter of 3.5 mm, other dimensions, for example 2.5, 3.4 or 4.5 mm diameters, microcapsules or macroscopes with diameters between 1mm and 7mm or more may be used.

Capsule 41 defines a cavity having a volume that is filled with flavoring agent. The outer wall or casing may be formed using gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a polysaccharide, polysaccharide derivative or any other suitable material, using methods known in the art. The outer casing surrounds and encapsulates the flavoring agent. The capsule 41 is configured to release all the flavorant content when the outer wall is broken. The outer casing is brittle at compression and is configured to extend substantially along the whole surface of the outer casing or alternatively tear only to a predefined area when compressed. Alternatively, the capsule 41 is configured to release only a portion of the flavoring agent when inwardly pressed by a user so that the flavorant content is released in a plurality of discrete deliveries. The outer casing is resiliently deformable and may be configured to break into a predetermined area or only a portion of the surface area to form one or more slots or apertures when compressed.

The outer casing may be formed from a single part or a plurality of seals together. A two-part outer casing may be configured to tear into a loose region, for example along a longitudinal or circumferential joint joining the two parts, which opens under pressure to define a slot. The capsule 41 may release only some of the contents through the slot when the capsule 41 is compressed before it is at least partly returned to its original shape when compression of the capsule 41 ceases. In addition, the capsule 41 may comprise a substrate, which is a body of absorbent material impregnated with flavoring agent. The substrate is a porous matrix with an open structure, in particular an open cell structure, e.g. an open cell foam structure. The substrate is configured to be progressively compressible and configured to release at least a portion and preferably only a portion of the flavorant content when partially compressed. The flavoring agent is distributed within the substrate and is preferably absorbed by the substrate. The substrate is preferably formed from a filtering material, for example cellulose acetate. The filter material can be in the form of known filter tows as a filter. The outer casing does not inhibit the release of a flavorant once broken. The substrate may be at least partially elastically deformable and may at least partially return to the initial form when compression of the capsule 49 ceases. In the partial expansion of the substrate after releasing the compression force, the substrate can reabsorb a portion of the flavoring agent released. References to the release of flavoring agent are therefore intended to refer to the net release of the flavoring agent after the compression force has ceased.

The substrate may be formed by extruding the flavor-containing material which is then cut to a suitable length. A closed-cell foam substrate may not require an outer casing for retaining the flavoring agent, and thus form the capsule 41 without an outer casing. Alternatively, the capsule 41 may comprise the closed cell foam substrate encapsulated in an outer casing.

The first filter section 12 comprises one or more capsules 41 which are upstream of the variable ventilation zone 39 '. The ventilation level in the smoking article 40 controls the dilution of the smoke passing through the first part of the smoking article with air entering the smoking article 40 through the ventilation zone 39 '. After the flavoring agent has been released from one or more capsules by compressing the first filter section, the ventilation level also controls the dilution of the smoke that has passed through the first non-smokable air filter section that enters the smoking article through the ventilation zone 39 '. The flavor level in the article for smoking can therefore be increased or reduced. In the embodiments described herein, a flavor source is provided upstream of a variable ventilation arrangement. In addition, an additional flavor source may be provided downstream of the variable ventilation arrangement. For example, the first filter section 12 may comprise one or more flavor release components, and the second filter section 14 may comprise one or more second flavor release components. The first and second flavor release components can be any of the flavor sources described herein. As described above, the amount of aroma supplied by the flavor source upstream of the variable ventilation zone 17, 39 * can be increased or decreased by varying the ventilation level of the smoking article. The amount of flavor provided by the flavoring component may be predetermined and is substantially unaffected by the ventilation level of the article for smoking. In this way, a basic amount of flavor can be provided by the first flavor release component as a minimum. The total amount of flavor can be increased to a maximum by reducing the amount of ventilating air that dilutes the flavor of the first flavor release component. Accordingly, the amount of flavor provided by the smoking article can be varied over a wide range to suit a user's taste. In some embodiments, a first flavor release component comprises a first capsule and a second flavor release component comprising a second capsule.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a process for manufacturing smoking articles according to the invention. The process comprises forming a filter section (step S1), in the present example, from a known filtering material, for example, cellulose acetate tow. A variable ventilation arrangement is provided, e.g. an arrangement as described herein (step S2), which is configured to provide a user controllable level of ventilation in the filter section. The variable ventilation arrangement can be provided, for example, by inner and outer shells having selectively overlapping ventilation areas.

A source of flavoring agent (step S3) is provided to release flavor at a location upstream of the ventilation arrangement. In some embodiments, the source of flavoring agent is a plurality of botanical particles as described herein, and these are applied to filter strains of a filter section upstream of the filter section in which variable ventilation . In alternative embodiments, other sources of flavor may be used, as described herein, for example capsules or yarns loaded with flavor.

The first and second filter sections may be longitudinally aligned with a source of fumigant material.

Any other known filter components may be added to the smoking articles described herein. Examples of other filter components include a third filter section, e.g. a particle filter section (e.g., carbon, active carbon), or an additional hollow section having an air passage therethrough. The first and / or second filter sections can each be considered as comprising one or more discrete filter sections. The filter sections can generally be considered upstream and downstream of the variable ventilation area. In another embodiment, the second filter section downstream of the first filter section may be arranged such that the gas flow resistance through the length of the second filter section is less than one resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the first filter section. The gaseous flow resistance through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the ventilation level varies. The first filter section may differ, for example, from the second filter section by one or more of the following: the weight of the paddles, the number of tow filaments in the unit of volume, the cross-section of the filaments and the crease . The second filter section may be, for example, a tubular section having at least one air channel extending longitudinally along its length. The second filter section may comprise, for example, a fibrous filter material having an annular cross-section, in particular a tube of fibrous filter material, with the air passage extending along the central longitudinal axis along the length of the - Two filter sections.

The wrapping material is applied to the smoking article assembly to attach the component parts. The paper wrapping material is filter paper. In addition, a sleeve is wrapped around the smoking article. The sleeve is configured to move relative to the first filter section and is optionally securely attached to the second filter section. >

The smoking article is configured to allow the introduction of a selectively variable amount of air upstream of the second filter section. For example, ventilation apertures are formed in the outer layer of the paper wrapper and / or the paper junction. The ventilation openings are formed in the shell material

I prior to smoking article assembly (i.e., pre-pierced openings) or, optionally, when smoking articles are assembled.

Ventilation has been described as entering the smoking article upstream of the second filter section and, in particular, the first filter section. Alternatively, ventilation may take place at least partially in the second filter section, e.g., adjacent one upstream end of the second filter section.

The smoking article may comprise one or more ventilation zones providing a basic ventilation level. Such ventilation areas do not have variable dimensions.

In order to solve various problems and to advance the field, the entire description illustrates by way of example various embodiments in which the claimed invention (s) can be practiced and provide a superior smoking article. The advantages and characteristics of the disclosure are represented only by a representative sample of embodiments, and these are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are only presented to help understand and surrender the claimed features. It will be appreciated that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of disclosure should not be considered as limitations of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the claims equivalency, and that other embodiments may be used and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the invention. Various examples of embodiments, as appropriate, may comprise, consist essentially of or consist essentially of various combinations of elements, components, features, parts, steps, means disclosed, and the like. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but which can be claimed in the future.

Claims (18)

A smoking article comprising: a filter section for receiving the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, the filter section comprising filtering material; - a variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user controllable ventilation level in the filter section; and - a flavor source disposed in the filter section of the filter section and configured to release flavor to the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article at a location in said smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of the arrangement said ventilation. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein said flavor source is configured to selectively release flavor in smoke and / or other aerosol. Smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flavor source comprises one or more capsules. Smoking article according to claim 3, wherein said one or more capsules each have a diameter of from 2 mm to 6 mm. A smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flavor source comprises at least one substance selected from plant material, a flavored filament, a flavoring agent dispersed in filter media, flavored impurities and a sheet material comprising a flavoring agent. Smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a further ventilation arrangement configured to provide a ventilation level in the filter section that is not user controllable. Smoking article according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation level provided by the variable ventilation arrangement is in the range of 5% to 50% of the smoke volume and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article which passes through filter when the ventilation is at its minimum. Smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said variable ventilation arrangement provides ventilation that is user controlled in a sub-range of 0% and 90% of the volume of smoke J and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article which passes through the filter section. J Smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said filter section forms at least one component of the first part of the smoking article and further comprises a second movable part with respect to the first part to control the ventilation level provided by the arrangement variable ventilation. Smoking article according to claim 9, wherein the first or second part comprises a sleeve configured to move relative to the other of the first or second part to control the ventilation level provided by the variable ventilation arrangement. Smoking article according to claim 10, wherein the sleeve is rotatable with respect to the filter section, and the ventilation level is varied by modifying an angled position of the sleeve relative to the filter section. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter section comprises a first filter section having a length of 5 to 25 mm, the smoking article further comprising a second filter section having a length of 5 to 25 mm, and the variable ventilation arrangement provides ventilation air in a position 6 to 20 mm from one mouth end of the smoking article. A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the filter section comprises a first filter section and the smoking article further comprises a second filter section, the first and second filter sections forming an arrangement of filter, and the second filter section being downstream of the first filter section; and wherein - a gas flow resistance through the length of the second filter section is less than a gas flow resistance through the length of the first filter section; and 1 1 1 - the gas flow resistance through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the ventilation level is varied. Smoking article according to claim 13, wherein the first and second filter sections comprise webs and the first filter section differs from the second filter section by one or more of: the weight of the ribs, the number of towers in the unit of volume, the cross-section of the filaments and the crimping degree. A smoking article according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second filter section comprises at least one air channel extending longitudinally along its length. Smoking article according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the second filter section comprises a shaped fibrous filter material having an annular cross-section. A smoking article according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the second filter section comprises a tube of fibrous filter material, and the air channel extends along a central longitudinal axis through the length of the - Two filter sections. ) A filter section for a smokable article for receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, the filter section comprising: - filtering material; - a variable ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user controllable level of ventilation in the filter section; - a flavor source disposed in the filtering material and configured to release flavor to said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article at a location in the smoke and / or other aerosol upstream of said venting arrangement. I