US20130032161A1 - Flow Control Device for a Smoking Article - Google Patents
Flow Control Device for a Smoking Article Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130032161A1 US20130032161A1 US13/577,137 US201113577137A US2013032161A1 US 20130032161 A1 US20130032161 A1 US 20130032161A1 US 201113577137 A US201113577137 A US 201113577137A US 2013032161 A1 US2013032161 A1 US 2013032161A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- smoke
- control device
- flow control
- flow
- body portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0275—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features
- A24D3/0283—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features with means for a non-axial smoke flow
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
- A24D3/041—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure with adjustable means for modifying the degree of filtration of the filter
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
- A24D1/002—Cigars; Cigarettes with additives, e.g. for flavouring
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
- A24D3/048—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure containing additives
Definitions
- This invention relates to a flow control device for a smoking article and particularly, but not exclusively, to a smoking article filter comprising a flow control device.
- the present invention provides a flow control device for a smoking article, comprising a body having first and second longitudinally arranged body portions rotatable relative to one another between first and second positions, the first and second body portions being adapted to define a first smoke flow path through the device in the first position and a second smoke flow path through the device in the second position and to cause an adjustment to the direction of smoke flow upon rotation from the first position to the second position, thereby to allow smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path.
- the second smoke flow path is preferably longer than the first smoke flow path, or vice versa, so that resistance to draw may be selectively altered by twisting the device from the first position to the second position, thus providing a different smoking experience depending on the relative angle of the body portions.
- flavourant or other smoke modifying agent is provided in the longer smoke path.
- Flavour must therefore take a longer path in order to migrate out of the device, so that the flavourant is kept fresh.
- FIG. 1 shows a cigarette including a flow control device.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the flow control device.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device of FIG. 1 in a first position.
- FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device in a second position.
- FIG. 5 a is an exploded perspective view of the middle segment of the flow control device.
- FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of the middle segment of the flow control device.
- FIG. 5 c is an end view of the middle segment of the flow control device.
- FIG. 5 d shows a retaining grid
- FIG. 6 a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative flow control device.
- FIG. 6 b is a perspective view of part of the flow control device of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device of FIG. 6 in a first position.
- FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device of FIG. 6 in a second position.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of the flow control device of FIG. 6 in the second position.
- a smoking article in the form of a cigarette 1 includes a paper wrapped tobacco rod 2 that abuts a filter element 3 .
- Filter element 3 has a flow control device 4 positioned at its mouth end and a plug of cellulose acetate tow 5 positioned at its tobacco end.
- the filter element 3 may further comprise a plugwrap wrapped around device 4 and plug 5 .
- a tipping paper 6 is wrapped around the filter element 3 and the tobacco rod 2 to join them together.
- flow control device 4 comprises a first body portion 7 comprising a mouth-end part 8 fixed in position relative to a middle part 9 , and a second body portion 10 rotatably mounted relative to the first body portion 7 .
- the parts 8 , 9 , 10 are co-axially arranged and generally tubular and are preferably formed from a moulded plastics material.
- the parts 8 , 9 , 10 may for example have a diameter of approximately 7.8 mm.
- the second body portion 10 When the flow control device 4 is arranged in a cigarette as shown in FIG. 1 , the second body portion 10 is attached to the tobacco rod 2 by the tipping paper 6 while the first body portion 7 is free to rotate with respect to the rod 2 .
- the body portions 7 , 10 have a first rotated position (shown in FIG. 3 ) in which smoke can pass longitudinally through the flow control device 4 towards the mouth end of the cigarette 1 .
- the body portions 7 , 10 can be rotated from the first position to a second position (shown in FIG. 4 ) in which smoke flow is directed in a reverse direction through a flavourant located in the middle body part 9 , and is then redirected towards the mouth end of the cigarette 1 and thus through the device 4 .
- the smoke drawn from the cigarette 1 may be selectively flavoured by rotating the second body portion 10 with respect to the first body portion 7 (or vice versa) so that the body portions 7 , 10 are positioned in the second position.
- Directing the smoke flow along the path shown in FIG. 4 increases the pressure drop across the filter element 3 as compared with the smoke flow path shown in FIG. 3 , thereby simultaneously providing flavoured smoke and an increased resistance to draw.
- body parts 8 , 9 , 10 have channels 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 with substantially kidney-shaped cross-sections, which provide for smoke to pass through the parts 8 , 9 , 10 in the first and second positions.
- the channels 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 may for example each have a cross sectional area of approximately 6.7 mm 2 .
- FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of device 4 with the second body portion 10 positioned in the first position relative to the first body portion 7 .
- inlet channel 11 in second body portion 10 is aligned with channel 12 in middle part 9 and with channel 13 in mouth end part 8 , thus defining a flavourant-free smoke flow path 11 , 12 , 13 through the device 4 .
- middle part 9 has interior smoke impermeable walls 15 , 16 which define a flavourant-containing chamber 17 .
- the walls 15 , 16 prevent smoke from passing into the flavourant-containing chamber 17 when the body portions 7 , 10 are positioned in the first position.
- the channel 11 in second body portion 10 is aligned with the channel 14 in the middle body portion 9 , which in turn is aligned with a smoke guiding recess 18 formed in the mouth-end part 8 .
- Smoke guiding recess 18 does not pass completely through part 8 and instead is shaped to guide smoke from the channel 14 into the flavourant-containing chamber 17 .
- smoke guiding recess 18 causes smoke to reflux so that smoke flows through the flavourant chamber 17 in a direction opposite to the direction of smoke flow through the channel 14 .
- Second portion 10 comprises a similar, but oppositely facing smoke guiding recess 19 shaped to guide smoke from the flavourant-containing chamber 17 into the channel 12 in the middle part 9 , thus reversing the direction of smoke flow so that smoke flows through the channels 12 , 13 in the same direction as through the channel 14 , and out of the mouth end of the device 4 . In this way a smoke flow path 11 , 14 , 18 , 17 , 19 , 12 , 13 is defined through the device 4 in the second position.
- Smoke passing through this path is flavoured by the flavourant in chamber 17 and passes along a longer path than the smoke flow path of the first position, so that resistance to draw is increased.
- the channels 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 and recesses 18 , 19 are filled with a smoke permeable substance, for example cellulose acetate tow, which further increases the resistance to draw across the device 4 in both the first and second positions, the increase being greater for the second position since the smoke path is longer.
- flavour from the flavour-containing chamber 17 tends not to migrate out of the device 4 because of the long diffusion paths to the device outlets. In this way, flavour will not substantially migrate from filter element 3 into the cigarette 1 or to other cigarettes within a cigarette pack, which might be undesirable to the consumer.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 describe rotation of the body portion 10 with respect to the body portion 7
- the consumer could rotate between the first and second positions by holding either of the first or the second body portions 7 , 10 in place with one hand and rotating the other body portion with the other hand, or alternatively by twisting the body portions 7 , 10 in opposite directions.
- the consumer may prefer to hold the tobacco rod 2 in place and twist the mouth end body portion 7 , rather than holding the portion 7 and twisting the tobacco rod 2 .
- Flavourant-containing chamber 17 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d. As shown, both sides of chamber 17 are provided with retaining grids 20 , 21 configured to allow smoke to enter the chamber 17 but to prevent the flavourant, which may be in granular form in the chamber 17 , from falling out. As shown in FIG. 5 c, the middle part 9 has two pairs of locating holes 22 , one pair for each of the grids 20 , 21 , and the retaining grids are provided with locating pins 23 which are received in the locating holes 22 to secure the retaining grids in position.
- the flavourant-containing chamber 17 may have a chamber size of approximately 0.03 cc and the retaining grids 20 , 21 may be adapted to provide a ventilated area of approximately 3.5 mm 2 . Smaller smoke aperture sizes will cause a higher pressure drop across the device 24 and thus the apertures may be sized so as to achieve a desired pressure drop.
- FIG. 6 shows an alternative flow control device 24 .
- flow control device 24 comprises first and second generally tubular body portions 25 , 26 , which may be formed of moulded plastic.
- the first body portion 25 comprises two integrally formed generally cylindrical tubular members 27 , 28 , the member 27 having a diameter less than that of the member 28 .
- the second body portion 26 has first and second guiding members 29 , 30 on opposing sides thereof, which define a bore 31 shaped to slidably receive the member 27 .
- the length of second body portion 26 may for example be 6 mm and the total length of the device 24 may be 11 mm.
- the diameter of the device 24 may be 6.8 mm.
- guiding members 29 , 30 further define a smoke channel 32 through the body portion 26 which is open to the bore 31 when the second body portion not slotted into place.
- the second body portion 26 has a front wall 33 having a smoke aperture 34 which allows smoke to pass into the smoke channel 32 .
- the smoke aperture 34 may for example provide an inlet area of approximately 5.8 mm 2 .
- FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the device 24 with the first body portion 25 slotted into place and rotated into a first position. As shown, in this position smoke channel 32 is aligned with a smoke channel 35 formed in the annular wall 36 of the larger cylindrical tubular member 28 , thereby defining a longitudinal smoke flow path through the device 24 .
- the smaller tubular member 27 has an annular wall 37 and a front wall 38 , which together with the annular wall 36 of tubular member 28 define a chamber 39 containing a flavourant in, for example, granular form.
- the chamber may for example be approximately 8 mm in length and may have a diameter of 3.5 mm.
- the chamber 39 is closed at its rear end by a perforated endcap 40 which fits tightly into a generally circular aperture in the rear face of the chamber 39 .
- the endcap 40 has smoke apertures 41 which are large enough to allow smoke to pass out of the device 24 , but small enough to prevent the flavourant granules from falling out of the chamber 39 and may for example provide a total ventilation area of approximately 5.7 mm 2 .
- annular wall 37 has a peripheral section 42 having a plurality of smoke apertures 43 , while the remainder 44 of the annular wall 37 forms a barrier which is impermeable to smoke.
- the impermeable part 44 of the wall 37 defines an interior wall of the smoke channel 32 , which prevents smoke from entering the flavourant-containing chamber 39 .
- Rotating the first body portion 25 by 180 degrees to the second position shown in FIG. 8 brings the smoke apertures 43 in the peripheral section 42 into register with the channel 32 , thereby providing the channel 32 with an interior wall which is permeable to smoke. In this way smoke can flow from the channel 32 through the apertures 43 and into the chamber 39 .
- the apertures 43 provide a total ventilation area of approximately 8 mm 2 .
- the arrows 45 in FIG. 8 show the path of smoke through the device 24 in the second position.
- smoke enters the device 24 through smoke aperture 34 and passes into the channel 32 .
- Smoke then passes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device 24 through the smoke apertures 43 and into the flavourant-containing chamber 39 .
- the smoke then passes longitudinally through the flavourant-containing chamber 39 , where the smoke is flavoured.
- the flavoured smoke then passes out through the apertures 41 in the endcap 40 .
- the surface area over which the smoke interacts with the granules is limited only by the dimensions of the smoke permeable region 42 , rather than by the cross sectional area of the device 24 as would be the case for longitudinal smoke flow. Accordingly, the surface area of interaction can be increased and the flavour imparted intensified as compared with the case of longitudinal smoke flow.
- the smoke apertures 43 and 41 can be sized to provide a desired resistance to draw in the second position.
- the smoke apertures 43 can be made sufficiently small so that there is an appreciable difference to the pressure drop across the device 24 in the first and second positions, thereby providing the consumer with different smoking experiences depending on the selected orientation.
- the apertures 41 in the endcap 40 may be adapted to allow flavour to migrate to the remainder of the cigarette 1 and possibly to other cigarettes in a cigarette pack, so as to provide a flavoured smell to the cigarettes before smoking, for example when the pack is opened. Although this may be in some circumstances be undesirable, as described above, it may be that some consumers may prefer a flavoured smell to be provided to their cigarettes before smoking and this option is provided by the device 24 .
- the first body portion 25 , the second body portion 26 and the endcap 40 are formed from moulded plastic and can be manufactured using known injection moulding techniques. Assembly of the device 24 is convenient by hand or by machine by slotting the pieces 25 , 26 , 40 together.
- filter element 3 is described above as having a flow control device 4 positioned at its mouth end and a plug of cellulose acetate tow 5 positioned at its tobacco end, alternatively or in addition a plug of cellulose acetate tow may be positioned at the mouth end of filter element 3 .
- filter element 3 may comprise a flow control device with a plug of cellulose acetate tow positioned at each end.
- the cellulose acetate tow plugs, flow control device and tobacco rod may be held together using wrappers, for example plugwrap and/or tipping paper.
- the wrapper(s) may comprise a circumferential ring of perforations to allow the filter element to be twisted.
- the wrappers could be pre-perforated or alternatively laser perforation could be performed after the filter element is wrapped.
- flavouring smoke using a flavouring agent any smoke-modification could be selectively employed through the use of a suitable smoke-modifying agent.
- a humectant could be used to vary the water content of smoke, in addition to or as an alternative to a flavourant.
- flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product. They may include extracts e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Menth a), flavour masking
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- Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
Abstract
A flow control device 4 for a smoking article comprises a body having first and second longitudinally arranged body portions 7, 10 rotatable relative to one another between a first position and a second position. The first 7 and second 10 body portions are configured to define a first smoke flow path through the device 4 in the first position and a second smoke flow path through the device 4 in the second position and to cause an adjustment to the direction of smoke flow upon rotation from the first position to the second position, thereby to allow smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path.
Description
- This invention relates to a flow control device for a smoking article and particularly, but not exclusively, to a smoking article filter comprising a flow control device.
- It is known from EP 0317154A and U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,995 to provide filters for cigarettes which include a rotatable filter segment having two smoke flow paths containing different flavourant materials, that can be rotated to select different longitudinal paths through the filter segment through which smoke travels to the consumer. This enables the user to select a flavourant or different levels of filtering depending on the angle of rotation of the filter segment.
- The present invention provides a flow control device for a smoking article, comprising a body having first and second longitudinally arranged body portions rotatable relative to one another between first and second positions, the first and second body portions being adapted to define a first smoke flow path through the device in the first position and a second smoke flow path through the device in the second position and to cause an adjustment to the direction of smoke flow upon rotation from the first position to the second position, thereby to allow smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path.
- Adjusting the direction of smoke flow allows selectable control over various aspects of the consumer experience. For example, the adjustment to the direction of smoke flow may comprise directing the smoke flow at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device. This allows an increased area of interaction with a flavourant or other smoke-modifying agent contained in the device, so that smoke modification is enhanced compared with longitudinal flow through a smoke-modifying agent.
- Furthermore, the second smoke flow path is preferably longer than the first smoke flow path, or vice versa, so that resistance to draw may be selectively altered by twisting the device from the first position to the second position, thus providing a different smoking experience depending on the relative angle of the body portions.
- Preferably, the flavourant or other smoke modifying agent is provided in the longer smoke path. Flavour must therefore take a longer path in order to migrate out of the device, so that the flavourant is kept fresh.
- The adjustment in the direction of smoke flow may for example be a 180 degree adjustment, or may alternatively be a 90 degree adjustment. The adjustment may be made in stages; for example a 180 degree adjustment in direction may comprise a first adjustment of 90 degrees followed by a subsequent further adjustment of 90 degrees.
- Preferably, the smoke-modifying agent is a granular flavourant contained in a chamber having wall portions comprising smoke apertures sized so as to prevent the granular agent from leaving the chamber.
- Optionally, the adjustment to the direction of smoke flow comprises reversing the direction of smoke flow so that smoke flows through the smoke-modifying agent in a direction towards the tobacco end of the flow control device.
- The device is preferably generally tubular, the second body portion having an inlet channel at one end of the tubular device and the first body portion having an outlet channel at an opposing end.
- The first body portion may comprise a smoke-refluxing member aligned with the inlet smoke channel in the second position, the smoke-refluxing member being configured to cause said adjustment by receiving smoke from the inlet channel in the second position and reversing the direction of smoke flow.
- Alternatively, the first body portion may have an insertion member received by the second body portion, the insertion member comprising a first peripheral region which is smoke permeable and a second peripheral region which is smoke impermeable, the second peripheral region defining an interior wall of the inlet smoke channel in the first position, and the first peripheral region defining an interior wall of the inlet smoke channel in the second position. The peripheral regions may be configured so that in the first position the second peripheral region prevents smoke from passing through the second smoke flow path and so that rotation from the first position to the second position allows smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path via said first peripheral region, preferably in a transverse direction, thereby adjusting the direction of smoke flow.
- The invention also provides a smoking article comprising the flow control device. As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes 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.
- The invention also provides a smoking article filter comprising a flow control device. Preferably, the filter forms part of a smoking article.
- In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a cigarette including a flow control device. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the flow control device. -
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device ofFIG. 1 in a first position. -
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device in a second position. -
FIG. 5 a is an exploded perspective view of the middle segment of the flow control device. -
FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of the middle segment of the flow control device. -
FIG. 5 c is an end view of the middle segment of the flow control device. -
FIG. 5 d shows a retaining grid. -
FIG. 6 a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative flow control device. -
FIG. 6 b is a perspective view of part of the flow control device ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device ofFIG. 6 in a first position. -
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the flow control device ofFIG. 6 in a second position. -
FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of the flow control device ofFIG. 6 in the second position. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a smoking article in the form of acigarette 1 includes a paper wrappedtobacco rod 2 that abuts afilter element 3.Filter element 3 has aflow control device 4 positioned at its mouth end and a plug ofcellulose acetate tow 5 positioned at its tobacco end. Thefilter element 3 may further comprise a plugwrap wrapped arounddevice 4 andplug 5. As shown, a tippingpaper 6 is wrapped around thefilter element 3 and thetobacco rod 2 to join them together. - As is shown in
FIG. 2 ,flow control device 4 comprises afirst body portion 7 comprising a mouth-end part 8 fixed in position relative to amiddle part 9, and asecond body portion 10 rotatably mounted relative to thefirst body portion 7. Theparts parts - When the
flow control device 4 is arranged in a cigarette as shown inFIG. 1 , thesecond body portion 10 is attached to thetobacco rod 2 by the tippingpaper 6 while thefirst body portion 7 is free to rotate with respect to therod 2. As will be described in more detail below, thebody portions FIG. 3 ) in which smoke can pass longitudinally through theflow control device 4 towards the mouth end of thecigarette 1. Thebody portions FIG. 4 ) in which smoke flow is directed in a reverse direction through a flavourant located in themiddle body part 9, and is then redirected towards the mouth end of thecigarette 1 and thus through thedevice 4. In this way, the smoke drawn from thecigarette 1 may be selectively flavoured by rotating thesecond body portion 10 with respect to the first body portion 7 (or vice versa) so that thebody portions FIG. 4 increases the pressure drop across thefilter element 3 as compared with the smoke flow path shown inFIG. 3 , thereby simultaneously providing flavoured smoke and an increased resistance to draw. - Turning now to a more detailed description of the
flow control device 4, as shown inFIGS. 2 , 3 and 4body parts channels parts channels -
FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view ofdevice 4 with thesecond body portion 10 positioned in the first position relative to thefirst body portion 7. A shown,inlet channel 11 insecond body portion 10 is aligned withchannel 12 inmiddle part 9 and withchannel 13 inmouth end part 8, thus defining a flavourant-freesmoke flow path device 4. - As shown,
middle part 9 has interior smokeimpermeable walls chamber 17. Thewalls chamber 17 when thebody portions body portion 10 is rotated 180 degrees from the first position into the second position shown inFIG. 4 , thechannel 11 insecond body portion 10 is aligned with thechannel 14 in themiddle body portion 9, which in turn is aligned with asmoke guiding recess 18 formed in the mouth-end part 8. Smoke guidingrecess 18 does not pass completely throughpart 8 and instead is shaped to guide smoke from thechannel 14 into the flavourant-containingchamber 17. As shown inFIG. 4 ,smoke guiding recess 18 causes smoke to reflux so that smoke flows through theflavourant chamber 17 in a direction opposite to the direction of smoke flow through thechannel 14.Second portion 10 comprises a similar, but oppositely facingsmoke guiding recess 19 shaped to guide smoke from the flavourant-containingchamber 17 into thechannel 12 in themiddle part 9, thus reversing the direction of smoke flow so that smoke flows through thechannels channel 14, and out of the mouth end of thedevice 4. In this way asmoke flow path device 4 in the second position. Smoke passing through this path is flavoured by the flavourant inchamber 17 and passes along a longer path than the smoke flow path of the first position, so that resistance to draw is increased. Optionally, thechannels device 4 in both the first and second positions, the increase being greater for the second position since the smoke path is longer. - Advantageously, flavour from the flavour-containing
chamber 17 tends not to migrate out of thedevice 4 because of the long diffusion paths to the device outlets. In this way, flavour will not substantially migrate fromfilter element 3 into thecigarette 1 or to other cigarettes within a cigarette pack, which might be undesirable to the consumer. - Although the description of
FIGS. 3 and 4 above describes rotation of thebody portion 10 with respect to thebody portion 7, it will be appreciated that the consumer could rotate between the first and second positions by holding either of the first or thesecond body portions body portions tobacco rod 2 in place and twist the mouthend body portion 7, rather than holding theportion 7 and twisting thetobacco rod 2. - Flavourant-containing
chamber 17 is shown in more detail inFIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d. As shown, both sides ofchamber 17 are provided with retaininggrids chamber 17 but to prevent the flavourant, which may be in granular form in thechamber 17, from falling out. As shown inFIG. 5 c, themiddle part 9 has two pairs of locatingholes 22, one pair for each of thegrids pins 23 which are received in the locating holes 22 to secure the retaining grids in position. The flavourant-containingchamber 17 may have a chamber size of approximately 0.03 cc and theretaining grids device 24 and thus the apertures may be sized so as to achieve a desired pressure drop. -
FIG. 6 shows an alternativeflow control device 24. As shown,flow control device 24 comprises first and second generallytubular body portions first body portion 25 comprises two integrally formed generally cylindricaltubular members member 27 having a diameter less than that of themember 28. Thesecond body portion 26 has first and second guidingmembers bore 31 shaped to slidably receive themember 27. In this way thefirst body portion 25 slots into thesecond body portion 26 so as to be rotatable therein. The length ofsecond body portion 26 may for example be 6 mm and the total length of thedevice 24 may be 11 mm. The diameter of thedevice 24 may be 6.8 mm. - As shown, guiding
members smoke channel 32 through thebody portion 26 which is open to thebore 31 when the second body portion not slotted into place. Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8 , which show sectional views, thesecond body portion 26 has afront wall 33 having asmoke aperture 34 which allows smoke to pass into thesmoke channel 32. Thesmoke aperture 34 may for example provide an inlet area of approximately 5.8 mm2. -
FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of thedevice 24 with thefirst body portion 25 slotted into place and rotated into a first position. As shown, in thisposition smoke channel 32 is aligned with asmoke channel 35 formed in theannular wall 36 of the larger cylindricaltubular member 28, thereby defining a longitudinal smoke flow path through thedevice 24. - The smaller
tubular member 27 has anannular wall 37 and afront wall 38, which together with theannular wall 36 oftubular member 28 define achamber 39 containing a flavourant in, for example, granular form. The chamber may for example be approximately 8 mm in length and may have a diameter of 3.5 mm. As shown inFIG. 6 a, thechamber 39 is closed at its rear end by aperforated endcap 40 which fits tightly into a generally circular aperture in the rear face of thechamber 39. Theendcap 40 hassmoke apertures 41 which are large enough to allow smoke to pass out of thedevice 24, but small enough to prevent the flavourant granules from falling out of thechamber 39 and may for example provide a total ventilation area of approximately 5.7 mm2. - As shown,
annular wall 37 has aperipheral section 42 having a plurality ofsmoke apertures 43, while theremainder 44 of theannular wall 37 forms a barrier which is impermeable to smoke. As shown inFIG. 7 , in the first position theimpermeable part 44 of thewall 37 defines an interior wall of thesmoke channel 32, which prevents smoke from entering the flavourant-containingchamber 39. Rotating thefirst body portion 25 by 180 degrees to the second position shown inFIG. 8 brings thesmoke apertures 43 in theperipheral section 42 into register with thechannel 32, thereby providing thechannel 32 with an interior wall which is permeable to smoke. In this way smoke can flow from thechannel 32 through theapertures 43 and into thechamber 39. Preferably, theapertures 43 provide a total ventilation area of approximately 8 mm2. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in the second position thechannel 32 is out of alignment withchannel 35 so that the end ofchannel 32 is blocked by theannular wall 36 ofmember 28. Thus, in the second position the only path that smoke can take is via theapertures 43. - The
arrows 45 inFIG. 8 show the path of smoke through thedevice 24 in the second position. As shown smoke enters thedevice 24 throughsmoke aperture 34 and passes into thechannel 32. Smoke then passes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of thedevice 24 through thesmoke apertures 43 and into the flavourant-containingchamber 39. The smoke then passes longitudinally through the flavourant-containingchamber 39, where the smoke is flavoured. The flavoured smoke then passes out through theapertures 41 in theendcap 40. - Since the smoke passes into the
chamber 39 in a transverse direction, the surface area over which the smoke interacts with the granules is limited only by the dimensions of the smokepermeable region 42, rather than by the cross sectional area of thedevice 24 as would be the case for longitudinal smoke flow. Accordingly, the surface area of interaction can be increased and the flavour imparted intensified as compared with the case of longitudinal smoke flow. - Furthermore, the
smoke apertures smoke apertures 43 can be made sufficiently small so that there is an appreciable difference to the pressure drop across thedevice 24 in the first and second positions, thereby providing the consumer with different smoking experiences depending on the selected orientation. - The
apertures 41 in theendcap 40 may be adapted to allow flavour to migrate to the remainder of thecigarette 1 and possibly to other cigarettes in a cigarette pack, so as to provide a flavoured smell to the cigarettes before smoking, for example when the pack is opened. Although this may be in some circumstances be undesirable, as described above, it may be that some consumers may prefer a flavoured smell to be provided to their cigarettes before smoking and this option is provided by thedevice 24. - Advantageously, the
first body portion 25, thesecond body portion 26 and theendcap 40 are formed from moulded plastic and can be manufactured using known injection moulding techniques. Assembly of thedevice 24 is convenient by hand or by machine by slotting thepieces - Many modifications and variations will be evident to those skilled in the art. For example, although
filter element 3 is described above as having aflow control device 4 positioned at its mouth end and a plug ofcellulose acetate tow 5 positioned at its tobacco end, alternatively or in addition a plug of cellulose acetate tow may be positioned at the mouth end offilter element 3. Thus, optionally filterelement 3 may comprise a flow control device with a plug of cellulose acetate tow positioned at each end. The cellulose acetate tow plugs, flow control device and tobacco rod may be held together using wrappers, for example plugwrap and/or tipping paper. The wrapper(s) may comprise a circumferential ring of perforations to allow the filter element to be twisted. The wrappers could be pre-perforated or alternatively laser perforation could be performed after the filter element is wrapped. - Further, although flavouring smoke using a flavouring agent has been described above, any smoke-modification could be selectively employed through the use of a suitable smoke-modifying agent. For example, a humectant could be used to vary the water content of smoke, in addition to or as an alternative to a flavourant.
- As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product. They may include extracts e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Menth a), flavour masking agents, bitterness receptor site blockers, receptor site enhancers, sweeteners e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol, and other additives such aschlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.
- Many further modifications and variations will be evident to those skilled in the art, that fall within the scope of the following claims:
Claims (19)
1. A flow control device for a smoking article, comprising a body having first and second longitudinally arranged body portions rotatable relative to one another between a first position and a second position, the first and second body portions being configured to define a first smoke flow path through the device in the first position and a second smoke flow path through the device in the second position and to cause an adjustment to the direction of smoke flow upon rotation from the first position to the second position, thereby to allow smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path.
2. A flow control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adjustment to the direction of smoke flow comprises directing the smoke flow at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device.
3. A flow control device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the second smoke flow path is longer than the first smoke flow path.
4. A flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a smoke-modifying agent arranged along the second smoke flow path so that smoke may be selectively modified by rotating the body portions relative to one another from the first position to the second position.
5. A flow control device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the smoke-modifying agent is a flavourant.
6. A flow control device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 , wherein the smoke-modifying agent is in granular form.
7. A flow control device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the smoke-modifying agent is contained in a chamber having wall portions comprising smoke apertures sized so as to prevent the granular agent from leaving the chamber.
8. A flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment to the direction of smoke flow comprises reversing the direction of smoke flow so that smoke flows through the smoke-modifying agent in a direction towards the tobacco end of the flow control device.
9. A flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim, the second body portion comprising an inlet smoke channel and the first body portion comprising a smoke-refluxing member aligned with said inlet channel in the second position, wherein the smoke-refluxing member is configured to cause said adjustment by receiving smoke from the inlet channel in the second position and reversing the direction of smoke flow.
10. A flow control device as claimed in claim 9 , the second body portion comprising a smoke-refluxing recess configured to receive smoke from the first body portion in the second position and to direct smoke towards the mouth end of the flow control device.
11. A flow control device as claimed in claim 10 , the first body portion further comprising an outlet channel aligned with the inlet channel in the first position and with the smoke refluxing recess of the second body portion in the second position
12. A flow control device as claimed in claim 11 wherein:
the first smoke flow path comprises a path through the inlet smoke channel and a path through the outlet smoke channel; and
the second smoke flow path comprises a path through the inlet smoke channel, a path through the smoke refluxing member of the first body portion, a path through the smoke-refluxing recess of the second body portion and a path through the outlet smoke channel.
13. A flow control device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12 , wherein the smoke refluxing member of the first body portion comprises a smoke channel and a smoke refluxing recess.
14. A flow control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 , wherein:
the second body portion has a smoke channel;
the first body portion has an insertion member received by the second body portion, the insertion member comprising a first peripheral region which is smoke permeable and a second peripheral region which is smoke impermeable, the second peripheral region defining an interior wall of the smoke channel in the first position and the first peripheral region defining an interior wall of the smoke channel in the second position;
wherein in the first position the second peripheral region prevents smoke from passing through the second smoke flow path and wherein rotation from the first position to the second position allows smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path via said first peripheral region, thereby adjusting the direction of smoke flow.
15. A flow control device as claimed in claim 14 , having a chamber for containing smoke-modifying agent, wherein at least part of the chamber is comprised in the insertion member and wherein in the second position smoke can pass into the chamber via the first peripheral region.
16. A flow control device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said at least part of the chamber comprises a tubular cavity formed in the insertion member.
17. A flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second body portions are formed from moulded plastic.
18. A smoking article comprising a flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim.
19. A smoking article filter comprising a flow control device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 .
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA2010/00888A ZA201000888B (en) | 2010-02-05 | 2010-02-05 | Flow control device for a smoking article |
ZA2010/00888 | 2010-02-05 | ||
PCT/EP2011/050946 WO2011095410A1 (en) | 2010-02-05 | 2011-01-25 | Flow control device for a smoking article |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130032161A1 true US20130032161A1 (en) | 2013-02-07 |
Family
ID=43769301
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/577,137 Abandoned US20130032161A1 (en) | 2010-02-05 | 2011-01-25 | Flow Control Device for a Smoking Article |
Country Status (14)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130032161A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2531052A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2013518569A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20120112869A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102843924B (en) |
AR (1) | AR081800A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2011212572A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112012019271A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2788226A1 (en) |
CL (1) | CL2012002139A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2012009010A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2012137382A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011095410A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201000888B (en) |
Cited By (5)
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US20130192623A1 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2013-08-01 | Altria Client Services Inc. | Electronic cigarette |
KR101530934B1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2015-06-25 | 계정수 | Support Pipe for Quit Smoking with Bypass Suction Hole |
EP2993997A4 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2017-02-15 | Fontem Holdings 4 B.V. | Flavor vortex device |
US11000061B2 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2021-05-11 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article comprising a liquid delivery element |
US11330837B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2022-05-17 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Flow control device |
Families Citing this family (9)
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GB2490732A (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2012-11-14 | British American Tobacco Co | Filter for a smoking article |
GB201203320D0 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2012-04-11 | British American Tobacco Co | A flow control device for a smoking article |
GB2511305A (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-09-03 | British American Tobacco Co | A smoking device and a component for a smoking device |
GB2511303A (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-09-03 | British American Tobacco Co | Smoking apparatus |
JP6444412B2 (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2018-12-26 | フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム | Smoking articles containing flow restrictors in hollow tubes |
GB201700136D0 (en) | 2017-01-05 | 2017-02-22 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | Aerosol generating device and article |
GB201700620D0 (en) | 2017-01-13 | 2017-03-01 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | Aerosol generating device and article |
GB201720338D0 (en) | 2017-12-06 | 2018-01-17 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | Component for an aerosol-generating apparatus |
GB201919078D0 (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2020-02-05 | Nicoventures Trading Ltd | Component for use in an aerosol provision system |
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- 2011-01-25 CN CN201180008387.XA patent/CN102843924B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-01-25 US US13/577,137 patent/US20130032161A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-01-25 AU AU2011212572A patent/AU2011212572A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-01-25 EP EP11700945A patent/EP2531052A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-01-25 WO PCT/EP2011/050946 patent/WO2011095410A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-01-25 BR BR112012019271A patent/BR112012019271A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2011-01-25 CA CA2788226A patent/CA2788226A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-01-25 KR KR1020127023248A patent/KR20120112869A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2011-01-25 RU RU2012137382/12A patent/RU2012137382A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2011-01-25 MX MX2012009010A patent/MX2012009010A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2011-01-28 AR ARP110100292A patent/AR081800A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2013
- 2013-03-26 CL CL2012002139A patent/CL2012002139A1/en unknown
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Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10980953B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2021-04-20 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US11975143B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2024-05-07 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10405583B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2019-09-10 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US9510623B2 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2016-12-06 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10716903B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2020-07-21 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10092037B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2018-10-09 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10098386B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2018-10-16 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10123566B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2018-11-13 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US11730901B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2023-08-22 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US11511058B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2022-11-29 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette |
US10881814B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2021-01-05 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic vaping device |
US10780236B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2020-09-22 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic cigarette and method |
US20130192623A1 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2013-08-01 | Altria Client Services Inc. | Electronic cigarette |
US11478593B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2022-10-25 | Altria Client Services Llc | Electronic vaping device |
EP2993997A4 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2017-02-15 | Fontem Holdings 4 B.V. | Flavor vortex device |
KR101530934B1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2015-06-25 | 계정수 | Support Pipe for Quit Smoking with Bypass Suction Hole |
WO2015199436A1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2015-12-30 | 계정수 | Non-smoking aiding pipe having bypass suction hole |
US11330837B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2022-05-17 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Flow control device |
US11000061B2 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2021-05-11 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article comprising a liquid delivery element |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ZA201000888B (en) | 2015-08-26 |
CN102843924A (en) | 2012-12-26 |
WO2011095410A1 (en) | 2011-08-11 |
KR20120112869A (en) | 2012-10-11 |
CA2788226A1 (en) | 2011-08-11 |
CN102843924B (en) | 2014-07-16 |
RU2012137382A (en) | 2014-03-10 |
BR112012019271A2 (en) | 2016-05-03 |
CL2012002139A1 (en) | 2013-07-12 |
AR081800A1 (en) | 2012-10-24 |
EP2531052A1 (en) | 2012-12-12 |
AU2011212572A1 (en) | 2012-08-02 |
JP2013518569A (en) | 2013-05-23 |
MX2012009010A (en) | 2012-10-10 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: TOBACCO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (PROPRI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HERHOLDT, ARNOLD LESLIE;REEL/FRAME:030841/0935 Effective date: 20120813 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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