US20190000133A1 - Composite Web and Method of Manufacturing a Smoking Article - Google Patents
Composite Web and Method of Manufacturing a Smoking Article Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190000133A1 US20190000133A1 US15/559,226 US201615559226A US2019000133A1 US 20190000133 A1 US20190000133 A1 US 20190000133A1 US 201615559226 A US201615559226 A US 201615559226A US 2019000133 A1 US2019000133 A1 US 2019000133A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- smoking article
- composite web
- strip
- thermally conductive
- elements
- 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
- A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
- A24D1/02—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers
- A24D1/025—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers the covers having material applied to defined areas, e.g. bands for reducing the ignition propensity
-
- 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
- A24D1/02—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers
-
- 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
- A24D3/025—Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process
- A24D3/0266—Rolling means
-
- 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
- A24D3/0291—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features for hollow tipped filters, e.g. recess filters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper.
- the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a smoking article component.
- a smoking article component may comprise one or more cylindrical elements that are arranged coaxially with the tobacco rod.
- a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper comprising a strip of wrapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches that are located on a surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip.
- a first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip to define a region of the surface of the strip that is not covered by the thermally conductive patches.
- the first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the strip by between 1-10 mm and, preferably, between 3-7 mm.
- a second edge of each thermally conductive patch may overlie an adjacent second longitudinal edge of the strip.
- the thermally conductive patches may be adhered and/or laminated to the strip.
- the strip of wrapping material may comprise paper.
- the thermally conductive patches may comprise metal foil or metalised paper and, preferably, aluminium foil or aluminium paper.
- a method of manufacturing a smoking article component comprising the steps of: providing a composite web comprising a strip of wrapping material and a thermally conductive patch located on a surface of the strip; providing first and second smoking article elements on a composite web such that the smoking article elements overlap a first thermally conductive patch of the composite web and are axially spaced to extend axially past opposite edges of the first thermally conductive patch; wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements; and, cutting the composite web to form a tubular structure that comprises the smoking article elements and the portion of the composite web that circumscribes the smoking article elements.
- the composite web may comprise a plurality of thermally conductive patches that are located on a surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip, and the step of providing first and second smoking article elements on the composite web may comprise providing a plurality of rods of smoking article element material on the composite web such that distal ends of each rod overlie adjacent thermally conductive patches of the composite web.
- the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure further comprises cutting one of the rods of smoking article element material in half such that one half thereof forms the first or second smoking article element of the tubular structure.
- the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure comprises cutting the composite web such that said portion of the composite web circumscribes the first and second smoking article elements and at least one rod of smoking article element material that is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements.
- the composite web comprises a strip of wrapping material and wherein a first edge of the or each thermally conductive patch is spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip such that said surface of the strip has a region that is not covered by the or each thermally conductive patch, and wherein the step of wrapping the composite wrap around the smoking article elements comprises providing adhesive on said region of the strip and then wrapping the wrapper around the smoking article elements such that the adhesive applied to said region is adhered to an outer surface of the strip.
- the step of wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements may comprise feeding the composite web through a tongue.
- the first and second smoking article elements may be adhered to the composite web prior to the composite web being wrapped around the smoking article elements.
- the or each thermally conductive patch may comprise metal foil or metalised paper and, preferably, comprises aluminium foil or aluminium paper.
- a method of manufacturing a smoking article component comprising the steps of:
- the tubular structure comprises first and second smoking article elements at distal ends of the tubular structure and at least one rod of smoking article element material that is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and is axially spaced therefrom, and wherein the method further comprises the step of cutting the or each rod of smoking article element material in half to form a pair of smoking article elements.
- the method may further comprise the step of providing a medium in each recess.
- the medium may comprise a flavourant or substrate of tobacco.
- a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising the steps of: manufacturing a smoking article component according to the above method of the invention; and, attaching a tobacco rod to the smoking article component.
- FIGS. 1 to 10 of the drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a portion of a smoking article according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a top view of a smoking article element wrapper of the smoking article of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of part of a composite web for forming the smoking article element wrapper of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of steps in a method of manufacturing a smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is an end view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 , after a third step in the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an end view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 , after an fifth step in the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 , after a sixth step in the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 , after an eighth step in the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a smoking article component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for use in the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 1 A portion of a smoking article 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the smoking article 1 comprises a tobacco rod 2 and a smoking article component 3 .
- An outer wrap 4 circumscribes the tobacco rod 2 and the smoking article component 3 .
- the smoking article component 3 is arranged co-axially with the tobacco rod 2 such that the smoking article 1 is generally cylindrical.
- the smoking article component 3 comprises a smoking article element 5 and a smoking article element wrapper to that is wrapped around the smoking article element 5 .
- the wrapper to extends past an end of the smoking article element 5 to define a recess 6 .
- the recess 6 is filled with a medium 7 .
- the medium 7 may comprise, for example, a flavourant, substrate of tobacco and/or filtration medium in the form of a granular material or gel.
- the wrapper to circumscribes the recess 6 and abuts an inner surface of the outer wrap 4 .
- the wrapper to is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 , in a flat state prior to being wrapped around the smoking article element 5 .
- the wrapper to comprises an inner layer 11 and a plug wrap 12 .
- the wrapper to is configured such that the inner layer 11 is located proximate to the smoking article element 5 and recess 6 and the plug wrap 12 is located proximate the outer wrap 4 .
- the plug wrap 12 is permeable and a portion of the smoking article element 5 is not circumscribed by the inner layer 11 , which may be air impermeable, in order to allow for ventilation air to enter into the smoking article element 5 in the radial direction thereof.
- the inner layer 11 of the wrapper to comprises a thermally conductive material that facilitates a more even heat distribution over the periphery of the smoking article element 5 and recess 6 , since the inner layer 11 conducts heat from hotter regions of the periphery of the smoking article element 5 and recess 6 to cooler regions thereof. Therefore, the thermally conductive inner layer 11 helps to equalise the temperatures of the smoking article element 5 and recess 6 .
- the wrapper to is manufactured from a composite web 13 , which is shown in FIG. 3 .
- the composite web 13 comprises a strip of wrapping material 14 in the form of a paper strip 14 and a thermally conductive layer 15 in the form of aluminium foil 15 .
- the paper strip 14 forms the plug wrap 12 of the wrapper to and the thermally conductive layer 15 forms the inner layer 11 .
- the thermally conductive layer 15 is disposed on an inner surface 14 A of the paper strip 14 .
- the paper strip 14 comprises parallel first and second longitudinal edges 16 A, 16 B and has a width W 1 that extends between the first and second longitudinal edges 16 A, 16 B.
- the thermally conductive layer 15 comprises a plurality of conductive patches 17 .
- Each of the conductive patches 17 is substantially rectangular and comprises parallel first and second edges 18 A, 18 B.
- each of the conductive patches 17 is manufactured from aluminium foil.
- the conductive patches 17 may be formed from a different thermally conductive material, for example a different kind of metallic foil, such as silver foil, or a metallic paper, such as aluminium or silver paper.
- the plurality of conductive patches 17 are disposed on the paper strip 14 and are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 to form a plurality of discrete sections of thermally conductive material.
- the conductive patches 17 are secured to the paper strip 14 by an adhesive. Alternatively, or additionally, the conductive patches 17 may be laminated to the paper strip 14 .
- each conductive patch 17 extends to and overlies the second longitudinal edge 16 B of the paper strip 14 .
- Each conductive patch 17 has a width W 2 that extends between the first and second edges 18 A, 18 B of the conductive patch 17 .
- the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 is smaller than the width W 1 of the paper strip 14 such that the first edge 18 A of each conductive patch 17 is spaced from the adjacent first longitudinal edge 16 A of the paper strip 14 . Therefore, a portion of the inner surface 14 A of the paper strip 14 , located between the first longitudinal edge 16 A of the paper strip 14 and the first edges 18 A of the conductive patches 17 , is not covered by the conductive patches 17 and instead forms an uncovered portion 19 .
- the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 extends uninterrupted in the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 .
- the difference between the width W 1 of the paper strip 14 and the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 is between 1 to 10 mm, and preferably between 3 to 7 mm, such that the width of the uncovered region 19 is between 1 to 10 mm, and preferably between 3 to 7 mm.
- the width W 1 of the paper strip is between 12 to 19 mm and the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 is between 11 to 17 mm.
- each width W 1 , W 2 and the difference between the widths W 1 , W 2 may be different from that described above.
- the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 is larger than the circumference of the smoking article element 5 such that the conductive patch 17 subtends around the entire periphery of the smoking article element 5 and the first and second edges 18 A, 18 B overlap around the smoking article element 5 .
- the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 is substantially the same as the circumference of the smoking article element 5 such that the conductive patch 17 subtends around the entire periphery of the smoking article element 5 and the first and second edges 18 A, 18 B abut, as shown in FIG. 6 described in more detail below.
- the paper strip 14 sits flush against, and remains adhered to, the first conductive patch 17 A about the circumference of the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B and is not detached therefrom proximate the area of overlap/abutment, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the width W 1 of the paper strip 14 is equal to the width W 2 of each conductive patch 17 .
- the first longitudinal edge 18 A of each conductive patch 17 overlies the first longitudinal edge 16 A of the paper strip 14 and the second longitudinal edge 18 B of each conductive patch 17 overlies the second longitudinal edge 16 B of the paper strip 14 so that the composite web 13 does not comprise an uncovered region between the first longitudinal edges 16 A, 18 A.
- first and second smoking article components 3 A, 3 B according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.
- a continuous cylindrical portion of smoking article element material is cut to form double-length first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are positioned such that they are axially spaced from each other.
- the first rod 20 A is positioned on the composite web 13 (as shown in FIG. 5 ) such that is located at a free end 13 A of the composite web 13 with an end overlapping a first conductive patch 17 A.
- the second rod 20 B is positioned such that an end overlaps the first conductive patch 17 A and an opposite end overlaps a second conductive patch 17 B that is adjacent, but spaced from, the first conductive patch 17 A.
- the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are axially spaced on the composite web 13 .
- Step S 2 may be omitted and the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B may be supplied sequentially spaced on the continuous composite web 13 .
- adhesive is applied along one edge of the composite web 13 , specifically in the exemplary embodiment shown, along the region of the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 that is proximate to the free end 13 A of the composite web 13 to form an adhesion region 19 A.
- the composite web 13 is wrapped around the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B such that the adhesion region 19 A overlaps a portion of the outer surface 14 B of the paper strip 14 and is adhered thereto by the adhesive (as shown in FIG. 6 ).
- the resultant smoking article 1 would not be as robust, although an increased amount of adhesive and/or a stronger adhesive may be used to mitigate this.
- the width W 2 of the first and second conductive patches 17 A, 17 B may be the same as the circumference of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B such that the first and second conductive patches 17 A, 17 B extend around the entire circumference of the respective first and second rods 20 A, 20 B so that the first and second edges 18 A, 18 B, thereof abut, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the width W 2 of the first and second patches 17 A, 17 B is greater than the circumference of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B such that the first and second edges 18 A, 18 B of each of the first and second conductive patches 17 A, 17 B overlap.
- the composite web 13 and first rod 20 A are cut along a first cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘A-A’ in FIG. 3 ).
- the first cut-line A-A extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and is located at the centre of the first rod 20 A, parallel to the free end 13 A of the composite web 13 .
- the composite web 13 and first rod 20 A are cut along the first cut-line A-A, one half the first rod 20 A and a section of the composite web 13 at the free end 13 A are separated from the remainder of the composite web 13 .
- the composite web 13 is cut along a second cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘B-B’ in FIG. 3 ).
- the second cut-line B-B extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and is located in the middle of the second rod 20 B, half-way between the first and second conductive patches 17 A, 17 B.
- the second rod 20 B is cut along the second cut-line B-B, the second rod 20 B is split into a second smoking article element 5 B, which is proximate to but spaced from the first smoking article element 5 A, and a third smoking article element (not shown), which is distal to the first smoking article element 5 A.
- an end portion of the composite web 13 is separated from the remainder of the continuous composite web 13 and circumscribes the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B to form a tubular structure 21 (as shown in FIG. 7 ). It should be noted that, contrary to what is shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7 , the portion of the paper strip 14 at the distal ends of the tubular structure 21 sits flush against the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B and is not spaced therefrom as shown in FIG. 7 .
- a tubular structure 21 known as a “2-up” rod, namely it is two smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B and joined together with a section of composite web 13 which can eventually be cut in half to provide two single smoking article components.
- the second cut line B-B may be made at a rod one or more rods spacing from the first rod 20 A. This would result in a tubular element 21 comprising a first smoking article element 5 A and a second smoking article element 5 B spaced from each other and with one or more double-length rods between them and spaced from them.
- Such tubular elements are known as “4-up”, “6-up”, “8-up” etc. rods.
- the composite web 13 of the tubular structure 21 is cut along a third cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘C-C’ in FIG. 3 ) to form first and second smoking article element wrappers 10 A, 10 B, which circumscribe the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B respectively.
- the third cut-line C-C extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper strip 14 and is located in the middle of the first conductive patch 17 A, equidistant to the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B.
- a portion of the first wrapper 10 A extends past the end of the first smoking article element 5 A in the axial direction thereof to form a cup-shape which defines a first recess 6 A (as shown in FIG. 8 ).
- a portion of the second wrapper 10 B extends past the end of the second smoking article element 5 B to form a cup-shape which defines a second recess 6 B (as shown in FIG. 8 ).
- the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B are axially spaced from each other and this space therebetween forms the first and second recesses 6 A, 6 B when the tubular structure 21 is cut along the third cut line C-C.
- This arrangement provides the advantage that the end portion of the composite web 13 is supported at each end by the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B as the tubular structure 21 is cut along line C-C and so helps to prevent the composite web 13 from creasing or crumpling.
- the first and second wrappers 10 A, 10 B are separate elements and subsequently, the first and second wrappers 10 A, 10 B with respective enveloped smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B, are moved apart from each other and the first and second recesses 6 A, 6 B are filled with a medium 7 A, 7 B, for example granules of flavourant or filtration material, to form first and second smoking article components 3 A, 3 B (as shown in FIG. 9 ).
- Each of the smoking article components 3 A, 3 B comprises a smoking article element 5 A, 5 B, smoking article element wrapper 10 A, 10 B and medium 7 A, 7 B.
- the smoking article components 3 A, 3 B are then attached to respective tobacco rods to form smoking articles using a tipping wrapper in a known manner.
- the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B and the first and second wrappers 10 A, 10 B, which are secured thereto, are orientated such that the first and second recesses 6 A, 6 B face upwardly prior to being filled with the medium 7 A, 7 B. That is, a subsequent manufacturing step comprises orienting the components from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position prior to filling the recesses 6 A, 6 B with medium 7 A, 7 B.
- Steps of the method can then be repeated to manufacture further smoking article components as a continuous process.
- a double-length third rod of smoking article element material (not shown) is positioned on the remaining composite web 13 such that an end overlaps the second conductive patch 17 B and an opposite end overlaps a third conductive patch that is adjacent, but spaced from, the second conductive patch 17 B.
- Adhesive is then applied to the region of the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 and the composite web 13 is wrapped around the third rod and the third smoking article element (not shown), which is located at the end of the composite web 13 and is formed from the second rod 20 B.
- the composite web 13 and third rod are then cut such that the third rod is split in half into a fourth smoking article element (not shown), which is spaced from the third smoking article element, and a fifth smoking article element (not shown), which is on the other side of the fourth smoking article element to the third smoking article element.
- a portion of the composite web 13 circumscribes the third and fourth smoking article elements and forms a tubular structure (not shown).
- the tubular structure is then cut across its central axis to form third and fourth smoking article element wrappers (not shown), which circumscribe and extend past the third and fourth smoking article elements respectively to form corresponding recesses.
- the recesses may then be filled with a medium to form third and fourth smoking article components (not shown).
- each of steps S 1 to S 8 are performed sequentially. However, it should be recognised that one or more of steps S 1 to S 8 may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, it should be recognised that steps S 1 to S 8 may be performed in a different order to that shown in FIG. 4 .
- steps S 1 to S 6 are performed in one process and steps S 7 and S 8 , including subsequent filling with medium 7 A, 7 B and securing to tobacco rods 2 to form a smoking article, are performed in a second, separate process. That is, multiple tubular structures 21 are manufactured in one process and the plurality of tubular structures 21 are then stored and transported to a separate apparatus that performs steps S 7 to S 8 and subsequent formation of a plurality of smoking article components and subsequent combination with tobacco rods 2 to form smoking articles. Such pre-forming of the tubular structures 21 allows for the tubular structures 21 to be easily stored and then used with different processes depending on the medium that is to be used to fill the recesses of the smoking article components.
- FIG. 10 An apparatus 30 for performing steps of the manufacturing method of FIG. 4 is shown schematically in FIG. 10 .
- the apparatus 30 comprises a spacing station 31 , wrapping station 32 and a cutting station 33 .
- the spacing station 31 comprises a first conveyor belt 35 and a first cutting blade 36 .
- the wrapping and cutting stations 32 , 33 together comprise a second conveyor belt 37 .
- the first conveyor belt 35 comprises distal first and second ends 35 A, 35 B and the second conveyor belt 37 comprises distal first and second ends 37 A, 37 B.
- the first conveyor belt 35 is advanced at a constant speed and the second conveyor belt 37 is advanced at a constant speed.
- the first and second conveyor belts 35 , 37 move objects placed thereon in a conveyance direction (shown by arrow ‘X’ in FIG. 10 ).
- the first and second conveyor belts 35 , 37 are arranged such that objects positioned on the first conveyor belt 35 are advanced from the first end 35 A to the second end 35 B thereof and then pass onto the first end 37 A of the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the objects advanced onto the second conveyor belt 37 then pass from the first end 37 A to the second end 37 B thereof.
- a continuous cylindrical portion of smoking article element material is disposed on the first end 35 A of the first conveyor belt 35 , and the first cutting blade 36 cuts the cylindrical portion of smoking article element material into discrete double-length first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are axially aligned on the first conveyor belt 35 .
- the movement of the first conveyor belt 35 advances the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B in the conveyance direction X and onto the first end 37 A of the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the constant speed of the second conveyor belt 37 is greater than constant speed of the first conveyor belt 35 . Therefore, when the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are advanced onto the second conveyor belt 37 they are accelerated from the speed of the first conveyor belt 35 to the speed of the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the first rod 20 A is positioned in front of the second rod 20 B in the conveyance direction X and so advances onto the second conveyor belt 37 before the second rod 20 B. Therefore, the first rod 20 A will be accelerated to the speed of the second conveyor belt 37 before the second rod 20 B such that the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are axially spaced in the conveyance direction X on the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are then advanced to the wrapping station 32 .
- the wrapping station 32 comprises a reel 38 of composite web 13 of the type shown in FIG. 3 , a tongue 39 and an adhesive applicator 40 .
- the composite web 13 is fed from the reel 38 onto the second conveyor belt 37 such that it is advanced along the second conveyor belt 37 in the conveyance direction X.
- the tongue 39 is a tapered duct having a wide entrance opening 39 A and a narrow exit opening 39 B.
- the tongue 39 is generally circular in cross-section and may be open at its underside in the form of an elongate slot (not shown) extending along the length of the tongue 39 in an axial direction thereof such that, in cross-section, the tongue 39 does not quite form a complete circle.
- the tongue 39 may be located on a guide (not shown) which comprises a shaped track along which the second conveyor belt 37 advances.
- the composite web 13 is fed from the reel 38 onto the surface of the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the adhesive applicator 40 is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of the paper strip, and in the embodiment shown, along the uncovered portion 19 of the paper strip 14 , proximate the free end 13 A of the composite wrap 13 , to form an adhesion region 19 A.
- the advance of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B onto the second conveyor belt 37 is timed with the advance on the composite web 13 on the second conveyor belt 37 such that the first rod 20 A is located with an end overlapping a first conductive patch 17 A.
- the second rod 20 B is located such that an end overlaps the first conductive patch 17 A and an opposite end overlaps a second conductive patch 17 B that is adjacent to, but spaced from, the first conductive patch 17 A.
- the composite web 13 is conveyed through the tongue 39 in the conveyance direction X by the movement of the second conveyor belt 37 .
- the shaped track of the tongue 39 is configured to deform the second conveyor belt 37 and the portion of the composite web 13 thereon such that, in cross-section, the composite web 13 goes from being flat (as it is on the reel 38 ) when it enters the wide entrance opening 39 A of the tongue 39 , to a closed circle as it leaves the narrow exit opening 39 B of the tongue 39 , circumscribing the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- the composite web 13 is orientated such that when the composite web 13 passes through the tongue 39 the first and second conductive patches 17 A, 17 B face inwardly towards the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B respectively and the paper strip 14 forms the outer circumference of the wrapped composite web 13 .
- the tongue 39 is shaped such that the adhesion region 19 A contacts the outer surface 14 B of the paper strip 14 when the composite web 13 is wrapped around the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B. This causes the adhesion region 19 A to be adhered to said outer surface 14 B of the paper strip 14 such that the composite web 13 is fixed in a cylindrical shape.
- the composite web 13 is wrapped around the outside of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B such that when the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B exit though the narrow exit opening 39 B of the tongue 39 they are surrounded by the composite web 13 .
- the composite web 13 and the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are then advanced in the conveyance direction X to the cutting station 33 .
- the cutting station 33 comprises a second cutting blade 41 , and may optionally include a third cutting blade 42 .
- the second cutting blade 41 is configured to cut the composite web 13 and the first rod 20 A along the first cut-line A-A as they exit the tongue 39 .
- the second cutting blade 41 is configured to cut the composite web 13 and the first rod 20 A along the first cut-line A-A as they exit the tongue 39 .
- the composite web 13 and first rod 20 A are cut along the first cut-line A-A, one half the first rod 20 A and the portion of the composite web 13 at the free end 13 A are separated from the remainder of the composite web 13 .
- the other half of the first rod 20 A forms a first smoking article element 5 A.
- the second cutting blade 41 is configured to then cut the composite web 13 and second rod 20 B along the second cut line B-B as they exit the tongue 39 such that the second rod 20 B is separated into a second smoking article element 5 B and a third smoking article element (not shown).
- An end portion of the composite web 13 is separated from the remainder of the composite web 13 and circumscribes the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B, which are axially spaced, to form a tubular structure 21 .
- This comprises a “2-up” rod of effectively two smoking article components 3 A, 3 B joined together and without medium 7 A, 7 B.
- the above process continues as a continuous process to form multiple tubular structures 21 .
- a third cutting blade 42 may then cut the portion of the composite web 13 that is part of the tubular structure 21 along the third cut-line C-C to form first and second smoking article element wrappers 10 A, 10 B.
- the first and second wrappers 10 A, 10 B circumscribe the first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B respectively.
- the third cutting blade 42 may be omitted and the “2-up” rod may then be discharged at the end of the apparatus 30 to be collected, stored and transported to a separate smoking article manufacturing apparatus to be formed into smoking articles with medium 7 A, 7 B in the recesses 6 A, 6 B.
- a portion of the first wrapper 10 A extends past the end of the first smoking article element 5 A in the axial direction thereof to form a cup-shape which defines a first recess 6 A.
- a portion of the second wrapper 10 B extends past the end of the second smoking article element 5 B to form a cup-shape which defines a second recess 6 B.
- the first and second recesses 6 A, 6 B are then filled with a medium 7 A, 7 B to form first and second smoking article components 3 A, 3 B.
- the first and second smoking article components 3 A, 3 B are each attached to a tobacco rod to form respective smoking articles.
- the composite web 13 may be manufactured by adhering the conductive patches 17 A, 17 B to the paper strip 14 and then rolling the composite web 13 into a reel. This causes the thermally conductive patches 17 A, 17 B to be compressed against the paper strip 14 to promote adhesion thereto.
- first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are axially spaced on the composite web 13 by advancing each of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B onto a second conveyor belt 37 that accelerates each of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- a second conveyor belt 37 that accelerates each of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- other means of axially spacing the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
- first and second rods 20 A, 20 B could instead be axially spaced by hand, by compressed air, or by locating both of the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B in groove on a rotating spacing drum and then urging an element between the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B such that they become axially spaced in the groove of the rotating spacing drum.
- steps in the above-described method of the invention of providing a tubular structure 21 be it a 2-up, 4-up, 6-up etc. rod, and cutting as appropriate, separating, aligning, and subsequent smoking article manufacturing steps, may be achieved using a system of a plurality of drums, as is known in the art.
- the composite web 13 is cut by the second cutting blade 41 such that the tubular structure 21 comprises first and second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B.
- the tubular structure instead comprises a different number of smoking article elements, for example four, six or eight smoking article elements known as “4-up”, “6-up”, or “8-up” tubular structures.
- the distal ends comprise single smoking article elements and between these and spaced from each and each other are one or more double length rods 20 A, 20 B, i.e. one double length rod in a 4-up tubular structure, two double length rods in a 6-up tubular structure, three double length rods in a 8-up tubular structure, etc.
- a third rod of smoking article element material is located on the composite web, axially spaced from the second rod on the other side thereof to the first rod.
- the composite wrapper is wrapped around the first, second and third rods and is then cut such that the third rod is split in half axially to form a 4-up tubular structure.
- the tubular structure comprises the second (double length) rod in the middle of the tubular structure with a (single length) smoking article element at each end, axially spaced from the second rod.
- the 4-up tubular structure can then be cut three times such that the tubular structure is split into four smoking article components, each comprising a smoking article element and a recess.
- double-length rods 20 A, 20 B are provided on the composite web 13 and are then cut in half to form smoking article elements 5 , 5 A, 5 B.
- smoking article elements that have been pre-cut to size may be provided on the composite web.
- the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are positioned axially spaced on a continuous length of composite web 13 which is then wrapped around the first and second rods 20 A, 20 B.
- the composite web 13 and first and second rods 20 A, 20 B are then cut to form the tubular structure 21 .
- the composite web is first cut to size and then the first and second smoking article elements are positioned thereon, axially spaced from each other.
- the composite web is then wrapped around the first and second smoking article elements to form the tubular structure, which is subsequently cut in half to form first and second wrappers circumscribing the first and second smoking article elements respectively.
- the composite web is wrapped around the smoking article element using a rolling drum configuration of the type known in the art.
- An advantage of this alternative arrangement is that the first and second smoking article elements support the composite web at each end thereof which may help to prevent the composite web 13 from creasing or crumpling during wrapping. For example, if the smoking article elements were not axially spaced and instead were located proximate to each other in the middle of the portion of the composite web 13 , then the ends of the composite web 13 would not be supported by the first or second smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B. Therefore, the free ends of the composite web 13 could crease or crumple when the composite web 13 is wrapped around the smoking article elements 5 A, 5 B.
- the or each smoking article element 5 , 5 A, 5 B is in the form of a filter element (not shown), for example comprising a plug of filtration material. In an alternate embodiment, the or each smoking article element 5 , 5 A, 5 B is in a different form.
- the strip of wrapping material 14 is in the form of a paper strip 14
- the strip of wrapping material 14 may comprise a different material, for example plastic wrap.
- the strip of wrapping material 14 may be permeable to allow for the flow of air into the smoking article element 5 , 5 A, 5 B in the axial direction thereof.
- 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, tobacco heating devices, and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes.
- the smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a smoking article component.
- It is known in the art to provide a smoking article having a tobacco rod and a smoking article component. A smoking article component may comprise one or more cylindrical elements that are arranged coaxially with the tobacco rod.
- According to the invention, there is provided a composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper, comprising a strip of wrapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches that are located on a surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip.
- A first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip to define a region of the surface of the strip that is not covered by the thermally conductive patches. The first edge of each thermally conductive patch may be spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the strip by between 1-10 mm and, preferably, between 3-7 mm. A second edge of each thermally conductive patch may overlie an adjacent second longitudinal edge of the strip.
- The thermally conductive patches may be adhered and/or laminated to the strip.
- The strip of wrapping material may comprise paper. The thermally conductive patches may comprise metal foil or metalised paper and, preferably, aluminium foil or aluminium paper.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article component, comprising the steps of: providing a composite web comprising a strip of wrapping material and a thermally conductive patch located on a surface of the strip; providing first and second smoking article elements on a composite web such that the smoking article elements overlap a first thermally conductive patch of the composite web and are axially spaced to extend axially past opposite edges of the first thermally conductive patch; wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements; and, cutting the composite web to form a tubular structure that comprises the smoking article elements and the portion of the composite web that circumscribes the smoking article elements.
- The composite web may comprise a plurality of thermally conductive patches that are located on a surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip, and the step of providing first and second smoking article elements on the composite web may comprise providing a plurality of rods of smoking article element material on the composite web such that distal ends of each rod overlie adjacent thermally conductive patches of the composite web. In one embodiment, the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure further comprises cutting one of the rods of smoking article element material in half such that one half thereof forms the first or second smoking article element of the tubular structure.
- In one embodiment, the step of cutting the composite web to form the tubular structure comprises cutting the composite web such that said portion of the composite web circumscribes the first and second smoking article elements and at least one rod of smoking article element material that is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements.
- In one embodiment, the composite web comprises a strip of wrapping material and wherein a first edge of the or each thermally conductive patch is spaced from an adjacent first longitudinal edge of the strip such that said surface of the strip has a region that is not covered by the or each thermally conductive patch, and wherein the step of wrapping the composite wrap around the smoking article elements comprises providing adhesive on said region of the strip and then wrapping the wrapper around the smoking article elements such that the adhesive applied to said region is adhered to an outer surface of the strip.
- The step of wrapping the composite web around the smoking article elements may comprise feeding the composite web through a tongue.
- The first and second smoking article elements may be adhered to the composite web prior to the composite web being wrapped around the smoking article elements. The or each thermally conductive patch may comprise metal foil or metalised paper and, preferably, comprises aluminium foil or aluminium paper.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article component, comprising the steps of:
-
- providing a tubular structure comprising a plurality of axially spaced smoking article elements that are circumscribed by a composite web; and,
- cutting the composite web of the tubular structure to form a plurality of wrappers that are wrapped around respective smoking article elements such that a portion of each wrapper extends past the end of the respective smoking article element to form a recess.
- In one embodiment, the tubular structure comprises first and second smoking article elements at distal ends of the tubular structure and at least one rod of smoking article element material that is disposed between the first and second smoking article elements and is axially spaced therefrom, and wherein the method further comprises the step of cutting the or each rod of smoking article element material in half to form a pair of smoking article elements.
- The method may further comprise the step of providing a medium in each recess. The medium may comprise a flavourant or substrate of tobacco.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising the steps of: manufacturing a smoking article component according to the above method of the invention; and, attaching a tobacco rod to the smoking article component.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 10 of the drawings, in which: -
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a portion of a smoking article according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top view of a smoking article element wrapper of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of part of a composite web for forming the smoking article element wrapper ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of steps in a method of manufacturing a smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is an end view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 , after a third step in the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an end view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 , after an fifth step in the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 , after a sixth step in the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially assembled smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 , after an eighth step in the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a smoking article component of the smoking article ofFIG. 1 ; and, -
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for use in the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 . - A portion of a
smoking article 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 1 . Thesmoking article 1 comprises atobacco rod 2 and asmoking article component 3. Anouter wrap 4 circumscribes thetobacco rod 2 and thesmoking article component 3. - The
smoking article component 3 is arranged co-axially with thetobacco rod 2 such that the smokingarticle 1 is generally cylindrical. Thesmoking article component 3 comprises asmoking article element 5 and a smoking article element wrapper to that is wrapped around thesmoking article element 5. - The wrapper to extends past an end of the
smoking article element 5 to define arecess 6. Therecess 6 is filled with a medium 7. The medium 7 may comprise, for example, a flavourant, substrate of tobacco and/or filtration medium in the form of a granular material or gel. The wrapper to circumscribes therecess 6 and abuts an inner surface of theouter wrap 4. - The wrapper to is shown in more detail in
FIG. 2 , in a flat state prior to being wrapped around thesmoking article element 5. - The wrapper to comprises an
inner layer 11 and aplug wrap 12. The wrapper to is configured such that theinner layer 11 is located proximate to thesmoking article element 5 andrecess 6 and theplug wrap 12 is located proximate theouter wrap 4. In one embodiment, theplug wrap 12 is permeable and a portion of thesmoking article element 5 is not circumscribed by theinner layer 11, which may be air impermeable, in order to allow for ventilation air to enter into thesmoking article element 5 in the radial direction thereof. - The
inner layer 11 of the wrapper to comprises a thermally conductive material that facilitates a more even heat distribution over the periphery of thesmoking article element 5 andrecess 6, since theinner layer 11 conducts heat from hotter regions of the periphery of thesmoking article element 5 and recess 6 to cooler regions thereof. Therefore, the thermally conductiveinner layer 11 helps to equalise the temperatures of thesmoking article element 5 and recess 6. - The wrapper to is manufactured from a
composite web 13, which is shown inFIG. 3 . Thecomposite web 13 comprises a strip of wrappingmaterial 14 in the form of apaper strip 14 and a thermallyconductive layer 15 in the form ofaluminium foil 15. Thepaper strip 14 forms theplug wrap 12 of the wrapper to and the thermallyconductive layer 15 forms theinner layer 11. The thermallyconductive layer 15 is disposed on aninner surface 14A of thepaper strip 14. - The
paper strip 14 comprises parallel first and secondlongitudinal edges longitudinal edges - The thermally
conductive layer 15 comprises a plurality ofconductive patches 17. Each of theconductive patches 17 is substantially rectangular and comprises parallel first andsecond edges conductive patches 17 is manufactured from aluminium foil. However, it should be recognised that in other embodiments of the invention theconductive patches 17 may be formed from a different thermally conductive material, for example a different kind of metallic foil, such as silver foil, or a metallic paper, such as aluminium or silver paper. - The plurality of
conductive patches 17 are disposed on thepaper strip 14 and are spaced in the longitudinal direction of thepaper strip 14 to form a plurality of discrete sections of thermally conductive material. Theconductive patches 17 are secured to thepaper strip 14 by an adhesive. Alternatively, or additionally, theconductive patches 17 may be laminated to thepaper strip 14. - The
second edge 18B of eachconductive patch 17 extends to and overlies the secondlongitudinal edge 16B of thepaper strip 14. Eachconductive patch 17 has a width W2 that extends between the first andsecond edges conductive patch 17. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17 is smaller than the width W1 of thepaper strip 14 such that thefirst edge 18A of eachconductive patch 17 is spaced from the adjacent firstlongitudinal edge 16A of thepaper strip 14. Therefore, a portion of theinner surface 14A of thepaper strip 14, located between the firstlongitudinal edge 16A of thepaper strip 14 and thefirst edges 18A of theconductive patches 17, is not covered by theconductive patches 17 and instead forms an uncoveredportion 19. The uncoveredportion 19 of thepaper strip 14 extends uninterrupted in the longitudinal direction of thepaper strip 14. - In the present embodiment, the difference between the width W1 of the
paper strip 14 and the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17 is between 1 to 10 mm, and preferably between 3 to 7 mm, such that the width of the uncoveredregion 19 is between 1 to 10 mm, and preferably between 3 to 7 mm. In one embodiment, the width W1 of the paper strip is between 12 to 19 mm and the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17 is between 11 to 17 mm. However, it should be recognised that each width W1, W2 and the difference between the widths W1, W2 may be different from that described above. In one embodiment, the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17 is larger than the circumference of thesmoking article element 5 such that theconductive patch 17 subtends around the entire periphery of thesmoking article element 5 and the first andsecond edges smoking article element 5. In an alternative embodiment, the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17 is substantially the same as the circumference of thesmoking article element 5 such that theconductive patch 17 subtends around the entire periphery of thesmoking article element 5 and the first andsecond edges FIG. 6 described in more detail below. It should be noted that thepaper strip 14 sits flush against, and remains adhered to, the firstconductive patch 17A about the circumference of the first and secondsmoking article elements FIG. 6 . - In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the width W1 of the
paper strip 14 is equal to the width W2 of eachconductive patch 17. In such an embodiment, the firstlongitudinal edge 18A of eachconductive patch 17 overlies the firstlongitudinal edge 16A of thepaper strip 14 and the secondlongitudinal edge 18B of eachconductive patch 17 overlies the secondlongitudinal edge 16B of thepaper strip 14 so that thecomposite web 13 does not comprise an uncovered region between the firstlongitudinal edges - Referring to
FIG. 4 , a method of manufacturing first and secondsmoking article components - At step S1, a continuous cylindrical portion of smoking article element material is cut to form double-length first and
second rods second rods - At step S3, the
first rod 20A is positioned on the composite web 13 (as shown inFIG. 5 ) such that is located at afree end 13A of thecomposite web 13 with an end overlapping a firstconductive patch 17A. Also at step S3, thesecond rod 20B is positioned such that an end overlaps the firstconductive patch 17A and an opposite end overlaps a secondconductive patch 17B that is adjacent, but spaced from, the firstconductive patch 17A. The first andsecond rods composite web 13. Step S2 may be omitted and the first andsecond rods composite web 13. - At step S4, adhesive is applied along one edge of the
composite web 13, specifically in the exemplary embodiment shown, along the region of the uncoveredportion 19 of thepaper strip 14 that is proximate to thefree end 13A of thecomposite web 13 to form anadhesion region 19A. - At step S5, the
composite web 13 is wrapped around the first andsecond rods adhesion region 19A overlaps a portion of theouter surface 14B of thepaper strip 14 and is adhered thereto by the adhesive (as shown inFIG. 6 ). An advantage of the arrangement of the exemplary embodiment shown in that, since theadhesion region 19A comprises part of the uncoveredportion 19 of theinner surface 14A of thepaper strip 14, which is formed from the same material as theouter surface 14B of thepaper strip 14, it is easier to adhere the uncoveredportion 19 to theouter surface 14B of thepaper strip 14 and the bond is stronger and/or a weaker adhesive or less adhesive may be used than if they were made from dissimilar materials. For example, if thepaper strip 14 instead did not comprise an uncoveredportion 19, then the aluminium foil of the first and secondconductive patches outer surface 14B of thepaper strip 14 and so the adhesive would provide a weaker bond. Therefore, theresultant smoking article 1 would not be as robust, although an increased amount of adhesive and/or a stronger adhesive may be used to mitigate this. - The width W2 of the first and second
conductive patches second rods conductive patches second rods second edges FIG. 6 . In another embodiment, the width W2 of the first andsecond patches second rods second edges conductive patches - At step S5A, the
composite web 13 andfirst rod 20A are cut along a first cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘A-A’ inFIG. 3 ). The first cut-line A-A extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of thepaper strip 14 and is located at the centre of thefirst rod 20A, parallel to thefree end 13A of thecomposite web 13. When thecomposite web 13 andfirst rod 20A are cut along the first cut-line A-A, one half thefirst rod 20A and a section of thecomposite web 13 at thefree end 13A are separated from the remainder of thecomposite web 13. - At step S6, the
composite web 13 is cut along a second cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘B-B’ inFIG. 3 ). The second cut-line B-B extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of thepaper strip 14 and is located in the middle of thesecond rod 20B, half-way between the first and secondconductive patches second rod 20B is cut along the second cut-line B-B, thesecond rod 20B is split into a secondsmoking article element 5B, which is proximate to but spaced from the firstsmoking article element 5A, and a third smoking article element (not shown), which is distal to the firstsmoking article element 5A. As a result, an end portion of thecomposite web 13 is separated from the remainder of the continuouscomposite web 13 and circumscribes the first and secondsmoking article elements FIG. 7 ). It should be noted that, contrary to what is shown in the schematic diagram ofFIG. 7 , the portion of thepaper strip 14 at the distal ends of thetubular structure 21 sits flush against the first and secondsmoking article elements FIG. 7 . - The above-described cutting of the
composite web 13 results in atubular structure 21 known as a “2-up” rod, namely it is two smokingarticle elements composite web 13 which can eventually be cut in half to provide two single smoking article components. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the second cut line B-B may be made at a rod one or more rods spacing from thefirst rod 20A. This would result in atubular element 21 comprising a firstsmoking article element 5A and a secondsmoking article element 5B spaced from each other and with one or more double-length rods between them and spaced from them. Such tubular elements are known as “4-up”, “6-up”, “8-up” etc. rods. - At step S7, the
composite web 13 of thetubular structure 21 is cut along a third cut-line (shown by the chain-dashed line ‘C-C’ inFIG. 3 ) to form first and second smokingarticle element wrappers smoking article elements paper strip 14 and is located in the middle of the firstconductive patch 17A, equidistant to the first and secondsmoking article elements - A portion of the
first wrapper 10A extends past the end of the firstsmoking article element 5A in the axial direction thereof to form a cup-shape which defines afirst recess 6A (as shown inFIG. 8 ). Similarly, a portion of thesecond wrapper 10B extends past the end of the secondsmoking article element 5B to form a cup-shape which defines asecond recess 6B (as shown inFIG. 8 ). - The first and second
smoking article elements second recesses tubular structure 21 is cut along the third cut line C-C. This arrangement provides the advantage that the end portion of thecomposite web 13 is supported at each end by the first and secondsmoking article elements tubular structure 21 is cut along line C-C and so helps to prevent thecomposite web 13 from creasing or crumpling. - At step S8, the first and
second wrappers second wrappers article elements second recesses smoking article components FIG. 9 ). Each of thesmoking article components smoking article element article element wrapper smoking article components - In one embodiment, the first and second
smoking article elements second wrappers second recesses recesses - Steps of the method can then be repeated to manufacture further smoking article components as a continuous process. For example, in one embodiment a double-length third rod of smoking article element material (not shown) is positioned on the remaining
composite web 13 such that an end overlaps the secondconductive patch 17B and an opposite end overlaps a third conductive patch that is adjacent, but spaced from, the secondconductive patch 17B. Adhesive is then applied to the region of the uncoveredportion 19 of thepaper strip 14 and thecomposite web 13 is wrapped around the third rod and the third smoking article element (not shown), which is located at the end of thecomposite web 13 and is formed from thesecond rod 20B. Thecomposite web 13 and third rod are then cut such that the third rod is split in half into a fourth smoking article element (not shown), which is spaced from the third smoking article element, and a fifth smoking article element (not shown), which is on the other side of the fourth smoking article element to the third smoking article element. Thus, a portion of thecomposite web 13 circumscribes the third and fourth smoking article elements and forms a tubular structure (not shown). The tubular structure is then cut across its central axis to form third and fourth smoking article element wrappers (not shown), which circumscribe and extend past the third and fourth smoking article elements respectively to form corresponding recesses. The recesses may then be filled with a medium to form third and fourth smoking article components (not shown). - In the above described embodiment, each of steps S1 to S8 are performed sequentially. However, it should be recognised that one or more of steps S1 to S8 may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, it should be recognised that steps S1 to S8 may be performed in a different order to that shown in
FIG. 4 . - In one alternative embodiment, steps S1 to S6 are performed in one process and steps S7 and S8, including subsequent filling with medium 7A, 7B and securing to
tobacco rods 2 to form a smoking article, are performed in a second, separate process. That is, multipletubular structures 21 are manufactured in one process and the plurality oftubular structures 21 are then stored and transported to a separate apparatus that performs steps S7 to S8 and subsequent formation of a plurality of smoking article components and subsequent combination withtobacco rods 2 to form smoking articles. Such pre-forming of thetubular structures 21 allows for thetubular structures 21 to be easily stored and then used with different processes depending on the medium that is to be used to fill the recesses of the smoking article components. - An
apparatus 30 for performing steps of the manufacturing method ofFIG. 4 is shown schematically inFIG. 10 . Theapparatus 30 comprises aspacing station 31, wrappingstation 32 and a cuttingstation 33. - The
spacing station 31 comprises afirst conveyor belt 35 and afirst cutting blade 36. The wrapping and cuttingstations second conveyor belt 37. Thefirst conveyor belt 35 comprises distal first and second ends 35A, 35B and thesecond conveyor belt 37 comprises distal first and second ends 37A, 37B. - The
first conveyor belt 35 is advanced at a constant speed and thesecond conveyor belt 37 is advanced at a constant speed. The first andsecond conveyor belts FIG. 10 ). The first andsecond conveyor belts first conveyor belt 35 are advanced from thefirst end 35A to thesecond end 35B thereof and then pass onto thefirst end 37A of thesecond conveyor belt 37. The objects advanced onto thesecond conveyor belt 37 then pass from thefirst end 37A to thesecond end 37B thereof. - A continuous cylindrical portion of smoking article element material is disposed on the
first end 35A of thefirst conveyor belt 35, and thefirst cutting blade 36 cuts the cylindrical portion of smoking article element material into discrete double-length first andsecond rods second rods first conveyor belt 35. The movement of thefirst conveyor belt 35 advances the first andsecond rods first end 37A of thesecond conveyor belt 37. - The constant speed of the
second conveyor belt 37 is greater than constant speed of thefirst conveyor belt 35. Therefore, when the first andsecond rods second conveyor belt 37 they are accelerated from the speed of thefirst conveyor belt 35 to the speed of thesecond conveyor belt 37. Thefirst rod 20A is positioned in front of thesecond rod 20B in the conveyance direction X and so advances onto thesecond conveyor belt 37 before thesecond rod 20B. Therefore, thefirst rod 20A will be accelerated to the speed of thesecond conveyor belt 37 before thesecond rod 20B such that the first andsecond rods second conveyor belt 37. - The first and
second rods station 32. The wrappingstation 32 comprises areel 38 ofcomposite web 13 of the type shown inFIG. 3 , atongue 39 and anadhesive applicator 40. Thecomposite web 13 is fed from thereel 38 onto thesecond conveyor belt 37 such that it is advanced along thesecond conveyor belt 37 in the conveyance direction X. - The
tongue 39 is a tapered duct having a wide entrance opening 39A and anarrow exit opening 39B. Thetongue 39 is generally circular in cross-section and may be open at its underside in the form of an elongate slot (not shown) extending along the length of thetongue 39 in an axial direction thereof such that, in cross-section, thetongue 39 does not quite form a complete circle. Thetongue 39 may be located on a guide (not shown) which comprises a shaped track along which thesecond conveyor belt 37 advances. - The
composite web 13 is fed from thereel 38 onto the surface of thesecond conveyor belt 37. Theadhesive applicator 40 is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of the paper strip, and in the embodiment shown, along the uncoveredportion 19 of thepaper strip 14, proximate thefree end 13A of thecomposite wrap 13, to form anadhesion region 19A. - The advance of the first and
second rods second conveyor belt 37 is timed with the advance on thecomposite web 13 on thesecond conveyor belt 37 such that thefirst rod 20A is located with an end overlapping a firstconductive patch 17A. Thesecond rod 20B is located such that an end overlaps the firstconductive patch 17A and an opposite end overlaps a secondconductive patch 17B that is adjacent to, but spaced from, the firstconductive patch 17A. - The
composite web 13 is conveyed through thetongue 39 in the conveyance direction X by the movement of thesecond conveyor belt 37. As thecomposite web 13 travels though thetongue 39, the shaped track of thetongue 39 is configured to deform thesecond conveyor belt 37 and the portion of thecomposite web 13 thereon such that, in cross-section, thecomposite web 13 goes from being flat (as it is on the reel 38) when it enters the wide entrance opening 39A of thetongue 39, to a closed circle as it leaves thenarrow exit opening 39B of thetongue 39, circumscribing the first andsecond rods composite web 13 is orientated such that when thecomposite web 13 passes through thetongue 39 the first and secondconductive patches second rods paper strip 14 forms the outer circumference of the wrappedcomposite web 13. - The
tongue 39 is shaped such that theadhesion region 19A contacts theouter surface 14B of thepaper strip 14 when thecomposite web 13 is wrapped around the first andsecond rods adhesion region 19A to be adhered to saidouter surface 14B of thepaper strip 14 such that thecomposite web 13 is fixed in a cylindrical shape. Thus, thecomposite web 13 is wrapped around the outside of the first andsecond rods second rods narrow exit opening 39B of thetongue 39 they are surrounded by thecomposite web 13. - The
composite web 13 and the first andsecond rods station 33. The cuttingstation 33 comprises asecond cutting blade 41, and may optionally include athird cutting blade 42. - The
second cutting blade 41 is configured to cut thecomposite web 13 and thefirst rod 20A along the first cut-line A-A as they exit thetongue 39. When thecomposite web 13 andfirst rod 20A are cut along the first cut-line A-A, one half thefirst rod 20A and the portion of thecomposite web 13 at thefree end 13A are separated from the remainder of thecomposite web 13. The other half of thefirst rod 20A forms a firstsmoking article element 5A. - The
second cutting blade 41 is configured to then cut thecomposite web 13 andsecond rod 20B along the second cut line B-B as they exit thetongue 39 such that thesecond rod 20B is separated into a secondsmoking article element 5B and a third smoking article element (not shown). An end portion of thecomposite web 13 is separated from the remainder of thecomposite web 13 and circumscribes the first and secondsmoking article elements tubular structure 21. This comprises a “2-up” rod of effectively twosmoking article components tubular structures 21. - In an optional configuration of the apparatus 3 o, a
third cutting blade 42 may then cut the portion of thecomposite web 13 that is part of thetubular structure 21 along the third cut-line C-C to form first and second smokingarticle element wrappers second wrappers smoking article elements third cutting blade 42 may be omitted and the “2-up” rod may then be discharged at the end of theapparatus 30 to be collected, stored and transported to a separate smoking article manufacturing apparatus to be formed into smoking articles with medium 7A, 7B in therecesses - Whether cut with the
third cutting blade 42 or cut as part of a subsequent smoking article manufacturing process, in the resultingtubular structures 21 once cut, a portion of thefirst wrapper 10A extends past the end of the firstsmoking article element 5A in the axial direction thereof to form a cup-shape which defines afirst recess 6A. Similarly, a portion of thesecond wrapper 10B extends past the end of the secondsmoking article element 5B to form a cup-shape which defines asecond recess 6B. - The first and
second recesses smoking article components smoking article components - The
composite web 13 may be manufactured by adhering theconductive patches paper strip 14 and then rolling thecomposite web 13 into a reel. This causes the thermallyconductive patches paper strip 14 to promote adhesion thereto. - In the above described embodiment, the first and
second rods composite web 13 by advancing each of the first andsecond rods second conveyor belt 37 that accelerates each of the first andsecond rods second rods second rods second rods second rods tubular structure 21, be it a 2-up, 4-up, 6-up etc. rod, and cutting as appropriate, separating, aligning, and subsequent smoking article manufacturing steps, may be achieved using a system of a plurality of drums, as is known in the art. - In the above described embodiment, the
composite web 13 is cut by thesecond cutting blade 41 such that thetubular structure 21 comprises first and secondsmoking article elements double length rods - In the above described embodiment, double-
length rods composite web 13 and are then cut in half to formsmoking article elements - In the above described embodiment, the first and
second rods composite web 13 which is then wrapped around the first andsecond rods composite web 13 and first andsecond rods tubular structure 21. However, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the composite web is first cut to size and then the first and second smoking article elements are positioned thereon, axially spaced from each other. The composite web is then wrapped around the first and second smoking article elements to form the tubular structure, which is subsequently cut in half to form first and second wrappers circumscribing the first and second smoking article elements respectively. In one embodiment, the composite web is wrapped around the smoking article element using a rolling drum configuration of the type known in the art. An advantage of this alternative arrangement is that the first and second smoking article elements support the composite web at each end thereof which may help to prevent thecomposite web 13 from creasing or crumpling during wrapping. For example, if the smoking article elements were not axially spaced and instead were located proximate to each other in the middle of the portion of thecomposite web 13, then the ends of thecomposite web 13 would not be supported by the first or secondsmoking article elements composite web 13 could crease or crumple when thecomposite web 13 is wrapped around thesmoking article elements - In one embodiment, the or each
smoking article element smoking article element - Although in the above described embodiments the strip of wrapping
material 14 is in the form of apaper strip 14, in alternate embodiments (not shown) the strip of wrappingmaterial 14 may comprise a different material, for example plastic wrap. The strip of wrappingmaterial 14 may be permeable to allow for the flow of air into thesmoking article element - 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, tobacco heating devices, and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.
- In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior composite web and method of manufacturing a smoking article element component. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
Claims (22)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1505515.5A GB201505515D0 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2015-03-31 | A composite web and method of manufacturing a smoking article component |
GB1505515.5 | 2015-03-31 | ||
PCT/GB2016/050450 WO2016156782A2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2016-02-23 | A composite web and method of manufacturing a smoking article component |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20190000133A1 true US20190000133A1 (en) | 2019-01-03 |
Family
ID=53178415
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/559,226 Abandoned US20190000133A1 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2016-02-23 | Composite Web and Method of Manufacturing a Smoking Article |
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Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20190000133A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3277106A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2018514198A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20170123689A (en) |
CN (1) | CN107427061A (en) |
GB (1) | GB201505515D0 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1250609A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016156782A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2920200A1 (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2022-08-01 | Martinez Hernandez Alfonso | Paper sheet to obtain cigarettes (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102412119B1 (en) | 2019-12-18 | 2022-06-22 | 주식회사 케이티앤지 | Aerosol generating article comprising a first wrapper and a second wrapper, and aerosol generating system using the same |
KR102558009B1 (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2023-07-20 | 주식회사 케이티앤지 | Aerosol generating system |
Citations (2)
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US20150157052A1 (en) * | 2013-12-05 | 2015-06-11 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Smoking article and associated manufacturing method |
US20170273353A1 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2017-09-28 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Method for applying heat conducting patches to a material web |
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CN2608441Y (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-03-31 | 大亚科技股份有限公司丹阳铝箔制品分公司 | Strip transfer inner lining paper |
WO2006000918A2 (en) * | 2004-06-21 | 2006-01-05 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Apparatus and method for the production of composite cigarette filters |
UA92852C2 (en) * | 2006-12-11 | 2010-12-10 | Джапан Тобакко Инк. | Low fire spreading cigarette, wrapping paper for thereof and method for making wrapping paper |
CN201092639Y (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-07-30 | 潍坊华港包装材料有限公司 | Packing paper special for cigarette filter tip |
EP2100840A1 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2009-09-16 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Patch applicator apparatus and method |
EP2210509A1 (en) * | 2008-12-30 | 2010-07-28 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Apparatus and method for combining components for smoking articles |
US9149072B2 (en) * | 2010-05-06 | 2015-10-06 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Segmented smoking article with substrate cavity |
ES2536954T3 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2015-06-01 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Smoking item that has a mouth end cavity with markings |
RU2622812C2 (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2017-06-20 | Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. | Combining two multisegmented components |
GB201211523D0 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2012-08-08 | Filtrona Filter Prod Dev Co | Tobacco smoke filter |
CN102823947A (en) * | 2012-09-13 | 2012-12-19 | 云南恩典科技产业发展有限公司 | Filtering rod capable of reducing smoke temperature and preparation method of filtering rod |
-
2015
- 2015-03-31 GB GBGB1505515.5A patent/GB201505515D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2016
- 2016-02-23 KR KR1020177028191A patent/KR20170123689A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2016-02-23 JP JP2017551204A patent/JP2018514198A/en not_active Ceased
- 2016-02-23 US US15/559,226 patent/US20190000133A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-02-23 CN CN201680020899.0A patent/CN107427061A/en active Pending
- 2016-02-23 EP EP16707194.3A patent/EP3277106A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-02-23 WO PCT/GB2016/050450 patent/WO2016156782A2/en active Application Filing
-
2018
- 2018-08-03 HK HK18110010.5A patent/HK1250609A1/en unknown
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US20150157052A1 (en) * | 2013-12-05 | 2015-06-11 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Smoking article and associated manufacturing method |
US20170273353A1 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2017-09-28 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Method for applying heat conducting patches to a material web |
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ES2920200A1 (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2022-08-01 | Martinez Hernandez Alfonso | Paper sheet to obtain cigarettes (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN107427061A (en) | 2017-12-01 |
GB201505515D0 (en) | 2015-05-13 |
WO2016156782A3 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
JP2018514198A (en) | 2018-06-07 |
EP3277106A2 (en) | 2018-02-07 |
KR20170123689A (en) | 2017-11-08 |
WO2016156782A2 (en) | 2016-10-06 |
HK1250609A1 (en) | 2019-01-11 |
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