US20220312833A1 - Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article Filter - Google Patents
Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article Filter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220312833A1 US20220312833A1 US17/615,995 US202017615995A US2022312833A1 US 20220312833 A1 US20220312833 A1 US 20220312833A1 US 202017615995 A US202017615995 A US 202017615995A US 2022312833 A1 US2022312833 A1 US 2022312833A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- filter rod
- wrapped
- segment
- length
- outer wrapper
- 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.)
- Pending
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 39
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000004431 Linum usitatissimum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002301 cellulose acetate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 241000219146 Gossypium Species 0.000 claims 1
- 241000208202 Linaceae Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000010980 cellulose Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 11
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 3
- JOOXCMJARBKPKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-oxopentanoic acid Chemical compound CC(=O)CCC(O)=O JOOXCMJARBKPKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UTLUCORTSA-N (+)-Neomenthol Chemical compound CC(C)[C@@H]1CC[C@@H](C)C[C@@H]1O NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UTLUCORTSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acetate Chemical compound CC([O-])=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000005979 Citrus limon Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000131522 Citrus pyriformis Species 0.000 description 1
- NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N DL-menthol Natural products CC(C)C1CCC(C)CC1O NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000016623 Fragaria vesca Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000009088 Fragaria x ananassa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011363 Fragaria x ananassa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001828 Gelatine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 240000006240 Linum usitatissimum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000220225 Malus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011430 Malus pumila Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000015103 Malus silvestris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000024873 Mentha crispa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014749 Mentha crispa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000061176 Nicotiana tabacum Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000223014 Syzygium aromaticum Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000016639 Syzygium aromaticum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- IKHGUXGNUITLKF-XPULMUKRSA-N acetaldehyde Chemical compound [14CH]([14CH3])=O IKHGUXGNUITLKF-XPULMUKRSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003571 electronic cigarette Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940040102 levulinic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229940041616 menthol Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000000346 sugar Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000008163 sugars Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 208000029257 vision disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
- A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
- A24D3/0216—Applying additives to filter materials the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like
-
- 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
- A24D3/0229—Filter rod forming processes
-
- 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
- A24D3/0254—Cutting 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
- A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/061—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking
-
- 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
- A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/08—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent
- A24D3/10—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent of cellulose or cellulose derivatives
-
- 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
- A24D3/17—Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for producing filters for smoking articles and filters for smoking articles obtained by such a method, according to the preamble of present claims 1 and 15 .
- Said filters are typically made by wrapping a filter rod with a wrapping paper and cutting the resulting wrapped filter rod into pieces. These processes are conducted by specialized machines very rapidly. Thereby, the visual appearance and quality of the final filters is often mitigated due to manufacturing tolerances of such processes and machines, respectively.
- the manufacturing tolerances relate to arrangement of the wrapping paper and the filter rod, wherein their positions can be displaced relative to each other, resulting in unwrapped filter rod portions or protruding wrapping paper portions at the edges of the final filters.
- the afore-mentioned problems are solved by a method for producing filters for smoking articles.
- the method according to the invention comprises the following steps of: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; providing an outer wrapper; wrapping the outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface; obtaining a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments, wherein a first outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the first filter rod end and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the second filter rod end have a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.
- the method provides the production of filters with an enhanced visual appearance, preferably of edges of the inner wrapped filter rod segments since the outer wrapped filter rod segments are discarded.
- the filter rod is produced longer than required for the final filters or inner wrapped filter rod segments, respectively, so that the outer wrapped filter rod segments can be disposed. Therefore, the filter rod is preferably produced longer by the length of the first and the second outer wrapped filter rod segments.
- the inner wrapped filter segments constituting the filters, provide a shared ending of the filter rod and the outer wrapper by means that the outer wrapper is not protruding or recessed relative to the filter rod and vice versa. Further, the outer wrapper and the filter rod of the inner wrapped filter rod segments have the same length.
- the obtained wrapped filter rod comprises the filter rod and the outer wrapper, wherein the outer wrapper is wrapped around the filter rod. Furthermore, the wrapped filter rod comprises the filter rod and the outer wrapper, wherein the outer wrapper is firmly attached to the filter rod.
- disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments should be also understood as not using the outer wrapped filter rod segments as filters for smoking articles.
- the outer filter segments might also preferably be recycled or used for another application.
- smoking articles comprise conventional cigarettes, heat-not-burn sticks and/or electronic cigarettes.
- the filter rod extends in a filter rod longitudinal direction, which is parallel to the circumferential filter rod surface.
- the filter rod further extends in a filter rod radial direction, which is perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction. More preferably, the filter rod further extends in a filter rod circumferential direction, which extends along/with the circumferential filter rod surface.
- At least two inner wrapped filter rod segments are obtained by cutting the wrapped filter rod. It is also possible that a plurality of inner wrapped filter rod segments is obtained if the wrapped filter rod is cut more often.
- the method is conducted by a smoking article filter manufacturing machine.
- the filter rod is preferably provided by a filter rod maker machine.
- the outer wrapper is substantially covering the whole circumferential filter rod surface. This ensures the maintaining of the visual appearance of the final filter since there are no unwrapped (by the outer wrapper) parts of the filter rod that are visible.
- the method/the steps is/are executed by one suitable machine. It is also possible that the method/the steps are conducted by at least two separated machines, for example one machine handles outer wrapper application steps, wherein another machine performs cutting and separation steps. Therefore, it is conceivable that the steps of the method could be executed spatially and temporally separated from each other.
- At least two inner wrapped filter rod segments are obtained, when the wrapped filter rod is being cut. Obtaining two inner wrapped filter rod segments is particularly preferred. In such a way, more filters are produced in one step increasing the efficiency of the method.
- the number of inner wrapped filter rod segments depends on the number of cuts or how often the wrapped filter rod is cut, respectively.
- the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a length being less than 8%, preferably less than 6% more preferably less than 4% and particularly preferably 3.85% of the total length of the filter rod.
- a length of the outer wrapped filter rod segments leads to the discarding of only small amounts of unused filter rod, thus saving costs and resources. Moreover, a proper visual appearance of the filter is guaranteed.
- the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a length being less than 8 mm, preferably less than 6 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm and particularly preferably 3 mm.
- a length of the outer wrapped filter rod segments leads to the discarding of only small amounts of unused filter rod, thus saving costs and resources. Moreover, a proper visual appearance of the filter is guaranteed.
- the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have the same length so that the process can be easily integrated into existing procedures and machines. It is also conceivable that the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a different length.
- the outer wrapper is fixed to the filter rod by an adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection is arranged on an inner outer wrapper surface, the inner outer wrapper surface being in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface.
- glueing connections are cheap and easily applicable by known processes.
- the glueing connection is at least partially covering the inner outer wrapper surface.
- At least parts of the inner outer wrapper surface are self-adhesive. This feature ensures the simple arrangement and/or fixation of the outer wrapper on/to the filter rod.
- an outer surface of the outer wrapper is printed, in particular with letters, symbols, textures and/or emblems. This feature offers the possibility of branding the outer wrapper by printing a company logo or name on it.
- the printed outer wrapper can preferably be used for marketing and communication purposes.
- the printing on the outer wrapper can indicate the position of a flavouring element, like a flavored capsule, to facilitate breaking of said capsule. Therefore, it is important that the outer wrapper is precisely applied/wrapped to/on the filter rod, so that the position of printings on the outer wrapper matches the position of a flavoring element inside the filter rod, for example.
- the filter rod comprises an acetate filter tow and a plug wrap. It is also conceivable, that the filter tow exhibits different structures, particularly visual appearances, providing flutes, channels, tubes and/or voids. Such filter constructions are known in the art, for example for improving their filtering performance, the visual appearance and/or the branding.
- the filter rod comprises a plug wrap, i.e. an inner wrapper surrounding the filter plug in between said filter plug and outer wrapper, particularly a plug wrap paper.
- the plug wrap is preferably wrapped around the filter tow.
- the plug wrap can exhibit different properties, such as low weight, porosity, etc.
- the use of plug wrap papers and their application on the filter tow is well-known in the art. It is also possible, to use more plug wraps depending on the structure and components of the filter rod/filter.
- the filter rod also comprises further components like activated or active carbon.
- the filter rod also comprises further components like activated or active carbon.
- many different filter rod, filter, filter tow and/or plug wrap designs and/or arrangements are known in the art, wherein all these designs and/or arrangements could be used within the method according to the invention where appropriate.
- the filter rod comprises a fibrous material, the fibrous material being selected from a group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose, flax, cotton and polylactic acid.
- Said fibrous materials on the one hand provide the high active surface to absorb and/or adsorb certain harmful components of smoke and on the other hand have a low weight.
- the used materials are biodegradable and made of a renewable raw material.
- a first and a second flavoring element in particular a flavored breakable capsule, being arranged inside the filter rod, wherein a central plane of the filter rod extending perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction defines a first and a second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element is arranged on the first side of the filter rod and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side of the filter rod, wherein the first and the second flavoring element are arranged in a distance to the central plane, the distance being between 3 mm and 20 mm.
- the first and the second flavoring element are arranged substantially centrally inside the filter rod with respect to the filter rod radial direction.
- said flavored breakable capsules are made of plastic material or gelatine-based material housing a flavored liquid.
- the flavored capsule for example contains menthol and also includes other flavorings, e.g. sugars, acetaldehyde, levulinic acid, clove, etc. and many different flavors like spearmint, lemon, apple, strawberry and/or coffee. These capsules can be broken upon demand by mechanical force to release the liquid, thereby flavoring the smoke flowing through.
- Such flavored capsules, their production and arrangement into filters is well-known in the art nowadays.
- the flavoring elements are provided as a flavored granular material, wherein different granular materials can be mixed. Granular materials advantageously cannot be broken by accident. More preferably, one of the flavoring elements can be a flavored capsule and the other flavoring element can be a flavored granular material.
- the amount of flavoring elements is related to the number of inner wrapped filter rod segments obtained by cutting the wrapped filter rod.
- the first and the second flavoring element are arranged in a distance between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably 8 mm and 12 mm and more preferably in a distance of 10 mm to the central plane of the filter rod. This feature ensures the safe and permanent arrangement of the flavoring elements inside the filter rod and prevents unwanted damage to said flavored elements during cutting actions.
- the outer wrapper consists of a paper, or more generally a cellulose based sheet material, wherein the outer wrapper is preferably textured, structured, coated and/or perforated. Said materials are cheap and easily processable during manufacturing. Moreover, such outer wrappers can provide different properties like a lip release coating, perforations to ensure smoke/air permeability or different textures and structures to give the filter a certain touch or feeling.
- a length of the outer wrapper in the filter rod longitudinal direction is the same than the length of the filter rod in the filter rod longitudinal direction. This feature can lead to cost savings since no unnecessary outer wrapper material or filter rod material is used.
- the filter rod and/or the outer wrapper is/are cut perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction.
- the different segments are properly separated from each other and the inner wrapped filter rod segments/filters have a better visual quality since the outer wrapper and the filter rod have a shared ending/edge.
- the invention also comprises a filter for smoking articles obtainable according to the method of the invention.
- the filter consists of an inner wrapped filter rod segment and an outer wrapper covering the inner wrapped filter rod segment at least in part, wherein the length of the inner wrapped filter rod segment is substantially equal to the length of the outer wrapper when viewed in the filter rod longitudinal direction.
- This arrangement ensures the improved visual appearance of the filter since the outer wrapper and the inner wrapped filter rod segment provide the same length. Therefore, no unwrapped parts of the inner wrapped filter rod segments are visible and/or no protruding parts of the outer wrapper are present.
- FIG. 1 a flow diagram of the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 a a perspective view of a filter rod and an outer wrapper according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 b a schematic view of a wrapped filter rod according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 c a schematic view of outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 shows an overview of a particularly preferred embodiment of the method for producing filters 10 for smoking articles according to the invention.
- a filter rod 20 and an outer wrapper 30 are provided.
- the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 are preferably prefabricated components which are mass-produced.
- a length L 4 of the outer wrapper 30 is similar to a length L 1 of the filter rod 20 .
- a second step S. 2 the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD.
- the outer wrapper 30 covers a circumferential filter rod surface 23 at least partially, wherein an inner outer wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface 23 .
- the outer wrapper 30 and the filter rod 20 are firmly connected by a glue/adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection could be present on the inner outer wrapper surface 31 and/or the circumferential filter rod surface 23 before the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20 .
- This step is prone to the above-mentioned manufacturing tolerances.
- a wrapped filter rod 100 is obtained, comprising the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 firmly connected thereto.
- a step S. 4 the wrapped filter rod 100 is cut and a first 40 and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 as well as at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are obtained in a step S.S.
- the wrapped filter rod is cut perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction LD/HANNKE parallel to a radial filter rod direction RD.
- the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 comprises a first filter rod end 21 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 comprises a second filter rod end 22 .
- the outer wrapped filter rod segments 40 , 50 have a length (L 2 ) being less than 10% of a total length (L 1 ) of the filter rod ( 20 ) and/or less than 10 mm.
- the inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are used as filters for smoking articles, having an improved visual quality.
- the outer wrapped filter rod segments 40 , 50 comprising the filter rod ends 21 , 22 with the possible visual impairments are disposed.
- FIG. 2 a a filter rod 20 and an outer wrapper 30 are shown, before the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20 , according to an embodiment of the invention.
- the filter rod 20 has a first filter rod end 21 and a second filter rod end 22 .
- the first filter rod end 21 and the second filter rod end 22 are preferably parallel to each other and to the radial filter rod direction RD and perpendicular to the longitudinal filter rod direction LD.
- the filter rod 20 further comprises a circumferential filter rod surface 23 extending in/along the circumferential filter rod direction CD.
- the filter rod 20 has a length L 4 .
- the length L 4 of the filter rod 20 is variable and can be chosen according to the required length or the amount of the filters 10 .
- the outer wrapper 30 comprises an inner outer wrapper surface 31 and an outer outer wrapper surface 32 facing each other and extending in parallel. In this case, the outer wrapper 30 is shown in a bent fashion.
- the outer wrapper 30 is formed from a reeled sheet of material, substantially planar and cut from a bobbin to a substantially rectangular or square shape.
- the outer wrapper 30 has a length L 4 .
- the length L 4 of the outer wrapper 30 can be varied according to the length L 1 of the filter rod 20 .
- FIG. 2 b a wrapped filter rod 100 is shown, wherein the outer wrapper 30 has been wrapped around the filter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD, covering the whole circumferential filter rod surface 23 .
- the inner outer wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface 23 .
- the outer wrapper 30 covers the circumferential filter rod surface 23 only partially. It is further conceivable that the outer wrapper 30 protrudes beyond the first filter rod end 21 and/or the second filter rod end 22 . It is further conceivable that the length L 4 of the outer wrapper 30 is not the same as the length L 1 of the filter rod 20 .
- FIG. 2 b two first cutting lines X 1 and one second cutting line X 2 are shown. These lines are shown for the sake of clarity and should represent the cutting positions.
- a cut is executed along the cutting lines X 1 , X 2 perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein the wrapped filter rod 100 and thus the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 are cut.
- the cutting lines X 1 , X 2 are perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD.
- additional second cutting lines X 2 are provided, so that at least one second cutting line X 2 is provided. That means that the wrapped filter rod 100 is cut more often and a plurality of inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 is obtained, depending on the number of cuts/second cutting lines X 2 .
- the second cutting line X 2 is equivalent to a central plane 90 of the filter rod 20 .
- the central plane 90 defines a first side 24 of the filter rod 20 and a second side 25 of the filter rod 25 .
- a first flavoring element 70 and a second flavoring element 80 are arranged inside the filter rod 20 .
- the flavoring elements 70 , 80 are not visible from the outside of the filter rod but are shown for clarity.
- the first 70 and the second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the central plane 90 and the second cutting line X 2 in the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein the first flavoring element 70 is arranged on the first side 24 of the filter rod 20 and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side 25 of the filter rod 20 .
- the flavoring elements 70 , 80 are arranged inside the filter rod 20 , on the longitudinal direction LD thereof.
- the distance D of the first flavoring element 70 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X 2 and the distance D of the second flavoring element 80 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X 2 are not the same.
- first 70 and the second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the second cutting line X 2 if the second cutting line X 2 and the central plane 90 are not the same. It is further possible that flavoring elements 70 , 80 are arranged in a distance D to predetermined second cutting lines X 2 , especially when more than two flavoring elements are arranged inside the filter rod.
- the flavoring elements 70 , 80 are provided as flavored capsules but it is further conceivable that the flavoring elements 70 , 80 are provided for example as a flavored thread arranged inside the filter rod 20 . Further, the first flavoring element 70 and the second flavoring element 80 could be different, e.g. in flavor, design and/or arrangement.
- FIG. 2 c a first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 , a second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 and two inner wrapped filter segments 60 are depicted. Said segments 40 , 50 , 60 are obtained after cutting the wrapped filter rod 100 .
- the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 comprises the first filter rod end 21 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 comprises the second filter rod end 22 .
- the first 40 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 have a length L 2 .
- the length L 2 of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 is the same. It is also possible, that a length of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 is different than a length of the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 .
- two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are provided, constituting two filters 10 .
- the inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 have a length L 3 .
- the inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 comprise the first 70 and the second flavoring element 80 , respectively.
- the resulting inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 provide a shared/common ending of the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 .
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
Abstract
A method for producing filters for smoking articles includes: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; providing an outer wrapper; wrapping the outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface; obtaining a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments, wherein first and second outer wrapped filter rod segments include the first and second filter rod ends, respectively, and have a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.
Description
- The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/065351, filed Jun. 3, 2020, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 19178663.1 filed Jun. 6, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to a method for producing filters for smoking articles and filters for smoking articles obtained by such a method, according to the preamble of present claims 1 and 15.
- Conventional filter cigarettes are produced in large quantities by joining tobacco rods with filter rods and firmly connecting them with a tipping paper, followed by cutting operations. These procedures are well-known in the art. Meanwhile, filters, also called filter sticks, for smoking articles are sold separately to be used for different kinds of smoking articles.
- Said filters are typically made by wrapping a filter rod with a wrapping paper and cutting the resulting wrapped filter rod into pieces. These processes are conducted by specialized machines very rapidly. Thereby, the visual appearance and quality of the final filters is often mitigated due to manufacturing tolerances of such processes and machines, respectively. The manufacturing tolerances relate to arrangement of the wrapping paper and the filter rod, wherein their positions can be displaced relative to each other, resulting in unwrapped filter rod portions or protruding wrapping paper portions at the edges of the final filters.
- It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a method for producing filters for smoking articles that improves the visual appearance and quality of the final filters.
- The afore-mentioned problems are solved by a method for producing filters for smoking articles. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps of: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; providing an outer wrapper; wrapping the outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface; obtaining a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments, wherein a first outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the first filter rod end and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the second filter rod end have a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.
- The method provides the production of filters with an enhanced visual appearance, preferably of edges of the inner wrapped filter rod segments since the outer wrapped filter rod segments are discarded. Preferably, the filter rod is produced longer than required for the final filters or inner wrapped filter rod segments, respectively, so that the outer wrapped filter rod segments can be disposed. Therefore, the filter rod is preferably produced longer by the length of the first and the second outer wrapped filter rod segments.
- By cutting the wrapped filter rod according to the invention, the inner wrapped filter segments, constituting the filters, provide a shared ending of the filter rod and the outer wrapper by means that the outer wrapper is not protruding or recessed relative to the filter rod and vice versa. Further, the outer wrapper and the filter rod of the inner wrapped filter rod segments have the same length. By cutting the wrapped filter rod substantially adjacent to filter rod ends and disposing the thereby obtained outer wrapped filter rod segments, manufacturing tolerances affecting the edges/ends of the filter become irrelevant.
- According to the invention, the obtained wrapped filter rod comprises the filter rod and the outer wrapper, wherein the outer wrapper is wrapped around the filter rod. Furthermore, the wrapped filter rod comprises the filter rod and the outer wrapper, wherein the outer wrapper is firmly attached to the filter rod.
- According to the invention, disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments should be also understood as not using the outer wrapped filter rod segments as filters for smoking articles. The outer filter segments might also preferably be recycled or used for another application.
- Preferably, smoking articles comprise conventional cigarettes, heat-not-burn sticks and/or electronic cigarettes.
- Preferably, the filter rod extends in a filter rod longitudinal direction, which is parallel to the circumferential filter rod surface. Preferably, the filter rod further extends in a filter rod radial direction, which is perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction. More preferably, the filter rod further extends in a filter rod circumferential direction, which extends along/with the circumferential filter rod surface.
- Preferably, at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments, i.e. at least two filters, are obtained by cutting the wrapped filter rod. It is also possible that a plurality of inner wrapped filter rod segments is obtained if the wrapped filter rod is cut more often.
- Preferably, the method is conducted by a smoking article filter manufacturing machine. The filter rod is preferably provided by a filter rod maker machine.
- Preferably, the outer wrapper is substantially covering the whole circumferential filter rod surface. This ensures the maintaining of the visual appearance of the final filter since there are no unwrapped (by the outer wrapper) parts of the filter rod that are visible.
- Preferably, the method/the steps is/are executed by one suitable machine. It is also possible that the method/the steps are conducted by at least two separated machines, for example one machine handles outer wrapper application steps, wherein another machine performs cutting and separation steps. Therefore, it is conceivable that the steps of the method could be executed spatially and temporally separated from each other.
- In a preferred embodiment, at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments are obtained, when the wrapped filter rod is being cut. Obtaining two inner wrapped filter rod segments is particularly preferred. In such a way, more filters are produced in one step increasing the efficiency of the method. The number of inner wrapped filter rod segments depends on the number of cuts or how often the wrapped filter rod is cut, respectively.
- In a preferred embodiment, the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a length being less than 8%, preferably less than 6% more preferably less than 4% and particularly preferably 3.85% of the total length of the filter rod. Such a length of the outer wrapped filter rod segments leads to the discarding of only small amounts of unused filter rod, thus saving costs and resources. Moreover, a proper visual appearance of the filter is guaranteed.
- In a preferred embodiment, the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a length being less than 8 mm, preferably less than 6 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm and particularly preferably 3 mm. Such a length of the outer wrapped filter rod segments leads to the discarding of only small amounts of unused filter rod, thus saving costs and resources. Moreover, a proper visual appearance of the filter is guaranteed.
- Preferably, the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have the same length so that the process can be easily integrated into existing procedures and machines. It is also conceivable that the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment have a different length.
- In a preferred embodiment, the outer wrapper is fixed to the filter rod by an adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection is arranged on an inner outer wrapper surface, the inner outer wrapper surface being in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface. Beneficially, glueing connections are cheap and easily applicable by known processes. Preferably, the glueing connection is at least partially covering the inner outer wrapper surface.
- In a preferred embodiment, at least parts of the inner outer wrapper surface are self-adhesive. This feature ensures the simple arrangement and/or fixation of the outer wrapper on/to the filter rod.
- In a preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the outer wrapper is printed, in particular with letters, symbols, textures and/or emblems. This feature offers the possibility of branding the outer wrapper by printing a company logo or name on it. Furthermore, the printed outer wrapper can preferably be used for marketing and communication purposes. Preferably, the printing on the outer wrapper can indicate the position of a flavouring element, like a flavored capsule, to facilitate breaking of said capsule. Therefore, it is important that the outer wrapper is precisely applied/wrapped to/on the filter rod, so that the position of printings on the outer wrapper matches the position of a flavoring element inside the filter rod, for example.
- In a preferred embodiment, the filter rod comprises an acetate filter tow and a plug wrap. It is also conceivable, that the filter tow exhibits different structures, particularly visual appearances, providing flutes, channels, tubes and/or voids. Such filter constructions are known in the art, for example for improving their filtering performance, the visual appearance and/or the branding.
- Preferably, the filter rod comprises a plug wrap, i.e. an inner wrapper surrounding the filter plug in between said filter plug and outer wrapper, particularly a plug wrap paper. The plug wrap is preferably wrapped around the filter tow. The plug wrap can exhibit different properties, such as low weight, porosity, etc. The use of plug wrap papers and their application on the filter tow is well-known in the art. It is also possible, to use more plug wraps depending on the structure and components of the filter rod/filter.
- It is conceivable that the filter rod also comprises further components like activated or active carbon. Furthermore, many different filter rod, filter, filter tow and/or plug wrap designs and/or arrangements are known in the art, wherein all these designs and/or arrangements could be used within the method according to the invention where appropriate.
- In a preferred embodiment, the filter rod comprises a fibrous material, the fibrous material being selected from a group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose, flax, cotton and polylactic acid. Said fibrous materials on the one hand provide the high active surface to absorb and/or adsorb certain harmful components of smoke and on the other hand have a low weight. Preferably, the used materials are biodegradable and made of a renewable raw material.
- In a preferred embodiment, a first and a second flavoring element, in particular a flavored breakable capsule, being arranged inside the filter rod, wherein a central plane of the filter rod extending perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction defines a first and a second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element is arranged on the first side of the filter rod and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side of the filter rod, wherein the first and the second flavoring element are arranged in a distance to the central plane, the distance being between 3 mm and 20 mm.
- Preferably, the first and the second flavoring element are arranged substantially centrally inside the filter rod with respect to the filter rod radial direction.
- Preferably, said flavored breakable capsules are made of plastic material or gelatine-based material housing a flavored liquid. The flavored capsule for example contains menthol and also includes other flavorings, e.g. sugars, acetaldehyde, levulinic acid, clove, etc. and many different flavors like spearmint, lemon, apple, strawberry and/or coffee. These capsules can be broken upon demand by mechanical force to release the liquid, thereby flavoring the smoke flowing through. Such flavored capsules, their production and arrangement into filters is well-known in the art nowadays.
- It is also possible that the flavoring elements are provided as a flavored granular material, wherein different granular materials can be mixed. Granular materials advantageously cannot be broken by accident. More preferably, one of the flavoring elements can be a flavored capsule and the other flavoring element can be a flavored granular material.
- Furthermore, it is possible that more than two flavoring elements are arranged inside the filter rod. The amount of flavoring elements is related to the number of inner wrapped filter rod segments obtained by cutting the wrapped filter rod.
- In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second flavoring element are arranged in a distance between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably 8 mm and 12 mm and more preferably in a distance of 10 mm to the central plane of the filter rod. This feature ensures the safe and permanent arrangement of the flavoring elements inside the filter rod and prevents unwanted damage to said flavored elements during cutting actions.
- In a preferred embodiment, the outer wrapper consists of a paper, or more generally a cellulose based sheet material, wherein the outer wrapper is preferably textured, structured, coated and/or perforated. Said materials are cheap and easily processable during manufacturing. Moreover, such outer wrappers can provide different properties like a lip release coating, perforations to ensure smoke/air permeability or different textures and structures to give the filter a certain touch or feeling.
- In a preferred embodiment, a length of the outer wrapper in the filter rod longitudinal direction is the same than the length of the filter rod in the filter rod longitudinal direction. This feature can lead to cost savings since no unnecessary outer wrapper material or filter rod material is used.
- In a preferred embodiment, when the wrapped filter rod is being cut, the filter rod and/or the outer wrapper is/are cut perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction. As a result, the different segments are properly separated from each other and the inner wrapped filter rod segments/filters have a better visual quality since the outer wrapper and the filter rod have a shared ending/edge.
- The invention also comprises a filter for smoking articles obtainable according to the method of the invention. The filter consists of an inner wrapped filter rod segment and an outer wrapper covering the inner wrapped filter rod segment at least in part, wherein the length of the inner wrapped filter rod segment is substantially equal to the length of the outer wrapper when viewed in the filter rod longitudinal direction. This arrangement ensures the improved visual appearance of the filter since the outer wrapper and the inner wrapped filter rod segment provide the same length. Therefore, no unwrapped parts of the inner wrapped filter rod segments are visible and/or no protruding parts of the outer wrapper are present.
- All disclosed features relating to the method shall apply mutatis mutandis to the filter and all disclosed features relating to the filter shall apply mutatis mutandis to the method.
- Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols.
- The figures show:
-
FIG. 1 a flow diagram of the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2a a perspective view of a filter rod and an outer wrapper according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2b a schematic view of a wrapped filter rod according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2c a schematic view of outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 1 shows an overview of a particularly preferred embodiment of the method for producing filters 10 for smoking articles according to the invention. - In a first step S.1, a
filter rod 20 and anouter wrapper 30 are provided. Thefilter rod 20 and theouter wrapper 30 are preferably prefabricated components which are mass-produced. Preferably, a length L4 of theouter wrapper 30 is similar to a length L1 of thefilter rod 20. - In a second step S.2, the
outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around thefilter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD. Theouter wrapper 30 covers a circumferentialfilter rod surface 23 at least partially, wherein an innerouter wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferentialfilter rod surface 23. Preferably, theouter wrapper 30 and thefilter rod 20 are firmly connected by a glue/adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection could be present on the innerouter wrapper surface 31 and/or the circumferentialfilter rod surface 23 before theouter wrapper 30 is wrapped around thefilter rod 20. This step is prone to the above-mentioned manufacturing tolerances. - In a third step S.3, a wrapped
filter rod 100 is obtained, comprising thefilter rod 20 and theouter wrapper 30 firmly connected thereto. - In a step S.4, the wrapped
filter rod 100 is cut and a first 40 and a second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50 as well as at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are obtained in a step S.S. The wrapped filter rod is cut perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction LD/HANNKE parallel to a radial filter rod direction RD. The first outer wrappedfilter rod segment 40 comprises a firstfilter rod end 21 and the second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50 comprises a secondfilter rod end 22. The outer wrappedfilter rod segments - In a final step S.6, the inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are used as filters for smoking articles, having an improved visual quality. The outer wrapped
filter rod segments - In
FIG. 2a afilter rod 20 and anouter wrapper 30 are shown, before theouter wrapper 30 is wrapped around thefilter rod 20, according to an embodiment of the invention. - The
filter rod 20 has a firstfilter rod end 21 and a secondfilter rod end 22. The firstfilter rod end 21 and the secondfilter rod end 22 are preferably parallel to each other and to the radial filter rod direction RD and perpendicular to the longitudinal filter rod direction LD. - The
filter rod 20 further comprises a circumferentialfilter rod surface 23 extending in/along the circumferential filter rod direction CD. - The
filter rod 20 has a length L4. The length L4 of thefilter rod 20 is variable and can be chosen according to the required length or the amount of the filters 10. - The
outer wrapper 30 comprises an innerouter wrapper surface 31 and an outerouter wrapper surface 32 facing each other and extending in parallel. In this case, theouter wrapper 30 is shown in a bent fashion. Preferably, theouter wrapper 30 is formed from a reeled sheet of material, substantially planar and cut from a bobbin to a substantially rectangular or square shape. - The
outer wrapper 30 has a length L4. The length L4 of theouter wrapper 30 can be varied according to the length L1 of thefilter rod 20. - In
FIG. 2b a wrappedfilter rod 100 is shown, wherein theouter wrapper 30 has been wrapped around thefilter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD, covering the whole circumferentialfilter rod surface 23. The innerouter wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferentialfilter rod surface 23. - In the shown embodiment of
FIG. 2b theouter wrapper 30 and thefilter rod 20 have the same length (L1=L4) and have a shared ending by means of the filter rod ends 21, 22. - It is also possible that the
outer wrapper 30 covers the circumferentialfilter rod surface 23 only partially. It is further conceivable that theouter wrapper 30 protrudes beyond the firstfilter rod end 21 and/or the secondfilter rod end 22. It is further conceivable that the length L4 of theouter wrapper 30 is not the same as the length L1 of thefilter rod 20. - In
FIG. 2b two first cutting lines X1 and one second cutting line X2 are shown. These lines are shown for the sake of clarity and should represent the cutting positions. A cut is executed along the cutting lines X1, X2 perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein the wrappedfilter rod 100 and thus thefilter rod 20 and theouter wrapper 30 are cut. The cutting lines X1, X2 are perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD. - It is further conceivable, that additional second cutting lines X2 are provided, so that at least one second cutting line X2 is provided. That means that the wrapped
filter rod 100 is cut more often and a plurality of inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 is obtained, depending on the number of cuts/second cutting lines X2. - In this case, the second cutting line X2 is equivalent to a central plane 90 of the
filter rod 20. The central plane 90 defines afirst side 24 of thefilter rod 20 and asecond side 25 of thefilter rod 25. - A
first flavoring element 70 and asecond flavoring element 80 are arranged inside thefilter rod 20. Theflavoring elements second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the central plane 90 and the second cutting line X2 in the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein thefirst flavoring element 70 is arranged on thefirst side 24 of thefilter rod 20 and the second flavoring element is arranged on thesecond side 25 of thefilter rod 20. - The
flavoring elements filter rod 20, on the longitudinal direction LD thereof. - It is also possible, that the distance D of the
first flavoring element 70 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X2 and the distance D of thesecond flavoring element 80 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X2 are not the same. - It is also possible that the first 70 and the
second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the second cutting line X2 if the second cutting line X2 and the central plane 90 are not the same. It is further possible thatflavoring elements - In this embodiment, the
flavoring elements flavoring elements filter rod 20. Further, thefirst flavoring element 70 and thesecond flavoring element 80 could be different, e.g. in flavor, design and/or arrangement. - In
FIG. 2c a first outer wrappedfilter rod segment 40, a second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50 and two inner wrapped filter segments 60 are depicted. Saidsegments filter rod 100. - The first outer wrapped
filter rod segment 40 comprises the firstfilter rod end 21 and the second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50 comprises the secondfilter rod end 22. - The first 40 and the second outer wrapped
filter rod segment 50 have a length L2. In this case the length L2 of the first outer wrappedfilter rod segment 40 and the second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50 is the same. It is also possible, that a length of the first outer wrappedfilter rod segment 40 is different than a length of the second outer wrappedfilter rod segment 50. - According to the embodiment of the invention, two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are provided, constituting two filters 10. The inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 have a length L3.
- The inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 comprise the first 70 and the
second flavoring element 80, respectively. - By cutting the wrapped
filter rod 100, the resulting inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 provide a shared/common ending of thefilter rod 20 and theouter wrapper 30. - Statements and descriptions relating to one of the figures
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 2a ,FIG. 2b orFIG. 2c shall apply mutatis mutandis to the other figures. Statements according to thefilter rod 20 should apply mutatis mutandis to the wrappedfilter rod 100 and vice versa. Furthermore, the proportions of the components in general and in relation to each other are only schematic and must not represent the actual ratios. - The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combination, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or various figures.
- 10 filter
- 20 filter rod
- 21 first filter rod end
- 22 second filter rod end
- 23 circumferential filter rod surface
- 24 first side of the filter rod
- 25 second side of the filter rod
- 30 outer wrapper
- 31 inner outer wrapper surface
- 32 outer outer wrapper surface
- 40 first outer wrapped filter rod segment
- 50 second outer wrapped filter rod segment
- 60 inner wrapped filter rod segment
- 70 first flavoring element
- 80 second flavoring element
- 90 central plain of the filter rod
- 100 wrapped filter rod
- LD filter rod longitudinal direction
- RD filter rod radial direction
- CD filter rod circumferential direction
- L1 length of the filter rod
- L2 length of the outer wrapped filter rod segment
- L3 length of the inner wrapped filter rod segment
- L4 length of the outer wrapper
- D distance between flavoring element and central plane
- X1 first cutting line
- X2 second cutting line
Claims (20)
1. A method for producing filters for smoking articles, comprising the steps:
providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface;
wrapping an outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface to obtain a wrapped filter rod;
cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer wrapped filter rod segments and an inner wrapped filter rod segment, wherein the outer wrapped filter rod segments include a first outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the first filter rod end and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the second filter rod end, each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment having a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and
obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes obtaining at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8% of the total length of the filter rod.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8 mm.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the outer wrapper is fixed to the filter rod by a glueing connection, wherein the glueing connection is arranged on an inner surface of the outer wrapper, the inner surface of the outer wrapper being in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein:
at least parts of the inner surface of the outer wrapper are self-adhesive.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
an outer surface of the outer wrapper is printed.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the filter rod comprises a filter tow and a plug wrap.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the filter rod comprises a fibrous material, the fibrous material being selected from the group of cellulose acetate, cellulose, flax, hemp, cotton and polylactic acid.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first flavoring element and a second flavoring element arranged inside the filter rod, wherein a central plane of the filter rod extending perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction defines a first side and a second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element is arranged on the first side of the filter rod and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are each arranged at a distance to the central plane, the distance being between 3 mm and 20 mm.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 5 mm and 15 mm.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the outer wrapper consists of a paper, carton and/or cardboard material, wherein the outer wrapper (30) is textured, structured, coated and/or perforated.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
length of the outer wrapper in the filter rod longitudinal direction is the same as the total length of the filter rod in the filter rod longitudinal direction.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
when the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes cutting the filter rod and/or the outer wrapper perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4% of the total length of the filter rod.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3.85% of the total length of the filter rod.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4 mm.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3 mm.
19. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 8 mm and 12 mm.
20. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is 10 mm.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19178663 | 2019-06-06 | ||
EP19178663.1 | 2019-06-06 | ||
PCT/EP2020/065351 WO2020245199A1 (en) | 2019-06-06 | 2020-06-03 | Method for manufacturing a smoking article filter |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220312833A1 true US20220312833A1 (en) | 2022-10-06 |
Family
ID=66776174
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/615,995 Pending US20220312833A1 (en) | 2019-06-06 | 2020-06-03 | Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article Filter |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220312833A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3979848A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2022536023A (en) |
CN (1) | CN113966176A (en) |
EA (1) | EA202192920A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020245199A1 (en) |
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US2628541A (en) * | 1949-11-10 | 1953-02-17 | Gamble Hedwig | Machine for making filter and like tips for cigarettes |
US7972254B2 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2011-07-05 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Apparatus for inserting objects into a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method |
US8142339B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2012-03-27 | R.J. Reynolds Tabacco Company | Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters |
US8308623B2 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2012-11-13 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Apparatus for enhancing a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method |
US20190045836A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2019-02-14 | British American Tobacco Mexico, S.A. De C.V. | A method for manufacturing different types of smoking article |
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GB842491A (en) * | 1957-01-15 | 1960-07-27 | Olin Mathieson | Cigarette filter tip making machine |
GB1029127A (en) * | 1964-04-06 | 1966-05-11 | Tom Rowlands | Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of mouthpiece cigarettes |
US9204668B2 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2015-12-08 | Philip Morris Usa Inc. | Cigarette filter |
RU2639625C2 (en) * | 2011-07-07 | 2017-12-21 | Эссентра Филтер Продактс Девелопмент Ко. Пти. Лтд | Tobacco smoke filter |
WO2013146528A1 (en) * | 2012-03-26 | 2013-10-03 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Filter mounting device |
CN106387993B (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2021-06-04 | 益升华过滤产品开发私人有限公司 | Tobacco smoke filter |
PL3355724T3 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2020-03-31 | British American Tobacco Mexico, S.A. De C.V. | A web of tipping paper |
MX2018006236A (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2018-08-01 | Philip Morris Products Sa | Smoking article comprising a filter with enhanced flavourant release. |
IT201600094846A1 (en) * | 2016-09-21 | 2018-03-21 | Gd Spa | Device for cutting rods of filtering material of multiple length and units for feeding sections of filtering material provided with said device. |
-
2020
- 2020-06-03 WO PCT/EP2020/065351 patent/WO2020245199A1/en unknown
- 2020-06-03 EP EP20730266.2A patent/EP3979848A1/en active Pending
- 2020-06-03 US US17/615,995 patent/US20220312833A1/en active Pending
- 2020-06-03 JP JP2021561859A patent/JP2022536023A/en active Pending
- 2020-06-03 CN CN202080041838.9A patent/CN113966176A/en active Pending
- 2020-06-03 EA EA202192920A patent/EA202192920A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US2628541A (en) * | 1949-11-10 | 1953-02-17 | Gamble Hedwig | Machine for making filter and like tips for cigarettes |
US8142339B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2012-03-27 | R.J. Reynolds Tabacco Company | Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters |
US7972254B2 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2011-07-05 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Apparatus for inserting objects into a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method |
US8308623B2 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2012-11-13 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Apparatus for enhancing a filter component of a smoking article, and associated method |
US20190045836A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2019-02-14 | British American Tobacco Mexico, S.A. De C.V. | A method for manufacturing different types of smoking article |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2022536023A (en) | 2022-08-12 |
WO2020245199A1 (en) | 2020-12-10 |
CN113966176A (en) | 2022-01-21 |
EA202192920A1 (en) | 2022-03-02 |
EP3979848A1 (en) | 2022-04-13 |
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