WO2014140226A1

WO2014140226A1 - Filter cigarette with variable ventilation

Info

Publication number: WO2014140226A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/055040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reyad ASHRAM
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2013-03-13
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: JP2016513455A; EP2967133A1

Abstract

A filter cigarette (1) comprises a rod (2) of smokable material, and a mouth piece (3) attached to the rod, the mouth piece (3) comprising an element (5) rotatable with respect to the rest of the filter cigarette about the longitudinal axis thereof such that a user can vary the ventilation of the filter cigarette and a fixed element that (6) is fixed relative to the rod (2). There is also a strength indicator comprising a scale (21) extending circumferentially around at least one of the periphery of the rotatable element (5) or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod (2) of smokable material, and a cursor element (40) on the other of the periphery of the rotatable element (5) or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod (2) of smokable material to the scale, wherein the scale (21) comprises at least two linear colour shaded sections (211, 212) arranged such that the lightest shades of the at least two sections are positioned at a distance that is closer to one another than the distance between the darkest shades.

Description

FILTER CIGARETTE WITH VARIABLE VENTILATION

The present invention relates to a filter cigarette with variable ventilation. Filter cigarettes are well known and generally comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco surrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter adjacent thereto and axially aligned therewith. It is usual for the tobacco rod and filter to be joined by a band of tipping paper that encases the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. It is also well known for the tipping paper to be provided with one or more perforations at a location on the filter in order to introduce air to the smoke produced from the lit tobacco rod. It is also known to provide means for varying the mixing of the air passing though the perforations to enable a user to vary the ratio of air to smoke, and thereby vary the strength of the cigarette, with a larger proportion of smoke to air increasing the strength of the cigarette.

An example of such a cigarette is disclosed in US-A-4570649. In this document there is disclosed a conventional cylindrical tobacco rod attached to a filter plug. The filter plug is wrapped with a plug wrap and tipping paper, at least one of which is impermeable to air. In this prior art configuration the plug wrap is divided into three bands, one at the mouth end of the cigarette, a central band, and a further band adjacent to the rod. The mouth and rod end bands are fixed to the filter and the central band is arranged to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The tipping paper is positioned over the plug wrap and arranged in two bands. The first of these bands extends from the mouth end to a position overlying the rod end of the plug wrap and is attached to the central band of the plug wrap for rotation therewith. This first band of tipping paper has an opening therein overlying the rod end band of the plug wrap. The rod end band of the plug wrap has at least one aperture formed therein such that rotation of the first band of the tipping paper rotates to enable positioning of the perforation therein with the perforation in the plug wrap to vary the amount of air that may be drawn in during use, thereby varying the mixing of smoke from the burning tobacco rod with external air to control the strength of the cigarette. Such cigarettes have appeal to consumers, but can have problems in that the consumer, whilst being able to vary the strength of the cigarette, does not have a clear indication of how the mixture of air and smoke has been adjusted and therefore what strength has been selected for this cigarette during smoking. Attempts have been made to overcome such problems by providing scale and cursor arrangements to provide an indication of adjustment amount to a user, as disclosed in WO-A-201 1/1 16976, for example, where a cursor is provided on either the fixed or rotatable part of the cigarette, and a scale is provided on the other of the fixed and rotatable parts, with the respective movement between the cursor and scale providing an indication of the level of ventilation provided to the filter of the cigarette. However, such configurations still have disadvantages in that they do not provide a simple and readily understandable indication of selected cigarette strength and still provide a fair degree of uncertainty to the user in terms of the cigarette strength when making an adjustment.

According to the present invention there is provided a filter cigarette comprising: a rod of smokable material; a mouth piece attached to the rod, the mouth piece comprising an element rotatable with respect to the rest of the filter cigarette about the longitudinal axis thereof such that a user can vary the ventilation of the filter cigarette and a fixed element that is fixed relative to the rod; and a strength indicator comprising: a scale extending circumferentially around at least one of the periphery of the rotatable element or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod of smokable material, and a cursor element on the other of the periphery of the rotatable element or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod of smokable material to the scale, wherein the scale comprises at least two linear colour shaded sections arranged such that the lightest shades of the at least two sections are positioned at a distance that is closer to one another than the distance between the darkest shades.

With the arrangement of the present invention it is possible for the user to know clearly and simply what level of strength of a cigarette has been selected by rotation of the strength selecting component. Furthermore, with the arrangement of the present invention it is possible for the user to know this strength selection regardless of the direction of rotation of the strength selection component in a simple and effective manner.

The linear structure of the at least two colour shaded sections is particularly advantageous to users in aiding their understanding of the indicator scale and improving the ease of use of the strength selecting component. The direct comprehensibility of the indicator scale in relation to the strength of the variable ventilation filter cigarette further enhances the certainty and control that the user has over the strength of the cigarette.

The shades of colour of the at least two sections may comprise graduated or successive colour changes that are readily understood by the user to represent different strengths of the filter cigarette. In some examples of the present invention, the lighter shades of at least one of the sections of the scale of the filter cigarette is substantially longitudinally aligned with the cursor element when the strength indicator is arranged in a position representing a minimum level of strength. Additionally or alternatively, the darker shades of at least one of the sections of the scale of the filter cigarette are substantially longitudinally aligned with the cursor element when the strength indicator is arranged in a position representing a maximum level of strength. Advantageously, this makes use of the user's intuition to associate light or dark shades of colour on the scale of the filter cigarette with minimum and maximum tobacco strengths respectively to portray the cigarette strength to them.

In some embodiment, the at least two sections of the scale of the filter cigarette are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. In other embodiments, the at least two sections of the scale of the filter cigarette are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Preferably, the at least two sections are colour shaded bands. This arrangement may aid the user's interpretation of cigarette strength through a clear and simple scale. The colour shaded bands may be substantially rectangular in shape. In some examples, one or more of the at least two sections comprise shades of a single colour, e.g. grayscale. In other examples, one or more of the at least two sections comprise shades of more than one colour. Furthermore, each of the at least two sections could comprise the same shades of colour(s). On the other hand, each of the at least two sections could comprise different shades of colours.

Preferably, the shades of the at least two sections may have different dimensions in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Preferably, the shades of the at least two sections may be of the same dimensions in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side-view of components of a cigarette during its assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side-view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a series of end cross-sectional view of the filter and ventilation components of the present invention in positions selecting different cigarette strengths; Figure 4 shows examples of indicator arrangements of the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows an example of an indicator arrangement of the present invention with different positions of the cursor relative to the scale corresponding to different selected cigarette strengths.

Referring to Figure 1 , a filter cigarette 1 comprises a tobacco rod 2 and filter component 3. The filter component 3 is configured to allow adjustment of the filter ventilation by a user to adjust the taste strength of the cigarette. The filter component 3 comprises a plug of filter material such as acetate having a plug wrap 4 extending over its outer surface. The filter component 3 is divided into two filter segments 5, 6 by a circumferential transverse cut 7 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 1. The cut 7 is only partial throughout the diameter of the filter plug 4 so as to leave a central connecting member of filter material between the two segments 5, 6. This connecting member advantageously acts as an axis of rotation for the segments relative to each other to allow variation of the filter ventilation level as explained below. At least one perforation 8 is formed into the plug wrap 4 in the segment 6 of the filter component 3 adjoining the tobacco rod 2. This perforation 8 allows air to be drawn in though the plug wrap 4 and into the core of the filter component 3. To assemble the filter component 3 to the tobacco rod 2 a tipping paper 9 is provided and wrapped over the plug wrap 4 and filter segment 5, 6. The tipping paper 9 is comprised of two bands 10, 11 separated by a cut line 12. A first band 10 is glued to mouth end filter segment 5 of the cigarette 1 and extends over the cut 7 between the two filter segments 5, 6 and partially over the second filter segment 6 and the perforation 8 without being glued to the second segment 6. This first tipping band 10 comprises a slot 13 which is positioned so that it can be aligned over the perforation 8 in the second filter segment 6. A second band 11 is glued on the remaining part of the second filter segment 6 and the tobacco rod 2 to attach the filter component 3 to the tobacco rod 2.

Figure 2 shows Figure 1 when assembled with the slot 13 of first band 10 of tipping paper 9 aligned over perforation 8. Such configuration of the filter component 3 and tipping paper 9 makes the mouth end filter segment 5 capable of rotation around the central longitudinal axis of the cigarette 1 relative to the second filter segment 6 connected to the tobacco rod 2. This varies the respective positions of the perforation 8 in the second filter segment 6 and the slot 13 in the first tipping band 10 as shown in Figure 3 in order to adjust the filter component ventilation, and hence the strength of the cigarette 1. As such, the variable ventilation component allows the user to adjust the cigarette filter ventilation between two minimum ventilation positions, i.e. two highest strength levels, where perforation 8 and slot 13 are substantially completely misaligned, and at least one intermediate maximum ventilation position, i.e. lightest strength level, where perforation 8 and slot 13 are substantially completely superimposed in order to allow a maximum amount of air intake into the filter component.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cigarette 1 through the location of the perforation 8 and slot 13. From this it can be seen that relative rotation of mouth end filter segment 5 with respect to second filter segment 6 in either direction can adjust the relative positions of the slot 13 and perforation 8 to control the amount of air that can be drawn through the combination of the slot 13 and perforation 8 and into the filter component 3 when the cigarette 1 is being smoked.

In the example of Figures 1 to 3 the filter component 3 and tipping 9 comprise only one perforation 8 and slot 13 respectively. However, it will be noted that multiple perforations and slots could likewise be contemplated in the filter component and tipping respectively without affecting the filter function.

The present invention provides an indicator means to help the consumer have a direct visual indication of the strength of the cigarette that is being set through variation of the ventilation level of the filter component as described above.

Referring to Figure 4, four examples of indicator arrangements of the present invention are shown. In each example, the indicator arrangement comprises a first indicator component or marker 20 acting as a cursor 40, preferably formed on rod connecting band 1 1 of the tipping paper 9. Formed on the mouth end band 10 of the tipping paper 9 is a second indicator component or marker 21 in the form of grayscale or colour shaded sections 21 1 , 212. The two indicator components 20, 21 are thereby separated by the transverse cut line 12. It will be appreciated that the first indicator component or marker 20 could be formed on the mouth end band 10 with the second indicator or marker 21 formed on the rod connecting band 1 1 adjacent thereto with similar operation of the invention.

In this configuration, a user can choose and set the level of strength of the cigarette by rotating the mouth end filter segment 5 of the filter component 3. Different strengths of the cigarette are clearly portrayed to the user though the alignment of the cursor 40 with various colour shades of the colour shaded sections 21 1 , 212. For example, the alignment of the cursor 40 with the darkest shades of either section 21 1 or 212 suggests that the strength of the cigarette is at its strongest.

Figure 4A shows a first example of an indicator arrangement comprising a cursor 40 as a first indicator component or marker and a second indicator component or marker 21 comprising two identical colour shaded sections 21 1 and 212 that are positioned in an end to end abutment in which the lightest shaded ends meet. Colour shaded sections 211 , 212 and cursor 40 are positioned on opposing sides of a transverse cut line 12.

Figure 4B shows a similar indicator arrangement to that of Figure 4A, wherein the colour shaded sections 21 1 , 212 of the second indicator component or marker 21 are separated from one another.

Figure 4C shows an alternative indicator arrangement, wherein colour shaded sections 21 1 , 212 of the second indicator component or marker 21 are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis L of the cigarette and said sections 21 1 , 212 and cursor 40 are positioned on opposing sides of a transverse cut line 12 between mouth end band 10 and rod connecting band 1 1 of the tipping paper of the cigarette.

Figure 4D shows a variant of the indicator arrangement shown in Figure 4C, wherein the colour shaded sections 21 1 , 212 are offset from one another on the rod connecting band 1 1 of the tipping paper, and their respective lightest colour shades are aligned about the longitudinal axis L of the cigarette 1. This configuration gives a clearer indication of the minimum level of strength of the cigarette when cursor 40 is aligned with both of the lightest shades of the two sections 21 1 , 212 of the second indicator component or marker21.

Figure 5 shows an example of how a user might interact with an indicator according to the present invention in order to set the level of strength of a cigarette comprising a variable ventilation filter component. In this example, an indicator arrangement as shown in Figure 4A is used to show the principles of operation of an indicator of the present invention. However, any of the configurations of Figures 4B to 4D, as well as other indicator configurations not shown in the Figures, could equally be used.

Figure 5A shows a representation of the indicator of the present invention when the variable strength filter is adjusted such that the cigarette has a maximum level of strength. The user can identify this condition, for example, by the alignment of the darkest shades of colour of section 21 1 with cursor 40. The position of the indicator as shown in Figure 5A may coincide with perforation 8 and slot 13 (as shown in Figures 1 to 3) being isolated from each other. Then, as the user rotates the mouth end filter segment 5 with respect to the rod end filter segment 6, the rod connecting band 1 1 and mouth end band 10 of the tipping paper 9 are rotated with respect to one another, and perforation 8 and slot 13 may begin to overlap, thus increasing the air to smoke ratio in the filter and therefore decreasing the strength of the cigarette. This is indicated to the user by the relative positions of second indicator component or marker 21 and cursor 40 as shown in Figure 5B. When the second indicator component or marker 21 is arranged as shown in Figure 5C such that the lightest shades of colour of each sections 21 1 , 212 are aligned with cursor 40, perforation 8 and slot 13 in the filter component 3 entirely overlap, thus the air to smoke ratio in the filter is at a maximum and therefore the strength of the cigarette is at a minimum level. If the mouth end filter segment 5 is continued to be rotated with respect to the rod end filter segment 6, then perforation 8 and slot 13 move away from one another and second indicator component or marker 21 and cursor 40 are arranged as shown in Figure 5D. When the alignment of the darkest shades of colour of section 212 with cursor 40 occurs, as shown in Figure 5E, perforation 8 and slot 13 are once again completely isolated from one another and the cigarette has again a maximum level of strength.

In each of Figures 4A to 4D and Figures 5A to 5E, the sections 21 1 , 212 are shown to comprise graduated or successive colour changes that are readily understood by the user to represent different strengths of the filter cigarette. Additionally or alternatively, although not shown in the Figures, the shades of the at least two sections may have different dimensions in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. For example, each shaded portion of the at least two sections may have different widths in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. Further, the shades of the at least two sections may be of the same dimensions in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. For example, each shaded portion of the at least two sections may be of the same length in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. It will be noted that there are a number of aspects of the indicator configuration, both in terms of the shape and location, that may be provided and which provide additional benefits in terms of improved accuracy of indication to a user and the ease of use of the cigarette as a whole.

Claims

1. A filter cigarette comprising:

a rod of smokable material;

a mouth piece attached to the rod, the mouth piece comprising an element rotatable with respect to the rest of the filter cigarette about the longitudinal axis thereof such that a user can vary the ventilation of the filter cigarette, and a fixed element that is fixed relative to the rod; and

a strength indicator comprising:

a scale extending circumferentially around at least one of the periphery of the rotatable element or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod of smokable material, and a cursor element on the other of the periphery of the rotatable element or the periphery of a part of the cigarette that is fixed relative to the rod of smokable material to the scale, wherein the scale comprises at least two linear colour shaded sections arranged such that the lightest shades of the at least two sections are positioned at a distance that is closer to one another than the distance between the darkest shades.

2. A filter cigarette according to claim 1 , wherein the lighter shades of at least one of the sections is substantially longitudinally aligned with the cursor element when the strength indicator is arranged in a position representing a minimum level of strength.

3. A filter cigarette according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the darker shades of at least one of the sections is substantially longitudinally aligned with the cursor element when the strength indicator is arranged in a position representing a maximum level of strength.

4. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least two sections are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

5. A filter cigarette according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least two sections are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

6. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least two sections are colour shaded bands.

7. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least two sections comprise shades of a single colour.

8. A filter cigarette according to claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more of the at least two sections comprise shades of more than one colour.

9. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the at least two sections comprise the same shades of colour(s).

10. A filter cigarette according to any of claim 1 to 8, wherein each of the at least two sections comprise different shades of colours.

1 1. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein the shades of the at least two sections have different dimensions in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

12. A filter cigarette according to any preceding claim, wherein the shades of the at least two sections are of the same dimensions in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.