Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles, and more particularly to covered mouthpiece
• An electrically resistive heater may be configured to heat a material, which may be made or derived from tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, to form an inhalable substance for human consumption.
• GREENARETTETM by Greenarette LLC; HALLIGANTM, HENDUTM, JETTM, MAXXQTM, PINKTM and PITBULLTM by Smoke Stik®; HEATBARTM by Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO IMPERIALTM and LXETM from Crown7; LOGICTM and THE CUBANTM by LOGIC Technology; LUCI® by Luciano Smokes Inc.; METRO® by Nicotek, LLC; NJOY® and ONEJOYTM by Sottera, Inc.; NO.
• a smoking article may include a comfortable mouthpiece that is similar to mouthpieces and/or the sensory profile aspects associated with existing smoking articles such as, for examples, cigars, cigarettes, or pipes.
• a smoking with a mouthpiece that provides a solid rigid main body surrounded by coating material that provides a user with a comfortable sensory experience during contact with the user's mouth (e.g., lips, teeth, and/or tongue) and that also provides a visible display of indicia such as, for example, product identification, advertising, labeling, or other visual indicia.
• a rigid-bodied smoking article that includes a mouthpiece providing comfortable mouth-feel characterized by smokers as "bite" or "bite sensation," where the mouthpiece can effectively display information about the smoking article.
• a rigid tube body may form part of a mouthpiece for a smoking article, with a tipping cover that encircles an outer circumference along a length of the mouthpiece, where the tipping cover includes a polymeric label in a form selected from a seamless tube, a seamed tube, an overmold, or any combination thereof, which may overly a tipping wrap.
• a rigid tube body may form part of a mouthpiece for a smoking article, with a tipping wrap that encircles an outer circumference along a length of the mouthpiece to form at least a double layer that includes more flexibility and/or less resistance to permanent indentation than the rigid tube.
• FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through an aerosol delivery device comprising a control body and a cartridge including an atomizer according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 2A-2C show, respectively, a side view and a perspective view of a smoking article, and a side view of a mouthpiece of said smoking article;
• FIGS. 3A and 3B show, respectively, a perspective view and a transverse section view of a mouthpiece portion
• FIG. 4A shows a tubular body shell
• FIG. 4B shows a spiral-wound/angled tipping wrap around the tubular body shell of FIG. 4A;
• FIG. 4C shows a tipping cover embodied as a label around the tubular body shell and angled tipping wrap of FIGS. 4A-4B;
• FIGS. 5A-5E show steps of assembling a mouth-end tipping material with label on a smoking article tube
• FIGS. 6-9 show diagrammatic views of tipping covers that may have one or a plurality of layers.
• smoking article is used herein as a matter of convention, although many embodiments may not actually burn tobacco or generate any combustion-based aerosol (in the form of smoke or otherwise); rather, the terms “smoking” and/or “vaping” are used to refer to drawing an aerosol into a user's mouth for purpose of experiencing flavor(s) and/or other sensation(s) associated with aerosol components.
• the present disclosure provides descriptions of mechanisms, components, features, and methods configured to dynamically change a visual characteristic in response to feedback. While the mechanisms are generally described herein in terms of embodiments associated with aerosol delivery devices such as so-called “e-cigarettes,” it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and associated with a variety of articles. For example, the description provided herein may be employed in conjunction with embodiments of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), heat-not-burn cigarettes, and related packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and methods configured to provide for illumination disclosed herein are discussed in terms of embodiments relating to aerosol delivery mechanisms by way of example only, and may be embodied and used in various other products and methods.
• traditional smoking articles e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.
• heat-not-burn cigarettes e.g., heat-not-burn cigarettes, and related packaging for any
• an aerosol delivery device may provide some or all of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, without any substantial degree of combustion of any component of that article or device.
• sensations e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, and the like
• the aerosol delivery device may not produce smoke in the sense of the aerosol resulting from by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, that the article or device may yield vapors (including vapors within aerosols that can be considered to be visible aerosols that might be considered to be described as smoke-like) resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain components of the article or device.
• aerosol delivery devices may incorporate tobacco and/or components derived from tobacco.
• Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can be characterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament delivery articles.
• articles or devices can be adapted so as to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state.
• substances e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical active ingredients
• inhalable substances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point).
• inhalable substances can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas).
• aerosol i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas.
• aerosol as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a form that might be
• aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure may be subjected to many of the physical actions employed by an individual in using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco).
• a traditional type of smoking article e.g., a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco.
• the user of an aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can hold that article much like a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of that article for inhalation of aerosol produced by that article, take puffs at selected intervals of time, etc.
• Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally include a number of components provided within an outer body or shell.
• the overall design of the outer body or shell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device can vary.
• an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary shell; or the elongated body can be formed of two or more separable pieces.
• an aerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one embodiment, all of the components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within one outer body or shell.
• an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more shells that are joined and are separable.
• an aerosol delivery device can possess at one end a control body comprising an outer body or shell containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling the operation of that article), and at the other end and
• an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge.
• a disposable portion e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge.
• Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure most preferably comprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such as by controlling electrical current flow the power source to other components of the article), a heater or heat generation component (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or component commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), and an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., commonly a liquid capable of yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice,” “e-liquid” and “e-juice”), and a mouthend region or tip for allowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined air flow path through the article such that aerosol generated can be withdrawn therefrom upon draw).
• a power source i.e., an electrical power source
• at least one control component e.g., means for actuating, controlling
• the aerosol precursor composition can be located near an end of the article (e.g., within a cartridge, which in certain circumstances can be replaceable and disposable), which may be proximal to the mouth of a user so as to maximize aerosol delivery to the user.
• the heating element can be positioned sufficiently near the aerosol precursor composition so that heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, or the like that may likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user.
• an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer.
• release, releasing, releases, or released includes form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated.
• an inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or aerosol or mixture thereof.
• An aerosol delivery device incorporates a battery or other electrical power source to provide current flow sufficient to provide various functionalities to the article, such as resistive heating, powering of control systems, powering of indicators, and the like.
• the power source can take on various embodiments.
• the power source is able to deliver sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating member to provide for aerosol formation and power the article through use for the desired duration of time.
• the power source preferably is sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled; and additionally, a preferred power source is of a sufficiently light weight to not detract from a desirable smoking experience.
• FIG. 1 One example embodiment of an aerosol delivery device 100 is provided in FIG. 1 .
• the aerosol delivery device 100 can comprise a control body 102 and a cartridge 104 that can be permanently or detachably aligned in a
• FIG. 1 a threaded engagement is illustrated in FIG. 1 , it is understood that further means of engagement may be employed, such as a press-fit engagement, interference fit, a magnetic engagement, or the like.
• control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may be referred to as being disposable or as being reusable.
• the control body may have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and thus may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a typical electrical outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer, such as through a universal Ser. bus (USB) cable.
• USB universal Ser. bus
• an adaptor including a USB connector at one end and a control body connector at an opposing end is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/840,264, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the cartridge may comprise a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/603,612, filed September 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the control body 102 includes a control component 106, a flow sensor 108, and a battery 1 10, which can be variably aligned, and can include a plurality of indicators 1 12 at a distal end 1 14 of an outer body 1 16.
• the indicators 1 12 can be provided in varying numbers and can take on different shapes and can even be an opening in the body (such as for release of sound when such indicators are present).
• An air intake 1 18 may be positioned in the outer body 1 16 of the control body 102.
• a coupler 120 also is included at the proximal attachment end 122 of the control body 102 and may extend into a control body projection 124 to allow for ease of electrical connection with an atomizer or a component thereof, such as a resistive heating element (described below) when the cartridge 104 is attached to the control body.
• the air intake 1 18 is illustrated as being provided in the outer body 1 16, in another embodiment the air intake may be provided in a coupler as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/841 ,233; Filed March 15, 2013.
• the cartridge 104 includes an outer body 126 with a mouth opening 128 at a mouthend 130 thereof to allow passage of air and entrained vapor (i.e., the components of the aerosol precursor composition in an inhalable form) from the cartridge to a consumer during draw on the aerosol delivery device 100.
• the aerosol delivery device 100 may be substantially rod-like or substantially tubular shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped in some embodiments.
• the cartridge 104 further includes an atomizer 132 comprising a resistive heating element 134 (e.g., a wire coil) configured to produce heat and a liquid transport element 136 (e.g., a wick) configured to transport a liquid.
• a resistive heating element 134 e.g., a wire coil
• a liquid transport element 136 e.g., a wick
• Various embodiments of materials configured to produce heat when electrical current is applied therethrough may be employed to form the resistive heating element 134.
• Example materials from which the wire coil may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAI), Nichrome, Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi 2 ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), Molybdenum disilicide doped with Aluminum (Mo(Si,AI) 2 ), and ceramic (e.g., a positive temperature
• Electrically conductive heater terminals 138 (e.g., positive and negative terminals) at the opposing ends of the heating element 134 are configured to direct current flow through the heating element and configured for attachment to the appropriate wiring or circuit (not illustrated) to form an electrical connection of the heating element with the battery 1 10 when the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body 102.
• a plug 140 may be positioned at a distal attachment end 142 of the cartridge 104. When the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body 102, the plug 140 engages the coupler 120 to form an electrical connection such that current controllably flows from the battery 1 10, through the coupler and plug, and to the heating element 134.
• the outer body 126 of the cartridge 104 can continue across the distal attachment end 142 such that this end of the cartridge is substantially closed with the plug 140 protruding therefrom.
• a reservoir may utilize a liquid transport element to transport an aerosol precursor composition to an aerosolization zone.
• a liquid transport element to transport an aerosol precursor composition to an aerosolization zone.
• FIG. 1 the cartridge 104 includes a reservoir layer 144 comprising layers of nonwoven fibers formed into the shape of a tube encircling the interior of the outer body 126 of the cartridge, in this embodiment.
• An aerosol precursor composition is retained in the reservoir layer 144. Liquid components, for example, can be sorptively retained by the reservoir layer 144.
• the reservoir layer 144 is in fluid connection with a liquid transport element 136.
• the liquid transport element 136 transports the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir layer 144 via capillary action to an aerosolization zone 146 of the cartridge 104.
• the liquid transport element 136 is in direct contact with the heating element 134 that is in the form of a metal wire coil in this embodiment.
• an aerosol delivery device that can be manufactured according to the present disclosure can encompass a variety of combinations of components useful in forming an electronic aerosol delivery device.
• U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/602,871 filed September 4, 2012, discloses an electronic smoking article including a microheater, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• substantially the entirety of the cartridge may be formed from one or more carbon materials, which may provide advantages in terms of biodegradability and absence of wires.
• the heating element may comprise a carbon foam
• the reservoir may comprise carbonized fabric
• graphite may be employed to form an electrical connection with the battery and controller.
• Such carbon cartridge may be combined with one or more elements as described herein for providing illumination of the cartridge in some embodiments.
• An example embodiment of a carbon-based cartridge is provided in U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/432,406; filed March 28, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the heating element 134 is activated (e.g., such as via a puff sensor), and the components for the aerosol precursor composition are vaporized in the aerosolization zone 146.
• Drawing upon the mouthend 130 of the article 100 causes ambient air to enter the air intake 1 18 and pass through the central opening in the coupler 120 and the central opening in the plug 140.
• the drawn air passes through an air passage 148 in an air passage tube 150 and combines with the formed vapor in the aerosolization zone 146 to form an aerosol.
• the aerosol is whisked away from the aerosolization zone 146, passes through an air passage 152 in an air passage tube 154, and out the mouth opening 128 in the mouthend 130 of the article 100.
• An exemplary mechanism that can provide puff-actuation capability includes a Model 163PC01 D36 silicon sensor, manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, III. Further examples of demand-operated electrical switches that may be employed in a heating circuit according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further description of current regulating circuits and other control components, including microcontrollers that can be useful in the present aerosol delivery device, are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901 ,
• the aerosol precursor which may also be referred to as an aerosol precursor composition or a vapor precursor composition, can comprise one or more different components.
• the aerosol precursor can include a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof).
• Representative types of further aerosol precursor compositions are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5, 101 ,839 to Jakob et al.; PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et al.; and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,261 ,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses piezoelectric sensors that can be associated with the mouth-end of a device to detect user lip activity associated with taking a draw and then trigger heating;
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,372, 148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling energy flow into a heating load array in response to pressure drop through a mouthpiece;
• receptacles in a smoking device that include an identifier that detects a non-uniformity in infrared transmissivity of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine as the component is inserted into the receptacle;
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al. describes a defined executable power cycle with multiple differential phases;
• Counts et al. discloses means for altering draw resistance through a smoking device;
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses specific battery configurations for use in smoking devices;
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices;
• U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer interfacing means for smoking devices to facilitate charging and allow computer control of the device;
• WO 2010/003480 by Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system indicative of a puff in an aerosol generating system; all of the foregoing disclosures being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
• Further examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosing materials or components that may be used in the present article include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
• Tipping materials in typical cigarettes, and in segmented smoking articles that use a combustible fuel element to heat rather than burn smokable material such as tobacco typically include paper materials that cover a filter material (which may be encompassed by plug wrap material) to form a mouth-end of the subject smoking article. Examples of tipping materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,789,089 to Dube et al., and in U.S. Pat. App. Publ. Nos.
• a smoking article 500 may include a tipping- covered mouthpiece 502 (which may be embodied, for example, as a cartridge or a control body as described above with reference to FIG. 1 above).
• the smoking article is described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, which show, respectively, a side view and a perspective view of the smoking article 500, and a side view of the mouthpiece 502.
• the smoking article 500 includes a shell 513 that is illustrated as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel.
• the shell 513 may have a non-round/cylindrical profile and/or may include another metal, ceramic, or other rigid material.
• a distal-end indicator 512 may provide visual indication (e.g., via light, color change, or other indication) of device activity and/or status (e.g., battery life, puff activity, or other).
• Device activity and/or status e.g., battery life, puff activity, or other.
• Internal components and functions thereof may include those of aerosol-generating smoking devices known in the art and/or may specifically include components and/or functions disclosed in the embodiment of FIG. 1 above, or other devices referenced herein, including that all features, examples, and embodiments therein may be combined with each other and aspects of the present disclosure in a manner that those of skill in the art will appreciate with reference to the present disclosure.
• the smoking article may incorporate tobacco within an
• a representative smoking article includes a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a controller mechanism including a sensor that is capable of selectively powering certain components of the device (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) at least during periods of draw, and at least one heating device (e.g., an electrical resistance heating unit) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco.
• a source of electrical power e.g., a battery
• a controller mechanism including a sensor that is capable of selectively powering certain components of the device (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) at least during periods of draw, and at least one heating device (e.g., an electrical resistance heating unit) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco.
• the mouthpiece 502 also includes a shell 503 that is illustrated as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel.
• the mouthpiece shell 503 is shown as a rigid tube may have a non-round/cylindrical profile and/or may include another metal, ceramic, or other rigid material.
• a larger outer circumference mouth-end region of the tubular shell 503 includes a tipping cover 504 transversely disposed thereabout to form at least a double layer.
• a smaller-circumference region 508 of the tubular shell 503 is configured to engage a distal portion 510 of the smoking article (which distal portion may be configured, for example, as a cartridge or control body).
• the mouthpiece 502 is configured to be disposed of (or recycled), while the distal portion 510 is configured for
• each mouthpiece may have the same, similar, or different flavor and/or other sensory profiles associated with use.
• each mouthpiece may have the same, similar, or different flavor and/or other sensory profiles associated with use.
• Each of the embodiments described below with reference to FIGS. 3A-5E may have an external appearance similar or identical to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
• FIGS. 3A-3B show one embodiment of a double-wrapped mouthpiece 202 for a smoking article.
• This mouthpiece 202 may be incorporated as part of any smoking article described herein (including those items incorporated by reference, subject to technical considerations thereof).
• FIG. 3A shows a diagrammatic/simplified perspective view of the mouth-end of the mouthpiece 202
• FIG. 3B shows a transverse section view along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A
• the innermost component shown is a metal tubular body shell 203.
• the shell 203 is circumscribed by a double-layer tipping wrap 220.
• An inner/lower layer 222 is a cushioning layer that will provide a comfortable bite/mouth-feel for many users by providing a resilient layer between the user's tongue and/or teeth and the rigid shell 203.
• the inner/lower layer may include one or more of foam tape (e.g., 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #1 10)), rayon web fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug wrap, and/or cellulose acetate non-woven web that is adhered or otherwise secured around the shell's outer circumference and transverse to the shell's longitudinal axis in a manner forming a band therearound.
• the longitudinal joint/edge may be formed, for example, as a butt joint (preferably mitered slightly to account for curvature of the underlying tube, which may provide some overlap), or in another joint construction.
• an inner layer of this and other embodiments may include fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination thereof.
• An upper/outer layer 224 of the double-layer tipping wrap 220 is provided in the form of an adhesive label or sleeve 224.
• the inner/lower layer 222 has a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of the upper/outer layer 224.
• the upper/outer layer 224 may include indicia (letters/words, images, colors, textures, or other indicia) that identify properties of the mouthpiece 202 and/or a smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. Exemplary indicia may communicate flavor(s), product source identification (e.g., branding, trademark, etc.), and/or other information, and/or it may provide aesthetic appeal.
• the label 224 may be an adhesive label with a paper and/or polymer
• an outer layer of this and other embodiments may include fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination thereof.
• the wrapped mouth end portion whether single-wrapped, double-wrapped, and/or otherwise multiply wrapped, with or without an outer wrapping material (e.g., printable or preprinted polymer) includes more flexibility and/or less resistance to permanent indentation.
• an outer wrapping material e.g., printable or preprinted polymer
• Young's Modulus which is a common means of describing of elastic modulus, sometimes called the modulus of elasticity. It is a measure of the stiffness of an elastic material and provides a quantitative means of characterizing materials. It is defined as the ratio of the stress along an axis over the strain along that axis in the range of stress in which Hooke's law holds. Its SI unit is the Pascal (Pa or N/m 2 or nrf 1 kg s ⁇ 2 ). The practical units used are megapascals (MPa or N/mm 2 ) or gigapascals (GPa or kN/mm 2 ). In anisotropic materials,
• Young's modulus may have different values depending on the direction of the applied force with respect to the material's structure. Young's modulus, E, can be calculated by dividing the tensile stress by the tensile strain in the elastic (initial, linear) portion of the stress-strain curve, applying a standard formula.
• Different polymeric materials including a range of "softness” characteristics options may be used for mouthpiece cushioning over a rigid body.
• At least three categories of polymers may be used by themselves, in blended formulation, and/or as a multilayer composite structure.
• the "softness" of the composite label could vary depending on the choices of material, the processing condition of the film (i.e. orientation process and the layer architecture).
• the range of moduli will fall within these three general categories:
• 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #1 10, as available in September 2013 from 3M Co., St. Paul, Minn.) forms the inner/lower layer and is wrapped transversely around/ adhered to a stainless steel tube constructed as a mouthpiece for a smoking article, and a pre-printed polymer wrapper label is adhered around its exterior surface to form the upper/outer layer.
• This example of foam tape is about 1 .5 mm thick by 13 mm wide, including a foam layer with adhesive on both sides separated by a release liner.
• the resulting cigarette mouthpiece When wrapped around a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube of an electronic cigarette mouth end, the resulting cigarette mouthpiece includes an outer diameter of about 12.7 mm and has a durometer reading of about 90 hardness, when including a peel-off printed stiff polymer wrapper label and about 47 hardness with the label removed.
• these sizes will vary in keeping with the dimensions of the underlying tube body, which has an uncoated durometer of about 100 (which may read about 98 to about 100, if the tube is thin- walled enough to flex).
• Southeast Non-Woven HNB3 substrate (non-woven cellulose acetate web about 1.7 mm thick by about 25 mm wide) was hand-cut to a 29 mm length. This forms the inner/lower layer and is wrapped transversely around/ adhered to a stainless steel tube constructed as a mouthpiece for a smoking article, with the wrap forming a butt joint at its ends, and an outermost pre-printed polymer wrapper layer placed over it to form a final mouthpiece construction.
• the resulting cigarette mouth peace exhibits a diameter of 1 1 .2 mm and has a durometer reading of about 90 Shore M hardness.
• Schweitzer-Mauduit 240M9S plug wrap was adhered around its exterior surface to form the upper/outer layer rather than the polymer wrapper.
• rayon web fleece e.g., SDH27 from BFF Technical Fabrics in Bridgewater, Somerset, GB; Z8713 from Hoftex Group AG in Hof, Germany
• This fleece forms the inner/lower layer and is wrapped transversely around/ adhered to a stainless steel tube constructed as a mouthpiece for a smoking article, and a pre-printed polymer wrapper label is adhered around its exterior surface to form the upper/outer layer.
• the resulting cigarette mouth peace When wrapped twice around a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube and with the printed polymer wrapper label applied, the resulting cigarette mouth peace exhibits a diameter of 10.0 mm and has a durometer reading of about 91 Shore M hardness.
• the outer diameter is about 1 1 .1 mm and hardness remains unchanged at 92.
• Individual layers of fleece (without pre-printed polymer wrapper label) exhibit hardness numbers of 83 for three layers, 87 for two layers, and 92 for a single layer.
• circumference need not be exactly identical, but will be about the same within reasonable tolerances (e.g., +/- about 1 % to about 10% of a given value), and taking into account the potential for slightly mitered or tapered ends that may be used to provide smooth end-to-end abutment/fit of rectangular three-dimensional material around a cylinder.
• This same relative dimensional consideration applies elsewhere throughout the present disclosure, including with reference to lengths described at least about some multiple of (e.g., 1x, 2x, 3x) the outer circumference.
• the length need not be exactly two times the circumference, but preferably will be within reasonable tolerances, and may include slightly mitered or tapered ends or otherwise overlap slightly to provide substantially smooth fit of a rectangular three-dimensional material around a cylinder. As such the length may be slightly less or slightly greater than the described multiple of the circumference, but will be understood by those in the art to
• FIGS. 4A-4C show another embodiment of a double-wrapped mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article.
• the innermost component shown is a metal tubular body shell 303, shown uncovered in FIG. 4A may be incorporated as part of any smoking article described herein (including those items incorporated by reference, subject to technical considerations thereof).
• FIG. 4B shows a mid-step assembly view of the double-wrapped mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article.
• the shell 303 is circumscribed by a double-layer tipping wrap 320, the inner/lower layer 322 of which (shown in FIG. 4B) is wrapped transversely but not perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the rigid tube and is trimmed to form a cylindrical wrap 322 that is - as a cylinder - substantially coaxial relative to said longitudinal axis.
• This spiral-wound or otherwise angled inner/lower layer 322 preferably is a cushioning layer that will provide a comfortable bite/mouth-feel for many users by providing a resilient layer between the user's tongue and/or teeth and the rigid shell 313.
• the inner/lower layer may include one or more of foam tape (e.g., 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #1 10)), rayon web fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug wrap, and/or cellulose acetate non-woven web that is adhered or otherwise secured around the shell's outer circumference and transverse to the shell's longitudinal axis in a manner forming a band therearound.
• foam tape e.g., 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #1 10)
• rayon web fleece rayon web fleece
• cigarette filter tow cigarette plug wrap
• cellulose acetate non-woven web that is adhered or otherwise secured around the shell's outer circumference and transverse to the shell's longitudinal axis in a manner
• FIG. 4C shows the inner/lower layer trimmed to form a cylinder as described and an upper/outer layer 324 of the double-layer tipping wrap 320 provided in the form of an adhesive label or sleeve 324 (which may include pressure-sensitive or pressure-activated adhesive).
• the inner/lower layer 322 will a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of the upper/outer layer 324.
• the upper/outer layer 324 may include indicia (letters/words, images, colors, textures, or other indicia) that identify properties of the mouthpiece 302 and/or a smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. Exemplary indicia may communicate flavor(s), product source identification (e.g., branding, trademark, etc.), and/or other information, and/or it may provide aesthetic appeal.
• the label 324 may be an adhesive label with a paper and/or polymer
• FIGS. 5A-5D show a method of assembling a double-wrapped mouthpiece 402 for a smoking article
• FIG. 5E shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the assembled mouthpiece.
• an inner layer portion 422 of an elongate double-tipping wrap 420 is attached to a mouthpiece tube 403 (e.g., by a pressure-sensitive adhesive or other adhesive or attachment means).
• the double-tipping wrap 420 preferably includes a total length at least about twice the outer circumference of the tube 403, and may include an overlap portion to form a length exceeding that outer circumference (e.g., by about 3 mm to about 6 mm or more) such that an outermost end of the elongate tipping wrap overlaps an innermost end thereof when wrapped around the mouthpiece.
• the length may be three or more times the outer circumference, but preferably is about a whole number multiple of the outer circumference.
• a first portion of the length is sufficient to encircle the outer circumference of the mouthpiece tube 403, as the tube is rolled up into the wrap 420.
• This first lengthwise portion preferably includes a cushioning-type material, such as - for example - one of the cushioning-type materials described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-4C.
• a second lengthwise portion of the double-tipping wrap 420 includes what will form an outward-facing surface configured as an upper/outer layer 424, which may include indicia (letters/words, images, colors, textures, or other indicia, such as - for example - the indicia identified by reference
• FIG. 5D shows the mouthpiece 402 with the double-tipping wrap 420 wrapped nearly two full times around the tube body 403, which has been rolled/rotated nearly 720° to engage the double-tipping wrap 420.
• the upper/outer layer encompasses the inner/lower layer, as shown in the transverse section view of FIG. 5E, which shows the mouthpiece 402 as fully assembled.
• the contours of the layers and the assembly process may be configured to provide a substantially circular outer profile without a significantly tactile-noticeable seam at the outermost end of the upper/outer layer 424.
• certain embodiments may include a tipping cover, which may be configured (for example) as a polymeric label and may be configured to receive and/or display visual indicia (e.g., providing information about a smoking article or smoking article component such as, for example, trade name, flavor(s), or other characteristics).
• the tipping cover may be constructed as a wrappable strip, a tube, or other configuration. Examples of tipping covers including polymeric labels that may be configured as heat-shrink tubes or in other configurations are described below, including with reference to FIGS. 6-9, each of which diagrammatically shows structural layers for a tubular or strip construction of a tipping cover.
• tubular tipping cover constructions may be slid on, rolled on, and/or otherwise oriented around the mouthpiece, and - depending upon the size and composition - may be heat-shrunk to conform, may be applied with adhesive, or otherwise secured to the mouthpiece using means
• FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows an exploded section view of a tipping cover 604 (which may be configured as a tubular sleeve, a wrap, or other construction, including - for example - heat-shrinkable, tightly- conforming, or other-dimensioned construction).
• the multi-layer construction may include printing/graphics 604b applied outward/upward facing to an inner surface of an outer layer 604a, or to an outer surface of an inner layer 604g. It should be appreciated in this and other
• An adhesive layer 604h (e.g., pressure sensitive or other adhesive) may be provided to secure to a mouthpiece body 603 and/or to cushioning material (not shown) around that body, such as described with reference to FIGS. 3A-5E.
• the tipping cover 604 When the tipping cover 604 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially similar to that shown in
• heavy gauge (that is, about 100 m to about 150 Mm thick) reverse-printed PVC or PETG sleeves may be used to cover and/or decorate the unwrapped, single-wrapped, or multi-wrapped cushioned surface of a mouth end piece.
• the printed material e.g., graphic images, characters
• FIG. 7 diagrammatically depicts an exploded section view of a tipping cover 704 (which may be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or other construction).
• the single layer 704a may include printing/graphics 704b applied outward/upward facing to an inner surface of the layer 704a, which inner surface will be applied/ secured to a mouthpiece body and/or cushioning material around that body. As described elsewhere, this securement and that of the other embodiments or combinations thereof may be done using heat-shrink, adhesive, and/or other securement means, potentially including friction-fit.
• the tipping cover 704 When the tipping cover 704 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
• standard gauge that is, about 50 pm to about 70 pm thick
• PETG, PS, and/or PVC shrink sleeve materials may be adhesive-laminated together to form a two-ply shrink sleeve (about 125 pm to about 170 pm thick).
• the inner side of an outer, outward-facing layer may be reverse printed with indicia, and adhered (e.g., by emulsion laminated adhesive) to an inward-facing solvent seamed layer of PETG, PS, and/or PVC.
• This may be applied in strip form or as a heat-shrink cylinder used to cover and/or decorate the unwrapped, single-wrapped, or multi-wrapped cushioned surface of a mouth end piece.
• FIG. 8 diagrammatically depicts an exploded section view of a composite tipping cover 804 (which may be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or other construction).
• An outer layer 804a may include printing/graphics 804b applied outward/upward facing to an inner surface of the outer layer 804a, which inner surface will be adhered to an inner layer 804g by an adhesive 804c.
• the inward/downward facing surface of the inner layer 804g which will be applied/ secured to a mouthpiece body and/or cushioning material around that body (not shown). As described elsewhere, this securement and that of the other
• tipping cover 804 When the tipping cover 804 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially similar to that shown in
• Appropriate adhesives used for forming multilayer tipping covers may include -for example- dry bond or wet bond adhesives.
• Illustrative (but non-limiting) examples of dry bond adhesives generally may be applied as follows: a liquid form of the adhesive (e.g., polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsion, water-based EVA and PVOH, high-solid silicone solvents) may be coated on the substrate (one layer of a multi-ply composite), dried and then laminated to a second, third, etc. substrate using heated nip rolls.
• Illustrative (but non-limiting) examples of wet bond adhesives generally may be applied as follows: a liquid form of the adhesive (e.g., polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsions, water-based EVA, PVOH, latex) may be coated on the substrate (one layer of a multi-ply composite), laminated to a second, third, etc. substrate, and then dried using heat such as heated air flow.
• the ink may be a water-based or solvent-based ink, preferably approved for use with food, tobacco, and similar products (e.g., including well-known inks available from Sun Chemical of Richmond, Va.).
• a three-ply polymeric label may be provided, including an outer, outward-facing layer (which may be reverse printed with indicia) of PETG, PS, and/or PVC shrink sleeve materials.
• This outer layer may be adhesive laminated to an intermediate core layer (of a bulk softening material, for example, PE, EVA, and/or CoPP).
• This intermediate core layer may be adhesive laminated to an inner layer of solvent seamed PETG, PS, and/or PVC.
• the inner surface of the intermediate layer and/or the outward-facing surface of the inner layer may be printed with a solid color, with the same or different graphic(s) as the outer layer.
• standard (about 50 ⁇ thick) PETG shrink sleeve materials may be adhesive laminated on either side of a low-melting, (about a 50 ⁇ to about 75 ⁇ thick) polyolefin core layer to form an about 150 ⁇ to about 175 ⁇ thick composite structure.
• the core layer may be clear, and its thickness and/or greater elasticity/ lower durometer preferably will provide a mouth feel that may be more comfortable/ desirable to a user than an uncoated metal tube body of a smoking article.
• FIG. 9 diagrammatically depicts an exploded section view of a composite tipping cover 904 (which may be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or other construction).
• An outer layer 904a may include printing/graphics 904b applied outward/upward facing to an inner surface of the outer layer 904a, which inner surface may be adhered to an intermediate/core layer 904d by an adhesive 904c.
• a second layer of adhesive 904e may secure the intermediate layer 904d of this three-ply construction to the inner layer 904g, an outward-facing surface of which may include a print layer (e.g., graphics, solid color(s)) 904f.
• a print layer e.g., graphics, solid color(s)
• the inward/downward facing surface of the inner layer 904g may be applied/ secured to a mouthpiece body and/or cushioning material around that body (not shown).
• the tipping cover 904 When the tipping cover 904 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially similar to that shown in
• the shrink sleeve materials may be heated or otherwise activated to shrink conformingly around a single or multiple layer of wrapping material that, as applied, provides a lower durometer/ greater flexibility than the rigid body of a tubular mouthpiece (corresponding to a more desirable mouth-feel/ bite for many users).
• they may be applied directly to the rigid tube body.
• the application may be secured by using heat shrink activation in a manner known in the art and appropriate to the particular heat-shrink properties known for the given material.
• the material may be applied as an overmold.
• the steel tube with or without a sleeve or wrap-around label or cushioning material already applied to it, may be inserted into a slightly larger-diameter injection mold cavity, whereupon a molten thermoplastic is injected into the gap between the tube and the cavity wall to form a tightly adhered outer cylindrical sleeve around the tube.
• adhesive may be used to secure a tipping cover to underlying material.
• any combination of heat-shrink, adhesive, and overmolding may be used to secure a tipping cover to a mouthpiece and or greater portion of a smoking article, whether directly to a rigid tube body and/or to underlying material such as the cushioning material(s) discussed herein.
• tipping covers may include silicone, latex, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate copolymer), PS (polystyrene), OPP (oriented polypropylene), BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene), OPS (oriented polystyrene), PE
• PVDF polyvinylidene difluoride
• PEX cross-linked
• PEBAX polyether block amide; including heat-shrink PEBAX
• PE polyethylene
• EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
• polypropylene copolymer polypropylene copolymer
• FEP fluorinated ethylene propylene
• PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• Tipping covers using these materials may be configured as seamed or seamless shrink-tubes, shrink sleeves, soft sleeves (e.g., silicone tube/sleeve; a sleeve that may be stretched, pulled over the tube, then released to conform therearound, in contrast to tubes or sleeves that may be slipped on and shrunk by heat, UV, or other means), adhesive labels, stretch labels, stretch tubes, or composites/hybrids of one or more such structures.
• soft sleeves e.g., silicone tube/sleeve; a sleeve that may be stretched, pulled over the tube, then released to conform therearound, in contrast to tubes or sleeves that may be slipped on and shrunk by heat, UV, or other means
• adhesive labels e.g., silicone tube/sleeve; a sleeve that may be stretched, pulled over the tube, then released to conform therearound, in contrast to tubes or sleeves that may be slipped on and shrunk by heat, UV, or other means
• stretch labels stretch tubes, or composites
• Shrink sleeves are distinctly different from the elastic, reliable, or other soft sleeve embodiments described, which do not use a process of heating or otherwise treating the shrink material to conform and, in many embodiments, adhere to the underlying tube - which may include cushioning wrap material. It should also be noted that wrap materials may be applied in some mode other than an encircling/wrapping motion. Also, shrink sleeve and/or shrink tube materials described herein have
• tipping cover embodiments may include or be comprised essentially of a shrink material (e.g., in the form of a tube and/or sleeve) that is configured to conform securely around the mouthpiece tube body and/or any material in between the tube body and the tipping cover when treated in a material-appropriate-manner.
• a shrink material e.g., in the form of a tube and/or sleeve
• Table 1 below shows different combinations of one-layer and two-layer structures for embodiments of a mouthpiece including a tipping cover identifying where visual indicia may be printed.
• the inner layer may be a single-wrapped cushioning or other material, including polymer label- type material, or a multi wrapped cushioning or other material.
• a "patch" label or layer refers to a layer that encircles less than a full circumference of the underlying tube body.
• Table 2 shows different combinations of one-layer and two-layer tipping cover structures for embodiments of a mouthpiece.
• EXAMPLE 1 Using a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube about 50 mm in length, a strip of 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #1 10) was adhered to one edge of the tube at about a 25 degree angle relative to the tube's longitudinal axis and spiral wound with the tape's edges abutted tightly together to form a continuous layer of foam about 1 .5 mm thick.
• Cat #1 10 3M ScotchTM Permanent Mounting foam tape
• a desirable range of foam thickness may include about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm when an embodiment is desired with a smaller diameter mouthpiece than the about 1 .5 mm- to about 2 mm-thick foam tape provided in this Example.
• Another iteration of this concept would be to have the foam layer pre-applied as part of the pre-printed label's construction (e.g., LabecTM by Commodore Solutions of Bloomfield, NY). (This embodiment is similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 4 A-C).
• EXAMPLE 2 Another example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was constructed using a strip of non-woven cellulose acetate web that was about 1 .7 mm thick by about 25 mm wide that was cut to a length of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor it to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube, the non-woven cellulose acetate piece was wrapped around the tube with the about 29 mm length encircling the tube to form a "butt joint.” Thereafter, another strip with about the same dimensions was attached in the same manner immediately abutting the first strip along the longitudinal end of each, and was then cut
• a desirable range of web thickness may include about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm thickness, which may be about 0.5 mm. (This embodiment is somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 4 B, except that the abutting seam between web portions is
• EXAMPLE 3 Another example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was constructed using a strip of non-woven Rayon fleece web that was about 0.15 mm thick by about 36 mm wide, which was cut to a length of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor this strip to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube, the non-woven Rayon fleece piece was wrapped around the tube with the about 29 mm length encircling the tube. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied over the fleece piece to form the cushioned mouth end tipping. Resulting diameter of the mouth end piece was about 9.6 mm.
• a desirable fleece thickness in certain embodiments where a smaller diameter is desired may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm, with certain embodiments preferably about 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.5 mm.
• EXAMPLE 4 Additionally, another similar (to Example 2) cigarette mouth piece was constructed by using transparent tape to anchor a non-woven Rayon fleece strip that was about 58 mm long to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube and wrapped around the tube with the about 52 mm length encircling the tube twice to form an
• EXAMPLE 5 Another cigarette mouth piece (similar to
• Examples 2 and 3 was constructed by using transparent tape to anchor a non-woven Rayon fleece strip that was about 88 mm long to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube and wrapped around the tube with the about 88 mm length thrice encircling the tube to form an
• a preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied over the fleece piece to form the mouth end tipping. Resulting diameter of the mouth end piece was about 1 1 .1 mm.
• a desirable range of fleece thickness in some other embodiments may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm or, in certain embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about
• EXAMPLE 6 Another example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was constructed using a strip of 50 gram/m 2 tipping paper web that was about 0.077 mm thick and about 36 mm wide, which was cut to a length of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor the strip of paper web to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube, the 50 gram tipping paper piece was wrapped around the tube with the about 29 mm length encircling the tube. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied over the paper piece to form the mouth end tipping. The outer diameter of the mouth end piece thus formed was about 10.0 mm.
• a desirable range of paper web thickness in certain other embodiments may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.4 mm or about 0.5 mm.
• EXAMPLE 7 Another cigarette mouth piece was constructed by using transparent tape to anchor a 50 gram/m 2 tipping paper piece that was about 58 mm long to a 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube. Thereafter, the tipping paper was wrapped around the tube with the about 58 mm length encircling the tube twice and forming an overlapping joint. A pre-printed polymer wrapper label was applied over the paper piece to complete the mouth end tipping structure. The final outer diameter of the mouth end piece was about 10.4 mm.
• EXAMPLE 8 Another cigarette mouth piece (similar to
• Examples 5 and 6 was constructed using transparent tape to anchor a 50- gram tipping paper strip that was about 88 mm long to an about 9.2 mm stainless steel tube.
• the tipping paper strip was thrice wrapped around the tube to form a cushioned mouth end.
• a preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied over the paper piece to form the mouth end tipping.
• Resulting diameter of the mouth end piece was about 1 1 .5 mm.
• a desirable range of paper web thickness in certain other embodiments may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1 .0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.4 mm or about 0.5 mm.
• the tubing was shrunk in a natural convection oven preheated to 235°F for about 5 minutes, then removed from the oven and allowed to cool back to room temperature.
• the tubing was tightly shrunk around the steel tube and self-adhesive label.
• the lengths of the shrink tubing and steel tube matched each other closely.
• the insignia on the self-adhesive label were clearly and vividly visible through the shrink tubing.
• the shrunk tubing had a final thickness of about 0.45mm.
• the self-adhesive label overlap could not be felt by touch through the shrink tubing such that there was no perceptible seam line.
• the tipping cover embodied here as a heat-shrink sleeve may cover the entire smoking article length, or any portion thereof (e.g., limited to the
• mouthpiece length or to some other length as desired.

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