WO2017072339A1

WO2017072339A1 - Holder for a smoking article

Info

Publication number: WO2017072339A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/076166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dorothy Tritz; Mathias BEUTLER
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2015-10-30
Filing date: 2016-10-28
Publication date: 2017-05-04
Also published as: RU2018119476A3; RU2717920C2; RU2018119476A

Abstract

SMOKING ARTICLE WITH A MOUTH END CAVITY AND VENTILATION A smoking article assembly (100) comprising a smoking article (10) comprising a tobacco rod (12) and a filter (14) connected to the tobacco rod (12). The filter (14) has a hollow downstream end portion (22) defining a mouth end cavity (24). The assembly (100) further comprises a tubular holder (30) for the smoking article (10), the tubular holder (30) having an upstream end portion (32) that is configured to be inserted into the mouth end cavity (24) of the filter (14) to support the smoking article (10) during smoking of the smoking article (10).

Description

HOLDER FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE

The present invention relates to a holder for a smoking article, and a smoking article assembly comprising a smoking article and a holder for the smoking article.

Smoking articles, particularly cigarettes, generally comprise a filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with a shredded tobacco rod or another aerosol forming substrate. Typically, the filter includes a plug of cellulose acetate tow attached to the tobacco rod by tipping paper. A cigarette is employed by a consumer by lighting one end thereof and burning the shredded tobacco rod. The consumer receives mainstream smoke by drawing on the opposite end (mouth end or filter end) of the cigarette. Ventilation of the mainstream smoke can be achieved with a row or rows of perforations in the tipping paper about a location along the filter. Other known smoking articles include smoking articles in which tobacco material is heated, rather than combusted, to form an aerosol, and smoking articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other nicotine source, without combustion or heating.

In some cases, a smoking article may have a cavity at the mouth end. Such mouth end cavities are typically formed by extending the plug wrap, the tipping paper, or both the plug wrap and the tipping paper of the filter beyond the most downstream segment of filtration material.

Accessories have been proposed for use with smoking articles. One such accessory is a holder for a smoking article. A holder is provided as a hollow elongated article, having an upstream end portion in which the mouth end of the smoking article can be inserted, and a downstream end portion that a consumer inserts into their mouth to draw on the smoking article. The holder thus engages around the outer surface of the filter to support the smoking article during smoking.

It would be desirable to provide a holder that engages with a smoking article in a novel way. It would also be desirable to provide a holder that has a minimal effect on the overall cross sectional dimensions of the smoking article.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article assembly comprising: a smoking article and a tubular holderfor the smoking article. The smoking article comprises a tobacco rod; and a filter connected to the tobacco rod. The filter has a hollow downstream end portion defining a mouth end cavity. The tubular holder has an upstream end portion that is configured to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of the filter to support the smoking article during smoking of the smoking article.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tubular holder for a smoking article having a mouth end cavity, the holder comprising an open upstream end portion that is configured to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of the smoking article. The upstream end portion comprises: a first cross sectional area of the holder at the peripheral end of the upstream end portion; and a second cross sectional area downstream from the first cross sectional area, wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area and wherein the upstream end portion comprises a tapered portion between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area.

By arranging for the holder to be to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of the filter, a novel form of engagement with the smoking article is achieved. Furthermore, because the holder is arranged to be to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of the filter, the holder does not need to have a cross sectional dimension that is greater than the diameter of the smoking article. Consequently, when in use, the holder can have a minimal effect on the overall cross sectional dimensions of the smoking article.

Any suitable means may be provided to enable the upstream end of the holder to support the smoking article from within the mouth end cavity of the filter. Preferably, the size and shape of the upstream end portion of the holder are selected such that the holder can be retained within the mouth end cavity by friction. The upstream end portion therefore preferably incorporates at least one portion having at least one cross sectional dimension that is equal to or larger than the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity, such that there is frictional engagement between the upstream end of the holder and the inner surface of the hollow downstream portion of the filter. Any suitable means may be provided for achieving a friction fit of the upstream end portion within the hollow downstream end portion of the filter.

In preferred embodiments, the upstream end portion of the holder comprises: a first cross sectional area of the holder at the peripheral end of the holder wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is smaller than the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity; and a second cross sectional area downstream from the first cross sectional area, wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area is greater than or equal to the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity such that the upstream end portion of the holder engages with the inner surface of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter to be retained within the mouth end cavity.

In such embodiments, the most upstream part of the holder is narrower than the diameter of the mouth end cavity, and thus allows the initial insertion of the upstream end portion of the holder to be more easily achieved. The holder can then continue to be inserted into the mouth end cavity until the part of the holder defined by the second cross sectional area can engage with the inner surface of the hollow downstream end portion. This allows the upstream end of the holder to be easily inserted into the mouth end cavity, but also effectively engaged with the hollow downstream end portion of the filter, to permit the holder to support the smoking article during smoking of the smoking article.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the upstream end portion comprises a tapered portion between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area. This can enable the holder to engage with the filter with a reduced chance of the holder damaging the filter. This can be particularly relevant where the hollow downstream end portion is defined by one or more paper wrappers, such as a stiff plug wrap. This can also allow a smoker to control how tightly the holder engages with the filter, depending on how much force they have applied when inserting the holder into the mouth end cavity of the filter.

Preferably, the upstream end portion tapers continuously between the first cross sectional and the second cross sectional area. This means that the tapering extends to the peripheral end of the holder such that the upstream portion is tapered along the full length. However, in alternative embodiments, the tapered portion may not extend the full length between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area but may be combined with one or more portions having a non-tapered profile.

The term "tapered" is used to refer to a gradual decrease in the cross sectional dimensions of the upstream end segment towards the peripheral end. In alternative embodiments, the increased cross sectional dimension at the second cross sectional area may be achieved without tapering, for example, through the provision of one or more protrusions or ribs on the outer surface of the holder that can engage with the inner surface of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter.

Preferably, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area is about 30 mm or less, more preferably about 20 mm or less, more preferably about 15 mm or less, and even more preferably about 10 mm or less. In particularly preferred embodiments, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area is about 5 mm or less. This distance should be measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder. This can ensure that the part of the holder defined by the second cross sectional area can engage with the inner surface of the hollow downstream portion of the filter without needing to push the holder too far into the mouth end cavity of the filter. This can also advantageously ensure that the holder is compatible with most smoking articles that have a mouth end cavity.

Preferably, the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area, more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area.

For holders having a continuously tapered upstream end portion as described above, the distance x between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area can be determined using the following formula, where Θ is the angle of taper, di is the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area of the holder at the peripheral upstream end and d_c is the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity, which is considered here to be equal to the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area d2:

For holders according to the invention that are tapered along the full length of the holder, the angle of taper (Θ) can be determined by the following formula where d_m is the largest cross sectional dimension of the holder at the peripheral mouth end and L is the total length of the holder:

Preferably, the filter further comprises a filtration portion upstream of the hollow downstream end portion, the filtration portion comprising one or more filter segments.

The hollow downstream end portion may be formed by a plug wrap, which may circumscribe the one or more segments of the filtration portion, and extending downstream of the filtration portion to define the cavity at the mouth end. In such embodiments, the plug wrap preferably has a basis weight of at least about 70 grams per square metre, preferably at least about 80 grams per square metre. The plug wrap may have a basis weight of between about 120 grams per square metre and about 70 grams per square metre, preferably of between about 80 grams per square metre and about 100 grams per square metre. Most preferably, the plug wrap has a basis weight of about 80 grams per square metre. This can help to enhance the structural rigidity of the hollow mouth end portion of the filter.

Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, the hollow downstream end portion is formed by a hollow tube segment that is disposed at the mouth end of the filter.

The mouth end cavity has a length in the longitudinal direction of the filter, which substantially corresponds to the length of the hollow downstream end portion.

The second cross sectional area of the holder is spaced from the first cross sectional area of the holder by a distance that is equal to or less than the length of the mouth end cavity of the filter. This can ensure that the part of the holder defined by the second cross sectional area can engage with the inner surface of the hollow downstream portion of the filter.

Preferably, the upstream end portion of the holder does not occupy the volume of the mouth end cavity in its entirety. To this purpose, in smoking article assemblies according to the present invention, the overall length of the filter is increased compared with known filters comprising a mouth end cavity. This is so a length of the mouth end cavity in the longitudinal direction of the filter can be increased compared with known filters including a mouth end cavity. Accordingly, the part of the holder defined by the second cross sectional area can engage with the inner surface of the hollow downstream portion of the filter, whilst, at the same time, the upstream end portion of the holder extends only into part of the mouth end cavity.

Preferably, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area of the holder is less than the length of the mouth end cavity. In smoking article assemblies according to the present invention the length of the hollow downstream end portion may be up to 75 percent of the overall length of the filter. In some embodiments, the length of the hollow downstream end portion may be up to 75 percent of the overall length of the tobacco rod. Thus, the length of the filtration portion upstream of the hollow tube segment shall account for at least about 25 percent of the overall filter length.

This is advantageous in that it is easy to provide a holder having an upstream end portion having a length sufficient for the holder to engage, for example frictionally, in a stable manner with the smoking article, whilst at the same time occupying only part of the volume of the mouth end cavity of the filter. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is at least about 50 percent of the overall filter length.

The length of the hollow downstream end portion may be up to about 55 mm. In preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is less than about 50 mm.

Preferably, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is less than about 30 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is less than about 20 mm. Still more preferably, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is less than about 15 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is at least about 8 mm. Preferably, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is at least about 10 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow downstream end portion is from about 8 mm to about 30 mm, more preferably from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, even more preferably from about 10 mm to about 15 mm, most preferably about 10 mm.

The distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area of the holder may be less than about 80 percent of the length of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter. Preferably, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area of the holder is less than about 60 percent of the length of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter. In addition, or as an alternative, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area of the holder is preferably at least about 15 percent of the length of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter. More preferably, the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area of the holder is preferably at least about 25 percent of the length of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter. Preferably, the wall thickness of the hollow downstream end portion is between about 0.3 mm and about 0.7 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the filtration portion comprises a first filter segment. Preferably, the length of the first filter segment is at least about 8 mm.

Preferably, the length of the first filter segment is at least about 10 percent of the overall filter length, more preferably at least about 20 percent of the overall filter length and most preferably at least about 30 percent of the overall filter length. The hollow tube segment and the one or more filter segments of the filtration portion are preferably circumscribed by a band of plug wrap, referred to hereafter as a combining plug wrap. Preferably, the combining plug wrap is impermeable. The tobacco rod typically comprises a charge of tobacco cut filler circumscribed by a paper wrapper.

The smoking article assembly may be provided in an assembled form, in which case the upstream end portion of the holder is already disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article. In this case a consumer can immediately smoke the smoking article. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the upstream end portion of the holder is disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article.

Alternatively, the smoking article assembly may be provided in an unassembled form, in which case the upstream end portion of the holder is not yet disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article.

The smoking article assembly may therefore be provided as a kit, preferably with instructions for assembling the kit. Accordingly, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of component parts capable of being assembled, the kit comprising a smoking article and a holder according to the second aspect of the invention. The component parts capable of being assembled may have any of the preferred features described above in respect of the first or second aspects of the invention. The component parts of the kit capable of being assembled may additionally comprise instructions for assembling the component parts, a container for containing one or more of the component parts, or both.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of elements, of the smoking article assembly in relation to the direction in which a consumer draws on the smoking article assembly during use thereof. Smoking articles and holders as described herein comprise a downstream end portion and an opposed upstream end portion. In use, a consumer draws on the downstream end portion of the holder when the holder is supporting the smoking article. The downstream end portion, which may also be described as the mouth end portion, is downstream of the upstream end portion, which may also be described as the distal end portion. Mainstream smoke flows generally parallel to the length of the smoking article assembly, in the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction of the smoking article assembly is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The expression "unrestricted flow" is used throughout this specification to indicate that said element does not contain any object which may cause a local restriction of the flow of the smoke and air. In other words, the element is empty.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of the holder that faces towards the lumen or the side of the hollow downstream end portion of the filter than faces towards the mouth end cavity. Likewise, the term "outer surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of the holder that faces towards the exterior of the holder. The tubular holder is configured to support the smoking article during smoking. The tubular holder has an internal channel to permit smoke to flow from the mouth end cavity of the smoking article and through the holder to a smoker's mouth. In particular, the tubular holder may comprise an open upstream end portion, an open downstream end portion, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the open upstream end portion to the open downstream end portion. The lumen may provide a channel through which smoke can flow from the mouth end cavity of the smoking article and through the holder to a smoker's mouth. The open downstream portion is configured to be inserted into the user's mouth.

It is intended that the holder should have no other function than to support the smoking article during smoking. The tubular holder is configured to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path which provides substantially no filtration effect on the smoke flowing through the holder from the smoking article. As such, the holder will have minimal effect on the smoke constituents or characteristics so that the smoking experience will not be altered by the use of the holder during smoking.

In embodiments in which the upstream end portion includes a tapered portion, the holder may be tapered along the full length between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion. Alternatively, the portion of the holder downstream of the upstream end portion may be non-tapered, with a substantially constant cross sectional area.

The holder may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials, for example, but not limited to polypropylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), metal, paper, rubber and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece of the holder comprises paper. When the consumer's lips contact the paper mouthpiece, this provides the same sensation as directly contacting a smoking article filter. All or part of the holder may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

Preferably, the holder has a length of between about 135 mm and about 25 mm, more preferably between about 85 mm and about 45 mm.

Preferably, the holder has a length corresponding to between about 30 percent and about 100 percent of the total length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly, into which the holder is configured to be inserted, more preferably between about 50 percent and about 100 percent of the total length of the smoking article and most preferably between about 70 percent and about 100 percent. The length of the holder may be adapted depending upon the length of the smoking article into which the holder is configured to be inserted. In some preferred embodiments, the holder has a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. This may advantageously facilitate the packing of the holder in a container together with the smoking article. In some embodiments, a single holder having a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly may be bundled together and packed with a plurality of smoking articles. In other embodiments, two or more holders having a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly may be bundled together and packed with a plurality of smoking articles. In some preferred embodiments, the number of smoking articles may match the number of holders having a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. These may be bundled and packed together, such that, for example, a different holder may be used a single time with a corresponding smoking article.

If desired, the user may stack one or more holders together in the longitudinal direction in order to provide a holder of increased length.

In some embodiments, the holder has a length that is substantially a fraction of the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. Thus, a given number of holders may be stacked on one another to form a stack of holders having a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. For example, the holder may have a length that is substantially half the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. Thus, when two holders are stacked on one another, they form a stack having substantially the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more stacks of holders, each stack having substantially the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly may be bundled together and packed with a plurality of smoking articles.

In a preferred embodiment, a kit in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of smoking articles having a total length, each smoking article comprising a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod, the filter having a hollow downstream end portion defining a mouth end cavity; and a plurality of holders as described above, wherein the holders are stacked longitudinally to form a stack of holders having a length substantially corresponding to the total length of the smoking articles.

As an alternative, the holder may have a length corresponding to between about 30 percent and about 45 percent of the total length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. Thus, a given number of holders may be stacked on one another to form a stack of holders having a length less than the length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. By way of example, three holders having a length corresponding to about 25 percent of the total length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly may be stacked on one another to form a stack of holders having a length of less than about 75 percent of the total length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly. When longitudinally stacking several holders, the upstream end portion of a holder is generally received at least partly into the open downstream end portion of adjacent holder, and so the stack has an overall length that is less than the sum of the lengths of the holders in the stack.

One or more such stacks of holders, each stack having a length less than the total length of the smoking article of the smoking article assembly may be bundled together and packed with a plurality of smoking articles.

Preferably, the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area is between about 12 mm and about 5 mm, between about 10 mm and about 6 mm, or between about 9 mm and about 7 mm. The largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area may be adapted depending upon the diameter of the smoking article into which the holder is configured to be inserted.

The holder may be formed of any suitable material or materials. In some embodiments, the holder is formed from paper, such as spirally wound paper. This may be advantageous when the holder is intended for a single use. In some other embodiments, the holder can be formed from a plastic or polymeric material, or a metallic material. This may be advantageous when the holder is intended to be reusable.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the holder comprises a tubular body and a wrapper wrapped around the tubular body. In such embodiments, the tubular body can define the inner surface of the holder, and the wrapper can define the outer surface of the holder. Preferably, the wrapper is made from paper. Preferably, the wrapper is made from tipping paper. For example, the wrapper preferably has a basis weight of between about 25 grams per square metre squared and about 150 grams per square metre, more preferably between about 25 grams per square metre and about 100 grams per square metre. Preferably, the wrapper has a thickness of between 20 micrometres and 250 micrometres, more preferably between 100 micrometres and 200 micrometres. Such an arrangement can advantageously help the outer surface of the holder to exhibit similar properties to the outer surface of a conventional smoking article, whilst also ensuring the holder remains sufficiently rigid and durable for engagement with the smoking article.

The smoking article assembly may be provided in an assembled form, in which case the upstream end portion of the holder is already disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article. In this case a consumer can immediately smoke the smoking article. Alternatively, the smoking article assembly may be provided in an unassembled form, in which case the upstream end portion of the holder is not yet disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article. The smoking article assembly may therefore be provided as a kit, preferably with instructions for assembling the smoking article and the holder. Accordingly, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of component parts capable of being assembled, the kit comprising a smoking article and a holder according to the second aspect of the invention. The component parts capable of being assembled may have any of the preferred features described above in respect of the first or second aspects of the invention. The component parts of the kit capable of being assembled may additionally comprise instructions for assembling the component parts, a container for containing one or more of the component parts, or both.

The smoking article is preferably a filter cigarette comprising a rod of tobacco cut filler surrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod, with the filter attached to the tobacco rod by tipping paper. Preferably, the filter comprises a plug of filtration material wrapped in a plug wrap. The filter cigarette may comprise a multi-component filter that comprises two or more segments of filtration material for the removal of particulate and gaseous components of the mainstream smoke.

Alternatively, the smoking article may be a smoking article in which an aerosol forming substrate, such as tobacco, is heated rather than combusted. In heated smoking articles, the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol forming substrate. For example, the heated smoking article could include smoking articles in which an aerosol is generated by electrical heating or by the transfer of heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to an aerosol forming substrate. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

The holder according to the present invention may be used with smoking articles of any desired size, for example, but not limited to smoking articles having a diameter of between about 4.5 mm and about 9.0 mm, or between about 7.0 mm and about 8.0 mm (for example, standard cigarettes), or between about 4.7 mm and about 7.0 mm (for example, slim or super slim cigarettes). The smoking articles may have any desired length, for example between about 70 mm and about 120 mm.

It shall be appreciated that any features described with reference to one aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a smoking article assembly in accordance with the present invention, shown in an unassembled condition;

Figure 2 show an enlarged view of the filter of the smoking article of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a smoking article assembly in accordance with the present invention, shown in an assembled condition;

Figure 4 show an enlarged view of the holder of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the upstream end of the holder of Figure 4.

Figure 1 illustrates a smoking article assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention.

The smoking article assembly 100 comprises a smoking article 10 and a holder 30 for the smoking article. The smoking article 10 comprises a wrapped rod 12 of tobacco cut filler which is attached at one end to an axially aligned filter 14. A band of tipping paper 16 circumscribes the filter 14 and a portion of the wrapped rod 12 of tobacco to join together the two portions of the smoking article 10.

As shown in Figure 2, the filter 14 comprises a hollow tube segment 24, a first filter segment

20, which may or may not contain flavour, and a rod end filter segment 18. The upstream end of the hollow tube segment 22 abuts the downstream end of the first filter segment 20. The upstream end of the first filter segment 20 abuts the downstream end of the rod end filter segment 18. The upstream end of the rod end filter segment 18 abuts the tobacco rod 12. The hollow tube segment is 10 mm long. The first filter segment is 12 mm long. The rod end filter segment is 12 mm long. The overall filter length is 34 mm.

The hollow tube segment 24 and the filter segments 20 and 18 are circumscribed by a band of combining plug wrap 23 which connects the three segments to form the filter 14. One or more of the segments 18, 20, 22 may additionally be wrapped in an individual plug wrap.

The first filter segment 20 and the rod end filter segment 22 are formed of a suitable filtration material, such as cellulose acetate tow.

The hollow tube segment 22 defines a mouth end cavity 24 in the filter 14 and provides an unrestricted flow channel which extends between the downstream end of the first filter segment 20 and the mouth end of the filter 14. In more detail, the hollow tube segment 22 internally defines a channel having a substantially constant cross-sectional area for the smoke and air to flow through. Further, the hollow tube segment 22 does not contain any object adapted to cause a local restriction of the flow of the smoke and air. Thus, the cross-sectional area available for the smoke and air to flow through is substantially constant along the whole length of the hollow tube segment 22 and flow of smoke and air through the hollow tube segment 22 is unobstructed.

As seen in Figure 4, the holder 30 comprises an upstream end portion 32 having a first cross sectional area 33 of the holder at the peripheral end of the upstream end portion 32 and a second cross sectional area 34 downstream from the first cross sectional area. The largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area. As seen in Figure 4, the holder 30 is shaped such that the upstream end portion 32 tapers from the first cross sectional area 33 to the second cross sectional area 34.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the tapered upstream end portion 32 of the holder 30 which illustrates how the distance x between the first cross sectional area 33 and the second cross sectional area 34 can be determined using the following formula, which is described above:

x For the purposes of the calculation, the dimension d_c is taken to be equal to d2 as shown in the figure.

In Figure 5 the degree of taper of the upstream end portion has been exaggerated for clarity and the figure is therefore not intended to depict the holder to scale.

Figure 3 shows the smoking article assembly 100 in an assembled condition where the upstream end portion 32 of the holder 30 has been inserted into the mouth end cavity 24 of the filter 14. Although not visible, the part of the holder defined by the second cross sectional area 34 engages with the inner surface of the hollow tube segment 22 to permit the holder 30 to support the smoking article 10 during smoking.

Claims

1 . A smoking article assembly comprising:

a smoking article comprising:

a tobacco rod; and

a filter connected to the tobacco rod, the filter having a hollow downstream end portion defining a mouth end cavity; and

a tubular holder for the smoking article, the tubular holder having an upstream end portion that is configured to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of the filter to support the smoking article during smoking of the smoking article.

2. A smoking article assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the upstream end portion of the holder comprises:

a first cross sectional area of the holder at the peripheral end of the upstream end portion, wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is smaller than the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity; and

a second cross sectional area downstream from the first cross sectional area, wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area is greater than or equal to the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity such that the upstream end portion of the holder engages with the inner surface of the hollow downstream end portion to be retained within the mouth end cavity.

3. A smoking article assembly according to claim 2, wherein the upstream end portion comprises a tapered portion between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area.

4. A smoking article assembly according to claim 3, wherein the upstream end portion tapers continuously between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area.

5. A smoking article assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the hollow downstream end portion is 75 percent of the overall length of the filter or less.

6. A smoking article assembly according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the distance between the second cross sectional area and the first cross sectional area is 30 mm or less.

7. A smoking article assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area.

8. A smoking article assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the mouth end cavity has a length in the longitudinal direction of the filter, and wherein the second cross sectional area of the holder is spaced from the first cross sectional area of the holder by a distance that is equal to or less than the length of the mouth end cavity of the filter.

9. A smoking article assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream end portion of the holder is disposed within the mouth end cavity of the smoking article.

10. A smoking article assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream end portion of the holder is tapered and wherein the second cross sectional area of the holder is spaced from the first cross sectional area by a distance x, wherein x can be determined from the formula:

wherein Θ is the angle of taper of the upstream end portion, d_c is the internal diameter of the mouth end cavity and di is the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area.

1 1 . A smoking article assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the the holder has a length substantially corresponding to the length of the smoking article.

12. A kit comprising:

a plurality of smoking articles having a total length, each smoking article comprising a tobacco rod and a filter connected to the tobacco rod, the filter having a hollow downstream end portion defining a mouth end cavity; and

a plurality of holders, each holder comprising an open upstream end portion that is configured to be inserted into the mouth end cavity of a smoking article, the upstream end portion comprising:

a first cross sectional area of the holder at the peripheral end of the upstream end portion; and

a second cross sectional area downstream from the first cross sectional area; wherein the largest cross sectional dimension of the first cross sectional area is smaller than the largest cross sectional dimension of the second cross sectional area and wherein the upstream end portion comprises a tapered portion between the first cross sectional area and the second cross sectional area; and

wherein the holders are stacked longitudinally to form a stack of holders having a length substantially corresponding to the total length of the smoking articles.