WO2018060738A1

WO2018060738A1 - A tobacco industry product component

Info

Publication number: WO2018060738A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/052944
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Awty; Jane NICHOLLS
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: GB201616622D0; WO2018060737A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tobacco industry product component (22). The tobacco industry product component comprises a body (22) for the passage of gaseous flow and a solid blocking member (23) located in the body to impede said gaseous flow to influence a pressure drop across the body. The solid blocking member is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the body. The present invention also relates to a tobacco industry product comprising a tobacco industry product component.

Description

A tobacco industry product component

Field

The present invention relates to a tobacco industry product component and to a tobacco industry product comprising a tobacco industry product component.

Background

It is known in the art to manufacture cigarettes using particular blends of tobacco that release a particular rate of tar to the smoker when the tobacco is smoked. The rate of tar delivered to the smoker affects the taste of the cigarette.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a tobacco industry product component comprising a body for the passage of gaseous flow and a solid blocking member located in the body to impede said gaseous flow to influence a pressure drop across the body, wherein the solid blocking member is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the body.

The solid blocking member maybe collapsible to reduce the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component. The solid blocking member may be collapsible in a predetermined manner.

The solid member may comprise at least one line of weakening. In one embodiment, the solid blocking member comprises a sheet, wherein the at least one line of weakening is provided in the sheet. The sheet may be corrugated and/ or may be formed into a concertina configuration.

The solid blocking member may comprise a flexible bellows. In one embodiment, the solid blocking member comprises a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is slidable relative to the first member to reduce the size of the solid blocking member such that the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component is reduced. In one embodiment, the solid blocking member is manufactured from a viscoelastic material. In one embodiment, the solid blocking member comprises memory foam.

In one embodiment, the solid blocking member comprises a frangible element. In one such embodiment, the frangible element comprises a brittle element that may be crushed to reduce the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component. The solid blocking member may further comprise an outer coating on the frangible element. The tobacco industry product component may comprise at least one ventilation hole. In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product component comprises a mouth end and a distal end, wherein the ventilation hole is located to allow the ingress of ventilation air into the tobacco industry product component between the capsule and the distal end of the tobacco industry product. The distance between the ventilation hole and the capsule may be greater than the distance between the ventilation hole and the distal end.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product component further comprises a flavourant capsule. In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a filter and, optionally, comprises cellulose acetate tow.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a tobacco industry product comprising the tobacco industry product component according to any of the embodiments described herein. The tobacco industry product may be a smoking article and, optionally, is a cigarette.

In one embodiment, the outer diameter or outer dimension of the solid blocking member is greater than 3 mm and, optionally is between 3.5 mm and 5 mm, before the solid blocking member is deformed. The outer diameter may refer to, for example, the width or height of the solid blocking member.

In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member is at least 50% of the cross-sectional area of the body and, optionally, is between 50 % and 75% of the cross-sectional area of the body, before the solid blocking member is deformed. The tobacco industry product component may be a smoking article component and, optionally, is a filter for a smoking article.

Brief Description of the Figures

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

Fig. l is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a tobacco industry product; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a blocking member of the tobacco industry product of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a tobacco industry product; Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a blocking member of the tobacco industry product of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a tobacco industry product; Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a blocking member of the tobacco industry product of Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of a tobacco industry product. Detailed Description

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a tobacco industry product 21 is shown. The tobacco industry product 21 comprises a tobacco industry product component 22. In the present embodiment, the tobacco industry product 21 is in the form of a smoking article 21 and the tobacco industry product component 22 comprises a filter 22 of the smoking article 21. The smoking article 21 further comprises a rod of smokeable material 3.

The filter 22 and the rod of smokeable material 3 of the tobacco industry product 21 of the first embodiment are attached to each other by a tipping paper 4, although other means for attaching the filter 22 to the rod of smokeable material 3 that are known in the art may be employed in the alternative.

Tipping paper 4 may be longer than the filter 22 and connects the rod of smokeable material 3 to the filter 22. The filter 22 of the smoking article 21 may be wrapped in a plugwrap 5 in addition to the tipping paper 4. The rod of smokeable material 3 may be formed from cut rag tobacco, reconstituted and/or pelletised tobacco and may be circumscribed by a wrapper 6.

The filter 22 comprises a body of filter material. The tobacco industry product 21 further comprises a solid blocking member 23. The solid blocking member 23 is located inside the body of material of the filter 22. Thus, gas, for example, smoke, flowing through the body of material of the filter 22 is restricted by the solid blocking member 23· The solid blocking member 23 may be positioned largely centrally along the length of the filter 22 of the smoking article 21. Alternatively, the solid blocking member 23 may be positioned towards or at one end of the filter 22, such as towards the end of the filter 22 adjacent to the rod of smokeable material 3, or towards the end of the filter 22 which forms the mouth end of the smoking article 21.

The solid blocking member 23 may be positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the filter 22 of the smoking article 21. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the solid blocking member 23 may be positioned towards the periphery of the filter 22 of the smoking article 21.

In the present embodiment, the body of the filter 22 comprises cellulose acetate tow. However, it should be recognised that the filter 22 may comprise any filter material or combination of filter materials known to a person skilled in the art. In one alternative embodiment (not shown), the filter 22 comprises activated carbon. The activated carbon may be in granular form.

In one embodiment (not shown), the filter 22 comprises multiple filter elements. The filter elements may be separated by at least one cavity. The cavity may be positioned between two filter elements or at one end of the filter 22.

The solid blocking member 23 comprises a sheet 24 with a plurality of lines of weakening 25 that are arranged such that the sheet 24 is collapsible. The lines of weakening 25 may be, for example, fold lines, partial cuts or score lines in the sheet 24. The sheet 24 may be formed into a corrugated or concertina arrangement. In the present embodiment, the sheet 24 is arranged in a zig-zag formation. The solid blocking member 23 is arranged in the body of the filter 22 such that the surface area of the sheet 24 is generally perpendicular to the flow of smoke through the filter 22 to increase the pressure drop across the body of the filter 22. In use, the user ignites the end of the rod of smokeable material 3 that is distal to the filter 22 and inhales through the filter 22. The smoke generated by the combustion of the rod of smokeable material 3 is drawn through the rod of smokeable material 3 and through the filter 22 wherein it flows into the mouth of the user. The solid blocking member 23 is initially arranged such that the sheet 24 at least partially blocks the flow of smoke through the filter 22 and thus increases the pressure drop across the filter 22 above that which would normally occur across the filter 22 in the absence of the solid blocking member 23. Therefore, the flow rate of smoke through the filter 22 is initially restricted by the solid blocking member 23. This is because the material of the filter 22 is generally permeable to smoke whereas the sheet 24 is generally impermeable to smoke, or at least has a lower permeability to smoke than the material of the body of the filter 22, and thus the sheet 24 of the solid blocking member 23 acts as an obstruction to the path of smoke flowing though the filter 22 and so increases the pressure-drop across the filter 22. The restricted flow rate of smoke through the filter 22 results in lower flow rate through the entire smoking article 21 and thus a slower burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 and therefore a lower rate of tar delivery to the user.

The solid blocking member 23 is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 22. In more detail, the user can reduce the pressure drop across the filter 22 by applying pressure to the part of the filter 22 which surrounds the solid blocking member 23 such that the distal ends 24A, 24B of the sheet are urged towards each other. This causes the solid blocking member 23 to collapse such that the cross- sectional area of the sheet 24 which impedes the flow of smoke is reduced. Thus, collapsing the solid blocking member 23 reduces the pressure-drop across the filter 22 and thus smoke is able to pass at a greater flow rate through the filter 22, which results in higher flow rate through the entire smoking article 21, and thus the burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 is increased when the solid blocking member 23 is deformed. Therefore, the user can deform the solid blocking member 23 to increase the rate at which tar is delivered to the mouth of the user. The solid blocking member 23 therefore allows the user to alter the rate of tar delivery. Prior to the solid blocking member 23 being deformed, the smoking article 21 has a relatively low burn rate, such that consumption of the smoking article 21 takes longer, and a relatively low rate of tar delivery. If the user wishes to increase the burn rate of the smoking article 21 to increase the rate of tar delivery, the solid blocking member 23 is compressed such that the pressure-drop across the filter 22 is reduced. The solid blocking member 23 has the advantage of enabling the rate of tar delivery to be varied without adding any additives or flavourants to the smoke flow in the filter 22. The lines of weakening 25 in the sheet 24 enable the solid blocking member 23 to be collapsed in a predetermined manner.

In one embodiment, the solid blocking member 23 is manufactured from a material that has a sufficient degree of plasticity such that when the solid blocking member 23 is deformed by the user it remains in a deformed or partially deformed state such that a reduced pressure drop across the filter 22 is maintained whilst the smoking article 21 is consumed. In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23 is manufactured from memory foam or metal foil. In one embodiment (not shown), the solid blocking member 23 comprises a crushable card or paper structure. The structure may be crushed to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 22. The solid blocking member 23 may be plastically deformable or viscoelastic.

The tobacco industry product 21 further comprises one or more ventilation holes 7 that are arranged upstream of the solid blocking member 23. The or each ventilation hole 7 is configured to allow the ingress of ventilation air into the filter 22 upstream of the solid blocking member 23. It has been found that the or each ventilation hole 7 causes a larger reduction in the pressure drop across the filter 22 when the solid blocking member 23 is deformed, which makes the effect of the increased rate of tar delivery caused by deformation of the solid blocking member 23 more pronounced. In one embodiment, the or each ventilation hole 7 is in the range of 0.75 to 3 cm and, preferably, 1 cm to 2.7 cm from the mouth end of the filter 2. In one preferred embodiment, the or each ventilation hole 7 is 1.3 cm from the mouth end of the filter 2.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of a tobacco industry product 31 is shown. The tobacco industry product 31 of the second embodiment is similar to the tobacco industry product 21 of the first embodiment, with like features retaining the same reference numerals. A difference is that the tobacco industry product 31 of the second embodiment comprises a tobacco industry product component 32 with an alternative solid blocking member 33. The tobacco industry product component 32 may comprise a filter 32.

The solid blocking member 33 of the second embodiment comprises a frangible element 34 with an outer layer 35. The frangible element 34 is in the form of a brittle element 34 that may be crushed by the user. The solid blocking member 33 is located inside the body of the filter 32.

In some embodiments, the brittle element 34 may comprise a porous structure. The brittle element 34 may comprise a lattice. In some embodiments, the brittle element 34 comprises foam. The brittle element 34 may be manufactured from, for example, tapioca or a sintered ceramic material.

The outer layer 35 surrounds the brittle element 34 and is flexible to allow the brittle element 34 to be crushed. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the outer layer 35 is omitted. In use, the user ignites the end of the rod of smokeable material 3 that is distal to the filter 32 and inhales through the filter 32. The smoke generated by the combustion of the rod of smokeable material 3 is drawn through the rod of smokeable material 3 and through the filter 32 wherein it flows into the mouth of the user. The solid blocking member 33 is initially arranged to increase the pressure drop across the filter 32 above that which would normally occur across the filter 32 in the absence of the solid blocking member 33. Therefore, the flow rate of smoke through the filter 32 is initially restricted by the solid blocking member 33. This is because the material of the filter 32 is generally permeable to smoke whereas the brittle element 34 and/ or outer layer 35 is generally impermeable to smoke, or at least has a lower permeability to smoke than the material of the filter 32. The restricted flow rate of smoke through the filter 32 results in lower flow rate through the entire smoking article 31 and thus a slower burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 and therefore a lower rate of tar delivery to the user. The solid blocking member 33 is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 32. In more detail, the user can reduce the pressure drop across the filter 32 by applying pressure to the part of the filter 32 which surrounds the solid blocking member 33 such that the blocking member 33 is compressed. This causes the frangible brittle element 35 to be crushed such that the cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member 33 that impedes the flow of smoke is reduced. Thus, collapsing the solid blocking member 33 reduces the pressure-drop across the filter 32 and thus smoke is able to pass at a greater flow rate through the filter 32, which results in higher flow rate through the entire smoking article 31, such that the burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 is increased when the solid blocking member 33 is deformed. Therefore, the user can deform the solid blocking member 33 to increase the rate at which tar is delivered to the mouth of the user.

The solid blocking member 33 therefore allows the user to alter the rate of tar delivery. Prior to the solid blocking member 33 being deformed, the smoking article 31 has a relatively low burn rate, such that consumption of the smoking article 31 takes longer, and a relatively low rate of tar delivery. If the user wishes to increase the burn rate of the smoking article 31 to increase the rate of tar delivery, the solid blocking member 33 is deformed such that the pressure-drop across the filter 32 is reduced. The solid blocking member 33 has the advantage of enabling the rate of tar delivery to be varied without adding any additives or flavourants to the smoke flow in the filter 32.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, a third embodiment of a tobacco industry product 41 is shown. The tobacco industry product 41 of the third embodiment is similar to the tobacco industry product 21 of the first embodiment, with like features retaining the same reference numerals. A difference is that the tobacco industry product 41 of the third embodiment comprises a tobacco industry product component 42 with an alternative solid blocking member 43. The tobacco industry product component 42 may comprise a filter 42.

The solid blocking member 43 of the third embodiment comprises first and second members 44, 45 that are slidably coupled to each other. The solid blocking member 43 is located inside the body of the filter 42. The user is able to slide a first end 43A towards a second end 43B of the solid blocking member 43 to deform the solid blocking member 43 and thus decrease the size of the solid blocking member 43. Therefore, the solid blocking member 43 can be deformed to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 42.

The second member 45 may be arranged to slide into the first member 44. In one embodiment, the first and second members 44, 45 comprise cylinders each having an open end and a closed end 43A, 43B. The open end of the second member 45 may be slidably received in the open end of the first member 44. The diameter of the first member 44 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the second member 45. In use, the user ignites the end of the rod of smokeable material 3 that is distal to the filter 42 and inhales through the filter 42. The smoke generated by the combustion of the rod of smokeable material 3 is drawn through the rod of smokeable material 3 and through the filter 42 wherein it flows into the mouth of the user. The solid blocking member 43 is initially arranged to increase the pressure drop across the filter 42 above that which would normally occur across the filter 42 in the absence of the solid blocking member 43, such that the flow rate of smoke through the body of the filter 42 is restricted by the solid blocking member 43. This is because the material of the filter 42 is generally permeable to smoke whereas the first and second members 44, 45 are generally impermeable to smoke, or at least have a lower permeability to smoke than the material of the filter 42. The restricted flow rate of smoke through the filter 42 results in lower flow rate through the entire smoking article 41 and thus a slower burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 and therefore a lower rate of tar delivery to the user.

The solid blocking member 43 is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 42. In more detail, the user can reduce the pressure drop across the filter 42 by applying pressure to the part of the filter 42 which surrounds the solid blocking member 43 such that the first member 44 is slid relative to the second member 45 and thus solid blocking member 43 is compressed. The first end 43A moves towards the second end 43B of the solid blocking member 43 such that the length of the solid blocking member 43 is decreased. This causes the cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member 43 which impedes the flow of smoke to be reduced. Thus, collapsing the solid blocking member 43 reduces the pressure-drop across the filter 42 and thus smoke is able to pass at a greater flow rate through the filter 42, which results in higher flow rate through the entire smoking article 41, and thus the burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 is increased when the solid blocking member 43 is deformed. Therefore, the user can deform the solid blocking member 43 to increase the rate at which tar is delivered to the mouth of the user. The solid blocking member 43 therefore allows the user to alter the rate of tar delivery. Prior to the solid blocking member 43 being deformed, the smoking article 41 has a relatively low burn rate, such that consumption of the smoking article 41 takes longer, and a relatively low rate of tar delivery. If the user wishes to increase the burn rate of the smoking article 41 to increase the rate of tar delivery, the solid blocking member 43 is compressed such that the pressure-drop across the filter 42 is reduced. The solid blocking member 43 has the advantage of enabling the rate of tar delivery to be varied without adding any additives or flavourants to the smoke flow in the filter 42.

Referring now to Fig. 7, a fourth embodiment of a tobacco industry product 51 is shown. The tobacco industry product 51 of the fourth embodiment is similar to the tobacco industry product 21 of the first embodiment, with like features retaining the same reference numerals. A difference is that the tobacco industry product 51 of the fourth embodiment comprises a tobacco industry product component 52 with an alternative solid blocking member 53. The tobacco industry product component 52 may comprise a filter 52. The solid blocking member 53 is located inside the body of the filter 52.

The solid blocking member 53 of the fourth embodiment comprises a portion of viscoelastic material. Thus, when the solid blocking member 53 is deformed by the user, it remains deformed, or at least partially deformed, during consumption of the smoking article 51. The solid blocking member 53 may comprise a memory foam. In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 53 comprises low-resilience polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the solid blocking member 53 may be plastically deformable such that the solid blocking member 53 retains its deformed shape. For example, the solid blocking member 53 may comprise a gum or putty, for example, silicone putty or modelling clay.

In use, the user ignites the end of the rod of smokeable material 3 that is distal to the filter 52 and inhales through the filter 52. The solid blocking member 53 is initially arranged to increase the pressure drop across the filter 52 above that which would normally occur across the filter 52 in the absence of the solid blocking member 53, such that the flow rate of smoke through the filter 52 is restricted, resulting in a lower rate of tar delivery to the user.

The solid blocking member 53 is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the filter 52. In more detail, the user can reduce the pressure drop across the filter 52 by applying pressure to the part of the filter 52 which surrounds the solid blocking member 53 to compress the solid blocking member 53. This causes the cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member 53 that impedes the flow of smoke to be reduced. Thus, compressing the solid blocking member 53 reduces the pressure-drop across the filter 52 and thus smoke is able to pass at a greater flow rate through the filter 52, which results in higher flow rate through the entire smoking article 51, and thus the burn rate of the rod of smokeable material 3 is increased when the solid blocking member 53 is deformed. Therefore, the user can deform the solid blocking member 53 to increase the rate at which tar is delivered to the mouth of the user. In addition, the viscoelastic or plastic deformability of the solid blocking member 53 means that the pressure drop across the filter 52 remains reduced once the user stops squeezing the filter 52.

The solid blocking member 53 therefore allows the user to alter the rate of tar delivery. Prior to the solid blocking member 53 being deformed, the smoking article 51 has a relatively low burn rate, such that consumption of the smoking article 51 takes longer, and a relatively low rate of tar delivery. If the user wishes to increase the burn rate of the smoking article 51 to increase the rate of tar delivery, the solid blocking member 53 is compressed such that the pressure-drop across the filter 52 is reduced. The solid blocking member 53 has the advantage of enabling the rate of tar delivery to be varied without adding any additives or flavourants to the smoke flow in the filter 52.

In the above described first to fourth embodiments, the tobacco industry product 21, 32, 41, 51 comprises a single solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the tobacco industry product comprises a plurality of solid blocking members.

In another embodiment (not shown), the tobacco industry product comprises a flavour capsule and a solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 of the type described above in relation to any of the first to fourth embodiments. The flavour capsule includes a flavourant and may be ruptured by the user to impart a flavour to the smoke passing through the filter. Thus, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 may be deformed to increase the rate of tar delivery to the user without introducing flavourant into the smoke flow and the flavour capsule may be ruptured to introduce flavourant into the smoke flow. Therefore, the user may choose between low tar and high tar delivery and between flavoured and non-flavoured smoke.

In some embodiments, the larger the ratio of the initial cross-sectional area of solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tobacco industry component 22, 32, 42, 52, for example the cross-sectional area of the filter 22, 32, 42, 52, the greater the restriction of the flow rate of smoke through the tobacco industry component 22, 32, 42, 52 caused by the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53. In some embodiments, the ratio of the initial cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tobacco industry product component 22, 32, 42, 52, for example, filter 22, 32, 42, 52, is at least 50% and, optionally, is at least 55%. In some embodiments, the ratio of the initial cross-sectional area of the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tobacco industry product component 22, 32, 42, 52, for example, filter 22, 32, 42, 52, is in the range of 50% to 75%.

In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% of the cross-sectional area of the tobacco industry product component, for example, filter, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, prior to the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 54 being deformed. In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has a cross-sectional area that is between 50% and 80% of the cross-sectional area of the body of the tobacco industry product component, for example, filter, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, and may be 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, or 80% of the cross-sectional area of the body of the tobacco industry product component, for example, filter, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, and may be any intermediate value between these specific values, or within a range defined between any of these specific values as end points. In some

embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has a cross-sectional area that is between 50% and 75% of the cross-sectional area of the body of the tobacco industry product component when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. However, it should be recognized that tobacco industry products having other dimensions the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 and tobacco industry product component, for example, the filter, are also possible. In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has an outer diameter or outer dimension that is in the range of about 3. 5 to 5 mm before the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 is deformed. In other embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has an outer diameter that is less than 3. 5 mm or is greater than 5 mm. In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 has an outer diameter or outer dimension, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter or outer dimension of the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 to the ratio of the internal diameter of the tobacco industry product component, 22, 32, 42, 52, for example, the filter 22, 32, 42, 52, is at least 50% and, optionally, is at least 55%. In some embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter or outer dimension of the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 to the ratio of the inner diameter of the tobacco industry product component 22, 32, 42, 52 is in the range of 50% to 75%. The outer dimension may refer to, for example, the width or height of the solid blocking member. The outer dimension may be the largest dimension of the solid blocking member when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 is configured such that substantially no flavour is imparted to the gaseous flow by the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53. This has the advantage of allowing the user to appreciate the difference in the taste of the smoke when the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 is deformed, without this taste difference being concealed by flavourant additives of the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53. The solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 may be substantially flavourless.

In some embodiments, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 is incorporated into a tobacco industry product component 22, 32, 43, 52 that forms part of a tobacco industry product, wherein the tobacco industry product component 22, 32, 42, 52 is a filter 22, 32, 42, 52 which forms part of a smoking article 21, 31, 42, 51 in the form of a cigarette. However, the solid blocking member 23, 33, 43, 53 may instead be incorporated into another type of tobacco industry product component that forms part of another type of tobacco industry product.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products, tobacco heating devices, and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

A tobacco industry product refers to any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and heat-not-burn (HnB) products; and c) other nicotine-delivery systems such as inhalers, aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes, lozenges and gum. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are made and sold in the tobacco industry. In one embodiment, tobacco industry product is not a conventional cigarette.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior composite web and method of

manufacturing a smoking article element component. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and

modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A tobacco industry product component comprising a body for the passage of gaseous flow and a solid blocking member located in the body to impede said gaseous flow to influence a pressure drop across the body, wherein the solid blocking member is deformable to reduce the pressure drop across the body.

2. A tobacco industry product component according to claim l, wherein the solid blocking member is collapsible to reduce the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component.

3. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 2, wherein the solid blocking member is collapsible in a predetermined manner.

4. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the solid member comprises at least one line of weakening.

5. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 4, wherein the solid blocking member comprises a sheet, wherein the at least one line of weakening is provided in the sheet.

6. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 5, wherein the sheet is corrugated and/or is formed into a concertina configuration.

7. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the solid blocking member comprises a flexible bellows.

8. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 3, wherein the solid blocking member comprises a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is slidable relative to the first member to reduce the size of the solid blocking member such that the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component is reduced.

9. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the solid blocking member is manufactured from a viscoelastic material.

10. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the solid blocking member comprises memory foam.

11. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 1, wherein the solid blocking member comprises a frangible element.

12. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 11, wherein the frangible element comprises a brittle element that may be crushed to reduce the pressure drop across the tobacco industry product component.

13. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the solid blocking member further comprises an outer coating on the frangible element.

14. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one ventilation hole.

15. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 14, comprising a mouth end and a distal end, wherein the ventilation hole is located to allow the ingress of ventilation air into the tobacco industry product component between the capsule and the distal end of the tobacco industry product.

16. A tobacco industry product component according to claim 15, wherein the distance between the ventilation hole and the capsule is greater than the distance between the ventilation hole and the distal end.

17. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a flavourant capsule.

18. A tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the tobacco industry product is a filter and, optionally, comprises cellulose acetate tow.

19. A tobacco industry product comprising the tobacco industry product component according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A tobacco industry product according to claim 19, wherein the tobacco industry product is a smoking article and, optionally, is a cigarette.

21. A tobacco industry product component as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A tobacco industry product as described herein with reference to the

accompanying drawings.