WO2022008495A2

WO2022008495A2 - Hollow tobacco rod (consumable) assembly and its fabrication method

Info

Publication number: WO2022008495A2
Application number: PCT/EP2021/068621
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonid TSHKAY; Leon Arciniega JUAN ALEJANDRO; Oleksandr ZHUBRA
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2020-07-06
Filing date: 2021-07-06
Publication date: 2022-01-13
Also published as: JP2023533495A; EP4175496A2; WO2022008495A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, which extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tubular tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity are arranged. A common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise and surrounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment, the filter and/or the tubular element. The filter comprises or is a recess filter, which comprises the cooling cavity and a filter wrapper. The cavity and the filter are associated by the filter wrapper, which surrounds both the filter and the cavity to form the recess filter. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing for manufacturing such Heat-Not-Burn smoking article.

Description

Hollow tobacco rod (consumable) assembly and its fabrication method

Description

The present invention relates to a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, with at least one tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity. A common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise and surrounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment, the filter and/or the tubular element or the common wrapper surrounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment and a downstream wrapper, which as sociates the filter and the tubular element to form a filtering and cooling subassembly. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing for manufacturing such Heat-Not-Burn smoking article.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and tobacco vapor products are popular and widespread. They came with the need and possibility for novel tobacco products to be vaporized and in haled by consumers. Usually those E-cigarettes or similar devices like electronic pipes gen- erate an aerosol by heating a liquid containing flavors, an aerosol forming agent, such as wa ter and optionally nicotine. However, this can lead to an uneven smoking profile, wherein the experienced flavor of puffs can differ significantly, e.g. by an inefficient extraction of key com pounds in the liquid. Therefore, consumers search for alternatives to tobacco products to be heated but not burned.

Meanwhile Heat-not-Burn devices, with which tobacco can be heated instead of burned be came popular. Those Heat-not-Burn devices provide tobacco based vapor and can be filled with a couple of tobacco products that will be heated by activating an electronic heater. Mainly, such tobacco products are produced and sold in the shape of a stick, which will later be heated and consumed with the use of an electronic device. A disadvantage of this solu tion is that mostly the heater is fixedly installed at the electronic device resulting in heat gra dient in the tobacco part of the tobacco stick so that tobacco is heated uneven and therefore the vape generation is also uneven. This leads to a reduced vape experience for the con sumer, as the flavor may be more intense at the beginning of the vaping session with de creasing intensity to the end of the session.

Another problem that leads to a reduced vape experience is the hot stream generated by the electronic heater. Often, when the hot stream reaches a mouth of the consumer, the stream has a very high temperature, which may cause an uncomfortable feeling for the consumer during vaping.

It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a smoke or vaping article as well as a method to produce such article, which is able to keep a comfortable temperature of the stream and to provide a uniform heating ability of the tobacco.

The afore-mentioned problems are eliminated by a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, which ex tends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one to bacco segment, which could also be a tubular tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity are arranged. A common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise and surrounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment, the filter and/or the tubular element or the common wrapper surrounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment and a downstream wrapper, which associates the filter and the tubular element to form a filtering and cooling subassembly.

The objective is also reached by a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, wherein the smoking arti cle extends in a length direction and comprising a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment, which could also be a tubular tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity are arranged. According to the inven tion, a common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise and surrounds and di rectly contacts the tobacco segment, the filter and/or the tubular element. The filter com- prises or is a recess filter, which comprises the cooling cavity and/or a filter wrapper. Further more, the cavity and the filter are associated by the filter wrapper, which surrounds both the filter and the cavity to form the recess filter.

Preferably the recess filter is formed only by the common wrapper and/or the downstream wrapper. Preferably the recess filter is a tube, preferably paper tube, which is preferably di rectly attached to the filter.

Preferably, the common wrapper extends along at least a part of a length of the smoking construction. It is conceivable that the common wrapper covers only a part of the filter and/or the recess filter.

A tubular or cylindrical tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. Ideally, the tube of the tobacco segment is hollow, so that a rod shaped heating element can be positioned within the tobacco segment. Preferably, the tube of the tobacco segment is po sitioned within the segment and/or arranged such that it extends longitudinally through the tobacco segment and in particular from a distal end to a proximal end of the tobacco seg ment. The tube may be arranged such that it extends through an entire or a just a part of a length of the tobacco segment. This way, an optimum of a heated surface of the tobacco segment can be reached. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco segment comprises a cy lindrical shape at least primarily. Ideally, the tobacco segment is a plain rod filled with sub stances suitable for generating a vapor and/or aerosol.

In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco segment has a length larger than 5mm, preferably larger than 10mm, preferably larger than 15mm and/or smaller than 80mm, preferably smaller than 60mm, preferably smaller than 40mm. Further, the tobacco segment and/or a tube of the tubular tobacco segment may have a diameter larger than 2mm, preferably larger than 3mm, preferably larger than 5mm and/or smaller than 10mm, preferably smaller than 8 mm, preferably smaller than 6mm. Such dimensions provide enough space to place a heat ing element of the electronic device inside the channel of the tubular tobacco segment. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco segment and/or the tube of the tubular tobacco segment comprises the diameter of smaller than 5 mm.

Ideally, an inner diameter of the tube of the tobacco segment depends on a wall thickness of the tubular tobacco segment. The wall thickness of the tubular tobacco segment is preferably larger than 0.5 mm, preferably larger than 1 mm, preferably larger than 1.5 mm and/or smaller than 4 mm, preferably smaller than 3.5 mm, preferably smaller than 3 mm to provide a sufficient mechanical stability

A cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity allows to cool down the heat stream along its way through the smoking article to improve the feeling and comfortability of the smoking ses sion. Ideally, the cooling tubular element has a non-filtering character, is a non-filtering ele ment and/or is made of a non-filtering material so that the stream can unhinderedly pass the cooling tubular element.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular element has a length larger than 2mm, preferably larger than 5mm, preferably larger than 7mm and/or smaller than 40mm, preferably smaller than 35mm, preferably smaller than 30mm. Furthermore, the tubular element and/or a tube of the tubular element may have a diameter larger than 2mm, preferably larger than 3mm, preferably larger than 5mm and/or smaller than 10mm, preferably smaller than 8 mm, prefer ably smaller than 6mm. Such dimensions provide a good cooling effect to cool the hot stream down to a comfortable temperature.

In a preferred embodiment, the cooling tubular element comprises a paper or cardboard ma terial. A paper and/or cardboard material has low weight but at the same time provides a suf ficient stability as well as are easy to handle during manufacturing so that such material is a good choice for a cooling tubular element.

Ideally, the cooling tubular element is independent from the filter and/or independent from the tobacco segment. Preferably, the cooling tubular element is positioned between the filter and the tobacco segment such that the cooling tubular element may be combined upstream to the tobacco segment and/or downstream to the filter by a common wrapper. The cooling tub ular element and the filter may be combined by a downstream wrapper to form the subas sembly. Such arrangement improves the production process and provides a sufficient stabil ity of the final smoking article.

It is further conceivable that the filter comprises or is a recess filter, which comprises the cooling cavity and/or a filter wrapper. Ideally, the cavity and the filter are associated by the filter wrapper, which may surround both the filter and the cavity to form a recess filter. Prefer ably, the filter wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the filter and an entire length of the cavity. This improves the mechanical stability of the final smoking article. Properties of the filter wrapper and the downstream wrapper may be similar or differ ent.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter and/or recess filter has diameter larger than 2 mm, pref erably larger than 3 mm, preferably larger than 4 mm and/or smaller than 10 mm, preferably, smaller than 9 mm, preferably smaller than 8 mm. Ideally, the filter and/or recess filter has a length higher than 8 mm, preferably higher than 10 mm, preferably higher than 12 mm and/or lower than 50 mm, preferably, lower than 45 mm, preferably lower than 40 mm. With those dimensions the filter and/or recess filter fits into the smoking article and guarantees a good cooling and/or filter effect. Smaller filters may not filter certain substances to an intended level. Filters with larger dimensions may have a negative effect on the taste of the smoke.

According to another embodiment, the heat-Not-Burn smoking article extends in a length di rection and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element or a cooling cavity are arranged. Prefera bly, a common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise and surrounds and di rectly contacts the tobacco segment and a downstream wrapper, which associates the filter and the tubular element to form a filtering and cooling subassembly. Also preferably, the downstream wrapper extends along at least a part of a length of the subassembly. It is con ceivable that the downstream wrapper covers only a part of the filter.

According to a preferred embodiment the filter comprises at least one plain fiber filter seg ment and at least one hollow filter segment. The filter and especially the fibers of the filter may comprise a material made of cellulose, in particular cellulose acetate or a biodegradable alternative of cellulose acetate. The hollow filter may extend a cooling tube of the cooling tub ular element and/or provides a cooling effect on the hot stream during consumption of the smoking article. The fibers of the filter allow to filter certain substances from the hot stream, wherein the use of cellulose acetate or a biodegradable alternative improves the filtering ef fect.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tubular element abuts the filter and the down stream wrapper overlaps the tubular element and filter of the subassembly. This way, the fil ter and the tubular element may be fixedly attached to one another to improve processability of the subassembly. According to a preferred embodiment, the downstream wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the subassembly. Ideally, the downstream wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the filtering and cooling subassembly, the filter and/or the cooling tubular element. Preferably, the downstream wrapper extends along an entire length of the filtering and cooling subassembly, as well as the filter and the cooling tubular element to provide an improved fixation of these components and a sufficient mechanical stability so that the risk of kinks and/or breaks is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the downstream wrapper has a width higher than 12 mm, prefer ably higher than 16 mm, preferably higher than 24 mm and/or lower than 150 mm, prefera bly, lower than 100 mm, preferably lower than 50 mm. The width of the downstream wrapper may be between 16 mm and 56 mm and/or between 24 mm and 100 mm, depending on the overall dimensions of the smoking article. Those dimensions allow the downstream wrapper to be used in smoking articles with different dimensions and to attach filter and/or tubular ele ments in variable dimensions

Ideally, the downstream wrapper has a length higher than 10 mm, preferably higher than 16 mm, preferably higher than 30 mm and/or lower than 150 mm, preferably, lower than 120 mm, preferably lower than 20 mm. The length of the downstream wrapper may be between 16 mm and 28 mm and/or between 30 mm and 120 mm, depending on an overall length of the smoking article. Those dimensions allow the downstream wrapper to be used in smoking articles with different dimensions and to attach filter and/or tubular elements in variable di mensions

According to a preferred embodiment, the common wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the smoking article and/or an entire length of the tobacco seg ment. Ideally, the common wrapper is able to attach the tobacco segment, the filter, the re cess filter and/or the cavity to one another. The common wrapper may extend along at least a part of combined length of the tobacco segment, the filter, the recess filter and/or the cav ity. Preferably, the common wrapper extends from one end of the smoking article to another end of the smoking article to provide mechanical protection and/or a fixation of the compo nents of the smoking article. ln a preferred embodiment, a width of the common wrapper is higher than 12 mm, preferably higher than 14 mm, preferably higher than 16 mm and/or lower than 70 mm, preferably, lower than 63 mm, preferably lower than 56 mm. The width of the common wrapper may be between 16 mm and 56 mm, depending on the overall dimensions of the smoking article. Ideally, a length of the common wrapper is higher than 20 mm, preferably higher than 25 mm, preferably higher than 30 mm and/or lower than 140 mm, preferably, lower than 130 mm, preferably lower than 120 mm. The length of the common wrapper may be between 30 mm and 120 mm, depending on an overall length of the smoking article. The length and/or width of the common wrapper may be sufficient to attach the tobacco segment, the filter, the recess filter and/or the cavity to one another with the common wrapper.

According to a preferred embodiment, a material of the common wrapper and/or the filter wrapper comprise a paper and/or cellulose material, preferably with a weight of higher than 60 g/m², preferably higher than 100 g/m², preferably higher than 125 g/m² and/or lower than 200 g/m², preferably, lower than 180 g/m², preferably lower than 160 g/m². Ideally, a maxi mum weight of the material of the common wrapper and/or the filter wrapper is 125 g/m². Such weight provides a sufficient stiffness to protect the smoking article against mechanical stress, and to ensure a good machine runability. If the stiffness is too high or too low, it may have a negative effect on the machine runability and/or optical properties of the smoking arti cle.

According to a preferred embodiment, a material of the common wrapper, the filter wrapper and/or the downstream wrapper comprise a paper and/or cellulose material, preferably with a grammage of higher than 10 g/m², preferably higher than 15 g/m², preferably higher than 20 g/m² and/or lower than 200 g/m², preferably, lower than 160 g/m², preferably lower than 120 g/m². Such grammage provides a sufficient stiffness to protect the smoking article against mechanical stress, and to ensure a good machine runability. If the stiffness is too high or too low, it may have a negative effect on the machine runability and/or optical properties of the smoking article.

In a preferred embodiment, the common wrapper, the filter wrapper and/or the downstream wrapper has a thickness higher than 15 pm, preferably higher than 20 pm, preferably higher than 25 pm and/or lower than 80 pm, preferably lower than 70 pm, preferably lower than 60 pm. A thickness too high or too low would cause problems during production and may also lead to a low stiffness of the material or have a negative effect on the optical properties of the smoking article. Ideally, a break load strength of the common wrapper, the filter wrapper and/or the downstream wrapper is between 8 N per 15 mm wrapper width and 14 N per 15 mm paper width, in particular above 10 N per 15 mm wrapper width.

According to a preferred embodiment, the common wrapper comprises aluminum, paper- and/or a cardboard material. The common wrapper may comprise a laminate of aluminum or aluminum foil and paper material and/or aluminum lined paper. Paper material is a material, which is commonly used for such purpose and therefore its properties and processability are well known leading to low productions costs. Aluminum will provide improved aesthetics and a good thermal conductivity and is therefore well suitable to be used especially in Heat not Burn smoking articles and contributes to a well heated tobacco and a good vape generation. Alternatively to aluminum and/or aluminum lined paper a composite material may be used.

Preferably, the composite material, the aluminum and/or the aluminum lined paper have non combustion properties to ensure a sufficient heat transfer during the whole smoking session. Ideally, the composite material has a grammage similar to a grammage of aluminum and/or aluminum lined paper so that the composite can be used instead of it and without significant changes in the physical properties of the common wrapper.

In a preferred embodiment, a thickness of the aluminum lined paper is higher than 30 pm, preferably higher than 35 pm, preferably higher than 40 pm and/or lower than 70 pm, prefer ably lower than 60 pm, preferably lower than 50 pm. Such thickness allows to conduct a suf ficient amount of heat, so that the generated vape will neither be heated too high, nor too low. If the temperature of the tobacco is too low, the amount of substances to be released from the tobacco would be too low. If the temperature of the tobacco is too high, the smoke may become uncomfortable to be smoked.

According to a preferred embodiment, a length of the cooling cavity is higher than 15 mm, preferably higher than 17 mm, preferably higher than 19 mm and/or lower than 30 mm, pref erably, lower than 25 mm, preferably lower than 22 mm. Due to the cavity, the hot smoke can be cooled down to a comfortable level. A cavity with a length higher than 30 mm may have an effect that the smoke cools down too much or too little, if the cavity is not long enough.

In a preferred embodiment, ventilation holes are provided through the common wrapper and the cooling tubular element. Ventilation holes may be positioned in line and in particular a line of ventilation is arranged circumferentially around the smoking article and/or along a length of the smoking article. That way, a sufficient ventilation through the wrapper and be tween e.g. the tobacco segment and/or the cooling tubular element or rather an inside and an outside of the smoking article is guaranteed.

The objective is also reached by a method for manufacturing at least one heat-not-burn smoking article, wherein the smoking article extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tubular tobacco segment, at least one cooling tub ular element and at least one filter are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the filter and the cooling tubular element,

- associating the filter and the cooling tubular element by a downstream wrapper to form a filtering and cooling subassembly,

- combining the subassembly and the tobacco segment by wrapping them with a common wrapper, wherein preferably the common wrapper fully covers the tobacco segment lengthwise.

A tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The cooling tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Preferably, the filter, the down stream wrapper, the common wrapper, the cooling tubular element and/or the tobacco seg ment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

In a first step, the filter and the cooling tubular element are provided. Ideally, the filter will be arranged adjacent to the cooling tubular element and in particular has a similar diameter than the cooling tubular element to ensure a smooth transition area to the cooling tubular element.

In a next step, in particular a second step, the filter and the cooling tubular element are asso ciated by wrapping them with a downstream wrapper to form a cooling subassembly. Prefer ably, the downstream overlaps at least a part of or an entire length of the cooling tubular ele ment and/or the filter. Ideally, the cooling subassembly has length corresponding to a com bined length of the length of the filter and a length of the cooling tubular element.

In a next step, in particular a third step, the subassembly is attached to the tobacco segment by wrapping them with a common wrapper to form the smoking article. Preferably, the com- mon wrapper overlaps at least a part of or an entire length of the subassembly and/or the to bacco segment. Ideally, the smoking article has length corresponding to a combined length of the length of the subassembly and a length of the tobacco segment.

In a preferred embodiment the method comprises additional steps of:

- Placing the tobacco segment between two subassemblies arranged abutting the tobacco segment, wherein the tobacco segment has a length corresponding to a length of two to bacco segments of the final smoking article. Ideally, each subassembly is arranged with the cooling tubular element abutting the tobacco segment and especially such that a dou ble length tobacco segment is placed between two cooling tubular elements or rather be tween two cooling subassemblies.

- Combining the two subassemblies and the tobacco segment by wrapping them with the common wrapper to form a double length heat-not-burn smoking article. Ideally the com mon wrapper is double length common wrapper with the length corresponding to a length of two smoking articles. The length of the double length common wrapper may be higher than 40 mm, preferably higher than 50 mm, preferably higher than 60 mm and/or smaller than 250 mm, preferably smaller than 240 mm, preferably smaller than 220 mm. The com mon wrapper may extend through at least a part of or an entire length of the double length smoking article.

- Cutting the double length heat-not-burn smoking article to form two single heat-not-burn smoking articles. The cut may be performed substantially in a middle of the double length smoking article especially to form two smoking articles with equal lengths. The production of a double length smoking article, which will be cut to form two smoking articles in one step helps to make the overall production more effective and therefore helps to save costs.

In another preferred embodiment, the method comprises a step, and in particular a prelimi nary step of forming the subassemblies by

Placing a double length filter between two cooling tubular elements and wrapping the dou ble length filter and the cooling tubular elements by a double length downstream wrapper to form a double length subassembly. Alternatively, a double length cooling tubular ele ment is placed between two filters. The double length cooling tubular element or the dou ble length filter may be arranged abutting the two filter or the cooling tubular elements re spectively.

A length of the double length downstream wrapper may be higher than 22 mm, preferably higher than 27 mm, preferably higher than 32 mm and/or smaller than 66 mm, preferably smaller than 60 mm, preferably smaller than 54 mm. The double length downstream wrap per may extend through at least a part of or an entire length of the double length subas sembly. Preferably, the double length downstream wrapper overlaps at least a part of or an entire length of the double length subassembly, the filter, the cooling tubular element, the double length cooling tubular element and/or the double length filter. Ideally, the dou ble length subassembly has length corresponding to a combined length of the length of the filter or the cooling tubular element and a length of the double length filter or the dou ble length cooling tubular element.

- Cutting the double length subassembly to form two single cooling and filtering subassem blies with an equal length. The cut may be performed substantially in a middle of the dou ble length subassembly. The production of a double length subassembly, which will be cut to form two equal subassemblies in one step helps to make the overall production more effective and therefore helps to save costs.

In a preferred embodiment, the downstream wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the subassembly and/or the common wrapper extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the smoking article. That way a sufficient mechanical protection and/or a fixation of the components of the smoking article is guaranteed. If the downstream wrapper and/or the common wrapper is/are too short a sufficient fixation of the components may not be ensured. If the downstream wrapper and/or the common wrapper is/are too long it would have a negative effect on the processability and/or the usability of the smoking article, in particular in combination with an electronic device.

The objective is also reached by a method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article, wherein the smoking article extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tubular tobacco segment and a recess filter or at least one filter, which is wrapped together with a cooling cavity by one filter wrapper to form the recess filter are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the tobacco segment and the recess filter with the cooling cavity being positioned adjacent the tobacco segment,

- wrapping the tobacco segment and the recess filter with a common wrapper, which contacts and directly surrounds the tobacco segment and the recess filter.

A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The recess filter or the cavity combined with the filter allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking and to filter certain substances out of the flavored vape, which is generated at the tobacco segment. Preferably, the filter, the filter wrapper, the common wrapper, the cavity and/or the tobacco segment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to pro vide the above mentioned benefits.

In a first step, the tobacco segment and the recess filter are provided, ideally with the cavity located adjacent to the filter and in particular surrounded by the filter wrapper. The recess fil ter may be formed by attaching the filter and the cavity by wrapping both with the filter wrap per. Ideally, the filter wrapper extends along at least a part of or an entire length of the filter and a length of the cavity and in particular overlaps at least a part of an entire length of the filter.

In a next step, in particular a second step, the recess filter and the tobacco segment is wrapped with the common wrapper to attach the recess filter and the tobacco segment to one another. The recess filter and the tobacco segment may be arranged adjacent to one an other to provide a smooth transition without edges that may lead to a break of the common wrapper.

The common wrapper may extend along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the smoking article and in particular overlaps at least a part of or an entire length of the recess filter and/or the tobacco segment. That way a sufficient mechanical protection and/or a fixa tion of the components of the smoking article is guaranteed. If the common wrapper is too short a sufficient fixation of the components may not be ensured. If the common wrapper is too long it would have a negative effect on the processability and/or the usability of the smok ing article, in particular in combination with an electronic device. The objective is also reached by a method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article, wherein the smoking article extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tubular tobacco segment, at least one filter and at least one cooling tubular element are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the tobacco segment, the filter and the cooling tubular element, wherein the tubular element is a non-filter element,

- wrapping the tobacco segment, the filter and the tubular element with a common wrapper, wherein the common wrapper contacts and directly surrounds the to bacco segment, the filter and the cooling tubular element.

A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The cooling tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Moreover, because the common wrapper directly wraps the tobacco segment, the filter and the cooling tubular ele ment, a further wrapper, e.g. a downstream wrapper is not necessary. Therefore, material and production costs can be reduced due to decreased number of production steps. Prefera bly, the filter, the common wrapper, the cooling tubular element and/or the tobacco segment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises additional steps:

Preassembling the tobacco segment, the cooling tubular element and the filter in a row. Ideally, the cooling tubular element is placed between and/or adjacent to the filter and the tobacco segment to allow a cooling of the hot vape before the vape passes the filter during smoking.

Wrapping the preassembly with the common wrapper. The common wrapper preferably extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the smoking article or the filter, cooling tubular element and/or tobacco segment, and in particular overlaps at least part of or an entire length of the filter and/or of the tobacco segment, and especially overlaps an entire length of the cooling tubular element. Such arrangement improves the mechanic stability of the final smoking article. The objective is also reached by a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, which extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment of tub ular shape, at least one cooling, preferably non-filtering tubular element and a filter are ar ranged. The filter and the tubular element are associated by a downstream wrapper to form a downstream filtering and cooling subassembly separately wrapped and attached from the to bacco segment. The downstream filtering and cooling subassembly and the tobacco seg ment are wrapped by a common wrapper.

A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The cooling tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Preferably, the filter, the downstream wrapper, the common wrapper, the cooling tubular element and/or the tobacco segment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

The objective is also reached by a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, which extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment of tub ular shape, cooling cavity, and a downstream filter are arranged. The filter is wrapped by a filter wrapper which extends upstream to form a recess filter which extends by the cooling cavity. The tobacco segment and the recess filter are wrapped by a common wrapper, wherein the common wrapper is in contact to and directly surrounds the tobacco segment and the recess filter.

A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The cooling tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Preferably, the filter, the recess filter, the common wrapper, the cavity and/or the tobacco segment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

The objective is also reached by a Heat-Not-Burn smoking article, which extends in a length direction and comprising a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment of tubular shape, at least one, preferably non-filtering tubular element and a filter are arranged. The tubular element is a paper tube independent from the filter and tobacco segment and it is combined upstream to the tobacco segment and downstream to the filter by a common wrapper. A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The cooling tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Preferably, the filter, the common wrapper, the tubular element and/or the tobacco segment have properties and di mensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

The objective is also reached by a method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article, which extends in a length direction and comprises a longitudinal axis, along which at least one tobacco segment of tubular shape, at least one preferably non-filtering tubular element and a filter are arranged. The non-filtering tubular element is a paper tube independent from the filter and tobacco segment and it is combined upstream to the tobacco segment and downstream to the filter by a common wrapper. The method comprises the steps of:

Preassembling the tobacco segment, the non-filtering tubular element and the filter in row,

Wrapping the preassembly with the common wrapper.

A tubular tobacco segment allows the tobacco to be heated inside and outside. The tubular element allows to cool down the hot vape during smoking. Preferably, the filter, the tubular element, the common wrapper, and/or the tobacco segment have properties and dimensions according to the description above to provide the above mentioned benefits.

Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference sym bols.

The figures show:

Fig. 1 Chart of the method of producing a smoking article and schematic views of dif ferent steps of the production a smoking article with a cooling subassembly.

Fig. 2 Schematic view of the smoking article with a cooling tubular element.

Fig. 3 Schematic view of the smoking article with a recess filter. In Figures 1 , 2 and 3 a schematic view of a smoking article 1 with an upstream end 16 and a downstream end 17 is shown. The smoking article 1 extends in a length direction L and com prises a longitudinal axis 2, along which at least one tubular tobacco segment 7, at least one filter 4 and at least one cooling element 8, 9 are arranged. A common wrapper 13 wraps and surrounds the cooling element 8, 9 and the filter 4 and in particular directly surrounds and contacts the tobacco segment 7 (see fig. 2).

The tobacco segment 7 preferably has a diameter between 5 mm and 8 mm and in particular comprise a tube, preferably made of a rolled paper wrapper, so that the tobacco segment 7 is shaped tubular. Ideally, a thickness of the tube wall or rather tobacco wall is between 1 mm and 3 mm. The tobacco segment may have a length of between 12 mm and 60 mm.

A width of the common wrapper 13 may be between 16 mm and 56 mm. Ideally, the common wrapper 13has a length of between 30 mm and 120 mm and/or a thickness of between 25 pm and 60 pm. Preferably the common wrapper 13 comprises a paper or cardboard material, in particular with a grammage or basis weight of between 20 g/m² and 120 g/m². The com mon wrapper 13 may further comprise aluminum or rather comprise aluminum lined paper, especially with a thickness between 40 pm and 50 pm.

The filter 4, the cooling element 8, 9 and the tobacco segment 7 are preferably arranged in row behind one another with respect to the longitudinal direction L and/or with the cooling el ement 8, 9 between the tobacco segment 7 and the filter 4.

The smoking article can be provided in three configurations, which mainly differ in the form of the cooling element 8, 9, which can be formed: as a cooling tubular element 8, which ideally has non-filtering properties, or as a recess filter 5, which comprises a cavity 9 (Fig. 3), or as a cavity 9 formed by the common wrapper (not shown).

Figure 1 shows the smoking article in which the cooling element 8, 9 is formed as cooling tubular element 8 as well as a chart showing some production steps.

In a first step 40 or 41 , the filter 4 and the cooling tubular element 8 is provided. Ideally, the filter 4 has a diameter between 8 mm and 5 mm and/or a length 4L of between 12 mm and 40 mm. The filter may comprise a hollow and/or plain segment, which is preferably made of cellulose fiber material and in particular cellulose acetate. Ideally, the filter 4 is provided in the form of a double length filter 4x, in particular with a length between 24 mm and 80 mm. Alternatively, two single filters are provided. Each filter can have one or two segments. A segment may be fiber tow such as cellulose acetate or paper. The fiber tow may form a plain rod or be formed as a hollow tube. When a plain rod, it may contain a breakable capsule able to release a flavoring substance upon breakage.

The cooling tubular element 8 preferably has length between 5 mm and 30 mm and/or a di ameter between 5 mm and 8 mm. Further, the cooling tubular element 8 ideally has non-fil tering properties and/or comprises a paper or cardboard material. The cooling tubular ele ment may be hollow or, alternatively, be filled with cooling material such as poly-lactic-acid (PLA) tow. Preferably, in this step a second cooling tubular element 8 is provided. The dou ble length filter 4x may then be arranged between and/or abutting the two cooling tubular ele ments 8 and in particular arranged in row behind one another in longitudinal direction L and along the longitudinal axis 2. Alternatively, each one of the two single filters 4 may be ar ranged abutting one cooling tubular element 8.

In a further, especially in an intermediate step, the double length filter 4x and the two cooling tubular elements 8 are wrapped and/or associated by two single or one double length down stream wrapper 10 to form a double length filter-and-cooling tube subassembly 15x. A length of the double length downstream wrapper may be between 32 mm and 54 mm and/or a width of the double length downstream wrapper or each single downstream wrapper 10 is between 24 mm and 100 mm, wherein a length of a single downstream wrapper may be between 16 mm and 28 mm.

In an alternative, two single downstream wrappers 10 are arranged adjoining each other and in particular such that each downstream wrapper 10 may extend through at least a part of es pecially half of a length of the double length filter 4x and/or at least a part of or an entire length of a cooling tubular element 8. It may be possible that the downstream wrapper 10 ex tends through at least a part of or an entire length of the subassembly 15L.

In a further intermediate step, the double length subassembly 15x is cut 20 into two single cooling and filtering subassemblies 15 with an equal length so that each of the two subas semblies 15 can be used to produce a smoking article 1. The cut may be performed substan tially in a middle of the double length subassembly 15x. More precisely, the cut can be formed in the middle of the double length filter 4x. In a further, ideally a second step 41 , two single subassemblies 15, each with a filter 4 and a cooling tubular element 8 are provided, wherein the filter 4 and the cooling tubular element 8 are wrapped associated by a downstream wrapper 10. The downstream wrapper 10 prefera bly extends along at least a part or an entire length of the subassembly 15L. The subassem blies 15 may also be arranged adjacent to a double length tobacco segment 7x, wherein the double length tobacco segment 7x is ideally positioned between the subassemblies 15 and in particular such that it is arranged between two cooling tubular elements 8.

In a further, ideally in a third step 42, the subassemblies 15 and the double length tobacco segment 7x are combined and/or wrapped by a common wrapper 13x to form a double length smoking article 1x. The common wrapper 13x may have a length, which corresponds to an overall length of one smoking article 1. It is also conceivable that the length of the com mon wrapper 13x has a length, which is smaller than an overall length of a double length smoking article 1x. Thus, parts of the subassemblies 15 are not covered by the common wrapper 13x.

Alternatively, in the third step 42, the subassemblies 15 and the double length tobacco seg ment 7x are combined and/or wrapped by a double length common wrapper 13x to form a double length smoking article 1x. The double length common wrapper 13x may have a length between 60 mm and 240 mm. It is conceivable that the double length common wrapper 13x corresponds to a doubled overall length of the smoking article 1 (not shown). The double length common wrapper 13x may extend along at least a part of a length or an entire length of the doubled length of the final smoking article 1, wherein the double length common wrap per 13x may also overlap at least a part of or an entire length of the downstream wrapper 10 and/or the subassemblies 15 and an entire length of the double length tobacco segment 7x and/or depending on the length of the downstream wrapper 10 may also overlap a part of the filter 4.

In a further, especially in fourth 43 step, the double length smoking article 1x is cut 20 to form two single smoking articles 1. The cut 20 may be performed substantially in a middle of the double length smoking article 1x to form two smoking articles with equal lengths. In a further, in particular fifth 44 or last step, one or two smoking article/s 1 is/are provided. The subas sembly 15 may be located at the downstream end 17, ideally with the filter 4 directed to the end of the smoking article 1 and/or the cooling tubular element 8 directed to the tobacco sec tion 7, wherein the tobacco section 7 forms the upstream end 16 of the smoking article 1. Preferably, a length of common wrapper 13 extends from the downstream end 17 to the up stream end 16 and/or corresponds to an entire length 1 L of the smoking article 1.

In a possible mode, the filter-and-cooling tube subassemblies 15 can be formed from the cut ting of a continuous assembly comprising several repetitions of double length cooling tubes, or alternatively, two adjacent single length cooling tubes, and double length filters 4x. For ex ample, 4, 6, 8, 12 or more repetitions are possible. The continuous repeated double-length pattern is thus wrapped by a single wrapper 10 as long as the length of the assembly. In this case, the separation of the subassemblies 15 requires cutting the continuous assembly in the middle of each of the double length tubes and double length filters.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the smoking article 1, wherein the smoking article is sim ilar to the final smoking article 1 described in figure 1. The dimensions and/or properties of the filter 4, the cooling tubular element 8, the tubular tobacco segment 7 and the common wrapper 13 may also be similar to those described above, in particular to those described in figure 1. The filter 4, the tubular element 8 and the tobacco section 7 are arranged in row from the downstream end 17 to the upstream end 16, wherein the filter 4, the tubular element 8 and the tobacco section 7 are directly surrounded by the common wrapper 13 Ideally, the common wrapper 13 directly contacts the filter 4, the tubular element 8 and the tobacco seg ment 7. Preferably, the tubular element 8 is positioned between the tobacco section 7 and the filter 4. It is also conceivable that instead of cooling element 8, the cavity 9 is formed by the common wrapper 13 (not shown). In this case, the tobacco segment 7 and the filter 4 are preferably spaced apart from each other. Thus, the common wrapper 13 preferably keeps the tobacco segment 7 and the filter 4 arranged in row behind one another with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

Such smoking article can be manufactured by providing the filter 4, the cooling tube 8 and the tobacco section 7 in a first step. In a further, may be second step, these components 4,

7, 8 may be arranged in row from the downstream end 16 to the upstream end 17, with the cooling tubular element ideally positioned between the filter 4 and the tobacco segment 7. In a further, may be third step, these components 4, 7, 8 may be wrapped and combined by wrapping and surrounding them with the common wrapper 13

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the smoking article 1, wherein the smoking article is sim ilar to the final smoking article 1 described in figure 1 and 2. The dimensions and/or proper ties of the tubular tobacco segment 7 and the common wrapper 13 may also be similar to those described above, in particular to those described in figure 1 and 2. The filter 4 is formed as a recess filter 5, which comprise a cavity 9. The recess filter 5 and the tobacco section 7 are arranged in row from the downstream end 17 to the upstream end 16, wherein the cavity 8 is positioned abutting the tobacco section 7. The recess filter 5 and the tobacco section 7 are directly surrounded by the common wrapper 13. Ideally, the common wrapper 13directly contacts the recess filter 5 and the tobacco section 7. Preferably, the common wrapper 13 extends through and/or overlaps at least a part of or an entire length of the re cess filter 5L and/or the tobacco segment 7L. The recess filter 5 may have a diameter be tween 5 mm and 8 mm and/or a length 5L between 12 mm and 40 mm. The recess filter may be by wrapping at least one filter segment with a filter wrapper extending beyond the recess filter to form a tubular wrapper not occupied by the filter segment. The filter wrapper should be thick enough to provide sufficient stiffness to the recess filter. Preferably, the filter wrapper has paper basis weight higher than 60 g/m², preferably higher than 100 g/m², preferably higher than 110 g/m² and/or lower than 200 g/m², preferably, lower than 180 g/m², preferably lower than 130 g/m².

Such smoking article can be manufactured by providing the recess filter 5 and the tobacco section 7 in a first step. In a further, may be second step, these components 5, 7 may be ar ranged in row from the downstream end 16 to the upstream end 17, with the cavity 9 and re cess filter 5 ideally positioned adjacent to the tobacco segment 7. In a further, may be third step, these components 5, 7 may be wrapped and combined by wrapping and surrounding them with the common wrapper 13. In this configuration, the common wrapper 13 can be formed of paper at least partially lined along its length with aluminium foil to optimize heat transfer to the tobacco segment while improving the aesthetic appearance.

The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combi nation, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are de scribed, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly rec ognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being dis closed in one or various figures. List of reference symbols

1 Heat-Not-Burn smoking article

1x double length smoking article

1 L length of the smoking article

2 longitudinal axis

4 Filter

4x double length filter

4L length of the filter

5 recess filter

5L length of the recess filter

7 tobacco segment

7x double length tobacco segment

7L length of the tobacco section

8 tubular element

9 cavity

10 downstream wrapper

11 length of the downstream wrapper

12 filter wrapper

13 common wrapper

13x double length common wrapper

14 length of the common wrapper

15 subassembly

15x double length subassembly 15L length of the subassembly

16 upstream end

17 downstream end

20 cut

40 first step; providing the cooling tubular element and the filter

41 second step; providing and arranging subassemblies and tobacco segment

42 third step; wrapping subassemblies and tobacco segment

43 cutting double length smoking article

44 fourth step; providing the final smoking article

L length direction

Claims

1. Heat-Not-Burn smoking article (1), wherein the smoking article (1) extends in a length direction (L) and comprising a longitudinal axis (2), along which at least one tobacco segment (7), at least one filter (4) and at least one cooling tubular element (8) or a cooling cavity (9) are arranged, characterized in that a common wrapper (13) fully covers the tobacco segment (7) lengthwise and sur rounds and directly contacts the tobacco segment (7), the filter (4) and/or the tubular element (8), wherein the filter (4) comprises or is a recess filter (5), which comprises the cooling cavity (9) and a filter wrapper (12), wherein the cavity (9) and the filter (4) are associated by the filter wrapper (12), which surrounds both the filter (4) and the cavity (9) to form the recess filter (5).

2. Smoking article (1) according claim 1, characterized in that the filter (4) comprises at least one plain fiber filter (4) segment and/or at least one hollow filter segment.

3. Smoking article (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the downstream wrapper (10) extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length (15L) of the subassembly (15).

4. Smoking article (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common wrapper (13) extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length (1L) of the smoking article (1).

5. Smoking article (1) according to at least one claims, characterized in that a material of the common wrapper (13) and/or the filter wrapper (12) comprise a pa per material, preferably with a weight of higher than 60 g/m², preferably higher than 100 g/m², preferably higher than 125 g/m² and/or lower than 200 g/m², preferably, lower than 180 g/m², preferably lower than 160 g/m².

6. Smoking article (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a length of the cooling cavity (9) is higher than 15 mm, preferably higher than 17 mm, preferably higher than 19 mm and/or lower than 30 mm, preferably, lower than 25 mm, preferably lower than 22 mm.

7. Smoking article (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling tubular element (8) comprises a paper or cardboard material.

8. Method for manufacturing at least one heat-not-burn smoking article (1), wherein the smoking article (1) extends in a length direction (L) and comprises a longitudinal axis (2), along which at least one tubular tobacco segment (7), at least one cooling tubular element (8) and at least one filter (4) are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the filter (4) and the cooling tubular element (8),

- associating the filter (4) and the cooling tubular element (8) by a downstream wrapper (10) to form a filtering and cooling subassembly (14),

- combining the subassembly (15) and the tobacco segment (7) by wrapping them with a common wrapper (13).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized by the additional steps of:

- Placing the tobacco segment (7) between two subassemblies arranged abutting the tobacco segment (7), wherein the tobacco segment (7) has a length corre sponding to a length of two tobacco segments (7) of the final smoking article (1),

- combining the two subassemblies (15) and the tobacco segment (7) by wrapping them with the common wrapper (13) to form a double length heat-not-burn smok ing article (1x),

- cutting the double length heat-not-burn smoking article (1x) to form two single heat-not-burn smoking articles (1).

10. Method according to at least one of claims 8-9, characterized in that it comprises a step of forming the subassemblies by

- placing a double length filter (4x) between two cooling tubular elements (8) and wrapping the double length filter (4x) and the cooling tubular elements (8) by a double length downstream wrapper (10) to form a double length subassembly (14),

- cutting the double length subassembly (14) to form two single cooling and filter ing subassemblies with an equal length.

11. Method according to at least one of claims 9-10, characterized in that the downstream wrapper (10) extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length (15L) of the subassembly (15) and/or the common wrapper (13) extends along at least a part of a length or an entire length (1 L) of the smoking article (1).

12. Method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article (1), wherein the smoking article (1) extends in a length direction (L) and comprises a longitudinal axis (2), along which at least one tubular tobacco segment (7) and a recess filter (5) or at least one filter (4), which is wrapped together with a cooling cavity (9) by one filter wrapper (12) to form the recess filter (5) are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the tobacco segment (7) and the recess filter (5) with the cooling cavity (9) being positioned adjacent the tobacco segment (7),

- wrapping the tobacco segment (7) and the recess filter (5) with a common wrap per (13), which contacts and directly surrounds the tobacco segment (7) and the recess filter (5).

13. Method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article (1), wherein the smoking article (1) extends in a length direction (L) and comprises a longitudinal axis (2), along which at least one tubular tobacco segment (7), at least one filter (4) and at least one cooling tubular element (8) are arranged, comprising the steps:

- Providing the tobacco segment (7), the filter (4) and the cooling tubular element (8), wherein the tubular element (8) is a non-filter element, - wrapping the tobacco segment (7), the filter (4) and the tubular element (8) with a common wrapper (13), wherein the common wrapper (13) contacts and directly surrounds the tobacco segment (7), the filter (4) and the cooling tubular element (8).

14. Method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn smoking article (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the non-filter element is a paper or cardboard tube.