ES2378147T3 - Smoking product - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoking article comprises a distal end which, in use, contains a smoke producing substance. A proximal end has smoke drawn from it during smoking. At least one channel is provided which runs from the proximal end to at least part way towards the distal end. At least one vent hole is arranged such that an airflow path is defined through the vent hole, via the channel and to the proximal end of the smoking article. A smoke supplement composition is housed along the airflow path, such that, when the smoking article is smoked, air is drawn along the airflow path and over the composition so that the composition becomes air born and is delivered to the smoker.

Description

Smoking product

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a smoking product.

Modern smoking products are intended to reduce the supply of tar, carbon monoxide and other components in the vapor phase. Using cigarettes as an example, typically the issue of controlled supply is achieved by modifying the choice of the mixture, envelope ventilation, nozzle ventilation, filtration and filter adsorbents such as activated carbon. However, it is known that these methods compromise the supply of other cigarette components, or "smoke supplement compositions", for example aroma. This is negative for characteristics such as flavor, in particular with respect to products of low tar content and high ventilation.

Methods to combat the above-described detriment of qualities such as taste are known, for example by introducing additional aromas either in the mixture or in the filter. Both of these options, however, may exhibit disadvantages such as reducing the effectiveness of the filter due to the presence of aroma in (or the migration of aroma to) the filter or adsorbents of the filter, incomplete transfer of aroma to the smoker ( for example due to the burning of the aroma, or due to the extraction of the aroma by the filter), and the dilution of the aroma by other vapors produced by the smoking product. Because the introduction of additional aroma is an expensive process, the maximum transfer of this aroma to the smoker is extremely important.

Therefore, it is necessary to formulate an improved method for introducing smoke supplement compositions such as aroma into smoking products, such that the detriment of qualities such as taste that can occur with the controlled supply of, for example, Tar and carbon monoxide can be solved effectively without the above-mentioned disadvantages.

EP-A-0797931 describes a cigarette with filter and a fastening and ventilation device adjacent to the filter.

The present invention provides a smoking product comprising a distal end which, during use, contains a smoke-producing substance, a proximal end from which the smoke is extracted during the smoking action, and at least one conduit that is extends from the proximal end to at least one part towards the distal end. At least one clamping and ventilation device is located in such a way that the air flow path is defined through the clamping and ventilation device, through the duct, and to the proximal end of the smoking product. A smoke supplement composition is housed along this air flow path, such that, when the smoking product is smoked, the air is extracted along the air flow path and over the composition so that the composition is suspended in the air and is supplied to the smoker.

Said smoking product exhibits what is then called a "parallel supply system", that is, a system in which a smoke supplement composition such as an aroma, nicotine, nicotine derivatives, pharmacologically active agents or Smoke modifiers in parallel to, instead of in series with, smoke from the smoke-producing substance. Said "parallel supply system" improves the supply of the smoke supplement composition, and in the case of the aroma supply, this improves the aroma of the smoking product while solving the problems associated with the methods of improving aroma aroma. The prior art.

In detail, the present invention does not result in an increase in the pyrolysis or combustion of the smoke supplement composition since the composition supports, at most, only moderate heating. Migration of the composition to other parts of the smoking product is reduced since the composition is confined in the air flow path, and the supply of the composition is not impeded by dilution with other vapors from the product. for smoking - on the contrary the supply is the most effective at high dilution values, that is, when the air flow is high.

In addition, the composition is not subject to significant filtration, there is a fixed amount of composition and currently the blocking of the ventilation holes reduces the supply of the composition instead of increasing it.

The smoking products according to the present invention include cigars, cigarettes, hookahs and pipes, and preferably the smoking product of the present invention is a cigarette. Additionally, it is provided that the smoking products that require the smoker to carry carried out the final stages of its preparation, by

For example, hollow tubes already formed that contain a filter into which the smoker introduces the tobacco, are also within the scope of the invention. Other "self-bundled" or "self-prepared" smoking products are also provided in accordance with the invention such as smoking products that typically use commercially available components for use in smoking products and / or commercially available accessories for use. along with smoking products.

Typical substances that produce smoke comprise dry plant materials, for example tobacco.

In general, the substance that produces smoke takes the form of an amorphous mass or cylinder. The smoke-producing substance is housed inside the smoking product, typically within the area towards the distal end of the smoking product. In general, this area extends along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the smoking product. When the substance that produces smoke takes the form of a cylinder, optionally the cylinder of substance that produces smoke is hollow.

Preferably, the smoking product comprises a filter and generally said filter is located at the proximal end of the smoking product. Preferably, the filter is inside or covering the proximal end of any area that contains the smoke-producing substance so that, during use, the smoke from the smoke-producing substance is filtered before being supplied to the smoker.

Typically, at least one conduit of the smoking product is substantially parallel to the direction of the longitudinal extent of the area of the smoking product containing the smoke-producing substance. However, at least one conduit is different from said zone.

An air flow path is defined along the at least one duct from at least one vent hole, typically placed on the outer face of the smoking product, through the duct to the proximal end of the smoking product.

In the event that the smoking product is a cigarette, typically at least one vent hole is located in the cigarette nozzle paper.

In general, the cross section of the at least one duct is between 0.1 and 50% of the cross section of the smoking product, preferably between 0.1 and 30% and more preferably between 5 and 20%. As the cross section of the at least one duct is reduced, the velocity of the air through the duct increases, thereby improving the drag of the smoke supplement composition into the air flow and thus towards the smoker . It may happen that some smoke supplement composition formulations (eg those comprising glycerol) require some heat to contribute to their transfer into the air stream, and this can be achieved by providing the substance that produces smoke in form of hollow roller, and / or providing a filter having a high pressure drop core, so that the hot smoke stream passes near the smoke supplement composition that is in the perimeter of the filter.

The dragging of the smoke supplement composition into the air flow can also be improved by increasing the length of the duct, for example by using ducts that adopt a spiral configuration around the smoking product. Another option is to increase the convolution of the air flow path, and / or introduce turbulence inside the air flow path, for example by introducing slits or partitions inside the ducts.

Typically the at least one conduit of the present invention is defined as a generally concave cavity inside a body, in which the body is incorporated into a smoking product. In this case, the at least one duct is generally formed by pressing a hot cylinder inside the body. Alternatively, the at least one conduit is defined by means of a wrinkled enveloping substance that is placed around a body formed inside the smoking product.

Additionally, the air flow path comprises a cavity that, during use, stores the smoke supplement composition. Alternatively or additionally, the smoke supplement composition is stored inside the at least one duct. Typically, the smoke supplement composition is placed inside the cavity / duct using any means known before, after or during manufacturing, such as by means of injection, filling, printing or deposition.

Typically, the smoke supplement composition comprises nicotine or a nicotine derivative, and may optionally comprise one or more substances chosen from a flavoring agent, a pharmacologically active agent or a smoke modifier.

Pharmacologically active agents include for example anti-oxidants such as vitamin C 6 E, which act to reduce the impact of free radicals within the smoke. Smoke modifiers act to reduce the amount of unwanted compounds in the smoke, preferably acting on the smoke once it has already

left the smoking product but before its absorption inside the smoker's body. The amount of unwanted components can be reduced by chemical reaction of the unwanted component (for example radicals) with the smoke modifier (for example an anti-oxidant) in order to deactivate the unwanted component, or by means of reaction of the unwanted component (eg radicals) with another component to deactivate the unwanted component in which this reaction is catalyzed by a smoke modifier (for example an iron catalyst). Alternatively, the unwanted component can be adsorbed inside or it can be amalgamated in a smoke modifier matrix (for example a matrix of fine carbon granules). Said absorption / amalgamation can reduce the availability of the unwanted component and / or modify the way in which the unwanted component is deposited inside the smoker's airways (for example if the particles of the unwanted component are manufactured with a Large enough size, this particles will not be breathable).

Any of the one or more substances and / or any of nicotine or nicotine derivative can be encapsulated or micro-encapsulated, typically before being introduced into the smoke supplement composition. Appropriate encapsulated or micro-encapsulated materials include starch, gum arabic, glycerol, gelatin, albumin or cyclodextrin. Encapsulation or micro-encapsulation can be used as a method to contain volatile compounds.

The smoke supplement composition may also comprise a substrate material such as a net or a film, or such as solid particles for example cyclodextrin. Any of the nicotine / nicotine derivatives mentioned above and / or one or more substances (such as flavoring, pharmacologically active agents

or smoke modifiers), which may all be optionally encapsulated as described above, may be incorporated inside or may be found on the substrate material. Optionally, the substrate material is entrained by the ventilation air.

Optionally, the ventilation holes and / or the proximal ends of the furrows of the smoking product are sealed so that it can be removed, so that during storage no smoke supplement composition can migrate out of the ducts and on other parts of the smoking product, or on any filter or encapsulation.

Appropriate removable sealing elements include a sleeve that can be removed for the smoking product, for example a sleeve that slides over the proximal end of the product. Said sleeve may be made of a polymer such as cellophane. Alternatively, a "tear tape" can be incorporated for the ventilation holes and / or the proximal ends of the ducts, in which this "tear tape" can be made of any suitable polymer such as cellophane.

Similarly, it is preferable that the ducts comprise an impermeable barrier so that, during use, the smoke supplement composition does not migrate out of the ducts in any way other than along the air flow path during the action of smoking.

Examples of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the main design aspects of a conventional cigarette;

Figure 2 shows a conventional cigarette with a compound filter containing an adsorbent;

Figure 3 shows the main air flow paths of a conventional cigarette with a compound filter;

Figure 4 shows the main air flow paths inside a cigarette with a parallel supply system according to the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a filter filled with ducts arranged to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a filter filled with alternative ducts arranged to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows the cross-section of a filter filled with ducts to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a cigarette according to the present invention comprising a cavity in which the smoke supplement composition is stored;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the filter of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a cigarette according to the present invention comprising a hollow tobacco cylinder; Y

Figure 11 shows a cross section of a cigarette according to the present invention, in which the cigarette uses a wrinkled outer filler wrap to form the ducts.

Looking at Figure 1, main design aspects of a conventional cigarette 10 are shown. The cigarette 10 has a proximal end 11, and a cylindrical cellulose acetate filter 12 is provided at this proximal end 11. This filter is wrapped with a porous filler envelope 13 and subsequently wrapped with a nozzle paper 14. The nozzle paper 14 comprises ventilation holes 15 that form a ring around the cylindrical filter. Next to the filter 12, at its distal end, is the tobacco cylinder 16. This tobacco cylinder 16 is wrapped with cigarette paper 17.

Looking at Figure 2, a conventional cigarette with a compound filter containing an adsorbent is shown. The compound filter comprises a segment 22 of cellulose acetate at the proximal end 11 of the cigarette and a segment 22 containing an adsorbent that is adjacent to the distal end of segment 22 of cellulose acetate. In all other aspects, the cigarette is like the one shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the main air flow paths of the conventional cigarette shown in Figure 2. In detail, when the cigarette of Figure 2 is smoked, the air is extracted through the tobacco cylinder 16 and through the segment filter 22 "containing adsorbent and into the cellulose acetate filter segment 22. At this time, additional air is drawn through the vent holes 15 and into the cellulose acetate filter segment 22 This air is mixed with the air coming from the filter segment 22 "which contains adsorbent and all the air is extracted outside the proximal end 11 of the cigarette by the smoker.

Figure 4 shows the main air flow paths within the cigarette with a parallel delivery system in accordance with the present invention. In detail, the air is extracted through the tobacco cylinder 16 and subsequently through the adsorbent filter segment 22 "and into the cellulose acetate filter segment 22 as already described with respect to the Figure 3. The air is drawn out of the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker, unlike in Figure 3, however, the additional air that penetrates through the ventilation holes 15 is drawn along the ducts 41 containing the smoke supplement composition 42. This additional air is not mixed with the air from the tobacco cylinder 16, but is confined in the ducts 41 and extracted from the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker.

Figure 5 shows a filter fill with ducts to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, considerably straight, parallel conduits 41 are formed in the cellulose acetate filter segment 22. The distal ends of the ducts 41 align with the ventilation holes 15 (not shown).

Figure 6 shows a filter fill with alternative ducts to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention. In contrast to Figure 5, the ducts 41 are arranged so that they extend considerably longitudinally while also exhibiting radial progression around the axis of the filter segment 22. This configuration increases the length of the ducts 41 and therefore can increase the ability of the cigarette to supply the smoke supplement composition.

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a filter fill with conduits arranged to allow parallel delivery in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the ducts 41 are formed from concave depressions within the filter 22.

Figure 8 shows a cigarette according to the present invention comprising a cavity 81 in which the smoke supplement composition is stored. In detail, the air is extracted through the tobacco cylinder 16 and subsequently through the filter segment 22 "containing adsorbent and into the cellulose acetate filter segment 22 as already described with respect to the Figure 3. This air is subsequently extracted outside the proximal end of the cigarette 11. by the smoker, similar to that of Figure 4, the additional air is introduced through ventilation holes 15 and passes over the composition 42 smoke that is inside the cavity 81. Subsequently, this air passes along the ducts 41 and is extracted outside the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the filter of Figure 8. As can be seen, the cellulose acetate filter 22 comprises a cavity 81, in air flow connection with the ducts 41, which extends to the proximal end of the cigarette 11. The cavity 81 is aligned with the ventilation holes 15 (not shown).

Figure 10 shows a cigarette according to the present invention comprising a hollow tobacco cylinder.

In detail, the air is extracted through the tobacco cylinder 16 and into the hollow core of the cylinder 101. Subsequently, this air passes through the filter segment 22 "containing adsorbent and into the filter segment 102 This filter segment 102 comprises a high pressure drop core 103 and the flow of air from the adsorbent filter segment 22 "passes between the high drop core 103

5 pressure and the ducts 41, and then it is extracted outside the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker. As described with respect to Figure 4, the additional air that penetrates through the vent holes 15 is drawn along the ducts 41 containing the smoke supplement composition 42. This additional air is not mixed with the air from the tobacco cylinder 16 but is confined in the ducts 41 and is extracted outside the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker.

10 Figure 11 shows a cross section of the cigarette using a wrinkled outer filler envelope 112 arranged to form the ducts. In detail, the ducts 111 are formed by placing the wrinkled outer filler sheath 112 around the outer part of the cellulose filter 22. The wrinkled outer filler sheath 112 is separated from the filter 22 by means of the filler sheath 113, and the ducts 113 formed by the wrinkled outer filler envelope 112 are sealed by means of the paper 14 of the wrapping nozzle

15 around the wrinkled outer filler envelope 12. The grooves extend only one part downwards of the filter and do not come into contact with the tobacco cylinder (not shown).

Claims (14)

1.-A smoking product that includes: a distal end that, during use, contains a substance (16) that produces smoke and a proximal end from which this smoke is extracted during the smoking action characterized by: at least one conduit (41) extending from the proximal end to at least one part towards the distal end; at least one ventilation hole (15) arranged in such a way that an air flow path is defined through the ventilation hole, by means of the duct, and towards the proximal end of the smoking product; a smoke supplement composition (42), the composition being housed along the air flow path, such that, when the smoking product is smoked, the air is drawn along the flow path of air and on the composition so that the composition becomes suspended in the air and is supplied to the smoker. 2. The smoking product according to claim 1, wherein the smoke supplement composition (42) comprises nicotine or a nicotine derivative. 3. The smoking product according to claim 1, in which the smoke supplement composition (42) includes at least one substance among the group of flavorings, pharmacologically active agents and smoke modifiers. 4. The smoking product according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one substance is encapsulated. 5. The smoking product according to claim 4, wherein the substance is encapsulated with cyclodextrin. 6. The smoking product according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the smoke supplement composition (42) comprises a net or film. 7. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the smoke supplement composition (42) comprises solid particles. 8. The smoking product according to any preceding claim, wherein the smoke supplement composition (42) is housed within cavities (81) along the air flow path. 9. The smoking product according to any preceding claim, wherein, during storage, the ventilation holes (15) and / or the proximal ends of the ducts comprise a seal that can be removed.

10.

The smoking product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one conduit (41) comprises an impermeable barrier such that, both during storage and during smoking, the smoke supplement composition does not migrates out of the at least one conduit in any other way as specified in claim 1.

eleven.

The smoking product according to any preceding claim, wherein the smoking product is a cigarette comprising a filter.

12.

 The smoking product according to claim 11, wherein the ducts (41) are defined within the filter.

13.

The smoking product according to any of claims 11 6 12, wherein the ventilation holes (15) are inside the waterproof nozzle paper.

14.

The smoking product according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the cigarette further comprises a tobacco cylinder (16) with a hollow core.