RU2666218C1 - Smoking article, smoking article filter section and the smoking article manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the smoking article, to the smoking article filter section, and to the smoking article manufacturing method. Smoking article comprises a filter section intended for the generated by the said smoking article smoke and / or another aerosol reception, wherein the filter section comprises filtering material; variable ventilation structure configured to provide the user-adjustable ventilation level in the filter section; and located in the filtration material flavor source configured to release flavor to the said generated by said smoking article smoke and / or other aerosol, at the indicated to the smoke and / or other aerosol location, which is located upstream of the said ventilation structure, wherein the said variable ventilation structure provides user-adjustable ventilation in the sub-range within the range of 0–90 % of generated by said smoking article the smoke and / or other aerosol volume, which passes through the filter section.EFFECT: possibility of the user-adjustable ventilation provision.18 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a smoking article, a filter section of a smoking article, and a method for manufacturing a smoking article.

State of the art

Cigarettes may include a filter section to filter the mainstream smoke. Cigarettes with a flavor source, for example, with a capsule containing a flavor, are known in the filter section to increase the flavor of the smoke generated by the cigarette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide, according to a first aspect, a smoking article comprising a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, a variable ventilation design for providing a user-adjustable ventilation level in the filter section, and an aroma source configured to be released aroma to said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article at a specific place in said smoke / or other aerosol in front of the specified ventilation structure.

The aroma source may be configured to selectively release the aroma to said smoke and / or other aerosol. The flavor source may contain one or more capsules. One or more capsules may have a diameter of 2-6 mm.

The flavor source may contain at least one of the elements, which include material from plant materials, a thread with flavor, a flavor sprayed in a filter tow, particles impregnated with flavor, and a sheet material containing flavor. The flavor source may be located in the indicated section of the filter.

The smoking article may further comprise another ventilation structure configured to provide a level of ventilation in the filter section that is not user adjustable.

The ventilation level provided by another variable ventilation design may be 5-50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section when said variable ventilation is at a minimum level.

The variable ventilation design can provide user-controlled ventilation in the range of 0 - 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section.

At least a component of the first part of the smoking article can form a filter section, and the smoking article can further comprise a second part that can be moved relative to the first part to control the level of ventilation provided by the variable ventilation structure. The first or second part may include a sleeve configured to move relative to another of the parts, first or second, to control the level of ventilation provided by the variable ventilation design. The sleeve can be rotated relative to the filter section, and the ventilation level is varied by changing the angular position of the sleeve relative to the filter section.

The filter section may comprise a first filter section having a length of 5 to 25 mm, and / or a smoking article may further comprise a second filter section having a length of 5 to 25 mm, and / or a variable ventilation design may provide ventilation air at a distance of 6 to 20 mm from the mouthpiece of a smoking article.

The filter section may comprise a first filter section, and the smoking article may further comprise a second filter section, the second filter section being located after the first filter section, and the gas flow resistance along the length of the second filter section is less than the gas flow resistance along the length of the first filter section, and the gas resistance the flow along the length of the filter structure remains essentially constant with varying levels of ventilation.

The first and second sections of the filter may contain strands of tow, and the first section of the filter may differ from the second section of the filter in one or more parameters from among the parameters that include: mass of the tow, number of strands of tow per unit volume, cross-section of tow strands and compression ratio.

The second filter section may contain at least one air channel extending in the longitudinal direction along its length. The second filter section may contain fibrous filter material having an annular cross section.

The second filter section may comprise a tube of fibrous filter material, and the air channel extends along a central longitudinal axis along the length of the second filter section.

The smoking article may be a cigarette.

In embodiments of the invention, according to the second aspect, there is provided a filter section for a smoking article receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, a filter section comprising a variable ventilation structure for providing a user-adjustable level of ventilation in the filter section, and an aroma source made with the possibility of releasing aroma in the specified smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the specified smoking product, in a specific place in the specified smoke / Or other aerosol prior to said venting structure.

Embodiments of the invention in a third aspect provide a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising forming a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, providing a variable ventilation structure to provide a user-adjustable level of ventilation in the filter section, and providing a source a flavor adapted to release the flavor into said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoke a product, in a specific place in the specified smoke / or other aerosol in front of the specified ventilation structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following is only an example of a description of a number of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a smoking article according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking article shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 3a is a plan view of a preform for forming a wrapper for a smoking article according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3b is a longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of manufacturing a smoking article.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes products that produce smoke, such as cigarettes, cigars and thin cigarettes, based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and non-combustible tobacco heated products and other nicotine delivery devices capable of generating an aerosol for supplying it to a consumer. Such smoking articles may be provided with a filter to filter the gas stream inhaled by the smoker.

Smoking products, such as cigarettes and their formats, are often referred to by the length of the cigarette: “regular” (usually in the range of 68 - 75 mm, for example, from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), “short” or “mini” (68 mm or less ), “King-size” (usually in the range of 75 - 91 mm, for example, from about 79 mm to about 88 mm), “long” or “super-king” (usually in the range of 91 - 105 mm, for example, from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and ultra-long (usually in the range of about 110 mm to about 121 mm).

They are also called by the circumference of the cigarette: “regular” (approximately 23 - 25 mm). Wide (greater than 25 mm), slim (approximately 22–23 mm), demi-slim (approximately 19–22 mm), super-slim (approximately 16–19 mm) and micro-slim "(Less than approximately 16 mm). Accordingly, a king-size, super-slim cigarette, for example, has a length of approximately 83 mm and a circumference of approximately 17 mm. Many consumers prefer regular, king-size cigarettes, i.e. with a circumference of 23 - 25 mm and a total length of 75 - 91 mm.

Cigarettes of each format can be made with filters of different lengths, and filters of shorter lengths are generally used in formats of shorter circumference and length. Typically, the filter length is from 15 mm for short, regular formats to 30 mm for ultra-long, super-slim formats. The length of the rim paper is longer than the length of the filter, for example, by 3-10 mm.

The smoking articles and filters described below can be made in any of the above formats. Smoking articles may, for example, have a length of 70-100 mm and a circumference of 14-25 mm.

In the context of this document, the terms "before" and "after" are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of the main stream of smoke (or other aerosol) inhaled through the smoking article during use.

In FIG. 1 shows a smoking article according to a first embodiment. In the present example, the smoking article 10 is a cigarette. However, other smoking articles may be used.

The smoking article 10 comprises a source of smoke generating material, such as tobacco, attached to a filter structure that includes a first filter section 12 and a second filter section 14. The source of smoke generating material is in the form of a tobacco rod 11 that is attached to the first filter section 12. A second filter section 14 is located after the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11. The ventilation structure 17 provides a user-adjustable, variable level of ventilation in the first filter section 12, as described in detail below.

The first section 12 of the filter contains an aroma source designed to release aroma into the smoke and / or other aerosol generated by the smoking article 10 at the location in front of the ventilation structure 17. In this example, the aroma source contains aromatic particles of plant material, although they may be used other flavor sources as described herein. Flavors based on plant materials and aromatic particles of plant materials relate, respectively, to plant materials and particles of plant materials and are described in detail below.

The smoking article 10 comprises a first portion comprising a tobacco rod 11 and a first filter section 12. The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are connected by a protective layer for attaching the first filter section to the tobacco rod, which is formed from rim paper. The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 relate to the tobacco section. The elongated tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 define the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

The second part of the smoking article comprises a second filter section 14 and a sleeve 13 that can move relative to the first part of the smoking article. The sleeve 13 has the shape of a tube extending around the circumference of the tobacco rod 11 and / or the first filter section 12. The tube may be cylindrical. In the present example, the sleeve 13 is formed of paper, although other materials can be used. The first and second sections 12, 14 of the filter contain filter material wrapped in sheet material, which may be paper, for example, ficella. The first and second filter sections 12, 14 form a filter structure. The first filter section 12 is located in front of the second filter section 14. The second filter section 14 is located at the output end of the sleeve 13 next to and separately from the first filter section 12.

The tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 attached thereto are connected by rim paper (not shown). The rim paper is a standard rim paper or an embossed rim paper of relatively large thickness or a cardboard rim paper.

The ventilation structure 17 is configured to control the ventilation level of the smoking article 10. The ventilation structure 17 comprises one or more first ventilation regions 15 on the sleeve 13. In the present example, the first ventilation regions 15 are closer to the rear end of the first filter section 12 than to the front end. The smoking article further comprises one or more second ventilation regions 16 around the first filter section 12. For example, one or more ventilation regions 16 are defined by a layer (s) of sheet material wrapped around a first filter section 12 or around a filter material of a first filter section 12. The ventilation structure 17 provides ventilation air to the first section of the filter.

The ventilation regions 15, 16 are formed as ventilation holes or breathable material. In some embodiments, when the ventilation regions 15 on the sleeve 13 are open, air may enter the smoking article 10. When the first ventilation regions 15 on the sleeve 13 and the corresponding second ventilation regions 16 around the second filter section 12 are aligned, air may enter the smoking article 10 The ventilation areas 15, 16 are aligned by rotating the first part of the smoking article relative to the second part. In particular, ventilation is controlled by turning the sleeve 13 relative to the first filter section 12. The ventilation structure 17 provides a selective variable level of ventilation, controlled by controlling the overlap of the first ventilation region 15 with the second ventilation region 16. The degree of ventilation depends on the actual area of the ventilation region, which is determined by the overlap area of the first and second ventilation regions. The ventilation level can be selected by selecting the position of the second part relative to the first part, for example, by rotating the second part relative to the first part. Thus, the ventilation design provides a variable size of the actual area of ventilation, providing a variable flow of air.

The first filter section 12 and the second filter section 14 are made of known filter material. The filtration material for both sections of the filter may be a fiber, for example, cellulose acetate fiber. The filtration material of the first filter section is homogeneous, and regardless of this, the filtration material of the second filter section is homogeneous. The term "homogeneous" means that the filter material is substantially uniform throughout the volume of each section of the filter and, in particular, uniform in the longitudinal and / or radial direction throughout the volume of each of the first and second sections 12, 14 of the filter. At least one physical characteristic of the homogeneous first filter section may differ from the homogeneous second filter section.

The first and second sections of the filter contain fibrous material containing tow fibers. A tow mass is a measure of the amount of tow fibers in a given volume. The mass of the tow may provide an indication of the density of the fibrous material in the filter section. The first and second sections of the filter are manufactured using filtration material formed or processed to obtain the desired properties, for example, providing a different pressure drop per unit length for the first and second sections of the filter.

The first section 12 of the filter contains particles of plant material (not shown) interspersed in the fibrous material. The first section 12 is similar to a Dalmatian type filter containing a fibrous filter material in which particles of plant material were interspersed before folding the fibrous material and wrapping it in a wrapping material. Particles of plant materials consist of dried and crushed plant materials and can be formed from plant materials such as menthol, juniper, coffee, anise or any other plant material that has the appropriate flavor characteristics. For the manufacture of particles of plant materials, you can use any part of the selected plant, for example, roots, leaves, flowers, stems or buds.

The numerous particles of plant material contained in the first filter section 12 impart a taste and / or aroma to the smoke that passes through the first filter section 12. By varying the level of ventilation, the dilution level of flavored smoke changes. Thus, it is possible to control the amount of flavored smoke that reaches the mouthpiece of the smoking article, which generally makes it possible to obtain the smoking article 10, in which both the smoke intensity and the intensity of the secondary aroma can be controlled.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tobacco rod 11 and the first filter section 12 are dimensioned so that they can rotate as a portion about a longitudinal axis, the second filter section 14 being located in the sleeve 13. The holding means (not shown) holds the first part and the second part in a fixed longitudinal arrangement and prevents the extension of the smoking article 10. Thus, the first part cannot move in the longitudinal direction relative to the second part, i.e. the sleeve cannot be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the second filter section 14.

The ventilation level can be selected by selecting the angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14.

In some examples, the first ventilation regions 15 are configured to non-linearly increase in size relative to the angular position. The first and second ventilation regions 15, 16 are designed so that the ventilation level has a substantially linear dependence on the angular position of the sleeve 13 relative to the second filter section 14.

In some aspects, one or more of the first and second ventilation regions 15, 16 maintain a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the first and second filter sections when the sleeve 13 is rotated relative to the second filter section 14.

In the present embodiment, the second filter section 14 is securely attached and fixed to the sleeve 13. Thus, rotating the second filter section 14 relative to the first filter section 12 causes the first filter section 12 to rotate in the sleeve 13.

By choosing the different angular position of the second filter section 14 relative to the first filter section 12, it is possible to selectively increase or decrease the alignment of the first ventilation regions 15 in the sleeve 13 and the second ventilation regions 16 in the sheet material or fitzell around the first filter section 12.

The first section 12 of the filter contains particles of plant material that are located in front of the ventilation regions 15. The ventilation level in the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke that passes through the first part of the smoking article 10 with air entering the smoking article 10 through the ventilation regions 15. Therefore, the level ventilation also regulates the dilution of flavored smoke that passes through the particles of plant material, non-flavored air that enters the smoking article through the vent region 15. Thus, the fragrance level in a smoking article can be increased or decreased.

In FIG. 3a is a plan view of a preform 30 forming a wrapper for a smoking article according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 3b is a longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 32 in which the blank 30 of FIG. 3a. The smoking article 32 containing the preform 30 has substantially the same functions as described above. Components have the same layout and function, unless otherwise indicated.

With reference to FIG. 3b, the smoking article 32 includes a tobacco rod 11 similar to the above tobacco rod and a first and second filter section 12, 14 after the tobacco rod 11. A second filter section 14 is located after the first filter section 12 and the tobacco rod 11 at the mouthpiece of the smoking article. The first filter section 12 is located between the second filter section 14 and the tobacco rod 11. The first filter section 12 contains the plant material particles 18 described in relation to the first embodiment. The first filter section 12 is divided into the first part 12 ′ and the second part 12 ″ by a cut 12 ″ ″ allowing the first part 12 ′ of the first filter section 12 to be moved relative to the second part 12 ″.

The preform 30 is double wrapped, and in the present example only double wrapped around the entire circumference of the smoking article 32. The preform 30 has a first section 30a, which is first wrapped around the smoking article 32, forming an inner layer, and a second section 30b, which is later wrapped around the first section 30a, forming the outer layer. Thus, the preform 30 is configured to form two complete layers extending around the circumference of the smoking article 32, and comprises regions 30a, 30b for restricting the inner layer and the outer layer.

The first section 30a of the blank 30 comprises a first end portion 30a ′ connected to the second filter section 14 and to the first part 12 ′ of the first filter section 12, and. therefore, connecting together the second filter section 14 and the first part 12 ′ of the first filter section 12. The first section 30a of the blank 30 also contains a second end portion 30a ″ connected to the second part 12 ″ of the first filter section 12 and to the tobacco rod 11. The second section 30b of the blank 30 is divided into a first part 30b ′ and a second part 30b ″ by a cut 31 .

The blank 30 comprises, in the first section 30a, a control element 34 that can be moved in a circumferentially extending channel 36 for controlling ventilation and restricting movement.

The control element 34 can be moved in a circumferential direction in a limited range. The control element 34 may be moved between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

The first contact surface and the second contact surface define a channel 36 extending in the circumferential direction, in which the control element 34 can move.

The control element 34 defines the first and second bounding surfaces 34a, 34b at the edges of the control element in the direction of travel, i.e. on the circumferential edge of the control element 34. The contact of the first and second limiting surfaces 34a, 34b of the control element 34 with the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the channel 36 extending in the circumferential direction limits the relative rotation of the first and second parts of the smoking article.

The first and second bounding surfaces 34a, 34b extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. The first and second contact surfaces also extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article and / or at an angle to the axis of movement of the control element. The first and second contact surfaces also extend at the same angle and / or have a mating shape with the first and second bounding surfaces 34a, 34b.

The longitudinal movement limiting structure 35 comprises a sliding element 37 that is movable between the first and second limiting elements 38a and 38b. The slide member 37 is attached to the first and second bounding members 38a and 38b by a brittle joint. A brittle joint is a circumferentially extending line with perforated holes. A part of the workpiece, including the slide element 37, the control element 34, the first and second limiting elements 38a and 38b and the circumferentially extending channel 36, is disposed once over the entire circumference of the smoking article, for example, to form a pipe. The slide member 37 is attached to the first part 30b ′ of the second section 30b of the preform 30 together with the first part 30a ′ of the first preform section 30a and therefore moves together with the first part 30a ′ of the first section 30a, the second filter section 14 and the first part 12 ′ of the first section 12 of the filter relative to the second part 30a ″ of the first section 30a of the workpiece 30 and the second part 12 ″ of the first section 12 of the filter and the tobacco rod 11.

The second section 30b of the workpiece 30, forming the outer layer, contains a ventilation region 39'in the place 39 of the workpiece. In some examples, the ventilation region 39 'comprises a single opening. Alternatively, the ventilation region 39 ′ comprises a plurality of individual permeable regions or openings. For example, holes are formed by electroperforation (EP). The ventilation region 39 'is positioned so that it aligns with the channel 36 when the workpiece is wrapped around a smoking article 32.

The control element 34 has an additional function in controlling the ventilation of the smoking article. In particular, the control element 34 directly controls the ventilation of the smoking article by selectively blocking one or more ventilation areas. The control element 34 is configured to move relative to one or more ventilation areas in a radially adjacent and formed as a single unit of the smoking article. The control element 34 is formed of a material that is substantially impervious to air, in particular paper, which is impermeable to air. The control element 34 is movable between the ventilation region 39 'and the bottom of the rod of the smoking article 32, so that the ventilation air cannot enter the smoking article through a channel 36 which is blocked by the control element 34. The control element is impermeable to air between the first and second bounding surfaces 34a, 34b. The first and second confining surfaces 34a, 34b define both the limits of rotation and the magnitude of the open or open ventilation region.

Thus, the control element 34 has the dual function of directly controlling the level of ventilation by closing part of the ventilation area and restricting the relative movement of the first and second parts of the smoking article between the maximum and minimum levels of ventilation.

In some embodiments, the first filter section 12 comprises a particulate flavor of a plant material. However, the first filter section 12 may contain other forms of flavoring, for example, one or more capsules, a flavoring thread, a flavoring sprayed in a filter tow, particles impregnated with a flavoring, or a sheet material containing a flavoring located in front of the ventilation region 39 ′. The ventilation level in the smoking article 10 controls the dilution of the smoke that passes through the first part of the smoking article 10 with air that enters the smoking article 10 through the ventilation region 39 '. The ventilation level also controls the dilution of the flavored smoke that passes through the flavorant with non-flavored air that enters the smoking article through the ventilation region 39 '. Thus, the aroma level in a smoking article can be increased or decreased.

In some aspects, the blank 30 comprises another ventilation region (not shown) at location 33 on the blank after the variable ventilation structure 39 ′. Another ventilation region comprises a plurality of separate ventilation regions or openings, for example, on a line extending in a circumferential direction. Another ventilation region may be formed by a laser. In general, one or more ventilation regions comprise a plurality of individual ventilation regions or openings. The other ventilation region provides a constant minimum ventilation level that is not affected by the variable degree of ventilation of the ventilation region 39 '. The degree of ventilation provided by the other ventilation region can be set in the manufacture of the smoking article 10 and, for example, is 5-50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article passing through the filter section when said variable ventilation is on minimum level. The variable ventilation structure 39 ', 36 may provide user-controlled ventilation in a sub-range within 0 - 90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article passing through the filter section, for example, 0-50% ventilation.

In FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a smoking article 32 according to a second embodiment.

In FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a smoking article 40 according to the third embodiment, which is the same as the smoking article 32 according to the second embodiment, except that in the third embodiment, the first filter section 12 contains a user-activated flavor release component instead of vegetable particles 18 raw materials. The flavor may be selectively released by the user of the smoking article 40 into the adjacent filter material by externally compressing the filter to deform or break the outer wall of the capsule 41. In the present example, the capsule has a diameter of 3-5 mm, although capsules of other sizes, for example 2.5, may be used. 3, 4 or 4.5 mm, microcapsules or macrocapsules with a diameter of 1 to 7 mm or more.

Capsule 41 delimits a cavity having a volume that is filled with flavor. The outer wall or shell may be made using gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polysaccharide, a polysaccharide derivative, or any other suitable material using methods known in the art. The outer shell surrounds and seals the flavor. The capsule 41 is configured to release the entire flavor when the outer wall is destroyed. The outer shell is destroyed during compression and is configured to fracture substantially along the entire surface of the outer shell or, alternatively, destruction only in a predetermined area during compression.

Alternatively, the capsule 41 is configured to release only a portion of the flavor when compressed by the user, so that the flavor is released in many separate places. The outer shell is elastically deformable and can be made with the possibility of destruction in a given area or only on part of the surface area to form one or more cracks or holes during compression.

The outer shell may be formed of one part or of a plurality of hermetically connected parts. The outer shell formed of two parts can be made with the possibility of destruction in the weakened zone, for example, along a longitudinal line or a circumferential seam connecting the two parts, which opens under pressure, forming a gap. The capsule 41 can only release part of the contents through the gap when the capsule 41 is compressed before it is returned, at least partially to its original form, after the compression of the capsule 41 has ceased.

In addition, the capsule 41 may contain a substrate, which is an element of absorbent material impregnated with flavoring. The substrate is a porous matrix with an open structure, in particular, an open-cell structure, for example, an open-cell foam structure. The substrate is configured to gradually compress and release at least a portion, and preferably only a portion of the flavor, upon partial compression. The flavor is distributed within the substrate and is preferably absorbed by the substrate. The substrate is preferably formed from a filter material, for example cellulose acetate. The filtration material may be in the form of a known tow of filtration material suitable as a filter. The outer shell after destruction does not interfere with the release of flavor. The substrate may be at least partially resiliently deformable and may at least partially return to its original shape after the compression of the capsule 41 has ceased. During the partial expansion of the substrate after releasing the compression force, the substrate may reabsorb a portion of the released flavor. Thus, references to the release of flavor refer to the net release of flavor after relieving the compressive force.

The substrate can be made by extrusion of a material containing flavoring, which is then subjected to cutting to obtain a substrate of the appropriate length. In a closed cell foam substrate, the use of an outer shell to hold the flavor is optional, and therefore such a substrate can form a capsule 41 without an outer shell. Alternatively, the capsule 41 may comprise a closed-cell foam substrate enclosed in an outer shell.

The first section 12 of the filter contains one or more capsules 41, which are located in front of the variable ventilation region 39 '. The ventilation level in the smoking article 40 controls the dilution of the smoke that passes through the first part of the smoking article with air entering the smoking article 40 through the ventilation region 39 ′. After releasing the flavor from one or more capsules by compressing the first filter section, the ventilation level also controls the dilution of the flavored smoke that passes through the first filter section with non-flavored air that enters the smoking article through the ventilation region 39 '. Thus, the aroma level in a smoking article can be increased or decreased.

In the described embodiments, the aroma source is located in front of the variable ventilation structure. In addition, another flavor source may be provided after the variable vent design. For example, the first filter section 12 may contain one or more first flavor release components, and the second filter section 14 may contain one or more second flavor release components. Each of the first and second flavor release components may be any of the flavor sources described herein. As described above, the degree of aroma provided by the aroma source, which is located in front of the variable ventilation regions 17, 39 ′, can be increased or decreased by varying the ventilation level of the smoking article. The degree of aroma provided by the second aroma release component can be predefined and is not substantially affected by the ventilation level of the smoking article. Thus, the initial degree of aroma may be provided by the second aroma release component as a minimum level. The overall degree of aroma can be increased to a maximum level by reducing the amount of ventilation air that dilutes the aroma of the first aroma release component. Accordingly, the degree of aroma provided by the smoking article can be varied over a wide range in order to meet the user's preferences.

In some embodiments, the first flavor release component comprises a first capsule, and the second flavor release component comprises a second capsule.

In FIG. 6 schematically shows a method for manufacturing smoking articles according to the invention. The method comprises forming a filter section (step S1) in the present example from a known filtration material, for example, from cellulose acetate fiber. Further, it is envisaged to ensure (step S2) the availability of a variable ventilation structure, for example, the structure described herein, which allows a user-adjustable ventilation level in the filter section. A variable ventilation structure can be obtained, for example, by means of inner and outer wrappers having selectively overlapping ventilation regions.

The following provides for providing (step S3) a flavor source for releasing the aroma in a place in front of the vent structure. In some embodiments, the flavor source is a plurality of particles of plant material, as described herein, that are embedded in a filter tow in a filter section in front of a filter section that uses variable ventilation. In other embodiments, other flavor sources described herein may be used, for example, capsules or flavoring threads.

The first and second sections of the filter can be aligned longitudinally with the source of smoke generating material.

Any other known filter components may be added to the smoking articles described herein. Examples of other filter components include a third filter section, for example, a filter section with particulate material, for example, graphite, activated carbon or particulate flavor, or an additional hollow section having an air channel throughout its length. Each of the first and / or second sections can be considered as containing one or more separate filter sections. Filter sections can be considered, in general, as located in front of or after a variable ventilation area.

In another embodiment, the second filter section located after the first filter section may be located so that the resistance to gas flow along the length of the second filter section is less than the resistance to gas flow along the length of the first filter section. Resistance to gas flow along the length of the filter structure remains essentially constant with varying levels of ventilation. The first section of the filter may, for example, differ from the second section of the filter in one or more parameters from among the parameters that include: the mass of the bundle, the number of strands of the bundle per unit volume, the cross-section of the strands of the bundle and the compression ratio. The second filter section may be, for example, a tubular section having at least one air channel extending in the longitudinal direction along its length. The second section of the filter could, for example, comprise a fibrous filter material having an annular cross section, in particular a tube of fibrous filter material with an air channel extending along a central longitudinal axis along the length of the second filter section.

Wrapping material is used in a smoking article for fastening component parts. The paper wrapping material is a rim paper. In addition, a sleeve is wrapped around the smoking article. The sleeve is designed to move relative to the first section of the filter, and additionally it is securely attached to the second section of the filter.

The smoking article is adapted to inflow a selectively variable amount of air in front of the second filter section. For example, ventilation holes are formed in the outermost layer of the paper wrapper and / or in the paper sleeve. Air vents are formed using a mechanical cutting tool or laser. Ventilation holes are made in the wrapping material before assembling the smoking article (i.e., the holes are pre-perforated) or, alternatively, after assembling the smoking article.

Ventilation has been described with reference to air entering the smoking article in front of the second filter section and, in particular, to the first filter section. Alternatively, ventilation can be at least partially provided in the second filter section, for example, near the front end of the second filter section.

A smoking article may contain one or more ventilation areas providing a basic level of ventilation. Such ventilation areas do not vary in size.

To solve problems and improve the prior art, this document describes a number of embodiments by which the claimed invention (s) can be put into practice and a high-quality smoking article is obtained. The advantages and features of the present invention are presented only in the form of an illustrative example of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to promote understanding and study of the claimed features. It will be appreciated that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, constructions, and / or other aspects described herein are not considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, or limitations on equivalents of the claims, and other options may be used. perform and perform modifications without deviating from the scope and / or essence of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, this description includes other inventions that are not claimed in the present description, but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (32)

1. A smoking article containing a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, the filter section comprising filter material; a variable ventilation design configured to provide a user-adjustable ventilation level in the filter section; and an aroma source located in the filtration material and configured to release aroma into said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, in that place in said smoke and / or other aerosol, which is located downstream of said ventilation structure, this said variable ventilation design provides user-controlled ventilation in a sub-range within the range of 0-90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section. 2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein said aroma source is configured to selectively release aroma into said smoke and / or other aerosol. 3. A smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said source of aroma contains one or more capsules. 4. The smoking article of claim 3, wherein said one or more capsules have a diameter of 2-6 mm. 5. A smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, in which the specified source of aroma contains at least one element selected from the following: material from plant materials, thread with flavoring, flavoring sprayed in the filter tow, particles impregnated with flavoring, and sheet material containing flavoring. 6. A smoking article according to any preceding claim, comprising an additional ventilation structure configured to provide a level of ventilation in a filter section that is not user adjustable. 7. The smoking article of claim 6, wherein the ventilation level provided by the additional ventilation structure is 5-50% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section when said variable ventilation is at a minimum level. 8. The smoking article according to any preceding claim, wherein said filter section forms at least a component of the first part of the smoking article, and further comprises a second part that is movably mounted relative to the first part to control the level of ventilation provided by the variable ventilation structure. 9. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein said first or second part comprises a sleeve configured to move relative to another of the first or second parts to control the level of ventilation provided by the variable ventilation structure. 10. The smoking article of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is rotatably mounted relative to the filter section and the ventilation level is varied by changing the angular position of the sleeve relative to the filter section. 11. The smoking article according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter section comprises a first filter section having a length of 5–25 mm, the smoking article further comprises a second filter section having a length of 5–25 mm, and a variable ventilation design provides ventilation air from a distance 6–20 mm from the mouthpiece of a smoking article. 12. A smoking article according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which the filter section may contain a first filter section, and the smoking article further comprises a second filter section, the first and second filter sections form the filter structure, and the second filter section is located after the first filter section; and in which resistance to gas flow along the length of the second filter section is less than resistance to gas flow along the length of the first filter section, and resistance to gas flow along the length of the filter structure remains essentially constant with varying levels of ventilation. 13. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the first and second sections of the filter comprise tow threads, and the first filter section differs from the second filter sections in one or more of the following: weight of the tow, number of tow threads per unit volume, cross-section of threads harness and compression ratio. 14. A smoking article according to claim 12 or 13, in which the second filter section contains at least one air channel, extending in the longitudinal direction along its length. 15. Smoking product according to paragraphs. 12, 13 or 14, in which the second filter section contains a fibrous filter material having an annular cross-section. 16. A smoking article according to any one of paragraphs. 12-15, in which the second section of the filter comprises a tube of fibrous filter material, and an air channel extending along the central longitudinal axis along the length of the second section of the filter. 17. A filter section for a smoking article receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, comprising: filtration material; a variable ventilation design for controlling a ventilation level by a user in a filter section, and an aroma source located in the filtration material and configured to release aroma into said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, in that place in said smoke and / or other aerosol, which is located upstream of said ventilation structure, wherein said variable ventilation design provides user-controlled ventilation in a sub-range within the range of 0-90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section. 18. A method of manufacturing a smoking article, containing forming a filter section for receiving smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, the filter section comprising filter material; providing a variable ventilation design that allows a user-adjustable level of ventilation in the filter section, and providing a source of aroma in the filter material of the filter section, configured to release aroma into said smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article, in that place in said smoke and / or other aerosol, which is located upstream of said ventilation structure, wherein said variable ventilation design provides user-controlled ventilation in a sub-range within the range of 0-90% of the volume of smoke and / or other aerosol generated by said smoking article that passes through the filter section.

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