RU2677956C1 - Filter element and smoking article comprising smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a filter element for a smoking article of the tobacco industry, which comprises ventilation means for diluting a main flow of smoke passing through the filter element with air, wherein the ventilation means comprise at least one ventilation part having at least one internal channel and at least one opening having an inlet communicating with the external surface of the filter element, and an output communicating with the internal channel, wherein the axis of said opening is inclined at an angle α to a plane orthogonal to the main direction of extension, and angle α is between +90 and -90 degrees in sexagesimal degrees, and the axis of the opening is tilted at an angle β to the radial plane passing through the outlet opening.EFFECT: technical result is ensuring uniform mixing of undiluted smoke with air.19 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a filter element and a smoking article comprising a smoking article.

In particular, the present invention relates to a cigarette filter and a cigarette comprising a filter and a tobacco rod connected to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filter cigarettes of a known type comprise a substantially cylindrical filter element made, for example, of acetate, connected by a rim element to what is known as a cigarette rod, which comprises, for example, cut tobacco wrapped in a sheet of paper or the like.

Known cigarettes having ventilation systems designed to dilute the mainstream smoke reaching the smoker's mouth with clean air drawn in from the external environment.

In a conventional filter, one way of performing ventilation is to make, for example, using a laser, small holes in the radial direction of the filter that are evenly spaced along the outer circumference. These openings usually extend into the acetate by a few tenths of a millimeter.

Some solutions have two hole rings designed for additional ventilation and, therefore, to dilute the mainstream smoke stream with air to a greater extent.

The prior art solutions have a number of disadvantages.

The applicant found that for a given cross-section of the filter at the end of the filter placed in the smoker's mouth, the amount of undiluted smoke (volume content of smoke) is the highest near the axis of the cigarette, while in the radial, farthest zones, the volume of smoke is much lower and there is a large amount of air, not mixed with smoke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a filter element and a smoking article containing said filter element without the above disadvantages.

The present invention aims to provide a smoking article, in particular a cigarette, in which the mixing of smoke and air inside the filter, especially at its end, placed in the smoker's mouth, is optimized compared to a known smoking article.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a smoking article, in particular a filter cigarette, which provides as even dilution as possible at the outlet of the filter.

The technical problem and the stated goals, in essence, are achieved by creating a filter element made in accordance with paragraph 1, and a smoking product made in accordance with paragraph 15 of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non-limiting description with reference to preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a filter element and a smoking article containing a filter element, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a smoking article made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view with cut out, for clarity, some elements of the smoking article shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view, appropriately interrupted, of the smoking article shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragment of the smoking article shown in FIG. 1, in an appropriately interrupted, schematic sectional view along plane IV-IV shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a filter element in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is yet another embodiment of a smoking article made in accordance with the invention in an appropriately broken sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a smoking article made in accordance with this invention, in particular a filter cigarette.

The smoking article 1 comprises a filter element 2 and a tobacco rod 3 connected to each other, and has a main length direction D and axis A.

Moreover, the main direction D of the length and the axis A of the product 1 correspond, respectively, to the main direction of the length and axis of the filter element 2.

In use, the smoking article contains a main stream of smoke F1, resulting from the combustion of the rod 3, and which moves from the cigarette rod 3 in the direction of the filter element 2.

The product 1 contains a connecting rim element 4, wrapped around the filter element 2 and the tobacco rod 3 and connected with them, preferably with glue.

The filter element 2, made in accordance with the invention, contains a ventilation part 6 containing at least one inner channel 8 and at least one hole 9 having an inlet 10 communicating with the outer surface 11 of the filter element 2 and an outlet 12 in communication with internal channel 8. With reference, in particular, to FIG. 1 and 3, in one embodiment, the filter element 2 comprises a portion 5a of a filter material, for example, a porous material, for example, acetate, placed in the smoker's mouth. In other words, part 5a is located in the filter element 2 from the side of the smoker.

Preferably, the ventilation portion 6 is aligned with the portion 5 of the filter material.

In the example shown, the filter element 2 comprises a second filter material portion 5b facing the tobacco rod 3.

Part 5b is located in the filter element 2 on the side of the cigarette, in contact with the tobacco rod 3.

Part 5b is, for example, made of acetate or contains acetate and “activated carbon”.

Part 5b is located upstream of the ventilation part 6 along the main flow F1.

Part 5a is located downstream of the ventilation part 6 along the main flow F1.

The ventilation part 6 is thus located between the first part 5a and the second part 5b.

As shown, flow F1 reaches part 5b, then part 6, and finally part 5a.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the filter element 2 comprises a filter material part 5b and a ventilation part 6.

In this case, the part located in the smoker's mouth is the ventilation part 6.

In an alternative embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 6, the filter element 2 comprises a ventilation part 6 and a filter material part 5a.

As shown, the ventilation part 6 is in contact with the tobacco rod 3. The ventilation part 6 and the filter material part 5a and / or 5b are fastened together preferably with a wrapper 7, for example in the form of a sheet of paper or the like wrapped around the part 6 and parts 5.

Part 6 has at least one inner channel 8 through which stream F1 passes.

The ventilation part 6 contains through holes 9, each of which has a corresponding axis A1.

These holes 9 have an inlet 10 in communication with the outer surface 11 of the filter element 2, and an outlet 12 in communication with the channel 8.

The outer surface 11 is, for example, the outer surface of the wrapper 7 or, alternatively, the outer surface of the ventilation part 6.

For example, the wrapper 7 has holes 7a, each of which communicates with the input 10 of the corresponding holes 9.

In one embodiment, the rim element 4 has holes 13, each of which communicates with the input 10 of the corresponding holes 9.

In one embodiment, the rim element 4 comprises a high porosity ventilation region 4a, preferably more than 30,000 CORESTA units, in communication with the inlet openings or substantially located at the inlet openings 9.

In this case, the element 4 is performed, preferably, directly in the paper-pulp mill or electrostatic microperforation.

In a preferred embodiment, the openings 9 are cylindrical in shape.

In use, each opening 9 provides an air stream F2 to channel 8, for example, through holes 13 and 7a or through region 4a and holes 7a, and mixing with the main stream F1 in channel 8 itself, forming a diluted stream F, reaching the mouth of a regular smoker (not shown).

Preferably, filter element 2 generally provides effective mixing of smoke in stream F1 with air in stream F2, in order to obtain a more uniform dilution at the outlet of the filter (mouth end, stream F).

With reference to FIG. 4, if for simplicity we consider only one hole 9, then it can be noted that the axis A1 is inclined relative to the plane P1, orthogonal to the main direction D, at an angle “α” having a value from 0 ° to 360 ° (six-decimal). In other words, with respect to the plane shown in FIG. 4, the angle "α" is considered positive if it is measured in the counterclockwise direction, and negative if it is measured in the clockwise direction, and has a value from + 90 ° to -90 ° (six-decimal).

In a preferred embodiment, the angle “α” is 45 ° (six-decimal), so the direction of the flow F2 entering the channel 8 is essentially the same as the direction of the main stream F1 passing through the same channel. With reference to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, if only one hole 9 is considered for simplicity, it can be noted that the axis A1 of the hole 9 is predominantly inclined relative to the radial plane P2, that is, the plane in which the radius of the filter element 2 lies and which passes through the outlet 12 holes 9, at an angle "β", having a value from 0 ° to 360 ° (six-decimal).

With respect to the plane shown in FIG. 2, the angle "β" is considered positive if it is measured in the counterclockwise direction, and negative if it is measured in the clockwise direction and actually has a value from + 90 ° to -90 ° (six-decimal).

In a preferred embodiment, the angle β is 25 ° (six decimal places).

In the shown preferred embodiment, the axis A1 of the hole 9 does not lie in the radial plane, that is, the angle "β" is not 0, while the axis A1 does not lie in the plane containing the axis A of the smoking article 1 or the filter element 2.

Preferably, the displacement of the axes of the holes 9 relative to the radial planes has a beneficial effect, since a vortex movement is created that provides better mixing of the flows F1 and F2 and stabilizes the flow F, creating dilution profiles of a high degree of uniformity.

In one embodiment not shown, in which the angle "β" is 0, that is, the holes 9 are radially directed, the manufacturing process of the filter element 2 is simplified.

In general, in accordance with the present invention, the filter element 2 in a preferred embodiment comprises at least one channel 8 in which the mainstream smoke F1 is diluted.

The air flow F2 enters through the openings 9, enters the channel 8 and creates a vortex movement in the channel 8 itself.

In one embodiment, the filter element 2 comprises an expansion chamber 14 located downstream of the ventilation portion 6 along the main flow F1. The expansion chamber 14 facilitates mixing of the flows F1 and F2.

With reference in particular to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the ventilation portion 6 comprises a tubular element 6a.

Preferably, the ventilation portion 6, made in the form of a tubular element 6a, comprises an inner passage 8a, preferably having a cylindrical shape and defining a channel 8.

In other words, the channel 8, in which the flows F1 and F2 are mixed, is limited by the internal passage 8a located in the tubular element 6a.

The holes 9 pass through the tubular element 6a to ensure that the outer surface 11 of the filter element 2 communicates with the inner passage 8a.

With reference to FIG. 5, it can be noted that the tubular element 6a, or ring, is aligned, preferably coaxially, with the filter material portion 5a and / or 5b.

Element 6a is preferably made of a material having a high density, i.e., an airtight material, in general such as, for example, an acetate or cellulose-based material.

With reference in particular to FIG. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the ventilation portion 6 comprises a third portion 6b of filter material. Preferably, the ventilation portion 6 is in the form of a third portion 6b of filter material. Part 6b comprises an outer part 6b 'and an inner part 6b' ', preferably located coaxially with the outer part 6b'.

The inner part 6b ″ is more porous than the outer part 6b ″, and the channel 8, in which the stream F1 is diluted by the stream F2, is bounded by the inner part 6b ″.

In practice, the channel 8, bounded by part 6b ", contains fibers forming the part 6b" itself, while the porosity of the fibers allows mixing of flows F1 and F2.

The holes 9 pass through the outer part 6b ', to ensure communication of the outer surface 11 of the filter element 2 with the channel 8 made in the part 6b ".

In other words, part 6b is characterized by an outer part 6b 'or an outer layer that is not porous, and an inner channel formed by the highly porous part 6b ", which determines the preferred passage for flow F1.

In general, the length of the opening 9 is greater than or equal to 1.5-2 mm in order to pass through the portion of part 6 surrounding channel 8, for example, through the tubular element 6a or part 6b 'of part 6b.

In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing a smoking article 1 comprising a filter element 2 is provided, the method comprising the step of perforating the ventilation portion 6, preferably with a laser, to form holes 9.

The ventilation part 6 is perforated from the outer surface 11 to the channel 8 so that the inner part of the channel 8 communicates with the outside air.

In practice, part 6 is perforated over the entire thickness of its outer layer.

A method of manufacturing a smoking article 1 includes the step of perforating the ventilation portion 6, preferably with a laser, to form holes 9.

The ventilation part 6 is perforated from the outer surface 11 to the channel 8 so that the inner part of the channel 8 communicates with the outside air.

In practice, part 6 is perforated over the entire thickness of its outer layer.

In this method, the perforation of part 6 involves the perforation of the entire smoking article 1 and, in particular, also the rim element 4, in which the holes 13 are made.

Preferably, the wrap 7 is also perforated in the punching step to form holes 7a.

In an alternative embodiment, in which the rim element 4 comprises a ventilation region 4a, part 6 is preferably perforated before the manufacture of the smoking article 1, for example, in a device known as a “filter manufacturer” of a substantially known type, in accordance with the method described above.

The method then includes the step of wrapping the filter element 2 with openings 9, and the tobacco rod 3 with the rim element 4 containing the ventilation region 4a, so that the inlet 10 of each hole 9 communicates with the ventilation region 4a.

Claims (19)

1. A filter element for a smoking article (1) of the tobacco industry, containing ventilation means (6, 8, 9, 10, 12) for diluting with air the main stream (F1) of smoke passing through the filter element, the ventilation means containing at least one the ventilation part (6) having at least one inner channel (8) and at least one hole (9) having an inlet (10) communicating with the outer surface (11) of the filter element and an outlet (12) communicating with internal channel (8), characterized in that the axis (A1) decree of the hole (9) is inclined at an angle α to the plane (P1) orthogonal to the main direction (D) of the extension, the angle α having a value between +90 and -90 sixty degrees, and the axis (A1) of the hole (9) is inclined at an angle β to the radial plane (P2) passing through the outlet (12) of the hole (9). 2. The filter element according to claim 1, comprising a part (5a) of filter material combined with the ventilation part (6) in the main direction (D) of the length. 3. The filter element according to claim 2, comprising a second part (5b) of filter material, the ventilation part (6) being located between the first and second parts (5a, 5b) of the filter material along the main stream. 4. The filter element according to claim 2, in which the ventilation part (6) is aligned with the first part (5) of the filter material. 5. The filter element according to claim 1, in which the angle α has a value of +45 six decimal degrees. 6. The filter element according to claim 1, in which the angle β has a value between +90 and -90 six decimal degrees. 7. The filter element according to claim 2, having several holes (9) in the ventilation part (6), the axis (A1) of each hole (9) being inclined at an angle α to the plane (P1) orthogonal to the main direction (D) of the length, and inclined at an angle β to the radial plane (P2) passing through the outlet (12). 8. The filter element according to claim 1, containing a wrapper (7) covering at least the ventilation part (6), while the wrapper (7) has at least one hole (7a) located at the inlet (10) of the hole (9) to the ventilation part (6). 9. The filter element according to claim 1, containing an expansion chamber (14) located downstream of the ventilation part (6) along the main stream (F1). 10. The filter element according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the ventilation part (6) comprises a tubular element (6a) having an inner passage (8a) defining said channel, said hole (9) passing through the tubular element (6a) so so that the outer surface (11) of the filter element is in communication with the inner passage (8a). 11. The filter element according to claim 3, in which the ventilation part (6) contains a third part (6b) of filter material containing an outer part (6b ') and an inner part (6b "), wherein the inner part (6b") has a higher porosity than the outer part (6b '), while the channel (8) passes through the inner part (6b' '), and the specified hole passes through the outer part (6b') to ensure the outer surface (11) of the filter element with channel (8). 12. The filter element according to claim 11, in which the inner part (6b '') is aligned with the outer part (6b '). 13. A smoking article comprising a tobacco rod (3), a filter element (2), a rim element (4) for connecting the tobacco rod (3) with a filter element (2), characterized in that the filter element (2) is made according to any one of p. 1-12. 14. A smoking article according to claim 13, wherein the rim element (4) comprises a ventilation region (4a) having a high porosity, preferably more than 30,000 CORESTA units, wherein the inlet (10) of said opening (9) communicates with the ventilation region (4a) ) 15. A smoking article according to claim 13 or 14, in which the rim element (4) has at least one opening (13) in communication with the inlet (10) of said opening (9) located in the ventilation part (6). 16. A method of manufacturing a filter element made according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, characterized in that it includes the step of perforating the ventilation part (6) from the outer surface (11) to the channel (8), preferably with a laser, to form an opening (9) in the ventilation part (6). 17. A method of manufacturing a smoking article made according to any one of paragraphs. 13-15, characterized in that it includes the step of perforating the ventilation part (6) from the outer surface (11) to the channel (8), preferably with a laser, to form said hole (9) in the ventilation part (6). 18. The method according to p. 17, in which the step of punching is also performed in the rim element (4). 19. A method of manufacturing a smoking article according to claim 14, characterized in that it includes the step of wrapping the filter element (2) and the tobacco rod (3) with a rim element (4) containing a ventilation region (4a) having high porosity, preferably more than 30,000 CORESTA units, with the ventilation area (4a) communicating with the inlet (10) of said opening (9).

Images