U.S. patent application number 11/762541 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for kit for the assembly of smoking articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to IMPERIAL TOBACCO CANADA. Invention is credited to Marc Nencioni.
Application Number | 20080308113 11/762541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40131188 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080308113 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nencioni; Marc |
December 18, 2008 |
KIT FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF SMOKING ARTICLES
Abstract
A kit for the assembly of smoking articles comprises a plurality
of smokable tobacco rods, a plurality of filter assemblies and a
package. Each one of the filter assemblies has an interface for
connecting with one of the smokable tobacco rods. The plurality of
smokable tobacco rods and the plurality of filters are packed in
the package. In another embodiment, the kit comprises a plurality
of smoking articles, a plurality of filter assemblies and a
package. Each one of the smoking articles is fitted with one filter
tip and is adapted to be severed into a first part and a second
part, the first part containing the filter tip. Each one of the
filter assemblies has an interface for connecting with the second
part of one of the severed smoking articles. The smoking articles
are provided in a smokable format. The plurality of smoking
articles and the plurality of filter assemblies are packaged in the
package. In another embodiment, a filter assembly for a smoking
article is also disclosed. The filter assembly comprises a filter
tip and an outer shell. The outer shell extends longitudinally
outwardly from the filter tip. The outer shell has a cylindrical
interior surface defining an interface coated with an adhesive for
adhering to the smoking article. The cylindrical interior surface
is dimensioned to fit an exterior diameter of the smoking
article.
Inventors: |
Nencioni; Marc;
(Sainte-Therese, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR
40 KING STREET WEST, BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Assignee: |
IMPERIAL TOBACCO CANADA
Montreal
CA
|
Family ID: |
40131188 |
Appl. No.: |
11/762541 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/84.1 ;
131/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/84.1 ;
131/202 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/04 20060101
A24D001/04; A24C 5/18 20060101 A24C005/18 |
Claims
1. A kit for assembly of smoking articles comprising: a plurality
of smokable tobacco rods; a plurality of filter assemblies, each
one of said filter assemblies having an interface for connecting
with one of said smokable tobacco rods; and a package for packaging
said plurality of smokable cigarettes and said plurality of
filters.
2. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a cutter adapted to sever
one of said plurality of smokable tobacco rods, said cutter being
packaged within said package.
3. The kit of claim 2 wherein each one of said plurality of filter
assemblies comprises a filter tip and an outer shell, said outer
shell extending longitudinally outwardly from said filter tip, said
outer shell having a cylindrical interior surface, said cylindrical
interior surface defining said interface, said cylindrical interior
surface having a diameter dimensioned to fit an exterior diameter
of each one of said plurality of smokable tobacco rods.
4. The kit of claim 3 wherein said interface is coated with an
adhesive for adhering to said one of said plurality of smokable
tobacco rods.
5. The kit of claim 4 wherein said adhesive is activated by
moisture.
6. The kit of claim 5 wherein said receiving interface extends
sufficiently from said filter tip to ensure proper anchorage with
one of said smokable tobacco rods.
7. The kit of claim 6 wherein said interface extends from said
filter tip by 10 mm or less.
8. The kit of claim 3 wherein said filter tip is flavoured.
9. The kit of claim 2 further comprising stickers for
circumferentially assembling one of said filter assemblies to one
of said smokable tobacco rods.
10. The kit of claim 2 comprising at least twice as many of said
filter assemblies as smokable tobacco rods.
11. The kit of claim 2 wherein said plurality of smokable tobacco
rods are packaged in at least one rod container and said plurality
of filter assemblies are separately packaged in at least one filter
container.
12. The kit of claim 11 wherein said plurality of smokable tobacco
rods are packaged in packs of 25 smokable tobacco rods and said
plurality of filter assemblies are packaged in multiples of 50.
13. A filter assembly for a smoking article having an exterior
diameter, said filter assembly comprising: a filter tip; an outer
shell, said outer shell extending longitudinally outwardly from
said filter tip, said outer shell having a cylindrical interior
surface, said cylindrical interior surface defining an interface
coated with an adhesive for adhering to the smoking article, said
cylindrical interior surface being dimensioned to fit the exterior
diameter of the smoking article.
14. The filter assembly of claim 13 wherein said adhesive is
activated by moisture.
15. The filter assembly of claim 14 wherein said interface extends
from said filter tip by 10 mm or less.
16. The filter assembly of claim 13 wherein said filter tip is
flavoured.
17. A kit for assembly of smoking articles comprising: a plurality
of smoking articles, each one of said smoking article having one
filter tip, each one of said smoking articles being adapted to be
severed into a first part and a second part, said first part
comprising said filter tip; a plurality of filter assemblies, each
one of said filter assemblies having an interface for connecting
with said second part of one of said severed smoking articles; and
a package for packaging said plurality of smoking articles and said
plurality of filter assemblies, wherein said smoking article is
readily smokable.
18. The kit of claim 17 further comprising a cutter adapted to
sever one of said smoking articles into said first part and said
second part.
19. The kit of claim 18 wherein each one of said filter assemblies
comprises a filter tip and an outer shell, said outer shell
extending longitudinally outwardly from said filter tip, said outer
shell having a cylindrical interior surface, said cylindrical
interior surface defining said interface, said cylindrical interior
surface having a diameter dimensioned to fit an exterior diameter
of said second part.
20. The kit of claim 19 wherein said interface is coated with an
adhesive for adhering to said second part.
21. The kit of claim 20 comprising at least as many of said filter
assemblies as smoking articles.
22. The kit of claim 17 wherein said smoking articles are
cigarettes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
smoking articles, including but not limited to cigarettes. More
particularly, the invention relates to a kit for the assembly of
smoking articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many people are cost-conscious when it comes to selecting
their smoking articles, such as cigarettes or cigarillos, for
example. While some choose a less expensive product, other users
decide to only partly smoke their cigarette and retain the
remaining for a later time. Not withstanding economical reasons,
some users would also like to briefly enjoy a cigarette, but not a
complete one and feel bad about wasting a part of their cigarette.
To a certain extent, cigarette manufacturers have listened to their
customers' needs and provided them with products that are cheaper
to manufacture. However, none have still suggested a convenient
method for users to tailor the size of their cigarettes or other
smoking articles, to their immediate needs.
[0003] Cigarettes sold in kits for assembly by the end user provide
a solution to the economical problem. However, some of these
cigarettes kits, known as "roll-your-own" are basic and require
much preparation and dexterity from the end user. Such is the case
with cigarette kits where the cigarettes are made from scratch from
loose tobacco and cigarette wrappers without any mechanical aids.
Another problem of these cigarette kits lies in obtaining a
consistency in the quantity of the tobacco charge employed, and
hence obtaining a consistency in smoking quality.
[0004] Several suggestions have been made in the prior art to
mechanize the operation of cigarette assembly and thereby address
the problem of consistency of cigarette kits. One such prior art
suggestion appears in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,830 to Brackmann et al.
This patent describes a kit to assemble cigarettes using cut
tobacco provided in charges in non-smokable cartridges. During
assembly, the charges are inserted, with the help of a special
tool, into a cigarette tube and a sheath surrounding the cartridge
is removed. However, even though the special tool used in this kit
is somewhat portable, a solution requiring even less manipulation
would prove to be more convenient for the user to prepare his
cigarettes. Other problems with this solution reside in the fact
that the length of the cigarettes cannot be adjusted to the instant
needs of the user, and that the tobacco charge is provided in a
non-smokable format, which requires the sheath material to be
present and then to be discarded, thereby increasing product costs
and waste.
[0005] There is therefore a need for a solution that provides
cigarettes or other smoking articles to a user at reduced costs,
that requires low manipulation, that provides a good consistency of
the tobacco charge and that also provides the user with the
flexibility of adjusting the length of his smoking article to his
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In the following description of the invention, the terms
"smoking article" should be understood to be a readily smokable
article such as a cigarette or a cigarillo or other similar
articles for which the invention may work.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a kit
for the assembly of smoking articles that overcomes or mitigates
one or more disadvantages of known smoking article kits, or at
least provides a useful alternative.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
kit for the assembly of smoking articles that are lower in
cost.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
kit for the assembly of smoking articles that allows a user to
assemble his smoking articles with very few steps.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
kit for the assembly of smoking articles that have a consistent
tobacco charge for a given length.
[0011] It is another object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a kit for the assembly of smoking articles that allows
the user to tailor the length of the smoking article to his
needs.
[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a kit for the assembly of smoking articles comprising a plurality
of tobacco rods, a plurality of filter assemblies and a package.
Each one of the filter assemblies has an interface for connecting
with one of the tobacco rods. The plurality of tobacco rods and the
plurality of filters are packed in the package.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a filter assembly for a smoking article having an exterior
diameter. The filter assembly comprises a filter tip and an outer
shell. The outer shell extends longitudinally outwardly from the
filter tip. The outer shell has a cylindrical interior surface
defining an interface coated with an adhesive for adhering to the
smoking article. The cylindrical interior surface is dimensioned to
fit the exterior diameter of the smoking article.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a kit for the assembly of smoking articles comprising a
plurality of smoking articles, a plurality of filter assemblies and
a package. Each one of the smoking articles is fitted with one
filter tip. Each one of the smoking articles is adapted to be
severed into a first part and a second part, the first part
comprising the filter tip. Each one of the filter assemblies has an
interface for connecting with the second part of one of the severed
smoking articles. The plurality of smoking articles and the
plurality of filter assemblies are packaged in the package. The
smoking articles are provided in a readily smokable format.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features of the invention will become more
readily apparent from the following description in which reference
is made to the appended drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for the assembly of
smoking articles in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an assembled smoking article
built with the filter assembly of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a filter assembly in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled smoking article
built with the filter assembly of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutter in action in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the kit
of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a kit for the assembly of
smoking articles in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a severed assembled smoking
article contained in the kit of FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention discloses a kit for assembling smoking
articles. The smoking articles, such as cigarettes or cigarillos or
other similar articles, are produced in a smokable format. The kit
includes tobacco rods, filter assemblies and optionally, a cutter.
The cutter allows the user to cut his smoking articles to a desired
length. The user fits a filter assembly to the smoking article
before or after cuting it to the desired length, and is ready to
consume it. Conveniently, a new filter assembly allows the user to
easily fix it to the smoking article.
[0026] In the present description, an example of the invention will
be described by making reference to a cigarette. However, the
person skilled in the art will readily understand that the same
principles may be applied to other types of smoking articles such
as cigarillos for example. Specific reference to a cigarette in the
description should therefore not be considered limiting.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a kit 10 for the assembly of smoking
articles, such as cigarettes. The kit 10 comprises a plurality of
smokable tobacco rods 12, a plurality of filter assemblies 14 and a
package 16. Optionally, the kit may also include a cutter 18
adapted to sever the smokable tobacco rods 12.
[0028] The smokable tobacco rods 12 may be supplied in different
lengths. For example, the smokable tobacco rod 12 could be provided
in a length of 140 mm and then cut in equal parts of 70 mm.
Alternatively, the length of the parts could be unequal.
[0029] In smokable format, the smokable tobacco rod 12 must be made
with a cigarette paper 19, best shown in FIG. 3 such that the
cigarette remains smokable. By contrast, tobacco rods provided in
non-smokable format need to use a porous wrapper made of a material
that lets sufficient air flow through, thereby rendering the
tobacco rod non-smokable.
[0030] FIG. 2 is now referred to. Each filter assembly 14 comprises
a filter tip 20 and an outer shell 22. In order to fit properly
with the smokable tobacco rods 12, shown in FIG. 3, the filter
assemblies 14 are provided with an interface 24 for connecting with
the smokable tobacco rod 12 so that the filter assembly 14 may
easily be assembled with the smokable tobacco rod 12. In an
embodiment of the present invention, the filter assembly 14 has its
outer shell 22 extending longitudinally from the filter tip 20,
thereby defining the interface 24. The interface 24 is provided
with sufficient length to ensure anchorage to the smokable tobacco
rod 12. Normally, the interface 24 extends from the filter tip 20
by 10 mm or less, typically by approximately 5 mm. The outer shell
22 is cylindrical in shape, to match the shape of the smokable
tobacco rod 12. An interior surface 26 of the outer shell 22,
defining the interface 24, has its interior diameter dimensioned to
fit an exterior diameter of the smokable tobacco rod 12. In an
example of the present invention, the interface 24 is coated with
an adhesive for adhering to the smokable tobacco rod 12.
Conveniently, the adhesive is of the type that is activated by
moisture. FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the filter assembly 14
and the smokable tobacco rod 12. The outer shell 22 of the filter
assembly 14 may be made of different materials such as paper or
plastic. When the outer shell 22 is made of paper, the filter
assembly 14 is normally discarded once a cigarette has been
completely consumed. On the other hand, if the outer shell 22 is
made of plastic, it may be reusable. Then, only the filter tip 20
may need to be replaced inside the outer shell 22. Optionally, the
filter tip 20 may also be flavoured.
[0031] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is depicted another embodiment
of the filter assembly 14. The filter assembly 14 still comprises
the outer shell 22. However, this latter does not necessarily
extend from the filter tip 20. The interface 24 in this case is an
extremity of the filter tip 20 so that when the filter assembly 14
is fitted to the smokable tobacco rod 12, it abuts on an extremity
of the smokable tobacco rod 12, as shown in FIG. 5, which is now
concurrently referred to. A sticker 28 is provided to bond the
filter assembly 14 to the smokable tobacco rod 12 by being placed
around a joint 29 between the filter assembly 14 and the smokable
tobacco rod 12. The sticker 28 may use a moisture activated
adhesive on its sticking surface 30. Alternatively, the sticker 28
may be of the peel-off type. In this case, the user simply has to
peel-off a protective layer from the sticking surface 30 of the
sticker 28 and apply the sticker 28 over the joint between the
filter assembly 14 and the smokable tobacco rod 12, as shown in
FIG. 5.
[0032] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which depicts a smokable
tobacco rod 12 being severed by the cutter 18. The cuter 18 is
equipped with an aperture 32, through which the smokable tobacco
rod 12 is inserted for severing. The aperture 32 is dimensioned to
conform to the exterior diameter of the smokable tobacco rod 12.
Once inserted in the aperture 32, the smokable tobacco rod 12 is
severed in two parts 33, not necessarily of the same length,
according to the needs of the user. Although conventional scissors
or a knife may be used to sever the smokable tobacco rod 12, the
cutter 18 allows a clean cut of the smokable tobacco rod 12 during
the severing operation. A conical shaped depression 31 is provided
on the cutter 18 to round and taper an end of the smokable tobacco
rod 12 to facilitate the assembly of the smokable tobacco rod 12
with the filter assembly 14. Conveniently, the user may sever the
smokable tobacco rod 12 in two or more pieces, allowing tailoring
the length to his needs. The cutter 18 may be packaged with the
filter assemblies 14, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] Now turning to FIG. 7, there is depicted the kit 10
comprising the package 16 for packaging the smokable tobacco rods
12, the filter assemblies 14 and, optionally, the cutter 18 (not
shown in FIG. 7, best shown in FIG. 1). Although the smokable
tobacco rods 12, the filter assemblies 14 and the cutter 18 may be
packaged in the same package, it may be preferable to package them
separately. For example, the smokable tobacco rods 12 may be
packaged in cigarette containers 34 and the filter assemblies 14
may be packaged in a filter container 36. Conveniently, the cutter
18, if provided with the kit 10, may also be provided inside either
the filter container 36 or one of the rod containers 34. Since most
users will sever the smokable tobacco rods 12 in two, twice as many
filter assemblies 14 as smokable tobacco rods 12 are provided.
However, since some users may sever their smokable tobacco rods 12
in more than two parts, the number of filter assemblies 14 provided
in the kit 10 may even be more than twice the number of smokable
tobacco rods 12. When required, a sufficient quantity of stickers
28 (not shown) may also be included in the kit 10. The smokable
tobacco rods 12 may be provided in one or many separate rod
containers 34. However, for convenience, smaller rod containers 34
are used and the smokable tobacco rods 12 are packaged in an
wrapper 38, better shown in FIG. 1 and concurrently referred to,
such as to preserve tobacco freshness. To further protect product
freshness and to provide a convenient and attractive package 16,
the package 16 may further include a wrapper 40. The wrapper 40 may
either be made of a plastic film or an aluminized material, or any
other equivalent material.
[0034] In an example of the product, the kit 10 may comprise four
rod containers 34, each comprising 25 smokable tobacco rods 12, for
a total of 100 smokable tobacco rods 12. The filter container 36
comprises at least 200 filter assemblies 14, or at least twice the
quantity of smokable tobacco rods 12. If more rod containers 34 are
provided, each containing 25 smokable tobacco rods, a minimum
matching quantity of filter assemblies 14 must be provided in
multiples of 50.
[0035] FIG. 8 represents another embodiment of the present
invention. The kit 10 comprises a plurality of smokable cigarettes
42, a plurality of filter assemblies 14 and the package 16. In the
present embodiment, each smokable cigarette 42 is fitted with one
filter tip 20, as best shown in FIG. 9, now concurrently referred
to. The smokable cigarettes 42 are provided in a readily smokable
format. Optionally, the kit 10 may comprise the cutter 18. The
cutter 18 is used to sever the smokable cigarette 42 into a first
part 44 and a second part 46. The first part 44 retains the filter
tip 20 and may readily be smoked like a regular filter cigarette.
The second part 46 is not readily equipped with a filter tip 20 and
may need to be equipped with one prior to use by a user. Hence, in
order to prepare a cigarette for smoking, a similar approach as
described before is used and one filter assembly 14 is fitted to
one end of the second part 46. Since the first part 44 is already
equipped with a filter tip 20, only at least one filter assembly 14
needs to be provided for each smokable cigarette 42. In the present
case, the user could either decide to smoke directly the smokable
cigarette 42, or cut it in two or more smaller parts and fit each
additional part with one filter assembly 14.
[0036] The present invention has been described with regard to
preferred embodiments. The description as much as the drawings were
intended to help the understanding of the invention, rather than to
limit its scope. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
various modifications may be made to the invention without
departing from the scope of the invention as described herein, and
such modifications are intended to be covered by the present
description.
* * * * *