U.S. patent application number 12/097095 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for smoking article.
This patent application is currently assigned to GALLAHER LIMITED. Invention is credited to Bernard Eugene Fitzsimons, Michael Terrace Hollywood, David William John McLaughlin.
Application Number | 20080314401 12/097095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36282865 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080314401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLaughlin; David William John ;
et al. |
December 25, 2008 |
Smoking Article
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.
Inventors: |
McLaughlin; David William John;
(N. Ireland, GB) ; Hollywood; Michael Terrace; (N.
Ireland, GB) ; Fitzsimons; Bernard Eugene; (N.
Ireland, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
GALLAHER LIMITED
Co. Antrim
IE
|
Family ID: |
36282865 |
Appl. No.: |
12/097095 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 25, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/010365 |
371 Date: |
June 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/335 ;
131/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/041 20130101;
A24D 3/043 20130101; A24D 3/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/335 ;
131/360 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/04 20060101
A24D003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2005 |
EP |
05257731.9 |
Oct 25, 2006 |
EP |
PCT/EP06/010365 |
Claims
1. A smoking article comprising: a distal end which, in use,
contains a smoke producing substance; a proximal end from which
smoke is drawn during smoking; at least one channel which runs from
the proximal end to at least part way towards the distal end; at
least one vent hole 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 being 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 composition becomes airborne and is delivered
to the smoker.
2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the smoke
supplement composition comprises nicotine or a nicotine
derivative.
3. The smoking article according to claim 2, wherein the smoke
supplement composition includes at least one substance from the
group of: flavourants, pharmacologically active agents, and smoke
modifiers.
4. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one substance is encapsulated.
5. The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the substance
is encapsulated with cyclodextrin.
6. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the smoke
supplement composition comprises a web or film.
7. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the smoke
supplement composition comprises solid particles.
8. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the smoke
supplement composition is housed within cavities along the airflow
path.
9. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein, during
storage, at least one of the vent holes or the proximal ends of the
channels comprise a removable seal.
10. The smoking article accordingly to claim 1, wherein the at
least one channel comprises an impermeable barrier such that, both
during storage and during smoking, the smoke supplement composition
does not migrate out of the at least one channel other than along
the airflow path.
11. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the smoking
article is a cigarette comprising a filter.
12. The smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the channels
are defined within the filter.
13. The smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the vent
holes are comprised within impermeable tipping paper.
14. The smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the
cigarette further comprises a tobacco rod with a hollow core.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a smoking article.
[0002] Modern smoking articles aim to reduce the delivery of tar,
carbon monoxide and other vapour phase components. Using cigarettes
as an example, the quest for controlled delivery is typically
achieved by altering blend choice, envelope ventilation, tip
ventilation, filtration and filter adsorbents such as activated
carbon. These methods, however, are known to compromise the
delivery of other cigarette components, or `smoke supplement
compositions`, for example flavour. This is detrimental to
characteristics such as taste, in particular with regard to high
ventilation, low tar type products.
[0003] Methods of combatting the above-described detriment to
qualities such as taste are known, for example by introducing
additional flavours into either the blend or the filter. Both of
these options, however, can exhibit disadvantages such as the
reduction of filter effectiveness due to the presence of flavour in
(or the migration of flavour to) the filter or the filter
adsorbents, the incomplete transfer of flavour to the smoker (for
example due to combustion of the flavour, or due to extraction of
the flavour by the filter), and the dilution of the flavour by
other vapours produced by the smoking article. Since the
introduction of additional flavour is an expensive process, maximum
transfer of this flavour to the smoker is of utmost importance.
[0004] It is therefore necessary to formulate an improved method of
introducing smoke supplement compositions such as flavour into
smoking articles, such that the detriment to qualities such as
taste which can occur in association with the controlled delivery
of for example tar and carbon monoxide can be effectively overcome
without the above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0005] The present invention provides a smoking article comprising
a distal end which, in use, contains a smoke producing substance, a
proximal end from which the smoke is drawn during smoking, and at
least one channel which runs from the proximal end to at least
partway 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 this 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 airborne and is delivered to the smoker.
[0006] Such a smoking article exhibits what will now be termed as a
"parallel delivery system", ie. a system wherein a smoke supplement
composition such as flavour, nicotine, nicotine derivatives,
pharmacologically active agents or smoke modifiers is delivered
parallel to, rather than in series with, smoke from the smoke
producing substance. Such a "parallel delivery system" improves
delivery of the smoke supplement composition, and in the case of
delivery of flavour, this improves the flavour of the smoking
article while overcoming the problems associated with prior art
flavour improvement methods.
[0007] In detail, the present invention does not give rise to
pyrolysis or combustion of the smoke supplement composition since
the composition receives at most only mild heating. Migration of
the composition to other parts of the smoking article is reduced
since the composition is confined to the airflow path, and delivery
of the composition is not hindered by dilution with other vapours
from the smoking article--in contrast delivery is most effective at
high dilution levels, ie. when airflow is high.
[0008] Furthermore, the composition is not subject to significant
filtration, there is a fixed amount of composition, and blocking
the ventilation holes actually reduces delivery of the composition
rather than increasing it.
[0009] Smoking articles according to the present invention include
cigars, cigarettes, hookahs and pipes, and preferably the smoking
article of the present invention is a cigarette. It is additionally
envisaged that smoking articles which require the final stages of
their manufacture to be performed by the smoker, for example ready
formed hollow tubes containing a filter into which a smoker inserts
tobacco, are also within the scope of the invention. Further `roll
your own` or `make your own` smoking articles according to the
invention are envisaged wherein such smoking articles typically use
components commercially available for use in the making of smoking
articles and/or commercially available accessories for use in
conjunction with smoking articles.
[0010] Typical smoke producing substances comprise dried plant
matter, for example tobacco.
[0011] Generally the smoke producing substance takes the form of an
amorphous mass or a rod. The smoke producing substance is housed
within the smoking article, typically within an area towards the
distal end of the smoking article. This area generally extends
along the direction of a longitudinal axis of the smoking article.
When the smoke producing substance takes the form of a rod, the rod
of smoke producing substance is optionally hollow.
[0012] The smoking article preferably comprises a filter and
generally such a filter is situated at the smoking article's
proximal end. Preferably the filter is within or covering the
proximal end of any area containing the smoke producing substance
such that, in use, smoke from the smoke producing substance is
filtered prior to delivery to a smoker.
[0013] The at least one channel of the smoking article is typically
substantially parallel to the direction of longitudinal extension
of the area of the smoking article containing the smoke producing
substance. The at least one channel is however distinct from any
such area.
[0014] An airflow path along the at least one channel is defined
from at least one vent hole, typically positioned on an outside
face of the smoking article, through the channel to the proximal
end of the smoking article.
[0015] In the case of the smoking article being a cigarette, at
least one vent hole is typically positioned in the tipping paper of
the cigarette.
[0016] Generally the cross-section of the at least one channel is
between 0.1 and 50% of the cross-section of the smoking article,
preferably between 0.1 and 30% and more preferably between 5 and
20%. As the cross-section of the at least one channel is reduced,
the air velocity through the channel increases, thus enhancing the
entrainment of the smoke supplement composition into the airflow
and hence to the smoker. Some formulations of a smoke supplement
composition (eg those comprising glycerol) may require some heat to
aid their transfer into the airstream, and this may be accomplished
by providing the smoke producing substance as a hollow rod, and/or
providing a filter having a high pressure drop core, such that the
heated smoke stream passes in close proximity to the smoke
supplement composition which is at the perimeter of the filter.
[0017] The entrainment of the smoke supplement composition into the
airflow can also be improved by increasing channel length, for
example by using channels that spiral around the smoking article. A
further option is to increase convolution of the airflow path,
and/or to introduce turbulence into the airflow path, for example
by introducing kinks or baffles into the channels.
[0018] The at least one channel of the present invention is
typically defined as a generally concave cavity within a body,
wherein the body is comprised within the smoking article. In this
case the at least one channel is generally formed by pressing a
heated rod into the body. Alternatively the at least one channel is
defined by a corrugated wrapping substance being placed around a
body comprised within the smoking article.
[0019] The airflow path may additionally comprise a cavity which,
in use, stores the smoke supplement composition. Alternatively or
additionally, the smoke supplement composition is stored within the
at least one channel. Typically the smoke supplement composition is
placed into the cavity/channel by any known means either before,
after or during manufacture, such as by injection, pasting,
printing or depositing.
[0020] Typically the smoke supplement composition comprises
nicotine or a nicotine derivative, and optionally it further
comprises one or more substances selected from a flavourant, a
pharmacologically active agent or a smoke modifier.
[0021] Pharmalogically active agents include for example
antioxidants such as vitamin C or E, which act to reduce the impact
of free radicals within the smoke. Smoke modifiers act to reduce
the level of undesirable compounds in the smoke, preferably by
acting on the smoke after its exit from the smoking article but
before its absorption into the body of the smoker. The level of
undesirable components can be reduced by chemical reaction of the
undesirable component (eg radicals) with the smoke modifier (eg an
antioxidant) to deactivate the undesirable component, or by
reaction of the undesirable component (eg radicals) with another
component to deactivate the undesirable component wherein this
reaction is catalysed by a smoke modifier (eg an iron catalyst).
Alternatively, the undesirable component can be adsorbed into or
amalgamated with a smoke modifier matrix (eg a matrix of fine
carbon granules). Such absorption/amalgamation can reduce the
availability of the undesirable component and/or alter the way the
undesirable component is deposited within the airways of the smoker
(eg if particles of undesirable component are made sufficiently
large, these particles will be non-respirable).
[0022] Any of the one or more substances, and/or any nicotine or
nicotine derivative, can be encapsulated or micro encapsulated,
typically prior to being introduced into the smoke supplement
composition. Suitable encapsulation or micro encapsulation
materials include starch, gum acacia, glycerol, gelatine, albumin
or cyclodextrin. Encapsulation or micro encapsulation can be used
as a method to contain volatile compounds.
[0023] The smoke supplement composition can further comprise a
substrate material such as a web or film, or such as solid
particles for example cyclodextrin. Any of the above mentioned
nicotine/nicotine derivatives and/or one or more substances (such
as flavourant, pharmacologically active agents or smoke modifiers),
all of which can optionally be encapsulated as described above, can
be comprised within or on the substrate material. Optionally the
substrate material becomes entrained in the ventilation air.
[0024] The vent holes and/or proximal ends of the grooves of the
smoking article are optionally removably sealed such that during
storage any volatile smoke supplement composition cannot migrate
out of the channels and onto other parts of the smoking article, or
onto any filter or packaging.
[0025] Suitable removable seals include a removable sleeve for the
smoking article, for example a sleeve that slides over the proximal
end of the article. Such a sleeve could be made from a polymer such
as cellophane. Alternatively, a "tear tape" for the vent holes
and/or the proximal ends of the channels can be incorporated,
wherein this "tear tape" can be made from any suitable polymer such
as cellophane.
[0026] In a similar manner, it is preferable that the channels
comprise an impermeable barrier such that, in use, the smoke
supplement composition does not migrate out of the channels in any
way other than along the airflow path during smoking.
[0027] Examples of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows the main design aspects of a conventional
cigarette;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a conventional cigarette with a compound filter
containing an adsorbent;
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the main airflow paths of a conventional
cigarette with a compound filter;
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the main airflow paths within a cigarette with
a parallel delivery system according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a filter plug with channels arranged to enable
parallel delivery according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a filter plug with alternative channels
arranged to enable parallel delivery according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a filter plug with channels
to enable parallel delivery according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a cigarette according to the present invention
comprising a cavity in which to store smoke supplement
composition;
[0036] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the filter of FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a cigarette according to the present invention
comprising a hollow tobacco rod; and
[0038] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a cigarette according to
the present invention, wherein the cigarette uses corrugated outer
plug wrap arranged to form channels.
[0039] Looking first at FIG. 1, this shows the main design aspects
of a conventional cigarette 10. The cigarette 10 has a proximal end
11, and at this proximal end 11 there is provided a cylindrical
cellulose acetate filter 12. This filter is wrapped with a porous
plug wrap 13, and is then wrapped with a tipping paper 14. A
tipping paper 14 comprises vent holes 15 which form a ring around
the cylindrical filter 12. Adjoining the filter 12 at its distal
end is a tobacco rod 16. This tobacco rod 16 is wrapped with
cigarette paper 17.
[0040] Looking now at FIG. 2, this shows a conventional cigarette
with a compound filter containing an adsorbent. The compound filter
comprises a cellulose acetate segment 22 at the cigarette's
proximal end 11 and an adsorbent containing segment 22' adjoining
the distal end of the cellulose acetate segment 22. In all other
respects the cigarette is as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows the main air flow paths of a conventional
cigarette as depicted in FIG. 2. In detail, when the cigarette of
FIG. 2 is smoked, air is drawn through the tobacco rod 16 and
through the adsorbent containing filter segment 22' and into the
cellulose acetate filter segment 22. At this point extra air is
drawn through the vent holes 15 and into the cellulose acetate
filter segment 22. This air mixes with the air from the adsorbent
containing filter segment 22' and all of the air is drawn out of
the proximal end 11 of the cigarette by the smoker.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows the main airflow paths within a cigarette with
a parallel delivery system according to the present invention. In
detail, air is drawn through the tobacco rod 16 and subsequently
through the adsorbent containing filter segment 22' and into the
cellulose acetate filter segment 22 as already described with
regard to FIG. 3. This air is further drawn out of the proximal end
of the cigarette 11 by the smoker. In contrast to FIG. 3, however,
extra air entering via the vent holes 15 is drawn along the
channels 41 containing smoke supplement composition 42. This extra
air does not mix with the air from the tobacco rod 16 but instead
is confined to the channels 41 and is drawn out of the proximal end
of the cigarette 11 by the smoker.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a filter plug with channels to enable parallel
delivery according to the present invention. As can be seen,
substantially straight, parallel channels 41 are formed in the
cellulose acetate filter segment 22. The distal ends of the
channels 41 align with vent holes 15 (not shown).
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a filter plug with alternative channels to
enable parallel delivery according to the present invention. In
contrast to FIG. 5, the channels 41 are arranged so as to extend
substantially longitudinally whilst also exhibiting radial
progression around the axis of the filter segment 22. This
arrangement increases the length of the channels 41 and can
therefore increase the capability of the cigarette to deliver smoke
supplement composition.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a filter plug with channels
arranged to enable parallel delivery according to the present
invention. As can be seen, the channels 41 are formed from concave
depressions within the filter 22.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows a cigarette according to the present invention
comprising a cavity 81 in which to store smoke supplement
composition. In detail, air is drawn through the tobacco rod 16 and
subsequently through the adsorbent containing filter segment 22'
and into the cellulose acetate filter segment 22 as already
described with regard to FIG. 3. This air is further drawn out of
the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker. In a similar
manner to FIG. 4, extra air is drawn in through the vent holes 15
and passes over smoke supplement composition 42 which is contained
within a cavity 81. This air then passes along the channels 41 and
is drawn out of the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the
smoker.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the filter of FIG. 8. As
can be seen, the cellulose acetate filter 22 comprises a cavity 81,
in airflow connection with channels 41, which extend to the
proximal end of the cigarette 11. The cavity 81 aligns with the
vent holes 15 (not shown).
[0048] FIG. 10 shows a cigarette according to the present invention
comprising a hollow tobacco rod. In detail, air is drawn through
the tobacco rod 16 and into the hollow core of the rod 101. This
air then passes through the adsorbent containing filter segment 22'
and into the filter segment 102. This filter segment 102 comprises
a high pressure drop core 103, and the airflow from the adsorbent
containing filter segment 22' passes between the high pressure drop
core 103 and the channels 41, and is subsequently drawn out of the
proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the smoker. As described with
regard to FIG. 4, the extra air entering via the vent holes 15 is
drawn along the channels 41 containing the smoke supplement
composition 42. This extra air does not mix with the air from the
tobacco rod 16 but instead is confined to the channels 41 and is
drawn out of the proximal end of the cigarette 11 by the
smoker.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a cigarette which uses
corrugated outer plug wrap 112 arranged to form channels. In
detail, the channels 111 are formed by placing corrugated outer
plug wrap 112 around the outside of the cellulose filter 22. The
corrugated outer plug wrap 112 is separated from the filter 22 by
inner plug wrap 113, and the channels 111 formed by the corrugated
outer plug wrap 112 are sealed by wrapping tipping paper 14 around
the corrugated outer plug wrap 12. The grooves extend only part way
down the filter and do not come into contact with the tobacco rod
(not shown).
* * * * *