U.S. patent application number 12/936817 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for plug wrap or tipping paper for smoking articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited. Invention is credited to Gordon Grierson, Nicole Hooper.
Application Number | 20110180088 12/936817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39327713 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110180088 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hooper; Nicole ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
Plug Wrap or Tipping Paper for Smoking Articles
Abstract
The present invention relates to plug wrap or tipping paper (5)
for smoking articles (1). More particularly, the present invention
relates to plug wrap or tipping paper for smoking articles, wherein
the plug wrap and tipping paper comprises a sheet having two or
more plies (10,11) and one of the plies comprises adsorbent
material. The present invention also relates to a method of
preparing the plug wrap and tipping paper, and smoking articles
comprising the plug wrap and/or tipping paper.
Inventors: |
Hooper; Nicole; (London,
GB) ; Grierson; Gordon; (London, GB) |
Assignee: |
British American Tobacco
(Investments) Limited
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
39327713 |
Appl. No.: |
12/936817 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 29, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/051029 |
371 Date: |
March 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/365 ;
131/344; 162/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/56 20130101; A24D
1/02 20130101; A24D 3/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/365 ;
162/139; 131/344 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/02 20060101
A24D001/02; D21H 27/30 20060101 D21H027/30; A24D 3/06 20060101
A24D003/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2008 |
GB |
0804273.1 |
Claims
1. A plug wrap or tipping paper for a smoking article, comprising:
a sheet formed from first and second plies, the first ply
comprising fibrous material and the second ply comprising fibrous
material, and adsorbent material.
2. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
said adsorbent is carbon.
3. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 2, wherein
said carbon is activated carbon.
4. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 3, wherein
said activated carbon has an activity level (CTC) of 60-130 or
80-120 or approximately 100.
5. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
said second ply further comprises flavourant.
6. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
said second ply comprises filler material.
7. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 6, wherein
said filler material comprises calcium carbonate.
8. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 6, wherein
said filler material is present in said second ply in an amount of
up to 25 gsm.
9. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the
first ply comprises filler material.
10. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 9, wherein
said filler material comprises calcium carbonate.
11. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 9, wherein
said filler material is present in said first ply in an amount of
up to 15 gsm.
12. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 7, wherein
the total amount of filler material in said sheet is up to 40
gsm.
13. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
the fibrous material is present in said first ply in an amount of
up to 20 gsm.
14. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
the total amount of fibrous material in said sheet is up to 60
gsm.
15. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
the total amount of fibrous material in said sheet is at least 17
gsm.
16. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
the thickness of the plug wrap or tipping paper is at least 45
p.m.
17. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
the thickness of the plug wrap or tipping paper is up to 250
pm.
18. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
said second ply comprises diluent.
19. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein
said plies are combined to form said single sheet while at least
one of the plies is in the wet stage of formation prior to
drying.
20. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 19, wherein
the plies are combined while both of said plies are in the wet
stage of formation prior to drying.
21. A filter element, comprising: a filter rod; and a plug wrap
enwrapping said filter rod, wherein said plug wrap is a sheet
formed from first and second plies, wherein the first ply comprises
fibrous material and the second ply comprises fibrous material, and
adsorbent material.
22. A smoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod of smoking
material; and a filter element that comprises a filter rod and a
plug wrap enwrapping said filter rod, wherein said plug wrap is a
sheet formed from first and second plies, wherein the first ply
comprises fibrous material and the second ply comprises fibrous
material, and adsorbent material.
23. The smoking article according to claim 22, wherein said second
ply of said plug wrap is located on the filter rod side of said
plug wrap.
24. A smoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod of smoking
material; and a filter element attached to said rod of smoking
material by means of a tipping paper, wherein said tipping paper is
a sheet of paper formed from first and second plies, wherein the
first ply comprises fibrous material and the second ply comprises
fibrous material and adsorbent material.
25. The smoking article according to claim 24, wherein said second
ply of said tipping paper is located on the filter element side of
said tipping paper.
26. The smoking article according to claim 24, wherein said filter
element comprises a filter rod enwrapped in a plug wrap, said plug
wrap being located between said filter rod and said tipping
paper.
27. A smoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod of smoking
material; a filter element that comprises a filter rod and a plug
wrap enwrapping said filter rod, wherein said filter element is
attached to said rod of smoking material by means of a tipping
paper, wherein each of said plug wrap and said tipping paper is a
sheet of paper formed from a first ply and a second ply, wherein
the first ply comprises fibrous material and the second ply
comprises fibrous material and adsorbent material.
28. The smoking article according to claim 22 formed as a
cigarette.
29. A method of making a plug wrap or tipping paper for a smoking
article, the method comprising: combining a first ply comprising
fibrous material and a second ply comprising fibrous material and
adsorbent material to form a two-ply sheet.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising combining
said first ply and said second ply while at least one of said first
ply and said second ply is still in the wet stage of formation
prior to drying.
31. The method according to claim 29, further comprising combining
said first ply and said second ply using a multi-wire paper making
machine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a plug wrap for a smoking
article. The present invention relates also to a tipping paper for
a smoking article. The present invention relates also to a method
of making a plug wrap or tipping paper for a smoking article.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Smoking articles are known wherein an adsorbent-containing
web material is positioned between the smoking material rod and the
wrapper therefor. For example, WO 2005/082180 discloses smoking
articles comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrapper about the
rod of smokable material and a web material comprising an adsorbent
material and a flavourant, the web material being positioned
between the rod of smokable material and the wrapper and
advantageously being adhered to the wrapper using an adhesive. The
adsorbent material may absorb components of the smoke produced from
the smoking material rod, and for example may be carbon. In WO
2005/082180 a filler material such as calcium carbonate and a burn
additive such as citrate are advantageously used.
[0003] Further, wrappers for smoking articles in which the wrapper
is formed as a single sheet are known. For example EP-A-0 407 022
discloses a wrapper for smoking articles in which the wrapper
comprises a single paper sheet formed from two or more discrete
webs, the webs being combined while at least one of the webs is
still in the wet stage of formation before drying. Additionally,
EP-A-0 475 580 discloses a wrapper for smoking articles, the
wrapper comprising a single paper sheet having two or more plies,
each ply being formed from a paper stock and wherein the paper
stocks are applied to each other while at least one of the stocks
is unformed. In both EP-A-0 407 022 and EP-A-0 475 580 one of the
plies may contain carbon.
[0004] However, the above-mentioned documents do not disclose the
use of such combined wrappers as a plug wrap or as tipping
paper.
[0005] Applicant has now found that, by enwrapping a filter element
in a plug wrap or tipping paper comprising at least two plies and
wherein said plug wrap or tipping paper comprises a ply containing
adsorbent material, characteristics of a smoking article
incorporating the filter may be altered advantageously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a plug
wrap or tipping paper for a smoking article, which comprises a
sheet comprising first and second plies, wherein: [0007] the first
ply comprises fibrous material; and [0008] the second ply comprises
fibrous material, and adsorbent material.
[0009] It is advantageous to include adsorbent material in the plug
wrap or tipping paper for a number of reasons. In particular, the
inclusion of adsorbent in the material constituting the plug wrap
or tipping paper allows the use of smaller particles, having a
greater surface area to volume ratio, than is found with granules
included in filters for instance. Additionally, the inclusion of
adsorbent in the material constituting the plug wrap or tipping
paper avoids the need for adhesive to adhere adsorbent particles to
a plug wrap, as is found for instance in EP 0 579 410. Other
benefits and advantages will be apparent from the following
description.
[0010] Although the sheet may comprise more than two plies, it is
advantageous that the sheet is a double ply sheet, i.e. has only
two plies.
[0011] The fibrous material present in the first and/or second ply
may be a fibrous cellulosic material, for instance a paper
material.
[0012] The fibrous material may, for example, be present in the
second ply in an amount of up to 40 gsm.
[0013] The fibrous material may, for example, be present in first
ply in an amount of up to 20 gsm.
[0014] The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet may be at
least 17 gsm. The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet may
be up to 60 gsm.
[0015] The adsorbent material present in the second ply may, for
example, be carbon, for instance activated carbon. Advantageously,
the activated carbon has an activity level (CTC) of from 60 to 130,
and further advantageously from 80-120, and may suitably be
approximately 100.
[0016] The adsorbent material may, for example, be in powder or
particulate form. It may be in granular form.
[0017] The adsorbent material may, for example, be present in the
second ply in an amount of up to 40 gsm.
[0018] The total amount of adsorbent material in the sheet may, for
example, be up to 40 gsm.
[0019] The first and/or second ply may, for example, comprise
filler material. Examples of suitable filler materials include
calcium carbonate titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, calcium
sulphate, clays and kaolins. The filler material may comprise
calcium carbonate.
[0020] The filler material may, for example, be present in the
second ply in an amount of up to 25 gsm. The filler material may,
for example, be present in the first ply in an amount of up to 15
gsm. The total amount of filler material in said sheet may, for
example, be at least 8 gsm. The total amount of filler material in
the sheet may, for example, be up to 40 gsm.
[0021] The second layer of the plug wrap or tipping paper may, for
example, comprise flavourant. This is particularly suited to
tipping paper.
[0022] The flavourant is advantageously flavourant selected from
the following compound types: menthol (natural and/or synthetic),
alcohols, esters, ketones, lactones, essential oils, aldehydes and
heterocyclic compounds. A suitable flavourant is menthol.
[0023] The plug wrap or tipping paper may, for example, have a
thickness of at least 45 .mu.m. The plug wrap or tipping paper may,
for example, have a thickness of up to 250 .mu.m.
[0024] The second ply extends over at least a part of one surface
of the first ply.
[0025] It is to be understood that, in the situation where more
than two plies are present in the sheet, the second ply may be
separated from the first ply by additional plies.
[0026] The second ply may extend over the whole of one surface of
the first ply.
[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second ply
comprises diluent.
[0028] If present, the flavourant may be added to the adsorbent
material prior to forming the second layer. For example, the
flavourant may be added to the adsorbent material by spraying.
[0029] Alternatively, the flavourant may be added to the second
layer after formation of that layer. A further alternative is
wherein the flavourant is added to the second layer after formation
of the plug wrap or tipping paper.
[0030] For example, the flavourant may be added to the second layer
using a flavour applicator means, advantageously as a stream or
streams of flavourant. Suitably, the plurality of streams of
flavourant is applied to the second layer in a line or in an array.
When applied in an array, the array may comprise two lines of
streams of flavourant, one of the lines being offset from the
streams of flavourant in an adjacent line. Suitably, the flavourant
is applied to the surface of the second layer as 1 to 30 streams of
flavourant, and advantageously as 4 to 18 streams of
flavourant.
[0031] If the flavourant is solid at room temperature, it can be
heated to maintain the flavourant in the molten liquid state during
application to the adsorbent or the second layer, and is
advantageously heated to a temperature of 40 to 45.degree. C.
[0032] The plug wrap or tipping paper may be formed by any suitable
method provided that the resultant plug wrap or tipping paper
comprises a single sheet. As used herein the term "single sheet"
refers to a sheet in which the plies thereof are integral in the
sense that the plies are not merely placed adjacent to one another
or adhered to one another using such as adhesive (i.e. as in the
case of WO 2005/082180).
[0033] In embodiments of the present invention, the plug wrap or
tipping paper in the form of a single sheet is formed by combining
the two or more plies to form the single sheet while at least one
of the plies is in the wet stage of formation prior to drying. For
example, when the plug wrap or tipping paper is a double ply sheet,
the plies may be combined while one or of the plies is in the wet
stage of formation prior to drying, or while both of the plies are
in the wet stage of formation prior to drying.
[0034] In embodiments wherein the sheet is a single sheet
comprising two or more plies, the first ply is a first ply and the
second ply is a second ply, the method may comprise combining the
plies while at least one of the plies is still in the wet stage of
formation prior to drying. After combining the plies the formed
sheet is typically dried.
[0035] An apparatus suitable for use in preparing the plug wrap or
tipping paper may, for example, be a multi-wire paper making
machine such as a double wire paper making machine.
[0036] The present invention further provides a smoking article
comprising a wrapped rod of smoking material, and a filter element,
wherein the filter element comprises a filter rod and a plug wrap
enwrapping the filter rod, the plug wrap being a plug wrap
according to the present invention or a plug wrap prepared
according to the method of the present invention. In such smoking
article the second ply of the plug wrap is advantageously located
on the filter rod side of the plug wrap. This allows the adsorbent
material to be relatively proximate to the flow of smoke through
the smoking article, thereby allowing greater interaction with
constituents of the smoke than would be the case if the second ply
were an outer ply. This also allows the outward appearance of the
plug wrap not to be affected, or to be affected less, by the
content of the second ply. This is particularly useful in the case
where the adsorbent material in the second ply is carbon.
[0037] The present invention still further provides a smoking
article comprising a wrapped rod of smoking material, a filter
element, and wherein the filter element is attached to the rod of
smoking material by means of a tipping paper, the tipping paper
being a tipping paper according to the present invention or a
tipping paper prepared according to the method of the present
invention. In such smoking article the second ply of the tipping
paper is advantageously located on the filter rod side of the
tipping paper. This allows the adsorbent material to be relatively
proximate to the flow of smoke through the smoking article, thereby
allowing greater interaction with constituents of the smoke than
would be the case if the second ply were an outer ply. This also
allows the outward appearance of the tipping paper not to be
affected, or to be affected less, by the content of the second ply.
This is particularly useful in the case where the adsorbent
material in the second ply is carbon. Further, in such smoking
article the filter element may comprise a filter rod enwrapped in a
plug wrap, with the plug wrap being located between the filter rod
and the tipping paper.
[0038] The present invention still further provides a smoking
article comprising a wrapped rod of smoking material, a filter
element, wherein (a) the filter element comprises a filter rod and
a plug wrap enwrapping the filter rod, the plug wrap being a plug
wrap according to the present invention or a plug wrap prepared
according to the method of the present invention, and (b) the
filter element is attached to the rod of smoking material by means
of a tipping paper, the tipping paper being a tipping paper
according to the present invention or a tipping paper prepared
according to the method of the present invention. In such smoking
article the second ply of the plug wrap is advantageously located
on the filter rod side of the plug wrap. This allows the adsorbent
material to be relatively proximate to the flow of smoke through
the smoking article, thereby allowing greater interaction with
constituents of the smoke than would be the case if the second ply
were an outer ply. This also allows the outward appearance of the
plug wrap not to be affected, or to be affected less, by the
content of the second ply. This is particularly useful in the case
where the adsorbent material in the second ply is carbon. Further,
in such smoking article, the second ply of the tipping paper is
advantageously located on the filter rod side of the tipping
paper.
[0039] The second ply of the plug wrap and/or the tipping paper is
advantageously located on the filter rod side of said plug wrap
and/or tipping paper. This can be more aesthetically pleasing to
the smoker. That is, the second ply, which contains the adsorbent
material, is located between the first ply and the filter rod such
that the second ply is not visible to the smoker. Furthermore, in
this arrangement the adsorbent material will have greater
interaction with constituents of the smoke during smoking (compared
to the second ply being on the outer surface of the plug
wrap/tipping wrapper).
[0040] In the smoking article according to the present invention
the filter element may comprise a filter rod comprising adsorbent
material. Examples of suitable adsorbent materials include carbon.
Advantageously, the adsorbent material is carbon and more
advantageously is activated carbon. Any form of activated carbon
may be used. Advantageously, the activated carbon has an activity
level (CTC) of from 60 to 130, and preferably from 80-120, and
suitably for example approximately 100.
[0041] The adsorbent material, when present in the filter element,
may, for example, be in granular, powder or particulate form.
[0042] The filter element may be a multiple filter comprising
multiple sections such as, for example, a dual or triple filter.
Suitable filters are well known to those skilled in the art. A
preferred filter element contains adsorbent material for the
reduction of vapour phase constituents of smoke. Such filters known
in the art include Dalmation filters in which particulate adsorbent
material is interspersed in fibrous filter material, for example
fibrous cellulosic material, and cavity filters in which a cavity
portion of the multi-segment filter contains adsorbent material.
When the second layer contains flavourant, such flavourant is
released from the second layer during smoking of the smoking
article without adversely affecting the ability of the adsorbent in
the filter to reduce vapour phase constituents of the smoke.
[0043] In the embodiment of the present invention wherein the
smoking article comprises a filter element comprising a filter rod,
and wherein the filter rod comprises adsorbent material, the filter
rod may comprise a cellulose acetate mouth end section and a
Dalmation rod section, containing the adsorbent material, located
at the smoking material rod end of the filter element.
[0044] Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present invention
wherein the smoking article comprises a filter element comprising a
filter rod, and wherein the filter rod comprises adsorbent
material, the filter rod may be a cavity filter comprising two end
sections and a central cavity containing said adsorbent
material.
[0045] When the filter rod of a smoking article comprises adsorbent
material, the presence of adsorbent material in the plug wrap
and/or tipping paper according to the present invention increases
the reduction in vapour phase components, compared to the use of
the filter alone.
[0046] When the filter rod of a smoking article comprises adsorbent
material, the presence of adsorbent in the plug wrap and/or tipping
paper according to the present invention may improve the efficiency
of the filter in reducing vapour phase constituents in smoke
generated during smoking of the smoking article.
[0047] The filter element may alternatively comprise a filter plug
of homogeneous filtration material, a plug wrap overwrapping the
filter plug, circumferentially spaced grooves extending
longitudinally of the filter plug, and a ventilating tipping paper
interconnecting the filter element to a tobacco rod, a number of
grooves being open on the side of the tobacco rod and extending
continuously only over a part of the length of the filter element,
and hence not up to the mouth end of the filter element, which
grooves are axially aligned with respect to the filter axis, in to
which axially extending grooves ventilating air enters via
overlying ventilating tipping paper, and any mouth extending groove
not being ventilated.
[0048] The smoking material may be a tobacco-containing smoking
material or a non-tobacco-containing smoking material.
Advantageously the smoking material is a tobacco-containing
material, and more advantageously the smoking material is a tobacco
material. Suitably, the tobacco material comprises of stem, lamina
and tobacco dust. An example, of a tobacco material is one
containing of the following tobacco types: Virginia or flue-cured
tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco
and stem. Advantageously, the smoking material comprises a blend of
tobacco material.
[0049] In a smoking article according to the present invention, the
tipping paper may enwrap the whole of the filter element and extend
part of the way along the smoking material rod. Alternatively, the
tipping paper may be a narrow strip of material which extends over
only a part, for example a small part, of the length of the filter
element and smoking material rod.
[0050] In embodiments of the present invention, the smoking article
is a cigarette.
[0051] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of making a plug wrap or tipping paper for a
smoking article, the method comprising combining a first ply
comprising fibrous material and a second ply comprising fibrous
material and adsorbent material to make a two-ply sheet.
[0052] By practice of the present invention there may be provided
of the following:
a) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper that may be used in forming a
smoking article and which enables a reduction in the vapour phase
constituents of the smoke delivered to the smoker to be achieved;
b) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper which can be produced having a
thickness similar to that of conventional plug wrap and tipping
paper such that the plug wrap and tipping paper can be used in
conventional smoking article (e.g. cigarette) manufacturing
machinery for producing smoking articles and thereby avoid the cost
of additional machinery; c) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper
comprising two or more plies with one of the plies comprising
adsorbent material(s), which plug wrap and/or tipping paper can be
formed remote from the smoking article making machine, this being
advantageous as it reduces the complexity of the manufacturing
machinery required by the smoking article manufacturer because the
smoking article manufacturer does not require machinery to
manufacture the sheet itself; and d) a plug wrap and/or tipping
paper that enables flavourant to be incorporated and stabilised
therein, such that the flavourant is not released until smoking of
a smoking article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0054] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section longitudinally through a
smoking article with a filter rod including a plug wrap and a
tipping paper according to the invention;
[0055] FIG. 2 shows two plies used to make the plug wrap and
tipping paper of the smoking article of FIG. 1;
[0056] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG.
1 along line x-x including a 2-ply plug wrap and a conventional
tipping paper;
[0057] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG.
1 along line x-x including a 2-ply tipping paper and a conventional
plug wrap;
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG.
1 along line x-x including a 2-ply plug wrap and a 2-ply tipping
paper; and
[0059] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a process of making the 2-ply
single sheet of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 1 in longitudinal
cross-section. The smoking article 1 comprises a rod 2 of smokable
material enwrapped by a wrapper 4 and a filter rod 3. The filter
rod 3 is positioned at a mouth end of the smoking article 1. The
filter rod 3 is enwrapped by a plug wrap 5. The filter rod 3 is
attached to the rod of smokable material 2 by a tipping paper 6.
Each of the wrapper 4, the plug wrap 5 and the tipping paper 6 is
made of a respective single sheet.
[0061] The plug wrap 5 extends for the entire length of the filter
rod 3 in the longitudinal axis of the smoking article 1. The plug
wrap 5 thus enwraps the entire radial surface of the filter rod
3.
[0062] The filter rod 3 may be a multiple filter comprising
multiple sections such as, for example, a dual or triple filter.
Suitable filters are well known to those skilled in the art. The
filter 3 may include adsorbent material, for instance activated
carbon, for the reduction of vapour phase constituents of smoke.
Suitable filters include Dalmation filters in which particulate
adsorbent material is interspersed in fibrous filter material, for
example fibrous cellulosic material, and cavity filters in which a
cavity portion of the multi-segment filter contains one or more
adsorbent material, for instance activated carbon. When the second
ply is positioned near to the mouth end of the smoking article, it
has been found that the flavourant is released from the second ply
during smoking of the smoking article without being adsorbed by the
adsorbent material of the filter and without adversely affecting
the ability of the adsorbent in the filter to reduce vapour phase
constituents of the smoke. It is possible that the smoke drawn
through the filter during smoking is of such a temperature as to at
least partially volatilise the flavourant.
[0063] The filter rod 3 may alternatively comprise a filter plug of
homogeneous filtration material, a plug wrap overwrapping the
filter plug, circumferentially spaced grooves extending
longitudinally of the filter plug, and a ventilating tipping paper
interconnecting the filter element to a tobacco rod, a number of
grooves being open on the side of the tobacco rod and extending
continuously only over a part of the length of the filter element,
and hence not up to the mouth end of the filter element, which
grooves are axially aligned with respect to the filter axis, in to
which axially extending grooves ventilating air enters via
overlying ventilating tipping paper, and any mouth extending groove
not being ventilated.
[0064] The wrapper 4 and the plug wrap 5 meet at the boundary of
the filter rod 3 and the smokable rod 2. The wrapper 4 and the plug
wrap 5 do not overlap one another. The wrapper 4 and the plug wrap
5 are at least partially enwrapped by the tipping paper 6. The
tipping paper 6 may extend over the whole length of the filter rod
3 and a part of the length of the smokable rod 2. Alternatively,
the tipping paper 6 may extend over only a part of the filter rod 3
and a part of the length of the smokable rod 2.
[0065] The smokable rod 2 comprises a smoking material. The smoking
material is a tobacco-containing smoking material or a
non-tobacco-containing smoking material. The smoking material may
be a tobacco-containing material, or a tobacco material. Suitably,
the tobacco material comprises one or more of stem, lamina and
tobacco dust. An example, of a tobacco material is one containing
one or more of the following tobacco types: Virginia or flue-cured
tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco
and stem. The smoking material may comprise a blend of tobacco
material.
[0066] FIG. 2 shows a sheet 8 comprising two plies 10, 11. The
sheet 8 constitutes the plug wrap 5 and/or the tipping paper 6. The
thickness of the plug wrap 5 and the tipping paper 6 is similar to
that of conventional cigarette papers.
[0067] The first ply 10 is comprised of fibrous material. The
second ply 11 is comprised of adsorbent material, fibrous material
and optionally flavourant. In this embodiment, the adsorbent
material is carbon. The fibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic
material, such as paper. The flavourant, if present, may for
instance be a menthol flavourant. The two plies 10, 11 are integral
in the sense that they are not merely placed adjacent to one
another or adhered to one another using such as an adhesive, but
are formed as a single sheet. The sheets may be said to be adhered
together by the fibre bonding inherent in the papermaking process.
The plug wrap 5 and the tipping paper 6 are formed using a
double-wire process, as described below.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter
rod 3 of FIG. 1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 with 2-ply plug wrap 5 and
with conventional tipping paper 6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The
first ply 20 of the plug wrap 5 is the external ply. The outer
surface of the first ply 20 of the plug wrap 5 is adjacent to the
inner surface of the tipping paper 6. The second ply 21 of the plug
wrap 5 is the interior ply. The inner surface of the second ply 21
of the plug wrap 5 is adjacent to the filter rod 3. The outer
surface of the tipping paper 6 corresponds to the exterior surface
of the tipping paper 6 and thus the exterior surface of the smoking
article 1.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter
rod 3 of FIG. 1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 of an alternative
embodiment. In this embodiment, there is provided conventional plug
wrap 5 and 2-ply tipping paper 6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The
first ply 30 of the tipping paper 6 is the external ply. The outer
surface of the first ply 30 of the tipping paper 6 corresponds to
the exterior surface of the tipping paper 6 and thus the exterior
surface of the smoking article 1. The second ply 31 of the tipping
paper 6 is the internal ply. The inner surface of the second ply 31
of the tipping paper 6 is adjacent to the outer surface of the plug
wrap 5. The inner surface of the plug wrap 5 is adjacent to the
filter rod 3.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter
rod 3 of FIG. 1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 with a still further
embodiment. In this embodiment, there is provided 2-ply plug wrap 5
and 2-ply tipping paper 6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The
arrangement of the 2-ply plug wrap 5 is same as that of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the arrangement of the 2-ply tipping
paper 6 is same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Thus,
the outer surface of the first ply 20 of the plug wrap 5 is
adjacent to the inner surface of the second ply 31 of the tipping
paper 6.
[0071] In alternative embodiments, the plug wrap 5 is omitted. In
these embodiments, the tipping paper 6 is formed of the sheet 8
shown in FIG. 2. Here, the tipping paper 6 extends over the whole
length of the filter rod 3 and a part of the length of the smokable
rod 2 and thus also serves the function of the plug wrap 5.
[0072] The following relates to all of the above-described
embodiments.
[0073] Upon smoking, the smoking article 1 is ignited at the end
furthest from the filter rod 3. Smoke is drawn along the smokable
rod 2 to the smoker. The presence of the adsorbent material in the
plug wrap and/or tipping paper improves the smoking article. This
is achieved because the adsorbent material reduces vapour phase
constituents generated during smoking of the smoking article 1.
[0074] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method in making the
sheet 8 which, as explained above can be used as 2-ply plug wrap 5
and/or 2-ply tipping paper 6.
[0075] At step S1, the first ply 10 and the second ply 11 are made
separately. The first and second plies 10, 11 have different
compositions. The plies 10, 11 may be of different thicknesses.
[0076] The first ply 10 comprises fibrous material and filler.
[0077] The fibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic material.
Particularly, the fibrous cellulosic material is a paper
material.
[0078] The filler may be calcium carbonate (chalk), titanium
dioxide, magnesium oxide, calcium sulphate, clays or a kaolin.
Advantageously the filler is calcium carbonate. The one or more
filler material may, for example, be present in the second ply in
an amount of up to 25 gsm. The one or more filler material may, for
example, be present in the first ply in an amount of up to 15 gsm.
The total amount of filler material in said sheet may, for example,
be at least 8 gsm. The total amount of filler material in the sheet
8 may, for example, be up to 40 gsm.
[0079] The second ply 11 comprises adsorbent material, fibrous
material, and optionally flavourant.
[0080] The fibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic material.
Particularly, the fibrous cellulosic material is a paper material.
The fibrous material is present in the second ply 11 in an amount
of up to 40 gsm. The fibrous material is present in first second
ply 11 in an amount of up to 20 gsm.
[0081] The adsorbent material may be carbon, or it may be another
suitable adsorbent. The adsorbent material may be activated carbon.
Any form of activated carbon may be used. The activated carbon may
have an activity level (CTC) of from 60 to 130. Advantageously, the
activated carbon has an activity level of about 100, or between 80
and 120, or approximately 100. The adsorbent material
advantageously is in powder or particulate form. It may
alternatively be in granular form. The adsorbent material is
present in the second ply in an amount of up to 40 gsm.
[0082] The flavourant may be any of the following: menthol (natural
and/or synthetic), alcohols, esters, ketones, lactones, essential
oils, aldehydes and heterocyclic compounds. A different, suitable
flavourant may be may used instead. The flavourant is added to the
adsorbent material prior to forming the second ply. The flavourant
may be added to the second ply 11, after the inclusion of the
adsorbent material, by spraying. For example, the flavourant may be
added to the second ply using a flavour applicator means, for
instance as a stream or streams of flavourant. Suitably, the
plurality of streams of flavourant is applied to the second ply in
a line or in an array. When applied in an array, the array may
comprise two lines of streams of flavourant, one of the lines being
offset from the streams of flavourant in an adjacent line.
Suitably, the flavourant is applied to the surface of the second
ply as 1 to 30 streams of flavourant, and preferably as 4 to 18
streams of flavourant. If the flavourant is solid at room
temperature, it is heated to maintain the flavourant in the molten
liquid state during application to the second ply 11, and may be
heated to a temperature of 40 to 45.degree. C.
[0083] Alternatively, the flavourant can be added to the second ply
11 after formation of the two-ply paper.
[0084] In some embodiments, the second ply also comprises filler.
The filler may be calcium carbonate (chalk), titanium dioxide,
magnesium oxide, calcium sulphate, clays or a kaolin.
Advantageously the filler is calcium carbonate. The filler material
is present in the second ply in an amount of up to 25 gsm.
[0085] As well as considering the first and second plies 10, 11
separately, it can be useful to consider the materials and physical
characteristics of the resulting paper when determining what
compositions to give to the plies 10, 11.
[0086] The two-ply sheet has a thickness of at least 45 .mu.m. The
two-ply sheet has a thickness of up to 250 .mu.m.
[0087] The total amount of filler material in the sheet is at least
8 gsm. The total amount of filler material in the sheet 8 is up to
40 gsm.
[0088] The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet is at
least 17 gsm. The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet 8
is up to 60 gsm.
[0089] At step S2, the first and second plies 10, 11 are pressed
together so as to form a single sheet of paper using a double-wire
paper making machine. Double-wire paper making machines are well
known in the art so this step will not be described in detail. The
result is a sheet of paper comprising a wet web having the first
and second plies 10, 11. The wet web is flat with no creping.
[0090] At step S3, the wet web is dried using a series of drying
drums to form a sheet of paper.
[0091] At step S4, the dried sheet is rolled onto a bobbin, for
storage and/or transportation.
[0092] The dried sheet is then used as a plug wrap and/or tipping
paper for smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, made using a
conventional cigarette manufacturing machine. The main structural
difference between the resulting cigarettes and conventional
cigarettes is the composition of the plug wrap and/or tipping
paper.
* * * * *