U.S. patent application number 14/076789 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for mouthpiece for smoking article.
This patent application is currently assigned to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The applicant listed for this patent is R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Invention is credited to Moris Amon, Paul S. Chapman, Ramin Heydarpour, Wesley S. Jones, Kenneth Lin, Robert Oglesby.
Application Number | 20150128968 14/076789 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51753468 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150128968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chapman; Paul S. ; et
al. |
May 14, 2015 |
MOUTHPIECE FOR SMOKING ARTICLE
Abstract
A rigid tubular mouthpiece for a smoking article may include a
cushioning wrapping material thereabout. The wrapping material may
be configured to form several layers, encompassed by a polymeric
label, which may include indicia. The wrapping material will
provide a lower durometer, as applied, than the unwrapped
mouthpiece, which may be incorporated as part of a smoking
article.
Inventors: |
Chapman; Paul S.;
(Winston-Salem, NC) ; Oglesby; Robert;
(Kernersville, NC) ; Jones; Wesley S.; (Lexington,
NC) ; Lin; Kenneth; (San Marino, CA) ; Amon;
Moris; (Cleveland, OH) ; Heydarpour; Ramin;
(Beverly Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company |
Winston-Salem |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company
Winston-Salem
NC
|
Family ID: |
51753468 |
Appl. No.: |
14/076789 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008 20130101;
A24F 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. A mouthpiece for a smoking article, the mouthpiece comprising: a
portion including a rigid tube having an outer circumference; and a
tipping wrap including a length; where the tipping wrap is
transversely wrapped around the outer circumference of the
mouthpiece portion to form at least a double layer that includes
more flexibility and/or less resistance to permanent indentation
than the rigid tube.
2. The mouthpiece of claim 1, where the rigid tube is constructed
of a metal material, a ceramic material, or a combination
thereof.
3. The mouthpiece of claim 1, where the rigid tube is constructed
of a metal material including stainless steel.
4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, where the tipping wrap is configured
as an elongate tipping wrap that includes a length at least about
two times the outer circumference; where the elongate tipping wrap
is transversely double wrapped around the outer circumference of
the mouthpiece portion to form the at least a double layer.
5. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where elongate tipping wrap includes
a length that is at least three times the outer circumference and
where the elongate tipping wrap is further wrapped around the outer
circumference of the mouthpiece portion so as to be
triple-wrapped.
6. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where the elongate tipping wrap
includes pressure-sensitive adhesive attaching the wrap to itself,
to the rigid tube, or both.
7. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where the length of the elongate
tipping wrap is a whole number multiple of the outer circumference
of the mouthpiece portion.
8. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where the length of the elongate
tipping wrap is a whole number multiple of the outer circumference
of the mouthpiece portion and further includes an additional length
of about 3 mm to about 6 mm such that an outermost end of the
elongate tipping wrap overlaps an innermost end thereof when
wrapped around the mouthpiece.
9. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where the elongate tipping wrap
comprises rayon web fleece, cigarette filter paper, cigarette plug
wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, or any combination
thereof.
10. The mouthpiece of claim 4, where a portion of the elongate
tipping wrap that is externally visible when wrapped around the
mouthpiece portion comprises visible indicia including information
about a smoking article.
11. The mouthpiece of claim 1, where the at least a double layer is
formed by a two-layer tipping wrap including a lower/inner
cushioning layer having a first thickness and an upper/outer layer
having a second thickness less than the first thickness; and where
the upper/outer layer comprises visible indicia including
information about a smoking article.
12. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where the tipping wrap length
includes a first length of the lower/inner layer and a second
length of the upper/outer layer.
13. The mouthpiece of claim 12, where the first length and second
length are substantially the same as each other and as the
mouthpiece outer circumference such that ends of the tipping wrap
abut to form a smooth joint when wrapped around the mouthpiece
outer circumference.
14. The mouthpiece of claim 12, where the first length is
substantially the same as the mouthpiece outer circumference and
the second length is longer at one end such that ends of the
tipping wrap first length abut to form a smooth joint when wrapped
around the mouthpiece outer circumference and the longer end of the
second length overlaps that smooth joint.
15. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where the lower/inner cushioning
layer comprises fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate
non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination
thereof.
16. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where the upper/outer layer
comprises fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate
non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination
thereof.
17. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where the upper/outer layer
comprises a polymeric label material.
18. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where a portion of the upper/outer
layer that is externally visible when wrapped around the mouthpiece
portion comprises visible indicia including information about a
smoking article.
19. The mouthpiece of claim 11, where the lower/inner cushioning
layer is wrapped transversely but not perpendicularly relative to a
longitudinal axis of the rigid tube and is trimmed to form a
cylindrical wrap that is substantially perpendicular relative to
said longitudinal axis.
20. The mouthpiece of claim 19, where the upper/outer layer is
wrapped substantially perpendicular relative to said longitudinal
axis.
21. A smoking article comprising the mouthpiece of claim 11.
22. A smoking article comprising the mouthpiece of claim 1.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices
such as smoking articles, and more particularly to wrapped
mouthpiece constructions useful in such devices. An electrically
resistive heater may be configured to heat a material, which may be
made or derived from tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, to
form an inhalable substance for human consumption.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years as
improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that
require combusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices
purportedly have been designed to provide the sensations associated
with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, but without delivering
considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis
products that result from the burning of tobacco. To this end,
there have been proposed numerous smoking products, flavor
generators, and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy
to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the
sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning
tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the various
alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat
generating sources set forth in the background art described in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2013-0255702, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,438 to
Sebastian et al., filed Jun. 28, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/602,871 to Collett et al., filed Sep. 4, 2012, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/647,000 to Sears et al., filed Oct.
8, 2012, which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] Certain tobacco products that have employed electrical
energy to produce heat for smoke or aerosol formation, and in
particular, certain products that have been referred to as
electronic cigarette products, have been commercially available
throughout the world. Representative products that resemble many of
the attributes of traditional types of cigarettes, cigars or pipes
have been marketed as ACCORD.RTM. by Philip Morris Incorporated;
ALPHA.TM., JOYE 510.TM. and M4.TM. by InnoVapor LLC; CIRRUS.TM. and
FLING.TM. by White Cloud Cigarettes; COHITA.TM., COLIBRI.TM., ELITE
CLASSIC.TM., MAGNUM.TM., PHANTOM.TM. and SENSE.TM. by Epuffer.RTM.
International Inc.; DUOPRO.TM., STORM.TM. and VAPORKING.RTM. by
Electronic Cigarettes, Inc.; EGAR.TM. by Egar Australia; eGo-C.TM.
and eGo-T.TM. by Joyetech; ELUSION.TM. by Elusion UK Ltd;
EONSMOKE.RTM. by Eonsmoke LLC; GREEN SMOKE.RTM. by Green Smoke Inc.
USA; GREENARETTE.TM. by Greenarette LLC; HALLIGAN.TM., HENDU.TM.,
JET.TM., MAXXQ.TM., PINK.TM. and PITBULL.TM. by Smoke Stik.RTM.;
HEATBAR.TM. by Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO
IMPERIAL.TM. and LXE.TM. from Crown7; LOGIC.TM. and THE CUBAN.TM.
by LOGIC Technology; LUCI.RTM. by Luciano Smokes Inc.; METRO.RTM.
by Nicotek, LLC; NJOY.RTM. and ONEJOY.TM. by Sottera, Inc.; NO.
7.TM. by SS Choice LLC; PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE.TM. by
PremiumEstore LLC; RAPP E-MYSTICK.TM. by Ruyan America, Inc.; RED
DRAGON.TM. by Red Dragon Products, LLC; RUYAN.RTM. by Ruyan Group
(Holdings) Ltd.; SMART SMOKER.RTM. by The Smart Smoking Electronic
Cigarette Company Ltd.; SMOKE ASSIST.RTM. by Coastline Products
LLC; SMOKING EVERYWHERE.RTM. by Smoking Everywhere, Inc.;
V2CIGS.TM. by VMR Products LLC; VAPOR NINE.TM. by VaporNine LLC;
VAPOR4LIFE.RTM. by Vapor 4 Life, Inc.; VEPPO.TM. by
E-CigaretteDirect, LLC and VUSE.RTM. by R. J. Reynolds Vapor
Company. Yet other electrically powered aerosol delivery devices,
and in particular those devices that have been characterized as
so-called electronic cigarettes, have been marketed under the
tradenames BLU.TM., COOLER VISIONS.TM.; DIRECT E-CIG.TM.;
DRAGONFLY.TM.; EMIST.TM.; EVERSMOKE.TM.; GAMUCCI.RTM.; HYBRID
FLAME.TM.; KNIGHT STICKS.TM.; ROYAL BLUES.TM.; SMOKETIP.RTM. and
SOUTH BEACH SMOKE.TM..
[0004] It may be desirable to provide a smoking article that
employs heat produced by electrical energy to provide sensations of
smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, but without combusting tobacco
to any significant degree, without need for a combustion heat
source, and without necessarily delivering considerable quantities
of incomplete combustion and/or pyrolysis products. Furthermore, it
may be desirable for such a smoking article to include a
comfortable mouthpiece that is similar to mouthpieces and/or the
sensory profile aspects associated with existing smoking articles
such as, for examples, cigars, cigarettes, or pipes. In other
aspects, it may be desirable to provide such a smoking with a
mouthpiece that provides a solid rigid main body surrounded by
coating material that provides a user with a comfortable sensory
experience during contact with the user's mouth (e.g., lips, teeth,
and/or tongue) and that also provides a visible display of indicia
such as, for example, product identification, advertising,
labeling, or other visual indicia. It may further be desirable to
provide a rigid-bodied smoking article that includes a mouthpiece
providing comfortable mouth-feel characterized by smokers as "bite"
or "bite sensation," where the mouthpiece can effectively display
information about the smoking article.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure relates to wrapping materials and
other constructions for a mouthpiece component or portion of a
smoking article or other aerosol delivery device configured to
produce aerosol. In certain embodiments, a rigid tube body may form
part of a mouthpiece for a smoking article, with a tipping cover
that encircles an outer circumference along a length of the
mouthpiece, where the tipping cover includes a polymeric label in a
form selected from a seamless tube, a seamed tube, an overmold, or
any combination thereof, which may overly a tipping wrap. In
certain embodiments, a rigid tube body may form part of a
mouthpiece for a smoking article, with a tipping wrap that
encircles an outer circumference along a length of the mouthpiece
to form at least a double layer that includes more flexibility
and/or less resistance to permanent indentation than the rigid
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through an aerosol delivery
device comprising a control body and a cartridge including an
atomizer according to an example embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C show, respectively, a side view and a
perspective view of a smoking article, and a side view of a
mouthpiece of said smoking article;
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B show, respectively, a perspective view and a
transverse section view of a mouthpiece portion;
[0009] FIG. 4A shows a tubular body shell;
[0010] FIG. 4B shows a spiral-wound/angled tipping wrap around the
tubular body shell of FIG. 4A;
[0011] FIG. 4C shows a tipping cover embodied as a label around the
tubular body shell and angled tipping wrap of FIGS. 4A-4B;
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5E show steps of assembling a mouth-end tipping
material with label on a smoking article tube; and
[0013] FIGS. 6-9 show diagrammatic views of tipping covers that may
have one or a plurality of layers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Various embodiments are described below with reference to
the drawings. The relationship and functioning of the various
elements of the embodiments may better be understood by reference
to the following detailed description. However, embodiments are not
limited to those illustrated in the drawings. It should be
understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in
certain instances details may have been omitted that are not
necessary for an understanding of embodiments disclosed herein,
such as--for example--conventional fabrication and assembly. The
term "smoking article" is used herein as a matter of convention,
although many embodiments may not actually burn tobacco or generate
any combustion-based aerosol (in the form of smoke or otherwise);
rather, the terms "smoking" and/or "vaping" are used to refer to
drawing an aerosol into a user's mouth for purpose of experiencing
flavor(s) and/or other sensation(s) associated with aerosol
components.
[0015] The invention is defined by the claims, may be embodied in
many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey enabling disclosure to those skilled in the art.
As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms
"a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to "dry weight percent" or
"dry weight basis" refers to weight on the basis of dry ingredients
(i.e., all ingredients except water).
[0016] The present disclosure provides descriptions of mechanisms,
components, features, and methods configured to dynamically change
a visual characteristic in response to feedback. While the
mechanisms are generally described herein in terms of embodiments
associated with aerosol delivery devices such as so-called
"e-cigarettes," it should be understood that the mechanisms,
components, features, and methods may be embodied in many different
forms and associated with a variety of articles. For example, the
description provided herein may be employed in conjunction with
embodiments of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, etc.), heat-not-burn cigarettes, and related
packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it
should be understood that the description of the mechanisms,
components, features, and methods configured to provide for
illumination disclosed herein are discussed in terms of embodiments
relating to aerosol delivery mechanisms by way of example only, and
may be embodied and used in various other products and methods.
[0017] In this regard, the present disclosure provides descriptions
of aerosol delivery devices that use electrical energy to heat a
material (preferably without combusting the material to any
significant degree) to form an inhalable substance; such articles
most preferably being sufficiently compact to be considered
"hand-held" devices. An aerosol delivery device may provide some or
all of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals,
types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel,
use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol,
and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, without any
substantial degree of combustion of any component of that article
or device. The aerosol delivery device may not produce smoke in the
sense of the aerosol resulting from by-products of combustion or
pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, that the article or device may
yield vapors (including vapors within aerosols that can be
considered to be visible aerosols that might be considered to be
described as smoke-like) resulting from volatilization or
vaporization of certain components of the article or device. In
highly preferred embodiments, aerosol delivery devices may
incorporate tobacco and/or components derived from tobacco.
[0018] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can
be characterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament
delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so
as to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or
pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state.
For example, inhalable substances can be substantially in the form
of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gas phase at a
temperature lower than its critical point). Alternatively,
inhalable substances can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a
suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas).
For purposes of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is
meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type
suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether
or not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.
[0019] In use, aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure
may be subjected to many of the physical actions employed by an
individual in using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a
cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling
tobacco). For example, the user of an aerosol delivery device of
the present disclosure can hold that article much like a
traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of that
article for inhalation of aerosol produced by that article, take
puffs at selected intervals of time, etc.
[0020] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally
include a number of components provided within an outer body or
shell. The overall design of the outer body or shell can vary, and
the format or configuration of the outer body that can define the
overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device can vary.
Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or
cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary shell; or the
elongated body can be formed of two or more separable pieces. For
example, an aerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell
or body that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as such,
resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one
embodiment, all of the components of the aerosol delivery device
are contained within one outer body or shell. Alternatively, an
aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more shells that are
joined and are separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device
can possess at one end a control body comprising an outer body or
shell containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a
rechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling the
operation of that article), and at the other end and removably
attached thereto an outer body or shell containing a disposable
portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge). More
specific formats, configurations and arrangements of components
within the single shell type of unit or within a multi-piece
separable shell type of unit will be evident in light of the
further disclosure provided herein. Additionally, various aerosol
delivery device designs and component arrangements can be
appreciated upon consideration of the commercially available
electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as those representative
products listed in the background art section of the present
disclosure.
[0021] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure most
preferably comprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an
electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g.,
means for actuating, controlling, regulating and ceasing power for
heat generation, such as by controlling electrical current flow the
power source to other components of the article), a heater or heat
generation component (e.g., an electrical resistance heating
element or component commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), and an
aerosol precursor composition (e.g., commonly a liquid capable of
yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as
ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid" and
"e-juice"), and a mouthend region or tip for allowing draw upon the
aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined air
flow path through the article such that aerosol generated can be
withdrawn therefrom upon draw). Exemplary formulations for aerosol
precursor materials that may be used according to the present
disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0008457 to
Zheng et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0022] Alignment of the components within the aerosol delivery
device can vary. In specific embodiments, the aerosol precursor
composition can be located near an end of the article (e.g., within
a cartridge, which in certain circumstances can be replaceable and
disposable), which may be proximal to the mouth of a user so as to
maximize aerosol delivery to the user. Other configurations,
however, are not excluded. Generally, the heating element can be
positioned sufficiently near the aerosol precursor composition so
that heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol
precursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, or the
like that may likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and form
an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats
the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, released,
or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a
consumer. It should be noted that the foregoing terms are meant to
be interchangeable such that reference to release, releasing,
releases, or released includes form or generate, forming or
generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated.
Specifically, an inhalable substance is released in the form of a
vapor or aerosol or mixture thereof. Additionally, the selection of
various aerosol delivery device components can be appreciated upon
consideration of the commercially available electronic aerosol
delivery devices, such as those representative products listed in
the background art section of the present disclosure.
[0023] An aerosol delivery device incorporates a battery or other
electrical power source to provide current flow sufficient to
provide various functionalities to the article, such as resistive
heating, powering of control systems, powering of indicators, and
the like. The power source can take on various embodiments.
Preferably, the power source is able to deliver sufficient power to
rapidly heat the heating member to provide for aerosol formation
and power the article through use for the desired duration of time.
The power source preferably is sized to fit conveniently within the
aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be
easily handled; and additionally, a preferred power source is of a
sufficiently light weight to not detract from a desirable smoking
experience.
[0024] One example embodiment of an aerosol delivery device 100 is
provided in FIG. 1. As seen in the cross-section illustrated
therein, the aerosol delivery device 100 can comprise a control
body 102 and a cartridge 104 that can be permanently or detachably
aligned in a functioning relationship. Although a threaded
engagement is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is understood that further
means of engagement may be employed, such as a press-fit
engagement, interference fit, a magnetic engagement, or the
like.
[0025] In specific embodiments, one or both of the control body 102
and the cartridge 104 may be referred to as being disposable or as
being reusable. For example, the control body may have a
replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and thus may be
combined with any type of recharging technology, including
connection to a typical electrical outlet, connection to a car
charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a
computer, such as through a universal Ser. bus (USB) cable. For
example, an adaptor including a USB connector at one end and a
control body connector at an opposing end is disclosed in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/840,264, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, in
some embodiments the cartridge may comprise a single-use cartridge,
as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,612, filed
Sep. 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0026] In the exemplified embodiment, the control body 102 includes
a control component 106, a flow sensor 108, and a battery 110,
which can be variably aligned, and can include a plurality of
indicators 112 at a distal end 114 of an outer body 116. The
indicators 112 can be provided in varying numbers and can take on
different shapes and can even be an opening in the body (such as
for release of sound when such indicators are present).
[0027] An air intake 118 may be positioned in the outer body 116 of
the control body 102. A coupler 120 also is included at the
proximal attachment end 122 of the control body 102 and may extend
into a control body projection 124 to allow for ease of electrical
connection with an atomizer or a component thereof, such as a
resistive heating element (described below) when the cartridge 104
is attached to the control body. Although the air intake 118 is
illustrated as being provided in the outer body 116, in another
embodiment the air intake may be provided in a coupler as
described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/841,233; Filed Mar. 15, 2013.
[0028] The cartridge 104 includes an outer body 126 with a mouth
opening 128 at a mouthend 130 thereof to allow passage of air and
entrained vapor (i.e., the components of the aerosol precursor
composition in an inhalable form) from the cartridge to a consumer
during draw on the aerosol delivery device 100. The aerosol
delivery device 100 may be substantially rod-like or substantially
tubular shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped in some
embodiments.
[0029] The cartridge 104 further includes an atomizer 132
comprising a resistive heating element 134 (e.g., a wire coil)
configured to produce heat and a liquid transport element 136
(e.g., a wick) configured to transport a liquid. Various
embodiments of materials configured to produce heat when electrical
current is applied therethrough may be employed to form the
resistive heating element 134. Example materials from which the
wire coil may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome,
Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi.sub.2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi),
Molybdenum disilicide doped with Aluminum (Mo(Si,Al).sub.2), and
ceramic (e.g., a positive temperature coefficient ceramic). Further
to the above, representative heating elements and materials for use
therein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to
Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,460 to Sprinkel Jr., et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,813 to
Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,498,850 to Das; U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,656 to Das; U.S. Pat. No.
5,498,855 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol; U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,692 to
Das et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0030] Electrically conductive heater terminals 138 (e.g., positive
and negative terminals) at the opposing ends of the heating element
134 are configured to direct current flow through the heating
element and configured for attachment to the appropriate wiring or
circuit (not illustrated) to form an electrical connection of the
heating element with the battery 110 when the cartridge 104 is
connected to the control body 102. Specifically, a plug 140 may be
positioned at a distal attachment end 142 of the cartridge 104.
When the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body 102, the
plug 140 engages the coupler 120 to form an electrical connection
such that current controllably flows from the battery 110, through
the coupler and plug, and to the heating element 134. The outer
body 126 of the cartridge 104 can continue across the distal
attachment end 142 such that this end of the cartridge is
substantially closed with the plug 140 protruding therefrom.
[0031] A reservoir may utilize a liquid transport element to
transport an aerosol precursor composition to an aerosolization
zone. One such example is shown in FIG. 1. As seen therein, the
cartridge 104 includes a reservoir layer 144 comprising layers of
nonwoven fibers formed into the shape of a tube encircling the
interior of the outer body 126 of the cartridge, in this
embodiment. An aerosol precursor composition is retained in the
reservoir layer 144. Liquid components, for example, can be
sorptively retained by the reservoir layer 144. The reservoir layer
144 is in fluid connection with a liquid transport element 136. The
liquid transport element 136 transports the aerosol precursor
composition stored in the reservoir layer 144 via capillary action
to an aerosolization zone 146 of the cartridge 104. As illustrated,
the liquid transport element 136 is in direct contact with the
heating element 134 that is in the form of a metal wire coil in
this embodiment.
[0032] It is understood that an aerosol delivery device that can be
manufactured according to the present disclosure can encompass a
variety of combinations of components useful in forming an
electronic aerosol delivery device. Reference is made for example
to the reservoir and heater system for controllable delivery of
multiple aerosolizable materials in an electronic smoking article
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,438, filed
Jun. 28, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/602,871,
filed Sep. 4, 2012, discloses an electronic smoking article
including a microheater, and which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0033] In another embodiment substantially the entirety of the
cartridge may be formed from one or more carbon materials, which
may provide advantages in terms of biodegradability and absence of
wires. In this regard, the heating element may comprise a carbon
foam, the reservoir may comprise carbonized fabric, and graphite
may be employed to form an electrical connection with the battery
and controller. Such carbon cartridge may be combined with one or
more elements as described herein for providing illumination of the
cartridge in some embodiments. An example embodiment of a
carbon-based cartridge is provided in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/432,406; filed Mar. 28, 2012, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
[0034] In use, when a user draws on the article 100, the heating
element 134 is activated (e.g., such as via a puff sensor), and the
components for the aerosol precursor composition are vaporized in
the aerosolization zone 146. Drawing upon the mouthend 130 of the
article 100 causes ambient air to enter the air intake 118 and pass
through the central opening in the coupler 120 and the central
opening in the plug 140. In the cartridge 104, the drawn air passes
through an air passage 148 in an air passage tube 150 and combines
with the formed vapor in the aerosolization zone 146 to form an
aerosol. The aerosol is whisked away from the aerosolization zone
146, passes through an air passage 152 in an air passage tube 154,
and out the mouth opening 128 in the mouthend 130 of the article
100.
[0035] The various components of an aerosol delivery device
according to the present disclosure can be chosen from components
described in the art and commercially available. Examples of
batteries that can be used according to the disclosure are
described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0028766, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0036] An exemplary mechanism that can provide puff-actuation
capability includes a Model 163PC01D36 silicon sensor, manufactured
by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Ill.
Further examples of demand-operated electrical switches that may be
employed in a heating circuit according to the present disclosure
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further
description of current regulating circuits and other control
components, including microcontrollers that can be useful in the
present aerosol delivery device, are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875, all to Brooks et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to
Fleischhauer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al.,
all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0037] The aerosol precursor, which may also be referred to as an
aerosol precursor composition or a vapor precursor composition, can
comprise one or more different components. For example, the aerosol
precursor can include a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin,
propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof). Representative types of
further aerosol precursor compositions are set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to
Jakob et al.; PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs et al.; and Chemical and
Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of
Burn Tobacco, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988); the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] Still further components can be utilized in the aerosol
delivery device of the present disclosure. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses piezoelectric sensors that
can be associated with the mouth-end of a device to detect user lip
activity associated with taking a draw and then trigger heating;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff
sensor for controlling energy flow into a heating load array in
response to pressure drop through a mouthpiece; U.S. Pat. No.
5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses receptacles in a smoking
device that include an identifier that detects a non-uniformity in
infrared transmissivity of an inserted component and a controller
that executes a detection routine as the component is inserted into
the receptacle; U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al.
describes a defined executable power cycle with multiple
differential phases; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al.
discloses photonic-optronic components; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to
Counts et al. discloses means for altering draw resistance through
a smoking device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses
specific battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging
systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to
Fernando et al. discloses computer interfacing means for smoking
devices to facilitate charging and allow computer control of the
device; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0163063 by Fernando et al.
discloses identification systems for smoking devices; and WO
2010/003480 by Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system
indicative of a puff in an aerosol generating system; all of the
foregoing disclosures being incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. Further examples of components related to
electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosing materials or
components that may be used in the present article include U.S.
Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to
Morgan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410
to Hon; U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Pat. No.
7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Pat.
Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Hon; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.
2006/0196518 and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2009/0272379 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.
2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Pat. App.
Pub. Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.; U.S.
Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; WO 2010/091593 to Hon; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,233, filed Mar. 15, 2013,
each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A variety of the materials disclosed by the foregoing documents may
be incorporated into the present devices in various embodiments,
and all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[0039] In rigid-bodied smoking articles, and particularly in
electronic cigarettes, it is desirable to provide a "mouth feel" or
"bite" that users will find comfortable. Of course, this may vary
by user, but it is appreciated that many users prefer a
construction that allows holding the smoking article between one's
lips and/or between one's teeth that does not include direct
contact of the teeth with a rigid metal or ceramic surface. Certain
plastics or other polymers are used to construct mouthpieces in
some smoking articles. Preferred embodiments described herein may
include a metal and/or ceramic construction of a rigid tubular body
that houses components for delivering an aerosol (which components
may include electronic circuitry, heating elements, feedback
devices, and other components). In particular, embodiments
described herein may include embodiments of Vuse.TM. digital
electronic cigarettes (R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company) and/or smoking
articles and/or components of smoking articles described in one or
more of U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 to Counts et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to
Robinson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Pat. No.
6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al.;
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0095311 to Hon; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos.
2006/0196518, 2009/0126745, and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Pat. Pub.
No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos.
2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub.
Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Pat.
Pub. No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; and WO 2010/091593 to Hon; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/432,406, filed Mar. 28, 2012, U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/536,438, filed Jun. 28, 2012, U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/602,871, filed Sep. 4, 2012, U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/647,000, filed Oct. 8, 2012, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/827,994 filed on Mar. 14, 2013,
each of which is incorporated herein by reference, including that
all features, examples, and embodiments therein may be combined
with each other and aspects of the present disclosure in a manner
that those of skill in the art will appreciate with reference to
the present disclosure.
[0040] Tipping materials in typical cigarettes, and in segmented
smoking articles that use a combustible fuel element to heat rather
than burn smokable material such as tobacco, typically include
paper materials that cover a filter material (which may be
encompassed by plug wrap material) to form a mouth-end of the
subject smoking article. Examples of tipping materials are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,089 to Dube et al., and in U.S.
Pat. App. Publ. Nos. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al., 2010/0108081 to
Joyce et al., 2010/0108084 to Norman et al., and 2013/0167849 to
Ademe et al., each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Representative techniques for producing smoking articles
incorporating wrapping materials or having wrapping materials
applied thereto are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,871 to Barnes
et al.; and U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2010/0186757 to Crooks et al and
2012/0067360 to Conner et al.
[0041] One embodiment of a smoking article 500 may include a
tipping-covered mouthpiece 502 (which may be embodied, for example,
as a cartridge or a control body as described above with reference
to FIG. 1 above). The smoking article is described with reference
to FIGS. 2A-2C, which show, respectively, a side view and a
perspective view of the smoking article 500, and a side view of the
mouthpiece 502. The smoking article 500 includes a shell 513 that
is illustrated as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel. The
shell 513 may have a non-round/cylindrical profile and/or may
include another metal, ceramic, or other rigid material. A
distal-end indicator 512 may provide visual indication (e.g., via
light, color change, or other indication) of device activity and/or
status (e.g., battery life, puff activity, or other). Internal
components and functions thereof may include those of
aerosol-generating smoking devices known in the art and/or may
specifically include components and/or functions disclosed in the
embodiment of FIG. 1 above, or other devices referenced herein,
including that all features, examples, and embodiments therein may
be combined with each other and aspects of the present disclosure
in a manner that those of skill in the art will appreciate with
reference to the present disclosure.
[0042] The smoking article may incorporate tobacco within an
electrically-powered, aerosol-generating device. At least one form
of tobacco can be positioned at one or more specific locations
within the smoking article. Aerosol-forming material may be
employed in addition to the tobacco. The mouthpiece 502 may be used
by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by
the action of heat upon components of that smoking article. A
representative smoking article includes a source of electrical
power (e.g., a battery), a controller mechanism including a sensor
that is capable of selectively powering certain components of the
device (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) at least
during periods of draw, and at least one heating device (e.g., an
electrical resistance heating unit) for forming a thermally
generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During
use, a cartridge containing some form of tobacco is positioned
within or in connection with the smoking article, and after use,
the used cartridge may be removed from the device. When desired,
another cartridge may be positioned for further use.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C (although not clearly visible in all
views), the mouthpiece 502 also includes a shell 503 that is
illustrated as a rigid tubular body made of stainless steel. The
mouthpiece shell 503 is shown as a rigid tube may have a
non-round/cylindrical profile and/or may include another metal,
ceramic, or other rigid material. A larger outer circumference
mouth-end region of the tubular shell 503 includes a tipping cover
504 transversely disposed thereabout to form at least a double
layer. A smaller-circumference region 508 of the tubular shell 503
is configured to engage a distal portion 510 of the smoking article
(which distal portion may be configured, for example, as a
cartridge or control body). In the illustrated embodiment, the
mouthpiece 502 is configured to be disposed of (or recycled), while
the distal portion 510 is configured for continued/multiple use
with a serial plurality of mouthpieces 502, where each mouthpiece
may have the same, similar, or different flavor and/or other
sensory profiles associated with use. Each of the embodiments
described below with reference to FIGS. 3A-5E may have an external
appearance similar or identical to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0044] FIGS. 3A-3B show one embodiment of a double-wrapped
mouthpiece 202 for a smoking article. This mouthpiece 202 may be
incorporated as part of any smoking article described herein
(including those items incorporated by reference, subject to
technical considerations thereof).
[0045] FIG. 3A shows a diagrammatic/simplified perspective view of
the mouth-end of the mouthpiece 202, and FIG. 3B shows a transverse
section view along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A. The innermost component
shown is a metal tubular body shell 203. The shell 203 is
circumscribed by a double-layer tipping wrap 220. An inner/lower
layer 222 is a cushioning layer that will provide a comfortable
bite/mouth-feel for many users by providing a resilient layer
between the user's tongue and/or teeth and the rigid shell 203. The
inner/lower layer may include one or more of foam tape (e.g., 3M
Scotch.TM. Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat #110)), rayon web
fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug wrap, and/or cellulose
acetate non-woven web that is adhered or otherwise secured around
the shell's outer circumference and transverse to the shell's
longitudinal axis in a manner forming a band therearound. The
longitudinal joint/edge may be formed, for example, as a butt joint
(preferably mitered slightly to account for curvature of the
underlying tube, which may provide some overlap), or in another
joint construction. Generally, an inner layer of this and other
embodiments may include fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose
acetate non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any
combination thereof.
[0046] An upper/outer layer 224 of the double-layer tipping wrap
220 is provided in the form of an adhesive label or sleeve 224. In
many embodiments the inner/lower layer 222 has a first thickness
that is greater than a second thickness of the upper/outer layer
224. In the illustrated embodiment and in other embodiments, the
upper/outer layer 224 may include indicia (letters/words, images,
colors, textures, or other indicia) that identify properties of the
mouthpiece 202 and/or a smoking article incorporating the
mouthpiece. Exemplary indicia may communicate flavor(s), product
source identification (e.g., branding, trademark, etc.), and/or
other information, and/or it may provide aesthetic appeal. The
label 224 may be an adhesive label with a paper and/or polymer
construction. For example, its construction may be the same as or
similar to the filter paper or plug wrap used on conventional
cigarettes. Generally, an outer layer of this and other embodiments
may include fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate
non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination
thereof.
[0047] The softness, "mouth feel," or other characterization of how
a user will experience and interact with the mouth end/mouthpiece
of a smoking article can be described in different manners. In
particular, with reference to the focus of the present disclosure
upon providing a desirable sensory interaction when the main body
of the smoking article is substantially rigid, it may be useful to
consider means of explaining or describing this qualitative aspect.
In some embodiments, including actual and constructive experimental
examples below, the trait is described with reference to durometer,
which is a well-understood means for measuring hardness as a
material's or structure's resistance to permanent indentation on a
"Shore M" hardness scale. In each of the embodiment, the wrapped
mouth end portion, whether single-wrapped, double-wrapped, and/or
otherwise multiply wrapped, with or without an outer wrapping
material (e.g., printable or preprinted polymer) includes more
flexibility and/or less resistance to permanent indentation.
[0048] Another means of describing this trait with reference to one
or more of a polymeric label, a wrapped coating, or any combination
thereof applied to a smoking article is Young's Modulus, which is a
common means of describing of elastic modulus, sometimes called the
modulus of elasticity. It is a measure of the stiffness of an
elastic material and provides a quantitative means of
characterizing materials. It is defined as the ratio of the stress
along an axis over the strain along that axis in the range of
stress in which Hooke's law holds. Its SI unit is the Pascal (Pa or
N/m.sup.2 or m.sup.-1kgs.sup.-2). The practical units used are
megapascals (MPa or N/mm.sup.2) or gigapascals (GPa or
kN/mm.sup.2). In anisotropic materials, Young's modulus may have
different values depending on the direction of the applied force
with respect to the material's structure. Young's modulus, E, can
be calculated by dividing the tensile stress by the tensile strain
in the elastic (initial, linear) portion of the stress-strain
curve, applying a standard formula.
[0049] Different polymeric materials, including a range of
"softness" characteristics options may be used for mouthpiece
cushioning over a rigid body. At least three categories of polymers
may be used by themselves, in blended formulation, and/or as a
multilayer composite structure. The "softness" of the composite
label could vary depending on the choices of material, the
processing condition of the film (i.e. orientation process and the
layer architecture). The range of moduli will fall within these
three general categories:
TABLE-US-00001 Polymeric material options for smoking article
labels Young's Polymer Modulus Comment 1 Oriented Films 2.5-5 GPa
One preferred material used in (e.g., PETG, smoking article labels
BOPP) 2 Polyolefins (e.g., 0.2-2 GPa Blends and/or multilayer PE,
PP) composite structures can result in different modulus 3
Elastomers (e.g., 0.01-0.1 GPa Softest of preferred options; PU,
Silicone, can be used as a blend or Natural latex) in multilayer
structures
[0050] In one working example, 3M Scotch.TM. Permanent Mounting
foam tape (Cat #110, as available in September 2013 from 3M Co.,
St. Paul, Minn.) forms the inner/lower layer and is wrapped
transversely around/adhered to a stainless steel tube constructed
as a mouthpiece for a smoking article, and a pre-printed polymer
wrapper label is adhered around its exterior surface to form the
upper/outer layer. This example of foam tape is about 1.5 mm thick
by 13 mm wide, including a foam layer with adhesive on both sides
separated by a release liner. When wrapped around a 9.2 mm diameter
stainless steel tube of an electronic cigarette mouth end, the
resulting cigarette mouthpiece includes an outer diameter of about
12.7 mm and has a durometer reading of about 90 hardness, when
including a peel-off printed stiff polymer wrapper label and about
47 hardness with the label removed. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that, in other embodiments, these sizes will vary in
keeping with the dimensions of the underlying tube body, which has
an uncoated durometer of about 100 (which may read about 98 to
about 100, if the tube is thin-walled enough to flex).
[0051] In another working example, Southeast Non-Woven HNB3
substrate (non-woven cellulose acetate web about 1.7 mm thick by
about 25 mm wide) was hand-cut to a 29 mm length. This forms the
inner/lower layer and is wrapped transversely around/adhered to a
stainless steel tube constructed as a mouthpiece for a smoking
article, with the wrap forming a butt joint at its ends, and an
outermost pre-printed polymer wrapper layer placed over it to form
a final mouthpiece construction. When wrapped around a 9.2 mm
diameter stainless steel tube with the printed polymer wrapper
label applied over the web, the resulting cigarette mouth peace
exhibits a diameter of 11.2 mm and has a durometer reading of about
90 Shore M hardness. In another embodiment, Schweitzer-Mauduit
240M9S plug wrap (as commercially available in September 2013) was
adhered around its exterior surface to form the upper/outer layer
rather than the polymer wrapper.
[0052] In another working example, rayon web fleece (e.g., SDH27
from BFF Technical Fabrics in Bridgewater, Somerset, GB; Z8713 from
Hoftex Group AG in H of, Germany) is cut in a length substantially
equal to the outer circumference of the stainless steel mouthpiece
tubular shell. This fleece forms the inner/lower layer and is
wrapped transversely around/adhered to a stainless steel tube
constructed as a mouthpiece for a smoking article, and a
pre-printed polymer wrapper label is adhered around its exterior
surface to form the upper/outer layer. When wrapped twice around a
9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube and with the printed polymer
wrapper label applied, the resulting cigarette mouth peace exhibits
a diameter of 10.0 mm and has a durometer reading of about 91 Shore
M hardness. When three wraps of fleece are used, the outer diameter
is about 11.1 mm and hardness remains unchanged at 92. Individual
layers of fleece (without pre-printed polymer wrapper label)
exhibit hardness numbers of 83 for three layers, 87 for two layers,
and 92 for a single layer.
[0053] The term "substantially" as used above with reference to the
length of a rectangular piece of fleece relative to the outer
circumference of the stainless steel mouthpiece tubular shell will
be understood by those in the art. Specifically, it will be
appreciated that the length and the circumference need not be
exactly identical, but will be about the same within reasonable
tolerances (e.g., +/-about 1% to about 10% of a given value), and
taking into account the potential for slightly mitered or tapered
ends that may be used to provide smooth end-to-end abutment/fit of
rectangular three-dimensional material around a cylinder. This same
relative dimensional consideration applies elsewhere throughout the
present disclosure, including with reference to lengths described
at least about some multiple of (e.g., 1.times., 2.times.,
3.times.) the outer circumference. That is for "a length at least
about two times the outer circumference," the length need not be
exactly two times the circumference, but preferably will be within
reasonable tolerances, and may include slightly mitered or tapered
ends or otherwise overlap slightly to provide substantially smooth
fit of a rectangular three-dimensional material around a cylinder.
As such the length may be slightly less or slightly greater than
the described multiple of the circumference, but will be understood
by those in the art to substantially circumferentially encompass
that circumference.
[0054] FIGS. 4A-4C show another embodiment of a double-wrapped
mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article. The innermost component shown
is a metal tubular body shell 303, shown uncovered in FIG. 4A may
be incorporated as part of any smoking article described herein
(including those items incorporated by reference, subject to
technical considerations thereof).
[0055] FIG. 4B shows a mid-step assembly view of the double-wrapped
mouthpiece 302 for a smoking article. In this embodiment, the shell
303 is circumscribed by a double-layer tipping wrap 320, the
inner/lower layer 322 of which (shown in FIG. 4B) is wrapped
transversely but not perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal
axis of the rigid tube and is trimmed to form a cylindrical wrap
322 that is--as a cylinder--substantially coaxial relative to said
longitudinal axis. This spiral-wound or otherwise angled
inner/lower layer 322 preferably is a cushioning layer that will
provide a comfortable bite/mouth-feel for many users by providing a
resilient layer between the user's tongue and/or teeth and the
rigid shell 313. The inner/lower layer may include one or more of
foam tape (e.g., 3M Scotch.TM. Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat
#110)), rayon web fleece, cigarette filter tow, cigarette plug
wrap, and/or cellulose acetate non-woven web that is adhered or
otherwise secured around the shell's outer circumference and
transverse to the shell's longitudinal axis in a manner forming a
band therearound.
[0056] FIG. 4C shows the inner/lower layer trimmed to form a
cylinder as described and an upper/outer layer 324 of the
double-layer tipping wrap 320 provided in the form of an adhesive
label or sleeve 324 (which may include pressure-sensitive or
pressure-activated adhesive). In many embodiments the inner/lower
layer 322 will a first thickness that is greater than a second
thickness of the upper/outer layer 324. In the illustrated
embodiment and in other embodiments, the upper/outer layer 324 may
include indicia (letters/words, images, colors, textures, or other
indicia) that identify properties of the mouthpiece 302 and/or a
smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece. Exemplary indicia may
communicate flavor(s), product source identification (e.g.,
branding, trademark, etc.), and/or other information, and/or it may
provide aesthetic appeal. The label 324 may be an adhesive label
with a paper and/or polymer construction. For example, its
construction may be the same as or similar to the filter paper or
plug wrap used on conventional cigarettes. The materials and
methods described here with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C may be used
with the working examples described above related to FIGS.
3A-3B.
[0057] FIGS. 5A-5D show a method of assembling a double-wrapped
mouthpiece 402 for a smoking article, and FIG. 5E shows a
transverse cross-sectional view of the assembled mouthpiece. As
shown in FIG. 4A, an inner layer portion 422 of an elongate
double-tipping wrap 420 is attached to a mouthpiece tube 403 (e.g.,
by a pressure-sensitive adhesive or other adhesive or attachment
means). The double-tipping wrap 420 preferably includes a total
length at least about twice the outer circumference of the tube
403, and may include an overlap portion to form a length exceeding
that outer circumference (e.g., by about 3 mm to about 6 mm or
more) such that an outermost end of the elongate tipping wrap
overlaps an innermost end thereof when wrapped around the
mouthpiece. In other embodiments, the length may be three or more
times the outer circumference, but preferably is about a whole
number multiple of the outer circumference.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5B-5C, a first portion of the length is
sufficient to encircle the outer circumference of the mouthpiece
tube 403, as the tube is rolled up into the wrap 420. This first
lengthwise portion preferably includes a cushioning-type material,
such as--for example--one of the cushioning-type materials
described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-4C. A second lengthwise
portion of the double-tipping wrap 420 includes what will form an
outward-facing surface configured as an upper/outer layer 424,
which may include indicia (letters/words, images, colors, textures,
or other indicia, such as--for example--the indicia identified by
reference number 427) that identify properties, manufacturing
source, or other information about the mouthpiece 402 and/or a
smoking article incorporating the mouthpiece.
[0059] FIG. 5D shows the mouthpiece 402 with the double-tipping
wrap 420 wrapped nearly two full times around the tube body 403,
which has been rolled/rotated nearly 720.degree. to engage the
double-tipping wrap 420. The upper/outer layer encompasses the
inner/lower layer, as shown in the transverse section view of FIG.
5E, which shows the mouthpiece 402 as fully assembled. As shown
therein, the contours of the layers and the assembly process may be
configured to provide a substantially circular outer profile
without a significantly tactile-noticeable seam at the outermost
end of the upper/outer layer 424.
[0060] In addition to, or in alternative to, the wrapping
assemblies described, certain embodiments may include a tipping
cover, which may be configured (for example) as a polymeric label
and may be configured to receive and/or display visual indicia
(e.g., providing information about a smoking article or smoking
article component such as, for example, trade name, flavor(s), or
other characteristics). The tipping cover may be constructed as a
wrappable strip, a tube, or other configuration. Examples of
tipping covers including polymeric labels that may be configured as
heat-shrink tubes or in other configurations are described below,
including with reference to FIGS. 6-9, each of which
diagrammatically shows structural layers for a tubular or strip
construction of a tipping cover. Such tubular tipping cover
constructions may be slid on, rolled on, and/or otherwise oriented
around the mouthpiece, and--depending upon the size and
composition--may be heat-shrunk to conform, may be applied with
adhesive, or otherwise secured to the mouthpiece using means
appropriate to the tipping cover, which will be appreciated by
those of skill in the art with reference to the particular
composition of the tipping cover.
[0061] FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows an exploded section view of a
tipping cover 604 (which may be configured as a tubular sleeve, a
wrap, or other construction, including--for
example--heat-shrinkable, tightly-conforming, or other-dimensioned
construction). The multi-layer construction may include
printing/graphics 604b applied outward/upward facing to an inner
surface of an outer layer 604a, or to an outer surface of an inner
layer 604g. It should be appreciated in this and other embodiments
that a "printing/graphics/color layer" will not have substantial
structural thickness and that--as with other drawing
figures--diagrammatic FIGS. 6-9 are not to scale. An adhesive layer
604h (e.g., pressure sensitive or other adhesive) may be provided
to secure to a mouthpiece body 603 and/or to cushioning material
(not shown) around that body, such as described with reference to
FIGS. 3A-5E. When the tipping cover 604 is applied to a mouthpiece,
smoking article, or the like, the final appearance may be
substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0062] In some embodiments, heavy gauge (that is, about 100 .mu.m
to about 150 .mu.m thick) reverse-printed PVC or PETG sleeves may
be used to cover and/or decorate the unwrapped, single-wrapped, or
multi-wrapped cushioned surface of a mouth end piece. The printed
material (e.g., graphic images, characters) may use water or
solvent-based inks. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, which
diagrammatically depicts an exploded section view of a tipping
cover 704 (which may be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or other
construction). The single layer 704a may include printing/graphics
704b applied outward/upward facing to an inner surface of the layer
704a, which inner surface will be applied/secured to a mouthpiece
body and/or cushioning material around that body. As described
elsewhere, this securement and that of the other embodiments or
combinations thereof may be done using heat-shrink, adhesive,
and/or other securement means, potentially including friction-fit.
When the tipping cover 704 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking
article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially
similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0063] In some embodiments, standard gauge (that is, about 50 .mu.m
to about 70 .mu.m thick) PETG, PS, and/or PVC shrink sleeve
materials may be adhesive-laminated together to form a two-ply
shrink sleeve (about 125 .mu.m to about 170 .mu.m thick). The inner
side of an outer, outward-facing layer may be reverse printed with
indicia, and adhered (e.g., by emulsion laminated adhesive) to an
inward-facing solvent seamed layer of PETG, PS, and/or PVC. This
may be applied in strip form or as a heat-shrink cylinder used to
cover and/or decorate the unwrapped, single-wrapped, or
multi-wrapped cushioned surface of a mouth end piece. One such
embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, which diagrammatically depicts an
exploded section view of a composite tipping cover 804 (which may
be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or other construction). An outer
layer 804a may include printing/graphics 804b applied
outward/upward facing to an inner surface of the outer layer 804a,
which inner surface will be adhered to an inner layer 804g by an
adhesive 804c. The inward/downward facing surface of the inner
layer 804g, which will be applied/secured to a mouthpiece body
and/or cushioning material around that body (not shown). As
described elsewhere, this securement and that of the other
embodiments or combinations thereof may be done using heat-shrink,
adhesive, and/or other securement means including friction fit.
When the tipping cover 804 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking
article, or the like, the final appearance may be substantially
similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0064] Appropriate adhesives used for forming multilayer tipping
covers, whether in the form of polymeric labels or otherwise, may
include--for example--dry bond or wet bond adhesives. Illustrative
(but non-limiting) examples of dry bond adhesives generally may be
applied as follows: a liquid form of the adhesive (e.g.,
polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsion, water-based EVA and
PVOH, high-solid silicone solvents) may be coated on the substrate
(one layer of a multi-ply composite), dried and then laminated to a
second, third, etc. substrate using heated nip rolls. Illustrative
(but non-limiting) examples of wet bond adhesives generally may be
applied as follows: a liquid form of the adhesive (e.g.,
polyurethane dispersion, acrylic emulsions, water-based EVA, PVOH,
latex) may be coated on the substrate (one layer of a multi-ply
composite), laminated to a second, third, etc. substrate, and then
dried using heat such as heated air flow. The ink may be a
water-based or solvent-based ink, preferably approved for use with
food, tobacco, and similar products (e.g., including well-known
inks available from Sun Chemical of Richmond, Va.).
[0065] In still other embodiments, a three-ply polymeric label may
be provided, including an outer, outward-facing layer (which may be
reverse printed with indicia) of PETG, PS, and/or PVC shrink sleeve
materials. This outer layer may be adhesive laminated to an
intermediate core layer (of a bulk softening material, for example,
PE, EVA, and/or CoPP). This intermediate core layer may be adhesive
laminated to an inner layer of solvent seamed PETG, PS, and/or PVC.
The inner surface of the intermediate layer and/or the
outward-facing surface of the inner layer may be printed with a
solid color, with the same or different graphic(s) as the outer
layer. This may help to provide a "3D optical effect" where the
outer layer print appears to float above or otherwise have
depth-difference relative to the inner layer. As such, in a
three-ply embodiment, standard (about 50 .mu.m thick) PETG shrink
sleeve materials may be adhesive laminated on either side of a
low-melting, (about a 50 .mu.m to about 75 .mu.m thick) polyolefin
core layer to form an about 150 .mu.m to about 175 .mu.m thick
composite structure. The core layer may be clear, and its thickness
and/or greater elasticity/lower durometer preferably will provide a
mouth feel that may be more comfortable/desirable to a user than an
uncoated metal tube body of a smoking article.
[0066] One such three-ply embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, which
diagrammatically depicts an exploded section view of a composite
tipping cover 904 (which may be configured as a sleeve, a wrap, or
other construction). An outer layer 904a may include
printing/graphics 904b applied outward/upward facing to an inner
surface of the outer layer 904a, which inner surface may be adhered
to an intermediate/core layer 904d by an adhesive 904c. A second
layer of adhesive 904e may secure the intermediate layer 904d of
this three-ply construction to the inner layer 904g, an
outward-facing surface of which may include a print layer (e.g.,
graphics, solid color(s)) 904f. The inward/downward facing surface
of the inner layer 904g, may be applied/secured to a mouthpiece
body and/or cushioning material around that body (not shown). When
the tipping cover 904 is applied to a mouthpiece, smoking article,
or the like, the final appearance may be substantially similar to
that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
[0067] In each preferred shrink sleeve embodiment, the shrink
sleeve materials may be heated or otherwise activated to shrink
conformingly around a single or multiple layer of wrapping material
that, as applied, provides a lower durometer/greater flexibility
than the rigid body of a tubular mouthpiece (corresponding to a
more desirable mouth-feel/bite for many users). In some
embodiments, they may be applied directly to the rigid tube body.
In such embodiments, the application may be secured by using heat
shrink activation in a manner known in the art and appropriate to
the particular heat-shrink properties known for the given material.
In some embodiments, the material may be applied as an overmold. In
an appropriate overmold technique, the steel tube, with or without
a sleeve or wrap-around label or cushioning material already
applied to it, may be inserted into a slightly larger-diameter
injection mold cavity, whereupon a molten thermoplastic is injected
into the gap between the tube and the cavity wall to form a tightly
adhered outer cylindrical sleeve around the tube. In some
embodiments, adhesive may be used to secure a tipping cover to
underlying material. In various embodiments, any combination of
heat-shrink, adhesive, and overmolding may be used to secure a
tipping cover to a mouthpiece and or greater portion of a smoking
article, whether directly to a rigid tube body and/or to underlying
material such as the cushioning material(s) discussed herein.
[0068] Different embodiments of tipping covers may include
silicone, latex, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG
(polyethylene terephthalate copolymer), PS (polystyrene), OPP
(oriented polypropylene), BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene),
OPS (oriented polystyrene), PE (polyethylene), EPS (expanded
polystyrene), PEF (polyethylene furanoate), PVDF (polyvinylidene
difluoride), PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), PEBAX (polyether
block amide; including heat-shrink PEBAX), PE (polyethylene), EVA
(ethylene vinyl acetate), CoPP (polypropylene copolymer), FEP
(fluorinated ethylene propylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene),
and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or any combination thereof within a
single layer, within each layer of a multi-layer composition,
and/or in each of the separate layers (e.g., one or more of the
materials in each layer, alone or combined with other materials,
where each layer of a multi-layer tipping cover may include the
same or different compositions, which those of skill in the art
will recognize with reference to the properties of each
component).
[0069] Each of these materials may readily be procured from a
variety of suppliers. Tipping covers using these materials may be
configured as seamed or seamless shrink-tubes, shrink sleeves, soft
sleeves (e.g., silicone tube/sleeve; a sleeve that may be
stretched, pulled over the tube, then released to conform
therearound, in contrast to tubes or sleeves that may be slipped on
and shrunk by heat, UV, or other means), adhesive labels, stretch
labels, stretch tubes, or composites/hybrids of one or more such
structures.
[0070] Shrink sleeves (or tubes) are distinctly different from the
elastic, rollable, or other soft sleeve embodiments described,
which do not use a process of heating or otherwise treating the
shrink material to conform and, in many embodiments, adhere to the
underlying tube--which may include cushioning wrap material. It
should also be noted that wrap materials may be applied in some
mode other than an encircling/wrapping motion. Also, shrink sleeve
and/or shrink tube materials described herein have properties
well-known in the material science arts such that, one having skill
in the art and informed by the present disclosure will be enabled
to construct such a tube and/or sleeve, and apply
material-appropriate-manner of curing or other treatment (e.g., UV
or other EMF irradiation, heat, chemical treatment, or other means)
that will shrink the tube and/or sleeve in a manner conforming to
an underlying generally rigid tube body, which may further include
one or more cushioning wrap layers. Stated another way, tipping
cover embodiments may include or be comprised essentially of a
shrink material (e.g., in the form of a tube and/or sleeve) that is
configured to conform securely around the mouthpiece tube body
and/or any material in between the tube body and the tipping cover
when treated in a material-appropriate-manner.
[0071] Table 1 below shows different combinations of one-layer and
two-layer structures for embodiments of a mouthpiece including a
tipping cover identifying where visual indicia may be printed. The
inner layer may be a single-wrapped cushioning or other material,
including polymer label-type material, or a multi wrapped
cushioning or other material. A "patch" label or layer refers to a
layer that encircles less than a full circumference of the
underlying tube body.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Tipping Cover Embodiments with Print
Surface(s) Wrap or Inner Layer Graphics/print of Tipping Cover
Outer Layer surface -- Clear welded shrink sleeve Inside outer
label -- Clear welded shrink sleeve Steel tube Colored welded Clear
welded shrink sleeve Outside inner label shrink sleeve Colored
pressure- Clear welded shrink sleeve Outside inner label sensitive
wrap-around Colored shrink tube Clear welded shrink sleeve Inside
outer label -- Colored shrink tube Outside outer label -- Clear
shrink tube Steel tube Colored welded Clear shrink tube Outside
inner label shrink sleeve Colored pressure- Clear shrink tube
Outside inner label sensitive wrap-around Colored shrink tube Clear
shrink tube Outside inner label -- Colored soft sleeve Outside
outer label -- Clear soft sleeve Steel tube Colored welded Clear
soft sleeve Outside inner label shrink sleeve Colored pressure-
Clear soft sleeve Outside inner label sensitive wrap-around Colored
shrink tube Clear soft sleeve Outside inner label -- Clear silicone
overmold Steel tube Colored silicone In-mold patch label Outside
outer label overmold
[0072] Table 2 below shows different combinations of one-layer and
two-layer tipping cover structures for embodiments of a
mouthpiece.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Tipping Cover Embodiments Inner Layer* Outer
Layer -- Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS, PE, PP, EPS) -- Shrink
Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS, PE, PP, EPS) Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS,
Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS, PE, PP, EPS) PE, PP, EPS) Pressure
Sensitive (Paper, Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS, OPP, PET) PE, PP,
EPS) Shrink tube (PEX, PVDF, Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC, OPS, PVC,
PEF) PE, PP, EPS) -- Shrink tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, PEF) -- Shrink
tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, PEF) Shrink tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, Shrink tube
(PEX, PVDF, PVC, PEF) PEF) Pressure Sensitive (Paper, OPP, Shrink
tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, PEF) PET) Shrink tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, Shrink
tube (PEX, PVDF, PVC, PEF) PEF) -- Soft sleeve (Silicone, Latex,
PE) -- Soft sleeve (Silicone, Latex, PE) Shrink Sleeve (PETG, PVC,
OPS, Soft sleeve (Silicone, Latex, PE) PE, PP, EPS) Pressure
Sensitive (Paper, OPP, Soft sleeve (Silicone, Latex, PE) PET)
Colored shrink tube Soft sleeve (Silicone, Latex, PE) -- Silicone
over-mold Silicone over-mold In-mold Patch (PE, OPP, PET, PS)
EXAMPLES
[0073] Certain aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure may
be understood with reference to the following examples. These
examples are set forth as illustrative and are not to be construed
as limiting.
Example 1
[0074] Using a 9.2 mm diameter stainless steel tube about 50 mm in
length, a strip of 3M Scotch.TM. Permanent Mounting foam tape (Cat
#110) was adhered to one edge of the tube at about a 25 degree
angle relative to the tube's longitudinal axis and spiral wound
with the tape's edges abutted tightly together to form a continuous
layer of foam about 1.5 mm thick. Edges were trimmed to provide an
approximately 35 mm length of cushioned surface upon which a
preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied (multi-layer laminate
comprising PE and OPP films). Resulting diameter of the mouth end
piece was 12.7 mm. A desirable range of foam thickness may include
about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm
to about 0.70 mm when an embodiment is desired with a smaller
diameter mouthpiece than the about 1.5 mm- to about 2 mm-thick foam
tape provided in this Example. Another iteration of this concept
would be to have the foam layer pre-applied as part of the
pre-printed label's construction (e.g., Labec.TM. by Commodore
Solutions of Bloomfield, N.Y.). (This embodiment is similar to that
described above with reference to FIGS. 4 A-C).
Example 2
[0075] Another Example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was
constructed using a strip of non-woven cellulose acetate web that
was about 1.7 mm thick by about 25 mm wide that was cut to a length
of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor it to an
about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube, the non-woven
cellulose acetate piece was wrapped around the tube with the about
29 mm length encircling the tube to form a "butt joint."
Thereafter, another strip with about the same dimensions was
attached in the same manner immediately abutting the first strip
along the longitudinal end of each, and was then cut
circumferentially to form about am about 36 mm longitudinal length
of the padded tube mouthpiece along the tube. Then, a preprinted
polymer wrapper label was applied. In this example, the resulting
outer diameter of the mouth end piece was about 11.2 mm. A
desirable range of web thickness may include about 0.1 mm to about
1.0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm
thickness, which may be about 0.5 mm. (This embodiment is somewhat
similar to that shown in FIG. 4 B, except that the abutting seam
between web portions is transversely circumferential around the
tube body, rather spiral wound.)
Example 3
[0076] Another Example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was
constructed using a strip of non-woven Rayon fleece web that was
about 0.15 mm thick by about 36 mm wide, which was cut to a length
of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor this strip
to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube, the
non-woven Rayon fleece piece was wrapped around the tube with the
about 29 mm length encircling the tube. A preprinted polymer
wrapper label was applied over the fleece piece to form the
cushioned mouth end tipping. Resulting diameter of the mouth end
piece was about 9.6 mm. A desirable fleece thickness in certain
embodiments where a smaller diameter is desired may range from
about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm, with certain embodiments preferably
about 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.5 mm.
Example 4
[0077] Additionally, another similar (to Example 2) cigarette mouth
piece was constructed by using transparent tape to anchor a
non-woven Rayon fleece strip that was about 58 mm long to an about
9.2 mm outer diameter stainless steel tube and wrapped around the
tube with the about 52 mm length encircling the tube twice to form
an overlapping joint. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was
applied over this fleece strip to form the mouth end tipping. The
resulting diameter of the mouth end piece was about 10 mm.
Example 5
[0078] Another cigarette mouth piece (similar to Examples 2 and 3)
was constructed by using transparent tape to anchor a non-woven
Rayon fleece strip that was about 88 mm long to an about 9.2 mm
outer diameter stainless steel tube and wrapped around the tube
with the about 88 mm length thrice encircling the tube to form an
overlapping joint. A preprinted polymer wrapper label was applied
over the fleece piece to form the mouth end tipping. Resulting
diameter of the mouth end piece was about 11.1 mm. A desirable
range of fleece thickness in some other embodiments may range from
about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm or, in certain embodiments, about 0.30
mm to about 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.5 mm. (The construction
of this example may be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 5 A-C,
although those drawings do not show the multiply-wrapped aspect of
the fleece strip).
Example 6
[0079] Another Example of a multi-wrapped mouthpiece was
constructed using a strip of 50 gram/m.sup.2 tipping paper web that
was about 0.077 mm thick and about 36 mm wide, which was cut to a
length of about 29 mm. After using transparent tape to anchor the
strip of paper web to an about 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless
steel tube, the 50 gram tipping paper piece was wrapped around the
tube with the about 29 mm length encircling the tube. A preprinted
polymer wrapper label was applied over the paper piece to form the
mouth end tipping. The outer diameter of the mouth end piece thus
formed was about 10.0 mm. A desirable range of paper web thickness
in certain other embodiments may range from about 0.1 mm to about
1.0 mm or, in some embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm,
which may be about 0.4 mm or about 0.5 mm.
Example 7
[0080] Another cigarette mouth piece was constructed by using
transparent tape to anchor a 50 gram/m.sup.2 tipping paper piece
that was about 58 mm long to a 9.2 mm outer diameter stainless
steel tube. Thereafter, the tipping paper was wrapped around the
tube with the about 58 mm length encircling the tube twice and
forming an overlapping joint. A pre-printed polymer wrapper label
was applied over the paper piece to complete the mouth end tipping
structure. The final outer diameter of the mouth end piece was
about 10.4 mm.
Example 8
[0081] Another cigarette mouth piece (similar to Examples 5 and 6)
was constructed using transparent tape to anchor a 50-gram tipping
paper strip that was about 88 mm long to an about 9.2 mm stainless
steel tube. The tipping paper strip was thrice wrapped around the
tube to form a cushioned mouth end. A preprinted polymer wrapper
label was applied over the paper piece to form the mouth end
tipping. Resulting diameter of the mouth end piece was about 11.5
mm. A desirable range of paper web thickness in certain other
embodiments may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm or, in some
embodiments, about 0.30 mm to about 0.70 mm, which may be about 0.4
mm or about 0.5 mm.
Example 9
[0082] Another smoking article mouthpiece was constructed as
follows: an about 33 mm wide by about 36 mm long self-adhesive
label strip with printed insignia was applied to a stainless steel
tube about 9.2 mm in outer diameter and about 37 mm in height. The
label was manually wrapped in its width direction around the steel
tube so that the label overlapped with itself by about 4 mm. A
length of Raychem RNF-100-1/2-CL-FSP clear cross-linked
polyethylene shrink tubing was received in flattened form from Tyco
Electronics (Menlo Park, Calif.). An about 37 mm-long piece was cut
and slipped over the stainless steel tube previously prepared as
described. This shrink tubing had an original layflat width of 22
mm, corresponding to an outer diameter of 14 mm when shaped round,
so that it could be slipped effortlessly onto the steel tube. The
tubing was shrunk in a natural convection oven preheated to
235.degree. F. for about 5 minutes, then removed from the oven and
allowed to cool back to room temperature. In the final product, the
tubing was tightly shrunk around the steel tube and self-adhesive
label. The lengths of the shrink tubing and steel tube matched each
other closely. The two original axial crease lines on the shrink
tubing, due its being flattened by the manufacturer, had
disappeared. The insignia on the self-adhesive label were clearly
and vividly visible through the shrink tubing. The shrunk tubing
had a final thickness of about 0.45 mm. The self-adhesive label
overlap could not be felt by touch through the shrink tubing such
that there was no perceptible seam line. It should be appreciated
that the tipping cover embodied here as a heat-shrink sleeve may
cover the entire smoking article length, or any portion thereof
(e.g., limited to the mouthpiece length, or to some other length as
desired).
[0083] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments
not expressly illustrated herein may be practiced within the scope
of the claims, including that features described herein for
different embodiments may be combined with each other and/or with
currently-known or future-developed technologies while remaining
within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms are
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation unless specifically defined
by context, usage, or other explicit designation. It is therefore
intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as
illustrative rather than limiting. And, it should be understood
that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended
to define the spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the
advantages described above are not necessarily the only advantages
of the invention, and it is not necessarily expected that all of
the described advantages will be achieved with every embodiment. In
the event of any inconsistent disclosure or definition from the
present application conflicting with any document incorporated by
reference, the disclosure or definition herein shall be deemed to
prevail.
* * * * *