U.S. patent application number 17/418316 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-16 for aerosol generating article with shaped multi-textured filter.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Tim Collins, Oliver Taylor.
Application Number | 20210386114 17/418316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005863283 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210386114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Oliver ; et
al. |
December 16, 2021 |
Aerosol Generating Article with Shaped Multi-Textured Filter
Abstract
A filter for an aerosol generating article includes a first end
for attachment to an aerosol generating article; a second end which
is a mouth end which can be received in the mouth of a user; and
tipping paper wrapped around the filter. The tipping paper provides
four haptic regions which provide different touch experiences for a
user's lips at the mouth end, wherein first and second haptic
regions provide a first touch experience and third and fourth
haptic regions provide a second touch experience. Rotation of the
filter allows different haptic regions to contact the user's lips,
and haptic regions arranged on opposing sides of the filter may
provide a same or different touch experience for both the upper and
lower lip of the user.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Oliver; (Kent,
GB) ; Collins; Tim; (Leatherhead Surrey, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Family ID: |
1000005863283 |
Appl. No.: |
17/418316 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
March 19, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/057605 |
371 Date: |
June 25, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/17 20200101; A24D
3/043 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/17 20060101
A24D003/17; A24D 3/04 20060101 A24D003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2019 |
EP |
19167442.3 |
Claims
1. A filter for an aerosol generating article, the filter
comprising: a first end for attachment to an aerosol generating
article; a second end which is a mouth end which can be received in
a mouth of a user; and tipping paper wrapped around the filter,
wherein the tipping paper provides first, second, third, and fourth
haptic regions which provide different touch experiences for a
user's lips at the mouth end, wherein the first and second haptic
regions provide a first touch experience, and the third and fourth
haptic regions provide a second touch experience, and wherein a
rotation of the filter allows different ones of the first, second,
third, and fourth haptic regions to contact the user's lips.
2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and
fourth haptic regions provide different touch experiences using one
or more of: perforations, textured tipping paper, embossing,
debossing, and surface smoothness.
3. The filter of claim 1, wherein the first haptic region is
provided opposite the second haptic region and the third haptic
region is provided opposite the fourth haptic region at the mouth
end.
4. The filter of claim 1, wherein haptic regions of the first,
second, third, and fourth haptic regions arranged on opposing sides
of the filter provide a same touch experience for both upper and
lower lips of the user.
5. The filter of claim 1, wherein haptic regions of the first,
second, third, and fourth haptic regions arranged on opposing sides
of the filter provide a different touch experience.
6. The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter can be rotated through
90 degrees to move between the first touch experience and the
second touch experience.
7. The filter of claim 6, wherein the mouth end has a
cross-sectional shape with a plurality of flat sides.
8. The filter of claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the
mouth end is a rounded square, wherein the first, second, third,
and fourth haptic regions are provided respectively on the four
sides of the rounded square.
9. The filter of claim 1, wherein the first end has a
cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular to match a
cross-sectional shape of an aerosol generating device.
10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the mouth end comprises a hollow
filter segment.
11. An aerosol generating article comprising a charge of tobacco
containing substrate and the filter according to claim 1 attached
at an aerosol delivery end of said charge.
12. The aerosol generating article of claim 11, wherein the charge
of tobacco containing substrate comprises reconstituted
tobacco.
13. The aerosol generating article of claim 11, wherein the charge
of tobacco containing substrate comprises extruded or moulded
tobacco containing substrate elements.
14. The aerosol generating article of claim 11, wherein the charge
of tobacco containing substrate comprises tobacco cut-filler.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a national phase entry under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of International Application No.
PCT/EP2020/057605, filed Mar. 19, 2020, published in English, which
claims priority to European Application No. 19167442.3 filed Apr.
4, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a filter for an aerosol
generating article.
[0003] Conventional cigarettes and currently available
heat-not-burn tobacco sticks comprise a tobacco containing rod, a
filter and tipping paper. The tipping paper provides a mechanical
connection between the filter and tobacco containing rod whilst
also providing a physical barrier between the inner filter material
and a user's mouth. Moreover, the colour or appearance of the
tipping paper may be customised, such as by using cork-like, white,
glossy, or transparent tipping paper, in order to provide consumers
with multiple product designs.
[0004] Beyond this, existing filter and tipping details do little
to enhance the experience of a user. As such, an object of the
present invention is to elevate the smoking or vaping and sensory
experience during consumption of smoking, heat-not-burn or,
generally speaking, aerosol generating articles comprising a
filter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a
filter for an aerosol generating article, the filter comprising: a
first end for attachment to an aerosol generating article; a second
end which is a mouth end which can be received in the mouth of a
user; and tipping paper wrapped around the filter, wherein the
tipping paper provides a plurality of haptic regions which provide
different touch experiences for a user's lips at the mouth end, and
wherein a rotation of the filter allows different haptic regions to
contact the user's lips.
[0006] In this way, an enhanced smoking experience is provided
through haptic stimulation of a user's mouth. It has been found
that lip and mouth stimulation can elevate sensory experience
beyond taste. Hence, by applying different textures to different
tipping regions of a filter, the user can navigate between these
textures to produce a recognisable difference between lip feel
experiences, thereby enhancing its smoking or vaping experience, in
particular its flavour perceptions.
[0007] Preferably, the plurality of haptic regions provide
different touch experiences using one or more of: perforations,
textured tipping paper, embossing, debossing, and surface
smoothness. In this way, the haptic properties of each region can
be tailored to the taste of the aerosol generating article such
that the flavour experience is elevated through complementation or
contrast. In one example, the tipping paper may be pre-textured and
applied to the filter via a reel during manufacture. In an
alternative example, texture may be directly applied to the filter
or incorporated later in the manufacturing process.
[0008] The plurality of haptic regions may comprise four haptic
regions, wherein first and second haptic regions provide a first
touch experience and third and fourth haptic regions provide a
second touch experience. Preferably, the first haptic region is
provided opposite the second haptic region and the third haptic
region is provided opposite the fourth haptic region at the mouth
end. In this way, the filter may be orientated either such that the
first and second haptic regions contact the user's lips or such
that the third and fourth haptic regions contact the user's lips.
Therefore, a consistent touch experience is provided in different
orientations which the user can navigate between to produce a
recognisable difference in lip sensations. Moreover, registration
of the same haptic experience for both the upper and lower lip may
provide an elevated mouth feel experience compared to haptic
stimulation of only one lip or dissimilar stimulation of both
lips.
[0009] Preferably, the filter can be rotated through 90 degrees to
move between the first touch experience and the second touch
experience. In this way, only a minor modification to the standard
smoking behaviour of a consumer is required in order to alternate
between touch experiences.
[0010] In one arrangement, the mouth end may have a cross-sectional
shape with a plurality of flat sides. In another arrangement, the
mouth end may have the cross-sectional shape of a rounded square,
wherein the four haptic regions are provided respectively on the
four sides of the rounded square. In this way, by providing
different haptic regions on distinct facets the user is able to
orientate the filter with greater ease to provide the desired touch
experience.
[0011] Preferably, the aerosol generating article end has a
cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular to match the
cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating article. In this
way, there is a transition in profile from the mouth end to the
aerosol generating article end. This allows for optimised
connectivity of the filter to a smoking rod, whilst providing a
navigable mouth end with a recognisable difference between lip feel
sensations.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an aerosol generating article comprising a charge of
tobacco containing substrate and a filter, as set out above,
attached at an aerosol delivery end of said charge.
[0013] In one arrangement, the charge of tobacco containing
substrate may comprise reconstituted tobacco. In another
arrangement, the charge of tobacco containing substrate may
comprise extruded or moulded tobacco containing substrate elements.
In another arrangement, the charge of tobacco containing substrate
may comprise tobacco cut-filler.
[0014] The aerosol generating article may be a smoking article or
heat-not-burn element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of
example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a cigarette in an embodiment
of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the cigarette depicted in
FIG. 1A;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of the cigarette depicted
in FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of the cigarette depicted
in FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the cigarette
depicted in FIG. 1A;
[0021] FIG. 2D is a schematic end view of the smoking rod end of
the cigarette depicted in FIG. 1A; and
[0022] FIG. 2E is a schematic end view of the mouth end of the
cigarette depicted in FIG. 1A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a smoking article 10, in this
case a cigarette, in an embodiment of the invention. The reference
to a smoking article 10 shall in the context of the present
invention and description not be construed as limited to cigarettes
or other kinds of tobacco products requiring burning of tobacco
material to generate an aerosol inhaled by a user. The terms
smoking article shall to the contrary apply and be construed to
also encompass any kind of aerosol generating articles making use
of tobacco containing substrates, be it plain tobacco leaves,
tobacco cut-filler, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco extracts in
all forms, for generating an inhalable aerosol through any kind of
heating technique. It may in particular encompass any heat-not-burn
tobacco containing consumable device used in connection with a
filter for consumption by users.
[0024] The cigarette 10 comprises a smoking rod 12 comprising a
tobacco material or substrate connected to a filter 14. The filter
14 exhibits a gradual transition in cross-sectional shape from a
circular profile at the smoking article end 141 to a rounded square
profile at the opposing mouth end 142. In an alternative
embodiment, the filter 14 profile may remain constant along the
length of the filter 14.
[0025] The filter 14 comprises four textured regions, corresponding
to each side of the square profile, wherein opposing sides comprise
the same textural finish. A smooth surface 143 is provided on one
pair of opposing surfaces and a dappled surface 144 in provided on
the other pair of opposing surfaces. The dappled surface 144
comprises a hexagonal array of surface indents. This arrangement
permits the user to alternate between two lip feel experiences by
rotating the filter by 90 degrees whilst positioned between the
user's lips.
[0026] Alternatively, the mouth end 142 may comprise a different
cross-sectional profile, such as a polygon, ellipse, or
combination. For example, if the mouth end 142 was hexagonal, the
user could rotate the filter by 60 degrees to alternate between
three lip feel experiences.
[0027] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, in
alternative embodiments the filter 14 facets may comprise any
combination of textured surfaces. Opposing surfaces may be provided
with the same texture or may be provided with different
textures.
[0028] The filter 14 comprises a hollow end at the mouth end 142.
The hollow end may be provided as a hollow filter segment. In this
way, the temperature of the smoke is reduced which has been found
to increase taste perception thereby enhancing the smoking
experience of a user. In an alternative example, the mouth end 142
may be substantially solid.
[0029] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art and
recited above, the filter 14 may also be provided with other
aerosol generating articles, such as a cigar, cigarillo, electronic
cigarette or HNB cigarette.
[0030] FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of the cigarette depicted in
FIG. 1A. The smoking rod 12 contains an aerosol generating material
16, such as shredded tobacco. A number of other products and
ingredients may be provided within the smoking rod 12, as will be
appreciated by a person skilled in the art.
[0031] The filter 14 is wrapped in tipping paper 18, wherein the
tipping paper 18 conforms to the shape of the underlying filter 14
when wrapped. The tipping paper 18 is fed from a reel and attached
to the cigarette 10 during manufacture. Prior to application of the
tipping paper 18 to the filter 14, a texture is created on the
tipping paper 18 such that the textured regions 143 and 144 align
with the filter 14 facets when attached to the filter 14 following
a registration pattern to ensure the textures of the tipping 18
properly cover each of the facets fully. The texture may be
achieved using techniques such as embossing, debossing, print
finishing, or perforation of the tipping paper 18. Alternatively,
surface relief may be produced by attaching pieces of material to
the tipping paper 18 using adhesive or similar. In an alternative
example, the textural finish may be applied after attachment of the
tipping paper 18 to the filter 14.
[0032] The length of tipping paper 18 exceeds the length of the
filter 14. In this way, the tipping paper 18 also wraps around a
portion of the smoking rod 12, thereby providing secure attachment
of the filter 14 to the smoking rod 12. In an alternative
embodiment, the tipping paper 18 may be the same length as the
filter 14.
[0033] The filter 14 is also wrapped in plug wrap paper 20 which is
provided between the filter 14 and the tipping paper 18.
[0034] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the
filter 14 may be produced without tipping paper or plug wrap paper
18, and a textural finish applied directly to the filter 14,
depending on the constituent material thereof.
[0035] FIGS. 2A to 2C show schematic side views of the cigarette 10
depicted in FIG. 1A. FIGS. 2D and 2E show two end profile views of
the cigarette 10 depicted in FIG. 1A looking down the smoking rod
end 121 and the mouth end 142 respectively. The filter 14
transitions from a circular profile at the smoking article end 141
to a rounded square profile at the mouth end 142 with a hollow
conical interior 22.
[0036] Provision of the square profile at the mouth end 142 allow
the user to readily alternate between different lip feel
experiences by rotating the filter 14 in the user's mouth, whereas
provision of a circular profile at the smoking article end 141
permits the filter 12 to be easily attached to conventional smoking
rods.
[0037] The side profile of the filter 14 appears narrower at the
mouth end 142 than the smoking article end 141. This is a result of
filter 14 dimensions being chosen such that the perimeter of the
rounded square profile at the mouth end 142 is equal to the
circumference of the circular profile at the smoking article end
121. In this way, rectangular strips of tipping paper 18 and plug
wrap paper 20 can be applied to the filter 14 without the formation
of creases in the tipping paper 18 or plug wrap paper 20 or
creation of a gap around the filter 14.
[0038] It is believed that texture can influence the way that taste
of the aerosol generated by heating the tobacco substrate in the
smoking rod 12 is perceived by the consumer. Therefore, the
textural finishes may be chosen based on the taste profile of the
cigarette 10 or filter 14, thereby enhancing the smoking experience
for the user. In one example, the filter 14 may further comprise at
least one frangible capsule containing a flavouring agent which can
be released through application of pressure on the capsule by the
user. The flavouring agent may be chosen to complement or contrast
with one or more textured regions, or vice versa.
* * * * *