US 11,051,544 B2 · Method of forming smoking articles with mouth end cavities

Abstract

A method of producing smoking articles, the method comprising a first step of providing a continuous array of first filter members (42), second filter segments (20) and tubular members (40). A tubular member (40) is provided between each pair of consecutive first filter members (42) and a second filter segment (20) is provided between each first filter member (42) and each tubular member (40). Each second filter segment (20) contains one or more breakable capsules, wherein each breakable capsule comprises an outer shell and an inner core containing an additive. The continuous array of first filter members (42), second filter segments (20) and tubular members (40) is then wrapped with a continuous sheet of plug wrap (44) to form a wrapped filter array, wherein the plug wrap (44) has a basis weight of less than 90 grams per square metre. The wrapped filter array is cut at an intermediate position along each first filter member (42) to provide multiple filter rods, each filter rod comprising two first filter segments (18), a tubular member (40) positioned between the first filter segments (18) and a second filter segment (20) provided between each first filter segment (18) and the tubular member (40). Next, a tobacco rod (12) is provided in axial alignment with and adjacent to each first filter segment (18) of one of the filter rods, and the filter rod and a portion of each tobacco rod (12) are wrapped in a tipping wrapper (50). Finally, the tipping wrapper (50) and the filter rod are cut at an intermediate position along the length of the tubular member (40) to form multiple smoking articles (10), each smoking article (10) comprising a tobacco rod (12) connected to a filter (14), wherein each filter (14) comprises a first filter segment (18) downstream of the tobacco rod (12), a second filter segment (20) downstream of the first filter segment (18), and a hollow tube segment (22) positioned between the second filter segment (20) and the mouth end of the filter (14). The hollow tube segment (22) defines a cavity (24) at the mouth end of the filter (14).

Claims3

Dependent claims

A smoking article comprising a tobacco rod connected to a filter, wherein the filter comprises a first filter segment downstream of the tobacco rod, a second filter segment downstream of the first filter segment, and a hollow tube segment positioned between the second filter segment and a mouth end of the filter, the hollow tube segment defining a cavity at the mouth end of the filter, wherein the second filter segment contains one or more breakable capsules, each breakable capsule comprising an outer shell and an inner core containing an additive and wherein the hollow tube segment has a wall thickness of at least 150 micrometers,

wherein the difference between the ovality of the tube segment after 50% deformation of the filter and the ovality of the tube segment prior to deformation of the filter is less than 25%.

A smoking article produced by a method comprising the steps of:

providing a continuous array of first filter members, second filter segments and tubular members, wherein a tubular member is provided between each pair of consecutive first filter members and wherein a second filter segment is provided between each first filter member and each tubular member, wherein each second filter segment contains one or more breakable capsules, each breakable capsule comprising an outer shell and an inner core containing an additive and wherein the tubular member has a wall thickness of at least 150 micrometers;
wrapping the continuous array of first filter members, second filter segments and tubular members with a continuous sheet of plug wrap to form a wrapped filter array;
cutting the wrapped filter array at an intermediate position along each first filter member to provide multiple filter rods, each filter rod comprising two first filter segments, a tubular member positioned between the first filter segments and a second filter segment provided between each first filter segment and the tubular member;
providing a tobacco rod in axial alignment with and adjacent to each first filter segment of a filter rod;
wrapping the filter rod and a portion of each tobacco rod in a tipping wrapper;
and
cutting the tipping wrapper and the filter rod at an intermediate position along the length of the tubular member to form multiple smoking articles, each smoking article comprising a tobacco rod connected to a filter, wherein each filter comprises a first filter segment downstream of the tobacco rod, a second filter segment downstream of the first filter segment, and a hollow tube segment positioned between the second filter segment and the mouth end of the filter, the hollow tube segment defining a cavity at the mouth end of the filter,
wherein the difference between the ovality of the tube segment after 50% deformation of the filter and the ovality of the tube segment prior to deformation of the filter is less than 25%.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of forming smoking articles with mouth end cavities

Life of this patent

Method of forming smoking articles with mouth end cavities

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3