SMOKING ARTICLE

Abstract

Disclosed is a material for wrapping a smoking article (1), comprising wrapper (3) material and a flavourant patch (10), wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco. Also disclosed is a smoking article including a rod of smokeable material (2), a wrapper (3) about said rod of smokeable material, and a flavourant patch (10) at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material; wherein the flavourant patch includes a botanical material other than tobacco. Also disclosed is a material for wrapping a smoking article (101), comprising wrapper material (103), a first tobacco flavour patch (110) and a second tobacco flavour patch (111), the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material. Also disclosed is a smoking article (101) including a rod of smokeable material (102), a wrapper (103) about said rod of smokeable material, a first tobacco flavour patch (110) at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch (111) at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position; wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not contain a flavourant other than tobacco. Also disclosed are methods for producing the disclosed smoking articles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to smoking articles.

BACKGROUND

A smoking article may comprise a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about the rod of smokeable material and a patch at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material. Such patches can provide a flavour to the smoke provided to the user, or provide ventilation within the smoking article. For example, a tobacco patch can be located between the wrapper and the rod of smokeable material, and have a structure which provides ventilation within the smoking article. A tobacco patch located at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material can be used as a carrier for a flavourant compound which may impart a flavour to the smoke generated during use of the smoking article.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect the present disclosure provides a material for wrapping a smoking article, comprising wrapper material and a flavourant patch, wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a second aspect the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, and a flavourant patch at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a material for wrapping a smoking article, comprising wrapper material, a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

In a fourth aspect the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position; wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not contain a flavourant other than tobacco.

In a fifth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper and a flavourant patch; and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch about a smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and first and second flavourant patches about a smokeable material so as to form a rod of said smokeable material such that the first tobacco flavour patch is at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material and the second tobacco flavour patch is at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a smoking article according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the components of the smoking article of FIG. 1 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a view from above of the components of the smoking article of FIG. 2 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view from above of the components of the smoking article of FIG. 3 prior to assembly into a finished article of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view from above of a material of an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.

FIG. 8 is a view from above of a material of an exemplary embodiment of the third aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect the present disclosure provides a material for wrapping a smoking article, comprising wrapper material and a flavourant patch, wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a second aspect the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, and a flavourant patch at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a material for wrapping a smoking article, comprising wrapper material, a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

In a fourth aspect the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position; wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not contain a flavourant other than tobacco.

In a fifth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper, and a flavourant patch; and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch about said rod of smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

In a sixth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and first and second flavourant patches about the said rod of smokeable material such that the first tobacco flavour patch is at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material and the second tobacco flavour patch is at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position.

As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents.

As used herein a synthetic or isolated flavourant is typically a compound or group of compounds which is not contained in or on any botanical material in which the flavourant may naturally be found. A synthetic or isolated flavourant may be for example be a compound or group of compounds which has been isolated from a naturally occurring cellular material, or a compound or group of compounds which has been synthesised. A synthetic or isolated flavourant may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder. Non-limiting examples of a synthetic or isolated flavourant include the compound menthol (5-Methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol) if and when not in or on any substantially intact cellular structure of a plant from the genus Mentha.

As used herein a botanical flavourant or botanical material is typically a naturally-occurring botanical material having a substantially intact cellular structure. Examples of botanical flavourants include materials comprising the substantially intact cellular structure of liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander and coffee.

in some embodiments, a patch may be a discrete layer of sheet material. For example, a patch may be a discrete layer of sheet material which is manufactured separately from the wrapper and is capable of being subsequently adhered to or placed on the wrapper during manufacture of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, a patch is an area of the wrapper which comprises a flavourant disposed directly on the wrapper material. For example, a patch may be an area of the wrapper on which botanical material is adhered to the wrapper by means of a suitable adhesive, for example starch. For example, in some embodiments an adhesive may be applied to an area of the wrapper and loose botanical material deposited onto the area of adhesive, such that the botanical material adheres to the surface of the wrapper in the area in which the adhesive was applied.

As used herein, a flavourant patch comprising a botanical material may be a patch comprising a botanical flavourant. Patches comprising a botanical flavourant other than to tobacco can be prepared by analogy with known methods. For example, in embodiments in which the patch is a discreet layer of sheet material, the patch may be prepared by analogy with methods for preparing tobacco patches such as reconstituted tobacco patches.

A smoking article typically has a front end and a mouth end. The front end of a smoking article is typically the end lit by a user of the smoking article. The mouth end of a smoking article is typically the end opposite the front end of the smoking article, from which smoke can be drawn into the user's mouth when the smoking article is lit. The rod of smokeable material typically has a front end and a mouth end. The front end of the rod of smokeable material is typically the end lit by a user of the smoking article, and may be co-located with the front end of the smoking article. The mouth end of the rod of smokeable material is typically the end opposite the front end of the rod of smokeable material. In some embodiments, the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material may be co-located with the mouth end of the smoking article. In other embodiments (e.g. in smoking articles comprising a filter) the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material may be at a position between the mouth end of the smoking article and the front end of the smoking article.

In exemplary embodiments of the smoking articles of the present disclosure, the rod of smokeable material may be a rod of tobacco.

Certain embodiment of the smoking articles according to the present disclosure described herein comprise tobacco rods, wrapping papers and patches, and may thus be filterless smoking articles. In such a case, a colour or other distinguishing mark or feature may be applied to the outside of the wrapper at the mouth end of the finished smoking article, to assist the consumer in correctly identifying the mouth end before smoking. Alternatively, smoking articles according to the present disclosure may be provided with filter units to provide filter-tipped smoking articles, wherein a filter unit is joined to the mouth end of a wrapped rod of smokeable material by a tipping paper. The filter unit may have any configuration, including single component or multiple component, and may or may not be provided with ventilation such as a circumferential row or zone of ventilation holes made by on-line laser machining or provided by pre-perforations. Thus, the term “smoking article” as used herein is intended to include filterless smoking articles comprising a rod of smokeable material with no filter unit, filter-tipped smoking articles comprising rod of smokeable material with an attached filter unit, and smoking articles without filters but to which a filter unit may be attached by a later fabrication stage to form a filter-tipped smoking article.

The material of the first and third aspects of the present disclosure is for (e.g. suitable for) wrapping a smoking article. The material of the first and third aspects comprises a wrapper material, which may be of the type typically used for wrapping smoking articles, e.g. paper. The material of the first aspect further comprises a flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco. The material of the third aspect further comprises a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

The material of the first or third aspect can be in bulk form, i.e. can represent an amount of material which can be divided up into a plurality of separate pieces of material, each separate piece of material wrapping a single smoking article. The material of the first or third aspect in bulk form may be wound into a cylindrical shape. When wound into a cylindrical shape in this way, the material may be carried on a bobbin. A wound cylinder of the material of the first aspect may be capable of being loaded onto an apparatus for making a smoking article (e.g. a cigarette maker), and the apparatus operated in order to produce a smoking article according to the second aspect. A wound cylinder of the material of the third aspect may be capable of being loaded onto an apparatus for making a smoking article (e.g. a cigarette maker), and the apparatus operated in order to produce a smoking article according to the fourth aspect.

The material of the first aspect may comprise two or more flavourant patches. For example, the material of the first aspect may comprise two or more flavourant patches configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, each of the two or more patches will be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

The flavourant patch of the material of the first aspect is described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the second aspect, and the first and second tobacco flavour patches of the material of the third aspect are described in more detail below with reference to the smoking article of the fourth aspect.

The botanical patches in the smoking articles of the second aspect of the present disclosure can provide a non-tobacco flavour in the smoke delivered to the user without the need for a patch comprising a synthetic or isolated flavourant compound. The use of a botanical material other than tobacco in this way is advantageous as it provides the user with a non-tobacco flavour which may differ from that of a synthetic or isolated flavourant compound. Thus, the taste provided to the user by a smoking article of the present disclosure may be preferred to that of a smoking article comprising a patch flavoured with a synthetic or isolated flavourant compound. Thus, in some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect, the botanical patch does not comprise an isolated flavourant compound.

Providing flavourant in patch form, as opposed to e.g. spraying flavourant onto the smokeable material, has the advantage is that the flavourant is inert. This means that the botanical flavourant is only released on application of heat, allowing accurate control over the timing of flavourant release during smoking of the smoking article.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco does not comprise tobacco. In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article does not comprise a patch comprising tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch is situated between the rod of smokeable material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch extends substantially around the circumference of the rod of smokeable material at the position along the length of the rod of smokeable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco comprises the substantially intact cellular structure of a botanical material selected from liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco comprises the substantially intact cellular structure of a herbal botanical material. In some embodiments, the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco comprises the substantially intact cellular structure of a botanical material selected from chamomile, thyme, and a combination thereof.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5) flavourant patches comprising a botanical material other than tobacco. In such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco in one flavourant patch may be the same as or different from the botanical material other than tobacco in another flavourant patch. In some such embodiments, at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have the same flavour, and/or at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have different flavours. In some embodiments, all of the two or more flavourant patches have the same flavour. In other embodiments, each of the two or more flavourant patches has a different flavour.

For example, the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure may comprise a first flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco, a second flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco, and a third flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco. In some such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco may be the same in each of the first, second and third flavourant patches. In other such embodiments, the botanical material other than tobacco may be the same in two of the first, second and third flavourant patches, and different in the third flavourant patch. In further such embodiments, the botanical material other than. tobacco may different in each of the first, second and third flavourant patches.

The position of the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco along the length of the rod of smokeable material is not particularly limited. For example, the flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco may be at or near the front end of the rod of smokeable material, at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material, or at a position between the front end and the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the smoking article comprises two or more flavourant patches comprising a botanical material other than tobacco, wherein each of the two or more flavourant patches is at a different position along the rod of smokeable material. For example, a first flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco may be located at or near the front end of the rod of smokeable material, and a second flavourant patch comprising a botanical material other than tobacco may be located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material. In embodiments where the smoking article comprises more than two flavourant patches comprising a botanical material other than tobacco, the third and any further flavourant patches comprising a botanical material other than tobacco may each be located at a different position between the front end of the rod of smokeable material and the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material.

In a fourth aspect the present disclosure provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position; wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not contain a flavourant other than tobacco.

The smoking articles of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure improve the versatility of tobacco patches in modifying the tobacco flavour of the smoke provided to a user. Thus, the first tobacco flavour patch may provide a user with a first tobacco flavour when the burning coal of a lit smoking article is at the first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material. When, later during the smoking process, the burning coal has advanced along the rod of smokeable material to the second position, the second tobacco flavour patch may provide a user with a second tobacco flavour. For example, a tobacco flavour patch at the first position may provide a user with extra satisfaction towards the beginning of the smoking experience, and may ensure consistency of taste throughout the smoking experience. A tobacco flavour patch at the second position may provide a user with a smooth aftertaste to extend the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not comprise a synthetic or isolated flavourant.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second tobacco flavour patch is situated between the rod of smokeable material and the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, first and/or second tobacco flavour patch extends substantially around the circumference of the rod of smokeable material at the first and/or second positions along the length of the rod of smokeable material, respectively.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second tobacco flavour patches comprise tobacco. In some such embodiments the first and/or second tobacco flavour patches comprise reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first position is at or near the front end of the smoking article.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the second position is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the composition of the first tobacco flavour patch is different from the composition of the second tobacco flavour patch. For example, the first tobacco flavour patch may have a composition which imparts a more intense tobacco flavour than the material in the rod of smokeable material, and the second tobacco flavour patch may have a composition which imparts a smoother tobacco flavour than the material in the rod of smokeable material. In embodiments where the first position is at or near the front end of the smoking article and the second position is at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material, the first tobacco flavour patch may intensify the taste towards the beginning of the smoking experience and the second tobacco flavour patch may provide a smooth taste towards the end of the smoking experience.

In some embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect, the smoking article further comprises one or more further tobacco flavour patch (e.g. 1, 2, or 3 further tobacco flavour patches), in addition to the first and second tobacco flavour patches. In such embodiments, each of the one or more further tobacco flavour patches may each have a composition which is different from or the same as the composition of the first tobacco flavour patch and/or the composition of the second tobacco flavour patch. When two or more further tobacco flavour patches are present, each may have a composition which is the same as or different from the composition of the other further tobacco flavour patches. The or each further tobacco flavour patch may be at a position along the rod of smokeable material which is different from the first and second positions. When two or more further tobacco flavour patches are present, each may be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material. The or each further tobacco flavour patch may be situated between the rod of smokeable material and the wrapper. In some embodiments the or each further tobacco flavour patch does not comprise a synthetic or isolated flavourant.

In a fifth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the fifth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper and a flavourant patch; and wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch about a smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco. By wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch about the smokeable material, a wrapped rod of smokeable material comprising a flavourant patch may be formed. The wrapper and flavourant patch may be provided in the form of the material of the first aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the flavourant patch may be disposed at a position along the length of the wrapper before wrapping the wrapper around the rod of smokeable material. Disposing the flavourant patch at a position along the wrapper may in some embodiments comprise placing the patch on or adhering the patch to the rod of smokeable material or wrapper.

In some embodiments of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, two or more (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5) flavourant patches are provided in accordance with corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the second aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments the additional flavourant patches may be disposed at positions along the wrapper by analogy with the methods described above.

In a sixth aspect the present disclosure provides a method for producing a smoking article according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The method of the sixth aspect comprises: providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the wrapper; and wrapping the wrapper and first and second flavourant patches about a smokeable material so as to form a rod of said smokeable material, such that the first tobacco flavour patch is at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material and the second tobacco flavour patch is at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position. The wrapper, first flavourant patch and second flavourant patch may be provided in the form of the material of the third aspect.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second tobacco flavour patches may be disposed at first and second positions along the length of the wrapper before wrapping the wrapper around the smokeable material. Disposing the first and second tobacco flavour patches at first and second positions along the wrapper may comprise placing the patches on and/or adhering the patches to the wrapper.

In some embodiments of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, one or more further tobacco flavour patches (e.g. 1, 2, or 3 further tobacco flavour patches) are provided in accordance with corresponding embodiments of the smoking article of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure described above. In such embodiments the further tobacco flavour patch(es) may be disposed at positions along the wrapper by analogy with the methods described above.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, a smoking article 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokeable material 2, a wrapper 3 about said rod of smokeable material 2, and a flavourant patch 10 at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material 2. The flavourant patch 10 comprises a botanical material other than tobacco. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the flavourant patch 10 is located at the front end of the smoking article 1. In other embodiments the flavourant patch 10 is located at or near the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 2, or at an intermediate position between the front end of the smoking article 1 and mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 2.

The smoking article 1 comprises a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is circumscribed by plugwrap 5 and is attached to the rod of smokeable material 2 by tipping paper 6.

With reference to FIG. 2, a smoking article 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokeable material 2, a wrapper 3 about said rod of smokeable material 2, a first flavourant patch 10 at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material 2 and a second flavourant patch 11 at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material 2. The flavourant patches 10, 11 comprise a botanical material other than tobacco. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first flavourant patch 10 is located at the front end of the smoking article 1 and the second flavourant patch 11 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 2. In other embodiments (not illustrated) one or more further flavourant patch is located at one or more intermediate position between the front end of the smoking article 1 and mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 2.

The smoking article 1 comprises a filter unit 4 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. The filter 4 is circumscribed by plugwrap 5 and is attached to the rod of smokeable material 2 by tipping paper 6.

With reference to FIG. 3, a smoking article 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rod of smokeable material 102, a wrapper 103 about said rod of smokeable material 102, a first tobacco flavour patch 110 at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material 102 and a second tobacco flavour patch in at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material 102. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the first flavourant patch 110 is located at the front end of the smoking article 101 and the second flavourant patch 111 is located at the mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 102. In other embodiments (not illustrated) one or more further tobacco flavour patch is located at one or more intermediate position between the front end of the smoking article 101 and mouth end of the rod of smokeable material 102.

The smoking article 101 comprises a filter unit 104 at the mouth end of the smoking article 101. The filter 104 is circumscribed by plugwrap 105 and is attached to the rod of smokeable material 102 by tipping paper 106.

With reference to FIG. 4, the components of a smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in which reference signs have the same meaning as indicated above in connection with the smoking article illustrated in FIG. 1. The flavourant patch 10 is disposed on the wrapper 3.

With reference to FIG. 5, the components of a smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step in another exemplary embodiment of the method of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in which reference signs have the same meaning as indicated above in connection with the smoking article illustrated in FIG. 2. The flavourant patch 10 is disposed on the wrapper 3.

With reference to FIG. 6, the components of a smoking article are provided prior to the wrapping step in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in which reference signs have the same meaning as indicated above in connection with the smoking article illustrated in FIG. 3. The flavourant patch 110 is disposed on the wrapper 103.

With reference to FIG. 7, a material of the first aspect 200 comprises a wrapper material 203 and a flavourant patch 210. The material is shown partially wound into a cylinder.

With reference to FIG. 8, a material of the third aspect 200 comprises a wrapper material 203 a first flavourant patch 210 and a second flavourant patch 211. The material is shown partially wound into a cylinder. The material 200 is configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, each of the two or more patches will be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

The term “smoking articles” used herein is to be understood as encompassing all tobacco industry products and covers smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. The present disclosure is intended to encompass such heat not burn products, apparatuses and methods for the manufacture of such products, and components used in the manufacture of such products. Such heat not burn products are intended to be encompassed within the term “smoking articles” as used herein. Furthermore, in an embodiment, tobacco industry product is not a conventional cigarette. In addition to the above, the present disclosure is intended to encompass products in which material, such as tobacco or other smokeable material, is not combusted or burnt, but is provided to impart a sensate property to an aerosol stream passed though the material. Such aerosol stream may comprise air, vapour or other inhalant. All such products and materials are intended to fall within the scope of the terms “smoking articles” and “smokeable material” as used herein.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A material for wrapping a smoking article, comprising wrapper material and a flavourant patch, wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

2. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the flavourant patch has a flavour selected from liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander and coffee.

3. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 1, comprising two or more flavourant patches.

4. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 3 which is configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, each of the two or more patches will be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

5. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 3, wherein at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have the same flavour.

6. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 4 wherein at least two of the two or more flavourant patches have different flavours.

7. A smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, and a flavourant patch at a position along the length of the rod of smokeable material; wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

8. A smoking article according to claim 7 wherein the flavourant patch is a discrete layer of sheet material situated between the rod of smokeable material and the wrapper.

9. A smoking article according to claim 7 wherein the flavourant patch has a flavour selected from liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, vanilla, cassia, caraway, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander and coffee.

10. A smoking article according to claim 7 comprising two or more flavourant patches.

11. A smoking article according to claim 10 wherein each of the two or more flavourant patches is at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

12. (canceled)

13. A material for wrapping a smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the flavourant patch comprises a first tobacco flavour patch and a second tobacco flavour patch, the first and second tobacco flavour patches being configured such that, when the material is wrapped about a rod of smokeable material, the first and second tobacco flavour patches will each be at a different position along the rod of smokeable material.

14. A smoking article comprising a rod of smokeable material, a wrapper about said rod of smokeable material, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position; wherein the first tobacco flavour patch and the second tobacco flavour patch do not contain a flavourant other than tobacco.

15. A smoking article according to claim 14 wherein the first and/or second tobacco flavour patch is a discrete layer of sheet material situated between the rod of smokeable material and the wrapper.

16. A smoking article according to claim 14 wherein the first and/or second tobacco flavour patch comprises reconstituted tobacco.

17. A smoking article according to claim 14 wherein the first position is at or near a front end of the rod of smokeable material.

18. A smoking article according to claim 14 wherein the second position is at or near a mouth end of the rod of smokeable material.

19. A smoking article according to claim 14 wherein the composition of the first tobacco flavour patch is different from the composition of the second tobacco flavour patch.

20. A method for producing a smoking article according claim 7, comprising:

providing a wrapper and a flavourant patch; and

wrapping the wrapper and flavourant patch about a smokeable material;

wherein said flavourant patch comprises a botanical material other than tobacco.

21. A method for producing a smoking article according to claim 14 comprising:

providing a wrapper, a first tobacco flavour patch at a first position along the length of the wrapper, and a second tobacco flavour patch at a second position along the length of the wrapper; and

wrapping the wrapper and first and second flavourant patches about a smokeable material so as to form a rod of said smokeable material, such that the first tobacco flavour patch is at a first position along the length of the rod of smokeable material and the second tobacco flavour patch is at a second position along the length of the rod of smokeable material, the first position being different from the second position.