Smoking Article
A smoking article (10) comprising a source of smokable material (11); and a sleeve (13) coupled to the source of smokable material and defining a chamber (15). The sleeve has a distal end configured to be movable relative to the source of smokable material. The smoking article (10) further comprises a smoke modifying agent releasable into the smoking article.
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The present invention relates to a smoking article. In particular, the invention relates to an extendable smoking article whose length can be varied to vary the length of an internal chamber.
An extendable cigarette is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,820,462. The cigarette is telescopic, with a tobacco rod slidable within a tube having a filter at the mouthpiece end. The tobacco rod can be slid within the tube to vary the size of an internal chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,218 describes a telescopic cigarette in which a tobacco rod is slidable within a tube. The tube may be coated with a flavouring material, such as menthol, to provide flavour.
The present invention provides a smoking article comprising: a first part comprising a source of smokable material; a second part having at least an end configured to be movable relative to the first part; and the smoking article further comprising a smoke modifying agent releasable into the smoking article.
Thus, the smoking article contains a smoke modifying agent which is delivered when required.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
A second part of the smoking article comprises a sleeve 13 in the form of a cylindrical tube extending around the circumference of the tobacco rod 11 and/or first filter section 12. The tobacco rod 11 and first filter section 12 are dimensioned to slide as a unit longitudinally within the sleeve 13. The tobacco rod 11 and first filter section 12 may be referred to as a tobacco unit.
The second part may further comprises a second filter section 14 at a mouthpiece end of the sleeve 13, distal from the first filter section 12. The second filter section 14 is securely attached and fixed within the sleeve 13. The first and/or second filter sections 12, 14 are preferably made of a conventional cellulose acetate tow.
A chamber 15 is defined in the sleeve 13 between the first filter section 12 and second filter section 14. The chamber 15 has a variable length, and hence volume, as the first filter section 12 slides axially within the cylindrical sleeve 13. The chamber 15 has a length varying from zero to a predetermined maximum length. Thus, an end of the sleeve 13 distal to the source of smokable material is movable relative to the source of smokable material. The first part is slidable around the second part, i.e. the second part is slidable within the first part.
Relative movement of the first and second parts, i.e. sleeve 13 and tobacco rod 11, beyond the maximum length is prevented by a restraining means, preferably abutting surfaces on or adjacent to the tobacco rod 11 and sleeve 13. In particular, the restraining means may comprise a first engaging surface extending radially inwardly from the sleeve 13, engagable with a second engaging surface extending radially outwardly from the tobacco unit. The second engaging surface may be provided by sheet material wrapped around the tobacco unit, and in particular, by material (e.g. tipping paper) connecting the tobacco rod and first filter.
The smoking article 20 functions in a similar manner to smoking article 10. Smoking article 20 differs in that the sleeve forming the chamber 25 is rigidly attached to the tobacco rod, not the mouthpiece filter 24. Smoking article 20 also differs by not having a filter attached directly to the tobacco 21. A further embodiment of the present invention may have only one of these features or differences.
Relative movement of the sleeve 23 and filter 24 beyond the maximum length is prevented by a restraining means. Preferably, the restraining means comprises first and second engaging surfaces on or adjacent to the sleeve 23a and filter 24 respectively. A second engaging surface may be provided by one or more layers of sheet material (e.g. tipping paper) wrapped around the filter 24.
The sleeve 43 can fold as a concertina in order to vary the length of the sleeve 43 and chamber 45. The sleeve 43 has a plurality of sections of varying diameter, such that fold lines are formed around the circumference of the sleeve 43 at lines of maximum and minimum diameter.
In a retracted state shown in
In an extended state shown in
The concertina sleeve 43 therefore allows the chamber 45 to vary in length without requiring parts sliding relative to each other. Thus, an end of the sleeve 43 distal to the source of smokable material is movable relative to the source of smokable material.
As shown in
The tobacco rod and attached filter are described as connected by tipping paper. The tipping paper may be standard tipping paper, or a relatively thick recessed tipping paper, or a board type tipping paper. Alternatively, a tube formed of any material may attach the filter material to the source of smokable material. In particular, such a tube may be made of a plastics material, for example, a plastic made from corn starch. Alternatively, the tube may be made from a ceramic material. Alternatively, the tube may be formed from foil, metal or metallised paper.
The embodiments above have been described as having a filter section at the mouthpiece (rearward) end of the sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve may not contain such a filter section or stain binder. In the absence of a filter or stain binder at the mouthpiece end of the sleeve, the sleeve is only a hollow tube and the chamber is defined by the sleeve between the tobacco unit and the mouthpiece end of the sleeve. The embodiments described above may have at least one filter section, attached to one or both of the source of smokable material and the mouthpiece end of the sleeve. Alternatively, the smoking article may not include any filter section.
One or more of the filter sections may be formed of a single segment of filter material or a plurality of segments. A filter section formed of a plurality of segments may comprise segments made of different materials or having different filtration properties. In particular, a filter section may comprise a standard segment of cellulose acetate tow and a further segment of filtration material including charcoal. Alternatively, the filter section may be a single segment incorporating charcoal.
The second filter may be shaped, preferably to aid draw strength or provide other benefits relating to sensation and staining pattern. The filter may be made from pressed, formed or extruded acetate.
In a further embodiment of the smoking article, the chamber contains loose filtration material, retained by the second filter or suitable means preventing escape of the loose material. The loose filtration material is preferably granulated carbon, providing loose carbon particles in the chamber.
A flexible elongate substrate 57 is located in the chamber 55. The substrate 57 has a first end attached to the tobacco unit 51. The substrate 57 has a second end attached adjacent the mouthpiece end of the smoking article, attached to the sleeve 53 or to the filter 54. The substrate 57 is preferably a strip of flexible material, in particular, a strip of paper.
When the smoking article is in a retracted state, as shown in
Alternatively, the source of flavouring may be contained within microcapsules. The microcapsules are configured to be ruptured by the separation of facing surfaces of the substrate.
A flexible elongate substrate 67 is located in the chamber 65. The substrate 67 has a first end attached to the tobacco unit 61. The substrate 67 extends through an aperture in the filter 64, and has a second end outside of the chamber 65 and beyond the filter 64. The substrate 67 is preferably a flexible string. The second end of the substrate 67 may be provided with an enlarged section 68, to prevent the second end of the substrate 67 passing though the filter 64. The enlarged section 68 may be formed by a knot in the substrate 67.
Each of the smoking articles 60 are arranged in the package 70 with the substrate 67 extending downwardly, through an aperture 74 and into the second compartment 72. The substrate 67 extends into the reservoir of liquid flavouring 75. Thus, substantially the whole substrate is moisturised by the liquid flavouring 75 in the package 70. The substrates 67 are preferably not initially coated with a wax containing the flavouring, since the flavouring from the reservoir soaks in to the substrate 67.
As a smoking article 60 is extracted from the package 70, the substrate 67 extends below the filter 64 and is pulled through the aperture 74. Excess liquid flavouring 75 may run off the substrate 67 as the smoking article 60 is lifted. The smoking article 60 may then be extended as described, introducing the flavouring 75 into the filter 64 and chamber 65.
The sleeve 83 is co-axial with the tobacco unit 81, and surrounds an end of the tobacco unit 81. The tobacco unit 81 is movable in a longitudinal direction within the sleeve 83, in order to vary the length of the chamber. The tobacco unit 81 is also rotatable relative to the sleeve 83 about a longitudinal axis. The relative rotation of the tobacco unit 81 and sleeve 83 releases flavouring into the chamber.
The extension and rotation of the sleeve are preferably independent. Alternatively, the rotation and extension may be linked. In particular, rotation of the sleeve relative to the tobacco unit may actuate extension of the smoking article, and/or rotation of the parts of the smoking article may actuate extension of the sleeve. Alternatively, the first part may be rotatable relative to the second part at a fixed longitudinal position, such that the first part is not moveable longitudinally relative to the second part. The smoking article may have no chamber such that the filter 84 abuts the tobacco unit, or the smoking article may have a chamber of a fixed length.
The grinding elements 88 preferably have a substantially pyramid shape, with the apex pointing radially inwardly. A plurality of grinding elements 88 extend in one or more longitudinally extending rows. Preferably, a plurality of rows of grinding elements 88 are equally spaced around the circumference of the sleeve 83. Preferably, there are four rows of grinding elements 88. Preferably, the grinding elements comprise a first engaging surface extending at a first angle to a radial directions, and preferably, the grinding elements comprises a second engaging surface extending at a second angle to a radial direction, and meeting the first engaging surface at the apex pointing radially inwardly. The grinding elements may comprise one or two sets of the first and second engaging surfaces, configured to break capsules on rotation by facing circumferentially, and/or configured to break capsules on longitudinal movement by facing axially.
Alternatively, the capsules 89 may be affixed to the interior surface of the sleeve 83, and the grinding elements 88 attached to the exterior surface of the tobacco unit 81.
The grinding elements have been described as breaking the capsules containing flavouring when rotated relative to the capsules. Alternatively, the grinding elements may be configured to break the capsules when there is relative longitudinal movement between the sleeve and tobacco unit. The grinding elements may be configured to break the capsules when there is relative longitudinal movement and rotation between the sleeve and tobacco unit.
The smoking article 90 comprises one or more compartments containing a source of flavouring. The compartments 99 are formed on an exterior surface of the sleeve 93. The compartments 99 extend radially beyond the exterior surface of the sleeve 99. A frangible membrane separates a compartment 99 from the chamber 95.
Preferably, there are two of said compartments on the sleeve 93. Preferably, the compartments 99 are located diametrically opposite to each other.
The sleeve 93 may further comprise a window 98. The window 98 is formed of a transparent material allowing viewing of the chamber 95. The window 98 allows the flavouring to be viewed when introduced into the chamber 95.
In order to dispense the flavouring, a radial force is applied to one or more of the compartments 99. The radial force applied to a radially outward facing surface of the compartment causes the frangible membrane to break. The source of the flavouring can then enter the chamber 95.
The flavouring can only be released into the chamber 95 when the smoking article 90 is in a sufficiently extended state. When the smoking article 90 is in a retracted state, the tobacco unit 91 covers the frangible membranes, and so the compartments 99 do not overlie the space of the chamber 95.
In a further embodiment of a flavour delivery system, one or more filter sections comprise capsules containing a source of flavouring. The capsules may be single capsules or double capsules, containing menthol or other substances such as water.
In a further embodiment, capsules containing a source of flavouring are in the chamber.
The smoking article of any embodiment is configured to release the source of flavouring, or allow the source of flavouring to be released, as the smoking article is extended. Alternatively, the release of flavouring may be independent of the extension of the smoking article.
The ventilation of the smoking article may depend on the extension. In particular, the ventilation may be varied as ventilation apertures in the tobacco unit and/or sleeve are covered or uncovered by the other of the tobacco unit and sleeve. The ventilation may affect the release of flavouring, or amount of flavourant exiting the mouth end of the smoking article. Therefore, the amount of flavouring may be variable, depending on the extension.
The filter of any embodiment may be impregnated with a flavouring, e.g. menthol. One or both of the first or second filters of any embodiment may be provided with threads impregnated with a source of flavouring. The threads may extend substantially longitudinally, or may not have a uniform orientation.
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. They may include extracts e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, 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 masking agents, bitterness receptor site blockers, receptor site enhancers, sweeteners e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol, and other additives such aschlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents, as may be permitted by individual jurisdictions. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.
In use, a smoking article according to any of the embodiments described is preferably packaged in a retracted state. In order to use, the user extends the smoking article by urging apart the sleeve and tobacco units in at least a longitudinal direction. The user may light the tobacco in a conventional manner. The length of the chamber may be used to vary the properties of the smoking article.
In order to extinguish the smoking article, the user may press the lit tobacco end against any suitable extinguishing surface. When the user holds the sleeve to extinguish the cigarette, the tobacco unit will be urged into the sleeve along the longitudinal axis until the remaining tobacco unit is covered by the sleeve. The burnt tobacco rod is therefore not visible in a side view of the extinguished smoking article.
The tobacco unit and mouthpiece filter of any embodiment may be provided separately in a package. In particular, for the embodiment of
The filter may be individually wrapped or wrapped in a bundle prior to insertion, and in particular, may be wrapped in foil. The tipping element may be housed in the pack of smoking articles, preferably in a separate part of the pack to the smoking articles.
The smoking article of at least one embodiment has been described as comprising capsules. Alternatively, the source of flavouring may be located in any type of encapsulation or additive release component, of which a capsule is an example. The substance in the capsules which is selectively released has been described as a source of flavouring. The substance may be generally termed a smoke modifying agent or additive, of which a source of flavouring is an example.
Any of the features of any embodiment may be combined with any of the features of any other embodiment. In particular, any of the embodiments of smoking article may or may not have a filter section adjoining the cylinder of tobacco.
The smoking article has been described as extendable. Alternatively, the smoking article may have a fixed length. The first part may only be rotatable relative to the second part. The flavouring may be released, or may be able to be released, by rotation of the sleeve without changing the length of the smoking article.
Alternatively, the smoking article may have a fixed length and the release of flavouring may be manually actuated without relative movement of first and second parts of the smoking article.
Claims
1. A smoking article comprising:
- a first part comprising a source of smokable material;
- a second part having at least an end configured to be movable relative to the first part; and
- the smoking article further comprising a smoke modifying agent releasable into the smoking article.
2. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the smoke modifying agent is a source of flavoring.
3. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein a surface of the first part facing the second part is provided with one of: a plurality of capsules containing the smoke modifying agent or one or more engaging features,
- wherein a surface of the second part facing the first part is provided with the other one of: a plurality of capsules containing the smoke modifying agent or one or more engaging features, and
- the one or more engaging features are configured to engage with the capsules to release the smoke modifying agent as the first part moves relative to the second part.
4. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the one or more engaging features are one or more protruding features configured to crush the capsules as the first part rotates relative to the second part.
5. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first part is slidable longitudinally relative to the second part to vary the length of a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and the second part.
6. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the engaging features are configured to break the capsules on at least one of relative longitudinal movement and rotation between the first part and second part.
7. The smoking article as claimed in claim 6 wherein said longitudinal movement is independent of rotation about a longitudinal axis.
8. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plurality of capsules are located on a periphery of a filter of the first part, and the engaging features extend radially inwardly to crush the capsules against the filter.
9. The smoking article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the engaging features have a substantially pyramidal shape.
10. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more compartments formed on an exterior surface of one of the first part and second part, wherein the one or more compartments contain the smoke modifying agent, and
- the one or more compartments comprise a frangible membrane configured to allow release of the smoke modifying agent into the smoking article.
11. The smoking article as claimed in claim 10 comprising a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and second part,
- wherein the frangible membrane separates a said compartment from the chamber.
12. The smoking article as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of the first and second part further comprises a transparent window allowing viewing of the chamber.
13. The smoking article as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of the first part and second part is moveable between a retracted position covering said frangible membrane to inhibit breakage of the frangible membrane, and an extended position in which the one of the first and second part does not cover the frangible membrane such that the frangible membrane can be broken into the chamber.
14. The smoking article as claimed in claim 10 wherein an exterior surface of the compartment extends radially beyond the exterior surface of one of the first and second part on which the compartment is formed.
15. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a sleeve.
16. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoking article is an extendable smoking article, such that the length of a chamber defined by one of the first part and second part is variable.
17. The smoking article as claimed in claim 16 wherein the smoking article is configured to one of: release the smoke modifying agent, and allow the smoke modifying agent to be released, as the smoking article is extended.
18. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible elongate substrate within a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and second part,
- wherein a first end of the substrate is moveable with the first part, and a second end of the substrate is moveable with the second part;
- wherein the substrate is configured to extend from a folded state to an unfolded state as the first part is moved relative to the second part, and
- the smoke modifying agent is covered between two facing sections of the substrate in the folded state and uncovered as the facing sections move apart into the unfolded state.
19. The smoking article as claimed in claim 18 wherein the smoke modifying agent is a plurality of discrete smoke modifying agent units attached to both of the two facing faces of the substrate in the folded state, and smoke modifying agent units are configured to divide in the unfolded state into a first smoke modifying agent portion attached to one of the two facing sections of the substrate, and a second smoke modifying agent portion attached to the other of the two facing sections of the substrate.
20. The smoking article as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one of: the first part comprises a first filter attached to the source of smokable material and the second part comprises a second filter connected to the sleeve.
21. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 comprising a filter connected to the second part, and a flexible elongate substrate extending through said filter and at least partially coated with the smoke modifying agent;
- wherein a first end of the substrate is moveable with the first part, wherein the substrate is configured to be drawn through said filter as the first part is moved relative to the second part.
22. The smoking article as claimed in claim 21 wherein the substrate is coiled adjacent to said filter and outside of a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and second part.
23. The smoking article as claimed in claim 21 wherein the substrate is provided with an enlarged section having a lateral dimension larger than the substrate passable through a second filter, to prevent further movement of the substrate when the enlarged section abuts the second filter.
24. The smoking article as claimed in claim 21 wherein the substrate is a string coated with a wax containing the smoke modifying agent.
25. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and second part comprises loose particles.
26. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second part comprises a sleeve, and the sleeve is formed as a cylindrical tube slidable around the source of smokable material.
27. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second part comprises a sleeve, and the sleeve is formed as a concertina in order to vary the length of the sleeve and a chamber defined by at least one of the first part and second part.
28. A package, comprising:
- a first compartment containing a plurality of smoking articles; and
- a second compartment containing a liquid smoke modifying agent; and
- a divider separating the first and second compartments, wherein the divider has a plurality of apertures,
- wherein a substrate of a smoking article extends through an aperture in the divider, and into the liquid smoke modifying agent in the second compartment.
29. (canceled)
30. The smoking article as claimed in claim 6 wherein rotation of the first part relative to the second part actuates extension of the smoking article.
31. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first part further comprises a sleeve and the second part comprises a filter moveable relative to the sleeve.
32. The smoking article as claimed in claim 31 wherein at least one of: the first part comprises a first filter attached to the source of smokable material and the second part comprises a second filter connected to the sleeve.
33. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1 wherein a chamber defined by one of the first part and second part comprises loose carbon particles.
34. The package of claim 28, wherein the smoking articles further comprise:
- a first part comprising a source of smokable material;
- a second part having at least an end configured to be movable relative to the first part;
- the smoking article further comprising a smoke modifying agent releasable into the smoking article;
- a filter connected to the second part, and a flexible elongate substrate extending through said filter and at least partially coated with the smoke modifying agent; and
- wherein a first end of the substrate is moveable with the first part, wherein the substrate is configured to be drawn through said filter as the first part is moved relative to the second part.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2013
Applicants: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED (London), BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO JAPAN, LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Richard Fiebelkorn (London), David Dittrich (London), Kevin Blick (London), Mike Simpson (Mid Levels)
Application Number: 13/637,979
International Classification: A24D 3/06 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101); B65D 85/10 (20060101);