A Filter Unit for a Smoking Article

Abstract

A filter unit for a smoking article includes a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an inner diameter of the first portion is different from an inner diameter of the second portion. The filter unit also includes a sleeve at least partially surrounding the tube. Also described are a smoking article having the filter unit and a kit including a smoking article and the filter unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a filter unit for a smoking article, a smoking article including such a filter unit and a kit of parts comprising a smoking article and a filter unit.

BACKGROUND

Cigarettes and other smoking articles produce an aerosol, such as smoke in the case of cigarettes, which is inhaled by a user. A filter may be provided as part of a smoking article, or can be provided as a separate component which can be attached or coupled to a smoking article by a user. Filters can be configured to modify properties of aerosol produced by the smoking article; for example, by adding flavourant to the aerosol produced by the smoking article.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the invention, there is provided a filter unit for a smoking article comprising a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an inner diameter of the first portion is different from an inner diameter of the second portion and a sleeve at least partially surrounding the tube.

The second portion can be at a distal end of the filter unit.

The inner diameter of the second portion can be arranged to decrease with distance from the distal end of the filter unit.

An inner diameter of the second portion can be greater than an inner diameter of the first portion.

An outer diameter of the second portion can be greater than an outer diameter of the first portion.

An outer diameter of the first portion can be substantially the same as an outer diameter of the second portion.

Each of the first portion and the second portion can have a first end and a second end, and the second end of the first portion can adjoin the first end of the second portion and can have an inner diameter substantially the same as the first end of the second portion.

The tube can be formed from paper, card, cardboard or plastic.

The filter unit can comprise a cylindrical element, and the sleeve can at least partially surround the cylindrical element.

The cylindrical element can be formed from filter material and can comprise a body having an end surface adjacent to the tube and a recess formed in the end surface.

The element can comprise a smoke modifying substance disposed within the filter material of the element. The smoke modifying substance can comprise an encapsulated substance.

The filter unit can be arranged to be coupled to a smoking article by a user.

According to embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a smoking article comprising a filter unit as set out above.

The second portion of the tube can be disposed at a mouth end of the smoking article.

According to embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a kit comprising a smoking article and a filter unit as set out above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a side-on cross sectional view of a first filter unit including a tube formed from filter material and where the filter unit forms part of a smoking article;

FIG. 1b is a side-on cross sectional view of an outer chamfered tube for use as an alternative to the tube used in the first filter unit of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a side-on cross sectional view of a filter insert for use with the first filter unit of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is a side-on cross sectional view of a second filter unit including a tube formed from filter material and where the filter unit is provided as a discrete unit for use with a separate smoking article;

FIG. 3a is a side-on cross sectional view of a third filter unit including a filter body comprising a recess and where the third filter unit forms part of a smoking article;

FIG. 3b is an end-on view of the third filter unit of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c is an end-on view of another third filter unit design having a triangular shaped recess;

FIG. 3d is an end-on view of another third filter unit design having a hexagonal shaped recess;

FIG. 4 is a side-on cross sectional view of a fourth filter unit including a tube formed from sheet material and provided as a discrete component for use with a separate smoking article;

FIGS. 5a to 5d are perspective views of an apparatus for shaping a tobacco industry product;

FIGS. 6a to 6c are side-on cross sectional and end-on views of respective first, second and third shaping heads for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 5a to 5d;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of shaping a tobacco industry product; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of shaping a tobacco industry product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “tobacco industry product” is intended to include smoking articles comprising combustible smoking articles and their components such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material), electronic smoking articles and their components such as e-cigarettes, heating devices that release compounds from substrate materials without burning such as tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol from a combination of substrate materials, for example hybrid systems containing a liquid or gel or solid substrate; and aerosol-free nicotine delivery articles and their components such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising breathable powders and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff. Components of the above articles include filter units, filter plugs, filter inserts and tubes for use in products such as smoking articles;

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a smoking article for combustion, selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a non-combustible smoking article.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device is a tobacco heating device.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

Filter units described herein can be provided to users as an integral component of a smoking article or as a discrete component separate from a smoking article. When provided separately, filter units and smoking articles can be packaged separately, or packaged together as a kit of parts.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes and their formats are often named according to the cigarette length: “regular” (typically in the range 68-75 mm, e.g. from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), “short” or “mini” (68 mm or less), “king-size” (typically in the range 75-91 mm, e.g. from about 79 mm to about 88 mm), “long” or “super-king” (typically in the range 91-105 mm, e.g. from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and “ultra-long” (typically in the range from about 110 mm to about 121 mm).

They are also named according to the cigarette circumference: “regular” (about 23-25 mm), “wide” (greater than 25 mm), “slim” (about 22-23 mm), “demi-slim” (about 19-22 mm), “super-slim” (about 16-19 mm), and “micro-slim” (less than about 16 mm). Accordingly, a cigarette in a king-size, super-slim format will, for example, have a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm. Cigarettes in the regular, king-size format are preferred by many customers, namely with a circumference of from 23 to 25 mm and an overall length of from 75 to 91 mm.

Each format may be produced with filters of different lengths, smaller filters being generally used in formats of smaller lengths and circumferences. Typically the filter length will be from about 15 mm, associated with short, regular formats, to 30 mm, associated with ultra-long super-slim formats. The tipping paper will have a greater length than the filter, for example from 3 to 10 mm longer, such that the tipping paper covers the filter and overlaps the tobacco rod to connect the filter to the tobacco rod.

Smoking articles and filter units described herein can be made in, but are not limited to, any of the above formats.

The filter material forming any of the filter units or other filter components described herein can comprise cellulose acetate fibre tow. The filter material can also be formed using other materials used to form fibres, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(1-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT), starch based materials, paper, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials and polysaccharide polymers or a combination thereof. The filter material may be plasticised with a suitable plasticiser for the filter material, such as triacetin where the filter material is cellulose acetate tow, or may be non-plasticised. The tow used to produce the filter unit or other filter component can use any suitable specification, such as fibres having a ‘Y’ shaped or other cross section, filamentary denier values between 2.5 and 15 denier per filament, for example between 3.0 and 9.0 denier per filament and total denier values of 10,000 to 50,000, for example between 15,000 and 45,000.

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 or substances such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. 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 the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components.

FIG. 1a is a side-on cross sectional view of a first filter unit 1 including a tube 2, formed from filter material in the present example, and forming part of a smoking article 3. The smoking article 3 has a mouth end 3a, arranged to be placed in the user's mouth when smoking, and a lit end 3b, arranged to be lit when smoking. The filter unit 1 is connected to an aerosol generating material 4, in the present case cut tobacco in the form of a rod, by a tipping paper 5. The aerosol generating material 4 is wrapped in a wrapper 6, for instance cigarette paper.

The tube 2 comprises a wall having inner and outer surfaces which are substantially circular in cross section, in the present example, for cross sections taken along the longitudinal length of the tube. An inner diameter of the tube 2 is defined between two diametrically opposite points on the inner surface of the wall, while an outer diameter of the tube 2 is defined between two diametrically opposite points on the outer surface of the wall. The wall of the tube 2 may have a thickness in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. For example, the wall may have a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1.0 mm and about 3 mm or between about 1.0 mm and about 2 mm, or about 1.3 mm.

The tube 2 has a first portion 2a and a second portion 2b. In FIG. 1, these portions 2a, 2b are disposed longitudinally along the length of the tube 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second portions 2a, 2b are arranged either side of a longitudinal position on the tube indicated by dashed line ‘X’. The first portion 2a of the tube 2 extends from an end of the tube 2 furthest from the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3 up to the dashed line ‘X’, and the second portion 2b of the tube 2 extends from the dashed line ‘X’ to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article. An inner diameter of the first portion 2a of the tube 2 is different from an inner diameter of the second portion 2b of the tube 2. The second portion 2b is at a distal end of the filter unit, in particular at the mouth end 3aof the smoking article 3 in the present example.

In the present example, an inner diameter of the second portion 2b, illustrated in FIG. 1 by arrow ‘B’, is greater than an inner diameter of the first portion 2a, illustrated by arrow ‘A’. The inner diameter ‘A’ of the first portion 2a can be in the range of about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, or about 3 mm to about 4 mm. For example, the inner diameter of the first portion 2a may be about 5 mm. The inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 2b varies along the length of the second portion 2b in the present example. The largest inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 2b can be in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, or about 4 mm to about 6 mm. For example, the largest inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 2bmay be about 5 mm.

The overall length of the tube 2 may be in the range of about 3 mm to about 25 mm, or about 5mm to about 12 mm. For example, the length of the tube 2 may be about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm.

The length of the first portion 2a may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 25 mm, or about 4 mm to about 10 mm. For example, the length of the first portion 2a may be about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 mm.

The length of the second portion 2b may be in the range of about 0.5 mm to 8 mm. For example, the length of the second portion 2b may be about 1 mm to about 5 mm, about 1 mm to about 3 mm or about 2 mm.

The second portion 2b may be formed by indenting the filter material at the end of the tube 2 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article. Alternatively, the second portion 2b may be formed by cutting the end of the tube 2 to remove filter material from the end of the tube 2.

In the present example, the outer diameter of the second portion 2b is the same as the outer diameter of the first portion 2a.

In the present example, each of the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b has a first end and a second end. The second end of the first portion 2a adjoins the first end of the second portion 2b, and has an inner diameter substantially the same as the first end of the second portion 2b.

The tube 2 has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The inner surface of the first portion 2a is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 2. The inner surface of the second portion 2b is chamfered in that it is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube 2, in the present example. The inner diameter of the second portion 2b decreases with distance from a distal end, for instance the mouth end 3a, of the filter unit. The angle of intersection between a straight line following the inner surface of the second portion 2b of the tube 2 and the longitudinal axis of the tube 2 may be in the range of about 10° to about 80°, or about 20° to about 70°, or about 30° to about 60°. For example, the angle may be about 45°.

Although a tube 2 having a uniformly chamfered inner edge has been described with reference to FIG. 1, other tube shapes can be used. For instance, the second portion 2b of the tube 2 can have an inner diameter ‘B’ which is uniform along the length of the second portion 2b, and therefore forms a step at the location shown by line ‘X’ between the first and second portions 2a, 2b. Alternatively or in addition, a chamfer or step as described in respect of the inner diameter of the second portion 2b of the tube 2 may be provided in the outer diameter of the second portion 2b of the tube 2. FIG. 1b illustrates an outer chamfered tube 2′ which can be used in place of the tube 2 used in the smoking article 3 of FIG. 1a, in which a chamfer is provided on an outer edge of the tube 2′ such that an outer diameter of the second portion 2b′, illustrated in FIG. 1b by arrow ‘D’, is smaller than an outer diameter of the first portion 2a′, illustrated by arrow ‘C’. The tube 2′ has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The outer surface of the first portion 2a′ is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 2′. The outer surface of the second portion 2b′ is chamfered in that it is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube 2′, in the present example. The angle of intersection between a straight line following the outer surface of the second portion 2b′ of the tube 2′ and the longitudinal axis of the tube 2′ may be in the range of about 10° to about 80°, or about 20° to about 70°, or about 30° to about 60°. For example, the angle may be about 45°.

Referring again to FIG. 1a, in the present example, the first filter unit 1 further includes a sleeve 7. The sleeve 7 is formed from a sheet material such as plug wrap. In alternative examples, the sleeve 7 can be formed in other ways, for instance from plastic or other materials.

The first filter unit 1 also includes an upstream filter segment 8, arranged upstream of the tube 2 in the direction of mainstream smoke when the smoking article is drawn on by a user. The upstream filter segment 8 has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The upstream filter segment 8 has a curved outer surface 8a circumscribing the segment 8, a first longitudinal end surface 8a closest to the lit end 3a of the smoking article 3 and a second longitudinal end surface 8b closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3. The longitudinal end surfaces 8a, 8b are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upstream filter segment 8. In the present example, the tube 2 and the upstream filter segment 8 have a common longitudinal axis.

The sleeve 7 is wrapped around the tube 2 and the upstream filter segment 8. In the present example, an adhesive is provided between the sleeve 7 and the tube 2 and upstream filter segment 8 and in this way the sleeve 7 connects the tube 2 to the upstream filter segment 8.

In the present example, the end of the tube 2 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3 is flush with the end of the sleeve 7 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3. However, in alternative examples, the tube 2 may extend beyond the end of the sleeve 7 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3, or may stop short of the end of the sleeve 7 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3. For instance, when the outer chamfered tube 2′ of FIG. 1b is used in place of the tube 2 of FIG. 1a, the sleeve 7 may surround only the first portion 2a′ of the tube 2′, and the tipping 5 can also extend up to the edge of the sleeve 7 closest to the mouth end 3a of the smoking article 3. In this way, the smoking article 3 can be provided with an outer chamfered edge at the mouth end 3a giving a smooth surface against which the users lips can be placed, facilitating the user in holding the smoking article in their mouth. In the present example, the sleeve 7 fully surrounds the outer surface of the upstream filter segment 8.

The length of the upstream filter segment 8 may be selected according to the desired filtration performance of the filter unit 1, and may be in the range 5 mm to 25 mm, or 10 mm to 15 mm. For example, the length of the upstream filter segment 8 may be about 12 mm.

The outer diameter of the upstream filter segment 8 may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube 2. Either or both of the tube 2 and the upstream filter segment may comprise a separate plug wrap (not shown) around which the sleeve 7 is wrapped.

The tube 2 and upstream filter segment 8 may be formed of filter material, in particular a fibrous filter material. The tube 2 and/or upstream filter segment 8 can contain substances such as additives or agents for modifying the aerosol, in the present case smoke, generated by the smoking article 3. For example, a frangible capsule (not shown) containing a flavourant or other additive or substance such as water may be located within the upstream filter segment 8. The capsule can be located at a central longitudinal position within the upstream filter segment 8, or may be offset from the central longitudinal position.

The capsule has a liquid centre and a frangible outer shell which can be broken by a user by squeezing the filter unit 1, to thereby release the flavourant. The flavourant is transferred to the aerosol generated by the smoking article 3 as the smoking article 3 is smoked by the user.

In alternative examples, the first filter unit 1 may include alternative substances such as additives or agents for modifying the aerosol generated by the smoking article 3, such as granules of activated carbon or other adsorbents, humectants, diluents etc.

The smoking article 3 can be a cigarette in any of the smoking article formats described herein.

FIG. 1c is a side-on cross sectional view of a filter insert 10 for use with the filter unit of FIG. 1a. The filter insert 10 includes a cylindrical element 11 formed from cellulose acetate tow wrapped in a sleeve 12, in the present case a plug wrap. The filter insert 10 may be inserted into the hollow centre of the tube 2 of the smoking article 3 by a user, for instance such that the insert 10 abuts the second longitudinal end surface 8b of the upstream filter segment 8. The filter insert 10 may include a smoke modifying substance allowing the user to alter properties of the aerosol passing through the smoking article 3 when the smoking article 3 is smoked and the filter insert 10 is inserted into the tube 2. The inner chamfer in the second portion 2b of the tube 2 can facilitate insertion of the filter insert 10 into the tube 2 and, for instance, enable the outer diameter of the filter insert 10 to be substantially the same as the inner diameter ‘A’ of the tube 2, which would otherwise make insertion of the insert 10 into the tube difficult.

FIG. 2 is a side-on cross sectional view of a discrete second filter unit 15 including a tube 16 formed from filter material and provided as a separate unit 15 for use with a smoking article 17. The second filter unit 15 can be attached onto the mouth end 17a of the smoking article 17 by a user. The second filter unit 15 is configured to modify one or more properties of an aerosol, such as smoke, which is generated by the smoking article 17. The second filter unit 15 has a mouth end 16a arranged to be inserted into a user's mouth when the second filter unit 15 is attached to the smoking article 17.

The tube 16 of the second filter unit 15 is generally similar in design to the tube 2 of the first filter unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 1a, and corresponding features and dimensions apply except where alternatively stated below.

The tube 16 has a first portion 16a and a second portion 15b. These portions 16a, 16b are the portions of the tube 16 either side of a longitudinal position on the tube indicated in FIG. 2 by dashed line ‘X’. The first portion 16a of the tube 16 extends from an end of the tube 16 closest to the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 15 up to the dashed line ‘X’, and the second portion 10 of the tube 16 extends from the dashed line ‘X’ to the edge of the tube 16 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the filter unit. An inner diameter of the first portion 16a of the tube 16 is different from an inner diameter of the second portion 16b of the tube 16.

In the present example, an inner diameter of the second portion 16b, illustrated in FIG. 2 by arrow ‘B’, is greater than an inner diameter of the first portion 16a, illustrated by arrow ‘A’. The inner diameter ‘A’ of the first portion 16a may be in the range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, about 6 mm to about 9 mm, or about 6 mm to about 9 mm. For example, the inner diameter of the first portion 16a may be about 8 mm. Inner diameter of the first portion may be selected to correspond to the outer diameter of the mouth end 17a of the smoking article 17. The inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 10 varies along the length of the second portion 10 in the present example. The largest inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 16b can be in the range of about 6 mm to about 12 mm, about 6 mm to about 10 mm, or about 8 mm to about 10 mm. For example, the largest inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 2b may be about 9 mm.

In the present example, the outer diameter of the second portion 16b, is the same as the outer diameter of the first portion 16a.

In the present example, the second filter unit 15 further includes a sleeve 18. The sleeve 18 is formed from a sheet material such as plug wrap. In alternative examples, the sleeve 18 can be formed in other ways, for instance from plastic or other materials.

The second filter unit 15 also includes a downstream filter segment 19, arranged downstream of the tube 16 in the direction of mainstream smoke when the smoking article 17 is drawn on by a user with the second filter unit 15 attached to the smoking article 17. The downstream filter segment 19 has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The downstream filter segment 19 has a longitudinal end surface 19a furthest from the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 15. In the present example, the tube 16 and the downstream filter segment 19 have a common longitudinal axis.

The sleeve 18 is wrapped around the tube 16 and the downstream filter segment 19. In the present example, an adhesive is provided between the sleeve 18 and the tube 16 and downstream filter segment 19 and in this way the sleeve 18 connects the tube 16 to the downstream filter segment 19.

In the present example, the end of the tube 16 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 15 extends beyond the end of the sleeve 18 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 15. In the present example, the tube 16 extends 0.5 mm beyond the sleeve 18. However, in alternative examples, the tube 16 may extend between about 0.5 and 10 mm, for instance between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm beyond the end of the sleeve 18 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 15, or may be flush with the edge of the sleeve 18 or stop short of the end of the sleeve 18 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the filter element 15. In the present example, the sleeve 18 fully surrounds the outer surface of the downstream filter segment 19.

The length of the downstream filter segment 19 may be selected according to the desired filtration performance of the second filter unit 15, and may be in the range 5 mm to 25 mm, or 10 mm to 15 mm. For example, the length of the downstream filter segment 19 may be about 12 mm.

The outer diameter of the downstream filter segment 19 may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube 16. Either or both of the tube 16 and the downstream filter segment 19 may comprise a separate plug wrap (not shown) around which the sleeve 18 is wrapped.

The tube 16 and downstream segment 19 may be formed of filter material, in particular a fibrous filter material, as described herein. The tube 16 and/or downstream segment 19 can contain substances such as additives or agents for modifying the aerosol, in the present case smoke, generated by the smoking article 17. For example, a frangible capsule (not shown) as described elsewhere herein and containing a flavourant or other additive may be located within the downstream filter segment 19. The capsule can be located at a central longitudinal position within the downstream filter segment 19, or may be offset from the central longitudinal position.

In alternative examples, the second filter unit 15 may include alternative substances such as additives or agents for modifying the aerosol generated by the smoking article 17, such as granules of activated carbon or other adsorbents, humectants, diluents etc.

The smoking article 17 can be a conventional cigarette in any of the smoking article formats described herein.

The discrete second filter unit 15 can be coupled or attached to the smoking article 17 by a user. In the present example, the tube 16 of the second filter unit 15 is arranged to receive a mouth end portion 17a of the smoking article 17 so that the second filter unit 15 and the smoking article 17 can be attached or coupled together by a user. The mouth end 17a of the smoking article 17, in the present example, abuts the longitudinal end surface 19a when the second filter unit 15 is connected to the smoking article 17. The user can select whether or not to attach the second filter unit 15 to the smoking article 17 prior to smoking the smoking article 17, and can in this way control the length of filter of the smoking article 17 and therefore the level of filtration of the aerosol generated by the smoking article 17, as well as any other modification of the aerosol performed by the second filter unit 15.

The second filter unit 15 may be attached to the smoking article 17 in any suitable way. This may include forming an interference fit between an inner surface of the tube 16 and an outer surface of the smoking article 17. In this case, the interference fit is such that a seal is formed at the interface between the inner surface of the tube 16 and the outer surface of the smoking article 17, which inhibits the ingress of gases (such as air) that would normally enter into the smoking article 17 via a gap between the outer surface of the smoking article 17 and the inner surface of the tube 16. The amount of air entering into a smoking article between the two neighbouring surfaces may be variable and/or unwanted. Restricting the ingress of air therefore provides a degree of control of the airflow into and/or through the smoking article 17.

The tube 16 has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The inner surface of the first portion 16a is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 16. The inner surface of the second portion 16b is chamfered in that it is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube 16, in the present example. The angle of intersection between a straight line following the inner surface of the second portion 16b of the tube 16 and the longitudinal axis of the tube 16 may be in the range of about 10° to about 80°, or about 20° to about 70°, or about 30° to about 60°. For example, the angle may be about 45°.

In the present example, the inner portion of the edge of the tube 16 furthest from the mouth end 16a of the second filter unit 16 is chamfered such that an inner diameter of the second portion 16b, illustrated by arrow ‘B’ is greater than an inner diameter of the first portion 16a, illustrated by arrow ‘A’. This arrangement makes it easier for the user to insert an end 17a of the smoking article 17 into the tube 16, in order to couple the second filter unit 15 to the smoking article 17.

FIG. 3a is a side-on cross sectional view of a third filter unit 20 forming part of a smoking article 21. The third filter unit 20 comprises a body 22 formed of filter material. The smoking article 21 includes a rod of aerosol generating material 23, in the present case cut tobacco, wrapped in a sheet material 24, in the present case cigarette paper. The rod 23 and third filter unit 20 are connected by tipping 25 which surrounds the third filter unit 20 and partially surrounds the rod 23. The smoking article 21 has a mouth end 21a to be inserted in the user's mouth when smoking. The body 22 of the third filter unit 20 has an end surface 26 at the end of the body 22 closest to the mouth end 21a of the smoking article 21 furthest from the rod 23 and a recess 27 formed in the end surface 26. The recess 27 is a hollow depression in the body 22. The recess 27 extends into, but not entirely through, the body 22. In the present example, the body 22 is cylindrical, and the end surface 26 is a longitudinal end surface of the body 22.

In the present example, the recess 27 has the shape of a conical frustum, and has an inner base surface 27a and an inner side surface 27b. In other examples, the recess 27 may have the shape of other frustums, and may have multiple side surfaces. Alternatively, the recess may be cylindrical, conical or hemispherical in shape.

The recess 27 may be formed in the filter material of the body 22 by indentation. In this case, the filter material of the body 22 may be compressed during formation of the recess 27. In other words, the filter material at or close to an inner surface of the recess 27 is denser than the filter material in other areas of the body 22, such as the end of the body 22 furthest from the longitudinal end surface 26. Alternatively, the recess 27 can be formed by removing filter material from the body 22 at the end surface 26. The recess 27 can direct smoke to a particular portion of the body 22 in which the recess 27 is located, by reducing the volume of material in that part of the body 22, and enable particular formations of smoke from the mouth end 21a of the smoking article 21.

The body 22 may include a smoke modifying substance/additive (not shown) disposed within the filter material of the body 22. The smoke modifying substance/additive may be any smoke modifying substance/additive, such as flavours or other additives, as described herein.

The third filter unit 20 may further include a sleeve 28, such as plug wrap, which is wrapped around the body 22. In the present example, the body 22 is flush at the mouth end 21a of the smoking article with the edge of the sleeve 28. In other examples, the sleeve 28 and/or tipping 25 may extend beyond an end of the body 22. The space thus formed by the sleeve 28 and/or tipping 25 extending beyond an end of the body 22, such as the longitudinal end surface 26, may be arranged to receive a filter insert, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1c.

FIG. 3b is an end-on view of the third filter unit 20. FIG. 3c is an end-on view of another design for a third filter unit 20′, in this case having a triangular shaped recess having an inner base surface 27a′ and inner side surfaces 27b′ and longitudinal end surface 26′. FIG. 3d is an end-on view of another design for a third filter unit 20″, in this case having a hexagonal shaped recess having an inner base surface 27a″ and inner side surfaces 27b″ and longitudinal end surface 26″.

The third filter units 20, 20′, 20″ described herein having a recess formed in an end surface can be used to form components of other filter units and filter inserts described herein. For instance, the third filter units 20, 20′, 20″ described herein having a recess formed in an end surface can be used as the upstream filter segment 8 of the first filter unit 1 described with reference to FIG. 1a, as the filter insert 10 as described with reference to FIG. 1c, or as the downstream filter segment 19 of the second filter unit 15 described with reference to FIG. 2. In each case, the recess would be arranged to face the mouth end of the product.

FIG. 4 is a side-on cross sectional view of a fourth filter unit 30, including a tube 31 formed from sheet material, and provided as a discrete component for use with a separate smoking article 17 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The fourth filter unit 30 has a mouth end 30a and comprises a tube 31 having a first portion 31a and a second portion 31b. An inner diameter of the first portion 31a is different from an inner diameter of the second portion 31b. The fourth filter unit 30 also includes a downstream filter plug 32 arranged closer to the mouth end 30a of the filter unit 30 than the tube 31 and formed from filter material. The fourth filter unit 30 further comprises a sleeve 33 partially surrounding the tube 31 and surrounding the downstream filter plug 32. The tube 31 of the present example can be formed from a sheet material such as paper, card, cardboard, plastic or similar materials.

The fourth filter unit 30 can be coupled or attached to another tobacco industry product, such as smoking article 17, by a user. The tube 31 is arranged to receive a portion of the smoking article 17, for instance the mouth end 17a of the smoking article 17, so that the filter unit 30 and the smoking article 17 can be attached or coupled together by a user. The fourth filter unit 30 is configured to modify one or more properties of an aerosol, such as smoke, which is generated by the smoking article 17.

In the present example, the tube 31 is formed from a sheet material separate from the sleeve 33, enabling the tube 31 to be formed of stiffer material than may be possible for use in wrapping the downstream filter plug 32. An inner diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 31b is greater than an inner diameter ‘A’ of the first portion 31a. This arrangement makes it easier for the user to couple the fourth filter unit 30 to the smoking article 17. In the present example, an outer diameter ‘B’ of the second portion 31b is greater than an outer diameter of the first portion 31a. This arrangement may be referred to as the tube 31 having a ‘widened end’. The dimensions of the tube 31 of FIG. 4 can correspond to the dimensions of the tube 16 described with reference to FIG. 2.

The tube 31 formed from sheet material described with reference to FIG. 4 can be used in place of the tube 2 at the mouth end of the smoking article 3 described with reference to FIG. 1a.

FIGS. 5a to 5d are perspective views of an apparatus 40 for shaping a tobacco industry product 41. The tobacco industry product 41 may be (for example) a smoking article, a filter, or a tube, or other components described herein. The filter may be an individual filter unit, or may be part of a smoking article. The tube may be part of another tobacco industry product, e.g. a filter unit or a smoking article. Any of these tobacco industry products 41 may have a longitudinal axis. Any of these tobacco industry products may have a longitudinal end surface. Tubular components may also have an inner surface around the inside of the tube. The apparatus 40 can be used, for instance, to form any of the tubes 2, 2′, 16, 31 of the first, second and fourth filter units 1, 15, 30 described herein, or the recess 27 formed in the filter body 22 of the third filter unit 20 described herein.

Referring to FIG. 5a, the apparatus 40 comprises a shaping head 42 configured to change the shape of a first end of the tobacco industry product 41 (not shown in this Figure). The apparatus 40 further comprises an actuator arrangement 43 configured to move the shaping head 42 and/or tobacco industry product 41. The actuator arrangement 43 is configured to move the shaping head 42 and/or tobacco industry product 41 in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tobacco industry product 41 such that the shaping head 42 is brought into contact with a first end 41a of the tobacco industry product 42 in order to change the shape of the first end 41a.

Alternatively or in addition to the above, the actuator arrangement 43 can be configured to move the shaping head 42 and/or tobacco industry product 41 such that the shaping head 42 is brought into contact with a first longitudinal end surface and/or an inner surface of the tobacco industry product 42 in order to change the shape of the first longitudinal end surface and/or an inner surface.

In some examples, a receiving unit is arranged to receive and grip the tobacco industry product 41, so as to hold tobacco industry product 41 in position while it is shaped. This may be achieved by mechanical means, such as a clamp, or alternatively by means such as vacuum suction, as described in more detail below.

In use, when the shaping head 42 is brought into contact with the first end 41a of the tobacco industry product 41, the pressure exerted on the end 41a of the tobacco industry product 41 by the shaping head 42 deforms the material of the tobacco industry product 41, thereby changing a shape of the end of the tobacco industry product 41. Changing the shape of the end of the tobacco industry product 41 may, for instance, include changing an inner and/or outer diameter of the tobacco industry product 41, as well as forming an indentation in the end 41a.

The actuator arrangement 43 may be configured to move the shaping head 42 and/or tobacco industry product 41 in a reciprocating fashion. In other words, actuator arrangement 43 may be configured to move the shaping head 42 and/or tobacco industry product 41 so that they are first brought into contact with each other and are then moved apart from each other.

The shaping head 42 may be cylindrical in shape. In the present example, the shaping head 42 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and the end of the shaping head 42 has a chamfered profile. In other words, the shaping head 42 comprises a surface which is angled with respect to a side surface and a longitudinal end surface thereof.

In other exemplary arrangements, the shaping head 42 may be conical in shape. The shaping head 42 may have the shape of a frustum, such as a conical frustum. The shaping head 42 may be hemispherical in shape or may have a shape which has relatively low orders of rotational symmetry or no rotational symmetry. For instance, when forming the third filter units 20′ and 20″ of FIGS. 3c and 3d herein, the end of the shaping head 42 would have a triangular frustum shape with order 3 rotational symmetry or a hexagonal frustum shape with order 6 rotational symmetry. The shaping head 42 can have, for instance, order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or infinite/continuous rotational symmetry.

In the present example, the shaping head 42 has a longitudinal axis (not shown). The apparatus 40 is configured to rotate the shaping head 42 about its longitudinal axis, for instance for shaping heads 42 having infinite/continuous rotational symmetry. Rotating the shaping head 42 when the shaping head 42 is brought into contact with the end of the tobacco industry product 41 can provide a more even change in the shape of the end of the tobacco industry product 41, resulting in a uniform end profile, compared to a fixed shaping head 42. However, the apparatus 40 can be configured such that the shaping head 42 is fixed when the shaping head 42 has an order of symmetry less than infinite, for instance order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 rotational symmetry. A known method of applying a shape to a filter which is visible from the mouth end of the filter is to create a tube filter having that shape running through the centre as a bore. However, in such cases, the standard cigarette making process requires such a shape to have at least order 2 rotational symmetry, otherwise the shape will not be the same when the tube is used in different orientations. The use of a shaping head 42 which can be applied directly to a filter body addresses this issue, meaning that shapes with order 1 rotational symmetry can be applied uniformly to cigarette filters.

FIGS. 6a to 6c are side-on cross sectional and end-on views of respective first, second and third shaping heads 42, 42′ and 42″ for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 5a to 5d. The first shaping head 42, illustrated in FIG. 6a, comprises a conical frustum shape, and can be used to form the third filter unit 20 of FIGS. 3a and 3b. The second shaping head 42′, illustrated in FIG. 6b, comprises a triangular frustum shape, and can be used to form the third filter unit 20′ of FIG. 3c. The third shaping head 42″, illustrated in FIG. 6c, comprises a hexagonal frustum shape, and can be used to form the third filter unit 20″ of FIG. 3d.

The apparatus 40 may be configured so that, in use, the longitudinal axis of the shaping head 42 and the longitudinal axis of the tobacco industry product 41 are aligned. In such an arrangement, the shaping head 42 and the tobacco industry product 41 may be said to have a common longitudinal axis.

In the present example, the apparatus 40 comprises a drum 43 arranged to move the tobacco industry product 41 relative to the shaping head 42 in order to bring the shaping head 42 into contact with an end of the tobacco industry product 41.

The drum 43, in the present example, is provided as a modification to the known separator drum used in cigarette manufacture to separate first and second tobacco rods so that a filter can be placed between the tobacco rods and the rods and filter can then be wrapped in tipping paper. The drum 43 is modified to include a head support unit 44 which supports a plurality of shaping heads 42 arranged such that they are spaced circumferentially around the drum 43. The longitudinal axis of each of the shaping heads 42 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 43. The drum 43 includes a plurality of moving plates 45 in each of which first and second product receiving units or regions 46 are provided, in the form of flutes 46 in the present example. Each flute 46 is arranged to receive a tobacco industry product 41 and is generally shaped as an elongate groove formed in the plate 45 within which the tobacco industry product 41 can sit. The tobacco industry products 41 are held within the flutes 46 by suction through apertures formed in the base of the flutes 46, as known in conventional separator and similar drums.

In the present example, the moving plates 45 move in a reciprocating manner towards and away from the shaping heads 42 held by the head support member 44 in order to bring tobacco industry products 41 into contact with the shaping heads 42. In an alternative exemplary arrangement, the apparatus 40 may be configured so that both the plates 45 and the head support unit 44 are arranged to move in use, or so that only the head support unit 44 moves, in order to bring the shaping heads 42 into contact with the end of the tobacco industry product 41. Should additional force be required to hold the tobacco industry products 41 within the product receiving regions 46 provided in the plates 45, then these can be adapted to include an alternative gripping arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, a swash-plate type arrangement can be used to push tobacco industry products 41 longitudinally from the end opposite to the end which is to be shaped.

The apparatus 41 may further comprise a heating element 47 which is arranged to heat the shaping heads 42. When the shaping heads 42 are heated during contact with the end of the tobacco industry product 41, the heat may deform the material of the tobacco industry product 41, which aids in changing the shape of the end of the tobacco industry product 41. The heating element may be an induction coil. Alternatively, the shaping head 42 may be heated by a hot air system or a direct thermocouple.

As shown in FIG. 5d, a gearing mechanism 48 can be used to rotate the shaping heads 42, in the form of mandrels in the present example. Each mandrel 42 extends into a base shaft 42a which extends into and is supported by the head support unit 44. In particular, the head support unit 44 includes first and second bearings 44a, 44b which support the base shaft 42a of each mandrel 42, allowing it to rotate. Each mandrel base shaft 42a is also connected to and arranged to be turned via a mandrel driving cog 48a which in turn meshes with a fixed cog 48b extending around the periphery of the drum 43 and fixed in relation to the head support unit 44. As the outer portions of the drum 43 rotate, including the head support unit 44, this causes the mandrel driving cog 48a for each mandrel 42 to rotate as its teeth mesh with the fixed cog 48b, and this rotates the mandrel 42. Other arrangements for turning the shaping heads 42 can also be used, such as a separate motor arrangement for rotating one or more of the heads 42. The mandrel driving cogs 48a can be removed from the mandrel base shafts 42a of the mandrels 42 in order to provide fixed rather than rotating mandrels 42.

In an alternative exemplary arrangement, the apparatus 40 may further comprise a second shaping head (not shown) which is substantially the same as the shaping head 42 described above, and is arranged to change the shape of a second end of the tobacco industry product 41. In this arrangement, the apparatus 40 can shape both ends of the tobacco industry product 900, either simultaneously or in sequence.

Also presented herein is a method of shaping a tobacco industry product. The method is shown in FIG. 7 and comprises the steps of: providing a tobacco industry product (S101); and changing the shape of a first end of the tobacco industry product by moving a shaping head and/or the tobacco industry product in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tobacco industry product such that the shaping head is brought into contact with the first end of the tobacco industry product (S102).

Also presented herein is a further method of shaping a tobacco industry product. The method is shown in FIG. 8 and comprises the steps of: providing the tobacco industry product (S201); and changing the shape of a first end of the tobacco industry product by moving a shaping head and/or the tobacco industry product such that the shaping head is brought into contact with a first longitudinal end surface and/or an inner surface of the tobacco industry product (S202).

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior smoking articles and filter units therefor. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure 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 and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A filter unit for a smoking article comprising:

a tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an inner diameter of the first portion is different from an inner diameter of the second portion; and

a sleeve at least partially surrounding the tube.

2. A filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is at a distal end of the filter unit.

3. A filter unit according to claim 2, wherein the inner diameter of the second portion decreases with distance from the distal end of the filter unit.

4. A filter unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein an inner diameter of the second portion is greater than an inner diameter of the first portion.

5. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an outer diameter of the second portion is greater than an outer diameter of the first portion.

6. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an outer diameter of the first portion is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the second portion.

7. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

wherein each of the first portion and the second portion has a first end and a second end, and

the second end of the first portion adjoins the first end of the second portion and has an inner diameter substantially the same as the first end of the second portion.

8. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tube is formed from paper, card, cardboard or plastic.

9. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

a cylindrical element,

wherein the sleeve at least partially surrounds the cylindrical element.

10. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cylindrical element is formed from filter material and comprises a body having an end surface adjacent to the tube and a recess formed in the end surface.

11. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the element comprises a smoke modifying substance disposed within the filter material of the element.

12. A filter unit according to claim ii, wherein the smoke modifying substance comprises an encapsulated substance.

13. A filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the filter unit is arranged to be coupled to a smoking article by a user.

14. A smoking article comprising a filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the second portion of the tube is disposed at a mouth end of the smoking article.

16. A kit comprising a smoking article and a filter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.