Smoking Article and Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article

Abstract

A smoking article includes a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis running through respective base areas of a distal end and a mouth end of the smoking article, wherein the smoking article includes the following segments, which are arranged subsequently in the following order from the distal to the mouth end, and are at least in part wrapped in a circumferential wrapper: a tobacco segment including tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material, a cooling segment including a cylindrically shaped cooler material having a first flow path from the tobacco segment to a filter segment, the filter segment including a second flow path from the cooling segment to the mouth end. A surface of the cooler material is at least in part coated with a tobacco product including tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 μm and a dispersion medium for dispersing the tobacco particles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/078608, filed Oct. 15, 2021, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 20202055.8 filed Oct. 15, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smoking article, preferably a heat-not-burn product, comprising an improved taste.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a tobacco segment of such a heat-not-burn article comprises reconstituted tobacco (RTB) as the tobacco derived smokable material. The smokable material is then heated by an electrical heater, which is inserted into the smoking article from its distal end. The smokable material typically consists of tobacco material and a suitable binder. When this smokable material is heated with the electrical heater to temperatures up to 250° C., the binder evaporates and thereby generates an inhalable aerosol. The inhalable aerosol also carries flavoring substances and nicotine from the smokable material. Also, the inhalable aerosol in a heat-not-burn product derived from tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material still comprises taste deficits when compared to regular ready-made cigarettes.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the objective of the invention is to provide an improved smoking article, in particular a heat-not-burn product, which comprises an improved taste, that is easy to manufacture and also cost-effective.

This objective is reached by a smoking article comprising a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis running through respective base areas of a distal end and a mouth end of the smoking article, wherein the smoking article comprises the following segments, which are arranged subsequently in the following order from the distal to the mouth end, and are at least in part wrapped in a circumferential wrapper:

• • a) a tobacco segment comprising tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material,
  • b) a cooling segment comprising a cylindrically shaped cooler material having a first flow path from the tobacco segment to a filter segment,
  • c) the filter segment comprising a second flow path from the cooling segment to the mouth end.

The invention is characterized in that a surface of the cooler material is at least in part coated with a tobacco product comprising tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 micrometer and a dispersion medium for dispersing the tobacco particles.

After the aerosol has been generated in the tobacco segment, the aerosol is guided from the tobacco segment into the cooling segment. The cooling segment cools the generated aerosol to a temperature which is safe for the consumer to inhale. The cooling takes place by convection during guiding the aerosol along a first flow path from the tobacco segment to the filter segment. The first flow path through the cooling segment is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. During the passage of the cooling segment, the aerosol gets in contact with the tobacco product arranged on a surface of the cooler material. When the aerosol is brought in contact with the tobacco product, the aerosol picks up tobacco flavor from the tobacco particles comprised in the tobacco product. In this way, the aerosol can be flavored in a very natural and effective way. In this way, it is also possible to improve the taste of the smoking article without the need to change the tobacco segment or its components. This makes the invention very versatile and easy to combine with existing smoking articles, preferably a heat-not-burn product. It has been found, that with the average particle size of 30 micrometers, the taste delivery to the aerosol is optimized. With the large surface area an effective interaction of the aerosol with the tobacco particles is provided.

The tobacco particles are dispersed in a dispersion medium. The dispersion medium preferably comprises water, monovalent alcohols, polyvalent alcohols, sugar alcohols, sugars and/or polyvalent alcohol esters. The term polyvalent alcohols includes (among others) glycerol and propylene glycol. The dispersion medium together with the tobacco particles forms a liquid or paste-like tobacco product before the tobacco product is arranged in the filter segment. The dispersion medium content in the tobacco product may be reduced due to drying after the tobacco product is arranged in the filter segment.

According to another embodiment, the tobacco segment also comprises the tobacco product. In this way, the tobacco segment will provide the aerosol with a base flavor derived from the tobacco product. Subsequently, the aerosol comprising the base flavor will then enter the cooling section where the aerosol will again pick up further flavor substances from the tobacco product arranged in the cooling section. By using a tobacco segment with or without the tobacco product in the invention, the taste of the smoking article can be fine-tuned. Also, the outside of the cooling segment will heat up to a certain temperature when the hot aerosol is directed through the cooling segment for cooling together with the cooling segment, also the tobacco product coated onto at least a part of the outer lateral area of the cooling segment, will heat up to a certain extent. The tobacco product on the outer lateral area will then release the tobacco flavor into the environment. This can provide an additional flavor sensation to the consumer and may cover up the otherwise unpleasant burning smell of the tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material in the tobacco segment. This flavor release into the environment and cover-up of the unpleasant burning smell will also improve the overall taste perception of the smoking article for the consumer. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco product arranged on the inner and/or outer lateral area of the cooling segment is applied to the respective area in a pattern.

According to another embodiment, the cooling segment comprises ventilation holes, wherein the tobacco product is only arranged downstream of the ventilation holes. Through the ventilation holes, additional air from the surrounding of the smoking article can be drawn into the first flow path when the consumer draws on the smoking article. With the tobacco product arranged downstream of the ventilation holes, the tobacco product is brought in contact with an already cooler aerosol. Depending on the tobacco product composition, this is beneficial for flavor transfer from the tobacco product to the aerosol. This embodiment is preferred for less flavorful tobacco types comprised in the tobacco product. Also, the complete aerosol stream comprising the additional air from the ventilation hole is brought in contact with the tobacco product. This means that the complete aerosol may pick up flavor from the tobacco product, which is then delivered to the consumer for a full taste experience.

According to another embodiment, the cooling segment comprises ventilation holes, wherein the tobacco product is only arranged upstream of the ventilation holes. With the tobacco product arranged upstream of the ventilation holes the tobacco product is placed in an area of the cooling segment in which the aerosol still comprises a higher temperature. This ensures a better flavor transfer from the tobacco product to the aerosol. It is also possible to arrange the tobacco product both upstream and downstream of the ventilation holes. Again, the tobacco product may be arranged downstream and/or upstream of the ventilation holes in a pattern.

According to another embodiment, the cooling segment further comprises a flow diverter arranged in the through-hole of the cooling segment, wherein the flow diverter diverts the first flow path directly to the tobacco product coated surface. Depending on the diameter of the through hole only a part of the aerosol is brought in contact with the tobacco product arranged on the inner lateral area of the cooling segment. Especially the part of the aerosol streaming right through the center of the through-hole may not get in direct contact with the tobacco product.

This problem can be prevented by the flow diverter. The flow diverter will block a certain cross section of the first flow path. Preferably, the flow diverter blocks a center part of the cross section of the first flow path. In particular, this means that the flow diverter does not block a part of the cross section of the first flow path arranged directly at the inner lateral area. By blocking the center part of the first flow path, the aerosol is forced to travel along the non-blocked part of the cross section of the first flow path. In this way the aerosol is directed directly to the tobacco product coated surface. This will improve the interaction between the tobacco product and the aerosol and therefore increase the flavor transfer from the tobacco product to the aerosol.

According to another embodiment, the flow diverter is a protrusion of the filter segment protruding into the through-hole of the cooling segment. This embodiment denotes a very easy and secure way to arrange the flow diverter in the through-hole of the cooling segment. The cooling segment is arranged directly adjacent to the filter segment in the smoking article. In this way, a protrusion of the filter segment can easily be arranged to protrude into the through-hole of the cooling segment. This not only reduces the number of parts of the smoking article and therefore eases its assembly, but it also secures the flow diverter in its central position in the first flow path of the through-hole of the cooling segment. In particular, the flow diverter will not contact the inner lateral area of the cooling segment as it would be the case if the flow diverter is a loose element without any means to secure its position.

Preferably, the protrusion of the filter segment being the flow diverter comprises a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. In the latter case, the larger base area of the frustoconical shape is preferably arranged at the filter segment, whereas the tip of the frustoconical shape is preferably arranged towards the tobacco segment. The flow diverter preferably consists of the same material as the filter segment. But it is also conceivable to use a different material for the flow diverter than for the filter segment.

According to another embodiment, the flow diverter is a loose element arranged inside the through-hole of the cooling segment comprising the shape of the sphere or prolate spheroid arranged with its longest axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. With the flow diverter being a loose element, the material and shape of the flow diverter can be chosen more freely compared to the flow diverter embodied as a protrusion of the filter segment. It is also conceivable that the flow diverter, which is a loose element and is arranged inside the through-hole of the cooling segment, comprises a cylindrical shape. Preferably, the maximum diameter of the flow diverter measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article is smaller than the diameter of the through-hole of the cooling segment. Preferably, the diameter of the flow diverter is 5 to 10% smaller than the diameter of the through-hole of the cooling segment. With this sizing, excess movement of the flow diverter in the through-hole is prohibited. This ensures the high-quality perception of the smoking article.

With the preferred shape of the sphere or prolate spheroid, the flow diverter can gradually deflect the aerosol towards the inner lateral area of the through-hole. The flow diverter may consist of a plastic material, preferably a plastic material able to withstand temperatures of 250° C. or more.

All previously described embodiments of the flow diverter may be combined with only an in-part coating of the inner lateral area with the tobacco product. In particular, the tobacco product may be applied to the inner lateral area in a pattern. With all embodiments of the flow diverter, it is also possible to control the draw resistance of the smoking article. In particular, it is possible to mimic the draw resistance of a conventional cigarette together with the improved taste due to the tobacco product arranged in the cooling segment, the overall experience for the consumer becomes very similar to a conventional cigarette.

According to another embodiment, the cooling segment comprises multiple parallel first flow paths each being circumferentially enclosed by a respective part of the cooling segment, wherein the respective parts of the surface are at least in part coated with the tobacco product. Such an arrangement may for example be achieved by a rolled-up strip of material like rolled up paper or rolled up strip of corrugated cardboard or a bundle of parallel, straw like tubes being smaller in diameter than the cooling segment. This embodiment of the cooling segment will provide more rigidity to the smoking article. It also provides more laminar flow along the first flow paths. The tobacco product may be arranged on any surface arranged at any of the multiple parallel first flow paths.

The objective of the invention is also reached by a method for manufacturing a smoking article, wherein a tobacco segment comprising tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material, a cooling segment comprising a cylindrically shaped cooler material having a first flow path and a filter segment comprising a second flow path are arranged in the given order subsequently on a longitudinal axis and are at least in part wrapped in a circumferential wrapper thereby forming the smoking article having a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis running through respective base areas of the smoking article being a distal end, at which the tobacco segment is arranged, and a mouth end, at which the filter segment is arranged, respectively, wherein the first flow path connects the tobacco segment with the filter segment and the secand flow path connects the cooling segment with the mouth end. The method is characterized in that before arranging the cooling segment between the tobacco and the filter segment, a surface of the cooler material is at least in part coated with a tobacco product comprising tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 micrometers and a dispersion medium for dispersing the tobacco particles.

By coating the surface of the cooler material with the tobacco product before arranging the cooling segment between the tobacco and the filter segment, a standard arrangement process for arranging all segments of the smoking article can be used. This enables a very cost-effective use of existing production methods and changes the production method only there where it is necessary. This method also increases production flexibility because the cooling segment can easily be exchanged with another cooling segment either comprising no tobacco product at all or a differently distributed tobacco product. In an embodiment of the invention, in which the tobacco segment also comprises the tobacco product, the tobacco product is also arranged in the tobacco segment before assembling the cooling segment, the tobacco segment and the filter segment together. This again increases the production efficiency and flexibility.

According to another embodiment of the method, the tobacco product is applied to the surface of the cooler material by spraying or printing. Preferably, the tobacco product is diluted for the spraying or printing process. Preferably, the dilution medium is the same as the dispersion medium. Preferably, the tobacco product is diluted with water propylene glycol and/or glycerin.

For spraying the tobacco product is sprayed with a nozzle to the surface of the cooler material to the desired extent. A pattern may be applied to the surface of the cooler material by masking certain areas of the surface or by moving the spraying nozzle over the surface in a certain pattern. The thickness of the tobacco product layer applied of the cooler material may be changed by either revisiting already sprayed areas with the nozzle and applying a second coat or by increasing the flow of the spraying nozzle.

For printing the tobacco product is preferably diluted as described below. An especially preferred embodiment comprises tobacco particles between 1 to 58% of the total tobacco product composition. In this range not only a correct viscosity of the tobacco product is ensured but also a sufficient color intensity. The latter is of special importance if the tobacco product is used for embellishments of the smoking article. The viscosity of the tobacco product is preferably between 50 and 350 dPas measured with a falling rod viscometer at 25° C. This viscosity range is ensured with the previously given amount of tobacco particles in the tobacco product. This results in a total density of the diluted tobacco product between 0.8 and 1.5 g/cm³.

The printing process itself may be carried out with either conventional printing machines for printing on continuous material. Such conventional printing machinery may include a print roller and an ink reservoir in which the tobacco product is comprised. The print roller is then coated with the tobacco product from the reservoir and then rolled over the surface of the cooler material. It is also conceivable to use silk screen printing or ink-jet printing. The printing process may be carried out in line with the production of the cooling segment or externally before the production of the cooling segment.

For the printing process, the tobacco product may also contain solvents, pigments dyes, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, surfactants, particulate matter and/or fluorescents. Preferably, all these materials are food-safe. Preferably, the tobacco product also contains water and humectant. With the solvents, resins, lubricants and solubilizers and/or surfactants, the rheological properties of the ink can be optimized. This will further improve the printing results. If the tobacco product is used for embellishment purposes, preferably on the outer lateral area of the cooling segment, dyes, resins and/particulate matter can be used to optimize the color intensity and hiding power of the tobacco product when printed on the surface of the cooler material. It is also possible to adapt the color intensity of the tobacco product when printed by choosing the tobacco type and concentration used as tobacco particles in the tobacco product. For darker printing results with the tobacco product, preferably dark tobacco types like burley tobacco, dark fire cured tobacco and dark air cured tobacco are used.

Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by a way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components and different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show:

FIG. 1 a general schematic view of the smoking article 1 comprising the cooling segment 6,

FIG. 2 a schematic view of the cooling segment 6 according to another embodiment,

FIG. 3 a schematic view of the cooling segment 6 according to a different embodiment,

FIG. 4 a detailed view of the surface 11 coated with the tobacco product 12,

FIG. 5 different embodiments of the pattern 13,

FIG. 6 further embodiments of the pattern 13,

FIG. 7 two different embodiments of the cooling segment 6 comprising multiple flow paths 8a to 8e,

FIG. 8 the cooler material 7 comprising the tobacco product 12,

FIG. 9 two embodiments of the cooling segment 6 comprising ventilation holes 17,

FIG. 10 a schematic view of the cooling segment 6 comprising a flow diverter 18 according to one embodiment,

FIG. 11 the cooling segment 6 comprising a flow diverter 18 according to a different embodiment,

FIG. 12 the cooling segment 6 comprising another embodiment of the flow diverter 18,

FIG. 13 the cooling segment 6 comprising a flow diverter 18 according to another embodiment,

FIG. 14 a flow chart of the method for manufacturing a smoking article 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a general view of the smoking article 1. The smoking article 1 comprises three different segments 3 arranged subsequently along the longitudinal axis L. All three segments 3 comprise a cylindrical shape 2, as well as the whole smoking article 1. The smoking article comprises a distal end 1a, at which a tobacco segment 5 is arranged. The tobacco segment 5 comprises tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material from which upon heating an inhalable aerosol can be generated. The smoking article 1 also comprises a mouth end 1b at which a filter segment 9 is directly arranged. Between the tobacco segment 5 and the filter segment 9, a cooling segment 6 is arranged. The aerosol generated in the tobacco segment 5 is transferred along a first flow path 8 through the cooling segment 6 to the filter segment 9, through which it is transferred along a second flow path 10 to the mouth end 1b, at which it is delivered to the consumer. The cooling segment 6 comprises a cylindrically shaped cooler material 7. The cooler material 7 comprises at least one surface 11 on which the tobacco product 12 is deposited. The surface 11 is not necessarily completely coated with the tobacco product 12. It is also conceivable that only a part of the surface 11 is coated with the tobacco product 12. Preferably, a part of the surface 11 coated with a tobacco product 12 is directly adjacent to the first flow path 8. In this way, the tobacco product 12 is brought in direct contact with the aerosol streaming along the first flow path 8. In this way, the aerosol can pick up flavor substances from the tobacco product 12. This is a very efficient and easy way to improve the flavor of the aerosol of the smoking article 1.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of the cooling segment 6. In this embodiment the cooling segment 6 consists of a sheet of the cooler material 7, which is rolled up to form a tube. Preferably, the cooler material 7 is paper or cardboard. The first flow path 8 is arranged in the tube. The tobacco product 12 is deposited on at least a part of the surface 11 of the sheet cooler material 7. Preferably, the tobacco material 12 is deposited on the part of the surface 11a, which is arranged in an inside of the tube. However, it is also conceivable to deposit the tobacco product 12 on a surface part 11b, forming an outer area of the tube. It is also conceivable to deposit the tobacco product 12 on both the inner surface 11a and the outer surface 11b. It is of course conceivable to coat all these surfaces only in part with the tobacco product 12. In the shown embodiment, the tobacco product 12 is coated onto the surface 11 in circumferential rings 13a to 13c. The circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise a respective extent e in the longitudinal direction L. The circumferential rings 13a to 13c are distanced from each other by a respective distance d. The distance d is also measured along the longitudinal direction L. It is conceivable that all circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise the same distance d to their respective neighbors. However, it is also conceivable that the circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise different distances d to their respective neighbors. It is also conceivable that all circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise the same extent e. However, it is also conceivable that each circumferential ring 13a to 13c comprises an individual extent e or that certain circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise the same extent, whereas other circumferential rings 13a to 13c comprise a different extent.

FIG. 3 shows the cooling segment 6 according to a different embodiment. In this embodiment the cooling segment 6 comprises the shape of a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder comprises a through-hole 15 with an inner lateral area 14 encircling the through-hole 15. The hollow cylinder comprises also an outer lateral area 16, which denotes the outer-most surface of the hollow cylinder. In this embodiment the inner lateral area 14 corresponds to the inner surface 11a of the cooler material 7 and the outer lateral area 16 corresponds to the outer surface 11b of the cooler material 7. The first flow path 8 is arranged in the through-hole 15 of the hollow cylinder. In this embodiment, the cooler material 7 is preferably monoacetate and/or a plastic material. The tobacco product 12 is preferably deposited on at least a part of the inner lateral area 14 and/or at least a part of the outer lateral area 16. It is conceivable that the tobacco product 12 is arranged on the inner lateral area 14 and/or outer lateral area 16, in a pattern 13.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the cooler material 7 with its surface 11 on which the tobacco product 12 is deposited. In this embodiment, the tobacco product 12 is deposited on the surface 11 with a varying layer thickness. In this embodiment, the layer thickness of the tobacco product 12 is increasing along the first flow path 8. In particular, at a position A marked in FIG. 4, the layer thickness of the tobacco product 12 is smaller than at a position B also marked in FIG. 4. The embodiment of the increasing layer thickness of the tobacco product 12 along the first flow path 8 is preferred. In other words, the layer thickness of the tobacco product is smaller at a position A, closer to the tobacco segment 5 than at a position B closer to the filter segment 9. This embodiment is advantageous because the aerosol originating from the tobacco segment 5 comprises a comparably high temperature which is then subsequently cooled down along the first flow path 8 when the aerosol travels through the cooling segment 6. This means that at position A the aerosol comprises a higher temperature than at position B. With a higher temperature at position A, the flavor transfer from the tobacco product 12 to the aerosol will be more efficient than at the lower temperature of position B. With the increasing layer thickness of the tobacco product along the first flow path 8, the less efficient flavor transfer with decreasing temperature of the aerosol will be compensated by providing more tobacco product 12 per area unit due to the increased layer thickness of the tobacco product 12. In this way, a constant flavor transfer from the tobacco product 12 to the aerosol is possible although the transfer efficiency of the flavor to the aerosol decreases with decreasing temperature along the first flow path 8.

FIG. 5 shows further embodiments of patterns in which the tobacco product 12 can be deposited on the surface 11. In FIG. 5 the black lines represent the tobacco product 12, wherein the white underground represents the surface 11. The patterns may include hexagonal shapes, concentric squares, rectangles, or circles, zig-zagging or meandering lines and/or parallel straight or curved lines. In alternative or in addition to the different layer thickness depicted in FIG. 4, it is also conceivable to increase or decrease the amount of tobacco product deposited per unit area of the surface 11 by increasing or decreasing the density of the pattern 13. FIG. 5 shows different patterns 13 each shown with different densities. In particular, the density of the patterns 13 increases from left to right in FIG. 5. This results in more tobacco product 12 per area unit of the surface 11 for higher pattern densities. Accordingly, this results in a lower amount of tobacco product 12 per area unit of the surface 11 for lower pattern densities.

FIG. 6 shows three different embodiments of further possible patterns 13. In FIG. 6 three different possible patterns 13 are shown. The topmost pattern 13 comprises a checkerboard pattern. The lowest pattern 13 shown in FIG. 6 also comprises a checkerboard pattern. The pattern 13 shown in the middle of FIG. 6 comprises a chaotic distribution of squares or pixels. Again, the black color represents the tobacco product 12 wherein white color represents the uncoated surface 11. All three patterns 13 shown in FIG. 6 comprise a decreasing density of the tobacco product 12 per unit area of the surface 11 from left to right. In contrast to FIG. 5 in which the patterns 13 from left to right show distinct grates of density, the patterns 13 in FIG. 6 show a gradual change of the tobacco product 12 density per unit area of the surface 11. This is carried out by gradually decreasing the size of the squares coated with a tobacco product 12 of the checkerboard pattern or by gradually decreasing the density of pixels which are coated with the tobacco product 12 in case of the chaotic arrangement of squares coated with the tobacco product 12. With these patterns 13 it is not only conceivable to realize a decreasing or increasing density of the pattern 13 along the first flow path 8 but it is also conceivable to create an alternating density of the tobacco product 12 of the surface 11 by decreasing the density with subsequently increasing the density and repeating this cycle as often as desired. In this way, the amount of tobacco product 12 deposited per unit area of the surface 11 can be adapted very precisely to the cooling profile of the cooling segment 6.

FIGS. 7a and b show two different embodiments of the cooling segment 6 comprising multiple flow paths 8a-e. FIG. 7a shows an embodiment in which the cooling segment 6 comprises a cooler material 7, which forms the cooling segment 6. The cooler material 7 is arranged as the cooling segment 6 in a rolled-up fashion. The cooler material 7 is preferably rolled up with multiple windings, similar to a coil. The cooler material 7 can either be a straight material, which is rolled up in a cylindrical shape or a corrugated material, which is again rolled up in a cylindrical shape 2. The rolled up cooler material 7 preferably is wrapped in a second wrapper 4a. With the second wrapper 4a the rolled up cooler material 7 is kept in the cylindrical shape 2. The surface 11 of the cooler material 7 is at least in part coated with the tobacco product 12. Preferably, the cooler material 7 is rolled up into the cylindrical shape 2 in a lose manner. In this way, multiple flow paths 8a-c are formed between the individual directly adjacent layers of the rolled up cooler material 7.

FIG. 7b shows a different embodiment of the cooling segment 6 comprising multiple flow paths 8a-e. In this embodiment, the cooler material 7 consists of multiple tubes arranged parallel to each other. The tubes, i.e. the cooler material 7, are shaped like straws arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Through each of the tubes one of the multiple flow paths 8a-e is arranged. Preferably, also flow paths 8a-e are arranged between neighboring tubes. In this way multiple flow paths 8a-e are arranged either in the tubes or between them. Each tube of the cooler material 7 comprises an inner and outer surface 11a, 11 b on which at least in part the tobacco product 12 is preferably arranged. It is conceivable to only arrange the tobacco product 12 on the inner surface 11a of the tubes of the cooler material 7 but it is also conceivable to either arrange the tobacco product 12 only on the outer surface 11b of the tubes of the cooler material 7 or on both inner and outer surfaces 11a, 11b.

FIG. 8 shows a sheet-like cooler material 7 with the tobacco product 12 deposited on its surface 11. The sheet cooler material 7 is rolled up to form a cylindrical shape 2 in a rolled-up movement R marked with an arrow in FIG. 8. In this manner, a cooling segment 6 similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7a can be achieved. The cooler material 7 shown in FIG. 8 comprises tobacco product 12 on both surfaces, the inner surface 11 and the outer surface 11b. But it is also conceivable that only on the inner or on the outer surface 11a, 11 b tobacco product 12 is deposited. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the tobacco product is only deposited on a part of the inner surface 11a and the outer surface 11b. However, it is also conceivable that the tobacco product 12 is deposited either on the complete inner surface 11a, the complete outer surface 11b or on both surfaces 11a, 11 b completely. To achieve an embodiment of the cooling segment 6 shown in FIG. 7a, the cooler material 7 would not be plain as shown in FIG. 8 but would comprise a corrugated shape.

FIGS. 9a and b show an embodiment of the cooling segment 6 comprising ventilation holes 17. The ventilation holes 17 are through-holes through the cooler material 7. This means that they connect the inner surface 11a with the outer surface 11b of the cooler material 7. In particular, a fluid flow is able to penetrate through the ventilation holes 17 from a surrounding of the cooling segment 6 into the inside of the cooling segment 6 where the first flow path 8 is arranged. When the consumer draws on the mouth end 1b of the smoking article 1, not only is the aerosol transported from the tobacco segment 5 to the mouth end 1b of the smoking article 1 but there is also an influx of air from outside of the smoking article 1 through the ventilation holes 17 to the first flow path 8. The air streaming through the ventilation holes 17 into the cooling segment 6 joins there with the aerosol along the first flow path 8 and is then subsequently delivered along the first and second flow paths 8, 10 to the mouth end 1b of the smoking article 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the tobacco product 12 is arranged downstream of the ventilation holes 17. This means that air streaming into the cooling segment 6 through the ventilation holes 17 afterwards passes the tobacco product 12 when streaming along the first flow path 8 together with the aerosol. FIG. 9b shows an embodiment in which the tobacco product 12 is arranged upstream of the ventilation holes 17. This means that the aerosol first passes the tobacco product 12 and picks up the tobacco flavor and then passes the ventilation holes 17 where the aerosol is joined with the air streaming from an outside of the smoking article 1 into the cooling segment 6. In this embodiment, the air streaming into the cooling segment 6 through the ventilation holes 17 does not pass the tobacco product 12.

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the segments 3 of the smoking article 1. In the shown embodiment of the cooling section 6 a flow diverter 18 is comprised. The flow diverter 18 is carried out as a protrusion 19 of the filter segment 9 which protrudes from the filter segment 9 into the through-hole 15 of the cooling segment 6. With the flow diverter 18 arranged in the through-hole 15 of the cooling segment 6, the first flow path 8 is forced to circle around the flow diverter 18. The flow diverter 18 preferably comprises a cylindrical shape. This cylindrical shape is shown due to the sectional nature of FIG. 10 as a rectangular shape. The first flow path 8, which has to flow around the flow diverter 18, is deflected towards the surface 11 of the cooler material 7. This arranges the first flow path 8 closer to the surface 11, which is at least in part coated with the tobacco product 12. This means that the first flow path 8 is directed towards the tobacco product 12 and is therefore able to interact much more effectively with the tobacco product 12. As a result, the aerosol streaming along the first flow path 8 picks up flavor substances from the tobacco product 12 much more effectively. The first flow path 8 spreads around the flow diverter 18. In the sectional view of FIG. 10, this is depicted exemplarily by the two parallel flow paths 8a and 8b. When the aerosol transfers into the filter segment 9, the aerosol streams along the second flow path 10. In the filter segment 9 the previously split up first flow path 8, 8a, 8b is preferably united back to a single second flow path 10.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the flow diverter 18. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the flow diverter 18 is frustoconical. With the frustoconical shape of the flow diverter 18, a very efficient flow deflection of the first flow path 8 is achieved. The frustoconical shape of the flow diverter 18 comprises a tip 18a which broadens towards base 18b of the flow diverter 18 along the first flow path 8. With the sharp tip 18a of the flow diverter 18 of this embodiment, the first flow path 8 is easily deflected towards the surface 11 of the cooling material 7 without any turbulences.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the flow diverter 18. In this embodiment, the flow diverter is a lose element 20 comprised in the through-hole 15 of the cooling section 6. The lose element 20 comprises a spherical shape. The diameter d1 of the through-hole 15 is larger than the diameter d2 of the flow diverter 18. In this way, the flow diverter 18 fits into the through-hole 15 of the cooling segment 6. Also, with the smaller diameter d2 the first flow path 8 can pass between the flow diverter 18 and the inner lateral area 14 or inner surface 11a of the cooling segment 6. Preferably, the diameter d2 of the flow diverter 18 is 5% smaller than the diameter d1 of the through-hole 15. In an especially preferred embodiment, the diameter d2 of the flow diverter 18 is 10% smaller than the diameter d1 of the through-hole.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the flow diverter 18 carried out as a lose element 20. In this embodiment, the flow diverter comprises the shape of a prolate spheroid. The prolate spheroid comprises a longest axis A1. The prolate spheroid is arranged with its longest axis A1 parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The diameter d2 of the prolate spheroid measured perpendicular to its longest axis A1 is smaller than the diameter d1 of the through-hole 15 of the cooling segment 6. Preferably, the diameter d2 of the prolate spheroid is 5%, even more preferred 10% smaller than the diameter d1 of the through-hole 15 of the cooling segment 6. In both embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the first flow path 8 fully encircles the flow diverter 18. By encircling the flow diverter 18 the first flow path 8 is brought in close proximity to the surface 11 of the cooling segment 6. The surface 11 is at least in part coated with the tobacco product 12. In this way, the aerosol travels along the first flow path 8 closely to the surface 11 coated with the tobacco product 12. This makes any flavor transfer from the tobacco product 12 to the aerosol streaming along the first flow path 8 very effective.

FIG. 14 shows a flow chart of the method for manufacturing the smoking article 1. The method may start with the optional step of diluting 101 the tobacco product 12. The dilution 101 may be necessary to achieve the required viscosity of the tobacco product 12 for the subsequent processes 12. After diluting 101, the tobacco product 12 or, if no dilution takes place directly as a first step, the tobacco product 12 is coated 102 onto the cooling segment 6. In particular, the tobacco product 12 is coated 102 onto a surface 11 of the cooler material 7. This can be done either by spraying 103 or by printing 104. For the spraying 103, the tobacco product 12 is applied to the surface 11 with a spraying nozzle. If the tobacco product 12 is arranged 102 on the surface 11 in a pattern 13, the pattern 13 is either achieved by placing a mask between the spraying nozzle and the surface 11 or by moving the spraying nozzle with respect to the surface 11, following the desired pattern 13. If the tobacco product 12 is coated 102 on the surface 11 by printing 104, the tobacco product 12 is applied to the surface 11 of the cooler material 7 preferably with a print roller. The print roller may comprise recessed surface parts. Preferably, the recessed surface parts form a negative of the pattern 13 in which the tobacco product 12 is desired to be coated 102 onto the surface 11. After the tobacco product 12 has been coated 102 onto the surface 11 of the cooling material 7, the cooling segment 6 may be formed 105 from the cooler material 7. This step of forming 105 the cooling segment 6 is also optional and only takes place if for example an embodiment like shown in FIGS. 7a and b or FIG. 8 is used. For example, after coating the surface 11 at least in part with the tobacco product 12 the cooler material 7 might be rolled up to form the cylindrical shape 2 of the cooling segment 6, as shown in FIG. 8, during this forming step 105. Subsequently all segments 3, i.e. the tobacco segment 5, the cooling segment 6 and the filter segment 9 are arranged 106 in the correct order along a common longitudinal axis L. After the segments 3 have been arranged 106, the segments 3 are wrapped 107 in a circumferential wrapper 4. It is not necessarily the case that the wrapper wraps all segments 3 completely. It is indeed conceivable that the wrapper 4 wraps some segments 3 only in part. At this stage, the smoking article 1 is completely manufactured.

The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combination, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or various figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

• • 1 smoking article
  • 1a distal end
  • 1b mouth end
  • 2 cylindrical shape
  • 2a, 2b base areas
  • 3 segments
  • 4 wrapper
  • 4a second wrapper
  • 5 tobacco segment
  • 6 cooling segment
  • 7 cooler material
  • 8 first flow path
  • 8a-e multiple flow paths
  • 9 filter segment
  • 10 second flow path
  • 11 surface
  • 11a inner surface
  • 11b outer surface
  • 12 tobacco product
  • 13 pattern
  • 13a-c circumferential rings
  • 14 inner lateral area
  • 15 through-hole
  • 16 outer lateral area
  • 17 ventilation holes
  • 18 flow diverter
  • 18a tip
  • 18b base
  • 19 protrusion
  • 20 loose element
  • 101 diluting tobacco product
  • 102 coating the surface with the tobacco product
  • 103 spraying
  • 104 printing
  • 105 forming the cooling segment
  • 106 arranging the segments
  • 107 wrapping the segments
  • A position A
  • B position B
  • e extent
  • d distance
  • d1 diameter
  • d2 diameter
  • A₁ longest axis
  • L longitudinal axis, longitudinal direction
  • R roll-up movement

Claims

1. A smoking article comprising a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis running through respective base areas of a distal end and a mouth end of the smoking article, wherein the smoking article comprises the following segments, which are arranged subsequently in the following order from the distal to the mouth end, and are at least in part wrapped in a circumferential wrapper: wherein a surface of the cooler material is at least in part coated with a tobacco product comprising tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 μm and a dispersion medium for dispersing the tobacco particles.

a. a tobacco segment comprising tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material,

b. a cooling segment comprising a cylindrically shaped cooler material having a first flow path from the tobacco segment to a filter segment,

c. the filter segment comprising a second flow path from the cooling segment to the mouth end,

2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein:

the tobacco segment also comprises the tobacco product.

3. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein:

the tobacco product is applied to the surface in a pattern.

4. The smoking article according to claim 3, wherein:

the pattern comprises circumferential rings with an extent in a direction along the longitudinal axis and distanced from each other along the longitudinal axis by a distance.

5. The smoking article according to claim 3, wherein:

the pattern comprises a varying layer thickness of the tobacco product on the surface.

6. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein:

the cooling segment comprises a shape of a hollow cylinder having an inner lateral area enclosing a through-hole through which the first flow path is arranged, wherein the first flow path is also parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the inner lateral area is at least in part coated with the tobacco product.

7. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein:

the cooling segment comprises a shape of a hollow cylinder having an inner lateral area enclosing a through-hole through which the first flow path is arranged, wherein the first flow path is also parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein an outer lateral area of the cooling segment is at least in part coated with the tobacco product.

8. The smoking article according to claim 6, wherein:

the cooling segment comprises ventilation holes, wherein the tobacco product is only arranged downstream of the ventilation holes.

9. The smoking article according to claim 6, wherein:

the cooling segment comprises ventilation holes, wherein the tobacco product is only arranged upstream of the ventilation holes.

10. The smoking article according to claim 6, wherein:

the cooling segment further comprises a flow diverter arranged in the through-hole of the cooling segment, wherein the flow diverter diverts the first flow-path directly to the tobacco product coated surface.

11. The smoking article according to claim 10, wherein:

the flow diverter is a protrusion of the filter segment protruding into the through-hole of the cooling segment.

12. The smoking article according to claim 10, wherein:

the flow diverter is a loose element arranged inside the through-hole of the cooling segment comprising a shape of a sphere or prolate spheroid arranged with a longest axis thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis.

13. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein:

the cooling segment comprises multiple parallel first flow-paths each being circumferentially enclosed by a respective part of the surface of the cooling segment, wherein the respective parts of the surface are at least in part coated with the tobacco product.

14. A method for manufacturing a smoking article, wherein a tobacco segment comprising tobacco or tobacco derived smokable material, a cooling segment comprising a cylindrically shaped cooler material having a first flow path and a filter segment comprising a second flow path are arranged in the given order subsequently on a longitudinal axis and are at least in part wrapped in a circumferential wrapper thereby forming the smoking article having a cylindrical shape with the longitudinal axis running through respective base areas of the smoking article being a distal end, at which the tobacco segment is arranged, and a mouth end, at which the filter segment is arranged, respectively, wherein the first flow path connects the tobacco segment with the filter segment and the second flow path connects the cooling segment with the mouth end,

wherein before arranging the cooling segment between the tobacco segment and the filter segment, a surface of the cooler material is at least in part coated with a tobacco product comprising tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 μm and a dispersion medium for dispersing the tobacco particles.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:

the tobacco product is applied to the surface of the cooler material by spraying or printing.