FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smoking article, more particularly, relates to a filtered cigarette with variable ventilation.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Filter cigarettes include mechanisms for varying the level of ventilation obtained during smoking, which enable a consumer to vary the ratio of ambient air to mainstream smoke delivered to their mouth. In the manufacture of these types of cigarettes, the slits in the tipping paper and plug wrap are most easily formed by simultaneously slitting both layers with a knife or laser beam. The cigarettes are therefore assembled initially with the slits fully in registry both longitudinally and rotationally. The dilution level can then be adjusted by rotating the rotatable segment varying the rotational registry of the slits.

In such a cigarette, if the rotatable filter segment is rotated too far, it may break off and the said rotations are irreversible in nature. In addition, depending on the placement of the dilution slits, once the rotatable segment is rotated to an extreme of dilution, continued rotation of the rotatable filter segment in the same direction will begin to adjust the dilution level back toward the other extreme. These results of over-rotation might not be expected by a smoker, who may instead expect that continued rotation in a given direction would continue to adjust the dilution level in the same direction.

U.S. 4,570,649 discloses a variable dilution filter cigarette is provided which includes a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, an axially aligned, substantially cylindrical wrapped filter plug, and tipping paper which circumscribes the filter plug and joins the filter plug to the tobacco rod. The filter plug has first and second ends, which are open to permit the passage of air and smoke. The plug wrap is substantially air-impermeable and is divided into a mouth-end band, a central band, and a rod-end band having a first opening. The first and third bands are attached to the filter. The tipping paper is also substantially air-impermeable, circumscribes the filter plug, and extends from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position on the tobacco rod adjacent the rod end of the filter plug. The tipping paper is divided into first and second bands, the first band extending from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position overlying the rod-end band. The second band abuts the first band and overlaps and attaches the rod end of the filter plug to the abutting end of the tobacco rod.

US 4,526,183 discloses a variable dilution filter cigarette is provided which includes a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, an axially aligned, substantially cylindrical filter plug wrapped in a substantially air-permeable plug wrap, and a substantially air-permeable first layer of tipping paper which joins the filter plug to the tobacco rod. Circumscribing the first layer of tipping paper is a second layer of substantially air-impermeable tipping paper. The second layer has a circumferentially extending row of closely spaced perforations intermediate its two ends which divides it into a mouth-end sleeve attached to the first layer at the mouth end of the cigarette and a second rod-end sleeve detachable from the mouth-end sleeve.

EP 2033531 A1 relates to a smoking article with variable ventilation and in particular to a filter cigarette with variable ventilation comprising: a rod of smokeable material; a filter circumscribed by an air permeable filter wrapper; a rod end band of tipping paper attaching the rod to the filter; a mouth end band of tipping paper; and a substantially air impermeable sleeve disposed between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper. The sleeve overlies a portion of the filter wrapper and is moveable relative thereto between a first position and a second position, wherein the level of ventilation obtained in the first position is different to the level of ventilation obtained in the second position.

US 4700725A discloses a filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rod, a substantially cylindrical filter plug having a mouth end and a rod end open to the passage of air and smoke, plug wrapping circumscribing said filter plug, and tipping paper circumscribing and joining said filter plug and a portion of said tobacco rod, at least one of said plug wrapping and said tipping paper being substantially air-impermeable, said filter plug comprising a mouth-end segment axially connected to a rod-end segment for rotation about the axis of the cigarette, each of said segments having respective mouth and rod ends, said tipping paper having a first opening therein and said plug wrapping having a second opening therein underlying said first opening, said openings overlying one of said mouth-end and rod-end segments, such that rotation of said mouth-end segment relative to said rod-end segment varies the registry between the first and second openings for varying the air dilution value of said filter cigarette, said filter cigarette further comprising positive stop means for restricting the relative rotation of said segments to a desired rotational range.

Few such other patent documents are US 4,532,943, US 4,699,158, US 4,716,912 also disclose variable ventilation.

Similarly, WO2015/014610; WO2015135723, WO2016092295, WO/2016/092283, WO/2016/156223 also disclose variable ventilated smoking article.

Also a few Indian patent applications disclose variable ventilation such as 1894/CHENP/2015, 8389/CHENP/2014, 2165/CHENP/2014, 3828/DELNP/2007, 201747019745, 201747019812, 201747019778 and many more.
However, there still exists a need to provide a filter cigarette with variable ventilation having means to enable a consumer to more simply and easily select a desired level of ventilation.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking article with a variable ventilation having means to enable a consumer to more simply and easily select a desired level of ventilation e.g. from 2% to 50% ventilation in smoking article.

It is an object of this invention to provide a variable ventilation smoking article whereby the rod is rotatable along the axis both in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

It is an object of this invention to provide a variable ventilation smoking article in which the rotatable element is reversible.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article, comprising:
a rod of smokeable material;
a rotatable filter rod circumscribed by a plug wrap, abutting the rod of smokeable material, said filter rod comprises a rod end and a mouth end, and said filter rod containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and mouth end;
a rod end band of tipping paper attaching the rod of smokeable material to the rotatable filter;
a mouth end band of tipping paper having at least one circumferentially extending row of perforation proximal to the mouth end of the filter rod;
a middle band of tipping paper containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and the mouth end;
wherein said filter rod has an incision in the rod end proximal to the rod of smokeable material,
wherein the filter is rotated along the incision between at least one first position and at least one second position, such that the ventilation holes are differentially aligned at said positions.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting the ventilation comprises the steps of:
a. holding the mouth end of the filter rod;
b. rotating the filter rod in clock wise and/or anti clock wise direction;
wherein the ventilation is varied between 2 to 50% upon rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the smoking article in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the inner surface of the tipping paper and the filter rod of the smoking article.

Figure 3 illustrates the rotation of the filter rod leading to variable ventilation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smoking article with variable ventilation. The present invention particularly provides a filter cigarette with a rotatable filter providing variable ventilation.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products.

The term “rotatable” used in the specification is not limited only to “slidable”, “movable”, “twisted”, “tweaked”, “turnable” and the like and is extended to any action that affects the orientation of the filter, relative to its original position.

“Variable ventilation” as used herein refers to the level of air admitted to the filter of the smoking article during smoking and resulting in the dilution of the mainstream smoke. The greater the level of ventilation, the greater the air dilution of the mainstream smoke and lower the level of tar delivery to the consumer during smoking. The more the ventilation, the more is the dilution in the smoke.

As used herein, “tipping paper” is used alternatively for “PCT” or “printed cork tipping”.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and examples which should not be construed as limiting. The contents of all references, patents and published patent applications cited throughout this application are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The variable ventilation can be achieved by rotation of the smoking article between different positions. The different position of the rotatable filter will determine the level of the ventilation.

The present invention provides a smoking article comprising
a rod of smokeable material;
a rotatable filter rod circumscribed by a plug wrap, abutting the rod of smokeable material, said filter rod comprises a rod end and a mouth end, and said filter rod containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and mouth end;
a rod end band of tipping paper attaching the rod of smokeable material to the rotatable filter;
a mouth end band of tipping paper having at least one circumferentially extending row of perforation proximal to the mouth end of the filter rod;
a middle band of tipping paper containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and the mouth end;
wherein said filter rod has an incision in the rod end proximal to the rod of smokeable material,
wherein the filter is rotated along the incision between at least one first position and at least one second position, such that the ventilation holes are differentially aligned at said positions.

In one embodiment, the smoking article is a filter cigarette. The rod of smokeable material is a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod wrapped in a cigarette paper. The rod of the smokeable material is aligned with and joined end to end with a rotatable filter rod.

The rotatable filter rod is a similar to a conventional filter, which is cylindrical and abuts the rod of smokeable material. The filter rod is made of cellulose acetate. The rotatable filter rod is circumscribed by a plug wrap and comprises a rod end and mouth end.

As provided in the present invention, the rotatable filter rod has an incision in the rod end proximal to the rod of the smokeable material. The incision is in the form of grooves that permits the filter rod to rotate axially. The grooves do not extend up to the axis of the rotatable filter rod, preventing the portion of the filter rod below the incision to dislodge from the rest of the smoking article. When filter rod is rotated from mouth end, the rotation happens till the incision point in the filter rod. The filter remains in the rotated state as the force for it to gain back the normal shape is less than the friction between plug wrap and tipping paper to overcome it. In a preferred embodiment, the incision allows about 180-degree rotation of the filter rod along the axis both in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

The rotatable filter rod circumscribed by the plug wrap contains ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and mouth end of the filter rod. The ventilation holes are distributed around the circumference of the filter rod and present of about 5-50% of the area of the filter rod.

The rod of smokeable material and the rotatable filter rod circumscribed by the plug wrap has the same cross-sectional area and shape. The filter rod circumscribed by the plug wrap is joined to the rod of smokeable material by a tipping paper. The tipping paper is divided into three segments: a rod end band, a middle band and a mouth end band.

The rod end band of the tipping paper joins the rod of the smokeable material to the filter rod. The inner surface of the rod end band of the tipping paper is coated with an adhesive that attaches with the smokeable material and the rod end of the filter rod, joining the rod of smokeable material with the filter rod.

The middle band of the tipping paper is free of adhesive and remains loosely fitted over the rotatable filter rod to enable rotation of the filter rod. The middle band contains ventilation holes disposed between the rod end band and mouth end band. The ventilation holes are distributed around the circumference of the middle band of the tipping paper and present of about 5-50% of the area of the middle band.

The mouth end band of the tipping paper is coated with an adhesive on the inner surface and attaches with the rod end of the filter rod. The present invention provides that the mouth end band of tipping paper has at least one circumferentially extending row of perforation proximal to the mouth end of the filter rod.

As the filter rod is rotated, the at least one circumferentially extending row of perforation are broken and filter rod is rotated between at least one first position and at least one second position. In a preferred embodiment, the middle band of tipping paper has only one row of perforation.

As the filter rod is rotated between the at least one first position and the at least one second position, the ventilation holes in the tipping paper are in alignment with the ventilation holes in the underlying filter rod. The level of the ventilation obtained in the first position is different from the level of ventilation obtained in the second position. The variable ventilation is due to the difference in the degree of alignment between the ventilation holes.

The ventilation holes in the filter and the tipping paper can be in the form of a cut, a slit, and holes. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation holes are of same shape and size in both the filter and the tipping paper.

In a first embodiment, all the ventilation holes of the rotatable filter rod are in complete alignment with all the ventilation holes of the tipping paper, providing maximum ventilation. In a second embodiment, none of the ventilation holes of the rotatable filter rod are in alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper, providing least ventilation. In a third embodiment, the ventilation holes of the rotatable filter rod are in partial alignment, that is, some of the holes are in alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper, providing ventilation in between maximum and least ventilation.

In a different preferred embodiment, the ventilation holes are in the form of a cut and/or a slit. In an embodiment, the whole cut/slit of the rotatable filter rod are in complete alignment with the whole cut/slit of the tipping paper, providing maximum ventilation. In another embodiment, no part of cut/slit of the rotatable filter rod are in alignment with the cut/slit of the tipping paper, providing least ventilation. In yet another embodiment, the cut/slit of the rotatable filter rod are in partial alignment, that is, a part of cut/slit of the rotatable filter rod are in alignment with the cut/slit of the tipping paper, providing ventilation in between maximum and least ventilation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation of the smoking article can be varied from 2 to 50%. Initially the article is presented to the consumer at highest ventilation, which can be further reduced based on the need of consumer by rotating the filter element.

The present invention provides a method of adjusting the ventilation of the smoking article. The method of adjusting the ventilation comprises the steps of:
a. holding the mouth end of the filter rod;
b. rotating the filter rod from 0 to about 180 degrees in clock wise and/or anti clock wise direction;
wherein the ventilation is varied between 2% to 50% upon rotation.

As provided by the present invention, the consumer has to rotate the rotatable filter rod by holding the mouth end of the rotatable filter. On rotating, the rows of perforation on the mouth end band of the tipping paper break enabling the mouth end of the filter rod along with the mouth end band of the tipping paper to rotate. The rod end band and the middle band of the tipping paper remain intact while the filter rod rotates on the inside along the incision. On rotation of the filter rod, the ventilation holes on the filter rod and the middle band of the tipping paper come in varying degrees of alignment to provide variable ventilation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the method provides varied ventilation between 2% to 50% upon rotation.

The present invention provides a filtered smoking article with varied ventilation which allows the consumer to adjust the filter to a desired dilution level without looking-e.g., at night and/or low/dim light conditions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the smoking article is provided with a flavor delivery agent. Preferably, the flavor delivery agent is in the form of a capsule. The flavor delivery capsule is embedded inside the rotatable filter rod.

The flavour or flavorants may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder which is soluble in oil. 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 consumption. The flavorants are further selected from the group consisting of vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, eucalyptus, strawberry, extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, nicotine, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, coconut oil, 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, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents and the like.

The consumer has to break the capsule for the generation of the flavor along with rotating the filter rod, to achieve both variable ventilation along with variable amount of flavor delivery when smoking.

Description of preferred embodiments with exemplary drawings

Henceforth, embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with the help of exemplary diagrams and one or more examples. However, such exemplary diagrams and examples are provided for the illustration purpose for better understanding of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limitation on scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 depicts the smoking article (1) comprising of a rod of smokeable material (2) and a rotatable filter rod circumscribed by a plug wrap (3). The figure shows the row of perforation (5) on the tipping paper and ventilation holes (6) on the tipping paper. The incision of the filter rod (4) as shown in the figure is not visible from outside. The middle band of the tipping paper (7) as shown in the figure is devoid of any adhesive.

Figure 2 depicts the smoking article (1) where the filter circumscribed by a plug wrap (3) is not covered by the tipping paper (8). It is clear from the figure that the incision (4) is on the filter rod which is no visible from outside. The perforations (5) as seen from the figure are present only on the tipping paper (8). The ventilation holes (6) are present on both, the tipping paper (6a) and the filter rod (6b).

Figure 3 shows the different positions of the ventilation holes on the tipping paper and the rotatable filter rod. The different positions are achieved by the rotation of the filter rod which lead to variable ventilation of the smoking article. The inner circle in the figure depicts the filter rod whereas the outer circle depicts the tipping paper. In the first position as shown in the figure, the ventilation holes of the filter rod are in alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper. Thus, the first position provides full ventilation. In the second position, the ventilation holes of the filter rod are in partial alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper providing partial ventilation. In the third position, the ventilation holes of the filter rod are not in alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper which result in zero ventilation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided a smoking article (1) comprising a rod of smokeable material (2) and a rotatable filter rod circumscribed by a plug wrap (3) as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The consumer has to rotate the rotatable filter rod by holding the mouth end of the rotatable filter. On rotating, the row of perforation (5) on the mouth end band of the tipping paper break enabling the mouth end of the filter rod along with the mouth end band of the tipping paper to rotate. The rod end band and the middle band of the tipping paper remain intact while the filter rod rotates on the inside along the incision (4) on the filter rod. On rotation of the filter rod, the ventilation holes (6) on the filter rod (6a) and the middle band of the tipping paper (6b) come in varying degrees of alignment to provide variable ventilation as shown in Figure 3. In the first position that provides maximum ventilation, the ventilation holes of the filter rod (6b) are in complete alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper (6a). In the second position, the ventilation holes of the filter rod (6b) are in partial alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper (6a) providing partial ventilation. In the third position, the ventilation holes of the filter rod (6b) are not in alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper (6a) which result in zero ventilation.

Examples
Determination of ventilation provided by the smoking article

The degree of ventilation or smoke dilution provided by the smoking article was determined. The experiments were conducted based on the ventilation (both open and closed) to achieve the results. Open/high ventilation is provided when the ventilation holes of the filter rod are in complete alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper whereas closed/low ventilation is provided when the ventilation holes of the filter rod are not alignment with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper. Any other alignment of the ventilation holes of the filter rod with the ventilation holes of the tipping paper provides a ventilation which is in between the open and closed ventilation.

For the purpose of the experiment, the smoking article was provided in the high ventilation configuration and then the configuration was changed to the reduced ventilation. The degree of ventilation obtained in the high ventilation configuration and reduced ventilation configuration are provide in Table 1 below. The ventilation data is measured through Cerulean QTM-quality testing modules which is widely used in the tobacco industry.

Table 1: Degree of ventilation at different configurations

Parameters High ventilation Low/Reduced ventilation
Ventilation average (batch size 10 cigarettes) 50.49¬+ 2.4 2.02¬+ 1.82
Ventilation range 45.1-54.1 4.4 - 0.33
Ventilation SD 2.4 1.8

The results show that when the ventilation is high (open ventilation) the ventilation values fall in the range of 45.1-54.1, resulting in a mean value of 50.49+ 2.4 which means, the smoke dilution value with regard to “high ventilation” falls in a range of 50.49+2.4 = 52.89 or 50.49-2.4=48.09 whereas for the low/reduced ventilation (closed ventilation) the ventilation values fall in the range of 4.4-0.33, resulting in a mean value of 2.02¬+1.82, meaning the smoke dilution value with regard to “low ventilation” falls in a range of 2.02+1.8=3.82 or 2.02-1.8= 0.22.

The present invention represents about two levels of ventilation (high and low), and also the data supporting the same viz., high ventilation option results in 50.49+2.4 and low ventilation option resulting in 2.02¬+ 1.82 in a single product (smoking article).

More precisely, the present invention concerns the arrangement/design of the filter element with ventilation option wherein the user is enabled to regulate the ventilation so that it reflects the desired smoke dilution which ranges between 2 to 50%.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which the claims are entitled.

CLAIMS:-

1. A smoking article, comprising:
a rod of smokeable material;
a rotatable filter rod circumscribed by a plug wrap, abutting the rod of smokeable material, said filter rod comprises a rod end and a mouth end, and said filter rod containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and mouth end;
a rod end band of tipping paper attaching the rod of smokeable material to the rotatable filter;
a mouth end band of tipping paper having at least one circumferentially extending row of perforation proximal to the mouth end of the filter rod;
a middle band of tipping paper containing ventilation holes disposed between the rod end and the mouth end;
wherein said filter rod has an incision in the rod end proximal to the rod of smokeable material,
wherein the filter is rotated along the incision between at least one first position and at least one second position, such that the ventilation holes are differentially aligned at said positions.

2. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation holes are present of about 10 to 50%, preferably about 40% of area of the filter rod.

3. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod end band of the tipping paper is coated with an adhesive on inner surface that attaches with the rod of smokeable material and the rod end of the filter rod.

4. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle band of the tipping paper is free of adhesive and remains loosely fitted over the rotatable filter rod to enable rotation of the filter rod.

5. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mouth end band of the tipping paper is coated with an adhesive on inner surface that attaches with the rod end of the filter rod.

6. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation holes are present of about 10 to 50%, preferably of about 40% of area of the middle band of tipping paper.

7. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation is varied between 2 to 50% upon rotation.

8. The smoking article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoking article optionally comprises a flavor delivery agent embedded in the rotatable filter.

9. A method of adjusting the ventilation comprises the steps of:
a. holding the mouth end of the filter rod;
b. rotating the filter rod in clock wise and/or anti clock wise direction;
wherein the ventilation is varied between 2 to 50% upon rotation.