WO2013127810A1

WO2013127810A1 - A flow control device for a smoking article

Info

Publication number: WO2013127810A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/053846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Bailey; David Russell
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-27
Filing date: 2013-02-27
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: GB201203320D0

Abstract

A flow control device controls flow of a smoke aerosol to the user and flavours it selectively with flavourant from a body of flavourant material that has an exterior surface to release the flavourant. First and second members 7,8 are moveable relative to one another between a first position in which the aerosol sweeps over the surface of the flavourant material to entrain flavourant released from the flavourant material, and a second position in which at least some of the aerosol passes through the device without sweeping over the surface of the flavourant material.

Description

A flow control device for a smoking article Field

In this specification there is described a flow control device for a smoking article to control flow of an aerosol for example smoke, to be imparted with a flavourant.

Background

A cigarette with a rotatable section that allows smoke to pass to the user either directly or through a material impregnated with menthol to impart a flavourant, is described in EP 0 317 154. The smoke is drawn through semi- cylindrical passageways that are selectable by axial rotation of the section. The passageways have substantially different impedances to flow since one of them is empty and the other contains the menthol impregnated material and so the resistance to drawing smoke experienced by the user varies according to the angle of rotation of the section.

Summary

In this specification there are described embodiments of an inventive flow control device for a smoking article to control flow of an aerosol therefrom, comprising an inlet and an outlet for the aerosol, a body of flavourant material, the body having an exterior surface to release a flavourant into the aerosol, and first and second members rotatable relative to one another between a first position in which the aerosol sweeps over the surface of the flavourant material when passing from the inlet to the outlet to entrain flavourant released from the flavourant material, and a second position in which at least some of the aerosol passes from the inlet to the outlet without sweeping over the surface of the flavourant material.

The device can be configured so that the proportion of the flow of aerosol from the inlet to the outlet that passes over the surface of the flavourant material progressively changes as the members are moved between the first and second positions. Since the aerosol can be swept over an exterior surface of the flavourant material rather than being drawn through it, the resistance to drawing aerosol through the device can be arranged to be substantially the same in the first and section positions of the members.

Brief description of the drawings

The embodiments of a flow control device will now be described in more detail by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article incorporating a first

embodiment of flow control device;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a partially broken away perspective view of the flow control device shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the flow control device;

Figure 5A illustrates the flow control device of Figures 1 to 3 from the mouth end when in a first position in which smoke is drawn over flavourant material;

Figure 5B corresponds to Figure 5A in which the device is rotated to an intermediate position in which some of the flow of smoke can flow directly to the user without passing over the flavourant material;

Figure 5C corresponds to Figure 5A when the device is rotated to a second position in which all of the smoke flows directly to the user without passing over the flavourant material;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a smoking article incorporating a second embodiment of flow device;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, perspective, partially broken away view of the second embodiment of flow device;

Figure 8 is an exploded view in perspective of the major components of the flow device shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 illustrates a first member of the flow device shown in Figure 8 with a body of flavourant material;

Figure 10 shows the device of Figures 8 and 9 when assembled; Figure 11A illustrates the flow control device of Figures 7-10 when in the first position where the smoke receives flavourant;

Figure 11B corresponds to Figure 11 A in an intermediate position; and

Figure 11 C corresponds to Figure 11A when the device is in a second position in which smoke passes directly to the user without receiving flavourant.

Detailed description

Referring to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 -5, a smoking article 1 in the form of a cigarette comprises an aerosol generating device 2, in this example a combustible rod of tobacco or tobacco like material, provided with a filter 3 through which a user can draw smoke. The filter may be of any suitable design, for example cellulose acetate tow in a plug wrap. The filter may include additives or multiple sections of different materials.

A flow control device 4 is provided on mouthpiece end 5 of the smoking article 1 to selectively control flow of smoke to the user. The flow control device 4 includes first and second bodies of flavourant material 6-1 , 6-2 and by rotation of the control device 4, the user can select the amount of flavourant that is imparted into the smoke.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the flow control device comprises first and second generally tubular members 7, 8 that are mounted for relative rotation on common axis X-X'. The first member 7 has a peripheral flange 9 that is rotatably and slidably received within the second member 8 such that the members 7, 8 are contiguously arranged.

Considering the first member 7 in more detail, it includes a cylindrical outer wall 10, an axial rod 11 and fins 12-15 which extend radially from the rod 11 to the outer wall 10 so as to divide the interior into sectors, in this example four quadrant sectors S1 -S4. The sector SI acts as a receptacle for the body of flavourant material 6-1 and the diametrically opposed sector S3 constitutes a receptacle for the body of flavourant material 6-2. The sector SI is closed at one end by a base 17 that extends between the fins 12 and 13 and the part of the sidewall 10 within the sector SI . The fin 13 has an edge 18 which is inclined to the axis X-X' to provide a re-entrant region through which smoke can flow from the sector S2 into sector SI as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. The body of flavourant material 6-1 is of a shape to fit snugly within the receptacle provided by the sector SI and has an inclined exterior surface 19 which has an edge generally coextensive with the re-entrant edge 18 of fin 13.

The sector S3 is similarly configured to provide a receptacle that receives the body of flavourant material 6-2 which is of same shape as the body of material 6-1.

The sector S2 includes an opening 20 that receives smoke from the filter 3 and the sector acts as an interior passageway through which smoke can pass to the user. The sector S4 is configured in a similar fashion with opening 21 to receive smoke from filter 3.

Considering the second member 8, it is similarly arranged in four sectors S5-S8 which can be selectively aligned with sectors of the member 7 by rotation about the axis X-X'. Sectors S6 and S8 include openings 22, 23 that act as outlets for the smoke.

The sector S5 includes a radial fin 24 that protrudes in the axial direction and has an inclined edge 25 that can be aligned in close contact with inclined edge 18 of fin 13 of the first member 7. The sector S5 also includes an inclined surface 26 that is configured to fit closely over the inclined surface 19 of the body of flavourant material 6-1. The sector S7 includes a similar arrangement with radial fin 27 and inclined surface 28 configured to fit over the exterior surface of the body of flavourant material 6-2. In use, the second member 8 can be configured in a first rotary position relative to member 7 as illustrated in Figure 5A. In such a configuration, smoke can enter the opening 20 in sector S2 of the first member 7, pass around the fin 24 and surface 26 which, in the first position, are disposed in the second quadrant S2 so that smoke can be drawn through the outlet 22 in sector S8 after having been swept across the exterior surface 19 of the body of flavourant material 6-1.

In this way, flavourant is imparted into the flow of smoke supplied to the user through outlet 22. Similarly, smoke can be drawn through sector S4 of the first member 7 to pass over the exterior surface of the second body material 6-2 in sector S3 and be drawn by the user through outlet 23 in sector S6.

When the second member 8 is rotated into the position shown in Figure 5B, the outlet 23 becomes partially aligned with inlet 20 so that some of the smoke can pass directly to the user through the sector S2. Similarly, smoke can pass through sector S4 into outlet 22. Thus, the amount of flavourant imparted into the smoke flow is decreased proportionately with the angle of rotation of the member 8 relative to member 7 but the resistance to draw for the user can remain

substantially the same for substantially all operational angles of rotation.

In Figure 5C, the member 8 has been rotated fully to a second stop position in which the outlet 21 becomes fully aligned with inlet 20 and similarly, the inlet in sector S4 becomes aligned with outlet 22 so that the smoke can pass directly through the flow control device without receiving any flavourant. Also, the inclined surface 24 overlies the inclined surface 19 of the body of flavourant material 6-1 completely.

When manufactured and supplied in packs to the user, the smoking article may be supplied with the first and second members 7, 8 in the second position shown in Figure 5C since, in this configuration, the flavourant material 6-1, 6-2 is fully encapsulated by the device, with the inclined surface 26 of the second member 8 overlying the corresponding inclined surface 19 of the body of flavourant material 6-1 , which reduces the rate that the flavourant dissipates from the body of material 6-1. Similar comments apply to the arrangement of surface 28 and the body 6-2 of flavourant material. In order to improve the encapsulation, a sealing medium such as a wax or oil may be applied during manufacture between the inclined surfaces 26 and 19 so as to provide a seal which prevents or reduces the release of flavourant prior to smoking. The seal may be broken by the user twisting the members 7 and 8 relative to one another as previously described or the sealing material may be heat sensitive so that the seal becomes broken by the heat of the cigarette when lit by the user.

Conveniently, the body of flavourant material 6-1 , 6-2 may comprise cellulose acetate tow impregnated with liquid menthol. However, it will be appreciated that other flavourants may be used along with different supporting matrices. It will be seen that the smoke is caused to sweep over the surface 19 of the body of flavourant material 6-1 rather than being forced to flow through the body of material itself. In this way, the impedance to smoke flow does not vary

significantly upon rotation of the device between the first and second rotary positions shown in Figures 5A and 5C and so there is negligible difference in the resistance to draw smoke through the device for the user.

The flow control device 4 may be attached to the filter 3 shown in Figure 2 by means of tipping paper 29 which may also locate the filter onto the tobacco rod 2. The tipping paper may be provided with a circumferential line of weakness (not shown in Fig. 1 or 2) in the region of coupling between the first and second members 7, 8 to allow the members to be initially held in the second position shown in Figure 5C, after which the user may break the tipping paper along the line of weakness by twisting, so as to allow rotation of the second member 8. In this way, the strength of flavourant provided into the smoke can be adjusted selectively during use. A second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 to 11. Referring to Figure 6, a smoking article 1 includes a tobacco rod 2 filter 3 and a flow control device 30 assembled together in a similar fashion to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The flow control device 30 includes a first member 31 that cooperates with a second member 32 that can be rotated so as to control the amount of smoke which passes over an exposed surface of a body of flavourant containing material comprising a cylindrical plug 33 for example of tow that is impregnated with menthol.

The menthol plug 33 is received within a cylindrical receptacle 34 having a generally cylindrical receptacle wall 35 that is coaxial with common axis X-X'. The receptacle 34 is coupled by four radial spokes 36 to a circular rim 37. The spaces between the spokes 36 provide inlets 38-1 , 38-2, 38-3 and 38-4 for smoke from the filter. Windows 39-1 , 39-2 are formed in the cylindrical receptacle wall 35 to expose respective parts of the cylindrical surface of the plug 33 of flavourant material.

The second member 32 includes a generally cylindrical outer wall 40, an inner cylindrical coupling member 41 with an inner end wall 42 which includes two quadrants that provide openings 43-1 , 43-2 for smoke that passes through the first member 31. The inner cylindrical coupling includes an end cap 44 to cover the end of the flavourant plug 33. The inner cylindrical coupling member 41 also includes openings 45-1 , 45-2 that can be selectively aligned by rotation with the windows 39-1 , 39-2 to release flavourant into the passing smoke and also to shield the windows 39 from smoke passing through the device to prevent the release of flavourant. In use, when the second member 32 is in a first position relative to member 31 as illustrated in Figure 11 A, smoke can pass through the inlets 38-1 , 38-3 and sweep over the open windows 39-1 , 39-2, which are unshielded by coupling member 41 so that the smoke is imparted with flavourant as it sweeps over the exposed surface of menthol plug 33. When the member 32 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 11B, the inlets 38-1 and 38-3 become partially closed by the end wall 42 of the second member 32 and the openings 43-1 , 43-2 becomes partially aligned with the inlets 38-2 and 38-4. Also, the windows 39 become partially shielded by the inner coupling member 41. Thus, the same amount of resistance to draw is presented by the device but less of the smoke is exposed to the menthol providing plug 33 since smaller areas of the windows 39 are exposed to the smoke. In a position shown in Figure 11 C, the second member 32 is being rotated to a final, second position in which the inlets 38-2, 38-4 become fully open and the coupling member 41 shields the windows 39 so that no menthol is released into the smoke. As with the first embodiment, in the second position, the flavourant plug 33 is fully covered and so the loss of menthol over time is reduced. Also a sealing medium such as a wax or oil may be applied during manufacture to the underside of the coupling member 41 so as to provide a seal over the windows 39 which prevents or reduces the release of flavourant prior to smoking, the seal being breakable on rotation of the first and second members 31 , 32.

Many modifications and variations of the described embodiments are possible. For example although the described examples relate to smoking articles in the form a of a cigarette that produces aerosol in the form of smoke, the flow control devices can be used with other forms of smoking article and the term as used herein includes cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn and other aerosol generating products.

Also, flavourants other than menthol can used and 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., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

Furthermore a supporting matrix for the body of flavourant material can be other than the described example of cellulose acetate tow. For some flavourants, a separate supporting matrix is not needed. The body of flavourant material need not necessarily be solid but could be colloidal or a jelly or a contained liquid.

Also, the flavour of the aerosol may be altered during its passage over the flavourant material by selectively removing constituents from the aerosol. For example, in the case of tobacco smoke, the flavourant material may contain activated carbon or other adsorbents which adsorb particular constituents of the smoke.

The flavouring effect of the flavourant material may be enhanced by increasing the surface area that is exposed to the passing aerosol as compared with the examples shown in the drawings and also the time that aerosol is exposed to the surface of the flavourant material as it passes to the user, e.g. by reducing the velocity of the aerosol. For example, a greater number of segments containing flavourant material may be included as compared with the embodiment shown is Figures 1 to 5. Also, the aerosol may be diverted by baffles and the like to move in a serpentine path to increase the time it is exposed to the surface of the flavourant material. It will furthermore be understood that features of the described embodiments may be used and combined together or substituted without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims hereinafter.

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 a flow control device for a smoking article to control flow of an aerosol,. 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 flow control device for a smoking article to control flow of an aerosol, comprising an inlet and an outlet for the aerosol, a body of flavourant material, the body having an exterior surface to release a flavourant into the aerosol, and first and second members moveable relative to one another between a first position in which the aerosol sweeps over the surface of the flavourant material when passing from the inlet to the outlet to entrain flavourant released from the flavourant material, and a second position in which at least some of the aerosol passes from the inlet to the outlet without sweeping over the surface of the flavourant material.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the proportion of the flow of aerosol from the inlet to the outlet that passes over the exterior surface of the flavourant material progressively changes as the members are moved between the first and second positions.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first and second members are mounted for relative rotation about a common axis between said first and second positions and are configured to provide an interior path for the aerosol from the inlet to the outlet, the first member including a receptacle that receives the flavourant material, and the second member including a shield arrangement so configured that in the first position the aerosol can sweep over the surface of the flavourant material and in the second position the shield arrangement shields the flavourant material surface such as to at least partially impede the flow of aerosol over the surface.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the shield arrangement comprises a baffle to divert of the flow of aerosol over the surface of the flavourant material in the first position.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the first member includes plurality of sectors disposed around the common axis, at least one of which comprises the receptacle that receives the flavourant material, and at least another of said sectors providing a portion of said interior path extending inwardly from the inlet, and the second member including at least one baffle plate lying substantially in a plane extending in the direction of the common axis so that when rotated to the second position the baffle plate abuts the receptacle so as to prevent aerosol flowing in the interior path from sweeping over the surface of the flavourant material.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second members include respective, abutting, generally cylindrical walls with their axes in alignment to provide said common axis, the sector in the first member that receives the flavourant material comprising first and second radially extending fins and a base extending between the cylindrical wall of the first member and the fins, one of the fins having a re-entrant region to permit aerosol to flow from the next adjacent sector over the surface of the flavourant material when said members are in the first position, and the second member including a radially extending baffle plate which diverts aerosol to sweep over the surface of the flavourant material in the first position and covers the re-entrant region in the second position.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the second member includes at least one open sector to provide said outlet and at least one closed sector configured so that when in the first position, the open sector is aligned with the receptacle in the first member to allow aerosol passing over the surface of the flavourant material to pass through the outlet, and the closed sector is aligned with said sector of the first member that provides the interior path so as to divert the aerosol flow over the surface of the flavourant material.

8. A device according to claim 3 wherein the receptacle for the flavourant material in the first member comprises a generally cylindrical receptacle wall extending along said common axis, and a window in the cylindrical wall to reveal the surface of the flavourant material, and the second member includes a cylindrical shield member which in the second position overlies the window to prevent aerosol flow from sweeping over the surface of the flavourant material, but on movement to the second position reveals the surface for exposure to the aerosol.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the cylindrical shield member includes an aperture to be aligned with the window in the first position.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein all surfaces of the flavourant material are covered to control release of flavourant when said members are in the second position.

11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the flavourant material comprises a matrix impregnated with a flavourant.

12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the flavourant comprises menthol.

13. A smoking article incorporating a flow control device as claimed in any preceding claim.

14. A smoking device according to claim 13 including a filter for the aerosol, wherein the flow control device is operable to control the flow of aerosol after having been filtered by the filter.

15. A smoking article according to claim 12 or 13 including a rod of combustible material for providing the aerosol.

16. A smoking article according to 12, 13 or 14 wherein the resistance to drawing aerosol through the device is substantially the same in the first and section positions of said members.