Layer structure containing thermochromic or ph-sensitive substances

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating consumer product (1) at least comprising a filter (3), an aerosol-generating substrate and a mouthpiece-covering material (5), which surrounds at least a partial region of the filter (3) and has an upper face forming at least part of the surface of the aerosol-generating consumer product (1), wherein the aerosol-generating consumer product (1) has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance in the region of the mouthpiece-covering material (5).

Description

[0001] LAYER STRUCTURE WITH THERMOCHROMIC OR PH-SENSITIVE SUBSTANCES

[0002] The invention relates to a layer structure of an aerosol-generating consumer article, such as a tobacco product, a filter cigarette or a heat-not-bum article with thermochromic colors or pH-sensitive colors.

[0003] A thermochromic color is a color that reacts with a color change (change in brightness, color saturation and / or hue) when the temperature changes or when a temperature threshold is exceeded.

[0004] pH-sensitive colors are colors that react to the pH value of a liquid upon contact by changing or establishing a color (change in brightness, color saturation, and / or hue) depending on the pH value. A change in appearance can occur at any possible pH value, or when a pH threshold is exceeded or exceeded.

[0005] CN 209346082 U relates to a filter provided with a transparent casing material. The filter has a cavity filled with particulate material. The particles are coated with a color-changing substance that changes color due to temperature or pH changes. The application of the color-changing substance is thus limited to the particles inside the filter. The effect on the color-changing substance occurs during use via the heated gases passed through the filter.

[0006] EP 3818877 A1 relates to a casing material for a heat-not-bum article (for use with a heat-not-bum device) provided with a thermochromatic material. The color change occurs due to heating by the device when the article is inserted.

[0007] CN 210684333 U relates to a wrapping material with a print and a hot-stamping foil. The hot-stamping foil contains thermochromatic material. When heated by lighting the cigarette, the appearance of the hot-stamping foil changes to visually complement / complement the print.

[0008] DE 202008015292 Ul mentions that a transparent wrapping material can be provided with a thermochromic ink to make the printing on the inside visible when the temperature increases due to smoking.

[0009] EP 3772250 B1 relates to a casing material for a heat-not-bum article (for use with a heat-not-bum device) provided with a thermochromatic material. The color change occurs due to heating by the device when the article is inserted.

[0010] CN 209489501 U relates to a casing material for a heat-not-bum article (for use with a heat-not-bum device) that is coated with a thermochromatic material. The color change occurs due to heating by the device when the article is inserted. The object underlying the invention is to provide an aerosol-generating consumer article that undergoes a targeted change in its external appearance during use, particularly upon contact.

[0011] To solve the problem, an aerosol-generating consumer article according to claim 1 is proposed.

[0012] In one embodiment, an aerosol-generating consumer article is proposed, comprising at least a filter, an aerosol-generating substrate and a mouthpiece wrapping material enclosing at least a partial region of the filter, which mouthpiece wrapping material has an upper surface which forms at least a part of the surface of the aerosol-generating consumer article, wherein the aerosol-generating consumer article has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance in the region of the mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0013] An aerosol-generating consumer article with thermochromic colors, as defined in this document, is an article that, when heated, develops or changes at least one externally visible or detectable feature. Heating can occur through contact with a user's skin or through heating the aerosol-generating consumer article during use. Use can occur by burning a conventional filter cigarette or other smoking product. Use can occur by heating in a heat-not-bum device.

[0014] An aerosol-generating consumer article with pH-sensitive colors, as defined in this document, is an article that, when the pH-sensitive colors come into contact with a liquid or human skin, develops or changes an externally visible or detectable characteristic, with a connection between the change in the characteristic and the pH value of the liquid or skin. This serves, in particular, to distinguish it from colors that change their appearance upon contact with a liquid or skin regardless of the pH value.

[0015] pH-sensitive substances are known in the art. An example of a pH-sensitive substance is tetrabromotetrachlorofluorescein. The skilled person is able to select a suitable pH-sensitive substance or mixture thereof depending on the desired color and the desired pH threshold or transition range.

[0016] Thermochromic substances, particularly in the form of thermochromic pigments and thermochromic printing inks, are known in the art. The skilled person is able to select a suitable thermochromic substance or mixture thereof depending on the desired color and the desired temperature threshold or transition range.

[0017] In one embodiment, it is proposed to transfer thermochromic or pH-sensitive dyes, whose use in the food sector is recognized as safe, to this different technical field and / or to integrate the thermochromic or pH-sensitive dyes into the layer structure of the aerosol-generating consumer article in such a way that they are protected against direct contact and other external influences. In one embodiment, it is proposed to provide an aerosol-generating consumer article with features that are not visible prior to use and only become visible upon exposure to heat or contact with a liquid or skin, or to provide it with features that change their appearance upon exposure to heat or contact with a liquid or skin.In one embodiment, it is proposed to apply thermochromic or pH-sensitive paints, which are colorless or whose color corresponds to the surface on which they are applied.

[0018] In one variant, thermochromic colors are applied which undergo a permanent color change when heated above a certain temperature threshold.

[0019] In one embodiment, pH-sensitive inks are applied that undergo a permanent color change upon contact with a liquid or skin, with at least one characteristic, in particular brightness, color saturation, and / or hue, of the color change depending on the pH value of the liquid or skin. In another embodiment, pH-sensitive inks are applied whose appearance reacts with a further change in appearance upon a second contact with a liquid or a pH change of the liquid or skin.

[0020] In one embodiment, thermochromic inks are applied, which undergo a continuous change in appearance within a temperature range, so that the extent of the change depends on the temperature. The temperature range preferably includes room temperature and human body temperature. The temperature range can, for example, include a range from 0°C to 40°C, or be limited to this temperature range or a narrower sub-range. The thermochromic ink can be selected so that no further change occurs at a temperature below or above the temperature range.

[0021] In one embodiment, pH-sensitive colors are applied, which experience a continuous change in appearance within a specific pH range, so that the extent of the change depends on the pH level. The pH range preferably covers the possible pH range of human skin. The pH range can, for example, include a range from pH 4.5 to pH 7.5, or be limited to this pH range or a narrower sub-range. The pH-sensitive color can be selected so that no further change occurs at a pH value below or above the pH range.

[0022] In another variant, thermochromic inks are applied which only experience a color change when heated above a certain temperature threshold and then return to their original state when cooled below this or a further temperature threshold.

[0023] The temperature threshold can range from 20°C to 150°C at any given point. Thermochromic inks can also exhibit more than two states, meaning that at least two temperature thresholds exist, above or below which a change in appearance occurs. The change in appearance can be either permanent or reversible at each of the thresholds.

[0024] In one version, several different thermochromic colors are present in the layer structure, which have different temperature threshold values.

[0025] In one embodiment, several different pH-sensitive colors are present in the layer structure, which react differently to a pH value, in particular pH-sensitive colors whose properties differ from one another upon contact with a liquid or skin, particularly in terms of color. In one embodiment, at least two areas with different pH-sensitive colors are present on the exterior of the aerosol-generating consumer article. These colors are indistinguishable from one another in their initial state and react differently upon contact with a liquid.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one thermochromic ink and one pH-sensitive ink are present. In another embodiment, a ink is present that is both thermochromic and pH-sensitive.

[0027] A thermochromic ink and a pH-sensitive ink can be present on top of each other in the same area of ​​the aerosol-generating consumer article. A thermochromic ink and a pH-sensitive ink can be present in different, non-overlapping areas of the aerosol-generating consumer article. A thermochromic ink and a pH-sensitive ink can be present in a common plane or location of the aerosol-generating consumer article. A thermochromic ink and a pH-sensitive ink can be present in different planes or locations of the aerosol-generating consumer article.

[0028] The combination of a thermochromic ink and a pH-sensitive ink has the advantage that the appearance of the aerosol-generating consumer product can be changed depending on the temperature and pH parameters, making the resulting effect more difficult to predict and imitate, thus further increasing counterfeit security. For example, a feature can be designed in such a way that it is only visible within a certain temperature and pH range.

[0029] The thermochromic colors or pH-sensitive colors can be in the form of symbols, logos, lines or markings, for example.

[0030] Preferably, the appearance changes from invisible to visible when a temperature threshold is exceeded or when there is contact with a liquid or skin.

[0031] In another variant, the appearance changes from a first color to a second color, which differs in shade, when a temperature threshold is exceeded or when there is contact with a liquid or skin.

[0032] Black and white are also considered colors here. The temperature threshold is preferably selected so that the printing with the thermochromic inks is invisible under normal ambient conditions or has a primary appearance and only becomes visible or has a secondary appearance when the aerosol-generating consumer article is heated during use. Heating can occur by consuming a conventional cigarette or by heating an aerosol-generating consumer article in a heat-not-bum device.

[0033] The pH-sensitive ink is preferably selected such that the printing with the pH-sensitive ink is not visible under normal ambient conditions or has a first appearance and becomes visible or has a second appearance upon use of the aerosol-generating consumer article through contact with the user's skin, in particular the lips or fingers.

[0034] In one variant, a thermochromic or pH-sensitive ink or substance is used, which is applied as, on, in, or under the yellow imitation cork (yellowish base paper or printing) of the mouthpiece of filter cigarettes. The thermochromic or pH-sensitive ink or substance can be yellow, brown, black, or red in particular and serve as a component of a color of the imitation cork printing that is mixed from several pigments. In one embodiment, areas of the imitation cork printing with thermochromic or pH-sensitive ink or substance do not differ from other areas of the imitation cork printing that do not contain a pH-sensitive ink or substance.

[0035] In one variant, a varnish containing a thermochromic pigment or pH-sensitive pigment is applied as the outermost or final layer to a finished filter cigarette or a finished mouthpiece wrapper material, with the advantage that no further layer is applied over the printing which could influence or wash it out.

[0036] Preferably, a mixture of pigment and varnish, which is colorless at room temperature, is applied as the outermost or final layer to a finished aerosol-generating consumer article or a finished mouthpiece wrapper material. This has the advantage that no further layer is applied over the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print, which could influence or blur it. The pigment is a thermochromic and / or pH-sensitive pigment. The mixture can contain several different pigments selected from thermochromic pigments, pH-sensitive pigments, and other pigments, such as color pigments or effect pigments, that are not thermochromic or pH-sensitive.

[0037] Non-food-safe thermochromic or pH-sensitive prints can be used if they are integrated into the layer structure of the aerosol-generating consumer article in such a way that they are reliably protected against contact with the substances.

[0038] An advantage over the prior art is the fact that the tobacco products in question are safe to use and consume, and that the appearance of the aerosol-generating consumer article prior to heating and / or use can appear unchanged compared to a conventional aerosol-generating consumer article. Applications according to the invention include the application of thermochromic or pH-sensitive colors to enable a change in appearance during consumption, or the application of thermochromic or pH-sensitive colors to increase the counterfeit security, identifiability, or information content of the tobacco product.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances are dissolved in a suitable solvent and then mixed with lacquer or dispersed in lacquer and subsequently applied or printed onto the aerosol-generating consumer article or one of its layers. The solvent and lacquer are preferably colorless and preferably transparent. The lacquer can also be additionally colored with non-thermochromic or non-pH-sensitive pigments or printing inks. The lacquer containing thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances is applied or printed, for example, using a gravure printing process or another known printing process. The lacquer is preferably nitrocellulose lacquer, which has been tested for use on mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0040] In one embodiment, the material, in particular the paper, to which the pH-sensitive substance is applied is pre-treated in order to adjust the pH value of the material. This is done because the pH value of this material, in particular the paper, can also trigger a color change in the pH-sensitive print or the pH-sensitive varnish. In one embodiment, the material, in particular the paper, is provided with a pre-coating which is either acidic or basic before the pH-sensitive print or the pH-sensitive varnish is applied. The pre-coating results in a pH value which is below or above the pH threshold value of the pH-sensitive substance, whereby the threshold value is only exceeded or undershot after contact with the skin or a liquid. Acids are suitable as acidic pre-coatings, in particular food-grade acids such as citric acid or fruit acid.Calcium carbonate, for example, is a suitable basic substance. Another option is to ensure during the production of the material, especially when producing a base paper, that its pH value is below or above the pH threshold of the pH-sensitive substance, for example, by using calcium carbonate as a filler or by not using calcium carbonate at all.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, a separating layer is present between the material and the pH-sensitive substance, preventing any influence of substances in the material on the pH-sensitive substance. The separating layer can be a film or a varnish layer. The separating layer can be acidic, basic, or neutral. In another embodiment, the printing ink or varnish containing the pH-sensitive substance can contain an acidic or basic substance.

[0042] In a further embodiment, a layer containing thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances, in particular a film doped with thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances, is provided on or in the aerosol-generating consumer article. The thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances are preferably enclosed or incorporated in the polymer framework of a plastic film.

[0043] In a further embodiment, a three-dimensional object containing the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances is placed inside the aerosol-generating consumer article.

[0044] In one embodiment, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is present below the upper surface of the mouthpiece wrapping material, wherein the mouthpiece wrapping material has an opening in at least one region of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance or is designed as a translucent or transparent film, so that this at least one region is visible from the outside of the aerosol-generating consumer article.

[0045] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece wrap material or an intermediate portion of the mouthpiece wrap material is translucent or transparent and the aerosol-generating consumer article comprises at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance beneath the mouthpiece wrap material or its intermediate portion.

[0046] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece wrapping material has at least one opening or perforations, and the aerosol-generating consumer article has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance below at least one opening or perforation. In one embodiment, at least one opening or perforation is closed by a translucent or transparent material.

[0047] In one embodiment, a transparent or translucent intermediate layer is arranged between at least one opening or perforation of the mouthpiece casing material and the at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance.

[0048] In one embodiment, the filter contains a three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object which has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance, wherein the filter and an optional filter casing material are transparent or translucent at least in the region of the three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object.

[0049] In one embodiment, at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is contained in an applied, in particular printed, thermochromic or pH-sensitive print.

[0050] In one embodiment, at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is enclosed in or printed on the material of a translucent or transparent film, wherein the transparent film is the mouthpiece shell material or a part thereof.

[0051] In one embodiment, at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is enclosed or printed in the material of a translucent or transparent film, wherein the transparent film is present below the upper surface of the mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0052] In one embodiment, the filter or filter wrap material has an additional thermochromic or pH-sensitive print on its upper surface. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece wrap material has a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print on its lower surface, which faces the interior of the aerosol-generating consumer article.

[0053] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece wrapping material has at least one opening or perforations, wherein a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print is present on the exposed surface of the next underlying layer.

[0054] In one embodiment, the mouthpiece casing material has an imitation cork appearance, wherein the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance present in the area of ​​the imitation cork appearance has the color tone of the imitation cork appearance before heating or use and is visually different from the imitation cork appearance after heating or use.

[0055] In one embodiment, the at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is present as a character, character code, graphic code or QR code or part of a character, character code, graphic code or QR code.

[0056] In one embodiment, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is not visible before heating or use and only becomes visible when a temperature threshold is exceeded or a pH threshold is exceeded or undercut.

[0057] In one embodiment, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is a pH-sensitive substance.

[0058] In one embodiment, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is a thermochromic substance.

[0059] In one embodiment, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance comprises a pH-sensitive substance and a thermochromic substance.

[0060] In one embodiment, areas of the aerosol-generating consumer article provided with a thermochromic substance, i.e. the surfaces of the aerosol-generating consumer article on or under which thermochromic substances are present, do not differ below a temperature threshold value for the human eye from the surface areas of the aerosol-generating consumer article enclosing them or adjoining them, on which no thermochromic substances are present.

[0061] Exemplary embodiments of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention are illustrated below with the aid of drawings:

[0062] Fig. 1: shows a first embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with full-surface thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing.

[0063] Fig. 2: shows a second embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing in certain areas. Fig. 3: shows a third embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing as a pattern on the back of a translucent mouthpiece wrapper material.

[0064] Fig. 4: shows a fourth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing on a transparent layer below the mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0065] Fig. 5: shows a fifth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing on a transparent portion of the mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0066] Fig. 6: shows a sixth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing on a perforated mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0067] Fig. 7: shows a seventh embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing under a perforated mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0068] Fig. 8: shows an eighth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with a printed QR code as a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print.

[0069] Fig. 9: shows a ninth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with a thermochromic or pH-sensitive object in the filter.

[0070] Fig. 10: shows a tenth embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with a thermochromic or pH-sensitive object in the filter.

[0071] Fig. 11: shows an eleventh embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention with thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing on an opening of the mouthpiece wrapping material.

[0072] The drawings of the figures are not to scale, especially the layer thicknesses in the cross-sectional images used to illustrate the layer structure. In particular, the layer thickness of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2 is shown disproportionately thick to make it visible. Since the printing is usually present with a layer thickness in the micron range, it would not be visible in the layer structure if shown to scale.

[0073] Figs. 1-7 each comprise a perspective view of the mouthpiece of an aerosol-generating consumer article according to the invention during or after heating in the case of thermochromatic printing, a reduced perspective view of the mouthpiece of a consumer article according to the invention without heating, and a sectional view of the layer structure. In the case of pH-sensitive printing, the change occurs due to the pH value of a liquid and / or the skin of a user that comes into contact with the printing. The reduced perspective view of the mouthpiece of a consumer article according to the invention is to be understood before contact with the liquid or skin, and the larger view after contact with the liquid.

[0074] For the application where the appearance is created by contact with the skin, it is necessary that the pH-sensitive printing is present on the outside of the aerosol-generating consumer article, or that sufficient contact is possible through the outermost layer of the aerosol-generating consumer article, for example through openings that allow contact with the lower layer or by making the outer layer permeable to substances present on the skin.

[0075] Fig. 8 includes a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a consumer article according to the invention during or after heating or contact with a liquid or skin and a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a smoking article according to the invention without heating or without contact with a liquid or skin.

[0076] Figures 9-11 each comprise a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a smoking article according to the invention during or after heating or contact with a liquid or skin and a sectional view of the layer structure.

[0077] 1 to 8 show embodiments of aerosol-generating consumer articles 1 according to the invention with a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2. The aerosol-generating consumer article 1 preferably has, as known from the prior art, at least one filter 3, a filter wrapping material 4 enveloping the filter wrapping material 4, a mouthpiece wrapping material 5 enveloping the filter wrapping material 4, and a tobacco rod wrapping material 6 enveloping the tobacco rod. The wrapping materials are often also referred to as paper, for example filter wrapping paper (or filter paper) and mouthpiece lining paper (or tipping paper), even if these are not always designed as paper, but can also be in the form of film, e.g. plastic or cellulose film. The tobacco rod can generally be referred to as the aerosol-generating substrate and does not necessarily have to contain tobacco or tobacco material.

[0078] Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment variant according to the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 is present as paper or cellulose film or tear strip with full-surface thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2, wherein the thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2 is present on the outside of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, i.e., can be touched by the lips and / or fingers of a person. A tear strip is to be understood as a peelable area of ​​a single-layer mouthpiece wrapping material 5, or a peelable layer of a multi-layer mouthpiece wrapping material 5, or a completely peelable mouthpiece wrapping material 5. In contrast to the known packaging material in the form of an additional sleeve or end cap, the tear strip can also remain on the aerosol-generating consumer article 1 during smoking, so that the user can decide whether to remove the tear strip or not.In this first embodiment, substances are applied that are non-critical upon contact and / or absorption via saliva, such as dyes suitable for direct food contact or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the mouthpiece casing material 5 can be a translucent or transparent material, such as a film, provided with thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances, or can have a tear strip provided as a film provided with thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances.

[0079] Fig. 2 shows the second embodiment variant according to the invention, in which the thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2 is limited to one or more partial regions of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5, which are located in the front region of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5, so as not to be touched by a person's lips during intended use of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1. The thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2 can be applied in particular in the form of one or more bands extending over the circumference of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, or as a pattern composed of distributed, connected, or separate printed partial regions.When used with a heat-not-bum device, this design variant with a thermochromic print 2 is more useful than with a pH-sensitive print 2, unless the pH-sensitive print 2 comes into contact with a liquid during use of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, for example, when the liquid passes as vapor from the aerosol-generating substrate to the pH-sensitive print 2. For other uses, a thermochromic and / or pH-sensitive print 2 can be limited to an area that is touched with the fingers during use.

[0080] Fig. 3 shows the third embodiment variant according to the invention, in which the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 is applied to the underside of the mouthpiece wrapper material 5, i.e., the side facing the filter wrapper material 4. The mouthpiece wrapper material 5 is at least so translucent or translucent that the print is visible or detectable from the outside, at least during or after heating or use. In this variant, the mouthpiece wrapper material 5 is preferably a transparent film made of plastic or, more preferably, cellulose hydrate.The thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 can be present over the entire underside of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5, or can be applied to at least one partial area, for example in the form of one or more bands extending over the circumference of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, or as a pattern composed of distributed, connected or separate printed partial areas. Less preferably, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 can also be applied to the outside of the filter wrapping material 4. Instead of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2, a thermochromic or pH-sensitive intermediate layer in the form of a film comprising thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances can be used. The advantage of this embodiment is that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print orthermochromic or pH-sensitive film can be present under the translucent to transparent mouthpiece wrapping material 5 and is thus protected against external contact by fingers or lips. The liquid required to change the appearance of the pH-sensitive print or film can originate from the interior of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, in particular from the aerosol-generating substrate or at least a liquid-filled capsule. The liquid required to change the appearance of the pH-sensitive print or film can originate from the exterior of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, in particular from the skin or lips of a user, wherein the outer layer of the aerosol-generating consumer article is permeable by the liquid.

[0081] Fig. 4 shows the fourth embodiment variant according to the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 has at least one opening 8, which is preferably produced by laser cutting (laser die cut) and which exposes the underlying layer of the layer structure. Below the opening 8, an intermediate layer 7 made of translucent material is applied, which can cover only the opening 8, or an annular region of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 that encloses the opening 8, or the entire surface of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5. In one variant, the thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 4 is applied to the underside of the intermediate layer 7, wherein this can be limited to a partial area of ​​the surface of the opening 8. The intermediate layer 7 is preferably a transparent film made of plastic or, in particular, cellulose hydrate.The intermediate layer 7 can also be made of opaque material, such as paper in particular, wherein a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 is preferably applied to the upper side of the intermediate layer 7, wherein this can be limited to a partial area of ​​the surface of the opening 8.

[0082] Fig. 5 shows the fifth embodiment according to the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 has several sections, with at least one translucent intermediate section 9 being present, which can preferably consist of a transparent film made of plastic or, in particular, cellulose hydrate. The remaining sections of the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 can consist of paper. The intermediate section 9 is preferably an annular section, thus extending over the entire circumference of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1. The intermediate section 9 has a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 on its underside or top side and / or consists of a thermochromic or pH-sensitive film.

[0083] Fig. 6 shows the sixth embodiment of the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 of the first embodiment additionally has perforations 10. Small perforations 10, which run through the mouthpiece lining paper 4, are known in the art, serve to improve air permeability, and are present as one or more bands of small holes extending over the circumference of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1. According to the invention, perforations 10 are provided which are larger than the usual perforations so that they are easily visible to the naked eye. The perforations 10 have a diameter of at least 0.3 mm. Upon heating or use, and the associated change in the appearance of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive colors, the perforations 10 become clearly visible. In Fig.6 also shows ablations 18 which are produced according to the invention by laser ablation of at least the material of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 from a full-surface thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2, wherein the mouthpiece casing material 5 can also be at least partially ablated. Ablation with a laser can create a light-dark design which only becomes visible upon heating or use. Conversely, it is also possible to provide a mouthpiece casing material 5 which has thermochromic or pH-sensitive surfaces, or which, through transparency, reveals a thermochromic or pH-sensitive surface, with an opaque print and to provide the print with ablations 18 which again reveal the thermochromic or pH-sensitive surface.

[0084] Fig. 7 shows the seventh embodiment according to the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 has perforations 10, wherein the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 or a thermochromic or pH-sensitive layer (e.g., as a thermochromic or pH-sensitive film) is applied beneath the mouthpiece wrapping material 5 in the layered structure of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1. When a thermochromic substance is used and the thermochromic material is heated above a threshold value, the appearance of the small openings in the perforation 10 changes. If the holes in the perforation 10 are so small that they are not or barely visible to the naked eye, they can be made clearly visible by darkening the thermochromic ink upon exposure to heat.With a pH-sensitive substance, the appearance of the small openings in perforation 10 changes when liquid passes through them from the outside or reaches the pH-sensitive substance from the inside. If the holes in perforation 10 are so small that they are barely visible to the naked eye, they can be made clearly visible by darkening them during use.

[0085] Fig. 8 shows the eighth embodiment variant according to the invention, in which the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 is applied as a character or as a QR code 11 or as part of a character or QR code 11. If the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 forms the character or QR code 11 itself, this may initially be invisible to the observer and only become visible after heating or during use. The thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 can also be used to change a QR code 11 upon heating or use, in that the QR code is composed of pixels of unchanging conventional color and pixels of thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2.Preferably, additional information can be added to a visible QR code 11 through the thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing 2, for example, by overprinting the visible QR code 11 with a thermochromic or pH-sensitive QR code 11, each containing different information. In this embodiment, finely ground pigment, in particular with a particle size of less than 3 pm, is preferably used, as this has a small particle size and thus allows for good print resolution. This allows the high edge sharpness required for reading a QR code to be achieved.

[0086] Fig. 9 shows the ninth embodiment of the invention, in which a three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 is provided in the filter 3 of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1, preferably in the form of a thermochromic or pH-sensitive sphere. The three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 can consist entirely of thermochromic or pH-sensitive material, or its surface can be sprayed or impregnated with a thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance. The three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 can consist of a shell and a filling medium, with either the shell or the filling medium containing thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances. The filling medium can also contain other substances, for example, liquid aromas or flavors, which are released when the shell bursts.Such capsules with flavoring agents in the filter are known in the art. Thus, according to the invention, these can be provided with thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances, or their liquid can be used to change the appearance of a pH-sensitive substance. Preferably, however, the three-dimensional thermochromic pH-sensitive object 12 is non-crushing, i.e., not a flavor capsule, but rather a dimensionally stable element that serves as a design or security feature.

[0087] The layered structure of Fig. 9 shows a transparent or at least translucent filter section 13 containing the thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12. The filter wrap material 4 has a transparent or at least translucent intermediate section 9, which allows the filter interior to be viewed from the outside. The mouthpiece wrap material 4 also has a transparent or at least translucent intermediate section 9, which allows the filter interior to be viewed from the outside.

[0088] Fig. 10 shows the tenth embodiment of the invention, in which a three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 is also provided in the filter 3 of the aerosol-generating consumer article 1. The layered structure of the aerosol-generating consumer article comprises a transparent or at least translucent filter section 13 containing the thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12, the filter wrap material 4, which is itself transparent or at least translucent, and the mouthpiece wrap material 5, which has an opening 8 so that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 is visible from the outside, preferably only after heating or use.

[0089] Fig. 11 shows the eleventh embodiment of the invention, in which the mouthpiece wrap material 4 has an opening 8 and the thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 or a thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 is applied to the filter wrap material 4, or the filter wrap material 4 itself contains thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances. The thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 can be printed as a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object, for example, a sphere, so that it only appears that an object is present in the aerosol-generating consumer article 1.

[0090] The technical features illustrated for embodiments one to eleven of the invention can be combined in different ways within the scope of expert practice. For example, an aerosol-generating consumer article 1 according to the invention can have both at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive object 12 and at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2. Furthermore, the layered structure can have at least one or more intermediate layers 8, and the individual wrapping materials and intermediate layers of the layered structure can each have openings 10 and / or intermediate sections 9. At least one wrapping material, one intermediate layer 8, and / or one intermediate section 9 can have a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print 2 on one or both sides.A further embodiment variant according to the invention can provide two dense layers, i.e. layers made of materials through which the thermochromic substances cannot pass, for example a mouthpiece wrapping material 5 and an intermediate layer 8, each made of plastic film or cellophane, with the thermochromic print 2 or a thermochromic film being arranged between the two dense layers. This layer structure prevents transport or movement of the thermochromic substances both towards the interior of the cigarette and outwards towards the cigarette surface. A further embodiment variant according to the invention can provide a diffusion-open orpermeable layer, i.e. a layer made of materials that can be penetrated by a liquid, for example a porous mouthpiece wrapping material 5 or a porous intermediate layer 8, wherein the pH-sensitive print 2 is present on the side of the diffusion-open or permeable layer facing away from the liquid. The side depends on whether the liquid originates from outside, for example from the lips, or from inside. The pH-sensitive print 2 can be present between two diffusion-open or permeable layers, or between a diffusion-open or permeable layer and a diffusion-tight or liquid-tight layer.

[0091] The thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances or printing mentioned herein can be used on mouthpiece wrapping material (tipping paper, mouthpiece lining paper), on tear strips, on cigarette paper, on filter wrapping material (plug wrap / filter wrapping paper) or in or on the filter material.

[0092] The printed thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances can be used either as security features or as design elements. Any design element made of thermochromic or pH-sensitive substances is considered a technical security feature, as it is more difficult to detect and imitate than conventional printing. Security features can also be used for competitions, with numbers, symbols, or codes printed on cigarettes or their packaging material that can be exposed through heating or use, allowing the consumer to verify their winnings. QR codes can also be used in this way, allowing the consumer to be redirected to a special website after scanning the code.

Claims

Patent claims 1. An aerosol-generating consumer article (1), comprising at least a filter (3), an aerosol-generating substrate, and a mouthpiece wrapper material (5) enclosing at least a portion of the filter (3) and having an upper surface that forms at least part of the surface of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1), characterized in that the mouthpiece wrapper material (5) or a further wrapper material present between the filter material and the mouthpiece wrapper material comprises at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance, wherein the thermochromic substance forms or changes an externally visible or detectable feature upon heating of the mouthpiece wrapper material by contact with the skin of a user, or wherein the pH-sensitive substance forms or changes an externally visible or detectable feature upon coming into contact with liquid or human skin,where there is a relationship between the change in the characteristic and the pH of the fluid or skin.

2. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is present below the upper surface of the mouthpiece wrapping material (5), wherein the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) has an opening (8) in at least one region of the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance or is designed as a translucent or transparent film, so that this at least one region is visible from the outside of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1).

3. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) or an intermediate portion (9) of the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) is translucent or transparent and the aerosol-generating consumer article (1) has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance below the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) or its intermediate portion (9).

4. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) has at least one opening (8) or perforations (10) and the aerosol-generating consumer article (1) has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance below at least one opening (8) or perforation (10).

5. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one opening (8) or perforations (10) is closed by translucent or transparent material.

6. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a transparent or translucent intermediate layer (7) is arranged between at least one opening (8) or perforations (10) and the at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance.

7. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the filter (3) contains an additional three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object (12) which has at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance, wherein the filter (3) and an optional filter casing material (4) are transparent or translucent at least in the region of the three-dimensional thermochromic or pH-sensitive object (12).

8. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is contained in an applied, in particular printed, thermochromic or pH-sensitive print (2).

9. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is enclosed in the material of a translucent or transparent film, wherein the transparent film is the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) or a part thereof.

10. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is enclosed in the material of a translucent or transparent film, the transparent film being present below the upper surface of the mouthpiece wrapping material (5).

11. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the filter or the filter wrap material has an additional thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing (2) on its upper surface.

12. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) has a thermochromic or pH-sensitive printing (2) on its lower surface, which faces the interior of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1).

13. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the mouthpiece wrapping material (5) has at least one opening (8) or perforations (10) and a thermochromic or pH-sensitive print (2) is present on the exposed surface of the next underlying layer.

14. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the mouthpiece casing material (5) has an imitation cork appearance, wherein the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance which is present in the area of ​​the imitation cork appearance is Heating or use is in the color tone of the imitation cork look and after heating or use is visually different from the imitation cork look.

15. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the at least one thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is present as a character, character code, graphic code or QR code or part of a character, character code, graphic code or QR code.

16. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is not visible before heating or use and only becomes visible when a temperature threshold value is exceeded or a pH threshold value is exceeded or undershot.

17. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is a pH-sensitive substance, or at least comprises a pH-sensitive substance.

18. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the thermochromic or pH-sensitive substance is a thermochromic substance, or at least comprises a thermochromic substance.

19. Aerosol-generating consumer article (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that areas of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1) provided with a thermochromic substance, i.e. the surfaces of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1) on or under which thermochromic substances are present, do not differ below a temperature threshold value for the human eye from the surface areas of the aerosol-generating consumer article (1) enclosing them or adjoining them, on which no thermochromic substances are present.

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