Nano embossed tipping paper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nanoembossed tipping paper (1) comprising a coating layer (2) containing nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, the coating layer (2) being either a clear coating layer or a colored coating layer, and provided with a nanostructure by mechanical embossing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper.

[0002] The present invention relates to a mouthpiece lining paper in particular for cigarettes and heat-not-burn consumer articles, or generally for the mouthpieces of aerosol-generating consumer articles. [Background technology]

[0003] Mouthpiece lining paper, often abbreviated to "tipping paper" or "tip", is the part of an aerosol-generating consumer article that comes into contact with a person's lips when smoking a filtered cigarette or heating a heat-and-burn consumer article. The mouthpiece lining paper encases the filter portion and typically protrudes slightly in the longitudinal direction of the consumer article into the longitudinal region of the tobacco rod or aerosol-generating substrate, where it encases the wrapping material of the tobacco paper or aerosol-generating substrate.

[0004] The mouthpiece lining paper is most often indeed paper, but may also be a foil or a composite material made of several layers of different materials.

[0005] Mouthpiece lining papers are often printed, for example the printing may be to simulate cork, however mouthpiece lining papers in which the area that contacts the lips is white are also used.

[0006] In order to increase the moisture resistance of mouthpiece lining papers, it is known to provide any areas of the mouthpiece lining paper which come into contact with the lips with a so-called lip release coating.

[0007] It is known to produce a color print, in particular a cork print, by means of a colored lacquer and to apply an additional lacquer on the colored lacquer. This additional lacquer is known as a lip-release lacquer. It is further known to first apply a transparent lacquer to the white mouthpiece lining paper and then apply an additional lip-release lacquer, which may also consist of an additional layer of transparent lacquer. Another known embodiment is to first print the mouthpiece lining paper with a non-film-forming printing ink, apply a transparent lacquer on top of this print and apply an additional lacquer layer for the lip-release effect on top of the transparent lacquer. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to improve the moisture resistance or water repellency of a clear or pigmented lacquer in order to create an alternative to the application of an additional lip release lacquer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To this end, a mouthpiece lining paper is proposed which has a clear or coloured lacquer layer based on nitrocellulose lacquer or ethylcellulose lacquer, the lacquer layer being provided with a nanostructure by a mechanical embossing process.

[0010] The nanostructure of the clear or pigmented lacquer layer advantageously achieves a lotus effect or improves the hydrophobic effect of the lacquer layer.

[0011] The nanostructures further achieve optical effects that make the mouthpiece lining paper more difficult to counterfeit.

[0012] Known methods are suitable for producing nanostructures, in particular as disclosed in EP 2 222 711 B1.

[0013] From EP 2222711 it is known to achieve special optical effects that can be decorative and difficult to imitate. This is done by forming nanostructures in layers of thermoplastic carbohydrate polymers, in particular hydrophobic starch esters. EP 2222711 mentions tobacco paper as a possible application, but does not disclose a specific embodiment for carrying out the method with tobacco paper. In technical terms, the cigarette paper that wraps the tobacco rod is called tobacco paper, and cigarettes generally have an additional mouthpiece lining paper that has different properties from the tobacco paper.

[0014] Nanoembossing is for example carried out at a temperature of at least 90° C., in particular at least 100° C., and a pressure of 1.5 bar.

[0015] The depth of the depressions of the nano-embossed structure, which can also be found in EP 2 222 711, is preferably in the range of 10 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 50 nm to 1000 nm, in particular 75 nm to 800 nm.

[0016] The distance between depressions in the nano-embossed structure is preferably in the range of 10 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 50 nm to 1000 nm, and especially preferably 100 to 500 nm.

[0017] In the present invention, the nano-embossed structure is preferably provided in a continuous area, which extends in a band along the entire side of the mouthpiece lining paper, and an annular area with the nano-embossed structure is present on the aerosol product. The individual microstructures of the nano-embossed structure are preferably close to each other or have no gaps in order to obtain a continuous area with improved water repellency.

[0018] Nano-embossing is preferably performed on a continuously moving band of mouthpiece lining paper, which is provided with nanostructures between two rollers (embossing roller and counter pressure roller) by transferring the embossed structure of the embossing roller to the lacquer layer by heat and pressure, the rollers being heated and / or the lacquer layer being heated before embossing.

[0019] The present invention provides a system for making a suitable layer structure of the mouthpiece lining paper, a suitable lacquer composition, and a mechanical embossing process applicable to the production of nanostructured mouthpiece lining paper.

[0020] The term lacquer refers to a film-forming substance.

[0021] In a first embodiment, the lacquer is a clear lacquer which hardens to form a clear lacquer layer.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the clear lacquer is a nitrocellulose lacquer.

[0023] The clear lacquer comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose and one or more solvents selected from the group of solvents comprising ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropanol. The solvents mentioned may be in the form of an aqueous solution, such that the lacquer comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, an organic solvent, and water. The clear lacquer may also comprise effect pigments (e.g. pearlescent, metallic, etc.).

[0024] The clear lacquer composition preferably has a density of 0.25 g / m 2 ~2g / m 2 , particularly preferably 0.5 g / m 2 ~1g / m 2 A quantity of 100 mg / g is applied.

[0025] The clear lacquer may be in the form of a gloss lacquer containing effect pigments, for example metal effect pigments, pearlescent pigments or interference pigments. The gloss lacquer preferably comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, effect pigments and one or more solvents selected from the group of solvents comprising ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropanol. The solvents mentioned may preferably be in the form of an aqueous solution, such that the lacquer comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, effect pigments, organic solvents and water.

[0026] The gloss lacquer composition preferably has a density of 0.25 g / m 2 ~8g / m 2 , particularly preferably 2 g / m 2 ~6g / m 2 A quantity of 100 mg / g is applied.

[0027] In a second embodiment, the lacquer is a pigmented lacquer that hardens to form a pigmented lacquer layer. The pigmented lacquer layer is preferably opaque. The pigmented lacquer layer can be designed in a light color, or in a gray or black color.

[0028] The colored lacquer comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, a color pigment, and one or more solvents selected from the group of solvents comprising ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropanol. The solvents mentioned may be in the form of an aqueous solution, such that the colored lacquer comprises nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, a color pigment, an organic solvent, and water. The colored lacquer may also comprise additives and / or fillers.

[0029] The coloured lacquers may also contain effect pigments (e.g. pearlescent, metallic etc.). The effect pigments may for example be metallic effect pigments, pearlescent pigments or interference pigments.

[0030] The pigmented lacquer composition preferably has a density of 0.25 g / m 2 ~8g / m 2 , particularly preferably 1 g / m 2 ~4g / m 2 A quantity of 100 mg / g is applied.

[0031] The coloured lacquer is preferably applied to the surface in the form of a monochromatic coating, which can be present as one band or as several bands spaced apart from one another.

[0032] The lacquer compositions have a viscosity of 8 to 30 seconds, in particular 10 to 25 seconds. The clear lacquers preferably have a viscosity of 8 to 16 seconds, in particular 10 to 14 seconds. The viscosity values ​​are determined using a flow cup test with a cup with a diameter of 4 mm (ISO cup 4 mm according to EN ISO 2431 version 1993-02-15).

[0033] The clear or coloured lacquer is preferably applied by gravure printing, in particular rotogravure printing.

[0034] The lacquer layer is preferably applied in one layer, preferably not in two layers.

[0035] The application is preferably made directly onto the base paper of the mouthpiece lining paper.

[0036] The base paper is preferably 30 to 60 g / m 2 , and particularly preferably 30 to 50 g / m 2 The sheet has a basis weight of 1.0 g.

[0037] The lacquer is preferably applied to the untreated surface of the base paper, which is therefore preferably uncoated.

[0038] In one embodiment, the coating is in the form of one or more bands of colored lacquer present on a white base paper. The coated mouthpiece lining paper preferably has at least one white area and one area with colored lacquer, each of which preferably extends in a band around the circumference of the aerosol-generating consumer article.

[0039] The mouthpiece lining paper is preferably lacquered to simulate the appearance of cork.

[0040] As already explained, the lacquering may in one embodiment be a pigmented lacquer layer.

[0041] In a second embodiment, the lacquer application can be a non-film-forming coating or printing, for example in the form of a pigmented ink or printing ink, and a transparent lacquer is applied onto the pigmented coating as described above. The transparent lacquer layer is preferably continuous over the entire mouthpiece lining paper or is aligned in one band-like pigmented layer or in several band-like pigmented layers.

[0042] The nano-embossing is carried out in a clear or pigmented lacquer layer.

[0043] The nano-embossing is preferably performed over the entire surface of the mouthpiece lining paper or is registered to one band-like lacquer layer or to several band-like lacquer layers.

[0044] Nanoembossing is preferably performed on the entire surface independent of any colored coating, since the nanostructures will be invisible or barely visible in the white areas.

[0045] The lacquer is applied to a continuously moving base paper material web, which after application is preferably moved through a drying device.

[0046] Heated dryers, in particular hot air dryers and / or heated rollers, are preferably used as drying devices. Less preferably, infrared emitters may be used alternatively or additionally.

[0047] After the lacquer layer has dried, the material web is wound onto a bobbin or fed directly to an embossing device for production of the nanostructures. After the nanostructures have been produced, the material web is wound onto a bobbin or the nanostructured material web is fed to a cigarette making machine.

[0048] The lacquer layer is preferably applied over a continuous area, at least in the lip contact area.

[0049] The finished nanostructured mouthpiece lining paper preferably comprises a base paper coated with a layer of lacquer, with the nanostructures embossed in the lacquer layer.

[0050] Less preferably, the mouthpiece lining paper may contain, in addition to the base paper, a foil, in particular made of cellulose hydrate. Less preferably, the mouthpiece lining paper may consist of a foil, in particular made of cellulose hydrate, or may be a laminate of several foils.

[0051] The mouthpiece lining paper may also have foil elements, in particular metal foil elements, which are applied in particular as thin bands or logos.

[0052] These foil elements are preferably applied before nano-embossing of the mouthpiece lining paper. The application is carried out according to known methods, in particular by an embossing process such as hot foil embossing, in which the foil elements are applied to the mouthpiece lining paper by pressure or pressure and heat from a transfer element. In this case, the nano-embossing also gives the foil elements an optical effect.

[0053] The foil element can also be applied after nanoembossing, although this is less preferred.

[0054] The foil elements can also be provided with optical effects by embossing before being transferred to the mouthpiece lining paper, so that the foil elements and the lacquer layer are provided with different embossings or different effects.

[0055] The present invention also includes an apparatus for producing a mouthpiece lining paper, the apparatus comprising: a machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper with lacquer; A machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper; and a machine for nano-embossing the mouthpiece lining paper.

[0056] Optionally, a machine for printing the mouthpiece lining paper with ink can be arranged upstream of a machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper with lacquer, or the machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper with lacquer can also have means for printing with printing ink.

[0057] Optionally, there may be a machine for printing the mouthpiece lining paper, which prints a multi-color logo on the mouthpiece lining paper.

[0058] The mouthpiece lining paper is moved as a band through the respective machine and the application of lacquer and nano-embossing is preferably carried out continuously in the longitudinal direction of the band.

[0059] In an advantageous embodiment, the band of mouthpiece lining paper is not transferred from one machine to the next, but rather is wound onto a bobbin after each machine and transferred to the next machine.

[0060] The band moving through the machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper with lacquer is made up of several pieces of mouthpiece lining paper transverse to the direction of movement, any direction of the mouthpiece lining paper transverse to the direction of movement, i.e. along the width of the band, which is subsequently arranged in the longitudinal direction of the consumer article. The band preferably has 10 to 60, in particular 15 to 25, individual pieces of mouthpiece lining paper transverse to the direction of movement.

[0061] The machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper with lacquer preferably has a cutting device which cuts the band longitudinally after the lacquer layer has been applied, resulting in at least two narrower bands of lacquer-coated mouthpiece lining paper, each wound on a bobbin.

[0062] These bobbins with the narrower bands are preferably fed into an apparatus for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper and provided with the foil elements.

[0063] The machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper preferably has a cutting device which cuts the band longitudinally after it has been provided with at least one foil element, resulting in at least two narrower, respectively bobbin-wound bands of mouthpiece lining paper coated with lacquer and provided with a foil element.

[0064] These bobbins with the narrower bands are preferably fed into a machine for nano-embossing the mouthpiece lining paper and nano-embossed.

[0065] In other embodiments, the machine for nano embossing can be directly connected to a machine for coating with lacquer or to a machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper, without the mouthpiece lining paper being wound up onto a bobbin in between.

[0066] If a machine for nano-embossing follows a machine for coating with lacquer, the material web can be cut longitudinally before or after the machine for nano-embossing in order to obtain a narrower material web. In this case, the machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper can follow the machine for nano-embossing.

[0067] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0068] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates the application of an exemplary mouthpiece lining paper according to the present invention to a filtered cigarette. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates the application of an exemplary mouthpiece lining paper according to the present invention to a heated non-combustion consumer article. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates the application of an exemplary mouthpiece lining paper according to the present invention to a filtered cigarette. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mouthpiece lining paper according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0069] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary structure of a filtered cigarette with a mouthpiece lining paper 1 according to the invention comprising a lacquer layer 2 with embossed nanostructures.

[0070] A conventional filtered cigarette further comprises tobacco paper 3 encasing a rod of aerosol-forming substrate 4, which in the case of filtered cigarettes is usually referred to as a tobacco rod. A conventional filtered cigarette further comprises filter paper 5 encasing a filter 6. The present mouthpiece lining paper 1 can also be provided in cigarettes without a filter.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary structure of a heated non-combustion consumer article comprising a mouthpiece lining paper 1 according to the invention and a lacquer layer 2 with embossed nanostructures.

[0072] A conventional heat-and-burn consumer article further comprises a rod of aerosol-forming substrate 4, a hollow section 7, a cooling section 8 and a filter 6. These sections may or may not include their own packaging material.

[0073] Since the rod 4 is heated in the heat-not-burn consumer article without burning the packaging material, the mouthpiece lining paper 1 can extend over the entire length of the heat-not-burn consumer article. The mouthpiece lining paper 1 can be designed in multiple layers and can, for example, have an internal aluminum layer at least in the area of ​​the rod 4. In contrast to what is shown, the mouthpiece lining paper 1 can also be attached to the heat-not-burn consumer article and extend only over a partial area of ​​the heat-not-burn consumer article, in which case additional packaging material for the rod and optionally other components 6, 7, 8 may be provided.

[0074] The heated non-burning consumer article can be heated with an electronic device (heated non-burning device), where the heated non-burning consumer article is first introduced into the device with a rod 4, so that the mouthpiece lining paper 1 and the lacquer layer 4 present thereon are exposed for the user's lips. As shown, the area where the rod 4 is present or that is fed into the heated non-burning device is preferably free of the lacquer layer.

[0075] In another known embodiment of the heated non-combustion consumer article, the heated non-combustion consumer article itself has a heat source, particularly in the form of carbon, in front of the rod 4, so that the rod 4 can be heated without electronic devices.

[0076] The lacquer layer 2 may extend only over a partial area of ​​the mouthpiece lining paper 1 and be present only at the rear end of the aerosol-generating consumer article facing away from the rod 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 .

[0077] The mouthpiece lining paper 1 may have areas where no lacquer layer 2 is provided or may have perforations which may penetrate through the lacquer layer 2 and the base paper.

[0078] In another embodiment, the mouthpiece lining paper 1 may be provided with a lacquer layer 2 over the entire surface, as shown in FIG.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mouthpiece lining paper 1 may additionally comprise a foil element 9 which may be applied on top of the lacquer layer 2 or in the areas not covered by the lacquer layer 2.

[0080] The lacquer layer 2 can be a clear lacquer layer or a pigmented lacquer layer.

[0081] In the case of a clear lacquer layer, this can be arranged on a white base paper or on a colour printed or coated base paper. A clear lacquer layer can cover a larger area than a coloured print or coating.

[0082] In the case of a coloured lacquer layer, this itself forms a coloured coating or coloured area of ​​the mouthpiece lining paper.

[0083] Figure 4 shows a piece of mouthpiece lining paper 1 seen from above, comprising the base paper, the lacquer layer 2, the coloured coating areas 10, the nano-embossing and two foil elements 9. The visible embossed structure of the nano-embossing is indicated by the diamond pattern. In this example, the nano-embossing is applied to both the lacquer layer 2 and the foil elements 9.

[0084] If it is desired that the foil elements 9 do not have nanostructures, the foil elements 9 can be applied after nanoembossing or the nanoembossing can be aligned outside the area having the foil elements 9.

[0085] In this example, the mouthpiece lining paper 1 is provided in one area with a colored coating 10, which is formed from a colored lacquer layer or from a colored coating covered with a clear lacquer layer. In the example of Fig. 4, the clear lacquer layer can extend over the entire surface of the mouthpiece lining paper. The nano-embossed structure can also extend over the entire surface of the mouthpiece lining paper.

[0086] Due to the dark background in the areas of the coloured print the nano-embossed structure becomes visible as an optical effect, which is barely visible in the areas of the white mouthpiece lining paper 1 covered with a clear lacquer.

[0087] It is important to mention that the nano-embossed structure can only be produced in the lacquer layer 2 and the foil element 9, but the exposed areas of the base paper due to coating with lacquer in limited areas will not have an embossed structure, even if the base paper is processed in the same way in a machine for producing nano-embossing.

[0088] The example should be understood as purely illustrative. The mouthpiece lining paper 1 with the lacquer layer 2 with embossed nanostructures can be present on any kind of aerosol-generating consumer article, for example as a wrapping material for cigarettes or cigars or as a sheet of wrapping material for hand-rolled cigarettes.

[0089] The mouthpiece lining paper 1 should be placed on the aerosol-generating consumer article such that the lacquer layer 2 is located on the outside of the aerosol-generating consumer article. If the lacquer layer 2 is only present in a partial area, this area should be placed facing away from the rod 4.

Claims

1. A nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) having a lacquer layer (2) containing nitrocellulose or ethylcellulose, said lacquer layer (2) being either a clear lacquer layer or a colored lacquer layer (2) and being provided with a nanostructure produced by mechanical embossing.

2. 2. Nanoembossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lacquer layer (2) comprises nitrocellulose.

3. Nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it is provided with a lacquer layer (2) and comprises a base paper of 30 to 60 basis weight.

4. 2. Nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lacquer layer (2) is a coloured lacquer layer containing colour pigments.

5. 2. The nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lacquer layer (2) is a transparent lacquer layer applied on top of the coloured areas of the mouthpiece lining paper (1).

6. 6. The nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the coloured areas of the mouthpiece lining paper (1) are formed by a non-film-forming ink or a printing ink.

7. Nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one foil element (9).

8. Nanoembossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lacquer layer and the foil element (9) are provided with the same nanostructure.

9. 13. An aerosol-generating consumer article comprising the nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nano-embossed lacquer layer (2) is exposed on the outside of the consumer article.

10. 2. An apparatus for producing a nano-embossed mouthpiece lining paper (1) as described in claim 1, comprising a machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper (1) with lacquer, a machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper (1) and a machine for nano-embossing the mouthpiece lining paper (1), characterized in that bands can be transported through each machine, the bands being arranged in the lateral direction of a plurality of mouthpiece lining papers (1) for each one aerosol-generating consumer article.

11. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper (1) with lacquer comprises a cutting device for cutting the band longitudinally and a winding device for winding up the cut and tapered band onto a bobbin.

12. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper (1) has a cutting device for cutting the band longitudinally and a winding device for winding up the cut and tapered band onto a bobbin, and the machine for hot foil embossing the mouthpiece lining paper (1) is arranged in the production process downstream of the machine for coating the mouthpiece lining paper (1) with lacquer and upstream of the machine for producing the nano embossing.

Images