Filter for smoking articles and smoking articles including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter rod for smoking articles and a smoking article including the filter rod, wherein the filter rod for smoking articles comprises two or more filter rod portions, and at least one of the two or more filter rod portions comprises two to four holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter rod for a smoking article and a smoking article comprising the filter rod. Prior Art

[0002] Generally speaking, tobacco refers to a dicotyledonous perennial plant in the Solanaceae family. More recently, it's also been used as a general term for smoking products consisting of tobacco leaves wrapped in cigarette paper and fitted with a filter. There are many different types of tobacco available worldwide, in a variety of shapes and styles.

[0003] The filter rod is located at the mouth end (ME) of the tobacco and filters the smoke components by removing particles and vapors from the tobacco smoke.

[0004] However, since the filter paper wrapping the filter rod is made of paper, when cigarette smoke passes through the filter rod during smoking, the part that the smoker's fingers directly touch will retain the smell of smoke, and stains will appear on the cross-section of the filter rod during smoking. Summary of the Invention

[0005] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and / or limitations in the conventional technology, the present invention provides a filter rod for a smoking article, which comprises two or more filter rod parts, and at least one of the two or more filter rod parts comprises 2 to 4 holes, and a smoking article comprising the same.

[0007] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above contents, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other unmentioned problems through the following description.

[0008] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a filter rod for a smoking article is provided, which includes two or more filter rod parts, and at least one of the two or more filter rod parts includes 2 to 4 holes.

[0010] According to one aspect, there is provided a smoking article comprising a filter plug for the smoking article.

[0011] [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] By applying this invention, compared to conventional tubular filter plugs, greater inhalation resistance can be achieved, and the removal rate of smoke components can be improved. Furthermore, by directing air flowing from mainstream smoke and perforations to multiple holes, the odor of tobacco smoke that adheres to hands during smoking can be reduced. Furthermore, stains on the filter plug's cross-section during smoking can be reduced, and the filter plug's cross-section remains clean after smoking, improving smoker satisfaction.

[0013] It should be understood that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, but also include all effects that can be derived from the specific description of the present invention or the invention described in the scope of the invention application. Simple diagram description

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG2 is a schematic diagram and a cross-sectional view showing a filter rod for a smoking article comprising two filter rod portions, one of the two filter rod portions comprising three holes; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the filter rod portion including the three holes; Figure 4 is a photograph of the manufactured filter rod. Implementation Method

[0015] The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various modifications may be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited or restricted by the embodiments. All variations, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0016] The terms used in the examples are intended only to illustrate specific embodiments and are not intended to limit them. Unless otherwise specified, singular expressions include the plural. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" are used to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, or combination thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or combinations thereof, or additional functions.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the ordinary meanings understood by those skilled in the art. Commonly used terms that are the same as dictionary definitions should be understood to have meanings consistent with the general context of the relevant technology and should not be overly idealized or interpreted as formal unless explicitly stated in this application.

[0018] Furthermore, in the description of the accompanying drawings, identical components are given identical reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0019] Furthermore, when describing the components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components and are not intended to limit the nature or order of the corresponding components.

[0020] When a component shares a function with a component in one embodiment, the same name will be used to describe the component in the other embodiment. The description of one embodiment is applicable to other embodiments unless a counterexample is mentioned, and detailed description of the duplicate content will be omitted.

[0021] Throughout this specification, "smoking articles" may refer to articles capable of generating aerosols, such as cigarettes (roll-to-roll cigarettes) and cigars. Smoking articles may include an aerosol-generating substance or an aerosol-forming substrate. Furthermore, smoking articles may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials, such as tobacco flakes, cut tobacco, or reconstituted tobacco. Smoking substances may include volatile compounds.

[0022] In addition, throughout the specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" refers to a direction away from the mouth of a user who smokes a smoking article, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" refers to a direction toward the mouth of a user who smokes a smoking article.

[0023] On the one hand, expressions such as "A or B" or "at least one of A or B" may include any one of the items listed together, or all possible combinations of them.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] 1, as an example, a smoking article 100 includes a filter rod 10 and a tobacco medium portion 20. When the tobacco medium portion burns, tobacco smoke is generated, and the generated tobacco smoke enters the smoker's lungs through the filter rod.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filter rod may include two or more filter rod sections, specifically, two to four filter rod sections or two to three filter rod sections. Furthermore, a filter rod for a smoking article is provided, wherein at least one of the two or more filter rod sections includes two to four holes, preferably three holes.

[0027] For example, as shown in Figure 2, a filter rod 10 may include a first filter rod portion 11 and a second filter rod portion 13. The first filter rod portion 11 and the second filter rod portion 13 may be located at the proximal end and the distal end (Tobacco End, TE), respectively. The first filter rod portion 11 may include a plurality of holes. Figure 4 is a photograph of such a manufactured filter rod.

[0028] Specifically, the total length 15 of the filter rod can be 25 to 30 mm, preferably 27 mm. The total length of the first filter rod portion 11 can be 5 to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm. The total length of the second filter rod portion 13 can be 15 to 22 mm, preferably 18 mm.

[0029] 3 , in a filter rod for a smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional pore diameter 17 of the filter rod portion 11 including a plurality of holes is not less than 1 mm and not more than 2 mm, preferably not less than 1.6 mm and not more than 1.7 mm.

[0030] When the pore diameter is less than 1 mm, problems arise during filter rod manufacturing. Specifically, during filter rod manufacturing, the rod is inserted under high temperature and high pressure to form the pores. If the rod thickness is reduced to less than 1 mm, it becomes difficult to form pores of uniform diameter during the filter rod molding process.

[0031] In a filter rod for a smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall thickness 19 of the hole can be between 0.7 mm and 1.3 mm, preferably between 1.05 mm and 1.15 mm. The outer wall thickness is based on the shortest distance from the outer wall of the filter rod to the hole. Furthermore, considering the preferred hole size (e.g., 1.0 mm), the center of the hole is preferably located at a distance of at least 1.5 mm from the outer wall of the filter rod.

[0032] This is because the filter rods need to be cut during the cigarette manufacturing process, and if the outer wall thickness 19 of the filter rod is thin, the outer wall may break.

[0033] Meanwhile, the second filter rod portion 13 can be a filter rod comprising at least one of cellulose acetate, carbon, or paper, or a combination thereof. Preferably, when the first filter rod portion includes a plurality of holes, it can be a cellulose filter rod or a polymer molded filter rod, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] The filter plug is wrapped in filter paper. Tipping paper is the paper that connects the cigarette to the filter plug and is perforated. The perforations dilute the smoke components in the product by increasing the tobacco dilution rate. The perforations can be formed 10.5 to 11 mm from the proximal end. Therefore, the perforations can be located in the second filter plug portion 13, and the filter paper of the second filter plug portion 13 can be porous.

[0035] The circumference of the filter rod 10 for a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention can be between 15 mm and 25 mm, and preferably between 16.7 mm and 24.2 mm. For example, for regular cigarettes, the circumference of the filter rod can be 24.2 mm, for slim cigarettes, the circumference of the filter rod can be 21.7 mm, and for ultra-slim cigarettes, the circumference of the filter rod can be 16.7 mm.

[0036] The inhalation resistance of the filter rod 10 for a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention can be between 50 mmH2O / Tip and 150 mmH2O / Tip. If the inhalation resistance is less than 50 mmH2O / Tip, the filtration effect will be excessively reduced; if it is greater than 150 mmH2O / Tip, the inhalation performance will be reduced, making it difficult for the user to inhale the aerosol.

[0037] The filter rod may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be at least one selected from the group consisting of mint, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, licorice, coriander, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, maltol, ethyl maltol, eucalyptol, acetic acid, breath freshener, bergamot oil, rosemary, geranium oil, lemon oil, orange oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil, peppermint oil, ginger oil, isosweet, and fruity flavor components, but is not limited to the types listed above.

[0038] Meanwhile, the smoking article 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the filter rod 10. The generated tobacco smoke may filter smoke components through the filter rod, and generally, the filter rod portion located at the distal end has a higher ability to remove smoke components.

[0039] The smoking article 100 may be a combustible cigarette or a heat-not-burn cigarette, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] The smoking article may comprise a tobacco medium portion and a wrapper.

[0041] The tobacco medium portion generally includes tobacco materials containing nicotine such as tobacco leaves, and may further include adhesives, other additives, and excipients such as the flavoring agents mentioned above. As an example, the tobacco medium included in the tobacco medium portion of the present invention can be particles containing tobacco substances and excipients.

[0042] The tobacco leaf may be at least one selected from yellow tobacco leaf, burley tobacco leaf, oriental tobacco leaf, cigar tobacco leaf and flue-cured tobacco leaf, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0044] Filter rod design

[0045] Example 1

[0046] A filter rod for a smoking article was manufactured, comprising a first filter rod portion and a second filter rod portion. The first filter rod portion was 15 mm long, formed with three holes, and contained acetate tow. The second filter rod portion was 12 mm long and contained carbon.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] A filter rod for a smoking article was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the length of the first filter rod portion was 9 mm and the length of the second filter rod portion was 18 mm.

[0049] Comparative Example 1

[0050] A filter rod for a smoking article was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that no holes were formed in the first filter rod portion.

[0051] Comparative Example 2

[0052] A filter rod for a smoking article was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that one hole was formed in the first filter rod portion.

[0053] Comparative Example 3

[0054] A filter rod for a smoking article was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the first filter rod portion was formed with a hole, and the length of the first filter rod portion was 9 mm, and the length of the second filter rod portion was 18 mm.

[0055] The filter rod designs of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1 below.

[0056] Table 1 distinguish filter rod segment Raw material usage classification Inhalation resistance (mmH 2O) Filter rod length (mm) Inhalation resistance (mmH 2O / Tip) Tow (De) filter paper (CU) plasticizers (%) TE Department activated carbon ME TE ME TE ME TE ME TE Finished product ME TE type Dosage (mg) type Porosity type Porosity type Porosity Comparative Example 1 15 (120) 12 (96) 53.75 61.25 3.0 / 35K 2.5 / 45K porous 24K conventional - porous 35K 7±2 6±2 Oxidation twenty four 460 Comparative Example 2 15 (120) 12 (96) - 70 appropriate amount 2.7 / 35K porous 35K conventional - porous 35K appropriate amount 6±2 Oxidation twenty four appropriate amount Comparative Example 3 9 (72) 18 (108) - 108 appropriate amount 2.7 / 35K conventional - porous 24K porous 35K Example 1 15 (120) 12 (96) - 70 appropriate amount 2.7 / 35K porous 35K conventional - porous 35K Example 2 9 (72) 18 (108) - 108 appropriate amount 2.7 / 35K conventional - porous 24K porous 35K

[0057] In the above table, ME represents the first filter rod section at the proximal end, and TE represents the second filter rod section at the distal end.

[0058] Compared to the inhalation resistance of Comparative Example 1, Example 1 increased its inhalation resistance by 8.75 mmH₂O / Tip, while Example 2 increased its inhalation resistance by 47.75 mmH₂O / Tip. In other words, Example 2 exhibited a higher inhalation resistance than Example 1, meaning that inhalation resistance increased when using a 9+18 mm system compared to a system with a first and second filter stick section of 15+12 mm. Unlike Example 1, in Example 2, the first filter stick section was 9 mm long, and the perforations were typically located 10.5 to 11 mm from the proximal end, placing the perforations in the second filter stick section. Therefore, in Example 2, air flowing in through the perforations passed through the first filter stick section before passing through the second filter stick section, thereby increasing inhalation resistance.

[0059] Physical properties of filter rods

[0060] The physical properties of the filter rods of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 were measured and are shown in Table 2 below.

[0061] Table 2 distinguish system (ME+TE) perimeter Inhalation resistance Roundness hardness mm mmH 2O % % Comparative Example 1 15+12 24.21 463.2 95.5 93.6 Comparative Example 2 15+12 24.16 326.8 90.6 95.7 Comparative Example 3 9+18 24.22 462.9 95.2 92.5 Example 1 15+12 24.19 308.3 91.8 94.6 Example 2 9+18 24.26 437.8 94.4 94.3

[0062] Trial product design for smoking products

[0063] The design specifications of the smoking articles applicable to Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 3 below.

[0064] Table 3 distinguish Product properties Filters Remark (Tipping paper) Wt UPD (unencapsulated pressure drop) EPD (encapsulated pressure drop) VR perimeter gross weight EPD VR gross weight Material cut tobacco mg mg mg mmWG mmWG % mm ±10 mg ±5 mmWG ±2 % Comparative Example 1 906 294 611 63 153 79 24.7 866 82 1700 Comparative Example 2 979 365 613 26 123 86 24.6 957 82 3500 Comparative Example 3 922 347 576 47 144 85 24.5 938 82 2500 Example 1 945 366 579 twenty two 111 85 24.4 957 82 3500 Example 2 924 347 577 41 132 85 24.5 938 82 2500

[0065] Experimental Example 1: Analysis of Mainstream Smoke Composition of Smoking Articles

[0066] The mainstream smoke components of the smoking articles applied to Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2 were analyzed, and the results are shown in Table 4.

[0067] Table 4 distinguish TPM tar nicotine Number of puffs Moisture distinguish system (ME+TE) mg / cig mg / cig mg / cig Second-rate mg / cig Comparative Example 1 15+12 2.07 1.56 0.17 8.87 0.28 Comparative Example 2 15+12 1.87 1.38 0.15 8.80 0.32 Comparative Example 3 9+18 1.56 1.20 0.15 8.44 0.22 Example 1 15+12 1.99 1.60 0.17 8.72 0.22 Example 2 9+18 1.48 1.18 0.14 9.06 0.18

[0068] Compared with Comparative Example 1, the TPM value of Example 2 is reduced by 0.59 mg / cig, the tar value is reduced by 0.38 mg / cig, and the nicotine value is reduced by 0.03 mg / cig.

[0069] When the first and second filter sections are constructed with a 9+18 mm system, the transfer of TPM, tar, and nicotine is significantly reduced compared to a 15+12 mm system. In particular, when the first and second filter sections are constructed with a 9+18 mm system, tar and nicotine levels are significantly reduced compared to Comparative Example 1, by 23.1% to 24.4% and 11.8% to 17.6%, respectively. This is because the 9+18 mm system has a greater inhalation resistance than the 15+12 mm system, resulting in a more efficient removal of smoke components from the second filter section, typically located at the distal end.

[0070] Experimental Example 2: Sensory evaluation of the effect of reducing cigarette odor on hands when using a filter stick

[0071] To demonstrate the effectiveness of the filter rods of the present invention in reducing tobacco odor on hands, sensory evaluations were conducted by wearing cotton gloves over the fingertips while smoking. The intensity of the tobacco odor was measured one hour after smoking. Immediately after smoking, the cotton gloves were sealed and stored in a sample bag. The tobacco odor intensity was compared with that of ordinary cloth.

[0072] A sensory evaluation was conducted on smoking articles using the filter rods of Comparative Example 1 and Example 2. The evaluation panel consisted of 15 people, and the total score was 9 points.

[0073] The sensory evaluation results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. Table 5 shows the statistics of the samples, and Table 6 shows the inspection results of the samples.

[0074] Table 5 distinguish N Average odor Standard Deviation mean standard error Comparative Example 1 15 5.033 2.3939 .6181 Example 2 15 2.600 1.6605 .4287

[0075] Table 6 Correspondence Difference t degrees of freedom Significance (Bilateral) average Standard Deviation mean standard error 95% confidence interval of the difference Upper limit Lower limit Odor intensity 2.4333 3.2286 .8336 .6454 4.2213 2.919 14 .011

[0076] Sensory analysis after smoking revealed that the smoking article using Example 2 exhibited significantly less odor than the smoking article using Comparative Example 1, with a reduction of 48.3%. When air flows in through the perforations, mainstream smoke typically concentrates in the center of the filter rod. However, in the smoking article using Example 2, mainstream smoke can flow out through three holes, reducing smoke odor on hands.

[0077] According to Experimental Examples 1 and 2, when the multiple holes of Example 2 and the 9+18 mm system smoking article are used, the smoke components such as tar and nicotine can be reduced while reducing the smoke odor on the hands.

[0078] In summary, the embodiments have been described using limited examples and accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the above descriptions. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than the method described, and / or the described components may be combined or combined in a different manner than the method described, or replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents to achieve the same effect.

[0079] Therefore, other implementation plans, other examples and equivalents of the claims all fall within the scope of the patent application.

[0080] 100: Smoking products 10: filter rod 11: First filter rod part 13: Second filter rod part 15: Total length of rod 17: Aperture 19: Filter rod wall thickness 20: Tobacco Media Department 30:Piercing

Claims

1. A filter rod for a smoking article, comprising a first filter rod portion located at a proximal end; and a second filter rod portion located at a distal end, wherein the first filter rod portion includes 2 to 4 holes; the length of the first filter rod portion is 5 mm to 12 mm and the length of the second filter rod portion is 15 mm to 22 mm; wherein the second filter rod portion has perforations and the filter paper of the second filter rod portion is porous; and the shortest distance from the outer wall of the filter rod to the hole is more than 0.7 mm and less than 1.3 mm.

2. The filter rod for a smoking article as described in claim 1, wherein the first filter rod portion includes three of the holes.

3. The filter rod for smoking articles as described in claim 1, wherein the pore diameter is more than 1 mm and less than 2 mm.

4. The filter rod for smoking articles as described in claim 1, wherein the total length of the filter rod is 25 mm to 30 mm.

5. The filter rod for smoking articles as described in claim 1, wherein the first filter rod portion is a cellulose filter rod or a polymer molded filter rod.

6. The filter rod for smoking articles as described in claim 1, wherein the circumference of the filter rod is more than 15 mm and less than 25 mm.

7. The filter rod for smoking articles as described in claim 1, wherein the inhalation resistance of the filter rod is above 50 mmH2O / Tip and below 150 mmH2O / Tip.

8. A smoking article comprising a filter rod for a smoking article as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The smoking article as described in claim 8, wherein the smoking article is a combustible cigarette or a heated cigarette.

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