Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 1 -
BREAKABLE AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE
The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article, such as a
smoking article,
having a combustible heat source for heating an aerosol-forming substrate
downstream of the
combustible heat source.
A number of smoking articles in which tobacco is heated rather than combusted
have
been proposed in the art. An aim of such 'heated' smoking articles is to
reduce known harmful
smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic
degradation of
tobacco in conventional cigarettes. In one known type of heated smoking
article, an aerosol is
generated by the transfer of heat from a combustible heat source to a
physically separate
aerosol-forming substrate, such as tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may
be located
within, around or downstream of the combustible heat source. For example, WO-
A2-
2009/022232 discloses a smoking article comprising a combustible heat source,
an aerosol-
forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source, and a heat-
conducting element
around and in contact with a rear portion of the combustible heat source and
an adjacent front
portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. During smoking, volatile compounds
are released from
the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the combustible heat
source and entrained
in air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they
condense to
form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.
Smoking articles which include a combustible fuel element or heat source may
have a
combustion zone or zone of heating that is larger, more dense, and not as
readily extinguished
by crushing or "stubbing out" the heat source compared to a conventional
cigarette, in which
tobacco is burnt or combusted to heat and release volatile compounds from the
tobacco. Such
smoking articles may have a heat source that contains significantly more
energy in the form of
heat than found in the combustion zone of a conventional cigarette.
Consequently, such
smoking articles may require more effort to extinguish or to remove sufficient
heat to facilitate
disposal.
It would be desirable to provide an improved aerosol generating article,
particularly one
that includes a combustible fuel element or heat source. In particular, it
would be desirable to
provide an aerosol generating article having an element for facilitating
disposal of the aerosol
generating article after use and which is both simple to manufacture and use.
According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating
article
comprising: a first section having a combustible heat source and an aerosol-
forming substrate;
and a second section having a tubular element defining a recess at one end of
the second
section, wherein the first and second sections are integrally connected at a
region of weakness,
the first section and second section being separable at the region of weakness
to enable the
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 2 -
tubular element to be placed over the combustible heat source, after use of
the aerosol
generating article, such that the combustible heat source is at least
partially received in the
recess wherein the first section is upstream of the second section when the
first and second
sections are integrally connected at the region of weakness, wherein the
tubular element is at
least partially open at both of its ends such that, during use of the aerosol
generating article, air
may be drawn along the aerosol generating article through the tubular element,
and wherein the
tubular element is either at the downstream end of the second section, such
that the recess
forms a mouth end cavity of the aerosol generating article when the first and
section sections
are integrally connected, or the tubular element is at the upstream end of the
second section
and forms a transfer element of the aerosol generating article when the first
and section
sections are integrally connected.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a simple to manufacture and
simple to
use aerosol generating article having an integral means of facilitating
disposal. By placing the
tubular element over the combustible heat source while the heat source is
combusting or hot, a
barrier is formed between the combustible heat source and an outer surface of
the aerosol
generating article. Thus, the heat source may be shielded by the tubular
element until it has
cooled to a sufficiently low temperature to be disposed of easily.
In some preferred
embodiments, when the heat source is received in the recess, the tubular
element hinders a
supply of air to the combustible heat source, facilitating the extinguishing
of the combustible
heat source. This may be particularly advantageous, since the combustion zone
or zone of
heating of aerosol generating articles having a combustible heat source is
larger, more dense,
and not as readily extinguished by crushing or "stubbing out" compared to a
conventional
cigarette.
Further, by integrally connecting the first and second sections and providing
such a
tubular element as part of the second section, the tubular element is formed
as an integral part
of the aerosol generating article. This results in a reduced chance of
accidental separation of
the tubular element from the rest of the aerosol generating article, for
example during transport
or storage, in comparison to aerosol generating articles having a separately
formed extinguisher
cap. It may also prevent the tubular element from being mislayed, or misplaced
prior to use, as
may be the case with aerosol generating articles having a separately formed
extinguisher cap.
Connecting the first and second sections at a region of weakness
advantageously allows
the aerosol generating article to be split in two by a user without undue
burden by separating
the first and second sections. The tubular element can then be placed over the
heat source
after use of the aerosol generating article. In addition, providing the
tubular element as an
integral part of the aerosol generating article mitigates difficulties arising
from size variations
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 3 -
due to manufacturing tolerances that may occur when assembling aerosol
generating articles
having a separately formed extinguisher cap or heat shielding element.
The region of weakness may be present as a result of the first and second
sections
having an interface at the region. In some examples, preferably the tensile
strength of any
wrapping for example paper layer at the interface at the region of weekness is
less than the
tensile strength of inner elements of the first section and the second section
such that
separation occurs in the region of the interface. Preferably the tensile
strength of the wrapping
is less than 50%, or less than 20% or less than 10% of the inner elements. In
some examples,
the region of weakness, for example one or more perforations or other
formation is provided at
the region of weakness, for example to reduce the tensile strength of the
wrapping or other
connection at the region of weakness. For example, where a metallised wrapping
is present at
the interface of the first and second sections, preferably the metallised
wrapping includes one or
more perforations.
As used herein, the terms "integral" and "integrally" are used to mean that
the first and
second sections share at least one component by which they are joined. That
is, the first and
second sections are joined by a component forming part of both the first
section and the second
section. For example, the first section and second section may be integrally
connected by a
wrapper forming part of both the first and second sections. The term
"integrally connected"
excludes discrete first and second sections which are held together by
friction or by fastening
means, such as glue or a threaded connection.
The first section, which includes the heat source and the aerosol forming
substrate, is
upstream of the second section when the first and second sections are
integrally connected at
the region of weakness. The tubular element is at least partially open at both
of its ends such
that during use of the aerosol generating article air may be drawn along the
aerosol generating
article through the tubular element. In other words, the tubular element
defines part of the
airflow pathway through the assembled aerosol-generating article. With this
arrangement, the
first and second sections do not require separation prior to use and may
remain integrally
connected during use. Thus, the user is not required to hold the two separate
sections during
use of the aerosol generating article but can separate the sections and
immediately place the
tubular element over the heat source in one action. By having a tubular
element which defines
part of the airflow pathway through the assembled aerosol-generating article,
the overall length
of the aerosol generating article may be easily adjusted to a desired value,
for example to a
length similar to that of a conventional cigarette, through an appropriate
choice of the length of
the tubular element. Where the first and second sections are circumscribed by
a wrapper, for
example an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article, the arrangement of
the present
invention allows the tubular element to be provided entirely within the outer
diameter of the
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 4 -
wrapper. This means that the outer diameter of the assembled aerosol-
generating article may
be substantially unaffected by the presence of the tubular element. This may
be beneficial for
ease of use and for overall appearance of the assembled aerosol-generating
article.
In certain preferred embodiments, the tubular element is a hollow tube that is
open at both
ends. In such embodiments, air may be drawn along the aerosol generating
article through the
tubular element without the tubular element having any significant effect on
the resistance to
draw of the aerosol generating article.
The resistance-to-draw (RTD) of an aerosol generating article refers to the
static pressure
difference between the two ends of the specimen when it is traversed by an air
flow under
steady conditions in which the volumetric flow is 17.5 millilitres per second
at the output end.
The RTD of a specimen can be measured using the method set out in ISO Standard
6565:2002.
Where the first section is upstream of the second section, the second section
may form a
downstream end, or mouth end, of the aerosol generating article. In such
embodiments, the
tubular element may be at any suitable position along the second section,
provided that the
combustible heat source can be received in the recess defined by the tubular
element when the
first and second sections have been separated at the region of weakness.
In certain embodiuments, the tubular element is at the downstream end of the
second
section and forms a mouth end cavity of the aerosol generating article when
the first and
second sections are integrally connected.
The tubular element may be at the upstream end of the second section and form
a
transfer element of the aerosol generating article. The tubular element may be
at the upstream
end of the second section and form a transfer element of the aerosol
generating article between
the aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating
article. The tubular
element may be at the upstream end of the second section and form a transfer
element of the
aerosol generating article between the aerosol-forming substrate and a
mouthpiece of the
second section.
The aerosol generating article may further comprise a removable cap at the
distal end of
the first section for protecting the heat source prior to use of the aerosol
generating article.
As used herein, the term 'cap' refers to a protective cover that substantially
surrounds the
distal end of the aerosol generating article, including the end face . By
providing a removable
cap, either as a separate component or with the tubular element, the user is
inhibited from
readily igniting the heat source until the cap is removed, unlike paper
wrappers, which do not
prevent or obstruct the user from igniting the heat source while the paper
wrapper remains
intact and covering the heat source. Similarly, providing a removable cap that
is removed prior
to ignition of the heat source may lead to a reduction in ash generation and
flaming compared to
aerosol generating articles with a paper wrapper that covers the heat source
during ignition. If
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 5 -
present, a paper wrapper can burn rapidly leading to flaming and generation of
ash when the
aerosol generating article is ignited. The removable cap may enable a more
hygienic aerosol
generating article to be provided. In addition, the cap reduces the risk of
the user coming into
direct contact with the heat source, and so reduces the risk that the heat
source will soil the
user's clothes or hands.
Similarly, during manufacture, the provision of the removable cap
advantageously reduces
the risk of the heat source dirtying the manufacturing equipment, and staining
adjacent aerosol
generating articles. In effect, the removable cap acts to isolate the heat
source from the
surrounding equipment and aerosol generating articles.
In addition, it provides physical
protection during manufacture to help prevent the heat source from breaking or
chipping off.
For example, aerosol generating articles according to the invention may
comprise a
removable cap attached at a line of weakness to the distal end of the aerosol
generating article,
wherein the cap comprises a cylindrical plug of material circumscribed by a
wrapper as
described in WO-Al -2014/086998.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be downstream of the heat source. The
aerosol-
forming substrate may be positioned concentrically within or around the heat
source.
As used herein, the terms 'upstream' and 'front', and 'downstream' and 'rear',
are used to
describe the relative positions of segments or components of the aerosol
generating article in
relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol generating
article during use
thereof. Aerosol generating articles according to the invention comprise a
mouth end and an
opposed distal end. In use, a user draws on the mouth end of the aerosol
generating article.
The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The heat source is located at
or proximate to
the distal end.
In any of the above embodiments the tubular element may be substantially
rigid. With
such an arrangement, the shape of the recess may be substantially maintained
during
placement of the tubular element over the combustible heat source. This
facilitates receipt of
the combustible heat source in the recess after use of the aerosol generating
article.
Preferably, the tubular element has a wall thickness between about 100
micrometer and
300 micrometer, for example 200 micrometer. The above mentioned wall
thicknesses can
provide suitable stability in some examples, for example where the tubular
element comprises
paper or cardboard for when the heat source is inserted into the tubular
element. The tubular
element may include a reinforcing formation, for example a tubular insert.
When the tubular element is placed over the combustible heat source after use
of the
aerosol generating article, the combustible heat source is at least partially
received in the
recess to facilitate disposal of the aerosol generating article. For example,
the tubular element
may be arranged such that when the combustible heat source is received in the
recess, the
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 6 -
tubular element extends along at least 90 percent of the length of the
combustible heat source,
for example leaving about 1mm of the length of the combustible heat source
uncovered.
Preferably, the tubular element is arranged such that, when the combustible
heat source is
received in the recess, the tubular element extends along substantially the
entire length of the
combustible heat source.
Preferably, the tubular element is arranged such that, when the combustible
heat source
is ignited and received within the recess, the tubular element sufficiently
restricts the supply of
air to the combustible heat source that the combustible heat source is
extinguished by the
tubular element. Preferably, the tubular element is substantially impermeable
to air. In this
configuration, the gap between the external surface of the heat source and the
internal surface
of the tubular element is preferably less than about 2 mm, more preferably
less than about 1
mm. With this small gap, there is restricted access of oxygen to the heat
source as compared
to when the heat source is free to burn without the tubular element. In
addition, the emission of
combustion gases from the heat source further restricts the flow of oxygen to
the heat source
because the small gap between the tubular element and the heat source reduces
the mixing
rate of the combustion gases with the surrounding air.
Preferably, the tubular element is configured such that, when the combustible
heat source
is received within the recess, there is a frictional fit between the inner
surface of the tubular
element and the outer surface of the combustible heat source. Providing such a
frictional fit
allows the tubular element to be held over the combusibtle heat source without
any additional
connecting means to be provided.
An inner surface of the tubular element may comprise a non-combustible
material. The
tubular element may be formed from a non-combustible material. An inner
surface of the
tubular element may be lined with a non-combustible material. Where an inner
surface of the
tubular element is lined with a non-combustible material, the non-combustible
material may be
applied as a coating formed by applying one or more intumescent varnishes,
paints, lacquers,
or any combination thereof on the inner surface of the tubular element. For
example, by
brushing, rolling, dipping or spraying or by using a non-combustible sheet
that is formed into the
final shape of the tubular element by any known manufacturing processes, such
as cutting,
rolling and gluing systems. The non-combustible material may be at least one
of: a metal; a
metal oxide; a ceramic; and a stone. Further, the non-combustible material may
be graphite.
As used herein, the term 'non-combustible' is used to describe a material that
is
substantially non-combustible at temperatures reached by the combustible heat
source during
combustion and ignition thereof.
The tubular element may comprise a thermochromatic material or pigment.
Thermochromatic pigments or materials change colour with respect to
temperature. This has
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 7 -
the advantage of providing a user with a visual cue of the temperature near
the heat source on
the aerosol generating article. Furthermore, the use of a thermochromatic
pigment or material
may provide a simple visual indication of when the aerosol generating article
has reached a
temperature that is low enough to be disposed of without additional
precautionary measures.
The tubular element may comprise a heat reactive material that is arranged to
deform in
response to heat from the combustible heat source when the combustible heat
source is
received in the recess such that the tubular element fits tightly against the
combustible heat
source to reduce the air supply to the combustible heat source.
Such an arrangement may enable the tubular element to form a seal, or partial
seal,
around the combustible heat source. This may reduce, even further, the time
taken for the heat
source to become extinguished. In addition, the heat reactive material may act
as an improved
thermal barrier between the heat source and an external surface of the aerosol
generating
article to reduce the temperature of the external surface relative to
embodiments in which no
heat reactive material is present.
The heat reactive material may comprise an intumescent material.
As used herein, the term 'intumescent material' is used to describe a material
that
expands upon exposure to elevated temperatures, other than only as a result of
its coefficient of
thermal expansion.
The intumescent material may comprise any suitable material or materials. In
certain
embodiments, the intumescent material forms an insulating foam when exposed to
heat from
the combustible heat source of the aerosol generating article. In one
embodiment, the
intumescent material comprises a carbon source, such as starch or one or more
pentaerythritols
(or other types of polyalcohol), an acid source, such as ammonium
polyphosphate, a blowing
agent such as melamine, and a binder, such as soy lecithin. In an alternative
embodiment, the
intumescent material comprises a mixture of sodium silicate and graphite such
that a hard char
foam may be produced when the intumescent material is exposed to heat from the
combustible
heat source of the aerosol generating article.
The intumescent material may be applied as a heat reactive coating formed by
applying
one or more intumescent varnishes, paints, lacquers, or any combination
thereof on an interior
surface of the tubular element. For example, by brushing, rolling, dipping or
spraying or by
using intumescent paper or plastic-based sheet that is formed into the final
shape of the tubular
element by any known manufacturing processes, such as cutting, rolling and
gluing systems. In
one embodiment, the intumescent material is a latex solution applied by
spraying.
The intumescent material may expand by any suitable amount when exposed to
heat from
the combustible heat source of the aerosol generating article. Preferably, the
intumescent
material expands by a factor of between about 10 and about 100 times its
original dimensions
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 8 -
when exposed to heat. Where the intumescent material is applied as a heat
reactive coating on
an interior surface of the tubular element, preferably the thickness of the
coating is from about
microns to about 100 microns and increases to from about 1 mm to about 2 mm
when
exposed to heat from the combustible heat source of the aerosol generating
article.
5 The heat reactive material may comprise a heat-shrink material.
As used herein, the term 'heat shrink material' is used to describe a material
that shrinks
as a result of heat exposure.
Where the heat reactive material comprises a heat-shrink material, the heat-
shrink
material may be configured to deform the tubular element to hinder air flow to
the combustible
10 heat source.
In certain embodiments, the heat shrink material may be a mechanically
expanded
polymer layer which returns to its unexpanded dimensions as a result of heat
exposure. For
example, the heat shrink material may be manufactured from a thermoplastic
material such as
nylon, polyolefin, fluroropolymer (such as FEP, PTFE or Kynar), PVC, neoprene,
silicone
elastomer, Viton, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the heat
shrink material
is a fluoroplastic Kynar with a shrink temperature of about 135 C and a shrink
ratio of about 2:1.
In such embodiments, the fluoroplastic Kynar may be provided as a layer of the
material used to
form the tubular element.
In certain embodiments, the heat shrink material is applied as a heat reactive
coating on
an inner surface of the tubular element. In such embodiments, the coating may
be applied by
any suitable method. For example, the coating may be applied as a sheet or
film which is
adhered to the tubular element, for example by gluing or welding.
The heat reactive material may be provided along the entire length of the
tubular element.
The heat reactive material may be provided along only part of the length of
the tubular element.
The heat reactive material may be provided at the downstream end of the
tubular element. With
this arrangement, the downstream end of the tubular element may form a seal or
partial seal
around the combustible heat source. This may result in a layer of air being
present between the
tubular element and the combustible heat source, upstream of the heat reactive
material to form
a thermally insulating barrier.
During use of the aerosol generating article, the combustible heat source may
reach high
temperatures. For example, a heat source of an aerosol generating article may
reach an
average temperature of around 500 degrees Celsius and in certain cases the
temperature of the
heat source may reach up to about 800 degrees Celsius. Thus, the tubular
element may
comprise thermally insulating material arranged to reduce the temperature of
an external
surface of the aerosol generating article when the combustible heat source is
received in the
recess while combusting or while hot. The tubular element may comprise a
barrier material to
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 9 -
thermally isolate the combustible heat source when the combustible heat source
is received in
the recess while combusting or while hot. Suitable thermally insulating
materials have a low
thermal conductivity or substantially no thermal conductivity. Suitable
thermally insulating
materials may include, for example, cardboards, foams, polymers or ceramic
materials, or other
materials that have a low thermal conductivity.
As used herein, the term "thermally insulating material" is used to describe
material having
a bulk thermal conductivity of less than about 50 milliwatts per metre Kelvin
(mW/(m K)) at 23 C
and a relative humidity of 50% as measured using the modified transient plane
source (MTPS)
method.
The tubular element may be formed from a suitable barrier material such as a
substantially non-combustible material or a substantially flame retardant
material. Preferably,
the barrier material is thermally stable in air at the highest temperature
achieved by the heat
source of the aerosol generating article. Suitable barrier materials may, for
example, include
metallic materials, or ceramic materials.
The tubular element may comprise one or more materials that undergo a phase
change
when heated. The tubular element may comprise one or more materials that melt
and
extinguish the heat source by flowing over the heat source and eliminating or
restricting oxygen
supply to the heat source. The tubular element may comprise one or more
materials that
undergo an endothermic reaction or phase change and consume heat energy
produced by the
heat source, thereby cooling the heat source. The tubular element may comprise
one or more
materials that decompose when brought in contact with the heat source and
produce a
decomposition product that extinguishes the heat source. Examples of materials
that may
undergo a phase change when in proximity to the heat source include, for
example, certain
polymers and waxes.
The tubular element may comprise one or more materials selected from the group
consisting of barrier materials, non-combustible materials, flame retardant
materials, thermally
conductive materials, thermally insulating materials, foam materials, phase-
changing materials,
metallic materials, and ceramic materials. For example, the tubular element
may comprise one
or more materials selected from the group consisting of non-combustible
materials, flame-
retardant materials, thermally conductive materials and thermally insulating
materials.
In some embodiments, the tubular element may comprise a heat-reflective
material which
advantageously may modulate the heat radiating from the combustible heat
source.
As used herein the term 'heat reflective material' refers to a material that
has a relatively
high heat reflectivity and a relatively low heat emissivity such that the
material reflects a greater
proportion of incident radiation from its surface than it emits. Preferably,
the material reflects
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 1 0 -
more than 50% of incident radiation, more preferably more than 70% of incident
radiation and
most preferably more than 75% of incident radiation.
The tubular element may be formed from a composite material, such as a
material
comprising a plurality of layers. The layers of the composite material for the
tubular element
may be formed from two or more of the materials described herein. For example,
the tubular
element may be formed from material comprising an external insulating layer, a
second layer of
intumescent or heat reactive material, and an internal layer of non-
combustible material.
The tubular element may reduce the emission of undesirable odours when the
combustible heat source is received in the recess. The tubular element may
reduce the
emission of odours by comprising a material which absorbs or adsorbs the
odours.
Alternatively, or in addition, the tubular element may comprise a heat-
released flavour
compound. The flavour compound may be a nanoparticle formed from a low melting
point wax
encapsulating the flavour compound. The flavour compound is preferably
volatile such that it is
released into the atmosphere on activation of the nanoparticle.
The tubular element may be tapered. The tubular element may be substantially
cylindrical
in shape. The tubular element may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, for
example,
circular, oval, or polygonal.
The region of weakness is a region at which the aerosol generating article is
easily broken
in order to separate the first and second sections. The region of weakness may
be formed by a
region of weakness in one or more internal components of the aerosol
generating article. For
example, the region of weakness may be formed by a local reduction in
thickness of one or
more internal components of the aerosol generating article. The region of
weakness may be
formed by a join between two or more internal components of the aerosol
generating article.
The region of weakness may be an area of weakness. In preferred embodiments,
the
region of weakness is a line of weakness along which the first and second
sections are
separable.
The aerosol generating article preferably comprises a wrapper that
circumscribes at least
a portion of the first section and at least a portion of the second section.
The wrapper enables
the first and second sections to be integrally connected during manufacture.
The region of
weakness may comprise a weakness formation provided in the wrapper.
The weakness formation may comprise a local reduction in thickness of the
wrapper. For
example, the weakness formation may comprise one or more ablated regions or
lines, one or
more scored lines, or a combination thereof. The weakness formation may
comprise a section
of different, weaker, wrapper material. The weakness formation may comprise a
plurality of
perforations in the wrapper. The plurality of perforations may extend around
at least a portion of
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 11 -
the aerosol generating article. The plurality of perforations may circumscribe
the aerosol
generating article.
The wrapper may be affixed to the first section and to the second section,
remote from the
region of weakness. By affixing the wrapper remote from the region of
weakness, the wrapper
may be more easily broken at the region of weakness when the user wants to
separate the first
and second sections. The wrapper is preferably affixed to the first and second
sections using
glue. The glue may be provided in a line extending from, or adjacent to, the
distal end of the
aerosol generating article towards the mouth end of the aerosol generating
article. The line of
glue may be interrupted adjacent to, or at, the line of weakness.
The wrapper may be a cigarette paper. A cigarette paper may be any suitable
material for
wrapping components of an aerosol generating article in the form of a rod. The
cigarette paper
may circumscribe the component elements of the aerosol generating article such
that the paper
grips the component elements of the aerosol generating article when the
article is assembled
and hold them in position within the rod. Suitable materials are well known in
the art.
The region of weakness, and thus the location at which the aerosol generating
article is
separable into discrete first and second sections, may be provided at any
suitable distance
along the aerosol generating article. Preferably, the region of weakness is
located at least 10
mm from either end of the aerosol generating article. More preferably, the
region of weakness
is located at least 20 mm from either end of the aerosol generating article.
This arrangement
allows the user to separate the first and second sections and place the
tubular element over the
heat source without having to hold either the first or second sections at a
position particularly
close to the combustible heat source, reducing the risk of the user being
exposed to high
surface temperatures near the heat source, or to soiling from the combustible
heat source.
In certain particular embodiments, the region of weakness is located from
about 10% to
about 90% along the length of the aerosol generating article, where 0% refers
to the upstream
end and 100% refers to the upstream end, or mouth end, of the aerosol
generating article. The
region of weakness may be located from about 20% to about 80% along the length
of the
aerosol generating article, from about about 30% to about 70% along the length
of the aerosol
generating article, or from about 40% to about 60% along the length of the
aerosol generating
article. In one particular embodiment, the the region of weakness is located
at about 50% along
the length of the aerosol generating article.
Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention comprise a
first section
having a combustible heat source and an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol-
generating
articles may comprise a plurality of elements assembled in the form of a rod.
As used herein, the term 'aerosol-generating article' is used to denote an
article
comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile
compounds that
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 12 -
can form an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may be a non-combustible
aerosol-
generating article, which is an article that releases volatile compounds
without the combustion
of the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may be a
heated aerosol-
generating article, which is an aerosol-generating article comprising an
aerosol-forming
substrate that is intended to be heated rather than combusted in order to
release volatile
compounds that can form an aerosol. A heated aerosol-generating article may
comprise an
onboard heating means forming part of the aerosol-generating article, or may
be configured to
interact with an external heater forming part of a separate aerosol-generating
device
An aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an
aerosol that is
directly inhalable into a user's lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosol-
generating article
may resemble a conventional smoking article, such as a cigarette. An aerosol-
generating
article may comprise tobacco. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.
An aerosol-
generating article may be partially-reusable and comprise a replenishable or
replaceable
aerosol-forming substrate.
The combustible heat source is preferably a solid heat source, and may
comprise any
suitable combustible fuel including, but not limited to, carbon and carbon-
based materials
containing aluminium, magnesium, one or more carbides, one or more nitrides
and
combinations thereof. Solid combustible heat sources for heated smoking
articles and methods
for producing such heat sources are known in the art and described in, for
example,
US-A-5,040,552 and US-A-5,595,577. Typically, known solid combustible heat
sources for
heated smoking articles are carbon-based, that is they comprise carbon as a
primary
combustible material.
The combustible heat source may be a combustible carbonaceous heat source.
The combustible heat source is preferably a blind combustible heat source.
As used herein, the term 'blind' describes a heat source that does not
comprise any air
flow channels extending from the front end face to the rear end face of the
combustible heat
source. As used herein, the term 'blind' is also used to describe a
combustible heat source
including one or more airflow channels extending from the front end face of
the combustible
heat source to the rear end face of the combustible heat source, wherein a
combustible
substantially air impermeable barrier between the rear end face of the
combustible heat source
and the aerosol-forming substrate barrier prevents air from being drawn along
the length of the
combustible heat source through the one or more airflow channels.
The inclusion of one or more closed air passageways increases the surface area
of the
blind combustible heat source that is exposed to oxygen from the air and may
advantageously
facilitate ignition and sustained combustion of the blind combustible heat
source.
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 13 -
Aerosol generating articles according to the invention comprising blind
combustible heat
sources comprise one or more air inlets downstream of the rear end face of the
combustible
heat source for drawing air into one or more airflow pathways through the
aerosol generating
article. Aerosol generating articles according to the invention comprising non-
blind combustible
heat sources may also comprise one or more air inlets downstream of the rear
end face of the
combustible heat source for drawing air into one or more airflow pathways
through the aerosol
generating article.
In some embodiments, aerosol generating articles according to the invention
comprising
blind combustible heat sources comprise one or more air inlets located
proximate to the
downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate.
In use, air drawn along the one or more airflow pathways of aerosol generating
articles
according to the invention comprising a blind combustible heat source does not
pass through
any airflow channels along the blind combustible heat source. The lack of any
airflow channels
through the blind combustible heat source advantageously substantially
prevents or inhibits
activation of combustion of the blind combustible heat source during puffing
by a user. This
substantially prevents or inhibits spikes in the temperature of the aerosol-
forming substrate
during puffing by a user. By preventing or inhibiting activation of combustion
of the blind
combustible heat source, and so preventing or inhibiting excess temperature
increases in the
aerosol-forming substrate, combustion or pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming
substrate under
intense puffing regimes may be advantageously avoided. In addition, the impact
of a user's
puffing regime on the composition of the mainstream aerosol may be
advantageously minimised
or reduced.
The inclusion of a blind combustible heat source may also advantageously
substantially
prevent or inhibit combustion and decomposition products and other materials
formed during
ignition and combustion of the blind combustible heat source from entering air
drawn through
aerosol generating articles according to the invention during use thereof.
This is particularly
advantageous where the blind combustible heat source comprises one or more
additives to aid
ignition or combustion of the blind combustible heat source.
In aerosol generating articles according to the invention comprising a blind
combustible
heat source, heat transfer from the blind combustible heat source to the
aerosol-forming
substrate occurs primarily by conduction. Heating of the aerosol-forming
substrate by forced
convection is minimised or reduced. This may advantageously help to minimise
or reduce the
impact of a user's puffing regime on the composition of the mainstream aerosol
of articles
according to the invention.
In aerosol generating articles according to the invention comprising a blind
combustible
heat source, it is particularly important to optimise the conductive heat
transfer between the
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 14 -
combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate. As described
further below, the
inclusion of one or more heat-conducting elements around at least a rear
portion of the
combustible carbonaceous heat source and at least a front portion of the
aerosol-forming
substrate is particularly preferred in aerosol generating articles according
to the invention
including blind heat sources, where there is little if any heating of the
aerosol-forming substrate
by forced convection.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the combustible heat source comprises
at least
one longitudinal airflow channel, which provides one or more airflow pathways
through the heat
source. The term "airflow channel" is used herein to describe a channel
extending along the
length of the heat source through which air may be drawn through the aerosol
generating
article. Such heat sources including one or more longitudinal airflow channels
are referred to
herein as "non-blind" heat sources.
The diameter of the at least one longitudinal airflow channel may be between
about 1.5
mm and about 3 mm, more preferably between about 2 mm and about 2.5 mm. The
inner
surface of the at least one longitudinal airflow channel may be partially or
entirely coated, as
described in more detail in WO-A-2009/022232.
In embodiments of aerosol generating articles that are conventional lit-end
cigarettes, the
heat source will be a volume of tobacco.
As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" is used to describe a
substrate
capable of releasing upon heating volatile compounds, which can form an
aerosol. The
aerosols generated from aerosol-forming substrates of aerosol generating
articles according to
the invention may be visible or invisible and may include vapours (for
example, fine particles of
substances, which are in a gaseous state, that are ordinarily liquid or solid
at room temperature)
as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapours.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
Alternatively, the
aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The
aerosol-forming
substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile
tobacco flavour
compounds, which are released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively,
the aerosol-
forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming
substrate may
further comprise one or more aerosol formers. Examples of suitable aerosol
formers include,
but are not limited to, glycerine and propylene glycol.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be a rod comprising a tobacco-containing
material.
If the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the
solid aerosol-
forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules,
pellets,
shreds, spaghetti strands, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb
leaf, tobacco leaf,
fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco,
extruded tobacco and
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 15 -
expanded tobacco. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in loose form, or
may be
provided in a suitable container or cartridge. For example, the aerosol-
forming material of the
solid aerosol-forming substrate may be contained within a paper or other
wrapper and have the
form of a plug. Where an aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a plug,
the entire plug
including any wrapper is considered to be the aerosol-forming substrate.
Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco
or non-
tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the solid
aerosol-forming
substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules that,
for example,
include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds and
such capsules
may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.
Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded
in a
thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powder, granules,
pellets, shreds,
spaghetti strands, strips or sheets. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may
be deposited on
the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel or
slurry. The solid
aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the entire surface of the
carrier, or alternatively,
may be deposited in a pattern in order to provide a non-uniform flavour
delivery during use.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of a plug or segment
comprising a
material capable of emitting volatile compounds in response to heating
circumscribed by a
paper or other wrapper. Where an aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of
such a plug or
segment, the entire plug or segment including any wrapper is considered to be
the aerosol-
forming substrate.
The aerosol-forming substrate preferably has a length of between about 5 mm
and about
20 mm. In certain embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length
of between
about 6 mm and about 15 mm or a length of between about 7 mm and about 12 mm.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plug of tobacco-based material
wrapped in
a plug wrap. In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises
a plug of
homogenised tobacco-based material wrapped in a plug wrap.
In any of the above embodiments, the combustible heat source and the aerosol-
forming
substrate may be in abutting coaxial alignment. As used herein, the terms
"abutting" and "abut"
are used to describe a component, or a portion of a component, being in direct
contact with
another component, or portion of a component.
Aerosol generating articles according to the invention may comprise a heat-
conducting
element around and in direct contact with both at least a rear portion of the
combustible heat
source and at least a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. In such
embodiments, the
heat-conducting element provides a thermal link between the combustible heat
source and the
aerosol-forming substrate of aerosol generating articles according to the
invention and
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 16 -
advantageously helps to facilitate adequate heat transfer from the combustible
heat source to
the aerosol-forming substrate to provide an acceptable aerosol.
Alternatively or in addition, aerosol generating articles according to the
invention may
comprise a heat-conducting element spaced apart from one or both of the
combustible heat
source and the aerosol-forming substrate, such that there is no direct contact
between the heat-
conducting element and one or both of the combustible heat source and the
aerosol-forming
substrate.
Where the aerosol generating article comprises a heat-conducting element
around at least
a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of
the aerosol-forming
substrate, the heat-conducting element may be formed by the wrapper. For
example, the
wrapper may comprise one or more layers of heat conductive material which form
the one or
more heat-conducting elements.
The one or more heat-conducting elements are preferably non-combustible. In
certain
embodiments, the one or more heat-conducting elements may be oxygen
restricting. In other
words, the one or more heat-conducting elements may inhibit or resist the
passage of oxygen
through the heat-conducting element.
Suitable heat-conducting elements include, but are not limited to: metal foil
wrappers such
as, for example, aluminium foil wrappers, steel wrappers, iron foil wrappers
and copper foil
wrappers; and metal alloy foil wrappers.
Aerosol generating articles according to the invention may comprise a transfer
element, or
spacer element, downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. Such an element
may take the
form of a hollow tube that is located downstream of an aerosol-forming
substrate.
The transfer element may abut one or both of the aerosol-forming substrate and
a
mouthpiece. Alternatively, the transfer element may be spaced apart from one
or both of the
aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece.
The inclusion of a transfer element advantageously allows cooling of the
aerosol
generated by heat transfer from the combustible heat source to the aerosol
forming substrate.
The inclusion of a transfer element also advantageously allows the overall
length of the aerosol
generating article to be adjusted to a desired value, for example to a length
similar to that of a
conventional cigarette, through an appropriate choice of the length of the
transfer element.
The transfer element may have a length of between about 7 mm and about 50 mm,
for
example a length of between about 10 mm and about 45 mm or of between about 15
mm and
about 30 mm. The transfer element may have other lengths depending upon the
desired overall
length of the aerosol generating article, and the presence and length of other
components within
the aerosol generating article.
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 17 -
The term "transfer element" refers to an element which comprises at least one
open-
ended tubular hollow body. When the aerosol-generating article is in its
assembled state, that is,
when first and second sections are integrally connected at the region of
weakness, the transfer
element provides a hollow body defining part of the airflow pathway through
the article. Where
the aerosol-generating article comprises a transfer element, in use, air drawn
into the aerosol
generating article passes through the at least one open-ended tubular hollow
body of the
transfer element as it passes downstream through the aerosol generating
article from the
aerosol-forming substrate to the distal end of the aerosol generating article.
The transfer element may comprise at least one open-ended tubular hollow body
formed
from one or more suitable materials that are substantially thermally stable at
the temperature of
the aerosol generated by the transfer of heat from the combustible
carbonaceous heat source to
the aerosol-forming substrate. Suitable materials are known in the art and
include, but are not
limited to, paper, cardboard, plastics, such a cellulose acetate, ceramics and
combinations
thereof.
In embodiments of aerosol generating article in which the first section, which
includes the
heat source and the aerosol forming substrate, is upstream of the second
section when the first
and second sections are integrally connected at the region of weakness and the
tubular element
is a hollow tube that is open at both ends, the transfer element may comprise
the tubular
element. The transfer element may be formed by the tubular element.
Aerosol generating articles according to the invention may comprise an aerosol-
cooling
element or heat exchanger downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The
aerosol-cooling
element may comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending channels.
The aerosol-cooling element may comprise a gathered sheet of material selected
from the
group consisting of metallic foil, polymeric material, and substantially non-
porous paper or
cardboard. In certain embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may comprise a
gathered
sheet of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP),
polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid
(PLA), cellulose
acetate (CA), and aluminium foil.
In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may comprise a
gathered
sheet of biodegradable polymeric material, such as polylactic acid (PLA) or a
grade of Mater-
Bi (a commercially available family of starch based copolyesters).
Preferably, the aerosol generating article comprises a mouthpiece downstream
of the
aerosol-forming substrate and positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol
generating
article. The mouthpiece may form part of the first section or the second
section. The
mouthpiece may be provided as a separate component, or as part of a third
section that is
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 18 -
integrally connected to the first or second sections, either directly or via
one or more
intermediate components.
The mouthpiece may comprise a filter. For example, the mouthpiece may comprise
a
filter plug having one or more segments. Where the mouthpiece comprises a
filter plug,
preferably the filter plug is a single segment filter plug. The filter plug
may comprise one or
more segments comprising cellulose acetate, paper or other suitable known
filtration materials,
or combinations thereof. Preferably, the filter plug comprises filtration
material of low filtration
efficiency.
The aerosol generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The
aerosol
generating article may be substantially elongate. The aerosol generating
article has a length
and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The
aerosol-
forming substrate may be substantially elongate. The aerosol-forming substrate
also has a
length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The
aerosol-forming
substrate may be located in the aerosol generating article such that the
length of the aerosol-
forming substrate is substantially parallel to the airflow direction in the
aerosol generating
article.
The transfer section or element may be substantially elongate.
The aerosol generating article may have any desired length. For example, the
aerosol
generating article may have a total length of between approximately 65 mm and
approximately
100 mm.
The aerosol generating article may have any desired external diameter. For
example, the
aerosol generating article may have an external diameter of between
approximately 5 mm and
approximately 12 mm.
The aerosol generating article may be circumscribed by an outer wrapper of,
for example,
cigarette paper, which has low air permeability. Alternatively or in addition,
the mouthpiece may
be circumscribed by tipping paper.
It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various
features
described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented
and/or supplied
and/or used independently.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with
reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first
embodiment of a
smoking article according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smoking
article of
Figure 1, in which the smoking article is in an extinguishing configuration;
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 19 -
Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second
embodiment of
a smoking article according to the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smoking
article of
Figure 3, in which the smoking article is in an extinguishing configuration;
Figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third
embodiment of a
smoking article, which is included for background interest only; and
Figure 6 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smoking
article of
Figure 5, in which the removable cap is removed.
The smoking article 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention
shown in
Figure 1 comprises a blind combustible carbonaceous heat source 102, an
aerosol-forming
substrate 104, an airflow directing element 106, an aerosol-cooling element
108, and a
mouthpiece 110 in abutting coaxial alignment. The combustible carbonaceous
heat source 102,
aerosol-forming substrate 104 and airflow directing element 106 are
overwrapped in a first outer
wrapper 112 of cigarette paper of low air permeability, forming a first
section 114 of the smoking
article 100. The aerosol-cooling element 108 and mouthpiece 110 are
overwrapped in a
second outer wrapper 116 of cigarette paper of low air permeability, forming a
second section
118 of the smoking article 100. The first section 114 is thus upstream of the
second section
118. The smoking article 100 further includes a band of tipping paper 120
circumscribing at
least a downstream portion of the first section 114 and at least an upstream
portion of the
second section 118. The first section 114 and the second section 118 are
integrally connected
by the tipping paper 120 along a first line of weakness 122 which comprises a
plurality of
perforations that circumscribe the smoking article 100. The first line of
weakness 122 defines a
weakness formation in the tipping paper 120.
A removable cap 124 is provided at the distal end of the smoking article 100,
and is
directly adjacent to the heat source 102. The removable cap 124 comprises a
central portion
126, and is wrapped in a portion 128 of the first outer wrapper 112. In the
embodiment shown,
the central portion 126 comprises a desiccant, such as glycerine, provided to
preferentially
absorb moisture as compared to the heat source. The portion 128 of the first
outer wrapper is
connected to the rest of the first outer wrapper 112 along a second line of
weakness 130. The
line of weakness 130 comprises a plurality of perforations in the first outer
wrapper 112 that
circumscribe the smoking article 100.
The aerosol-forming substrate 104 is located immediately downstream of the
combustible
carbonaceous heat source 102 and comprises a cylindrical plug 132 of tobacco
material,
comprising glycerine as an aerosol former, that is circumscribed by plug wrap
134.
A non-combustible, substantially air impermeable barrier 136 is provided
between the
downstream end of the combustible heat source 102 and the upstream end of the
aerosol-
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 20 -
forming substrate 104. As shown in Figure 1, the non-combustible,
substantially air
impermeable barrier consists of a non-combustible, substantially air
impermeable, barrier
coating 136, which is provided on the entire rear face of the combustible
carbonaceous heat
source 102.
A heat conducting element (not shown) consisting of a tubular layer of
aluminium foil
surrounds and is in direct contact with a rear portion of the combustible
carbonaceous heat
source 102 and an abutting front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 104.
The airflow directing element 106 is located downstream of the aerosol-forming
substrate
104 and comprises an open-ended, substantially air impermeable hollow tube 138
made of, for
example, cardboard, which is of reduced diameter compared to the aerosol-
forming substrate
104. The upstream end of the open-ended hollow tube 138 abuts the aerosol-
forming substrate
104. The open-ended hollow tube 138 is circumscribed by an annular air
permeable diffuser
140 made of, for example, cellulose acetate tow, which is of substantially the
same diameter as
the aerosol-forming substrate 104.
The open-ended hollow tube 138, and annular air permeable diffuser 140 may be
separate components that are adhered or otherwise connected together to form
the airflow
directing element 106 prior to assembly of the smoking article 100. In yet
further embodiments,
the open-ended hollow tube 138 and annular air permeable diffuser 140 may be
parts of a
single component. For example, the open-ended hollow tube and annular air
permeable
diffuser may be parts of a single hollow tube of air permeable material having
a substantially air
impermeable coating applied to its inner surface.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the central portion 116 of the
removable cap 114 is
manufactured from the same material as the airflow directing element, and so
comprises an
open-ended substantially air impermeable hollow tube circumscribed by an
annular air
permeable diffuser.
As shown in Figure 1, a circumferential arrangement of air inlets 142 is
provided in the
first outer wrapper 112 circumscribing the first section 114 in the region of
the airflow directing
element 106.
The aerosol-cooling element 108 is located immediately downstream of the
airflow
directing element 106 and comprises a gathered sheet of biodegradable
polymeric material,
such as, for example, polylactic acid.
The mouthpiece 110 of the smoking article 100 is located immediately
downstream of the
aerosol-cooling element 108 and comprises a filter segment 144, having a
cylindrical plug 146
of suitable filtration material such as, for example, cellulose acetate tow of
very low filtration
efficiency circumscribed by filter plug wrap 148, and a tubular element 150
immediately
downstream of the filter segment 144. The tubular element 150 comprises a
cylindrical tube of
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
-21 -
suitable, substantially rigid material such as, for example cardboard, stiff
paper or heat resistant
rigid plastic. The tubular element 150 defines a recess 152 at the mouth end
of the smoking
article 100. The mouthpiece 110 thus has a mouth end cavity formed by the
recess 152.
To use the smoking article 100, the user removes the removable cap 124 by
transversely
compressing the cap by pinching it between thumb and finger. By compressing
the cap 124,
sufficient force is provided to the second line of weakness 130 to locally
break the first outer
wrapper 112. The user then removes the cap 124 by twisting the cap to break
the remaining
portion of the second line of weakness 130. When the cap 124 is removed the
heat source 102
is partially exposed which enables the user to light the smoking article 100.
In use, the user ignites the combustible heat source 102 which heats the
aerosol-forming
substrate 104 to produce an aerosol. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece
110 air is
drawn through the air inlets 142, through the aerosol-forming substrate 104,
airflow directing
element 106, aerosol-cooling element 108, and mouthpiece 110, as indicated by
the arrows in
Figure 1, and into the user's mouth.
After use of the smoking article 100, the user breaks the smoking article in
two by
breaking the tipping paper 120 along the first line of weakness 122 to
separate the first section
114 and the second section 118 across separation plane 1000. The user then
places the
downstream end of the second section 118 over the upstream end of the first
section 114 so
that the combustible heat source 102 is received in the recess 152 of the
tubular element 150,
as shown in Figure 2.
In the extinguishing configuration shown in Figure 2, the tubular element 150
is a frictional
fit over the combustible heat source 102, such that it is retained over the
combustible heat
source 102 and the first and second sections 114, 188 are held together. The
tubular element
150, which may be made from any suitable material, such as flame-retardant
material,
sufficiently restricts the supply of oxygen to the combustible heat source so
that the heat source
extinguishes, and thus cools down. In this way, the user is provided with a
simple and self-
contained means of extinguishing the combustible heat source after use of the
smoking article.
Further, the tubular element may be provided with a fragrance that may be
evolved when
the tubular element is heated by the combustible heat source. The fragrance
may be released
into the atmosphere and may act to mask any unpleasant odours released by the
heat source
as it is being extinguished. The fragrance may provide an air freshening
effect by emitting
pleasant odours and fragrances. Preferably the fragrance is sufficiently
volatile that it swiftly
evaporates after the tubular element is placed over the combustible heat
source.
In preferred embodiments the fragrance may include one or more fragrance
ingredient
selected from the list consisting of Amyl Cinnamal, Amylcinnamyl Alcohol,
Benzyl Alcohol,
Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol,
Geraniol,
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 22 -
Hydroxycitronellal, Hyroxymethylpentylcyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, lsoeugenol,
Anisyl Alcohol,
Benzyl Benzoate, Benyl Cinnamate, Citronellol, Farnesol, Hexyl Cinnamaldehyde
2-methy1-3-
(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde, d-Limonene, Linalool, Methyl heptine
carbonate, and 3-
Methyl-4-(2 ,6,6-trimethy1-2-cyclohexen-1-y1)-buten-2-one.
Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a smoking article 300. The smoking
article 300 is of similar construction to the first embodiment of smoking
article 100 shown in
Figures 1 and 2, and where the same features are present, like reference
numerals have been
used. However, as shown in Figure 3, the tubular element 350 of smoking
article 300 of the
second embodiment is located immediately upstream of the aerosol-cooling
element 308 and is
at the upstream end of the second section 318, rather than at the downstream
end of the
second section. The recess 352 defined by the tubular element 350 forms a
transfer element,
or spacer element, between the airflow directing element 306 and the aerosol-
cooling element
308. Instead of having a mouth end cavity formed by the tubular element, as in
the first
embodiment of smoking article shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 310 and mouth
end of the
smoking article 300 are formed by the filter segment 344.
To use the smoking article 300, the user removes the removable cap 324, in the
same
way as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, to partially expose the
combustible heat
source 302 which enables the user to light the smoking article 300.
In use, the user ignites the combustible heat source 302 which heats the
aerosol-forming
substrate 304 to produce an aerosol. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece
310 air is
drawn through the air inlets 342, through the aerosol-forming substrate 304,
airflow directing
element 306, tubular element 346, aerosol-cooling element 308, and mouthpiece
310, as
indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, and into the user's mouth.
After use of the smoking article 300, the user breaks the smoking article in
two by
breaking the tipping paper 320 along the first line of weakness 322 to
separate the first section
314 and the second section 318 across separation plane 3000. The user then
places the
upstream end of the second section 318 over the upstream end of the first
section 314 so that
the combustible heat source 302 is received in the recess 352 of the tubular
element 350, as
shown in Figure 4.
In the extinguishing configuration shown in Figure 4, as with the smoking
article 100 of the
first embodiment, the tubular element 350 is a frictional fit over the
combustible heat source
302, such that it is retained over the combustible heat source 302 to
sufficiently restrict the
supply of oxygen to the combustible heat source so that the heat source
extinguishes, and thus
cools down. In this embodment, the recess 352 defined by the tubular element
350 preferably
has a length greater than that of the exposed portion of the heat source 302
received in the
recess 352. This avoids direct contact between the combustible heat source 302
and the
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 23 -
aerosol-cooling element 308, reducing the risk of exposing the aerosol-cooling
element 308 to
excessive heat from the heat source during extinguishing which may otherwise
result in the
emission of unpleasant odours from melting of the aerosol-cooling element 308.
Alternatively, or in addition, the tubular element 350 may comprise a
thermally insulating
material to reduce the heat transfer from the heat source 302 to the aerosol-
cooling element
308 during extinguishing.
Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of smoking article 500 which is
included for
background interest only.
The smoking article 500 is similar to the first and second
embodiments of smoking article 100, 300 shown in Figures 1 to 4, and where the
same features
are present, like reference numerals have been used. However, with the smoking
article 500 of
the third embodiment, the first section 514 is downstream of the second
section 518 and
comprises comprises a blind combustible carbonaceous heat source 502, an
aerosol-forming
substrate 504, an airflow directing element 506, an aerosol-cooling element
508, a transfer
element 509 and a mouthpiece 510 in abutting coaxial alignment. As with the
smoking article
300 of the second embodiment, the mouthpiece 510 and mouth end of the smoking
article 500
are formed by filter segment 544.
The combustible carbonaceous heat source 502, aerosol-forming substrate 504
and
airflow directing element 506 are overwrapped in a first outer wrapper 512 of
cigarette paper of
low air permeability, forming a first part of the first section 514. The
aerosol-cooling element
508, transfer element 509 and mouthpiece 510 are overwrapped in a second outer
wrapper 516
of cigarette paper of low air permeability, forming a second part of the first
section 514. The first
section 514 further includes a band of tipping paper 520 circumscribing at
least a downstream
portion of the first outer wrapper 512 and at least an upstream portion of the
second outer
wrapper 516 to hold the two parts of the first section 514 together.
As with the smoking articles 100, 300 of the first and second embodiments,
smoking
article 500 also includes a removable cap 524 at the distal end of the smoking
article 500 and
directly adjacent to the heat source 502. The removable cap 124 comprises a
central portion
526, and is wrapped in a portion 528 of the first outer wrapper 512. The
portion 528 of the first
outer wrapper which circumscribes the cap 524 is connected to the rest of the
first outer
wrapper 512 along a line of weakness 522. The line of weakness 522 comprises a
plurality of
perforations in the first outer wrapper 512 that circumscribe the smoking
article 500. The line of
weakness 522 defines a weakness formation in the first outer wrapper 512.
Unlike the smoking articles 100, 300 of the first and second embodiments, in
this
embodiment, the tubular element 550 is provided as part of the cap 524,
forming the second
section 514 of the smoking article 500. The tubular element 550 circumscribes
the central
portion 526 of the cap 524 and at least part of the length of the heat source
502. In this
CA 03006238 2018-05-24
WO 2017/114760
PCT/EP2016/082469
- 24 -
manner, the heat source 502 is received in the recess 552 defined by the
tubular element 550
prior to use of the smoking article. The portion 528 of the first outer
wrapper 512 which
circumscribes the cap also circumscribes the tubular element 550 and
integrally connects the
first section 514 and the second section 518.
To use the smoking article 500, the user separates the first and second
sections 514, 518
across separation plane 5000 by twisting the cap 524 and the tubular element
550 to break the
first outer wrapper 512 along the line of weakness 522 and separate the first
portion 528 of
wrapper from the rest of the first outer wrapper 512. When the first and
second sections 514
518 are separated, as shown in Figure 6, the heat source 502 is partially
exposed enabling the
user to light the smoking article 500.
In use, the user ignites the combustible heat source 502 which heats the
aerosol-forming
substrate 504 to produce an aerosol. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece
510 air is
drawn through the air inlets 542, through the aerosol-forming substrate 504,
airflow directing
element 506, aerosol-cooling element 508, transfer element 509 and mouthpiece
510, as
indicated by the arrows in Figure 6, and into the user's mouth.
After use of the smoking article 500, the user returns the second section 518
to its initial
position at the upstream end of the first section 514 so that the combustible
heat source 502 is
received in the recess 552 of the tubular element 550. In this position, the
tubular element 550
is a frictional fit over the combustible heat source 502 and sufficiently
restricts the supply of
oxygen to the combustible heat source so that the heat source extinguishes,
and thus cools
down.
In all of the above described embodiments, the tubular element may comprise an
intumescent material, or heat-shrink material which reacts to the heat of the
combustible heat
source to further restrict the supply of oxygen to the heat source when the
smoking article is in
the extinguishing configuration. The intumescent or heat-shrink material may
also at least
partially close the open end of the tubular element to further restrict the
supply of oxygen to the
heat source. In addition to yet further restricting the supply of oxygen, the
at least partially
closed end of the tubular element may provide a physical barrier between the
heat source and
any external materials.
The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate but do not
limit the
invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments of the invention may
be made and the
specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.
