Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FILTER ELEMENT FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE
The present invention relates to a filter element for a smoking article, such
as a
cigarette, cigarillo or the like, and to a smoking article which includes such
a filter
element.
Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigarillos or the like, are popular
consumer
products that typically have a generally cylindrical rod shaped configuration
and
include a charge, roll, or column of smokable material, such as shredded
tobacco
(e.g. in cut filler form), which is surrounded by a paper wrapper forming a so-
called
"tobacco rod". A cigarette or cigarillo usually also has a cylindrical filter
element
aligned in end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. The filter element
may, for
example, comprise a plug of cellulose acetate tow, and the tow is
circumscribed by
a wrapper material known as "plug wrap". Typically, the filter element is
attached
to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known
as
"tipping wrapper". The filter element wrapped by the tipping wrapper is known
as
"mouthpiece element".
In recent years there has been increasing consumer demand for smoking articles
providing modified sensory attributes, and particularly for cigarettes
incorporating
filter elements, which may act as vehicles for adding flavour to mainstream
smoke
of the cigarettes. Specifically, these smoking articles have included flavour-
altering
.. substances in breakable pellets or capsules. During cigarette manufacture,
the
filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod having such pellets or
capsules
positioned within that rod; e.g., along a longitudinal axis thereof. The
continuous
filter rod is then divided or cut at predetermined intervals to form a
plurality of filter
elements, such that each filter element includes at least one of the capsules.
The
capsules are then manually broken by the consumer to release a substance into
the filter material which acts to alter one or more characteristics of the
mainstream
smoke during smoking, such as flavour, taste, or TNCO levels (tar, nicotine,
CO).
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For this purpose, breakable capsules having a shell containing the substance
to
be released have been used. Most recently, such breakable capsules have
started
to focus on liquid release, especially water release. This can become
problematic,
however, as the released liquid tends to soak the filter element, including
the filter
wrapper and the tipping wrapper that joins the filter element to the tobacco
rod,
which can result in liquid leakage that will impact on the quality appearance
of the
smoking article.
The type of capsule used to release a liquid substance will also have an
impact on
the extent of the problem. Typically, breakable capsules have an isotropic
resistance to break, which translates into an impossibility to determine the
specific
rupture location of the capsule, and, thus, the region of the filter element
into which
the contained substance is released. As a result, mitigating leakage is
burdensome as the smoking article has to be designed considering liquid
release
in all possible directions.
To address this problem, water absorbent layers have been proposed in
combination with water impermeable filter wrappers and tipping wrappers. These
are costly, and add complexity to the manufacturing process. Another problem
of
this solution is that, to ensure water impermeability, the smoking article
cannot be
generally ventilated through the mouthpiece element, for example by providing
perforations through the tipping wrapper that extend into the filter wrapper,
as this
would break the water impermeability barrier created by the wrappers. As a
result,
flavour, taste, and TNCO levels have to be adjusted at the tobacco rod, via
blending of the smokeable material, and ventilation of the paper wrapper,
which is
more challenging as the tobacco rod is progressively consumed during smoking.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a smoking article with a
liquid-
filled capsule that mitigates liquid leakage through a ventilated mouthpiece
element, as well as a filter element for use in such a smoking article.
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In accordance with this invention, a smoking article is provided having the
features
as recited in claim 1, as well as a filter element with the features as
recited in claim
11. Advantageous or preferred features of the invention are recited in the
dependent claims.
Thus, according to one aspect, the present invention provides a smoking
article
having a rod element of smokeable material connected to a filter element by a
tipping wrapper. The filter element has a first end for connection to the rod
element
of smokeable material, and an opposite, second end for insertion into a mouth
of a
user. The filter element comprises a liquid-filled directional capsule
arranged
between the first and second ends of the filter element, the directional
capsule
having a rupture region at which it is designed to rupture upon application of
external pressure to release liquid contained therein. By providing the
smoking
article with a ventilation zone arranged between the first end of the filter
element
and the rupture region of the directional capsule, flavour, taste, and TNCO
levels
may be adjusted at the mouthpiece element by admitting air into the mainstream
smoke flow through the filter element, while mitigating liquid leakage through
it.
In this regard, the inventors have surprising ascertained that spacing the
directional capsule, and particularly the rupture region of the directional
capsule,
further from the second end of the filter element than the ventilation zone
results in
a configuration which exhibits minimal or no leakage of liquid released from
the
directional capsule through the ventilation zone. Without wanting to be bound
by
theory, it is thought that the pressure exerted by the flow of the mainstream
smoke
and air on the liquid released from the directional capsule acts to trap and
hold the
liquid from egress in this configuration of the filter element.
It will be noted that the term "liquid-filled directional capsule" as used
herein refers
to a capsule containing a volume of liquid that is adapted to direct liquid
release
into a particular desired direction or towards a particular desired region. In
particular, the rupture region of the capsule may be arranged to release the
liquid
in an axial direction, such as a longitudinal axis of the filter element, into
an
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adjacent region of filter material, especially a fibrous filter material like
cellulose
acetate tow.
The directional capsule may be arranged in the filter element such that the
rupture
region is located closer to the first end of the filter element than to the
second end
of the filter element. As an alternative, the directional capsule may be
arranged in
the filter element with the rupture region located closer to the second end of
the
filter element than to the first end of the filter element.
The filter element may comprise more than one capsule, for example one or more
directional capsules and one or more non-directional capsules. Where one or
more directional capsules are provided, all of the directional capsules may be
oriented in the same direction; alternatively, one or more directional
capsules may
be oriented in a first direction with their respective rupture point pointing
towards
the end for connection to the rod element of smokeable material, i.e. the
first end
of the filter element and one or more capsules may be oriented in a second
direction with their respective rupture region pointing towards the end for
insertion
into the mouth of the user, i.e. the second end of the filter element.
The ventilation zone may be embodied as a plurality of perforations through
the
tipping wrapper. These perforations may extend into a portion of the filter
element,
such as a filter wrapper or a plug of filter tow. Alternatively, the filter
element may
be air permeable at least at a region underlying the perforations through the
tipping wrapper.
The ventilation zone may also be embodied as a plurality of perforations
extending
into a portion of the filter element, such as a filter wrapper or a plug of
filter tow.
The tipping wrapper may be air permeable at least at a region overlying the
perforations extending into a portion of the filter element.
The ventilation zone may additionally be embodied as an air permeable area in
at
least the tipping wrapper.
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The distance between the rupture region of the directional capsule and the
ventilation zone may be of at least 1mm, for example of at least 2 mm. Such
distance may be of at least 3 mm, and even of at least 4mm. By providing this
separation between the rupture region of the directional capsule and the
ventilation zone it is possible to embody the ventilation zone as a plurality
of
perforations through the tipping wrapper and possibly also extending into a
portion
of the filter element during manufacturing of the smoking article without
damaging
the directional capsule.
The distance between the ventilation zone and the first end of the filter
element
may be of at least 1 mm, for example of at least 2 mm. Such distance may be of
at
least 3 mm, and even of at least 4 mm. By providing such a separation between
the ventilation zone and the first end of the filter element the amount of
liquid
progressing into the filter end of the smokeable material may be adjusted. The
closer the ventilation zone to the first filter end, the more quantity of
liquid that
progresses into the filter end of the rod element of smokeable material. This
is
indeed advantageous as it can serve to prolong shelf life of smoking articles
in hot,
dry climates where humidity from the smokeable material egresses into the
ambient air, especially after first pack opening.
The directional capsule may comprise a shell that defines or surrounds a
volume
of liquid. The shell may comprise a weakened region in which the shell is
configured to break preferentially upon application of an external force, for
example, a compressive force. The weakened region may comprise one or more
lines of weakness. Alternatively, the weakened region may comprise one or more
stress concentrator elements. A combination of lines of weakness and stress
concentrator elements would also be possible to form the weakened region.
The directional capsule may be elongate. Alternatively, the directional
capsule
may be substantially spherical, or ovoidal. The directional capsule may be a
seamless shell. Alternatively, the directional capsule may be an open-ended
shell,
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which is closed and sealed with a cap. The shell may have a side wall or
lateral
wall that extends from an end wall to an open end and thus surrounds or
defines a
cavity in the shell. The lateral wall may end in a rim at the open end to
facilitate
application of the cap. The lateral wall may be generally cylindrical or may
be
faceted. The side or lateral wall may taper or narrow from the open end
towards
the end wall.
The shell may be made from a resiliently deformable material, such as a
polymer
material. The cap is typically formed and cut from a section or an expanse of
sheet
material, such as a laminated plastic sheet material. The liquid in the
capsule may
comprise purified water or a water-based liquid which contains a dissolved or
suspended substance, such as a flavouring substance.
The directional capsule may contain a volume of at least 0.05 ml, for example
of at
least 0.07 ml, or of at least 0.08 ml. By providing such volume of liquid, the
quantity of liquid released with one compression is sufficient to produce a
noticeable effect on the characteristics of the mainstream smoke.
The volume of liquid in the directional capsule may be no more than 0.15m1,
for
example no more than 0.12 ml, or no more than 0.10 ml. By providing such
volume of liquid, liquid leakage is mitigated further.
The filter element itself typically has a length in the range of about 5 mm to
40 mm,
preferably in the range of about 15 mm to about 30 mm. The distance between
the
ventilation zone and the first end of the filter element may be of at least 7
mm, for
example of at least 9 mm. This distance may be no more than 17 mm, for example
no more than 15 mm.
The filter element according to this invention may comprise a single filter
segment.
Alternatively, the filter element may include a plurality of filter segments
arranged
in series along a longitudinal axis of the filter element. That is, it may be
a multi-
component filter element comprising two or more filter segments. The one or
more
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filter segments may comprise any suitable known filter materials including,
but not
limited to, cellulose acetate, paper and combinations thereof. Thus, the
filter
element may have at least one segment comprised of a fibrous filtration
material,
and optionally multiple segments comprised of a fibrous filtration material,
typically
a cellulosic filtration material, such as cellulose acetate tow.
At least one filter segment may contain a particulate material, such as a
sorbent or
flavouring. The particulate material may be embedded in fibrous filtration
material
or contained in a cavity. The particulate material may be arranged between the
rupture region of the directional capsule and the first end of the filter
element, or
between the second end of the filter element and the directional capsule.
Selection
will depend on the desired effect on the characteristics of the mainstream
smoke
through the filter element.
In an embodiment, the filter element may comprise fibrous filtration material
arranged between the first end of the filter element and the rupture region of
the
directional capsule. The fibrous filtration material may extend at least 7 mm,
for
example 9 mm, between the rupture region of the directional capsule and the
first
end of the filter element. By providing this amount of fibrous filtration
material
immediately upstream of the directional capsule liquid leakage is mitigated
and the
effect of the released liquid on the characteristics of the mainstream smoke
is
prolonged in time.
The filter element may comprise a filter wrapper at least partly extending
between
the first and second filter ends. The filter wrapper may, for example,
surround the
directional capsule and/or any filtration material in the filter element. In
an
arrangement, the filter wrapper extends at least between the rupture region of
the
directional capsule and the first end of the filter element.
The inventors have ascertained that, by providing a filter wrapper that
extends
between the rupture region of the directional capsule and the first end of the
filter
element that has a basis weight of at least 40 g/m2, for example of at least
45
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g/m2, liquid leakage is further mitigated. The basis weight may be of no more
than
125 g/m2 to ease manufacturing.
The inventors have also ascertained that, by providing a filter wrapper that
extends
between the rupture region of the directional capsule and the first end of the
filter
element that has a Cobb water absorption (IS0535:1991) value (at 60 seconds)
of
no more than 35 g/m2, for example of no more than 31 g/m2, liquid leakage is
yet
further mitigated.
In multi-component filter elements, a filter segment upstream of the rupture
region
of the directional capsule may be wrapped by a filter wrapper, referred to as
a filter
segment wrapper, and two or more filter segments or components may be
combined together by another filter wrapper, referred to as combiner filter
wrapper.
In this case, the basis weight of the filter segment wrapper may be of no more
than
50 g/m2, for example no more than 40 g/m2, such as about 27 g/m2, whereas the
basis weight of the combiner filter wrapper may be of at least 40 g/m2,
preferably,
although not necessarily, of no more than 125 g/m2. In such case, the combined
basis weight of the filter wrappers may be of between 65 g/m2 and 175 g/m2. In
this embodiment, both filter wrappers may have the Cobb water absorption
values
as defined above. The Cobb water absorption value of the combiner filter
wrapper
may be lower than that of the filter segment wrapper.
The filter wrapper or wrappers may have a low porosity. In particular, the
filter
wrappers may have a porosity of 6 CU or lower, for example of 5 CU or lower.
The
symbol "CU" herein designates the CORESTA air permeability unit that is
commonly used in paper specifications by cigarette designers. The CORESTA air
permeability unit is defined as: "the volumetric flow rate of air in cubic
centimeters
per minute (cm3 m1n-1) passing through a 1 square centimeter (cm2) sample of
substrate at an applied pressure difference of 1 kilo-Pascal (kPa)." The
filter
wrapper or wrappers may be non-porous.
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Typically, the tipping wrapper is generally rectangular and is wrapped
cylindrically
around at least part of the rod element of smokeable material and at least
part of
the filter element. The tipping wrapper is wrapped around and thereby
encompasses or envelops at least part of the filter element so that the
tipping
wrapper physically and mechanically attaches or connects the filter element to
the
rod element of smokeable material. In this way, the tipping wrapper will
typically
encompass or circumscribe the filter element and an adjacent end portion of
the
rod element of smokeable material. Thus, the portion of the rod element of
smokeable material encompassed or circumscribed by the tipping wrapper is
typically in the range of 1 mm to 16 mm in length, for example in the range of
2
mm to 12 mm in length. As used herein, the term "length" denotes the dimension
in the axial or longitudinal direction of the smoking article.
In a preferred embodiment, the tipping wrapper includes a bonding region in
which
an adhesive is applied. That is, the tipping wrapper is typically bonded in a
region
in which the tipping wrapper overlaps with itself when wrapped around the
filter
element and at least part of the rod element of smokeable material. The
bonding
region is preferably elongate and extends in a longitudinal direction of the
smoking
article; for example, along an edge portion of the tipping wrapper.
In an embodiment, the bonding region in which the adhesive is applied extends
over the whole surface of the tipping wrapper that is in contact with the
filter
element and the rod element. In other words, there is no glue-free zone at the
inward side of the tipping wrapper. It has been found that, surprisingly, the
adhesive acts as a barrier for fluids. In particular, a glue film may act as a
water-
barrier.
The tipping wrapper may have a Cobb water absorption (IS0535:1991) value (at
60 seconds) of no more than 25 g/m2, for example of no more than 21 g/m2. By
providing such values, thick tipping wrappers, difficult to manufacture, and
liquid-
repellent coatings may be avoided.
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The rod element of smokeable material in the smoking article of the invention
may
comprise any suitable tobacco cut filler. Preferably, the smoking article
includes
cigarette tobacco cut filler comprising types of tobacco such as Virginia,
Burley,
Oriental and Semi Oriental. The tobacco cut filler may comprise a blend of two
or
more different types of tobacco; e.g. of the above-mentioned types of tobacco.
Alternatively, the tobacco cut filler may comprise a single one of the above-
mentioned types of tobacco. The tobacco cut filler may comprise tobaccos that
are, for example, air, sun or flue-cured. Alternatively or in addition, the
tobacco cut
filler may have undergone treatment, for example, to reduce tobacco-specific
nitrosamines (TSNA). Besides tobacco leaf, the tobacco cut filler may include
other ingredients typically found in tobacco cut filler such as, for example,
expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco (e.g. reconstituted tobacco, cast
tobacco, or extruded tobacco), tobacco stem (e.g. expanded or improved stem),
tobacco fines, and any combinations thereof. Flavours and casings comprising
one or more humectants, flavourants, sugars or combinations thereof may also
be
applied to the tobacco cut filler in a known manner.
Another aspect of the invention refers to a filter element having a first end
for
connection to a rod element of smokeable material and an opposite, second end
for insertion into a mouth of a user. A liquid-filled directional capsule is
arranged
between the first and second ends of the filter element, the directional
capsule
having a rupture region at which it is designed to rupture upon application of
external pressure to release liquid contained therein. By providing the filter
element with a ventilation zone arranged between the first end of the filter
element
and the rupture region of the directional capsule, flavour, taste, and TNCO
levels
may be adjusted at the mouthpiece element by admitting air into the mainstream
smoke flow through the filter element, while mitigating liquid leakage through
it.
For a more complete understanding of the invention and the advantages thereof,
exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the
following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in
which
like reference characters designate like parts and in which:
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Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a filter
element for a
smoking article according to a preferred embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a smoking article
according to a preferred embodiment which includes the filter
element of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in a method of
manufacturing a
filter element according to a preferred embodiment.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of
the
present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification.
The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and together
with
the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other
embodiments
of the invention and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be
readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the
following detailed description.
It will be appreciated that common and well understood elements that may be
useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily
depicted in order to facilitate a more abstracted view of the embodiments. The
elements of the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to
each
other. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps in an
embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of
occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such
specificity with
respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that
the
terms and expressions used in the present specification have the ordinary
meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their
corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific
meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
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With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the drawings, a filter element 1 for a
smoking
article 10, such as a cigarette, according to a preferred embodiment is
illustrated
schematically. The filter element 1 has a generally elongate cylindrical form
and
has a first end 2 for connection to a rod element 11 of smokeable material
(i.e. a
tobacco rod), and an opposite, second end 3 for insertion into a mouth of a
user.
The filter element 1 of this embodiment comprises three filter segments 4, 5,
6
arranged in series along a longitudinal axis X of the filter element. Two of
these
three filter segments 4, 5, 6 ¨ namely, the first and the third filter
segments 4, 6 ¨
are comprised substantially entirely of a fibrous filtration material such as
cellulose
acetate tow. The second or central filter segment 5 is a cavity that comprises
a
liquid-filled directional capsule 7 located within it. Alternatively, the
liquid-filled
directional capsule 7 could be surrounded by filtration material such as
cellulose
acetate tow. The liquid-filled directional capsule 7 is configured with a
weakened
region that forms a rupture point P at which the directional capsule is
designed to
break or rupture upon application of a lateral external force F to release a
liquid L
contained therein. The directional capsule 7 is arranged with the rupture
point P
located generally on the longitudinal axis X in the filter element 1 such
that, upon
breaking or rupture of the directional capsule 7, the liquid L is released in
the axial
direction X into an adjacent region of cellulose acetate tow filtration
material in the
filter segment 6. In this way, when a user smoking the smoking article 10 in
Fig. 2
draws on the mouth end 3 of the filter element 1, the released liquid L acts
to
impart a desired flavour to the mainstream smoke passing through the filter
element 1.
The filter element 1 further includes a wrapper or "plug wrap" 8 of a sheet
material,
such as paper or a synthetic film, which surrounds and envelops or encompasses
the filter segments 4, 5, 6 thereby unifying or uniting them within the filter
element.
The first and third filter segments 4, 6 may comprise a filter wrapper (not
shown)
so that, when combined to form the filter element 1 by the combiner filter
wrapper
8, the fibrous filtration material in the first and third filter segments 4, 6
is
surrounded by two filter wrappers, the filter segment wrapper and the combiner
filter wrapper 8.
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As a result of this multi-segment or multi-component filter configuration,
liquid L
released from the directional capsule 7 is directed towards an interface of
the
adjacent filter segment, the third filter segment 6, which increases the
likelihood of
liquid leakage, especially when the directional capsule 7 is located in a
cavity filter
segment 5, as some liquid may bounce off the interface of the adjacent filter
segment 6 and go into the space between the filter wrapper 8 and the
directional
capsule 7. By providing a ventilation zone between the rupture point P of the
directional capsule 7 and the first end 2 of the filter element1, the filter
element 1
may be ventilated through the filter element 1 while mitigating liquid
leakage.
The filter wrapper or "plug wrap" 8 includes a series of holes or perforations
9 and
these operate, in use, to admit air laterally into the filter element 1 to
reduce or
dilute mainstream smoke being drawn through the filter element 1 from the
tobacco rod element 11. In other words, the series of holes or perforations 9
provide ventilation. The directional capsule 7 is arranged in the central
filter
segment 5 with its rupture point P located at a first distance D1 along the
longitudinal axis X from the tobacco rod end 2 of the filter element 1. The
holes or
perforations 9 in the wrapper 8 are provided at a second distance D2 along the
longitudinal axis X from the tobacco rod end 2 of the filter element 1. The
first
distance D1 in regard to the rupture point P is selected to be greater than
the
second distance D2 with regard to the holes or perforations 9 in the wrapper
8,
preferably by an amount in the range of about 3 mm to about 5 mm, e.g. about 4
mm. The filter element 1 itself typically has a length in the range of about
15 mm to
about 30 mm. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the holes or perforations 9
may
partly extend into the fibrous filtration material of the third filter segment
6, and
they may do so extending through the filter segment wrapper of the third
filter
segment 6.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, the smoking article 10 (e.g. cigarette) comprises
the filter
element 1 aligned in end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod 11. The
tobacco
rod end 2 of the filter element 1 is attached or joined to the adjacent end of
the
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tobacco rod 11 using a circumscribing wrapping material known as a tipping
sheet
or "tipping wrapper" 12 which is wrapped around the filter element 1 and a
part of
the rod element of smokeable material. The part of the tobacco rod 11
encompassed or circumscribed by the strip or band of the tipping sheet 12 has
a
length which is usually in the range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm (i.e. in the
longitudinal or axial direction). The tipping sheet 12 comprises a plurality
of
perforations 13 located at the second distance D2 from the first end 2 of the
filter
element 1. These holes or perforations 13 also act to admit air laterally into
the
filter element 1 to mix with and dilute the mainstream smoke. In this way, the
holes
or perforations 13 in the tipping sheet 12 are substantially aligned with the
holes or
perforations 9 in the filter wrapper 8.
Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a flow diagram is shown that
illustrates
schematically various steps in a method of manufacturing a filter element 1
for use
in a smoking article 10, such as a cigarette or the like, according to a
preferred
embodiment of the invention as described above with reference to Figs. 1 and
2.
In this regard, the first box i of Fig. 3 represents the step of providing or
arranging
one or more filter segments 4, 5, 6 on or along a longitudinal axis X of the
filter
element, at least one of said one or more filter segments 4, 5, 6 including a
filter
material. The second box ii represents a step of arranging a liquid-filled
breakable
capsule 7 within one of the said one or more filter segments 4, 5, 6, the
capsule 7
having a rupture point P at which the capsule 7 is designed to break or
rupture
upon application of external force F to release liquid L contained therein. In
this
regard, the rupture point P is located at a distance D1 along the longitudinal
axis X
from an end 2 of the filter element 1 to be positioned adjacent a tobacco rod
11.
The third box iii then represents the step of surrounding or encompassing the
said
one or more filter segments 4, 5, 6 with a wrapper 8 of sheet material, known
as
"plug wrap". The final box iv in Fig. 3 represents the step of configuring or
arranging the wrapper 8 such that holes or perforations 9 provided therein are
at a
second distance D2 along the axis X from the end 2 of the filter element 1 to
be
positioned adjacent a tobacco rod 11, wherein the second distance D2 is less
than
the first distance Dl.
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Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that a
variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be
appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only
examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration in
any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide
those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least
one
exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in
the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment
without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their
legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any
adaptations
or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
In this document, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including",
"contain", "containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, are
intended
to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the
process,
method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those
features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements,
features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process,
method,
article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are
intended
to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used merely as
labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain
ranking of importance of their objects.
CA 03037842 2019-03-21
WO 2018/077717
PCT/EP2017/076694
- 16 ¨
List of Reference Signs
1 filter element
2 tobacco rod end
3 mouth end
4 filter segment
5 filter segment
6 filter segment
7 capsule
8 wrapper or plug wrap
9 hole or perforation
10 smoking article
11 rod element of smokeable material or tobacco rod
12 tipping paper
13 hole or perforation
P rupture point
F lateral external force
L liquid
D1 first distance
D2 second distance
X longitudinal axis
