A smoking article includes a filter arrangement comprising a first filter section and a second filter section, the second filter section being located downstream of the first filter section, and a ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user controllable level of ventilation into the first filter section. A resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the second filter section is lower than a resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the first filter section, and the resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the level of ventilation is varied.

A smoking article includes a filter arrangement comprising a first filter section and a second filter section, the second filter section being located downstream of the first filter section, and a ventilation arrangement configured to provide a user controllable level of ventilation into the first filter section. A resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the second filter section is lower than a resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the first filter section, and the resistance to gaseous flow through the length of the filter arrangement remains substantially constant as the level of ventilation is varied.

A cellulose acetate particle aggregate, a preparation method therefor and an application thereof, which relate to the field of harm reduction additives in cigarettes. The cellulose acetate particle aggregate includes 49-99.5 wt % of cellulose acetate particles, 0-50 wt % of a second kind of particles, and 0.5-20 wt % of a binder. The preparation method involves selecting cellulose acetate particles and a second kind of particles in a certain ratio, or cellulose acetate particles alone, preparing particle aggregates by using an air fluidized granulation method while adding a binder thereto, and sieving the particle aggregates to obtain a cellulose acetate particle aggregate having a required particle size. The cellulose acetate particle aggregate has a porous structure, an irregular shape, and a rough and uneven surface, which help to improve the efficiency of filtering out particulate matters or one or more harmful ingredients in cigarette smoke.

A cellulose acetate particle aggregate, a preparation method therefor and an application thereof, which relate to the field of harm reduction additives in cigarettes. The cellulose acetate particle aggregate includes 49-99.5 wt % of cellulose acetate particles, 0-50 wt % of a second kind of particles, and 0.5-20 wt % of a binder. The preparation method involves selecting cellulose acetate particles and a second kind of particles in a certain ratio, or cellulose acetate particles alone, preparing particle aggregates by using an air fluidized granulation method while adding a binder thereto, and sieving the particle aggregates to obtain a cellulose acetate particle aggregate having a required particle size. The cellulose acetate particle aggregate has a porous structure, an irregular shape, and a rough and uneven surface, which help to improve the efficiency of filtering out particulate matters or one or more harmful ingredients in cigarette smoke.

Packing tools and systems and methods for using a packing tool to hand-make smoking products are disclosed. In some embodiments, the packing tool may include an elongate body having a first tamping end and a second tamping end opposite the first tamping end, and a handle attached to, or formed with, the elongate body. The handle may be disposed between the first and second tamping ends. The first tamping end may have a first width sized to fit within a filter end of a smoking product. The second tamping end may have a second width sized to fit within an ignition end of a smoking product. The packing tool may additionally include a single row of troughs configured to distribute material of a smoking product, a set of ruler markings proximate the first tamping end, and a paper curling portion disposed between the handle portion and second tamping end.

Packing tools and systems and methods for using a packing tool to hand-make smoking products are disclosed. In some embodiments, the packing tool may include an elongate body having a first tamping end and a second tamping end opposite the first tamping end, and a handle attached to, or formed with, the elongate body. The handle may be disposed between the first and second tamping ends. The first tamping end may have a first width sized to fit within a filter end of a smoking product. The second tamping end may have a second width sized to fit within an ignition end of a smoking product. The packing tool may additionally include a single row of troughs configured to distribute material of a smoking product, a set of ruler markings proximate the first tamping end, and a paper curling portion disposed between the handle portion and second tamping end.

Unit for the attachment of mouthpieces to cigars having: a first belt conveyor provided with first pockets, which are designed to contain respective cigars, so as to feed the cigars along a straight attachment path; a second belt conveyor arranged parallel and next to the first belt conveyor and provided with second pockets, which are designed to contain respective mouthpieces, so as to feed the mouthpieces along the attachment path; and a coupling device provided with at least one pushing member, which is arranged along the attachment path in the area of an attachment station and is movable along an attachment direction that is perpendicular to the attachment path, so as to push a mouthpiece carried by a second pocket towards a corresponding cigar carried by a first pocket and then attach the mouthpiece to the cigar.

Apparatus for rolling pieces of a wrappable and smokable or edible material, such as tobacco, herbs, or cannabis, or foodstuffs, within a wrapper such as a sheet of a paper or seaweed, respectively for smoking or eating. The apparatus comprises a tube (which can comprise integrated outer and inner tubes for ease of manufacture) with a rotatable base, an openable or removable top cap, and a hollow tubular interior. The tube has a longitudinal side opening for receiving the wrapper into said interior of the tube. In operation, the base is rotated and the wrapper is inserted and directed toward said interior where the wrapper wraps around said interior. The wrappable material is thereafter inserted into said tubular interior. Turning the base of the tube causes the wrapper to wrap said material within it. When complete, the wrapped material is removed from the top or bottom of the tube.

Apparatus for rolling pieces of a wrappable and smokable or edible material, such as tobacco, herbs, or cannabis, or foodstuffs, within a wrapper such as a sheet of a paper or seaweed, respectively for smoking or eating. The apparatus comprises a tube (which can comprise integrated outer and inner tubes for ease of manufacture) with a rotatable base, an openable or removable top cap, and a hollow tubular interior. The tube has a longitudinal side opening for receiving the wrapper into said interior of the tube. In operation, the base is rotated and the wrapper is inserted and directed toward said interior where the wrapper wraps around said interior. The wrappable material is thereafter inserted into said tubular interior. Turning the base of the tube causes the wrapper to wrap said material within it. When complete, the wrapped material is removed from the top or bottom of the tube.

A method of preparing an additive assembly for insertion into tobacco industry product filter tow, comprising: providing a web comprising an array of discrete portions of additive disposed in or on the web, the array comprising columns of at least two discrete portions of additive across a width of the web; and forming a chain of discrete portions of additive in the web. The chain comprises: connecting portions that connect adjacent discrete portions of additive in a column of the array; and connecting portions that are configured to be nonlinear to connect discrete portions of additive in respective adjacent columns of the array.