An insertable filter unit for insertion into a smoking article filter having a recess, wherein the insertable filter unit includes an outer casing defining a cavity for storing a smoke modifying agent, and wherein the insertable filter unit is arranged to be inserted into the recess of the smoking article filter by a user.

A smoking article (10) comprises a tobacco rod (12) and a filter (14) connected to the tobacco rod. The filter (14) comprises a flow restrictor (24). The smoking article further comprises a ventilation zone (18) at a location along the filter downstream of the flow restrictor. The diameter of the tobacco rod (12) is from about 5 mm to about 8.5 mm, the tobacco packing density within the tobacco rod is from about 180 mg/cubic centimetre to about 280 mg/cubic centimetre, and the length of the tobacco rod is from about 15 mm to about 45 mm. Further, the tobacco rod (12) is circumscribed by a wrapper (13) having an air permeability of less than about 20 Coresta units, the wrapper being made of a transparent regenerated cellulose film, or cellophane.

An insertable filter unit for insertion into a smoking article filter having a recess, wherein the insertable filter unit comprises an outer casing defining a cavity for storing a smoke modifying agent, and wherein the insertable filter unit is arranged to be inserted into the recess of the smoking article filter by a user.

A method of producing smoking articles, the method comprising a first step of providing a continuous array of first filter members (42), second filter segments (20) and tubular members (40). A tubular member (40) is provided between each pair of consecutive first filter members (42) and a second filter segment (20) is provided between each first filter member (42) and each tubular member (40). Each second filter segment (20) contains one or more breakable capsules, wherein each breakable capsule comprises an outer shell and an inner core containing an additive. The continuous array of first filter members (42), second filter segments (20) and tubular members (40) is then wrapped with a continuous sheet of plug wrap (44) to form a wrapped filter array, wherein the plug wrap (44) has a basis weight of less than 90 grams per square metre. The wrapped filter array is cut at an intermediate position along each first filter member (42) to provide multiple filter rods, each filter rod comprising two first filter segments (18), a tubular member (40) positioned between the first filter segments (18) and a second filter segment (20) provided between each first filter segment (18) and the tubular member (40). Next, a tobacco rod (12) is provided in axial alignment with and adjacent to each first filter segment (18) of one of the filter rods, and the filter rod and a portion of each tobacco rod (12) are wrapped in a tipping wrapper (50). Finally, the tipping wrapper (50) and the filter rod are cut at an intermediate position along the length of the tubular member (40) to form multiple smoking articles (10), each smoking article (10) comprising a tobacco rod (12) connected to a filter (14), wherein each filter (14) comprises a first filter segment (18) downstream of the tobacco rod (12), a second filter segment (20) downstream of the first filter segment (18), and a hollow tube segment (22) positioned between the second filter segment (20) and the mouth end of the filter (14). The hollow tube segment (22) defines a cavity (24) at the mouth end of the filter (14).

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; and a filter element having a hollow bore extending from the downstream axial end of the substrate to the downstream axial end of the article.

There is provided a tubular element for use in the manufacture of a filter of a smoking article, the tubular element comprising a first and a second layer wound of substantially continuous strips of a cellulose-fibre-based web material. The strips have predetermined thickness (T) and width (W). The web material is coated on a first surface with an activatable polymer and the first surface of the web material in the first layer faces the first surface of the web material in the second layer. An external diameter of the tubular element is substantially uniform over a given length.

Equipment for forming a tubular rod of fibrous material comprises: a gathering station constructed to receive a continuous supply of fibres and to gather the fibres into a bundle as the fibres advance through the equipment; a divider arranged in the path of the fibres through the equipment and constructed to from a cleft along the length of the bundle as it advances through the equipment; a mandrel positioned in the path of the bundle of fibres in alignment with the divider and constructed to form the cleft into a passage through the bundle of fibres as the bundle of fibres advances over the mandrel; and a die constructed and arranged to cooperate with the mandrel to form the fibres in a tubular configuration around the mandrel.

A machine for manufacturing tobacco industry filter rods, the filter rods comprising single-length longitudinal objects, wherein the machine comprises: a preparation unit for preparing a strand of filtering fibers; a forming unit for forming a continuous filter rod from the strand of the filtering fibers; a feeding unit for feeding multiple-length longitudinal objects; a cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects; a transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects; a positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects in the continuous filter rod while it is being formed; a cutting head for cutting the formed continuous filter rod that comprises the filtering fibers and the single-length longitudinal objects, into individual filter rods. The cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects comprises a multi-flute drum conveyor.

A die or die assembly for forming a bundle of fibres into a rod or tube includes a body defining a passage for conducting the bundle fibres through the die from an inlet to an outlet, a constriction in the passage having an entrance shaped to form the fibres of the bundle into a desired configuration as the bundle passes through the die, and one or more conduits through which a treatment fluid e.g. steam, for curing the bundle of fibres may be introduced into the passage, and wherein at last one conduit is arranged to discharge fluid in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the constriction to facilitate passage of the fibres through the die and reduce the risk of blockage.

A smoking article (10) comprises: a tobacco rod (12); a filter (14) in axial alignment with the tobacco rod, the filter (14) comprising: a hollow tube segment (22) having a wall thickness of no more than 0.9 mm; and a filtration portion upstream of the hollow tube segment (22), the filtration portion comprising one or more filter segments (18) (20). The hollow tube segment (22) defines a cavity (26) at the mouth end of the filter (14) providing an unrestricted flow channel that extends from the downstream end of the filtration portion to the mouth end of the filter (14). The hollow tube segment (22) is formed from a fibrous filtration material and comprises a filter plasticiser, wherein the amount of filter plasticiser is at least 22 percent by weight of the fibrous filtration material.