Aerosol generating article having modified tipping wrapper and removable tipping wrapper portion

Abstract

An aerosol generating article (10) comprises: an aerosol generating substrate (12); a mouthpiece (14); and a tipping wrapper (20) comprising: a first weakening line (22) extending around at least a portion of the tipping wrapper (20); a removable tipping wrapper portion (26) extending downstream from the first weakening line (22); an upstream tipping wrapper portion (24) extending upstream from the first weakening line (22); a first longitudinal edge (30) extending along the outer surface of the aerosol generating article; and a second longitudinal edge (32) opposed to the first longitudinal edge (30) and overlying the mouthpiece (14). The tipping wrapper (20) overlaps itself in an overlapping region (28) extending at least 45 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article (10). The removable tipping wrapper portion (26) is adhered to itself by means of an area of adhesive (50) provided in the overlapping region (28) and positioned such that the removable tipping wrapper portion (26) comprises an adhesive free area (52) adjacent at least a portion of the first longitudinal edge (30).

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article comprising: an aerosol generating substrate; a mouthpiece in axial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate; and a tipping wrapper circumscribing the mouthpiece and at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate, the tipping wrapper comprising: a first weakening line extending around at least a portion of the tipping wrapper; a removable tipping wrapper portion extending downstream from the first weakening line; an upstream tipping wrapper portion extending upstream from the first weakening line, wherein the upstream tipping wrapper portion is attached to a downstream portion of the aerosol generating substrate and an upstream portion of the mouthpiece; a first longitudinal edge extending along the outer surface of the aerosol generating article; and a second longitudinal edge opposed to the first longitudinal edge and overlying the mouthpiece, wherein the tipping wrapper circumscribes the mouthpiece and at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate such that the tipping wrapper overlaps itself in an overlapping region extending the full length of the tipping wrapper and between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, wherein the overlapping region extends at least 45 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article; and wherein the removable tipping wrapper portion is adhered to itself by means of an area of adhesive provided in the overlapping region and positioned such that the removable tipping wrapper portion comprises an adhesive free area adjacent at least a portion of the first longitudinal edge.

2. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the overlapping region extends at least 60 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge.

3. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the area of adhesive provided in the overlapping region is separated from the first longitudinal edge of the tipping wrapper by at least 1 mm along the full length of the area of adhesive.

4. An aerosol generating article according to claim 3 wherein the area of adhesive provided in the overlapping region of the removable tipping wrapper portion extends no more than 45 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article.

5. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the area of adhesive provided in the overlapping region of the removable tipping wrapper portion is separated from the downstream edge of the tipping wrapper by at least 1 mm.

6. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the area of adhesive provided in the overlapping region of the removable tipping wrapper portion is separated from the first weakening line by at least 0.5 mm.

7. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the first longitudinal edge comprises a tipping wrapper projection defining a tear tab downstream of the first weakening line and wherein the tear tab is free from adhesive.

8. An aerosol generating article according to claim 7 wherein the second longitudinal edge comprises an indent corresponding in shape and position to the tipping wrapper projection on the first longitudinal edge.

9. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the removable tipping wrapper portion is secured to the underlying mouthpiece by of a second area of adhesive provided proximate the second longitudinal edge.

10. An aerosol generating article according to claim 9 wherein the second area of adhesive securing the removable tipping wrapper portion to the underlying mouthpiece is separated from the second longitudinal edge by a distance of between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

11. An aerosol generating article according to claim 9 wherein the second area of adhesive securing the removable tipping wrapper portion to the underlying mouthpiece has a total surface area of between 4 square millimetres and 6 square millimetres.

12. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the removable tipping wrapper portion extends to the downstream edge of the tipping wrapper.

13. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein the or each weakening line comprises a row of perforations extending around the tipping wrapper, wherein the row of perforations has a percentage of hold of between 15 percent and 30 percent.

14. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 wherein the mouthpiece is circumscribed by a mouthpiece wrapper comprising one or more plug wraps, the one or more plug wraps having a basis weight of between 50 grams per square metre and 115 grams per square metre.

15. An aerosol generating article according to claim 14 wherein the one or more plug wraps extend beyond the downstream end of the mouthpiece to define a mouth end recess.

Description

(1) The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating article in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the tipping wrapper of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 1; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an alternative tipping wrapper for the aerosol generating article of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating article 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating article 10 is a filter cigarette comprising an aerosol generating substrate 12 in the form of a wrapped tobacco rod and a mouthpiece 14 comprising a single segment of filtration material 16 axially aligned with the tobacco rod. A downstream end of the tobacco rod abuts an upstream end of the mouthpiece 14 along the line 18 shown in FIG. 1.

(7) A tipping wrapper 20 comprising a row of perforations that form a weakening line 22 is wrapped around the mouthpiece 14 and a portion of the tobacco rod so that an upstream tipping wrapper portion 24 extends upstream from the weakening line 22, and a removable tipping wrapper portion 26 extends downstream from the weakening line 22. The upstream tipping wrapper portion 24 is glued to the underlying portions of the tobacco rod and the mouthpiece 14.

(8) The removable tipping wrapper portion 26 is adhered to the surface of the underlying mouthpiece 14 and also to itself, as described in more detail below, in order to secure the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 in place on the mouthpiece.

(9) As shown in the cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating article 10 in FIG. 2, the tipping wrapper 20 extends approximately 420 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article 10 and therefore overlaps with itself by approximately 60 degrees in an overlapping region 28. In this overlapping region 28 there is therefore a double layer of tipping wrapper 20.

(10) The tipping wrapper 20 comprises a first longitudinal edge 30 which extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the aerosol generating article 10 to form a seam on the outside of the mouthpiece. The tipping wrapper 20 further comprises a second longitudinal edge 32, opposite the first longitudinal edge 30, which runs along the surface of the underlying segment of filtration material 16 and underlies the opposite end of the tipping wrapper 20 proximate the first longitudinal edge 30. The overlapping region 28 extends between the first 30 and second 32 longitudinal edges and is also bound by the upstream edge 34 and the downstream edge 36 of the tipping wrapper 20.

(11) In the tipping wrapper 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first 30 and second 32 longitudinal edges are both straight edges and when the tipping wrapper 20 is in place on the aerosol generating article 10, the longitudinal edges extend substantially parallel to each other and the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10. The overlapping region 28 therefore extends 60 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article 10 along the full length of the tipping wrapper 20, such that the extent of the overlap of the tipping wrapper 20 is constant along the length of the mouthpiece. In alternative embodiments, the extent to which the tipping wrapper 20 overlaps with itself may differ along the length of the tipping wrapper whilst always remaining above 45 degrees.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the tipping wrapper 20 indicating where adhesive is applied to the tipping wrapper 20 in order to secure it in place on the mouthpiece 14. A first area of adhesive 50 is provided in the removable tipping wrapper portion 26, proximate the first longitudinal edge 30. The first area of adhesive 50 is in the form of a narrow, rectangular strip of adhesive which runs substantially parallel to the first longitudinal edge 30 and extends approximately 30 degrees circumferentially around the aerosol generating article when the tipping wrapper 20 is in place. The first area of adhesive 50 is separated from the first longitudinal edge 30 by approximately 1.5 mm and from the downstream edge 36 by approximately 1.5 mm. It is also separated from the weakening line 22 by approximately 1.5 mm.

(13) When the tipping wrapper 20 is in place on the aerosol generating article 10, the first area of adhesive 50 is provided in the overlapping region 28 in order to secure the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 to itself. The area of the tipping wrapper 20 between the first area of adhesive 50 and the first longitudinal edge 30 is free from adhesive and this provides an adhesive free area 52 which extends along the full length of the removable tipping wrapper portion 26.

(14) A second area of adhesive 54 is provided in the removable tipping wrapper portion 26, proximate the second longitudinal edge 32. The second area of adhesive 54 is a small dot of adhesive having a total surface area of approximately 5 square millimeters, which is located adjacent the second longitudinal edge 32. The second area of adhesive 54 is proximate the downstream edge 36 but separated from the downstream edge 36 by approximately 1 mm.

(15) When the tipping wrapper 20 is in place on the aerosol generating article 10, the second area of adhesive 54 is provided between the tipping wrapper 20 and the outer surface of the underlying segment of filtration material 16 in order to secure the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 in place on the mouthpiece 14.

(16) A third area of adhesive 56 is provided over the upstream tipping wrapper portion 24. The third area of adhesive 56 is separated from the weakening line 22 by approximately 1 mm but otherwise covers substantially the entire area of the upstream tipping wrapper portion 24. When the tipping wrapper 20 is in place on the aerosol generating article 10, the third area of adhesive 56 is provided between the upstream tipping wrapper portion 24 and the underlying portions of the mouthpiece 14 and tobacco rod in order to secure the upstream tipping wrapper portion 24 in place.

(17) Before, during or after smoking the aerosol generating article 10, the consumer can remove the removable tipping wrapper portion 26, if desired, to expose the underlying portion of the mouthpiece 14. To remove the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 the consumer can lift the adhesive free area 52 of the tipping wrapper adjacent the first longitudinal edge 30 and peel the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 away from the mouthpiece 14 by breaking the seal provided by the first area of adhesive 50 and tearing along the row of perforations forming the first weakening line 22.

(18) FIG. 4 shows an alternative tipping wrapper 120 for the aerosol generating article 10 of FIG. 1. The tipping wrapper 120 differs from the tipping wrapper 20 shown in FIG. 3 in that a tear tab 160 is provided at the first longitudinal edge 130. The tear tab 160 forms part of the adhesive free area 152 of the tipping wrapper 120 between the first longitudinal edge 130 and the first area of adhesive 150. The tear tab 160 is defined by a tipping wrapper projection 162 along the first longitudinal edge 130 at a distance downstream of the first weakening line 122. A first straight line portion 164 extends upstream from the tipping wrapper projection 162 to the upstream end of the tipping wrapper 120 and a second straight line portion 166 extends downstream from the tipping wrapper projection 162 to the downstream end of the tipping wrapper 120. In the assembled aerosol generating article 10, the first straight line portion 164 and the second straight line portion 166 are in line with each other, at the same position around the circumference. The tipping wrapper projection 162 is in the form of a symmetric bell-shaped curve.

(19) The provision of the tear tab 160 at the first longitudinal edge 130 may facilitate the lifting and grasping of the edge of the removable tipping wrapper portion 26 by the consumer. The tear tab 160 also provides a visual indication of where the consumer should grasp the tipping wrapper in order to remove the removable tipping wrapper portion 26.