Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article Filter

Abstract

A method for producing filters for smoking articles includes: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; providing an outer wrapper; wrapping the outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface; obtaining a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments, wherein first and second outer wrapped filter rod segments include the first and second filter rod ends, respectively, and have a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.

Claims

1. A method for producing filters for smoking articles, comprising the steps: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; wrapping an outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface to obtain a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer wrapped filter rod segments and an inner wrapped filter rod segment, wherein the outer wrapped filter rod segments include a first outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the first filter rod end and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the second filter rod end, each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment having a length being less than 10% of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes obtaining at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8% of the total length of the filter rod.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8 mm.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the outer wrapper is fixed to the filter rod by a glueing connection, wherein the glueing connection is arranged on an inner surface of the outer wrapper, the inner surface of the outer wrapper being in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: at least parts of the inner surface of the outer wrapper are self-adhesive.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: an outer surface of the outer wrapper is printed.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the filter rod comprises a filter tow and a plug wrap.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the filter rod comprises a fibrous material, the fibrous material being selected from the group of cellulose acetate, cellulose, flax, hemp, cotton and polylactic acid.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a first flavoring element and a second flavoring element arranged inside the filter rod, wherein a central plane of the filter rod extending perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction defines a first side and a second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element is arranged on the first side of the filter rod and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are each arranged at a distance to the central plane, the distance being between 3 mm and 20 mm.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 5 mm and 15 mm.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the outer wrapper consists of a paper, carton and/or cardboard material, wherein the outer wrapper (30) is textured, structured, coated and/or perforated.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein: length of the outer wrapper in the filter rod longitudinal direction is the same as the total length of the filter rod in the filter rod longitudinal direction.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein: when the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes cutting the filter rod and/or the outer wrapper perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4% of the total length of the filter rod.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3.85% of the total length of the filter rod.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4 mm.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3 mm.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 8 mm and 12 mm.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is 10 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols.

[0040] The figures show:

[0041] FIG. 1 a flow diagram of the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2a a perspective view of a filter rod and an outer wrapper according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2b a schematic view of a wrapped filter rod according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2c a schematic view of outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an overview of a particularly preferred embodiment of the method for producing filters 10 for smoking articles according to the invention.

[0046] In a first step S.1, a filter rod 20 and an outer wrapper 30 are provided. The filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 are preferably prefabricated components which are mass-produced. Preferably, a length L4 of the outer wrapper 30 is similar to a length L1 of the filter rod 20.

[0047] In a second step S.2, the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD. The outer wrapper 30 covers a circumferential filter rod surface 23 at least partially, wherein an inner outer wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface 23. Preferably, the outer wrapper 30 and the filter rod 20 are firmly connected by a glue/adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection could be present on the inner outer wrapper surface 31 and/or the circumferential filter rod surface 23 before the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20. This step is prone to the above-mentioned manufacturing tolerances.

[0048] In a third step S.3, a wrapped filter rod 100 is obtained, comprising the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 firmly connected thereto.

[0049] In a step S.4, the wrapped filter rod 100 is cut and a first 40 and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 as well as at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are obtained in a step S.S. The wrapped filter rod is cut perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction LD/HANNKE parallel to a radial filter rod direction RD. The first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 comprises a first filter rod end 21 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 comprises a second filter rod end 22. The outer wrapped filter rod segments 40, 50 have a length (L2) being less than 10% of a total length (L1) of the filter rod (20) and/or less than 10 mm.

[0050] In a final step S.6, the inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are used as filters for smoking articles, having an improved visual quality. The outer wrapped filter rod segments 40, 50, comprising the filter rod ends 21, 22 with the possible visual impairments are disposed.

[0051] In FIG. 2a a filter rod 20 and an outer wrapper 30 are shown, before the outer wrapper 30 is wrapped around the filter rod 20, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] The filter rod 20 has a first filter rod end 21 and a second filter rod end 22. The first filter rod end 21 and the second filter rod end 22 are preferably parallel to each other and to the radial filter rod direction RD and perpendicular to the longitudinal filter rod direction LD.

[0053] The filter rod 20 further comprises a circumferential filter rod surface 23 extending in/along the circumferential filter rod direction CD.

[0054] The filter rod 20 has a length L4. The length L4 of the filter rod 20 is variable and can be chosen according to the required length or the amount of the filters 10.

[0055] The outer wrapper 30 comprises an inner outer wrapper surface 31 and an outer outer wrapper surface 32 facing each other and extending in parallel. In this case, the outer wrapper 30 is shown in a bent fashion. Preferably, the outer wrapper 30 is formed from a reeled sheet of material, substantially planar and cut from a bobbin to a substantially rectangular or square shape.

[0056] The outer wrapper 30 has a length L4. The length L4 of the outer wrapper 30 can be varied according to the length L1 of the filter rod 20.

[0057] In FIG. 2b a wrapped filter rod 100 is shown, wherein the outer wrapper 30 has been wrapped around the filter rod 20 along a filter rod circumferential direction CD, covering the whole circumferential filter rod surface 23. The inner outer wrapper surface 31 is in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface 23.

[0058] In the shown embodiment of FIG. 2b the outer wrapper 30 and the filter rod 20 have the same length (L1=L4) and have a shared ending by means of the filter rod ends 21, 22.

[0059] It is also possible that the outer wrapper 30 covers the circumferential filter rod surface 23 only partially. It is further conceivable that the outer wrapper 30 protrudes beyond the first filter rod end 21 and/or the second filter rod end 22. It is further conceivable that the length L4 of the outer wrapper 30 is not the same as the length L1 of the filter rod 20.

[0060] In FIG. 2b two first cutting lines X1 and one second cutting line X2 are shown. These lines are shown for the sake of clarity and should represent the cutting positions. A cut is executed along the cutting lines X1, X2 perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein the wrapped filter rod 100 and thus the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30 are cut. The cutting lines X1, X2 are perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction LD.

[0061] It is further conceivable, that additional second cutting lines X2 are provided, so that at least one second cutting line X2 is provided. That means that the wrapped filter rod 100 is cut more often and a plurality of inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 is obtained, depending on the number of cuts/second cutting lines X2.

[0062] In this case, the second cutting line X2 is equivalent to a central plane 90 of the filter rod 20. The central plane 90 defines a first side 24 of the filter rod 20 and a second side 25 of the filter rod 25.

[0063] A first flavoring element 70 and a second flavoring element 80 are arranged inside the filter rod 20. The flavoring elements 70, 80 are not visible from the outside of the filter rod but are shown for clarity. The first 70 and the second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the central plane 90 and the second cutting line X2 in the filter rod longitudinal direction LD, wherein the first flavoring element 70 is arranged on the first side 24 of the filter rod 20 and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side 25 of the filter rod 20.

[0064] The flavoring elements 70, 80 are arranged inside the filter rod 20, on the longitudinal direction LD thereof.

[0065] It is also possible, that the distance D of the first flavoring element 70 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X2 and the distance D of the second flavoring element 80 to the central plane 90 and/or the second cutting line X2 are not the same.

[0066] It is also possible that the first 70 and the second flavoring element 80 are arranged in a distance D to the second cutting line X2 if the second cutting line X2 and the central plane 90 are not the same. It is further possible that flavoring elements 70, 80 are arranged in a distance D to predetermined second cutting lines X2, especially when more than two flavoring elements are arranged inside the filter rod.

[0067] In this embodiment, the flavoring elements 70, 80 are provided as flavored capsules but it is further conceivable that the flavoring elements 70, 80 are provided for example as a flavored thread arranged inside the filter rod 20. Further, the first flavoring element 70 and the second flavoring element 80 could be different, e.g. in flavor, design and/or arrangement.

[0068] In FIG. 2c a first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40, a second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 and two inner wrapped filter segments 60 are depicted. Said segments 40, 50, 60 are obtained after cutting the wrapped filter rod 100.

[0069] The first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 comprises the first filter rod end 21 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 comprises the second filter rod end 22.

[0070] The first 40 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 have a length L2. In this case the length L2 of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50 is the same. It is also possible, that a length of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment 40 is different than a length of the second outer wrapped filter rod segment 50.

[0071] According to the embodiment of the invention, two inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 are provided, constituting two filters 10. The inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 have a length L3.

[0072] The inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 comprise the first 70 and the second flavoring element 80, respectively.

[0073] By cutting the wrapped filter rod 100, the resulting inner wrapped filter rod segments 60 provide a shared/common ending of the filter rod 20 and the outer wrapper 30.

[0074] Statements and descriptions relating to one of the figures FIG. 1, FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b or FIG. 2c shall apply mutatis mutandis to the other figures. Statements according to the filter rod 20 should apply mutatis mutandis to the wrapped filter rod 100 and vice versa. Furthermore, the proportions of the components in general and in relation to each other are only schematic and must not represent the actual ratios.

[0075] The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combination, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or various figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0076] 10 filter

[0077] 20 filter rod

[0078] 21 first filter rod end

[0079] 22 second filter rod end

[0080] 23 circumferential filter rod surface

[0081] 24 first side of the filter rod

[0082] 25 second side of the filter rod

[0083] 30 outer wrapper

[0084] 31 inner outer wrapper surface

[0085] 32 outer outer wrapper surface

[0086] 40 first outer wrapped filter rod segment

[0087] 50 second outer wrapped filter rod segment

[0088] 60 inner wrapped filter rod segment

[0089] 70 first flavoring element

[0090] 80 second flavoring element

[0091] 90 central plain of the filter rod

[0092] 100 wrapped filter rod

[0093] LD filter rod longitudinal direction

[0094] RD filter rod radial direction

[0095] CD filter rod circumferential direction

[0096] L1 length of the filter rod

[0097] L2 length of the outer wrapped filter rod segment

[0098] L3 length of the inner wrapped filter rod segment

[0099] L4 length of the outer wrapper

[0100] D distance between flavoring element and central plane

[0101] X1 first cutting line

[0102] X2 second cutting line