SMOKING ARTICLE WITH SINGLE RADIALLY SEPARATE HEAT CONDUCTING ELEMENT

专利摘要:
smoking article with single radially separate heat-conducting element. The present invention relates to a smoking article (2, 42) comprising: a combustible heat source (4) with opposite front (6) and rear (8) faces; an aerosol forming substrate (10) downstream from the rear face (8) of the combustible heat source (4); and a single heat conducting element (36) overlying a rear portion of the combustible heat source (4) and at least a front portion of the aerosol forming substrate (10). the single heat conducting element (36) comprises one or more layers of heat conducting material and the one or more layers of heat conducting material are radially separated from the combustible heat source (4) and the aerosol forming substrate (10) . the combustible heat source (4) is a blind combustible heat source or the combustible heat source (4) is a non-blind combustible heat source and the smoking article (42) further comprises a non-combustible substantially airtight barrier (46) between the non-blind combustible heat source and one or more air flow channels (44) extending from the front face (6) to the rear face (8) of the non-blind combustible heat source. the single heat conductive element comprises an outer layer of heat conductive material which is visible on the outside of the smoking article.
公开号:BR112016001068B1
申请号:R112016001068-0
申请日:2014-08-12
公开日:2021-08-03
发明作者:Oleg Mironov
申请人:Philip Morris Products S.A.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] The present invention relates to a smoking article comprising a combustible heat source with opposite front and rear faces, an aerosol forming substrate downstream of the rear face of the combustible heat source and a single heat conducting element superimposed on a rear portion of the fuel heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol forming substrate.
[002] Various smoking articles in which tobacco is heated rather than combusted have already been proposed in the art. One of the goals of such 'heated' smoking articles is to reduce the well-known harmful smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco in conventional cigarettes. In a known type of heated smoking article, an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a combustible heat source to an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol forming substrate can be located within, around or downstream of the combustible heat source. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the combustible heat source and entrained in the air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. Typically, air is drawn into one of these known heated smoking articles through one or more air flow channels provided by the combustible heat source and heat transfer from the combustible heat source to the aerosol forming substrate occurs by forced convection and conduction.
[003] For example, WO-A2-2009/022232 describes a smoking article comprising a combustible heat source, an aerosol forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source, and a heat conducting element around and in direct contact with a rear portion of the combustible heat source and an adjacent front portion of the aerosol forming substrate.
[004] The heat conducting element in the smoking article of WO-A2-2009/022232 transfers the heat generated during combustion from the combustible heat source to the aerosol forming substrate by conduction. In smoking articles in which tobacco is heated rather than combusted, the temperature reached in the aerosol-forming substrate has a significant impact on the ability to generate a sensory acceptable aerosol. It is usually desirable to maintain the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate within a certain range in order to optimize aerosol delivery to a user. In some cases, radioactive heat losses from the outer surface of a heat conducting element surrounding and in direct contact with the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate can cause the temperature of the combustible heat source and forming substrate aerosols fall outside a desired range, thereby impacting the performance of the smoking article. If the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate drops too much, for example, it can negatively impact the consistency and amount of aerosol delivered to a user.
[005] EP-A1-2 550 879 describes a smoking article comprising a multi-layered tube member 9, including at least one metallic layer and a paper layer, a carbon heat source 4 disposed at an end portion of the tube member 9 to be at least partially in close direct contact with an inner surface of the tube member 9 and a smoke aroma release source 8 disposed on the tube member 9 for joining the carbon heat source 4 , and a support piece 14 which maintains the carbon heat source 4 in direct contact with said end portion and holding the carbon heat source 4 against said end portion.
[006] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the non-combustible winding material 9 is formed by bonding a three-layer composite sheet 16 to the outer side of a two-layer composite sheet 15. The three-layer composite sheet portion 16 protruding from the two-layer composite sheet 15 forms the support portion 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the two-layer composite sheet 15 comprises an inner aluminum layer 17 and an outer paper layer 18 and the three-layer composite sheet 16 comprises an inner paper layer 18, a central aluminum layer 17 and an outer paper layer 18. The innermost layer of the non-combustible wrap 9 is the aluminum layer 17 of the two-layer composite sheet 15 and the outermost layer of the non-combustible wrap 9 is the outer paper layer 18 of the three-layer composite sheet 16.
[007] In some heated smoking articles, forced convection heat transfer from a combustible heat source to the aerosol forming substrate is provided in addition to conduction heat transfer through a heat conducting element. For example, in some known heated smoking articles, one or more air flow channels are provided along the combustible heat source to provide forced convection heating of the aerosol forming substrate. In such smoking articles, the aerosol forming substrate is heated by a combination of conduction heating and forced convection heating.
[008] For example, WO-A2-2009/022232 describes providing at least one longitudinal air flow channel through the combustible heat source to provide a controlled amount of forced convection heating of the aerosol forming substrate.
[009] In known heated smoking articles in which heat transfer from the fuel heat source to the aerosol-forming substrate occurs primarily by forced convection, the heat transfer by convection and therefore the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate may vary considerably depending on a user's puffing behavior. As a result, the composition and therefore sensory properties of the main aerosol generated by such heated smoking articles can be disadvantageously highly sensitive to a user's puffing regime.
[0010] In particular, in heated smoking articles comprising one or more air flow channels along the combustible heat source, direct contact between the inhaled air through the one or more air flow channels and the heat source fuel during puffing by a user results in activation of the combustion of the combustible heat source. Intense puff regimes can therefore lead to a sufficiently high forced convection heat transfer to cause spikes in the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, disadvantageously leading to pyrolysis and even potential localized combustion of the aerosol-forming substrate. As used in this document, the term 'peak' is used to describe a brief increase in the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate. As a result, the levels of unwanted pyrolytic or combustion by-products in the main aerosols generated by these known heated smoking articles can also vary significantly and disadvantageously, depending on the particular puff regime adopted by the user.
[0011] In other heated smoking articles, no air flow channel is provided through the combustible heat source. In such heated smoking articles, heating of the aerosol-forming substrate is achieved primarily by conducting heat transfer through a heat conducting element. In heated smoking articles where the aerosol-forming substrate is heated primarily by conduction heat transfer, the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate can be made more sensitive to changes in the temperature of the heat-conducting element. This means that any cooling of a heat-conducting element around and in direct contact with the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate, due to radioactive heat loss in these heated smoking articles, can have a greater impact on generation of aerosol than in heated smoking articles where the aerosol forming substrate is also heated by conduction heat transfer.
[0012] It would be desirable to provide a heated smoking article including a combustible heat source with opposite front and back faces and an aerosol forming substrate downstream of the back face of the combustible heat source that provides better smoking performance. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a heated smoking article in which there is better control of the heat of the aerosol forming substrate in order to help maintain the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate within a desired temperature range during smoking.
[0013] According to the invention, there is provided a smoking article comprising: a combustible heat source with opposite front and rear faces; an aerosol forming substrate downstream of the rear face of the fuel heat source; and a single heat conducting element superimposed on a rear portion of the fuel heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol forming substrate. The single heat conductive element comprises one or more layers of heat conductive material and the one or more layers of heat conductive material are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate. The combustible heat source is a blind combustible heat source or the combustible heat source is a non-blind combustible heat source and the smoking article further comprises a non-combustible substantially airtight barrier between the non-blind combustible heat source and one or more airflow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source. The single heat-conducting element comprises an outer layer of heat-conductive material which is visible on the outside of the smoking article.
[0014] As used in this document, the terms 'distal', 'upstream' and 'front', and 'proximal', 'downstream' and 'rear' are used to describe the relative positions of components, or parts of components , of the article to smoke in relation to the sense in which a user brings in the article to smoke during its use. Smoking articles according to the invention comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the smoking article for delivery to a user. The proximal end of the smoking article may also be referred to as the mouth end. During use, a user brings on the proximal end of the smoking article in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the smoking article.
[0015] The combustible heat source is located at or near the distal end. The mouth end is downstream from the distal end. The proximal end may also be referred to as the downstream end of the smoking article and the distal end may also be referred to as the upstream end of the smoking article. Components, or component parts, of smoking articles according to the invention may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal end and the distal end of the smoking article.
[0016] The front face of the combustible heat source is at the upstream end of the combustible heat source. The upstream end of the combustible heat source is the end of the combustible heat source furthest from the proximal end of the smoking article. The rear face of the combustible heat source is at the downstream end of the combustible heat source. The downstream end of the combustible heat source is at the end of the combustible heat source closest to the proximal end of the smoking article.
[0017] As used herein, the term 'length' is used to describe the maximum longitudinal dimension of the smoking article. That is, the maximum dimension in the direction between the proximal end and the opposite distal end of the smoking article.
[0018] As used herein, the term 'aerosol forming substrate' is used to describe a substrate capable of releasing, upon heating, volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Aerosols generated from the aerosol forming substrates of smoking articles according to the invention may be visible or invisible and may include vapors (e.g. fine particles of substances which are in a gaseous state and which are normally liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapors.
[0019] As used in this document, the term 'radially separated' is used to indicate that the one or more layers of the heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are spaced from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate in a direction radial, such that there is no direct contact between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source or aerosol-forming substrate.
[0020] As used herein, the term 'radial' is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the direction between the proximal end and the opposite distal end of the smoking article.
[0021] As used in this document, the term 'direct contact' is used to mean the contact between two components without any intermediate material, such that the surfaces of the components touch each other.
[0022] The aerosol forming substrate may be in the form of a plug or segment comprising a material capable of releasing, upon heating, volatile compounds, which may form an aerosol, circumscribed by an envelope. Whenever an aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of such a plug or segment, the entire plug or segment, including the housing, will be considered to be the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0023] In such embodiments, the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the aerosol-forming substrate housing.
[0024] Smoking articles according to the invention comprise a single heat-conducting element superimposed on a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. The single heat conducting element comprises one or more layers of the heat conducting material and the one or more layers of the heat conducting material are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
Smoking articles according to the invention do not comprise any additional heat-conducting element underlying or overlying the single heat-conductive element. In particular, smoking articles according to the invention do not comprise any heat-conducting element around and in direct contact with one or both of the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate.
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise a blunt combustible heat source or a non-blind combustible heat source.
[0027] As used in this document, the term 'blind' is used to describe a combustible heat source, in which there are no airflow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[0028] During use, the air drawn through the smoking articles according to the invention, which comprise a blind combustible heat source for inhalation by a user, does not pass through any air flow channel along the source of combustible heat blinds. In smoking articles according to the invention, which comprise a blind combustible heat source, heating of the aerosol-forming substrate occurs primarily by conduction and heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by forced convection is minimized or reduced.
[0029] As used in this document, the term 'airflow channel' is used to describe a channel that extends along the length of a combustible heat source through which air can be drawn downstream for inhalation by a user.
[0030] As used in this document, the term 'non-blind' is used to describe a combustible heat source, in which there are one or more airflow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the heat source fuel.
[0031] During use, air drawn through the smoking articles according to the invention, comprising a non-blind combustible heat source for inhalation by a user, passes through one or more air flow channels along of the non-blinding combustible heat source. In smoking articles according to the invention, which comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, heating of the aerosol-forming substrate takes place by conduction and forced convection.
Smoking articles according to the invention, which comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, further comprise a substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier between the unblinded combustible heat source and the one or more air flow channels. air extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source.
[0033] As used in this document, the term 'non-combustible' is used to describe a barrier that is substantially non-combustible at the temperatures reached by the non-blinding combustible heat source during its combustion and ignition.
[0034] Where smoking articles according to the invention comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, the lack of any air flow channels through the blind combustible heat source will advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit activation of the combustion of the source of combustible heat blinds during puff by a user.
[0035] Likewise, whenever smoking articles according to the invention comprise an inclusion in the non-blinded combustible heat source of a substantially air-tight non-combustible barrier between the non-blinded combustible heat source and the one or more airflow channels, extending from the front face to the rear face of the non-blind combustible heat source, will advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit the activation of combustion of the non-blind combustible heat source during puff by a user.
[0036] Preventing or inhibiting the activation of combustion of the combustible heat source during puffing by a user advantageously prevents or substantially inhibits the temperature peaks of the aerosol forming substrate of smoking articles according to the invention during puffing by a user.
[0037] Preventing or inhibiting the activation of combustion of the combustible heat source and, consequently, preventing or inhibiting excessive temperature increases in the aerosol forming substrate, combustion or pyrolysis of the aerosol forming substrate of smoking articles in accordance with with the invention under intense puff regimes, can be advantageously avoided. Furthermore, the impact of a user's puff regimen on the main aerosol composition of smoking articles according to the invention can advantageously be minimized or reduced.
[0038] The single heat-conducting element overlaps a rear portion of the fuel heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0039] The one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate. This limits the heat transfer by conduction from the combustible heat source to the single heat-conducting element and the heat transfer by conduction from the single heat-conducting element to the aerosol-forming substrate. During use, this advantageously helps to maintain the temperature reached in the aerosol-forming substrate of smoking articles according to the invention below that at which combustion or pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate can take place.
[0040] Preferably, the heat transfer by conduction from the combustible heat source to the single heat-conducting element is substantially reduced. This results in the retention, by the single heat-conducting element of the smoking articles according to the invention, of a lower temperature than that of the heat-conductive element of known heated smoking articles, in which the heat-conductive element is around and in direct contact with a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0041] In heated smoking articles in which the heat conducting element is around and in direct contact with a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol forming substrate, the heat drain exerted by the Conduction heat transfer through the heat-conducting element decreases the temperature of the rear of the combustible heat source. This can shorten the burning time of the combustible heat source and can lead to unacceptable aerosol delivery.
[0042] The radial separation between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate of the smoking articles according to the invention advantageously reduces heat drainage exerted by heat transfer by conduction through the single heat-conducting element.
[0043] The single heat-conducting element advantageously reduces heat losses from the combustible heat source. The one or more layers of heat conducting material of the single heat conducting element increase the temperature during smoking of the smoking article as heat is generated by the combustible heat source. The increased temperature of one or more layers of the heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element reduces the temperature differential between the combustible heat source and the overlying components of the smoking article, such that heat losses from the combustible heat source can be reduced.
[0044] By reducing heat losses from the combustible heat source, the single heat-conducting element advantageously helps to maintain the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate within a desired temperature range. This improves aerosol generation from the aerosol forming substrate.
[0045] The one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element conduct heat along the smoking article. This improves heat transfer efficiency by conducting the fuel heat source to the aerosol-forming substrate and, therefore, heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The improvement in conduction heat transfer obtained by including the single heat-conducting element is particularly beneficial for smoking articles according to the invention which comprise a blind combustible heat source in which there is substantially no heat transfer by forced convection.
[0046] Radial separation between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate is preferably obtained by including one or more intermediate layers between the one. or more layers of the heat conducting material of the single heat conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate. One or more intermediate layers of material may be provided over the entire area in which the single heat-conducting element overlaps the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the one or more intermediate layers of material can be provided in just one piece or pieces from this area. In some embodiments, the one or more intermediate layers of material may extend beyond the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element in one or both of the upstream and downstream directions.
[0047] Preferably, the one or more layers of the heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by one or more layers of the heat-insulating material. Suitable heat insulating materials include, but are not limited to, paper, ceramic and metal oxides.
[0048] For example, in certain embodiments of the invention, the rear part of the combustible heat source and at least a front part of the aerosol-forming substrate overlaid by the single heat-conducting element are covered by a paper wrapping that circumscribes the article to smoke along a part of its length. In these embodiments, the paper wrapper radially separates the single heat-conducting element from the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate, such that there is no direct contact between the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source or the forming substrate aerosol spray.
[0049] The single heat-conducting element comprises an outer layer of the heat-conductive material provided on the outside of the smoking article, such that the outer layer of the heat-conductive material of the single heat-conductive element is visible on the outside of the article for smoke.
[0050] In certain embodiments, the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by an envelope that extends throughout all or part , of the article to smoke. In these embodiments, the wrapper is wrapped around the smoking article along the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate and the single heat conducting element is then provided along at least a portion of the wrapper.
[0051] The provision of the single heat-conducting element along a casing of the smoking article can provide benefits with respect to the appearance of the smoking articles according to the invention, in particular, during and after smoking thereof. In certain cases, some discoloration of the casing may be observed in the region of the combustible heat source when the casing is exposed to heat from the combustible heat source. The wrapper may be further decolorized as a result of the migration of volatile compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate to the wrap around and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. In certain embodiments, the single heat-conducting element of smoking articles according to the invention may be provided along the envelope around at least a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of the substrate. aerosol former so that discoloration of the wrapper is covered and less visible or no longer visible. In certain embodiments, the single heat-conducting element may extend around the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate. In certain preferred embodiments, the single heat-conducting element may extend downstream beyond the aerosol-forming substrate. The initial appearance of the smoking article can therefore be maintained during smoking.
[0052] Alternatively or in addition to one or more layers of heat-insulating material between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate, at least part of The single heat-conducting element can be radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by an air gap. An air gap can be provided by including one or more spacer elements between the one or more layers of heat conducting material of the single heat conducting element and the combustible heat source and aerosol forming substrate to maintain a defined separation between the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate. The one or more spacer elements can be, for example, one or more strips of paper wrapped radially around the fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[0053] Preferably, the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by at least 20 microns, more preferably by at least 50 microns. In certain embodiments, the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element are radially separated from the combustible heat source and aerosol-forming substrate by at least 75 microns or more, or by at least 100 microns or more .
[0054] Whenever one or more layers of heat-insulating material are provided between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate, as described above, the radial separation between the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate will be determined by the thickness of the one or more layers of heat-insulating material.
[0055] The one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element may comprise any suitable heat-conductive material or combination of materials with an appropriate thermal conductivity.
[0056] Preferably, the one or more layers of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element comprise heat-conductive materials with an apparent thermal conductivity of between about 10 W per meter Kelvin (W/(m^K)) and about 500 W per meter Kelvin (W/(m^K)), more preferably between about 15 W per meter Kelvin (W/(m^K)) and about 400 W per meter Kelvin (W/(m^K) K)), at 23°C and 50% relative humidity, as measured using the Modified Transient Plane Source Method (MTPS). Suitable heat conductive materials include, but are not limited to: foil wrappers, such as, for example, aluminum foil wrappers, steel wrappers, iron foil wrappers and copper foil wrappers; and metal alloy sheet casings.
[0057] In certain preferred embodiments, the single heat-conducting element comprises one or more layers of aluminum.
[0058] Preferably, the one or more layers of heat-conductive material of the single heat-conductive element comprise a heat-reflective material such as aluminum or steel. In such embodiments, during use, the single heat-conducting element advantageously reflects heat radiating from the fuel heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate back to the fuel heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0059] As used in this document, the term 'heat-reflecting material' refers to a material that has a relatively high heat reflectivity and a relatively low heat emissivity, such that the material reflects a greater proportion of the incident radiation to from its surface than it emits. Preferably, the heat-reflecting material reflects more than 50% of the incident radiation, more preferably more than 70% of the incident radiation, and most preferably more than 75% of the incident radiation.
[0060] In these embodiments, the relatively high heat reflectivity and relatively low heat emissivity of the single heat conducting element reduce heat losses from the fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[0061] The reflectivity of one or more layers of the heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element can be improved by providing one or more layers of the heat-conductive material of the single heat-conductive element with a shiny inner surface, wherein the inner surface is the surface that faces the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[0062] The single heat-conducting element can be formed of a single layer of heat-conductive material. Alternatively, the single heat-conductive element may be formed of a multi-layer or laminated material comprising at least one layer of the heat-conductive material in combination with one or more other heat-conductive layers or non-heat-conductive layers. In such embodiments, the at least one layer of heat-conductive material can comprise any of the heat-conductive materials listed above.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the single heat-conducting element may be formed of a laminated material comprising at least one layer of the heat-conductive material and at least one layer of the heat-insulating material. In such embodiments, the inner layer of the single heat conducting element facing the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate may be a layer of the heat insulating material. In this way, the inner layer of heat-insulating material provides the necessary radial separation between the at least one layer of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element and the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0064] In certain preferred embodiments, the single heat-conducting element comprises a single layer of the heat-conductive material.
[0065] In certain preferred embodiments, the only heat-conducting element is a laminated material comprising a single layer of the heat-conductive material and one or more layers of the heat-insulating material. In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the single heat-conducting element is a laminated material comprising a single layer of the heat-conductive material and a single layer of the heat-insulating material. Preferably, the single heat-conducting element is a laminated material comprising a single outer layer of the heat-conductive material and a single inner layer of the heat-insulating material.
[0066] An example of a laminated material particularly suitable for forming the single heat-conducting element is a double-layer laminated material comprising an outer layer of aluminum and an inner layer of paper.
[0067] The use of a single heat-conducting element comprising a laminated material may additionally be beneficial during the production of smoking articles according to the invention, provided that the at least one heat-insulating layer can provide additional strength and rigidity . This allows the laminated material to be processed more easily, with a reduced risk of collapse or rupture of the at least one heat-conducting layer, which can be relatively thin and brittle.
[0068] Preferably, the thickness of the single heat-conducting element is between about 5 microns and about 100 microns, more preferably between about 5 microns and about 80 microns.
[0069] Preferably, the single heat-conducting element comprises one or more layers of the heat-conductive material having a thickness of between about 2 microns and about 50 microns, more preferably between about 4 microns and about 30 microns .
[0070] In certain embodiments, the single heat-conducting element may comprise aluminum foil with a thickness of about 20 microns.
[0071] In certain preferred embodiments, the single heat-conducting element may comprise a laminated material comprising an outer layer of aluminum with a thickness of between about 5 microns and about 6 microns and an inner layer of paper.
[0072] As described above, the single heat-conducting element of the smoking articles according to the invention overlaps a rear portion of the combustible heat source and at least a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0073] The position and extent of the single heat-conducting element relative to the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate can be adjusted in order to control the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate during smoking. In particular, the extent of the single heat-conducting element relative to the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate in the upstream and downstream direction can be adjusted to adjust the aerosol distribution profile of the smoking article .
[0074] The single heat-conducting element may extend around all or part of the circumference of the smoking article. Preferably, the single heat-conducting element forms a continuous joint that circumscribes the smoking article along part of its length.
Preferably, the rear portion of the combustible heat source overlaid by the single heat conducting element is between about 2 mm and about 8 mm in length, more preferably between about 3 mm and about 5 mm in length.
[0076] Preferably, the front portion of the combustible heat source not overlaid by the first heat conducting element is between about 4 mm and about 15 mm in length, more preferably between about 5 mm and about 8 mm in length.
[0077] In certain embodiments, the single heat-conducting element overlaps the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate. In such embodiments, the downstream end of the single heat conducting element may be aligned with the downstream end of the aerosol forming substrate. Alternatively, the single heat-conducting element may extend beyond the aerosol-forming substrate in a downstream direction.
[0078] In other embodiments, the single heat-conducting element only overlaps a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. In these embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate extends beyond the single heat-conducting element in the downstream direction.
[0079] In embodiments in which the single heat-conducting element only overlaps a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming substrate may extend at least about 3 mm beyond the single heat-conducting element in the direction downstream. For example, the aerosol forming substrate can extend between about 3 mm and about 10 mm beyond the single heat-conducting element in the downstream direction. Alternatively, the aerosol forming substrate may extend less than 3 mm beyond the single heat-conducting element in the downstream direction.
[0080] In embodiments in which the single heat-conducting element only overlaps a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, the front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate overlapped by the single heat-conducting element may be between about 1 mm and about 10 mm long. For example, the front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate overlaid by the single heat-conducting element can be between about 2 mm and about 8 mm in length or between about 2 mm and about 6 mm in length.
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise a blind combustible heat source.
It is known to include additives in the combustible heat sources of heated smoking articles in order to improve the ignition and combustion properties of the combustible heat sources. However, the inclusion of ignition and combustion additives can give rise to decomposition and reaction products, which can disadvantageously enter the air drawn through such known heated smoking articles during use.
[0083] The inclusion of a blind combustible heat source may advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit combustion and decomposition products and other materials formed during ignition and combustion of the blind combustible heat source from entering the air drawn through the smoking articles accordingly with the invention during its use. This is particularly advantageous where the blind combustible heat source comprises one or more additives to aid in the ignition or combustion of the blind combustible heat source.
In smoking articles according to the invention which comprise a blind combustible heat source, it is particularly important to optimize the heat transfer by conduction between the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate. The inclusion of a single radially separate heat-conducting element from the fuel heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate has been found to have a particularly advantageous effect on the smoke performance of smoking articles, including blind heat sources, where there is little , or none, heating the aerosol forming substrate by forced convection.
[0085] It will be contemplated that smoking articles according to the invention may comprise blunt combustible heat sources comprising one or more closed or blocked passages through which air cannot be drawn in for inhalation by a user.
[0086] For example, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise blind combustible heat sources comprising one or more closed passages extending from the front face at the upstream end of the combustible heat source blind only partially to the along the length of the blind combustible heat source.
[0087] The inclusion of one or more closed air passages increases the surface area of the blind combustible heat source that is exposed to oxygen in the air and can advantageously facilitate ignition and sustained combustion of the blind combustible heat source.
[0088] Alternatively, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, wherein there are one or more air flow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the heat source fuel does not blind.
[0089] The one or more air flow channels may comprise one or more closed air flow channels.
[0090] As used in this document, the term 'closed' is used to describe air flow channels that extend through the interior of the non-blind combustible heat source and are surrounded by the non-blind combustible heat source.
[0091] Alternatively or additionally, the one or more airflow channels may comprise one or more unclosed airflow channels. For example, the one or more air flow channels may comprise one or more grooves or other unclosed air flow channels extending along the exterior of the unblinded combustible heat source.
[0092] The one or more air flow channels may comprise one or more closed air flow channels or one or more unclosed air flow channels or a combination thereof.
[0093] In certain embodiments, smoking articles according to the invention comprise one, two or three air flow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source.
[0094] In certain preferred embodiments, smoking articles according to the invention comprise a single air flow channel from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source.
[0095] In certain particularly preferred embodiments, smoking articles according to the invention comprise a single substantially central or axial air flow channel extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source.
In these embodiments, the diameter of the single airflow channel is preferably between about 1.5 mm and about 3 mm.
[0097] It will be contemplated that, in addition to one or more air flow channels through which air may be drawn in for inhalation by a user, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise non-blind combustible heat sources comprising a or more closed or blocked passages through which air cannot be drawn in for inhalation by a user.
[0098] For example, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise non-blind combustible heat sources comprising one or more air flow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the combustible heat source and one or more closed passages extending from the front face of the combustible heat source does not blind only partially along the length of the combustible heat source.
[0099] The inclusion of one or more closed air passages increases the surface area of the unblinded combustible heat source that is exposed to oxygen in the air and can advantageously facilitate ignition and sustained combustion of the unblinded combustible heat source.
Smoking articles according to the invention, which comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, further comprise a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the unblinded combustible heat source and the one or more air flow channels. air extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source.
[00101] The inclusion of a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the non-blind combustible heat source and the one or more air flow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the non-blind combustible heat source may advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit combustion and decomposition products formed during ignition and combustion of the non-blinded combustible heat source from entering the puffed air into the smoking article through the one or more air flow channels as the puffed air passes through one or more airflow channels. This is particularly advantageous when the non-blinded combustible heat source comprises one or more additives to aid in the ignition or combustion of the non-blinded combustible heat source.
[00102] The barrier between the non-blind combustible heat source and the one or more air flow channels may be adhered or otherwise fixed to the non-blind combustible heat source.
[00103] In certain preferred embodiments, the barrier comprises a non-combustible barrier coating substantially impermeable to air supplied to an inner surface of the one or more air flow channels. In such embodiments, preferably the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided at least substantially on the entire inner surface of the one or more airflow channels. More preferably, the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided on the entire inner surface of the one or more airflow channels.
[00104] As used in this document, the term 'cladding' is used to describe a layer of material that covers and is adhered to the combustible heat source.
[00105] In other embodiments, barrier coating may be provided by inserting a liner within the one or more airflow channels. For example, where the one or more air flow channels comprise one or more closed air flow channels extending through the interior of the non-blind combustible heat source, a hollow non-combustible tube substantially impermeable to air may be inserted into each of the one or more airflow channels.
[00106] Depending on the desired characteristics and performance of the smoking article, the barrier may have a low thermal conductivity or a high thermal conductivity. Preferably, the barrier has a low thermal conductivity.
[00107] The thickness of the barrier can be adjusted appropriately to obtain good smoke performance. In certain embodiments, the barrier can be between about 30 microns and about 200 microns thick. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier is between about 30 microns and about 100 microns thick.
[00108] The barrier may be formed of one or more suitable materials that are substantially thermally stable and non-combustible at the temperatures reached by the non-blinding combustible heat source during ignition and combustion. Suitable materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, for example: clays; metal oxides such as iron oxide, alumina, titania, silica, silica-alumina, zirconia and ceria; zeolites; zirconium phosphate; and other ceramic materials or combinations thereof.
[00109] Preferred materials from which the barrier can be formed include clays, glasses, aluminum, iron oxide and combinations thereof. If desired, catalytic ingredients, such as ingredients that promote the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, can be incorporated into the barrier. Suitable catalytic ingredients include, but are not limited to, for example, platinum, palladium, transition metals and their oxides.
[00110] Where the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided on an inner surface of the one or more airflow channels, the barrier coating may be applied to the inner surface of the one or more airflow channels by any suitable method, such as the methods described in US-A-5.040.551. For example, the inner surface of the one or more airflow channels can be sprayed, moistened or painted with a solution or suspension of the barrier coating. In certain preferred embodiments, the barrier coating is applied to the inner surface of the one or more air flow channels by the process described in WO-A2-2009/074870 as the combustible heat source is extruded.
Smoking articles according to the invention may further comprise a non-combustible substantially airtight barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[00112] Where smoking articles according to the invention comprise an unblinded combustible heat source and a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate, the barrier shall allowing air to enter the smoking article through the one or more air flow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the unblinded combustible heat source to be engulfed downstream through the smoking article.
[00113] The barrier may abut one or both of the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate. Alternatively, the barrier may be spaced one or both of the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[00114] The barrier may be adhered to, or otherwise attached to, one or both of the rear face of the fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[00115] In certain preferred embodiments, the barrier comprises a coating of the non-combustible barrier substantially impermeable to air supplied to the rear face of the combustible heat source. In such embodiments, preferably, the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided at least substantially across the rear face of the combustible heat source. More preferably, the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided across the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00116] The barrier can advantageously limit the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate is exposed during ignition and combustion of the fuel heat source, thus helping to prevent or reduce thermal degradation or combustion of the aerosol-forming substrate during the use of the article for smoking. This is particularly advantageous whenever the combustible heat source comprises one or more additives to assist in igniting the combustible heat source.
To facilitate aerosol formation, the aerosol forming substrates of heated smoking articles typically comprise a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin, or other known aerosol formers. During storage and smoking, such aerosol formers may migrate from the aerosol forming substrates of known heated smoking articles to the combustible heat sources thereof. Migration of aerosol formers to the combustible heat sources of known heated smoking articles can disadvantageously lead to decomposition of the aerosol formers, particularly during smoking of the heated smoking articles.
[00118] The inclusion of a substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate of smoking articles according to the invention can advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit migration of substrate components aerosol former for the combustible heat source during storage of the smoking article.
[00119] Alternatively or additionally, the inclusion of a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate of smoking articles according to the invention may advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit migration from the aerosol forming substrate components to the combustible heat source during use of the smoking article.
The inclusion of a substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate is particularly advantageous whenever the aerosol forming substrate comprises at least one aerosol former.
[00121] In these embodiments, the inclusion of a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate of smoking articles according to the invention may advantageously prevent or inhibit hair migration minus one aerosol former from the aerosol former substrate to the combustible heat source during storage and use of the smoking article. Decomposition of the at least one aerosol former during use of the smoking article can thus advantageously be avoided or substantially reduced.
[00122] Depending on the desired characteristics and performance of the smoking article, the substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate may have a low thermal conductivity or a high thermal conductivity. In certain embodiments, the barrier can be formed of a material with an apparent thermal conductivity of between about 0.1 W per meter Kelvin (mW/(m«K)) and about 200 W per meter Kelvin (mW/ (m«K)), at 23°C and a relative humidity of 50%, as measured using the Modified Transient Flat Source Method (MTPS).
[00123] The thickness of the barrier can be adjusted appropriately to achieve good smoke performance. In certain embodiments, the barrier can be between about 10 microns and about 500 microns thick.
[00124] The barrier can be formed of one or more suitable materials that are substantially thermally stable and non-combustible at the temperatures reached by the combustible heat source during ignition and combustion. Suitable materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to clays (such as, for example, bentonite and kaolinite), glasses, minerals, ceramic materials, resins, metals and combinations thereof.
[00125] Preferred materials from which the barrier can be formed include clays and glasses. The most preferred materials from which the barrier can be formed include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, alloys, alumina (Al2O3), resins and mineral glues.
[00126] In certain embodiments, the barrier comprises a clay coating comprising a 50/50 mixture of bentonite and kaolinite provided on the rear face of the fuel heat source. In other preferred embodiments, the barrier comprises a glass coating, more preferably a sintered glass coating, provided on the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00127] In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the barrier comprises an aluminum coating provided on the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00128] Preferably, the barrier has a thickness of at least about 10 microns.
[00129] Due to the slight permeability of clays to air, in modalities where the barrier comprises a clay coating provided on the rear face of the fuel heat source, the clay coating is more preferably at least about 50 microns thick. , and more preferably from about 50 microns to about 350 microns.
[00130] In embodiments where the barrier is formed of one or more materials that are more impermeable to air, such as aluminum, the barrier may be thinner and will generally preferably have a thickness of less than about 100 microns and more preferably about 20 microns.
[00131] In embodiments where the barrier comprises a glass coating provided at the rear stage of the fuel heat source, the glass coating preferably has a thickness of less than about 200 microns.
[00132] The thickness of the barrier can be measured using a microscope, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or any other suitable measurement methods known in the art.
[00133] Where the barrier comprises a barrier coating provided on the rear face of the combustible heat source, the barrier coating may be applied to cover and adhere to the rear face of the combustible heat source by any suitable methods known in the art, including , but not limited to, spray coating, vapor deposition, immersion, material transfer (eg brushing or gluing), electrostatic deposition or any combination thereof.
[00134] For example, barrier coating can be made by preforming a barrier in the approximate size and shape of the rear face of the fuel heat source, and applying it to the rear face of the fuel heat source to cover and adhere at least substantially to the entire rear face of the combustible heat source. Alternatively, the barrier coating can be cut, or otherwise worked, after being applied to the rear face of the combustible heat source. In a preferred embodiment, aluminum foil is applied to the rear face of the fuel heat source by gluing or pressing it to the fuel heat source, and it is cut, or otherwise worked, so that the aluminum foil covers and adheres at least substantially to the entire rear face of the combustible heat source, preferably to the entire rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00135] In another preferred embodiment, the barrier coating is formed by applying a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the combustible heat source. For example, the barrier coating can be applied to the rear face of the combustible heat source by immersing the rear face of the combustible heat source in a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials or by brushing or spray coating a solution or suspension or by electrostatic deposition of a powder or powder mixture of one or more suitable coating materials on the rear face of the combustible heat source. Whenever barrier coating is applied to the rear face of the combustible heat source by electrostatic deposition of a powder or powder mixture of one or more suitable coating materials on the rear face of the combustible heat source, the rear face of the heat source fuel will preferably be pre-treated with water glass before electrostatic deposition. Preferably, the barrier coating is applied by spray coating.
[00136] The barrier coating can be formed by a single application of a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the combustible heat source. Alternatively, the barrier coating can be formed through multiple applications of a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the combustible heat source. For example, the barrier coating can be formed by one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight successive applications of a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the combustible heat source. .
[00137] Preferably, the barrier coating is formed between one and ten applications of a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00138] After applying the solution or suspension of one or more coating materials to the rear face thereof, the combustible heat source can be dried to form the barrier coating.
[00139] Whenever the barrier coating is formed through multiple applications of a solution or suspension of one or more suitable coating materials to the rear face of the same, the combustible heat source may need to be dried between successive applications of the solution or suspension.
[00140] Alternatively or in addition to drying, after applying a solution or suspension of one or more coating materials to the rear face of the fuel heat source, the coating material in the fuel heat source may be sintered to form the barrier coating. Sintering the barrier coating is particularly preferred where the barrier coating is a glass or ceramic coating. Preferably, the barrier coating is sintered at a temperature between about 500°C and about 900°C, and more preferably at about 700°C.
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[00142] As used herein, the term 'air inlet' is used to describe a hole, slit, slot or other opening through which air can be drawn into the smoking article.
[00143] Whenever smoking articles according to the invention comprise one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate, during use, cold air is drawn into the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. to smoke through the first air intakes. Air drawn into the aerosol-forming substrate through the first air inlets passes downstream through the smoking article from the aerosol-forming substrate and exits the smoking article through its proximal end.
[00144] During puffing by a user, cold air drawn through the one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate advantageously reduces the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. This advantageously prevents or substantially inhibits peaks in the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate during puffing by a user.
[00145] As used in this document, the term 'cold air' is used to describe ambient air that is not significantly warmed by the combustible heat source after puffing on it by a user.
[00146] By preventing or inhibiting peaks in the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, the inclusion of one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate advantageously helps to prevent or reduce combustion or pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate aerosol under intense puff regimes. Additionally, the inclusion of one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate advantageously helps to minimize or reduce the impact of a user's puff regimen on the main aerosol composition of the smoking article.
[00147] In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more first air inlets are located near the downstream end of the aerosol forming substrate.
[00148] In certain embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate may touch the rear face of the fuel heat source.
[00149] As used in this document, the term 'pull' is used to describe the aerosol forming substrate that is in direct contact with the rear face of the combustible heat source or with a non-combustible barrier coating substantially impermeable to the air provided on the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00150] In other embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate may be spaced from the rear face of the combustible heat source. That is, there may be a space or gap between the aerosol forming substrate and the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00151] As used in this document, the term 'spaced' is used to describe the aerosol forming substrate that is not in direct contact with the rear face of the combustible heat source or with a non-combustible barrier coating substantially impermeable to the supplied air. on the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[00152] As an alternative or in addition to one or more first air inlets, in such embodiments, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more second air inlets between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the fuel-forming substrate aerosol. During use, cold air is drawn into the space between the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate through the second air inlets. Air drawn into the space between the fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate through the second air inlets passes downstream through the smoking article from the space between the fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate and exits the smoking article through its proximal end.
[00153] During puffing by a user, cold air drawn through the one or more second air inlets between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate can advantageously reduce the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate. This can advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit peaks in the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate during puffing by a user.
As an alternative or in addition to one or more first air inlets or one or more second air inlets, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more third air inlets downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[00155] It will be contemplated that smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol forming substrate, or one or more second air inlets between the rear face of the heat source fuel and the aerosol-forming substrate, or one or more third air inlets downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, or any combination thereof.
[00156] The quantity, shape, size and location of air inlets can be adjusted accordingly to obtain good smoke performance.
[00157] Preferably, the combustible heat source is a carbonaceous heat source. As used in this document, the term 'carbonaceous' is used to describe a combustible heat source that comprises carbon. Preferably, combustible carbonaceous heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention have a carbon content of at least about 35 percent, more preferably at least about 40 percent, most preferably of at least about 45 percent dry weight of the combustible heat source.
[00158] In some embodiments, the combustible heat sources according to the invention are carbon-based combustible heat sources. As used in this document, the term 'carbon-based heat source' is used to describe a heat source composed primarily of carbon.
[00159] Carbon-based combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention have a carbon content of at least about 50 percent. For example, carbon-based combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention may have a carbon content of at least about 60 percent, or at least about 70 percent, or at least about 80 percent dry weight of the carbon-based fuel heat source.
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise carbonaceous combustible heat sources formed of one or more suitable carbon-containing materials.
[00161] If desired, one or more binders can be combined with the one or more carbon-containing materials. Preferably, the one or more binders are organic binders. Known suitable organic binders include, but are not limited to, gums (eg, guar gum), modified celluloses and cellulose derivatives (eg, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), wheat flour, starches, sugars, oils vegetables and combinations thereof.
[00162] In a preferred embodiment, the fuel heat source is formed by a mixture of carbon powder, modified cellulose, wheat flour and sugar.
[00163] Instead of or in addition to one or more binders, combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more additives in order to improve the properties of the combustible heat source . Suitable additives include, but are not limited to, additives to promote consolidation of the fuel heat source (eg, sintering aids), additives to promote ignition of the fuel heat source (eg, oxidizers such as perchlorates, chlorates , nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, zirconium and combinations thereof), additives to promote combustion of the combustible heat source (eg, potassium and potassium salts such as potassium citrate) and additives to promote the decomposition of one or more gases produced by combustion of the combustible heat source (eg catalysts such as CuO, Fe2O3 and Al2O3).
[00164] Where smoking articles according to the invention comprise a barrier coating provided on the rear face of the fuel heat source, such additives may be incorporated into the fuel heat source before or after application of the barrier coating to the face rear of the combustible heat source.
[00165] In certain preferred embodiments, the combustible heat source is a carbonaceous combustible heat source comprising carbon and at least one ignition aid. In a preferred embodiment, the combustible heat source is a carbonaceous combustible heat source comprising carbon and at least one ignition aid as described in WO-A1-2012/164077.
[00166] As used in this document, the term 'ignition aid' is used to denote a material that releases energy and/or oxygen during ignition of the combustible heat source, where the rate of release of energy and/or oxygen by the material it is not limited by the diffusion of ambient oxygen. In other words, the rate at which energy and/or oxygen is released by the material during ignition of the combustible heat source is highly independent of the rate at which ambient oxygen can reach the material. As used in this document, the term 'ignition aid' is also used to denote an elemental metal that releases energy during ignition of the combustible heat source, where the ignition temperature of the elemental metal is less than about 500°C and the elemental metal's heat of combustion is at least about 5 kJ/g.
[00167] As used herein, the term 'ignition aid' does not include alkali metal salts of carboxylic acids (such as alkali metal citrate salts, alkali metal acetate salts and alkali metal succinate salts), salts of alkali metal halide (such as alkali metal chloride salts), alkali metal carbonate salts or alkali metal phosphate salts, which are believed to modify the combustion of carbon. Even when present in a large amount relative to the total weight of the fuel heat source, such alkali metal burning salts do not release enough energy during ignition of a fuel heat source to produce an acceptable aerosol during the first few puffs.
[00168] Examples of suitable oxidizing agents include, but are not limited to: nitrates, such as, for example, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, strontium nitrate, sodium nitrate, barium nitrate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate aluminum and iron nitrate; nitrites; other organic and inorganic nitro compounds; chlorates such as, for example, sodium chlorate and potassium chlorate; perchlorates such as, for example, sodium perchlorate; chlorites; bromates, such as, for example, sodium bromate and potassium bromate; perbromates; bromites; borates, such as, for example, sodium borate and potassium borate; ferrates, such as, for example, barium ferrate; ferrites; manganates, such as, for example, potassium manganate; permanganates, such as, for example, potassium permanganate; organic peroxides, such as, for example, benzoyl peroxide and acetone peroxide; inorganic peroxides, such as, for example, hydrogen peroxide, strontium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, zinc peroxide and lithium peroxide; superoxides, such as, for example, potassium superoxide and sodium superoxide; iodates; periodates; iodides; sulfates; sulfites; other sulfoxides; phosphates; phosphinates; phosphites; and phosphanates.
[00169] While advantageously improving the ignition and combustion properties of the combustible heat source, the inclusion of ignition and combustion additives can give rise to undesirable decomposition and reaction products during use of the smoking article. For example, the decomposition of nitrates included in the combustible heat source to aid its ignition can result in the formation of nitrogen oxides.
[00170] Where smoking articles according to the invention comprise an unblinded combustible heat source, the inclusion of a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier between the one or more flow channels and the unblinded combustible heat source may advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit such decomposition and reaction products from entering the puffed air into smoking articles according to the invention through the one or more air flow channels as the puffed air passes through the one or more airflow channels.
[00171] The inclusion of a substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate can also advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit such decomposition and reaction products from entering the entrained air through the smoking articles according to the invention.
[00172] Carbonaceous combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention can be prepared as described in the prior art as is known to those skilled in the art.
[00173] Carbonaceous combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention are preferably formed by mixing one or more carbon-containing materials with one or more binders and other additives, when included, and by preforming the mix into a desired shape. The mixture of one or more carbon-containing materials, one or more binders and other optional additives can be preformed into a desired shape using any suitable known ceramic forming methods, such as, for example, cast molding, extrusion , injection molding and compaction or mold pressing. In certain preferred embodiments, the blend is preformed into a desired shape by pressing or extrusion or a combination thereof.
[00174] Preferably, the mixture of one or more carbon-containing materials, one or more binders and other additives is preformed in an elongated column. However, it should be contemplated that the mixture of one or more carbon-containing materials, one or more binders and other additives, can be preformed into other desired shapes.
[00175] After formation, particularly after extrusion, the elongated column or any other desired shape is preferably dried to reduce its moisture content and then pyrolyzed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to carbonize the one or more binders, when present, and substantially eliminate any volatile compounds in the elongated column or other shape. The elongated column, or other desired shape, is preferably pyrolyzed in an atmosphere of nitrogen at a temperature of between about 700°C and about 900°C.
[00176] In a given embodiment, at least one metal nitrate salt is incorporated into the fuel heat source by including at least one metal nitrate precursor in the mixture of one or more carbon-containing materials, one or more binders and other additives . The at least one metal nitrate precursor is then subsequently converted in-situ to the at least one metal nitrate salt by treating the pyrolyzed preformed cylindrical column, or other formate, with an aqueous solution of nitric acid. In one embodiment, the combustible heat source comprises at least one metal nitrate salt having a thermal decomposition temperature less than about 600°C, more preferably less than about 400°C. Preferably, the at least one metal nitrate salt has a decomposition temperature between about 150°C and about 600°C, more preferably between about 200°C and about 400°C.
[00177] In preferred embodiments, exposure of the combustible heat source to a conventional yellow flame lighter or other means of ignition would cause the at least one metal nitrate salt to decompose and release oxygen and energy. This decomposition causes an initial rise in the temperature of the combustible heat source and also aids in igniting the combustible heat source. After decomposition of the at least one metal nitrate salt, the combustible heat source preferably continues combustion at a lower temperature.
[00178] The inclusion of at least one metal nitrate salt advantageously results in ignition of the combustible heat source being initiated internally, and not just at a point on the surface thereof. Preferably, the at least one metal nitrate salt is present in the fuel heat source in an amount of between about 20 percent dry weight and about 50 percent dry weight of the fuel heat source.
[00179] In other embodiments, the combustible heat source comprises at least one peroxide or superoxide that actively evolves to oxygen at a temperature below about 600°C, more preferably at a temperature below about 400°C.
[00180] Preferably, the at least one peroxide or superoxide actively evolves into oxygen at a temperature of between about 150°C and about 600°C, more preferably at a temperature of between about 200°C and about 400 °C, more preferably at a temperature of about 350 °C.
[00181] During use, exposure of the combustible heat source to a conventional yellow flame lighter or other means of ignition would cause the at least one peroxide or superoxide to decompose and release oxygen. This causes an initial rise in the temperature of the combustible heat source and also assists in igniting a combustible heat source. After decomposition of the at least one peroxide or superoxide, the combustible heat source preferably continues to produce combustion at a lower temperature.
[00182] The inclusion of at least one peroxide or superoxide advantageously results in the ignition of the combustible heat source being initiated internally, and not just at a point on the surface thereof.
The combustible heat source preferably has a porosity of between about 20 percent and about 80 percent, more preferably between about 20 percent and 60 percent. Where the combustible heat source comprises at least one metal nitrate salt, this advantageously will allow oxygen to diffuse into the mass of the combustible heat source at a rate sufficient to maintain combustion as the at least one metal nitrate salt decomposes and combustion proceeds. Even more preferably, the combustible heat source has a porosity of between about 50 percent and about 70 percent, more preferably between about 50 percent and about 60 percent, as measured, for example, by porosimetry. of mercury or helium pycnometry. The required porosity can be easily achieved during the production of the fuel heat source using conventional methods and technology.
Advantageously, carbonaceous combustible heat sources for use in smoking articles according to the invention have a bulk density of between about 0.6 g/cm3 and about 1 g/cm3.
[00185] Preferably, the combustible heat source has a mass between about 300mg and about 500mg, more preferably between about 400mg and about 450mg.
[00186] Preferably, the combustible heat source has a length of about 7 mm and about 17 mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and about 15 mm, most preferably between about 7 mm and about 13 mm .
Preferably, the combustible heat source has a diameter of between about 5 mm and about 9 mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and about 8 mm.
[00188] Preferably, the combustible heat source is of substantially uniform diameter. However, the combustible heat source can alternatively be tapered so that the diameter of a back of the blind combustible heat source is greater than the diameter of a front of the same. Particularly preferred are combustible heat sources which are substantially cylindrical. The combustible heat source may, for example, be a tapered cylinder or cylinder of substantially circular cross section or a tapered cylinder or cylinder of substantially elliptical cross section.
Smoking articles according to the invention preferably comprise an aerosol forming substrate comprising at least one aerosol former and a material capable of releasing volatile compounds in response to heating. The aerosol forming substrate can comprise other additives and ingredients including, but not limited to, wetting agents, flavors, binders and mixtures thereof.
[00190] Preferably, the aerosol forming substrate comprises nicotine. More preferably, the aerosol forming substrate comprises tobacco.
[00191] The at least one aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds which, during use, facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and which is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the article's operating temperature to smoke. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, for example, polyhydric alcohols, esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono, di or triacetate, and aliphatic esters of mono, di or polycarboxylic acids , such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers for use in smoking articles in accordance with the invention are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most preferably, glycerin.
[00192] The material capable of emitting volatile compounds in response to heating can be a load of plant-based material. The material capable of emitting volatile compounds in response to heating may be a plant-based homogenized material charge. For example, the aerosol forming substrate can comprise one or more plant-derived materials, including, but not limited to: tobacco; tea, for example green tea; Mint; blond; eucalyptus; basil; sage; verbena; and tarragon.
[00193] Preferably, the material capable of emitting volatile compounds in response to heating is a load of tobacco-based material, more preferably a load of homogenized tobacco-based material.
[00194] The aerosol forming substrate may be in the form of a plug or segment comprising a material capable of emitting volatile compounds in response to heating circumscribed by a paper or other envelope. As stated above, whenever an aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of such a plug or segment, the entire plug or segment, including any housing, will be considered to be the aerosol-forming substrate.
Preferably, the aerosol forming substrate has a length between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, more preferably between about 8 mm and about 12 mm.
[00196] In preferred embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate comprises a plug of tobacco-based material wrapped in a plug wrap. In specific preferred embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate comprises a plug of homogenized tobacco-based material wrapped in a plug wrap.
Smoking articles according to the invention preferably comprise a nozzle downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The mouthpiece is located at the proximal end of the smoking article.
[00198] Preferably, the nozzle is of low filtration efficiency, more preferably of very low filtration efficiency. The nozzle can be either a segment or a single component nozzle. Alternatively, the nozzle can be a multi-threaded or multi-component nozzle.
[00199] The nozzle may comprise a filter comprising one or more segments comprising suitable known filtration materials. Suitable filtration materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, cellulose acetate and paper. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece may comprise one or more segments comprising absorbents, adsorbents, flavorings, and other aerosol modifiers and additives or combinations thereof.
[00200] Smoking articles according to the element preferably comprise a transfer element or spacer element between the aerosol forming substrate and the mouthpiece.
[00201] The transfer element may abut the aerosol-forming substrate and/or the nozzle. Alternatively, the transfer element may be spaced from the aerosol-forming substrate and/or the nozzle.
[00202] The inclusion of a transfer element advantageously allows the cooling of the aerosol generated by the transfer of heat from the fuel heat source to the aerosol forming substrate. The inclusion of a transfer element also advantageously allows the overall length of smoking articles according to the invention to be adjusted to a desired value, for example to a length similar to that of conventional cigarettes, by an appropriate choice of the length of the transfer element.
[00203] The transfer element may have a length of between about 7 mm and about 50 mm, for example a length of between about 10 mm and about 45 mm or between about 15 mm and about 30 mm . The transfer element may have other lengths depending on the desired overall length of the smoking article and the presence and length of the other components within the smoking article.
[00204] Preferably, the transfer element comprises at least one hollow tubular body with open ends. In these embodiments, during use, air drawn through the smoking article passes through the at least one open ended tubular hollow body as it passes downstream through the smoking article from the aerosol forming substrate to the proximal end thereof.
[00205] The transfer element may comprise at least one hollow, open-ended tubular body formed of one or more suitable materials that are substantially thermally stable at the temperature of the aerosol generated by heat transfer from the fuel heat source to the forming substrate aerosol spray. Suitable materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to paper, cardboard, plastics such as cellulose acetate, ceramic and combinations thereof.
[00206] Alternatively or additionally, smoking articles according to the invention may comprise an aerosol cooling element or heat exchanger between the aerosol forming substrate and the mouthpiece. The aerosol cooling element may comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending channels.
[00207] The aerosol cooling element may comprise a grouped plate of material selected from the group consisting of metallic foil, polymeric material, and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In certain embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may comprise a grouped plate of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA ), cellulose acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.
[00208] In certain embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may comprise a grouped plate of biodegradable polymeric material such as polylactic acid (PLA) or a grade of Mater-Bi® (a family of commercially starch-based copolyesters available).
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more aerosol modifying agents downstream of the aerosol forming substrate. For example, one or more of the mouthpiece, transfer element and aerosol cooling element of smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more of the aerosol modifying agents.
Suitable aerosol modifying agents include, but are not limited to: flavorings; and chemoesthetic agents.
As used herein, the term 'flavoring' is used to describe any agent which, in use, imparts flavor and/or aroma to an aerosol generated by the aerosol forming substrate of the smoking article.
[00212] As used in this document, the term 'chemoaesthetic agent' is used to describe any agent which, during use, is perceived in a user's oral or olfactory cavities by means other than or in addition to perception through cells taste receptors or olfactory receptors. The perception of chemoaesthetic agents is usually through a "trigeminal response", or through the trigeminal nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve, or some combination of these. Typically, chemoaesthetic agents are perceived as hot, spicy, refreshing, or soothing sensations.
Smoking articles according to the invention may comprise one or more aerosol modifying agents which are a flavoring and chemoesthetic agent downstream of the aerosol forming substrate. For example, one or more of the mouthpiece, transfer element and aerosol cooling element of smoking articles according to the invention may comprise menthol or other flavoring which provides a chemoaesthetic cooling effect.
Smoking articles according to the invention can be assembled using known methods and machinery.
[00215] The invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[00216] Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a smoking article according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[00217] Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a smoking article according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[00218] Figure 3a shows a graph of the temperature of the back of the combustible heat source of a smoking article according to the invention during smoking; and
[00219] Figure 3b shows a graph of the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate of the smoking article according to the invention during smoking.
[00220] The smoking article 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a blunt combustible heat source 4 with a front face 6 and an opposite rear face 8, an aerosol forming substrate 10, an element of transfer 12, an aerosol cooling element 14, a spacer element 16 and a nozzle 18 in contiguous coaxial alignment.
[00221] The blind combustible heat source 4 is a blind carbonaceous combustible heat source and is located at the distal end of the smoking article 2. As shown in Figure 1, a non-combustible substantially airtight barrier 22 in the form of a disk of aluminum foil is provided between the rear face 8 of the blind fuel heat source 4 and the aerosol forming substrate 10. The barrier 22 is applied to the rear face 8 of the blind fuel heat source 4 by pressing the aluminum foil disc on the rear face 8 of the blind fuel heat source 4 and abuts on the rear face 8 of the carbonaceous fuel heat source 4 and the aerosol forming substrate 10.
[00222] In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the substantially airtight non-combustible barrier 22 between the rear face 8 of the blind combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol forming substrate 10 may be omitted.
[00223] The aerosol forming substrate 10 is located immediately downstream of the barrier 22 applied to the rear face 8 of the blind fuel heat source 4. The aerosol forming substrate 10 comprises a cylindrical plug of homogenized tobacco material 24 which includes an aerosol former, such as, for example, glycerin, wrapped in a plug shell 26.
The transfer element 12 is located immediately downstream of the aerosol forming substrate 10 and comprises an open ended cylindrical cellulose acetate tube 28.
[00225] The aerosol cooling element 14 is located immediately downstream of the transfer element 12 and comprises a grouped plate of biodegradable polymeric material such as, for example, polylactic acid.
[00226] The spacer element 16 is located immediately downstream of the aerosol cooling element 14 and comprises a hollow cylindrical tube of open-ended paper or cardboard 30.
[00227] The mouthpiece 18 is located immediately downstream of the spacer element 16. As shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 18 is located at the proximal end of the smoking article 2 and comprises a cylindrical plug of suitable filtration material 32 such as, eg very low filtration efficiency cellulose acetate fiber wrapped in filter plug casing 34
[00228] The smoking article may further comprise a tipping paper band (not shown) circumscribing a downstream end portion of the outer shell 20.
[00229] As shown in Figure 1, the smoking article 2 further comprises a single heat-conducting element 36 of suitable material, such as, for example, aluminum foil, superimposed on a rear part of the blind combustible heat source 4, over the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 and over the entire length of the transfer element 12.
[00230] In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the transfer element 12 may extend beyond the single heat-conducting element 36 in the downstream direction. That is, the single heat-conducting element 36 may only overlap a front portion of the transfer element 12. In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the single heat-conducting element 36 may not overlap any transfer element. 12.
[00231] In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the aerosol forming substrate 10 may extend beyond the single heat-conducting element 36 in the downstream direction. That is, the single heat-conducting element 36 can only overlap a front portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 10.
[00232] The single heat-conducting element 36 is radially separated from the blind fuel heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10 by a casing 38 of heat-insulating sheet material, such as, for example, cigarette paper, of low air permeability, which is wrapped around the aerosol forming substrate 10, transfer element 12 and a blind fuel heat source back 4.
[00233] In the smoking article 2, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the single heat-conducting element 36 and the housing 38, which radially separates the single heat-conducting element 36 from the blind combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10, extends in approximately the same position over the blind combustible heat source 4 in the upstream direction, such that the upstream ends of the single heat-conducting element 36 and the housing 38 are substantially aligned along the length. of the blind combustible heat source 4.
[00234] However, it will be contemplated that, in other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the casing 38, which radially separates the single heat conducting element 36 from the blind combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol forming substrate 10, may extend beyond the single heat-conducting element 36 in the upstream direction.
[00235] The smoking article 2, according to the first embodiment of the invention, comprises one or more first air inlets 38 around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate 10.
[00236] As shown in Figure 1, a circumferential arrangement of the first air inlets 40 is provided in the plug housing 26 of the aerosol forming substrate 10, in the housing 38 separating the single heat conducting element 36 from the blind combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10 and the single heat-conducting element 36 to receive the cooled air (shown by the dotted arrows in Figure 1) within the aerosol-forming substrate 10.
[00237] During use, a user lights the blind combustible heat source 4 of the smoking article 2, according to the first embodiment of the invention, and then draws on the mouthpiece 18. When a user brings on the mouthpiece 18, the cooled air (shown by the dotted arrows in Figure 1) is drawn into the aerosol-forming substrate 10 of the smoking article 2 through the first air inlets 40.
[00238] The front part of the aerosol forming substrate 10 is heated by conduction through the rear face 8 of the blind fuel heat source 4 and the barrier 22.
[00239] Heating the aerosol-forming substrate 10 by conduction releases glycerin and other volatile and semi-volatile compounds from the plug of the homogenized tobacco-based material 24. The compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate 10 form an aerosol that is entrained in the air drawn into the aerosol forming substrate 10 of the smoking article 2 through the first air inlets 40 as they flow through the aerosol forming substrate 10. The entrained air and entrained aerosol (shown by the dashed arrows in Figures 1 and 2 ) pass downstream through transfer element 12, aerosol cooling element 14 and spacer element 16, where they cool and condense. The cooled puffed air and puffed aerosol pass downstream through the mouthpiece 18 and are delivered to the user through the proximal end of the smoking article 2, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. The substantially airtight non-combustible barrier 22 on the rear face 8 of the blind combustible heat source 4 isolates the blind combustible heat source 4 from air drawn through the smoking article 2 such that, during use, the air drawn through the smoking article 2 does not come into direct contact with the blind combustible heat source 4.
During use, the single heat-conducting element 36 maintains heat within the smoking article 2 to help maintain the temperature of the aerosol forming substrate 10 and to facilitate continuous and increased delivery of the aerosol. Additionally, the single heat-conducting element 36 transfers heat across the aerosol-forming substrate 10 so that heat is dispersed across a large volume of the aerosol-forming substrate 10. This helps to provide a puff-by-puff aerosol distribution. more consistent puff.
[00241] A smoking article according to a second embodiment of the invention (not shown) has a construction identical to the smoking article according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1. However, in the smoking article of According to the second embodiment of the invention, the casing 38, which radially separates the single heat-conducting element 36 from the blind fuel heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10, is omitted and the single heat-conducting element 36 is formed by a laminated material comprising an outer layer of heat-conductive material and an inner layer of heat-insulating material. In the smoking article according to the second embodiment of the invention, the outer layer of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element 36 is radially separated from the blind combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10 by the layer. internal part of the heat-insulating material of the single heat-conducting element 36.
[00242] A smoking article 42 according to the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 is of identical construction to the smoking article according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1. However, in the smoking article 42 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, first air inlets 40 around the periphery of the aerosol forming substrate 10 are omitted and the combustible heat source 4 is an unblinded carbonaceous combustible heat source comprising a single flow channel of central air 44 extending from the front face 6 to the rear face 8 of the non-blinding fuel heat source 4.
[00243] As shown in Figure 2, a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier 46 is provided between the combustible heat source 4 and the central air flow channel 44. The barrier 46 comprises a substantially airtight non-combustible barrier coating. air supplied over the entire inner surface of the central air flow channel 44.
[00244] During use, a user lights the non-blind combustible heat source 4 of the smoking article 42, according to the third embodiment of the invention, and then draws into the mouthpiece 18. When a user draws into the mouthpiece 18, the air The cooled (shown by the dotted arrows in Figure 2) is drawn into the aerosol forming substrate 10 of the smoking article 2 through the central air flow channel 44. The substantially airtight non-combustible barrier 22 on the rear face 8 of the source of non-blind combustible heat source 4 and the substantially air-impermeable non-combustible barrier 46 on the inner surface of the single central air flow channel 44 isolate the non-blind combustible heat source 4 from air drawn through the smoking article 42 such that, during use, the air drawn through the smoking article 42 does not come into direct contact with the non-blind combustible heat source 4.
[00245] In other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the substantially airtight non-combustible barrier 22 between the rear face 8 of the non-blinding combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol forming substrate 10 may be omitted.
[00246] A smoking article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention (not shown) is of identical construction to the smoking article according to the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2. However, in the smoking article of In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, the casing 38, which radially separates the single heat-conducting element 36 from the blind fuel heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10, is omitted and the single heat-conducting element 36 is It is formed by a laminated material comprising an outer layer of the heat-conductive material and an inner layer of the heat-insulating material. In the smoking article according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the outer layer of heat-conducting material of the single heat-conducting element 36 is radially separated from the non-blinded combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10 by the inner layer. of the heat-insulating material of the single heat-conducting element 36.Example A
[00247] A smoking article according to the invention of identical construction to the smoking article according to the second embodiment of the invention described above is assembled. The smoking article comprises a single heat-conducting element formed of a laminated material comprising an outer layer of aluminum and an inner layer of paper. The smoking article does not comprise an outer shell, such that the aluminum outer layer of the single heat conducting element is visible on the outside of the smoking article. Rather than a circumferential arrangement of first air inlets around the periphery of the aerosol forming substrate, the smoking article comprises a circumferential arrangement of third air inlets around the periphery of the transfer element.
[00248] In the smoking article according to the invention, the aluminum outer layer of the single heat-conducting element is radially separated from the blind fuel heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by the inner paper layer of the single heat-conducting element. heat. Comparative Example B
[00249] For comparison purposes, a smoking article not according to the invention is fitted. The smoking article not in accordance with the invention comprises a single heat-conductive element formed of a laminated material comprising an inner layer of aluminum and an outer layer of paper. On the other hand, the smoking article not according to the invention is of identical construction to the smoking article according to the invention of Example A.
[00250] In the smoking article not according to the invention, the inner aluminum layer of the single heat-conducting element is in direct contact with the blind combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate.
[00251] The rear temperatures of the blind combustible heat sources of the smoking article according to the invention of Example A and the smoking article not according to the invention of Comparative Example B, during combustion of the combustible heat source , are measured on the smoking articles using a thermocouple attached to the surface of the smoking articles at a position 1 mm upstream of the aerosol generating substrates therefrom. The results are shown in Figure 3a.
[00252] The rear temperatures of the aerosol forming substrates of the smoking article according to the invention of Example A and the smoking article not according to the invention of Comparative Example B, during combustion of the combustible heat source, are measured on the smoking articles using a thermocouple attached to the surface of the smoking articles at a position 6 mm downstream of the combustible heat sources thereof. The results are shown in Figure 3b.
[00253] To measure the rear temperatures of the blind combustible heat sources and aerosol forming substrates, smoking articles are lit using a conventional yellow flame lighter and smoked under a Health Canada smoking regime for 12 puffs with a puff volume of 55 ml, puff duration of 2 seconds and puff interval of 30 seconds using a smoking machine. Smoke conditions and smoke machine specifications are defined in the ISO 3308 Standard (ISO 3308:2000). The atmosphere for conditioning and testing is defined in ISO Standard 3402.
[00254] As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the temperatures of the backside of the blind fuel heat source and the aerosol forming substrate of the smoking article not in accordance with the invention of Comparative Example B are reduced compared to the smoking article according to the invention, particularly during the last puffs. This results in the total dry particulate matter (DTPM) distribution of the smoking article not in accordance with the invention of Comparative Example B (10.3 mg) being less than the total dry particulate matter (DTPM) distribution of the smoking article of according to the invention of Example A (17.4 mg).
[00255] The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

权利要求:
Claims (15)
[0001]
1. A smoking article (2, 42) comprising: a combustible heat source (4) with opposite front and rear faces (6, 8); and an aerosol forming substrate (10) downstream from the rear face (8) of the fuel heat source (4); characterized in that the smoking article (2,42) comprises: a single heat-conducting element (36) overlying a rear portion of the combustible heat source (4) and at least a front portion of the aerosol forming substrate (10), wherein the single heat-conductive element (36) comprises one or more layers of heat-conductive material and the one or more layers of heat-conductive material are radially separated from the combustible heat source (4) and the substrate aerosol former (10), the combustible heat source (4) is: (i) a blunt combustible heat source or (ii) an unblind combustible heat source and the smoking article (42) further comprises a non-combustible air-impermeable barrier (46) between the non-blinding combustible heat source and one or more air flow channels (44) extending from the front face (6) to the rear face (8) of the heat source fuel does not blunt, and the only heat-conducting element (36) comprises an outer layer of m. heat-conducting material that is visible on the outside of the smoking article (2, 42).
[0002]
2. A smoking article according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more layers of heat-conducting material are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by one or more layers of material heat insulating (38).
[0003]
A smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the one or more layers of the heat-conducting material are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate by at least 50 microns.
[0004]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the single heat-conducting element is formed of a laminated material comprising one or more layers of heat-conductive material and one or more layers of heat insulating material.
[0005]
5. A smoking article according to claim 4, characterized in that the one or more layers of the heat-conducting material are radially separated from the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate by at least one of the one or more layers of heat-insulating material.
[0006]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the one or more layers of heat-conductive material comprise a heat-reflective material.
[0007]
7. Smoking article according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the heat-reflecting material reflects more than 50% of the incident radiation.
[0008]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the single heat-conducting element overlaps the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0009]
9. A smoking article according to claim 8, characterized in that the single heat-conducting element extends downstream beyond the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0010]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises an air-impermeable non-combustible barrier (22) between the rear face (8) of the combustible heat source (4) and the aerosol forming substrate (10).
[0011]
A smoking article (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises one or more first air inlets (40) around the periphery of the aerosol forming substrate (10).
[0012]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the aerosol forming substrate abuts the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[0013]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the aerosol-forming substrate is spaced from the rear face of the combustible heat source.
[0014]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises one or more second air inlets between the rear face of the combustible heat source and the aerosol forming substrate.
[0015]
A smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises one or more aerosol modifying agents downstream of the aerosol forming substrate.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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HK1219845A1|2017-04-21|

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KR20160042417A|2016-04-19|

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CA2918188A1|2015-02-19|

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EP3032974B1|2018-05-02|

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EP3032974A1|2016-06-22|

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TWI654943B|2019-04-01|

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RU2671756C2|2018-11-06|

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AU2014307962B2|2018-09-27|

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JP6757251B2|2020-09-16|

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PL3032974T3|2018-10-31|

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PH12015502505B1|2016-02-22|

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UA117488C2|2018-08-10|

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CN105407749B|2019-06-04|

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TW201521608A|2015-06-16|

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BR112016001068A2|2017-07-25|

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JP2016527894A|2016-09-15|

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SG11201601049YA|2016-03-30|

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CN105407749A|2016-03-16|

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RU2016108814A|2017-09-18|

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WO2015022321A1|2015-02-19|

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AU2014307962A1|2015-11-12|

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PT3032974T|2018-10-16|

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AR097317A1|2016-03-09|

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MX2016001960A|2016-05-26|

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ZA201508084B|2016-12-21|

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US20160174609A1|2016-06-23|

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ES2671435T3|2018-06-06|

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IL242343A|2019-11-28|

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MY176645A|2020-08-19|

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PH12015502505A1|2016-02-22|

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KR102354033B1|2022-01-24|

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法律状态:
2019-12-24| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2021-02-09| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-06-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-07-20| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|

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2021-08-03| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 12/08/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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EP13180309.0|2013-08-13|

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EP13180309|2013-08-13|

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PCT/EP2014/067237|WO2015022321A1|2013-08-13|2014-08-12|Smoking article with single radially-separated heat-conducting element|

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