MXPA06009698A

MXPA06009698A - Smoking article and apparatus and process for manufacturing a smoking article

Info

Publication number: MXPA06009698A
Application number: MXPA/A/2006/009698A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Roger Sampson John; Oliver Richard; Rowatt Grierson Gordon; Woodcock Domonic
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2004-02-27
Filing date: 2006-08-25
Publication date: 2007-04-20

Abstract

A smoking article, and a method and apparatus for producing a smoking article, in which a web material containing an adsorbent material such as activated carbon and a stabilised flavourant such as menthol is positioned adjacent an interior surface of a cigarette wrapper to deliver flavour to a smoker with minimal/insignificant migration of flavour to other parts of the smoking article or packaging. The web material may be a section that extends over only a portion of the smoking article to deliver flavour to a smoker at a specific point during smoking and if positioned at the mouth end of a smoking article will be ableto deliver a flavour sensation in the final puff(s).

Description

SMOKING ARTICLE AND APPARATUS AND PROCESS TO MANUFACTURE A SMOKING ARTICLE This invention relates to smoking articles, and in particular to smoking articles having flavoring material therein. Flavoring materials such as menthol have been applied to smoking articles to modify the smoke and flavor characteristics thereof. Flavoring materials have been added to smoking articles by various methods, for example, by spraying a solution containing flavor on tobacco or by applying flavoring material to the cigar wrap. However, due to the volatile or semi-volatile nature of many flavoring materials a significant amount of the flavoring material is lost through evaporation during the manufacture and storage of the smoking articles. In addition, during smoking, more flavoring material volatilizes from the smoke in the initial puffs, resulting in unequal provision of the flavoring material to the consumer. To prevent premature loss or volatilization of the flavoring material several flavors have been used to encapsulate the flavoring material. A number of flavoring encapsulation techniques include encapsulation of a flavoring material within a polysaccharide coating. For example, EP 0 490 559 describes a filament comprising a core of polysaccharide flavoring and binder material with a coextensive alginate shell. However, it is difficult to insert such a filament in a cigarette using conventional high-speed machinery. The control of flavor supply to the consumer at specific stages during smoking is also not easily achieved using such filaments due to a need for precise positioning of the flavoring material in a cigar. An additional encapsulation technique for smoking articles includes microencapsulation of a flavoring material, and incorporation of the microcapsules in a tobacco blend. Disadvantages of such a technique include the difficulty in achieving a uniform distribution of microcapsules in the smoking article if desired, or alternatively the difficulty in precisely positioning the microcapsules at a specific location in a smoking article. The adsorbent material having a microporous structure also possesses stabilizing qualities and is capable of retaining flavoring material and allows the flavoring material to be released upon heating at a given temperature, such as, for example, during smoking. US 3, 150,668 discloses a cigar having flavoring therein to convey to the consumer the point at which smoking should cease. A retarding agent is used with flavoring to prevent the flavoring from reaching the consumer during the initial puffs of the cigar. The retarding agent is in liquid or solid form and can be activated carbon. The flavoring and reducing agent are mixed together before being included in a cigar. However, the mixture is not easily positioned at a location within a cigar, particularly at the high speeds used in the manufacture of the cigar. It is considered advantageous to be able to simply and effectively position a stabilized flavor material in a smoking article and particularly towards one end of a smoking article only so that in the smoking the consumer will find a taste sensation, typified by the flavoring (s) used, for example, during the final puff or few final puffs. Ideally menthol, when used as the flavoring material, will provide a refreshing sensation and / or taste and will provide a "fresh finish" to the consumer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a smokable article having stabilized flavor to supply the consumer during smoking. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article smoker having a stabilized flavor precisely positioned in it. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus for producing a smoking article having a stabilized flavor located therein. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a taste sensation in the final puff (s) of the smoking article. A further aspect of the invention is to reduce particulate material in the wine without loss of flavor characteristics.

The present invention provides a smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material and a netting material comprising an absorbent material and a flavoring material, the network material being positioned between said bar of smokable material and said wrapper. The wrapping of the smoking article is suitably a conventional cigarette paper well known in the art. The smoking article can be wrapped in more than one wrap, and can, for example, be wrapped twice. However, it is preferred that the fuming article be wrapped in a single wrap. It is by preference that the fuming article comprises a filter element. The filter element can be a multiple filter comprising multiple sections such as, for example, a double or triple filter. Suitable filters are well known to those skilled in the art. A preferred filter element contains an adsorbent material for the reduction of vapor phase constituents of the smoke. Such filters known in the art include Dalmatian filters in which the particulate activated carbon is dispersed in the cellulose acetone material of the filter and the cavity filters in which a cavity portion of a multi-segment filter is filled with granules of activated carbon. When the patch is positioned close to the mouth end of the smoking article it has been found that the flavor is released from the network material without being adsorbed by the adsorbent material of the filter and without affecting the ability of the adsorbent in the filter to reduce the constituents in phase. smoke vapor. Preferably the network material is a fibrous sheet material. More preferably the fibrous sheet material is a cellulosic sheet material or a sheet material containing tobacco. The fibrous web material is advantageously a cellulose network material. More advantageously, the cellulosic network material is a paper web material. The paper web material can be flat, pleated or satin. Advantageously, the absorbent material is incorporated into the network material, the absorbent being an integral component of the network material. It is by preference that the absorbent material comprises the flavoring material. Suitably, the adsorbent material is one or more of the following: zeolite, sepiolite, clay, activated alumina, mineral, resin, carbon. Preferably the adsorbent material is carbon. More preferably the adsorbent material is activated carbon. Advantageously, the adsorbent material is in granular, powder or particulate form. When the adsorbent material is in granular, powder or particulate form, the adsorbent material preferably has particle sizes of less than 500 μm and preferably less than 100 μm. More preferably the adsorbent material has particle sizes of less than 50 μm and more preferably has an average particle size of less than 20 μm. The particle size is considered to be the diameter of the particle. Suitably the level of loading of the adsorbent material in the network material is less than 70% by weight of the network material. Preferably the level of loading of the adsorbent material in the network material is less than 50% by weight of the network material. Advantageously, the adsorbent material being charged into the network material is 10-45% by weight of the network material. When the adsorbent material is activated carbon it is preferred that the carbon has an activity level up to 180% CTC. More preferably, the carbon has an activity of 40-160% CTC. Carbon activity is measured in percent carbon tetrachloride (CTC), a measurement well known in the art. Carbon is weighed, exposed to CTC and the carbon weight is subsequently measured again. The increase in carbon weight is calculated as a percentage. Suitably, the flavoring material is a volatile or semi-volatile flavoring. Flavoring materials suitable for use in the fuming article of the present invention include: menthol (natural and / or synthetic), alcohols, esters, ketones, lactones, essential oils, and aldehydes. A preferred flavoring material commonly used is menthol. Additional materials may be added to the network material of the invention. Such materials include organic fillers and burn additives. For example, a preferred filler material is calcium carbonate. Other organic fillers known in the art include titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium sulfate, clays and kaolin. Similarly, preferred quenching additives include sodium citrate and potassium citrate. Other burn additives known in the art include other water-soluble citrates, acetate and phosphate compounds. Preferably, the smokable material is a tobacco material. Suitably, the tobacco material comprises one or more of stem powder, limb and tobacco. It is preferred that the tobacco material comprises one or more of the following types: cured fluff or Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco and stem. It is much preferred that the smokable material comprises a mixture of tobacco material. Advantageously the smokable material comprises 10-80% Virginia tobacco, 0-60% Burley tobacco, 0-20% Oriental tobacco, 0-30% reconstituted tobacco, 0-50% expanded tobacco and 0-30% stem. Advantageously the network material adheres to a surface of the envelope, such a surface is a surface facing the rod of smokable material. The netting material adheres adequately to the wrapper by an adhesive. Preferably the adhesive is one of the following: a heat activatable adhesive, PVA, starch, starch solution. The preferred adhesive is PVA. Preferably, the adhesive is one of the following: a heat activatable adhesive, PVA, starch, starch solution. The preferred adhesive is PVA. It is preferred that the network material extends over only a portion of the smoking article, and in particular over only a portion of the bar of smokable material. A portion of the smoking article may be in terms of the length of the smoking article and / or circumferential distance of the smoking article. It is preferred that the network material extends over only a portion of the length of the smoking article, and in particular over only a portion of the length of the bar of smokable material. Extending over only a portion of the smoking article provides a specific placement of the flavor, which is consequently released to the consumer at a given point during smoking corresponding to the position of the network material. This is achieved as a result of the significant 'fixation energy' of the adsorbent within the network material to prevent the escape or migration of the flavor of the network material into other parts of the smoking article. The binding energy of the adsorbent in the network material is determined using a sensitive solid phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) technique that is designed to quantify the flavor stabilizer efficiency during storage. The network material may extend over a portion of the smoking article at or to the mouth end of the firing end of the smoking article. It is by preference that the netting material extends over only a portion of the smoking article at or to the mouth end of the smoking article. The network material extends completely or partially along the length of the bar of smokable material. If it is desired to supply flavor at a specific point during the smoking of the smoking article, the network material preferably extends only partially along the length of the bar of smokable material. Preferably, the network material extends 10-80%, and preferably 30-80%, of the length of the bar of smokable material. In a first aspect the network material extends from a point at the mouth end of the smoking article to a point towards the far end of the mouth end. Advantageously, the point towards the end away from the mouth end is a point 1 0-80%, and preferably 30-80% of the distance along the rod of smokable material from the mouth end of the smoking article. In a second aspect the network material extends from a first point toward the mouth end of the smoking article to a second point toward the end of the smoking article away from the mouth end thereof.

Preferably, the first point towards the mouth end of the smoking article is a point at least 10% of the distance along the bar of smokable material from the mouth end of the smoking article. It is further preferred that the second point towards the end of the smokable article away from the mouth end thereof is a point 1 1 -80%, and preferably 30-80%, of the distance along the bar of smokable material from the mouth end of the article smoker. Two or more regions of network material may extend along the length of the rod of smokable material. The invention provides more than one flavor in a smoking article. For example, two flavors, being of similar or different flavors, can be included in a single fuming article. This can be achieved by placing two separate network materials in a fuming article, each network material containing an adsorbent and a flavoring.

Alternatively, a single network material may comprise two different flavors, including multiple lines of separate individual flavors or mixtures of flavors. A still further alternative is that a smoking article comprises a network material of the invention and also comprises a tobacco blend having flavor incorporated therein. A preferred embodiment is that a fuming article comprises a network material of the invention having a flavoring therein and a tobacco mixture having the same flavor therein, so that the network material effectively provides the smoker with an amount extra flavor, for example in the few final puffs. This is particularly advantageous in a menthol smoked article in which the menthol flavoring in the tobacco mixture provides a menthol impact to the smoker during smoking, and a netting material comprising menthol flavoring provides a strong menthol impact in the puffs final. The present invention further provides a method for flavoring a network material containing adsorbent comprising applying a flavor to a surface of the network material and subjecting the material to a temperature greater than 20 ° C for a period of at least 30 minutes to allow the adsorption of the flavor by the adsorbent in the network material. Preferably, the flavor is applied to the network material by a flavoring applicator means. Preferably the flavor is applied to the surface of the network material as a flavor stream. More preferably, the flavor is applied to the network material as a plurality of flavor streams. Suitably, the plurality of flavor streams is applied to the network material in a line or in a set. When applied in a set, the assembly comprises two lines of flavoring streams, one of the lines displacing the flavoring streams in an adjacent line. Suitably, the flavor is applied to a surface of the network material as 1 -30 flavor streams. Advantageously, the flavor is applied to a surface of the network material as 4-1 8 flavoring streams. Suitably each flavor stream has a cross section substantially corresponding to the shape of an orifice in the applicator means through which the flavor is passed. Preferably, each flavor stream is in the form of a filament and has a substantially circular cross section. If the flavor is solid at room temperature the flavor is heated to maintain the flavor in a molten liquid state. Advantageously, the flavor is heated to a temperature of 40-55 ° C. It is preferable that the flavor is heated by the applicator means, in particular by means of supplying the applicator means, the supply means being operable to supply flavor from a flavor source to an operable applicator head for applying flavor to the network material. Properly, the network material is fed from a first fastener means of network material to a second fastener means of network material. Preferably, the first / second net material fastening means comprises a mandrel. Preferably, the network material is fed from a winding mandrel to a driven redevelopment mandrel. Preferably, the network material is fed to a guide roller along the transport path, the network material being guided by the guide roller along the transport path. More preferably, the network material is fed to a plurality of guide rollers along the transport path. Preferably, the adsorbent material is carbon, and it is even more preferably activated carbon. Advantageously, the adsorbent is in granular, powder or particulate form. Preferably the flavor is a volatile or semi-volatile flavor. Suitably the flavor is in a molten or liquid state. Preferably, the flavor is one or more of the following types of compound: heterocyclic compound, terpene hydrocarbon, alcohol, acid, ester, ketone, lactone, essential oil, aldehyde, or menthol. Advantageously, the flavor is menthol. Preferably, the network material is a fibrous sheet material. More preferably, the network material is a sheet material containing tobacco or cellulosic. Advantageously, the network material is paper. The paper can be flat, crepe, or satin. The network material undergoes an equilibrium step after the application of flavor to it, such step includes allowing the flavor to be applied to the network material to effectively adsorb by the adsorbent within the network material. This stage is known as the "bulging" or "healing" stage. It has surprisingly been found that curing the network material for only a relatively short period of time at a temperature above room temperature results in a significantly improved adsorption of flavor by the adsorbent of the network material. Suitably, the network material is stored for a period of up to 96 hours to allow the balance of the flavoring within the network material at an operable temperature to promote the balance of the flavor in the network material. Preferably, the temperature during the curing stage is 25-80 ° C and an optimum temperature range is between 40 ° C and 80 ° C. It is advantageous that the flavor is adsorbed as quickly as possible to minimize the storage duration at an elevated temperature. However, due to the nature of the network material it is not desirable to subject the network material to high temperatures which may carbonize or discolor the network material. Temperatures above 100 ° C are not preferred. An aging step may also be included, in which the network material is stored under ambient conditions for a specific period of time, which may vary from 2 days to several months. Preferably, the aging stage is between 2 days and 6 weeks. Alternatively, in a manner applicable to all aspects of the invention, the adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, may be pre-flavored and subsequently formed into a network material. The present invention also provides an apparatus for applying flavoring to a network material, the network material comprising an adsorbent material, the apparatus comprising a first network material holding means, an applicator means capable of applying flavoring to the network material and second means fastener of network material. Preferably, the applicator means comprises an applicator head for application of the flavor to the network material and a supply means for supplying flavor to the applicator head. Preferably, the applicator head has an opening in a surface thereof through which the flavor can be passed. More preferably, the applicator head has a plurality of openings in a surface thereof.

Advantageously, the applicator head has 1 -30 openings in a surface thereof. More advantageously, the applicator head has 4-1 8 openings in a surface thereof. Suitably, an opening in a surface of the applicator head is circular or elongate. Preferably, the openings are located on a removable plate. Suitably the openings are arranged in a line or in an assembly, the assembly comprising two lines of openings in which the openings in one of the two lines are displaced from the openings in an adjacent line. Suitably, the applicator means comprises heating means for heating the flavor and maintaining the flavor in a molten liquid state. It is by preference that the heating means heats the supply medium. More preferably, the supply medium is heated to a temperature of 40-55 ° C. Preferably, the first / second fastener means comprises a mandrel. More preferably, the first fastening means is a winding mandrel and the second fastening means is a redevelopment mandrel. The winding mandrel serves to feed the network material therein therefrom and the redevelopment mandrel receives the network material which is fed thereto. It is preferred that the redevelopment mandrel is driven. Suitably the network material comprising an adsorbent material is in the form of a coil. Preferably, the coil is held by the first fastening means. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a guide roller, such a guide roller controls the path of the network material. More preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of guide rollers. Advantageously, the guide roller is in contact with the network material. Suitably a first guide roller is positioned so that the network material fed from the first fastener means is fed around the first guide roller. A second guide roller is positioned so that the network material is fed around the second guide roller after being fed around the first guide roller and before the network material reaches the applicator means. Preferably, a third guide roller is positioned so that the netting material is fed around the third guide roller after having flavoring applied thereto and before it is received by the second holding means. It is preferred that the apparatus comprises a brake arm assembly. The brake arm assembly is in contact with a guide roller. Preferably, the brake arm assembly is in contact with a plurality of guide rollers. The brake arm assembly is movable and ensures that the network material is maintained at a given voltage. The brake arm assembly is contacted with the first fastening means. Preferably the brake arm assembly contacts a drum of the first fastener means. The pressure gage exerted by the brake arm assembly on the drum controls the tension of the network material by feeding on the first fastener means. When the network material is under tension one end of the brake arm assembly away from the first fastening means rises, rotating the end of the brake arm assembly contactable with the drum of the first fastening means away from it. In contrast, when the network material leaving the first fastener means is under insufficient tension the end of the brake arm assembly away from the first fastening means and contactable with a guide roller is in a lowered position and according to the above, the end of the brake arm assembly contactable with the first fastener means is pressed against the drum of the first fastener means, the pressure in the drum decreasing the speed of the net material of the first fastener means. Suitably the apparatus comprises an encoder. The encoder is preferably positioned along the network feed path before the location of the applicator means. Preferably, the encoder is in contact with the network material along the network feed path and is capable of measuring the feed rate of the network material.

Advantageously, the encoder is in communication with the second holding means and / or a driving means that drives the second holding means. As the feeding speed of the network material is communicated to the second holding means and / or driving means driving the second holding means, the speed at which the second holding means is driven and receives the network material is varied in a manner that a constant network material speed is maintained. The encoder is also capable of controlling the flow rate of flavor application at the base of the speed of the network material. The present invention also provides a method for making a smoking article according to the present invention. The method for making a fuming article comprises feeding a network material, the network material comprising an adsorbent material and a flavoring, to a cutter means, cutting said network material into sections, transferring said sections onto a casing and circumscribing a bar smokable material with said envelope.

Preferably, the network material is cut into sections of a specified length, for example, by a cutter knife assembly. It is preferred that the netting material be cut to a length corresponding to twice the length of the netting material in the smokable article product. The network material section after being applied to a wrapper will then be constructed in a double-length smokable article, such article being subsequently cut to form two smokable articles of the desired length and having a section of network material in each of the Smokers articles of the desired length. Preferably, the length of the section of network material in the finished smoking article corresponds to 40-80% of the length of the smokable material bar of the smoking article. Accordingly, it is preferred that the netting material be cut to a length corresponding to 80-160% of the length of the smokable material rod of the finished smoking article. Alternatively, the network material is cut into sections having a length less than the length of the smoking article. Even more advantageously, the netting material is cut to a length corresponding to half the length of the smoking article or less. In this alternative embodiment the network material section is not subsequently cut in an additional step during the elaboration of a smoking article in a smoking article making machine. This alternative embodiment is preferred for fuming articles in which the netting material is placed at a distance from the mouth end of the smokable material bar, a section of double length netting material not being suitable for such a position of the netting material. in the smoking article. Suitably the adhesive is applied to a surface of the network material. The adhesive is preferably applied to a surface of the network material by an adhesive applicator. It is by preference that the adhesive applicator is located along the feed path before the cutter means. The surface having adhesive applied thereto, is applied to a surface of a wrap, the wrap being, for example, a cigarette paper or a plug wrap. Advantageously, the network material is applied to a surface of the envelope at a location corresponding to the mouth end of the smoking article. Alternatively the adhesive is applied to a surface of a wrapper by an adhesive applicator. Preferably, the surface of the envelope having an adhesive applied thereto is a surface to which a section of network material is applied. Advantageously, the adhesive is applied to a surface of the wrapper at a location corresponding to the mouth end of the smoking article in the finished product.

The method further comprises supplying a wrapping to a wrapping feeding path so that the wrapping can have sections of netting material transferred thereto. Properly, the envelope feeding path is adjacent to an assembly capable of transferring sections of network material to the envelope. Preferably, the envelope feeding path is in contact with the assembly capable of transferring sections of network material to the envelope. Suitably, the assembly that transfers sections of the network material to the envelope is a vacuum assembly. Preferably, the vacuum assembly comprises a section drum. The sections of network material are held on a surface of the suction drum by a suction force. Preferably, the vacuum assembly accelerates the sections of network material during the transfer of the sections of network material to the envelope. More preferably, the vacuum assembly accelerates the sections of network material at a speed equal to that of the envelope.

Preferably, the wrapper is fed to a smoker making machine such as a cigar making machine. Preferably, the envelope feeding path comprises means for allowing the envelope to be aligned precisely with the sections of network material being transferred thereto. More preferably, the guiding means is a paper tracking guide.

Suitably the adhesive is applied on the entire surface of the network material or on only a part thereof. When applied on only a part of a surface of the netting material it is preferred that the adhesive be applied on a tape to an edge of the netting material. Preferably, the adhesive is applied to a ribbon along an edge of the network material. Alternatively, the adhesive is applied on a tape positioned at a distance from the edge of the netting material, the tape being parallel to the edge of the netting material. Advantageously, the adhesive is applied to a tape at each longitudinal edge of the network material. Preferably, the or each adhesive tape is approximately 2 mm wide. When the adhesive is applied to a tape placed at a distance from the edge of the netting material, it is preferred that the adhesive be placed at a distance of approximately 2mm from one edge of the netting material. Alternatively, the netting material is cut to a specified length and applied to a wrap, the net and wrapping material having pressure applied thereto to adhere the netting material to the wrapper. In this aspect, no adhesive is used to adhere the network material to the envelope. Suitably, a pressure belt is used to apply pressure to the net and wrapping material. Preferably, the pressure is applied to the network material and the envelope of each side thereof. Preferably two pressure straps are used, one pressure strap being placed on each side of the wrapper. When the adhesive is used to adhere the network material to the envelope, the envelope feed path optionally comprises a heating means.

Preferably, the heating means permanently links the section of network material to the envelope. If the heat activatable adhesive is used to adhere the section of network material to the envelope, the heating medium activates the heat activatable adhesive. In an alternative embodiment which allows a tightening of network material to move from the mouth end of the smoking article, the network material is fed along a plurality of feeding paths and transferred from each feeding path to a wrapping of cigar The network material can be fed with a plurality of network material holding means along the plurality of feed paths. In this case, the network material of the network material holding means is cut into sections by a plurality of cutting means, each cutting means cutting the network material from one of the plurality of network fastening means. However, it is preferred that the network material is fed from a single network material holding means along a single feed path to a slitter means that slits the network material to form a plurality of material feed paths. of network. Each of these network material feed paths leads to a cutter means for cutting the network material into sections before being transferred to a cigarette wrapper.

Suitably, the sections of network material are transferred from the plurality of feed paths to a single cigar wrap. Preferably, the sections of network material are alternately transferred from each of the plurality of feed paths to the cigar wrap. It is advantageous for the network material to be split by a single scraper means to form two feed paths of net material and feed two cutter means. The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a fuming article according to the present invention comprising a means for delivering a network material containing an adsorbent and a flavoring to a cutting means, an operable cutting means for cutting the network material into sections, an assembly for transferring sections of netting material in a wrapper, and adhering means for joining the netting material to a wrapper, and a former for forming the smoking article. The present invention further provides an apparatus for applying a network material on a wrap, the network material containing an adsorbent material and a flavoring, the apparatus comprising means for supplying a network material containing an adsorbent and a flavoring, cutting means for cutting the network material in lengths, an assembly for transferring the lengths of network material to the envelope, and adherent means for a going network material to the envelope. Preferably, the means for supplying the network material is a mandrel. Suitably, the mandrel is capable of holding a spool of network material. Preferably, the cutting means comprises a housing and a knife. Suitably the knife is mounted in the housing. Preferably, the housing is rotatable. Advantageously, the cutting means comprises a plurality of knives. More advantageously, each of the plurality of knives is equidistantly separated in the housing. Suitably the assembly for transferring lengths of netting material onto a wrapper is placed adjacent the cutter means. Preferably, the cutter means is in contact with the assembly for transferring lengths of netting material onto a wrapper so that the netting material is cut into lengths against the assembly to transfer lengths of web material onto a wrapper. Preferably, the assembly for transferring lengths of netting material on a wrapper is a vacuum assembly. More preferably, the assembly for transferring lengths of netting material onto a wrapper comprises a suction drum. Advantageously, the assembly for transferring lengths of netting material on a wrapper is operable to accelerate network material lengths at a higher speed. Preferably, the greater speed is approximately equal to a speed at which the envelope is moving. In a first aspect of the invention, the adhesive means comprises an adhesive applicator. Preferably, the adhesive applicator comprises a roller and a source of adhesive. The roller is in contact with the source of adhesive and is operable to transfer the adhesive from the adhesive source to the network material. More preferably, the adhesive applicator comprises rollers, first and second. Suitably the first roller is in contact with the adhesive source and the second roller and is operable to transfer adhesive from the adhesive source to the second roller, such second roller is operable to transfer adhesive from the first roller to the network material. Advantageously, the adhesive applicator is capable of applying adhesive in various patterns to the network material. Suitably, the first roller has a channel therein capable of containing adhesive. The adhesive is transferred from the channel to the first roller to the second roller.

Preferably, the first roller has a plurality of channels therein, and advantageously only has two channels therein. It is preferred that the first roller has two channels therein, such channels correspond to positions in the second roller that will apply adhesive to the edges of the network material, or to regions toward the edges of the network material. An alternative adhesive applicator uses an operable nozzle for spraying adhesive under pressure on the network material. The nozzle is operable to apply a point, line or adhesive coating. Such applicator guns are known in the art, and one example is described in WO 2004/095957. Preferably, the apparatus comprises means for feeding the network material along a path of feeding network material. More preferably, the means for feeding the network material is a measuring roller. The measuring roller advantageously controls the speed at which the network material is fed along the network material feed path. Suitably, the measuring roller is adjacent to a rubber roller and is positioned so that the measuring roller and rubber roller are able to feed network material between them. It is preferred that the apparatus comprises a tracer means. It is more preferred that the tracer means is a paper tracing means for aligning the network material with the cutter means. Advantageously, the tracer means is placed in the feed path of the net material before the cutter means. Preferably, the apparatus comprises an additional tracer means for aligning an enclosure with the assembly to transfer lengths of network material onto a casing. Advantageously, the tracing means is a paper tracking guide and is placed in a wrapping feed path prior to assembly to transfer lengths of netting material onto a wrapper. Preferably, the apparatus comprises an actuator roller for feeding a wrap along a wrap feeding path. Advantageously, the drive roller is adjacent to a pressure roller, the position of the pressure roller and the drive roller allowing the casing to feed between them. Suitably, the apparatus comprises a heating means. Preferably, the heating means is a heater capable of heating the envelope having network material thereon and securely attaching the network material to the envelope. Alternatively, the heating means acts as a pre-heater and heats the cigar wrapper before the netting material is applied thereto to securely bond the netting material to the wrapper.

In an alternative embodiment, which does not require the use of two drums to supply network material, the apparatus comprises a raking means for slitting the network material to form a plurality of webs of network material. Suitably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of cutter means and a plurality of assemblies for transferring lengths of netting material onto a wrapper. The apparatus also suitably comprises a plurality of adhesive means for applying adhesive to the network material. Suitably, the plurality of assemblies for transferring lengths of netting material on a wrapper is operable to transfer the lengths of netting material to a single wrapper. Preferably, the spreading means is operable to split the network material into two tapes of equal width. Advantageously, the apparatus comprises two cutter means operable to cut the netting material into lengths, two assemblies for transferring lengths of netting material onto one wrapper, and two adherent means.

In a second aspect of the invention, the adherent means comprises means that exert pressure.

Preferably, the pressurizing means comprises a medium capable of applying pressure to a wrapper, the envelope having a length of network material therein. More preferably, the pressurizing means comprises a pressure roller capable of pressing the casing to adhere the net material to the casing. Advantageously, the pressure roller comprises a belt and a guide means, the belt being placed around the guiding means. More advantageously, the pressure roller comprises a plurality of guiding means, the guiding means being guide rollers. More preferably, the pressurizing means comprises a plurality of pressure rollers. All the features described above are applicable to all aspects of the invention, and in particular it should be considered to apply to the product, method for making the product, and to the apparatus. In order that the subject invention is easily understood and easily carried out in effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section through through a smoking article according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the smokable article of Figure 1 along the line x-x; Figure 3 shows a cross section longitudinally through a fuming article according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the smokable article of Figure 3 along the line y-y; Figure 5 is a cross-section longitudinally through a fuming article according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a system for applying a flavor to a network material according to the invention; Figure 7 shows an apparatus for applying network material to a wrapper according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a cross section through a part of the apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows an apparatus for applying network material to an envelope according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 shows an apparatus for applying network material to an envelope according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 1 shows menthol supply in a puff base per puff for a sample product; and Figure 12 shows the thermal release profile for menthol adsorbed on activated carbon. Figure 1 shows a smokable article (1) according to the invention in longitudinal cross section. The smokable article (1) comprises a bar of smokable material (2) circumscribed by a cigar wrap (3). A filter (4) is placed at the mouth end of the smoking article (1). The filter (4) is circumscribed by a plug shell (5) and is joined to the rod of smokable material (2) by a rolling paper (6) as is usual in the art. The smoker article (1) has menthol carbon paper (7) located at one end thereof. The carbon contained in the mentholated carbon paper (7) stabilizes and retains the menthol flavoring. The menthol carbon paper (7) circumscribes the total circumference of the smoking article (1). The cigar wrap (3) surrounds the smokable material bar (2) and the mentholated carbon paper (7). The end on which the mentholated carbon paper (7) is located corresponds to the mouth end of the smokable article (1). In the puff, the smokable article (1) is placed at one end, such as, for example, one end furthest from the menthol carbon paper (7) and the smoke is extracted along the smokable material bar (2) to the consumer. Initially, as the smoke passes along the fuming article (1) no menthol flavoring is released from the menthol carbon paper (7) as a result of the temperature of the smoke which is insufficient to cause the menthol to be released from the carbon . As the fuming article (1) is further smoked and the char burning proceeds along the bar of smokable material (2) to the mouth end of the fuming article (1), the menthol carbon paper (7) it is heated rapidly by the charcoal and the temperature is high enough to release the menthol flavor from the mentholated carbon paper (7). At this point the consumer receives sensory characteristics including the menthol flavoring in it. Figure 2 shows a cross section through the smokable article (1) of figure 1 along the line xx showing the envelope (3) circumscribing the smokable material bar (2) and the menthol carbon paper (7) extending around the complete circumferential of the bar of smokable material (2) inside the envelope (3). Figure 3 shows a smokable article (1) in longitudinal cross section, in which a bar of smokable material (2) is circumscribed by a casing (3). A filter (4) circumscribed by a plug wrap (5) is located at the mouth end of the smoking article (1) and is attached to the rod of smokable material (2) by a rolling paper (6). The smoker article (1) has a patch of menthol carbon paper (7) located at one end thereof. The end on which the mentholated carbon paper (7) is located corresponds to the mouth end of the smokable article (1). The mentholated carbon paper patch (7) extends over only part of the circumference of the smoking article (1). Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the smokable article (1) of Figure 3 along the line y-y, showing the wrapping (3) circumscribing the bar of smokable material (2) and the menthol carbon paper (7) extending only partially around the circumference of the bar of smokable material (2) inside the envelope (3). Figure 5 shows a smokable article (1) in cross section, in which a bar of smokable material (2) is circumscribed by a wrapper (3). A filter (4) circumscribed by a plug wrap (5) is located at the mouth end of the smoking article (1) and is attached to the rod of smokable material (2) by a rolling paper (6). The smoking article (1) has a patch of menthol carbon paper (7) located towards one end thereof. The end towards which the mentholated carbon paper (7) is located corresponds to the mouth end of the smokable article (1). The mentholated carbon paper (7) is positioned at a distance from the end of the smokable article (1) corresponding to the mouth end thereof, so that the mentholated carbon paper (7) is close to, but not at, the end of the article. smoker (1) A system for producing flavored carbon paper is shown in Figure 6. An activated carbon paper roll (10) is held in a mandrel (11). A brake arm (12) is adjacent to the mandrel (11) and allows the mandrel (11) to rotate and feed carbon paper (13) when it is under tension. When the carbon paper (1 3) is not under tension, the brake arm (12) acts against the mandrel drum (11). The mandrel (11) is known as a "winding" mandrel. The carbon paper (13) is fed around a number of guide rollers (14) to ensure that the carbon paper (1 3) is directed along the correct path. The brake arm is connected to two of the guide rollers (14a, 14b), such guide rollers remain in a lowered position when the carbon paper (1 3) is weak and serves to keep the brake arm (1 2) in place. contact with the drum of the winding mandrel (1 1). When the drum contact, the brake arm (12) prevents the winding mandrel (11) from rotating and feeding carbon paper (1 3) therefrom. This action ensures that the carbon paper (13) is maintained in a pre-tensioned state and serves to prevent inertia of the coil by supercharging the carbon paper (13). When the carbon paper (13) is in a pre-tensioned state, the two guide rollers (14a, 14b) are lifted by the tensioned paper and serve to raise the brake arm (12) in contact therewith, resulting in the Brake arm (12) turning away from winding mandrel drum (11) and allowing the carbon paper (1 3) to feed from the mandrel. Two guide rollers (14a, 14b) are used in the brake arm assembly to divide the force in the paper at each point, thus reducing the risk of paper breakage. An encoder (15) is placed adjacent to the network material. The encoder (1 5) is an increasing rotary encoder and contacts the network material so that the movement of the carbon paper (1 3) causes a wheel (not shown) of the encoder (1 5) to rotate. The number of turns of the coder wheel (15) allows the paper speed fed from the coil to be measured and signals sent from the coder (1 5) to a flavor applicator apparatus (16). The signals sent from the encoder (1 5) to the flavor applicator apparatus (16) cause the flavor applicator apparatus (16) to adjust the flavor application to the carbon paper (1 3) according to the carbon paper feed rate (1 3). The flavor applicator apparatus (16) comprising a flavor applicator head (17), a flavor supply line (18), a flavor pump (20) and a flavor source (1 9) placed in the path of carbon paper support (1 3). A suitable flavoring applicator apparatus is, for example, Cigar Flavor Application System CFA 1000 of C.B.Kaymich & Co. Ltd. The carbon paper (1 3) passes below the flavor applicator head (17) which is connected by supply line (18) to the flavor source (19). The flavoring such as, for example, menthol, is pumped by the flavor pump (20) from the flavor source (1 9) in a molten state along the hot supply line (18) to the applicator head (17). ). The applicator head (17) has eight holes on the underside thereof through which the flavor passes over a surface of the carbon paper (13). The applicator head has an interchangeable plate therein having holes therein, it being possible to replace the plate with another plate having a different number / size / pattern of holes therein. The flavor is adsorbed on the activated carbon granules of the carbon paper (13). Flavored charcoal paper (21) is fed onto a guide roller (14) on a mandrel (22), such mandrel (22) will be used to wind the flavored carbon paper (21) around the mandrel (22). The mandrel (22) is known as a "reaming mandrel". The mandrel (22) is driven by a motor (23). The motor speed is controlled to maintain a constant network material speed.

When all the carbon paper (1 3) of the coil (10) has flavor applied thereto and has been completely rewound onto the mandrel 22, the charcoal flavored paper is allowed to equilibrate to ensure that the flavor is evenly distributed over the paper. the network material, as far as possible. This balancing process is known as the "bulging" or "healing" stage. The paper is ready to be incorporated into smoking articles according to the present invention. Figure 7 shows a system for applying patches of carbon paper on a cigar wrap. Flavored carbon paper (30) is supplied from a coil (31) on guide rollers (32). A mechanical coil brake arm (33), placed between the coil (31) and a guide roller acts to keep the carbon paper (30) in a pre-tensioned state and serves to prevent inertia of the rotating coil (31) supercharging the carbon paper (30). The carbon paper (30) passes along a feeding path on a series of rollers, including a measuring roller (34) which controls the speed at which the carbon paper (30) travels. The measuring roller (34) is adjacent to a tip roller (35) which is biased towards the measuring roller (34) so that the tip roller (35) effectively perforates the carbon paper (30) and the measuring roller (34) feed the carbon paper (30). A guide roller (paper tracking) (36) is placed after the measuring roller (34) and serves to ensure that the network material is correctly aligned before reaching an adhesive applicator (37). The adhesive applicator (37) is a gravure tooth comprising two applicator rollers (37a, 37b). The lower applicator roller (37a) is in contact with an adhesive cavity and when turned it is coated in adhesive from the adhesive cavity. The upper applicator roller (37b) is in contact with the lower applicator roller (37a), and through rotation of the upper and lower applicator rollers, the adhesive is transferred from the lower applicator roller (37a) to the upper applicator roller (37b) . The upper applicator roller (37b) is also in contact with the carbon paper (30) and allows the adhesive to be transferred from the surface of the upper applicator roll (37b) to a surface of the carbon paper (30). The rotation speed of the upper and lower applicator rolls of the gravure dentist (37) is temporized, together with the speed of the carbon paper (30) itself, to ensure that the adhesive is applied exactly to the paper coal (30). Adhesive can be applied intermittently in the carbon paper (30) or can be applied continuously. Variable patterns of adhesive application to carbon paper (30) are achieved by altering the surface of the lower applicator roll (37a). The adhesive may be applied, for example, through the entire surface of the carbon paper (30) or in two lines each 2mm wide at the edges of the carbon paper (30) or separated approximately 2mm from the edges of the carbon paper (30) A second guide roller (paper tracking) (38) is placed before a rotating knife assembly (39) and ensures that the network material is aligned correctly with the suction stations in the drum assembly (40) before it is cut into sections. The rotating knife assembly (39) is located adjacent to a drum assembly (40) comprising a vacuum drum. The vacuum drum is rotatable and has a suction force applied to the interior thereof and has a number of holes in the surface thereof to allow the suction force to be transmitted to objects on the surface of the vacuum drum. The rotary knife assembly (39) comprises six knives which rotate and cross through the width of the carbon paper (30) against the single drum assembly (40). The rotary knife assembly (39) is actuated by gears of the drum assembly (40) so that the knives correspond to one of six positions in the drum assembly (40). Each of the six positions in the drum assembly (40) corresponds to a patch station on the surface of the vacuum drum. Figure 8 shows a circumferential patch (42) of the drum assembly (40) and the passage direction of the drum assembly (40) and the rotary knife assembly (39), having knives (41) therein. The carbon paper sections (30) produced by the cuts coincide with the six positions in the drum assembly (40). The surface speed of each knife substantially corresponds to the surface velocity of the vacuum drum of the drum assembly (40). The length of the network material patches is controlled by the speed of the net material and the surface velocity of the drum under vacuum, together with the tilt of patch stations in the vacuum drum. The following formula is used to calculate patch length: Patch length = P x VJV2, where: P = Vacuum drum station inclination (mm) V-, = Network material speed (m / min) V2 = Vacuum drum surface speed (m / min) For example, at a speed of 3,000 cigars per minute, a station tilt of 14 mm, a network material speed of 90 m / min, and for a length of 57 mm tobacco bar, V2 is 3000 x 57/1 000 = 1 71 m / min Therefore, the patch length is 1 14 x 90/171 = 60 mm. After being cut into patches the carbon paper (30) is held in a rotating vacuum drum of the drum assembly (40). The vacuum drum having the carbon paper sections (30) held on the outer surface thereof rotates to allow transfer of the carbon paper (30) to a cigarette paper (43). The vacuum drum rotates at a speed synchronized with the speed of a knife in the cigar making machine. A revolution of the knife in the cigar making machine results in a wrap compared to a single cigar, while a revolution of the vacuum drum results in a wrapping length equivalent to twelve cigars. According to the foregoing, the speed of rion of the vacuum drum is one twelfth of that of the speed of the knife in the cigar making machine, and approximately compared with the speed of feeding of the cigarette paper. The cigarette paper (43) is held in a roll of cigarette paper (44), from such a roll (44) the cigarette paper (43) is supplied on guide rolls (45). A coil brake arm (46) acts to maintain the tension of the cigarette paper (43), in the same manner as previously described for the carbon paper. The cigarette paper (43) is fed along a paper feed path comprising a number of guide rollers (45) which serves to control the feeding direction of the cigarette paper (43). A paper guide means (47) is located along the paper feed path between the guide rollers (45) and allows precise tracking control of the supply of the cigarette paper (43). The paper tracker means (47) can be adjusted to change the trajectory of the cigarette paper (43), allowing the cigarette paper (43) to align with the sections of the carbon paper transferred from the rotating drum of the drum assembly ( 40). Optionally, a preheater (54) is positioned to pre-heat the cigarette paper (43) before the cigarette paper (143) contacts the vacuum drum (40). As the cigarette paper (43) passes over the drum assembly (40), sections of the carbon paper fastened on the surface of the rotating drum are transferred to the surface of the cigarette paper (43) by contacting the carbon paper sections. . The carbon paper sections are transferred to and held by the cigarette paper (43) as a result of the adhesive on the surface of the carbon paper sections. The cigarette paper (43) contacts the drum assembly (40) at an angle to allow the cigarette paper (43) to be in contact with the drum assembly (40) for a longer time. The contact between the cigarette paper (43) and the drum assembly (40) is affected by their respective positions and the tension of the cigarette paper (43) which allows some degree of skimming of the cigarette paper (43) relative to the drum assembly (40). This skidding allows the patch position to be corrected relative to the cutting of the smoking article in a cigar making machine. Subsequent to the transfer of the sections of the carbon paper to the cigarette paper (43), the cigarette paper (43) passes between a feeder roller (48) and a pinch roller (49). The feed roll (48) feeds the cigarette paper (43) in response to the demand of the cigar making machine and is operated independently of the drum assembly and the patch feeding system. The pressure exerted on the cigarette paper (43) by the feeder roller (48) and the pressure roller (49) aids in the adherence of the patches to the cigarette paper (43). A regulating element (50) allows the speed changes between the feed roll (48) and the cigar making machine to occur. The speed of the feeder roller (48) is regulated to control the tilt of the patch on the cigarette paper and prevent the "dragging" of the patch over time, this being the rate of change of the relative position of the patch with time. A sensor (51) is mounted immediately before the ornament (52) of the cigar making machine and serves to detect the position of the patch on the cigarette paper (43) in relation to the cutting knife of the cigar making machine. The speed of the drum assembly (40) can be altered momentarily relative to the speed of the cigarette paper (43) to ensure that the patch is in the correct position in the cigarette paper (43), in relation to the processing machine of cigars and in accordance with the above will be placed correctly in the finished smoker article. This control system automatically and momentarily accelerates the drum (40) to effect a change of position of the patch on the cigarette paper. An additional sensor is optionally placed immediately after the feed roll (48) to measure the position of the patch and feed back into the machine control system. Optionally, a heater (53) is positioned in the feed path of the cigarette paper (43) and heats the cigarette paper (43) particularly but not exclusively in the region of the carbon paper (30) to securely join the paper charcoal to cigarette paper (43). If the heat-activatable adhesive is used the heat of the heater (53) activates the adhesive to ensure an effective bond.

Cigar paper having carbon paper or nesting therein proceeds to a conventional bar-forming ornament, such a bar-forming ornament can be, for example, a cigar-making machine. Figure 9 shows an additional system for feeding carbon paper on a wrapping. Flavored carbon paper (30) is fed from a coil (31) along a feed path. The carbon paper (30) is fed past a measuring roller (32) which serves to control the delivery rate of the carbon paper (30) in the same manner as previously described in relation to figure 7. A knife assembly rotating (39) having a knife in it cuts the carbon paper (30) in lengths. The lengths of carbon paper are held on the surface of the vacuum drum assembly (40) by suction forces inside the drum. The vacuum drum rotates to transfer the carbon paper lengths of the vacuum drum assembly (40) to a cigarette paper (43) and deposit the carbon paper lengths on a surface of the cigarette paper (43). The cigarette paper or wrapping (43) is held in a spool (44) and supplied therefrom along a paper feed path. The cigarette paper (43) is fed over a number of guide rollers (45) before passing a pull roller (55) which serves to maintain the tension of the cigarette paper (43). The cigarette paper (43) passes the drum assembly (40) and contacts the carbon paper lengths held on the surface thereof. A release of the suction from the vacuum drum causes the edge of the carbon paper to leave the drum empty. The cigarette paper (43) and the gum edge of the carbon paper length enters between a pair of pressure belts (56, 56 '), one on each side of the cigar paper feed path. The pressure belts (56, 56 ') squeeze the cigarette paper (43) and lengths of carbon paper between them and serve to press the lengths of carbon paper onto the cigarette paper (43).

As the cigarette paper (43) and the carbon paper length advances through the pressure belts (56, 56 ') the trailing edge of the carbon paper length is released from the suction drum and also pressed in the cigarette paper (43). Each pressure belt (56, 56 ') comprises a belt running around two glue rollers, each located at an opposite end of the pressure belt (56, 56'). Additional rollers operate to drive the pressure belts (56, 56 ') and maintain tension in them. The cigarette paper having carbon paper therein is then fed to a bar-forming ornament (57). The bar-forming ornament (57) is, for example, a cigar-making machine. Figure 10 shows an additional system according to the invention in which a flavored carbon paper (30) having a width of, for example, 48mm, is supplied from a coil (31) and fed along a path for feeding net material to a splitting unit (58) which slits the charcoal flavored paper (30) into two tapes (30, 30") of carbon paper having the desired width, for example, each of the two tapes being 24mm wide tapes, each of the flavored carbon paper tapes (30 ', 30") is fed to a feeder roller (34, 34') and a pressure roller (35, 35 '). Each flavored carbon paper tape (30 ', 30") is then fed to an adhesive applicator (37, 37') operable to apply adhesive to a flavored carbon paper surface (30 ', 30") before each one of the flavored carbon paper tapes (30 ', 30") being supplied to a vacuum drum (40, 40') and a knife assembly (39, 39 ') each knife assembly (39, 39') it is operable to cut the flaky carbon paper tapes (30 ', 30") into sections, such sections are transferred from the drum to the respective vacuum (40, 40'), on the surface of such drum the sections are clamped, on a cigar wrapper (43). The carbon paper sections are transferred so that the surface having adhesive on it is contacted by the cigarette paper, ensuring that each section is securely held in the cigarette paper. The cigar wrap (43) is supplied from a cigarette paper roll (44) along a cigar wrap feeding path to each vacuum drum (40, 40 ') to allow each vacuum drum ( 40, 40 ') transfer the lengths of flavored carbon paper (30, 30', 30") of it onto the cigarette paper (43) As shown, the cigarette paper (43) is fed to the drum under vacuum ( 40) in which the carbon paper sections are transferred from the drum onto the cigarette paper (43) The cigarette paper (43) is then fed to a feeder roller (48) and a pressure roller (49), such rollers are at a relative angle to the vacuum drum (40) so that the cigarette paper (43) is contacted by the drum (40) on a larger surface, allowing more contact time between patches and the cigarette paper before leaving the drum (40), the cigarette paper (43) is then fed to the next vacuum drum (40 ') in which additional sections of carbon paper are transferred into the cigarette paper (43). After having the carbon paper sections applied thereto, the cigar wrap (43) is fed between an additional drive roller (48) and a pressure roller (49) and onto a cigar making machine (not shown). The use of a system having two network material feed paths allows the mode shown in Figure 5 to occur by allowing the patches to separate from the cigarette filter. This system also allows a greater number of patches to be applied to a cigar wrap than a single network material feeding path. In addition, a double drum system or a splitting of a web material from a coil allows a wider coil to be used and requires that the coil be changed less frequently. Each of the two vacuum drums transfers sections of network material to positions in the cigar wrap between positions in the cigar wrap in which the other drum transfers sections of network material. For example, the second vacuum drum (40 ') transfers sections of netting material to the cigar wrapper (43) so that each section of netting material is transferred to the cigar wrapper (43) at a position between two sections of network material in the cigar wrapper (43) transferred by the first vacuum drum (40). EXAMPLE 1 The sample cigars are made having a patch of mentholized carbon paper of 30x24mm, positioned near the filter end of the cigars, containing 5mg of menthol per patch. These samples are stored at 22 ° C and 60% relative humidity (RH) in sealed packages for 16 weeks. The cigars had a 56mm tobacco rod, a filter of 27mm, and had a diameter of 24.6mm with the menthol carbon patch attached to the paper wrapper and surrounding the 30mm end of the tobacco rod next to the filter. The mixture used in the tobacco bar was a USB style with reconstituted tobaccos, Kentucky and Virginia in boxes. The filters are cellulose acetate with a pressure drop of 1 08 and the specification of the cigarette paper was 26.92 gsm, 75CU permeability, 1% citrate mixed as a burner additive, and made of mixed fibers. Cigars are evaluated by a sensory panel in a duo-trio test. The duo-trio test is the difference test most commonly used in sensory evaluation of cigars and is extremely useful for detecting small potential differences resulting from changes in the process or small product. In such a test, the assessors are presented with three samples, one of which is identified as the control. Of the other two samples, one is identical to the control; the other is not the same as the control (s). The assessors are asked to identify which of the two remaining samples is the same as the control sample. The Binominal Distribution is used to statistically determine if an identified difference is an observation of opportunity. Typically, data from a minimum of 20 assessments are required for the duo-trio test that can be obtained by repeating tests of 10 consultants. Using the duo-trio regime no menthol is detected in the portion of the cigar tobacco bar without the carbon patch. Cigars are also analyzed for menthol migration within the cigar after storage for 16 weeks, the results of which are shown in Table 1 below. Table 1 Example 2 The sample cigars are made according to the following format specification: 56mm tobacco rod, 27mm filter and 24.6mm cigar diameter with the minty carbon paper patch attached to the paper wrap and surrounding the last 30mm of the tobacco bar next to the filter. The mixture used was a complete USB containing Kentucky, eastern, Virginia tobacco and reconstituted in boxes. The filters were cellulose acetate with a pressure drop of 108 and the specification of the cigarette paper was 26.92gsm, 50CU permeability, 2% citrate mixed as a burner additive, and made of mixed fibers. Cigars included a 30x24 mm carbon patch (40% PNC100) containing 5mg of menthol. Samples are subsequently stored at 22 ° C and 60% RH in sealed packages for a period of time for 5 months before analysis.

The supply of menthol in a base of puff per puff is shown in figure 11 and highlights the absence of menthol supply in the first puffs and a significant supply of menthol in the few final puffs. The cigar samples are also analyzed to determine the migration of menthol inside the cigar after storage for 5 months, the results of which are shown in Table 2 below. Table 2 Example 3 Cigar samples are constructed with activated charcoal filters and activated carbon paper patches of 30x24mm in length positioned at the filter end of the cigar tobacco bar. The patches contained menthol at a level equivalent to 6mg per cigar. A control cigar is also built in which the activated charcoal filter is replaced with a standard cellulose acetate filter. Both products are matched in design, and provide approximately 6mg of particulate material (TPM). The analyzes are performed 3 months after manufacture by a range of smoke components, including vapor phase, carbonyls and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The results are given as a percentage reduction, based on μg / mg TPM, for the sample compared to the control and are shown in Table 3. Table 3 As can be seen from Table 3, significant reductions in all components are achieved by demonstrating that the effect of an activated charcoal filter is not compromised by the inclusion of a mentholated carbon patch placed on the filter end of the cigar. Example 4 Cigar samples are made having three different levels of menthol within the products having different tar yields and mixing. All samples had an activated charcoal filter and a mentholated carbon paper patch of either 30x23cm or 34x23 in length placed near the filter end of the cigar. The analyzes are carried out two months after manufacture by a range of smoke components, including vapor phase, carbonyls and HCN. The results are given as a percentage reduction, based on μg / mg TPM for each sample compared to a non-mentored control that does not comprise a carbon paper patch and are shown in Table 4 below. Table 4 Negative values indicate an increase in the components for the mentholated product compared to the control product (not specified). As can be seen, the changes at all levels of the measured components are close to zero for the mentholated carbon paper product compared to the non-mentored control. The results of the vapor phase tend to show a slight reduction of menthol products, however it is generally accepted by those skilled in the art that the results within +/- 15% are not significantly different. No significant change is caused by menthol for the ability of activated charcoal filters to reduce volatile smoke components when mentholated carbon paper is incorporated into a cigar and positioned near the mouth end. Table 5 provides a list of the different types of aroma compounds that have been evaluated and found to be compatible with activated carbon powder (PNC600). The physical data and thermal release characteristics of the aroma compounds are also shown. The thermal release data is obtained using an analytical technique of Programmable Temperature Vaporization-Mass Spectrometry (PTV-MS), known to those in the field, with a temperature ramp ranging from 20 ° to 350 ° C. Table 5 A typical thermal release profile, of PTV-MS analysis, for menthol adsorbed on activated carbon powder PNC60 is provided in Figure 12. Abundance of the menthol ion is plotted against time. The temperature at zero time is 20 ° C, and increases at a speed of 30 ° C per minute. The menthol thermal release corresponds to a temperature of approximately 150 ° C. Table 6 provides a list of selected flavors that are applied to activated carbon paper and proof for thermal release. The thermal release data is obtained using an analytical technique of Programmable Temperature Vaporization - Mass Spectrometry (PTV-MS), known to those skilled in the art, with a temperature ramp ranging from 20 ° C to 350 ° C. Table 6

Claims

REIVI NDICATIONS 1. A smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material, a wrap around said rod of smokable material and a netting material comprising an adsorbent material and a flavoring, the web material positioned between said rod of smokable material and said wrapper, wherein said web network material extends over only a portion of the length of the bar of smokable material.
2. A smoking article according to claim 1, further comprising a filter element containing an adsorbent material operable to reduce the vapor phase components of smoke during smoking.
3. A fuming article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the netting material is a cellulose sheet material.
4. A fuming article according to claim 3, characterized in that the cellulosic sheet material is paper.
5. A smoking article according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that said adsorbent material is incorporated within the network material as an integral component.
6. A smoking article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said adsorbent material is activated carbon.
7. A smoking article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said adsorbent is in granular, powder or particulate form having an average particle size of less than 20 μm.
8. A smoking article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the level of adsorbent loading in said network material is 10-45% by weight of the network material.
9. A fuming article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said flavor is one or more of the following: menthol, alcohols, esters, ketones, lactones, essential oils, and aldehydes. 1.
A smoking article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said network material adheres to an inner surface of said envelope. eleven .
A smoking article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said portion is at or towards the mouth end of said rod of smokable material.
12. A fuming article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said portion is at or towards the ignition end of said rod of smokable material. 3.
A smokable article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the smokable article comprises two or more separate network materials, each network material containing an adsorbent and a flavoring.
14. A smokable article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the network material comprises two different flavors, including multiple lines of separate individual flavors or mixtures of flavors. 5.
A smokable article according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the bar of smokable material comprises tobacco material having a flavor applied thereto.
16. A method for making a smoking article comprising feeding a network material, the network material comprising an adsorbent material and a flavoring, to a cutting means, cutting said network material into sections, transferring said sections onto a wrapper and circumscribing a Smokable material bar with said wrapping.
A method according to claim 16, characterized in that said network material is cut into sections having a length corresponding to twice the length of said network material in said fuming article.
18. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that said network material is cut into sections having a length less than the length of the bar of smokable material. 9.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said network material is transferred onto said envelope in or towards a position corresponding to the mouth end of the smoking article.
20. A method according to any of claims 1 6-1 9, characterized in that the adhesive is applied to a surface of said network material before said network material is cut into sections. twenty-one .
A method according to claim 20, characterized in that said surface having adhesive applied thereto is transferred onto the envelope so that the adhesive contacts said envelope.
22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that said adhesive is applied in a strip along or towards an edge of said network material.
23. A method according to any of the claims 16-1 9, characterized in that the adhesive is applied to a surface of said casing before said network material is transferred onto the surface of said casing.
24. A method according to any of claims 20-23, characterized in that said wrap is heated to join the section of network material to said wrapper.
25. A method according to any of claims 16-19, characterized in that a pressure is applied to said casing after said sections have been transferred onto said casing in order to adhere said network material to said casing.
26. A method according to any of claims 16-25, characterized in that said casing is fed along a casing feeding path and contacts said sections of network material.
27. A method according to claim 26, characterized in that said wrapping is guided along the wrapping feeding path to align said wrapping with said sections of netting material.
28. A method according to any of the claims 16-27, characterized in that said sections of network material are transferred by a vacuum drum assembly.
29. A method according to any of claims 16-28, characterized in that said sections of network material are transferred onto said envelope at a velocity substantially equal to the speed of said envelope.
30. A method according to any of claims 16-29, characterized in that said network material is slit to form at least two network material feed paths.
31 A method according to claim 30, characterized in that said sections are transferred from said at least two paths of feeding network material onto a single envelope.
32. An apparatus for making a smoking article comprising a means for delivering a network material containing an adsorbent and a flavoring to a cutting means, an operable cutting means for cutting the network material into sections, an assembly for transferring sections of material from network on a wrap, an adherent means for joining the network material on a wrapper, and smoker article forming means.
33. An apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the cutting means comprises a housing having a knife mounted thereon
34. An apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that said housing is rotatable.
35. An apparatus according to claim 32, 33 or 34, characterized in that said cutter means is in contact with said assembly for transferring sections of network material.
36. An apparatus according to any of claims 32-35, characterized in that said assembly for transferring sections of network material is a suction drum.
37. An apparatus according to any of the claims 32-36, characterized in that said adhesive means comprises an adhesive applicator.
38. An apparatus according to any of claims 32-37, characterized in that a network material feeder means is operable to control the speed at which said network material is fed.
39. An apparatus according to claim 38, characterized in that said network material feeder means is a measuring roller.
40. An apparatus according to any of the claims 32-39, characterized in that a tracking means aligns said network material with said cutting means.
41 An apparatus according to any of claims 32-40, characterized in that an operable heating means for heating said envelope is provided.
42. An apparatus according to any of claims 32-41, characterized in that a spreading means is provided for slitting said network material to form at least two web material feed paths.
43. An apparatus according to claim 42, characterized in that at least two of each of the following are provided: cutter means, assembly for transferring sections of network material onto an envelope and adherent means.
44. An apparatus according to any of the claims 32-36 and 38-43, characterized in that said adherent means comprises a means that exerts operable pressure to apply pressure to said envelope.
45. An apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said pressing means comprises a pressure roller.
46. A method for flavoring a network material containing adsorbent comprising applying a flavor to a surface of the network material and subjecting the material to a temperature greater than 20 ° C for a period of at least 30 minutes to allow adsorption of the material. flavoring by the adsorbent in the network material.
47. A method according to claim 46, characterized in that the material is subjected to a temperature of 40-80 ° C.
48. A method according to claim 46 or 47, characterized in that said period is from 24 to 96 hours in duration.
49. A method according to claim 46, 47 or 48, characterized in that said material is subsequently subjected to an aging step in which said material is stored at ambient conditions for a period of 2 days to 6 months.
50. A method according to claim 49, characterized in that said aging step is for a period of 2 days to 6 weeks.
51 A method according to any of claims 46-50, characterized in that said flavor is applied to said network material in a plurality of streams.
52. A method according to claim 51, characterized in that said flavor is applied in the form of a filament having a substantially circular cross section.
53. A method according to any of claims 46-52, characterized in that said flavor is heated before application to said network material to maintain said flavor in a molten state.
54. A smoking article substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
55. A method for making a smoking article substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the accompanying drawings.
56. An apparatus substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the accompanying drawings.
57. A method for flavoring a network material containing adsorbent substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the accompanying drawings.