CIGARETTE WITH FILTER

Abstract

 This cigarette (1) with a filter is provided with a cigarette rod (11), a filter (12) disposed at a downstream end of the cigarette rod, and a tipping paper (13) which is wound around a downstream end part of the cigarette rod and the outer circumferential surface of the filter, and connects the cigarette rod and the filter. At least a part of the tipping paper is transparent, the transparent part of the tipping paper having a smoothness of not more than 1500 sec and a transparency of not less than 30%. The tipping paper is made of paper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cigarette with filter.

Background Art

[0002] A cigarette with filter is integrated by making a cigarette rod abut on a filter formed by wrapping a filter wrap sheet around a filter member and by wrapping tipping paper around a downstream end part of the cigarette rod and an outer circumferential surface of the filter.

[0003] Opaque paper is usually used as the tipping paper and, recently, for example, use of a transparent material having a high transparency such as cellophane as tipping paper has been executed to visualize the effectiveness of the filter from the outside and to visualize cavity filled flavor capsules from the outside.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 2014-532433 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0005] Since cellophane has high moisture absorption and desorption properties, its surface needs to be coated with varnish or the like to use it as the tipping paper. However, when the surface of the tipping paper formed of cellophane is coated with varnish or the like, the adhesiveness with an adhesive for bonding the tipping paper to the cigarette with filter is degraded, the tipping paper is easily peeled off from the cigarette rod, and the cigarette with filter can hardly be produced.

[0006] In addition, since cellophane has a low ink fixing property, printing on its surface is difficult when cellophane is used as the tipping paper.

[0007] Furthermore, cellophane has feeling like plastic, unlike paper used as ordinary tipping paper. For this reason, in a case of smoking a cigarette with filter using cellophane as the tipping paper, smokers may feel uncomfortable when smokers' lips and tongue contact the tipping paper.

[0008] This invention relates to provide a cigarette with filter in which the above-mentioned problems of the conventional transparent tipping paper are reduced or overcome.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a cigarette with filter, comprising a cigarette rod, a filter disposed at a downstream end of the cigarette rod, and tipping paper wrapped around a downstream end part of the cigarette rod and an outer circumferential surface of the filter and connecting the cigarette rod and the filter, characterized in that at least a part of the tipping paper is transparent, and the transparent portion has a smoothness of 1500 sec or less and a transparency of 30% or more, and the tipping paper is formed of paper.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a cigarette with filter comprising tipping paper which reduces or overcomes the problems of conventional transparent tipping paper such as discomfort of smokers caused by feeling like plastics, difficulty of manufacture, and the like, which has a preferable ink fixing property, and which is transparent at least partially.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] 

FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette with filter according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette with filter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line III - III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette with filter according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette with filter according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette with filter according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette with filter according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette with filter according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line IX - IX in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette with filter according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line XI - XI in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a view for explanation of an ink fixing property test.

[0012] Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Same components throughout the embodiments are to be denoted by identical reference symbols, and duplicated explanation is omitted. Further, each drawing is a schematic view for promoting understanding of the embodiment, and there are positions different from the actual situation in shape, dimensions, and ratio. In the present specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used as appropriate, but these are based on the direction in which mainstream smoke flows when cigarettes with filter are smoked.

(First Embodiment)

[0013] FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette 1 with filter according to a first embodiment. The cigarette 1 with filter includes a cigarette rod 11, a filter 12, and tipping paper 13.

[0014] Like a general cigarette, the cigarette rod 11 is composed of shredded tobacco 111 and cigarette paper 112 wrapped around the shredded tobacco 111. The cigarette paper 112 is paper with air permeability.

[0015] The filter 12 is arranged at the downstream end of the cigarette rod 11. The filter 12 has the same or substantially the same diameter as the cigarette rod 11. The filter 12 is composed of a filter member 121 and an outer filter wrap sheet 122 wrapped around the filter member 121. The filter 12 has a so-called plane filter structure composed of a single filter member.

[0016] The filter member 121 is made of, for example, cellulose acetate fibers.

[0017] The outer filter wrap sheet 122 is entirely transparent. As the material of such an outer filter wrap sheet 122, for example, glassine paper, parchment paper, paraffin paper, cellophane, polypropylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, cellulose acetate film, and the like can be used.

[0018] The tipping paper 13 is wrapped around the downstream end part of the cigarette rod 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the filter 12 and connects the cigarette rod 11 and the filter 12. The tipping paper 13 is bonded to the cigarette rod 11 and the filter 12 by an ordinary adhesive used for manufacturing general cigarettes with filter. The type of the adhesive for bonding the tipping paper 13, the cigarette rod 11, and the filter 12 is not particularly limited, but a vinyl acetate based adhesive, a starch or modified starch based adhesive may be used, or an adhesive which becomes substantially transparent when dried may be used. In addition, an area to which the adhesive is applied may be an entire area of the adhesive surface or an area where the adhesive is not partially applied if the object for connecting the tipping paper 13 to the cigarette rod 11 and the filter 12 can be achieved. The tipping paper 13 is transparent as a whole, and has a transparency of 30% or more and 100% or less, preferably 60% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 80% or more and 90% or less. In the present invention, the transparency indicates a value obtained by measuring whiteness and opacity according to ISO2470 and ISO2471, respectively, using a whiteness/opacity measuring machine (manufacturer: Murakami Color Research Laboratory, model number: WMS-1), and calculating transparency (%) = 100 - opacity (%). The whiteness is an inherent reflectance coefficient (R∞) measured under spectral conditions such as the effective wavelength of 457 nm and the half width of 44 nm using a specified reflectometer and a light source, and the opacity is a value obtained by calculating a single sheet luminous reflectance coefficient (R0) / inherent luminous reflectance coefficient (R∞) × 100 (%).

[0019] In addition, when the tipping paper 13 is bonded to the cigarette rod 11 and the filter with an adhesive, at the time of manufacturing, the tipping paper 13 has a smoothness of 1500 sec or less, preferably 1200 sec or less such that the adhesive property with the adhesive is not lowered and the feeling like plastic is lost or is reduced.

[0020] Furthermore, when the tipping paper 13 is wrapped around the downstream end part of the cigarette rod 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the filter 12, the tipping paper 13 has a basis weight of 20 to 100 gsm, preferably 25 to 50 gsm such that the tipping paper 13 is hardly broken and can be wrapped in accordance with the shape of the cigarette with filter. The tipping paper 13 has a thickness of 15 to 80 µm, preferably 18 to 40 µm, for the same reason.

[0021] Furthermore, the tipping paper 13 has a lower shrinkage ratio than a conventional transparent tipping paper using cellophane, such that its dimensions hardly change even in a situation where the humidity environment changes at the time of manufacturing, smoking or the like. For example, when the tipping paper 13 is stored in an environment of 23°C and a relative humidity of 60% for 24 hours and then stored in an environment of 23°C and a relative humidity of 100% for 24 hours, the tipping paper 13 desirably shows a MD (machine direction) (flow direction) shrinkage ratio of 1% or less and a CD (cross direction) (width direction) shrinkage ratio of 1.5% or less. After that, when it is stored for 24 hours in an environment of 23°C and relative humidity of 44%, it desirably shows a MD (machine direction) (flow direction) shrinkage ratio of 2% or less and a CD (cross direction) (width direction) shrinkage ratio of 2% or less.

[0022] In addition, the tipping paper 13 satisfies the general physical properties required for tipping paper. Specifically, it has a tensile strength of 26.0 N / 15 mm or more and a stiffness of 1.0 g / 25 mm or more. Furthermore, the tipping paper 13 preferably has an elongation of 1.0% or more and 2.0% or less. The stiffness was measured by cutting out a test piece having a width of 25 mm from the tipping paper 13 and fixing both ends of the test piece on a measuring machine (Loop Stiffness Tester, manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.). In addition, the tensile strength and the elongation were measured in conformity with JIS P 8113-1998 using Strograph E-L manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.

[0023] The tipping paper 13 is comprised of paper satisfying the above-mentioned physical properties, and examples of such paper include glassine paper, parchment paper or paraffin paper, specifically, 40.0 Super Thick White Glassine (Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.: glassine paper), 25.8 Thin White Glassine (Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.: glassine paper), Graphan 35 gsm (Oji Specialty Paper Co., Ltd.; glassine paper), JT Highly Transparent Glassine 40 (Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.; glassine paper) and the like.

[0024] When such a cigarette 1 with filter is smoked, mainstream smoke from the cigarette rod 11 passes through the filter 12 and is discharged from the downstream end of the filter 12. At this time, as substances (for example, tar, and the like) contained in the mainstream smoke accumulate in the filter 12, the color of the filter 12 gradually changes according to the number of times at which the smoker aspirates the cigarette. Since the cigarette 1 with filter according to the present embodiment includes the tipping paper 13 and the filter wrap sheet 122 which are entirely transparent, the circumstance of the gradually changing color of the filter 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the tipping paper 13 and the filter wrap sheet 122.

[0025] In addition, since paper is used as transparent tipping paper, the feeling of tipping paper like plastic, which has been a problem in transparent tipping paper using conventional cellophane, can be reduced or overcome.

(Second Embodiment)

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette 2 with filter according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line III - III in FIG. 2. A cigarette 2 with filter according to the second embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment except that a part of the tipping paper is opaque.

[0027] Tipping paper 23 has a transparent portion 23a and an opaque portion 23b. The transparent portion 23a has a transparency of 30% or more and 100% or less, preferably 60% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 80% or more and 90% or less. The transparent portion 23a has a star shape. In FIG. 2, an example of the transparent portion 23a having a star shape is shown, but the shape of the transparent portion 23a is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a character, a geometric shape, a logo mark or the like.

[0028] Like the tipping paper 13 in the first embodiment, the opaque portion 23b can be formed by printing opaque ink in an area other than the transparent portion 23a of the entirely transparent tipping paper 23 by, for example, gravure printing or ink-jet printing. The opaque ink may be printed on both sides of the tipping paper 13 or may be printed on either side. By printing the opaque ink only on the surface to be bonded with the filter of the tipping paper 13, the smoker visually recognizes the opaque portion 23b through the tipping paper 13, and different feeling can be realized as compared with a case where opaque ink is printed on the surface (outer circumferential surface) opposite to the surface which is bonded to the filter of the tipping paper 13. For example, the opaque portion 23b has the same color as the filter member 121.

[0029] Like the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment, when the cigarette 2 with filter according to the second embodiment is smoked, the substances (tar, and the like) contained in the mainstream smoke are accumulated in the filter member 121, and the color of the filter 12 gradually changes. In the cigarette 2 with filter according to the second embodiment, as the color of the filter 12 changes, the color of the filter 12 can be visually recognized through the star-shaped transparent portion 23a of the tipping paper 23, and the star shape is seen to emerge on the tipping paper 23.

(Third Embodiment)

[0030] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette 3 with filter according to a third embodiment. The cigarette 3 with filter according to the third embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment except that the configuration of the filter is different.

[0031] A filter 32 comprises two filter segments 32a and 32b. Specifically, the filter 32 is a so-called dual filter comprising a first filter segment 32a arranged on the upstream side and a second filter segment 32b arranged on the downstream side.

[0032] The first filter segment 32a is composed of a first filter member 321a and a first inner filter wrap sheet 322a wrapped around the first filter member 321a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first filter member 321a of the first filter segment 32a is a so-called charcoal filter in which an adsorbent such as activated carbon is dispersed and added to interstices between the fibers of the cellulose acetate fiber packed layer.

[0033] The second filter segment 32b is composed of a second filter member 321b and a second inner filter wrap sheet 322b wrapped around the second filter member 321b. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second filter member 321b of the second filter segment 32b is an ordinary white filter member formed of acetate fibers.

[0034] The first and second inner filter wrap sheets 322a and 322b are entirely transparent and have, for example, a transparency of 30% or more. As the first and second inner filter wrap sheets 322a and 322b, for example, glassine paper, parchment paper, paraffin paper, cellophane, polypropylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, cellulose acetate film, and the like can be used.

[0035] An outer filter wrap sheet 32c is wrapped around the first filter segment 32a and the second filter segment 32b to cover their outer peripheral surfaces, and the segments are thereby connected. The outer filter wrap sheet 32c is entirely transparent and has, for example, a transparency of 30% or more.

[0036] In addition to the advantages described in relation to the first embodiment, the color difference between the first filter segment 32a and the second filter segment 32b can be visually recognized from the outside through the tipping paper 13, the outer filter wrap sheet 32c, and the transparent portions of the first and second inner filter wrap sheets 322a and 322b in the cigarette 3 with filter according to the third embodiment.

[0037] In the present embodiment, an example such that the first filter segment 32a is arranged on the upstream side and the second filter segment 32b is arranged on the downstream side is shown, but, the first filter segment 32a may be arranged on the downstream side and the second filter segment 32b may be arranged on the upstream side.

(Fourth Embodiment)

[0038] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette 4 with filter according to a fourth embodiment. The cigarette 4 with filter according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment except that the filter configuration is different. The cigarette 4 with filter according to the fourth embodiment comprises first and second filter segments 42a and 42b which are spaced apart from each other and are disposed via a hollow portion (cavity) 44.

[0039] The first and second filter segments 42a and 42b comprise first and second filter members 421a and 421b, and first and second inner filter wrap sheets 422a and 422b wrapped around the first and second filter members 421a and 421b, respectively.

[0040] The first and second inner filter wrap sheets 422a and 422b may be entirely transparent or opaque and a transparency of their transparent portions is, for example, 30% or more. The outer filter wrap sheet 42c is entirely transparent and has, for example, a transparency of 30% or more. As the materials of the first and second inner filter wrap sheets 422a and 422b, which are entirely transparent, and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c, glassine paper, parchment paper, paraffin paper, cellophane, polypropylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, cellulose acetate film, and the like can be used. In addition, when entirely opaque sheets are selected as the inner filter wrap sheets 422a and 422b, general opaque paper formed mainly of pulp can be used as their material.

[0041] In addition to the advantages described in the first embodiment, the inside of the hollow portion 44 can be visually recognized from the outside through the tipping paper 13 and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c, in the cigarette 4 with filter according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, when entirely transparent sheets are used as the inner filter wrap sheets 422a and 422b, the first or second filter segments 421a or 421b can be visually recognized from the outside through the tipping paper 13, the outer filter wrap sheet 42c, and the first or second inner wrap sheet 422a or 422b.

[0042] In the description of this embodiment, an example of a cigarette with filter comprising two filter segments and a filter having one hollow portion is shown, but the number of filter segments and hollow portions is not limited to this. That is, the filter may have a form in which n (n is an integer of 2 or more) filter segments are connected via (n-1) or less hollow portions and, for example, n is 2 to 4, n is preferably 2 to 3, and n is more preferably 2.

(Fifth Embodiment)

[0043] FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette 5 with filter according to a fifth embodiment. The cigarette 5 with filter according to the fifth embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 4 with filter according to the fourth embodiment except that a destructive flavor capsule 55 destroyed by an external force so as to release the flavor is disposed in the hollow portion 44.

[0044] The flavor capsule 55 contains, for example, content flavor 551 and a shell 552 which covers the content flavor 551. As the material of the shell 552, for example, starch, dextrin, polysaccharide, agar, gellan gum, gelatin, various natural gelling agents, glycerin, and the like can be used. In addition, the shell 552 may further contain flavor, a coloring agent, and the like in addition to the above-explained materials. The flavor capsule 55 is preferably colored with a coloring agent or the like such that the capsule can easily be visually recognized by the smoker when collapsed. As the content flavor 551, for example, menthol, a plant essential oil or the like can be used. As the solvent for the content flavor 551, a solvent suitable for flavor can be used, and middle chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) (specifically, tricapryl / glycerin caprate), propylene glycol, water, ethanol or the like can be used. The content flavor 551 may further contain other additives such as other solvents, pigments, emulsifiers, and thickening agents.

[0045] The method for producing the flavor capsule 55 is not particularly limited but, for example, the flavor capsule 55 having a seamless shell 552 without seams can be manufactured if the dropping method is employed. In the dropping method, the content flavor 551 and a liquid shell material are discharged at the same time from an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle, respectively, by using a double nozzle, and the content flavor 551 can be thereby seamlessly encapsulated in the shell 552.

[0046] In addition to the advantages described in relation to the fourth embodiment, the smokers can enjoy not only the mainstream smoke from the cigarette rod 11, but also the flavor smell, by crushing the flavor capsule 55 so that the shell 552 is broken, and by making the content flavor 551 from the inside of the capsule 55 to the filter 42, according to the cigarette 5 with filter of the fifth embodiment. In the cigarette 5 with filter according to the present embodiment, the flavor capsule 55 in the hollow portion 44 can be visually recognized from the outside since the tipping paper 13 and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c corresponding to the hollow portion 44 are transparent. For this reason, the flavor capsule 55 can easily be broken and it can be visually confirmed that the flavor capsule 55 has been broken. In addition, it can be visually confirmed that the content flavor 551 of the flavor capsule 55 has developed in the hollow portion 44. Thus, the smoker can enjoy the flavor after visually recognizing that the content flavor 551 of the flavor capsule 55 sufficiently spreads in the hollow portion 44. When a liquid flavor is used as the content flavor, both or either of the tipping paper 13 and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c preferably does not be allowed to permeate the liquid. In order to prevent both or either of the tipping paper 13 and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c from permeating the liquid, a liquid impermeable layer may be formed by applying a resin such as nitrocellulose, ethyl cellulose, PVA, or PVAc on the front surface, back surface, or both surfaces of the tipping paper 13 and the outer filter wrap sheet 42c, or a liquid impermeable layer using a substance having a low affinity for the content flavor 551 may be formed. For example, when MCT is used as a main component of the solvent of the content flavor 551, a relatively hydrophilic polysaccharide such as starch, modified starch, pectin, sodium alginate, gellan gum, tamarind gum or carrageenan can be used as the material of the liquid impermeable layer. By making the outer filter wrap sheet 42c impermeable, desirably, the content flavor can be prevented from being permeated the tipping paper 13, and the smoker can clearly confirm that the content flavor has been released inside the filter.

(Sixth Embodiment)

[0047] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a cigarette 6 with filter according to a sixth embodiment. The cigarette 6 with filter according to the sixth embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 4 with filter according to the fourth embodiment except that flavor particles 66 are arranged in a hollow portion 44.

[0048] Examples of the flavor particles 66 include plant dry granules obtained by drying leaves, stems, fruits, or flowers of plants releasing flavor ingredients singly or in combination and then pulverizing the plants, granules containing vegetable dry powder prepared by drying and pulverizing the plants, mixing the plants with a base of sugar powder, starch powder, cellulose powder or cellulose acetate powder, mixing a binder and extruding the powder, and particles obtained by supporting flavor substances extracted from these plants on activated carbon, structure cellulose granules having a pore structure, cellulose acetate granules having a pore structure, or granules having pores derived from clay such as zeolite, silica gel, montmorillonite, or hydroxyapatite. Dried mint leaf is desirably used as the flavor particles 66 from the viewpoint that a smoker can visually recognize these flavor particles 66 and evoke an image of cool feeling or the like. The shape of the flavor particle 66 is not particularly limited, for example, the flavor particle 66 are desirably particles having a size of about 12 mesh passage or 32 mesh non-passage (equivalent to 0.5 to 1.4 mm) from the viewpoint of easiness of filling the hollow portion 44, and visibility from the transparent portion of the tipping paper 13. The mint leaves used as the flavor particles 66 may be merely dried and pulverized particles or may be particles obtained by adding flavor such as 1-menthol after dry pulverization.

[0049] In addition to the advantages described in the fourth embodiment, since the flavor particles 66 are arranged in the hollow portion 44 of the filter 42, in the cigarette 6 with filter according to the sixth embodiment, flavor is added to mainstream smoke which has passed through the hollow portion 44 at smoking, flavor different from flavor of an ordinary cigarette can be tasted and recall of further flavor change can be realized by visually recognizing the contents from smokers. Furthermore, by setting the filling rate of the flavor particles 66 in the hollow portion 44 to 30% or more and 70% or less, the smokers can feel vibration and sound caused by the flavor particles 66 moving within the hollow portion 44 or hitting each other due to the mainstream smoke flow at smoking. At that time, more preferably, movement and collision of the flavor particles 66 in the hollow portion 44 are promoted by the air flow introduced from the outside, since plural holes (ventilation holes) penetrating the tipping paper 13 and the outer and inner filter wrap sheets 42c, 422a, and 422b to reach the filter members 421a and 421b are provided at positions corresponding to the hollow portion 44 or positions corresponding to the first filter segment 42a positioned on the upstream side from the hollow portion 44. The filling rate of the flavoring particles 66 can be calculated by dividing the volume occupied by the flavor particles 66 immediately after filling the flavor particles 66 with the natural drop in the hollow portion 44 by the volume of the hollow portion 66. In calculation of the filling rate of the flavor particles 66, the flavor particles 66 are not finely packed by imparting vibration after filling the flavor particles 66 by natural drop.

(Seventh Embodiment)

[0050] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cigarette 7 with filter according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line IX - IX in FIG. 8. The cigarette 7 with filter according to the seventh embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment except that an outer filter wrap sheet 722 has a decorative portion 77.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, the decorative portion 77 has a star shape. Such a decorative portion 77 can be formed by, for example, printing ink or the like on the front and/or back surface of the outer filter wrap sheet 722 by gravure printing or ink-jet printing. In FIG. 9, an example of the decorative portion 77 having a star shape is shown, but the shape of the decorative portion 77 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a character, a geometric shape, a logo mark or the like.

[0052] In addition to the advantages described in relation to the first embodiment, since the tipping paper 13 is transparent, in the cigarette 7 with filter according to the seventh embodiment, the decorative portion 77 of the outer filter wrap sheet 722 is visible from the outside through the tipping paper 13, and a cigarette with filter having excellent design properties can be provided.

(Eighth Embodiment)

[0053] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette 8 with filter according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a section taken along line XI - XI in FIG. 10. The cigarette 8 with filter according to the eighth embodiment has a configuration identical to the cigarette 1 with filter according to the first embodiment except that tipping paper 83 includes a decorative portion 88.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the decorative portion 88 has a star shape. Such a decorative portion 88 can be formed by, for example, printing ink or the like on the front and/or back surface of tipping paper 83 by gravure printing or ink-jet printing. In FIG. 10, an example of the decorative portion 88 having a star shape is shown, but the shape of the decorative portion 88 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a character, a geometric shape, a logo mark or the like.

[0055] Since the tipping paper 83 is transparent, the decorative portion 88 can be visually recognized from the outside even when the decorative portion 88 is provided on the back surface of the tipping paper 83.

[0056] The cigarette with filter according to each of the above-described embodiments may have other configurations and, for example, plural holes penetrating the tipping paper and the outer and inner filter wrap sheets to the filter (ventilation hole) may be provided. These plural holes may have, for example, elliptical shapes each having a hole size of 0.1 to 2.0 mm, and plural holes may form a row at intervals of 0.2 to 2.0 mm. Such a ventilation hole plays a role of supplying air from the outside into the filter. Blocking the hole, which is intended for ventilation, by the smoker's lips can be prevented by forming the hole at a position 12 mm or more away from the mouth end of the filter.

(Test Examples)

[0057] Tests (1) to (4) described below were executed using Test Samples 1 and 2 and Comparative Test Samples 1 to 3 having the physical properties shown in Table 1. In Table 1, "printed" means that the ink has been applied to the surface of the tipping paper by printing.

Table 1

Sample name	Materials	Basis weight [gsm]	Thickness [µm]	Stiffness [N/25mm]	Tensile strength [N/15mm]	Elongation [%]	Transparency [%]	Smoothness [sec]
Test Sample 1	Glassine paper (Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.)	35	27	1.8	45.8	1.7	81.8	1147
Test Sample 2 (printed)	Glassine paper (Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.)	35	27	1.8	40.4	1.7	39.5	902
Comparative Test Sample 1	Cellophane	33	24	0.8	50 or more (over limit of measurement machine)	10 or more (over limit of measurement machine)	96.1	1898
Comparative Test Sample 2 (printed)	Cellophane	34	24	0.8	46.2	7.2	94.4	1760
Comparative Test Sample 3	General tipping paper base paper	37	43	2.8	31.8	1.3	22.8	213

(1) Cigarette Production Test

[0058] A cigarette production machine capable of producing 12,000 cigarettes with filter per minute when using normal tipping paper base paper was employed, and tests on wrapping properties of tipping paper, such as an operable speed (the number of cigarettes which can be produced per minute) of the cigarette production machine and a defect occurrence rate of the cigarettes with filter, when wrapping the tipping paper of Test Samples 1 and 2 and Comparative Test Samples 1 to 3 around the cigarettes with filter, were conducted. The results are shown in Table 2. The defect occurrence rate means probability that when the tipping paper is wrapped around the cigarettes with filter, the adhesion of the wrapping end portions of the tipping paper is weak and the end portions of the tipping paper are peeled off from the cigarettes with filter. In addition, an EVA based emulsion paste, which is an ordinary adhesive used for manufacturing general cigarettes with filter, was used for the adhesion of the tipping paper to the filters and cigarette rods.

Table 2

Sample name	Operable speed (number of pieces/minute)	Defect occurrence rate
Test Sample 1	12000	0
Test Sample 2	12000	0
Comparative Test Sample 1	Difficult to operate	Difficult to operate
Comparative Test Sample 2	Difficult to operate	Difficult to operate
Comparative Test Sample 3	12000	0

[0059] Wrapping the tipping paper of Comparative Test Samples 1 and 2 around the cigarette rod and the filter by the cigarette production machine was difficult. In addition, Comparative Test Sample 1 using the cellophane on which printing was not applied was able to be wrapped around the cigarette rod and the filter at a low speed condition, by using dedicated glue and a dedicated device. However, since the surface of the tipping paper of Comparative Test Sample 1 was not coated with a coating agent or printing, the tipping paper had a high moisture absorption and dissipation properties of cellophane, and a phenomenon that the tipping paper wrap portion was stretched or deformed due to fluctuation of moisture in the environment, occurred after wrapping the cigarette.

[0060] In contrast, Comparative Test Sample 3 used tipping paper base paper used for general tipping paper and had a good wrapping property. In addition, the operable speed was 12000 lines/minute and the defect occurrence rate was 0%, in use of Test Sample 1 and Test Sample 2, similarly to a case of using general tipping paper base paper (Comparative Test Sample 3), and it was found that the test samples had a good wrapping property.

[0061] As described above, it is understood that the tipping paper using the glassine paper solves the problem of the wrapping property which the transparent tipping paper using the conventional cellophane has had.

(2) Ink Fixing Property Test

[0062] The ink fixing property test was conducted on the tipping paper (25 × 250 mm) of Test Sample 2, Comparative Test Sample 2 and Comparative Test Sample 3. Ink was applied to the surface of the tipping paper of Test Sample 2 and Comparative Test Sample 3 by printing. In addition, ink was applied to the surface of the tipping paper of Comparative Test Sample 2 by printing and varnish was further applied to its top surface. A gakushin-type friction measurement machine (manufacturer: Tester Sangyo, product name: RUBBING TESTER, model number: AB-301) was used for the ink fixing property test.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the ink fixing property test. The friction measuring machine 9 comprises a friction element 91 and a stainless steel plate 92. The friction element 91 is composed of a semi-cylindrical friction element body 91a, an arm 91b for supporting the friction element body 91a, and the like. White test paper 93 for ink drop observation was attached to a bottom surface portion of the friction element 91. In addition, tipping paper 94 was fixed to the upper surface of a semi-columnar stainless steel plate 92.

[0064] The ink fixing property test was conducted by placing the friction element 91 on the tipping paper 94 so as to bring the white test paper 93 into contact with the printed tipping paper 94 of the stainless steel panel 92, frictionally reciprocating the printed tipping paper 94 at forty times by the friction element 91, and observing the white test paper 93 to evaluate the color fading degree. When the friction element 91 was placed on the tipping paper 94, the weights of the friction element body 91a and the arm 91b were applied to the white test paper 93 and the tipping paper 94. The ink fixing property test was conducted by a dry test and a wet test, both at room temperature. In the wet test, 20 µl of water was dropped on the surface of the tipping paper 94 before starting the friction.

[0065] As a result of the ink fixing property test, for the tipping paper of Comparative Test Sample 2, no conspicuous ink dropping was observed in the dry test, but ink dropping was observed in the wet test. In contrast, for the tipping paper of Test Sample 2 and Comparative Test Sample 3, no conspicuous ink dropping was observed in the dry test and the wet test. From this, it is confirmed that the tipping paper using the glassine paper has a better ink fixing property than the tipping paper using the cellophane, and has a good ink fixing property equivalent to that of the case of using a general-purpose tipping paper base paper.

(3) Shrinkage Test

[0066] A shrinkage test was conducted for the tipping paper of Test Sample 1, Test Sample 2, Comparative Test Sample 1, and Comparative Test Sample 2. In the shrinkage test, the dimensions of the tipping paper to be tested were measured when stored for 24 hours in an environment of 23°C and 60% relative humidity, and these were taken as an initial state. After that, the tipping paper was stored in an environment of 23°C and 100% relative humidity for 24 hours, and the dimensions in the flow direction and the width direction were measured. Furthermore, the tipping paper was held for one hour under an environment of 23°C and relative humidity of 44% and was stored for 24 hours, and dimensional change in the flow direction and width direction was measured. The shrinkage ratio was evaluated by measuring dimensional changes in the flow direction and the width direction of the tipping paper, based on the initial state at that time. The results are shown in Table 3. In Table 3, the shrinkage ratio shows a positive value when the tipping paper shrinks from the initial dimensions, and a negative value when it expands, as a result of the above measurement.

Table 3

		Initial state Temperature: 23°C Humidity: 60%		Temperature: 23°C Humidity: 100%		Temperature: 23°C Humidity: 44%
		Flow direction	Width direction	Flow direction	Width direction	Flow direction	Width direction
Test Sample 1	Dimensions [mm]	76.0	63.0	75.7	63.8	75.5	62.5
	Shrinkage ratio[%]	-	-	0.4	-1.3	0.7	0.8
Test Sample 2	Dimensions [mm]	76.0	63.0	75.8	63.5	75.2	62.0
	Shrinkage ratio[%]	-	-	0.3	-0.8	1.1	1.6
Comparative Test Sample 1	Dimensions [mm]	76.0	63.0	73. 8	65.5	72.0	61.7
	Shrinkage ratio[%]	-	-	2.9	-4.0	5.3	2.1
Comparative Test Sample 2	Dimensions [mm]	76.0	63.0	74.8	65.3	72.3	61.5
	Shrinkage ratio[%]	-	-	1.6	-3.7	4.9	2.4

[0067] As evident from Table 3, when the tipping paper of Test Sample 1 and Test Sample 2 was stored under humid conditions of 23°C and 100% relative humidity as well as stored under drying conditions of 23°C and 44% relative humidity, the flow direction shrinkage ratio and the width direction shrinkage ratio were lower than the tipping paper of Comparative Test Sample 1 and Comparative Test Sample 2. From this, it was confirmed that the tipping paper using glassine paper had a lower influence from humidity than the tipping paper using cellophane.

Experimental Example 4: Sensory Test

[0068] A sensory test was conducted by making ten panelists actually smoke a cigarette with filter using the tipping paper of Test Sample 2 and a cigarette with filter using the tipping paper of Comparative Test Sample 2, and evaluating the presence or absence of feeling like the plastic of the tipping paper when the tipping paper touched the lips or tongues of the panelists. As a result, the number of persons who evaluated feeling the tipping paper similarly to plastic was 9 out of 10 for the cigarette with filter using Comparative Test Sample 2 as the tipping paper, and 2 out of 10 for the cigarette with filter using Test Sample 2. In addition, the number of persons who evaluated not feeling the tipping paper similarly to plastic was 0 out of 10 for the cigarette with filter using Comparative Test Sample 2, and 5 out of 10 for the cigarette with filter using Test Sample 2.

[0069] As described above, it was confirmed that the cigarette with filter using glassine paper as the tipping paper has less feeling of the tipping paper like plastic than the cigarette with filter using the conventional transparent tipping paper (cellophane).

Reference Signs List

[0070] 1 ... cigarette with filter according to the first embodiment 11 ... cigarette rod 111 ... shredded tobacco 112 ... cigarette paper 12, 32 ... filter 121 ... filter member 321a, 421a ... first filter member 321b, 421b ... second filter member 122, 32c, 42c ... outer filter wrap sheet 13, 23 ... tipping paper 2 ... cigarette with filter according to the second embodiment 23a ... transparent portion 23b ... opaque portion 3 ... cigarette with filter according to the third embodiment 32a, 42a ... first filter segment 32b, 42b ... second filter segment 322a, 422a ... first inner filter wrap sheet 322b, 422b ... second inner filter wrap sheet 4 ... cigarette with filter according to the fourth embodiment 44 ... hollow portion 5 ... cigarette with filter according to the fifth embodiment 55 ... flavor capsule 551 ... content liquid 552 ... shell 6 ... cigarette with filter according to the sixth embodiment 66 ... flavor particle 7 ... cigarette with filter according to the seventh embodiment 77, 88 ... decorative portion 8 ... cigarette with filter according to the eighth embodiment 9 ... friction measuring instrument 91 ... friction element 91a ... friction element body 91b ... arm, 92 ... stainless steel plate 93 ... white test paper 94 ... tipping paper

Claims

1. A cigarette with filter, comprising:

a cigarette rod;

a filter disposed at a downstream end of the cigarette rod and

tipping paper wrapped around a downstream end part of the cigarette rod and an outer circumferential surface of the filter and connecting the cigarette rod and the filter,

characterized in that at least a part of the tipping paper is transparent, and a transparent portion has a smoothness of 1500 sec or less and a transparency of 30% or more, and

the tipping paper is formed of paper.

2. The cigarette with filter of Claim 1, characterized in that
the tipping paper has a basis weight of 20 to 100 gsm and a thickness of 15 to 80 µm.

3. The cigarette with filter of Claim 1, characterized in that
when stored in an environment of the tipping paper 23°C and a relative humidity of 44% for 24 hours after stored in an environment of the tipping paper 23°C and a relative humidity of 100% for 24 hours, the tipping paper shows a flow direction shrinkage ratio of 2% or less and a width direction shrinkage ratio of 2% or less.

4. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
the tipping paper is glassine paper, parchment paper, or paraffin paper.

5. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
the tipping paper partially comprises a printing portion.

6. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that
the filter comprises:

plural filter segments spaced apart from each other and arranged via a hollow portion; and

an outer filter wrap sheet wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of the plural filter segments across the hollow portion,

at least a part of the outer filter wrap sheet is transparent and the transparent portion has transparency of 30% or more, and

the outer filter wrap sheet is formed of paper or a film.

7. The cigarette with filter of Claim 6, characterized in that
the transparent portion of the tipping paper is arranged to overlap at least partially with the transparent portion of the outer filter wrap sheet, an inside of the hollow portion and/or the filter segment is visible from outside through an overlapping part.

8. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that
a flavor capsule is arranged in the hollow portion.

9. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that
flavor particles containing leaves, stems, fruits, or flowers of plants or a combination thereof are arranged in the hollow portion.

10. The cigarette with filter of Claim 9, characterized in that
the flavor particles are dried mint leaf.

11. The cigarette with filter of any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that
the filter comprises:

a filter member; and

an outer filter wrap sheet wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of the filter member, and

the outer filter wrap sheet includes a decorative portion at a position corresponding to the transparent portion of the tipping paper.

Drawing