Patent Description:
The invention is based on the insight that there is a need to improve the production of assemblies comprising a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and a tapered filter tip. Said assemblies are used to produce cigarettes by filling the inside of the tapered hollow cylinders with a smokable substance, such as tobacco and/or cannabis.

Known rolling papers for tips are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. These documents disclose rolling papers with curved upper and lower edges, such that a conically shaped tip is acquired when rolling the paper. Premade fold lines are present for folding a section of the rolling paper to form a central folded part of the conical tip.

The invention has the objective to provide an improved (or at least alternative) rolling paper for rolling a tapered filter tip for a cigarette. Said rolling paper comprises:.

In a tapered filter tip formed by said rolling paper, the paper body is folded along the at least one folding line to form a folded part of the paper body, and a remaining body part of the paper body is rolled around the folded part in a spiral configuration with the first side edge, the lower corner and the upper corner being located at an outer side of the tapered filter tip.

Due to the fact that at least one of the lower corner and the upper corner is a rounded corner, the risk is reduced that the lower corner and/or the upper corner will damage a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper when the tapered filter tip is moved inside said tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper.

This allows that assemblies comprising a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and the tapered filter tip can be produced according to the following method;.

The tapered filter tip reduces the risk that the lower corner and/or the upper corner will damage the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper when said method is used.

In addition, said method allows that the production of assemblies comprising the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and the tapered filter tip can be automated, due to which the production time of said assemblies can be reduced.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, a corner radius R of the rounded corner is at least <NUM>,<NUM>, preferably at least <NUM>, and more preferably at least <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, a corner radius R of the rounded corner is within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>, and more preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded corner extends along part of a corner circle having the corner radius R.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper corner is formed as the rounded corner and referred to as a rounded upper corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded upper corner has an upper corner radius RUC within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, only the upper corner is formed as the rounded corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower corner is formed as the rounded corner and referred to as a rounded lower corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded lower corner has a lower corner radius RLC within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, only the lower corner is formed as the rounded corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper corner and the lower corner are formed as the rounded corner and referred to as a rounded upper corner and a rounded lower corner, respectively.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded upper corner has an upper corner radius RUC, the rounded lower corner has a lower corner radius RLC, and the upper corner radius RUC differs from the lower corner radius RLC.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper corner radius RUC is larger than the lower corner radius RLC.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper corner radius RUC is within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC, preferably within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC, and more preferably <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded upper corner extends along part of an upper corner circle having the upper corner radius RUC.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rounded lower corner extends along part of a lower corner circle having the lower corner radius RLC.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper curved part and the lower curved part extend parallel to each other.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper curved part extends along part of an upper edge circle having an upper edge radius RUE.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower curved part extends along part of a lower edge circle having a lower edge radius RLE.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper edge circle and the lower edge circle are concentric.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper edge circle has an upper edge centre, the lower edge circle has a lower edge centre, and the upper edge centre and the lower edge centre coincide in a single centre point.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the upper curved part extends along the complete upper edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower curved part extends along the complete lower edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower curved part extends along part of the lower edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower edge comprises a chamfered part located between the lower curved part and the lower corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the chamfered part extends under an angle α away from the lower curved part and towards the upper edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the angle α is within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> degrees, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> degrees, and more preferably <NUM> degrees.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the chamfered part extends from the lower curved part until the lower corner.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the lower curved part extends along a remaining edge part of the lower edge. The remaining edge part is formed by the rest of the lower edge when the chamfered part is excluded.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the first side edge comprises a first straight part and the second side edge comprises a second straight part.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the first straight part extends along the complete first side edge and the second straight part extends along the complete second side edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the first straight part and the second straight part extend transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper edge and the lower edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the first straight part and the second straight part extend transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper curved part and the lower curved part.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, a first virtual line extending through the first straight part and a second virtual line extending through the second straight part both extend through the single centre point.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, each of the at least one folding line is straight and extends transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper edge and the lower edge.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, each of the at least one folding line is straight and extends transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper curved part and the lower curved part.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, at least one third virtual line extending through each of the at least one folding line also extends through the single centre point.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the at least one folding lines is formed by a weakening line in the paper body.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the weakening line is formed by discontinuous perforation in the paper body.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the weakening line is formed by one or more incisions in the paper body.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rolling paper comprises multiple, such as <NUM> or <NUM> or <NUM> or <NUM>, folding lines.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the rolling paper comprises one and only one folding line.

In an embodiment of the rolling paper, the paper body is made from a paper having a weight within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>, preferable within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>, more preferably <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>.

The invention further relates to a tapered filter tip for a cigarette, wherein the tapered filter tip is formed by a rolling paper according to the invention, wherein:.

In an embodiment of the tapered filter tip, the spiral configuration of the tapered filter tip defines a longitudinal tip axis.

Further disclosed is a kit of parts comprising a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and a tapered filter tip according to claim <NUM>.

Further disclosed is an assembly comprising a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and a tapered filter tip according to claim <NUM>, wherein the tapered filter tip is located inside the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper.

In an embodiment of the assembly, the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper comprises a wide opening and an opposite narrow opening, and the tapered filter tip is located in a position adjacent to the narrow opening of said tapered hollow cylinder.

Further disclosed is a cigarette comprising an assembly as described above and a smokable substance, such as tobacco and/or cannabis, being located inside the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper.

The invention further relates to a method for producing an assembly comprising a tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper and a tapered filter tip according to claim <NUM>, said method comprising;.

In an embodiment of the method, the method comprises rotating the tapered filter tip around the longitudinal tip axis when moving the filter tip inside the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper.

In an embodiment of the method, the method comprises rotating the tapered filter tip in a same direction as the spiral configuration is rolled.

In an embodiment of the method, the method comprises moving the tapered filter tip inside the tapered hollow cylinder made of cigarette paper while keeping the lower edge of the filter tip directed to the narrow opening of said tapered hollow cylinder.

Embodiments of the rolling paper, tapered filter tip, and method according to the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:.

<FIG> shows a side view of a first embodiment of the rolling paper <NUM> according to the invention. The rolling paper <NUM> is configured for rolling a tapered filter tip <NUM> for a cigarette <NUM>. The rolling paper <NUM> comprises a flat paper body <NUM> comprising an upper edge <NUM>, a lower edge <NUM>, a first side edge <NUM>, and a second side edge <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> is positioned opposite to the lower edge <NUM>, and the first side edge <NUM> is positioned opposite to the second side edge <NUM>.

The rolling paper <NUM> further comprises four folding lines 9A-D extending transversely to the upper edge <NUM> and the lower edge <NUM> and located closer to the second side edge <NUM> than the first side edge <NUM>.

The upper edge <NUM> is larger than the lower edge <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> comprises an upper curved part <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> transitions into the first side edge <NUM> at an upper corner <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> comprises a lower curved part <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> transitions into the first side edge <NUM> at a lower corner <NUM>. The upper corner <NUM> and the lower corner <NUM> are formed as a rounded corner <NUM> and therefore referred to as a rounded upper corner 14A and a rounded lower corner 14B, respectively.

In other examples of the rolling paper <NUM>, at least one of the lower corner <NUM> and the upper corner <NUM> is a rounded corner <NUM>. In said situation, a corner radius R of the rounded corner <NUM> is at least <NUM>,<NUM>, preferably at least <NUM>, and more preferably at least <NUM>. The corner radius R of the rounded corner <NUM> may be within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>, and more preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>. The rounded corner <NUM> extends along part of a corner circle <NUM> having the corner radius R. The corner radius R of the upper corner <NUM> (see RUC) and the lower corner <NUM> (see RLC) is explained more in detail in relation with <FIG>.

<FIG> shows further details of the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>. The rounded upper corner 14A has an upper corner radius RUC of about <NUM>. In other examples, the upper corner radius RUC is within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>.

The rounded lower corner 14B has a lower corner radius RLC of about <NUM>. In other examples, the lower corner radius RLC is within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM>.

The upper corner radius RUC differs from the lower corner radius RLC. More specifically, the upper corner radius RUC is larger than the lower corner radius RLC. The upper corner radius RUC is about <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC. In other examples, the upper corner radius RUC is within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC, preferably within the range of <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM> times larger than the lower corner radius RLC.

The rounded upper corner 14A extends along part of an upper corner circle 15A having the upper corner <NUM> radius RUC. The rounded lower corner 14B extends along part of a lower corner circle 15B having the lower corner radius RLC.

The upper curved part <NUM> and the lower curved part <NUM> extend parallel to each other. The upper curved part <NUM> extends along part of an upper edge circle <NUM> having an upper edge radius RUE. The lower curved part <NUM> extends along part of a lower edge circle <NUM> having a lower edge radius RLE.

The upper edge circle <NUM> and the lower edge circle <NUM> are concentric. The upper edge circle <NUM> has an upper edge centre <NUM>, the lower edge circle <NUM> has a lower edge centre <NUM>, and the upper edge centre <NUM> and the lower edge centre <NUM> coincide in a single centre point <NUM>.

The upper curved part <NUM> extends along the complete upper edge <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> comprises a chamfered part <NUM> located between the lower curved part <NUM> and the lower corner <NUM>. The chamfered part <NUM> extends under an angle α away from the lower curved part <NUM> and towards the upper edge <NUM>. The angle α is about <NUM> degrees. In other examples, the angle α is within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> degrees, preferably within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> degrees.

The chamfered part <NUM> extends from the lower curved part <NUM> until the lower corner <NUM>. The lower curved part <NUM> extends along a remaining edge part <NUM> of the lower edge <NUM>. The remaining edge part <NUM> is formed by the rest of the lower edge <NUM> when the chamfered part <NUM> is excluded.

The first side edge <NUM> comprises a first straight part <NUM> and the second side edge <NUM> comprises a second straight part <NUM>. The first straight part <NUM> extends along the complete first side edge <NUM> and the second straight part <NUM> extends along the complete second side edge <NUM>. The first straight part <NUM> and the second straight part <NUM> extend transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper edge <NUM> and the lower edge <NUM>. More specifically, the first straight part <NUM> and the second straight part <NUM> extend transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper curved part <NUM> and the lower curved part <NUM>.

A first virtual line <NUM> extending through the first straight part <NUM> and a second virtual line <NUM> extending through the second straight part <NUM> both extend through the single centre point <NUM>.

The rolling paper <NUM> comprises four folding lines <NUM>. In other examples, the rolling paper <NUM> comprises <NUM> or <NUM> or <NUM> or <NUM> folding lines <NUM>. Each of the folding lines <NUM> is straight and extends transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper edge <NUM> side and the lower edge <NUM> side. Each of the folding lines <NUM> is straight and extends transversely, such as perpendicular, to the upper curved part <NUM> and the lower curved part <NUM>. Third virtual lines <NUM> extending through the folding lines <NUM> also extends through the single centre point <NUM>.

The folding lines <NUM> are formed by weakening lines <NUM> in the paper body <NUM>. The weakening lines <NUM> are formed by discontinuous perforation <NUM> in the paper body <NUM>. In other examples, the weakening lines <NUM> are formed by one or more incisions in the paper body <NUM>.

The paper body <NUM> is made from a paper having a weight of about <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>. In other examples, the paper body <NUM> is made from a paper having a weight within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>, preferable within the range of <NUM> - <NUM> gram/meter<NUM>.

The <FIG> and <FIG> shows a tapered filter tip <NUM> made from the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>. The paper body <NUM> of said rolling paper <NUM> is folded along the folding lines <NUM> to form a folded part <NUM> of the paper body <NUM>. A remaining body part <NUM> of the paper body <NUM> is rolled around the folded part <NUM> in a spiral configuration <NUM> with the first side edge <NUM>, the lower corner <NUM> and the upper corner <NUM> being located at an outer side <NUM> of the tapered filter tip <NUM>. The spiral configuration <NUM> of the tapered filter tip <NUM> defines a longitudinal tip axis <NUM>.

Due to the fact that the lower corner <NUM> and the upper corner <NUM> are a rounded corner <NUM>, the risk is reduced that the lower corner <NUM> or the upper corner <NUM> will damage a tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> when the tapered filter tip <NUM> is moved inside said tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM>.

The <FIG> show side view of a method for producing an assembly <NUM> comprising a tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> and the tapered filter tip <NUM> of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, a kit of parts <NUM> comprising said tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> and said tapered filter tip <NUM> are provided. The tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> has a longitudinal cylinder axis <NUM>.

The method comprises placing the tapered filter tip <NUM> in a wide opening <NUM> of the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM>, and moving the filter tip <NUM> inside the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> from the wide opening <NUM> into a position adjacent to an opposite narrow opening <NUM> of said tapered hollow cylinder <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the tapered filter tip <NUM> is moving through the inside of the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> towards the narrow opening <NUM>.

The method comprises rotating the tapered filter tip <NUM> around the longitudinal tip axis <NUM> when moving the filter tip <NUM> inside the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM>.

The method comprises rotating the tapered filter tip <NUM> in a same direction as the spiral configuration <NUM> is rolled. The rotation direction of the spiral configuration <NUM> is indicated by rotation arrow <NUM>. The rotation direction of the tapered filter tip <NUM> is indicated by rotation arrow <NUM>.

The method comprises moving the tapered filter tip <NUM> inside the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> while keeping the lower edge <NUM> of the filter tip <NUM> directed to the narrow opening <NUM> of said tapered hollow cylinder <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the tapered filter tip <NUM> has reached the position adjacent to the narrow opening <NUM> and inside the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM>.

The result of the method is an assembly <NUM> comprising the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> and the tapered filter tip <NUM>, wherein the tapered filter tip <NUM> is located inside the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM>. The tapered filter tip <NUM> is located in a position adjacent to the narrow opening <NUM> of said tapered hollow cylinder <NUM>.

The rounded corners <NUM> of the tapered filter tip <NUM> reduce the risk that the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> is damaged when the method is used.

In addition, said method allows that the production of assemblies <NUM> comprising the tapered hollow cylinder <NUM> made of cigarette paper <NUM> and the tapered filter tip <NUM> can be automated, due to which the production time of said assemblies <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> schematically shows a side view of a cigarette <NUM> comprising the assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and a smokable substance <NUM>.

The <FIG> and <FIG> show a side view of a second embodiment of the rolling paper <NUM> according to the invention. The rolling paper <NUM> differs from <FIG> in that the lower curved part <NUM> extends along the complete lower edge <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of a tapered filter tip <NUM> made from the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>.

The <FIG> and <FIG> show a side view of a third embodiment of the rolling paper <NUM> according to the invention. The rolling paper <NUM> differs from <FIG> in that only the upper corner <NUM> is formed as the rounded corner <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of a tapered filter tip <NUM> made from the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>.

The <FIG> and <FIG> show a side view of a fourth embodiment of the rolling paper <NUM> according to the invention. The rolling paper <NUM> differs from <FIG> in that the lower curved part <NUM> extends along the complete lower edge <NUM> and that only the upper corner <NUM> is formed as the rounded corner <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of a tapered filter tip <NUM> made from the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>.

The <FIG> and <FIG> show a side view of a fifth embodiment of the rolling paper <NUM> according to the invention. The rolling paper <NUM> differs from <FIG> in that the lower curved part <NUM> extends along the complete lower edge <NUM> and that only the lower corner <NUM> is formed as the rounded corner <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of a tapered filter tip <NUM> made from the rolling paper <NUM> of <FIG>. In an alternative embodiment, the lower edge <NUM> comprises a chamfered part <NUM> located between the lower curved part <NUM> and the lower corner <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

Claim 1:
Rolling paper (<NUM>) for rolling a tapered filter tip (<NUM>) for a cigarette (<NUM>), said rolling paper comprising:
- a flat paper body (<NUM>) comprising an upper edge (<NUM>), a lower edge (<NUM>), a first side edge (<NUM>), and a second side edge (<NUM>), wherein the upper edge is positioned opposite to the lower edge, and the first side edge is positioned opposite to the second side edge, and
- at least one folding line (9A - D) extending transversely to the upper edge and the lower edge and located closer to the second side edge than the first side edge, wherein;
-- the upper edge is larger than the lower edge,
-- the upper edge comprises an upper curved part (<NUM>),
-- the upper edge transitions into the first side edge at an upper corner (<NUM>),
-- the lower edge comprises a lower curved part (<NUM>),
-- the lower edge transitions into the first side edge at a lower corner (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
-- at least one of the lower corner and the upper corner is a rounded corner (<NUM>).