Mouthpiece for smoking article

Abstract

A rigid tubular mouthpiece for a smoking article may include a cushioning wrapping material thereabout. The wrapping material may be configured to form several layers, encompassed by a polymeric label, which may include indicia. The wrapping material will provide a lower durometer, as applied, than the unwrapped mouthpiece, which may be incorporated as part of a smoking article.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A mouthpiece for a smoking article, the mouthpiece comprising:
 a portion including a rigid tube having an outer circumference; and   a tipping wrap including a length;   where the tipping wrap is transversely wrapped around the outer circumference of the mouthpiece portion to form at least a double layer that includes more flexibility and/or less resistance to permanent indentation than the rigid tube.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1 , where the rigid tube is constructed of a metal material, a ceramic material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1 , where the rigid tube is constructed of a metal material including stainless steel. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1 ,
 where the tipping wrap is configured as an elongate tipping wrap that includes a length at least about two times the outer circumference;   where the elongate tipping wrap is transversely double wrapped around the outer circumference of the mouthpiece portion to form the at least a double layer.   
     
     
         5 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where elongate tipping wrap includes a length that is at least three times the outer circumference and where the elongate tipping wrap is further wrapped around the outer circumference of the mouthpiece portion so as to be triple-wrapped. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where the elongate tipping wrap includes pressure-sensitive adhesive attaching the wrap to itself, to the rigid tube, or both. 
     
     
         7 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where the length of the elongate tipping wrap is a whole number multiple of the outer circumference of the mouthpiece portion. 
     
     
         8 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where the length of the elongate tipping wrap is a whole number multiple of the outer circumference of the mouthpiece portion and further includes an additional length of about 3 mm to about 6 mm such that an outermost end of the elongate tipping wrap overlaps an innermost end thereof when wrapped around the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where the elongate tipping wrap comprises rayon web fleece, cigarette filter paper, cigarette plug wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The mouthpiece of  claim 4 , where a portion of the elongate tipping wrap that is externally visible when wrapped around the mouthpiece portion comprises visible indicia including information about a smoking article. 
     
     
         11 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1 ,
 where the at least a double layer is formed by a two-layer tipping wrap including a lower/inner cushioning layer having a first thickness and an upper/outer layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness; and   where the upper/outer layer comprises visible indicia including information about a smoking article.   
     
     
         12 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where the tipping wrap length includes a first length of the lower/inner layer and a second length of the upper/outer layer. 
     
     
         13 . The mouthpiece of  claim 12 , where the first length and second length are substantially the same as each other and as the mouthpiece outer circumference such that ends of the tipping wrap abut to form a smooth joint when wrapped around the mouthpiece outer circumference. 
     
     
         14 . The mouthpiece of  claim 12 , where the first length is substantially the same as the mouthpiece outer circumference and the second length is longer at one end such that ends of the tipping wrap first length abut to form a smooth joint when wrapped around the mouthpiece outer circumference and the longer end of the second length overlaps that smooth joint. 
     
     
         15 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where the lower/inner cushioning layer comprises fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where the upper/outer layer comprises fleece, filter paper, plug wrap, cellulose acetate non-woven web, polymeric film, polymeric foam, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where the upper/outer layer comprises a polymeric label material. 
     
     
         18 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where a portion of the upper/outer layer that is externally visible when wrapped around the mouthpiece portion comprises visible indicia including information about a smoking article. 
     
     
         19 . The mouthpiece of  claim 11 , where the lower/inner cushioning layer is wrapped transversely but not perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the rigid tube and is trimmed to form a cylindrical wrap that is substantially perpendicular relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The mouthpiece of  claim 19 , where the upper/outer layer is wrapped substantially perpendicular relative to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . A smoking article comprising the mouthpiece of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         22 . A smoking article comprising the mouthpiece of  claim 1 .