Smoking article

Abstract

A smoking article includes a first and a second engaging surface spaced circumferentially, and a control element movable between the first and second engaging surfaces. A ventilation area is configured to be selectively covered by the movable control element. The control element includes a first limiting edge configured to engage with the first engaging surface and a second limiting edge configured to engage with the second engaging surface to limit rotational movement.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A smoking article comprising:
 a ventilation mechanism configured to select a ventilation level of the smoking article by movement of a first part relative to a second part of the smoking article, and   a limiting mechanism configured to limit movement of the first part relative to the second part of the smoking article,   wherein the ventilation mechanism comprises:   a control element overlying a rod article of the smoking article and movable relative to the rod article, wherein the control element is substantially impermeable to air; and   a ventilation area overlying the control element,   wherein the control element is movable to selectively cover the ventilation area.   
     
     
         31 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element is movable between first and second engaging surfaces, wherein the control element comprises a first limiting edge configured to engage with the first engaging surface and a second limiting edge configured to engage with the second engaging surface, and wherein the amount of ventilation area covered by the control element directly determines the ventilation level of the smoking article. 
     
     
         32 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element and the first and second engaging surfaces are defined on a same sheet of material. 
     
     
         33 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element is defined on a sheet of material arranged in a plurality of layers which extend around a whole circumference of the smoking article. 
     
     
         34 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , comprising contacting surfaces configured to limit or prevent longitudinal movement between the control element and engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         35 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the contacting surfaces extend around substantially the whole circumference of the smoking article. 
     
     
         36 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein one of the contacting surfaces is defined by a support section attached to the control element, and optionally, the contacting surface is on an opposite longitudinal side of the support section to the control element. 
     
     
         37 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , comprising a first layer and a second layer extending around the circumference of the smoking article, the first layer and the second layer each comprising a forward part movable relative to a longitudinally adjacent rearward part, wherein a first interface is defined between the movable parts on the first layer and a second interface is defined between the movable parts on the second layer, wherein at least part of the first interface is not aligned with the second interface, and optionally, substantially a whole circumference of the first interface is longitudinally spaced from the second interface. 
     
     
         38 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the smoking article comprises an indexing mechanism, wherein the control element is movable between discrete positions provided by the indexing mechanism to select one of a plurality of discrete ventilation levels. 
     
     
         39 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the indexing mechanism comprises a first indexing surface formed in an exterior surface of one of the one or more rod articles and a second indexing surface comprising one or more protrusions movable between one of a plurality of features of the first indexing surface. 
     
     
         40 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the indexing mechanism comprises a tube extending around a circumference of one of the one or more rod articles and movable around the rod article, wherein the tube comprises or supports the second indexing surface on an interior of the tube. 
     
     
         41 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element extends longitudinally beyond an attached support section. 
     
     
         42 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein a support section attached to the control element extends around the whole circumference of the smoking article. 
     
     
         43 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element comprises an area of material extending longitudinally beyond an integral support section, the support section extending in the same radial layer as the control element. 
     
     
         44 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element is on a longitudinally rearward side of the attached support section. 
     
     
         45 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element is arranged to overlie and control ventilation into the at least one rod article at a mouth end of the smoking article, and optionally, overlie and control ventilation into a filter section movable relative to the source of smokable material. 
     
     
         46 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the smoking article comprises a first, second and third layer extending around the at least one rod article, wherein the first layer comprises a first ventilation area and the third layer comprises a second ventilation area at least partially aligned with the first ventilation area, wherein the control element on the second layer is movable between the radially spaced first and second layers such that the control element is movable relative to the first and second ventilation layers to select a level of ventilation. 
     
     
         47 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element and at least one ventilation area is formed on a plurality of integrally formed layers around the at least one rod article, and/or a separate or further part overlies the control element and first and second engaging surfaces and forms an exterior surface of the smoking article. 
     
     
         48 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the smoking article comprises at least one spacing section extending one or more times around a circumference of the smoking article, wherein the spacing section is configured to maintain a radial position of a/the second indexing surface relative to a/the first indexing surface. 
     
     
         49 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein a second indexing surface support section is arranged to define or support the second indexing surface, and the second indexing surface support section is in a same radial layer as the spacing section, and optionally, the second indexing surface support section and at least one spacing section are initially integrally attached. 
     
     
         50 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the smoking article comprises at least one spacing section, attached to the at least one rod article of the smoking article and a support section movable relative to the spacing section,
 wherein the control element is connected to the support section, and/or, the control element overlies a said spacing section.   
     
     
         51 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 50 , comprising a section overlying the at least one spacing section and configured to support the second indexing surface in a pre-determined radial position relative to the first indexing surface defined at least partially by the at least one spacing section. 
     
     
         52 . The smoking article as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control element and the section defining the first and second engaging surfaces are formed on a same layer of sheet material wrapped around the at least one rod article. 
     
     
         53 . A blank configured to be wrapped around one or more rod articles in the manufacture of a smoking article, the blank comprising:
 a control element which overlies at least one of the one or more rod articles and is movable relative to the one or more rod articles when the blank is wrapped around the one or more rod articles, and   a ventilation area configured to be selectively covered by the movable control element and overlying the control element when the blank is wrapped around the one or more rod article, and   wherein the control element is substantially impermeable to ventilating air.   
     
     
         54 . A method of manufacturing a smoking article comprising:
 providing one or more rod articles,   wrapping at least one blank around the rod articles, wherein the at least one blank comprises:   a control element which overlies at least one of the one or more rod articles and is movable relative to the one or more rod articles when the blank is wrapped around the one or more rod articles, and   a ventilation area configured to be selectively covered by the movable control element and overlying the control element when the blank is wrapped around the one or more rod article, and   wherein the control element is substantially impermeable to ventilating air.