Thermal indicators for smoking articles.

摘要

Thermal indicators (16) for non-combustion smoking articles (10) which visibly change when heated to provide visual indications of temperature changes are disclosed. The indicators may chemically react when heated. Such indicators comprise organic acids, sugars, or amines combined with sugars. Alternative indicators comprise waxes or other compounds which melt away to reveal colored substrates, or comprise microencapsulated chemicals which are released when heated to cause inking or dyeing. The thermal indicators are printed in a variety of patterns extending along the length of the smoking articles to show temperature changes and to indicate whether the smoking article is finished and should be discarded.