HYDROPHOBIC PLUG WRAP

Abstract

A smoking article includes a tobacco substrate and a filter segment comprising filtration material axially aligned in an abutting end to end relationship with the tobacco substrate. A hydrophobic plug wrap is disposed about the filtration material. The plug wrap is hydrophobic via hydrophobic groups chemically bonded to the plug wrap.

Claims

1. A smoking article comprising: a tobacco substrate; a filter segment comprising filtration material axially aligned in an abutting end to end relationship with the tobacco substrate; and a plug wrap disposed about the filtration material, wherein the plug wrap is hydrophobic due to hydrophobic groups covalently bonded to the plug wrap.

2. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the filter segment comprises a liquid releasing component which comprises a liquid flavourant.

3. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein at least the inner surface of the plug wrap has a water contact angle of at least about 100 degrees.

4. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the plug wrap comprises cellulosic material and a hydrophobic group is covalently bonded to the cellulosic material.

5. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the plug wrap has a basis weight in a range from about 20 to about 100 grams per square meter and the hydrophobic group has a basis weight in a range from about 0.1 to about 3 grams per square meter.

6. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic group is covalently bonded to cellulosic material by reacting in situ a fatty acid chloride with the cellulosic material.

7. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic plug wrap comprises fatty acid esters of cellulose.

8. A smoking article according to claim 6, wherein the fatty acid chloride is palmitoyl chloride, stearoyl chloride, behenoyl chloride, or a mixture of palmitoyl chloride and stearoyl chloride.

9. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the plug wrap is paper and exhibits a Cobb measurement value (60 s) of less than 20 g/m.sup.2.

10. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic plug wrap is produced by a process comprising the steps of: applying a liquid composition comprising a fatty acid halide to at least one surface of a plug wrap, maintaining the surface at a temperature of about 120° C. to about 180° C., wherein the fatty acid halide reacts in situ with protogenic groups of material in the plug wrap resulting in the formation of fatty acid esters.

11. A smoking article according to claim 10, wherein the process comprises applying a liquid composition comprising stearoyl chloride or palmitoyl chloride to at least one surface of a plug wrap paper at a temperature of about 120° C. to about 180° C., wherein hydroxyl groups in the cellulosic material of the plug wrap paper reacts in situ with the stearoyl chloride or palmitoyl chloride.

12. A smoking article according to claim 10, wherein the process comprises applying the liquid composition to the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper at a rate of in a range from about 0.1 to about 3 grams per square meter to render the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper hydrophobic.

13. A method for making hydrophobic plug wrap comprising the steps of: applying a liquid composition comprising a fatty acid halide to at least one surface of a plug wrap, maintaining the surface at a temperature of about 120° C. to about 180° C., wherein the fatty acid halide reacts in situ with protogenic groups of material in the plug wrap resulting in the formation of fatty acid esters.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the plug wrap is paper comprising cellulosic material which comprises hydroxyl groups that react in situ with stearoyl chloride or palmitoyl chloride.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the applying step comprises printing the liquid composition comprising a fatty acid halide on at least one surface of a plug wrap at a rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 3 grams per square meter to render the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper hydrophobic.

16. A smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the process comprises applying the liquid composition to the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper at a rate of in a range from about 0.1 to about 3 grams per square meter to render the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper hydrophobic.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the applying step comprises printing the liquid composition comprising a fatty acid halide on at least one surface of a plug wrap at a rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 3 grams per square meter to render the at least one surface of a plug wrap paper hydrophobic.

18. A smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic plug wrap paper has a water contact angle of at least about 100 degrees.

19. A smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic plug wrap paper exhibits a Cobb measurement value (60 s) of less than 20 g/m.sup.2.

20. A smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the filter segment comprises a liquid releasing component which comprises a liquid flavourant.

Description

[0051] In many embodiments, the tobacco substrate or aerosol-generating substrate has a humectant or aerosol former content of greater than about 10% or preferably greater than about 15% or more preferably greater than about 20%, on a dry weight basis. The tobacco substrate or aerosol-forming substrate has a humectant or aerosol former content of between about 10% and about 30%, or preferably from about 15% and about 30%, or more preferably from about 20% and about 30%, on a dry weight basis.

[0052] In embodiments in which the mouthpiece comprises two or more segments of filtration material, at least two segments of filtration material may be spaced apart to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity may be at least partially filled with a functional material.

[0053] In any of the embodiments in which the mouthpiece comprises one or more segments of filtration material, at least one of the filter segments may include a functional material. This may be in addition to any functional material provided in a cavity when present. The functional material, which can be a flavourant, is included to interact with and modify the characteristics of the smoking article, and thus the smoke derived therefrom. For example, a flavourant may impart a flavour to enhance the taste of the mainstream smoke produced during smoking. A flavourant is any natural or artificial compound that affects the organoleptic quality of a composition. A flavourant may impart a flavour to enhance the taste of mainstream smoke produced during smoking or the taste of an aerosol produced by an aerosol-generating substrate.

[0054] Many naturally occurring flavourants can be obtained either by extraction from a natural source or by chemical synthesis if the structure of the compound is known. The flavourants can be extracted from a part of a plant or an animal by physical means, by enzymes, or by water or an organic solvent, and thus include any extractive, essence, hydrolysate, distillate, or absolute thereof. Plants that can be used to provide flavourants, include but are not limited to, those belonging to the families, Lamiaceae (e.g., mints), Apiaceae (e.g., anise, fennel), Lauraceae (e.g., laurels, cinnamon, rosewood), Rutaceae (e.g., citrus fruits), Myrtaceae (e.g., anise myrtle), and Fabaceae (e.g., liquorice). Non-limiting examples of sources of flavourants include mints such as peppermint and spearmint, coffee, tea, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cocoa, vanilla, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, agave, and juniper.

[0055] Many flavourants are essential oils, or a mixture of one or more essential oils. An “essential oil” is an oil having the characteristic odour and flavour of the plant from which it is obtained. Suitable essential oils include, but are not limited to, eugenol, peppermint oil and spearmint oil. In many embodiments the flavourant comprises menthol, eugenol, or a combination of menthol and eugenol. In many embodiments, the flavourant further comprises anethole, linalool, or a combination of thereof. The term “herbaceous material” is used to denote material from an herbaceous plant. A “herbaceous plant” is an aromatic plant, the leaves or other parts of which are used for medicinal, culinary or aromatic purposes and are capable of releasing flavour into smoke produced by a smoking article. Herbaceous material includes herb leaf or other herbaceous material from herbaceous plants including, but not limited to, mints, such as peppermint and spearmint, lemon balm, basil, cinnamon, lemon basil, chive, coriander, lavender, sage, tea, thyme and caraway. The term “mints” is used to refer to plants of the genus Mentha. Suitable types of mint leaf may be taken from plant varieties including but not limited to Mentha piperita, Mentha arvensis, Mentha niliaca, Mentha citrata, Mentha spicata, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, and Mentha suaveolens variegata. In some embodiments, a flavourant can include tobacco material.

[0056] The flavourant may be provided directly onto a component of a filter. Alternatively, the flavourant may be provided as part of a flavourant delivery component that is configured to release the flavourant in response to a trigger mechanism. In some embodiments, the flavourant is a particulate flavourant material. Suitable particulate flavourant materials include particles of a sorbent or cellulosic material impregnated with a liquid flavourant..

[0057] The term “liquid release component” is used herein to refer to a discrete piece or portion of a liquid delivery material which is in a form that is suitable to be incorporated into a smoking article or aerosol-generating article. The liquid release component releases a liquid comprising a functional material. The liquid release component is preferably in the form of a bead, a capsule or a microcapsule. In preferred embodiments, the liquid release component is a flavourant delivery component for providing flavour in a smoking article. As used herein, the term “liquid” refers to compositions that are in a liquid state at room temperature, for example, 22° C.

[0058] In some embodiments, the flavourant is provided in a capsule which is adapted to release at least a portion of a liquid when the capsule is subjected to external force, such as squeezing, by the consumer. Thus, rupturing the capsule releases an amount of liquid flavourant into the filter segment or filtration material. The capsule can comprise an outer shell and an inner core containing the flavourant. Preferably, the outer shell is sealed before the application of an external force, but is frangible or breakable to allow the flavourant to be released when the external force is applied. The capsule may be formed in a variety of physical formations including, but not limited to, a single-part capsule, a multi-part capsule, a single-walled capsule, a multi-walled capsule, a large capsule, and a small capsule. Alternatively, the liquid flavourant is contained in a liquid releasing component which comprises a matrix structure defining a plurality of domains enclosing the liquid flavourant and which provides a sustained-release delivery profile, such that the amount of the flavour composition released upon compression of the flavour release component can be controlled through the adjustment of the compressive force applied by the consumer. Those of skill in the art will understand that the term “sustained release” covers those embodiments in which the amount of flavourant released at a given force depends additionally on the duration of the applied force.

[0059] According to the invention there is provided a smoking article comprising a hydrophobic plug wrap and incorporating at least one liquid release component. In one embodiment, the liquid release component is a capsule comprising an outer shell and an inner core that holds the liquid, and that the liquid is released when the capsule is ruptured by compression. In another embodiment, the liquid release component is formed of a sustained-release liquid delivery material. The liquid delivery material comprises a closed matrix structure having a polymer matrix defining a plurality of domains. The polymer matrix is formed of one or more polysaccharides cross-linked by multivalent cations. A liquid is trapped within the plurality of domains of the polymer matrix and is releasable from the closed matrix structure upon compression of the material.

[0060] In many embodiments the overall length of the smoking article is between about 70 mm and about 130 mm or is between about 30 mm and about 100 mm. In some embodiments the overall length of the smoking article is about 85 mm or about 45 mm. The external diameter of smoking article can be between about 5.0 mm and about 12 mm, or between about 5.0 mm and about 8 mm, or 7.2 mm±10%. The overall length of the filter of the smoking article can be between about 18 mm and about 36 mm. Accordingly, the overall length of the plug wrap used in the smoking article can be between about 18 mm and about 36 mm. In some embodiments the length of the plug wrap is about 27 mm.

[0061] Where the mouthpiece includes one or more segments of filtration material, the filtration material is preferably a plug of fibrous filtration material, such as cellulose acetate tow or paper. A filter plasticiser may be applied to the fibrous filtration material in a conventional manner, by spraying it onto the separated fibres, preferably before applying any particulate material to the filtration material. The mouthpiece may include a variety of different types of filter segments or combinations of filter segments, including those described above as well as other types of filter segments that would be known to the skilled person, such as segments including restrictors and segments that are used for adjusting the resistance to draw (RTD).

[0062] The resistance to draw (RTD) of the smoking articles and the filters of the present disclosure can vary. In many embodiments the RTD of the smoking article is between about 50 to 130 mm H.sub.2O. The RTD of a smoking article refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of the specimen when it is traversed by an air flow under steady conditions in which the volumetric flow is 17.5 millilitres per second at the output end. The RTD of a specimen can be measured using the method set out in ISO Standard 6565:2002 with any ventilation (if present) blocked.

[0063] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

[0064] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0065] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0066] As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

[0067] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a partially unrolled smoking article.

[0069] The smoking articles depicted in FIG. 1 illustrates one or more embodiments of smoking articles described above. The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 1, a smoking article 10 is depicted. The smoking article 10 includes a tobacco substrate 20, such as a tobacco rod, and a mouth end segment 30 and a lit end tip 70. The mouthpiece 30 can abut the tobacco substrate 20 in the finished smoking article 10. The depicted smoking article 10, includes a hydrophobic plug wrap 60 that circumscribes at least a portion of the filter or mouthpiece segment 30 and a wrapper 40 that circumscribes at least a portion of the tobacco substrate 20. A flavour capsule 35 is illustrated within the filter segment 30. Tipping paper 50 or other suitable wrapper circumscribes hydrophobic the plug wrap 60 and a portion of the wrapper 40.

[0071] The exemplary embodiments described above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.