Filter for a Smoking Article or an Aerosol Generating Product

Abstract

A filter for a smoking article or an aerosol generating product comprising a first filter section and a second filter section, the second filter section being located downstream of the first filter section the first filter section comprising filter material and two or more capsules comprising additive, the capsules being disposed in an axial region proximal a longitudinal axis of the filler and being spaced in sequence in a direction along the axis; the second filter section comprising at least one channel located in an axial region of the second filter section proximal a longitudinal axis of the filter, to facilitate, in use, drawing of an aerosol through the axial region of the first filter section in which the capsules are disposed.

Claims

1.-25. (canceled)

26. A filter for a smoking article or an aerosol generating product comprising a first filter section; the first filter section comprising filter material and two or more capsules having a diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm and comprising additive, the capsules being embedded in the filter material and disposed in an axial region proximal a longitudinal axis of the filter and being spaced in sequence in a direction along the axis; wherein the filter material of the first filter section has a circumference of from about 16 mm to about 19 mm, has fibers having about 4.5 dpf to about 8 dpf, and has a total denier of from about 15,000 to about 25,00.

27. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules contain flavourants.

28. A filter according to claim 27, wherein the flavourant is liquid.

29. A filter according to claim 27, wherein the flavourant in one of said capsules differs from the flavourant in another of said capsules.

30. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the pressure drop of the first filter section, before the capsule is burst, is from about 85 mm/Wg to about 100 mm/Wg.

31. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules have a burst strength of from about 14 N to about 18 N.

32. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules are spherical and have a diameter of from about 2.7 mm to about 3.1 mm.

33. A filter according to claim 26, wherein said channel is a hollow passageway through the second filter section.

34. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the second filter section is connected to said first filter section so as to make the second filter section immediately downstream of said first filter section when incorporated into a smoking article.

35. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the second filter section comprises a tubular filter section.

36. A filter for a smoking article or an aerosol generating product comprising a first filter section; the first filter section comprising filter material and two or more capsules comprising additive, the capsules being embedded in the filter material and disposed in an axial region proximal a longitudinal axis of the filter and being spaced in sequence in a direction along the axis; wherein the filter material of the first filter section has a circumference of from about 20 mm to about 22 mm, has fibers having about 4.0 dpf to about 5.0 dpf, and has a total denier of from about 30,000 to about 35,000; and the capsules are spherical, have a diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.

37. A filter for a smoking article or an aerosol generating product comprising a first filter section; the first filter section comprising filter material and two or more capsules comprising additive, the capsules being embedded in the filter material and disposed in an axial region proximal a longitudinal axis of the filter and being spaced in sequence in a direction along the axis; wherein the filter material of the first filter section has a circumference of from about 23 mm to about 25 mm, has fibers having about 3.0 dpf to about 5.0 dpf, and has a total denier of from about 35,000 to about 40,000 total denier; and the capsules have a diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.

38. A filter according to claim 26, wherein each capsule comprises a different additive.

39. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules have a diameter from about 2.8 mm to about 3.0 mm.

40. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the first filter section has a resistance to draw (RTD), before the capsule is crushed, of from about 80 mm/Wg to about 95 mm/Wg and a resistance to draw (RTD), after the capsule is crushed, of from about 90 mm/Wg to about 100 mm/Wg.

41. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules are disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the filter.

42. A smoking article or an aerosol generating product comprising a filter according to claim 26.

43. A smoking article or an aerosol generating product according to claim 42, wherein the second filter section is arranged immediately downstream of said first filter section and at the mouth-end of the smoking article/aerosol generating product.

44. A filter according to claim 36, wherein the capsules have a burst strength of from about 14 N to about 18 N.

45. A filter according to claim 26, wherein the capsules are spherical and have a diameter of from about 2.7 mm to about 3.1 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0079] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular downstream filter section and an upstream filter section including an encapsulated additive in the form of a frangible capsule;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn/tobacco heated products and aerosol generating products such as e-cigarettes. For convenience, these will be referred to as “smoking articles” in this specification. The term “aerosol” covers smoke, e.g. tobacco smoke. Such smoking articles may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

[0081] The term “smoking article” includes cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos as well as roll-your-own-products and make-your-own products.

[0082] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and their formats are often named according to the cigarette length: “regular” (typically in the range 68-75 mm, e.g. from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), “short” or “mini” (68 mm or less), “king-size” (typically in the range 75-91 mm, e.g. from about 79 mm to about 88 mm), “long” or “super-king” (typically in the range 91-105 mm, e.g. from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and “ultra-long” (typically in the range from about 110 mm to about 121 mm).

[0083] They are also named according to the cigarette circumference: “regular” (about 23-25 mm), “wide” (greater than 25 mm), “slim” (about 22-23 mm), “demi-slim” (about 19-22 mm), “super-slim” (about 16-19 mm), and “micro-slim” (less than about 16 mm). Accordingly, a cigarette in a king-size, super-slim format will, for example, have a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm. Cigarettes in the regular, king-size format are preferred by many customers, namely with a circumference of from 23 to 25 mm and an overall length of from 75 to 91 mm.

[0084] Each format may be produced with filters of different lengths, smaller filters being generally used in formats of smaller lengths and circumferences. Typically the filter length will be from 15 mm, associated with short, regular formats, to 30 mm, associated with ultra-long super-slim formats. The tipping paper will have a greater length than the filter, for example from 3 to 10 mm longer.

[0085] Smoking articles and filters described hereinafter can be manufactured in any of the above formats. The smoking article can, for instance, be from 70 to 100 mm in length and from 14 to 25 mm in circumference.

[0086] The terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of mainstream smoke (or other aerosol) drawn though a smoking article in use.

[0087] Herein, distances measured from or to the first or second capsules are measured from or to the centre of the first or second capsules.

[0088] Herein, the units “mm/Wg” refer to millimetres/water gauge (also known as mm H.sub.2O). Herein, these measurements were carried out on individual filter sections.

[0089] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 1 which is generally cylindrical in shape and is in the regular, king size format, namely having a length in the range 75-91 mm and a circumference in the range 23 to 25 mm. The smoking article 1 includes a tobacco rod 2 wrapped in a wrapping material 3, in this example cigarette paper, connected longitudinally to a filter 4 by tipping material 5 overlaying the filter 4 and partially overlaying the wrapping material 3 so as to connect the filter 4 to the tobacco rod 2. The filter 4 comprises a first section 6 at the tobacco rod end of the filter 4 comprising absorbent material 7 having capsules 8a, 8b disposed therein in an axial region of the filter material of the first section 6. The axial region is a region, in the present example, centred on the axis ‘a’ of the smoking article 1, having a radius of about 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be anywhere from 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. Capsules 8a and 8b are spaced in sequence along the axial region. The capsules 8a and 8b can be disposed only in the axial region of the filter material of the first filter section 6, or can be disposed in greater concentration in the axial region than in non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section 6. The first section is wrapped in a first plug wrap 9.

[0090] The filter 4 further comprises a second section lo at the mouth-end of the filter 4 comprising fibrous filter material n formed into a tubular shape and having a channel 12 extending through the centre of the filter material 11. The empty or hollow channel 12 extending through the centre of the filter material 11 can be from 1 mm to 6 mm in diameter, for instance from 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter. The channel 12 extending through the centre of the filter material 11 is, in the present example, an empty, hollow passageway. The channel, in some embodiments, extends through an axial region of the filter material of the second filter section 10. The axial region of the second filter section 10 is a region, in the present example, centred on the axis ‘a’ of the smoking article 1, having a radius of about 2.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be anywhere from 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from cellulose acetate tow and is wrapped in a second plug wrap 13. The wall thickness of the tubular filter is about 1.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the wall thickness can be anywhere from 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. However, the specific dimensions may be selected based on the density of filter material forming the tube and the level of plasticiser applied to the material, to result in a tube having the desired rigidity, porosity or other characteristics. The tubular filter section 10 can be manufactured using existing processes and machinery.

[0091] The first segment 6 is a cellulose acetate segment formed using continuous cellulose acetate fibres and a plasticiser. The capsules 8a and 8b are spherical and have a diameter of 2.8 mm, although other shapes and sizes of capsule can be used, and contains a fluid additive which modifies properties of mainstream smoke passing through the smoking article 1. The capsules 8a and 8b can be manufactured and inserted into the first filter section 6 using existing processes and machinery. In the present example, the capsules 8a and 8b contain menthol flavourant, although other fluids or granular additives could be contained within the capsules 8a and 8b. The capsules can be ruptured by a consumer to release the fluid additive into the absorbent filter material 11.

[0092] The axis of the smoking article 1, about which the tobacco rod 2 and first and second filter sections 6, 10 are aligned, is indicated as ‘a’ in FIG. 1.

[0093] In the present example, the capsules 8a and 8b are located in an ‘axial region’ of the first filter section 6, as defined above. The capsules 8a and 8b can be located such that the centre of the capsule is closer to the axis ‘a’ of the smoking article than to the outer periphery of the smoking article 1. In the present example, the capsules 8a and 8b are located with its centre substantially along the axis ‘a’. In the present example, the capsule 8a is offset from the longitudinal centre of the first filter section 6. The capsule 8a can, for instance, be located within the first filter section 6 at a position from 1 mm to 10 mm from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section 6. The capsule 8a is located within a portion of the first filter section 6 closer to the downstream end of the first filter section 6. The capsule 8a is therefore closer to the second filter section 10 than to the tobacco rod 2. In particular, the distance ‘d’ between the centre of the capsule 8a and the downstream end of the first filter section 6 is less than half of the total longitudinal length of the first filter section 6. In some embodiments, the distance ‘d’ is less than 40%, less than 30% or less than 25% of the total longitudinal length of the first filter section 6. In the present example, the distance ‘d’ is approximately 30% of the total longitudinal length of the first filter section 6. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 8a can be located longitudinally centrally within the first filter section 6 or closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 6 than to the downstream end.

[0094] In use, the tobacco rod 2 of the smoking article 1 is lit by a consumer in the conventional manner and tobacco smoke is drawn from burning coal of the tobacco rod 2 through the filter 4. The channel 12 in the second filter section 10 has a lower resistance to mainstream smoke passing through the filter 4 than the surrounding tubular filter material 11, and therefore a greater proportion of mainstream smoke is directed through the channel 12. This, in turn, results in a greater flow of mainstream smoke in the axial region around the axis ‘a’ of the first filter section 6, in which the capsules 8a and 8b are located. When the consumer breaks the capsule 8a and/or capsule 8b either prior to or in the course of smoking the smoking article 1, the additive contained therein, in the present case menthol, is released in greater concentration into the axial region of the first filter section 6 through which an increased flow of mainstream smoke is directed, as a result of the second filter section 10. Accordingly, the increased flow of mainstream smoke enhances the delivery of the smoke modifying additive to the consumer and the smoking article 1 can therefore exhibit improved delivery of a smoke modifying additive to a consumer compared to conventional smoking articles.

[0095] The use of the tubular second section 10 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1 enables the capsules 8a and 8b to be located closer to the mouth-end of the smoking article 1 than would be possible if the first section 6 containing the capsules 8a and 8b were at the mouth end of the smoking article 1. This is because the tube separates the first section 6 from the consumer's mouth, preventing the content from the capsules 8a and 8b from contacting the consumer's mouth.

[0096] Specific embodiments of the invention have been described, although the invention is not limited to such embodiments. For instance, although the second filter section has been described above as a tubular portion of fibrous filter material, this may take other forms, such as filter material sections with lower density regions extending through an axial region thereof. Also, the tubular section or other section having reduced density in an axial region has been described as being at the mouth-end of the filter in some embodiments above, but in any of the embodiments can alternatively be used as a central or upstream end of multipart filters, for instance upstream of the section in which the smoke modifying additive is located, while still benefiting from the effect of the invention. In particular, the presence of such a filter section can encourage mainstream smoke to be directed to an axial region of a smoking article both upstream and downstream of the region, due to the lower resistance to draw coinciding with the axial region.

[0097] The first, second and (where present) third filter sections described above can be discrete segments. Although the first, second and (where present) third filter sections described above are connected together using tipping material, they can be individually separate and distinct following their formation and prior to being connected together. The tipping material also connects the filter sections to the respective tobacco rod of each embodiment. In alternative examples of each of the described embodiments, a further plug wrap can be used to connect the first, second and (where present) third filter sections before they are connected to the tobacco rods using the tipping material.

[0098] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior delivery of a smoke modifying additives. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.