A Breakable Capsule Comprising a Tobacco Product

Abstract

A smoking article includes a filter section including a filter material and at least one capsule including a shell. The capsule includes a liquid contained by the shell in the capsule, which further includes at least one carrier fluid and/or at least one flavored fluid arranged inside the crushable shell. The filter section includes a tobacco product, wherein the tobacco product includes tobacco particles with an average size of 30 μm or less. The tobacco product is arranged inside the filter material, in a plug wrap, in at least one wrapping and/or inside the capsule. A filter section including the tobacco product and a method of manufacturing a smoking article with such a filter section are also provided.

Claims

1. A smoking article comprising a filter section comprising a filter material and at least one capsule comprising a shell, wherein each of the at least one capsule comprises a liquid contained by the shell in the capsule comprising at least one carrier fluid and/or at least one flavored fluid arranged inside the shell, wherein the shell of the capsule is crushable, wherein the filter section comprises a tobacco product, wherein the tobacco product comprises tobacco particles with an average size of 30 μm or less, wherein the tobacco product is arranged inside the filter material, in a plug wrap, in at least one wrapping, and/or inside the capsule.

2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the filter section comprises a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises at least in part the tobacco product.

3. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco product is activatable with the liquid.

4. The smoking article according to claim 2, wherein the cavity comprises the at least one capsule.

5. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the plug wrap comprises the tobacco product.

6. The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the smoking article is smokable without crushing the capsule.

7. A filter section comprising a filter material and a capsule, which comprises a shell and a liquid contained by the shell in the capsule, wherein the liquid comprises at least one carrier fluid and/or at least one flavored fluid, wherein the shell of the capsule is crushable, wherein the filter section comprises a tobacco product, wherein the tobacco product comprises tobacco particles with an average size of 30 μm or less, wherein the tobacco product is arranged inside the filter material, in a plug wrap, in at least one wrapping and/or inside the capsule.

8. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein the capsule comprises the tobacco product, which is dispersed inside of the capsule in the liquid and/or arranged on an outside surface of the shell.

9. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein the shell of the capsule comprises hydrocolloid.

10. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein the capsule is configured to releases the liquid in a predefined direction.

11. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein a viscosity of the liquid in the capsule is in a range of 0.3 mPas to 3 m Pas.

12. A method for manufacturing a smoking article comprising a filter section, which comprises at least one filter material and at least one capsule, wherein each of the at least one capsule comprises a shell and a liquid contained by the shell in the capsule comprising at least one carrier fluid and/or at least one flavored fluid, wherein the shell of the capsule is crushable, comprising steps of: arranging a tobacco product in the at least one filter material, in the at least one capsule, on the at least one capsule, in a plug wrap, and/or in at least one wrapping; providing a consumable material rod; arranging the at least one capsule in the filter section; wrapping the filter section in at least one wrapping; and arranging the wrapped filter section at an end of the consumable material rod.

13. The method for manufacturing a smoking article according to claim 12, wherein the at least one capsule is arrangeable in the at least one filter material of the filter section.

14. The method for manufacturing a smoking article according to claim 13, further comprising: arranging the at least one capsule between two of the at least one filter materials, thereby creating the cavity.

15. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein the shell of the capsule comprises hydrocolloid, and gellan gum, agar, carrageenans, pectins, 6rabic gum, ghatti gum, pullualan gum, mannan gum and/or modified starch.

16. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein the shell of the capsule comprises a mixture of hydrocolloids and gelatin.

17. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein a viscosity of the liquid in the capsule is in a range of 3 mPas to 10 mPas.

18. The filter section according to claim 7, wherein a viscosity of the liquid in the capsule is in a range of 10 mPas to 100 mPas.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols.

[0045] The figures show:

[0046] FIG. 1a a general view of a smoking article 2 with a tobacco product 4 on and/or in a capsule 1 with a predefined releasing direction r;

[0047] FIG. 1b a general view of a smoking article 2 with a tobacco product 4 in and/or on a capsule 1 and in plug wrap 6;

[0048] FIG. 2a a general view of a filter section 3 with a cavity 7 and a capsule 1 with a predefined releasing direction r;

[0049] FIG. 2b a general view of a filter section 3 with two different capsules 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a smoking article 2 comprising tobacco product 4 in a filter section 3;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] FIG. 1a shows a general view of a smoking article 2 with a tobacco product 4 on and/or in a capsule 1 with a predefined releasing direction r. It is conceivable that the tobacco product 4 is applied only on the shell 10 of the capsule 1. In this case a liquid 11 inside the capsule 1 does not comprise the tobacco product 4, but other flavorings (not shown). It is also conceivable that the tobacco product 4 is comprised in the capsule 1, wherein the liquid 11 preferably comprises a carrier liquid and a dispersion liquid with tobacco product 4 (not shown). It is also possible that the tobacco product 4 is comprised inside and outside of the capsule's 1 shell 10. In this case the applied tobacco product 4 inside and outside the capsule's 1 shell comprises preferably different tobacco particles (not shown), which deliver different taste types.

[0052] A filter section 3 of a smoking article 2 shown in FIG. 1a comprises a first and second part 14, 16 comprising filter material 5 and a third part 15 comprising a cavity 7. Preferably, the cavity 7 comprises at least one capsule 1. Preferably, the cavity 7 is arranged between the first and the second part 14, 16 extending in a longitudinal direction l and in a circumferential direction c. It is conceivable that the cavity 7 is shaped as a hollow cylinder. The filter section 3 further comprises a mouth 18a and a distal 19a end.

[0053] The smoking article 2 comprises a consumable material rod 8 as a smokable part 13. The smokable part 13 of the smoking article 2 preferably extends along the longitudinal direction l and the circumferential direction c having a cylindrical shape with a distal 19b and a mouth 18b end. Preferably, the consumable material rod 8 comprises at least one type of tobacco. Also preferably, the distal end 19a of the filter section 3 is connected to the mouth end 18b of the smokable part 13, wherein a wrapping 12 covers the filter section 3 and at least a part of the smokable part 13.

[0054] Preferably, the capsule 1 has a predefined releasing direction 1. In this case, after crushing the shell 10, the capsule 1 releases the liquid 11 comprised inside the shell 10. Preferably, the releasing direction r is parallel to a flow path 9, which is created from the distal end 19b of the consumable material rod 8 to the mouth end 18a of the filter section 3.

[0055] FIG. 1b shows a general view of a smoking article 2 with a tobacco product 4 in and/or on a capsule 1 and in plug wrap 6. Preferably, the capsule 1 comprises tobacco product 4 inside a shell 10 in a liquid 11 or on an outer surface of the shell 10 (not shown). Preferably, the outer surface of the shell 10 is sprayed with tobacco product 4. Also preferably, the plug wrap 6 of the filter section 3 comprises the tobacco product 4.

[0056] It is conceivable that the plug wrap 6 and the capsule 1 comprise different types of the tobacco product 4. It is conceivable that the plug wrap 6 is soaked with a sorbent and/or carrier liquid (not shown) comprising tobacco product 4. The applied tobacco product 4 is then particularly evenly distributed in the plug wrap 6. it is possible that the plug wrap 6 comprises a first type of the tobacco product 4 and the capsule comprises a second and/or a third tobacco product 4 (not shown). Preferably, the first tobacco product 4 delivers a first tobacco taste profile, the second tobacco product 4 delivers a second tobacco taste profile and the third tobacco product 4 delivers a third tobacco taste profile. The used tobacco products 4 differ to each other by comprising different tobacco particles, which are comprised in different tobacco plants. Preferably, the user can choose out of at least three tobacco taste profiles and/or change the tobacco taste profile during the smoking session.

[0057] Preferably, the capsule 1 depictured in the FIG. 1b has not predefined releasing direction r. In this case the capsule 1 releases the liquid 11 comprised inside its shell 10 in various releasing directions r, which are circumferentially distributed from the capsule 10. The liquid 11 is than spread in the filter material 5 of the filter section 3.

[0058] FIG. 2a shows a general view of a filter section 3 with a cavity 7 and a capsule 1 with a predefined releasing direction r. The capsule 1 with a predefined releasing direction r is a capsule that is filled with a liquid 11 and is configured to release the liquid 11 content into a predefined region and/or in a predefined direction r. Preferably, the capsule 1 with the predefined direction r comprises a rupture region oriented towards the distal end 19a and/or the mouth end 18a of the filter section 3 at which the capsule 1 is configured to crush upon application of external forces F by a consumer. Preferably, the external force F is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction I and releasing direction r. If the user squeezes the filter section 3 comprising the capsule 1 with predefined releasing direction r, he generates the external force F or crushing force F with two fingers or teeth. The filter section 3 and the capsule 1 experiences an elastic deformation and the internal pressure in the capsule 1 increases to a point at which it crushes or ruptures. The crushed capsule 1 releases the liquid 11 comprising tobacco product 4 comprising tobacco particles in a releasing direction r. The releasing direction r is preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction l. Preferably, the released liquid 11 enriches a filter material 5, which is arranged in the distal end of the filter section 3.

[0059] It is possible that the inner surface of the cavity 7 is coated with the tobacco product 4 alternatively or additionally to in the capsule comprised tobacco product 4 (not shown). Preferably, the cavity 7 is sprayed with the tobacco product 4. The spraying of the cavity 7 could happen during or after forming the cavity 7 in the filter material 5. After spraying the formed cavity 7, a plug wrap 6 and at least one wrapping 12 cover the filter material 5 holding thereby the ready filter section 3 in form. It is conceivable that after forming the cavity 7, at least one capsule 1 is inserted in this.

[0060] FIG. 2b shows a general view of a filter section 3 with two different capsules 1. The capsules 1 are comprised in a filter material 5 of the filter section 3. The filter section 3 preferably has a length L in range of 5 mm to 40 mm. In a depicted embodiment the filter section 3 comprises only one portion of the filter material 5, bit is possible that the filter comprises more than one filter material 5 portions, as shown in FIG. 2a. It is conceivable that the filter material 5 further comprises the tobacco product 4. Preferably the tobacco product is dispersed through the whole filter section 3. Also preferably, a first capsule 1 is arranged near the mouth end 18a of the filter section 3, wherein a second capsule 1 is arranged in the near of the distal end 19a of the filter section 3. The first capsule 1 has preferably a predefined releasing direction r of the liquid 11 comprised in its inside. It is possible that the liquid 11 comprises a tobacco product 4. In this embodiment, the user can smoke the smoking article 2 (not shown) without crushing the capsules 1.

[0061] It is also conceivable to crush the first capsule 1, wherein the comprised liquid 11 releases in the predefined releasing direction r, preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction l. When dispensing the liquid 11, the second capsule 1 is preferably wetted with the liquid 11. In a preferred embodiment, the second capsule 1 comprises the tobacco product 4 on the outer surface of its shell 10. This allows the applied tobacco product 4 to react preferentially with the applied liquid 11 from the first capsule 1 and enrich the aerosol with a tobacco flavor during smoking. The wetted second capsule 1 preferably gives a stronger tobacco flavor to the aerosol as not wetted second capsule 1. It is conceivable that the second capsule 1 comprises the tobacco product 4. In this case the user can crush the first and the second capsules 1 to achieve a particularly strong tobacco taste.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a smoking article 2 comprising tobacco product 4 in a filter section 3 according to any of the previously described embodiments. In a first step, the tobacco product 4 is arranged 100 in the filter section 3. This arranging 100 can be done in several ways which will be described in full detail in the following. After the tobacco product 4 has been arranged 100 in the filter section 3 all parts of the filter section 14-16 and a consumable material rod 8 are provided 101, wherein the consumable material rod 8 comprises tobacco and other smokable materials. This step is followed by arranging 102 at least one capsule 1 in the filter section 3. After the arranging 102 the wrapping step 103 follows, wherein the filter section 3 is wrapped in at least one wrapping 12 and plug wrap 6. At this point, the smoking article 2 is finished.

[0063] The arranging 100 of the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3 can be carried out in basically three different possibilities. The chosen possibility depends on the desired arrangement of the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3. In a first possibility, the tobacco product 4 is arranged in the filter section 3 by coating the filter section 3 with the tobacco product 4. Preferably, this possibility is combined with an embodiment of the smoking article 2, in which the tobacco product 4 is arranged in the filter material 5 of the filter section 3.

[0064] In alternative or in addition to arranging the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3, the tobacco product 4 can be arranged in the filter section 3 by spraying and/or soaking the tobacco product 4 onto the filter material 5 before forming the filter rod.

[0065] In alternative or in addition to the previously described possibility to arrange 100, the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3, it is also possible to arrange 105 at least one capsule 1 comprising the tobacco product 4 in the filter material 5 before the filter section 3 is formed. Before arranging the capsules 1 or also one capsule 1, in the filter material 5, the tobacco product 4 is arranged in the capsule 1 by spraying the capsule 1 with the tobacco product 4 and/or by arranging the tobacco product 4 inside the shell 10 of the capsule 1.

[0066] In an alternative or in additional to the previous described methods to arrange 100 the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3, it is conceivable to arrange 105 the capsule 1 between two filter material 5 portions creating thereby a cavity 7. It is possible to arrange 100 the tobacco product in the cavity 7 by spraying.

[0067] All of the described methods to arrange 100 the tobacco product 4 in the filter section 3 may be carried out separately or in combination.

[0068] After arranging 100 the tobacco product 11 in the filter segment 9, the individual parts of the filter segment 9, i.e. the hollow cylinder part 12, the filter rod part 15, preferably comprising a first and second cylindrically shaped section 15a, 15b, and preferably a charcoal filter 19, are arranged 108 in the order described in the previous embodiments along the longitudinal axis L. Afterwards the filter parts are preferably wrapped 109 in a plug wrap 20. At this point, the filter segment 9 is arranged 110 together with the other segments 3 sequentially along the longitudinal axis L to be subsequently wrapped 120 by the wrapper 4.

[0069] The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combination, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or various figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0070] 1 capsule [0071] 2 smoking article [0072] 3 filter section [0073] 4 tobacco product [0074] 5 filter material [0075] 6 plug wrap [0076] 7 cavity [0077] 8 consumable material rod [0078] 9 flow path [0079] 10 shell of the capsule [0080] 11 liquid [0081] 12 wrapping [0082] 13 smokable part of the smoking article [0083] 14 first part of the filter material [0084] 15 third part of the filter material [0085] 16 second part of the filter material [0086] 17 outside surface of the capsule [0087] 18a mouth end of the filter section [0088] 18b mouth end of the consumable material rod [0089] 19a distal end of the filter section [0090] 19b distal end of the consumable material rod [0091] c circumferential direction [0092] L length [0093] l longitudinal direction [0094] r releasing direction of the tobacco product [0095] F external force/crushing force [0096] 100 arranging the tobacco product in the filter section [0097] 101 providing the consumable material rod [0098] 102 arranging the capsule in the filter section [0099] 103 wrapping the filter section in at least one wrapping [0100] 104 arranging the wrapped filter section at an end of the consumable material rod [0101] 105 arranging the capsule in the filter material [0102] 106 arranging the capsule between two filter material portions