A Smoking Article With Liquid-filled Capsule

Abstract

A smoking article includes a rod element including smokeable material and a filter element having a first end for connection to an end of the rod element and an opposite, second end for insertion into a mouth of a user. A liquid-filled capsule is arranged between the first and second ends of the filter element and the liquid-filled capsule is configured to break upon application of an external force to release the liquid. A tipping wrapper connects the filter element and rod element. The tipping wrapper has a wet tensile strength of at least about 0.15 kN/m. The smoking article is resistant to breakage even after the liquid is released.

Claims

1. A smoking article, comprising: a rod element comprising smokeable material; a filter element having a first end for connection to an end of the rod element and an opposite, second end for insertion into a mouth of a user; a liquid-filled capsule arranged between the first and second ends of the filter element, the liquid-filled capsule configured to break upon application of an external force to release liquid contained therein; and a tipping wrapper which connects the filter element and the rod element; wherein the tipping wrapper has a wet tensile strength of at least 0.15 kN/m.

2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the tipping wrapper has a dry tensile strength of at least 1 kN/m.

3. The smoking article according to claim 2, wherein the dry tensile strength of the tipping wrapper is no more than 5 kN/m.

4. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the wet tensile strength of the tipping wrapper is no more than 0.55 kN/m.

5. The smoking article according to claim 2, wherein a dry tensile strength to wet tensile strength ratio is no more than 15.

6. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the tipping wrapper is wrapped about the filter element such that a principal stress direction of the tipping wrapper is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter element.

7. The smoking article according to claim 6, wherein the principal stress direction is a cross direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of a roll of tipping wrapper material.

8. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-filled capsule is a directional capsule.

9. The smoking article according to claim 8, wherein the directional capsule comprises a predefined rupture region configured to break upon application of the external force, and the rupture region is directed towards the first end of the filter element.

10. The smoking article according to claim 8, wherein the directional capsule comprises a predefined rupture region configured to break upon application of the external force, and the rupture region is directed towards the second end of the filter element.

11. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the filter element further comprises fibrous filtration material between the capsule and the first end of the filter element.

12. The smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the fibrous filtration material extends between the capsule and the first end of the filter element at least 7 mm.

13. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the capsule contains a liquid volume of at least 0.05 ml.

14. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the tipping wrapper comprises: fibrous material; and a wet-strength additive which acts to increase bonding between fibres of the fibrous material.

15. The smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the fibrous material is paper, and the wet-strength additive is selected from a natural resin, a synthetic resin, or a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows the principal stress directions in a roll of tipping wrapper material;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a filter element for use in a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention showing filter and tipping wrappers in an unwrapped condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a smoking article 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. The smoking article 10 comprises a rod element 11, containing a smokeable material, connected to a filter element 1. The filter element has a first end 2 for connection to an end of the rod element 11 and a second end 3 through which smoke is inhaled into the mouth of a user. A liquid-filled capsule 7 is provided between the first 2 and second 3 ends of the filter element 1. The liquid filled capsule 7 is configured to break upon application of a force F to release a liquid L. The rod 11 and filter 1 elements are connected in a linearly aligned relationship with a tipping wrapper 12 which extends over at least the connected ends. The tipping wrapper 12 has a wet tensile strength of at least 0.15 kN/m, preferably of at least 0.20 kN/m.

[0033] The tipping wrapper 12 may be made of fibrous material such as paper that comprises a wet-strength additive. The wet-strength additive may include at least one of a natural polymer, such as starch or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or a synthetic resin, such as polyacrylamide (PAM), glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM), or polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE). These resins typically work during the curing process of the paper, when the functional groups on the polymer react with cellulose fiber to form a covalent bond. The polymer molecules cross-link, forming a network in the cellulose web that provides strength when the paper becomes wet. Wet-strength additives can also reinforce existing fibre-to-fibre bonds, which further enhance the strength of the paper. The wet-strength additive may be applied in a quantity sufficient to saturate the cellulose fibres.

[0034] The rod element 11 is a tobacco rod and the smokeable material comprises tobacco. For example, the smokeable material may be cut filler tobacco. The cut filler tobacco may comprise types of tobacco such as Virginia, Burley, Oriental and Semi Oriental. The tobacco cut filler may comprise a blend of two or more different types of tobacco; e.g. of the above-mentioned types of tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco cut filler may comprise a single one of the above-mentioned types of tobacco. The tobacco cut filler may comprise tobaccos that are, for example, air, sun or flue-cured. Alternatively or in addition, the tobacco cut filler may have undergone treatment, for example, to reduce tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA). Besides tobacco leaf, the tobacco cut filler may include other ingredients typically found in tobacco cut filler such as, for example, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco (e.g. reconstituted tobacco, cast tobacco, or extruded tobacco), tobacco stem (e.g. expanded or improved stem), tobacco fines, and any combinations thereof. Flavours and casings comprising one or more humectants, flavourants, sugars or combinations thereof may also be applied to the tobacco cut filler in a known manner.

[0035] The rod element 11 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with smokeable material circumscribed by an outer wrapper of smokeable cigarette paper. The filter element 1 is also cylindrical in shape with a cross-section substantially matching that of the rod element 11. The filter element 1 contains filter plugs 4, 6 comprising filtration material to filter the mainstream smoke as it passes between the first 2 and second ends 3. Examples of suitable filtration material include cellulose acetate, paper and combinations thereof. The filter element may have at least one filter segment comprised of a fibrous filtration material, and optionally multiple segments comprised of a fibrous filtration material, typically a cellulosic filtration material, such as cellulose acetate tow.

[0036] The filter element 1 itself typically has a length in the range of about 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably in the range of about 15 mm to about 30 mm.

[0037] The liquid-filled capsule 7 is positioned within the filter element 1 between the first 2 and second 3 ends. The capsule 7 comprises an outer shell containing a liquid L, which may include one or more flavourings. The shell of the capsule 7 is configured to break under a user-applied force F to release the liquid L. The shell may be made from a resiliently deformable material, such as a polymer material. The liquid in the capsule may comprise purified water or a water-based liquid which contains a dissolved or suspended substance, such as a flavouring substance.

[0038] The capsule 7 is configured such that a force applied to the outer side of the filter with the user's fingers, for example in an inward radial direction as shown in FIG. 3, is sufficient to break the capsule 7 and release a substantial amount of the liquid L contained therein. The liquid-filled capsule 7 depicted in FIG. 3 is a directional capsule 7 configured to release the liquid in a predetermined direction, as will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0039] In the presently described embodiment the capsule 7 has a partially trapezoidal shape. In other embodiments the capsule 7 may be elongate. Alternatively, the capsule 7 may be substantially spherical, or ovoidal. The capsule 7 may be a seamless shell. Alternatively, the capsule 7 may be an open-ended shell, which is closed and sealed with a cap. The shell may have a side wall or lateral wall that extends from an end wall to an open end and thus surrounds or defines a cavity in the shell. The lateral wall may end in a rim at the open end to facilitate application of the cap. The lateral wall may be generally cylindrical or may be faceted. The side or lateral wall may taper or narrow from the open end towards the end wall. The cap is typically formed and cut from a section or an expanse of sheet material, such as a laminated plastic sheet material.

[0040] The liquid capsule 7 may contain a liquid volume of at least 0.05 ml. By providing this volume of liquid, the quantity of liquid released with one compression is sufficient to produce an effect on the characteristics of the mainstream smoke. This is a relatively high liquid volume in comparison to liquid capsules that have been used previously. The breakage of the liquid capsule 7 therefore causes significant wetting within the smoking article 1, which can extend within the filter element 1 and also within part of the rod element 11. The tipping wrapper 12 can also become wet. In the presently described embodiment the tipping wrapper 12 has a wet tensile strength of at least 0.15 kN/m. It has been determined that this property of the tipping wrapper 12 provides sufficient robustness under normal use to prevent detachment of the rod element 11 from the filter element 1 even after the liquid L has been released.

[0041] The first, connection end 2 of the filter element abuts an end of the rod element 11 and the connection is secured via the circumferential wrapping of the tipping wrapper 12 which surrounds at least the join between the rod 11 and filter 1 elements. The tipping wrapper 12 extends over the connection in both opposing axial directions and is attached to the outer surface of the rod 11 and filter 1 elements, for example via an adhesive. The length that the attached tipping wrapper 12 extends either side of the connection may be varied with a greater extension enhancing the strength of the connection between the filter 1 and rod 11 but also having implications on the characteristics of the inhaled smoke if it extends too far along the tobacco rod such that it is burned during use.

[0042] Typically, the tipping wrapper 12 is generally rectangular and is wrapped cylindrically around at least part of the rod element 11 of smokeable material and at least part of the filter element 1, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The tipping wrapper 12 is wrapped around and thereby encompasses or envelops at least part of the filter element 1 so that the tipping wrapper 12 physically and mechanically attaches or connects the filter element 1 to the rod element 11 of smokeable material. In this way, the tipping wrapper 12 will typically encompass or circumscribe the filter element 1 and an adjacent end portion of the rod element 11 of smokeable material. Thus, the portion of the rod element 11 of smokeable material encompassed or circumscribed by the tipping wrapper 12 is typically in the range of 1 mm to 16 mm in length, for example in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm in length. As used herein, the term length denotes the dimension in the axial or longitudinal direction of the smoking article 10.

[0043] The tipping wrapper 12 may include a bonding region in which an adhesive is applied. That is, the tipping wrapper 12 is typically bonded in a region in which the tipping wrapper 12 overlaps with itself when wrapped around the filter element 1 and at least part of the rod element 11 of smokeable material. The bonding region is preferably elongate and extends in a longitudinal direction of the smoking article 10; for example, along an edge portion of the tipping wrapper 12.

[0044] As discussed, the tipping wrapper 12 has a wet tensile strength of at least 0.15 kN/m. In some embodiments the tipping wrapper 12 has a wet tensile strength of at least 0.25 kN/m, for example of about 0.35 kN/m. The tipping wrapper 12 has a wet tensile strength of less than about 0.55 kN/m.

[0045] The tipping wrapper 12 has a dry tensile strength of at least about 1 kN/m, for example of at least about 1.25 kN/m, such as of at least about 1.5 kN/m. The tipping wrapper 12 has a dry tensile strength of less than about 5 kN/m, for example of no more than 3 kN/m.

[0046] The tipping wrapper 12 has a dry to wet tensile strength ratio of no more than 15, for example 12 or less, 9 or less or, most preferably 6 or less. Tests have indicated that a range of 5 to 7 for the dry to wet tensile strength ratio is achievable and provides a beneficial effect in maintaining the strength of the tipping wrapper as it transitions from a dry to wet state.

[0047] In use, a force is applied by the user to the outer surface of the filter element 1 in a direction indicated by arrows F in order to break the capsule and release the liquid L. This force is typically provided by the opposing pressure of the fingers of the user in a direction perpendicular to the elongate axis of the smoking article 10 as indicated by arrows F. Under this pressure the filter element 1 deforms inwardly, producing a corresponding force on the capsule 7 such that the shell deforms with the increasing internal pressure resulting in rupture and expulsion of the liquid L.

[0048] The liquid L is expelled from the capsule 7 and disperses within the filtration material 6, 4. A portion of the released liquid L may also travel towards the tipping wrapper 12 and may reach and be absorbed by the tipping wrapper 12. In embodiments where the filter element 1 is wrapped by a filter wrapper 8 (FIG. 4), typically when the filter element 1 comprises more than one segment, the tipping wrapper 12 is attached to the filter element 1 by applying adhesive onto the filter wrapper 8. However, application of adhesive is generally only along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1 and there is a gap between the filter wrapper 8 and the tipping wrapper 12 through which the released liquid L can rapidly advance by capillary action, once it soaks the filter wrapper 8 and leaks through it and into this region. When the liquid is released towards the first filter end 2, or tobacco end, the liquid advances towards the tobacco rod 11 and may reach and be absorbed by the region of tipping wrapper 12 that connects the tobacco rod 11 to the filter element 1, which is the weakest region of the smoking article 10.

[0049] The smoking article 10 is ignited at the opposite end of the tobacco rod 11 to the filter 1 and the resultant smoke travels through the tobacco rod 11 and filter element 1, passing through the dispersed liquid L where it affects the characteristics of the mainstream smoke before being inhaled by the user at the second end of the filter 3. In normal use, the user typically taps the mouthpiece 1 to dislodge spent ash. The wet tensile strength of the tipping wrapper 12 is selected to provide sufficient strength such that the smoking article may resist damage that may otherwise occur, such as detaching of the rod 11 from the filter 1, even if liquid reaches and is absorbed by the tipping wrapper 12 at the region where it connects the tobacco rod 11 to the filter element 1.

[0050] The liquid-filled capsule 7 is a directional capsule which is configured to release liquid L in a predetermined direction via the provision of a known rupture region P. For example, the shell of the capsule 7 is configured such that it has a weak point or region P which gives way preferentially on the application of a force F such that the contained liquid L is ejected from this known point or region. The weakened region may comprise one or more lines of weakness. Alternatively, the weakened region may comprise one or more stress concentrator elements. A combination of lines of weakness and stress concentrator elements would also be possible to form the weakened region.

[0051] The rupture region of the directional capsule 7 may be arranged such that the liquid L is released in an axial direction, such as a longitudinal axis of the filter element 1, into an adjacent region of the filtration material. The shell of the directional capsule 7 and the rupture region P may be configured such that the user applied force causes expulsion or jetting of the liquid L in the predetermined direction. The jetting of the liquid L may increase the speed with which liquid L reaches the tipping wrapper 12. The jetting may also increase the amount of liquid L which reaches the tipping wrapper 12, especially a localised region of the tipping wrapper 12, such as a tobacco to filter connection region. These factors increase the importance of having a tipping wrapper 12 with a high wet tensile strength, which is greater than 0.15 kN/m.

[0052] In the presently described embodiment, the rupture region P of the directional capsule 7 faces the first, connection end 2 of the filter element 1. In this way, the released liquid L is dispersed adjacent to the first end 2 of the filter element 1. Although this area of the smoking article 10, near the connection point of the rod 11 and filter 1 elements, is known to be a weak point (particularly following wetting), the strengthening provided by the defined tipping wrapper 12 is such that the risk of snapping is mitigated. The desired effects on the characteristics of the mainstream smoke are therefore obtained without increased risk of damage to the smoking article 10.

[0053] The distance D between the rupture region P of the capsule 7 and the first end of the filter element 1 may also be adjusted such that the ejected liquid L is positioned at an optimum location. Testing has shown that a distance of at least 7 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, provides an optimum dispersion of the liquid L without projecting the expelled liquid too far into the tobacco rod 11.

[0054] The filter element 1 may further comprise a plurality of filter segments arranged in series along a longitudinal axis of the filter element 1. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter element 1 comprises three filter segments 4, 5, 6. The directional capsule 7 is provided in the central filter segment 5, with a filter segment containing a filter plug positioned on both the upstream 6 and downstream 4 sides. The filter segments are connected by a filter wrapper 8 (shown in FIG. 4), which is circumferentially wrapped around the filter segments 4, 5, 6 to secure them together.

[0055] In other embodiments one or more filter segments may be individually wrapped and some or all of the filter segments may be combined by a combiner filter wrapper 8.

[0056] In some embodiments at least one filter segment may contain a particulate material, such as a sorbent or flavouring. The particulate material may be embedded in fibrous filtration material or contained in a cavity. The particulate material may be arranged between the rupture region P of the directional capsule 7 and the first end 2 of the filter element 1, or between the second end 3 of the filter element 3 and the directional capsule 7. Selection will depend on the desired effect on the characteristics of the mainstream smoke through the filter element 1.

[0057] In other embodiments the filter element 1 comprises a single filter segment within which the liquid capsule 7 is arranged.

[0058] Although in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the directional capsule 7 is arranged such that the rupture region P is located closer to the first end 2 of the filter element 1, in alternative embodiments the directional capsule 7 may be arranged in the filter element 1 with the rupture region P located closer to the second end 3 of the filter element than to the first end 2 of the filter element 1.

[0059] Although in the described embodiment, one capsule 7 is provided in the filter element 1, in alternative embodiments the filter element 1 may comprise more than one capsule 7, for example one or more directional capsules 7 and one or more non-directional capsules. Where one or more directional capsules 7 are provided, all of the directional capsules 7 may be oriented in the same direction; alternatively, one or more directional capsules may be oriented in a first direction (with their respective rupture point P pointing towards the end 2 for connection to the rod element 11 of smokeable material, i.e. the first end 2 of the filter element 1) and one or more capsules 7 may be oriented in a second direction (with their respective rupture region P pointing towards the end for insertion into the mouth of the user, i.e. the second end 3 of the filter element 1).

[0060] The above described embodiments refer to a directional capsule 7. In other embodiments a non-directional capsule may be used. The capsule may for example be an isotropic capsule such as a conventional spherical capsule.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a preferred way of connecting the tobacco rod 11 to the filter element 1 with the tipping wrapper 12. The tipping wrapper 12 is pulled in the machine direction (MD) from a reel of tipping wrapper material (FIG. 1) and wrapped about the filter element 1 such that the cross direction (CD) of the tipping wrapper material is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1. As a result, the tipping wrapper 12 is wrapped about the filter element 1 and the tobacco rod 11 so that the cross direction (CD) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1.

[0062] Alternatively, the tipping wrapper 12 may be wrapped about the filter element 1 such that the machine direction (MD) of the tipping wrapper material is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1. As a result, the tipping wrapper 12 is wrapped about the filter element 1 and the tobacco rod 11 so that the machine direction (MD) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 1.