BRPI0719373B1 - Smoke-enhancing filter rod, smoking article, and method of producing smoke-enhancing filter rods - Google Patents

Abstract

SMOKE IMPROVING FILTER STEM, SMOKING ARTICLE, AND, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SMOKE IMPROVING FILTER STEM. A smoke-enhancing filter rod, which comprises: (1) a filtration zone; and (2) smoke enhancing plant aroma particles present in said filtration zone.

Description

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a new smoke-enhancing filter rod; a smoking article comprising said smoke-enhancing filter rod; a method for preparing said smoke-enhancing filter rod and said smoking article thereof. (b) Description of Prior Art

[002] In US Patent No. 3,771,534 entitled "Combination filter and cigarette holder", a filter cartridge is integrated into a cigarette holder. Two barrels are aligned and from their ends of similar diameter, one is connected to the cigarette to be smoked, and the other to a short length of the cigarette acting as a tip. The filter cartridge can be impregnated with a volatile oil, such as, for example, menthol or mint, to give the smoke an aroma, and the two barrels act as air chambers to cool the smoke. The purpose of such a concept lies essentially in the double filters, which provide protection against infectious substances. However, the consumer is presented with a poor aroma from the smoke, the cooling of the smoke being an obstacle to the adhesion of the aroma. In addition, menthol and volatile oils have been shown to have an unpleasant aftertaste to certain consumer groups.

[003] In US Patent No. 3,972,335 entitled “Mentholated cigarette filter”, a flavored cigarette filter produced from granular activated carbon, known for its efficient ability to filter gas-phase toxic agents in smoke, is treated in such a way that their shelf life and flavoring agent release rates are improved. In reality, carbon is treated with sucrose, or any material capable of being absorbed and retained by activated carbon, as well as acting as a pore-modifying agent: its effect is to block the most retentive portions of the carbon, so that the least retainers remain available for absorption of the smoke flavoring agent such as menthol. Thus, the flavoring agent is retained on the carbon during its shelf life, but is released when cigarette smoke passes through the filter. However, such type of cigarette filters presents many inconveniences for efficient aromatization of smoke. The pore blocking step by a pore modifying agent is very intricate, as the amounts of the agent, as well as the type of agent to be added to the carbon, have to be precisely measured and chosen so that only the most retainers become unavailable. Such a situation often ends in inefficient filtration of harmful agents from the smoke and very low release of flavorings, the pore modifying agent blocking most of the retention points in the carbon.

[004] US Patent No. 4,620,554 entitled “Moderating agent of cigarette taste”, a cigarette flavor moderating agent is attached to the upper end of the cigarette and provides both smoke flavoring but also nicotine taste elimination. Such a moderating agent consists of a mixture of powdered material. The purpose of such an invention is to provide an improvement in the taste of nicotine and to reduce related irritation. However, this invention is primarily intended to improve the taste of tobacco as well as lessen and camouflage the off-taste and aftertaste of cigarette smoke caused by nicotine and other components.

[005] US Patent No. 4,889,144 entitled "Filter for tobacco smoking" is based on the concept of a flavored cigarette filter. The filter tip comprises a space in its middle filled with flavored sealed particles. Those flavored sealing particles are made from a natural polysaccharide, a thinning agent as well as one or more flavoring materials selected from a variety of oil-soluble and powdered flavors: some of the most popular are licorice, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla, lemon, Japanese mint oil. Such encapsulation provides protection of aromas against volatilization and spoilage. In order to release the aroma, the capsules must be broken by the smoker by applying a force to the outer surfaces of the filter that is greater than that normally applied to smoking, such as twisting or pressing the filter. Destruction-accelerating particles, which are particles such as crystalline sugars and tablet salt having a greater hardness than those of the flavor particles, can be added to increase the rate of destruction of the flavor particle. In conclusion, such a product provides the smoker with the ability to taste either a flavored cigarette or the original one without breaking the aroma particles. This invention can be seen as a breakthrough in the cigarette aroma industry: however, the main problem with a filter tip that comprises a cavity in its center filled with aroma particles is that very often, those particles tend to compact and that the drag resistance increases. Thus, those cigarettes tend to be difficult to smoke and consumers are disinterested in such a product.

[006] US Patent Application No. 2005/0070409 A1 entitled “Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters” refers to the concept of a new method for mechanically incorporating individual objects into cigarette filters. The resulting filter rods have objects embedded in the filter screen such as capsules containing flavoring.

[007] It would be highly desirable to be supplied with a cigarette constructed with a filter that provides a certain level of protection, adding to the natural flavor of the smoke a desired aroma enhancing its essence as a whole and offering a better and more subtle aftertaste. In fact, the technologies presented in the prior art often end up superfiltering the smoke to the point where its flavor is altered and often has to be re-flavored by passing it through a second filter containing flavorings. Such inventions are often intricate and many result in a decrease in the overall quality, flavor and aftertaste of the smoke and cigarette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] Here we report smoke-enhancing filter rods produced by different methods and comprising various smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles as a means to improve the smoke of a smoking article. Indeed, the smoke-enhancing filter rods of the present invention are made of a filtration zone, in which said smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are present. Smoke enhancing plant aroma particles can be embedded or inserted into a cavity in the filter. Said filtration zone is made of a material chosen from cellulose acetate tow, cellulose acetate paper and cloth. Such filter material may be dyed to conform to the color of the smoke enhancing plant aroma particles. The smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles may be flavored plant particles chopped to a suitable size to be embedded or inserted into a cavity in the aforementioned filtration zone and chosen from mint, vanilla, mint, aniseed, basil, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, turmeric, sage, thyme, lavender, licorice, coffee, tea, jasmine, eucalyptus, cloves, wintergreen, perilla, turmeric, turmeric from india, sandalwood, cilantro, rose, bergamot and orange blossom. Mint particles can be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens. Said smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles may also be a combination of natural aroma plant particles mixed with menthol and/or essential oils and/or one or more of their constituents. Smoke enhancing plant aroma particles are prepared by finely mincing dry plant parts such as leaves and/or stems to a size of 2 mm to 0.177 mm (10 to 80 meshes). The smoke-enhancing filter rod is prepared in a preferred embodiment by uniformly distributing a suitable amount of smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles onto a tow moving laterally on a mechanical support. The tow used for the preparation of such a filter is a laterally flared tow and the distribution of the smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles is effected by passing said tow at a certain speed under an apparatus which distributes said particles. The irrigated tow is then formed into a thin rod-shaped bundle, coated with wrapping paper (plug wrap) and cut into rods of predetermined size to produce the smoke-enhancing filter rods. The resulting filter rod can either be prepared using a single segment of smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles in the filter material embedded in the filter material or a combination of segments of regular filter material continuously bonded with segments of embedded filter material. smoke enhancer. The smoke-enhancing filter rod is also prepared, in a second preferred embodiment, by filling a cavity between two segments of regular filter material with smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles. Also the filter rod may include multiple segments some of which may contain other particles embedded therein, such as carbon and resin among others.

[009] Those rods are hereafter incorporated into a smoking article: the filter is continuously connected to a tobacco rod, a cylindrical rod of smokeable filler material, enveloping the two axially aligned parts in an end-to-end relationship. the end with tip material.

[0010] For the purpose of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0011] As used herein the terms 'rod of smoking material' or 'smoking material' are only intended to mean that part of the smoking article which is contained within a substantially non-combustible wrapper and shall not have imported any association such as combustibility or otherwise of individual components of the smoking material stem.

[0012] The term 'carbon' as used herein may be used to cover a material which is substantially only carbon and any carbon precursors, such as carbonaceous material. As used herein, the term carbonaceous includes material which has been pyrolyzed, which material preferably contains carbon, although some products of incomplete combustion may still be present. Easily pyrolyzed coconut fiber can, for example, be the carbonaceous material from which carbon is derived.

[0013] As used herein, the term 'smoking material' means any material which may be used in a smoking article. This does not necessarily mean that the material itself will necessarily maintain combustion. The smoking material is usually produced as a sheet, then cut. The smoking material can then be blended with other materials to produce a smokable filter material.

[0014] The term “smoke-enhancing” is referring to an ability to provide improved smoke characteristics of a smoking article. Such characteristics are the result of the presence of specific particles in the filter of a smoking device: depending on the type of particles, as the smoke passes through the filter, it can be flavored, improve aftertaste quality and/or add a refreshing taste. .

[0015] The term "smoke enhancing plant aroma particles" is referring to natural aroma plant particles and a combination of natural aroma plant particles mixed with menthol and/or essential oils.

[0016] The term “aromatizing” is referring to the ability of smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles to aromatize the smoke produced by a smoking device as it is drawn through the filter in which they are embedded which releases, produces, neutralises, masks or alters odors, for example a perfume or deodorant.

[0017] The term "smoking article" is referring to an apparatus for smoking tobacco comprising a rod of smokable material, such as tobacco, enclosed in a surrounding material connected to a filter by wrapping material. Such a smoking article, when lit, produces smoke which will be drawn through the filter. Such smoking articles include cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos. Other smokable materials include reconstituted tobacco and tobacco substitutes, and alternative smoking products where the material is not smoked/burned as such.

[0018] The term "naturally flavored plant particles" is referring to particles of any plant parts having flavoring properties, which can be used in order to flavor the smoke of a smoking article. Those flavoring plant parts include, but are not limited to, flowers, grains, fruits, leaves, stems and roots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Structure of the smoking article

[0020] The length of the rod of the smoking material is advantageously at least 60 mm and the rod should preferably produce not less than six puffs, and more preferably not less than seven puffs when smoked under standard machine smoking conditions. The rod is preferably of uniform cross-sectional shape and dimensions over the entire length of the rod.

[0021] Filter

[0022] Advantageously the smoking article incorporates a filter element which may be conventional fibrous cellulose acetate, polypropylene or polyethylene material or assembled paper material. Multiple filter elements can also be used. Filter elements having particular pressure drop characteristics, such as the filter sold by Filtrona and known as The Ratio Filter, may also be used. Disposed under or within the filter element material may further be flavoring materials, as described above, which are released or eluted from the filter elements by aerosol generated by heated or combusted aerosol generating means.

[0023] Preferably the filter element may further contain particulate material, such as granular carbon, which may suitably be activated carbon. Preferably the activated carbon is activated coconut carbon. The filter containing particulate material may be a double filter comprising, for example, a mouth section of cellulose acetate and a dalmatian stem at the tobacco end of the filter. A paper section can also form part of a multiple filter. Alternatively, the filter may be the filter manufactured according to the structural model of the filter known as the Active Patch filter (manufactured by Filtrona International) as described in British Patent Report No. 2249936. Alternatively, the filter element may be be a cavity filter comprising two end sections with a central cavity containing granular material.

[0024] The filter element may alternatively be a selective reduction filter as described in co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Serial Nos. 60/309,388 and 60/309,435, both filed August 1, 2001.

[0025] The filter plug located at the mouth end can be made of a variety of material, for example cellulose acetate tow, cellulose, paper, cotton, polypropylene tow, polypropylene tow, polyester tow, polyester or combinations thereof.

[0026] In addition, the pressure drop and/or mechanical filtration efficiency of the filter plug sections can be selected to achieve the desired filtration and mechanical smoking characteristics as may be required with the specific product model desired.

[0027] Another filter construction that may be useful in the present invention is that described in our copending international patent application no. PCT/GB02/005603. The grooved arrangement of the filter described here provides for ventilated air to enter grooves that extend towards the tobacco end and then be redirected to the mouth end. The result is a decrease in the Co/tar ratio. In combination with particulate additives that selectively reduce vapor phases a significant reduction in vapor phase constituents can be achieved.

[0028] It is much more preferable that a first portion of the tobacco smoke filter comprises an adsorbent material. Preferably the adsorbent material is a general adsorbent. The general adsorbent material is preferably selected from a group of materials with relatively high surface area, such as activated carbon, which are capable of adsorbing a range of chemical compounds without a high degree of specificity.

[0029] It is much more preferable that the second portion of the smoke filter of the present invention comprises a conventional smoking filter material. Suitable conventional materials include cellulose acetate, paper, polypropylene and other materials which will be well known to persons skilled in the art and capable of retaining at least a portion of the particulate phase of the smoke.

[0030] Preferably the first and second smoke filter portions of the present invention are arranged in coaxial alignment.

[0031 ] Wrap

[0032] The wrapper surrounding the smoking article may comprise a burn additive, such as sodium and/or potassium citrate, for example. Other suitable burn additives such as sodium or potassium salts such as acetate and tartrate; mono-ammonium phosphate, and disodium hydrogen phosphate, for example, will be known to the skilled person. Advantageously, the burn additive is present in the range of 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of the wrapper. The wrap may also have a basis weight in the range of 20 to 40 g/m 2 .

[0033] The wrapper of the smoking article may alternatively or in addition be a non-paper wrapper, such as the wrappers described in International Patent Application Publications Nos. WO 96/07336 and WO 01/41590. Such wraps assist in reducing sidestream smoke components, but will provide a smoking article which has burning and ashing characteristics similar to conventional products, i.e., the wrappers allow the smoking article to burn and ash in a similar to conventional products.

[0034] The wrapper may suitably be a paper wrapper or a substantially non-combustible wrapper such as that described in WO 96/07336. The subject matter of that application as it pertains to the substantially non-combustible wrapper is incorporated herein by reference. Its wrapper advantageously contains at least 65% inorganic particulate filter material, such as those inorganic materials described above.

[0035] A conventional cellulose pulp paper wrapper can have a permeability in the range of 2-300 CU and preferably less than 100 CU. Such a wrap may also be a low total filter paper as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0,404,580 and comprising less than 14% magnesium hydroxide or oxide, for example.

[0036] Smokeable material

[0037] Preferably the smokable material is a tobacco material. Suitably the tobacco material comprises one or more of stem, blade, and tobacco powder. It is preferred that the tobacco material comprises one or more of the following types: Virginia or oven cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco. It is much more preferable that the material to be smoked comprises a mixture of tobacco material. Advantageously the smokable material comprises 10 to 80% Virgina tobacco, 10 to 60% Burley tobacco, 0 to 20% Oriental tobacco, 0 to 120% reconstituted tobacco and 0 to 30% expanded tobacco.

[0038] The smoking material of smoking articles according to the present invention preferably comprises or consists of cutting tobacco, a proportion of which the tobacco may be expanded tobacco. The smoking material may comprise expanded tobacco or tobacco substitute material.

[0039] The smokeable filter material may also comprise a burn additive to improve the smoke properties of the filter material. Depending on the properties of the filter, the burn additive is either a burn promoter or a burn retardant. Suitable burn additives may be selected from one or more salts of Group I or II metals such as acetates, citrates and other burn promoters known to the skilled person. Suitable burn retardants include magnesium hydroxide, mono-ammonium phosphate or magnesium chloride, for example.

[0040] The smokeable filter material may also comprise an ash improver, which is advantageously present in the filter in the range of 0 to 5%. Suitable ash improvers include one or more of mica, perlite, clays such as, for example, vermiculite, kaolinites, talcs, saponites, bentonites, as well as ash improvers such as disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, sodium carbonate or diammonium phosphate , for example.

[0041] Inorganic filler material

[0042] Advantageously the inorganic filler material is one or more of perlite, alumina, diatomaceous earth, calcium carbonate (lime), vermiculite, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium sulfate (gypsum), oxide ferric, pumice, titanium dioxide, calcium aluminate or other insoluble aluminates, or other inorganic filter materials. The density range of materials is suitably in the range of 0.1 to 5.7 g/cm3. Advantageously, the inorganic filler material has a density that is less than 3 g/cm 3 , and preferably less than 2.5 g/cm 3 , more preferably less than 2.0 g/cm 3 and even more preferably less than 1.5 g /cm3. An inorganic filler having a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3 is desirable. A lower density inorganic filler reduces the density of the product, thus improving the ash characteristics.

[0043] Organic filler material

[0044] The smokable filler material may also comprise an organic filler. Advantageously the organic filler material is inert or relatively inert when alone, i.e. it will not easily maintain the burn, but in a mixture it can be made more combustible, i.e. it will maintain the burn. Suitable organic fillers include insoluble alginates, such as calcium or magnesium alginate, calcium pectinate or alginic acid, as well as unmodified cellulose, such as untreated or treated wood pulp or alpha cellulose, for example. Mixtures of inert organic fillers and inorganic fillers can also be used.

[0045] Aerosol generation means

[0046] The aerosol-generating source preferably comprises an aerosol-forming medium, such as glycerol and/or other aerosol-forming components illustrated in our co-pending PCT application No. WO 96/07336. These include polyhydric alcohols, propylene glycol and triethylene glycol, esters such as triethyl citrate, triacetin or triethylene glycol diacetate (TEGDA), or high boiling hydrocarbons. Other suitable aerosol forming means will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0047] Binders

[0048] Advantageously, if the binder is a mixture of alginate and non-alginate binders, then preferably the binder is comprised of at least 50% alginate, preferably at least 60% alginate and even more preferably at least 70% alginate . The amount of combined binder required can suitably decrease when a non-alginate binder is used. The amount of alginate in a binder combination advantageously increases as the amount of combined binder decreases. Suitable alginic binders include soluble alginates such as ammonium alginate, sodium alginate, sodium calcium alginate, calcium ammonium alginate, potassium alginate, magnesium alginate, triethanolamine alginate and propylene glycol alginate. Other organic binders such as cellulosic binders, gums or gels can also be used in combination with alginic binders. Suitable cellulosic binders include cellulose and cellulose derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose ethers. Suitable gums include acacia, gati gum, gum tragacanth, karaya, locust bean, acacia, guar, quince seed or xanthan gums. Suitable gels include agar, agarose, carrageenans, furoidan and furcelaran. Starches can also be used as organic binders. Other suitable gums may be selected with reference to manuals, such as Industrial Gums, E. Whistler (Academic Press).

[0049] Coloring agents

[0050] Coloring media, such as food-type coloring agents, for example, or coloring agents such as licorice, caramel, or malt, or extracts thereof, can be used to darken the color of the filler material. The presence of vermiculite or other inorganic material, such as iron oxide, may also impart a darker color to the smoking article filler material.

[0051] Suitable colored materials include cocoa, licorice, caramel, chocolate or toffee, for example. Homogenized or granulated, finely ground tobacco can also be used. Industry-approved food coloring may also be used, such as E150a (caramel), E151 (glossy black BN), E153 (vegetable carbon) or E155 (HT brown). Other coating materials can also be used. Alternatively, the presence of vermiculite or other inorganic filler materials can impart a darker color to the smoke material.

[0052] Preferably, the colorant is present from 0 to 10% and may be such as 5 to 7% by weight of the final smoke material. Advantageously the colorant is less than 7%, preferably less than 6% and more preferably less than 5% of the final smoke material. Much preferred is the use of colorant at less than 4%, less than 3% and less than 2%. Cocoa may suitably be present in a range of 0 to 5% and licorice may be present in a range of 0 to 4% by weight of the final smoking material. When the colorant is cocoa or licorice, for example, the minimum amount of cocoa to obtain the desired leaf color is about 3% and for licorice it is about 2%, by weight of the final smoke material. Similarly, caramel may suitably be present in a range of 0 to 5%, preferably less than about 2% by weight of the final smoke material, and more preferably about 1.5%. Other suitable colorings include molasses, malt extract, coffee extract, tea resinoids, St. John Bread, prune extract or tobacco extract. Colorant mixtures can also be used.

[0053] A range of tests done on a panel of smokers and evaluating the smoking properties and overall acceptability of cigarettes made with such smoke-enhancing filters have shown favorable results compared to products already on the market. Compared with menthol cigarettes prepared with natural menthol crystals or synthetic menthol crystals, this invention has multiple advantages. In fact, smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are provided here, embedded or inserted into a cavity, such as mint particles, in the filter (this could be clearer, perhaps referring simply to the particles that are in the filter, with later additional possibility that they can be built into the filter material itself or can be supplied in a filter cavity) providing a mint aroma and refreshing aftertaste as it passes through the smoke, compared to the excessively intense flavor and after-taste of cooling the minty product.

[0054] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a smoke-enhancing filter rod for use in a smoking article by connection to a tobacco rod. Such a smoke-enhancing filter rod comprises smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles embedded in or inserted into a cavity in a filtration zone, whereby said smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are flavoring plant particles and/or a mixture of flavoring plant particles with menthol and/or essential oils and/or one or more of their constituents incorporated into the filter.

[0055] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the dry particles to be embedded in the filtration zone of the smoke amelioration filter are minced to a predetermined size and chosen from any varieties of mint. Known mint varieties include Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha Iongifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens. The preferred mint variety used in accordance with the present invention is Mentha Arventis.

[0056] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the type of material used for the filtration zone of the smoke ameliorating filter is chosen from any cellulose acetate tow, cellulose acetate paper and cloth. The preferred material used in the present invention is cellulose acetate. The filtration material is usually in the form of a fibrous tow, but may also be in other physical forms such as creped sheet in the case of paper.

[0057] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the type of smoking article to be attached to the smoke-enhancing filter can be chosen from cigarette, cigar and cigarillos.

[0058] The present invention will be described with reference to the various stages of production of the final product comprising a method for manufacturing the smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles, the smoke-enhancing filter rod and the smoking article containing said filter.

[0059] Smoke enhancing plant aroma particles consist of flavoring plant particles or flavoring plant particles mixed with menthol and/or essential oils and/or one or more of their constituents. The primary objective associated with the use of plant particles in smoke-enhancing filter rods rather than artificial purifying agents is to provide consumers with natural flavoring agents, whether or not in combination with menthol and/or essential oils and/or one or more of its constituents, and thus a product with a refreshing taste and improved aftertaste. Plant particles comprise each usable part of a chosen plant such as roots, leaves, flowers, stems and flower buds. They are collected, dried and mechanically chopped into a suitable size to be embedded in the filter rod. The preferred moisture percentage of the particles to be incorporated being from 10 to 20%, while the normal degree of moisture of a cigarette being from 10 to 14% obtained by either drying or not. In a preferred embodiment, natural mint particles are being used to flavor the smoke. Several studies comparing the use of natural mint particles in a filter of a smoking device were conducted to compare the smoking article with a commercially available menthol cigarette. First, studies on loading, aroma retention and overall flavor over an extended amount of time in natural oven and field mint particles when incorporated into a filter were conducted. Those tests demonstrated that natural mint particles had different flavoring properties than flavoring products already on the market. Furthermore, smoke tests have established that the characteristic flavor and aftertaste of natural mint, which is the result of a combination of a plurality of components, is providing a refreshing taste and improved aftertaste compared to a strong cooling effect of a product. of current menthol.

[0060] Flavoring particles can be incorporated into a filter rod through various techniques: the particles can be contained within a cavity in the filter rod or applied on and/or on the filter material.

[0061] “Dalmatian filters” can be produced according to known techniques. For example, "Dalmatian filters" consist of filtration material through which smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles have been distributed before it has been rolled up and wrapped in wrapping material. Several steps are required to come up with the concept of such a filter: first, the filter material is wrapped in a roll from which it is continuously pulled. The smooth, laterally flared material is brought into the smoke-enhancing particle dispersing section by a mechanical support. A funnel is provided above the rotating spreader roller and a guide housing is provided in front of it. The smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles fed into the hopper are uniformly applied to the filter material that is being continuously fed down the rotating dispersion roll. An important detail to note here is that the filter material into which the smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are irrigated may be dyed for aesthetic reasons.

[0062] After the dispersion of the particles is complete, the filter material is brought to a second section where the bending operation is carried out. A filter material bending section is used to bend the filter material. A retainer plate projecting from the machine body is provided horizontally through a void corresponding to a thickness of filter material above another upper surface of a receiving plate projecting from the same machine body. A pair of curved rods obliquely closed to each other at the front of the retainer space are provided on a mounted rod projecting from the machine body. A curved portion of each rod is provided to push down both portions of the edge of the filter material. A pair of thin gripping plates are provided on either side on the top surface of the retaining plate for gripping, bending and locking to the center of the edge portions, pushing down and pushing up curved portions of the curved rods. The thin clasp plates are arranged to intersect each other, the distance between the clasp plates and the retainer plate is widened to the rear side and the opposite edge portions are pulled down towards each other by the feed. of material. At the same time, the margin portions are overlapped to form the overlapping portion which is fed in that state. Consequently, the opposite edge portions of the filter material cover the smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles, which are carried into the glove portion of the forming section. After introducing the filter material into the glove portion, it is joined to a thin rod-shaped bundle containing the embedded particles and subsequently coated with a wrapping paper (plug wrap), porous or non-porous. Next, the filter is cut into rods of predetermined length in the cutting section.

[0063] Filters can also be configured as a combination of segments of various filter materials, physical shapes and/or composition whereby smoke enhancing plant aroma particles are present at different locations along the length of the rod. Such a construction can provide several advantages compared to the regular “filter dalmatian” in terms of overall appearance, pulling resistance. These particular filter rods are made of two types of segments present in alternation on the rod and held together by the wrapping paper. In fact, a combination of two to five segments of the filter material embedded with flavoring particles or regular filter material are continuously connected to the rod and, depending on the total number of segments, are known as a “double-dalmatian filter”, “triple filter”. - dalmatian”, “quadruple dalmatian filter” and “quintuple dalmatian filter”. Filters can be symmetrical, when the segments are all the same size, or asymmetrical, when two or more segments are of different lengths.

[0064] The first type of segmented filter rods is the "double-dalmatian filter" comprising a segment of smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles embedded in the filter material as well as a segment of the regular filter material. The filter segment located adjacent to the tobacco stem is the segment comprising smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles embedded in so as to flavor the outgoing smoke, while the segment located at the mouth end is made of the regular filter material, produced exactly like “filter-dalmatian”, but without the step of distributing smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles. Such a construction is interesting for two reasons. First, the presence of a segment of the regular filter material at the mouth end of the cigarette prevents smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles from leaving the cigarette during handling by the consumer.

[0065] A second configuration of segmented filter rods consists of “triple-dalmatian filter rods”. This type of filter, comprising two or three different segments, a configuration option is as follows: the segments adjacent to the tobacco stem and the mouth end are both made of filter material while the segment located between the last two is Made of filter material embedded with smoke enhancing plant aroma particles. Therefore, the smoke is flavored as it passes through the filter and the appearance of the product is the same as that of regular cigarettes.

[0066] Another filter configuration is a triple-dalmatian filter where the segment at the end of the mouth is a regular filter, the middle segment is inlaid with mint particles and the tobacco stem segment is inlaid with charcoal and/or particles. resin, among others.

[0067] A triple filter variety distinguishes it from “triple-dalmatian filter rods” already described. In fact, the “cavity filter” constitutes an alternative for smoke aromatization as it is conceived as a filter rod comprising 2 segments separated by a cavity containing smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles. Therefore, instead of two regular segments separated by segment embedded particles, the segments are separated by pure free smoke enhancing plant aroma particles inserted into a cavity in the filter. Such a construction is again appealing to consumers because the product has the same appearance as regular cigarettes and has interesting flavoring properties.

[0068] "Quad-Dalmatian Filter" and "Five-Dalmatian Filter" are filter rods having a configuration option in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention consisting of alternating four to five segments of regular filter material and of built-in filter with smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles. The various segments are arranged on the filter rod in such an order that a segment of regular filter material is present at the mouth end. The presence of a plurality of segments on the filter rod makes it possible to present consumers with a variety of products. Indeed, the various segments embedded with smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles can be prepared using either a variety of identical smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles and/or charcoal and resin, among others. Therefore, the resulting product may have a smoke that is more concentrated in aroma or a smoke characterized by a mixture of aromas, thereby allowing better modulation of its flavor and aftertaste.

[0069] As previously established, a variety of smoking articles can be attached to this type of filter and the procedure is as follows. The smoking article is prepared by filling a cylindrical open end rod with smokable filter material. Such material normally consists of a blend of shredded tobacco whose composition may vary, the existing varieties being kiln-cured, Burley, Oriental, Maryland, Dark, Dark-fired and Rustica tobaccos as well as rare and specialty tobacco. The surrounding material surrounding the tobacco rod can vary in composition and properties. One end of the tobacco stem is the lighting end while the other is adapted to be attached to the filter. The filter and tobacco rod are prepared of similar diameter and are axially aligned in an end-to-end relationship before being bonded together by the tip material. Filter ventilation can be done through the pre-drilled tip or in-line laser drilling.

[0070] While the invention has been described in connection with its specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of other modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come from known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may apply to the essential features set forth below, and as follows within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A smoke-enhancing filter rod for a smoking article, the filter rod comprising: a first segment comprising a filtration zone with smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles; and a second segment comprising a regular filter material; wherein the second segment is arranged to be disposed at the mouth end of the smoking article; characterized in that the first segment comprises the filtration zone, which comprises a filter material, and the smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are dispersed within said filter material, wherein said plant aroma particles are mint plant leaf particles and/or mint plant stem particles chopped to a size of 2 mm to 0.177 mm (10 to 80 meshes). 2. A filter rod according to claim 1, characterized in that said smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles are a combination of natural aroma plant particles mixed with menthol and/or essential oils. 3. Filter rod, according to claim 1, characterized in that the first segment comprising said filtration zone is made of a material chosen from cellulose acetate tow, paper and cellulose acetate fabric. 4. Filter rod, according to claim 3, characterized in that said tow is dyed. 5. Filter rod, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mint particle is chosen from among Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens. A smoking article comprising a smoke-enhancing filter rod as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, said smoking article characterized in that it is continuously connected to a tobacco rod. 7. A smoking article comprising a smoke-enhancing filter rod as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, said smoking article characterized in that it comprises a combination of segments of said particulate embedded filtration zone of smoke-enhancing plant aroma alternating with segments of filter material embedded or not with other particles, continuously connected to a tobacco rod. 8. A smoking article according to claim 7, characterized in that said other particles are selected from coal, resin and plant particles. 9. A smoking article according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said combination of smoke-enhancing filter rod segments and filter material segments consists of an alternating association of three, four or five segments. 10. Method for producing smoke-enhancing filter rods, as defined in claim 1, said method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: uniformly irrigating smoke-enhancing plant aroma particles on a tow, which moves laterally over a mechanical support prior to forming said tow onto a filter rod, wherein forming the tow onto a filter rod comprises the steps of forming the tow distributed into a bundle in the form of a thin rod, cutting it into segments of a size predetermined, preparing the segments in the desired configuration before covering them with wrapping paper and cutting them into filter rods of a predetermined size; wherein preparing the segments in the desired configuration comprises preparing combinations of filter material segments embedded with smoke enhancing plant aroma particles and filter material segments; wherein the segment which is arranged to be disposed at the mouth end of the smoking article is a segment of regular filter material; and wherein the plant aroma particles are mint plant leaf particles and/or mint plant stem particles minced to a size of 2 mm to 0.177 mm (10 to 80 meshes).