EA013933B1 - Flavoured cigarette - Google Patents

Abstract

Cigarettes are provided which contain a filtering system (180) and flavorants encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate (150), wherein deactivation of a sorbent by the flavorant is reduced through the encapsulation of the flavorant within the polyvinyl acetate. A preferred flavorant is menthol. The encapsulated flavorants are prepared by mixing at least one flavorant with polyvinyl acetate and a solvent, such as ethanol, and forming the encapsulated flavorants. Methods of making cigarettes and smoking the articles are also provided.

Description

Flavors are often added to tobacco products to achieve the desired organoleptic sensations. One common flavor is menthol. Menthol is a volatile compound that tends to evaporate (volatilize) and constantly stand out from the tobacco product during storage.

Various sorbent materials have been used as additives in tobacco products to remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The most common additives include activated carbon, molecular sieves, zeolites and mixtures thereof.

Activated carbon is a useful sorbent material and has a large absorbent capacity. However, while activated carbon is effective in removing tar components from tobacco smoke, it lacks selectivity and also absorbs volatile flavors such as menthol when it is present in tobacco products.

Therefore, it is of interest to provide flavors, such as menthol, in tobacco products containing sorbent materials, such as activated carbon, molecular sieves and zeolites, in a form that protects flavors from volatilization, contamination and absorption by the sorbent material, while at the same time giving the ability of the flavor to be gradually removed during smoking of tobacco products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cigarette is provided that contains a flavoring encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate, where heat and / or moisture are used to separate the flavoring from the vinyl acetate encapsulation into mainstream smoke during smoking. Also provided is a method of improving the palatability of cigarettes containing a sorbent, such as activated carbon, when using a flavoring with reduced deactivation of the sorbent.

A filter cigarette is also provided including a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, a substantially cylindrical filter mouthpiece and adhesive paper bounding and connecting a filter mouthpiece and a tobacco rod, wherein the filter mouthpiece includes a flavoring encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate; A method of manufacturing a cigarette and a method of treating tobacco smoke inhaled by a smoker.

In one embodiment, a cigarette is provided, including tobacco, a filter, a sorbent, and an encapsulated flavor, including a polyvinyl acetate matrix with a menthol flavor bound within the matrix.

Another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing a cigarette comprising a sorbent in its filter, the method comprising: introducing an encapsulated flavor, including a polyvinyl acetate matrix with a menthol flavor bonded inside the matrix, to the component of the cigarette.

In yet another embodiment, a method for flavoring tobacco smoke inhaled by a smoker is provided, comprising: preserving a flavor (menthol) with a polyvinyl acetate matrix and releasing menthol from the matrix, while generating smoke inhaled by the smoker, said step of releasing including exposure to heat and / or moisture on the matrix.

Brief Description of the Figures

FIG. 1 (a) to (c) illustrate an embodiment of encapsulated products in a tobacco rod.

FIG. 2 (a) to (c) illustrate flavor bands in accordance with illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates flavor bands in accordance with another illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates puff injection from puff to puff in illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates puff acrolein injection from puff to puff in illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates the injection of 1,3-butadiene from puff to puff in illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates the menthol retention of illustrative embodiments when the ratio of menthol to polyvinyl acetate varies.

FIG. 8 illustrates menthol retention of illustrative embodiments when the volume of solvent varies.

FIG. Figure 9 illustrates the results of tests on a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TOA) of a film of polyvinyl acetate and menthol compared to pure menthol, showing retention of menthol compared to the loss in mass of the film.

FIG. 10 illustrates the retention of menthol in relation to the aging of a solution.

Detailed description

Cigarettes that contain flavors encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate are described.

- 1 013933 volume, and a filter system comprising at least one sorbent. Methods for making encapsulated flavors, methods for producing cigarettes, and methods for processing smoke from these products are also described.

The term tobacco product includes cigarettes, tubes, cigars, cigarillos and the like.

The term smoke inhaled by a smoker includes an aerosol that is sucked through a tobacco product to a mouthpiece of a tobacco product.

The term encapsulation includes both encapsulation and microencapsulation of one material with another material, in which microencapsulation includes encapsulation in the size of microcapsules, i.e. between less than 1 μm to above 2000 μm. For example, as used herein, encapsulation preferably includes the formation of a matrix of one material, in which the second material is microencapsulated inside the matrix of the first material. Encapsulated flavors also refer to flavors that are encapsulated or microencapsulated, preferably with flavors in the matrix of the polyvinyl acetate encapsulating substance.

Any number of flavors is suitable for encapsulation with polyvinyl acetate. Menthol is the preferred flavor. Other suitable flavors include peppermint, such as peppermint and spearmint, vanilla, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit flavors, spicy flavors such as cinnamon, methyl salicylate, linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, tobacco flavors and other agents commonly used to give the smell and aroma of tobacco smoke inhaled by the smoker. Flavors suitable for encapsulation are also discussed in applications for which full assignment of rights has occurred, I8-A-5301693, ϋδ-Α-5228461 and I8-A-5137036, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In accordance with one embodiment, one or more encapsulated flavors is introduced into a cigarette filter, wherein the filter used in the cigarette includes at least one sorbent (absorbent or adsorbent). The term sorbent, as used herein, refers to an adsorbent, absorbent or substance that can function both as an adsorbent and as an absorbent. The term sorption is intended to encompass interactions on the outer surface of sorbents, such as activated carbon, molecular sieves, zeolite, and other similar materials, along with interactions within their pores and channels.

Preferred sorbents include various forms of activated carbon, molecular sieves such as zeolites, and mixtures thereof. Activated forms of coal have strong physical adsorption forces and high volumes of adsorbing porosity. Activated carbon can be made by any suitable technology. One technology is the carbonization of coconut shells, coal, wood, resin, cellulose fibers or polymer fibers, for example. Carbonization is preferably carried out at high temperatures, i.e. 200-800 ° C in an inert atmosphere, followed by activation under oxidizing conditions. Activated carbon used in cigarettes may be in the form of monoliths, granules, beads, powders or fibers. Activated carbon can be incorporated into another material, such as paper, if desired.

Activated carbon may include the distribution of micropores, mesopores and macropores. The term microporous generally refers to similar materials having a pore size of about 20A or less, while the term mesoporous generally refers to similar materials with a pore size of about 20-500A. The term macroporous refers to pore sizes greater than 500A. The relative amounts of micropores, mesopores and macropores can be pre-selected relative to the selected components from the tobacco smoke inhaled by the smoker, which should be isolated and removed. Thus, the pore size and pore distribution can be adjusted accordingly, as required for a particular application.

Another material that can be used as an adsorbent in a cigarette filter system is a zeolite molecular sieve. The term molecular sieve, as used herein, refers to a porous structure consisting of an inorganic silicate material. Zeolites have channels or pores of constant molecular size. There are many known unique zeolite structures having channels or pores of various sizes and shapes. The size and shape of the channels or pores can significantly affect the properties of these materials with respect to adsorption and separation characteristics. Zeolites can be used to separate molecules in channels or pores and / or through differences in sorption intensity. When using one or more zeolites having channels or pores larger than the selected components of the smoke inhaled by the smoker, only selected molecules that are small enough to pass through the pores of the molecular sieve material are able to penetrate into the cavities and be sorbed by the zeolite.

Microporous, mesoporous and / or macroporous molecular sieves can be used as a sorbent. They can be selected for use in the filter system with respect to a specific component (s) that should be removed from the smoke inhaled by the smoker. Molecular sieves such as zeolites that are suitable in cigarettes include crystalline aluminosilicates

- 2013933 cates, silicoaluminophosphates (ΑΙΡΘ / 8ΑΡΘ) and mesoporous molecular sieves such as MCM-41, MCM-48 and 8ΒΑ-15. They are preferably granular materials. Materials of this series contain regular chains of channels of constant sizes and tunable internal active sites and allow molecules below a certain size to enter their internal space, which makes them suitable as catalysts and adsorbents, where selectivity is desired.

The sorbent can be introduced into one or more locations of the cigarette. For example, the sorbent can be placed in a tubular channel with a free flow of the filter component, in the material of the filter component and / or in the empty space of the filter. The sorbent can additionally or alternatively be introduced into the tobacco material or the wrapper of the cigarette.

The filter may include a sorbent in oriented or non-oriented fibers and a sleeve, such as paper surrounding the fibers. The sorbent may be, for example, one or more of activated carbon, zeolite, and other molecular sieves located in fibrous forms. Mixtures of sorbents can provide various filter characteristics to achieve the desired filter composition of the smoke inhaled by the smoker.

Alternatively, the sorbent may consist of one or more sorbent materials, such as coal, silicon dioxide, zeolite and the like, penetrating fibers with microcavities, such as fiber with microcavities ΤΚ.ΙΑΌ ™, available from Nopsu \\ 'c11 1n1egpa1u1o £ Mogn51o \ tp. Νο \ ν 1et8eu. Fibers can be formed fibers with microcavities enriched with particles of one or more sorbent materials. See applications for which a complete transfer of rights has occurred, ϋδ-Α6584979, ϋδ-Α-6772768 and υδ-Α-6779528, which are incorporated into this description by reference in its entirety.

In another embodiment, the fibers may be bundles of non-continuous fibers that are preferably oriented in the filter along the flow direction of the smoke inhaled by the smoker flowing through the cigarette.

A sorbent containing filtering mouthpieces can be formed, for example, by stretching a bundle of an independent sorbent fibrous material, preferably having a controlled total denier and denier per thread, through a preformed or in situ formed sleeve during the filter manufacturing process. The formed filter mouthpiece can be divided into filter rods when cut to the desired length. For example, filter rods may have a length of from about 5 to about 30 mm.

The sorbent can be introduced into the cigarette filter at one or more desired locations. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbent segment is combined with a free flow filter. The sorbent may be in contact (i.e., border) with a free-flow filter located between the free-flow filter and the filter rod of the mouthpiece or in contact (i.e., border) with a filter rod of the mouthpiece. The sorbent fragment preferably has a diameter substantially equal in size to the outer diameter of the free-flow filter to minimize smoke passage during the filtering process.

The fibrous sorbent containing filter segments preferably occupies an upper position with a suitable packing density and fiber length so that parallel passages are created between the fibers. Such a structure can effectively remove selected gas phase components, such as formaldehyde and / or acrolein, while at the same time it is preferable to remove only a minimal amount of particulate matter from smoke, thereby achieving a significant reduction in selected gas phase components, while slightly affecting the total amount of particulate matter (TPM) in tobacco smoke. Low packing density and short fiber length are preferred to achieve similar filtration characteristics.

The amount of sorbent used in preferred embodiments of the cigarette depends on the type of gas phase components in the tobacco smoke and the type of components that are desirable for removal from tobacco smoke.

When sorbents and flavors are used in cigarettes, flavors can deactivate sorbents when sorbing flavors with sorbents. Thus, to reduce the level of deactivation of the sorbent, flavorings are preferably protected from sorption by the sorbent by encapsulation. By encapsulating in this way, it is possible to reduce the interaction between the sorbent and the flavor, as well as the final sorption of the flavor.

The encapsulated flavor can be located in different parts of the cigarette to provide flavor in the cigarette and reduce the deactivation of the sorbents. In one embodiment, the encapsulated flavor may be in the form of beads located in a tobacco filler. With the use of beads, a controlled release of flavor in a cigarette can be achieved during puff cycles. The beads preferably include polyvinyl acetate encapsulating at least one flavor, in which heat and / or moisture supplied to the encapsulated flavor during smoking of the cigarette release the flavor from the encapsulating substance. Other materials, such as a filler, may be added if necessary to improve the characteristics of the encapsulating material or enhance its stability.

In an illustrative embodiment, it is possible to provide encapsulated additive balls that have a substantially homogeneous composition in which the flavor is substantially evenly distributed among the balls. In such a structure, the flavor may be released from the balls uniformly during smoking.

Also, when encapsulating the flavor, the encapsulated flavor is protected from the effects of the atmosphere (i.e., ambient air inside the package) and sorbents in a smoking article, such as a cigarette. Thus, the release and / or migration of the flavor is minimized until the encapsulated flavor is exposed to an increase in moisture or heat. At the same time, not wanting to be associated with theory, it is believed that an increase in the level of moisture, as well as an increase in temperature, causes the expansion of the polyvinyl acetate matrix encapsulating the flavor, thereby creating passages from the polyvinyl acetate matrix and allowing the flavor to escape.

For example, a polyvinyl acetate matrix encapsulating a flavor may be applied to a cigarette filter, while moisture and heat from contact with a user's mouth may release the flavor. As another example, temperatures between 50 and 900 ° C or between 100 and 800 ° C (for example, above 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 ° C) can be applied to an encapsulated flavor for expanding the encapsulating polyvinyl acetate matrix, which, in turn, can cause the release of flavoring from the encapsulating polyvinyl acetate matrix.

Therefore, inadvertent release of a flavor or the interaction between a flavor and a sorbent can be reduced by encapsulating the flavor. Also, deliberate flavoring can be achieved due to the increased moisture levels or the elevated temperatures that are actually present in the smoked cigarette. Therefore, the encapsulated flavor inside the polyvinyl acetate matrix provides an improved supply of flavor during an increase in temperature and / or moisture levels, especially in sorbent-containing cigarettes.

The encapsulated flavor may have any desired shape, including regular and irregular shapes, including round, square, triangular, oval, other polygonal shapes, cylindrical, fibrous, and the like. Balls can have various sizes. Preferably, the beads are microspheres having a maximum particle size of less than about 25 microns and more preferably less than about 1 micron. Reducing the size of the balls can provide a more homogeneous and controlled release of flavor due to the increased surface area of the balls.

Encapsulated products can be made by any suitable method in which products are produced having the desired structure, composition and size. For example, encapsulated products can be made by extrusion, spray drying, coating, or other suitable methods. In a preferred embodiment, the encapsulated products are prepared by forming a solution, dispersion or emulsion containing polyvinyl acetate, perfume and, if desired, flavoring agents, and draining to form a molded encapsulating substance.

At the same time, not wanting to be bound by theory, it is believed that the encapsulation of the flavor with polyvinyl acetate is based on the principle of surface segregation. It is believed that polyvinyl acetate forms a matrix with the surface part of the encapsulated flavor, including a higher ratio of polyvinyl acetate and encapsulating substance than the inside, where the polyvinyl acetate segregates toward the surface and the flavor segregates from the surface.

Encapsulated flavors are preferably prepared by mixing one or more flavors in powder or liquid form, a volatile solvent and polyvinyl acetate, then drying the resulting solution to remove the solvent and bind the flavor within the matrix formed by polyvinyl acetate. The recovered product is a flavor encapsulated by a polyvinyl acetate matrix to preserve the flavor and bind the flavor within the matrix. The encapsulated product may be in the form of a fiber, film, monolith, ball, powder or granule.

Preferred solvents include methanol or ethanol. The solvent is preferably volatile enough to be completely removed from the product, leaving only polyvinyl acetate and flavoring. However, if desired, the solvent may remain.

The proportions of the components can vary widely. The amount of flavoring agent, such as menthol, can be from about 1-90%, about 2-70%, or 10-50 wt.% In relation to 100 wt.h. polyvinyl acetate. The amount of solvent is preferably sufficient to dissolve the flavoring and polyvinyl acetate.

Preferably, the flavor and polyvinyl acetate composite is formed by mixing, homogenizing and / or dissolving the flavor and polyvinyl acetate in a solvent. Preferably, heat and mechanical shear are used to mix the flavor and polyvinyl acetate.

- 4 013933

Also preferably, one or more flavors are dissolved and / or captured as a separate phase in a continuous matrix of polyvinyl acetate. Thus, the composite could be a matrix of polyvinyl acetate with a flavor inside the matrix. Therefore, when exposed to heat and / or moisture, the barrier properties of polyvinyl acetate can decrease due to relaxation of the polyvinyl acetate matrix caused by an increase in temperature and / or moisture levels, thus allowing the flavor to escape from the matrix.

For example, a method for producing polyvinyl acetate and menthol composites may include mixing a solvent, such as an alcohol, for example ethanol, and polyvinyl acetate to form a solution. Further, a menthol flavor may be added to a solution of ethanol and polyvinyl acetate to provide a perfume. Further, the ethanol solvent content can be reduced to increase the concentration levels of menthol and polyvinyl acetate in the solution. It is noted that while menthol is volatile and can evaporate, a mixture of menthol with polyvinyl acetate in this example reduces menthol evaporation due to the fact that menthol disperses inside polyvinyl acetate, in which the dispersion decreases the menthol evaporation rate. Further, the mixture can be formed into the desired forms, such as fibers, films, monoliths, balls, powders and granules, in which the solvent can evaporate to form a finished composite material with menthol encapsulated inside the polyvinyl acetate matrix. Decreasing the solvent content is optional and may provide an increased perfume content in the finished composite material.

It is also noted that the relative amounts of menthol in polyvinyl acetate provide for variations in the final flavor levels. For example, if approximately 37% menthol is used, it can be expected that approximately 37% menthol will be released during use. On the other hand, the menthol level in the mixture may exceed the basic levels of encapsulation for these illustrative encapsulation methods and alternative encapsulation technologies that can be applied.

An example of menthol levels in excess of the basic levels of encapsulation for these illustrative examples of encapsulation is when the initial amount of menthol in the mixture is higher than, for example, about 70%. At this level, it is assumed that the amount of menthol for encapsulation exceeds the basic levels of encapsulation, since it has been found that only about 23% of menthol is encapsulated for this example. At the same time, not wanting to be bound by theory, it seems that menthol agglomerates at higher levels, such as 70% for this illustrative method, and, apparently, menthol does not disperse in a polyvinyl acetate matrix above a certain level of menthol, in this example at levels of approximately 70%, thus reducing menthol encapsulation levels.

However, it is noted that another illustrative method can be used to encapsulate higher levels of menthol. For example, if a mixture with a high initial menthol level of 70%, as mentioned above, is aged while keeping menthol and polyvinyl acetate in solution for an extended period of time, improved flavor encapsulation and possible release during use can be observed. For example, if a mixture of 70% menthol, solvent, and polyvinyl acetate is aged for approximately three months, the composite material that is formed from the aged solution may show improved menthol retention and encapsulation with a possible release of up to 70% menthol during smoking. Consequently, by maintaining highly concentrated mixtures of menthol and polyvinyl acetate to isolate, menthol levels of up to 70% can be achieved.

Alternatively, instead of aging, it was noted that similar results for encapsulating higher levels of menthol can be achieved by lowering the solvent content in the solution of menthol, solvent and polyvinyl acetate. For example, the solvent in the solution may evaporate to reduce the solvent content. With a decrease in solvent content, apparently the same high levels of encapsulated menthol are at levels of encapsulation similar to those of aged menthol. For example, a solution with a lower solvent content and high levels of menthol, such as 55% menthol, can be encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate and can lead to menthol levels of about 55% encapsulation.

It can be seen that flavors can be encapsulated and provided in various physical forms that are stable and thus are not susceptible to loss due to the volatility, oxidation and / or sorption of activated carbon, zeolites or other sorbents present in the cigarette. Preferably, the encapsulated flavor contains flavor, polyvinyl acetate and additional flavors, without the presence of other materials.

The cigarette preferably includes an amount of encapsulated flavoring that provides the desired amount of perfume in the cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the cigarette comprises, with respect to the total weight of tobacco in the cigarette, up to about 20%, and more preferably about 10 to about 15% of the encapsulated flavor. For example, a cigarette containing 100 mg of tobacco preferably contains up to about 20 mg of encapsulated flavor.

In a preferred embodiment, the encapsulated flavor is located at

- 5 013933 in at least one location in the cigarette, which reaches at least the minimum temperature at which the perfume is released from the polyvinyl acetate encapsulating substance during smoking. For example, the encapsulated flavor can be placed in tobacco or on a wrapper for burning, in which a combination of heat and moisture can be used to separate the flavor from the polyvinyl acetate encapsulating substance.

In another preferred embodiment, the encapsulated flavor is located in at least one location in the cigarette that is exposed to increased moisture during smoking, in which moisture from the smoke inhaled by the smoker or from the smoker's mouth can be used as a flavor release mechanism. For example, the encapsulated flavor may be placed in the void after the sorbent on the filter or on one or more surfaces on the free-flow filter, in which moisture from the smoke inhaled by the smoker can release the flavor from the encapsulating substance.

In another preferred embodiment, the encapsulated flavor is located in the tobacco rods by injecting the encapsulated flavor in liquid form into the tobacco rods. For example, an encapsulated flavor may be formed as liquids, such as hot melt liquids or solvent based, encapsulated flavoring for injection. Preferably, liquid injection can be applied to the center of the cigarette tobacco rod to moisten the tobacco or to fill the central portion of the tobacco rod to provide an encapsulated flavor inside the tobacco rod. However, the injection may be in any position within the tobacco rod. For example, see FIG. 1 (a), which illustrates a preferred embodiment of a tobacco rod 100 with encapsulated flavors 150 injected in liquid form into the central portion of the tobacco rod 100 in front of filter 180.

In another preferred embodiment, the liquid encapsulated flavor is located in the tobacco filler by spraying or applying the encapsulated flavor in liquid form to the tobacco filler. For example, an encapsulated flavor may be formed as a hot melt solution or a solvent based solution (e.g., ethanol, polyvinyl acetate and menthol) of the encapsulated flavor, as mentioned above, but in this embodiment, the liquid encapsulated flavor is sprayed or applied to the tobacco filler. Preferably, for cigarettes, sprayed or applied encapsulated flavors are applied uniformly to the tobacco filler prior to forming tobacco rods 100 to provide the encapsulated flavor 160 throughout the tobacco extruder 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (b).

In another preferred embodiment, the solid encapsulated flavor is located in the tobacco filler by mixing the solid encapsulated flavor in the tobacco filler. Preferably, in order to increase the miscibility of the solid encapsulated flavor, the solid encapsulated flavor, which should be mixed, crushed, ground or otherwise mechanically processed into a crushed film, ground powder or otherwise into smaller particles to increase the miscibility of the encapsulated flavor in the filler. Preferably, the encapsulated flavor 170 is mixed with the tobacco filler prior to or during the extrusion process, thereby allowing the encapsulated flavor 170 to spread throughout the tobacco rod 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (s).

In another embodiment, the encapsulated flavor may be present as a film. The film can be provided by applying and drying the film-forming material with a flavor present therein, in which the flavor may be provided as a pre-encapsulated flavor or non-encapsulated flavor mixed inside the film-forming material. Preferably, the film-forming material includes a polyvinyl acetate film. Also preferably, the flavoring is menthol.

For example, balls of pre-encapsulated menthol polyvinyl acetate can be mixed inside the polyvinyl acetate film-forming material, then the mixture can be applied to the cigarette as a film. Alternatively, non-encapsulated liquid menthol can be mixed with the polyvinyl acetate film-forming material, then the mixture can be applied to the cigarette as a film.

It is noted that pre-encapsulated menthol can be pre-encapsulated with another adhesive, polymer-based materials such as polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, poly (ethylene) glycols, polyglycolic acids, pectin, polysaccharides, polylactic acid, polyesters, polyethylene oxides, polyepoxide mixing pre-encapsulated menthol with a film-forming material.

In a preferred embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate film includes up to 20% by weight, more preferably about 10 to about 15%, of a flavoring agent, such as encapsulated or unencapsulated menthol, and can be applied to a component of a cigarette. For example, a film can be applied to the surface of a filter, coated on a tobacco material of an unconventional cigarette, or coated

- 6 013933 on a paper wrapper for a cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the film encapsulates menthol and optionally also peppermint.

Preferably, as mentioned above, an encapsulated film type flavor includes an encapsulating polyvinyl acetate film forming material and at least one flavor. However, it is possible, if desired, to add additional other materials to improve the film-forming characteristics of the encapsulating polyvinyl acetate film-forming material or to enhance the stability of the polyvinyl acetate film-forming material. In an illustrative embodiment, the film has a substantially homogeneous composition in which the flavor is substantially uniformly distributed. The film-encapsulating material provides a barrier to flavor release in which an effective amount of flavor is released as desired. For example, a release of at least 0.01 mg per puff is desirable from a typical traditional cigarette, or a total mass of about 2 wt.% Menthol of the total weight of the cigarette tobacco extruder is desirable prior to smoking so that excretion by smoking is possible.

The film can be applied to one or more components of the cigarette, such as the outer surface of the wrapper around the filter or the outer wrapper of the cigarette, such as a liquid coating that dries to a film state. The dimensions of the dried film are not limited. Preferably, the dried film has a maximum thickness of from about 50 to about 150 microns, and more preferably to about 75 microns. The film can be made by any suitable method in which a film is obtained having the desired structure, composition and size. For example, the film can be applied by a coating process, such as by spray coating, dipping method, electrostatic deposition, using a print drum, intaglio printing, using inkjet printing and the like. An emulsion, suspension or suspension is prepared including polyvinyl acetate and flavoring and, if necessary, additives, and then applied as a coating to one or more selected surfaces of one or more selected components of the cigarette. The coating is preferably dried to remove water and / or other solvents, and a solid film is formed having the desired dimensions. Drying can occur by evaporation or lowering the temperature of the film to harden and improve the adhesion of the film to selected surfaces.

In one embodiment, a film of an encapsulated polyvinyl acetate matrix film is formed on the outer surface of the wrapper around the cigarette filter, such as the wrap of the rod or inside the rod in front of any sorbents. When providing the film at a given location, the film may be exposed to elevated levels of heat and moisture from the smoker's mouth during smoking, as well as from the smoke inhaled by the smoker. As mentioned above, heat and moisture allow the encapsulated film to release at least a portion of the flavor from the polyvinyl acetate matrix. Thus, by providing the film at a location with elevated levels of moisture and / or temperature during use, the flavor can be retained by trapping inside the polyvinyl acetate matrix during storage and can be separated from the polyvinyl acetate matrix during use.

In another embodiment, the film can be formed as fragrance bands on an outer paper wrapper, where fragrance bands can be coated on the inside or outside of the outer paper wrapper. Preferably, the number, width and location of the flavor bands are arranged so that the air can diffuse into the tobacco rod to maintain combustion during the static combustion regime, but still providing flavor in the smoke inhaled by the smoker. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the flavor bands 210 can be formed parallel to the burning direction of the tobacco rod 220, thereby emitting a perfume as the cigarette 200 is smoked. As illustrated in FIG. 2 (b) and 2 (c), the flavor stripes 210 may be located on the inside or outside of the paper wrapper 230 of the cigarette. Fragrance strips 210 can also be used with sorbents 240, as shown in FIG. 3.

Fragrant bands can be formed before, during, and / or after the formation of tobacco rods when coating, printing, dyeing, spraying, extruding, dipping, or casting a film on paper surrounding tobacco rods. Thanks to the use of fragrant bands, fragrance and any sorbent reduce the interaction, thus preserving the properties of each. For example, when flavor bands are located on cigarettes, high levels of menthol can be provided during smoking of activated carbon cigarettes. In addition, when using fragrance strips with cigarettes containing activated carbon, activated carbon along with fragrance strips can maintain the desired level of their properties even after a long period of time in close proximity to each other.

Coal does not seem to interact with menthol flavor bands. As illustrated in FIG. 4-6, cigarettes B and C with menthol flavor bands that also contain coal, have a similar sorption of benzene, acrolein and 1,3, butadiene compared to menthol-free, coal-containing control cigarettes (control), which absorb benzene, acrolein and 1,3-butadiene is better than a 2K.4P coal-free cigarette compared to puff to puff. As illustrated in FIG. 4-6, a control cigarette and a cigarette with a flavor strip both lower benzene,

- 7 013933 acrolein and 1,3-butadiene to similar levels. Essentially, when menthol is provided with aromatic bands, menthol slightly deactivates the sorbent in the cigarette, at least with regard to lowering benzene, acrolein and 1,3-butadiene.

Preferably, menthol in flavor bands in a cigarette has minimal adverse effects on sorbents in a cigarette and also provides high menthol levels during smoking. For example, as illustrated in Table 1, menthol levels such as 0.18 mg per cigarette, 0.51 mg per cigarette, and 1.36 mg per cigarette may be located in flavor bands on an illustrative cigarette having a carbon sorbent material in the filter. As a result, 0.021 mg of menthol per puff, 0.058 mg of menthol per puff and 0.145 mg of menthol per puff can be released during smoking with a very small change in the levels of acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and benzene on the fourth puff of cigarettes with aromatic stripes (examples A, B, C) in comparison with cigarettes without flavor bands (control). However, it is noted that preferably fragrant bands provide at least about 0.01 mg puff menthol, in which the puff menthol flavor depends on the concentration of menthol inside the polyvinyl acetate film forming material, as well as the amount of menthol provided, i.e. size and number of fragrance bands provided.

Table 1

Examples The control BUT IN FROM Menthol / Polyvinyl Acetate (mg) 8.5 / 15 19/15 38/15 0/0 General Cigarette Data Menthol (mg / sig) 0, 18 0.51 1.36 0 TPM (mg) 15.4 16, 8 19, 1 13, 9 Number of puffs 8.5 8.8 9, 4 8.0 M5 Menthol / Puff (mg / puff) 0,021 0.058 0, 145 0 Data of 4 puffs from 2K4G Acrolein (%) 0 0 0 0 1,3-butadiene (%) 0 0 one 0 Acetaldehyde (%) 4 one 4 0 Benzene (%) 0 0 0 0 No changes were observed in the ratios of CO / TPM and ΝΟ / ΤΡΜ

In addition, fragrance strips can be used as a substitute for the suture adhesive used on the wrapper, or additives to it. For example, the film can be placed on the seam of the cigarette wrapper to ensure adhesion of the seam as well as flavor inside the cigarette.

In the embodiment mentioned above, the encapsulated flavor may be located on at least a portion of the filter of the cigarette. In some embodiments, the encapsulated flavor may be located in a cigarette filter. For example, the sorbent and the encapsulated flavor may be located in the filter portion of the cigarette in which the flavor is located after the sorbent.

Various filter designs can be used to make cigarettes. Typical filter structures that can be used for cigarettes include, but are not limited to, a monofilter, a double filter, a triple filter, a filter with a single or multiple cavities, a filter with recesses or a free-flow filter. Monofilters typically contain cellulose acetate tow or filter paper materials. Double filters typically include a cellulose acetate mouthpart and a cellulose acetate extruder segment. In such double filters, the sorbent and encapsulated flavor are preferably located next to the smoking material or the tobacco side of the cigarette. The length and differential pressure of the two sections of the double filter can be adjusted to ensure optimal adsorption, while at the same time maintaining acceptable cigarette resistance to traction.

Triple cigarette filters may include segments of the mouth and smoking material or tobacco side and a middle segment including filter material or paper. Sorbent and Encapsuliro

- 8 013933 bathroom fragrance may be provided on the middle segment. Cavity filters typically include two segments, for example, acetate-acetate, acetate-paper or paper-paper separated by a cavity. The sorbent is preferably provided in the cavity. The filter with recesses includes an open cavity on the oral side and may contain sorbent among the material of the extruder. The filters may also be ventilated and / or include additional sorbents, catalysts, flavors or other additives conventionally used in the manufacture of cigarette filters, if desired.

Examples

By way of example, flavorings encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate can be formed at predetermined ratios of flavoring to polyvinyl acetate for a high flavor release ability. It is desirable that stable flavoring and polyvinyl acetate composites are formed with high levels of flavoring to provide sufficient flavoring agents. The following examples of flavor and polyvinyl acetate composites provide data on the stability of the flavor in polyvinyl acetate as a function of flavor concentration.

Upon receipt of illustrative composites (i.e., encapsulated flavors), menthol is used for flavoring and polyvinyl acetate is used to encapsulate menthol. A method of obtaining an encapsulated flavor includes: 1) adding 75.5 g of ethanol (95%) to 12.5 g of polyvinyl acetate balls (M ^ - 500000); 2) stirring the mixture at room temperature for about 2 hours until a clear solution forms; 3) addition of 7.5; 15.1; 30.1 or 15.1 g of solid menthol for the formation of solutions A, B, C and Ώ, respectively; 4) mixing solutions A, B, C and Ώ for about 6-12 hours until the formation of transparent solutions; 5) a decrease in the ethanol content of solution Ώ from 75 to 62.5 g; and 6) the formation of films, balls, bars and fibers after evaporation of the solvent using methods of casting, molding, extrusion, grinding, cutting and / or torsion.

The stability of the menthol releasing ability of the formed composites can be tested, where stability is illustrated using a composite that retains most of its mass with minimal perfume loss over time in an open container under ambient conditions. Instability, on the other hand, is illustrated by the loss of mass and odor of menthol.

As shown in the table. 2, among composites A, B and C: C has the highest initial concentration of menthol, B has the second highest initial concentration of menthol followed by A with the lowest initial concentration of menthol. However, when composites A, B and C are obtained, B has a higher menthol retention than C or A. It is noted that the initial menthol levels and final menthol retention levels are given in Table. 2 are compared with respect to the initial weight of the sample to illustrate the effect of menthol retention with polyvinyl acetate. When calculating the final retention of menthol with respect to the initial mass of the sample, Ά-Ώ composites for holding menthol can be compared with each other, as well as a control sample of pure menthol. Thus table. 2 illustrates the loss of menthol levels for pure menthol with various higher levels of menthol retention in Ά-Ώ composites compared to control pure menthol.

Table 2. The menthol content in menthol composites with polyvinyl acetate

Sample Initial menthol% / I0 Final Menthol Retention% / I0 Menthol% / W expected Menthol% / I1 isolated Composite A 37 38 38 35 Composite B 55 41 46 46 Composite c 71 <18 <37 23 Composite ϋ 54 48 51 52 The control (clean menthol) one hundred <8 one hundred

^ 0: initial mass of the sample;

^ 1: final mass of the sample.

* Unstable samples in ambient conditions with an error of ± 2% due to varying moisture content and calculation errors.

This fact is further illustrated in FIG. 7, which compares menthol retention with time for composites A, B and C, as well as pure menthol (control), where A and B have similar menthol retention after 20 days and C and pure menthol have lower menthol retention. results

- menthol retention 9 013933 in FIG. 7 seem to illustrate that C is not stable in polyvinyl acetate, possibly due to its higher initial menthol level, in which composite C behaves like pure menthol with its level of retention over time.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a decrease in ethanol levels from B to Ό seems to increase menthol retention over time. Conversely, a control sample (pure menthol without polyvinyl acetate) has a much lower retention of menthol with time than either B or Ό, as also illustrated in FIG. 7.

The ability to release menthol can also be measured in wt.% Over time to determine the properties of the encapsulated flavor. As illustrated in FIG. 9, encapsulated menthol (composite B) is compared to pure menthol (not encapsulated), where they are each subjected to increased temperatures over time (as shown by the temperature line from the lower left edge to the upper right edge of Fig. 9 with the temperature along the right axis). As illustrated in FIG. 9, when using thermogravimetric analysis (TOL), composite B and unencapsulated pure menthol seem to maintain similar retention of menthol at temperatures below about 50 ° C (as shown in the upper left part of Fig. 9), but at temperatures above about 50 ° С composite В retains its mass better than pure menthol. As also illustrated in FIG. 9, pure menthol is about 0 wt.% Below 100 ° C., while the mass of composite B remains above 0 wt.% To about 600 ° C. Composite B also has a weight reduction of more than 50 wt.% At temperatures exceeding 300 ° C, where composite B has a mass decrease of about 80 wt.% (From 90 to 10 wt.%) From about 100 to about 500 ° C and shows a gradual the release of menthol (a uniform decrease in% of the mass) for the temperature range from about 50 to about 200 ° C. Thus, when encapsulating menthol in composite B, release can be achieved within a wider temperature range and at higher temperatures.

In addition to another example, samples of composite C can be aged for about three months to determine any changes in stability that aging can cause. As shown below and as illustrated in FIG. 10, aged composite C has improved menthol retention compared to fresh composite C, especially for retention of more than 4 days.

Consequently, menthol can be mixed with polyvinyl acetate at high levels, and it can maintain these high menthol levels if aging is applied and / or the amount of solvent is reduced in the menthol and polyvinyl acetate composite.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications should be considered within the scope of the invention and the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Claims (18)

CLAIM 1. A cigarette containing tobacco punch, a filter, a sorbent and an encapsulated flavoring, including a polyvinyl acetate matrix with a flavoring bound inside the matrix, while the encapsulated flavoring is in the form of a perfume strip located on the wrapper surrounding the cigarette. 2. A cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the perfume strip is located on the wrapper surrounding the tobacco extrusion. 3. A cigarette according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the perfume strip is located on the wrapper surrounding the filter. 4. A cigarette according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the sorbent is located in the cavity in the filter. 5. A cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the perfume strips are on the inner or outer surface of the wrapper. 6. A cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the encapsulated flavoring is located on the seam of the wrapper and ensures the adhesion of the seam. 7. A cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the encapsulated flavoring is temperature sensitive, wherein at temperatures higher than 100 ° C, flavoring is released into the cigarette, and at temperatures below 100 or below 300 ° C, most of the encapsulated flavoring remains encapsulated. 8. A cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, in which part of the menthol flavor is released from the polyvinyl acetate matrix, when part of the cigarette is at temperatures between 300 and 800 ° C. 9. A cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the menthol flavor is present in an amount of about 1-90, 2-70, or 10-50 wt.% With respect to 100 wt.h. polyvinyl acetate. 10. A method of making a cigarette containing a sorbent in its filter, wherein the method includes the introduction of an encapsulated flavor into a component of a cigarette, including a polyvinyl acetate matrix with a flavor associated inside the matrix, and the formation of a film of encapsulated flavor. 11. The method according to claim 10, in which the film is formed by applying an encapsulated flavoring, - 10 013933 associated with a cigarette wrapper to form a strip of perfume. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, in which the encapsulated flavoring is applied to the wrapper by coating, printing, dyeing, spraying, extruding, dipping or casting to form a perfume strip. 13. The method according to claim 11, 12 or 13, in which the wrapper is a cigarette tobacco wrapper or filter wrapper. 14. The method according to any of PP-13, in which the encapsulated flavor is formed by mixing alcohol and polyvinyl acetate; mixing menthol into a mixture of alcohol and polyvinyl acetate in an amount effective to provide at least 10 μg of menthol flavoring tobacco smoke that occurs during cigarette smoking; reducing the alcohol content in a mixture of menthol, alcohol, and polyvinyl acetate; or aging a mixture of menthol, alcohol, and polyvinyl acetate; and forming menthol polyvinyl acetate fiber, film, monolith, pellet, powder, or granules from a mixture of menthol, alcohol, and polyvinyl acetate. 15. The method according to any of PP-14, in which the encapsulated flavoring form when heated and mechanically shifted menthol flavor and polyvinyl acetate in solution. 16. A method according to any one of claims 10-15, in which the encapsulated flavor is formed by dissolving menthol flavor and polyvinyl acetate in ethanol, methanol, or a combination thereof. 17. A method according to any one of claims 10-16, in which the encapsulated flavor is formed during the formation of a separate menthol phase in a continuous polyvinyl acetate matrix. 18. A method according to any one of claims 10-17, in which a polyvinyl acetate matrix with a flavoring bonded within the matrix is formed by surface segregation of the polyvinyl acetate towards the surface region of the encapsulated flavor and menthol from the surface region of the encapsulated flavor.