EA024076B1 - Multi-component filter for a smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-component filter (4) for a smoking article, comprising a mouth end segment (12) and a flavour release segment (14) upstream of the mouth end segment (12). The flavour release segment (14) comprises plant leaf and a filter plasticiser. The multi-component filter (4) preferably further comprises a rod end segment (32) comprising filtration material upstream of the flavour release segment. Preferably, one or both of the mouth end segment (12) and the rod end segment (32) comprises at least one liquid flavourant. The rod end segment (32) may include a sorbent.

Description

The present invention relates to a multicomponent filter for a smoking article and to a smoking article comprising such a multicomponent filter.

Filter cigarettes typically comprise a tobacco bag core surrounded by a paper wrapper, and a cylindrical filter aligned to the end face with the tobacco core wrapped and attached to it with cigarette paper. In places along the filter, ventilation is usually provided in the form of circumferential perforations for mixing the main stream of smoke generated during the combustion of the wrapped tobacco rod with the surrounding air.

In traditional cigarettes, the filter usually consists of a plug formed from cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a porous wrapper for the plug. However, cigarettes with multicomponent filters are also known that contain two or more segments of filter material to remove particles and gaseous components from the mainstream smoke stream. To enhance the aroma of the mainstream smoke stream, cigarettes are known to be equipped with filters containing flavorings. In particular, it was proposed to include flavorings in the form of plant material, such as leaves, seeds or roots from one or more aromatic plants. In one known example, a cigarette with a multicomponent filter is proposed which has an aroma-generating segment containing a mixture of plant materials, including licorice plant material, ginger root and a crushed peppermint leaf.

It would be desirable to create a multicomponent filter for a smoking article, which, when used, would provide improved aroma enhancement and, in particular, improved delivery of the mint and menthol aroma to the mainstream smoke when it is drawn by the consumer from the rod of smoking material through the filter. In addition, it would be desirable to create a multi-component filter for a smoking article containing an aroma-generating segment, which would minimize the loss of aroma during storage.

The invention provides a multicomponent filter for a smoking article comprising a mouth-facing segment and an aroma-generating segment located upstream of the mouth-facing segment, the aroma-generating segment comprising a plant leaf and a plasticizer for the filter.

The invention also provides a smoking article comprising a wrapped rod of smoking material and a multicomponent filter according to the invention, attached to a rod of smoking material, preferably cigarette paper. The smoking article is preferably a filter cigarette.

Throughout the description of the invention, the terms in front of and along after are used to describe the relative positions of the segments of the multicomponent filter according to the invention with respect to the direction of the main stream of smoke drawn from the rod of smoking material through the multicomponent filter during use. For example, in the filter according to the invention, the aroma-generating segment is located upstream of the mouth-facing segment, which means that the mainstream smoke is drawn in through the aroma-generating segment and then through the mouth-facing segment.

The term plasticizer for a filter means any substance suitable for use as a plasticizer in a conventional tow of fibrous filter material. The role of a plasticizer for a filter is to bind the tow fibers together to increase the stiffness of the tow and, therefore, its resistance to compression. The plasticizer is usually a solvent of the fibrous material, which softens the outer surfaces of the fibers so that they adhere to each other. As a plasticizer for a filter used for a tow of cellulose acetate fibers, glycerol triacetate is usually used.

The filter plasticizer used in the present invention is preferably glycerol triacetate.

The term plant leaf is used to refer to a material consisting of plant leaves, which are preferably chopped or chopped to produce chopped material.

The aroma-generating segment may include any plant leaf that is capable of releasing aroma into the mainstream smoke drawn through a multi-component filter. The plant leaf is preferably a non-tobacco plant leaf. The aroma-generating segment may include a leaf from one or more plants. In preferred embodiments, the aroma released from the plant leaf is provided by the volatile substances contained therein, for example, oils that evaporate during smoking. The main stream of smoke, enriched in volatile oils from the plant leaf, flows further through the mouthpiece segment of the multicomponent filter into the mouth of the consumer.

Before smoking, volatile oils remain imprisoned inside the plant leaf. This is advantageous in that it minimizes the loss of aroma during storage of the multi-component filters and smoking articles of the invention and thus maximizes the release of aroma into the mainstream smoke during smoking.

The plant leaf in the aroma-generating segment is preferably chopped, cut or otherwise reduced in size. The plant leaf is preferably cut into particles with a width of about 0.25 to about 3 mm. The plant leaf is most preferably cut into particles with a width of about 1 to about 2 mm.

The plant leaf is preferably dried to a moisture content of from about 8 to about 10%.

The plant leaf in the aroma-generating segment is preferably an herb leaf.

The term grass leaf is used to mean leaves from a herbaceous plant. A herbaceous plant is an aromatic plant without woody tissue, the leaves of which are used for medical, culinary and aromatic purposes and are capable of releasing aroma into the mainstream smoke drawn through a multi-component filter. The aroma-generating segment may comprise a grass sheet from one or more perennial or annual herbaceous plants. For example, an aroma-generating segment may contain herb leaf from herbaceous plants, including, but not limited to, peppermint, lemon mint, cinnamon basil, lemon basil, chopped chop, coriander, basil, lavender, sage, tea, thyme and carve.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the plant leaf in the flavor segment is peppermint leaf. The oil content in the peppermint leaf is preferably at least about 0.6% by weight. The inclusion of peppermint leaf in the aroma-generating segment of the multicomponent filters of the invention advantageously provides an improved method for imparting peppermint and menthol aromas to the mainstream smoke of a smoking article. Smoking articles according to the invention with multicomponent filters containing peppermint advantageously provide enhanced aromas of peppermint and menthol compared to conventional menthol cigarettes.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the plant leaf in the aroma-generating segment is peppermint leaf and the plasticizer for the filter is glycerol triacetate. As was unexpectedly discovered, the inclusion of peppermint leaf and glycerol triacetate in the aroma-generating segment of multicomponent filters and smoking articles of the invention advantageously enhances the aroma of peppermint and menthol provided by the release of menthol and other volatile oils from peppermint leaf. This is illustrated, for example, by the results shown in the table below. one.

Table 1

Sample one Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Resin, mg / cigarette one one 6 6 Triacetate content glycerin in aroma-generating segment,% 5 0 5 0

The amount of menthol / emitted into the mainstream smoke during smoking, mg / cigarette 0.70 0.25 3.63 1.79 The amount of menton released in the mainstream smoke during smoking, mg / cigarette 0.45 0.36 1.19 0.87 The amount of ethyl acetate released into the mainstream smoke during smoking mg / cigarette But. But. 0.187 0,052 The amount of neomenthol released in the mainstream smoke during smoking, mg / cigarette 0,050 0.018 0.254 0.124 The amount of a-pinene released in the mainstream smoke during smoking, mg / cigarette But. But. 0,032 0,030 The amount of β-pinene released in the mainstream smoke during smoking, mg / cigarette But. But. 0,050 0.04 9

But. - undefined.

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In the table. 1 shows the amounts of specific aromatic compounds released into the mainstream smoke of peppermint in the aroma-generating segment of filter cigarettes (samples 1 and 3) according to the invention, having the general construction shown in FIG. 1. The aroma-generating segment consists of a tow of cellulose acetate fibers with a leaf of peppermint and glycerol triacetate distributed therein. In the table. 1 also shows the amounts of aromatic compounds released from peppermint leaf in the flavor-generating segment of filter cigarettes (samples 2 and 4) not according to the invention, which have the same construction as the cigarettes in samples 1 and 3, but in which the flavor-generating segment does not contain glycerol triacetate. Each sample contains 40 mg of peppermint leaf. Not all compounds released from peppermint leaf were measured.

Each of the samples is smoked under ISO conditions, and the resulting smoke extracts are analyzed using a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric single-ion monitoring method to determine the content of volatile compounds in the smoke. A complete scanning analysis is carried out with a scanning range of 30 to 400 m / s (the ratio of the mass of the anion to the charge).

As can be seen in the table. 1, the combination of glycerol triacetate and peppermint leaf in the flavor-generating segment of cigarettes with filters according to the invention leads to increased amounts of aromatic compounds released from the peppermint leaf into the mainstream smoke during smoking, compared to non-inventive filter cigarettes in which the flavor-generating the segment does not contain glycerol triacetate.

While smoking a smoking article containing a multi-component filter according to the invention, in which the plasticizer for the filter is glycerol triacetate, acetic acid and glycerin are released in the aroma-generating segment of the filter by hydrolysis of glycerol triacetate. Thus, the amount of acetic acid released in the filter during smoking is much larger than that of a smoking article not according to the invention, as illustrated by the results shown in the table below. 2. In the table. 2 shows the dimensions and properties of a filter cigarette (sample 5) according to the invention, having the general construction shown in FIG. 1. The filter segment facing the mouth consists of a tow of cellulose acetate fibers, and the flavor-generating segment consists of a tow of cellulose acetate fibers with a peppermint leaf and glycerol triacetate distributed therein. In addition, in table. 2 shows the dimensions and properties of the filter cigarette (sample 6) not according to the invention, which has the same construction as the cigarette in sample 5, but in which the flavor-generating segment does not contain glycerol triacetate.

As can be seen in the table. 2, the combination of glycerol triacetate and peppermint leaf in the aroma-releasing segment of a multi-component filter cigarette with a filter according to the invention (sample 5) leads to a significantly increased amount of acetic acid released in the filter compared to a filter cigarette not according to the invention (sample 6), in of which only the mouthpiece segment contains glycerol triacetate.

The total length of the smoking articles of the invention is preferably from about 70 to about 126 mm, more preferably about 84 mm.

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table 2

Sample 5 Sample 6 Resin, mg / cigarette 6.1 6.2 Total drag resistance, mm water, art 93 92 Ventilation, % 35 36 Cigarette length, mm 84.0 84.0 Length of mouth segment, mm 15.0 15.0 The length of the aroma-generating segment, mm 12.0 12.0 Resistance to retraction at the filter, mm water, Art. 92.7 91.2 The content of glycerol triacetate in the mouthpiece segment,% 7.0 7.0 The content of glycerol triacetate in the aroma-generating segment,% 5,0 0,0 Peppermint leaf content, mg 40,0 40,0 The concentration of acetic acid (parts per million based on the weight of the cigarette -92C mg) 221 57

The outer diameter of the multicomponent filters and smoking articles of the invention is preferably from about 5 to about 8.5 mm, more preferably about 7.9 mm.

The total length of the multicomponent filters of the invention is preferably from about 18 to about 36 mm, more preferably about 27 mm.

The length of each individual segment of the multicomponent filters of the invention is preferably from about 5 to about 22 mm.

The mouthpiece segment of the multicomponent filters of the invention, in some embodiments, prevents ingestion of a plant leaf from the aroma-generating segment by the consumer during smoking. The mouth-facing segment preferably contains filter media. The segment facing the mouth, even more preferably, contains filter material that does not have substantially any filtering ability in the particle phase or has a very low filtering ability in the particle phase. The mouthpiece segment may, for example, contain cellulosic material, such as a cellulose acetate tow or other suitable low-filtering fibrous filter material.

In cases where the mouth-facing segment contains filter material, the length of the mouth-facing segment is preferably from about 3 to about 12 mm, more preferably from about 6 to about 8 mm.

The multicomponent filters of the invention may further comprise a segment at the end of the tobacco rod, located upstream of the flavor-generating segment. The segment at the end of the tobacco rod preferably contains fibrous filter material. The segment at the end of the tobacco rod may, for example, contain cellulosic material, such as a cellulose acetate tow or other suitable fibrous filter materials, such as paper. The inclusion of a segment at the end of a tobacco rod containing filter material advantageously provides additional filtering ability.

Alternatively or additionally, the segment at the end of the tobacco rod may comprise at least one sorbent that is capable of removing at least one gaseous component from the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter. Preferably, said at least one sorbent is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, activated alumina, zeolites, sepiolites, molecular sieves and silica gel.

The segment at the end of the tobacco rod may include one or more flavors — preferably one or more liquid flavors — to further enhance flavor delivery to the consumer while smoking.

For example, the segment at the end of the tobacco rod may comprise a tow of filter material comprising one or more threads soaked in liquid flavor. One or more threads may be made from cellulose acetate yarn, viscose, cotton or other hydrophilic

- 4 024076 textile or non-textile material capable of absorbing or adsorbing liquid flavoring. The yarns may be dyed, for example, to indicate the type of flavoring impregnated them. If there is more than one thread, the threads may be the same or different colors or may be impregnated with the same or different liquid flavorings. The diameter of the threads is preferably from about 0.6 to about 2.0 mm, more preferably about 0.8 mm. Filter tows containing flavoring threads and suitable for use in segments at the end of the tobacco rod in multi-component filters of the invention, as well as methods and devices for making such tows, are described in US Pat. PC. Virginia, USA

Alternatively, the segment at the end of the tobacco rod may include a plurality of beads impregnated with a liquid flavor. Balls can be formed, for example, from cellulosic material bonded with a polyvinyl acetate binder, or from tobacco powder bonded with microcrystalline cellulose. Balls suitable for use in segments at the end of the tobacco rod in multicomponent filters according to the invention are manufactured and supplied by Kepdo Co. Wow, Japan with the trademark U18soreat18®. In addition, methods and devices for making such balls are described in Japanese Patent Application 10182842. The balls may be of the same or different diameters and colors. The color of the ball may, for example, indicate the type of flavor that they are impregnated with. The diameter of the balls is preferably from about 0.2 to about 2 mm.

Liquid flavors for use in segments at the end of a tobacco rod in multicomponent filters of the invention may include one or more flavoring ingredients to create a specific odor and may be natural extracts, synthetic flavorings, or a combination thereof. The types of liquid flavors and fragrances that can be included in the segment at the end of the tobacco rod in the multi-component filters of the invention include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon , cloves and ginger), cocoa, vanilla and fruit flavors. In preferred embodiments of the invention in which the plant leaf in the flavoring segment is peppermint leaf, the segment at the end of the tobacco rod in the multicomponent filter preferably comprises a liquid menthol flavoring. In such embodiments, supplying a menthol flavoring to a segment at the end of the tobacco rod favorably enhances the release of aroma into the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter during smoking, and complements the release of menthol and mint flavors downstream of this segment into the mainstream smoke due to the peppermint leaf in the flavoring segment.

The segment facing the mouth may contain at least one flavoring agent, such as that described above for the segment at the end of the tobacco rod. If a flavor is used, the mouth facing segment preferably includes one or more threads soaked in liquid flavor.

Multicomponent filters according to the invention may include mouth-facing segments containing at least one flavoring, or segments at the end of the tobacco rod containing at least one flavoring, or mouth-facing segments containing at least one flavoring, and segments at the end of the tobacco rod containing at least one flavor. In cases where the mouth-facing segment and the segment at the end of the tobacco rod contain at least one flavoring, said at least one flavoring in the mouth-facing segment may be the same as at least one flavoring in the segment at the end of the tobacco rod or may be different from it.

When, when using a smoking article, the mainstream smoke is drawn from the core of the smoking material through a multi-component filter, the aroma is released into the mainstream smoke from the plant sheet in the aroma-generating segment. In embodiments of the invention in which at least one flavor is placed in a segment at the end of the tobacco rod, the flavor is also released upstream of the above flavor-generating segment. In embodiments of the invention in which at least one flavoring is alternatively or additionally placed in the mouth-facing segment, the flavor is also released downstream of the flavor-generating segment. Therefore, the multicomponent filters of the invention can provide double or triple enhancement of the aroma of the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter during smoking.

Multicomponent filters according to the invention can be manufactured by forming separate continuous rods containing numerous single elements of each individual segment of a multicomponent filter, and then combining these individual continuous rods in a known manner in one or more stages to obtain a continuous filter rod containing many single elements of a multicomponent filter. Then, the continuous filter rod can be sequentially cut with a cutting device at regular intervals to obtain a series of individual multi-component filters according to the invention.

The smoking articles of the invention preferably comprise a wrapped core of tobacco bag.

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The smoking articles of the invention preferably have an overall delivery of nicotine-free, particulate or tar dry matter up to about 10 mg. The delivery of the resin is preferably from 1 to 10 mg, and even more preferably about 6 mg.

The smoking articles of the invention may be packaged in containers, for example, soft packs or packs with a hinged lid, having an inner liner coated with one or more flavorings.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the plant leaf in the aroma-generating segment is distributed over a tow of fibrous filter material, preferably from cellulose acetate fibers. A plasticizer is conventionally applied to the fibrous filter material by spraying it onto individual fibers, preferably before applying the plant leaf to the filter material.

The plant leaf is preferably substantially uniformly distributed along the length of the tow of fibrous filter material. The loading of peppermint leaf in an aroma-containing segment is preferably from about 1 to about 4 mg per 1 mm of aroma-generating segment for a multi-component filter having a diameter of from about 7.5 to about 7.8 mm.

The amount of plasticizer for the filter can be from 1 to 9 wt.% A tow of fibrous filter material, preferably 5 wt.% (Or less) of a tow of fibrous filter material. If glycerol triacetate is used as a plasticizer for the filter, the amount of glycerol triacetate is preferably about 5% by weight of a tow of cellulose acetate tow or other fibrous filter material. It has been found that this glycerol triacetate content provides an acceptable stiffness of the fiber filter material in the aroma-generating segment without interfering with the release of aroma from the peppermint leaf. This is noticeably less than the amount of glycerol triacetate in conventional filter plugs from cellulose acetate tow, which is typically about 7% by weight.

In smoking articles according to the first aspect of the invention, the length of the aroma-generating segment is preferably from about 5 to about 22 mm, more preferably from about 10 to about 15 mm, most preferably about 12 mm.

In smoking articles according to the first aspect of the invention, the filter segment at the end facing the mouth may comprise a hollow tube or cavity. A hollow tube or cavity may be formed while attaching the multi-component filter to the rod of smoking material, for example, mouthpiece paper to form the smoking article of the invention. In such smoking articles, the downstream end of the aroma-generating segment is visible on the mouthpiece end of the multicomponent filter through a hollow tube or cavity, which allows the consumer to see the plant leaf distributed in the bundle of fibrous filter material. In cases where the end segment facing the mouth contains a hollow tube or cavity, the length of this segment is preferably from about 3 to about 4 mm.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the aroma-generating segment comprises a plug of a plant leaf — preferably a pressed plant leaf — coated with a plasticizer for the filter. This plug preferably does not contain any other materials. Plasticizer for the filter can be applied to the plant leaf before or after the formation of the stub.

The amount of plasticizer for the filter is preferably from about 0.5 to about 1.5% by weight of the plant leaf. If the aroma-generating segment comprises a plug of peppermint leaf coated with glycerol triacetate, the amount of glycerol triacetate is preferably from about 0.5 to about 1.5 wt.% Peppermint leaf. In such smoking articles, much less glycerol triacetate is required than in smoking articles in which a peppermint leaf is distributed in a tow of fibrous filter material, since glycerol triacetate is only required to enhance aroma, and not to stiffen the tow of filter material.

In smoking articles according to a second aspect of the invention, the mouth-facing filter segment preferably contains fibrous filter material to prevent loss of peppermint leaf from the filter.

In smoking articles according to the second aspect of the invention, the length of the aroma-generating segment is preferably from about 3 to about 12 mm.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the multicomponent filters of the invention further comprise a second aroma-generating segment between the mouth-facing end segment and the previously described aroma-generating segment. The inclusion of a second aroma-generating segment further enhances the delivery of aroma to the consumer while smoking.

The second aroma-generating segment preferably comprises a tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet may be crushed, cut, or otherwise reduced in size. The tobacco sheet is preferably finely chopped, and more preferably, the tobacco sheet has a particle width of about 0.4 mm.

The tobacco sheet in the second flavor-generating segment is preferably dried. The moisture content of the tobacco leaf is preferably about 15% by weight or less.

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The length of the second aroma-generating segment is preferably from about 6 to about 12 mm, more preferably from about 6 to about 10 mm.

The second flavoring segment may include a tobacco sheet, on which is coated, containing, for example, sugars or humectants.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1-3 are side views of three filter cigarettes containing multicomponent filters according to first, second and third embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 4-7 are schematic longitudinal sectional views of four filter cigarettes containing multicomponent filters according to the fourth to seventh embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a multicomponent filter according to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a multicomponent filter according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.

The filter cigarettes shown in FIG. 1-9, have several common components, and these components are denoted by the same reference numbers. On each side view, parts are removed to show the internal parts of the multi-component filter.

Typically, each filter cigarette comprises an elongated, cylindrical wrapped tobacco rod 2, attached at one end to a one-axis, elongated, cylindrical, multicomponent filter 4. The wrapped tobacco rod 2 and the multicomponent filter 4 are connected in the usual way by mouthpiece paper 6 that surrounds a multicomponent filter along the entire length and the adjacent part of the wrapped tobacco rod 2. For ventilation with ambient air the main stream of smoke generated during combustion rnutogo tobacco rod 4, a plurality of annular perforations 8 through the tipping paper 6 along the multi-component filter 4.

A multi-component filter 4 of a filter cigarette 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 includes two segments adjacent to each other with their ends: the segment 12 facing the mouth, remote from the wrapped tobacco rod 2; and aroma-releasing segment 12, located downstream of the mouth-facing segment 12 and adjacent to and adjacent to the wrapped tobacco rod 2. The mouth-facing segment 12 contains a plug of a low filtration ability cellulose fiber tow, plasticized with glycerol triacetate. The aroma-generating segment 14 comprises a plug of a cellulose acetate tow with a substantially dried peppermint sheet substantially evenly distributed therein having chopped fibers in widths of 1 to 2 mm. A plug of cellulose acetate tow comprises 5% by weight of a glycerol triacetate plasticizer.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the mouth-facing segment 12 of the multi-component filter 4 shown in FIG. 1, is replaced by a cavity, which essentially has no filtering ability and is formed by mouthpiece paper 6.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 20 with the filter shown in FIG. 2 is similar in design to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 10 with the filter shown in FIG. 1 and described above. However, the mouth-facing segment 12 of the filter cigarette 20 shown in FIG. 2 further comprises a central cotton thread 22 impregnated with menthol and extending axially through a plug of cellulose acetate tow in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter cigarette 20.

The filter cigarette 30 shown in FIG. 3, has a multicomponent filter 4, which includes three segments adjacent to each other with their ends: the segment 12 facing the mouth, remote from the tobacco rod 2; flavoring segment 14, located upstream of the segment facing the mouth, and segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod, located along the front of flavoring segment 14 and adjacent to and adjacent to the wrapped tobacco rod 2. The turned-to-mouth segment 12 and flavoring segment 14 are similar in design segments previously described for the filter cigarette 10 shown in FIG. one.

Segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod contains a plug from a tow of medium to high cellulose acetate tow, which, when used, partially filters out the phase components of the particles from the mainstream smoke stream.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 40 with the filter shown in FIG. 4 is similar in design to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 30 with the filter shown in FIG. 3 and described above. However, the mouth-facing segment 12 of the filter cigarette 40 shown in FIG. 4 further comprises a central cotton thread 22 impregnated with menthol and extending axially through a plug of cellulose acetate tow in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter cigarette 40.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 50 with the filter shown in FIG. 5 is also similar in design to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 30 with the filter shown in FIG. 3 and described above. However, segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod in the multicomponent filter 4 of a cigarette 50 s

- 7 024076 by the filter shown in FIG. 5, comprises a central cotton thread 52 impregnated with menthol and extending axially through a plug of a cellulose acetate tow of fibers parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter cigarette 50.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 60 with the filter shown in FIG. 6 is again similar in design to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 30 with the filter shown in FIG. 3 and described above. However, both the segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod and the mouth-facing segment 12 of the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 60 with the filter shown in FIG. 6, contain a central cotton thread 22, 52 impregnated with menthol and extending axially through a plug of cellulose acetate tow parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter cigarette 60.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), segments 32 at the end of the tobacco rod in multi-component cigarette filters 40, 50, 60 with the filters shown in FIG. 4-6 may further comprise at least one sorbent capable of removing gaseous components from the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter 4. The at least one sorbent is, for example, activated carbon, activated alumina, zeolites or sepiolites provided on a tow from cellulose acetate fibers.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 70 with the filter shown in FIG. 7 is similar in design to the multi-component filter 5 of the cigarette 50 with the filter shown in FIG. 5 and described above. However, the segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod in the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 70 shown in FIG. 7, instead of the central cotton thread 52, it contains a plurality of νίδCoreagP® balls loaded with menthol.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), mouth-facing segments 12 of multi-component filters 4 of cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 with the filters shown in FIG. 3-7 are replaced by a cavity, which essentially has no filtering ability and is formed by mouthpiece paper 6.

The filter cigarette 80 shown in FIG. 8 has a multicomponent filter 4, which is similar in design to the multicomponent filters 4 of cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60 with the filters shown in FIG. 3-6, and which includes three segments adjacent to each other with their ends: the segment 12 facing the mouth, remote from the tobacco rod 2; aroma-generating segment 14, located along the front of the mouthpiece segment; and a segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod, located downstream of the aroma-generating segment 14 and adjacent to and adjacent to the wrapped tobacco rod

2. The segment 12 facing the mouth and the segment 14 at the end of the tobacco rod are similar in design to the segments previously described for the cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60 shown in FIG. 3-6. The aroma-containing segment 14 contains a plug from a finely chopped peppermint leaf, which is coated with glycerol acetate and compressed, instead of a plug from a tow of cellulose acetate tow with peppermint distributed therein. The amount of glycerol acetate is from about 0.5 to 1.5 wt.% Peppermint leaf.

As will be appreciated, any of the mouth-facing segment 12 and segment 42 at the end of the tobacco rod in the cigarette 80 shown in FIG. 8, or both of these segments, may include the flavor described above for the cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60 shown in FIG. 3-8.

The filter cigarette 90 shown in FIG. 9, has a multicomponent filter 4, which includes four segments adjacent to each other with their ends: the segment 12 facing the mouth, remote from the tobacco rod 2; a first flavoring segment 92 located downstream of the mouth-facing segment; a second aroma-generating segment 14 located downstream of the first aroma-generating segment; and a segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod, located downstream of the second flavoring segment 14 and adjacent to and adjacent to the wrapped tobacco rod 2. Oral segment 12, the second aroma-generating segment 14 and segment 32 at the end of the tobacco rod are similar in design to the mouth-facing segment , a flavoring segment and a segment at the end of the tobacco rod previously described for cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 with the filters shown in FIG. 3-7. The second flavor-generating segment 92 comprises a plug of tightly packed finely chopped tobacco.

To form cigarettes 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 with filters according to the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIG. 1-9, multicomponent filters 4 are made, and then they are combined with conventionally manufactured wrapped tobacco rods 2 using cigarette paper 6 using known filter cigarette manufacturing equipment.

For the manufacture of each multicomponent filter 4, separate continuous rods are produced in a known manner, containing numerous single elements of each segment 12, 14, 32, 92 of the multicomponent filter 4, and then connected to form a continuous filter rod containing a plurality of single elements of the multicomponent filter 4. Then, the continuous the filter rod is cut with a cutting device at regular intervals to obtain a number of individual multicomponent filters.

Claims (13)

CLAIM 1. A multicomponent filter (4) for a smoking article, containing a mouth-facing segment (12) and an aroma-releasing segment (14) along with a segment (12) facing the mouth of the mouth, while the aroma-releasing segment (14) contains a vegetable sheet coated with a plasticizer for filter. 2. Multicomponent filter (4) according to claim 1, in which the amount of plasticizer is from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.% Of the weight of the vegetable leaf. 3. A multicomponent filter (4) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the plant leaf in the flavor-releasing segment (14) is a compressed plant leaf. 4. Multicomponent filter (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the plant leaf in the aroma-releasing segment (14) contains a pressed grass leaf. 5. A multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the herbal leaf contains a mint leaf. 6. The multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plasticizer for the filter is glycerol triacetate. 7. A multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the aroma-releasing segment (14) contains a plug of cellulose cellulose fibers with a vegetable leaf distributed therein and a plasticizer for the filter. 8. A multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a segment (32) for placement at the end of the tobacco rod, located in front of the aroma-releasing segment (14). 9. A multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second aroma-releasing segment between the overt-facing segment and the aroma-releasing segment. 10. The multi-component filter (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth-facing segment (12) contains filter material. 11. The multicomponent filter (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth-facing segment (12) contains at least one liquid flavoring. 12. Smoking article (10), (20), (30), (40), (50), (60), (70), (80) containing a wrapped rod of smoking material (2) and a multi-component filter (4) according to any preceding claim, attached with tipping paper (6) to the rod of smoking material (2). 13. A smoking article (10), (20), (30), (40), (50), (60), (70), (80) of Claim 12, in which the mouth-facing segment (12) of a multicomponent filter (4) is a hollow tube or cavity.