EA028423B1 - Filter of smoking article equipped with capsule having liquid encapsulated therewithin and smoking article provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter of a smoking article includes a capsule CA having a tubular shape and including a peripheral wall 10 constituting a peripheral surface of the tubular shape and a pair of end walls 11, 12 closing front and rear openings of the tubular shape, respectively, the capsule having a liquid encapsulated therein, at least the peripheral wall 10 being elastically deformable, and the peripheral wall being provided with at least one ring-shaped main thin-walled region 10a extending in a peripheral direction of the peripheral wall or with at least one straight main thin-walled region 10c extending in an axial direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction; and a generally cylindrical filter body having an accommodation space 204 in which the capsule CA is accommodated, wherein the capsule is disposed within the accommodation space such that the ring-shaped main thin-walled region 10a or the straight main thin-walled region 10c is directed parallel to a radial direction of the filter body.

Description

The present invention relates to a filter of a smoking article, which is provided with a capsule containing the liquid encapsulated therein, and which is intended for use with a smoking article, such as a filter cigarette, and a smoking article with a filter.

State of the art

The penetration of a liquid, such as water or an aqueous solution containing an aroma-releasing additive, dissolved in water, into a filter of a smoking article, such as a filter cigarette, when the smoking article is smoked, the aromatic characteristics of inhaled smoke can be improved, or by the introduction of a flavor other than inhaled smoke . In such cases, the liquid pre-encapsulated in the capsule is introduced into the filter housing, and the user destroys the capsule before smoking the smoking article, allowing the liquid to pour out of the capsule and enter the filter. In particular, the user exerts an external force on the capsule while holding between his (her) fingers, the capsule on the outside of the filter, with the destruction of the capsule.

Capsules from a polysaccharide such as gelatin are, however, water soluble and unsuitable for encapsulating hydrophilic liquids, and the use of such water soluble capsules is essentially limited to encapsulating hydrophobic flavors. On the other hand, capsules made of synthetic resin are insoluble in water, are suitable for encapsulating hydrophilic liquids and have excellent shape stability. However, such capsules made of synthetic resin are solid in comparison with water-soluble capsules, various means are presented below, and are made to facilitate the destruction of the capsules.

In the case of a capsule having a cylindrical shape, for example, a plurality of longitudinal radial grooves are formed in one end wall of the capsule, and when a crushing force is externally applied to the capsule, the grooves separate and allow the liquid contained in the capsule to flow out (Patent Document 1).

Also, the capsule may be provided with a seal, so that when external force is applied to the capsule, the seal may be broken to allow the fluid contained in the capsule to leak (Patent Document 2).

In addition, a capsule is known which is obtained by assembling the two halves together using an annular seal, and when the capsule is compressed, the seal breaks and allows the liquid contained in the capsule to flow out (Patent Document 3).

State of the art publications

Patent Publications.

Patent Document 1. Examined Published Japanese Patent Application No. H06-2164.

Patent Document 2. Japanese Application No. 2515794.

Patent document 3. National publication.

International Patent Application No. 2008-528053.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems Solved by the Invention

However, in the case where a large force (external force) is still required to break the capsule made of synthetic resin, it is difficult for the user to crush such a capsule by grabbing the capsule with his fingers. Those. the aforementioned traditional technology to some extent facilitates the destruction of the capsule, but considerable effort is still required to tear apart the grooves or break the seals. Thus, there is a need for capsules that are easier to break.

An object of the present invention is to provide a filter for a smoking article, which (the filter) is provided with a capsule with improved crushability (a characteristic of ease to break), and a smoking article provided with a filter, such as a filter cigarette.

Problem Solving Tools

The above problem is solved by the filter of the smoking article of the invention, which contains a capsule having a tubular shape and including a peripheral wall constituting a peripheral surface of the tubular shape, and a pair of end walls covering the front and rear holes of the tubular shape, and the capsule contains a liquid encapsulated in it, moreover, at least the peripheral wall is elastically deformable, and the peripheral wall is provided with at least one annular main thin-walled portion, continued extending in the peripheral direction of the peripheral wall, or at least one direct main thin-walled portion extending in the axial direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction; and a substantially cylindrical filter housing having a containing space in which the capsule is placed, wherein the capsule is located in the containing space such that the annular main thin-walled section or the straight main thin-walled section is parallel to the radial

- 1 028423 to the direction of the filter housing.

The capsule may be provided with an annular main thin-walled section plus a straight thin-walled sub-section extending perpendicular to the main thin-walled section, or a direct main main thin-walled section plus an annular thin-walled sub-section extending perpendicular to the main thin-walled section.

The ring-shaped main thin-walled section, the straight thin-walled sub-section, the direct main thin-walled section and the ring-shaped thin-walled sub-section can each be a continuous section or a non-continuous section having an interruption.

Also, the ring-shaped main thin-walled section, the straight thin-walled sub-section, the direct main thin-walled section and the ring-shaped thin-walled sub-section can each be a recessed section having a thickness less than the thickness of the other section.

Preferably, the membrane surrounding the filter housing is water resistant.

When the capsule is provided with a direct main thin-walled portion, the shell surrounding the filter housing is preferably made of a transparent sheet material, so that the enclosing space can be visible from the outside.

Any of the above filters provided with a capsule can be introduced into smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes.

The technical results of the invention

With the filter provided with the capsule of the present invention, the user can easily disrupt the capsule so that the liquid released from the capsule can effectively penetrate the filter or tobacco.

Thus, when the capsule filter is introduced into a smoking article, such as a filter cigarette, the user can have an improved taste in breaking the capsule with ease.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In FIG. 1A shows a filter provided with a capsule according to a first embodiment in which the filter is used with a cigarette as a smoking article.

FIG. 1B is a capsule taken from the filter shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the filter of FIG. 1A to which external efforts are applied.

FIG. 3 is an improved example of the filter shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary case where thin-walled portions of the filter shown in FIG. 1A have interruptions (intermittency).

FIG. 5A is a filter provided with a capsule according to a second embodiment, in which the filter is used with a cigarette as a smoking article.

FIG. 5B is a capsule taken from the filter shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the filter of FIG. 5A to which external efforts are applied.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary improvement of the filter shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 8 shows the evaluation results of the actually obtained filters shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 9 is a modification of the filter shown in FIG. 5A.

An embodiment of the invention

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1A shows a filter provided with a capsule according to a first embodiment in which the filter is used with a CO cigarette as a smoking article. In FIG. 1B shows a CA-1 capsule taken from a Pb-1 filter of a CO cigarette.

CO cigarette, which is a filter cigarette, as shown in FIG. 1A consists of a cigarette case 100 obtained by wrapping shredded tobacco into a rod-shaped thin paper, and a Pb-1 filter located at one end of the cigarette case 100. The Pb-1 filter has a filter housing consisting of a flexible sheath 201 and two rod-shaped filter elements 202 and 203 located inside the sheath 201. The sheath 201 is obtained by folding sheet material into a tubular shape and gluing overlapping edges of rolled sheet material together. The cigarette body 100 and the Pb-1 filter are connected together by rim paper 101 wrapped around both the Pb-1 filter and a part of the cigarette case 100 to form a single CO filter cigarette.

The first filter section 202, serving as the first filter element, and the second filter section 203, serving as the second filter element, are located in the casing 201 and spaced from each other so as to be located at opposite ends of the casing 201. The filter sections 202 and 203 can be made of the same filter material as originally used in filter cigarettes, namely acetate fiber, and may further comprise charcoal.

Alternatively, a paper filter may be used for this purpose. Filter sections 202 and 203 may be made of the same material or of different materials.

The first filter section 202, located at one end of the shell 201, is adjacent to the cigarette, and the second filter section 203, located at the other end of the shell 201, is the end inserted into the mouth. The first filter section 202 and the second filter section 203 are spaced apart as indicated

- 2 028423 above, with a definition of the containing space 204 between them. Thus, strictly speaking, the filter housing consists of a first filter section 202, a second filter section 203, and an enclosing space 204 located between the first and second filter sections. The CA-1 capsule is located inside the containing space 204.

With reference to FIG. 1B, which is an enlarged view of CA-1 capsule, CA-1 capsule has a hollow, substantially tubular (columnar) shape, and the liquid is encapsulated in CA-1 capsule.

In particular, the CA-1 capsule has a side wall, or a peripheral wall 10, forming a side surface, or a peripheral surface, of a tubular shape, and a pair of end walls 11 and 12 covering the opposite front and rear holes of the tubular shape, respectively, and the liquid is contained in CA-1 capsule. The peripheral wall 10 is made of a synthetic material that is at least elastically deformable. The end walls 11 and 12 may be made of the same material as the material of the peripheral wall 10, but the material used is not particularly limited if it is able to reliably close the holes of the tubular peripheral wall 10.

Synthetic materials preferred for the peripheral wall 10 include plastic materials used for food packaging and can be selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol and polyamide, for example.

Although the end walls 11 and 12 can be made of the same material as the peripheral wall 10, a film material, such as a laminated film, can be used to seal the openings of the tubular peripheral wall 10 by heat sealing. In the case of using such a heat-sealing film, the film can be connected to the edges of the holes of the peripheral wall 10 with thermoplastic adhesive. As such an adhesive, for example, a hot-melt adhesive containing, as main agents, an adhesive polyolefin resin, low molecular weight polyethylene and EVA (ethylene vinyl alcohol) can be used.

The liquid encapsulated in the CA-1 capsule is not particularly limited, and a suitable liquid capable of improving the taste and aroma of the cigarettes can be selected. For example, any representative of water, hydrophilic flavors and hydrophobic flavors may be used. In the case of a hydrophobic flavor, it can be used in the form of an emulsion or used in combination with a solvent such as polypropylene glycol or ethanol. In particular, the liquid used may be a solution obtained by dissolving sugar, tobacco extract, aroma and the like in water or an aqueous solution, such as, for example, brandy. The fluid may be mixed with a chemical solution to prevent breakage when necessary. In addition, small solid particles such as microcapsules (fragrance capsules) having a fragrance encapsulated therein can be used as a liquid, and such fragrance capsules can be suspended in water used as a liquid.

Preferably, a waterproof sheet material is used for at least one of the casing 201 and the rim paper 101, so that the outflow of liquid can be prevented.

The Pb-1 filter for use with a CO cigarette is equipped with a CA-1 capsule, which is easily destroyed when an external force is applied by the user (the force with which the filter is caught between the fingers of the user).

As indicated above, the Pb-1 filter has a rod-like (substantially cylindrical) shape corresponding to the shape of the cigarette case 100, and the CA-1 capsule is located in the accommodating space 204 between the filter sections 202 and 203. When the filter is caught between the fingers of the user, it is activated by radial external forces, as shown by arrows P in FIG. 1A. The peripheral wall 10 of the CA-1 capsule has a structure that is easy to break, so that the CA-1 capsule is easily destroyed when such external forces are applied. In particular, the peripheral wall 10 has a thin-walled portion, as described below. A thin-walled section is a section whose wall thickness is less than that of another section, so that a thin-walled section can be destroyed more easily than another section under the action of voltage. For example, a thin-walled portion is a grooved portion having a U-shaped groove.

In the CA-1 capsule of FIG. 1A and 1B, the peripheral wall 10 has at least one annular main thin-walled section 10a (in FIGS. 1A and 1B, four thin-walled sections) extending in the peripheral or circumferential direction of CA-1 capsule and having a linear shape. As shown in FIG. 1A, the tubular capsule CA-1 is located in space 204, so that the axis of the CA-1 capsule lies along the axis of the filter.

Thus, the ring-shaped thin-walled sections 10a go in such a direction that when the filter Pb-1 is captured and subjected to radial external forces P, the thin-walled sections 10a are parallel to the direction in which the external forces P.

In FIG. 2 shows a capsule CA-1 with such external forces R.

- 3 028423

The peripheral wall 10 of the CA-1 capsule has a main thin-walled section 10a (four thin-walled sections are shown), parallel to the direction of application of external forces P. Since the main thin-walled sections 10a are provided, the CA-1 capsule gradually deforms when external forces P are applied, and when the voltage acting in the curved parts 13, where the stress is concentrated due to bending, exceeds a certain value, the capsule CA1 is destroyed, as shown. The pressure in the CA-1 capsule increases with the application of external forces P, and therefore, forces are formed in the CA-1 capsule directed perpendicular to the direction of application of external forces P. As a result, the main thin-walled sections 10a directed parallel to the direction of application of external forces P are easily destroyed.

In FIG. Figure 3 shows an example of a capsule improvement in which the capsule is provided not only with ring-shaped main thin-walled portions 10a, but also with straight thin-walled sub-sections 10b perpendicular to the main thin-walled sections 10a. The main thin-walled sections 10a each is in the form of a ring; on the other hand, the thin-walled sub-sections 10b each are in the form of a straight line extending along the axis Cb of the capsule perpendicular to the peripheral direction in which the main thin-walled sections 10a go. With thin-walled sub-sections (optional) 10b formed in this way, the CA-1 capsule can be destroyed more easily.

The main thin-walled sections 10a and straight thin-walled sub-sections 10b should not be continuous sections. Those. thin-walled sections may be areas having interruptions in their part (where the wall thickness is not reduced). In FIG. 4 shows a typical capsule, the ring-shaped main thin-walled sections 10a of which have gaps 14.

The capsule shown in FIG. 3 can also be designed so that the main thin-walled portions 10a and straight thin-walled sub-sections 10b each have such discontinuities. In this case, either the main thin-walled sections 10a, or the direct thin-walled sub-sections 10b, or both can be provided with gaps.

In addition, the shape of the gaps is not specifically limited, and each thin-walled portion may be in the form of a collapsing line having regularly spaced apart from each other or irregularly spaced apart from each other gaps.

A Pb-2 filter equipped with a CA-2 capsule according to the second embodiment for use with a CO cigarette will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings and in the following description, similar reference signs refer to like elements, and a description of the elements already described above is omitted. The following description focuses on the differences between the first and second options.

In FIG. 5A shows a typical case where a Pb-2 filter equipped with a capsule according to the present invention is used with a CO cigarette. In FIG. 5B shows a CA-2 capsule taken from a Pb-2 filter.

The typical CA-2 capsule shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, has at least one straight main thin-walled portion 10c extending along the axis Cb of the tubular peripheral wall 10 (in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction of the peripheral wall). As shown in FIG. 5A, the CA-2 tubular capsule is located in space 204, so that the axis of the CA-2 capsule is directed perpendicular to the axis of the filter.

Thus, the straight thin-walled portions 10 c extend in such a direction that when the filter P 2 is captured and subjected to radial external forces P, the thin-walled portions 10 c are parallel to the direction in which the external forces P are applied.

In FIG. 6 shows a CA-2 capsule with such external forces P.

As indicated above, the peripheral wall 10 of the CA-2 capsule has main thin-walled sections 10c that are parallel to the direction of application of external forces P. Since the main thin-walled sections 10c are provided, the CA-2 capsule gradually deforms when external forces are applied, and when the voltage acting in most of the curved parts 13, where the stress is concentrated due to bending, exceeds a certain value, the CA-2 capsule breaks on the curved parts 13, as shown. The pressure in the CA-2 capsule increases with the application of external forces P, and therefore, forces are formed in the CA-2 capsule directed perpendicular to the direction of application of external forces P. As a result, the main thin-walled sections 10c parallel to the direction of application of external forces P are easily destroyed.

In the case of this embodiment, it is preferable that the location of the CA-2 capsule in the enclosing space 204 is visually identified. For example, the filter housing shell 201 surrounding the enclosing space 204 is made of transparent sheet material, so that the enclosing space 204 can be seen from the outside. In addition, the rim paper 101 surrounding the filter housing is likewise made of transparent sheet material. This allows the user to squeeze the CA-2 capsule, confirming the location of the CA-2 capsule.

Preferably, the surfaces of the capsule that are pressed are marked with letters, for example, PRESS, as shown in FIG. 6, or, if the pressed surfaces are too small to be legible, another sign may be attached to the pressed surfaces (e.g.

- 4,084,423 pressed surfaces can be painted red or blue) so that the user can easily find the capsule to press.

In FIG. 7 shows an example of a capsule improvement in which the capsule is provided not only with direct main thin-walled portions 10c, but also with ring-shaped thin-walled sub-sections 10ά perpendicular to the main thin-walled sections 10c. In this embodiment, the main thin-walled sections 10c go directly along the axis Cb of the capsule, and the thin-walled sub-sections 10ά are each in the form of a ring. With thin-walled sub-sections (optional) 10ά formed in this way, the CA-2 capsule can be destroyed more easily.

Also in the second embodiment, the main thin-walled sections 10c and the ring-shaped thin-walled sub-sections 10ά should not be continuous sections. Those. thin-walled sections may be non-continuous sections having gaps in their parts, as established above.

Receipt and evaluation.

The above CA-2 capsule of the second embodiment is indeed prepared and evaluated as described below.

CA-2 capsule is prepared using distilled water as the liquid encapsulated in the capsule, and the breaking strength of the CA-2 capsule obtained is determined. In particular, the CA-2 capsule is injection molded using low density polystyrene, which is a plastic material used for food packaging. Then 90% (v / v) of distilled water is poured into the cavity in CA-2 capsule, and the open end of CA-2 capsule is completely brewed with a low density polyamide / polyethylene (ΚΙΜυΚΑ-ТЕС, PA / LDPE, 60 μm) laminated film obtaining a capsule containing distilled water.

The breaking strength of the capsule is determined by a strain gauge (ΚΗΕΟΜΕΤΕΚ II, from ΥΑΜΑΌΕΝ СО., ΕΤΌ.). In FIG. 8 shows how tensile strength and determination results are determined.

When using identical CA-2 capsules made in the same way, an external force was applied to the CA-2 capsules in different directions. Test A shows the case where external force was applied to the peripheral wall provided with thin-walled portions 10c, and test B shows the case where external force was applied to the capsule in a direction parallel to the thin-walled portions 10c, as in the present invention.

In test A, the breaking load required to break the capsule is 95.6 N, and in test B the required breaking load is 29.6 N, provided that a very small force is sufficient to break the capsule.

A preferred modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. nine.

The CA-2 capsule shown in FIG. 5A and 5B are columnar in shape and have thin-walled portions formed in the peripheral wall 10, and the CA-2 capsule is located in the filter, so that the axis of the CA-2 capsule is directed perpendicular to the filter axis.

CA-2 capsule shape, however, is not limited to a cylinder, and as shown in FIG. 9 by way of example, the CA-3 capsule may be in the form of a prism (in the figure, a quadrangular prism (rectangular box)). When the capsule has a prismatic shape, its position inside the enclosing space 204 can be stabilized. In this case, thin-walled portions 10c are formed on four side walls constituting the peripheral wall of the capsule. CA-3 capsule may be located in the enclosing space 204, so that the side walls of CA-3 capsule are directed parallel to the axis of the filter, in which four side walls are facing forward, backward and to the right and left, respectively, with respect to the filter. Alternatively, the CA-3 capsule may be located in the containing space 204 so that one corner of the CA-3 capsule protrudes forward, as shown in FIG. nine.

To more easily stabilize the position of each CA capsule (CA-1, CA-2, CA-3), the fiber used to form the filter elements can fill the gap of the enclosing space 204, if necessary, to prevent positional displacement of the capsule. Also, the protrusions for positioning the CA capsule can be molded on the inner surface of the shell 201, so that the CA capsule can be pressed radially into the protrusions in place. When the CA capsule can be stably located in this way, either one or both of the first and second sections of the filter can be omitted, when the case may be. In this regard, in the above embodiments described above, the space defined between the first and second filter sections is used as the enclosing space of the filter housing. This configuration is, however, only a preferred example, and the enclosing space may be otherwise configured.

It will now be described how a user (smoker) handles a CO cigarette with a filter to smoke it. The user holds the middle part of the filter Pb with his (her) fingers and exerts a force externally to compress the filter Pb, as shown by the arrows P in FIG. 1A, with the result that the shell 201 of the filter Pb and the capsule CA-1 located in the shell 201 are elastically deformable. Because the CA-1 capsule has a structure that is easy to break, it breaks easily and allows fluid to flow out of the CA-1 capsule to be absorbed in the filter.

Then, the user lights a CO cigarette with a filter for smoking it. Liquid absorbed in

- 5 028423 filter, serves to reduce the water-soluble components contained in the stream of smoke from the cigarette, and the flavor introduced into the liquid improves the taste of the cigarette.

The invention is not limited to the described options.

In the above embodiments, a filter provided with a capsule according to the present invention is used in a filter cigarette. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to filters attached to cigarettes. Those. The invention may be practiced in the independent manufacture of filters.

List of items:

Pb (Pb-1, Pb-2) - filter;

CA (CA-1, CA-2, CA-3) - capsule;

CO - cigarette;

- peripheral wall;

10a, 10b, 10c, 106 — thin-walled section;

10a is an annular main thin-walled section;

10b — direct thin-walled sub-section;

10c - direct main thin-walled section;

106 - ring-shaped thin-walled subsection;

- front wall;

- back wall;

100 - cigarette case;

101 - rim paper;

201 - shell;

202, 203, 204 - filter housing;

202 - the first section of the filter;

203 - the second section of the filter;

204 - containing space.

Claims (7)

CLAIM 1. A filter of a smoking article comprising a capsule (CA) having a tubular shape and including a peripheral wall (10) constituting a peripheral surface of the tubular shape, and a pair of end walls (11, 12) covering the front and rear holes of the tubular shape, respectively, the capsule (CA) contains a liquid encapsulated in it, wherein at least the peripheral wall (10) is elastically deformable, while the peripheral wall is provided with at least one annular main thin-walled portion (10a), lasting in the peripheral direction of the peripheral wall, or at least one direct main thin-walled portion (10c), extending in the axial direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction; and a substantially cylindrical filter housing (Pb) having an enclosing space (204) in which the capsule (CA) is placed, wherein the capsule (CA) is located in the enclosing space (204) so that the ring-shaped main thin-walled portion (10a) or straight the main thin-walled section (10c) is directed parallel to the radial direction of the filter housing (Pb). 2. The filter according to claim 1, in which the capsule (CA) is equipped with an annular main thin-walled section (10a) and a straight thin-walled sub-section (10b), extending perpendicular to the main thin-walled section, or a direct main thin-walled section (10c) and an annular thin-walled sub-section (106) ) extending perpendicular to the main thin-walled section. 3. The filter according to claim 2, in which the ring-shaped main thin-walled section (10a), the straight thin-walled sub-section (10b), the direct main thin-walled section (10c) and the ring-shaped thin-walled sub-section (106) are each a continuous section or a section having an interruption . 4. The filter according to any one of claims 2 or 3, in which the ring-shaped main thin-walled section (10b), the straight thin-walled sub-section (10b), the direct main thin-walled section (10c) and the ring-shaped thin-walled sub-section (106) are each a recessed section, having a thickness less than the thickness of another section. 5. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the shell (201) surrounding the filter housing has a water resistance. 6. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the capsule (CA) is provided with a direct main thin-walled portion (10c), and the shell (201) surrounding the filter housing is made of transparent sheet material, so that the enclosing space (204) seen from the outside. 7. A smoking article that contains a filter provided with a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 6.