EP3200630B1

EP3200630B1 - Breakable capsule for smoking article

Info

Publication number: EP3200630B1
Application number: EP15770540.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joan Castellà CODORNIU
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2021-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-28
Also published as: KR20170063941A; JP6966941B2; EP3200630A1; WO2016050688A1; EA033148B1; CA2962821A1; PH12017500581A1; EA201790494A1; ES2902215T3; JP2017528154A; PL3200630T3

Description

The present invention relates to a breakable capsule for use with an item such as a smoking article.
In recent times smoking articles have become available with breakable capsules containing a liquid positioned within them. In use a consumer can break the capsule to release the liquid to alter the smoking experience or to extinguish the smoking article.
Such smoking articles are popular with consumers, but their production can be complicated and expensive and it can be difficult to produce a capsule which ruptures reliably to deliver the liquid in an appropriate way to produce the desired effect. For example, there is often a compromise between the provision of a capsule which is of sufficient strength to withstand the manufacturing process yet which is capable of being broken easily by a consumer when required. Furthermore, it can be very difficult to predict exactly how such capsules rupture and therefore difficult to ensure that the liquid contained therein is delivered to the region in the smoking article where it is required. In particular, it is desired that the liquid coming out from the capsule is directed toward the longitudinal axis of the smoking article and avoid wetting the paper in which the tobacco rod is wrapped.
WO2014/061415 discloses a capsule having liquid sealed therein and a smoking article provided with such a capsule.
The present invention seeks to provide a breakable capsule for use in a smoking article, the capsule being simple and cost effective to manufacture, strong enough to maintain its structure during the smoking article manufacturing process, and yet easy and reliable to rupture by a consumer when required.
According to the present invention there is provided a breakable capsule for use in a smoking article comprising a shell defining a cavity arranged to retain a liquid in use, wherein the shell further comprises one recess formed on the inner surface of the shell, the recess shaped to define a rupture point in the shell when the shell is subjected to an external force, wherein the shell further comprises a protrusion formed on an outer surface of the shell to aid rupture of the shell, wherein the recess and the protrusion are located adjacent to each other, wherein the recess has a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule and the cross section of the recess is of a smaller surface area than the cross section of the protrusion which is in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule, wherein the combination of the recess and the protrusion allows a better control of the breaking location of the capsule near the root of the protrusion.
By providing a recess that defines a rupture point for the capsule it is possible to ensure that, when the capsule is ruptured by a consumer, the liquid is directed accurately from the capsule to a particular desired location. This improves the efficiency of delivery of the liquid to the smoking article. Furthermore, with the structure of the present invention a capsule can be provided which is simple and reliable to manufacture and strong enough to withstand the manufacturing process. An example of the present invention will now be described in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a breakable capsule according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a capsule according to the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a smoking article comprising a capsule according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a breakable capsule 1 according to the present invention comprises a tubular outer shell 2 which defines a cavity 3 which contains, in use, a liquid (not shown). The shell 2 comprises a main body and a seal 4. During the manufacturing process the cavity 3 is filled with liquid and closed with seal 4 before the capsule 1 is inserted into a smoking article 20, as shown in Figure 3.
At the end of the capsule 1 opposite to the seal 4 is an end wall 5 which, in this example, is recessed slightly from the end of the capsule 1 and bows into the cavity 2 towards the centre of the end wall 5. In the centre of the end wall 5 is a protrusion 6, which is positioned generally in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the capsule 1. Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that, adjacent to the protrusion 6 on the interior of the shell 2 and within the cavity 3 is a recess 7. In this specific example the thickness of the end wall 5 is 0.3 mm, the recess has a depth of 0.17mm and the protrusion is 0.4mm.
Also referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the side walls 8 of the shell 2 taper such that they have a greater thickness at the end of the capsule 1 adjacent to the seal 4 than at the end of the capsule 1 adjacent to the end wall 5. As can also be seen from this Figure, a series of internal ribs 9 can be provided on the internal wall of the shell 2. These two features, in combination with the bowed shape of the end wall 5 assist in providing a rigid structure for the capsule 1 whilst ensuring that any force applied is all concentrated toward the single point where the recess 7 is located. The provision of the recess 7 controls the rupture point of the capsule 1 when sufficient force is applied by a consumer to break the capsule and therefore controls when the liquid contained within the capsule 1 is dispensed upon rupture of the capsule. The provision of the protrusion 6 improves yet further this accuracy of rupture.
In particular, there can be benefits in choosing the relative dimensions of the recess and protrusion, together with the side wall thickness and end wall thickness such that they combine to provide a configuration in which the end wall, particularly the region of the recess 7 and protrusion 6 form the thinnest part of the capsule 1 to define accurately the rupture point of the capsule 1. This improves the efficiency of delivery of the liquid to the smoking article as well as controlling well the rupture characteristics of the capsule 1 to provide a reliable operation.
It will be appreciated that the relative dimensions of the side shell wall thickness, seal 5, recess depth, end wall thickness, protrusion length and internal rib size can be varied dependent upon the type of smoking article into which the capsule 1 is to be placed. This can also be varied based upon the characteristics of the liquid to be dispensed. However, by way of example, we have found that, in particular, the range of thickness of the end wall is 0.25 mm - 0.40mm, a ratio of recess depth to end wall thickness in the range of 0.10 - 0.20, with a recess depth to protrusion length in the range of 0.10 - 0.80 works reliably and effectively.
By way of example, as mentioned above, the thickness of the end wall 5 is 0.3 mm, the recess may have a depth of 0.17mm, with the protrusion having a height of 0.4mm. This can be used in combination with an end wall thickness of 0.13mm and a side wall thickness that is 0.3mm at its thinnest point. As can be seen from the Figures, there can be some benefit in having an end wall 5 which curves inwardly towards the cavity 2, and in this example it curves at an angle of approximately 4° to the perpendicular of the axis of the capsule 1.
It will also be appreciated that there are a number of ways of manufacturing the capsule and a number of materials that may be appropriate main body and the seal 4. For example, the body may be formed from low density polyethylene synthetic resin, for example "Novatec LD" made by Japan Polyethylene Corporation. The seal may be formed from a polyamide/low density polyethylene laminate sheet of the type provided, for example, by Tamapoly Co., with specification "NY#15/DL/LC-21, 50µm". This may be bonded to the main body by heat sealing, for example.
In terms of dimensions, the maximum outer dimension of the capsule may be of the range 0.5 to 8mm, dependent upon the diameter of any filter element into which it is to be inserted. Preferably the maximum outer diameter is about 6mm.
The shell 2 and the seal member 4 described above form the capsule 1, and the capsule 1 contains a liquid. For example, the liquid which is contained in the capsule 1, in addition to distilled water, may be an aqueous solution in which an additive such as an aromatic material is dissolved in the distilled water.
The capsule 1 described above contains 130 mg of liquid, for example.
A smoking article 20 comprises a tobacco rod 20 to which is attached a filter element formed of multiple segments or multiple segment filter 16 by way of a tipping paper 23. The capsule 1 is incorporated in the filter element 16. In the specific example shown in Figure 3, the capsule 1 placed in a cavity formed between an upstream filter segment 31 placed next to the tobacco rod 22 and a downstream filter segment 21 placed towards the mouth end of the multiple segment filter 16. In other embodiments of the smoking article, the capsule 1 may not be placed in a cavity but could be placed directly within the filter tow.
When the capsule 1 is disposed in a cavity of the multiple segment filter 16, the capsule 1 is positioned such that the end wall 5 is oriented toward the upstream filter segment 31 placed next to a tobacco rod 22, as shown in FIG. 3.
In use, the cigarette 20 in which the capsule 1 is incorporated is held by the user by the multiple segment filter 16. More precisely, the user holds the multiple segment filter 16 with fingers on the tipping paper 23, and can apply an external force F (see FIG.3) to the sides of the multiple segment filter such that a the force F is exerted to the tubular outer shell 2 of the capsule 1. The external force F causes an elastic deformation of the shell 2, the internal pressure in the capsule increases to a point at which the capsule 1 breaks.
Referring now to Fig.2, the tubular outer shell 2 of the capsule 1 has a flange 10 at an open end, and extends to its end wall 5 opposite its open end in tapered manner. The flange 10 and seal member 4 tightly close the open end. Therefore, when the external force F compresses the tubular outer shell 2, the resultant of the force F is preferably driven toward the end wall 5 rather than toward the open end.
Further, the resultant of the force F on the end wall 5 forces it to bulge outwardly. That is, a disc portion 11 extending from the sides of the outer shell 2 to a central portion 13 is elastically deformed so to flex towards the outside or downwardly on the figure 2. Preferably, the disc portion 11 is preset by design to taper inwardly (upwardly on the figure) toward its part nearest to the central portion 13. By the result of the elastic deformation of the disc portion 11, the central portion 13 is pulled toward the outside (or downwardly on figure 2).
The central portion 13 comprises at least a recess 7 defining a concavity at the inside of the capsule 1 and located such that as to define a thin part at the junction between the disc portion 11 and the central portion 13 and to define accurately the rupture point of the capsule 1. As a result, the central portion 13 is broken first in this specific region where the disc portion 11 and the central portion 13 meet. In a preferred embodiment, the central portion 13 further comprises a protrusion 6 extending toward the outside of the capsule and located such together with the recess 7 it defines a thin part at the junction between the disc portion 11 and the central portion 13. This combination of the recess 7 and of the protrusion 6 allows a better control of the breaking location of the capsule, near the root of the protrusion 6 and allows to make the end wall even thinner in that location. Thus, it is possible to design a capsule where the break strength range can be easily adjustable over a wide range and more importantly toward lower values.
Once the central portion 13 is broken, the internal pressure of the capsule 1 abruptly reduces, and the breakage of the central portion 13 does not further progress. Therefore, the breaking spot is limited to the specific area adjacent to the recess 7 and preferably to the protrusion 6. This abrupt reduction in the internal pressure of the capsule 1 allows the user to sense efficiently the breakage of the capsule 1.
If the user keeps crushing the capsule 1 after the breakage of the central portion 13, the liquid in the capsule 1 is ejected toward the filter element 31 from the breaking spot of the central portion 13, and soaks into the filter element 31.
Since the breaking position of the central portion 13 is limited to the specific position adjacent to the root of the protrusion 6, that is, the center of the end wall 5 as described above, the liquid dispersed from the capsule 1 soaks into the center of the end surface in the filter element 31, and forms a liquid soaked area LA (FIG. 1) in a central region in the filter element 31.
As mentioned above, the liquid will all be dispensed through the single rupture point located at the recess 7 and therefore liquid is dispensed very accurately into a precise region of the filter element 31. The liquid, which may simply be water, or may contain flavouring, perfume or other additive of some type, can therefore be dispensed in a very controlled and accurate manner to provide a very reliable and predictable change in the smoke output of the cigarette 20.
The water-soluble components contained in smoke in the smoking article can be reduced by penetration of the liquid in the filter element 31 and by this the taste and flavour of the smoke changes in a manner controlled by the consumer. If perfume is included in the liquid, the flavour of the perfume can be added to the mainstream smoke to provide simultaneously an altered flavour and aroma. As will be appreciated, the filter element 31 may be of unitary construction or may be formed of components that are positioned adjacent to certain aspects of the capsule. With either arrangement at least a portion of the filter element 21, 31 may be formed from the conventional fibrous cellulose material and may have components within it, such as activated carbon or other conventional additives.

Claims

A breakable capsule (1) for use in a smoking article (20) comprising a shell (2) defining a cavity (3) arranged to retain a liquid in use, wherein the shell (2) further comprises one recess (7) formed on the inner surface of the shell (2), the recess (7) shaped to define a rupture point in the shell (2) when the shell (2) is subjected to an external force,
wherein the shell (2) further comprises a protrusion (6) formed on an outer surface of the shell (2) to aid rupture of the shell (2),

wherein the recess (7) and the protrusion (6) are located adjacent to each other,

wherein the recess (7) has a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1) and the cross section of the recess (7) is of a smaller surface area than the cross section of the protrusion (6) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1),

wherein the combination of the recess (7) and the protrusion (6) allows a better control of the breaking location of the capsule (1) near the root of the protrusion (6).
A breakable capsule (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion (6) has a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1).
A breakable capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein shape of the recess (7) and/or the protrusion (6) cross section in the longitudinal direction is conical.
A breakable capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell (2) is made of an elastically deformable material.
A breakable capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell (2) comprises an end wall (5).
A breakable capsule according to claim 5, wherein the range of thickness of the end wall (5) is 0.25 to 0.40mm, the ratio of the depth of the recess (7) to the thickness of the end wall (5) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1) is between 0.10 to 0.20, and the ratio of the depth of the recess (7) to a height of the protrusion (6) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1) is between 0.10 to 0.80.
A breakable capsule (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the capsule (1) is substantially cylindrical and the shell (2) comprises a peripheral wall (8), and an open end closed by a seal member (4) opposing the end wall (5).
A breakable capsule (1) according to claim 7, wherein the end wall (5) is thinner than the peripheral wall (8).
A breakable capsule (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the protrusion (6) is integral to the end wall (5).
A breakable capsule (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the thickness of the peripheral wall (8) towards the end wall (5) is less than the thickness towards the open end.
A breakable capsule (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 10, further comprising at least one rib (9) extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the capsule (1), the rib (9) formed in the peripheral wall (8) to aid the rupture around the recess (7) when the peripheral wall (8) is subjected to an external force.
A smoking article (20) comprising a filter element (16) and a breakable capsule (1) according to any proceeding claim, wherein the breakable capsule (1) is disposed in a filter element (16).
A smoking article (20) according to claim 12, wherein the smoking article (20) further comprises a combustible tobacco rod (22) connected to the filter element (16).