ES2504098T3 - Multi-component filter for smoking product - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-component filter (4) for a smoking product comprising: an end segment (12) for the mouth; and an aroma release segment (14) upstream the mouth end segment (12), wherein the aroma release segment (14) comprises plant leaf covered with a filter plasticizer.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Multi-component filter for smoking product

The present invention relates to a multi-component filter for a smoking product and a smoking product comprising said multi-component filter.

Typically, filter cigarettes comprise a tobacco cut filler cylinder wound by a paper wrapper and an aligned cylindrical filter, based on an end-to-end relationship, with the tobacco cylinder rolled and attached thereto by means of binding paper . Ventilation is often provided through circumferential perforations at a point along the filter, in order to mix the main stream of smoke produced during combustion of the rolled tobacco cylinder with ambient air.

In conventional filter cigarettes, the filter usually consists of a cellulose acetate filter plug wound in a porous plug wrapper. However, filter cigarettes are also known which have multi-component filters comprising two or more segments of filtration material for the removal of particles and gaseous components of the smoke from the main stream. In order to improve the aroma of the mainstream smoke, it is known to provide filter cigarettes having filters that include flavorings. In particular, they have been proposed to include flavorings in the form of plant material, such as leaves, seeds or roots, of one or more aromatic plants. In a known example, a filter cigarette is proposed that has a multi-component filter that has an aroma release segment that contains a mixture of plant materials, including licorice plant material, ginger root and chopped mint leaf .

WO-A 2006/090290 describes an article for smoking that includes tobacco beads inside the filter

or in the tobacco cylinder. Tobacco pearls may include flavorings in addition to tobacco particles. In one arrangement, the filter includes a sorbent, which removes at least one component of the mainstream of tobacco smoke that passes through the filter, and downstream working pearls that compensate for the loss of flavor to the sorbent.

It would be desirable to provide a multi-component filter for a smoking product that, during use, provides an improved aroma increase, and in particular an improved administration of peppermint and menthol aroma to mainstream smoke as it is extracted to from the cylinder of material suitable for smoking through the filter by the consumer. In addition, it would be desirable to provide a multi-component filter for a smoking product comprising a flavor release segment that minimizes loss of flavor during storage.

In accordance with the present invention a multi-component filter is provided for a smoking product comprising: an end segment for the mouth; and an aroma release segment upstream of the mouth end segment, in which the aroma release segment comprises plant leaf covered with filter plasticizer.

According to the invention, a smoking product is also provided comprising a rolled cylinder of smoking material and a multi-component filter according to the present invention attached to the cylinder of smoking material, preferably by means of a paper Union. Preferably, the smoking product is a filter cigarette.

Throughout the specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative positions of the segments of the multi-component filter of the invention with respect to the smoke direction of the mainstream drawn to from the cylinder of material suitable for smoking through the multi-component filter during use. For example, in the filter of the present invention the aroma release segment is located upstream of the end segment for the mouth, which means that the mainstream smoke is first extracted through the product release segment. aroma and subsequently through the end segment for the mouth.

The term "filter plasticizer" refers to any compound suitable for use as a plasticizer in a conventional fibrous filter plug for cigarettes. In conventional fibrous filter caps, the role of the filter plasticizer is to bond the fibers of the cap so that the stiffness of the cap is increased, and therefore its compressive strength. Typically, the plasticizer is a solvent for the fiber material and acts by softening the outer surface of the fibers so that they adhere to each other. Glycerol triacetate is commonly used as a filter plasticizer for the cellulose acetate filter.

Preferably, the filter plasticizer used in the present invention is glycerol triacetate.

The term "plant leaf" is used to indicate a material consisting of leaves of a mint plant, which have preferably been cut or chopped to provide a particulate material.

The aroma release segment may include any plant that is capable of releasing aroma into the smoke from the mainstream extracted through the multi-component filter. Preferably, the plant leaf is not

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A leaf of tobacco plant. The aroma segment released may include leaf of one or more plants. In preferred embodiments, the aroma released from the plant leaf is provided by means of volatile compounds, such as oils, present therein, which volatilize during the smoking action. The mainstream smoke enriched with the volatile oils of the plant leaf flows downstream through the mouth end segment of the multi-component filter into the consumer's mouth.

Before the action of smoking, volatile oils remain trapped inside the mint leaf. Advantageously, this ensures that the loss of aroma is minimized during storage of multi-component filters and smoking products in accordance with the present invention, and thereby maximizes the release of aroma into the smoke inside the mainstream during the smoking action.

Preferably, the mint plant of the aroma release segment is chopped, cut or otherwise reduced in size. More preferably, the plant sheet has a cutting width of between about 0.25 mm and about 3 mm. Most preferably, the mint leaf has a cutting width of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

Preferably, the plant leaf is dried to a moisture content of between about 8% and about 10%.

Preferably, the plant leaf of the aroma release segment comprises herb leaf.

The expression "grass leaf" is used to refer to leaves of a herbaceous plant. A "herbaceous plant" is an aromatic plant without woody tissue, whose leaves are used for medicinal, culinary or aromatic purposes and are capable of releasing aroma in the mainstream of smoke extracted through a multi-component filter. The aroma release segment may comprise herb leaf of one or more perennial or annual herbaceous plants. For example, the aroma release segment may comprise herb leaves from herbaceous plants including, but not limited to, mint, lemon balm, basil cinnamon, lemon basil, chives, coriander, basil, lavender, sage, tea, Thyme and cumin.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the plant leaf of the aroma release segment comprises mint leaf. Preferably, the oil content of the mint leaf is at least about 0.6% by weight. The inclusion of the mint leaf in the aroma release segment of the multi-component filters according to the present invention advantageously provides a way of conferring mint and menthol aromas to the smoke from the mainstream of the smoking product . The smoking products according to the present invention with multicomponent filters that comprise mint leaf, advantageously, provide improved mint and menthol aromas compared to conventional menthol cigarettes.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the plant leaf of the aroma release segment is mint leaf and the filter plasticizer is glycerol triacetate. Surprisingly, it has been found that the inclusion of mint leaf and glycerol triacetate in the aroma release segment of multicomponent filters and smoking products according to the present invention advantageously improves the aroma of peppermint and Menthol provided by the release of menthol and other volatile oils from the mint leaf. This is illustrated, for example, by the results of Table 1 below.

Table 1 shows the amounts of particular aroma compounds released into the mainstream smoke from the mint leaf in the aroma release segment of filter cigarettes (Samples 1 and 3) according to the invention having the general construction shown in Figure 1. The aroma release segment consists of a cellulose acetate filter plug with mint leaf and glycerol triacetate distributed therein. Table 1 also shows the amounts of aroma compounds released from the mint leaf in the aroma release segment of filter cigarettes (Samples 2 and 4) not according to the invention having the same construction as Samples 1 and 3, but in which the aroma release segment does not contain glycerol triacetate. Each sample contains 40 mg of mint leaf. Not all compounds released from mint leaf are measured.

Each of the samples is smoked under ISO conditions and the smoke extracts obtained using a GC-MS single ion control method are analyzed in order to determine the levels of volatile compounds in the smoke. A full scan analysis is carried out with a scan interval of 30 to 400 m / z (ratio of anion mass to charge).

As can be seen from Table 1, the combination of glycerol triacetate and mint leaf in the aroma release segment of filter cigarettes in accordance with the present invention results in higher levels of aroma compound being released. from the mint leaf inside the mainstream smoke during the smoking action, compared to the filter cigarettes not according to the invention, in which the aroma release segment does not contain glycerol triacetate.

Table 1

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Sample 1

Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4

Tar, mg / cigarette

one one 6 6

Glycerol triacetate content of aroma release segment,%

5 0 6 0

Amount of menthol released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, g / cigarette

0.70 0.25 3.63 1.79

Amount of chin released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, g / cigarette

0.45 0.25 1.19 0.87

Amount of mentyl acetate released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, g / cigarette

nd 0.36 0.187 0.052

Amount of neomenthol released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, h / cigarette

0.050 nd 0.254 0.124

Amount of -pinene released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, g / cigarette

nd 0.018 0.032 0.030

Amount of -pinene released inside the mainstream smoke during smoking, g / cigarette

nd nd 0.050 0.049

(nd = not determined) nd

During the smoking action of the smoking product comprising the multi-component filter according to the invention in which the filter plasticizer is glycerol triacetate, acetic acid and glycerin are released in the aroma release segment of the filter as a result. of glycerol triacetate hydrolysis. Therefore, the levels of acetic acid released in the filter during the smoking action are considerably higher than for the smoking product not according to the invention, as illustrated by the results shown in Table 2 below. . Table 2 provides the dimensions and properties of a filter cigarette (Sample 5) in accordance with the present invention having the general construction shown in Figure 9. The end segment for the filter cigarette mouth consists of a filter plug cellulose acetate and the

The aroma release segment consists of a cellulose acetate filter plug with mint leaf and glycerol triacetate distributed therein. Table 2 provides the dimensions and properties of a filter cigarette (Sample 6) not in accordance with the present invention having the same construction as Sample 5, but in which the aroma release segment does not contain glycerol triacetate .

As can be seen from Table 2, the combination of glycerol triacetate and mint leaf in the

The aroma release segment of the multi-component filter of the filter cigarette according to the present invention (Sample 5) results in a considerably higher level of acetic acid than that released in the filter compared to the cigarette with filter no. according to the present invention (Sample 6), in which only the mouth end segment contains glycerol triacetate.

Table 2 5

Sample 5

Sample 6

Tar, mg / cigarette

6.1 6.2

Total RTD, mm H2O

93 92

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(continuation)

Sample 5

Sample 6

Ventilation,%

35 36

Cigarette length, mm

84.0 84.0

Length of the end segment for the mouth, mm

15.0 15.0

Length of aroma release segment, mm

12.0 12.0

RTD filter, mm H2O

92.7 91.2

Glycerol triacetate content of the mouth segment,%

7.0 7.0

Glycerol triacetate content of aroma release segment,%

5.0 0.0

Peppermint leaf content, mg

40.0 40.0

Acetic acid concentration, ppm (based on cigarette weight = 920 mg)

221 57

Preferably, the total length of the smoking products according to the present invention is between about 70 mm and about 128 mm, more preferably about 84 mm.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the multi-component filters and the smoking products according to the present invention is between about 5 mm and 8.5 mm, more preferably about 7.9 mm.

Preferably, the total length of the multi-component filters according to the present invention is between about 18 mm and about 36 mm, more preferably about 27 mm.

Preferably, the length of each individual segment of multi-component filters according to the present invention is between about 5 mm and about 22 mm.

The end segment for the mouth of the multi-component filters according to the invention can, in some embodiments, advantageously prevent the plant leaf from the aroma release segment from reaching the consumer's mouth during the action of smoke. Preferably, the end segment for the mouth comprises filtration material. More preferably, the end segment for the mouth comprises filtration material that does not have a considerable filtration efficiency of the particle phase or that has a very reduced filtration efficiency of the particle phase. The mouth end segment may, for example, comprise cellulosic material, such as a cellulose acetate filter or other suitable fibrous filtration material or low filtration efficiency.

When the end segment for the mouth comprises filtration material, preferably the length of the end segment for the mouth is between about 3 mm and about 12 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 8 mm.

The multi-component filters according to the present invention may further comprise a cylinder end segment upstream of the aroma release segment. Preferably, the cylinder end segment comprises fibrous filtration material. The cylinder end segment may, for example, comprise cellulosic material, such as a cellulose acetate filter or other suitable fibrous filtration materials such as paper. The inclusion of a cylinder end segment comprising a filtration material advantageously provides additional filtration efficiency.

Alternatively or additionally, the cylinder end segment may comprise at least one absorbent capable of removing at least one gas phase constituent from the mainstream smoke through the filter. Preferably, at least the absorbent is chosen from the group consisting of activated carbon, activated aluminum, zeolites, sepiolites, molecular sieves and silica gel.

The cylinder end segment may include one or more flavorings, preferably one or more liquid flavorings, to further improve the administration to the consumer during the smoking action.

For example, the cylinder end segment may comprise a plug of filtration material that includes

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one or more threads impregnated with the liquid flavoring. One or more threads may be formed of threads of cellulose acetate, rayon, cotton or any other hydrophilic textile or non-textile material capable of absorbing or adsorbing the liquid flavoring. The threads can be colored, for example, to indicate the type of flavoring impregnated therein. If more than one thread is provided, these may be of the same or different colors and may be impregnated with the same liquid flavorings or with different liquid flavorings. Preferably, the threads are between about 0.6 mm and about 2.0 mm in diameter, more preferably about 0.8 mm in diameter. The filter caps comprising flavoring containing threads suitable for use in the cylinder end segments of multicomponent filters in accordance with the present invention, and the methods and apparatus for producing said caps, are described in US Pat. UU. Nos. 4,281,671 and 7,074,170 and are available from The American Filtrona Company, Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Alternatively, the cylinder end segment may include a plurality of threads impregnated with a liquid flavoring. The threads can be formed, for example, from cellulosic material bonded with a polyvinyl acetate binder, or from tobacco powder bonded with microcrystalline cellulose. The threads suitable for use in the cylinder end segments of the multi-component filters according to the present invention are manufactured and marketed under the Viscopearls brand of Rengo Co., Ltd., Japan. The methods and apparatus for producing said threads are also described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10182842. The threads can be of the same or different diameters and colors. The color of the threads may indicate, for example, the type of flavoring in which they are impregnated. Preferably, the threads have a diameter of between about 0.2 mm and about 2 mm.

Liquid flavorings for use in the cylinder end segments of the multi-component filters according to the present invention may include one or more aroma ingredients to create a certain type of aroma and may be natural extracts, synthetic aromas or One of their combinations. Liquid flavors and types of flavors that can be included in the cylinder end segment of the multi-component filters according to the invention include, but are not limited to, menthol, mint, peppermint, coffee, tea, spices ( such as cinnamon, clove and ginger), coconut, vanilla and fruit. In preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the plant leaf of the aroma release segment is mint leaf, the cylinder end segment of the multi-component filter preferably comprises a liquid menthol flavoring. In said embodiments, the supply of a menthol flavoring to the roller end segment, advantageously, improves the aroma released into the smoke of the mainstream extracted through the filter during the smoking action and complements the menthol aromas and mint released downstream into the mainstream smoke by means of the mint leaf in the aroma release segment.

The mouth end release segment may comprise at least one flavoring, such as those previously described for the cylinder end segment. Preferably, if a flavoring is provided, the mouth end segment includes one or more threads impregnated with a liquid flavoring.

The multi-component filters according to the present invention may include mouth end segments comprising at least one flavoring or cylinder end segments comprising at least one flavoring or mouth end segments comprising at least one flavoring and cylinder end segments comprising at least one flavoring. When the mouth end end and the cylinder end segment comprise at least one flavoring, at least the flavoring of the mouth end segment may be the same as or different from at least one flavoring of the cylinder end segment .

During use, as the smoke from the main stream is extracted from the cylinder of smoking material through the multi-component filter, the aroma inside the main stream smoke is released from the sheet of plant in the aroma release segment. In embodiments of the present invention in which at least one flavor is provided in the cylinder end segment, aroma is also released upstream from the aroma release segment as previously described. In embodiments of the present invention in which at least one flavoring is provided, alternatively or additionally, in the mouth end segment, aroma is also released downstream of the aroma release segment. Therefore, the multi-component filters according to the present invention can also provide a double or triple aroma enhancement to the mainstream smoke extracted through the filter during the smoking action.

Multi-component filters according to the present invention can be produced by forming separate continuous cylinders comprising multiple units of each individual segment of the multi-component filter and subsequently combining these separate cylinders in known manner in one or more stages to form a cylinder. Continuous filter comprising multiple multi-component filter units. Subsequently, the continuous filter cylinder can be separated at regular intervals by means of a cutting mechanism to give rise to a succession of discrete multi-component filters according to the invention.

Preferably, the smoking products according to the present invention comprise a rolled cylinder of tobacco cut filler.

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Preferably, the smoking products according to the present invention have an administration of dry particulate matter free of total nicotine (NFDPM) or "tar" of up to about 10 mg. More preferably, the "tar administration" is between 1 mg and 10 mg and more preferably about 6 mg.

The smoking products according to the present invention can be packaged in containers, for example in soft packages or articulated lid packages, with an inner lining having one or more flavorings.

The plant sheet, covered with the filter plasticizer, is distributed substantially evenly along the length of the plug of fibrous filtration material, preferably a cellulose acetate filter.

Preferably, the plant sheet, covered with the filter plasticizer, is distributed substantially evenly along the length of the plug of fibrous filtration material. The load of the plant leaf of the aroma release segment is preferably between about 1 mg and about 4 mg per mm of aroma release segment for the multi-component filter having a diameter between about 7.5 mm and approximately 7.8 mm

The amount of filter plasticizer may be between 1% and 9% by weight of the plug of fibrous filter material, preferably 5% or less by weight of the plug of fibrous filter material. If glycerol triacetate is used as a filter plasticizer, preferably the amount of glycerol triacetate is about 5% by weight of cellulose acetate filter or other fibrous filtration material. It is remarkably less than the amount of glycerol triacetate in conventional cellulose acetate filter caps, which is typically about 7% by weight.

Preferably the aroma segment is between about 5 mm and about 22 mm in length, more preferably between about 10 mm and 15 mm in height, most preferably about 12 mm in length.

The end segment for the mouth may comprise a hollow tube or recess. The hollow or recess tube may be formed when the multi-component filter is attached to the cylinder of smoking material by, for example, joining paper to form a smoking product in accordance with the present invention. In such smoking products, the downstream end of the aroma release segment is visible at the mouth end of the multi-component filter through the hollow or recess tube, which may allow the consumer to observe the plant leaf covered with the filter plasticizer. When the end segment for the mouth comprises a hollow tube

or recess, the length of the mouth end segment is preferably from about 3 mm to about 4 mm.

The aroma release segment comprises a plant leaf plug, preferably comprises plant leaf, covered with a filter plasticizer. The cap preferably does not comprise another material. The filter plasticizer can be applied to the plant sheet before, or after the plug is formed.

The amount of filter plasticizer is between about 0.5% and about 1.5% by weight of the plant leaf, if the aroma release segment comprises a mint leaf plug covered with glycerol triacetate, the amount of glycerol triacetate is preferably between about 0.5% and about 1.5% in the passage of mint leaf. In such smoking products a much lower level of glycerol triacetate is required than in smoking products in which the mint leaf is distributed in a plug of fibrous filtration material, because glycerol triacetate is required only for Improving the aroma and not to harden the filter plug.

The end segment for the mouth comprises fibrous filtration material, to prevent the loss of the plant leaf from the filter.

The aroma release segment is preferably between about 3 mm and about 12 mm in length.

The multi-component filters according to the present invention may comprise a second aroma release segment between the mouth end segment and the aroma release segment previously described. The inclusion of a second aroma release segment further improves the administration of aroma to the consumer during smoking.

Preferably, the second aroma release segment comprises a tobacco leaf. The tobacco leaf may be chopped, cut, or otherwise have its reduced size. Preferably, the tobacco leaf is finely cut and more preferably, the tobacco leaf has a cutting width of approximately 0.4 mm.

Preferably, the tobacco leaf of the second aroma release segment is dry. Preferably, the

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Moisture content of the tobacco leaf is about 15% or less by weight.

Preferably, the length of the second aroma release segment is between about 6 mm and about 12 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 10 mm.

The second aroma release segment may include a tobacco leaf on which a covering comprising, for example, sugars or humectants has been applied.

The invention is further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 3 show side views of three filter cigarettes comprising multi-component filters according to the first, second and third embodiments, respectively, of the first aspect of the present invention;

Figures 4 to 7 show schematic cross-sectional sections of four filter cigarettes comprising multi-component filters according to fourth to seventh embodiments, respectively, of the present invention; Y

Figure 8 shows a side view of a cigarette filter comprising a multi-component filter according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; Y

Figure 9 shows a side view of a cigarette with filter comprising a multi-component filter according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.

The filter cigarettes shown in Figures 1 to 9 have several components in common and these components have been given the same reference numbers. In each of the side views, the parts have been separated to illustrate the interior details of the multi-component filter.

Each filter cigarette generally comprises an elongated rolled cylinder 2 attached to one end of the multi-component, cylindrical, elongated and aligned filter 4 in the axial direction. The rolled tobacco cylinder 2 and the multi-component filter 4 are conventionally connected by means of joining paper 6, which circumscribes the entire length of the multi-component filter and an adjacent part of the rolled tobacco cylinder 2. In order to vent the smoke from the main stream produced during combustion of the rolled tobacco cylinder 4 with ambient air, a plurality of annular perforations 8 are provided through the bonding paper 6 at a point along the multi-filter component 4.

The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 includes two segments based on an end-to-end relationship in contact with each other: an end segment 12 for the mouth, distant from cylinder 2 of rolled tobacco; and an aroma release segment 14, located upstream of the mouth end segment 12 and adjacent to and in contact with the rolled tobacco cylinder 2. The end segment 12 for the mouth comprises a low efficiency filtration cellulose acetate filter cap plasticized with glycerol triacetate. The aroma release segment 14 comprises a cellulose acetate filter plug with a dried mint leaf having a cutting width of between 1 mm and 2 mm distributed substantially evenly therethrough. The cellulose acetate filter cap includes 5% by weight of glycerol triacetate plasticizer.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the end segment 12 for the mouth of the multi-component filter 4 shown in Figure 1 is replaced by a recess, which does not exhibit significantly filtration efficiency, formed by means of the bonding paper 6.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 20 shown in Figure 2 is similar in construction to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 10 shown in Figure 1 and described above. However, the end segment 12 for the cigarette mouth with filter 10 of Figure 2 further comprises a central cotton yarn 22 loaded with menthol extending in the axial direction through the cellulose acetate filter plug, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette with filter 20.

The cigarette with filter 30 shown in Figure 3 has a multi-component filter 4 that includes three segments based on an end-to-end relationship that are in contact with each other: an end-to-mouth segment 12 , distant from the tobacco cylinder 12; an aroma release segment 14 located upstream of the mouth end segment; and a cylinder end segment 32, located upstream of the aroma release segment 14 and adjacent and in contact with the rolled tobacco cylinder 2. The mouth end segment 12 and the aroma release segment 14 are of the same construction as described above for the filter cigarette 10 shown in Figure 1.

The cylinder end segment 32 comprises a cellulose acetate filter plug of medium to high filtration efficiency which, during use, partially filters the components of the particle phase of the mainstream smoke.

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The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 40 shown in Figure 4 is similar in construction to the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 30 shown in Figure 3 and described above. However, the end segment 12 for the cigarette mouth with filter 40 shown in Figure 4 comprises a center cotton yarn 22 loaded with menthol extending in the axial direction through the cellulose acetate filter plug , parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette with filter 40.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 50 shown in Figure 5 is also similar in construction to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 30 shown in Figure 3 and described above. However, the cylinder end segment 32 of the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 50 shown in Figure 5 comprises a central cotton thread 52 loaded with menthol extending in the axial direction through the filter plug of cellulose acetate, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette with filter

fifty.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 60 shown in Figure 6 is again similar in construction to the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette with filter 30 shown in Figure 3 and described above. However, both the cylinder end segment 32 and the mouth end segment 12 of the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 60 shown in Figure 6 comprise central cotton threads 22, 52 loaded with menthol extending in the axial direction through the cellulose acetate filter cap, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette with filter 60.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the cylinder end segments 32 of the multi-component filters of the filter cigarettes, 40, 50, 60 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 may further comprise less an absorbent capable of removing the constituents of the gas phase from the mainstream smoke extracted through filters 4. At least the absorbent is, for example, activated carbon, activated aluminum, zeolites or sepiolites, provided on the filter of cellulose acetate.

The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 70 shown in Figure 7 is similar in construction to the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 50 shown in Figure 5 and described above. However, the cylinder end segment 32 of the multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 70 shown in Figure 7 comprises a plurality of viscopearls loaded with menthol, instead of the central cotton yarn 52.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the mouth end segments 12 of the multi-component filters 4 of the filter cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 shown in Figures 3 to 7 are replaced by a recess, which does not show considerable filtration efficiency, formed by means of the bonding paper

6.

The filter cigarette 80 shown in Figure 8 has a multi-component filter 4 similar in construction to the multi-component filters 4 of the filter cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60 shown in Figures 3 to 6, which includes three segments based on an end-to-end relationship that are in contact with each other; an end segment 12 for the mouth, distant from the tobacco cylinder 2; an aroma release segment 14 located upstream of the mouth end segment; and a cylinder end segment 32, qualified upstream of the aroma release segment 14 and adjacent to and adjacent to the rolled tobacco cylinder 2. The mouth end segment 12 and the cylinder end segment 14 are of the same construction as previously described for the filter cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60 shown in Figures 3 to 6. The release segment 14 aroma comprises a cap of thin cut mint leaves, which is covered with glycerol triacetate and compressed, instead of the cellulose acetate filter plug with the mint distributed through it. The amount of glycerol triacetate is between approximately 0.5% and 1.5% by weight of the mint leaf.

It will be appreciated that either or both of the mouth end segment 12 and the cylinder end segment 42 of the cigarette with filter 80 shown in Figure 8 may include a flavoring, as previously described for cigarettes with filter 30, 40, 50, 60 shown in Figures 3 to 6.

The cigarette with filter 90 shown in Figure 9 has a multi-component filter 4 that includes four segments based on an end-to-end relationship that are in contact with each other; an end segment 12 for the mouth, distant from the tobacco cylinder 2; a first aroma release segment 92 located upstream of the mouth end segment, a second aroma release segment 14 located upstream of the first aroma release segment and a cylinder end segment 32, located upstream of the second segment 14 of aroma release and adjacent and in contact with the rolled tobacco cylinder 2. The mouth end segment 12, the second aroma release segment 14 and the cylinder end segment 32 are of the same construction as the mouth end segment; the aroma release segment and the cylinder end segment previously described for the filter cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 shown in Figures 3 to 7. The second aroma release segment 92 comprises a tobacco stopper Thinly cut and densely packed.

To form the cigarettes with filter, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 according to the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, multi-component filters are produced 4 and subsequently joined to the cylinders 2 of rolled tobacco, which are produced in a conventional manner, by means of the bonding paper 6

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using conventional cigarette preparation equipment.

To produce each of the multi-component filters 4, conventional continuous separate cylinders comprising multiple units of each segment 12, 14, 32, 92 of the multi-component filter 4 are produced and subsequently combined to form a Continuous filter cylinder comprising multiple units of the multi-component filter 4. Subsequently, the continuous filter cylinder is separated at regular intervals by means of a cutting mechanism to give rise to a succession of discrete multi-component filters.

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 E12168428 09-17-2014 1. A multi-component filter (4) for a smoking product comprising: an end segment (12) for the mouth; and an aroma release segment (14) upstream the mouth end segment (12), where the aroma release segment (14) comprises plant leaf covered with a filter plasticizer.

2.

 A multi-component filter (4) according to claim 1 wherein the amount of filter plasticizer is between about 0.5% and about 1.5% by weight of the plant leaf

3.

 A multi-component filter (4) according to claim 1 and 2 wherein the leaf plant of the aroma release segment (14) is a compressed leaf plant.

Four.

 A multi-component filter (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the leaf plant of the aroma release segment (14) comprises herbaceous leaf.

5.

 A multi-component filter (4) according to claim 4, wherein the herbaceous leaf (14) comprises mint leaf.

6.

A multi-component filter (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter plasticizer is glycerol triacetate.

7.

The multi-component filter (4) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the aroma release segment (14) comprises a cellulose acetate filter plug with the plant leaf and the filter plasticizer distributed over the same.

8.

The multi-component filter (4) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a cylinder end segment (32) upstream of the aroma release segment (14).

9.

The multi-component filter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a second aroma release segment between the mouth end segment and the aroma release segment.

10.

 The multi-component filter (4) according to any of the preceding claims in which the segment

(12) mouth end comprises a filtration material 11. The multi-component filter (4) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the segment (12) mouth end comprises at least one liquid flavoring.

12.

 A smoking product (10) (20) (30) (40) (50) (60) (70) (80) comprising: a rolled cylinder of material (2) suitable for smoking; and a multi-component filter (4) according to any of the preceding claims attached to the roller of

material (2) suitable for smoking by means of a binding paper (6).

13.

A smoking product (10) (20) (30) (40) (50) (60) (70) (80) according to claim 12, wherein the end segment (12) for the filter mouth multi-component (4) is a hollow tube or recess

eleven E12168428 09-17-2014  Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 12 E12168428 09-17-2014  Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 13