ES2712943T3 - A filter for a smoker item - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter (4, 24, 44, 64, 84) for a smoking article (1, 21, 41, 61, 81) comprising: a first discrete filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) that it comprises a filter material (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) and a smoke modifying additive disposed in an axial region thereof; and a second discrete filter section 5 (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) connected to said first filter section, the second filter section comprising a filter material (11, 31, 51, 71, 91) and the minus a channel (12, 32, 52, 72, 92) located in an axial region of the filter material, to direct the smoke, in use, through the axial region of the first filter section on which the smoke modifier additive, wherein the smoke modifier additive is disposed only in said axial region of the filter material (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) of the first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) or in a greater concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section and in which the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) is configured, in use, to direct a larger portion of smoke through the axial region of the first filter section than through non-axial regions of the first filter section, and wherein the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) is connected to said first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) to make the second section of filter is immediately downstream of said first filter section when incorporated into a smoking article.

Description

DESCRIPTION

A filter for a smoker's article

Technical field

The invention relates to a filter for a smoker article and a smoker article that includes a filter.

Background

Known smoker article filters, such as cigarette filters, generally comprise a continuous tow of filamentary cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate is gathered to form a rod that is cut to form individual filter sections. The filter of the smoker article may be made of a segment of the filter rod, or it may be made of multiple segments, with or without a cavity or spaces between them.

EP2213185 discloses a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and a filter element with at least one breakable capsule within a compartment distal to the tobacco rod.

WO 03/009711 discloses a cigarette having a filter and at least one aromatic capsule disposed in the filter. In one embodiment, a capsule of aromatic material is inserted into a through hole in a filter.

Compendium

According to embodiments of the invention, there is provided a filter for a smoker article comprising a first filter section comprising filter material and a smoke modifier additive arranged in an axial region thereof and a second filter section connected to said first filter section. filter section, the second filter section comprising a filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region thereof for directing smoke, in use, through the axial region of the first filter section in which It has the smoke modifier additive. The first and second filter sections can be discrete filter sections and / or the smoke modifier additive can be arranged only in said axial region of the filter material of the first filter section or, in a greater concentration, in said axial region that in non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section, and wherein the second filter section is connected to said first filter section to cause the second filter section to be immediately downstream of said first filter section when is incorporated in a smoker's article.

The at least one channel may have a lower resistance to the smoke passing through it than other regions of the filter material of the first filter section. The channel can be a hollow passage through the second filter section.

The axial region of said filter material of said first and / or second filter sections may have a radius of 1 mm to 4 mm and / or may be centered on the axis of the smoking article.

The first filter section may comprise continuous filter material having the smoke modifier additive disposed in the axial region thereof. The second filter section may comprise a tubular filter section. The tubular filter section can be formed from a fibrous filter material.

The smoke modifier additive may comprise an encapsulated additive. The smoke modifier additive may be contained within a capsule that is within the first filter section in a position different from the longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

The capsule may be located within the first filter section in a position of 1 mm to 10 mm from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

The smoke modifier additive can be disposed on a carrier material. The carrier material may comprise a yarn.

The filter may further comprise a third filter section connected to said first filter section for positioning it upstream of said first filter section when incorporated in a smoker article. The third filter section can be a discrete filter section. The third filter section may comprise fibrous filter material and a granular adsorbent material. The granular adsorbent material may be disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section, dispersed within the filter material of the third filter section, or comprise some granular adsorbent material disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section and some granular adsorbent material dispersed within the third filter section.

According to the embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a smoker article comprising a filter as defined above.

The second filter section can be arranged immediately downstream of said first filter section and at the mouth end of the smoker article.

According to embodiments of the invention, there is further provided a smoking article comprising a first section comprising an aerosol generating material and an aerosol modifying additive disposed in an axial region thereof, and a second section comprising a filter having at least one channel located in its axial region to direct the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material, in use, through the axial region of the first section in which the second section, in use, directs a larger portion of aerosol through the axial region of the first section through non-axial regions of the first section.

The second section may comprise a tubular filter section. The tubular filter section can be formed from a fibrous filter material.

The aerosol modifier additive can be disposed at a higher concentration in said axial region than in non-axial regions of the aerosol generating material of the first section.

Brief description of the drawings

The embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to figures 1 to 6 of the attached figures 1 to 7, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular downstream filter section and an upstream filter section including an encapsulated additive in the form of a frangible capsule;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular filter section and a filter section including a yarn carrying an additive;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular filter section and a filter section including an additive encapsulated in the form of a plurality of frangible capsules;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter similar to that described with reference to Figure 1, but also including an additional filter section having an adsorbent dispersed in a filter material;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter similar to that described with reference to Figure 2, but also comprising an additional filter section comprising an adsorbent dispersed in a filter material and disposed in a region circumferential filter material;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article with an aerosol generating section and a tubular filter section, the aerosol generating section having an encapsulated additive in the form of a plurality of dispersed microcapsules within its axial region; Y

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular filter section upstream and a downstream filter section including an additive encapsulated in the form of a frangible capsule.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term "smoker article" includes products for smoking, such as cigarettes, cigars and cigars, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. and also products for heating and non-burning, and other nicotine delivery devices capable of generating an aerosol to deliver to a consumer. Such smoker articles may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow inhaled by the smoker.

Smoker articles, such as cigarettes and their formats, are often named according to the length of the cigarette: "regular" (usually in the range of 68 to 75 mm, for example, from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), "short" or "mini" (68 mm or less), "extra long" (usually in the range of 75 to 91 mm, for example, from approximately 79 mm to approximately 88 mm), "long" or "super long" (for generally in the range of 91-105 mm, for example from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and "ultra-long" (usually in the range from about 110 mm to about 121 mm). They are also named according to the circumference of the cigarette: "regular" (approximately 23-25 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "slender" (approximately 22-23 mm), "semi-slim" (approximately 19-22 mm) ), "superesbelto" (around 16-19 mm) and "micro-thin" (less than around 16 mm). Accordingly, a cigarette in a super slender extra-long format will have, for example, a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm. Many customers prefer cigarettes in the regular extra-long format, mainly with a circumference of 23 to 25 mm and a total length of 75 to 91 mm.

Each format can be produced with filters of different lengths, smaller filters are generally used in smaller length and circumference formats. In general, the filter length will be from 15 mm, associated with short and regular formates, up to 30 mm, associated with ultra long and super slim formats. The tipping paper will have a longer length than the filter, for example, from 3 to 10 mm longer.

The smoking devices and filters described below can be manufactured in any of the above formats. The smoker article can have, for example, a length of 70 to 100 mm and a circumference of 14 to 25 mm.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" used herein are relative terms defined with respect to the direction of mainstream smoke (or other aerosol) inhaled through a smoking article in use.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 1 having a generally cylindrical shape and is in regular, extra-long format, having a length in particular in the range of 75 to 91 mm and a circumference in the range of 23 to 25 mm. The smoking article 1 includes a tobacco rod 2 wrapped in a wrapping material 3, in this example cigarette paper, connected longitudinally to a filter 4 by tipping material 5 on the filter 4 and partially overlapping the wrapping material 3 for connecting the filter 4 to the tobacco rod 2. The filter 4 comprises a first section 6 at the tobacco rod end of the filter 4 comprising an absorbent material 7 having a capsule 8 disposed therein in an axial region of the material of filter of the first section 6. The axial region is a region, in the present example, centered on the axis 'a' of the smoking article 1, having a radius of about 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be any of 1 mm to 4 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. The capsule 8, or other additive material, can be disposed only in the axial region of the filter material of the first filter section 6, or it can be arranged in greater concentration in the axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the filter. first filter section 6. The first section is wrapped in a first plug shell 9.

The filter 4 further comprises a second section 10 at the mouth end of the filter 4 comprising a fibrous filter material 11 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 12 extending through the center of the filter material 11. The empty or hollow channel 12 extending through the center of the filter material 11 can have a diameter of 1 mm to 6 mm, for example 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter. The channel 12 extending through the center of the filter material 11 is, in the present example, a blank and hollow passage. The channel, in some embodiments, extends through an axial region of the filter material of the second filter section 10. The axial region of the second filter section 10 is a region, in the present example, centered on the axis 'a' of smoker's article 1, which has a radius of about 2.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be any of 1 mm to 4 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second plug shell 13. The thickness of the tubular filter wall is about 1.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of the wall can be any of 1 mm to 4 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or of about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3 mm. , 5 mm. However, the specific dimensions may be selected depending on the density of the filter material forming the tube and the level of plasticizer applied to the material, to result in a tube having the rigidity, porosity or other desired characteristics. The tubular filter section 10 can be manufactured using the existing processes and machinery.

The first segment 6 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous fibers of cellulose acetate and a plasticizer. The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5 mm, although other shapes and sizes of capsule can be used, and contains a fluid additive that modifies the properties of the mainstream smoke that passes through the smoking article 1. Capsule 8 can be manufactured and inserted into the first filter section 6 using the existing processes and machinery. In the present example, the capsule 8 contains menthol flavoring, although other granular liquids or additives may be contained within the capsule 8. The consumer may break the capsule to release the fluid additive within the absorbent filter material 11.

The axis of the smoking article 1, around which the tobacco rod 2 and the first and second filter sections 6, 10 are aligned, is indicated as 'a' in Figure 1.

In the present example, the capsule 8 is located in an 'axial region' of the first filter section 6, as defined above. The capsule 8 can be located in such a way that the center of the capsule is closer to the axis 'a' of the smoking article 1 than to the outer periphery of the smoking article 1. In the present example, the capsule 8 is located with its center substantially along the 'a' axis. In the present example, the capsule 8 is displaced from the longitudinal center of the first filter section 6. The capsule 8 can, for example, be located within the first filter section 6 in a position of 1 mm to 10 mm from a position longitudinally central within the first filter section 6. The capsule 8 is located within a portion of the first filter section 6 closer to the downstream end of the first filter section 6. The capsule 8 is, therefore, closer to the second filter section 10 than to the tobacco rod 2. In particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 8 and the downstream end of the first filter section 6 is less than half the the total length in longitudinal direction of the first filter section 6. In some embodiments, the distance 'd' is less than 40%, less than 30% or less than 25% of the total length in the longitudinal direction of the first section of filter 6. In the present example, the distance 'd' is approximately 30% of the total length in the longitudinal direction of the first filter section 6. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 8 may be located longitudinally in the center within the first filter section 6 or closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 6 than to the downstream end.

The smoker article 1 is, in the present example, provided with ventilation holes (not shown) through the tipping material 5 and the first plug wrap 9, which provides ventilation within the first filter section 6. If By way of laser drilling in line, the ventilation holes are preferably located in a longitudinal position different from that in which the capsule 8 is located, to avoid damaging the capsule 8 during manufacture. For example, in a smoking article with a first upstream filter section 6 of 20 mm in length and a second downstream filter section 10 of 7 mm in length, venting at 20 mm can be provided from the mouth end , while the capsule 8 is located longitudinally in the center within the first filter section and, with a diameter of 3.5 mm, extends from 15.25 mm to 18.75 mm from the mouth end.

In use, the tobacco rod 2 of the smoking article 1 is ignited by a consumer in the conventional manner and the tobacco smoke is inhaled by the burning of carbon from the tobacco rod 2 through the filter 4. The channel 12 in the second filter section 10 has a lower resistance to the main stream smoke that passes through the filter 4 than the surrounding tubular filter material 11 and, therefore, a greater proportion of the mainstream smoke is directed through the channel 12. This, in turn, results in a greater flow of smoke from the main stream in the axial region about the axis 'a' of the first filter section 6, in which the capsule 8 is located. When the consumer The capsule 8 breaks before or during the action of smoking the smoking article 1, the smoke modifying additive contained therein, in the present case menthol, is released at a higher concentration in the axial region of the first filter section 6 to through which it is directed a greater flow of smoke from the main stream, as a result of the second filter section 10. Accordingly, the greater flow of smoke from the main stream improves the delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and the smoker article 1 can, therefore, exhibiting improved delivery of a smoke modifying additive to a consumer as compared to conventional smoking articles.

Since the capsule 8 is located within a portion of the first filter section 6 closer to the second filter section 10 than to the tobacco rod 2, the effect of the increase of the mainstream smoke flow is further improved. in the content of capsule 8, once released. The use of the second tubular section 10 at the mouth end of the smoker article 1 allows the capsule 8 to be located closer to the mouth end of the smoker article 1 than is possible if the first section 6 containing the capsule 8 was at the mouth end of the smoker article 1. This is because the tube separates the first section 6 from the mouth of the consumer, preventing the contents of the capsule 8 from coming into contact with the mouth of the consumer .

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 21 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoker article 21 are the same as those of the smoker article 1 which are described with reference to figure 1, unless otherwise indicated below. The smoker article 21 includes a tobacco rod 22 wrapped in a wrapping material 23, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 24 by the tipping material 25 covering the filter 24 and partially covering the material. 2. The filter 24 comprises a first section 26 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 24 comprising absorbent material 27. In the present case, instead of having a capsule 8 arranged in the first filter section, the absorbent material 27 has an additive carrying a wire 28 disposed therein in an axial region (not shown) of the first section 26, wherein the axial region of the first filter section 26 is as defined with respect to the first section of filter 6 of smoker article 1 described above. The yarn can, for example, be formed of cotton fibers or cellulose acetate and can be loaded with between 0.1 and 10 mg of saporizer, as a menthol flavoring agent. It has been found that loading levels between 0.2 to 2 mg, or between 0.2 and 1 mg of saporizer are effective. The first section 26 is wrapped in a first plug cover 29. The thread 28 carries an additive capable of modifying the smoke of the main stream that passes through the filter 24, in the present case menporizing saporizer.

The filter 24 further comprises a second section 30 at the mouth end of the filter 24 comprising fibrous filter material 31 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 32 extending through the center of the filter material 31, or through an axial region thereof, similar to the second section 10 of the filter 4 of figure 1 described above. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second plug wrap 33.

The first segment 26 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer. The wire 28 can be inserted into the filter material during the formation of the filter section 26 using the existing processes and machinery.

In use, the smoker article 21 illustrated in Figure 2 functions similarly to the smoker article 1 illustrated in Figure 1. However, instead of breaking a capsule 8 to release a smoke modifier additive, the consumer can simply smoking the smoker's article 21 in the usual way. In doing so, as a result of the second filter section 30, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed through the axial region of the first filter section 26 in which the wire 28 carrying the smoke modifier additive is located. Accordingly, when the smoker article is smoked, the increase in the mainstream smoke flow improves the distribution of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoker article 1 may exhibit improved delivery of an additive. Smoke modifier to a consumer than conventional smoker items. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 41 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoker article 41 are the same as those of the smoker article 1 described with reference to figure 1, unless otherwise indicated below. The smoker article 41 includes a tobacco rod 42 wrapped in a wrapping material 43, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 44 by the tipping material 45 covering the filter 44 and partially covering the material. 43. The filter 44 comprises a first section 46 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 44 which comprises absorbent material 47. In the present case, instead of having a capsule 8 arranged in the first filter section, the Absorbent material 47 has a plurality of microcapsules disposed in its axial region, the axial region being as defined with respect to the first filter section 6 of the smoker article 1 described above. The first section 46 is wrapped in a first shell 49. The filter 44 further comprises a second section 50 at the mouth end of the filter 44 which comprises a fibrous filter material 51 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 52 which it extends through the center of the filter material 51 or through the axial region thereof, as described above with reference to the channel 12 of Figure 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second plug wrap 53.

In use, the smoker article 41 illustrated in Figure 3 functions similarly to the smoker article 1 illustrated in Figure 1. However, instead of breaking a single capsule 8 to release a smoke modifier additive, the consumer breaks down. the plurality of microcapsules 48 before or during the smoking action of the smoking article 41. By doing so, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed, as a result of the second filter section 50, through the axial region of the first filter section 46 in which the smoke modifier additive released from the microcapsules is located. Accordingly, when the smoker article is smoked, the increase in the mainstream smoke flow improves the distribution of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoker article 41 may exhibit improved delivery of an additive. Smoke modifier to a consumer than conventional smoker items.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 61 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoker article 61 are the same as those of the smoker article 1 described with reference to figure 1, unless otherwise indicated below. The smoker article 61 includes a tobacco rod 62 wrapped in a wrapping material 63, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 64 by a tipping material 65 on the filter 64 and partly on the wrapping material. 63. The filter 64 comprises three filter sections, including a first central section 66 comprising absorbent material 67 and a capsule 68 arranged in an axial region thereof, the axial region being as defined with respect to the first section of filter 6 of the smoker article 1 described above. The first section 66 is wrapped in a first plug wrap 69.

A second filter section 70 is disposed at the mouth end of the three-part filter 64 and comprises a fibrous filter material 71 formed in a tubular shape and having a channel 72 extending through the center of the filter material. 71 or through the axial region thereof, as described above with reference to channel 12 of Figure 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of a cellulose acetate tow and is wrapped in a second wrapper. of plug 73.

A third filter section 74 is disposed at the tobacco end of the three-part filter 64 and comprises granules of adsorbent material 75, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed within a fibrous filter material 76. In the present example , the adsorbent material 75 is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a third plug shell 77. In the present example, 40 mg of activated carbon granules are used, although other amounts, such as as between 10mg and 80mg or between 10mg and 50mg.

In the present example, the capsule 68 is located within a portion of the first filter section 66 closest to the downstream end of the first filter section 66, or to the second filter section 70, to the upstream end of the filter section 66. first filter section, or tobacco rod 62. In particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 68 and the downstream end of the first filter section 66 is approximately 30% of the total length in the direction longitudinal of the first filter section 66. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 68 may be located longitudinally in the center within the first filter section 66 or closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 66 than the downstream end .

The first filter section 66 has a length of 10 mm in the present example, the second filter section 70 has a length of 7 mm and the third filter section 74 has a length of 10 mm, although they can be used other section lengths. Ventilation is provided within the third filter section in a 22 mm position from the mouth end of the smoker article 61.

In use, the smoker article 61 illustrated in Figure 4 functions similarly to the smoker article 1 illustrated in Figure 1, with the third additional filter section 74 providing additional selective smoke filtering upstream of the first section. of filter 66 and, therefore, without influencing the supply of smoke modifier additive to the consumer.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 81 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoker article 81 are the same as those of the smoker article 61 described with reference to Figure 4, unless otherwise indicated below. The smoking article 81 includes a tobacco rod 82 wrapped in a wrapping material 83, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 84 by a tipping material 85 on the filter 84 and partially on the wrapping material. 83. The filter 84 comprises three filter sections, including a first central section 86 comprising absorbent material 87 and, instead of a capsule 68, a wire 88 disposed therein, in an axial region thereof, the axial region is as defined with respect to the first filter section 6 of the smoker article 1 described above. The first section 86 is wrapped in a first plug wrap 89.

A second filter section 90 is disposed at the mouth end of the three part filter 84 and comprises a fibrous filter material 91 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 92 extending through the center of the filter material 91 or through the axial region thereof, as described above with reference to channel 12 of Figure 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second plug wrap 93.

A third filter section 94 is disposed at the tobacco end of the three-part filter 84 and comprises granules of adsorbent material 95, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed within a fibrous filter material 96. The third section of filter 94 also comprises granules of adsorbent material 97, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed in a circumferential region thereof. However, in alternative examples these can be omitted. In the present example, the fibrous filter material 96 is formed from a cellulose acetate tow and the third filter section 94 is wrapped in a third plug shell 98. The granules of adsorbent material 97 dispersed therein are applied. circumferential region of the third filter section 94 to an inner surface of the plug shell 98 according to a pattern of longitudinally extending strips, four of which are evenly radially spaced around the third filter section 94. Adhesion of strips of granular adsorbent material 97 to seal the wrapper according to a symmetrical pattern around a filter section can help prevent the filter section from deforming as a result of the adhesive used, while maximizing the amount of granular material 97 present in the filter. the filter section.

The first filter section 86 has a length of 10 mm in the present example, the second filter section 90 has a length of 7 mm and the third filter section 94 has a length of 10 mm, although other lengths of section. Ventilation is provided, for example, within the first and third filter sections in the respective positions of 13 mm and 20 mm from the mouth end of the smoking article 81. In use, the smoking article 81 illustrated in FIG. Figure 5 operates in a manner similar to the smoking article 21 illustrated in Figure 2, with the third additional filter section 94 providing additional selective smoke filtering upstream of the first filter section 86 and, therefore, not influencing in the supply of smoke modifier additive to the consumer.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 101 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The smoker article 101 is generally cylindrical in shape and is of the regular, extra-long format, having a length in the range of 75 to 91 mm and a circumference in the range of 23 to 25 mm. The smoker article 101 includes a tobacco rod 102 wrapped in a wrapping material 103, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 104 by tipping material 105 covering the filter 104 and partially covering the material of the cigarette. wrapping 103. The filter 104 comprises a first section 106 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 104 comprising absorbent material 107 and is wrapped in a first plug shell 108.

The filter 4 further comprises a second section 109 at the mouth end of the filter 104 comprising a fibrous filter material 110 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 111 extending through the center of the filter material 110 or through the axial region thereof, as described above with reference to the channel 12 of Figure 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed by a cellulose acetate tow and is wrapped in a second plug wrap. 112

The tobacco rod 102 includes a plurality of microcapsules 113 arranged in an axial region thereof at the filter end of the tobacco rod 102, the axial region being similar in location and size to that defined with with respect to the first filter section 6 of the smoker article 1 described above, except that it is located inside the tobacco rod 102.

The axis of the smoker article 1, along which the tobacco rod 2 and the first and second filter sections 46, 50 are arranged, is indicated by 'a' in Figure 1.

In use, the smoker article 101 illustrated in Figure 6 functions similarly to the smoker article 41 illustrated in Figure 3. However, instead of breaking the plurality of microcapsules 48 in a filter section before, or in the In the course of smoking the article of smoking 41, the consumer breaks the plurality of microcapsules 113 located on the tobacco rod 102. By doing so, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed as a result of the filter section 109, through the axial region of the filter end of the tobacco rod 2, in which is found the smoke modifying additive released from the microcapsules. Increasing the flow of mainstream smoke improves the delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoker article 101 may exhibit improved delivery of a smoke modifier additive to a consumer than the smoker items. conventional

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 121 having a filter that does not fall within the scope of the present invention. The characteristics of article 121 for smoking are the same as those of the article of smoker 1 that were described with reference to figure 1, unless otherwise indicated below. The smoker article 121 includes a tobacco rod 122 wrapped in a wrapping material 123, in this example, cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 124 by tipping material 125 covering the filter 124 and partially covering the material of the cigarette. 123. The filter 124 comprises a first section 126 at the mouth end of the filter 124, instead of the tobacco end of the filter, which comprises absorbent material 127 and a capsule 128 disposed in an axial region thereof, being the axial region as defined with respect to the first filter section 6 of the smoker article 1 described above. The first section 126 is wrapped in a first plug shell 129. The capsule 128 contains an additive capable of modifying the mainstream smoke passing through the filter 124, in the present case, menthol saporizer.

The filter 124 further comprises a second section 130 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 124 instead of at the mouth end of the filter 124 comprising fibrous filter material 131 shaped according to a tubular shape and having a channel 132. which extends through the center of the filter material 131, or through an axial region thereof, similar to the second section 10 of the filter 4 of Figure 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed from of a cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second plug shell 133.

The first segment 126 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer. The capsule 128 can be inserted into the filter material during the formation of the filter section 126 using existing processes and machinery. In the present example, the capsule 128 is located within a portion of the first filter section 126 closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 126, or of the second filter section 130, than to the downstream end of the filter section 126. the first filter section 126, or the end of the mouth of the smoking article 121. In particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 128 and the upstream end of the first filter section 126 is approximately 30 °. % of the total longitudinal length of the first filter section 126. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 128 may be located longitudinally in the center within the first filter section 126, or closer to the downstream end of the first section of the filter. filter 126 than from the upstream end.

Although not illustrated, the embodiment of Figure 7 may also comprise a third filter section upstream of the second filter section 130 corresponding to any of the third filter sections 74, 94 described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

In use, the smoker article 121 illustrated in FIG. 7 functions similarly to the smoker article 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. When the capsule 128 is broken to release a smoke modifier additive, a greater smoke flow is directed the main stream, as a result of the second filter section 130, through the axial region of the first filter section 126 into which the contents of the capsule 128 have been released. Therefore, when smoking the smoker article , the increase of the main stream smoke flow improves the delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoker article 121 can exhibit an improved delivery of a smoke modifier additive to a consumer than the articles of conventional smoker. The first, second and third filter sections (when present) described above are discrete segments. Although the first, second and third filter sections (when present) are connected to each other using tipping material, they separate and distinguish individually after their formation and before connecting to each other. The tipping material also connects the filter sections to the respective tobacco rod of each embodiment. In alternative examples of each of the described embodiments, an additional plug wrap may be used to connect the first, second and third discrete filter sections (when present) before they are connected to the tobacco rods using the emboquillado.

In order to address various problems and advance in the art, the entirety of this description shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the claimed invention (s) can be put into practice and provide superior delivery of smoke modifying additives. The advantages and features of the description are only those of a representative sample of achievements, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to help understand and teach the claimed characteristics. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the description should not be considered as limitations of the display as defined in the claims or limitations of equivalents to the claims, and that they can be used. other embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims. Various embodiments may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. exposed. In addition, the exhibition includes other inventions not currently claimed, but which can be claimed in the future.

Claims (15)

1. A filter (4, 24, 44, 64, 84) for a smoker article (1, 21, 41, 61, 81) comprising: a first discrete filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) comprising a filter material (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) and a smoke modifier additive disposed in an axial region thereof; Y a second discrete filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) connected to said first filter section, the second filter section comprising a filter material (11, 31, 51, 71, 91) and at least one channel (12, 32, 52, 72, 92) located in an axial region of the filter material, to direct the smoke, in use, through the axial region of the first filter section in which the smoke modifier additive is disposed, in which the additive The smoke modifier is arranged only in said axial region of the filter material (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) of the first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) or in a higher concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section and in which the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) is configured, in use, to direct a greater portion of smoke through the axial region of the first filter section than through non-axial regions of the first filter section, and wherein the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) is connected to said first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) to cause the second filter section to be immediately downstream of said first filter section when incorporated into a smoker's article. 2. A filter according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel (12, 32, 52, 72, 92) has a lower resistance to the smoke passing through it than other regions of the filter material (7, 27, 47). , 67, 87) of the first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86). A filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said channel (12, 32, 52, 72, 92) is a hollow passage through the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) . 4. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein said axial region of said filter material (7, 27, 47, 67, 87, 11, 31, 51, 71, 91) of said first and / or second filter sections (6, 26, 46, 66, 86, 10, 30, 50, 70, 90) has a radius from 1 mm to 4 mm and is centered on the axis of the smoker's article. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the first filter section (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) comprises a continuous filter material having the smoke modifier additive disposed in the axial region thereof. 6. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) comprises a tubular filter section. 7. A filter according to claim 6, wherein the tubular filter section is formed of a fibrous filter material (11, 31, 51, 71, 91). A filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the smoke modifying additive comprises an encapsulated additive; or wherein the smoke modifier additive comprises an encapsulated additive that is contained within a capsule (8, 48, 68) that is located within the first filter section (6, 46, 66) in a position other than a position longitudinally central within the first filter section (6, 46, 66); or wherein the smoke modifier additive comprises an encapsulated additive that is contained within a capsule (8, 48, 68) that is located within the first filter section (6, 46, 66) in a position other than a position longitudinally central within the first filter section (6, 46, 66) and in which the capsule (8, 48, 68) is located within the first filter section (6, 46, 66) in a position of 1 mm to 10 mm from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section; or wherein the smoke modifier additive is disposed in a carrier material (28, 88); or wherein the smoke modifier additive is disposed in a carrier material (28, 88) and in which the carrier material (28, 88) comprises a yarn. 9. A filter according to any preceding claim, further comprising a third discrete filter section (74, 94) connected to said first filter section (66, 86) to cause it to be upstream of said first filter section (66, 86) when incorporated in a smoker article. A filter according to claim 9, wherein the third filter section (74, 94) comprises a fibrous filter material (76, 96) and a granular adsorbent material (75, 95, 97). 11. A filter according to claim 10, wherein the granular adsorbent material (75, 95, 97) is disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section (74, 94), dispersed within the filter material (76, 96) of the third filter section (74, 94), or comprises some granular adsorbent material (97) disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section and some granular adsorbent material (95) dispersed within the third filter section. 12. A smoker article (1, 21, 41, 61, 81) comprising a filter according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. A smoker article (1, 21, 41, 61, 81) according to claim 12, wherein the second filter section (10, 30, 50, 70, 90) is disposed immediately downstream of said first section. of filter (6, 26, 46, 66, 86) and at the mouth end of the smoker's article. 14. A smoker's item that includes: a first section (102) comprising an aerosol generating material and an aerosol modifying additive (113) disposed in an axial region thereof; Y a second section (104) comprising a filter having at least one channel (111) located in an axial region thereof for directing the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material, in use, through the axial region of the first section (102), wherein the second section (104), in use, directs a larger portion of aerosol through the axial region of the first section (102) than through non-axial regions of the first section (102). 102). 15. A smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the second section (104) comprises a tubular filter section; or wherein the second section (104) comprises a tubular filter section and wherein the tubular filter section is formed by a fibrous filter material (110); I wherein the aerosol modifier additive is disposed at a higher concentration in said axial region than in non-axial regions of the aerosol generating material of the first section (102).