GB2490727A

GB2490727A - An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members for filters

Info

Publication number: GB2490727A
Application number: GB1108015.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Vincent Spencer; Charanjit Nandra; Edward Awty; Jane Nicholls
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2012-11-14
Also published as: WO2012156704A3; MX340222B; JP5847297B2; US20140209112A1; BR112013029026A2; AR086380A1; RU2598141C2; RU2013155226A; JP2014517689A; GB201108015D0; EP2706876A2; WO2012156704A2; MX2013013249A; CL2013003253A1

Abstract

An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members comprises an elongate member such as a tape and a plurality of additive-containing members in the form of sealed pockets, each protruding from only one side of the elongate member, wherein a first of said additive-containing members protrudes from a first side of the elongate member and a second of said additive-containing members protrudes from a second, opposite, side of the elongate member (figs. 1 and 5). Alternatively the pockets are arranged on one side of the tape (fig. 8). Each pocket may be provided with a weakened corner region (fig.11). The tape may be provided with strips indicating additive release (fig.13).

Description

An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members

Description

This invention relates to an arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members.

Filter elements for smoking articles such as cigarettes typically comprise a plug of cellulose acetate material surrounded by a plugwrap wrapper. In cigarette manufacture, filter elements are aligned with tobacco rods and wrapped with a further wrapper known as a "tipping paper" to join them together.

It is known to provide a breakable menthol-containing capsule inside the plug of a cigarette filter. By applying pressure to the outside of the filter, the smoker may break the capsule, thereby releasing the flavourant so as to flavour the smoke drawn from the cigarette.

W02010/003899 describes a method of manufacturing capsule-containing cigarette filter rods in which an elongate tube containing a plurality of capsules is pulled from a reel into a flow of filter tow to form an elongate filter rod, which is then cut into segments to form individual capsule-containing filter rods.

The present invention provides an arrangement comprising an elongate member and a plurality of additive-containing members, each additive-containing member protruding from only one side or substantially from only one side of the elongate member, wherein a first of said additive-containing members protrudes in a first direction from a first side of the elongate member and a second of said additive-containing members protrudes in a second direction, different to the first direction, from a second, opposite side of the elongate member.

Preferably, the plurality of additive-containing members comprise a plurality of spaced first additive-containing members arranged along the elongate member and a plurality of spaced second additive-containing members arranged along the elongate member. Preferably, each first additive-containing member protrudes from the first side of the elongate member and each second additive-containing member protrudes from the second side of the elongate member.

Preferably, the elongate member is formed from a windable material which can be wound around itself, for example on a reel.

Preferably, the elongate member has a width of between 3 and 9 mm.

Preferably, a neighbouring two of said first additive-containing members define a space on the first side sized to receive one of said second additive-containing members when the elongate member is wound. In this way, twisting and jamming on the reel can be be prevented or reduced. Further, strain on the additive-containing members is reduced, thus preventing damage.

The additive-containing members preferably releasably contain one or more additives. Preferably, each additive-containing member comprises an outer wall encapsulating an inner space for additive. The outer wall is preferably breakable under pressure so as to release the additive.

The first and second additive-containing members may be arranged alternately along the elongate member. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the first and second additive-containing members are aligned on opposite sides of the elongate member, and may be symmetrically arranged with respect to one another.

The invention also provides an arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members, comprising an elongate member including first and second additive-containing members adapted to release additive, wherein the first and second additive-containing members are positioned to concurrently release additive.

Preferably, the first and second additive-containing members have substantially the same longitudinal disposition along the elongate member.

The elongate member preferably connects the additive-containing members together. The connection may be direct or indirect. The elongate connecting member may comprise a strip having two laterally extending surfaces defining said first and second sides. The additive-containing members may comprise pockets formed in the strip.

Preferably, the elongate member is formed from a polymeric material such as a PVOH, SCMC or HPMC. Using a polymeric material leads to advantages in terms of long shelf life, low crush strength requirement, low cost, and robustness against freezing/thawing which may occur in the supply chain.

Preferably, the elongate member is a continuous strip formed of two polymeric layers. The layers are preferably sealed to each other such that the non-sealed areas form the additive-containing pockets. Alternatively, starches may be used to form the strip.

As used herein, the term "smoking article additive" refers to any substance that may be suitably added to a smoking article. Many different additives are envisaged, including sohd additive(s) such as tobacco (e.g: ground fire-cured tobacco).

However, fluid additive(s) are preferred. Possible additives include smoke-modifying agents such as flavourants, humectants or adsorbents. Preferably, each additive-containing member contains between 0.5 and 10 il of additive. Each additive-containing member may contain between I and 2 pA of additive (e.g: between I and 2 il of menthol). Alternatively, each additive-containing member may contain between 4 and 6 il of an additive (e.g: between 4 and 6 jt1 of water).

Alternatively, each additive-containing member may contain between 7 and 10 pJ of additive (e.g: between 7 and 10 pA of water).

As used herein the term fluid includes any substance which flows and therefore includes liquids, gases and solids (e.g. in powder or granule or grain form, or plastic solids) which are able to flow.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product. They may include extracts e.g., hcorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnoha leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, flavour masking agents, bitterness receptor site blockers, receptor site enhancers, sweeteners e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol, and other additives such aschlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the smoke drawn from the smoking article. Various filter dimensions are possible. For example, the filter may have a diameter of approximately 5 mm, or alternatively a diameter of 9 mm. The filter may have a length of approximately 25 mm.

The invention also provides a filter rod for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, comprising a segment of any of the arrangements referred to herein.

The invention also provides a filter rod comprising an additive-containing member to selectively release additive inside the filter, and an additive-transfer member to transfer additive released from the additive-containing member to the periphery of the filter to indicate that the additive has been released.

The invention also provides an additive-containing member having first and second regions, the second region comprising a predetermined region having a reduced strength limit relative to the first region so that the predetermined region is caused to break when pressure is applied to the additive-containing member, thereby to release additive.

The predetermined region may be formed to direct additive exclusively towards one of the tobacco end or the mouth end of the filter.

Alternatively, or in addition, the predetermined region may be formed to direct additive towards the side of the filter. In this way, the additive, for example additive comprising a colourant, may reach the periphery of the filter so that a visual indication is provided to the user that the additive has been released.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a tape having a plurality of sealed pockets spaced along its length; Figure 2 is a schematic showing a filter cigarette having a cut section of the tape disposed inside the filter; Figure 3 is a schematic illustrating rupturing one of the pockets by squeezing the outside of the filter; Figure 4 shows the configuration adopted by the tape when it is wound onto a reel; Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of fluid-containing pockets.

Figure 6 is a schematic showing the interior of the filter of a filter cigarette.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustrating rupturing two pockets by squeezing the outside of the filter.

Figure 8 shows a further alternative arrangement of fluid-containing pockets.

Figure 9 is a schematic illustrating a cut section of the tape of Figure 8 inside a cigarette filter.

Figure 10 is a schematic illustrating rupturing two pockets by squeezing the outside of the filter.

Figure 11-14 are schematics, each illustrating a filter cigarette having a cut section of a tape disposed inside the filter.

Figures 15 shows an end view of a cigarette filter.

Figure 16 is a further schematic illustrating a filter cigarette having a cut section of tape disposed inside the filter.

Figure 17 shows an end view of a cigarette filter.

Figure 1 shows a tape I having a plurality of additive-containing members in the form of sealed pockets 2 spaced along its length. Each pocket 2 has an inner space containing an additive in the form of a liquid flavourant such as menthol or orange-essence. The tape and pockets may be formed from a flexible polymeric material such as Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

As illustrated in Figure 2, a cut section Ia of the tape I may be positioned within the cellulose acetate plug of the filter 3 of a cigarette 4. By applying pressure to the outside of the filter 3, the smoker can cause a selected pocket 2 to rupture so as to release its liquid flavourant. In this way, the smoker may cause the smoke drawn from the cigarette 4 to be selectively flavoured.

As illustrated in Figure 2, cut section Ia includes two pockets 2a, 2b, which respectively contain two different flavourants (for example menthol and orange-essence). The smoker may selectively break one or the other pocket 2a, 2b by applying pressure to different regions of the filter periphery.

Figure 3 illustrates rupturing the pocket 2a which is closer to the mouth end by squeezing close to the mouth end of the filter. It will be appreciated that the other pocket 2b may be ruptured by squeezing the filter closer to the tobacco end of the filter.

In this way, the smoker is provided with several options for flavouring smoke, ie: break one or the other pocket and flavour the cigarette smoke with menthol or orange, or break both pockets and flavour the cigarette smoke with a mixed orange-menthol flavour.

In cigarette filter manufacture, tape I may be wound onto a reel and then drawn from the reel into a flow of filter tow passing through a filter rod maker, so as to be incorporated into an elongate filter rod. The cutter of the filter maker then cuts the elongate filter rod into segments to form individual filter rods, each containing one or more pockets 2a, 2b. This filter manufacturing process is substantially similar to that described in W02010/003 899, but with the elongate capsule-containing tube of W02010/003899 replaced by the tape 1.

Referring again to Figure 1, pockets 2a containing the first flavourant are spaced along one side of the tape, and pockets 2b containing the second flavourant are spaced along the opposite side of the tape. As shown, the pockets 2a, 2b protrude alternately from opposite sides of the tape.

Although Figure 1 shows each of the pockets 2a protruding from a single side of the tape, in some examples the pockets 2a may also protrude to some extent from the opposing side. Similarly, although Figure 1 shows each of the pockets 2b protruding from a single side of the tape, in some examples the pockets 2b may also protrude to some extent from the opposing side.

As illustrated in Figure 4, when the tape is wound about a reel the gaps between neighbouring pockets 2a on one side of the tape define spaces 5 for the pockets 2b on the other side. Similarly, the gaps between neighbouring pockets 2b define spaces 6 for the pockets 2a. In this way, the configuration of Figure 1 results in minimal strain on the pockets 2a, 2b, and thus prevents the pockets from becoming damaged on the reel. Further, this configuration helps prevent twisting and jamming of the tape I on the reel.

A vertical form, fill, seal method may be used to manufacture the tape I. The tape 1 may be formed from two or more polymeric layers which are sealed together such that the non-sealed areas form the pockets 2a, 2b. Heat-sealing or ultrasonic sealing may be used to form the seals. In some examples, the tape I may be formed from three layers: a central layer and two outer layers disposed on either side of the central layer. The central layer may be formed of a rigid material (or a material less flexible or thicker than the outer layers), such that the pockets 2a, 2b are caused to bulge asymmetrically from opposing sides of the tape, as shown in Figure 1.

Alternatively, in some examples the pockets may be attached to the tape with adhesive. En some examples the pockets may comprise spherical fluid-contftining capsules attached to the tape so as to protrude therefrom.

Although Figure 1 shows the pockets 2a, 2b protruding alternately from opposite sides of the tape 1, many alternative arrangements are envisaged. For example, each side of the tape may include spaced groups of two or more longitudinally arranged pockets. The groups may be disposed alternately on opposite sides of the tape 1, with the spaces between neighbouring groups on one side of the tape defining gaps for groups on the other side, and vice versa. Although each group of pockets may have the same number of one or more pockets, it will be appreciated that in some examples, some groups may have different numbers of pockets to others.

Figure 5 illustrates a further alternative arrangement 7 in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced fluid-contilning tubular regions 8 are connected by an elongate connecting member 9. Figure 5 ifiustrates only a portion of the elongate connecting member 9 of the arrangement 7, and the full length may be substantially longer, with a multitude of tubular regions evenly spaced along it. The tubular regions and elongate connecting member 9 may be formed from a flexible polymeric material such as Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

As shown in Figure 5, each tubular region 8 comprises a first fluid-containing pocket 8a protruding from a first side of the elongate member, and a second fluid-containing pocket 8b protruding from a second, opposing side. As shown in Figure 5, the first and second fluid-containing pockets 8a, 8b of each tubular region 8 have the same longitudinal disposition along the elongate member and are symmetrically arranged with respect to one another on opposite sides of the elongate member.

The first and second fluid-containing pockets 8a, 8b define separate fluid enclosures and may respectively contain different smoke modifiers, e.g: a flavourant oil and water.

In cigarette filter manufacture, the elongate connecting member 9 may be wound onto a reel and then drawn from the reel into a flow of filter tow passing through a filter maker, and in this way incorporated into an elongate filter rod. The cutter of the filter maker is arranged to cut the elongate filter rod into segments to form individual filter rods, each containing a tubular region 8. This filter manufacturing process is substantially similar to that described in W02010/003899, but with the elongate capsule-containing tube of W02010/003899 replaced by the interconnected train of tubular regions 8.

Figure 6 shows a filter cigarette 10 having a tubular region 8 positioned within the cellulose acetate plug of the filter 11. As shown in Figure 7, the fluid-containing pockets are positioned such that applying squee2ing finger-pressure to the outside of the filter causes both of the fluid-containing pockets Ba, 8b of the tubular region 8 to rupture simultaneously, thereby simultaneously releasing the fluid contained in each of the members Ba, 8b.

The arrangement of Figure 6 allows immiscible fluids such as flavourant oil and water to be contained in the pockets Ba, 8b for simultaneous release. This avoids problems associated with containing immiscible fluids in the same pocket, in which case effective discharge may be affected by inhomogeneous distribution of the fluids in the pocket.

Figure 8 shows a further arrangement 12 in which a plurality of fluid-containing pockets 13a, 13b are arranged on one side of a tape 14. As shown, the fluid-containing pockets 13a, 13b are spaced in two parallel rows along the length of the tape 14. The fluid-containing pockets 13a of the first row contain a first fluid, for example menthol, and the fluid-containing pockets 13b of the second row contain a second fluid, different to the first fluid, for example orange-essence. As shown, each fluid-containing pockets 13a in the first row is arranged side by side with a corresponding fluid-containing pocket 13b in the second row, so that each corresponding pair of pockets 13a, 13b have the same longitudinal disposition along the tape. In some examples, the two rows may be separated by a gap.

A cut section 14a of the tape 14 may be positioned within the cellulose acetate plug of the filter 3 of a cigarette 4, for example by drawing the tape into a flow of filter tow during filter manufacture as described above. Figure 9 shows a cut section 14a positioned within the cellulose acetate plug of the filter 15 of a cigarette 16. As shown, cut section 14a includes a first fluid-containing pocket 13a and a second fluid-containing pocket 13b. As shown in Figure 10, the pockets 13a, 13b are positioned so that applying squeezing finger-pressure to the outside of the filter causes both pockets 13a, 13b to break simultaneously so as to simultaneously release both fluid additives.

In some examples, the tape 1 may be provided with a weakened corner region at one end of the pocket 2. As illustrated in the example shown in Figure 11, the pocket breaks in weakened corner region 17 when pressure is applied to the outside of the filter 3. In the example of Figure 11, the pocket 2 includes a smoke modifying agent (e.g: water, triacetin, or a flavourant) and the weakened corner region is configured to direct the smoke modifying agent towards the tobacco rod of the cigarette 4. This is particularly advantageous in filters in which smoke flow is slower nearer the tobacco end than nearer the mouth end, which may for example be the case if ventilation holes are provided near the mouth end. In this case directing smoke modifying agent towards the mouth end provides increased interaction time between the smoke modifying agent and the smoke.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, each pocket 2 may be provided with a weakened corner region 18 on the mouth end region of the pocket rather than on the tobacco end region. In the example of Figure 12, a smoke modifier in the form of a flavourant is contained in the pocket 2. Thus, the pocket 2 of Figure 12 is configured to direct flavourant towards the mouth end of the cigarette 4. This results in the flavourant being released near the mouth end for maximum flavour.

-11 -The weakened corner regions 17 of the tape I may be formed in a modified vertical form, fill, seal method. The seal step in particular may be modified to provide the pocket 2 with a transverse edge which makes an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the filter 3, thereby to provide a weakened corner region 17, 18.

In some examples, the tape 1 may be provided with one or more indicating strips for indicating that an additive has been released. Figure 13 shows a filter containing a cut section of a tape which is provided with two indicating strips 19, 20. The indicating strips are formed from a wicking material configured for absorbing and transferring liquid by capillary action. The wicking material may comprise uncrimped cellulose acetate. Preferably, the wicking material is coloured white.

As shown in Figure 13, the first indicating strip 19 is disposed on the same side of the tape as the upper pocket 2a, underneath sealed pocket 2a. As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 15, an end face 19a of the indicating strip is flush with the end face of the filter 3 so that the end face 19a can be seen by looking at the filter 3 end on.

When the pocket 2a is broken, a portion of the released fluid is absorbed by the indicating strip 19, which may change colour due to presence of the absorbed fluid.

For example, where the fluid is a menthol-containing hquid, the wicking strip can adopt a green colour. As shown in Figure 14 and Figure 15, a portion of the liquid is transferred to an end region of the indicating strip so that the end face 19a becomes coloured, thereby providing a visual indication to the smoker that the pocket 2a has been ruptured and the fluid therein released.

In some examples, a colourant may be provided inside a pocket 2a, 2b with the fluid additive so that the wicking strip adopts a particular colour when the pocket is ruptured.

As shown in Figure 13, the second indicating strip 20 is disposed on the same side of the tape as the lower pocket 2b, above sealed pocket 2b. As shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17, an end region 20a of the indicating strip 20 is flush with the end face -12 -of the filter 3 so that the end region can be seen by looking at the end of the filter 3.

As illustrated in Figure 16 and Figure 17, when the pocket 2b is broken, a portion of the released fluid is absorbed by the indicating strip 20, which may change colour due to presence of the absorbed fluid. For example, where the fluid is an orange-essence-containing liquid, the wicking strip adopts an orange colour. As shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17, a portion of the hquid is transferred to an end region of the indicating strip so that the end face 20a becomes coloured, thereby providing an indication to the smoker that the pocket 2a has been ruptured and the fluid therein released.

In some examples, the indicating strips 19, 20 may have the same width as the filter and an edge of the indicating strip may be visible on the side of the filter. In this case, when the additive is released, a coloured "strip" appears on the side of the filter to indicate that a pocket 2a, 2b has been ruptured.

Many further modifications, variations and embodiments are possible.

For example, although insertion of additive-containing members into filter rods is described above, in other examples additive-containing member(s) may be positioned elsewhere in or on a smoking article, for example on the periphery of the smoking article or inside the tobacco rod. In some examples a tape 1, 12 may be configured as a tear-off strip or as a plug wrap or a tipping paper for use in the manufacture of smoking articles.

Furthermore, although additive-containing members in the form of additive-containing pockets are described above, in some examples additive-containing members may alternatively or in addition comprise flavour-pellets or beads, for example, or other solid objects which have one or more additive components.

Further, although the additive-containing pockets discussed above release additive under pressure, alternate release mechanisms are also envisaged. For example, certain additive-containing members may release additive by dissolving in response to the presence of moisture. In this way, when smoke is drawn from the eventual smoking article, moisture in the smoke may cause the additive to be released.

Embodiments of the invention are configured to comply with applicable regulations, such as, by way of non-limiting example, regulations relating to flavours, additives, emissions, constituents, and/or the like. For example, the invention may be configured such that a smoking article implementing the invention is compliant with applicable regulations before release of an additive, after release of a first additive, and remains compliant after the release of one or more additional additives.

Many other modification and variations will be evident to those skified in the art, that fall within the scope of the following claims: -14-

Claims

Claims 1. An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members, comprising: an elongate member; a plurality of additive-containing members, each protruding from only one side, or substantially from only one side of the elongate member; wherein a first of said additive-containing members protrudes from a first side of the elongate member and a second of said additive-containing members protrudes from a second, opposite, side of the elongate member.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of additive-containing members comprise: a plurahty of spaced first additive-containing members arranged along the elongate member, wherein each first additive-containing member protrudes from said first side of the elongate member; and a plurahty of spaced second additive-containing members arranged along the elongate member, wherein each second additive-containing member protrudes from said second side of the elongate member.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongate members is formed of a windable material.
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein a neighbouring two of said first additive-containing members define a space on the first side sized to receive one of said second additive-containing members when the elongate member is
5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second additive-containing member is aligned with a location between said neighbouring two first additive-containing members.-15 -
6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein a neighbouring two of said second additive-containing members define a space on the second side sized to receive one of said first additive-containing members when the elongate member is wound.
7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein a first additive-containing member is aligned with a location between said neighbouring two second additive-containing members
8. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first and second additive-containing members are arranged alternately along the elongate member.
9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein each first additive-containing member is aligned with a second additive-containing member.
10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of first additive-containing members are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of second additive-containing members.
11. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first plurahty of additive-containing members contain a first additive and wherein the second plurality of additive-containing members contain a second additive different to the first additive.
12. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the additive-containing members releasably contain one or more fluids.
13. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member comprises a tape, wherein the first and second additive-containing members protrude from opposite sides of the tape.-16 -
14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is formed of two layers sealed together to form pocket regions for containing additive.
15. A filter rod for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, comprising a segment of the arrangement claimed in any of claims I to 14, wherein said segment includes one or more additive-containing members.
16. A smoking article comprising a filter rod as claimed in claim 15.
17. An arrangement of smoking article additive-release members, comprising an elongate member having first and second additive-release members, wherein the first and second additive-release members are positioned to concurrently release additive.
18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17, adapted for incorporating the first and second additive release members into a smoking article filter rod with a relative position such that squeezing the filter rod and releasing additive from the first additive-release member causes the second additive release members to concurrently release additive.
19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the first and second additive-release members have substantially the same longitudinal disposition along the elongate member.
20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first and second additive-release members are arranged side by side on one side of the elongate member.
21. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first and second additive-release members are arranged on opposite sides of the elongate member.-17 -
22. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, wherein each additive-release member protrudes from only one side, or substantially from only one side of the elongate member.
23. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the first additive-release member is symmetrically arranged with respect to the second additive-release member.
24. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the first and second additive release members are respectively adapted to releasably contain different fluids.
25. A filter rod for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, comprising a segment of the arrangement claimed in any of claims 17 to 24, wherein said segment includes one or more additive-release members.
26. A smoking article comprising a filter rod as claimed in claim 25.
27. An additive-containing member having first and second regions, the second region comprising a predetermined region having a reduced strength hmit relative to the first region so that the predetermined region is caused to break when pressure is applied to the additive-containing member, thereby to release additive.
28. An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members, comprising a plurahty of additive-containing members and an elongate connecting member connecting the additive-containing members together, wherein said plurahty of additive-containing members comprises an additive-containing member as claimed in claim 27.
29. An arrangement as claimed in claim 28, wherein an edge of said additive-containing member is formed at an acute angle to the length of the elongate member, thereby to define said predetermined region.
30. A smoking article filter having a mouth end and a tobacco end, comprising an additive-contnining member as claimed in claim 27, wherein said predetermined region is formed to direct additive towards a predetermined region of the filter.
31. A smoking article as claimed in claim 30, wherein said predetermined region is formed to direct additive exclusively towards one of the tobacco end or the mouth end of the filter.
32. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31, wherein said predetermined region is formed so as to direct additive towards the side of the mter.
33. A filter rod for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, comprising an additive-conntining member as claimed in claim 27, wherein the additive-conniining member has an edge which makes an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article filter, thereby to define said predetermined region.
34. A smoking article filter, comprising: an additive-containing member to selectively release additive inside the filter; an additive-transfer member to transfer additive released from the additive-containing member to the periphery of the filter to indicate that the additive has been released.
35. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 34, wherein a region of the additive-transfer member is provided at the periphery of the filter.
36. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 35, wherein: the additive-containing member contains a fluid additive; the additive-transfer member is formed of a wicking material to transfer additive by capfflary action.-19 -
37. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36, wherein said region of the additive-transfer member is adapted to undergo a colour change in response to the presence of the additive.
38. A smoking article filter as claimed in any of claims 35 to 37, wherein the additive-transfer member comprises a strip of wicking material, and wherein said region of the additive transfer member comprises an end face and/or side edge of said strip.
39. A smoking article filter as claimed in any of claims 34 to 38, wherein the filter has a peripheral end face and the additive transfer member is arranged to transfer additive released from the additive-containing member to the peripheral end face.
40. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 34, comprising: first and second additive-containing members to selectively release first and second additives inside the filter; and a connecting member connecting the additive-containing members together, wherein the connecting member comprises: a first additive-transfer member to transfer first additive from the first additive-containing member to the periphery of the filter to indicate that the first additive has been released; and a second additive-transfer member to transfer second additive from the second additive-containing member to the periphery of the filter to indicate that the second additive has been released.
41. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 40, wherein: the first additive-containing member and the first additive-transfer member are provided on a first side of the connecting member; the second additive-containing member and the second additive-transfer member are provided on a second, opposite side of the connecting member.
42. A smoking article filter as claimed in claim 41, wherein: -20 -the first and second additive-containing members respectively contain first and second fluid additives; the first additive-transfer member comprises a first strip of wicking material to transfer first additive by capillary action to a region of the strip provided at the periphery of the filter; the second additive-transfer member comprises a second strip of wicking material to transfer second additive by capillary action to a region of the strip provided at the periphery of the filter;
43. An arrangement of smoking article additive-containing members, comprising first and second additive-containing members configured to selectively release additive, and a connecting member connecting the first and second additive-containing members together, wherein the connecting member comprises an additive-transfer member to transfer additive released from one of said additive-containing members to a predetermined region of the connecting member, for indicating that additive has been released.
44. An arrangement as claimed in claim 43, wherein the first and second additive-containing members are adapted to releasably contain fluid additive and wherein the additive transfer member comprises a wicking material to transfer fluid additive by capillary action.
45. An arrangement as claimed in claim 43, wherein the connecting member comprises: a first additive-transfer member to transfer additive released from the first additive-containing member to a first predetermined region of the connecting member, for indicating that first additive has been released; and a second additive-transfer member to transfer additive released from the second additive-containing member to a second predetermined region of the connecting member, for indicating that second additive has been released.
46. An arrangement as claimed in claim 45, wherein: -21 -the first additive-containing member and the first additive-transfer member are provided on a first side of the connecting member; the second additive-containing member and the second additive-transfer member are provided on a second side of the connecting member.
47. An arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein: the first and second additive-containing members respectively contain first and second fluid additives; the first additive-transfer member comprises a first strip of wicking material to transfer first additive by capillary action to said first predetermined region; the second additive-transfer member comprises a second strip of wicking material to transfer second additive by capillary action to said second predetermined region.