JP2017164002A - Additive discharge member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an additive discharge member to be used in a smoking article.SOLUTION: An additive discharge member (14) includes an explosive shell accommodating an additive agent (15), and is constituted to discharge the additive agent in a predetermined direction in the filter of a smoking article in response to the compression of the additive discharge member. There are also provided a filter (12) containing that additive discharge member, and smoking article (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an additive release member suitable for use in smoking articles and smoking article filters.

  The term “smoking article” as used herein smokes, such as cigarettes, cigarettes and cigarillos, regardless of whether they are based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, recycled tobacco or tobacco substitutes. As well as products that heat but do not burn (ie, products that produce a flavor from the smoking material by heating the smoking material without burning it). Typically, a smoking article includes a filter that removes components contained in the smoke.

  It is known to provide an additive releasing member containing an additive such as a flavoring agent inside a smoking article. By applying force to the outer surface of the smoking article, the smoker can break the additive release member and release the flavoring agent. Thus, a smoker who desires to add flavor to the smoke can add flavor by simply compressing the smoking article.

  According to a first aspect, there is provided an additive release member for use in a smoking article having a filter, the additive release member comprising a rupturable shell containing the additive, the additive release The member is configured to release the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the additive release member.

  In some embodiments, the shell has a three-dimensional shape that ruptures the shell in a predictable and consistent manner upon compression.

  In some embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the shell concentrates the compressive force applied to the additive release member in a limited region of the shell such that the shell ruptures in a predetermined region. .

  In some embodiments, the shell has a three-dimensional shape that pushes the contained additive in a predetermined direction before the shell ruptures and / or when the shell ruptures. .

  In some embodiments, the shell has an asymmetric three-dimensional shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is non-spherical.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is oval, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal or pyramidal.

  In some embodiments, the shell does not include a fragile region or line formed by providing a depression, hole or groove in the shell.

  According to the 2nd aspect, the filter for smoking articles containing the additive discharge | release member by the said 1st aspect is provided.

  In some embodiments, the filter further includes a second element. The second element may be a support structure with the additive release member disposed therein and / or the second element may be a core element.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the filter.

  In some embodiments, the additive is released from the additive release member in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter.

  According to a third aspect, there is provided a smoking article comprising the additive release member according to the first aspect or the filter according to the second aspect.

In the following, embodiments are described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings (the scale is not constant).
1 shows a smoking article filter including an additive release member according to a first embodiment. The additive discharge | release member support structure of the state which is not supporting the additive discharge | release member by 2nd Embodiment is shown. The additive discharge | release member support structure of the state which supported the additive discharge | release member by 2nd Embodiment is shown. The enlarged side view of the smoking article which contains the additive discharge | release member by 2nd Embodiment inside a support structure is shown.

  The additive release member may be anything capable of holding the additive and releasing the additive as desired. For example, the additive release member may be a capsule or other container and may include a spongy material, an absorbent material, a gel material, or any other suitable material.

  The additive may be released from the additive release member when a compressive force is applied to the additive release member. In some embodiments, the additive is released in a predetermined direction.

  For example, if an additive is released from a known additive release member by rupture of the additive release member, this rupture can occur anywhere on the surface of the additive release member. Therefore, the additive may be released in any direction within the surrounding smoking article material, and the additive cannot be directed in a predetermined direction. Further, the additive may be diffused and released in a relatively narrow range from the position where the additive releasing member is ruptured. Furthermore, the release range of this additive is unpredictable and depends in part on the force applied to rupture the additive release member. This means that in order to ensure that the additive adheres to the desired area of the smoking article, the amount of additive provided in the additive release member must be greater than the minimum required amount. means.

  The additive release member according to the present invention includes a rupturable shell containing the additive. In some embodiments, the structure may include an outer shell and a central core, and the additive may be retained within the central core. The core may simply be a cavity with the additive held inside. Alternatively, the core may comprise a spongy material, an absorbent material or a gel material, in which additives may be retained.

  The additive may be released from the additive release member by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the release of the additive may be caused, for example, by a force exerted on the additive release member by the user applying a compressive force. This may involve rupture of the additive release member. Alternatively, this may involve squeezing the additive from an additive release member comprising a porous or spongy material.

  When the additive releasing member is operated by applying a force such as a compressive force, the additive releasing member is strongly discharged, ejected, or extruded from the additive releasing member. The additive releasing member may be fixed so as to be far from the additive releasing member and possibly in a wide range beyond the range that can occur when the additive releasing member bursts. Since the radial direction is predetermined, the additive may be ejected or extruded from the additive release member in a specific direction.

  In contrast, conventional capsules can rupture irregularly, and the additive is not released strongly, but flows out of the ruptured capsule vigorously and remains relatively locally concentrated near the capsule. Also good.

  By configuring the additive release member to release the additive in a predetermined direction, the supply of the additive is improved. Directed release of additive means that the additive is released from the additive release member in a specific and predetermined direction that is predictable and consistent. The directed release may be the result of a directional rupture of the outer shell or may correspond to this rupture. This rupture facilitates the release of the additive in that direction. The specific three-dimensional shape essentially ruptures in a predictable form corresponding to the compressive force, so the shape of the additive release member used determines the directional release of the additive from the additive release member It is possible. For example, the additive can be directedly released in a predetermined direction by rupture of the outer shell of the additive release member.

  In some embodiments, the outer shell has a three-dimensional shape that bursts in a consistent and predictable manner by compression. For example, by concentrating the compressive force applied to the additive release member so as to increase at a predetermined portion of the outer shell, and rupturing the outer shell with this three-dimensional shape, the outer shell can be predicted to burst. And it may be consistent. This concentration of applied force can occur in a shell with a spherical or other symmetrical shape, such as a tube with a circular, hexagonal or other regular and consistent cross-sectional shape. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer shell does not have such a three-dimensional shape. Also, such concentration of applied compressive force can occur when the outer shell has a three-dimensional shape that is symmetric with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article incorporating the additive release member. It cannot happen. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer shell does not have such a three-dimensional shape.

  In some embodiments, when a compressive force is applied before the shell ruptures and / or when the shell ruptures, the three-dimensional shape pushes the additive in the central core in a predetermined direction. Is advantageous. The movement of the additive may contribute to the rupture of the outer shell, and the additive may apply pressure to the shell.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is not spherical. In some embodiments, the additive release member is oval, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal or pyramidal.

  In some embodiments, the outer shell is not formed by combining and sealing two or more members, but is formed by a single member.

The additive release member may be more strongly urged to release the additive in a directional manner by a fragile line, point and / or region of the outer shell of the additive release member. This vulnerable part
When compressive force is applied to the additive release member, the additive release member may be configured to burst in preference to the remaining portion of the additive release member. In some embodiments, this fragile line, point or region is formed by the three-dimensional shape of the outer shell, rather than by providing holes or grooves in the outer shell material. The additive release member may also include two different materials, one of which is inherently easier to rupture than the other.

  The additive release member may be a capsule, as shown in the embodiments of the accompanying drawings. Capsules generally include an outer shell, which may be made of gelatin, and an inner core containing additives.

  FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 10 comprising a cylindrical rod 11 of a smokable material (in this embodiment tobacco) and a filter 12. The filter 12 includes a plug of substantially cylindrical filter material 13 wrapped by a plug wrapper (not shown).

  The rod 11 containing the smokable material is aligned with the filter 12 such that the end of the tobacco rod 11 contacts the end of the filter 12. This rod is wrapped in a wrapper (not shown) according to a conventional method, and is connected to the filter 12 by a chipping paper (not shown).

  The additive release member 14 includes an additive 15 that is a flavoring agent (menthol or the like) in this embodiment, and is disposed inside the filter 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the additive release member is a gelatin capsule. The additive release member is oval (or egg-like) including a first end 14a having a more rounded shape and a second end 14b having a more pointed shape. (Molded) structure.

  The egg-shaped additive release member 14 is disposed substantially in the center of the filter 12, and the longitudinal axis of the additive release member 14 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the filter 12. The egg-shaped additive release member is positioned so that the more rounded end 14a faces the distal (tobacco rod) end of the filter and the sharper end 14b faces the mouth end of the filter. ing. Because of the shape of the additive release member and the fragile line (not shown) set in the additive release member structure, the sharp end 14b of the additive release member is It is easier to burst than the rest of the release member 14.

  In use, as indicated by arrow A in the accompanying drawings, compressive force acts on the filter 12 in the region of the additive release member 14 to cause bursting of the additive release member and release of the flavoring agent 15. Due to the shape of the additive release member and the particular structural weakness of the wall of the egg-shaped additive release member 14, a predetermined form of rupture occurs at the pointed end 14b, and the flavorant is added to the additive release member To the filter mouth 13 toward the suction end of the filter. Substantially, the contents of the additive release member 14 do not enter the filter material 13 at all toward the side of the additive release member or toward the end of the tobacco rod.

  Thus, due to the shape and fragile region of the additive release member structure, the additive retained by the additive release member is released in a controlled manner with directionality in a controlled manner.

In some embodiments, the additive release member may comprise a compressible spongy porous material. The additive may be distributed within the spongy material and possibly absorbed by the spongy material. The spongy material can release the additive by diffusion or when compressed. A spongy material may be a body of an absorbent material impregnated with an additive that is gradually compressible and is configured to release at least a portion of the contained additive when partially compressed. Good. The spongy material may comprise a matrix having a closed cell structure, in particular a closed cell foam structure. With the closed cell foam, the matrix has a plurality of small cavities that can contain the additive. These cavities are closed by the foam material and retain the additive until it is selectively released. The closed cell foam may be configured to release the additive when a compressive force is applied.

  The spongy material may be covered with a second material, which may form an outer shell surrounding the spongy material. This outer material keeps the smoke-modifying material in the spongy material until the contents are desired to be released and the outer shell ruptures by the external force applied by the user and the additive is squeezed out of the spongy material You may perform the function to do.

  In other embodiments, the spongy material may be replaced by any porous material capable of holding the additive. This material may be, for example, an absorbent material or a gel material.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is optionally strongly extruded such that when a compressive force is applied, the additive is released, ejected or extruded from the additive release member. Configured to be. For example, the additive release member may be configured such that the additive is released through a narrow region of the additive release member. In that case, the additive may be pushed out of the additive release member through this narrow region, corresponding to the compressive force. This allows the additive to stick farther away from the additive release member and / or to stick more widely beyond what can occur when released from a known additive release member. And / or can be affixed to a predetermined area of the filter.

  In some embodiments, one or more additive release members may be further retained on the second additive release member, or sheath, or the like. Thereby, the directional release of the additive is controlled more strongly. It can also provide stronger protection from accidental or premature breakage or accidental leakage. In this way, for example, in order to adjust the stability, strength, burst resistance, ease of processing during manufacture, etc. of the additive release member, the additive release member having a single wall or multiple walls is used. Can be used.

  The additive release member may include a nucleus, which may be divided into two or more separate chambers, for example by one or more partitions or other internal barriers. This partition or barrier may be made of the same material as the additive release member, or a different material may be used. This septum or barrier may be fragile, or may be very durable, for example by being very strong or flexible.

  The separate chambers of the core of the additive release member may contain the same additive or different additives. These chambers may contain complex reagents, and one or more of those reagents may not function as an additive alone, but the reagents react or mix with each other. Together it produces an additive. Two additional additives may react chemically to produce, for example, an exothermic or endothermic reaction. These additives may be organic acids and alcohols that react to produce esters.

  The additive release member may have a crush strength between 0.5 kp and 2.5 kp, for example between 1 kp and 2 kp. For example, when the additive release member is incorporated into the smoking article together with a second element that is a support structure as described below, higher crush strength and lower crush strength can be achieved. Such a structure can facilitate the crushing or rupture of the additive release member while allowing the use of an additive release member having a higher crush strength.

  The size of the additive release member may depend on the volume of additive required, and similarly, the volume of additive depends on factors including the required additive efficacy and the degree of smoke modification. It may depend on the number.

  The volume of the additive release member is preferably as large as possible, thereby providing as much additive as possible to modify the smoke as large as possible. However, the additive release member should not be so large that the filtration or inhalation characteristics of the smoking article or smoking article filter are unacceptable. Furthermore, the larger the size of the additive release member, the greater the risk of accidental breakage and / or accidental release of the additive from the additive release member.

  If the additive is released from a known additive release member, this release can occur from any part of the surface of the additive release member. As such, the additive may be released from the additive release member in any direction within the surrounding smoking article material. In addition, the additive may generally be diffused and released from a release position from the additive release member to a relatively narrow range. Moreover, the additive release range is unpredictable and may depend, for example, in part on the force applied to the additive release member. Since the release direction and range of the additive from known additive release members is unpredictable, to ensure that the additive is secured to the desired area of the smoking article, The amount must be greater than the minimum required. Therefore, the additive release member itself must be made larger. In contrast, from the additive release member of the present invention, the additive is predetermined, controlled and directionally released in a predictable direction. For this reason, the diffusion of the additive is more effective and the smaller additive-releasing member can be used compared to the extent that was possible in the past. Alternatively, by using an additive release member having a size similar to that of conventionally used additive release members, a much larger amount of additive can be supplied to a predetermined position inside the smoking article. .

  In some embodiments, the additive release member may be disposed longitudinally within a smoking article or a filter of a smoking article, as shown in the accompanying FIG. That is, the longest dimension direction of the additive releasing member may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

  By aligning the additive release member with the longitudinal axis of the filter, the additive can be released from the additive release member in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter. In practice, the additive may be released in any particular direction within the filter and may be released towards a particular region of the filter. This region may be, for example, a cavity, may be a specific region of the filter material, or may be an outer edge region of a filter of a smoking article. The region from which the additive is released may include an active element such as a second additive, and this second additive may or may not be retained by the additive release member.

  In some embodiments, the length of the additive release member may be between 1 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The diameter of the additive release member may be in the range of 0.1 mm to 4 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

If a large amount of additive is required, a plurality of additive releasing members may be used. All of these additive release members may be additive release members that directionally release additives, or a combination of known additive release members and additive release members that directionally release additives. There may be. These additive release members may have the same shape or different shapes. Further, these additive release members may be the same size or different sizes. When using several additive discharge | release members, you may accommodate the same additive in these and may accommodate different additives in combination. The plurality of additive release members may release the additive, for example, in the same direction, may release toward each other, or may release toward a common target area.

  The plurality of additive release members may be designed to release the additive substantially simultaneously in response to a single compression force input to the smoking article. Alternatively, when there are multiple additive release members, it may be necessary to apply multiple forces sequentially to the smoking article in order to release the additive from all additive release members. These additive release members may be configured to directional release the additive to substantially the same location within the smoking article, or each additive release member may deliver the additive to a different target area. Directional release may be used.

  The smoking article may include two, three, four or more additive release members. For example, the plurality of additive releasing members may be arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the smoking article. Alternatively, the plurality of additive release members may be disposed in the filter of the smoking article, for example, as a mass. In some embodiments, the additive release member may be disposed within a cavity formed between two portions of the filter material.

  Directional release of the additive from the additive release member in the smoking article according to the present invention can be achieved by the additive release member having a specific shape. Different three-dimensional shapes have an inherent ability to release their contents in a predictable manner when a force such as a compressive force is applied. Thus, by using differently shaped additive release members, the additive can be reliably directional released in a predetermined and highly controlled and predictable manner and direction.

  In general, this may involve the use of an asymmetrically shaped additive release member. Asymmetrically shaped additive release members have the inherent ability to release additives in a predictable manner as a result of the asymmetry. The additive release member may be, for example, generally oval, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, pyramidal, etc. (as shown in accompanying FIG. 1). However, in some embodiments, an additive releasing member having a more symmetric shape such as a spherical shape, an ellipsoidal shape, a cubic shape, or the like may be used.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member is non-spherical. The additive release member may or may not have a cigar shape having a cylindrical portion that is hemispherical at both ends, for example, as used for a release member in the pharmaceutical industry.

  By providing a more fragile line, point or region in the structure of the additive release member, it is possible to ensure that the additive is released in a predetermined direction according to the desired form. .

  Such a predetermined weak area can be provided by various methods. For example, the additive release member may include an outer shell in which a desired region is weakened or high elasticity is imparted to the desired region. For example, the strength of a specific region of the additive release member can be increased by increasing the thickness of the shell in the selected region. The fragile point can be formed by a thin region or score line of the shell.

  An additive release member may be used that includes two materials that are essentially different in their ability to release the additive when force is applied. In this case, the less elastic material can form a region or window in which the additive is directed released when force is applied to the additive release member.

Further, the additive may be directionally released in a predictable manner by the method of forming the additive release member. For example, the additive release member may be a multi-part bonded additive release member that includes multiple portions joined by one or more seams. In this case, the additive release member may be configured to rupture along the seam portion. In some other embodiments, the outer shell of the additive release member is formed from a single portion.

  The nucleus may be divided into two or more (eg, three, four or five) separate chambers, for example by one or more septa or other internal barriers. In this case, the separate chambers of the nuclei may contain the same additives or different additives. These chambers may also contain two types of reagents, one or both of which may not function as an additive, but those reagents may react or mix with each other. Produce additive.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member may be incorporated within the smoking article along with a second element that functions to more reliably release the additive from the additive release member in a predetermined direction. Good.

  The second element may function to direct the force applied to the smoking article in a specific manner toward the additive release member. For example, the second element may be a guard that prevents a force from being applied to a particular area of the additive release member. The second element may include a reaction surface that compresses the additive release member. Alternatively, the second element may concentrate the force applied to the smoking article on a specific area of the additive release member.

  The second element may be an additive release member support structure. A support structure is a structure which supports an additive discharge | release member, and is a structure which can be arrange | positioned inside a smoking article. The additive release member support structure can control the release of the additive from the additive release member. The support structure may function to concentrate the force applied to the smoking article on a particular region of the additive release member. For example, the support structure may include a protrusion or point that contacts the additive release member when a force is applied to the smoking article, thereby concentrating the force on a predetermined region of the additive release member.

  With this support structure, in addition to assisting the release of the additive in a predetermined direction, further control of the release of the additive from the additive release member is possible. For example, release can be controlled in terms of release timing, release amount, and / or duration of release.

  2A and 2B show an additive release member 20 according to a second embodiment. This additive release member is disposed within the support structure 21.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the additive release member is a gelatin capsule. The additive release member is oval (or egg-like) including a first end 20a having a more rounded shape and a second end 20b having a more pointed shape. (Molded) structure.

  The outer periphery of the additive release member support structure 21 matches the outer periphery of the smoking article for which the support structure is used or is slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the smoking article. The support structure 21 has an annular shape having a plurality of axial ridges 22 or a hollow cylindrical shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure has eight ridges. In other embodiments, the support structure may have between 2 and 16 folds. For example, the support structure may have three, four, five, six, seven, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen ridges.

  In other words, in some embodiments, the support structure of FIGS. 2A and 2B is in the shape of a flower pattern having a plurality of connected petals or leaves. Each petal or leaf has one radially outer portion and two generally radial portions. The radially outer portion has a radially outer surface adapted to contact the inner cylindrical surface of the smoking article and an opposite radially inner surface. The radially outer surface has a first end and a second end, each of which is coupled to the radially outer end of each generally radial portion. Each generally radial portion includes the radially outer end and the radially inner end, as shown. The radially inner end of each petal or leaf is coupled to the radially inner end of an adjacent petal or leaf. Therefore, the support structure acts to grip and hold the additive release member by being slightly enlarged in diameter.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the additive release member support structure 21, the wrinkle has a shape of an axial groove 23. On the inner surface of the support structure, the heel has a tapered end 24 projecting into the central core of the support structure 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the additive release member 20 may be disposed at the center of the additive release member support structure 21. Thereby, the longitudinal axis of the additive release member 20 substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the support structure 21.

  The end of the support structure protrusion 24 is shaped to receive the additive release member 20. In particular, the distance between the tapered ends of the opposing protrusions 24 is greater than the diameter of the capsule 20. The capsule is held in the additive release member support structure by a flange 25 provided on the protrusion 24.

  The rigidity of the additive discharge member support structure 21 is low due to the compressive force applied to the additive discharge member support structure from any direction orthogonal to the axial direction by the axial ridge 22. For example, in response to such a force applied by the user's finger, the additive release member support structure 21 is deformed from a substantially circular shape to a cross-sectional shape closer to an ellipse.

  At the time of use, the distance between at least one pair of opposing protrusions 24 of the support structure 21 is narrowed by deformation according to the compressive force. This force is transmitted through the projections 24 to a predetermined position on the surface of the rounded end 20a of the additive release member.

  Due to the fragile line (not shown) set in the additive release member structure, the pointed end 14b of the additive release member is more than the rest of the additive release member 14 when subjected to force. Easy to burst.

  When a compressive force is applied to the support structure 21, the additive release member 20 is ruptured in a predetermined form at the sharp end 14b, and the additive is directionally released in a predetermined direction.

  FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a smoking article including the additive release member 20 according to the second embodiment arranged inside the support structure 21. The smoking article includes a rod 26 and a filter 27 of smokable material. The filter 27 has a three-stage filter structure in which a support structure 21 holding the additive release member 20 is disposed between two cellulose acetate filter material sections 28 and 29. These filter sections are joined together by a plug wrapper (not shown) to form a filter 27 and connected to a rod 26 of a smokable material with tipping paper (not shown) according to conventional methods.

In use, even if the user applies a force to the region of the support structure 21 of the filter 27 in any direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the filter, the support structure is deformed as described above, and the additive releasing member 20 The additive is released in a predetermined direction.

  The size and shape of the additive release member support structure is preferably determined in combination with the size and shape of the additive release member to be used. In this way, the additive release member can be supported by the support structure, and the additive release member can be physically protected by the support structure until release of the additive is required.

  In one embodiment, the additive release member support structure has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the smoking article in which the support structure is used. For example, the support structure used in a conventional paper cigarette may have a circular cross-sectional shape. This also allows the support structure to function to give the smoking article a shape, configuration or strength.

  The additive release member support structure may include a departure from one or more protrusions, grooves, raised elements, or other smooth surfaces on its outer surface. Also, the support structure may not be circular in cross section, but may be hexagonal or other polygonal, elliptical, or irregular shape. Since such elements are perceptible to the user of the smoking article, the location of the additive release member support structure within the smoking article or the filter of the smoking article and to release the additive from the additive release member This provides a clue to the area of the support structure to which the actuation force should be applied. The additive release member support structure may notify the user that the additive has been released from the additive release member. The notification may be due to an audible sound and / or a change in the form of the perceivable support structure.

  The additive release member support structure may release the additive from the additive release member via any conceivable mechanism. The support structure may be configured to apply an actuating force to the additive release member to release the additive by pumping release, directional release, multi-stage release, or a single release. The type of release depends on the particular type and shape of the support structure and the additive release member used and their constituent materials.

  The additive release member support structure may be a molded plastic structure. In some embodiments, the support structure may be made of a biodegradable plastic such as PLA (polylactic acid), CA (cellulose acetate) or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol). However, in principle, any formable plastic, ceramic, starch, paper, or other suitable material known to those skilled in the art can be used to produce the support structure.

  The additive release member support structure can be added by a single release, by multiple releases, or by a variable release, eg, the release is proportional to the strength or duration of the force applied to the support structure. May be released from the additive release member. This can be achieved by appropriate selection of the constituent materials of the support structure. For example, if the support structure is molded from a flexible plastic, the support structure can return to its original shape after being actuated under force. In this case, depending on the characteristics of the additive release member, the additive can be further released from the additive release member by subsequently applying a force to the support member. In contrast, if the support structure is made of an inflexible material, such as an inflexible plastic, the support structure will break when actuated. With such a configuration, the operation of the support structure can be limited to one time, and as a result, the additive release member can release and supply the additive only once.

In some embodiments, the second element may function to directly assist the directional release of the additive from the additive release member. For example, the second element may be a funnel, groove, or absorbent material that assists in the directional release of the additive from the additive release member. In embodiments where the additive release member is present in the smoking article filter, directional emission can be enhanced by using a core element such as an absorbent material in the smoking article filter. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is more absorbent than the filter material and may be a fiber tow, such as cellulose acetate. For example, one or more core elements may be positioned adjacent to the additive release member in the region of the filter where directional release of the additive from the additive release member is desired. In this way, the additive can be directed in the desired direction by one or more core elements.

  The use of a core element optionally including an absorbent material can also facilitate the transport of the additive in a particular direction after the additive has been released from the additive release member. The additive can penetrate the core element at a faster rate than if it penetrates the filter material. The additive can also be preferentially directed along or through the core element. Therefore, the core element can determine the direction in which the additive mainly diffuses and / or change the travel distance of the additive. For example, an additive can be transported in a specific direction by incorporating a core element of a specific shape at a specific location. The thin thread of absorbent material is particularly effective as a core element for transporting the additive over longer distances. For example, one or more absorbent material threads may extend radially from the additive release member to provide a path through which the additive can be transported. In this way, the additive can also be directed to the outer surface of the smoking article.

  Any suitable absorbent material may be used, for example non-crimped cellulose acetate yarn, other cellulosic materials such as hydroxymethylcellulose, starch, or foamed polyvinyl alcohol.

  In some embodiments, the additive release member may be composed of a fragile material. The additive release member is usually an additive release member composed of a single part. In one embodiment, the additive release member comprises a low solubility, high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol. Several suitable alternative materials are known, for example, additive release members typically utilized in the pharmaceutical industry may be used. Such an additive releasing member may be based on gelatin, for example, or may be formed from a polymer material such as modified cellulose. One type of modified cellulose that may be used is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. A number of biodegradable materials are known that may be suitable for use in the manufacture of additive release members, including high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, polylactic acid, Plaster® material, polycaprolactone, Polyglycolides, polyhydroxyalkanoic acids such as poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, and zein derived bioplastics.

  Alternatively, the additive release member may include a hollow food material, such as pasta, or a hollow tube of extruded recycled tobacco material. Advantageously, by covering the inner wall of the additive release member material with a waterproof material such as varnish or silicone, absorption of the liquid content or deterioration due to the liquid content is prevented over a long period of time, and the additive release member material The rigidity can be maintained.

  Alternatively, the additive release member may be composed of a wax, resin, natural or synthetic rubber, latex, or plastic material that maintains its shape and strength at room and smoking temperatures, but can be ruptured when external forces are applied. Good. Examples of suitable waxes include beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac wax, caranda wax, sugar cane wax, myrtle wax, and petroleum wax.

  Suitable resins for constructing the additive release member include epoxy resins, terpene resins, petroleum resins, ester rubbers, phenol resins, and rosin resins. Preferred gums include gum arabic, locust bean gum, guar gum, alginate, carrageenan, and pectin.

  In some embodiments where the capsule includes a spongy porous material, any suitable spongy material may be used. The sponge-like material may be a foam material, and the foam material may be a foam plastic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

  The additive release member includes an additive that can be any material that can be added to the smoke flow path to change the composition or properties of the smoke, for example.

  The additive retained in the additive release member may be a deodorant, diluent, absorbent, or any other substance that can modify the airflow. The additive may be water. Where permitted by law, the additive may be a flavoring agent.

  As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavoring agent” refer to materials that can be used to create a desired taste or aroma in an adult consumer product, where permitted by law. These are extracts (e.g. daylily, hydrangea, jojoba, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed fruit, cinnamon, medicinal herb, himekoji, cherry, berries, peach, apple, drunk buoy, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint , Peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, yellow fennel, cognac, jasmine, ylang ylang, medicinal salvia, fennel, all Spices, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus mint), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory organ receptor site activators or stimulants, sugar And / or sugar substitutes (eg sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or halitosis deodorants Other additives may be included. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. These may be in any suitable form such as oil, liquid or powder.

  In some embodiments, the additive may include menthol or water.

  The flavor may be a tobacco flavor. If the flavor is supplied in liquid form, the tobacco flavor may be derived from a tobacco extract. If the flavor is derived from a solid product, the product may be tobacco leaves in shredded form, particulate or granular form, or in the form of recycled tobacco sheet material.

  The additive may be a solid such as a powder, a liquid flavoring agent, a deodorizing agent, a liquid such as water, or a gas such as an aromatic composition.

  The method of manufacturing the additive release member may depend on the exact composition and shape required. Any suitable manufacturing method may be used. For example, techniques including the use of blow molding, injection molding, three-dimensional printing, and rotational molds may be used. Multiple techniques may be used in combination.

  The additive release member may be colored. For example, the additive release member may include a colorant. By using a colorant, the additive release member can be more easily placed inside the smoking article or the smoking article filter during the manufacturing process. In particular, when the additive releasing member is intended to be partially enclosed inside the smoking article, or when it is intended to provide a transparent window on, for example, a tipping paper, the smoking article may be treated with a colorant. Can give the appearance that draws attention.

  Further, the additive retained in the additive release member may be colored. This makes it possible to further visually indicate to the user that the additive has been successfully released since it can be seen that the additive is directionally released from the additive release member. This is when the additive release member includes a combination of multiple additives, where one additive is colored and this additive serves to indicate the release of one or more other uncolored additives May be particularly useful.

  If the additive is colored, it may be desirable for the additive release member to direct the additive to the area of the smoking article or smoking article filter where the color is observed. For example, the additive may be directed released to an outer edge region, such as the outer peripheral region of the smoking article, or toward the mouth end. The colored additive may be directed released to the part of the smoking article that can be seen through the transparent window.

  In some embodiments, the smoking article may include a transparent window that can visualize an additive release member in the smoking article, such as in a filter. In this way, the user can visualize the additive release member in the filter and visually determine whether the additive has been released.

  Chipping paper or other wrappers are made of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cellulose acetate film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene oxide (PEOX), polyethylene, cellophane to produce a transparent window effect , Nature Flex (registered trademark), polylactic acid, Plastarch (registered trademark) material, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid such as poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, and one of zein-derived bioplastics May include, but is not limited to, a piece of transparent material. The tipping paper or other wrapping paper may have an opaque coating on certain portions, leaving a transparent portion that defines the window and is not coated.

  The additive release member may be manufactured using any suitable method, and the method of manufacturing the additive release member will, of course, depend on the exact composition and configuration required. Any suitable method for producing an additive release member may be used, including techniques such as coextrusion, spin coating, droplet formation, interfacial polymerization, solvent evaporation and annular jet formation.

  In some embodiments where the additive release member is a seamless capsule, the capsule may be manufactured using a coextrusion process. Co-extrusion is the synchronous extrusion of two liquids that later form the shell and capsule contents (or nuclei). The first (coextrusion) step involves forming droplets with liquid core material inside the liquid shell material. After this coextrusion step, the capsules are solidified, for example by cooling or dipping in a curing agent. Thereafter, the capsule may be subjected to various treatments such as washing, removing excess liquid, coloring, and forming an additional film.

  Alternatively, an annular jet forming method may be used. This method utilizes a double concentric jet that ejects an inner jet of liquid core material and an outer jet of liquid shell material. The liquid flow breaks into droplets, and the liquid shell material solidifies due to phase transitions induced by the presence of cross-linking ions, pH differences, temperature changes, and the like.

  In some embodiments where the additive release member includes a wax capsule, the capsule may be formed by a method that includes, for example, freezing a solution of liquid core material until small crystals are formed. According to this method, the crystals are then dripped into the molten wax and a wax film is formed around the cold crystals and then removed by a spatula. As the coated capsules reach room temperature, the frozen core material gradually becomes liquid.

  The foamed spongy material may be made using a foam extrusion process.

  The additive release member may be incorporated at any location within the smoking article, for example, the additive release member may be disposed within the filter of the smoking article.

  Smoking articles typically include rods and filters of smokable material. They extend longitudinally from the distal (ignition) end where smoke is sucked into the smoking article to the mouth end. As a result of directional release, the additive may be released towards a specific area of the smoking article or smoking article filter. The additive release member may be configured to direct release of the additive in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, in other words, in the direction of the mouth end or distal end. By releasing the smoking article into this region, the degree of interaction between the additive and smoke can be maximized.

  The smoking article may be any area of the smoking article or smoking article filter, one or more additives configured to directed release the additive towards a particular area of the smoking article or smoking article filter A discharge member may be included.

  This region may include a material that is activated by the additive released from the additive release member. For example, the material may comprise a solid that is active in solution and thus activated by the action of water or certain solvent form additives.

  The target area for directed release of the additive may be a central cavity of the filter that may or may not contain other active materials. For example, the cavity may include a crystalline flavor that is activated when an additive in solvent form is directed release into the cavity and contacts the crystal. Alternatively, the cavity may include a material that is sensitive to water-type additives, such as a material that changes color, dissolves, makes a sound, or emits a flavor or aroma in contact with water. .

  The particular region from which the additive is directed released may be a region of the filter material comprising a solid material in the form of a plurality of small granules uniformly distributed in the filter material. Such a configuration may be useful, for example, when a granular crystalline flavor is used in combination with an additive release member that includes a solvent additive. In this case, a plurality of additive releasing members that can continuously release the additive and supply the flavoring agent while the smoking article is being used may be used. In this configuration, the additive may be directed-released to the same or different regions of the filter material containing the granules.

  The area from which the additive is directed released may be the outer peripheral area of the smoking article or the smoking article filter, such as the outer peripheral surface of the smoking article or the vicinity thereof, or the mouth end area of the filter. Such a configuration can be used, for example, when the additive is a colorant to give the smoking article a noticeable appearance and / or to visually indicate that the additive has been released. It may be suitable when a colorant is included in combination with the second additive. This configuration may also be suitable when the additive is a fragrance material for promoting the diffusion of the fragrance from the smoking article.

  The smoking article or smoking article filter may include two or more additives, each held on a separate additive release member. This configuration is suitable, for example, when two or more additives react chemically or when these additives are exposed to oxidation, diffusion, or other situations where the strength decreases with time. might exist.

  These two or more additive release members may be configured to direct the additives toward each other. Such a configuration is useful, for example, when these additives react chemically to produce an exothermic or endothermic reaction, a reaction that releases an aroma or gas, or a reaction that produces a color or other visual effect. May be.

  These two or more additive release members may be configured to direct release the additive toward a common area of the filter. This is because when a significant amount of additive needs to be supplied to a specific area of the filter, for example, the additive is water and the target area of the filter is water swellable, water soluble or water degradable It may be suitable if it contains sensitive materials.

  Since the additive release member of the present invention is configured to direct release of the additive, the direction in which the additive release member is inserted into the smoking article or smoking article filter should be controlled.

  The specific shape additive release member of the present invention can assist the additive release member insertion process. For example, similar to the egg-shaped additive release member shown in the attached FIGS. 1 and 2, if the center of gravity of the additive release member is not located at the geometric center of the additive release member, the additive release member is Inevitably in a specific direction. By utilizing this characteristic, the additive release member can be reliably inserted into the smoking article in a desired direction.

  In general, the additive release member may be inserted into the filter of the smoking article, and the additive release member may be inserted into the filter using any suitable method. For example, a suitable device may include means for supplying a continuous filter material from a source of the material (eg, package, bobbin, or the like). The apparatus may further include an additive release member insertion device for inserting or fixing individual additive release members into the filter material at predetermined intervals. The filter material with the additive release member secured therein is then received by a rod manufacturing means that supplies continuous rods that are subsequently divided into desired lengths at predetermined intervals to form the individual filters of the present invention. May be.

  Any suitable alternative technique may be used if applicable. For example, the additive release member may be inserted into a cavity in the filter, or known two-stage or three-stage filter coupling techniques may be used. The additive release member may be incorporated into the filter using a vertical feed method.

  Embodiments of the present invention are configured to conform to relevant laws and regulations, such as those relating to flavors, additives, emissions, ingredients, etc., as non-limiting examples. For example, the present invention may be configured such that a smoking article according to the practice of the present invention complies with relevant laws before, during and after the release of the smoke modifier from the capsule.

  In order to address various issues and improve the art, the entire specification, by way of example, implements one or more inventions as defined in the claims and releases superior additives. And various embodiments that can provide an additive release member and a product including the additive release member. The advantages and features disclosed herein are merely representative examples of embodiments and are non-inclusive and / or non-exclusive. These are provided only to assist in understanding the features defined in the claims and to teach the features defined in the claims. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects disclosed herein limit the disclosure of the specification as defined by the claims, or the claims. Other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the equivalents thereof It should be understood that it can be done. Various embodiments may include various combinations of elements, components, features, parts, steps, methods, and the like disclosed in the present specification as appropriate, and may be constituted by combinations of these, and essentially these You may comprise by the combination of these. Further, the disclosure of this specification includes inventions that are not currently defined in the claims but can be defined in the future in the claims.

Claims (15)

  An additive release member for use in a smoking article having a filter, wherein the additive release member may include a rupturable shell containing the additive, wherein the additive release member is the additive release member An additive release member configured to release the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the smoking article.   The additive release member of claim 1, wherein the shell has a three-dimensional shape that ruptures the shell in a predictable and consistent manner upon compression.   The three-dimensional shape of the shell concentrates the compressive force applied to the additive releasing member on a limited region of the shell so that the shell bursts in a predetermined region. The additive release member according to 1.   4. The shell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shell has a three-dimensional shape that pushes the contained additive in a predetermined direction before the shell bursts and / or when the shell bursts. The additive release member according to Item 1.   5. The shell according to claim 1, wherein the shell has an asymmetric three-dimensional shape with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article into which the additive release member is incorporated. Additive release member.   The additive release member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the additive release member is non-spherical.   The additive release member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the additive release member is oval, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, or pyramidal.   The additive release member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shell does not include a fragile region or a line formed by providing a depression, a hole, or a groove in the shell.   A filter for smoking articles, comprising the additive release member according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   The filter according to claim 9, further comprising a second element.   11. The filter according to claim 10, wherein the second element is a support structure in which the additive release member is disposed.   The filter according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second element is a core element.   The filter according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the additive release member is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the filter.   The filter according to claim 13, wherein the additive is released from the additive releasing member in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter.   A smoking article comprising the additive release member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the filter according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

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