RU2598141C2 - Smoking product filter - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a smoking article filter. Smoking article filter includes filtering material; element containing additive for selective release of additive in filter material; and an element for transfer of additive, extracted from element containing additive to outer surface of filter to indicate release of additive, wherein element for transfer of additive is formed from absorbent material adapted to absorb additive faster than filtering material, and outer surface of filter is area element for transfer of additive.

EFFECT: technical result of invention is easy release of additive by user from component which releases additive, as and when it is required, with well controlled release process and indication of process of release of additive.

18 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates, inter alia, to a filter of a smoking article.

State of the art

Filter elements for smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise an insert (tampon) of cellulose acetate material surrounded by filter wrapping paper. In the manufacture of cigarettes, filter elements are combined with cigarette sticks and wrapped in yet another wrapper, the so-called “rim paper” that connects them.

It is known to use destructible capsules containing menthol placed inside a filter insert of a cigarette filter. By applying external pressure to the filter, the smoker can break the capsule, thereby releasing flavoring to give flavor to the smoke absorbed from the cigarette.

WO 2010/003 899 describes a method for manufacturing cigarette filter rods containing capsules, in which an extended tube containing a plurality of capsules is pulled from a bobbin into a strand of filter material to form an extended filter rod, which is then cut into segments to form separate filter rods containing capsules.

Disclosure of invention

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a filter for a smoking article comprising an element containing an additive for selectively releasing the additive into the filter; and an element for transferring the additive released from the element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the additive.

The area of the additive transfer element is located on the outer surface of the filter.

The additive transfer member is formed of an absorbent material adapted to absorb the additive faster than a filter material, such as a capillary material to transfer the additive through a capillary (wick) effect. Moreover, the element containing the additive may contain the additive in the form of a fluid.

The area of the additive transfer member may be adapted to change color in response to the presence of the additive.

The additive transfer member may include a cylinder of absorbent material, preferably in the form of a thread.

The additive transfer element may include a strip of absorbent material, and the region of the additive transfer element may include an end and / or side edge of the strip.

The filter may have an outer end surface, and the additive transfer member may be positioned so as to transfer the additive released from the additive containing member to the outer end surface.

The filter of the smoking element may include first and second elements containing an additive for selectively simultaneously releasing the first and second additives into the filter; an additive transfer member may be adapted to transfer a second additive released from a second additive containing member to an outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the first additive; and the first additive may not be suitable for its transfer by an element for transferring the additive and / or to provide a visual indication of its release.

The filter of the smoking element may include first and second elements containing an additive for selectively releasing the first and second additives into the filter; and a connecting element connecting together the elements containing the additive, the connecting element includes: a first element for transferring the first additive from the first element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the first additive; and a second element for transferring the second additive from the second element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the second additive.

A portion of the filter insert of the filter of the smoking article may form an element for transferring the additive.

The filter of the smoking article may have a window allowing you to see the area into which the additive is transferred from the element containing the additive to the additive transfer element.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a filter for a smoking article comprising an additive releasing component for selectively releasing the additive into the filter; and an element for transferring the additive released from the component releasing the additive into the visible region of the filter to indicate the release of the additive.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system of elements containing an additive for a smoking article comprising first and second elements containing an additive configured to selectively release the additive and a connecting element connecting the first and second elements containing the additive, wherein the connecting element includes an element for transferring the additive, the additive released from one of the elements containing the additive, into a predetermined area of the connecting element for indicating release supplements.

The first and second elements containing the additive can be adapted to contain the additive in the form of a fluid, with the possibility of its release, and the element for transferring the additive can include absorbent material for transferring the additive in the form of a fluid by means of a capillary effect.

The system may include two layers forming a connecting element, which are hermetically connected to each other to form pocket areas for placement of additives. The additive transfer member may be held by sealing between two layers. The additive transfer element may be narrower compared to the layers and may be located along pocket areas.

A filter stick is proposed that can be used in the manufacture of smoking articles, containing a segment of the system that includes one or more elements containing the additive.

Preferably, the extended element may be formed from a polymeric material, for example polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaKMC) or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). The use of polymeric materials allows to increase shelf life, simplify requirements for crushing strength, reduce cost and increase resistance to cyclic freezing / thawing that can occur in the supply chain. Alternatively, starches can be used to form the strip.

As used herein, the term “smoking article additive” refers to any substance that is suitable for being added to a smoking article. One can imagine a large number of different additives, including solid additive (s), for example tobacco (for example, ground tobacco). More preferably, however, the use of the additive (s) in the form of a fluid. Possible additives include smoke modifiers, such as flavors, humectants, and scavengers. Preferably, each element containing the additive contains from 10 to 100 μl of the additive.

As used herein, the term “fluid” includes any fluid and therefore includes liquids, gases, and solids (for example, in the form of a powder, or granules, or grains, or ductile solids) that can flow.

As used herein, the terms “flavoring agent” and “flavoring agent” refer to materials that, in accordance with local law, can be used to impart a desired taste or aroma to a product. These may include extracts, for example, licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white-stem magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, spicy herbs, wintergreen, cherries and other berries, peach, apple, Drambui liquor, whiskey Bourbon, Scotch whiskey and other brands of whiskey, peppermint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascar oil, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, acacia, cumin cognac jasmine ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil of any kind Mentha genus, aroma corrective substances, bitterness suppressants, sensory enhancers, sweeteners, such as sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or attract, and other additives, such as chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances, or breath fresheners. They can be, inter alia, artificial, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid or powder.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes products for smoking, for example cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, loose tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and also non-combustible products. The smoking article may be equipped with a smoke filter sucked out of the smoking article. The filter can have various sizes. For example, a typical filter diameter is 5 to 8 mm and a length is 22 to 27 mm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below in the form of private examples is a description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

in FIG. 1 shows a first example of a filter of a smoking article including an element for transferring an additive in the form of a thread;

in FIG. 2a illustrates the tearing of the additive release component in the filter shown in FIG. one;

in FIG. 2b is an end view of the filter shown in FIG. 1, after tearing the additive release component;

in FIG. 3 shows a tape, a section of which is part of the filter shown in FIG. one;

in FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method of manufacturing a tape similar to that shown in FIG. 3;

in FIG. 5a shows a second example of a filter of a smoking article including two components that separate the additive and two elements for transferring the additive;

in FIG. 5b illustrates the tearing of one of the additive release components in the filter shown in FIG. 5a;

in FIG. 5c illustrates the tearing of another of the additive release components in the filter shown in FIG. 5a;

in FIG. 6a shows a third example of a filter of a smoking article including an element for transferring an additive in the form of a strip;

in FIG. 6b illustrates the tearing of the additive release component in the filter shown in FIG. 6a;

in FIG. 6c is an end view of the filter shown in FIG. 6a, after tearing the additive release component;

in FIG. 7a shows a fourth example of a filter of a smoking article including an additive releasing component and a dye releasing component;

in FIG. 7b illustrates the tearing of the additive release component and the dye release component in the filter shown in FIG. 7a;

in FIG. 7c is an end view of the filter shown in FIG. 7a, after tearing the additive release component and the dye release component;

in FIG. 8a shows a fifth example of a filter of a smoking article including a window on the side of the filter;

in FIG. 8b illustrates the tearing of the additive release component in the filter shown in FIG. 8a;

in FIG. 8c shows the filter shown in FIG. 8a, after tearing the additive release component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 shows a section 1a of tape 1 located inside the cellulose acetate insert of filter 3 of cigarette 4. Section 1a of tape 1 has an element containing the additive in the form of a sealed pocket 2. The inside of the pocket 2 contains the additive in the form of a liquid flavor, for example menthol or coffee essence . The tape and pockets may be formed of an elastic polymer material, for example polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyethylene (PE). Applying pressure outside the filter 3, the smoker can cause the pocket 2 to rupture in order to release its liquid flavor. In this way, the smoker can selectively flavor the smoke inhaled from the cigarette 4.

Section 1a of tape 1 includes an element for transferring additives in the form of section 5a of yarn 5. Section 5a of yarn 5 is intended to indicate the release of the additive. In this case, the additive can be transferred to the periphery of the filter 3. The thread 5 is formed from an absorbent (capillary) material made with the ability to absorb and transfer liquid due to the capillary effect. The absorbent material may contain untwisted cellulose acetate. Preferably, the absorbent material is white. Preferably, the absorbent material absorbs the additive faster than the filter material. An example of a suitable yarn 5 is a 0.5 mm thick cellulose acetate thread with a mass number of 1800 denier.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, the end face 5b of the indicator thread section 5a 5 is flush with the end face of the filter 3 so that the end face 5b can be seen at the end of the filter 3.

When pocket 2 is torn, part of the released fluid is absorbed by the thread 5, which can change color due to the presence of the absorbed fluid. As shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, a portion of the liquid is transferred to the end region of the yarn 5 section 5a so that the end 5b becomes colored, thereby indicating to the smoker that pocket 2 has been torn and the fluid therein has been released.

In some examples, dye may be present inside the pocket 2 along with the fluid-like additive, so the capillary strip acquires a certain color when the pocket ruptures.

In FIG. 3 shows a tape 1, a section of which is shown in FIG. 1. Tape 1 includes several elements containing the additive in the form of clogged pockets 2 located at intervals along its length. Thread 5 also extends along the tape. In the manufacture of tape 1, a method including vertical molding, filling and sealing can be used. Tape 1 can be formed of two or more polymer layers hermetically bonded so that the non-bonded areas form pockets 2. Heat sealing or ultrasonic welding can be used to form a sealed joint.

In FIG. 4 illustrates the manufacturing method of the tape 1. In step A, cavities 7 are formed in the first layer 6. During this molding, the first layer 6 is forced to take the form of a matrix (not shown) under vacuum. The cavities 7 protrude from one side (for example, the lower side) of the layer 6.

In step B, cavities 7 are filled with additive 8.

In step C, a thread 5 is placed on the first layer 6, from the side opposite to where the cavities 7 protrude. The thread 5 is positioned so that it runs along the first layer 6 between the edges of the cavities 7 and one edge of the first layer 6. As shown in the drawing , the yarn laying can be performed after the cavities 7 have been formed and filled. Alternatively, the yarn laying can be performed before completing any of these steps.

In step D, on the same side of the first layer 6, where the thread 5 is located, the second layer 9 is placed. Thus, the thread 5 is sandwiched between the layers 6, 9.

In step E, the layers 6, 9 are hermetically connected, for example using heat sealing. A sealing region 10 is formed around each of the cavities 7, thereby forming pockets 2. A section of thread 5 also passes through each of the sealing regions 10, and due to this, its position along the pockets 2 is fixed (but there is no connection with the pockets 2). The region 11 that separates each pocket 2 and each fixed section of thread 5 from the next pocket 2 and the next fixed section of thread 5 remains unsealed.

Other methods for manufacturing the tape 1 may be used.

For example, tape 1 may first be formed without thread 5. For this, a method similar to that shown in FIG. 4 (without step C), or any other suitable method. Then, the thread 5 can be attached to one side of the tape 1. If the additive is predominantly released on one side of the tape 1, for example, from the side where the pockets 2 protrude, then the thread 5 can be attached on this side. The thread can be attached to the surface in any suitable way, for example using adhesive.

In some examples, the tape 1 may be formed by a method in which pockets 2 are attached to the tape with an adhesive.

In any case, the tape 1 can be wound on a bobbin and then pulled from the bobbin into a stream of filter material bundle passing through a machine manufacturing a filter rod to integrate it into an extended filter rod. Next, the cutter of the machine cuts an extended filter rod into segments to form separate filter sticks, each of which contains one pocket 2 and a section 5a of thread 5. This filter manufacturing process is generally similar to the process described in WO 2010/003 899, in which the tube containing an elongated capsule from WO 2010/003899 replaced by tape 1.

Thus, the methods described above facilitate the location of the pocket 2 and section 5a of the thread 5 in the filter 3. Moreover, due to the presence of unsealed areas 11, when the pocket 2 is torn, as described above, part of the released fluid can be absorbed by the indicator thread 5.

The inclusion of a yarn or other similar element for transferring additives can also increase the longitudinal resistance of the tape and its longitudinal tensile strength. This simplifies the work with the tape during the manufacturing process, for example, when the tape is wound on a bobbin, and then wound from it.

In FIG. 5a shows another example of the section 51a of the tape 51 located inside the cellulose acetate insert of the filter 53 of the cigarette 54. The section 51a of the tape 51 includes two pockets 52a, 52b, which respectively contain two different flavors (for example, menthol and coffee essence). The smoker can optionally tear a particular pocket 52a, 52b by pressing on different sections of the outer surface of the filter. Thus, the smoker is given several options for flavoring the smoke, namely:

break through one pocket or another and flavor cigarette smoke with menthol or coffee, or break through both pockets and flavor cigarette smoke with a mixed coffee-menthol flavor. In the manufacture of tape 51, a method including vertical molding, filling, and sealing can be used. The tape 51 may be formed of two or more polymer layers hermetically bonded so that the non-bonded areas form pockets 52a, 52b. Heat sealing or ultrasonic welding can be used to form a sealed joint. In some examples, the tape 51 may be formed of three layers: a central layer and two outer layers located on both sides of the central layer. The central layer may be formed of a rigid material (or a material less elastic or thicker than that of the outer layers), as a result of which the pockets 52a, 52b will protrude asymmetrically from opposite sides of the tape.

Although in FIG. 5a, pockets 52a, 52b are shown protruding from opposite sides of the belt 51, many other configurations can be presented. For example, pockets 52a, 52b may be placed on one side of the belt 51.

The tape 51 may include two indicator strips 55, 56. The indicator strips are formed from an absorbent material that provides absorption and transfer of fluid due to the capillary effect. The absorbent material may contain untwisted cellulose acetate. Preferably, the absorbent material is white.

The first indicator strip 55 is located on the same side of the tape as the upper pocket 52a, under the sealed pocket 52a. The end surface 55a of the indicator strip 55 is flush with the end surface of the filter 53 so that the end surface 55a can be seen on the end of the filter 53. When the pocket 52a is opened, part of the released fluid is absorbed by the indicator strip 55, which can lead to a color change due to the presence of absorbed fluid Wednesday. For example, if the fluid is a menthol-containing fluid, the absorbent strip may turn green. As shown in FIG. 56, a portion of the liquid is transferred to the end region of the indicator strip so that the end 55a is colored, thereby showing the smoker that the pocket 52a has been torn and the fluid has been released.

In some examples, a colorant may be placed in pockets 52a, 52b along with additive fluid, as a result of which the absorbent strip acquires a certain color when the pocket breaks.

As shown in FIG. 5a, the second indicator strip 56 is located on one side of the tape with the lower pocket 52b, above the sealed pocket 52b. The end region 56a of the indicator strip 56 is flush with the end of the filter 53 so that the end region can be seen from the end of the filter 53. As shown in FIG. 5c, when pocket 52b breaks through, part of the released fluid is absorbed by the indicator strip 56, which can change color due to the presence of the absorbed fluid. For example, if the fluid is a liquid containing a colored essence, the absorbent strip becomes brown. A portion of the liquid is transferred to the end region of the indicator strip so that the end face 56a is colored, thereby showing the smoker that the pocket 52b has been torn and the fluid has been released.

In some examples, the indicator strips 55, 56 may have the same width as the filter, and the edge of the indicator strips may be visible on the side of the filter. In this case, when the additive is released, a colored “band” appears on the side of the filter, showing that the pockets 2a, 2b have been torn.

In FIG. 6a shows another example of a section 61a of the tape 61 located inside the cellulose acetate insert of the filter 63 of the cigarette 64. The tape 61 is similar to the tape 51 described above, but includes only one pocket 62 and one indicator strip 65. The tape 61 includes holes 66 passing through it close to pockets 42, the purpose of which will be described below.

In a particular example of a manufacturing method, a tape 61 may first be formed without the indicator strip 65, for example, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 4 (without step C).

Further, an indicator strip 65, for example, using adhesive, can be attached to one side of the tape 61, from which the pockets 62 protrude.

Alternatively, or additionally, a third layer may be placed over the indicator strip 65. The third layer may be similar to the first and second layers described above with reference to FIG. 4. The third layer, the indicator strip 65 and the rest of the tape 61 can be attached in any suitable way, for example using adhesive or heat sealing.

Holes 66 may be formed in any suitable manner and at any stage of the process.

The openings 66 are intended to facilitate the passage of the released fluid to the indicator strip 65. In particular, the released fluid can pass through the openings 66, instead of going around the edges of the tape 61, which is generally impermeable.

Although in FIG. 5a, the openings are not shown; the upper and lower sides of the tape 51 may also include such openings.

As shown in FIG. 6b and 6c, when pocket 62 is breached, a portion of the released fluid passes through openings 66, is absorbed by the indicator strip 65 and transferred to the end region of the indicator strip 65 so that the end surface 65a is painted. The end surface 65a of the indicator strip 65 is flush with the end surface of the filter 63, therefore, the end surface 65a can be seen when looking at the end of the filter 63.

In some cases, it may be desirable or necessary to use a separate colored liquid to indicate the release of the additive. For example, if the coloring of the additive can be difficult, and the capillary effect is weakened. In addition, as noted earlier, the additive does not have to be a liquid.

In FIG. 7a shows another example of a section 71a of the tape 71 located inside the cellulose acetate insert of the filter 73 of the cigarette 74. The section 71a of the tape 71 includes two pockets 72a, 72b, which respectively comprise an additive and a colored liquid. The pocket 72a protrudes from the first side of the belt 71, and the pocket 72b protrudes from the second, opposite side. The pockets 72a, 72b have the same longitudinal arrangement on the belt 71.

As shown in FIG. 7b and 7c, when fingers are pressed from the outside of the filter 73, the pockets 72a, 72b simultaneously rupture, as a result of which the additive and the colored liquid are simultaneously released. Holes (not shown) similar to the openings 66 described above can be made in the second side of the tape 71 so that a colored liquid can pass through them. In any case, the colored liquid is absorbed by the indicator strip 75 and transferred to the end region of the indicator strip 75, as a result of which the end surface 75a becomes colored.

Alternatively, two pockets may be used, respectively, containing the additive and a colored liquid, and an element for transferring the additive in the form of a section of thread, for example, shown in FIG. 1a. In any case, two pockets can protrude from opposite sides of the tape, as described above, or can be located on one side of the tape. A design in which a thread is used as an additive transferring element and pockets are located on one side of the tape can be made using a method similar to that described above with reference to FIG. four.

In some examples, an element for transferring the additive and / or an element releasing the additive, as described above, may not be present on the tape section. In particular, one or both of the elements may be on an element of another type, or may be included directly in the filter. For example, a structure may be used, for example, as shown in FIG. 1a, but in which the element for transferring the additive and the element releasing the additive are included directly in the filter 3, without section 1a of the tape 1.

In some examples, part of the filter insert may form an element for transferring additives.

In FIG. 8a shows a cigarette 84 with a similar filter 83. The filter 83 includes an additive-containing element in the form of a capsule 82. The interior of the capsule 82 contains an additive in the form of a colored liquid flavor. There is a window 86 in the side wall of the filter 83. As shown in the drawing, the window 86 may simply be an opening in the layer of wrapping paper around the filter 83, although partially or completely transparent material may also be used. The longitudinal position of the window 86 in the filter coincides with the position of the capsule 82.

As shown in FIG. 8b and FIG. 8c, when the capsule 82 is broken, a part of the released fluid is radially transferred through the part 85 of the filter 83 to the side surface of the filter 83, where it is visible through the window 86.

Filter 83 and / or part 85 may be formed from ordinary cellulose acetate. However, it is desirable that a design with faster absorption of the fluid can be used. For example, a filter with randomly oriented short fibers can be used.

Part 85 of the filter 86 may be identical to the rest of the filter 83, or it may include other (or otherwise processed) filter material.

In some examples, the element containing the additive may be configured to release the additive at a specific location and / or in a specific direction. This may facilitate the absorption of the additive by the element for transferring the additive and / or facilitate the transfer of the additive to a predetermined area of the filter.

Numerous additional modifications, changes, and embodiments are possible.

For example, the additive transfer element may be of any suitable shape and size and may be located in the filter by any suitable means. For example, a section of a thread may radially exit a window on a side surface of a filter.

In addition, although the element for transferring the additive described above had a region on the circumference of the filter, this is not a prerequisite. An indication of the release of the additive may be provided by a structure in which the additive is transferred to the visible region, i.e. any area that is visible to the smoker, for example, through a window.

Moreover, although the introduction of the elements containing the additive into the filter sticks has been described above, in other examples, the element (s) containing the additive may be located elsewhere in or on the smoking article, for example, on or around the circumference of the smoking article cigarette sticks. In some examples, the tape may be made as a tear strip or as a filter wrapper or rim paper for use in the manufacture of smoking articles.

In addition, although the elements containing the additive have been described above in the form of pockets containing the additive, in some examples the elements containing the additive may alternatively or in addition contain, for example, aromatic beads or beads, or other solid objects, having one or more components of the additive.

Further, although the pockets containing the additive discussed above release the additive under pressure, other release mechanisms can be imagined. For example, some elements containing the additive can release the additive by dissolving when moisture appears. In this case, when smoke is sucked out of the corresponding smoking article, moisture in the composition of the smoke may cause the release of the additive.

The terms “additive release component” and “additive containing element” are used interchangeably herein.

The components releasing the additive may be capsules having an outer shell containing the additive in the form of a fluid (liquid or powder) in the inner cavity. The outer shell of each additive release component can be easily broken by applying pressure to release the additive.

The filter may comprise a counter surface to which the additive release component can be pressed to facilitate release of the additive. In particular, the components emitting the additive can be placed on the side surface of the filter. The filter material adjacent to the radial direction can create a counter surface to which the additive release component can be pressed. Preferably, the filter material may be sufficiently solid (for example, contains an increased amount of plasticizer) to form a counter surface and may have a hardness of more than 90% according to the Filtrona scale. The components emitting the additive can be placed inside the filter material, or can be placed in a cavity adjacent to the filter material. The cavity may be formed by an elongated inner core of the filter material, which is surrounded by one or two annular outer sections of the filter material. A cover layer is attached to one or both of the outer sections of the filter material to form the outer part of the filter, spaced apart from the inner core to form a cavity. Preferably, the hardness of the inner core is greater than that of the annular outer sections, due, for example, to a higher plasticizer content.

Alternatively, each additive release component may release the additive contained therein in several discrete doses, preferably when activated several times with several separate pressures. An additive release component of this type may comprise an elastically or plastically deformable outer shell, preferably configured to release the additive through a slit formed in a predetermined region. In another embodiment, additive release components of this type may comprise an open-cell porous absorbent substrate (e.g., open-cell foam) containing the additive. The substrate may be at least partially resiliently deformable. The substrate is surrounded by an outer shell that provides retention of the additive, which can be brittle, elastically deformable, plastically deformable, or is a thin coating. The substrate may form discrete components that release the additive, or may be in the form of a ring in the first filter section. Alternatively, an additive release component of this type may include a porous matrix containing the additive in discrete cavities having a closed-cell structure (e.g., closed-cell foam) that may be subjected to plastic deformation to release the additive. The additive release component may be in the form of a gelatin capsule containing the additive.

Additive release components may be individually attached to the filter or substrate. Alternatively, the components releasing the additive may be joined by tape and may be joined by laminated strips of sheet material. Alternatively, strips of sheet material can form the components releasing the additive, so that the components releasing the additive do not have a separate outer shell, and the strips of sheet material contain the additive.

The additive release components may be manually exposed to release the additive, or the additive from at least one of the additive release components may be released by the movable segment as it moves along the outer surface of the smoking article. The movement is the sliding or rotation of a ring or a C-clamp located on the outer surface of the filter. The filter is a counter surface to which the components releasing the additive are pressed against the moving segment. The components emitting the additive are arranged in one or more gutters running in a circle, longitudinally or in a spiral. Alternatively, the movable segment comprises a cover layer forming two adjacent surfaces between which the additive release components are located, such that when the adjacent surfaces of the cover layer are mutually displaced, the additive is released from at least one of the additive release components.

The components releasing the additive preferably have a spherical shape. Alternatively, the components releasing the additive may have an elongated shape, with a longitudinal axis running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter. The elongated additive release component preferably has a round or elliptical cross section and contains more additive than the additive release component with the same diameter. The elongated component releasing the additive preferably has a transverse dimension of less than 3.5 mm or less than 3 mm, or from 2 to 3 mm. Alternatively, or additionally, the radial cross-sectional area of the elongated component releasing the additive may be less than 50% of the radial cross-sectional area of the smoking article, and, if desired, less than 40% or less than 30%.

The components releasing the additive are preferably individually located in the smoking article. Alternatively, several additive release components are surrounded by an external wall or have external encapsulation. External encapsulation may contain pores or may be configured to break or deform so as to release the additive upon compression. External encapsulation itself is enclosed within additional encapsulation. The additive may be contained within several discrete cavities within an open pore substrate, or a closed pore substrate. The open-cell substrate and, if desired, the closed-cell substrate have external encapsulation. One or more additive release components may be attached to the outside of the additive release component having a substantially larger size. Alternatively, several additive release components having the same or different sizes may be bonded together. Any of these embodiments may be considered as several components integrated into a single structure.

Variants of the invention are made in such a way as to comply with applicable legal standards, for example, regulatory requirements related, in a particular example, to flavorings, additives, emissions, constituent substances and (or) other. For example, the invention can be made so that a smoking article that implements the invention , corresponded to the current standards before the release of the additive, after the release of the first additive and remained so after the release of one or more additional additives.

To consider various aspects of the claimed invention and its presentation, the present description shows, by particular examples of various embodiments, the feasibility of the claimed invention (s), which can be implemented and provide high-quality filters for a smoking article. Advantages and features described in the description relate to particular embodiments and are not exhaustive and (or) exclusive. They are presented only to improve understanding and clarification of the claimed features. It should be borne in mind that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, designs and (or) other features of the invention should not be construed as limiting the invention defined by the claims or equivalents of the claims, and that within the scope of the claims and (or) the essence of the invention other embodiments and modifications may be used. Various embodiments may, respectively, comprise, consist of, or mainly consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the invention includes other variants of the invention that are not claimed here, but which may be implemented in the future.

Claims (18)

1. A filter of a smoking article, including:
filter material;
an element containing an additive for selectively releasing the additive in the filter material; and
an element for transferring the additive released from the element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the additive, wherein the element for transferring the additive is formed of an absorbent material adapted to absorb the additive faster than the filter material, and there is a region of the element for transferring on the outer surface of the filter additives. 2. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, in which:
the element containing the additive contains the additive in the form of a fluid; and
the additive transfer member is formed of an absorbent material for transferring the additive through a capillary effect. 3. The smoking article filter according to claim 1, wherein said region of the additive transfer member is adapted to change color in response to the presence of the additive. 4. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, in which the element for transferring additives includes a cylinder of absorbent material, preferably in the form of a thread. 5. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, in which the element for transferring additives includes a strip of absorbent material, and said region of the element for transferring additives includes an end surface and (or) a side edge of this strip. 6. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, which has an external end surface, and the element for transferring the additive is located so as to transfer the additive released from the element containing the additive to this external end surface. 7. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, including:
the first and second elements containing the additive for selectively simultaneously releasing the first and second additives into the filter;
wherein the additive transfer element is adapted to transfer the second additive released from the second additive containing element to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the first additive; but
the first additive is not suitable for its transfer by an element for transferring the additive and (or) to provide a visual indication of its release. 8. The filter of a smoking article according to claim 1, including:
the first and second elements containing the additive for selectively releasing the first and second additives into the filter; and
a connecting element connecting together the elements containing the additive, and including:
a first element for transferring the first additive from the first element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the first additive; and
a second element for transferring the second additive from the second element containing the additive to the outer surface of the filter to indicate the release of the second additive. 9. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the element for transferring the additive is formed by a part of the filter insert of the filter of the smoking article. 10. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, having a window that allows you to see the area into which the additive is transferred by the additive transfer element released from the additive containing element. 11. The filter of the smoking article according to claim 1, comprising a tape containing an additive releasing component and an additive transfer member. 12. A filter for a smoking article, including:
an additive release component for selectively releasing the additive into the filter; and
an element for transferring the additive released from the component releasing the additive into the visible region of the filter to indicate the release of the additive. 13. The system of elements containing the additive for the smoking article, comprising the first and second elements containing the additive, configured to selectively release the additive, and a connecting element connecting the first and second elements containing the additive, and including an element for transferring the additive released from one of the elements containing the additive, in a predetermined area of the connecting element, to indicate the release of the additive. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second elements containing the additive are adapted to contain the additive in the form of a fluid, with the possibility of its release, and the element for transferring the additive contains an absorbent material for transferring the additive in the form of a fluid through a capillary effect . 15. The system according to p. 13, comprising two layers forming a connecting element that are tightly connected to each other to form pocket areas for placement of additives. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the additive transfer member is held by a seal between two layers. 17. The system according to p. 15, in which the element for transferring additives of the already mentioned layers is located along the areas of the pocket. 18. Filter stick for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, containing a segment of the system according to any one of paragraphs. 13-17, comprising one or more elements containing the additive.

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