US20070119467A1

US20070119467A1 - Filter-tipped cigarette

Info

Publication number: US20070119467A1
Application number: US11/420,123
Authority: US
Inventors: Marsil Akhmetshin; Rinat Akhmetshin; Sergey Egorov; Georgy Zaremba; Alexandr Lezhenin; Vladimir Podolsky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-29
Filing date: 2006-05-24
Publication date: 2007-05-31
Also published as: EA008885B1; EA200501915A1; CN1973703A

Abstract

A filter-tipped cigarette comprises tobacco core 1 contained in casing 3, and filter 2, the filter having first filtering member 4 connected by its one end to tobacco core 1, and a second filtering member provided within first filtering member 4. The second filtering member comprises a distributed system of water-resistant casings having a liquid nucleus, the casings being in the form of tubular capsules 6 and/or ampoule-type capsules 7, which capsules 6, 7 are caused to rupture upon mechanical force is exerted externally thereon. The second filtering member has a volume within the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume of the volume of the first filtering member. The filter-tipped cigarette provides high-quality tobacco smoke cleaning along with enabling the smoker to vary the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and simultaneously flavor tobacco smoke.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Eurasian patent application number EA 200501915/26, filed Nov. 29, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of tobacco industry, particularly, to a filter-tipped cigarette.
The present invention is suitable for production of filter-tipped cigarettes with reduced content of human health-detrimental substances in tobacco smoke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tobacco smoke is known to contain toxic and mutagenic compounds leading to various smokers' diseases. One of the possible ways to lower the content of harmful substances in tobacco smoke entering the respiratory tract of a smoker is to use filters forming part of the cigarette and mounted between the lighted tobacco core and the smoker's oral cavity.
As a rule, cigarette filters are made of acetyl cellulose with activated charcoal added thereto. However, such filters are able only to reduce partially the amount of toxic and mutagenic compounds entering the smoker's body. Besides, conventional filters disadvantageously result in removal of aromatic compounds, thereby making such cigarettes less attractive for smokers.
Therefore, a need exists in an improved filter for a smoking material, able to remove more efficiently toxic and mutagenic compounds from tobacco smoke. Moreover, a need exists in an improved filter enabling aromatic compounds to pass through while substantially removing toxic and mutagenic compounds from tobacco smoke.
One of the possible ways to reduce the content of harmful substances in tobacco smoke inhaled by a smoker is to humidify tobacco smoke. As a rule, humidifier is dispersed in the porous filter base to absorb moisture contaminated with harmful substances from tobacco smoke, thereby ensuring wet filtering of tobacco smoke.
According to other embodiments of the cigarette filter, tobacco moisturizing liquid is contained in a waterproof capsule inside the filter. In this case, liquid is released from the capsule by the user while smoking.
Furthermore, it is an important object to provide a filter either enabling the aromatic substances contained in tobacco to pass therethrough or causing such substances to directly generate within such filter.
A cigarette filter is known comprising microcapsules (RU 2156099 C2), said filter having a porous substrate with said microcapsules dispersed therein, said microcapsules containing a humectant, for example, sodium pyroglumate.
A humectant is able to absorb moisture contaminated with harmful substances from tobacco smoke and release the same into the porous substrate so that moisture contained in tobacco smoke passing through the filter is filtered.
A filter for a tobacco product is known (U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,722 B2 and US 2004/0074507 A1) comprising a filtering material and a capsule with a deodorant substance improving the smoky odor, said capsule being made of a material resistant to fracture as cigarettes are taken out of the pack and caused to fracture upon certain force is exerted thereon to release said deodorant substance. Said capsule has a spherical or cylindrical shape oriented along the filter axis, and is mounted substantially in the filter central portion.
The above referenced filter for a tobacco product has a limited functionality since the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning remains practically at the level achieved with the use of a conventional tobacco filter.
A filter-tipped cigarette is known (US 2004/0261807 Al) comprising at least one rupturable capsule mounted in the filter and comprising a liquid nucleus. Said rupturable capsule is made of gelatin and said liquid nucleus comprises at least one diluter and an aromatic substance able to alter the odor of smoke inhaled by the smoker.
A water filter-tipped cigarette is known from the art (U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,124) regarded as a prototype, comprising a tobacco core contained in a wrapper and a filter having a first filtering member connected to one of said tobacco core end faces, said filtering member comprising a filament tow formed by a filter material, and a second filtering member provided within said first filtering member and having at least one tight casing having a liquid nucleus. Distilled water is used as said liquid nucleus.
While smoking of a cigarette provided with the above filter the smoker causes the capsule to break by applying finger pressure to the marked point in the filter. In doing so, water is released from the nucleus to moisturize and soften the tobacco portion in close proximity to the filter, thereby enabling wet filtering of tobacco smoke.
The disadvantage of the prior art solution consists in actually non-controllable time change of the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning (dilution) as the tobacco product is consumed by the smoker, which is caused by a continuous drop in resistance to the flow of tobacco smoke owing to thermal decomposition (“smoking”) of the tobacco core, resulting in shortening of the same (and consequently drop in dynamic resistance to the flow of tobacco smoke passing through the tobacco core), with the resistance to the air flow through the perforation of the filter air ventilation remaining unchanged.
Since a single capsule with water is used in the above described filter, it appears impossible either to vary the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning or to aromatize tobacco smoke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the main object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
It is another object of the invention to provide variable efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
It is still another object of the invention to provide variable tobacco smoke flavoring.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide variable efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning along with tobacco smoke flavoring.
To achieve the above objects of the invention a filter-tipped cigarette is provided, said cigarette comprising a tobacco core contained in a wrapper and a filter having a first filtering member connected by its proximal end to said tobacco core and comprising a filament tow formed by a filter material, and a second filtering member provided within said first filtering member and having at least one tight casing having a liquid nucleus, said second filtering member comprising a distributed system of moisture-resistant casings in the form of tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules, which capsules are caused to rupture upon mechanical force is exerted externally thereon, and said second filtering member volume being within the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume of said first filtering member volume.
Advantageously, said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules contain water and/or aromatic substance as a liquid nucleus.
Preferably, the content of said aromatic substance in the capsules is within the range from 40 to 98 percent by volume, and the content of water in the capsules is within the range from 32 to 98 percent by volume.
Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises at least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one tubular capsule, said tubular capsule being arranged coaxially with the filter, and said ampoule-type capsule being arranged along the filter axis in the area where said tubular capsule is arranged.
Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises at least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one tubular capsule, which capsules are displaced relative to each other along the filter axis such that one of said capsules is provided adjacent to the filter proximal end connected to the tobacco core, and the other capsule is provided adjacent to the opposite filter end.
It is structurally advantageous that said tubular capsule has the length of 11 to 89% of the filter length.
Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises a system of ampoule-type capsules having different volume and arranged along the filter axis such that said ampoule-type capsule volumes vary in decreasing order from the proximal filter end connected to the tobacco core towards the opposite filter end.
Preferably, said second filter member comprises a system of tubular capsules having different flow section and arranged along the filter axis such that said tubular capsule flow section varies in decreasing order from the proximal filter end connected to the tobacco core towards the opposite filter end.
Advantageously, the ratio between the number of tubular capsules and the number of ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10.
Preferably, the ratio between the total volume of tubular capsules and the total volume of ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 0.05 to 14.
Advantageously, the increment of said tubular capsule volume or said ampoule-type capsule volume is within the range from 5 to 25%.
It is structurally advantageous that the outer and/or inner side of each ampoule-type and/or tubular capsule is provided with at least one notching to enable unsealing of the capsule upon mechanical force varying from 20 to 95 grams is exerted externally thereon.
Advantageously, the filter outer surface is provided with at least one marker to indicate the position of said ampoule-type and/or tubular capsules.
Advantageously, the filter oral end is mated with a mouthpiece built in the filter, said mouthpiece containing a catalyst, preferably containing a platinum-group metal and/or at least one cast, sintered or composite magnet.
Advantageously, metal, polymer or ceramics is used as a material for ampoule-type and/or tubular capsules.
Preferably, said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tantalum, silver, gold, platinum.
Advantageously, said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, low density polyethylene.
Preferably, said ceramics is selected from the group consisting of faience, porcelain, glass ceramics.
Said flavoring agent may contain water and a fragrance comprising natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors, in the following wt. % ratio of components: natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors −3 to 78, water −22 to 97.
Advantageously, said flavors identical to natural flavors are synthesized on the basis of alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general formula:
where R═_H-C₆H₁₃, H—C₈H₁₇, H—C₉H₁₉
The filter-tipped cigarette according to the present invention enables efficient removal of harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke and at the same time provides an opportunity for the user to vary the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
In cases where the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and, hence, the filter moisture content is to be varied, water is used as a liquid nucleus. In doing so, the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning is stabilized at the level selected by the smoker in the process of smoking.
Thus, by selecting particular areas to exert force on the filter casing surface, the smoker may select knowingly the level of his or her subjective organoleptic sensations produced by the smoking process.
If the smoker prefers to use cigarettes with a rich bouquet which he or she may select, at least one aromatic substance is used as a liquid nucleus.
In most cases, smokers, which is particularly characteristic of female smokers, care for lowering the amount of toxic and mutagenic compounds entering the body, and also prefer to inhale flavored tobacco smoke. In such cases, some of the capsules contain water as a liquid nucleus, while other capsules contain aromatic substance to enable combining of flavors and obtaining the desired result at the same time intended to improve the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of particular embodiments thereof made with reference to the attached drawings.
The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a partially broken-out sectional view of the filter-tipped cigarette according to the first embodiment of the invention, with one ampoule-type capsule and one tubular capsule;
FIG. 2 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along lines I-I in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along lines II-II in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 shows a scaled-up detail of the cross-sectional view along lines II-II;
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view along lines III-III in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the invention, with four tubular capsules;
FIG. 9 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the invention, with two ampoule-type capsules and one tubular capsule;
FIG. 10 shows a scaled-up detail of the filtering member in dry condition;
FIG. 11 shows a scaled-up detail of the filtering member in wet condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The filter-tipped cigarette according to the present invention comprises tobacco core 1 (FIG. 1) and filter 2 contained in casing 3, said filter having first filtering member 4 connected by its proximal end to said tobacco core 1 and comprising a filament tow formed by a filter material. Filter 2 also has a second filtering member provided within said first filtering member 4. Said second filtering member comprises a distributed system of moisture-resistant casings having liquid nucleus 5, said casings being in the form of tubular capsules 6 and/or ampoule-type capsules 7, which capsules 6, 7 are caused to rupture upon mechanical force F is exerted externally thereon. Said second filtering member has a volume within the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume of the volume of said first filtering member 4. Water and/or aromatic substance is used as said liquid nucleus 5.
It should be noted that the term “tubular member” as used herein means a hollow piece having a side wall and any required form of section, in particular, circular, rectangular, polygonal, oval or square.
Perforation 8 is provided in proximity to the connection of filter 2 to tobacco core 1 for the purpose of air ventilation to enable the accepted dilution range of tobacco smoke flow inhaled by the smoke in the process of smoking with a portion of fresh air not containing tobacco smoke components.
Tobacco core 1 is made of compressed tobacco contained in a tubular wrapper to add the required strength to the cigarette, prevent tobacco from inadvertently falling to pieces and provide stabilized thermal decomposition rate of tobacco. Smoking paper is used as said wrapper, preferably, containing 10 to 45 wt. % magnesium and/or magnesium hydroxide, as well as flax, cellulose fiber and flammable inhibitors.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 the second filtering member of the cigarette has one ampoule-type capsule 7 and one tubular capsule 6, which capsules are displaced relative to each other along axis 9 of filter 2. As shown in FIG. 1, tubular capsule 6 is provided adjacent to the proximal end of filter 2, connected to tobacco core 1, and ampoule-type capsule 7 is provided adjacent to the opposite end of filter 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2, tubular capsule 6 is provided away from tobacco filter 2. Said capsules 6, 7 contain deionized water or distilled water or aromatic substance as liquid nucleus 5. Casing 3 of filter 2 is made of a water-resistant material, for example, is impregnated from the inside with a thin layer of paraffin refined wax.
Tubular capsule 6 and ampoule-type capsule 7, respectively, are made of a water-resistant material, with metal, polymer or ceramics being suitable as such material. Preferable metals include aluminum, tantalum, silver, gold or platinum; polypropylene, polystyrene or low density polyethylene are preferable polymers; preferable ceramics includes faience, porcelain or glass ceramics.
While ampoule-type capsule 7 may be of a free form, ampoules with a maximum volume to surface area ratio are used preferably, for example, in the form of a globe or a cylinder, particularly, a cylinder with the convex ends as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
Tubular capsule 6 may be of various cross sectional forms, particularly, circular, oval or square.
In accordance with the present invention tubular capsule 6 has the length of 11 to 89% of filter 2 length depending on the amount of liquid required to solve a particular problem.
The ratio between the number of tubular capsules 6 and ampoule-type capsules 7 is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10 depending on filter 2 design features and material of which capsules 6, 7 are made.
In cases where efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and, hence, the filter moisture content is to be varied, water is used as a liquid nucleus. If the smoker prefers to use cigarettes with a rich bouquet which he or she may select, at least one aromatic substance is used as a liquid nucleus. In most cases, smokers, which is particularly characteristic of female smokers, care for lowering the amount of toxic and mutagenic compounds entering the body, and also prefer to inhale flavored tobacco smoke. In such cases, some of the (tubular or ampoule-type) capsules contain water as the liquid nucleus, while other capsules contain aromatic substance to enable combining of flavors and obtaining of the desired result intended at the same time to improve the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
The cigarette oral end is provided with mouthpiece 10 connected to filter 2, said mouthpiece comprising a body made of stiff material, for example, plastic or heavyweight paper. Mouthpiece 10 body may be provided with stiffening ribs 11 to additionally strengthen the same. Microparticles of a catalyst, preferably, finely dispersed platinum are applied to the inner surface of said body and the surfaces of said stiffening ribs 11.
Mouthpiece 10 built in filter 2 may comprise magnets (cast, sintered or composite, not shown) implanted in its structural members to enable stabilization thereof in the process of smoking as a result of becoming saturated with ions and taking on the properties of conductivity.
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the second filtering member comprises one ampoule-type capsule 7 and one tubular capsule 6, respectively, with said tubular capsule 6 being arranged along filter 2 longitudinal axis 9 coaxially with which said ampoule-type capsule 7 is arranged.
Cross-sectional views along lines I-I, II-II and III-III, respectively, are shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 wherein embodiments of the invention according to FIGS. 1 to 3 are illustrated. According to these embodiments casing 3 of filter 2 is made water-resistant for which purpose it is impregnated with a thin layer of paraffin refined wax from the inside.
To position the sealing area of capsules 6, 7 on the outer and/or inner side of each tubular capsule 7 and/or ampoule-type capsule 6 at least one notching 12 (FIG. 6) is provided, unsealable upon mechanical force F varying from 20 to 95 grams is exerted externally thereon (FIGS. 8, 9).
In cases where the capsule is made of a fragile material and more than one notching is provided, the capsule is made unsealable upon the minimum force of 20 grams is exerted; whereas when the capsule is made of a stronger elastic material, for example, gelatin and a single notching is provided therein, the capsule is made unsealable upon the force of 95 grams is exerted.
Notching 12 provided in capsules 6, 7 may be of different forms. For example, in FIG. 6 possible modifications of notching in wall 13 of capsule 7 are shown conventionally: rectangular notching in the capsule outer and inner sides, spherical notching in the capsule inner side, trapezoidal notching in the capsule outer side, triangular notching in the capsule outer and inner sides.
Notching 12 parameters, preferably depth and area thereof, are selected based on notching 12 form accepted for technological reasons, location thereof and properties of the material of which the capsule is made. It should be noted that notching 12 may be provided both in ampoule-type capsule 7 and tubular capsule 6.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8 wherein said second filtering member comprises a system of tubular capsules 6 having different flow section and arranged along filter 2 axis 9 such that said tubular capsule 6 flow section varies in decreasing order from filter 2 end connected to tobacco core 1 towards opposite filter 2 end. The volume increment of tubular capsules 6 is within the range from 5 to 25%.
For user's convenience, the filter outer surface is provided with at least one marker 14 to indicate the location of ampoule-type and/or tubular capsules 7, 6.
According to an alternative embodiment markers 14 on the surface of filter 2 may be provided with a pictogram corresponding to the type of liquid contained in the capsule, namely, a water drop, an object whose flavor is contained in the capsule, for example, rose, lily of the valley, etc. Furthermore, marker 14 may indicate the tobacco core length corresponding to the capsule to be unsealed when smoking a defined length of the cigarette. For example, markers 14 may be provided with FIGS. 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 to indicate at what stage of smoking of the cigarette the respective capsule 6, 7 is to be unsealed.
At the same time, by selecting particular areas to exert force on the surface of filter 2 casing, the smoker may knowingly select the level of his or her subjective organoleptic sensations produced by the smoking process and stabilize tobacco smoke cleaning at the level selected by the smoker in the process of smoking.
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9 the second filtering member comprises a system of ampoule-type capsules 7 having different volume and arranged along filter 2 axis 9 such that said capsule 7 volumes vary in decreasing order from the filter 2 end connected to the tobacco core 1 towards the opposite filter 2 end. In this embodiment, one ampoule-type capsule 7 having a greater volume is of a lenticular form, while the other ampoule-type capsule 7 is in the form of a cylinder with spherical end faces. The volume increment of ampoule-type capsules 7 is within the range from 5 to 25%.
In this embodiment tubular capsule 6 is of a toroidal form, having a circular cross section.
Such variety of forms of ampoule-type and tubular capsules 7, 6, respectively, enables to use the form easiest to manufacture, acceptable for a particular user.
In the above embodiment of the invention one of the ampoule-type capsules 7 and tubular capsule 6 may contain water as liquid nucleus 5, and the other ampoule-type capsule 7 may contain an aromatic substance. However, this is not the only possible embodiment which may be modified according to the particular requirements.
Details of first filtering member 4 are shown in FIGS. 10, 11 in “dry” and “wet” conditions which form after unsealing of at least one capsule 6, 7. As seen from FIG. 11, thin film 17 of water released from capsule 6, 7 liquid nucleus 5 is formed within interfibrillar space 15 between filtering member 4 filaments 16 having typical diameter of 0.25 to 4 μm. Said water film 17 envelopes filtering member 4 filaments 16 in interfibrillar space 15, thereby improving the filtration capacity of the latter.
According to the present invention at least a part of capsules 6, 7 comprise an aromatic substance based on water and fragrances selected from natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors, in particular, in the following wt. % ratio of components: natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors −3 to 78 wt. %, water −22 to 97 wt. %.
Known sources of natural taste and flavor, for example, prepared from the extracts of strawflower, lime tree, lavender, sage and others; birch buds, black currant, melissa, peppermint, rosemary and others; roots of common valerian, ginger, flaxseed, wild eleutherococcus; orange, lemon, mandarin peels, cinnamon rind; dried apricot, cocoa, cardamom, raspberry, bitter almond, coriander, nutmeg, dill, fennel fruits, seeds, nuts or berries; fruit or berry wort, for example, apricot, quince, orange, cherry, strawberry, cranberry, ashberry, plum, apple and others.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said flavors identical to natural flavors are synthesized on the basis of alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general formula:
where R═_H-C₆H₁₃, H—C₈,H₁₇, H—C₉H₁₉
The cigarette according to the invention is used as a conventional cigarette familiar to the smokers. At the same time, in order to improve the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and stabilize the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning in the process of smoking at the level selected by the smoker immediately before or in the process of smoking, the smoker unseal at least one ampoule-type and/or tubular capsule.
These and other advantages of the present invention are illustrated by the examples given below.

EXAMPLE 1

Forty cigarettes were used manufactured according to ISO 3402 (cigarette weight 874±20 mg). Twenty cigarettes were kept as a reference batch, and two ampoule-type capsules in the form of a globe were put in each of the remaining twenty cigarettes. Thereafter, each cigarette was weighed again. Said first ampoule-type capsule had a casing made of aluminum foil, and said second ampoule-type capsule had silver foil casing. A double-sided notching was provided on the inner and the outer sides of both ampoule-type capsules. In said first capsule a rectangular notching was provided with the surface area of 1 mm 2, and a M-shaped notching was provided in said second capsule, with the surface area of 1.5 mm 2. A first filtering member in the thus modified filter amounted to about 29% of its initial volume as determined by individual weighing of the filtering material filaments removed by mechanical micromilling, with said filaments having the weight of 56 to 60 mg.
Then, a cigarette smoking mode was set using the automatic smoking machine based on parameters according to ISO 4387 (inhalation volume 35 ml, inhalation time 2 sec, interval between inhales 58 sec). Ampoule-type capsules were then unsealed simultaneously by exerting the force of 50 grams on the tobacco filter. The water released from said ampoule-type capsules entered the air space between said first filtering member filaments to fill the same, thereby improving the cigarette filter filtration capacity.
Automatic smoking machine was then started. Used filters were weighed upon completion of thermal decomposition (“smoking”) of the tobacco core. Tobacco smoke filtrate was subjected to quantitative assay which showed that the first filtering member weight increased by a value within the range from 22 to 25 mg as a result of “smoking” of the filter-tipped cigarette using the automatic smoking machine. The weight increase was about 11.2% relative to the first filtering member basic weight which is 210 mg on average.
Therefore, efficiency of tobacco smoke filtration may be improved directly in the process of smoking at smoker's will by using two ampoule-type capsules.
To perform qualitative analysis of the filter composition combined filters which the automatic smoking machine used by “smoking” were placed for 24 hours in 135 ml of ethanol, the extract of which was then subjected to spectral analysis. Results of the spectral analysis of the tobacco smoke filtrate extract according to the present invention are summarized below.
Ethanol extract of the tobacco smoke filter was subjected to the spectral analysis which showed that said extract contained a wide range of the following tobacco smoke components: carbon monoxide, tobacco pyrolysis tar, cancerogenic minor components, tobacco-specific N-nitrocompounds, volatile-nitrocompounds, nicotine, 3,4-benzopyrene, acetic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, radionuclides, heavy metals, halogens, nitrazoamine esters, ketones, aldehydes, amines and amides.

EXAMPLE 2

Thirty cigarettes were used, ten of which were kept as a control batch.
Ten cigarettes of the first batch were brought to conformity with the inventive filter design shown in FIG. 1, and the remaining ten cigarettes of the second batch were brought to conformity with the filter design shown in FIG. 2.
Cigarettes of the first batch were provided with a tubular capsule containing 40 percent by volume of a liquid flavoring agent in the form of a 60% ethanol-based extract containing fennel oil, said capsule being mounted in the porous filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on the tobacco core. An ampoule-type capsule containing 98 percent by volume of deionized water was placed in the porous filtering member on the part of the mouthpiece. A waterproof paper impregnated from the inside with a thin layer of paraffin refined wax was used as the filter casing.
Cigarettes of the second batch were provided with an ampoule-type capsule containing 98 percent by volume of a liquid flavoring agent in the form of a 15% ethanol-based extract containing mint oil, said capsule being axially mounted in the porous filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on the tobacco core. Then, a tubular capsule containing 32 percent by volume of distilled water was placed in said porous filtering member on the filter oral part. A waterproof paper coated from the inside with a fluoroplastic film was used as the filter casing.
Thereafter, a mouthpiece was mounted underneath said filter casing, with about 0.05 to 0.07 mg of catalyst in the form of platinum microparticles being previously applied and fixedly attached to the central holder of said mouthpiece.
Then, all cigarettes were smoked by a group of experts, each having at least 18 years of tobacco smoking experience.
At first, five cigarettes of the control batch were smoked.
The ampoule-type capsule was unsealed in each first batch cigarette before smoking of the same, with the force of 95 grams exerted on the filter locations. In doing so, the tubular capsules in only three first batch cigarettes were unsealed with the force of 25 grams exerted on the filter casing. Half-length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, the remaining tubular capsules were unsealed with the force of 25 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
The tubular capsules of each of the remaining five cigarettes of the first batch were unsealed before smoking, whereafter half-length of the tobacco core was smoked, smoking was stopped and the ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the force of 95 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
Before smoking of the second batch cigarettes, one tubular capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 60 grams exerted on the filters at the location thereof. In doing so, the ampoule-type capsules in only three second batch cigarettes were unsealed with the force of 60 grams. Half-length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, the remaining ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with the force of 60 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
The tubular capsules of each of the remaining five cigarettes of the second batch were unsealed before smoking with the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof, whereafter half-length of the tobacco core was smoked. Smoking was then stopped and the ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the force of 60 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
Finally, the remaining five cigarettes of the control batch were smoked.
Taste and organoleptic sensations of the smoked cigarettes of the first, second and control batches were evaluated in terms of the flavoring level. No change in flavor of the control batch cigarettes was noted, whereas substantial change in flavor of both the first and second batch cigarettes was observed, as well as the improved efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.

EXAMPLE 3

Seventy filter-tipped cigarettes were used, having the porous filtering member in the form of acetate fiber tow and provided with a plastic mouthpiece. Ten cigarettes of the said seventy cigarettes were kept as a control batch.
The ratio of 1:3 was established between tubular and ampoule-type capsules. The remaining sixty cigarettes were divided into the first batch (30 cigarettes) and the second batch (30 cigarettes).
Cigarettes of the first batch were provided with a tubular capsule containing a flavoring agent in the form of a gas-vapor composition comprising 40% of eucalyptus ester in freon gas, said capsule being mounted in the porous filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on the tobacco core. Then, an axial recess was made in the porous filtering member on the mouthpiece part, wherein three ampoule-type capsules were placed one after another. The relative volume change between said capsules was adjusted based on the following ratio: 70%: 25% : 5% starting with the first ampoule-type capsule. A waterproof paper impregnated from the inside with a thin layer of low density polyethylene was used as the filter casing.
Cigarettes of the second batch were provided with a first ampoule-type capsule containing a flavoring agent in the form of a gas-vapor composition comprising 50 percent by volume of camomile in freon gas, said capsule being axially mounted in the porous filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on the tobacco core, whereafter a second ampoule-type capsule, comprising 40 percent by volume of spearmint in freon gas, and a third ampoule-type capsule was mounted, comprising 80 percent by volume of rosemary in freon gas was sequentially mounted. Then, a tubular capsule containing 32 percent by volume of distilled water was placed in said porous filtering member on the filter oral part. A waterproof paper coated from the inside with a fluoroplastic film was used as the filter casing.
Then, ten cigarettes of the control batch were smoked.
Before smoking of the 15 first batch cigarettes, one tubular capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 40 grams exerted on the filters at the capsule location.
Said first ampoule-type capsules in each 5 first batch cigarettes were unsealed with the force of 20 grams exerted on the filter casing. One third length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, said second ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof. Two thirds length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, said third ampoule-type capsules were unsealed, as well as said first ampoule-type capsules in those 10 cigarettes wherein it has not been done at the beginning of the smoking process. Thereafter, all 15 cigarettes were smoked to the end.
Tubular capsules of the other 15 first batch cigarettes were unsealed before smoking, as well as said 10 first ampoule-type capsules, whereafter one third length of the tobacco core was smoked, smoking was stopped and said third ampoule-type capsules and the remaining 5 first ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with the force of 95 grams exerted on the location thereof. Then, two thirds length of the tobacco core was smoked and all said second ampoule-type capsules were unsealed followed by smoking of all the remaining first batch cigarettes.
Before smoking of the second batch cigarettes, one tubular capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 50 grams exerted on the filters at the location thereof. In doing so, the ampoule-type capsules in only five second batch cigarettes were unsealed with the force of 30 grams exerted on the filter. Half-length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, five more ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof. Two thirds length of the tobacco core having been smoked, the remaining five ampoule-type capsules were unsealed, whereafter the cigarettes were smoked to the end.
Before smoking of the remaining 15 second batch cigarettes, said first ampoule-type capsule was unsealed in each cigarette with the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof, and then half-length of the tobacco core was smoked. Next, smoking was stopped and said second ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the force of 45 grams exerted on the location thereof. Two thirds length of the tobacco core having been smoked, said third ampoule-type capsule and the tubular capsule was unsealed. Then, these cigarettes were smoked to the end.
Finally, the remaining five cigarettes of the control batch were smoked.
Taste and organoleptic sensations of the smoked cigarettes were evaluated in terms of the flavoring level, showing that as against the control batch, the smoker is enabled to change consequentially the tobacco smoke flavor, for example, from the camomile flavor to the rosemary flavor along with improving the efficiency of cleaning of smoke from the harmful components.

EXAMPLE 4

Sixty filter-tipped cigarettes were selected such that the weight differences do not exceed 0.5 mg.
Non-used filters of five cigarettes of said batch were detached and weighed, and 15 cigarettes were kept as a reference batch.
Four indents in the form of circular grooves were made then in the filters of each of the remaining 40 cigarettes, with the total volume of said indents accounting for 40% of the first filtering member volume. Four tubular capsules were placed in said circular grooves, said tubular capsules having the relative volume change of 45%: 35%: 15%: 5% starting with the first tubular capsule proximal to the tobacco core. Said first tubular capsule had a body made of gold foil, with three V-shaped notches provided on the outer surface of said body wherein 70 percent by volume of deionized water is contained. Said second tubular capsule had a body made of polyethylene, with a H-shaped notch provided on the inner surface of said body wherein 42 percent by volume of distilled water is contained. Said third capsule had a body made of faience, with a spherical notch provided on the inner surface of said body wherein 95 percent by volume of distilled water is contained. Said fourth capsule had a body made of polypropylene, with two U-shaped notches provided on the outer surface of said body wherein 90 percent by volume of distilled water is contained. The filter paper casing was made waterproof by any of the commonly known methods, in particular, by rendering it hydrophobic by means of impregnation of the same from the inside with a thin layer of paraffin.
On the filter oral end part, a mouthpiece was mounted underneath said filter casing, with a sintered magnet weighing 1.8 to 2.0 mg being previously mounted at said mouthpiece central structural member.
Next, 20 modified cigarettes having the perforation holes in the connection area of the tobacco core and the filter covered with the adhesive tape were selected of the batch of 40 cigarettes. Such cigarettes were used as a control batch allowing to evaluate subsequently the influence which the modified filter with no perforation holes provided in the filter casing has had on the tobacco smoke cleaning stability over time.
Then, the modified cigarettes were weighed again and three portions of the same length were marked out in the tobacco core wrapper.
Similarly, three portions of the same length were marked out in the control batch cigarette wrappers.
Further, the smoking mode was established in the automatic smoking machine as described with reference to Example 1, and smoking of the cigarettes of the reference, control and experimental batches was started.
Reference Batch
One third initial length of the tobacco core was “smoked” of the first five cigarettes of the reference batch, whereafter the used filters were detached from the tobacco cores and weighed.
Then, two thirds initial length of the tobacco core was “smoked” of the next five cigarettes of the reference batch, whereafter the used filters were detached from the tobacco cores and weighed.
The remaining five cigarettes of the reference batch were “smoked” to complete thermal decomposition of the tobacco core, whereafter the used filters were detached from the tobacco cores and weighed.
Weighing of the used cigarette filters of the reference batch showed that with the average weight of the completely smoked cigarette tobacco smoke filtrate being equal to 5.9 mg, the reference cigarette filter is characterized by rather unstable cleaning efficiency values over time, approximating to a non-linear dependence by its nature.
Thus, the averaged weight of the tobacco smoke filtrate found in the used filters after weighing was equal to 0.9 mg for the cigarette smoked” to one third length of its tobacco core.
For the cigarette “smoked” to two thirds length of its tobacco core, this average value was equal to 2.0 mg.
The tobacco smoke filtrate weight at the third (thermal decomposition terminating) “smoking” stage averaged “3.9 mg.
With a stable tobacco smoke filtration rate, its filtrate weight at each of the one third lengths of the tobacco core has to average about 2 mg. As seen from the above results, unstable tobacco smoke filtration rate of the reference batch cigarettes was observed.
Control Batch
The automatic smoking machine with the same parameters set according to ISO 4387, control batch cigarettes provided with four tubular capsules with the perforation holes covered with the adhesive tape were smoked during five consequent cycles, four cigarettes in each cycle.
Thus, at the first stage of each cycle, one third length of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes, two thirds length of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes at the second stage, and the whole tobacco core was smoked in six cigarettes at the third stage.
Before loading the control batch cigarettes into the automatic smoking machine, tubular capsules thereof were unsealed by exerting the following forces on the filter casing: 30 grams exerted on the fourth tubular capsule location during the first cycle; 38 grams exerted on the third tubular capsule location during the second cycle; 65 grams exerted on the second tubular capsule location during the third cycle; 90 grams exerted on the first tubular capsule location during the fourth cycle; 95 grams exerted during the fifth cycle, thereby essentially simultaneously unsealing all tubular capsules in the filter.
Further study of the stage-wise accumulation of filtrate from the used filters tobacco smoke was carried out for all five cycles by weighing performed according to the technique applied above to the reference batch, showing that the tobacco smoke cleaning stability in the control batch is within 7% on average for any of the five selected levels.
Experimental Batch
Finally, the automatic smoking machine with the same parameters set according to ISO4387, experimental batch cigarettes provided with four tubular capsules each having the perforation holes were smoked during five consequent cycles, four cigarettes in each cycle.
Thus, at the first stage of each cycle, one third length of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes, two thirds length of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes at the second stage, and the whole tobacco core was smoked in six cigarettes at the third stage.
Before loading the experimental batch cigarettes into the automatic smoking machine, tubular capsules thereof were unsealed by exerting the following forces on the filter casing: 35 grams exerted on the fourth tubular capsule location during the first cycle; 15 grams exerted on the third tubular capsule location during the second cycle; 85 grams exerted on the second tubular capsule location during the third cycle; 58 grams exerted on the first tubular capsule location during the fourth cycle; 95 grams exerted during the fifth cycle, thereby essentially simultaneously unsealing all tubular capsules in the filter.
Further study of the stage-wise accumulation of filtrate from the used filters tobacco smoke was carried out for all five cycles by weighing performed according to the technique applied above to the reference batch, showing that the tobacco smoke cleaning stability in the experimental batch is within 24% on average for any of the five selected levels.
The above examples of the particular embodiments of the invention demonstrate modifications of the invention and advantages provided by the use of such filters, which will positively influence the consumer properties of the inventive filter-tipped cigarette.
Therefore, in addition to the wide range of noxious, toxic, mutagenic and cancerogenic tobacco smoke components extracted and immobilized in the cigarette filter, the present technical solution is characterized by enabling the smoker himself to choose the level of filtration.
At the same time, while selecting the places of force at the surface of the filter casing, which may be specially marked as related to the indication of the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning, the smoker is enabled to choose knowingly the level of his or her subjective organoleptic sensations produced by the smoking process.
While the invention has been discussed in detail with reference to the particular preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are also possible. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filter-tipped cigarette comprising:

a tobacco core;

a casing wherein said tobacco core is contained;

a filter having:

an end proximal to said tobacco core end, by which proximal end said filter is connected to said tobacco core;

an end distal to said tobacco core end;

a longitudinal axis;

an outer surface;

a first filtering member in the form of a filament tow formed by a filter material;

a second filtering member provided within said first filtering member, said second filtering member comprising a distributed system of water-resistant casings;

said water-resistant casings in the form of tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules caused to rupture upon mechanical force is exerted externally thereon;

each of said tubular capsules having an outer surface and an inner surface;

each of said ampoule-type capsules having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a liquid nucleus disposed within each of said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules,

wherein said second filtering member has a volume within the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume of said first filtering member.

2. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules contain water and/or flavoring agent as said liquid nucleus.

3. A cigarette as claimed in claim 2, wherein the content of said aromatic substance in said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 40 to 98 percent by volume, and the content of water is within the range from 32 to 98 percent by volume.

4. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering member comprises at least one said ampoule-type capsule and at least one said tubular capsule, said tubular capsule being arranged coaxially with said filter, and said ampoule-type capsule being arranged along said longitudinal axis of said filter in the area where said tubular capsule is arranged.

5. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering member comprises at least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one tubular capsule, which capsules are displaced relative to each other along said longitudinal axis of said filter such that one of said capsules is provided adjacent to said proximal end of said filter and the other capsule is provided adjacent to said distal end thereof.

6. A cigarette as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular capsule has the length of 11 to 89% of said filter length.

7. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering member comprises a system of said ampoule-type capsules having different volume and arranged along said longitudinal axis of said filter such that said ampoule-type capsule volumes vary in decreasing order from said proximal end of said filter towards said distal end of said filter.

8. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filter member comprises a system of said tubular capsules having different flow section and arranged along said longitudinal axis of said filter such that said tubular capsule flow section varies in decreasing order from said proximal end of said filter towards said distal end of said filter.

9. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio between the number of said tubular capsules and the number of said ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10.

10. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio between the total volume of said tubular capsules and the total volume of said ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 0.05 to 14.

11. A cigarette as claimed in claim 7, wherein the increment of said ampoule-type capsule volume is within the range from 5 to 25%.

12. A cigarette as claimed in claim 8, wherein the increment of said tubular capsule volume is within the range from 5 to 25%.

13. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer and/or said inner side of each said ampoule-type and/or said tubular capsule is provided with at least one notching to enable unsealing of said capsule upon mechanical force varying from 20 to 95 grams is exerted externally thereon.

14. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said filter is provided with at least one marker to indicate the position of said ampoule-type and/or said tubular capsules.

15. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, comprising a mouthpiece connected to said end of said filter being distal to said tobacco core.

16. A cigarette as claimed in claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece contains a catalyst, said catalyst preferably containing a platinum-group metal.

17. A cigarette as claimed in claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece contains at least one cast, sintered or composite magnet.

18. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein metal, polymer or ceramics is used as a material for said ampoule-type and/or said tubular capsules.

19. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tantalum, silver, gold, platinum.

20. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, low density polyethylene.

21. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said ceramics is selected from the group consisting of faience, porcelain, glass ceramics.

22. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flavoring agent contains water and a fragrance comprising natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors, in the following wt. % ratio of components:

natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors −3 to 78, water −22 to 97.

23. A cigarette as claimed in claim 22, wherein said flavors identical to natural flavors are synthesized on the basis of alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general formula:

where R═_H-C₆H₁₃, H—C₈H₁₇, H—C₉H₁₉