US20140182614A1

US20140182614A1 - Additive release component

Info

Publication number: US20140182614A1
Application number: US14/116,960
Authority: US
Inventors: Jane Nicholls; Edward Awty; Alfred Vincent Spencer; Charanjit Nandra; Paul Frobisher; Michael Newnham
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2012-05-11
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: WO2012156694A1; CL2013003250A1; BR112013029367A2; JP2014516522A; JP2016073318A; GB201108058D0; MX2013013253A; MX357164B; AR086376A1; JP2017164002A; RU2013155223A; EP2706878A1; RU2607879C2

Abstract

An additive release component (14) for use in a smoking article is disclosed. The additive release component comprises a rupturable shell containing an additive (15), wherein the component is configured to eject the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the component. Filters (12) and smoking articles (10) containing the additive release component are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products (i.e. products in which flavour is generated from a smoking material by the application of heat without causing combustion of the material). Typically, smoking articles are provided with filters for removing constituents from the smoke.
It is known to provide additive release components containing additives such as flavourants inside smoking articles. By applying force to the outside of the smoking article, the smoker may break the additive release component and release the flavourant. Thus, a smoker wishing to add flavour to the smoke may do so by simply squeezing the smoking article.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, an additive release component for use in a smoking article having a filter is provided, the component comprising a rupturable shell containing an additive, wherein the component is configured to eject the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the component.
In some embodiments, the shell has a three-dimensional shape which causes it to rupture in a predictable and consistent way in response to compression.
In some embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the shell concentrates the compressive force applied to the additive release component on a limited area of the shell so that the shell ruptures in a predetermined region.
In some embodiments, the shell has a three-dimensional shape which forces the contained additive in a pre-determined direction prior to and/or upon rupture of the shell.
In some embodiments, the shell has a three-dimensional shape which is not symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is not spherical.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is ovoid, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, or pyramidal.
In some embodiments, the shell does not include an area or line of weakness formed by creating a recess, hole or groove in the shell.
According to a second aspect, a filter for a smoking article comprising an additive release component in accordance with the first aspect is provided.
In some embodiments, the filter further comprises a secondary element. This secondary element may be a support structure within which the additive release component is positioned, and/or the secondary element may comprise a wicking element.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the filter.
In some embodiments, the additive is released from the component in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter.
According to a third aspect, a smoking article comprising an additive release component in accordance with the first aspect, or a filter in accordance with the second aspect, is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale), in which:

FIG. 1 shows a smoking article filter comprising an additive release component in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an additive release component support structure with and without an additive release component in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded side elevation view of a smoking article comprising an additive release component according to the second embodiment within a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An additive release component is anything which is capable of retaining an additive and releasing it as and when desired. For example, the additive release component may be a capsule or other container and may comprise a sponge-like material, an adsorbent material, a gel material, or any other suitable material.
The additive may be released from the additive release component when compressive force is applied to the additive release component. In some embodiments, the additive is released in a predetermined direction.
When additive is released from known additive release components, for example by rupture of the component, the rupture may occur in any region of the surface of the component. Thus, the additive may be released in any direction into the surrounding smoking article material, and is not directed in a predetermined direction. The additive may additionally or alternatively be released generally with relatively little dispersion from the site at which the additive release component is ruptured. Furthermore, the extent of this release of the additive is not predictable, being dependent in part on the force applied to rupture the additive release component. This means that the amount of additive provided within the additive release components must be greater than is necessarily required in order to ensure deposition in the desired areas of the smoking article.
The additive release component according to the present invention comprises a rupturable shell containing an additive. In some embodiments, this configuration may be described as comprising an outer shell and a central core, and the additive may be held in the central core. The core may simply be a cavity in which the additive is held. Alternatively, the core may comprise a sponge-like material, an adsorbent material, or a gel material, in which the additive is held.
The additive may be released from the additive release component by any suitable means. In some embodiments, force exerted on the additive release component, for example by the user applying a compressive force, may induce release of the additive. This may involve rupture of the additive release component. Additionally, or as an alternative, this may involve squeezing the additive from an additive release component comprising a porous or spongy material.
The additive release component may be arranged so that upon actuation of the additive release component, for example by the application of a force such as a compressive force, the additive is ejected, squirted or driven forcefully from the additive release component, and is thus deposited further from the additive release component and optionally over a larger area than is possible when conventional additive release components are ruptured. Since the direction of release is predetermined, the additive may be squirted or driven from the additive release component in a particular direction.
In contrast, conventional capsules may rupture in a random manner and, rather than being forcefully ejected, the additive may passively seep out of the ruptured capsule, remaining in the vicinity of the capsule in a relatively localised and concentrated manner.
By configuring the additive release component to release the additive in a predetermined direction, the delivery of the additive may be improved. Directional release of the additive means that the additive is released from the additive release component in a specific, predetermined direction, which is predictable and consistent. Directional release may be a consequence of, and may be equivalent to, directional rupture of the outer shell, which may result in release of the additive in the direction facilitated by the rupture. Since certain three-dimensional shapes inherently rupture in a predictable pattern in response to compressive force, the shape of the additive release component used may determine the directional release of the additive from the additive release component. For example, rupture of the outer shell of the component may provide directional release of the additive in a predetermined direction.
In some embodiments, the outer shell has a three-dimensional shape which causes it to rupture in a predictable and consistent way upon compression. The rupture of the outer shell may, for example, be predictable and consistent because the three-dimensional shape of the outer shell focuses the compressive force applied to the additive release component so that the force is greater in a predetermined region of the outer shell, causing it to rupture. This type of focussing of the applied force is not possible with outer shell having a spherical or other symmetrical shape, such as tube having a circular, hexagonal or any other regular and consistent cross-sectional shape and are, and so in some embodiments, the outer shell does not have such a three-dimensional shape. Such focussing of the applied compressive force may also not be possible where the outer shell has a three-dimensional shape which is symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article in which the additive release component is incorporated. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer shell does not have this type of three-dimensional shape.
In some embodiments, it may be beneficial for the outer shell to have a three-dimensional shape which forces the additive within the central core in a pre-determined direction upon application of the compressive force prior to and/or upon rupture of the outer shell. The movement of the additive may contribute to the rupture of the outer shell, as the additive may apply pressure to the shell.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is not spherical. In some embodiments, the additive release component is ovoid, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, or pyramidal.
In some embodiments, the outer shell is formed from a single part, rather than being formed by sealing two or more parts together,
The additive release component may be further encouraged to directionally release the additive by means of a line, a point, and/or an area of weakness in the outer shell of the additive release component. This weakness may be configured to rupture in preference to the remainder of the additive release component when compressive force is applied to the component. In some embodiments, the line, point or area of weakness is created by virtue of the three-dimensional shape of the outer shell, rather than by forming holes or grooves in the material of the outer shell. In addition, or alternatively, the additive release component may comprise two different materials, one of which may be inherently more susceptible to rupture than the other.
The additive release component may be a capsule, as shown in the embodiments of the accompanying Figures. Capsules generally comprise an outer shell, which may be made of gelatine, and an inner core comprising the additive.
FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 10 comprising a cylindrical rod of smokeable material, in this case tobacco ii, and a filter 12. The filter 12 comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of filter material 13, which is wrapped in a plugwrap (not shown).
The rod of smokeable material 11 is aligned with the filter 12 such that the end of the tobacco rod ii abuts the end of the filter 12. The rod is wrapped in a paper wrapper (not shown), and is joined to the filter 12 by tipping paper (not shown) in a conventional manner.
An additive release component 14 comprising an additive 15, which in this embodiment is a flavourant (such as menthol), is situated within the filter 12. In the embodiment shown, the additive release component is a gelatin capsule. The additive release component has an ovoid (or egg-shaped) configuration, having a first end that has a more rounded shape 14 a, and a second end that has a more pointed shape 14 b.
The ovoid additive release component 14 is situated substantially within the centre of the filter 12, with the longitudinal axis of the additive release component 14 corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the filter 12. The ovoid additive release component is aligned so that the more rounded end 14 a faces the distal (tobacco rod) end of the filter, and the more pointed end 14 b faces the mouth end of the filter. Due to the shape of the additive release component and engineered lines of weakness within the additive release component structure (not shown), the pointed end 14 b of the additive release component is more susceptible to rupture under force than the remainder of the additive release component 14.
In use, compressive force exerted on the filter 12 in the region of the additive release component 14, as shown by the arrows A in the accompanying Figure, causes rupture of the additive release component, and release of the flavourant 15. Due to the shape of the additive release component, and specific structural weaknesses within the wall of the ovoid additive release component 14 at the pointed end 14 b, rupture occurs in a predetermined way, and the flavourant is released from the additive release component into the filter material 13 in the direction of the mouth end of the filter. Substantially none of the contents of the additive release component 14 enters the filter material 13 to the sides or the tobacco rod end of the additive release component.
Thus, due to the shape and areas of weakness in the additive release component structure, the additive carried by the additive release component is directionally released in a controlled manner in a predetermined direction.
In some embodiments, the additive release component may comprise a sponge-like porous material, which may be compressible. The additive may be distributed within the sponge-like material, and optionally, absorbed by the sponge-like material, which may release the additive by diffusion, or when compressed. A sponge-like material may be a body of absorbent material impregnated with the additive, which is progressively compressible and configured to release at least a part of the additive contents when partly compressed. The sponge-like material may comprise a matrix with a closed cell structure, in particular, a closed cell foam structure. The closed cell foam defines a matrix having a plurality of small cavities which may contain additive. The cavities are dosed by the foam material, retaining the additive until selective release. On application of a compressive force, the closed cell foam may be configured to release additive.
The sponge-like material may be coated in a second material, which may form an outer shell encompassing the sponge-like material. This outer material may function to retain the smoke modifying material within the sponge-like material until release of the contents is desired, at which time external force exerted by the user may rupture the outer shell and squeeze the additive from the sponge-like material.
In other embodiments, this sponge-like material may be replaced by any porous material which is capable of carrying an additive. This material may be, for example, an adsorbent material, or a gel material.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is arranged so that under the application of compressive force, the additive is ejected, squirted or driven, optionally forcefully driven, from the additive release component. For example, the additive release component may be configured such that additive is released via a small region of the component. Thus, in response to compressive force, the additive may be driven out of the additive release component via this small region. In this way, the additive may be deposited further from the additive release component than is possible when additive is released from known additive release components, and/or may be deposited over a larger area, and/or may be deposited over a predetermined area of the filter.
In some embodiments, the additive release component or components may be further carried in a second additive release component, or a sheath, or the like. This may allow greater control over the directional release of the additive. It may also provide greater protection from accidental or premature breakage, or incidental leakage. In this way, for example, single wall or multi-wall additive release components may be used to tailor additive release component stability, strength, rupture resistance, processing ease in manufacture, etc.
The additive release component may comprise a core, which may be divided into two or more separate chambers, for example by means of one or more septa or other internal barriers. The septa or barriers may be composed of the same material as the additive release component, or a different material may be used. The septum or barrier may be frangible, or may be highly resistant to fracture, for example by means of being highly robust or flexible.
The separate chambers of the additive release component core may comprise the same additive, or different additives. The chambers may also comprise multiple reagents, one or more of which may not function independently as an additive, but which reagents react or mix together to form an additive. The two more additives may chemically react, for example, to produce an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The additives could be an organic acid and an alcohol which react to form an ester.
The additive release component may have a crush strength of between 0.5 and 2.5 kp, for example between 1 and 2 kp. Higher and lower crush strengths may be possible, for example where the additive release component is incorporated within the smoking article in combination with a secondary element which is a support structure as discussed below. Such a structure may facilitate the crushing or rupture of the additive release component, enabling components with higher crush strengths to be used.
The size of the additive release component may be dependent on the volume of additive required, which in turn may be dependent on a number of factors, including the potency of the additive and the degree of smoke modification desired.
It may be preferable for the volume of the additive release component to be as large as possible, so that as much additive as possible is provided, to modify the smoke as significantly as possible. The additive release component should not be so large however, that acceptable filtration or draw characteristics of the smoking article or smoking article filter are not provided. Furthermore, as the size of the additive release component is increased, the risk of accidental damage and/or release of additive from the additive release component are also increased.
When additive is released from known additive release components, the release may occur from any region of the additive release component surface. Thus, the additive may be released from the additive release component in any direction into the surrounding material of the smoking article. The additive may additionally or alternatively be released generally with relatively little dispersion from the site of release from the additive release component. Furthermore, the extent of this release of additive is not predictable, and may, for example be dependent in part on the force applied to the additive release component. Since the direction and extent of release of additive from known additive release components is not predictable, then the amount of additive provided within the additive release components must be greater than is necessarily required in order to ensure deposition in the desired areas of the smoking article. Consequently, the additive release components themselves must also be larger. However, additive is directionally released from the disclosed additive release components in a predetermined, controlled and predictable direction. Therefore, the distribution of additive is more efficient, and smaller additive release components may be used than was previously possible. Alternatively, additive release components having similar sizes to those used previously may be used to deliver a significantly greater amount of additive to a desired location within the smoking article.
In some embodiments, the additive release component may be arranged longitudinally within the smoking article or smoking article filter, as shown in the accompanying FIG. 1. That is, the longest dimension of the additive release component may be substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the smoking article.
Where the additive release component is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the filter, and the additive may be released from the component in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter. Indeed, the additive may be released into the filter in any specific direction, and may be directed towards a particular region of the filter. The region may be, for example, a cavity, a particular region of filter material, or a peripheral region of the smoking article filter. The region into which the additive is released may comprise an active component, such as a second additive, which may or may not be held by an additive release component.
In some embodiments, the length of the additive release component may be between 1 mm and 15 mm, and preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The diameter may be within the range 0.1 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.
If a large amount of additive is required, multiple additive release components may be used. The additive release components may all be directional release additive release components, or may be a combination of known and directional release additive release components. The additive release components may have the same or different shapes, and may be of the same or of different sizes. When multiple additive release components are used, they may contain similar or a combination of different additives. The multiple additive release components may release additive in the same direction, towards each other, or towards a common target area, for example.
The multiple additive release components may be engineered to release additive substantially simultaneously in response to a single application of compressive force on the smoking article. Alternatively, when multiple additive release components are present, the smoking article may require a number of sequential applications of force for release of the additive from all of the additive release components. The additive release components may be arranged to directionally release the additives into substantially the same location within the smoking article, or each additive release component may have a different target area of directional release.
The smoking article may comprise two, three, four or more additive release components. Multiple additive release components may be positioned, for example, at regularly spaced intervals along the length of the smoking article. Alternatively, multiple additive release components may be situated as a cluster, for example, within the smoking article filter. In some embodiments, the additive release components may be situated within a cavity formed between two sections of filter material.
The directional release of additive from additive release components in smoking articles in accordance with the invention may be achieved by means of the additive release component having a particular shape. Different three-dimensional shapes possess an inherent capacity to release their contents in a predictable fashion when exposed to a force such as a compressive force. Therefore, different shaped additive release components may be used to ensure directional release of additive in a predetermined, highly controlled and predictable manner and direction.
Generally, this may involve the use of asymmetrically shaped additive release components, which possess an inherent capacity to release additive in a predictable manner as a consequence of their asymmetry. The additive release component may, for example, be approximately ovoid (as shown in the accompanying FIG. 1), conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, pyramidal, and so on. In some circumstances however, more regularly shaped additive release components, such as oblate, ellipsoidal, cubic, etc. may be used.
In some embodiments, the additive release component is non-spherical. The additive release component may or may not have a ‘cigar’ shape, comprising a cylinder with domed ends, such as may be used, for example, for release components in the pharmaceutical industry.
Lines, points, or areas of weakness may additionally be provided within the structure of the additive release component, to further ensure that the release follows a desired pattern, and the additive is released in a predetermined direction.
Such predetermined areas of weakness may be provided in a number of ways. For example, the additive release component may comprise an outer shell, which may be weakened or provided with increased resilience in desired areas. Strengthening of additive release components in particular areas may be achieved, for example, by providing an increased shell thickness in selected areas. Points of weakness may be introduced by means of a region of reduced shell thickness, or by means of scored lines.
Additive release components comprising two different materials may be used, wherein the materials possess inherently different capacities to release additive under the application of force. In this case, the less resilient material may form a zone or window, from which point the additive is directionally released when force is applied to the additive release component.
The manner in which the additive release component is formed may also be used to provide a predictable directional release of additive. The additive release component may, for example, be a multi-part additive release component, comprising a number of sections joined at one or more seams. In this case, the additive release component may be constructed to rupture along a seam section. In some alternative embodiments, the outer shell of the additive release component is formed from a single part.
The core may be divided into two or more (such as 3, 4, or 5) separate chambers, for example by means of one or more septa, or other internal barriers. In this case, the separate chambers of the core may comprise the same additive, or different additives. The chambers may also comprise two reagents, one or both of which may not function as additive, but which reagents react or mix together to form an additive.
In some embodiments, the additive release component may be incorporated within the smoking article in combination with a secondary element which functions to further ensure that the additive is released from the additive release component in a predetermined direction.
The secondary element may function to direct the force applied to the smoking article onto the additive release component in a particular manner. For example, the secondary element may be a shield, which prevents force from being applied to a particular area of the additive release component. The secondary element may provide a reaction surface against which the additive release component may be compressed. The secondary element may alternatively focus the force applied to the smoking article on a particular area of the additive release component.
The secondary element may be an additive release component support structure. A support structure is a structure which supports an additive release component and which may be positioned within a smoking article. The additive release component support structure may allow controlled release of the additive from the additive release component. The support structure may function to focus the force applied to the smoking article on a particular area of the additive release component. For example, the support structure may comprise a spike or point which, when force is applied to the smoking article, is brought into contact with the additive release component and thereby focuses the force on a predetermined area of the additive release component.
In addition to assisting the release of additive in a predetermined direction, the support structure may allow further control of the release of additive from the additive release component. For example, release may be controlled in terms of the timing of release, the quantity of release, and/or the duration of release.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show an additive release component 20 according to a second embodiment, in which the additive release component is located within a support structure 21.
In the embodiment shown, the additive release component is a gelatin capsule. The additive release component has an ovoid (or egg-shaped) configuration, having a first end that has a more rounded shape 20 a, and a second end that has a more pointed shape 20 b.
The outer circumference of the additive release component support structure 21 matches or is slightly smaller than that of the smoking article in which the support structure is to be used. The support structure 21 has the form of a ring or hollow cylinder having a number of axial corrugations 22. In the embodiment shown, the support structure has 8 corrugations. In other embodiments, the support structure may have between 2 and 16 corrugations. For example, the support structure may have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 corrugations.
Stated another way, in some embodiments, the supports of FIGS. 2A and 2B can be described as a petaloid shape having a plurality of joined petals or lobes. Each petal or lobe includes a radially outward segment and two generally radial segments. The radially outward segment has a radially outward surface that is adapted to contact the inner cylindrical surface of the smoking article, and an opposing radially inner surface. The radially outward surface has first and second ends, each of which are attached to a radially outward end portion of one of the generally radial segments. Each generally radial segment, as illustrated, includes the aforementioned radially outward end portion and a radially inward end portion. The radially inward end portions of each petal or lobe is attached to the radially inward end portion of an adjacent petal or lobe.
The support thus can act to grasp and retain an additive release component by being radially expanded slightly.
On the outer circumferential surface of the additive release component support structure 21 the corrugations are in the form of axial grooves 23. On the inner surface of the support structure, the corrugations have tapered ends 24, which project into the central core of the support structure 21.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the additive release component 20 may be positioned within the centre of the additive release component support structure 21, such that the longitudinal axis of the additive release component 20 substantially corresponds to the central axis of the support structure 21.
The ends of the projections 24 of the support structure are shaped to receive the additive release component 20. In particular, the distance between the tapered ends of opposing projections 24 is greater than the diameter of the capsule 20. The capsule is retained within the additive release component support structure by means of flanges 25 on the projections 24.
The axial corrugations 22 reduce the rigidity of the additive release component support structure 21, particularly in response to compressive force applied to the additive release component support structure in any lateral direction. In response to such force, applied for example by the user's fingers, the additive release component support structure 21 deforms from an approximately circular into a more elliptical cross-sectional shape.
In use, deformation in response to compressive force reduces the distance between at least one pair of opposing projections 24 of the support structure 21. The force is transmitted via the projections 24 to predetermined locations on the surface of the rounded end 20 a of the additive release component.
The pointed end 14 b of the additive release component is more susceptible to rupture under force than the remainder of the additive release component 14 due to engineered lines of weakness within the additive release component structure (not shown).
As compressive force is applied to the support structure 21, the component 20 is ruptured at the pointed end 14 b in a predictable manner, and the additive is directionally released in a predetermined direction.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a smoking article comprising an additive release component 20 according to the second embodiment located within a support structure 21. The smoking article comprises a rod of smokeable material 26, and a filter 27. The filter 27 is a triple filter arrangement, in which the support structure 21 holding the additive release component 20 is situated between two sections of cellulose acetate filter material, 28 and 29. The filter sections are combined to form the filter 27 by means of a plugwrap (not shown), and attached to the rod of smokeable material 26 by means of a tipping paper (not shown) in a known manner.
In use, force exerted on the filter 27 in the region of the support structure 21 in any lateral direction, by the user, causes deformation of the support structure, as described above, and release of additive from the additive release component 20 in a predetermined direction.
The size and shape of the additive release component support structure is preferably determined in combination with the size and shape of the additive release component to be used. In this way, the additive release component may be supported by the support structure, and the support structure may offer physical protection to the additive release component until such time that the release of the additive is required.
In one embodiment, the additive release component support structure has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially similar to that of the smoking article in which the support structure is to be used. For example, support structures for use in conventional cigarettes may be circular in cross-section. The reason for this is that the support structure may also function to provide shape, format, or strength to the smoking article.
The additive release component support structure may comprise on its outer surface one or more pimples, grooves, raised elements, or any other deviation from a smooth surface. In addition, or as an alternative, the support structure may be hexagonal or other polygonal, elliptical, or irregular shape in cross-section, rather than circular. Such elements may be detectable to the user of the smoking article, and may thus provide an indication of the position of the additive release component support structure in the smoking article or smoking article filter, and the region of the support structure to which activating force must be applied in order to induce the release of additive from the additive release component. The additive release component support structure may also provide feedback to the user that the additive has been released from the additive release component. Feedback may be in the form of an audible sound, and/or a detectable change in the conformation of the support structure.
The additive release component support structure may induce the release of the additive from the additive release component via any possible mechanism. The support structure may be configured to impart activating force on the additive release component to provide a pumped release, a directional release, a multi-stage release or a single release of additive. The type of release is dependent upon the particular type and shape of the support structure and additive release component used, and the materials from which they are manufactured.
The additive release component support structure may be a moulded plastic structure. In some embodiments, the support structure is manufactured from a biodegradable plastic such as PLA (polylactic acid), CA (cellulose acetate) or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol). However, the support structure could in principle be produced using any mouldable plastic, ceramic, starch, paper, or other suitable material known to the skilled person.
The additive release component support structure may induce the release of the additive from the additive release component in a single dose, in multiple doses, or by means of a variable release, for example in which the release is proportional to the strength or duration of force applied to the support structure. This may be achieved by appropriate selection of the material from which the support structure is manufactured. For example, if the support structure is moulded from a flexible plastic, then upon the application of force, following the activation, the support structure may return to its original conformation. In this case, depending on the nature of the additive release component, further additive may be released from the additive release component by subsequent applications of force to the support structure. On the other hand, if the support structure is made from an inflexible material, such as an inflexible plastic, then as the support structure is activated, it may break. Such an arrangement may limit the support structure to a single activation, and thus the additive release component may deliver a single release of additive.
In some embodiments, the secondary element may function to directly assist the directional release of the additive from the additive release component. For example, the secondary element may be a funnel, a channel, or an adsorbent material, which assists the directional release of the additive from the additive release component. In embodiments in which the additive release component is present in the filter of a smoking article, directional release may be enhanced by the use of wicking element, such as an absorbent material within the smoking article filter. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is more absorbent than the filter material, which may be, for example, a fibrous tow such as cellulose acetate. For example, the wicking element or elements may be positioned adjacent to the additive release component within the filter in the area in which directional release of additive from the additive release component is desired. In this way, the wicking element(s) may draw the additive in the desired direction.
The wicking element, optionally comprising an absorbent material, may also be used to facilitate the transportation of the additive in a particular direction after the additive has been released from the additive release component. The additive may permeate through the wicking element at a faster rate than it may permeate through the filter material. Alternatively or in addition, the additive may be preferentially drawn along or through the wicking element. Therefore, the wicking element can dictate the direction in which the additive mainly disperses, and/or may affect the distance it travels. For example, the incorporation of a wicking element of a particular shape and in a particular position can result in the transportation of additive in a particular direction. Thin strands of absorbent material are particularly effective as a wicking element for the transportation of additive over longer distances. For example, one or more strands of absorbent material may radiate from the additive release component and provide paths along which additive may be transported. Additive may even be directed to the external surface of the smoking article in this way.
Any suitable absorbent material may be used, for example, uncrimped cellulose acetate thread, other cellulosic materials such as hydroxymethyl cellulose, starch, or foamed polyvinyl alcohol may be used.
In some embodiments, the additive release component may be constructed from a frangible material. The additive release component is generally a single part additive release component. In one embodiment the additive release component is composed of a low solubility, high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol. A number of suitable alternative materials are known, and by way of example, additive release components typically utilized in the pharmaceutical industry may be used. Such additive release components may be gelatin based, for example, or may be formed from a polymeric material, such as modified cellulose. One type of modified cellulose which may be used is hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Many biodegradable materials are known which may be suitable for use in the production of additive release components and these include high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, polylactic acid, plastarch material, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, a polyhydroxyalkanoate such as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, and zein-derived bioplastics.
Alternatively, the additive release component may comprise a hollow foodstuff material, such as, for example, pasta, or extruded hollow tubing of reconstituted tobacco material. The inner walls of the additive release component material may advantageously be coated with a varnish or waterproof material, such as silicone, to preserve the rigidity of the additive release component material by preventing absorption of, or degradation by, the liquid contents over a prolonged period.
The additive release component may alternatively be comprised of a wax, resin, natural or synthetic gum, latex or plastic material which retains its shape and strength at room temperature and at smoking temperature but which is rupturable upon the application of external force. Examples of suitable waxes include beeswax, candelilla, carnauba, shellac wax, caranday, sugarcane wax, myrtle wax and petroleum wax.
Suitable resins from which additive release components may be composed include epoxy resins, terpene resins, petroleum resins, ester gum, phenolic resins and rosin based resins. Preferred gums include gum arabic, locust bean, guar, alginates, carrageenan and pectin.
In some embodiments in which the capsule comprises a sponge-like porous material, any suitable sponge-like material may be used. The sponge-like material may be a foamed material, which may be a foamed plastic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).
The additive release component comprises an additive, which may be any substance that may be added to the smoke flow path, for example to modify the composition or properties of smoke.
The additive held within the additive release component may be a deodoriser, a diluent, an adsorbent, or any other substance that is capable of modifying the gaseous flow. The additive may be water. Where local regulations permit, the additive may be a flavourant.
As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.
In some embodiments, the additive comprises menthol or water.
The flavour may be a tobacco flavour. Where the flavour is delivered in liquid form the tobacco flavour could be derived from tobacco extract. Where the flavour is derived from a solid product, the product could be tobacco leaf in shredded, particulate or granular form, or in the form of reconstituted tobacco sheet material.
The additive may be a solid, such as a powder, a liquid, such as a liquid flavourant, deodoriser, water, etc, or a gas, such as an aromatic composition.
The method of manufacture of the additive release component may be dependent on the precise composition and shape required. Any suitable method of manufacture may be used. For example, techniques including blow moulding, injection moulding, 3D printing and the use of Rotary Dies may be used. A combination of techniques may be used.
The additive release component may be coloured. For example, the additive release component may comprise a colouring agent. The colouring agent may be used to render more easily the location of the additive release component within the smoking article or smoking article filter during the manufacturing process. Alternatively or additionally, the colouring agent may provide an interesting appearance to the smoking article, particularly if the additive release component is intended to be only partially enclosed within the smoking article, or if, for example, the tipping paper is intended to have a transparent window portion.
Alternatively or in addition, the additive held in the additive release component may be coloured. This may give the user an additional, visual indication that the additive has been successfully released, as the additive may be seen to be directionally released from the additive release component. This may be particularly useful if the additive release component comprises a combination of additives, wherein one of the additives is coloured, and thereby serves to indicate release of the other colourless additive(s).
When the additive is coloured, it may be desirable for the additive release component to directionally release additive into a region of the smoking article or smoking article filter in which the colour will be observed. For example, the additive may be directionally released into a peripheral region of the smoking article, such as a circumferential region or towards the mouth end. The coloured additive may be directionally released into a section of the smoking article that is visible via a transparent window portion.
In some embodiments, the smoking article may comprise a transparent window which may allow visualisation of the additive release component within the smoking article, such as within the filter. In this way, the user may be able to visualise the additive release component within the filter, and may be able to visually determine whether the additive has been released.
To produce the effect of a transparent window, the tipping or other wrapping paper may comprise a single piece of transparent material, which can be, but is not limited to, one of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cellulose acetate film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene oxide (PEOX), polyethylene, cellophane, Natureflex™, polylactic acid, plastarch material, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, a polyhydroxyalkanoate such as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, and zein-derived bioplastics. The tipping or other wrapping paper may have an opaque coating on certain portions to leave a transparent uncoated section which defines the window.
The additive release component may be manufactured using any suitable method, the method of manufacture of the additive release component clearly being dependent on the precise composition and make-up required. Any suitable method of additive release component manufacture may be used, including techniques such as co-extrusion, spin coating, coacervation, interfacial polymerization, solvent evaporation, and annular jet forming.
In some embodiments in which the additive release component is a seamless capsule, the capsule may be produced using a co-extrusion process. The co-extrusion process is a synchronous extrusion of the two liquids that will subsequently form the shell and the capsule contents (or “core”). The first (co-extrusion) step involves forming a droplet having the liquid core material inside the liquid shell material. After the co-extrusion step, the “capsule” is solidified by cooling or by immersion in a curing agent, for example. The capsules may then be subjected to various treatments, such as washing, removal of surplus liquid, colouring, application of additional coatings, etc.
Alternatively, an annular jet forming technique may be used. This method utilises two concentric jets to eject an inner jet of liquid core material and an outer jet of liquid shell material. The fluid stream breaks into droplets and the liquid shell material solidifies by phase transition induced by the presence of cross-linking ions, pH differences, temperature changes, etc.
In some embodiments in which the additive release component comprises a wax capsule, the capsule may be formed, for example, by a method comprising freezing a solution of the liquid core material until small crystals are formed. According to this method, the crystals are then dropped into molten wax and removed by spatula after a wax coat has formed around the cold crystals. The frozen core material gradually becomes liquid as the coated capsule reaches room temperature.
Foamed sponge-like materials may be made using a foamed extrusion process.
The additive release component may be incorporated at any location within a smoking article, for example, the additive release component may be located within the filter of a smoking article.
Smoking articles generally comprise a rod of smokeable material and a filter. They extend in a longitudinal direction from a distal (ignition) end, from which the smoke is drawn into the smoking article, to a mouth end. A consequence of directional release is that additive may be directed into a specific region of a smoking article or smoking article filter. The additive release component may be configured to directionally release the additive in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the smoking article, in other words, in the direction of the mouth end or distal end. Release into this region of the smoking article may maximise the degree of interaction of the additive with the smoke.
The smoking article may comprise one or more additive release components that are arranged to directionally release additive towards a particular region of the smoking article or smoking article filter, which may be any region of the smoking article or smoking article filter.
This region may comprise a material which is activated by the additive released from the additive release component. For example this material may comprise a solid that is active when in solution, and is thus activated by the action of additive in the form of water or a specific solvent.
The target region of directional additive release may be a cavity within the centre of the filter, which may or may not comprise other active materials. For example, the cavity may comprise crystalline flavourant, which may be activated when additive in the form of a solvent is directionally released into the cavity to contact the crystals. Alternatively, the cavity may comprise a material which is sensitive to additive in the form of water, for example, a material which in contact with water, changes colour, dissolves, makes a sound, emits a flavour or an odour, etc.
The particular region to which additive is directed may be a region of filter material comprising a solid material in the form of small granules evenly distributed within the material. Such an arrangement may be useful, for example, when a granular crystalline flavourant is to be used in combination with an additive release component comprising a solvent additive. In this case, a plurality of additive release components may be used, from which additive may be sequentially released to provide flavourant over the duration of use of the smoking article. In this arrangement, additive may be directed into the same or different regions of the granule-containing filter material.
The region to which additive is directed may be a peripheral region of the smoking article or smoking article filter, such as a region at or near the circumferential surface of the smoking article, or at the mouth end of the filter. Such an arrangement may be suitable, for example, when the additive is a colourant, to provide an interesting appearance to the smoking article, and/or to provide a visual indication that the additive has been released, for example, where the additive release component comprises a combination of a colourant in combination with a second additive. This arrangement may also be suitable when the additive is an odorant, to facilitate diffusion of the odour out of the smoking article.
A smoking article or smoking article filter may comprise two or more additives, each carried within a separate additive release component. This arrangement may be suitable, for example, when the two or more additives chemically react, or where the additives are subject to oxidation, diffusion, or other means of loss of intensity over time.
The two or more additive release components may be arranged to directionally release additive towards each other. Such an arrangement may be useful, for example, where the additives chemically react, such as to produce an exothermic or endothermic reaction, or a reaction in which an odour or a gas is evolved, or a colour or other visual effect is produced.
The two or more additive release components may be arranged to directionally release additive towards a common region of the filter. This may be suitable where a significant quantity of additive is required to be supplied to a particular region of the filter, for example, where the additive is water, and the target region of the filter comprises a water sensitive material, such as a water swellable, water soluble, or water degradable material.
Since the additive release components of the invention are designed to directionally release additive, then the orientation in which the additive release component is inserted into the smoking article or smoking article filter should be controlled.
The specific shape of the additive release component of the invention may assist the additive release component insertion process. For example, when the centre of gravity of the additive release component is not located at the geometric centre of the additive release component, such as is the case with the ovoid additive release component shown in the accompanying FIGS. 1 and 2, then the additive release component will naturally assume a particular orientation, and this property may be utilised to ensure that the additive release component is inserted into the smoking article in the desired orientation.
In general, the additive release component may be inserted into the smoking article filter, and any suitable method may be used to insert the additive release component into the filter. Suitable apparatus may, for example, include a means for supplying a continuous stream of filter material from a source of such material (e.g., a bale, bobbin, or the like). The apparatus may further include an additive release component insertion unit for inserting or depositing the individual additive release components at predetermined intervals within the filter material. The filter material having additive release components deposited therein may then be received into a rod-making means for providing a continuous rod which may subsequently be subdivided into the desired length at predetermined intervals to form the individual filters of the invention.
Any suitable alternative technique may also be used if applicable. For example, the additive release component may be inserted into a cavity within the filter, or known dual or triple filter combining techniques may be used. The additive release component may be incorporated into the filter using a vertical feed method.
Embodiments of the invention are configured to comply with applicable laws and/or regulations, such as, by way of non-limiting example, regulations relating to flavours, additives, emissions, constituents, and/or the like. For example, the invention may be configured such that a smoking article implementing the invention is compliant with applicable regulations before, during and after the release of a smoke modifying agent from a capsule.
In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior additive release and additive release components and products including the same. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An additive release component for use in a smoking article having a filter, the component comprising a rupturable shell containing an additive, wherein the component is configured to eject the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the component.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein the shell has a three-dimensional shape which causes it to rupture in a predictable and consistent way in response to compression.

3. The component according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the shell concentrates compressive force applied to the additive release component on a limited area of the shell so that the shell ruptures in a predetermined region.

4. The component according to claim 1, wherein the shell has a three-dimensional shape which forces the contained additive in a pre-determined direction at least one of prior to and upon rupture of the shell.

5. The component according to claim 1, wherein the shell has a three-dimensional shape which is not symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article into which it may be incorporated.

6. The component according to claim 1, wherein the additive release component is not spherical.

7. The component according to claim 1, wherein the additive release component is ovoid, conical, hemispherical, trapezoidal, or pyramidal.

8. The component according to claim 1, wherein the shell does not include an area or line of weakness formed by creating a recess, hole or groove in the shell.

9. A filter for a smoking article comprising an additive release component, the component comprising a rupturable shell containing an additive, wherein the component is configured to eject the additive into the filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the component.

10. The filter according to claim 9, further comprising a secondary element.

11. The filter according to claim 10, wherein the secondary element is a support structure within which the additive release component is positioned.

12. The filter according to claim 10, wherein the secondary element comprises a wicking element.

13. The filter according to claim 9, wherein the additive release component is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the filter.

14. The filter according to claim 13, wherein the additive is released from the component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter.

15. A smoking article comprising an additive release component, the component comprising a rupturable shell containing an additive, wherein the component is configured to eject the additive into a filter of the smoking article in a predetermined direction in response to compression of the component.

16. The smoking article according to claim 15, wherein the filter comprises the additive release component.

17. The smoking article according to claim 16, further comprising a secondary element, the secondary element comprising a support structure within which the additive release component is positioned.

18. The smoking article according to claim 17, wherein the secondary element comprises a wicking element.

19. The smoking article according to claim 16, wherein the additive release component is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the filter.

20. The smoking article according to claim 16, wherein the additive is released from the component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter.