Cigarettes and filter subassemblies with sqeezable flavor capsule and methods of manufacture

[0001] The present invention relates to cigarettes and filter components usable with cigarettes, as well as methods of making cigarettes and cigarette filters.

[0002] Sorbents, used in some traditional cigarettes, insufficiently satisfactorily provide the desired flavor effect to a smoker. Due to the volatility of added flavoring substances, even distribution of such substances in cigarettes has not been completely satisfactory up to now. Therefore, there is an interest in obtaining improved articles and methods for providing additive materials or agents such as flavoring for cigarettes. Irreversible precipitation of volatile flavorings may also occur after migration of the sorbents used in cigarette filters to remove target gas phase constituents. These sorbents also absorb the aromatic substances supplied in the main stream of tobacco smoke, as a result of which the taste and perceived senses character / acceptability of cigarettes are reduced.

[0003] According to the present invention, a cigarette filter subassembly has been developed comprising a first absorption member defining a first end surface, said first end surface of the first absorption member forming the first end of the cigarette filter subassembly. The second absorption member defines a second end surface with the second end surface of the second absorption member forming the second end of the cigarette filter subassembly. At least one capsule is used between the first absorption member and the second absorption member, wherein the at least one capsule contains a liquid material for modifying the characteristics of tobacco smoke when smoking a cigarette provided with a filter containing the subassembly. Such at least one capsule releases at least some of the liquid material when such at least one capsule is subjected to an external force. The cigarette filter subassembly has an outer cover extending essentially from the first end of the cigarette filter subassembly to the second end of the cigarette filter subassembly and encloses at least one capsule. The outer cover is made of a material that is substantially impermeable to the liquid material of such at least one capsule. A cellulose acetate ring layer is applied around the outer cover of the cigarette filter subassembly. This cellulose acetate ring layer is sealed over steam.

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the first absorption member is substantially cylindrical, and also the second adsorption member is substantially cylindrical, while the outer cover material is cellophane. The first absorption member is made of cellulose acetate, and the second absorption member is made of cellulose acetate.

[0005] In another preferred embodiment, only one capsule is used between the first absorption member and the second absorption member, while the liquid material contained within this one capsule is a liquid. The first absorption member is substantially cylindrical, and the second absorption member is substantially cylindrical, the first and second absorption members being made of cellulose acetate, while the outer cover material is cellophane.

EP 1 895 863 0001 [0006] In another preferred embodiment, a third absorption member made of cellulose acetate is provided substantially adjacent the first end of the cigarette filter assembly. A fourth absorption member made of cellulose acetate is generally used adjacent the other end of the cigarette filter subassembly.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment, a sorbent, such as some activated carbon, is located between the second end of the cigarette filter subassembly and the fourth absorption member. The tobacco core is positioned substantially adjacent the fourth absorption member. [0008] In accordance with the present invention, a method for producing cigarette filter subassemblies has also been developed, comprising the following steps: providing a series of absorption members; providing at least one capsule disposed between adjacent absorption members, the at least one capsule comprising a fluid material for modifying the characteristics of tobacco smoke when smoking a cigarette provided with a filter comprising this subassembly. Such at least one capsule releases at least part of the liquid material when the at least one capsule is subjected to an external force. The method further includes the step of providing an outer cover around a series of absorption members and at least one capsule disposed between adjacent absorption members. The outer cover is made of a material that is substantially impermeable to the liquid material of the at least one capsule. An annular cellulose acetate layer was applied around the outer cover of the cigarette filter subassembly, this annular cellulose acetate layer being sealed over steam.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this method, each of the absorption members is substantially cylindrical and the outer cover material is cellophane. The absorption members are made of cellulose acetate. Only one capsule is used between adjacent absorption members, while the liquid material contained within this one capsule is liquid.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of cutting each subsequent absorption member in the series of absorption members substantially in the middle between adjacent capsules. The cutting step allows for obtaining double subassemblies, each of these double subassemblies comprising one half of the first absorption member, first capsule, second absorption member, second capsule, as well as one half of the third absorption member arranged in series in the outer surface. An annular cellulose acetate layer is applied around the outer surface.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing a series of additional absorption members, wherein one of the double sub-assemblies is located between adjacent additional absorption members. Each of a series of additional absorption members is cut substantially halfway between adjacent dual components. The cutting step produces quadruple subassemblies, each of these quadruple subassemblies comprising half of the first additional absorption member, first double subassembly, second additional absorption member, second double assembly, and one half of the third additional absorption member.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of cutting each of the double sub-assemblies halfway between the adjacent capsules and cutting each of the second additional absorption members halfway between

EP 1 895 863 Β1 adjacent dual components, whereby a single filter sub-assembly for a cigarette is obtained. The tobacco core is positioned essentially adjacent one end of the single filter assembly before or after the dual components are cut halfway between adjacent capsules.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing some carbon between the additional absorption members and the adjacent double subassembly. Each subsequent of the series of additional absorption members is cut substantially halfway between two adjacent components. The cutting step provides quadruple subassemblies, each of these quadruple subassemblies containing one half of the first additional absorption member, a certain first amount of carbon, a first double subassembly, a certain second amount of carbon, a second additional absorption member, a certain third amount of carbon, a second double subassembly, some fourth of the carbon, and one half of the third additional absorption member.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of cutting each of the double subassemblies halfway between the adjacent capsules, and also of cutting each of the second additional absorption members halfway between the adjacent double subassemblies, thereby obtaining a single filter subassembly for a cigarette. An additional absorption member is positioned between a pair of adjacent single cigarette filter subassemblies to make a double cigarette filter assembly, the tobacco core being located substantially adjacent each end of the double cigarette filter assembly. The additional absorption member is cut substantially halfway between a pair of adjacent individual cigarette filter components to form individual cigarettes. The tobacco core can be positioned generally adjacent one end of the single filter assembly before or after the double filter assemblies are cut halfway between adjacent capsules.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cigarette made in accordance with the embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of a cigarette filter subassembly according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a part of the system intended for making the subassembly of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of a part of the system of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of another part of the system for making the subassembly of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the intermediate stages during cigarette manufacture using the subassembly of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the subsequent steps in the manufacture of cigarettes in which the subassembly of Fig. 2 is used.

A filtration system with additive material, such as a flavoring ingredient, is provided in a tobacco product, such as a cigarette. Improved effects, through the controlled release of this additive material for cigarettes, can be obtained by using one or more capsules, which are preferably sealed or breakable capsules containing such additive material. This use of capsules enables controlled release of the core 3

EP 1 895 863 kapsuł1 capsules by a smoker. Such controlled release provided by capsules may reduce the interaction between the additive material and the cigarette, reduce evaporation and migration of the additive material within the cigarette, and allow even or uneven distribution of the additive material and / or allow the release of this additive material to be controlled, in order to obtain the correct distribution in time until a certain predetermined pulse occurs and / or allow in situ mixing of additional materials.

[0015] One or more capsules are preferably housed in the cigarette filter section, whereby the application of an external force causes the one or more capsules to be mechanically opened before or during use of the cigarette. The opening of this one or more capsules allows the additive material to escape from the capsule (capsules) and its interactions that modify the characteristics of the cigarette and, as a result, smoke from it as well. For example, the additive material may be used to supply one or more volatile aromatic components of tobacco smoke passing through the filter, or it may be used to provide some selectable filtration component (i.e., amines, etc.) that may have improved impact if supplied wetted, however, which may require protection against drying out or premature weathering or exposure to light during storage.

A. Cigarettes [0016] A cigarette typically has two sections, the tobacco-containing portion sometimes referred to as the tobacco or cigarette core, while the filter portion may be referred to as filter paper. The outer wrapper surrounds the filter that forms the mouthpiece of the cigarette. This outer tissue wrap overlaps the tobacco core to attach the filter and tobacco core together. The tobacco core or tobacco-containing element in the cigarette includes a paper wrapper in which the tobacco is wrapped, as well as a binder retaining the overlapping edges of the wrapper. This tobacco core has a first end that is attached to the filter, as well as a second end that is lit or heated to burn a cigarette. When the tobacco core is ignited or heated to be burned, the smoke travels from the lit end further towards the end from the tobacco core filter side and also further through the filter.

[0017] The filter can be used with conventional cigarettes and atypical cigarettes. Such unusual cigarettes include, for example, cigarettes intended for electric smoking systems as described in US 6,026,820; US 5,988,176; US 5,915,387; US 5,692,526; US 5,692,525; US 5,666,976; and US 5 499 636, whose rights have been jointly transferred.

[0018] An embodiment of a method for making cigarettes includes providing a cut filter to a cigarette making machine to form a portion of tobacco (e.g., tobacco columns); placing the paper wrapper around the tobacco rod to make the tobacco core; and attaching the filter portion to the tobacco core to make a cigarette.

[0019] The term "mainstream smoke" includes a mixture of gases and / or aerosols passing through the cigarette, such as through the tobacco core, and also exiting from the end, such as through the filter-end.

EP 1 895 863 a1 and this means a certain amount of smoke coming out or sucked through the mouthpiece end of the cigarette while smoking this cigarette. The mainstream smoke contains air that is drawn in through the heated area of ​​the cigarette and through the paper wrapper.

[0020] "Smoking" a cigarette is intended to mean heating, burning or otherwise causing the release of certain chemicals from tobacco. Essentially, smoking involves burning one end of the cigarette and drawing in smoke through the mouthpiece end of the cigarette, while the tobacco it contains burns, pyrolises or distills volatile substances. Nevertheless, the cigarette can be burned in various ways. For example, the cigarette can be burned by heating the cigarette using an electric heater, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,053,176; US 5,934,289; US 5 591 368 or US 5 322 075, whose rights have been jointly transferred.

B. Tobacco [0021] Examples of the appropriate type of tobacco materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, preserved tobacco, Burley type tobacco, Maryland type tobacco, Oriental type tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, tobacco blends and the like similar. Tobacco material may be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco laminate, processed tobacco materials, such as expanded or blown tobacco, processed tobacco cores, such as cut and coiled cores or cut cores and blown, reconstituted tobacco materials, mixtures thereof and the like. Tobacco substitutes may also be used.

[0022] In the traditional manufacture of cigarettes, tobacco is usually used in the form of cut filler, i.e. in the form of hyphae or bands cut to a certain width in the range from about 2.5 mm (1/10 inch) to about 1.2 mm (1/20 inch) or even about 0.6 mm (1/40 inch). The length of the strands ranges from between about 6 mm (0.25 inches) to about 75 mm (3.0 inches). Cigarettes may further contain one or more flavoring substances or other suitable additives (e.g. additives modifying incineration properties, additives changing combustion properties, coloring agents, binding agents, etc.).

C. Filters [0023] The filter material contained in the filter may be any of a variety of fibrous materials suitable for use in tobacco smoke filter elements. Typical fibrous materials include cellulose acetate, polypropylene or paper. Preferably, the filter material will be cellulose acetate. [0024] The cigarette filter may also contain a sorbent, such as sorbent particles. Preferably, the sorbent particles have a size of from about 0.3 mm to about 0.85 mm or a size of 20 to 50 mesh to facilitate loading into the wells of cigarette filters to achieve a suitable drop in filter pressure (resistance to extraction). This applies when the sorbent fills a well-defined cavity in the filter section. Sorbents can be used in other forms in cigarette filters, e.g. sorbent particles can be dispersed in the fibrous material and in this form

EP 1 895 863 mogą1 can be used as different segment segments in the filter to provide adequate reduction of one or more gas phase components of the main stream.

[0025] Various cigarette filter designs may be utilized into which one or more capsules may be introduced. Examples of filter structures that can be used herein include, but are not limited to, a single filter, a double filter, a triple filter, a filter having one or more voids, a hollow filter, a free flow filter, combinations thereof and the like. Individual filters typically contain cellulose acetate fibrous material or cellulose paper materials. Typical single cellulose or paper filters ensure good tar and nicotine retention, and are highly degradable. Double filters typically contain a mouthpiece of cellulose acetate and a segment of pure cellulose or of cellulose acetate. The length and pressure drop in these segments in the double filter can be adjusted to ensure optimal sorption, while maintaining acceptable suction resistance. Triple filters can include a mouthpiece end and segments adjacent to the combustion material or tobacco, as well as a paper-containing middle segment. Void filters contain at least two segments, e.g. acetate-acetate, acetate-paper or paper-paper, separated from each other by at least one empty space. Recessed filters contain an open recess on the mouthpiece side. Such filters may also be ventilated and / or contain additional sorbents, catalysts or other additives suitable for use in a cigarette filter.

[0026] The filter area in the embodiment of the cigarette may be constructed with a sorbent located earlier relative to the direction of smoke flow and with a capsule located further downstream. The sorbent, e.g. activated charcoal, may be located in the cavity at a distance from one or more capsules, which may be located in the second section or part of the filter, spaced some distance from the sorbent. Such a system would allow filtering of the cigarette through the sorbent, as well as the distribution of the flavoring substance inside the cigarette, without compromising the effect of the flavoring substance by absorption or adsorption by the sorbent.

D. Sorbents [0027] The term "sorption" as used herein means filtration by adsorption and / or absorption. Sorption is intended to include interactions occurring on the surface of the sorbent as well as interactions occurring within the pores and tubules of the sorbent. In other words, "sorbent" is a substance that can condense or hold particles of other substances on its surface and / or absorb other substances, e.g. by the penetration of such other substances into its internal structure or into its pores.

[0028] The term "sorbent" as used herein refers to an adsorbent, absorbent or substance capable of performing both of these functions.

[0029] The term "removal" as used herein refers to the adsorption and / or absorption of at least a portion of a major component of the tobacco smoke stream.

[0030] Although any suitable material may be used as the sorbent, preferred embodiments include activated carbon sorbents or microporous materials. The sorbent can be any material capable of absorbing and / or adsorbing gaseous components 6

EP 1 895 863 na1 on its surface or assimilating such components into its interior. If needed, the sorbent may contain catalyst material. By way of example, sorbent materials may contain, but without imposing restrictions, carbon such as activated carbon, clays, silicates, molecular sieves, and zeolites, and may be used as such or in combination with others. In a preferred embodiment, the sorbent material is activated carbon.

[0031] Microporous materials (i.e. microporous sorbents), such as, for example, activated carbon, can be used to filter gaseous components from tobacco smoke. The microporous sorbent may have pores with a width or diameter smaller than about 20A.

[0032] Although microporous materials are useful for filtering tobacco smoke, microporous materials may also make it difficult for the cigarette designer to add volatile flavorings, such as menthol, for example. More specifically, microporous sorbents tend to adsorb and / or absorb flavoring components during the manufacture of cigarettes and use by the consumer, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the flavoring components in the cigarette.

[0033] In addition to reducing the effectiveness of flavoring ingredients due to adsorption / absorption by microporous sorbents, two additional problems are encountered when the flavoring ingredient migrates to the sorbent and is adsorbed / absorbed by it. First of all, this flavoring ingredient can block sorbent hotspots, thereby reducing the ability of the sorbent to remove target gaseous components from smoke. Secondly, because the flavoring ingredient is often strongly adsorbed / absorbed by the sorbent, this flavoring ingredient may not be sufficiently capable of being released. It is therefore desirable to separate microporous materials and flavoring ingredients or other additives.

[0034] Another advantage of the controlled release of the encapsulated volatile flavorings in the filter is that the encapsulated volatile additives are added to the smoke stream through the filter portion.

E. Additives [0035] The term "additives" means any material or component that modifies the characteristics of a cigarette when the cigarette is smoked. Any suitable additive material or combination of materials may be placed inside one or more capsules to modify the characteristics of the cigarette. Such additive materials include flavorings, neutralizing agents, as well as other smoke modifiers such as 3-aminopropylsilyl (APS) type chemical reagents that react with smoke components. In addition, the additive materials may also include diluents, solvents or processing aids, which may or may not affect the perceived properties of the mainstream smoke, but support the processing of the additive and its encapsulation and placement in the cigarette.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the additive materials may contain one or more flavoring substances, such as liquid or solid flavoring substances and flavoring compositions or materials containing flavoring substances. The term 'flavoring substance' or 'tobacco flavoring note' may include any flavoring substance or tobacco extract, based on

EP 1 895 863 ające1 capable of being placed in liquid form within one or more capsules, such as single capsules, double capsules, microcapsules or microcapsules, to improve the taste of the mainstream smoke produced by, for example, a cigarette.

[0037] Suitable flavorings or seasonings include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, such as peppermint and spearmint, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit flavors, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath refreshing flavors , flavoring agents such as cinnamon, methylsalicylate, linalool, bergamot oil, lemon oil, ginger oil and tobacco flavor. Other flavoring agents suitable for this purpose selected from the group consisting of acid, alcohol, ester, aldehyde, ketone, pyrazine, combinations or blends thereof and the like. Suitable flavoring ingredients can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of phenylacetic acid, solanone, 2-heptanone, phenylmethanol, cishex-3-enyl acetate, valeric acid, pentanal, ester, terpene, sesquiterpene, nootkatone, maltol, damascenone, pyrazine, lactone, anethole, isovaleric acid, combinations thereof and the like.

[0038] In one embodiment, the additive material may serve as a chemical reagent for one or more components of the mainstream smoke. Such additive material may contain, by way of example, a chemical additive that affects one or more components contained in the mainstream smoke. See, for example, US 6 209 547 and US 6 595 218, whose rights have been jointly transferred, which discusses the reagents that may interact with the gaseous components of the smoke stream and may be removed.

F. Capsules [0039] Capsules in the filter system provide benefits especially for cigarettes containing activated carbon. By placing sealed capsules in the filter after the activated carbon in cigarettes containing activated carbon in the filter, adsorption of the released additional material by this activated carbon as well as the subsequent deactivation of carbon is substantially prevented. In this way, when the material is a flavoring component, adsorption by activated carbon during storage of cigarettes and during smoking is substantially prevented.

[0040] By incorporating the additive material into one or more capsules in the filter, the smoke flavor losses in the bypass stream are substantially reduced, and fewer flavorings undergo or none of them undergo pyrolysis when smoking a cigarette. In addition, by placing one or more capsules containing additive material in the filtration section, activated carbon may maintain its ability to modify cigarette smoke, which includes removing volatile organic components such as 1,3-butadiene, acrolein, isoprene, etc. from the mainstream smoke.

[0041] The term "susceptible release" as used herein refers to the placement and release of additive materials in capsules in such a way that these additive materials are sufficiently enclosed to substantially eliminate or minimize unwanted migration such as, for example, during storage. The term also includes, but is not limited to, additive materials in the mobile capsule sufficiently that they can be released from the capsule when, for example, the capsule is broken or opened by force of me8.

EP 1 895 863 an1 khanic. For example, the capsule can be broken by squeezing a portion of the cigarette filter containing the capsule, thereby releasing additive material from inside the capsule.

[0042] The capsule can be made in a variety of physical forms, including single and multi-part capsules, large capsules, small capsules, microcapsules, etc. One preferred embodiment includes a substantially spherical capsule, while other preferred embodiments include macrocapsules and microcapsules. These preferred embodiments may include liquid additives, and these additives may similarly be released by mechanical action. These capsules may be present in the filter section of the cigarette in a dispersed system if small macrocapsules or microcapsules are used, or they may be present in a cartridge or well inside the filter, intended for one or more capsules, preferably being a single, generally having spherical capsule shape. However, the capsule or capsules are preferably further downstream, after any absorbents present in the cigarette, such as activated carbon.

[0043] The microcapsules can be made using any suitable technique including encapsulation techniques such as spin coating, coacervation, interphase polymerization, solvent evaporation, annular die formation, where two concentrically oriented nozzles are used to eject the internal fluid stream core material and external stream of liquid wall material, the fluid stream "is broken into droplets, and the liquid wall material is solidified by a phase transition induced by the presence of crosslinking ions, the occurrence of pH differences, temperature changes, etc.

[0044] The macrocapsules may be made in a plug or cavity, and may also be enclosed in a sheath or the like, or may be placed in a subassembly with an outer cover and one or more absorbent members, if desired. By using microcapsules in the shell, inside the plug material or inside the subassembly with the outer casing and one or more absorbent members, these macrocapsules can be protected against resulting from impact or accidental breakage or leakage, and these capsules can be made larger and weaker, if it is needed.

[0045] In addition, single-walled or multi-walled capsules can be used to adjust the stability of the capsule, its strength, resistance to cracking, ease of use when making the filter, etc. The capsules can be made of any suitable material, such as materials used in the form of capsules for administering drugs, fluid-sealed capsules or other encapsulated materials. As an example, capsules typically used in the pharmaceutical industry may be used. Capsules of this type may be made, for example, based on gelatin, or may be made of a polymeric material, such as modified cellulose. One of the types of modified cellulose that can be used here is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

G. Preferred Embodiments [0046] Referring to Fig. 1, the cigarette 20 comprises a tobacco core 22, which is used adjacent to the filter assembly 24. This filter assembly 24 includes a filter assembly 26 having first

EP 1 895 863 Β1 the absorption member 32 and the second absorption assembly 34 with the capsule 36 used between the first and second absorption members 32, 34. A third absorption member 28 is provided on the first side of the filter assembly 26, while a fourth absorption member 30 is used on the second side of the filter subassembly 26. Some activated carbon 38 was used between the fourth absorption member 30 and the other end of the filtration subassembly 26. The fourth absorption member 30 may also contain some activated carbon 38, the sorbent articles being distributed in the outer wrapping paper. In embodiments, the absorption members 32, 34, 28, 30 may be filter plugs containing cellulose acetate plugs.

[0047] Referring now to Fig. 2, the first absorption member 32 is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a first end surface 44. This first end surface 44 of the first absorption member 32 forms the first end 48 for the cigarette filter subassembly 26. The second absorption member 34 also has a generally cylindrical shape and defines a second end surface 46. This second end surface 46 of the second absorption member 34 forms the second end 50 of the cigarette filter subassembly 26. The first and second absorption members 32, 34 are closed around their outer surface by means of a suitable conventional plug wrap.

[0048] The capsule 36 is used between the first absorption member 32 and the second absorption member 34. The capsule 36 contains an additive which is a liquid material for modifying the characteristics of tobacco smoke when smoking a cigarette 20. The capsule 36 releases at least some of the liquid material when this capsule 36 will be subjected to external force, such as by squeezing by a smoker.

[0049] The cigarette filter assembly 26 has an outer cover 40 for the first and second absorption members 32, 34 and for the capsule 36, which cover extends substantially from the first end 48 of the cigarette filter assembly 26 to the second end 50 of the filter assembly 26 to cigarette. The outer cover 40 closes the capsule 36. The outer cover is made of a material that is substantially impermeable to the liquid material of the capsule 36. For example, the outer cover may be made of cellophane, polyvinylidene chloride, or it may be a substantially impermeable film or sheet. By using a substantially impermeable material, the amount of dyeing used for wrapping paper can be reduced or eliminated after the liquid material has been released from the capsule. The outer cover 40 may partially or completely surround the cigarette filter subassembly 26 including the first and second absorption members 32, 34 and the capsule 36. In addition, the cigarette filter may be wrapped in one or more layers of the outer cover 40 as desired. For example, to achieve increased strength and / or stiffness, it may be beneficial to use several layers.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the outer cover 40 is a cellophane layer, while the first and second absorption layers 32, 34 are made of cellulose acetate. Although in a preferred embodiment only a single capsule 36 is used between the first and second absorption members 32, 34, capsules 36 or a number of smaller capsules between the first and second absorption layers 32, 34 can be used.

[0051] Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the capsule 36 is substantially spherical and has a substantially continuous outer shell enclosing the fluid inside the shell. Nevertheless, the one or more capsules in the filter subassembly 26 may be elongated, such as oval, rectangular or other than 10

EP 1 895 863 Β1 spherical and they can be made as a multi-element structure. Similarly, although the material inside the capsule is fluid in a preferred embodiment, the material may be a non-liquid fluid.

[0052] A cellulose acetate annular layer 42 is applied around the outer cover 40 of the cigarette filter subassembly 26, said cellulose acetate annular layer being steam-sealed. The spigot wrapper 52 may be used around the annular layer 42 of cellulose acetate. [0053] The outer cover 40 prevents the material from wrinkling from the capsule (after the capsule has been squeezed by the user) in the radial direction of the cigarette, through, for example, the wrapper and the outer wrapper that surround the capsule and other filter components. The outer cover 40 thus contributes to reducing or completely eliminating the staining of the wrapping paper.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, when the capsule 36 is broken, the fluid released from the capsule subsidence axially and moistens the first and second absorption members 32, 34 made of cellulose acetate. In embodiments, these absorption members 32, 34 may include highly wettable portions to assist in displacing the flavourant along these absorption members. For example, the material used in the wicks, such as the absorbent thread, can be placed and aligned axially, preferably in the center of the absorbent members 32, 34, for axial transfer and distribution of fluid released by one or more capsules inside the filter assembly 26 to the cigarette. Preferably, the wick material has stronger absorbing properties than the absorption members, whereby the fluid released from the capsules will be more easily absorbed by this wick material.

[0055] The mainstream smoke may then flow out of the tobacco core through the subassembly 26 first through the second absorption member 34 (and also the wick material, if provided) and then through the first absorption member 32 (as well as the wick material, if it has been placed there), the absorption members 32, 34 can be wetted by the liquid coming from the capsule. In addition, dilution air can flow through the steam-closed cellulose acetate ring layer or wrapper. These two streams can be regulated by making appropriate changes in the filtering efficiency of cellulose acetate, by using dilution holes, etc. The fluid inside the capsule cannot move before the capsule breaks (as a result of squeezing the filter before smoking). The capsule is suitable for use with cigarettes that contain activated carbon in the filter. The capsule may contain flavoring ingredients, and may also contain ingredients that facilitate selective smoke filtering in the mainstream, and those that are released before lighting a cigarette. [0056] The steam-sealing ring layer 42 of cellulose acetate and the first and second absorption members 32, 34 can have adjustable dimensions, density and composition to obtain different degrees of dilution, flow resistance and permeability.

[0057] In one embodiment, one or more capsules 36 with a diameter of about 4 mm 5 mm, preferably about 4.5 mm - 4.7 mm, are sealed between two absorption members 32, 34 which are wrapped in cellophane the outer cover 40, forming the filter subassembly 26 for the cigarette, or the "inner core" with an outer circumference of about 16 mm - 19 mm, preferably 17 mm - 18 mm. This inner core 26 is then wrapped in an annular layer 42 or "outer shell", the circumference of this outer shell being about 24mm-25mm, preferably about 24.4mm-24.5mm, which for its part can be wrapped in a spigot wrapper 52. In addition, for a wrap11

In the case of a plug wrap 52, ventilation openings can be made in this plug wrap 52 at a distance of about 10 mm -15 mm, preferably about 12 mm -13 mm, from the mouth end of the filter.

[0058] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a part of the system intended for making filter subassemblies 26 for cigarettes. During manufacture, a series of absorption members 54 made of cellulose acetate are provided. These absorption members 54 have a generally cylindrical shape and have a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 10 mm. Each of these absorption members 54 is preferably twice as long as the first absorption member 32 and the second absorption member 34, because each absorption member 54 will finally be cut to form the first absorption member 32 and the second absorption member 34. Of course, if the first absorption member 32 and the second absorption member 34 have different lengths, each of the absorption members 54 preferably has a length corresponding to the combined length of the first absorption member 32 and the second absorption member 34. In addition, each of the members 54 may contain two different compositions under relative to the fiber size and density of the fibrous material to obtain members 54 with different absorption characteristics.

[0059] The absorption members 54 are moved along the assembly line at certain appropriately spaced intervals applied between adjacent absorption members 54. A layer of impermeable material, such as cellophane 55, which finally forms the outer cover 40, is arranged forming a U around the bottom parts and sides of the absorption members 54, see also Fig. 4. This U-shaped configuration of the cellophane layer 55 allows insertion or admission of capsules due to gravity into the space created between adjacent absorption members 54. After the capsules 36 have been placed between adjacent absorption members 54, a small amount of hot melt adhesive from the dispenser or applicator 57 is applied to the overlapping edges when the sides of the cellophane layer have already been superimposed to seal fusing the cellophane ends to each other.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, one capsule 36 is placed between each pair of adjacent absorption members 54. However, if more than one capsule should be used or if a number of microcapsules need to be placed between adjacent absorption members 54, then an appropriate number of capsules (microcapsules or macrocapsules) is placed there, and the cellophane layer is applied to the top and the ends are bonded together.

[0061] Although in a preferred embodiment, the cellophane layer 55 forms the outer cover 40, other materials that are suitable for use in cigarettes and are sufficiently impermeable to the fluid contained within the capsules can be used. Nevertheless, the costs and possibilities of gluing or joining the ends of the layer together should be considered. For example, the outer cover 40 may be provided with a suitable thermoplastic film layer, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, etc., using a suitable gluing or welding mechanism, such as welding, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Similarly, the outer cover 40 can be provided by systems other than by using a U-shaped channel. For example, it may be possible to wrap a layer of material around the first and second absorption members 32, 34 and the capsule or capsules 36 between them.

[0062] Referring now to Fig. 5, a series of absorption members 54 and capsules 36 located inside the outer cover 40 are fed to the filling nozzle 62. Fibrous material 60 of cellulose acetate is placed around the outer cover 40 via the filling nozzle 62. Series

The absorbing nodes 54 with the capsules 36 and the outer cover 40 between them are then passed through the steam head 62 to close the cellulose acetate fibrous steam material to the annular layer 42 surrounding the outer cover 40. The plug wrap can then be applied around the outer surface of the annular layer 42. US 4 064 791 discloses a system for forming a ring layer of steam-closed cellulose acetate.

[0063] Referring now to Fig. 6, a series of absorption members 54, the capsules 36 interposed between them, an outer cover 40 of cellophane and an annular layer 42 of cellulose acetate (as well as any plug wrappers) are cut to obtain double subassemblies 70 These dual components 70 are made by cutting every other absorption member 54 in the series of absorption members 54 substantially in the middle of the distance between adjacent capsules. [0064] Each of these dual subassemblies 70 comprises one half of the first absorption member 72, first capsule 74, second absorption member 76, second capsule 78, and one half of the third absorption member 80, occurring sequentially inside the outer cover 40 and the annular layer 42 made of cellulose acetate located around the outer cover 40 of cellophane.

[0065] Still making reference to Fig. 6, a series of double subassemblies 70 are then combined with additional absorption members 82 sandwiched between adjacent dual subassemblies 70. Additional absorption members 82 are made of cellulose acetate by cutting the filter core 84 into additional absorption members 82. The filter core 84 may be encapsulated within the plug wrap. Each of the additional absorption members 82 is preferably long enough to form two of the four absorption members of subassembly 26 (see Fig. 1). In addition, some predetermined amount of activated carbon 86 is placed between each of the additional absorption members 82 and adjacent dual subassemblies 70. In this way, a certain amount of activated carbon 86 is placed on both sides of each of the additional absorption members 82.

[0066] A series of additional absorption members 82, some amounts of activated carbon 86, as well as dual components 70 are encapsulated within plug wrap 88, as is conventionally known in the art of making multi-component cigarette filters.

[0067] In a preferred manufacturing example, every second in the series of additional absorption members is cut halfway between adjacent double subassemblies 70. The cutting step produces a series of quadruple subassemblies 90. Each of these quadruple subassemblies 90 includes one half of the first additional absorption member 92, first amount of activated carbon 94, first double subassembly 96, second amount of activated carbon 98, second additional absorption member 100, third amount of activated carbon 102, second double subassembly 104, fourth the amount of activated carbon 106, as well as one half of the third additional absorption member 108.

[0068] Referring to Fig. 7, in a preferred manufacturing method, each of the quadruple subassemblies 90 is cut into individual cigarette filter subassemblies 103. During manufacture, the first double subassembly 96 is cut halfway between adjacent capsules, while the second double subassembly 104 is cut halfway between adjacent capsules to make the single filter subassemblies 103. Then, the cellulose filter core 120 is cut into additional absorption members 122, and one of these to 13

EP 1 895 863 -1 additional absorption members 122 are placed between two of the individual filtration components 103. The individual filtration components 103 are so oriented that the capsule 36 is positioned between some activated carbon 86 and the additional absorption member 122.

[0069] The two individual filter sub-assemblies 103 and the additional absorption member 122 result in a dual filter assembly 140 for a cigarette. Typically, at this point, the tobacco core 22 is attached to each end of the dual cigarette filter assembly 140, with the tobacco cores used adjacent the fourth absorption members 30 of the cigarette filter assembly 24 (see also Fig. 1). The filter core and filter assemblies can be provided with appropriate plug wraps and external wrapper papers, as required. Then, these additional absorption members 122 are cut in half to form the third absorption members 28 of the cigarette filter assembly, and also to produce two cigarettes, each having a separate cigarette filter assembly.

[0070] If needed, then some activated carbon 38 may be reduced or even omitted, and then the fourth absorption member 30 may be located adjacent the other end of the cigarette filter assembly 24. If some activated carbon 38 is omitted and the fourth absorption member 30 is located directly adjacent to the second end of the cigarette filter subassembly 24, this fourth absorption member 30 may have activated carbon or other sorbent articles dispersed in the fibrous material. Alternatively, if some activated carbon 38 is omitted, the fourth absorption member 30 may also be omitted from the cigarette 20. In addition, the third absorption member 28 may be omitted from the cigarette 20.

[0071] Referring again to Fig. 1, the orientation of the cigarette filter assembly 24 relative to the tobacco core 22 should be reversed so that the capsule 36 is placed between the tobacco core 22 and some activated carbon 38 or some other sorbent. Depending on the contents of the capsule 36, it may be beneficial to position the capsule in front of and not after the sorbent.

[0072] The capsule 36 is preferably spherical and has a diameter of about 4.5 mm - 4.7 mm, with a diameter of the cylindrical first and second absorption members 32, 34 of about 5 mm. In this way, air can flow around the capsule through a channel located at the outer cover 40 running between the first and second absorption members 32, 34. The capsule preferably has a frangible wall that encloses the additive material inside. This brittle wall is broken and reveals additional material when the capsule is exposed to external force.

[0073] If desired, the capsule used to enclose the additive material may be a two-part capsule and may include a first reservoir for the additive material, where the additive material may be in any form suitable for release from the capsule. As an example, the first reservoir may be completely or partially filled with liquid additive or additives and / or may contain: a porous compressible material such as a sponge soaked with an additive (s), or non-absorbent solids to reduce the space available for the additive (s) ), or containing such an additive microcapsules used to protect it against possible premature rupture during filter operations. Preferably, the walls of one or more caps14

EP 1 895 863 uł1 knots protect the additive material against migration and allow controlled release of the additive material.

[0074] In a two-part capsule, these two parts can seal and / or block additive material inside the first reservoir and prevent leakage of additive material prior to deliberate release due to mechanical action. The capsule may contain two parts that are locked or tightly seated in place and then partly separated by external force to release fluid or vapors from the internal additive material coming from inside the two-part capsule. A seal made by two parts can be a mechanical seal. However, to improve the quality of the seal, a band seal can be used outside the capsules where the two parts of the capsule come together. The bands can be made of gelatin, hydroxypropylmethyl (HPMC) or other suitable materials, and preferably material similar to the material used to make the capsules.

[0075] In order to release the additive contained within the capsules, it is preferably applied by an external force such as by mechanical action. One preferred way of operating with external force would be for the user to squeeze or exert external force on the filter containing the capsule before lighting a cigarette or while smoking. This compression or external force action would preferably break or at least partially deform the first reservoir, which in turn would displace the mechanically blocked or sealed internal components in the capsule. Such displacement would then create one or more open spaces between the internal components, and through them at least some of the additive material could be released from the capsule, e.g. fluid and / or vapors could be released from the capsule to modify tobacco smoke passing through the filter. The action of force can take place in a direction running along or across the axis of the cigarette. Torsion may also be used. An external device, such as a clamping device, tubular compression device, pliers, or other device used for the application of torsional or compressive force can also be used to concentrate the force several times in the right place of the filter.

[0076] In the case of a two-part capsule, the two parts may be separated physically instead of breaking when squeezed by the user to ensure a relatively predicted effect. Nevertheless, the break may also be used as a rupture of the capsule, which would also result in open spaces through which at least part of the additive material can be released from the capsule.

[0077] In the case of a unit capsule, flavoring solutions may be enclosed in a single-part non-bonded capsule. In one embodiment, the microcapsules can be used in a cigarette filter, said microcapsules having additional materials inside. Similarly, macrocapsules and microcapsules can be broken by force, the macrocapsules and microcapsules being broken to release the additive materials contained therein.

[0078] It should be noted that the terms "capsules" or "macrocapsules" are intended to mean large capsules, preferably having a diameter equal to or greater than about 1 mm, while the term "microcapsules" means smaller capsules, preferably smaller than 1 mm.

EP 1 895 863 Β1 [0079] A preferred cigarette would comprise a tobacco rod integrally attached to the filter, the filter comprising a filtration subassembly having at least one capsule containing an additive material for modifying cigarette smoke characteristics.

[0080] Preferably, the cigarette filter is provided with one or more capsules downstream of the sorbent material, with the filter material between one or more capsules and the sorbent material or at the mouth end of the filter, with one or more capsules located between the mouth end of the filter or between filter and the mouthpiece end of the filter.

[0081] A double capsule can also be used here. Preferably, such a double capsule can be made by using a smaller capsule inside a larger one. These two capsules may contain materials or compositions that may or may not be compatible with each other. Double capsules, such as DuoCap ™ from Encap Drug Delivery from W. Lothian, Scotland, can be used to contain additive (s).

[0082] A certain amount of activated carbon 38 provides the sorbent for the cigarette. The capsule 36 can be opened by the user of the cigarette by squeezing the filter in the area of ​​the capsule 36, which causes deformation and / or breakage or opening of the capsule 36 and thus the additive is released and the additive is exposed to the main stream of smoke passing through the filter.

[0083] Preferably, the capsule 36 has a tear strength of about 5 N - 8 N (0.5 kG 0.8 kG), 8 N -12 N (0.8 kG -1.2 kG), 12 N -16 N (1.2 kg -1.6 kg), 16 N -20 N (1.6 kg - 2.0 kg) or 20 N 24 N (2.0 kg - 2.4 kg), where kg = kg -force.

[0084] In another embodiment, the capsule may be in the form of one or more microcapsules in which the additive (s) have been enclosed. Each microcapsule can be used alone or in combination with other microcapsules. When used in a cigarette, each microcapsule may contain the same or different additives as the other microcapsule (other microcapsules) used in the cigarette (if present), depending on the need for the particular additive (s) to be used. For example, the combination of ten menthol capsules with five tobacco microcapsules can be introduced into a cigarette filter to obtain the preferred menthol-tobacco flavor combination.

[0085] Typically, the amount of additive used in one cigarette can be extremely small because the additive is essentially sealed in capsules during the packaging and storage of the cigarette. As an example, when a flavoring is used as an additive, a few drops, e.g. 3 pl 6 pl, 6 pl - 9 pl, 9 pl - 12 pl, it is sufficient to use the flavoring in microcapsules, or more such drops, e.g. 6 pl - 9 pl, 9 pl - 12 pl or 12 pl -15 pl or more may be sufficient for a two-part capsule or microcapsule to provide the right amount of flavoring for the mainstream smoke when smoking a cigarette.

[0086] The viscosity of the additive may also be controlled to allow controlled absorption of the additive to the absorption members 32, 34 made of cellulose acetate. The outer cover 40 made of, for example, cellophane prevents contamination by the outer layers of the cigarette filter, such as the outer tissue wrapper. The viscosity modifiers that can be used include beeswax or other waxes for hydrophobic compositions and modified cellulose materials etc. for hydrophilic compositions.

EP 1 895 863 Β1 [0087] The capsules may be of any size suitable for use in a cigarette, e.g. smaller than 2 mm, 2 mm - 3 mm, 3 mm - 4 mm, 4 mm - 5 mm or larger than 5 mm, while components containing capsules may have different lengths depending on the filter length, e.g. less than 8 mm, 8 mm -10 mm, 10 mm - 12 mm, or more than 12 mm. In the case of traditional cigarettes, the capsule has a diameter of preferably 4 mm - 5 mm.

[0088] It should be noted that the sorbent may also be introduced into the fibrous material for the filter. For example, activated charcoal can be introduced into the corrugation wells of the fibrous material or also inside the fibrous material itself, the fibrous material forming a component of the cigarette. [0089] To make substantially spherical flavoring capsules, a concentric nozzle can be used for co-extruding capsules having a flavoring core and a shell, the core being formed by a central channel of the concentric nozzle, while the shell being formed by an outer concentric nozzle passage. Such a capsule formed at the end of the concentric nozzle can be dropped into the solution where gelation may occur. Due to this concurrent extrusion of the liquid, the central core and the outer wall layer of the shell, a capsule with the liquid center and the gelatinized wall of the shell can be formed, resulting in a structural room for a liquid additive. Alternatively, simple extrusion can also be used to produce capsules.

[0090] Preferably the flavoring capsules can be made containing flavoring cores which can be hydrophobic such as peppermint oil, menthol or other additives as mentioned above, as well as outer layers such as shell walls made of natural polysaccharides or both natural and modified polysaccharides, but they can also be polymer or other shell wall materials. Preferred polysaccharides include pectin, alginate, gum carrageenan, resins and agar. Preferred polysaccharides include proteins such as gelatin, modified cellulose materials, or synthetic polymers such as polyacrylate derivatives.

[0091] It may also be possible for simple extrusion to make capsules. For example, a hydrophobic flavor can be dispersed in a solution of a hydrophilic polysaccharide and the suspension can be extruded through a single nozzle into a water-based cationic solution suitable for cross-linking the polysaccharide. By allowing the hydrophobic flavoring to separate from the hydrophobic components of this system (polysaccharide and cation), various hydrophobic cores can be made in the capsule.

[0092] For example, simple extrusion to make capsules can be accomplished by mixing a mixture of 1.1 g menthol-mint flavoring composition in a vial containing 5 ml and LM20 (aminated lower methoxylated pectin with a methoxy content of 20%), 5 wt. solution of this pectin in water. The vial can then be shaken vigorously to obtain a suspension of the flavoring in the pectin solution. The suspension can then be extruded through the syringe needle dropwise into the calcium chloride solution under continuous stirring. As a result, capsules with a size of about 1 mm - 2 mm can be made as soon as the droplets enter the solution, by cross-linking pectin through calcium cations. The capsules can then be collected and air dried. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the cross-section of capsules made using the above-mentioned exemplary methodology, it can be observed that the capsules can be formed with different core and shell geometries, as well as with uneven dispersion of the menthol aroma composition17

EP 1 895 863 Β1 mint. Similarly, another mixture containing 2.2 g of glycerol, 0.3 g of menthol-mint aroma composition and 1.5 g of a 5% LM20 pectin solution can be made. Capsules made from this mixture can be similarly formed by precipitation in calcium chloride solution, and core geometry and shells similar to other capsules can be obtained.

[0093] The thickness of the outer layer can be controlled by the nozzle configuration, wherein the ratio and size of the flavoring core and the outer layer can be specially selected. Alternatively, the thickness of the outer layer can also be controlled by appropriately selecting the outer layer material and the solution used to gel the outer layer material, whereby the outer layer material can react quickly or slowly and thus form thicker or thinner layers of the outer shell wall, depending on solution reaction speed.

[0094] The flavoring core as mentioned above is preferably a hydrophobic flavor but may also be a hydrophilic flavor. However, if a hydrophilic flavor is desired, then the properties of the outer layer material are preferably different from those used for hydrophobic flavors. In addition, the flavoring core may also be a dispersion of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, preferably the hydrophilic component contains cations that can affect the outer area of ​​the outer layer. The thickness can also be controlled by coating on the primary capsule an additional ion gelatin capsule or other means.

[0095] In addition, additives may be used to control strength, thermal stability, capsule functionality, etc. For example, crosslinking additives and humectants can be used to control the strength of the outer shell wall layers, while surfactants can be used to control the convergence of the hydrophyte and hydrophobic phases between the flavoring core and the outer layer of the shell wall or between the outer layer of the shell wall and the solution.

[0096] Although this invention has been described in detail with reference to its specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, as well as the use of its equivalents, without departing from the scope of the claims.