MX2015005386A

MX2015005386A - A filter for a smoking article.

Info

Publication number: MX2015005386A
Application number: MX2015005386A
Authority: MX
Inventors: John Richardson; Lance Mucalo; Nicholas Walpone; Matthew Knight; Santiago Morales; Peter Wan
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Co
Priority date: 2012-10-31
Filing date: 2013-10-29
Publication date: 2015-07-21
Also published as: BR122021013385B1; CA2888967A1; BR112015009443B1; EP2914137A1; AU2013340588B2; JP3219297U; MY178585A; WO2014068295A1; CN104869854A; CA3116933A1; GB201219540D0; HK1208601A1; UA97502U; US20210030057A1; RU143582U1; UA115998C2; HUE041761T2; KR102454343B1; KR102219760B1; KR102273017B1

Abstract

A filter for a smoking article has a first filter section comprising a filter material and a smoke modifying additive disposed in an axial region thereof and a second filter section connected to the first filter section and having at least one channel located in an axial region thereof for directing smoke, in use, through the axial region of the first filter section. The smoke modifying additive can comprise a flavourant such as menthol and the second filter section can comprise a tubular section of fibrous filter material. An adsorbent filter section can also be provided.

Description

FILTER FOR AN ARTICLE TO SMOKE TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a filter for a smoking article and a smoking article that includes a filter.

BACKGROUND Known smoking article filters, such as cigarette filters, generally comprise a continuous tow of filamentous cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate is combined to form a rod that is cut to form individual filter sections at the same time. The filter for an article for smoking can be made from a single segment of filter rod or of multiple segments, with or without a cavity or spaces between them.

SUMMARY According to the embodiments of the invention, a filter is provided for a smoking article comprising a first section of the filter which at the same time comprises a filter material and a smoke modifying additive arranged in an axial region thereof. , and a second filter section connected to said first filter section, comprising the second filter section filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region thereof to direct smoke, during use, through the axial region of the first filter section in which the smoke modifying additive is disposed. The first and second filter sections can be discrete filter sections and / or the smoke modifier additive can be arranged only in said axial region of the filter material of the first filter section or in a higher concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section.

The at least one channel may have a lower resistance to smoke passing through it than other regions of the filter material of the first filter section. The channel can be a hollow passage through the second filter section.

The second filter section may be connected to said first filter section so as to be immediately downstream or upstream of said first filter section when incorporated into a smoking article.

The axial region of said filter material of said first and / or second filter sections may have a radius of between 1 m and 4 mm and / or be centered on the axis of the smoking article.

The first filter section may comprise continuous filter material having the smoke modifier additive disposed in the axial region thereof. The second filter section may comprise a tubular filter section. The tubular filter section may be formed of a fibrous filter material.

The smoke modifier additive can be disposed at a higher concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section.

The smoke modifier additive can be arranged only in said axial region of filter material of the first filter section.

The second filter section can be configured, during use, to direct a larger portion of smoke through the axial region of the first filter section than through the non-axial regions of the first filter section.

The smoke modifier additive may comprise an encapsulated additive. The smoke modifier additive may be contained within a capsule that is located within the first filter section at a position different from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

The capsule can be located within the first filter section in a position between 1 rtim and 10 mm in a longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

The smoke modifier additive can be arranged in a carrier material. The carrier material may comprise a strand.

The filter may further comprise a third filter section connected to said first filter section so as to make it upstream of said first filter section when incorporated into a smoking article. The third filter section can be a discrete filter section. The third filter section may comprise the fibrous filter material and a granular adsorbent material. The granular adsorbent material may be disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section, dispersed within the filter material of the third filter section or, comprises some granular adsorbent material disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section and some granular adsorbent material dispersed within the third filter section.

According to the embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a smoking article comprising a filter as defined above.

The second filter section can be arranged immediately downstream of said first filter section and at the mouth end of the smoking article.

According to the embodiments of the invention, there is further provided an article for smoking comprising a first section which in turn comprises an aerosol generating material and an aerosol modifier additive disposed in an axial region thereof, and a second section comprising a filter having at least one channel located in an axial region thereof for directing the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material, during use, through the axial region of the first section.

The second section may comprise a tubular filter section. The tubular filter section may be formed of a fibrous filter material.

The aerosol modifier additive may be disposed at a higher concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the aerosol generating material of the first section.

The second section, during use, can direct a larger portion of smoke through the axial region of the first section than through the non-axial regions of the first section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying figures, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a downstream tubular filter section and an upstream filter section including an additive encapsulated in the form of a brittle capsule; FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular filter section and a filter section including a strand carrying an additive; FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with a tubular filter section and a filter section including an additive encapsulated in the form of a plurality of fragile capsules; FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter similar to that described with respect to FIGURE 1, but also including an additional filter section having an adsorbent dispersed in the filter material; FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter similar to that described with respect to FIGURE 2, but also comprising an additional filter section which in turn comprises an adsorbent dispersed in the filter material and disposed in a circumferential region of the filter material; FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of an article for smoking with an aerosol generating section and a tubular filter section, the aerosol generating section having an encapsulated additive in the form of a plurality of dispersed microcapsules within an axial region of the same; Y FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article having a filter with an upstream tubular filter section and a downstream filter section including an additive encapsulated in the form of a brittle capsule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used herein, the term "article for smoking" includes smokable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos are based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat products without combustion and others. Nicotine discharge devices suitable for generating an aerosol that is delivered to a consumer. Such smoking articles can be provided with a filter of the gaseous flow extracted by the smoker.

Smoking items such as cigarettes and their formats are often named according to the length of the cigarette: "common" (typically in the range of 68-75 mm), for example between about 68 m and 72 m), "short" or "mini" (68 mm or less), "extra-large" (king-size) (typically in the range of 75-91 mm, for example between approximately 79 mm and 88 mm), "long" or "extra-large" (super-king) (typically in the range of 91-105 mm, for example between approximately 94 mm and 101 mm) and "ultra-long" ( typically in the range of between about 110 mm and 121 mm).

They are also called according to the circumference of the cigarette: "common" (approximately 23-25 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "thin" (slim) (approximately 22-23 m), "semi-thinned" ( demi-slim) (approximately 19-22 m), "super-slim" (super-slim) (approximately 16-19 mm) and "micro-slim" (less than approximately 16 mm). Accordingly, an extra-large cigarette and super-thin format, for example, will have a length of approximately 83 mm and a circumference of approximately 17 mm. The cigarettes of common size and extra-large size are preferred by many consumers, namely, with a circumference of between 23 and 25 mm and an overall length of between 75 and 91 mm.

Each format can be produced with filters of different lengths, generally using the smallest filters in the formats of smaller lengths and circumferences. Typically the length of the filter will be between 15 mm, associated with short and common formats, and 30 mm, 5 associated with ultra long and super thin formats. The nozzle paper will have a longer length than the filter, for example it will be 3 to 10 mm longer.

The smoking articles and filters described hereafter can be manufactured in any of the foregoing formats. The article for smoking can be, for example, between 70 and 100 mm in length and between 14 and 25 mm in circumference.

The terms 'upstream' and 'downstream' which are used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of the smoke (or other aerosol) of the main stream drawn through a smoking article during use.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 1 which is generally cylindrical 20 and of common and extra large format, namely having a length in the range of 75-91 mm and a circumference in the range between 23 and 25 mm. The article for smoking 1 includes a tobacco rod 2 wrapped in a wrapping material 3, in this example cigarette paper, 25 connected longitudinally to a filter 4 by material of filter paper 5 which is superimposed on the filter 4 and, partially, on the wrapping material 3 so as to connect the filter 4 to the tobacco rod 2. The filter 4 comprises a first section 6 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 4 comprising absorbent material 7 with a capsule 8 disposed therein in an axial region of the filter material of the first section 6. The axial region, in the present example, is a region centered on the axis 'a' of the article for smoking 1, which has a radius of about 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be any of between 1 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 3 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm , 3 mm or 3.5 rom. The capsule 8 or other additive material can only be arranged in the axial region of the filter material of the first filter section 6 or it can be arranged in greater concentration in the axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first section of the filter. filter 6. The first section is wrapped in a first filter paper 9.

The filter 4 further comprises a second section 10 at the mouth end of the filter 4 which in turn comprises the fibrous filter material 11 configured in a tubular shape and with a channel 12 extending through the center of the filter material 11. The empty or hollow channel 12 that extends through the center of the material of filter 11 can have between 1 mm and 6 mm in diameter, for example between 2 mm and 5 mm in diameter. The channel 12 extending through the center of the filter material 11, in the present example, is an empty and hollow passage. The channel, in some embodiments, extends through an axial region of the filter material of the second filter section 10. The axial region of the second filter section 10, in the present example, is a centered region in the axis 'a' of the article for smoking 1, with a JO radio of approximately 2.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the radius of the axial region can be any of between 1 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 3 mm, or of about 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm. In the present example, the tubular filter section 15 is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 13. The wall thickness of the tubular filter is about 1.5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the wall thickness can be anywhere between 1 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm 20 and 3 mm, or approximately 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm , 3 mm or 3.5 mm. However, the specific dimensions can be selected based on the density of the filter material forming the tube and the level of plasticizer applied to the material, to result in a tube that 25 has rigidity, porosity or other characteristics desired. The tubular filter section 10 can be manufactured using existing processes and machinery.

The first segment 6 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous acetate fibers and a plasticizer. The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5 mm, although other shapes and sizes of capsule may be employed, and contains a fluid additive that modifies the properties of the mainstream smoke passing through the smoking article 1. The capsule 8 can be fabricated and inserted into the first filter section 6 using existing processes and machinery. In the present example, the capsule 8 contains menthol flavoring, although other fluids or granular additives could be contained within the capsule 8. The capsule can be broken by a consumer in order to release the fluid additive in the filter absorbent material. .

The axis of the smoking article 1, around which the tobacco rod 2 and the first and second filter sections 6, 10 are aligned, is indicated as 'a' in FIGURE 1.

In the present example, the capsule 8 is located in an 'axial region' of the first filter section 6, as already defined. The capsule 8 can be positioned so that the center of the capsule is closer to the axis 'a' of the smoking article 1 than to the outer periphery of the smoking article 1. In the present example, the capsule 8 it is located with its center substantially along the 'a' axis. In the present example, the capsule 8 is displaced from the longitudinal center of the first filter section 6. In the present example, the capsule 8 is located within the first filter section 6 in a position of 1 m to 10 mm with respect to a longitudinally central position within the first filter section 6. The capsule 8 is located within a portion of the first filter section 6 closer to the downstream end of the first filter section 6 and, therefore, more near the second filter section 10 that of the tobacco rod 2.

In particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 8 and the downstream end of the first filter section 6 is less than half the total and longitudinal length of the first filter section 6. In some forms of realization, the distance 'd' is less than 40%, less than 30% or less than 25% of the total and longitudinal length of the first section of 0 filter 6. In the present example, the distance 'd 'is approximately 30% of the total and longitudinal length of the first filter section 6. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 8 can be located in the central and longitudinal position within the first filter section 6 or more near the running end above the first filter section 6 than the downstream end.

In the present example, the smoking article 1 is provided with ventilation holes (not shown) through the filter paper material 5 and the first filter paper 9, providing ventilation to the first filter section 6. If are formed by laser drilling in line, the ventilation holes are preferably located in a longitudinal position different from the position in which the capsule 8 is located, to avoid damage to the capsule 8 during manufacture. For example, in a smoking article with a first upstream filter section 6 of 20 mm in length and a second downstream filter section 10 of 7 mm in length, ventilation can be provided 20 mm from the end of the mouth, while the capsule 8 is located longitudinally and centrally within the first filter section and, at 3.5 mm in diameter, therefore extends from 15.25 mm to 18.75 mm from the mouth end.

During use, a consumer ignites the tobacco rod 2 of the smoking article 1 in the conventional manner and the tobacco smoke is extracted from the burning coal of the tobacco rod 2 through the filter 4. The channel 12 of the second filter section 10 has lower resistance to mainstream smoke that passes to through the filter 4 that the surrounding tubular filter material 11 and, therefore, a greater proportion of mainstream smoke is directed through the channel 12. This, in turn, results in greater smoke flow 5 of the main stream in the axial region about the axis 'a' of the first filter section 6, where the capsule 8 is located. When the consumer breaks the capsule 8 before or in the course of smoking the article for smoking 1, The additive or modifier of the smoke contained in it, in the present case menthol, in the axial region of the first filter section is released in greater concentration. 6 through which a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed as a result of the second filter section 10. Accordingly, the greater flow of smoke from the main stream extends the delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoking article 1 may exhibit an improved discharge of a smoke modifying additive to a consumer, as compared to conventional smoking articles.

Since the capsule 8 is located within a portion of the first filter section 6 closer to the second filter section 10 than to the tobacco rod 2, the effect of the increased smoke flow of the 25 main stream in the contents of the capsule 8, a once released. The use of the second tubular section 10 at the mouth end of the smoking article 1 enables the capsule 8 to be located closer to the mouth end of the smoking article 1 than would be possible if the first section 6 which contains the capsule 8 was at the end of the mouth of the article for smoking 1. This is because the tube separates the first section 6 from the mouth of the consumer, preventing the contents of the capsule 8 from coming into contact with the mouth of the consumer.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 21 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoking article 21 are the same as those of the smoking article 1 described with respect to FIGURE 1, unless otherwise stated below.

The smoking article 21 includes a tobacco rod 22 wrapped in a wrapping material 23, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 24 by filter paper material 25 which is superimposed on the filter 24 and partially on the material for wrapping 23. The filter 24 comprises a first section 26 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 24 comprising absorbent material 27. In the present case, instead of having a capsule 8 arranged in the first 25 filter section, the absorbent material 27 has a additive carrier strand 28 disposed therein in an axial region (not shown) of the first section 26, wherein the axial region of the first filter section 26 is as defined in relation to the first filter section 6 5 of the article for smoking 1 described above. The strand, for example, can be formed of continuous cotton or acetate fibers and loaded with between 0.1 and 10 mg of flavor, such as menthol flavoring. It has been found that effective levels of between 0.2 and 2 mg, or between 0.2 and 1 mg of flavor are effective. The first section 26 is wrapped in a first filter paper 29.

The strand 28 carries an additive capable of modifying the smoke of the main stream passing through the filter 24, in the present case flavoring of menthol.

The filter 24 further comprises a second section 30 at the mouth end of the filter 24 which in turn comprises the fibrous filter material 31 configured in a tubular shape and with a channel 32 extending through the center of the material of the filter. filter 31 or through 20 an axial region of it, similar to the second section 10 of the filter 4 of FIGURE 1 described above. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 33.

The first segment 26 is an acetate segment of cellulose that is formed using continuous acetate fibers and a plasticizer. The strand 28 can be inserted into the filter material during the formation of the filter section 26 using existing processes and machinery.

During use, the smoking article 21 illustrated in FIGURE 2 operates similarly to the smoking article 1 illustrated in FIGURE 1. However, instead of breaking a capsule 8 to release a smoke modifying additive, the consumer can Simply smoke the article to smoke 21 in the usual way. In doing so, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed, as a result of the second filter section 30, through the axial region of the first filter section 26 in which the strand 28 carrying the modifying additive is located. of the smoke. Accordingly, when the article for smoking is smoked, the greater flow of main stream smoke extends the delivery of the smoke modifying additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoking article 1 can exhibit improved discharge of a modifier additive. smoke to a consumer than conventional smoking items.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 41 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the article for smoking 41 are equal to those of the smoking article 1 described with respect to FIGURE 1, unless otherwise stated below. The smoking article 41 includes a tobacco rod 42 wrapped in a wrapping material 43, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 44 by filter paper material 45 which is superimposed on the filter 44 and partly on the material for wrapping 43. The filter 44 comprises a first section 46 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 44 which comprises absorbent material 47. In the present case, instead of having a capsule 8 disposed in the first filter section, the absorbent material 47 has a plurality of microcapsules disposed therein in an axial region thereof, the axial region being as 15 defines in relation to the first filter section 6 of the smoking article 1 described above. The first section 46 is wrapped in a first filter paper 49.

The filter 44 further comprises a second section 50 at the mouth end of the filter 44 which in turn 0 comprises the fibrous filter material 51 configured in tubular form and with a channel 52 extending through the center of the filter material 51 or through the axial region thereof, as already described with respect to channel 12 of FIGURE 1. In the present For example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 53.

During use, the smoking article 41 illustrated in FIGURE 3 operates similarly to the smoking article 1 illustrated in FIGURE 1. However, instead of breaking a single capsule 8 to release a smoke modifying additive, the consumer breaks the plurality of microcapsules 48 before or in the course of smoking the smoking article 41. By doing so, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed, as a result of the second filter section 50, through the axial region of the first filter section 46 where the smoke modifier additive released from the microcapsules is located. Accordingly, when the smoking article is smoked, the increased flow of mainstream smoke extends the delivery of the smoke modifying additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoking article 41 can exhibit the improved discharge of a modifying additive. of smoke to a consumer than conventional smoking items.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 61 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoking article 61 are the same as those of the smoking article 1 described with respect to FIGURE 1, unless it is subsequently expressed from another mode. The smoking article 61 includes a tobacco rod 62 wrapped in a wrapping material 63, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 64 by filter paper material 65 which is superimposed on the filter 64 and partly to the material for 63. The filter 64 comprises three filter sections, including a first central section 66 which in turn comprises the absorbent material 67 and a capsule 68 arranged in an axial region thereof, the axial region being as defined in FIG. relationship with the first filter section 6 of the smoking article 1 described above. The first section 66 is wrapped in a first filter paper 69.

A second filter section 70 is disposed at the mouth end of the three-part filter 64 and comprises the fibrous filter material 71 formed in tubular form and with a channel 72 extending through the center of the filter material 71 or through the axial region thereof, as already described with respect to channel 12 of FIGURE 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 73 A third filter section 74 is disposed at the tobacco end of the three-part filter 64 and comprises granules of adsorbent material 75, in the present case activated carbon granules, dispersed within a fibrous filter material 76. In the present example, the adsorbent material 75 is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a third filter paper 77. In the present example, they are used 40 mg of activated carbon granules, although other amounts may be used, such as between 10 mg and 80 mg or between 10 mg and 50 mg.

In the present example, the capsule 68 is located within a portion of the first filter section 66 nearer the downstream end of the first filter section 66 or the second filter section 70 than the upstream end of the filter section 66. the first filter section or the tobacco rod 62. In particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 68 and the running end 15 downstream of the first filter section 66 is approximately 30% of the total length and longitudinal of the first filter section 66. In alternative embodiments, the capsule 68 may be located longitudinally and centrally within the first filter section 66 or closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 66 that from the downstream end.

The first filter section 66 has a length of 10 m in the present example, the second filter section 70 70 a length of 7 mm and the third filter section 74 a length of 10 nun, although other section lengths may be used. Ventilation is provided in the third filter section at a position 22 mm from the mouth end of the smoking article 61.

During use, the smoking article 61 illustrated in FIGURE 4 operates similarly to the smoking article 1 illustrated in FIGURE 1, the third additional filter section 74 providing additional selective smoke filtering upstream of the first section filter 66 and, therefore, without influencing the discharge of additive smoke modifier to the consumer.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 81 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoking article 81 are the same as those of the smoking article 61 described with respect to FIGURE 4, unless otherwise stated below. The smoking article 81 includes a tobacco rod 82 wrapped in wrapping material 83, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 84 by the filter paper material 85 which is superimposed on the filter 84 and partly on the wrapping material 83. The filter 84 comprises three filter sections, which include a first central section 86 which 25 in turn comprises the absorbent material 87 and, instead of a capsule 68, a strand 88 disposed therein, in an axial region thereof, the axial region being as defined in relation to the first filter section 6 of the smoking article 1 described above. The first section 86 is wrapped in a first filter paper 89.

A second filter section 90 is disposed at the mouth end of the three part filter 84 and comprises the fibrous filter material 91 configured in tubular form and with a channel 92 extending through the center of the filter material 91 or through the axial region thereof, as already described with respect to channel 12 of FIGURE 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 93 A third filter section 94 is disposed at the tobacco end of the three-part filter 84 and comprises the granules of adsorbent material 95, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed within a fibrous filter material 96. The third section filter 94 also comprises granules of adsorbent material 97, in the present case granules of activated carbon, dispersed in a circumferential region thereof. However, they can be omitted in the alternative examples. In the present example, the fibrous filter material 96 is formed of cellulose acetate tow and the third filter section 94 wrapped in a third filter paper 98. Granules of adsorbent material 97 dispersed in a circumferential region of the third filter section 94 are applied to an inner surface of the filter paper 98 in a pattern of longitudinally extended strips, four of which are radially spaced evenly around the third filter section 94. Adhering the strips of granular adsorbent material 97 to the filter paper in a symmetrical pattern around a filter section can help to prevent the filter section is deformed as a result of the adhesive used, while maximizing the amount of granular material 97 present in the filter section.

The first filter section 86 has a length of 10 mm in the present example, the second filter section 90 a length of 7mm and the third filter section 94 a length of 10mm, although other section lengths may be employed. Ventilation is provided, for example, in the first and third filter sections at the respective 13 m and 20 mm positions relative to the mouth end of the smoking article 81.

During use, the smoking article 81 illustrated in FIGURE 5 operates similarly to the smoking article 21 illustrated in FIGURE 2, providing the third filter section 94 additional selective smoke filter. additional upstream of the first filter section 86 and, therefore, without influencing the delivery of smoke modifying additive to the consumer.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 101 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The article for smoking 101 in general is of cylindrical shape and extra large common format, namely that it has a length in the range of 75-91 m and a circumference in the range of 23 to 25 rom. JO The article for smoking 101 includes a tobacco rod 102 wrapped in a wrapping material 103, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 104 by the filter paper material 105 which is superimposed on the filter 104 and partly on the wrapping material 103. The filter 104 comprises a first section 106 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 104 which in turn comprises the absorbent material 107 and is wrapped in a first filter paper 108.

The filter 4 further comprises a second section 109 0 at the mouth end of the filter 104 which in turn comprises the fibrous filter material 110 configured in tubular form and with a channel 111 extending through the center of the filter material 110 or through the axial region thereof, as already described with respect to channel 12 of FIGURE 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 112.

Tobacco rod 102 includes a plurality of microcapsules 113 disposed in an axial region thereof at the filter end of tobacco rod 102, the axial region being similar in location and size to those defined in relation to the first section of tobacco. filter 6 of the article for smoking 1 described above, except that it is located inside the tobacco rod 102.

The axis of the smoking article 1, along which the tobacco rod 2 and the first and second filter sections 46, 50 are arranged, is indicated as 'a' in the FIGURE 1.

During use, the smoking article 101 illustrated in FIGURE 6 operates similarly to the smoking article 41 illustrated in FIGURE 3. However, instead of breaking the plurality of microcapsules 48 of a filter section before or at the In the course of smoking the article for smoking 41, the consumer breaks the plurality of microcapsules 113 located on the tobacco rod 102. By doing so, a greater flow of smoke from the main stream is directed as a result of the second filter section 109, through the axial region of the filter end of the tobacco rod 2 in which the modifier additive is located. smoke released from the microcapsules. The greater flow of smoke from the mainstream extends the delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoking article 101 can exhibit a better discharge of a smoke modifier additive to a consumer than the smoking articles. conventional FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of a smoking article 121 having a filter according to a further embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the smoking article 121 are the same as those of the smoking article 1 described with respect to the FIGURE 1, unless otherwise stated. The smoking article 121 includes a tobacco rod 122 wrapped in a wrapping material 123, in this example cigarette paper, longitudinally connected to a filter 124 by the filter paper material 125 which is superimposed on the filter 124 and partly on the wrapping material 123. The filter 124 comprises a first section 126 at the end of the mouth 0 of the filter 124, instead of the tobacco end of the filter, which comprises the absorbent material 127 and a capsule 128 disposed in an axial region of the same, the axial region being as defined in relation to the first filter section 6 of the smoking article 1 25 described above. The first section 126 is wrapped in a first filter paper 129. The capsule 128 contains an additive capable of modifying the smoke of the main stream passing through the filter 124, in the present case flavoring of menthol. 5 The filter 124 further comprises a second section 130 at the end of the tobacco rod of the filter 124 instead of at the mouth end of the filter 124 comprising the fibrous filter material 131 configured in tubular form and with a channel 132 extending through the center of the filter. filter material 131 or through an axial region thereof, similar to the second section 10 of filter 4 of FIGURE 1. In the present example, the tubular filter section is formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped in a second filter paper 133.

The first segment 126 is a segment of cellulose acetate formed using continuous acetate fibers and a plasticizer. The capsule 128 can be inserted into the filter material during the formation of the filter section 126 using existing processes and machinery. In the present example, the capsule 128 is located within a portion of the first filter section 126 closer to the upstream end of the first filter section 126 or the second filter section 130, than to the downstream end of the filter section 126. the first filter section 126 or the 25 end of the article mouth for smoking 121. In in particular, the distance 'd' between the center of the capsule 128 and the upstream end of the first filter section 126 is approximately 30% of the total and longitudinal length of the first filter section 126. In the 5 forms of alternative embodiments, the capsule 128 may be located longitudinally and centrally within the first filter section 126 or closer to the downstream end of the first filter section 126 than the upstream end.

Although it is not illustrated, the way in which the FIGURE 7 may also comprise a third filter section upstream of the second filter section 130 corresponding to any of the third filter sections 74, 94 described with respect to FIGURES 4 and 5.

During use, the smoking article 121 illustrated in FIGURE 7 operates similarly to the smoking article 1 illustrated in FIGURE 1. When the capsule 128 is broken to release a smoke-modifying additive, a greater flow of smoke is directed. Mainstream smoke, 0 as a result of the second filter section 130, through the axial region of the first filter section 126 into which the contents of the capsule 128 have been released. Accordingly, when the article is smoked to smoke the largest smoke flow the mainstream widens the 25 delivery of the smoke modifier additive to the consumer and, therefore, the smoking article 121 may exhibit a better discharge of a smoke modifying additive to a consumer than conventional smoking articles.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been described, although it is not limited to such embodiments. For example, although the second filter section has been described above as a tubular portion of fibrous filter material, it can assume other shapes, such as sections of filter material with regions of lower density that extend across a region. axial of it. In addition, the tubular section or other section with reduced density in an axial region has been described as being at the mouth end of the filter in some preceding embodiments, but in either embodiment may alternatively be used as a central end. or upstream of the multipatter filters, for example upstream of the section in which the smoke modifier additive is located, still benefiting from the effect of the invention at the same time. In particular, the presence of such a filter section can encourage directing smoke from the main stream to an axial region of a smoking article both upstream and downstream of the region, due to the lower resistance to draw that matches the axial region.

The first, second and (where present) third filter sections described above are discrete segments. Although the first, second and third (where present) filter sections described above are connected to each other using the filter paper material, they are individually separate and distinct after their formation and before connecting to each other. The filter paper material also connects the filter sections to the respective tobacco rod of each embodiment. In the alternative examples of each of the described embodiments, an additional filter paper may be used to connect the first, second and (where present) third filter sections discrete before connecting them to the tobacco rod using the material of filter paper.

In order to solve various problems and to advance in the technique, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention (s) can be put into practice and provide a superior discharge of modified smoke additives. The advantages and features of the disclosure pertain only to a representative sample of embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are exposed only to help understand and teach the claimed characteristics. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the disclosure should not be construed as limitations thereof as defined in the claims or limitations in equivalents of the claims, and that it may be other embodiments may be used and modifications introduced 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 elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. that have been disclosed. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A filter for an article to smoke, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it includes: a first discrete filter section which in turn comprises the filter material and a smoke modifier additive arranged in an axial region thereof; Y a second discrete filter section connected to said first filter section, wherein the second filter section comprises the filter material and at least one channel located in an axial region of the filter material, to direct the smoke, during use, to through the axial region of the first filter section in which the smoke modifier additive is disposed, where the smoke modifying additive is only arranged in said axial region of the filter material of the first filter section or in a higher concentration of said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the filter material of the first filter section and wherein the second filter section is configured, in use, to direct a larger portion of smoke through the axial region of the filter. first section of filter that through non-axial regions of the first filter section, and wherein the second filter section is connected to said first filter section as well as to make the second filter section immediately downstream of said first filter section when incorporated in a smoking article.

2. A filter according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the at least one channel has a lower resistance to smoke passing through it than other regions of the filter material of the first filter section.

3. A filter according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said channel is a hollow passage through the second filter section.

4. A filter according to any preceding claim, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said axial region of said filter material of said filter sections. The first and / or second has a radius of between 1 mm to 4 m and is centered on the axis of the article for smoking.

5. A filter according to any preceding claim, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the first filter section comprises the continuous filter material having the smoke modifier additive disposed in the axial region thereof.

6. A filter according to any preceding claim, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the second filter section comprises a tubular filter section. 25 7. A filter according to claim 6,

CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the tubular filter section is formed of a fibrous filter material.

8. A filter according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the The smoke modifier additive comprises an encapsulated additive.

9. A filter according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the smoke modifier additive is contained within a capsule which is located within the first filter section at a position different from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

10. A filter according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the capsule is located inside the 15 first filter section in a position of 1 mm to 10 mm from a longitudinally central position within the first filter section.

11. A filter according to any of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the additive or modifier of the smoke is arranged in a carrier material.

12. A filter according to claim 11,

CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the carrier material comprises a strand. 25 13. A filter according to any claim further, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it further comprises a third discrete filter section connected to said first filter section so as to be upstream of said first filter section when incorporated in a smoking article.

14. A filter according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the third filter section comprises fibrous filter material and a granular adsorbent material.

15. A filter according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the granular adsorbent material is disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section, dispersed within the filter material of the third filter section, or comprises some material 15 granular adsorbent disposed in a circumferential region of the third filter section and some granular adsorbent material dispersed within the third filter section.

16. A smoking article, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it comprises a filter according to any of the preceding claims.

17. A smoking article according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the second filter section is disposed immediately downstream of said first filter section and at the end 25 from the mouth of the article to smoke.

18. An article for smoking, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it includes: a first section which in turn comprises an aerosol generating material and an aerosol modifier additive disposed in an axial region thereof; Y a second section comprising a filter having at least one channel located in an axial region thereof for directing the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material, during use, through the axial region of the first section, wherein the second section, during use, directs a larger portion of aerosol through the axial region of the first section than through non-axial regions of the first section.

19. An article for smoking according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the second section comprises a tubular filter section.

20. An article for smoking according to claim 19, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the tubular filter section is formed of a fibrous filter material.

21. An article for smoking according to any of claims 18 to 20, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE the aerosol modifying additive is disposed at a higher concentration in said axial region than in the non-axial regions of the aerosol generating material of the first section .