Patent Application
20090044817
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to European Application No. 07253246.8, filed Aug. 17, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a multi-component filter for a smoking article and to a smoking article comprising such a multi-component filter.
Filter cigarettes typically comprise a rod of tobacco cut filler surrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod and attached thereto by tipping paper. Ventilation in the form of circumferential perforations is commonly provided at a location along the filter, to mix the mainstream smoke produced during combustion of the wrapped tobacco rod with ambient air.
In conventional filter cigarettes, the filter usually consists of a plug of cellulose acetate tow wrapped in porous plug wrap. However, filter cigarettes with multi-component filters that comprise two or more segments of filtration material for the removal of particulate and gaseous components of the mainstream smoke are also known. To enhance the flavour of the mainstream smoke, it is known to provide filter cigarettes with filters that include flavourants. In particular, it has been proposed to include flavourants in the form of plant material, such as leaves, seeds or roots, from one or more aromatic plants. In one known example, a filter cigarette is proposed with a multi-component filter having a flavour release segment containing a mixture of plant materials, including liquorice plant material, ginger root and shredded peppermint leaf.
It would be desirable to provide a multi-component filter for a smoking article that, in use, provides improved flavour enhancement, and in particular improved mint and menthol flavour delivery to mainstream smoke as it is drawn from a rod of smokable material through the filter by a consumer. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a multi-component filter for a smoking article comprising a flavour release segment that minimises loss of flavour during storage.
According to an embodiment, a multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; and a flavour release segment upstream of the mouth end segment, wherein the flavour release segment comprises plant leaf and a filter plasticiser.
According to another embodiment, a smoking article comprises a wrapped rod of smokable material and the multi-component filter attached to the rod of smokable material, preferably by tipping paper. Preferably, the smoking article is a filter cigarette.
Throughout the specification, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used to describe the relative positions of segments of the multi-component filter in relation to the direction of the mainstream smoke drawn from a rod of smokable material through the multi-component filter during use. For example, in the filter the flavour release segment is upstream of the mouth end segment, which means that mainstream smoke is drawn first through the flavour release segment and then through the mouth end segment.
The term “filter plasticiser” refers to any compound suitable for use as a plasticiser in a conventional fibrous cigarette filter plug. In conventional fibrous filter plugs, the role of a filter plasticiser is to bind together the fibres of the plug so that the rigidity of the plug, and therefore its resistance to compression, is increased. The plasticiser is typically a solvent for the fibre material and acts by softening the outer surfaces of the fibres such that they adhere to each other. Glycerol triacetate is commonly used as the filter plasticiser for a cellulose acetate tow.
Preferably, the filter plasticiser is glycerol triacetate.
The term “plant leaf” is used to denote a material consisting of the leaves of a plant, which have preferably been cut or shredded to provide a particulate material.
The flavour release segment may include any plant leaf that is capable of releasing flavour into mainstream smoke drawn through the multi-component filter. Preferably, the plant leaf is non-tobacco plant leaf. The flavour release segment may include leaf from one or more plants. In preferred embodiments, the flavour released from the plant leaf is provided by volatile compounds, such as oils, contained therein, which are volatilised during smoking. The mainstream smoke enriched with the volatile oils from the plant leaf flows downstream through the mouth end segment of the multi-component filter into the consumer's mouth.
Prior to smoking, the volatile oils remain trapped within the plant leaf. This advantageously ensures that loss of flavour during storage of multi-component filters and smoking articles is minimised, and so maximises flavour release into the mainstream smoke during smoking.
Preferably, the plant leaf in the flavour release segment is shredded, cut or otherwise reduced in size. More preferably, the plant leaf has a cut width of between about 0.25 mm and about 3 mm. Most preferably, the plant leaf has a cut width of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.
Preferably, the plant leaf is dried to a moisture content of between about 8% and about 10%.
Preferably, the plant leaf in the flavour release segment comprises herb leaf.
The term “herb leaf” is used to denote leaves from an herbaceous plant. An “herbaceous plant” is an aromatic plant without woody tissue, the leaves of which are used for medicinal, culinary or aromatic purposes and are capable of releasing flavour into mainstream smoke drawn through the multi-component filter. The flavour release segment may comprise herb leaf from one or more perennial or annual herbaceous plants. For example, the flavour release segment may comprise herb leaf from herbaceous plants including, but not limited to, peppermint, lemon balm, basil cinnamon, lemon basil, chive, coriander, basil, lavender, sage, tea, thyme and carvi.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the plant leaf in the flavour release segment comprises peppermint leaf. Preferably, the oil content of the peppermint leaf is at least about 0.6% by weight. The inclusion of peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment of multi-component filters advantageously provides an improved way of imparting mint and menthol flavours to the mainstream smoke of a smoking article. Smoking articles with multi-component filters comprising peppermint leaf advantageously provide enhanced mint and menthol flavours compared to conventional menthol cigarettes.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the plant leaf in the flavour release segment is peppermint leaf and the filter plasticiser is glycerol triacetate. It has surprisingly been found that the inclusion of peppermint leaf and glycerol triacetate in the flavour release segment of multi-component filters and smoking articles advantageously enhances the mint and menthol flavour provided by the release of menthol and other volatile oils from the peppermint leaf. This is illustrated, for example, by the results shown in Table 1, below.
Table 1 shows the quantities of particular flavour compounds released into the mainstream smoke from peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment of filter cigarettes (Samples 1 and 3) having the general construction shown in
Each of the samples is smoked under ISO conditions and the smoke extracts obtained are analysed using a GC-MS single ion monitoring method in order to determine the levels of the volatile compounds in the smoke. A full scan analysis with a scan range from 30 to 400 m/z (anion mass to charge ratio) is performed.
As can be seen from Table 1, the combination of glycerol triacetate and peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment of the filter cigarettes results in increased levels of flavour compounds being released from the peppermint leaf into the mainstream smoke during smoking compared to the control filter cigarettes, in which the flavour release segment does not contain glycerol triacetate.
During smoking of a smoking article comprising a multi-component filter in which the filter plasticiser is glycerol triacetate, acetic acid and glycerine are released in the flavour release segment of the filter as a result of hydrolysis of the glycerol triacetate. Accordingly, the levels of acetic acid released in the filter during smoking are significantly higher than for a control smoking article, as illustrated by the results shown in Table 2, below. Table 2 gives the dimensions and properties of a filter cigarette (Sample 5) having the general construction shown in
As can be seen from Table 2, the combination of glycerol triacetate and peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment of the multi-component filter of the filter cigarette (Sample 5) results in a significantly increased level of acetic acid being released in the filter compared to the control filter cigarette (Sample 6), in which only the mouth end segment contains glycerol triacetate.
Preferably, the overall length of smoking articles is between about 70 mm and about 128 mm, more preferably about 84 mm.
Preferably, the external diameter of multi-component filters and smoking articles is between about 5 mm and 8.5 mm, more preferably about 7.9 mm.
Preferably, the overall length of multi-component filters is between about 18 mm and about 36 mm, more preferably about 27 mm.
Preferably, the length of each individual segment of multi-component filters is between about 5 mm and about 22 mm.
The mouth end segment of multi-component filters may, in some embodiments, advantageously prevent plant leaf from the flavour release segment reaching the mouth of the consumer during smoking. Preferably, the mouth end segment comprises filtration material. More preferably, the mouth end segment comprises filtration material that has substantially no particulate phase filtration efficiency or very low particulate phase filtration efficiency. The mouth end segment may, for example, comprise cellulosic material, such as cellulose acetate tow, or other suitable fibrous filtration material of low filtration efficiency.
Where the mouth end segment comprises filtration material, the length of the mouth end segment is preferably between about 3 mm and about 12 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 8 mm.
Multi-component filters may further comprise a rod end segment upstream of the flavour release segment. Preferably, the rod end segment comprises fibrous filtration material. The rod end segment may, for example, comprise cellulosic material, such as cellulose acetate tow, or other suitable fibrous filtration materials such as paper. The inclusion of a rod end segment comprising filtration material advantageously provides additional filtration efficiency.
Alternatively or in addition, the rod end segment may comprise at least one sorbent capable of removing at least one gas phase constituent from mainstream smoke drawn through the filter. Preferably, the at least one sorbent is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, active aluminium, zeolites, sepiolites, molecular sieves and silica gel.
The rod end segment may include one or more flavourants, preferably one or more liquid flavourants, to further enhance flavour delivery to the consumer during smoking.
For example, the rod end segment may comprise a plug of filtration material including one or more threads impregnated with liquid flavourant. The one or more threads may be made from cellulose acetate yarn, rayon, cotton, or any other hydrophilic textile or non-textile material capable of absorbing or adsorbing the liquid flavourant. The threads may be coloured, for example, to indicate the type of flavourant impregnated therein. If more than one thread is provided, the threads may be the same or different colours and may be impregnated with the same or different liquid flavourants. Preferably, the threads are between about 0.6 mm and about 2.0 mm in diameter, more preferably about 0.8 mm in diameter. Filter plugs comprising flavourant bearing threads suitable for use in rod end segments of multi-component filters, and methods and apparatuses for producing such plugs, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,281,671 and 7,074,170 and are available from the American Filtrona Company, Richmond, Va., USA.
Alternatively, the rod end segment may include a plurality of beads impregnated with liquid flavourant. The beads may be formed from, for example, a cellulosic material bonded with a polyvinyl acetate binder, or from tobacco powder bonded with microcrystalline cellulose. Beads suitable for use in rod end segments of multi-component filters are manufactured and sold under the brand Viscopearls® by Rengo Co. Ltd., Japan. Methods and apparatuses for producing such beads are also described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10182842. The beads may be of the same or different diameters and colours. The colour of the beads may, for example, indicate the type of flavourant with which they are impregnated. Preferably, the beads are between about 0.2 mm and about 2 mm in diameter.
Liquid flavourants for use in the rod end segments of multi-component filters may include one or more flavour ingredients to create a certain flavour type and may be natural extracts, synthetic flavours, or a combination thereof. Liquid flavourants and flavour types that may be included in the rod end segment of multi-component filters include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove and ginger), cocoa, vanilla and fruit flavourants. In preferred embodiments in which the plant leaf in flavour release segment is peppermint leaf, the rod end segment of the multi-component filter preferably comprises a liquid menthol flavourant. In such embodiments, the provision of a menthol flavourant in the rod end segment advantageously enhances the flavour released into mainstream smoke drawn through the filter during smoking and compliments the menthol and mint flavours released downstream into the mainstream smoke by the peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment.
The mouth end segment may comprise at least one flavourant, such as those previously described above for the rod end segment. Preferably, if a flavourant is provided, the mouth end segment includes one or more threads impregnated with liquid flavourant.
Multi-component filters may include mouth end segments comprising at least one flavourant, rod end segments comprising at least one flavourant or mouth end segments comprising at least one flavourant and rod end segments comprising at least one flavourant. Where the mouth end segment and the rod end segment comprise at least one flavourant, the at least one flavourant in the mouth end segment may be the same as or different to the at least one flavourant in the rod end segment.
In use, as mainstream smoke is drawn from a rod of smokable material through the multi-component filter, flavour is released into the mainstream smoke from the plant leaf in the flavour release segment. In embodiments in which at least one flavourant is provided in the rod end segment, flavour is also released upstream of the flavour release segment as previously described above. In embodiments in which at least one flavourant is alternatively or additionally provided in the mouth end segment, flavour is also released downstream of the flavour release segment. Multi-component filters may, therefore, provide dual or triple flavour enhancement to mainstream smoke drawn through the filter during smoking.
Multi-component filters may be produced by forming separate continuous rods comprising multiple units of each individual segment of the multi-component filter and then combining these separate rods in a known manner in one or more stages to form a continuous filter rod comprising multiple units of the multi-component filter. The continuous filter rod may then be subsequently severed at regular intervals by a cutting mechanism to yield a succession of discrete multi-component filters according to the invention.
Preferably, smoking articles comprise a wrapped rod of tobacco cut filler.
Preferably, smoking articles have a total nicotine free dry particulate matter (NFDPM) or “tar” delivery of up to about 10 mg. More preferably, the “tar delivery” is between 1 mg and 10 mg and more preferably about 6 mg.
Smoking articles may be packaged in containers, for example in soft packs or hinge-lid packs, with an inner liner coated with one or more flavourants.
In an embodiment, the plant leaf in the flavour release segment is distributed through a plug of fibrous filtration material, preferably a cellulose acetate tow. The filter plasticiser is applied to the fibrous filtration material in a conventional manner, by spraying it onto the separated fibres, preferably before applying the plant leaf to the filtration material.
Preferably, the plant leaf is substantially evenly distributed along the length the plug of fibrous filtration material. The loading of peppermint leaf in the flavour release segment is preferably between about 1 mg and about 4 mg per mm of the flavour release segment for a multi-component filter having a diameter of between about 7.5 mm and about 7.8 mm.
The amount of filter plasticiser may be between 1% and 9% by weight of the plug of fibrous filter material, preferably 5% or less by weight of the plug of fibrous filter material. If glycerol triacetate is used as the filter plasticiser, the amount of glycerol triacetate is preferably about 5% by weight of the cellulose acetate tow or other fibrous filtration material. This level of glycerol triacetate has been found to provide an acceptable rigidity of the plug of fibrous filtration material of the flavour release segment without obstructing the release of flavour from the peppermint leaf. It is notably lower than the amount of glycerol triacetate in conventional cellulose acetate tow filter plugs, which is typically about 7% by weight.
In smoking articles according to the first embodiment, the flavour segment is preferably between about 5 mm and about 22 mm in length, more preferably between about and 10 mm about 15 mm in length, most preferably about 12 mm in length.
In smoking articles according to the first embodiment, the mouth end segment may comprise a hollow tube or recess. The hollow tube or recess may be formed when the multi-component filter is attached to a rod of smokable material by, for example, tipping paper to form a smoking article. In such smoking articles, the downstream end of the flavour release segment is visible at the mouth end of the multi-component filter through the hollow tube or recess, allowing the consumer to see the plant leaf distributed in the plug of fibrous filtration material. Where the mouth end segment comprises a hollow tube or recess, the length of the mouth end segment is preferably between about 3 mm and about 4 mm.
In a second embodiment, the flavour release segment comprises a plug of plant leaf, preferably compressed plant leaf, coated with a filter plasticiser. The plug preferably does not comprise any other materials. The filter plasticiser may be applied to the plant leaf before, or after the plug is formed.
The amount of filter plasticiser is preferably between about 0.5% and about 1.5% by weight of the plant leaf. If the flavour release segment comprises a plug of peppermint leaf coated with glycerol triacetate, the amount of glycerol triacetate is preferably between about 0.5% and about 1.5% by weight of the peppermint leaf. In such smoking articles a much lower level of glycerol triacetate is required than in smoking articles in which the peppermint leaf is distributed in a plug of fibrous filtration material, since the glycerol triacetate is required only for flavour enhancement and not to stiffen the filter plug.
In smoking articles according to the second embodiment, the mouth end segment preferably comprises fibrous filtration material, in order to prevent loss of the peppermint leaf from the filter.
In smoking articles according to the second embodiment, the flavour release segment is preferably between about 3 mm and about 12 mm in length.
In a third embodiment, multi-component filters further comprise a second flavour release segment between the mouth end segment and the flavour release segment previously described. The inclusion of a second flavour release segment further enhances flavour delivery to the consumer during smoking.
Preferably, the second flavour release segment comprises tobacco leaf. The tobacco leaf may be shredded, cut, or otherwise reduced in size. Preferably, the tobacco leaf is finely cut and more preferably, the tobacco leaf has a cut width of about 0.4 mm.
Preferably the tobacco leaf in the second flavour release segment is dried. Preferably the moisture content of the tobacco leaf is about 15% or less by weight.
Preferably, the length of the second flavour release segment is between about 6 mm and about 12 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 10 mm.
The second flavour release segment may include tobacco leaf to which casing comprising, for example, sugars or humectants has been applied.
The filter cigarettes shown in
Each filter cigarette generally comprises an elongate, cylindrical wrapped tobacco rod 2 attached at one end to an axially aligned, elongate, cylindrical, multi-component filter 4. The wrapped tobacco rod 2 and the multi-component filter 4 are joined in a conventional manner by tipping paper 6, which circumscribes the entire length of the multi-component filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod 2. To ventilate mainstream smoke produced during combustion of the wrapped tobacco rod 4 with ambient air, a plurality of annular perforations 8 are provided through the tipping paper 6 at a location along the multi-component filter 4.
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 10 according to the first embodiment shown in
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the mouth end segment 12 of the multi-component filter 4 shown in
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 20 shown in
The filter cigarette 30 shown in
The rod end segment 32 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of medium to high filtration efficiency which, in use, partially filters out particulate phase components of the mainstream smoke.
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 40 shown in
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 50 shown in
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 60 shown in
In alternative embodiments (not shown), the rod end segments 32 of the multi-component filters of the filter cigarettes, 40, 50, 60 shown in
The multi-component filter 4 of the filter cigarette 70 shown in
In alternative embodiments (not shown), the mouth end segments 12 of the multi-component filters 4 of the filter cigarettes 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 shown in
The filter cigarette 80 shown in
It will be appreciated that either or both of the mouth end segment 12 and the rod end segment 42 of the filter cigarette 80 shown in
The filter cigarette 90 shown in
To form the filter cigarettes 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 according to the embodiments shown in
To produce each multi-component filter 4, separate continuous rods comprising multiple units of each segment 12, 14, 32, 92 of the multi-component filter 4 are produced in a known manner and then combined to form a continuous filter rod comprising multiple units of the multi-component filter 4. The continuous filter rod is then severed at regular intervals by a cutting mechanism to yield a succession of discrete multi-component filters.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be resorted to as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications are to be considered within the purview and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07253246.8 | Aug 2007 | EP | regional |
