Multi-component filter for a smoking article

Abstract

A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a mouth end segment; and a flavour release segment upstream of the mouth end segment. The flavour release segment comprises plant leaf and a filter plasticiser. The multi-component filter preferably further comprises a rod end segment comprising filtration material upstream of the flavour release segment. Preferably, one or both of the mouth end segment and the rod end segment comprises at least one liquid flavourant. The rod end segment may include a sorbent.

1 . A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       2 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises herb leaf. 
   
   
       3 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 2  wherein the herb leaf comprises peppermint leaf. 
   
   
       4 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the filter plasticiser is glycerol triacetate. 
   
   
       5 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow with the plant leaf distributed therein. 
   
   
       6 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 5  wherein the amount of filter plasticiser in the flavour release segment is up to 5% by weight of the cellulose acetate tow. 
   
   
       7 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  further comprising a rod end segment upstream of the flavour release segment. 
   
   
       8 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  further comprising a second flavour release segment between the mouth end segment and the flavour release segment. 
   
   
       9 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the mouth end segment comprises filtration material. 
   
   
       10 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the mouth end segment comprises at least one liquid flavourant. 
   
   
       11 . A smoking article comprising:
 a wrapped rod of smokable material; and   a multi-component filter according to  claim 1  attached to the rod of smokable material by tipping paper.   
   
   
       12 . A smoking article according to  claim 11  wherein the mouth end segment of the multi-component filter is a hollow tube or recess. 
   
   
       13 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises a plug of plant leaf material having a moisture content of about 8 to 10%. 
   
   
       14 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises liquid menthol. 
   
   
       15 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises a plug of filtration material and the mouth end segment comprises a plug of filtration material having a length of 3 to 12 mm, the filter further comprising a rod end segment of filtration material and at least one sorbent. 
   
   
       16 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises one or more threads having a diameter of 0.6 to 2 mm impregnated with liquid flavourant. 
   
   
       17 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises beads impregnated with liquid flavourant. 
   
   
       18 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises about 1 mg to about 4 mg loading of flavour per mm of length of the flavour release segment. 
   
   
       19 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the flavour release segment comprises a plug of plant leaf with about 0.05% to about 1.5% by weight of glycerol triacetate. 
   
   
       20 . A multi-component filter according to  claim 1  wherein the mouth end segment comprises a hollow tube or recess having a length of about 3 mm to about 4 mm.