Filtered Cigarette With Modifiable Sensory Characteristics

Abstract

A filter element for a smoking article is provided, the filter element including a first segment of fibrous tow filter material; a second segment of fibrous tow filter material in spaced relation to the first segment; and a cavity positioned between the two segments of fibrous tow filter material, the cavity containing a plurality of breakable capsules having an outer shell and an internal payload comprising a flavorant, wherein one segment of fibrous tow filter material includes an adsorbent material dispersed therein and the other segment is substantially free of adsorbent material. A cigarette that includes such a filter element is also provided.

1 . A filter element for a smoking article, comprising
 (a) a first segment of fibrous tow filter material;   (b) a second segment of fibrous tow filter material in spaced relation to the first segment; and   (c) a cavity positioned between the two segments (a) and (b) of fibrous tow filter material, the cavity containing a plurality of breakable capsules comprising an outer shell and an internal payload comprising a flavorant;   wherein segment (a) of fibrous tow filter material comprises an adsorbent material dispersed therein and segment (b) is substantially free of adsorbent material.   
     
     
         2 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, molecular sieves, clay, ion exchange resins, activated alumina, silica gel, meerschaum, oxidation catalysts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbent material is a carbonaceous material. 
     
     
         4 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the flavorant is selected from the group consisting of vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, eucalyptus, strawberry, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the flavorant is a cooling agent. 
     
     
         6 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the payload of the breakable capsules is anhydrous. 
     
     
         7 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the payload of the breakable capsules comprises a mixture of the flavorant with a diluting agent. 
     
     
         8 . The filter element of  claim 7 , wherein the diluting agent comprises a mixture of C6-C12 triglycerides. 
     
     
         9 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the breakable capsules are generally spherical in shape with a diameter in the range of about 0.75 mm to about 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The filter element of  claim 9 , wherein the cavity (c) contains a sufficient number of breakable capsules such that the void space in the cavity is less than about 50 percent of the volume of the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The filter element of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity (c) contains a sufficient number of breakable capsules such that the void space in the cavity is less than about 30 percent of the volume of the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the shell of the breakable capsules is in the range of about 50 to about 200 microns and the ratio of the diameter of the capsule to the thickness of the shell is about 10 to about 100. 
     
     
         13 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity (c) contains about 20 to about 120 generally spherical breakable capsules having a diameter in the range of about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the breakable capsules have a crush strength in the range of about 0.1 to about 4.0 kp. 
     
     
         15 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the breakable capsules have a crush strength in the range of about 0.2 to about 1.5 kp. 
     
     
         16 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the material forming the shell of the breakable capsules is selected from the group consisting of gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl acetate, alginates, carob bean gum, potassium citrate, carrageenan, citric acid, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, dimethylpolysiloxane, dimethyl silicone, bleached shellac, guar gum, gellan gum, agar, ghatti gum, mannan gum, pullulan gum, modified starch, cellulosic materials, sodium citrate, sodium ferrocyanide, locust bean gum, polyphosphates, tannic acid, petroleum wax, terpene resin, tragacanth, polyethylene, xanthan gum, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the material forming the shell of the breakable capsules comprises a hydrocolloid selected from the group consisting of gellan gum, agar, carrageenan, alginate, arabic gum, pectin, pullulan gum, mannan gum, and combinations thereof, optionally in combination with gelatin. 
     
     
         18 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the breakable capsules include an outer moisture barrier coating. 
     
     
         19 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the first segment of fibrous tow filter material (a) is about 8 mm to about 12 mm, the length of the cavity (c) is about 5 mm to about 8 mm, and the length of second segment of fibrous tow filter material (b) is about 8 to about 12 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the combined pressure drop across the first segment (a), the second segment (b), and the cavity (c) is between about 80 mm water and about 120 mm water. 
     
     
         21 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure drop across the first segment (a) is the same or higher than the pressure drop across the second segment (b). 
     
     
         22 . The filter element of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure drop across the first segment (a) is about 40 to about 80 mm water and the pressure drop across the second segment (b) is about 15 mm water to about 45 mm water. 
     
     
         23 . The filter element of  claim 1 , further comprising a particulate material mixed with the capsules, the particulate material adapted to assist rupture of the capsules. 
     
     
         24 . A cigarette comprising a tobacco rod comprising a smokable filler material contained within a circumscribing wrapping material and a filter element according to  claim 1  connected to the tobacco rod at one end thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The cigarette of  claim 24 , wherein the circumscribing wrapping material comprises a side seam adhesive, and the side seam adhesive comprises a flavorant. 
     
     
         26 . A filter element for a smoking article, comprising
 (a) a first segment of cellulose acetate tow filter material;   (b) a second segment of cellulose acetate tow filter material in spaced relation to the first segment; and   (c) a cavity positioned between the two segments (a) and (b) of fibrous tow filter material, the cavity containing about 20 to about 120 generally spherical breakable capsules having a diameter in the range of about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm and a crush strength in the range of about 0.2 to about 1.5 kp, the breakable capsules comprising an outer shell and an internal payload comprising a flavorant and a diluting agent;   wherein segment (a) of fibrous tow filter material comprises a carbonaceous material dispersed therein and segment (b) is substantially free of carbonaceous material.   
     
     
         27 . The filter element of  claim 26 , wherein the flavorant is menthol. 
     
     
         28 . A cigarette comprising a tobacco rod comprising a smokable filler material contained within a circumscribing wrapping material and a filter element according to  claim 26  connected to the tobacco rod at one end thereof.