Enhancing the Disintegration and/or Degradation of a Smoking Article

Abstract

A filter ( 2 ) for a smoking article ( 1 ) is provided by the present invention, the filter comprising a vehicle containing a liquid capable of enhancing the disintegration and/or dispersibility of the smoking article. A method of enhancing the disintegration and/or degradation of a smoking article is also provided, wherein the smoking article comprises a vehicle containing a liquid capable of enhancing the disintegration and/or degradation of the smoking article.

1 . A filter for a smoking article comprising a vehicle containing a liquid capable of enhancing at least one of disintegration and degradation of the smoking article, and wherein the filter comprises filter material which is soluble, swellable or dispersible in water. 
     
     
         2 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is capable of enhancing dispersion of the smoking article. 
     
     
         3 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a capsule. 
     
     
         4 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is arranged to be actuated to release the liquid after the smoking article has been smoked. 
     
     
         5 . The filter according to claim  4 , wherein the vehicle is arranged to be actuated by a longitudinal or bending force acting on the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The filter according to  claim 4 , wherein actuating the vehicle to release the liquid substantially deforms the filter. 
     
     
         7 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid enhances dissociation of components of the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         9 . The filter according to  claim 8 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         10 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter material is polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a plugwrap, tipping paper and adhesive, and wherein one or more of these is soluble, swellable or dispersible in water. 
     
     
         12 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         13 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a capsule having a crush strength of greater than 1.7 kp. 
     
     
         14 . The filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises a capsule having a volume of no more than about 50% of the total volume of the filter. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A smoking article comprising a filter, said filter comprising a vehicle containing a liquid capable of enhancing at least one of disintegration and degradation of the smoking article, and wherein the filter comprises filter material which is soluble, swellable or dispersible in water. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of enhancing at least one of disintegration and degradation of a smoking article wherein the smoking article comprises a filter and a vehicle containing a liquid capable of enhancing at least one of the disintegration and degradation of the smoking article, and wherein the filter comprises filter material which is soluble, swellable or dispersible in water.