Filter for a smoking article

Abstract

A filter ( 4 ) for a smoking article ( 10, 20, 30 ) comprises a flavour release segment ( 14 ) including a plurality of flavour granules. The flavour granules comprise a porous support material, a liquid flavourant, particles of plant material, and at least one binder. The plant material preferably comprises herbaceous material, more preferably herb leaf and most preferably peppermint leaf. The liquid flavourant preferably comprises at least one of: an essential oil, such as peppermint oil or spearmint oil; and natural or synthetic menthol.

1 . A flavour granule for a smoking article, the flavour granule comprising:
 a porous support material;   a liquid flavourant;   particles of plant material; and   at least one binder.   
     
     
         2 . A filter for a smoking article comprising a flavour release segment including a plurality of flavour granules according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the plant material comprises herb leaf. 
     
     
         4 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the liquid flavourant comprises at least one of:
 an essential oil; and 
 natural or synthetic menthol. 
 
     
     
         5 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the flavour granules comprise at least 20% by weight liquid flavourant. 
     
     
         6 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the porous support material is activated carbon. 
     
     
         7 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the flavour granules further comprise a coating. 
     
     
         8 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the flavour release segment includes a plug of fibrous filtration material in which the flavour granules are distributed and the fibrous filtration material comprises fibres that are substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction of the filter and that extend along substantially the entire length of the plug of fibrous filtration material. 
     
     
         9 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the flavour release segment includes a plug of fibrous filtration material in which the flavour granules are distributed and the plug of fibrous filtration material comprises randomly oriented fibres that extend part way along the length of the plug of fibrous filtration material. 
     
     
         10 . A filter according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one of:
 a mouth end segment downstream of the flavour release segment; and 
 a rod end segment upstream of the flavour release segment. 
 
     
     
         11 . A filter according to  claim 10  wherein one or both of the mouth end segment and the rod end segment comprise an additional liquid flavourant. 
     
     
         12 . A filter according to  claim 2  wherein the flavour release segment includes a cavity at least partially filled with the flavour granules. 
     
     
         13 . A smoking article comprising:
 a wrapped rod of smokable material; and   a filter according to  claim 2  attached to the wrapped rod of smokable material by tipping paper.   
     
     
         14 . A smoking article comprising a plurality of flavour granules according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A smoking article according to  claim 14  further comprising a rod of smokable material wherein the flavour granules are dispersed within the rod of smokable material. 
     
     
         16 . A filter according to  claim 3 , wherein the herb leaf comprises peppermint leaf.