Methods and articles to control the gas-particle partition of an aerosol to enhance its taste characteristics

Abstract

A method and article are provided for controlling an inner filter temperature of an aerosol-generating product or device to alter the aerosol taste characteristics. The method comprises selecting a heat adsorbing or reflecting material to apply to a filter of a smoking article, the heat adsorbing or reflecting material having one or more properties associated therewith; and applying the heat adsorbing or reflecting material to the filter, the at least one heat adsorbing or reflecting materials being configured to control the inner temperature of the filter.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a smoking article having enhanced taste characteristics, comprising:
 selecting a heat adsorbing or reflecting material to apply to a filter of the smoking article, the heat adsorbing or reflecting material having one or more properties associated therewith; and   applying the heat adsorbing or reflecting material to the filter, the at least one heat adsorbing or reflecting materials being configured to control the inner temperature of the filter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat adsorbing or reflecting material comprises a metallized foil material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the metallized foil material comprises one of aluminum, silver, copper or gold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the metallized foil material comprises a laminated material made of one or more of aluminum, silver, copper, or gold. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the heat adsorbing or reflecting material comprises inserting the heat adsorbing or reflecting material into he body of the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the heat adsorbing or reflecting material comprises wrapping a filter absorbing matrix of the filter with the heat adsorbing or reflecting material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the smoking article comprises a less than full flavor smoking article, and wherein the method further comprises applying one or more ventilation holes to the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more properties comprise at least one of a type of heat adsorbing or reflecting material, a surface roughness, or a mass. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the heat adsorbing or reflecting material to apply is based on at least one of the one or more properties. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the smoking article comprises a full flavor smoking article, and wherein the applied heat adsorbing or reflecting material is configured to raise the inner temperature of the filter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the smoking article comprises a less than full flavor smoking article, and wherein the applied heat adsorbing or reflecting material is configured to lower the inner temperature of the filter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining at least one of a position, size, number and shape of one or more ventilation holes to be applied to the filter o control a temperature gradient of the filter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining at least one of a size and a material composition of the heat adsorbing or reflecting material to control a temperature gradient of the filter.   
     
     
         14 . A smoking article, comprising:
 a filter material that captures and substantially removes unwanted components in an aerosol; and   a foil that is configured to control temperature of the aerosol, so as to provide a full-bodied flavor to the aerosol.   
     
     
         15 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , wherein a longitudinal length of the foil comprises at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the filter material. 
     
     
         16 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a hole provided in the foil to control a temperature of the aerosol.   
     
     
         17 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , wherein the foil comprises an annular axial foil material. 
     
     
         18 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , wherein the foil comprises:
 aluminum; silver; copper; or gold.   
     
     
         19 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , wherein the foil comprises a laminated material made of one or more of:
 aluminum; silver; copper or gold.   
     
     
         20 . The smoking article of  claim 14 , wherein the foil is configured to decrease temperature of the aerosol. 
     
     
         21 . A smoking article, comprising:
 a filter material that captures and substantially removes unwanted components in an aerosol; and   a foil that is configured to control temperature of he aerosol, so as to provide a full-bodied flavor to the aerosol,   wherein:   a longitudinal length of the foil comprises at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the filter material;   the foil comprises a hole to control temperature of the filter material;   the foil comprises an annular axial foil made of at least one of aluminum, silver, copper and gold.