Method and compositions to deliver variable quantities of flavor from filtered cigarettes

Abstract

A filter element for a smoking article is described herein. The filter element may include at least one filter segment, the at least one filter segment comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance an aerosol from the smoking article, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of a pressure applied to the at least one filter segment while rolling the filter between fingers of a smoker, and wherein the quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter. Thus, a user is able to control the amount of flavoring or fragrance provided during a smoking experience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter element for a smoking article comprising:
 at least one filter segment, the at least one filter segment comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance an aerosol from the smoking article,   wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of a pressure applied to the at least one filter segment while rolling the filter between fingers of a smoker,   wherein the quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter.   
     
     
         2 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured as a filter mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The filter element of  claim 1  comprising at least one flavoring or fragrancing particle of a different type than at least one other flavoring or fragrancing particle. 
     
     
         4 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are integrated within fibers of the filter segment. 
     
     
         5 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are coated with a shell, the shell allowing the adjustable release of the flavor or fragrance. 
     
     
         5 . The filter element of  claim 4 , wherein the shell comprises at least one of gum acacia, xanthan gum, modified starch, cyclodextrin, gelatin, and polysaccharides carbohydrate, 
     
     
         6 . The filter element of  claim 4 , wherein the shell in an impermeable and breakable shell configured to release the flavor or fragrance once fully or partially broken in proportion to the amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter. 
     
     
         7 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles comprises a menthol flavorant or fragrance. 
     
     
         8 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles is an encapsulated powder. 
     
     
         9 . The filter element of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles has a powder loading of 0.1 to 10 mg per mm of filter length. 
     
     
         10 . The filter element of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles comprises an encapsulated powder containing 2 to 90% flavorant or fragrance. 
     
     
         11 . The filter element of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles is configured to provide a pressure drop in the filtering element within the range of 10 to 130 mm of water. 
     
     
         12 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter segment includes an outer wrapping, the outer wrapping having one or more visual instructions printed thereon providing instructions for rolling the filter. 
     
     
         13 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to release no flavorant or fragrance until rolling pressure is applied. 
     
     
         14 . The filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to release a defined initial amount of flavorant or fragrance without an application of rolling pressure, and to increase the amount of flavorant or fragrance released in proportion to the amount of rolling pressure applied. 
     
     
         15 . A method for adjustably releasing flavoring or fragrancing particles as part of a smoking experience, comprising:
 providing a smoking article having a filtering element comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance aerosol from the smoking article; and   causing one or more of the flavoring or fragrancing particles to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of pressure or heat applied to the at least one filter segment,   wherein a quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure or heat applied to the at least one filter segment.   
     
     
         16 . A filter element for an aerosol device, the filter comprising:
 a first filter segment having a plurality of flavorant beads of a first flavorant type; and   a second filter segment having a second plurality of flavorant beads of a second flavorant type,   wherein the first plurality of flavorant beads and the second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to adjustably flavor an aerosol upon receipt of a pressure applied to the first filter segment or the second filter segment, the pressure being sufficient to activate the first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of beads.   
     
     
         17 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second plurality of flavorant beads comprise microencapsulated beads. 
     
     
         18 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to adjustably release flavor upon receipt of a pressure applied through rolling of the first or second filter segment between fingers of a smoker. 
     
     
         19 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to flavor the aerosol in direct proportion to the applied pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are integrated within fibers of the filter element. 
     
     
         21 . The filter element of  claim 20 , wherein the filter element comprises a plug wrap, and wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are deposited on the surface of the plug wrap. 
     
     
         22 . The filter element of  claim 20 , wherein the filter element comprises a multi-layer plug wrap, and wherein the first or the second plurality of flavorant beads are deposited between at least a first layer of the multi-layer plug wrap and a second layer of the multi-layer plug wrap. 
     
     
         23 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads each comprises a shell that is broken to provide adjustable controlled release of flavorant. 
     
     
         24 . The filter element of  claim 23 , wherein the shell comprises an impermeable and breakable shell configured to release the flavorant once fully or partially broken in proportion to the applied pressure. 
     
     
         25 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads comprises menthol flavorant. 
     
     
         26 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the first type of flavorant reacts with the second type of flavorant to release a flavorant to the aerosol.