Filtered cigarette incorporating a breakable capsule

Abstract

A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A smoking article, comprising:
 a tobacco-containing rod;   a multi-segmented filter element attached to the tobacco-containing rod, the multi-segmented filter element comprising:
 a first segment of filter material positioned adjacent the tobacco-containing rod, the first segment including a central cavity contained therein; and 
 a second segment of filter material positioned adjacent the first segment of filter material; and 
   a flavoring agent dispersed within the first segment of filter material, the second segment of filter material, and at least a portion of the tobacco-containing rod so as to provide for delivery of the flavoring agent to a user of the smoking article.   
     
     
         35 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the first segment and second segment of filter material are capable of wicking the flavoring agent. 
     
     
         36 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the first segment and second segment of filter material are axially aligned in an abutting end-to-end relationship. 
     
     
         37 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the central cavity in the first segment of filter material has an opening adjacent the first end of the tobacco-containing rod that communicates directly with the tobacco-containing rod. 
     
     
         38 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the first segment of filter material comprises a cellulose acetate tow material. 
     
     
         39 . The smoking article of  claim 38 , wherein the second segment of filter material comprises a filter material other than cellulose acetate tow material. 
     
     
         40 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the flavoring agent comprises menthol. 
     
     
         41 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the multi-segmented filter element has an overall length of about 25 mm to about 35 mm. 
     
     
         42 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , further comprising a tipping material connecting the tobacco-containing rod to the multi-segmented filter element. 
     
     
         43 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the flavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of eucalyptus, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the flavoring agent is in the form of a liquid or a gel. 
     
     
         45 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the flavoring agent further comprises a diluting agent. 
     
     
         46 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the smoking article has a pressure drop of about 50 to about 200 mm water at 17.5 cc/sec of air flow. 
     
     
         47 . The smoking article of  claim 34 , wherein the weight of the flavoring agent in the smoking article is in the range of about 15 mg to about 25 mg.