Smoking article filter with flavorant delivery system

Abstract

A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure sensitive capsule, for use in a delivery system of a smoking article, the pressure sensitive capsule comprising:
 a core material including a flavorant,   an outer shell including,
 a cross-linked agar matrix reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose dispersed throughout the agar matrix, and 
 a filler including locust bean gum. 
   
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the filler further comprises:
 konjac, xanthan gum, or both konjac and xanthan gum.   
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the filler further comprises pullulan, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), soluble cellulose gum, methyl cellulose, dextrin, maltodextrin, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule is a spherical capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule has a crush strength of about 3 to about 10 Newtons. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the flavorant includes menthol. 
     
     
         7 . A smoking article filter comprising:
 the capsule according to  claim 1 , the capsule being in filter material of the smoking article filter; and   a plug wrap surrounding the filter material.   
     
     
         8 . A smoking article comprising the filter of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         9 . The smoking article of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a heat sensitive capsule.   
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further includes sodium chloride. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the flavorant comprises licorice, wintergreen, cherry and berry type flavorants, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cinnamon, cardamon, apium graveolents, clove, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, Japanese mint, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, ilangilang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, salts, sweeteners, carbohydrates, mint oils from a species of the genus Mentha, eugenol, cocoa, citrus, fruit flavors, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the carboxymethyl cellulose is a continuous phase of material. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the carboxymethyl cellulose is a discontinuous phase of material. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is free of an outer coating. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the carboxymethyl cellulose fills at least about 90% of empty space of the cross-linked agar matrix. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 15 , wherein the carboxymethyl cellulose fills at least about 99% of the empty space of the cross-linked agar matrix. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule has an outer diameter of 2 mm to 4.5 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is water insoluble. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule of  claim 1 , the core material includes solid particles. 
     
     
         20 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is seamless.