GB2490740A

GB2490740A - Filter element for a smoking article

Info

Publication number: GB2490740A
Application number: GB1108055.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jane Nicholls; Edward Awty; Charanjit Nandra; Paul Frobisher; Michael Newnham
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd IFI; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd IFI
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2012-11-14
Also published as: GB201108055D0

Abstract

A filter element for a smoking article comprises a strip 12, 34a, 34b, 34c, the strip comprising an additive. The strip may comprise a web material, a laminar sheet material, a woven fabric, a ribbon, a yarn, a fibrous material, a film or a tobacco base sheet material. The filter element may comprise a plurality of strips either aligned facially with respect to one another (figure 2) or arranged radially with respect to one another (figure 3).

Description

Smoking Article Filter Element

Description

The present invention relates to a filter element for use in a smoking article.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products (i.e. products in which flavour is generated from a smoking material by the application of heat without causing combustion of the material).

Typically, smoking articles are provided with filters removing constituents from the smoke.

It is known to include in filter elements materials capable of modifying the smoke that is drawn through the filter. To achieve the desired effect, materials should be introduced into filters in the desired amounts and at the desired location.

The present invention seeks to provide an effective, cheap and simple way to introduce additives into smoking article filter elements, wherein the location and amount of additive can be precisely controlled.

Summary

In a first aspect, there is provided a filter element for a smoking article, the filter element having a strip. The strip comprises an additive, which may be any substance that may be added to smoke, for example to modify the properties of smoke.

The filter element may comprise a plug of filter material through which the strip extends. The plug may be cylindrical and the strip may extend axially through the cylindrical plug, and may extend along a substantially central axis.

By providing a strip comprising an additive in the filter element, additive may be incorporated into the smoke as it is drawn through the filter by the user.

The strip is preferably fully laterally extended, rather than, for example, coiled or formed into a tube.

The strip may be coloured. For example, the strip may be green, pink, red, orange, brown, yellow, grey, cyan, blue, violet, or any other colour.

The strip may extend substantially longitudinally between mutually opposing end faces of the plug of filter material, and the strip may extend in a direction which is substantially parallel to a side face of the plug of filter material, which side face is preferably substantially perpendicular to one or both end faces. The strip may extend through an inner portion of, and be surrounded by, the filter material, and the strip may extend through substantially the centre of the plug of filter material.

The additive may be a flavourant, water, a deodoriser, a diluent, an adsorbent, or any other material capable of modifying smoke. The additive may be microencapsulated, and/or may be present in discrete portions on the strip.

The strip may be disposed in dose proximity with the path of the gaseous flow as it is drawn through the filter element, being therefore able to provide additive to the gaseous flow. Furthermore, because the strip is disposed substantially longitudinally within the plug of filter material, it does not adversely affect the direction or rate of gaseous flow, and so the user does not detect a significant difference in the resistance to draw.

The strip may comprise a web material, a laminar sheet material, a woven fabric, a ribbon, a yarn, a fibrous material, or a film. The strip may be manufactured from a sheet material containing tobacco, for example reconstituted tobacco sheet.

The strip may be between 0.5mm and 5mm in diameter, and is preferably between 1mm and 3mm in diameter.

The strip of smoke modifying material may be planar, for example rectangular in shape, and extended in the longitudinal, or axial direction of the filter element The strip may also be polygonal in section, e.g. rectangular, triangular or star-shaped. En some cases the strip may be disposed around the axial direction, having, for example, a circular, C-shaped or other arcuate section. For example the filter may comprise a core of filter material wrapped in a strip according to the invention, the core being further wrapped in layer of filter material. With this construction, the strip may for example be composed of a tobacco based sheet material.

The filter element may comprise two or more strips.

In particular, the filter element may comprise two or more strips, wherein the strips are aligned facially with respect to each other and extend within the filter element in a direction substantially parallel to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the filter.

Alternatively, the filter element may comprise three or more strips, wherein the strips are arranged radially with respect to each other and extend longitudinally within the filter element.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a filter element in accordance with the first aspect.

The filter of the second aspect may comprise a plurality of filter elements in accordance with the first aspect, in which one or more strips extend through a plug of filter material. For example, the filter may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or more filter elements of the first aspect, in which adjacent filter elements may either be connected to each other, or which elements may be separated from each other by other filter elements (which may not be in accordance with the first aspect).

According to a third aspect, there is provided a smoking article comprising a filter element according to the first aspect, or a filter according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article, the method comprising providing a strip through a plug of filter material, wherein the strip extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.

The method may comprise a step of introducing the strip into substantially the centre of the filter material. The method may comprise using guide means to guide the strip as a tow of filter material is formed. As the strip exits the guide means, it may be surrounded by filter material.

Drawings Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale), in \vhich: Figure 1 shows a perspective "see-through" view of a smoking article according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a similar view of a smoking article according to a second embodiment; Figure 3 shows a similar view of a smoking article according to a third embodiment.

Detailed Description

The disclosed filter elements comprise a plug of filter material containing a strip.

The strip carries an additive and extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. The filter element may be used alone as a smoking article filter, or in combination with one or more other filter elements as part of a composite filter, such as a dual or triple filter, in a smoking article.

In use, as smoke is drawn through the filter comprising the filter element, additive from the strip may interact with the gaseous smoke flow, for example, it may be entrained in the gaseous smoke flow.

The strip may be formed from suitable innoxious material. The material may be a web material such as a cellulosic sheet material or paper, a laminar sheet material, reconstituted tobacco material, a woven or non-woven fabric or ribbon, a yarn, a fibrous material, a film, or any other suitable material. The material may be permeable or impermeable to smoke.

The choice of material comprising the strip may be dependent on the type of additive to be used in the filter element. For example, if the additive is a liquid such as a liquid flavourant, the strip may comprise a material that is capable of absorbing and releasing a liquid, such as a web material, such as a cellulosic material or paper, woven fabric or ribbon, cellulose acetate, rayon, or other textile or non-textile materials capable of carrying a liquid. Tobacco-based material, such as reconstituted tobacco sheet, may be used where it is desired to add additional tobacco flavouring to the smoke.

The strip may comprise a web material. The web material may be a fibrous sheet material such as a cellulosic sheet material or a tobacco-containing sheet material. The fibrous sheet material may be a cellulosic web material such as a paper web material. The paper web material may be fiat, creped or calendared.

The strip may comprise a matrix layer in which the additive may be held. The matrix in the matrix layer may.: comprise a gelling agent, such as pectin. The matrix may comprise a combination of gelling agents.

The filter material in which the strip is held may comprise any known filter material, such as cellulose acetate, polypropylene, paper or any other suitable material.

Size and shape of strth Any shape of strip may be used. That is, the strip may have any cross-sectional configuration. In the simplest form, the strip may comprise a thin, flat strip, as shown in the accompanying Figure 1.

In alternative embodiments, however, the strip may have more complex configurations. For example, the strip may be square or triangular in cross section, or the strip may comprise a number of leaves arranged radially, for example, the strip may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 leaves.

Preferably, the strip is substantially fully laterally extended or flattened, and is not, for example, coiled or formed into a tube. Flattened strips offer advantages in terms of ease of manufacture, efficiency of interaction between additive and smoke flow, and, where the additive is encapsulated, ease of capsule rupture by the user.

Two or more strips can be incorporated within the filter element, for example at least 2, 3, 4, or 5 strips, and possibly as many as 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 strips.

When multiple strips are provided, the strips may be arranged in a substantially parallel arrangement, such as shown in the accompanying Figure 2. Alternatively, io or in addition, the strips may have a more complex arrangement. For example, the strips may he arranged in a radially symmetrical pattern, such as the leaved arrangement shown in the accompanying Figure 3. The strips may be attached together, or may be independent of one another within the filter element.

The one or more strips may be generally located substantially centrally within the filter element. However, the strip or strips need not be located at the diametric centre of the filter element, and may be off-centre, and may even be situated substantially towards the circumferential edge of the filter element, such as towards or adjacent to a periphery of the filter element.

The strip or strips may have a diameter that is between 0.2 and 8 mm. Preferably, the diameter is between 0.5 and 5 mm, and more preferably between I and 3mm, such as 2mm.

In some embodiments, the filter element may comprise a core of filter material wrapped in a strip, the core being further wrapped in layer of filter material. In this case the strip may, for example, be composed of a tobacco-based sheet material. In these embodiments, the strip may be disposed around the axial direction, having, for example, a circular, C-shaped or other arcuate section.

The strip or strips may be coloured to allow them to be easily distinguished from the remainder of the filter material, which may give the end of the filter element an interesting and attractive appearance. Such colouring may also serve to make any discolouration of the strip or strips less obvious. The strip is said to be coloured when it is given a colour that is different to the natural colour of the strip comprising the additive. For example, the strip may be green, pink, red, orange, brown, yellow, grey, cyan, blue, violet, or any other colour.

The colouring may also serve to provide the user with an indication of the type of additive present in the filter element For example different colours may be used for different additives.

The colouring may be a food grade dye, for example, or a colourant such as cocoa, liquorice, caramel or malt, or an extract. The presence of vermiculite or other inorganic material, such as iron oxide, may also give a darker colour to the strip material. Finely ground, granulated or homogenised tobacco may also be used. Industry approved food colourants may also be used, such as El 50a (caramel), El 51 (brilliant black BN), El 53 (vegetable carbon) or El 55 (brown FIT).

Strit coating The additive held by.: the strip may be anything which may be added to smoke to modify the composition of the smoke.

The amount of additive held by the strip is dependent on a number of factors including the potency of the additive, the degree of smoke modification required, the capacity of the strip to hold additive, and so on.

Where local regulations permit, the additive may be a flavourant, such as menthol, a deodoriser, a diluent, water, or any other substance that is capable being added to and modifying the gaseous flow.

As used herein, the term "flavour", "flavouring", and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma. Preferred flavourants include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil io from any species of the genus Mentha, flavour masking agents, bitterness receptor site blockers, receptor site enhancers, sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

The flavour may be a tobacco flavour. Where the flavour is delivered in liquid form, the tobacco flavour could be derived from tobacco extract. Where the additive is in solid form, the additive may be tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco material in shredded, particulate or granular form.

The additive may be present in any suitable form, such as small granules, capsules, or microcapsules bound to the strip, or the additive may be a liquid adsorbed onto the strip.

The smoke modifying strip may carry an adsorbent which may be in granular, powdered, particulate, or any other suitable form. In this case, the adsorbent material preferably has particle sizes of less than 500pm and preferably less than 100pm. More preferably the adsorbent material has a mean particle size of less than 50 pm and most preferably has a mean particle size of less than 20p.m. The particle size is considered to be the diameter of the particle.

The level of loading of the adsorbent material on the smoke modifying strip is less than 70% of the total weight of the smoke modifying strip. For example, the level of loading of the adsorbent material may be less than 50% by weight, such 10-45% by weight, or 30-40% by weight, of the web material.

Suitably the adsorbent material is selected from a group of relatively high surface area materials. The material may have a high or a low specificity for particular smoke constituents. Suitable adsorbents include carbon, activated carbon, activated charcoal, activated coconut carbon, activated coal-based carbon or charcoal, zeolite, silica gel, sepiolite, clay, aluminium oxide (activated or not), carbonaceous resin or combinations thereof. Preferably the adsorbent material is -10 -carbon and more preferably is activated carbon.

An example of a suitable coal-based charcoal is one made from semi-anthracite coal with a density about SO% greater than coconut-based charcoal (available from Calgon Carbon, Pittsburgh, PA, WA).

An example of a suitable carbonaceous resin is one derived from the pyrolysis of sulphonated styrene-divinyl ben2ene, such as Ambersorh 572 or Ambersorb 563 (available from Rohm and Haas). To enhance the efficiency of the general adsorbent metal oxides or other metal based complexes may optionally be included in or impregnated on the general adsorbent section.

Any adsorbent material may be used as a single substance or a mixture, and/or may be in admixture with other material.

Additive in the form of a solid, such as small particles or granules, or encapsulated additive, such as additive carrier within capsules or microcapsules, may be adhered to the strip by hot melt adhesive. Suitable adhesives include various polyester adhesives, high melting point polyethylene glycol, or emulsion-type adhesive such as PVA.

The additive may he directly or indirectly adhered to the strip. An example of direct adherence is where the adsorbent material is affixed to the strip by means of a suitable adhesive. An example of indirect adherence is where the adsorbent material is affixed to an intermediate layer (which may be made of paper or other suitable support matrix -such as a textile material -or combinations thereof) by means of a suitable adhesive and wherein the intermediate layer is affixed to the strip by means of a suitable adhesive.

io The additive may be held by the strip in an encapsulated form, for example within capsules or microcapsules.

-11 -The capsules may contain a liquid, which may he a flavourant, for example a menthol solution, or may be water.

The contents of the capsules may be released by any suitable mechanism. For example, the capsules may be ruptured or broken under compressive force, such as when the filter element is squeezed between the user's fingers. The capsules may additionally or alternatively be sensitive to changes in the temperature, pH, or moisture levels within the filter element, and therefore be activated as smoke is drawn across the strip.

Capsules generally comprise an outer wall, which may be made of gelatine, and an inner space filled with the liquid additive.

The capsules may be manufactured by a known co-extrusion process, particularly in the case of capsules having a diameter of greater than 500 pm. In the co-extrusion process, two fluids may be extruded together so that a capsule is created by surface tension.

The shell fluid may be a warm gelatin solution, and liquid contents, such as menthol, are respectively delivered under pressure from separate tanks into a two-fluid nozzle. The shell fluid and liquid contents flo\v from a nozzle where they form droplets in a carrier fluid, the droplets having an outer shell of shell fluid and an inner core of liquid contents. A cooling mechanism is provided to cool and solidify the shell fluid. Alternatively, the shell material may be alginate, agar-agar, gum arabicum, latices or waxes.

Alternatively, the capsules may be formed by any suitable process for encapsulating a liquid. For example, the capsules may he formed by interfacial polymerisation, which may produce a capsule size of 0.2vm to a few millimetres.

io The shell may be made of a polymer, for example, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, polyurethane, or a biodegradable polymer e.g. protein, polysaccharides or oligosaccharides.

-12 -Alternatively, the capsules may be formed by complex coacervation, which may produce a particle size of iOim to a few millimetres. The capsule may be made from gelatine and gum arabic.

Alternatively, the capsules may be formed by single extrusion, which may produce a particle size of 200iim to a few millimetres. The capsule shell may be made from alginate, chitosan, carrageenan, cellulose derivatives, or waxes.

Alternatively, the capsules may he formed by melt extrusion, which may produce a particle size of 300 vm to a few millimetres. The capsule shell may he made from gelatine, sugars, maltodextrins, corn syrup, food polymers or modified starches.

Alternatively, the capsules may be formed by melt injection, which may produce a particle size of 2ü0m to a few millimetres. The capsule shell may be made from carbohydrate materials, e.g. sucrose, glucose syrups and modified starches.

Alternatively, the capsules may be formed by a spray drying microencapsulation process, which may produce a particle size of i0im to a few millimetres. The capsule shell may be made from polysaccharides (starch, alginate, agar, pectin, carrageenan, gums), proteins gelatine, casein), fats and fatty acids, cellulose derivatives, lipids (waxes, shellac, carnuba or beeswax).

Any materials for the capsules or filter element must be safe to use, and are subject to regulatory approval.

Application of additive to strip The additive may be applied to the strip by an additive applicator. The additive io may he applied to one or both surfaces of the strip as one or more streams of additive. When multiple streams of additive are used, the streams are applied to the strip in a line or in an array.

-13 -An apparatus for applying additive to a strip may comprise first strip holder, an applicator capable of applying additive to the strip and second strip holder. The applicator may comprise an applicator head for application of the additive to the strip and a supplier for supplying additive to the applicator head. The applicator head may have one or more openings in its surface through which additive may be passed.

Additive may be attached to the strip by means of an adhesive, particularly when the additive is in the form of particles, granules, capsules, or microcapsules. The additive may suitably be adhered to the strip by hot melt adhesive, high melting point polyethylene glycol, or emulsion-type adhesive such as PVA. Suitable hot-melt adhesives are various polyester adhesives.

The adhesive may be applied to the surface of the strip rather than to the additive. The strip may he coated with adhesive (e.g. by drawing through a bath or other supply of the active adhesive) and then with additive (e.g. by drawing through a reservoir, fluidised bed, circulated stream or other supply of the additive whilst the adhesive is active) as part of an in-line continuous process.

Alternatively, an adhesive-coated strip may be separately produced with activation (e.g. heat-softening) of the adhesive and application of additive being conducted in-line and continuously with filter production.

Single patch or separate regions on the str: The additive may cover the entire strip, on both sides. Alternatively, the additive may only be present on certain portions of the strip, such as covering one surface of the strip. Preferably, the additive extends continuously over the full longitudinal length of the strip, on both sides.

io In some embodiments, the additive is disposed in discrete regions on the strip.

In this case, each separate region or portion of additive may be comprised of -14-additive which is the same as or different from the additive in other separate regions.

The separate regions may be in the form of lateral stripes or bands, that is, in discrete sections spanning the width of the strip. For example, the strip may comprise a region of a first additive towards the end of the filter element nearest to the rod of smokeable material, and a region of a second additive at the mouthpiece end of the filter element.

Alternatively, the regions may be in the form of longitudinal stripes along the length of the strip.

Filter element The filter element comprising the strip may extend over the full longitudinal length of a smoking article filter. In other words, the filter element may be a smoking article filter, as shown in the accompanying Figures.

In alternative embodiments, the filter element comprising the strip may be part of a composite filter comprising a plurality of abutted filter sections, such as a dual filter or a triple filter.

The composite fitter may comprise a single fitter element comprising a strip. This element may be located at the mouth end of the filter, tobacco rod end of the filter, or as a central filter element.

Alternatively, the composite filter may comprise a plurality of filter elements comprising strips. For example, the filter may be a triple filter comprising strips in the filter elements towards the mouth and tobacco rod ends of the filter.

io When the filter element is part of a composite filter, the filter elements of the composite filter not comprising a strip may comprise one or a combination of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, paper or any other suitable material, and may -15 -alternatively or additionally comprise adsorbent material, for example, activated charcoal, a resin material such as amberlite or duolite, and/ or catalytic material.

Preferably, however, any filter elements comprising adsorbent material are positioned within the composite fiher nearer to the tobacco rod end of the filter than any elements comprising strips.

Filter ventilation The filter comprising the filter element may comprise a ventilated filter. The ventilation means may comprise a porous or perforated wrapper through which in use, external air is drawn to dilute the smoke passing through the filter.

Preferably, the ventilation means is located at the upstream end of the filter element or to the upstream of the filter element. This is because diluting air tends to be drawn along the peripheral region of the filter, so that the strip extending along the filter core, where the smoke concentration is highest, increases the possibility of diffusion of additive from the strip most effectively and economically.

-16 -Method of production The strip or strips may be introduced into the plug of filter material in the manufacture of the filter element using a process in which a supply of filter material is continuously advanced, the advancing material being continuously condensed to rod form, and the resulting rod being continuously cleaved into individual lengths.

Incorporation of the strip or strips may occur as the continuous strip or strips are directed into the centre of the filter material as or before its condensation to rod form. As a result, the strip or strips become incorporated in the body.: of the filter rod and extend continuously longitudinally along the entire length of filter rod.

The strip or strips may be guided into the filter material as desired using one or more guiding means. In this case, the fibrous filter material, such as cellulose acetate, is passed through a series of blooming rollers so that it is de-crimped. A tow of de-crimped filter material is then formed around the strip or strips as it exits the guiding means, to thereby form a continuous rod of filter material enclosing the strip or strips.

The additive may be applied to the strip at any stage in the production of the filter element. For example, the additive may he applied during the manufacture of the strip, after manufacture of the strip but before incorporation into the filter element, and/or simultaneously with incorporation of the strip into the filter material. For example, the strip may be directed through a solution of the additive and then into the filter material as it is condensed. Alternatively, the additive may be bound to the strip by any other suitable method.

A wrapper such as a plugwrap surrounds the filter material, and is wrapped io around the filter material by means of a garniture. The garniture comprises an endless garniture tape which drags the filter material comprising the strip through the garniture, shaping the wrapper such that the filter material is -17 -cylindrically wrapped. One or more adhesive applicators apply adhesive to the wrapper adjacent a longitudinal edge to secure the wrapper as a cylinder.

The length of filter rod may then be cut to provide filter elements for use alone as smoking article filters or in combination with one or more other filter elements in a composite filter. The length of the filter element will depend on the type of smoking article filter required. For example, a standard cigarette filter is about 27mm in length. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying Figures, the whole 27mm length of the filter consists of the filter element, such that the strip extends the entire length of the filter. However, in other embodiments, the filter element may comprise a section of a composite filter in combination with other filter elements, and in these embodiments, the filter element may be a shorter length as appropriate.

First Embodiment Figure 1 shows a smoking article according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The smoking article 10 comprises a source of smokable material, which is preferably tobacco, in the form of a cylindrical rod 11. A filter 12 is coaxially attached to the tobacco rod 11. The filter 12 comprises filtration material 13, for example, cellulose acetate tow, optionally surrounded by a porous sheet material (not sho\vn), \vhich is preferably: a porous paper such as a plug wrap. The filter 12 is connected to the tobacco rod ii by means of a tipping paper (not shown) in a conventional manner.

The filter further comprises a strip 14. The strip 14 extends longitudinally within the filtration material 13, in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter 12.

The strip comprises a section of web material such as paper, of 3mm in width.

io The strip 14 carries on both faces, microcapsules comprising an additive, which in this case is a flavourant, such as menthol. The microcapsules are degradable in the presence of moisture.

-18 -The strip 14 is co'oured and is visible in the mouth end of the filter 12. In this way the user may he made aware of the presence of the strip in the filter.

In use, negative pressure created by the user sucking on the mouth end of the filter has the effect of drawing smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco along the tobacco rod ii and through the filter 12. As smoke passes through the fiher 12, some particulate components of the smoke are retained by the cellulose acetate fibres. Concurrently with the removal of particulate components, however, moisture in the smoke causes release of additive from the microcapsues. The additive may then diffuse, or he drawn, from the strip into the flow of smoke for consumption by the user.

Second Embodiment Figure 2 shows a smoking article 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the smoking article 20 resembles that of the first embodiment, as described above, except that the filter 22 comprises two strips 24a and 24b.

The strips 24a and 24h are a]igned facially with respect to each other. That is, the strips are arranged so that one surface of each strip faces and is aligned with a surface of the opposite strip. In the embodiment sho\vn there is a narrow gap between the two strips. In some embodiments, however, the strips may be in facial contact with one another.

In some embodiments the filter element may comprise more than two strips, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, which are all aligned facially, and may be in contact, or Jo separated from one another.

The strips extend longitudinally generally within the centre of the filtration material 23, in a direction substantially parallel to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the filter 22.

The strips comprise sections of web material such as paper, of 3mm in width.

The strips 24a and 24b carry on both faces, an additive in the form of a microencapsulated flavourant, such as menthol.

The microcapsules are moisture activated, and in use, as smoke is drawn through the filter 22, moisture in the smoke induces the release of the additive from the microcapsules. Release of the additive may be enhanced due to frictional movement between the two strips as the filter is manipulated by the user.

As described in respect of the first embodiment above, the strips 24a and 24b are coloured and are visible in the mouth end of the filter 22.

Third Embodiment Figure 3 shows a smoking article 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the smoking article 30 resembles that of the first embodiment, as described above, except that the filter 32 comprises three strips 34a, 34b, and 34c. The strips are arranged radially with respect to each other.

The strips meet in the centre of the filter element, such that the strips within the filter element have a Y-shaped' cross-section. In other embodiments, the filter element comprises more than three, such as 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 strips arranged radially. In some embodiments, the strips may not meet in the centre of the filter element.

The strips 34 extend longitudinally within the filtration material 33 in a direction substantially parallel a longitudinal axis of the filter 32.

The strip comprises a section of web material, such as paper, and each leaf 34a, 34b, and 34c is 3mm in width. The strips 34 carries on all of their surfaces microcapsules comprising an additive, such as a flavourant, which may be menthol. The microcapsules are degradable in the presence of moisture.

As described in respect of the first and second embodiments above, the strip 34 is coloured and is visible in the mouth end of the filter 32.

Embodiments of the invention are configured to comply with applicable laws and/or regulations, such as, by way of non-limiting example, regulations relating to flavours, additives, emissions, constituents, and/or the like. For example, the invention may be configured such that a smoking artide implementing the invention is compliant with applicable regulations both before and after the release of a smoke modifying agent -21 -

Claims

Claims 1. A filter element for a smoking article, the filter element comprising a strip, and wherein the strip comprises an additive.
2 A filter element according to claim 1, comprising a plug of filter material through which the strip extends.
3 A filter element according to claim 2, wherein the plug is cylindrical and the strip extends along a central longitudinal axis thtough the plug.
4. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is fully laterally extended.
5. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is coloured.
6. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip comprises a web material, a laminar sheet material, a woven fabric, a ribbon, a yarn, a fibrous material, or a film.
7. A filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the strip comprises a tobacco based sheet material.
8. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is between 0.5mm and 5mm in diameter, and preferably between 1mm and 3mm in diameter.
9. A filter element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is microencapsulated. -22 -
10. A filter element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is present in discrete regions on the strip.
11. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter element comprises a plurality of strips, each in accordance with any of claims 1-10.
12. A filter element according to claim 11, wherein the filter element comprises two strips, and wherein the strips are aligned facially with respect to each other and extend within the filter element in a direction substantially parallel to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the filter.
13. A filter element according to claim 11, wherein the filter element comprises three strips, and wherein the strips are arranged radially with respect to each other and extend longitudinally within the filter element.
14. A filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. A smoking article comprising a filter element according to any one of claims I to 13, or a filter according to claim 14.
16. A method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article, the method comprising providing a strip through a plug of filter material, wherein the strip comprises an additive and extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises a step of introducing the strip into substantially the centre of the filter material.