RU2596465C2 - Bearing element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to bearing elements of components, releasing an additive, for use in smoking products. Smoking product includes an additive releasing system, containing a component which releases an additive, and a bearing element configured to cause release of additive from component which releases an additive, in response to impact of compression force, bearing element changes value of compression force required to initiate release additive of component which releases additive, as compared with force required to release additive of same component which releases additive, in absence of bearing element, wherein smoking product is made by a method in which an additive releasing component is inserted into bearing element, after which smoking product including bearing element is made.

EFFECT: easy release of additive by user from component which releases additive, as and when it is required with well controlled release process.

27 cl, 12 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the supporting elements of the components emitting the additive for use in smoking articles.

State of the art

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes products for smoking, for example cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, loose tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes, and also non-combustible products (i.e. products, in which the taste and aroma are released by the smoking material under the influence of heat without burning the material). Typically, smoking articles have filters to remove smoke constituents from the smoke.

It is known to place additive components within smoking articles that contain auxiliary substances, for example, flavorings. By exerting an external force on the smoking article, the smoker may cause the release of flavor from the additive release component. Thus, in order to change the taste of smoke, a smoker can simply squeeze a smoking article.

Since the components emitting the additive are located inside the smoking article, it may be difficult for the user to release the additive. To solve this problem, components that release the additive can be used, the release of the additive from which is simplified, however, such components that release the additive have an increased chance of accidental release of the additive.

In addition, since the components releasing the additive are typically placed inside smoking articles, it may be difficult for the user to determine whether or not the additive has been released from the component releasing the additive.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a support member for use in a smoking article, which provides release of the additive from the additive release component upon application of compressive force, wherein the support element changes the compressive force necessary to release the additive from the additive release component compared to the force necessary to release the additive from the same component releasing the additive in the absence of the supporting element.

According to a second aspect, an additive release system is provided comprising a carrier in accordance with the first aspect and an additive releasing component.

According to a third feature, a filter for a smoking article is provided. The filter includes a carrier in accordance with the first feature or an additive release system in accordance with the second feature.

According to a fourth feature, a smoking article is proposed comprising a support member in accordance with a first feature, a support system in accordance with a second feature and / or a filter in accordance with a third feature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following is a specific example of a description of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings (not to scale), on which:

in FIG. 1A and 1B show a carrier element of an additive releasing component with an additive releasing component installed therein, in accordance with a first embodiment;

in FIG. 2 shows a carrier element of an additive releasing component in accordance with a first embodiment in a second deformed state where the carrier element is deformed and the additive liberating component is broken;

in FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a smoking article including a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a first embodiment;

in FIG. 4A and 4B show a carrier element of an additive release component, with and without an additive release component, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

in FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a smoking article including a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a second embodiment;

in FIG. 6A and 6B show a carrier element of an additive releasing component with an additive releasing component installed therein, in accordance with a third embodiment;

in FIG. 7 shows a carrier element of an additive releasing component according to a third embodiment, in a second state, when the carrier element is deformed and the additive liberating component is broken;

in FIG. 8 is a side view of a disassembled smoking article including a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a third embodiment;

in FIG. 9 is a side view of a disassembled smoking article including two load-bearing elements of an additive releasing component in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

in FIG. 10 shows a filter of a smoking article including a container of a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a fifth embodiment;

in FIG. 11A and 11B show a carrier element of an additive releasing component with an additive releasing component installed therein, in accordance with a sixth embodiment;

in FIG. 12A-12B show a carrier element of an additive releasing component with an additive releasing component installed therein, in accordance with other embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The supporting element of the additive emitting component is a structure that can hold the additive emitting component and which can be located inside the smoking article. The carrier element of the additive release component provides, simplifies and / or improves the controlled release of the additive from the additive release component. Release control may relate to the direction, amount, speed, time moment and / or duration of release of an additive. The carrier element of the additive release component may also provide feedback to the user, signaling the release of the additive from the additive release component.

Thus, due to the use of the carrier component of the additive releasing component in the smoking article, the additive can be easily released by the user from the component releasing the additive as and when it is required, and the release process can be well controlled. In addition, the user can feel that there has been an activation of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive, and gain confidence that the release of the additive has taken place. Activation of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive may also be accompanied by noise, such as a click, which gives additional information to the user about the release of the additive from the component releasing the additive.

The carrier element can hold the additive release component, for example, the additive release component can be inserted into the carrier element.

In some embodiments, the carrier element fixes the component releasing the additive. The carrier can hold the component that releases the additive. For example, the shape of the carrier can be selected so that it can be inserted into it or it can grab the component that releases the additive, and / or the component that releases the additive can be glued or attached to the carrier.

In some embodiments, in the manufacture of the smoking article, the additive emitting component is inserted into the support member, whereupon a smoking article comprising the support member is obtained.

In some embodiments, the support member may have a generally cylindrical shape, in which case the center of the cylinder may be adapted to install an additive release component therein.

The support member may be activated to provide release of the additive from the additive release component. Activation can be caused by the application of an external force, such as compressive force.

The activation of the supporting element can be caused by an external force applied to it, which can be any kind of force, for example, compressive or tensile force. In some embodiments, an external force may be applied laterally to the carrier. In other words, when the carrier is placed inside the smoking article, a force can be applied to the outer surface of the carrier, for example by squeezing the smoking article. In some embodiments, the support member may have a cylindrical shape and force may be applied to its curved circular surface.

The external force applied to the support member may be any type of force, including compressive force or tensile force. An external force may be applied directly to the support element or may be applied by other components of the smoking article, for example, through one or more wrapping layers and / or one or more sections of filter material. The force acting on the filter can be transmitted to the supporting element located in it by squeezing the surrounding filter material. Alternatively, a portion of the support element may protrude from the surface of the smoking article or be on its surface or below the surface, and the force can act essentially directly on the support element.

In some embodiments, the compression direction lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article into which the carrier is inserted. At the same time, squeezing the corresponding part of the smoking product, you can activate the supporting element.

In some embodiments, the support member is a solid shaped article.

In some embodiments, the support member may have a rigid counter surface, i.e. the supporting element has rigidity, hardness and (or) is difficult to bend. The support element can be formed as a single part or it can consist of several parts fastened to each other to provide adequate stiffness to resist compression when the support element is activated so that the compressive force is transmitted to the additive release component.

In some embodiments, the force applied to the carrier is transmitted and / or focuses on some parts of the additive release component. In some embodiments, the carrier element has an inner surface with limited areas by which it will come into contact with the additive release component, for example, due to the shape of the inner surface of the carrier element. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using one or more protrusions on the inner surface of the supporting element, which can, for example, pierce the additive component. In other embodiments, the support member may have a folded or wavy inner surface.

The carrier may include a deformable section. In some embodiments, the rest of the carrier is resistant to deformation due to the applied compressive force. The deformation of the deformable section may be elastic or plastic. The deformable section may have a tapering protrusion.

The deformable section may be in the form of a pivotally mounted lever. Alternatively, the deformable section may be part of the circular surface of the capsule holder, which may be formed between two sections of the circular surface with reduced strength.

In some embodiments, the deformation region of the carrier is not predetermined.

The support element may have a counter surface, against which the additive release component can be squeezed. In addition, or alternatively, the carrier can have a protrusion, for example a tapering protrusion, and when activated, the component releasing the additive interacts with the protrusion, for example a tapering protrusion, by compressing or squeezing each other.

In response to an external force, the supporting element of the additive release component can cause the release of the additive from the additive release component by any possible mechanism. The support member may be configured to transmit an acting force to the additive release component so as to cause release of the additive by any suitable mechanism. The release of the additive may occur under pressure, may be directional, multi-stage or single. The type of release may depend, for example, on the particular type and shape of the supporting element and the component releasing the additive and the materials from which they are made.

The carrier element of the additive release component can cause the release of the additive from the additive release component in a single dose, in multiple doses, or via a variable release, for example, when the release is proportional to the force or duration of the force applied to the carrier element. This can be achieved by appropriate selection of the material from which the carrier is made. For example, if the carrier is made of flexible plastic, then upon application of force after activation, the carrier may return to its original shape. In this case, depending on the nature of the component releasing the additive, the next portion of the additive may be released from the component releasing the additive by additional application of force to the supporting element. On the other hand, if the supporting element is made of inelastic material, for example, inelastic plastic, then upon activation of such a bearing element, it may collapse. With this design, the carrier is limited to one activation, and therefore the component that releases the additive can release one portion of the additive.

The activation of the carrier element may be accompanied by a distinguishable sound, or a perceived change in the structure of the carrier element. Therefore, the user can simply determine whether or not the release of the additive from the component emitting the additive has occurred.

The support element may comprise injection molding of a plastic material, for example, a lactic acid polymer, cellulose acetate or polyvinyl alcohol.

The size and shape of the support element of the additive release component is preferably determined in combination with the size and shape of the additive release component to be used. Meanwhile, the additive release component can be held by the carrier, and the carrier can provide physical protection for the additive release component until release of the additive is required.

Smoke sucked through the smoking article may pass through the carrier of the additive emitting component. Therefore, in order to minimize obstacles to the passage of smoke, the carrier element is preferably substantially hollow and / or may include windows and / or channels when the additive emitting component is placed inside the carrier element to allow such airflow through the structure, when smoke and any ventilating air flow passing through the filter do not encounter obstacles from the side of the supporting element and the component emitting the additive contained in this filter. Such an obstacle may adversely affect the pressure drop.

The supporting element of the component emitting the additive may have a diameter less than the diameter of the smoking article in which it is to be used. For example, the supporting element may have a generally cylindrical shape and the outer diameter is less than the diameter of the corresponding smoking article. In this case, the supporting element for use inside the filter of a smoking article of a standard king size may have a diameter of about 5 to 10 mm. In comparison with it, the supporting element for use within the filter of a superslim-sized thin smoking article may have a diameter of about 3 to 7 mm.

In general, the carrier of the additive release component typically has a length of 3 to 12 mm, preferably 4 to 10 mm, for example about 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm in length.

In one embodiment, the carrier of the additive releasing component has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the shape of the smoking article in which the carrier is to be used. For example, a carrier for use in conventional cigarettes may have a circular cross section. The reason for this is that the supporting element can also serve to ensure the shape, size or strength of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the carrier of the additive release component is substantially smaller than the diameter of the smoking article. In this case, one or more load-bearing elements may be distributed over the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the size of the support element is substantially equal to the cross-sectional size of the smoking article into which this element is to be integrated. In such embodiments, the carrier will not be surrounded by a layer of material, such as filter material, or a void or gap. On the contrary, the carrier element may, for example, be surrounded simply by rim paper, paper wrapper and / or filter wrapper, or another wrapper surrounding the corresponding part of the smoking article.

The supporting element of the component releasing the additive may have one or more tubercles, gutters, protrusions or other deviations from a smooth surface on its outer surface. Additionally, or alternatively, the carrier may have a hexagonal or other polygonal, elliptical or curly cross-section, instead of a round one. The user of the smoking article must be able to detect these elements, an indication of the position of the supporting element of the component emitting the additive on the filter of the smoking article, and the area of the supporting element to which the activating force is applied to cause the release of the additive from the component emitting the additive should be used.

The carrier of the additive release component may be a molded plastic structure. In some embodiments, the support element is made of biodegradable plastic, for example, lactic acid polymer (PLA from the English polylactic acid), cellulose acetate (CA from the English cellulose acetate), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In other embodiments, the support member may be made using moldable plastic, ceramic, starch, cardboard, paper, corrugated wrapper, or other suitable material known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the material from which the carrier is made may be transparent or translucent.

In some embodiments, the carrier of the additive release component may be at least partially visible to the user, for example, through the transparent window portion in the rim of the filter. In this case, the carrier may be colored. For example, the carrier may comprise a colorant. The dye can also be used to indicate the position of the carrier element inside the filter during production.

The supporting element of the component releasing the additive, when activated, can also give signals that are perceived by the consumer. This can be achieved, for example, by the formation of a distinguishable sound signal during activation of the carrier element, and (or) a noticeable change in its shape during activation.

In some embodiments, the support member of the additive release component can be obtained during a process in which a rod or tube having a suitable internal or external shape is first manufactured. For example, a rod or tube can be obtained by extrusion, or by molding or stamping, for example, from a sheet of suitable material. Then the rod or tube is cut or otherwise divided into separate products, each of which is one supporting element.

In some embodiments, the support element includes a shaped tube, the cross-sectional shape of which allows you to capture and hold the component that releases the additive. In some embodiments, the shape of the carrier element is selected so as to ensure the transfer of compressive force to the component releasing the additive located in the internal cavity. When a compressive force acts on the outer surface of the supporting element, the compressive force will be transmitted to the surface of the additive release component. If there is a concentrated contact between the supporting element and the component that releases the additive, the compressive force will be focused in this place. In some embodiments, this localized transfer of force allows breakthrough of the component releasing the additive when a lower force is applied than if the component releasing the additive is located in a conventional filter without a carrier element.

In some embodiments, the support member has a cross section with channels through which air can flow. The channels can be located between the supporting element and the component releasing the additive, and (or) outside the supporting element, in the outer surface of which grooves or grooves can be formed, passing between the outer surface of the component releasing the additive, and the part of the smoking article into which this component.

In some embodiments, the carrier component is a corrugated tube. The corrugation can be, for example, smooth and wavy, irregular, with corners or crown.

In some embodiments, the material of such load-bearing elements may consist of sheet materials or include sheet materials, for example: cellulose acetate, which can be extruded in the form of a sheet, and then subjected to hot molding to obtain corrugation; cellulose diacetate, for example Clarifoil®, which can also be hot formed; or melts including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA - from the English ethylene vinyl acetate), polyurethane (PU), polymetallocenes, amorphous poly-alpha-olefin (ARAO - from the English. amorphous poly-alpha-olephin), polyamide and block copolymers, for example Henkel Techomelt® Q2237 using melt technology.

In some embodiments, the additive release component is combined with the carrier before the combination (also called the additive release system) is inserted into the desired portion of the smoking article. Introduction to the smoking article may occur simultaneously with the assembly of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the shape of the carrier element is selected such that after installation of the component releasing the additive into it, this component is held there, for example, by petals or due to the shape of the carrier element. In some embodiments, the support member includes a deformable section that can be deformed when the additive release component is introduced, and then restores its original shape by holding it inside the support member. If the supporting elements hold the component releasing the additive, this may contribute to the proper introduction of these two components into the smoking article.

In other embodiments, the additive release component may be held in the carrier by friction fit when they are joined in connection, and the internal diameter of the carrier does not exceed the outer diameter of the additive release component.

In other embodiments, the components releasing the additive may be introduced into the rod or tube, which must be cut or otherwise divided into sections to form separate load-bearing elements. When cutting or otherwise separating the tube or rod, support elements are formed that are already connected to the additive release component.

As a component releasing the additive, any component can be used to hold the additive and release it if necessary. The release may occur in response to exposure through the supporting element of the component releasing the additive when an external force is applied to the smoking article, for example, by the fingers of the user.

The components releasing the additive may have an outer shell and a core in which the additive is contained. The outer shell may be destructible, subject to plastic deformation or elastically deformable. The core may simply be the cavity in which the additive is contained. Alternatively, a spongy material, an absorbent material or a gel in which the additive is contained may be present in the core. The additive release component may have an outer shell and an inner core. The outer shell may be destructible, elastically deformable or susceptible to plastic deformation.

In the embodiments shown in the attached drawings 1-9, the smoking article comprises a capsule that contains the additive in the core. In other embodiments, for storage of the additive, however, other types of additive release components may be used. For example, the additive release component may have a sponge material (as shown in FIG. 10), absorbent material, gel material, or any other suitable material.

The additive may be released from the component releasing the additive using suitable means. For example, the release of the additive can cause the force with which the user acts on the component releasing the additive through the support element of the component releasing the additive. This force may be an external force, for example a compressive force exerted by a user compressing a smoking article or a supporting member. The release of the additive may, for example, be accompanied by a rupture of the additive release component, or, alternatively, extrusion of the additive from the additive release component containing porous or spongy material.

In some embodiments, including those shown in the attached FIGS. 1-9, the outer wall of the additive release component may be made of gelatin with a core filled with the additive.

In some embodiments, including that shown in FIG. 10, the additive may contain spongy material, which may be compressible. The additive may be dispersed within the sponge material and, if desired, absorbed by the sponge material, which can release the additive when squeezed. The spongy material may be an array of absorbent material impregnated with the additive, which can be gradually squeezed and which can release at least a portion of the additive contained therein by partial compression. The spongy material may include a closed cell matrix, in particular a closed cell foam structure. Closed cell foam forms a matrix with many small cavities that may contain an additive. The cavities are clogged with foam material, preserving the additive until it is selectively released. The closed-cell foam structure may be configured to release the additive upon application of compressive force.

The closed cell foam substrate does not require an outer shell to hold the additive, and therefore can form a component releasing the additive without using an outer shell. However, in an alternative embodiment, the additive release component may have a coating on the surface of the sponge material, which will act as the outer shell surrounding the spongy material. This outer material can be used to preserve the additive inside the sponge material until release of the contents is required, when the user can break through the outer shell and squeeze the additive out of the sponge by external force through the carrier element.

In some embodiments, the additive release component may be a porous material that can carry the additive. Such material may be, for example, absorbent material or gel material.

The carrier element of the additive release component may comprise several additive release components, which may be the same or different additive release components. In this case, the supporting element can cause activation of all components releasing the additive by means of a single activation mechanism, or, conversely, the design of the supporting element can provide retention of components releasing the additive, the activation of which is carried out independently, through separate activation mechanisms of the supporting element. When multiple additive release components are used, they may contain the same additives or a combination of different additives. Several additives can enter into a chemical reaction, for example an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The additives may be organic acid and alcohol, during the reaction of which an ether is formed.

The component releasing the additive may be a completely separate element relative to the bearing element of the component releasing the additive, or may be an integral part of the bearing element. For example, a part of the carrier can be made with a sealed chamber serving as an additive release component and containing the additive.

The size and shape of the component releasing the additive can be determined taking into account the dimensions of the supporting element, with which the component releasing the additive should be used. The dimensions of the additive release component may also depend on the amount of additive required. It should also be borne in mind that if there is a component separating the additive in the filter, the filtering characteristics of the filter and its resistance to tightening must be preserved.

The additive release component may have a length of 0.1 to 12 mm, more preferably 2 to 5 mm.

When using several components that highlight the additive, they can have the same or different sizes.

The components emitting the additive can be formed in different physical formats. For example, the additive release component may be a single-part or multiple-part capsule, large capsule, small capsule, microcapsule, etc. A wide variety of configurations of the components releasing the additive may be suitable, for example, they may be generally spherical (described with reference to preferred embodiments), ovoid, elliptical, cylindrical, or any other shape.

In some embodiments, the support member reduces the compressive force required to release the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support.

The carrier can be used with an additive release component that cannot be compressed so as to release the additive in the absence of the carrier, but can be manually compressed to release the additive in the presence of the carrier. Such an additive release component may, for example, have an outer shell containing a solid material that cannot be torn apart by a compressive force in the absence of a carrier, but can be torn apart by a compressive force in the presence of a carrier.

In the absence of the supporting element, the user of the smoking article will require the application of a compressive force of a larger magnitude to tear and / or deform the outer shell of the component releasing the additive, compared with the compressive force that would be necessary if the supporting element were present.

Since the additive release component is activated by the carrier of the additive release component, in some embodiments it may be more durable than the additive release component used previously in smoking articles. This is possible due to the fact that the force created by the user's fingers is concentrated by the bearing element of the component releasing the additive on a small area of the component releasing the additive, thereby increasing the specific force acting on the component releasing the additive.

Conventional capsules, which are introduced into the filter of a smoking article without a supporting element, usually have a fracture strength of not more than 2.3 kilopond, which ensures sufficient fragility of the capsule, ensuring its destruction by the consumer without using excessive pressure when squeezing the filter. Often, for this reason, capsules with a fracture strength of not more than 2.1 kilopond or not more than 1.9 kilopond are preferred. 1 kilopond is a unit of force equal to 1 kilogram-force, which is approximately equal to 9.8 Newton (N).

The presence of the carrier of the additive release component simplifies the release of the additive from the additive release component, preferably reducing the compressive force to be applied. Therefore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the supporting element of the additive emitting component can be used with additive emitting components having a breaking force of more than 2.5 kilopond, more than 2.6 kilopond, more than 2.7 kilopond, more than 2.8 kilopond, more than 2.9 kilopond or more than 3 kilopond.

The mentioned fracture force refers to the initial fracture force Ci of the component releasing the additive, measured before smoking (in dry condition) by continuously applying the vertical load to one specimen before rupture using the LLOYD CHATILLION, Model DFIS50 digital dynamometer with a maximum force of 25 kg, resolution 0.02 kg and an accuracy of ± 0.15%. The dynamometer was mounted on a stand, and the component emitting the additive was located in the middle of the plate, which was moved upward by means of a manual screw device. In this case, the pressure was applied manually, and the dynamometer recorded the maximum applied force at the time of rupture of the component releasing the additive (in kg). Rupture of the component releasing the additive results in the release of the additive inside the component.

The carrier element of the additive emitting component may have a protrusion, a protruding part, a sharp end, a tapered edge, or another tapering protrusion or region having a small surface area that, when the carrier element is activated, comes into contact with the additive emitting component. In this way, the external pressure applied to the carrier can be concentrated on a small surface area of the additive release component. For example, when the additive release component is a spherical capsule, by means of a tapering protrusion, the carrier element can direct the force in the radial direction through the center of the capsule, thereby concentrating the force on a small area for piercing the gap, making the gap as easy as possible.

In some embodiments, the support member increases the compressive force necessary to cause the release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force necessary to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support component.

Thus, the supporting element of the component releasing the additive also promotes the use of components releasing the additive, which are less durable than those that were previously possible in smoking articles. This was possible because the component that releases the additive is protected from accidental activation and (or) destruction due to the fact that it is fixed inside the supporting element. For conventional capsules used without a supporting element, the minimum capsule breaking strength should usually be at least 0.5 kilopond, which provides sufficient strength to the capsule to withstand premature or accidental crushing during the manufacturing process of the cigarette.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the supporting element of the additive release component can be used with additive release components having a fracture strength of less than 0.5 kilopond, less than 0.25 kilopond or even less than 0.2 kilopond.

Thus, the supporting element of the component releasing the additive allows you to use a much wider range of potential values of the activation force of the component releasing the additive than was previously possible. Can be used components that release the additive, having a fracture force in the range from 0.1 to 3 kilopond.

Additive release components can be used having a reduced strength portion in a region where the supporting element of the additive release component is in contact with the additive release component. This local flexibility of the additive release component can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, the additive release component may be an ellipsoid or egg-shaped capsule and as a result has increased tensile strength when a force is applied in one or the other direction. Alternatively, local flexibility can be achieved by using an additive release component that has been specifically reinforced at specific locations. Such an additive release component may be an additive release component having an increased shell thickness at predetermined locations. Naturally, a similar effect can be achieved by attenuating in some places the wall of the component releasing the additive.

In some embodiments, the additive release component may be a bilayer component. For example, the additive release component may be a capsule, which is further enclosed in a second sealing layer, or shell, or the like. This can provide enhanced protection against accidental or premature activation or destruction, or accidental leakage. In this case, single-layer or multi-layer components that separate the additive can be used to obtain the specified stability, strength, tensile strength, ease of processing in the manufacture of the filter, etc.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-9, the supporting element of the component releasing the additive has certain structural features, for example, holders 12, shelves 25 or bracket 32, which are designed to introduce the component releasing the additive into them. In other embodiments, the support member of the additive release component does not have any special design features to accommodate the additive release component. In this case, the additive release component can simply adhere to a part of the inner surface of the carrier element. In other embodiments, the additive release component is not adhered, but is held inside the carrier of the additive component by other means, for example, being locked inside the carrier between two sections of a composite filter filter.

In some embodiments, the additive release component is a capsule made of brittle material. In one embodiment, the additive release component consists of a sparingly soluble high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol. A number of suitable alternative materials are known, and as an example, additive components commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry can be cited. Such additive release components may, for example, be based on gelatin, or may be formed from a polymeric material, such as modified cellulose. One type of modified cellulose that can be used is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. Many biodegradable materials are known suitable for use in the manufacture of additive release components, which include high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, polyoxypropionic acid, thermoplastic biodegradable resin, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, polyoxyalkonate, for example poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and zein-based bioplastics.

Alternatively, the additive release component may include hollow food material, such as pasta, or extruded hollow tubes of reconstituted tobacco. The inner walls of the additive release component material may preferably be coated with a waterproof material, such as silicone, to maintain the rigidity of the additive release component by preventing the absorption of liquid contents or degradation over an extended period of time.

Alternatively, the additive release component may be made of wax, resin, natural or synthetic rubber, latex, or plastic material that retains its shape and strength at room temperature and smoking temperature, but bursts when exposed to the additive release component . Examples of suitable wax materials include beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, alkaline wax, Karanda palm wax, cane wax, myrtle wax and petroleum wax.

Suitable resins include epoxy resins, terpene resins, petroleum resins, rosin ester, phenolic resins and wood resin resins. Preferred vegetable resins include gum arabic, carob, guar gum, alginate, carrageenan and pectin.

In some embodiments, where the additive release component comprises a spongy porous material, any suitable spongy material may be used. The spongy material may be foamed material, for example a foamed plastic polymer, for example polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

The component releasing the additive may be colored. For example, the additive release component may contain a colorant. The dye can be used to simplify the localization of the component releasing the additive and the supporting element of the component releasing the additive inside the filter during manufacturing. Alternatively or additionally, the colorant may give an interesting and attractive appearance to the smoking article, in particular if the supporting element or elements of the component releasing the additive are only partially hidden inside the filter material or if a transparent window is to be made in the rim paper. If a colored additive release agent is to be used, it can be combined with a colorless transparent carrier.

Alternatively or additionally, the additive contained in the component releasing the additive may be colored. This may give the user an additional visual indication that the additive has been successfully released, since the release of the additive from the additive release component will be visible. This may be particularly useful if the component releasing the additive contains a combination of additives, while one of the additives is colored, which may indicate the release of another, unpainted, additive (s).

If the additive is colored, it may be desirable for the carrier to contribute to the targeted release of the additive into the area of the smoking article or filter of the smoking article where this color will be noticeable. For example, the additive may be directed to the peripheral parts of the smoking article, for example, circumferentially at the mouth end. The colored additive may be directed to the area of the smoking article where it will be visible through a transparent window.

The additive emitting component may be manufactured by any suitable method, and the method of manufacturing the additive emitting component depends on the exact composition and the desired structure. Suitable methods for manufacturing the additive release component may include, for example, coextrusion, centrifugal coating, solvent evaporation, and ring spinning.

In some embodiments, where the additive release component is a seamless capsule, the capsule may be made by coextrusion technology. The coextrusion process involves the simultaneous extrusion of two fluids, which then form the shell and contents of the capsule (or “core”), which in this case is the additive. The first step (coextrusion) involves the formation of a droplet in which the liquid additive is located inside the liquid shell material. After the coextrusion step, the “capsule” cures, for example, by cooling or by immersion in a hardener. Then the capsules can be subjected to various influences, such as washing, removing excess fluid, coloring, applying additional coatings, etc.

Alternatively, ring jet molding technology may be used. This method uses two concentric nozzles ejecting an inner stream of liquid core material and an outer stream of liquid shell material. The fluid flow breaks up into droplets and the liquid material of the shell hardens during the phase transition caused by the presence of ions forming cross-links, the difference in pH, temperature changes, etc.

In some embodiments, in which the additive release component has a wax capsule, the capsule formation method may, for example, include freezing a solution of a liquid core material to form small crystals. Then the crystals are lowered into the molten wax and removed with a spatula after the formation of the wax shell around the cold crystals. The frozen core material gradually becomes liquid when the capsule reaches room temperature.

Foamed sponge materials can be produced by a foam extrusion process.

The additive contained within the component emitting the additive may be a flavoring, deodorant, scavenger, diluent, or any other substance capable of modifying smoke. In some embodiments, the additive may be menthol or water.

As used herein, the terms “flavoring agent” and “flavoring agent” refer to materials that, in accordance with local law, can be used to give an adult product the desired taste or aroma. These may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white-stem magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, spicy herbs, wintergreen, cherries and other berries, peach, apple, Drambui liquor, whiskey Bourbon, Scotch whiskey and other brands of whiskey, peppermint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascar oil, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, acacia, cumin cognac jasmine ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil of any genus Mentha), aroma corrective substances, bitterness suppressants, sensory enhancers, sugar and (or) sugar substitutes (for example , sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or beckon) and other additives, such as activated carbon, chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances, breath fresheners. They may be artificial, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid or powder.

The flavoring substance may be a tobacco flavoring substance. If the flavor is in liquid form, the tobacco flavor can be obtained from the tobacco extract. If the additive is in solid form, the additive may be a tobacco sheet or reconstituted tobacco material in the form of shredded tobacco, particles or granules.

The additive may be a solid, such as a powder, may be a liquid, such as a liquid flavoring, deodorant, water, or a gas, such as an aromatic compound.

The additive may be an absorber, which may be in the form of granules, powder, particles, or any other suitable form. In this case, the absorber material preferably has a particle size of less than 500 microns and preferably less than 100 microns. More preferably, the average particle size of the absorber material is less than 50 microns. The particle size is the particle diameter. In some embodiments, the particle size or average particle size of the absorber material is 200-700 microns.

Preferably, the absorber material is selected from the group of materials with a relatively large surface area. This material may be more or less specific for certain constituents of the smoke. Suitable scavengers include carbon, activated carbon, activated charcoal, activated coconut charcoal, activated carbon based on fossil coal or charcoal, zeolite, silica gel, sepiolite, clay, alumina (activated or non-activated), carbon resin, or combinations of these materials. Preferably, carbon, or more preferably activated carbon or charcoal, is used as an absorber. In some embodiments, activated coconut charcoal is used.

An example of a suitable carbon absorber based on fossil coal can be obtained from semi-anthracite coal with a density of about 50% higher than that of coconut coal (manufactured by Calgon Carbon, Pittsburgh, PA, Washington).

An example of a suitable carbon resin is a material obtained by pyrolysis of sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene, for example Ambersorb 572 or Ambersorb 563 (manufactured by Rohm and Haas). To increase the efficiency of the common absorber, metal oxides or other metal-based complexes can be included in or impregnated into the general absorber section.

Any absorbent material can be used as a single substance or in a mixture, and / or can form a mixture with other materials.

The filter may include a complex filter, and in this case, one of the filter sections, for example at the mouth end, the central or filter section at the tobacco rod, may include a support system. A filter may include several load-bearing elements, for example, a filter may include 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 load-bearing elements.

The filter may include an indicator indicating the place or places of the filter where the force should be applied to activate the carrier element.

In some embodiments, the support element is mounted perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article into which it is inserted, and the support element substantially fills the cross section of the filter. In some embodiments, the combination of the carrier with the additive emitting component has channels through which airflow is possible, allowing smoke and ventilating air to pass through, preferably without adversely affecting the pressure drop.

The carrier can cause the additive to release into the filter in any particular direction. The direction may be predetermined by the shape and design of the component emitting the additive and / or the supporting element. The additive can be released directed to a specific area of the filter material, for example, the peripheral area of the filter of a smoking article. The area in which the additive is released may contain an active component, for example a second additive, which may or may not be retained by the component releasing the additive.

The filter may include a combination filter. The filter may include means for indicating the area of the filter to which a force is to be applied to activate the carrier element. For example, the carrier element may have a surface that can be detected through any layers of the wrapper of the smoking article, and / or the surface of the smoking article may have a printed image or other visual indication. The supporting element may be visible inside the smoking article through a window in a paper wrapper of a filter and a rim paper.

In some embodiments, the additive release component is located inside the combination filter, for example between two sections of filter material. In the case of a three-section filter, the filter sections comprise a mouthpiece end section and a filter section adjacent to the smoking material.

In some embodiments, the carrier of the additive release component may be located in the middle of the filter, i.e. two sections of the filter can be the same size. Alternatively, the carrier can be offset from the center to one or the other ends of the filter. Indeed, in some embodiments, the filter may simply be a double filter comprising a carrier and a section of filter material at the mouth end.

In some embodiments, the filter is attached to the rod of smoking material in a conventional manner by the rim paper. If opaque rim paper is used, the filter may comprise means for indicating the position of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive and the area to which force must be applied to activate the carrier element.

Since some of the additive release components of the invention are intended for directed release of the additive, the orientation in which the additive release component is inserted into the smoking article or filter of the smoking article should be controlled.

A smoking article may include one or more additive emitting components that are positioned to release the additive in a specific area of the smoking article or filter of the smoking article, which can be any region of the smoking article or filter of the smoking article.

This region may contain material activated by the additive released from the additive release component. For example, this material may include a solid material that is activated in solution, that is, activated by exposure to an additive in the form of water or a specific solvent.

The area for targeted release of the additive may be a cavity in the middle of the filter, which may or may not contain other active materials. For example, the cavity may contain crystalline flavoring, which can be activated when the additive in the form of a solvent is directed to the cavity to come into contact with the crystals. Alternatively, the cavity may contain a material that is sensitive to the additive in the form of water, for example, a material that, when in contact with water, changes color, dissolves, produces sound, gives off taste or smell, etc.

The particular region to which the additive is directed may be a region of filter material containing solid material in the form of small granules evenly distributed within the material. Such a construction may be useful, for example, when a granular crystal flavor is to be used in combination with an additive component containing a solvent additive. In this case, several additive release components can be used, from which the additive can be sequentially released to obtain a flavor during the period of use of the smoking article. In such a design, the additive may be directed to the same or different regions of the filter material containing granules.

The region to which the additive is directed may be the peripheral region of the smoking article or filter of the smoking article, for example, the region on or near the circular surface of the smoking article or at the mouth end of the filter. Such an arrangement may be suitable, for example, when the additive is colored, to give an attractive appearance to the smoking article and / or to provide a visual indication of the release of the additive when the additive release component contains a combination of colored and colorless additives. This arrangement may also be suitable when the additive is an aromatic substance, facilitating diffusion of the aromatic substance from the smoking article.

The smoking article or filter of the smoking article may contain two or more additives, each of which is located in separate components releasing the additive, which may be located in similar or separate load-bearing elements. Such an arrangement may be suitable when, for example, two or more additives undergo a chemical reaction or when the additives are susceptible to oxidation, diffusion, or other mechanisms of loss of activity over time.

Two or more additive release components may be arranged so as to release the additive in the direction of each other. Such an arrangement may be needed, for example, when additives enter into a chemical reaction, for example, to carry out an exothermic or endothermic reaction or a reaction in which it emits a smell or gas, or creates a color or other visual effect.

Two or more additive release components may be positioned to release the additive in the direction of one filter region. This may be necessary if a significant amount of the additive is required to be supplied to a specific area of the filter, for example, if the additive is water, and the intended area of the filter contains water-sensitive material, for example, water-swellable, water-soluble or water-degradable material.

In some embodiments, the filter has a transparent window that allows you to see inside the filter the supporting element of the component that separates the additive and (or) the component that separates the additive. In this case, the user can see the component releasing the additive inside the filter and can visually determine whether the release of the additive has occurred.

In some embodiments, a window may be made in filter wrapping paper and / or rim paper. The window may extend around the entire circumference of the smoking article. It can be limited to the area where the supporting element and the components emitting the additive are located, and therefore only they are visible. Alternatively, the window may be larger so that at least partially visible adjacent parts of the smoking article, such as adjacent inserts of the filter material.

The support element may be transparent or translucent, or include a transparent or translucent section, allowing the user to see the component highlighting the additive.

In some embodiments, the corresponding portion of the smoking article, such as a filter, may have a means of indicating the area of the smoking article to which a force must be applied to activate the carrier. For example, the supporting element may have a surface that is visible through the layers of the wrapper of the smoking article, and / or the surface of the smoking article may have a printed image or other visual indication.

To form a transparent window, the rim paper can have one section of transparent material, which can be used, among other things, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cellulose acetate film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene, cellophane, Natureflex ™, polymer lactic acid, thermoplastic biodegradable resin, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, polyoxyalkonate, for example poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and zein-based bioplastics. The rim paper may have an opaque coating in some areas, leaving a transparent, uncoated section forming a window.

Filter sections can be formed as separate sections of filter material wrapped in porous sheet material. The filter sections and the carrier of the additive emitting component are preferably not directly connected to each other, but are combined only with wrapping paper or, in fact, banding paper.

In FIG. 1A and 1B show a carrier 10 of an additive releasing component in accordance with a first embodiment.

The additive release component 11 is located inside the carrier 10 of the additive release component. In this embodiment, the additive release component is a brittle spherical capsule containing the additive.

The supporting element 10 of the additive release component is generally in the form of a hollow cylinder. The circumference of the cylinder corresponds to or slightly less than the circumference of the filter of the smoking article in which the supporting element is used. Three holders 12 protrude into the internal cavity of the cylinder. As shown in FIG. 1B, the shape of the ends of the holders facing the center of the carrier is adapted to hold the capsule 11.

The supporting element 10 of the component that separates the additive in its circular surface has two sections 13 with reduced strength. In this embodiment, the reduced strength sections of the carrier element of the additive release component are formed by reducing the thickness of the carrier element in these areas.

As shown in FIG. 2, when an external force acts on the circular surface of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive, in the direction of arrow A, applied, for example, by the fingers of the user, the carrier element is deformed. In particular, the deformable section 14 of the bearing element of the component releasing the additive, located between the two sections 13 with reduced strength, bends and takes a concave position under the action of an external force. On the deformable section 14 of the supporting element there are no holders 12.

With this deformation, the internal volume of the supporting element of the component releasing the additive decreases. As a result, the capsule held by the holders 12 of the carrier is crushed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the rupture of the capsule 11 is facilitated by the pointed protrusion 15 located on the inner surface of the deformable section 14. When the deformable section of the supporting element of the component releasing the additive is deformed, the force exerted on the capsule is concentrated over a small area, simplifying the rupture of the capsule.

In FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a smoking article including a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a first embodiment. The smoking article comprises a strand of smoking material 16 and a filter 17. The filter 17 is a three-section structure in which the carrier 10 is located between two sections of the cellulose acetate filter material 18 and 19. The carrier element 10 includes a component 11 that releases the additive, in this case a fragile capsule. The filter sections are combined by wrapping a filter (not shown), forming a filter 17, and attached to the rod of smoking material 17 by rim paper (not shown) in a known manner.

In the process of use, the force with which the user acts on the filter 17 in the region of the deformable section 14 of the carrier element 10 that separates the additive causes the carrier element to deform, as described above, and rupture of the capsule 11. This releases the additive in the capsule, representing in this case a flavoring additive (menthol), and can be carried away by the smoke which is sucked by the user through the filter.

In FIG. 4A and 4B show a carrier 20 of an additive releasing component in accordance with a second embodiment.

The additive emitting component 21 is located inside the carrier element 20 of the additive emitting component. In this embodiment, the additive release component is a brittle spherical capsule with the additive.

The size of the outer surface of the carrier element 20 of the component emitting the additive corresponds to or slightly less than the filter of a smoking article in which the carrier is to be used. The carrier 20 is in the form of a ring or a hollow cylinder having several wave-shaped folds located along the axis 22. In the embodiment shown, the carrier has 8 wave-shaped folds. In other embodiments, the carrier may have from 2 to 16 wave-shaped folds. For example, the supporting element may have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 wave-shaped folds.

On the outer circumferential surface of the carrier element 20 of the component that separates the additive, the wave-shaped folds are in the form of grooves located along the axis 23. On the inner surface of the carrier element, the wave-shaped folds have narrowed ends 24 directed to the core of the carrier element 20.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the additive release component 21 may be placed in the center of the carrier of the additive release component 20. The shape of the ends of the protrusions 24 is selected so as to ensure the placement of the additive releasing component 21. In particular, the distance between the tapering ends of the protruding protrusions 24 is greater than the diameter of the capsule 21. The capsule is held inside the carrier of the additive releasing component by the shelves 25 on the protrusions 24.

The wave-shaped folds 22 extending along the axis reduce the rigidity of the carrier component 20 of the additive releasing component, in particular with respect to the transverse force exerted on the carrier element of the component releasing the additive in any transverse direction. In response to the effect of such a force, applied, for example, by the fingers of the user, the supporting element 20 of the component releasing the additive is deformed, taking an elliptical shape instead of an approximately circular shape.

Unlike the carrier element of the component that separates the additive, from the first embodiment, the position of the deformable section of the carrier element in the second embodiment is not predetermined, but is determined by the place where the force is applied to the carrier element.

Deformation in response to an external force applied reduces the distance between at least one pair of opposed protrusions 24 of the component supporting component 20 of the additive releasing component 20. As a result, the capsule held between the protrusions 24 is crushed. The rupture of the capsule 21 is facilitated by the fact that the protrusions 24 have tapering ends. As a result, the force acting on the capsule is concentrated on a small area, which simplifies the rupture of the capsule.

In FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a smoking article comprising a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a second embodiment. The smoking article comprises a rod of smoking material 26 and a filter 27. The filter 27 has a three-section structure in which the carrier 20 of the additive release component is located between two sections of the cellulose acetate filter material 28 and 29. The carrier member 20 of the additive release component includes the additive release component 21. The filter sections are combined by means of filter wrapping paper (not shown), forming a filter 27, and attached to the rod of smoking material 26 by rim paper (not shown) in a known manner.

In use, the force exerted by the user in any direction to the filter 27 in the region of the carrier 20 of the component releasing the additive causes the carrier to deform, as described above, and the capsule 21 breaks. In this case, the additive in the capsule is released and can be entrained in the smoke absorbed by the user through the filter.

In FIG. 6A and 6B show a carrier 30 of an additive releasing component in accordance with a third embodiment.

The additive release component 31 is located inside the carrier 30 of the additive release component. In this embodiment, the additive release component is a brittle spherical capsule with the additive.

In this embodiment, the outer contour of the carrier element 30 of the additive releasing component does not form a complete circle in cross section, rather, forming part of a circle or C-shape. In other words, the carrier 30 is generally in the form of a hollow cylinder, in which a part of the circular surface is missing.

In other respects, the carrier element 30 of the additive release component in the third embodiment is similar to the carrier element 10 of the first embodiment. The circumference of the cylinder is similar to the circumference of the filter of the smoking article in which the supporting element is to be used, or slightly less.

The capsule is inserted into the central cavity of the cylinder and is held there by means of an arm 32 and a section 33 with a thickened wall. As shown in FIG. 6B, one end of the bracket 32 and the thickened wall section 33 are connected to form a base, the shape of which is adapted to accommodate the capsule 31.

The supporting element 30 of the additive release component has a section 34 with reduced strength in its circular surface. The reduced strength section 34 separates the capsule holding section of the carrier (including the bracket 32 and the thickened wall section 33) from the deformable section of the carrier of the additive release component in the form of a pivotally mounted lever 35.

In use, the reduced strength section 34 acts as a hinge or pivot axis, around which the hinge arm 35 can move relative to a section of the bearing member of the additive releasing component that holds the capsule. As shown in FIG. 7, an external force exerted, for example, by the user's fingers, acting on the peripheral surface of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive leads to its deformation and, in particular, to the movement of the hinge lever 35, which rotates around the section 34 with reduced strength in the direction of the carrier element holding capsule.

Such deformation of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive reduces the internal volume of the carrier element and, as a result, the capsule breaks.

The rupture of the capsule 31 is facilitated by a pointed protrusion 36 located on the inner surface of the hinge lever 35. When the hinge lever 35 is forced to rotate towards the capsule 31, the force acting on the capsule is concentrated over a small area, which contributes to the rupture of the capsule.

In FIG. 8 is a view of a disassembled smoking article including a carrier of an additive releasing component in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The smoking article includes a strand of smoking material 37 and a filter 38. The filter 38 has a three-section structure in which the carrier 30 of the additive release component is located between two sections of cellulose acetate filter material 39 and 40. The carrier element 30 of the additive release component includes the additive release component 31, which in this case is a brittle capsule. The filter sections are combined by means of filter wrapping paper (not shown), forming a filter 38, and attached to the rod of smoking material 37 by rim paper (not shown) in a known manner.

In use, the force exerted by the user on the filter 38 in the region of the carrier 30 of the additive emitting component causes the carrier to deform, as described above, and rupture of the capsule 31. The additive in the capsule is released and may be entrained in smoke, sucked by the user through the filter.

Filters for a smoking article may include two or more support members of an additive release component, for example, support elements 3, 4, 5, or 6. In the case of filters that include multiple support elements, additive release components held in each support element may contain the same or different additives and may be the same or different size.

When the filter of a smoking article contains several load-bearing elements of an additive release component, it may be necessary for the user to activate load-bearing elements with the same or different forces. This allows the user to arbitrarily control the degree of release of the additive.

When more than one supporting element of an additive releasing component is used in a filter of a smoking article, the supporting elements may have the same structure, or different structures. For example, different designs can be used in cases where the activation of a component releasing an additive requires the application of forces of various sizes.

In FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a smoking article in accordance with a fourth embodiment. The smoking article includes an extruder of smoking material 41 and a filter 42. The filter 42 includes the supporting elements 43 of the additive release component similar to those described in relation to the second embodiment. Each carrier element includes a component 44 that releases the additive, in this case a fragile capsule. In the filter 42, the supporting elements 43 are located between two sections of the filter material 45 and 46 of cellulose acetate. The filter sections are combined by means of filter wrapping paper (not shown) to form a filter 42, and attached to the rod of smoking material 41 by rim paper (not shown) in a known manner.

In use, the force exerted by the user on the filter 42 in the region of the carrier elements 43 of the additive releasing component causes the first carrier element 43a to deform, as described above, and the first capsule 44a to rupture. Then, the force exerted by the user on the filter in the region of the carrier elements 43 causes the second carrier element 43b to deform and rupture of the second capsule 44b. In this way, the additives contained in the capsules are controllably released by the user and can be carried away by the smoke that the user sucks through the filter.

In FIG. 10 shows a smoking article 50 including a cylindrical rod of smoking material, in this case tobacco 51, and a filter 52. The filter 52 is wrapped in filter wrapping paper (not shown).

The rod of smoking material 51 is centered on the filter 52 so that the end of the tobacco rod 51 abuts against the end of the filter 52. The rod is wrapped in a paper wrapper (not shown) and connected to the filter 52 with rim paper (not shown) in the usual way.

The filter 52 is a three-section filter, including two generally cylindrical inserts of the filter material 53, separated by a carrier 54 of the component that separates the additive, in accordance with the fifth embodiment.

The additive release component 55 is located within the carrier 54. In this embodiment, the additive release component 55 is a sponge material containing the additive. The spongy material is coated with a brittle outer shell.

The carrier 54 of the additive release component is typically in the form of a hollow cylinder. The circumference of the cylinder is equal to or slightly less than the circumference of the filter 52 of the smoking article. Three struts 56 protrude into the central cavity of the cylinder, dividing the cavity into three identical sectors. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the sectors is positioned so that component 55 releasing the additive is placed therein.

On the inner surface of the carrier 54 of the component that separates the additive, in the center of each of the three sectors there is a sharp protrusion 57.

An external force applied, for example, by the fingers of the user, to the circular surface of the bearing element of the component releasing the additive, causes the deformation of the bearing element. In particular, the outer surface of one or more sectors between the struts 56 under the action of force takes a concave shape.

Such deformation reduces the internal volume of this particular sector of the component supporting component 54 of the additive releasing component. As a result, component 55, which releases the additive located in this sector of the bearing element, is crushed. Due to the presence of a sharp protrusion 57 during deformation of the bearing element, the force acting on the component releasing the additive is concentrated on a small area, which contributes to crushing of the component releasing the additive. When crushing the component releasing the additive, the brittle outer shell breaks and the additive is squeezed out of the sponge material into the surrounding filter material 53.

In FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article including a carrier 60 of an additive releasing component in accordance with a sixth embodiment.

The additive release component 61 is located inside the carrier 60 of the additive release component. In this embodiment, the additive release component is a brittle spherical capsule containing the additive.

The carrier 60 of the additive emitting component is substantially the same as the carrier shown in the first embodiment. The only difference is that in the carrier element 60 of the component releasing the additive, there is no deformable section and it does not deform under the action of an external force.

The carrier 60 of the additive release component is generally in the form of a hollow cylinder. The circumference of the cylinder is equal to or slightly less than the circumference of the filter 63 of the smoking article in which the carrier is to be used. Three holders 62 protrude into the central cavity of the cylinder. As shown in relation to the first embodiment (but not shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B), the shape of the ends of the holders facing the center of the carrier is adapted to hold the capsule 61.

While the carrier 10 in the first embodiment had two sections 13 with reduced strength in its circular surface, the present carrier 60 has a gap 64, as shown in FIG. 11B. Thus, the additive releasing component 61 is not completely surrounded by the carrier 60.

In use, an external force is applied to the carrier 60 of the additive releasing component in the region of the gap 64 in the direction of arrow B. This force presses the additive component 61 to the holders 62 of the carrier 60. As a result, the capsule held by the holders 62 is crushed.

The rupture of the capsule 61 is facilitated by the pointed protrusion 65 located on the end of the holder 62 opposite the gap 64. Due to the presence of the pointed protrusion, the force acting on the capsule is concentrated over a small area, contributing to the rupture of the capsule.

In FIG. 12A-12B show various embodiments of a carrier in the form of a corrugated tube. The drawings show several possible cross-sectional shapes of the corrugation. The corrugations are rounded in FIG. 12A have an angular shape in FIG. 12B or crown shape in FIG. 12V

In some embodiments, the support members shown in FIG. 4A, 4B and 12A-12B may be described as having a petal shape with several petals or lobes connected. Each lobe, or lobe, includes a segment located radially outside, and two generally radial segments. The segment located radially outside has a radially outer surface adapted for contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the smoking article and located on the side opposite the radially inner surface. The radially outer surface has first and second ends, each of which is attached to the radially outer end part of one of the radially arranged segments. It is shown that each generally radially located segment has said radially outer end part and a radially inner end part. The radially inner end parts of each petal or lobe are attached to the radially inner end parts of the adjacent lobe or lobe. In this case, the supporting element can capture and hold the component releasing the additive due to the small radial expansion.

In some embodiments, structural members including the structures shown in FIG. 12A-12B, can be made by extrusion, followed by cutting into segments of the desired length.

In some embodiments, support members may be fabricated using suitable techniques, for example, blow molding, injection molding, 3D printing, and using rotational dies. Combined technologies may be used. These technologies are particularly suitable for the manufacture of complex elements, such as those shown in FIG. 4A and 4B.

Examples

The supporting elements of the additive release component 5 mm long were prepared containing the additive release component in the form of a macrocapsule with a diameter of 3.4 mm.

Filters with a length of 27 mm were also prepared, including the supporting element of the component that separates the additive, located between two sections of a 10 mm and 12 mm cellulose acetate filter.

The filters were then attached in the usual way to tobacco rods to produce standard king-size test cigarettes.

The load-bearing elements of the additive release component were squeezed to release the additive from macro-capsules. Before and after activation of the carrier element of the component releasing the additive, the pressure drop across the cigarette with an impermeable filter wrapper was measured, the results of which are presented in the table below.

The results show that activation of the load-bearing element of the component releasing the additive has practically no effect on the pressure drop.

A measurement was made of the compressive strength necessary to activate the additive release component. The capsule-shaped additive release components were squeezed without using the carrier of the additive-releasing component, or using the carrier of the additive-releasing component described in relation to the third embodiment and shown in FIG. 6 and 7. Fracture forces were measured using a Schleuniger tablet hardness meter, the results of which are shown in Table 2.

table 2 Crushing method Kr Macro capsule only 2.00 With the component bearing element, 1.30 emitting additive

The results show that when using the carrier element of the component releasing the additive, breaking the macrocapsule requires a significantly lower fracture force than without using the bearing element of the component releasing the additive.

Variants of the invention are made in such a way as to comply with applicable law and (or) legal standards, for example, regulatory requirements related, in a particular example, to flavorings, additives, emissions, constituent substances and (or) others. For example, the invention can be made so that the smoking article implementing the invention was in compliance with current standards prior to the release of the additive, after the release of the first additive, and remained so after the release of one or more additional additives. Similarly, in embodiments where two or more additives are reacted with each other to produce another substance, the resulting substance complies with applicable law / regulation.

To consider various aspects of the claimed invention and its presentation, the present description shows, by particular examples, various embodiments of the invention (s), in which the effective release of additives, the production of products providing the release of additives and including such additives are provided. The advantages and features described in the description relate to the options for implementation and are not exhaustive and (or) exclusive. They are presented only to improve understanding and clarification of the claimed features. It should be borne in mind that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, designs and (or) other features of the invention should not be construed as limiting the invention defined by the claims or equivalents of the claims, and that within the scope of the claims and (or) beings Other embodiments and modifications may be used. Various embodiments may, respectively, comprise, consist of, or mainly consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the invention includes other variants of the invention that are not claimed here, but which may be implemented in the future.

Claims (27)

1. A smoking article comprising an additive release system comprising an additive releasing component and a supporting member configured to cause the additive to be released from the additive releasing component in response to compressive force, wherein the supporting member changes the amount of compressive force required to initiating the release of the additive from the component releasing the additive, compared with the force required to release the additive from the same component releasing the additive in the absence of the supporting element and, the smoking article is made by a method in which the component releasing the additive is inserted into the supporting member, after which the smoking article comprising the supporting member is manufactured. 2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the support member holds the component releasing the additive. 3. A smoking article according to claim 1, in which the supporting element forms a counter surface to which the additive release component can be pressed. 4. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element has a protrusion, wherein the component releasing the additive and the protrusion are pressed against each other during activation. 5. The smoking article of claim 4, wherein the protrusion is pointed or narrowed. 6. A smoking article according to claim 1, in which the activation of the supporting element is accompanied by a distinguishable sound. 7. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a lactic acid polymer, cellulose acetate or polyvinyl alcohol. 8. A smoking article according to claim 1, in which the supporting element has an outer surface, at least a portion of which is curved. 9. A smoking article according to claim 1, in which the supporting element has a cavity adapted to accommodate an additive releasing component therein. 10. A smoking article according to claim 9, in which the supporting element has an elastically deformable section. 11. The smoking article of claim 9, wherein the support member has a plastically deformable section. 12. The smoking article of claim 10, wherein the deformable section has a protrusion. 13. The smoking article of claim 10, wherein the deformable section is a pivotally mounted lever. 14. The smoking article of claim 10, wherein the deformation region of the carrier is not predetermined. 15. The smoking article of claim 10, wherein the deformable section is an outer surface section. 16. The smoking article of claim 15, wherein the deformable section is formed between two sections of the outer surface with reduced strength. 17. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the support member reduces the compressive force necessary to initiate the release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support element. 18. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the carrier increases the compressive force necessary to initiate the release of the additive from the additive component compared to the force necessary to release the additive from the same additive component in the absence of the carrier. 19. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the additive release component comprises a flavor. 20. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the additive release component comprises an outer shell and a core. 21. The smoking article of claim 20, wherein the shell of the component releasing the additive is brittle, elastically deformable, or plastically deformable. 22. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the additive release component comprises spongy material. 23. A smoking article according to claim 1, comprising a filter having an additive release system. 24. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the filter is a composite filter. 25. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the filter includes an indicator showing an area of the filter to which force should be applied to activate the carrier. 26. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the filter includes multiple additive release systems. 27. A method of manufacturing a smoking article according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, during which a component releasing the additive is inserted into the support member to obtain an additive release system, after which a smoking article is obtained comprising the additive release system.

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