METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS TO DELIVER VARIABLE QUANTITIES OF FLAVOR FROM FILTERED CIGARETTES

Abstract

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

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/648,325, filed May 17, 2012, titled “METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS TO DELIVER VARIABLE QUANTITIES OF FLAVOR FROM FILTERED CIGARETTES,” the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention elates generally to a method and composition for controlled delivery of a flavorant into an aerosol and, more particularly, to a pressure sensitive encapsulated flavorant material and methods for the selective delivery of the flavorant to an aerosol.

BACKGROUND

Cigarettes are typically flavored by treating the tobacco with approved flavorants (such as menthol) as part of the manufacturing process wherein upon smoking the cigarette the flavorant is delivered in the mainstream smoke. Typically, the amount of flavorant delivered is correlated to the quantity of tar delivered on a puff by puff basis. The overall flavor intensity is typically dependent upon the total applied levels of flavorant during manufacturing and the cigarette design, specifically air dilution in the filter.

It is known that the filter design can affect the release and transfer rates of the flavorants into the mainstream smoke. For example, highly air diluted cigarette filters tend to lower the transfer rate of volatile flavorants such as menthol. As a result, typical conventional cigarette designs do not allow for variable/adjustable delivery of flavors during smoking and thus the overall balance of flavorant to delivery is relatively constant during consumption.

Of particular interest is the ability to increase the amount of or type of flavorants during smoking to provide the added consumer benefit of offering a different and/or augmented flavor at any time during consumption. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,895, one prior attempt to increase menthol flavor prior to, during, or after smoking the cigarette involves breaking a single encapsulated bead located in the filter that contains a liquid flavorant composition. However, once the bead is broken the amount of flavor released is not adjustable at any time during use. Data generated indicate that at least 10 pounds of direct pressure are required to break the single bead in the filter. In addition, data collected on deliveries of total particulate matter (TAP) using industry accepted protocols, indicate a 20% increase in TPM delivery once the bead is crushed. Lack of control of TAP may be a direct result of deforming the cigarette filter during the “crushing” process. Other possibilities for lack of TAP control are delivery of the diluent that is present in the beads or decreased filtration efficiency due to coating of the fibers by the diluent,

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0271968 discloses use of a plurality of beads in a cavity-based filter system to allow the consumer to squeeze and crush the beads to varying degrees for more control of flavor intensity. However, cavity-based filter systems are undesirable from a manufacturing standpoint. Further, the beads comprise an encapsulated liquid flavor carrier having a typical total added weight as high as 200 mg. This may represent as much as 40 mg of liquid carrier that might wet the filter fibers causing issues with consistent TAP delivery and visual appeal. Further, the liquid might deliver into the smoke stream. In addition, the flavorant has a specified relative location to other filter additives; i.e. the flavorant must be positioned downstream from adsorbents which reduces flexibility in cigarette design options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed in this document describes a cigarette filter design, composition, and method of use to release encapsulated flavorant compositions from a plurality of micro-beads (e.g., powder) contained in the filter wherein the amount of flavorant delivered prior to, during, or after use can be controlled, allowing customization of flavor taste on a puff by puff basis.

According to some aspects of the invention, a filter element for a smoking article is provided. The filter element may include at least one filter segment, the at least one filter segment comprising one or lore flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance an aerosol from the smoking article, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of a pressure applied to the at least one filter segment while rolling the filter between fingers of a smoker, and wherein the quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter.

The one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be configured as a filter mechanism.

At least one flavoring or fragrancing particle may be of a different type than at least one other flavoring or fragrancing particle.

The one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be integrated within fibers of the filter segment.

The one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be coated with a shell, the shell allowing the adjustable release of the flavor or fragrance.

The shell may include at least one of gum acacia, xanthan gum, modified starch, cyclodextrin, gelatin, and polysaccharides carbohydrate.

The shell may be an impermeable and breakable shell configured to release the flavor or fragrance once fully or partially broken in proportion to the amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter.

At least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may include a menthol flavorant or fragrance.

At least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be an encapsulated powder.

The at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may have a powder loading of 0.1 to 10 mg per mm of filter length.

At least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may include an encapsulated powder containing 2 to 90% flavorant or fragrance.

At least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be configured to provide a pressure drop in the filtering element within the range of 10 to 130 mm of water.

The at least one filter segment may include an outer wrapping, the outer wrapping having one or more visual instructions printed thereon providing instructions for rolling the fitter.

The one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be configured to release no flavorant or fragrance until rolling pressure is applied.

The one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles may be configured to release a defined initial amount of flavorant or fragrance without an application of rolling pressure, and to increase the amount of flavorant or fragrance released in proportion to the amount of pressure applied.

In some aspects of the invention, a method for adjustably releasing flavoring or fragrancing particles as part of a smoking experience is provided. The method may include providing a smoking article having a filtering element comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance aerosol from the smoking article; and causing one or more of the flavoring or fragrancing particles to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of pressure or heat applied to the at least one filter segment, wherein the quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure or heat applied to the at first one filter segment.

In accordance with some aspects of the invention, a filter element for an aerosol device is provided. The filter element may include a first filter segment having a plurality of flavorant beads of a first flavorant type; and a second filter segment having a second plurality of flavorant beads of a second flavorant type, wherein the first plurality of flavorant beads and the second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to adjustably flavor an aerosol upon receipt of a pressure applied to the first filter segment or the second filter segment, the pressure being sufficient to activate the first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of beads.

The first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of flavorant beads may be configured to adjustably release flavor upon receipt of a pressure applied through rolling of the first or second filter segment between fingers of a smoker.

The first or second plurality of flavorant beads may be configured to flavor the aerosol in direct proportion to the applied pressure.

The first or second plurality of flavorant beads may be integrated within fibers of the filter element.

The filter element may include a plug wrap, wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads is deposited on the surface of the plug wrap.

The filter element may include a multi-layer plug wrap, wherein the first or the second plurality of flavorant beads are deposited between at least a first layer of the multi-layer plug wrap and a second layer of the multi-layer plug wrap.

The first or second plurality of flavorant beads may each comprise a shell that is broken to provide adjustable controlled release of flavorant.

The first or second plurality of flavorant beads may comprise menthol flavorant.

The first type of flavorant may react with the second type of flavorant to release a flavorant to the aerosol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematics of three exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the deposition of pressure sensitive encapsulated flavor particles between two flexible carrier substrates according to principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing various embodiments of a flexible band designed for enabling the delivery of pressure sensitive encapsulated flavor particles according to principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a multiple segment filter according to principles of the present invention having two different fragrance materials;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a chart showing particle count released to the air for cigarettes embodying the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a chart demonstrating the total amounts of menthol delivered by an embodiment of the present invention under different flavor delivery activation conditions;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the puff-by-puff menthol delivery by an embodiment of the present invention under different flavor delivery activation conditions;

FIG. 13a is a chart showing the flavor release levels of various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13b is a chart showing the removal of gas phase components of an embodiment of the present invention before and after flavor delivery activation;

FIG. 14 is a chart showing the flavor delivery of two embodiments of the present invention under different flavor delivery activation conditions;

FIG. 15 is a chart showing the flavor delivery of five embodiments of the present invention under different flavor delivery activation conditions;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the propose of describing preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto.

The present invention is directed to a cigarette filter design, composition, and method of use to release encapsulated flavorant compositions from a plurality of particles which are responsive to pressure and friction, such as solid/semi-solid micro-beads or similar flavorant carrier structures (i.e. powders, open ended hollow fibers, microgels, etc. contained in the filter wherein the amount of menthol delivered prior to, during, or after use of the cigarette can be controlled, allowing customization of flavor taste on a puff by puff basis. Additionally, solid flavorants, such as powder or pellets, that respond to friction and air flow for vaporization may also be included. In addition to providing flavorant, the particles may be additionally or alternatively configured to provide a fragrancing effect. Unless otherwise noted herein, embodiments of the invention described herein with respect to the use of flavorants are equally applicable to the use of fragrancing particles.

According to principles of the present invention, flavorant is released as desired when smoking by rolling/twisting the flavorant-containing cigarette filter between one's fingers white applying slight pressure, sufficient to hold the article between the finger(s) and thumb white rolling. Accordingly, the consumer can opt for no flavor delivery or a low flavor delivery, and choose if and when to increase the amount of flavor. The quantity of flavor released is proportional to the amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter between he finger and thumb and/or the number of rolls. The technology uses rolling motion while applying pressure to the filter to deliver variable quantities of flavors during smoking based on the preferences of the adult consumer.

FIGS. 1A-1C show three example configurations of a cigarette embodying aspects of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 1A, a cigarette may include a tobacco column 102, a first filter segment 104, and one or more second, optional filter segments 106. First filter segment 104 may include a plurality of flavoring particles 105 configured to flavor the smoke from tobacco column 102. In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the flavoring particles may act as an additional filtering medium for the smoke. Optional filter segments 106 may contain other flavor releasing ingredients, gas, and/or particulate abatement technologies.

First filter segment 104 may contain cellulose acetate (CA) tow, and the flavoring particles 105 may include, for example, encapsulated flavorant compositions such as an encapsulated powder containing a 2-90 wt % flavorant. In some aspects, the flavoring particles may include encapsulated flavorant compositions, such as solid flavorants, having 100% flavorant in the case of unencapsulated solid flavors. The flavoring particles 105 may be added such that desirable functional characteristics of the first filter segment 104 are maintained (i.e. pressure drop, TAP, etc.) while achieving powder loadings of 0.1 to 10 mg per mm of filter length. In some aspects, the encapsulate loading is preferably within the range of 1 to 7 mg per mm CA tow, and most preferably within the range of 2 to 5 mg per mm CA tow. Where encapsulated particles are used in the aggregate, the encapsulate aggregate size may be 20 to more than 4000 um, for example, with a preferred size of 20-1000 um, with a size of 300 um being most preferred.

The encapsulate flavor compositions may, for example, be in the form of a single particle type or an aggregate of a plurality of particle types. Example flavorings/fragrances may include, for example, menthol and menthol mixtures, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, and eucalyptus, among other flavors/fragrances. In general, the practice of this invention is not limited to specific fragrance/flavor but includes flavors/fragrances mixtures and mixtures of encapsulate materials to design customer desired fragrance/taste profiles, such as the use of Brazilian and synthetic menthol mixture or other flavor/fragrance combinations.

The first filter segment 104 may contain the plurality of micro-encapsulated beads (free flowing powder, or optionally fully/partially agglomerated powders), and may be constructed from traditional materials such as cellulose acetate tow fibers or other synthetic/natural fibers. Likewise the filter web can be manufactured from bundles of longitudinally oriented fibers or from fibrillated natural or synthetic fibers. Furthermore, non-traditional filter materials can also be used as the primary material of construction, such as fibrous cellulose, sheet, strips, spheres or any symmetric/asymmetric shapes. The preferred flavor material disclosed has been demonstrated to have effectiveness as a filtering media.

Likewise, filter media can also consist of polymer based materials, such as divinyl benzene-co-styrene, or singular polymer compositions such as styrene. In addition, suitable fitter materials consist of tobacco traditionally used in the tobacco column. In this instance, the additional benefit of imparting additional flavor can be achieved with respect to the practice of the invention.

In some aspects of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1B, first filter segment 104 may include a plug wrap 110. Preferably, the plug wrap 110 for the filter section 104 comprises at least one metallized layer that imparts heating or cooling to the filter segment depending on the degree of ventilation. The metallized plug wrap 110 is also referred to herein as a “foil plugwrap” or “FP.” One or more ventilation holes 108 may also be included. As seen in FIG. 1B, first filter segment 104 may be placed between two optional filter segments 106. The two optional filter segments 106 shown in FIG. 1B may be comprised of the same filtration materials, in some aspects, or may be comprised of different filtration materials. As seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the overall length of the first filter segment 104 may be adjusted, and combined with additional traditional filter segment(s) 106. Furthermore, the flavoring particles 105 may be incorporated between the filter and tobacco column, in some aspects of the invention. In other aspects of the invention, the flavoring particles 105 may be incorporated into the tobacco column 102, such as, for example, in the tipping paper overlapping section (e.g., under the filter tipping paper).

The micro encapsulated powder composition may comprise a singular flavor or a plurality of flavorants. Likewise, encapsulated powders of differing composition can be combined to create unique flavor combinations that may not otherwise be possible due to incompatibility issues.

Furthermore, the encapsulated flavorants of differing type can optionally, and intentionally, react with each other upon practice of the invention to create an additional benefit such as self-heating, self-cooling, or alteration of vapor pressure of the individual encapsulated ingredients. Likewise, the fragrance in the encapsulates can be releasable by either heat, water, or any of the smoke stream components, or by the vaporizing action of the turbulence of the smoke across the materials. The quantities, particle size, and distribution of particle sizes can be adjusted to accommodate and further enable practice of the invention. For example, a combination of particle sizes or of different particle hardness and/or texture has the potential to further facilitate the practice of the invention. The fragrance containing matrices could also be semi-solids or gel-like materials which when subjected to the mechanical pressure of the activation mechanism release the fragrance partially or in totality to the smoke stream.

Tables 1 and 2 provide examples of the amount of flavorant (such as menthol) released in proportion to the number of finger rolls or the finger pressure applied to the filter.

	TABLE 1
	Number of finger roll
	None	1	2	3	4	5+
	Released menthol	12 or	18	36	54	72	90+
	(ug/mg TPM)	none

	TABLE 2
	Finger pressure g/(50 mm{circumflex over ( )}2 finger area)
	0	250	750	1000	1250	Max
Released menthol	Minimum	38	56	68	88	Maximum
(ug/mg TPM)	or none

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the plug wrap may comprise a single layer or a hi-layer material wherein the encapsulated fragrance/flavorant is deposited either on the surface of the single layer or between the bi-layers. As shown in FIG. 2, the encapsulated fragrance/flavorant may comprise two different types of micro encapsulated material, which may be designed to react with each other upon applied pressure. In addition, the layer material can optionally be porous, non-porous, metallized foil or any combination thereof, suitable to be used as plug wrap or incorporated in the plug wrap. The resulting composition and arrangement is suitable for filter fabrication using known manufacturing techniques.

FIG. 3 shows another aspect of the invention comprising a flexible band or sleeve 304 disposed around the functional, flavor delivering section of the filter 302. Such a ring type band can be made of any plastic type material, natural, synthetic, biodegradable, composite, or multi-layered laminate, having appropriate mechanical properties. For example, the band must be sufficiently rigid yet flexible as to allow deformation, yet return to the original shape once the deformation forces applied to the circumference is removed. The band material can be rigidly affixed to the tipping paper so that it does not move upon use and as a further benefit, assists in returning the cigarette filter to the original shape after compression. Likewise it can be of sufficient thickness to provide desired resistivity to compression forces applied to the axial dimension (across he diameter). In some aspects, the band may be a wrap that is wrapped around the flavor delivering section of the filter 302.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the external surface of the flexible band 304 may have ridged or raised features, random or systematic, to provide a desirable tactile feel and enable the application of frictional force upon rolling. Similarly, the interior surface of the flexible band may be a textured surface having ridges or raised features to facilitate the release of the flavorant. Furthermore, the band can have holes or regions to allow airflow through the band to facilitate air dilution in low tar cigarettes. In addition, the band can have channels on the inside surface that can guide air around the band into the air dilution holes. This has the added benefit of preventing blocking of air dilution holes by the smoker. Lastly, encapsulated fragrances can be deposited in the channel(s) of the band, wherein upon applying pressure to the circumference, flavor is released. In this manner flavor wilt be drawn into the mainstream smoke via the ventilation holes. This element has particular utility in that different flavors can be added to a single cigarette type by attaching the “flavor band.” The band can also have added logos, color patterns, etc. for additional cosmetic distinction.

This featuree can assist in delaminating a bi-layer construction that contains the encapsulated flavors and improve in single layer configuration, thus enhancing the overall release. Furthermore, this feature can assist in preventing over deformation of the filter material, preserving the original filter functionality. The invention can be used or combined with any flavor releasing technology to improve the overall utility and efficacy of the cigarette filter.

In some aspects of the invention, the band or another portion of the filter may include markings instructing a user of the cigarette on how to roll the cigarette in order to release the flavorant. For example, the markings may include arrows indicating the direction the fingers should be rolled. Any other type of visual, instruction providing element may also be used.

The present invention is not limited to having the fragrance/flavor release material in a single filter segment. The releasing material can be compartmentalized, as shown in FIG. 4, where independent filter segments are used to carry the various potential embodiments for this invention. For example, two functionalized filter segments can have different concentrations of releasing material such that the consumer has the option of rolling in one or another section to change the taste or the amount of the released fragrance/flavors.

In addition, the filter could be designed with concentric ring(s) of releasing material carrying filter web, as shown in FIG. 5. This design allows for different flavor and fragrance types in each ring and give the consumer the ability to change the proportion/variety/tone of the delivered flavor/fragrance by increasing the strength of the finger pressure/rolling mechanical action. Any/all of the disclosed formulation (i.e., non-reactive, different flavor/fragrances, reactive encapsulates, etc.) as well as metallized foil(s) of ring layer(s) mentioned above is applicable to this embodiment. Note that polymeric beads/absorbent carbon particles could be used in all/some of the concentric layers to control the chemical component distributions in the delivered smoke.

As shown in FIG. 6, the filter segment may comprise a plurality of small flavor/fragrant particles inserted among the fiber of the cigarette filter. The particles may be substantially the same size. Alternately, the particles may include a range/plurality of sizes having a narrow or wide size distribution to obtain a wide range of fragrance delivery. The specific flavor/fragrance composition/formulation(s) can be varied based on the cigarette desired performance as long as they respond to friction and pressure.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, group(s) of small flavor/fragrant particles may be dispersed on a filter web and formed by a mixture of mechanically fragile particles. The mix is formed by a first group containing a reactive material and the second group containing unique/different fragrances/flavors. The shell of the second group can react with the reactive material contained in the first group—as shown in the left side of FIG. 7. No flavor is delivered unless the shells of the reactive containing particles are partially/fully broken. Then the released material from the first group reacts with the shell of the second group to release a fragrance/flavor—as shown in the right side of FIG. 7. This is not limited to a reaction on the second group of particle shells but the first particle group could contain a chemical that, upon reaction with a second chemical in the second group of particle, can from a fragrance/flavor. In addition both groups can contain reactive material to produce a fragrance/flavor.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, group(s) of small flavor/fragrant particles may be coated with an impermeable but breakable or soft shell to allow for control for either off/on or adjustable delivery of flavor/fragrances(s). No flavor is delivered unless the shells are partially/fully broke. After the shells are broken/tom, the level of flavor delivered is controlled by the extent of rolling/finger pressing. Formulations applicable to form a shell/core structure for the practice of this invention are known in the arts as those containing gum acacia, xanthan and similar gums, modified starch mixes, cyclodextrin based, gelatin based, and polysaccharides carbohydrates such as pectin as well as poly vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and their fixtures. In addition, other shell forming methods include encapsulating cross-linked polymers with the flavorant therein, wherein the encapsulated cross-linked polymer forms a polymer-rich outer region and the flavorant/fragrance forms a flavorant/fragrance-rich core region; for example, using as a shell polyvinyl alcohol/acetate, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers mixtures or similar mixtures. These examples are not limited but include others known in the arts for the formation of a shell in a shell/core structure to encapsulate fragrance/flavors aggregates.

An alternative solution shown in FIG. 9 is a small bladder+valve/atomizer inside the filter that can be compressed repeatedly to adjust flavor release.

The present invention relies on friction and pressure or multiplanar pressure, not just single plane/direct pressure, to release flavorants from encapsulates or other structured materials wherein they are friable under mechanical stress. An advantage is that release or additional release of flavor is intentional on the part of the consumer. Release due to inadvertent pressure during manufacture or storage is thus avoided/

To that end, the physical characteristics of the preferred embodiment of encapsulated flavors in powder form, impact the total and puff by puff menthol deliveries. Therefore an apparent relationship exists between the physical nature of the flavor delivery material, the quantity of encapsulated material incorporated into the filter, physical construction of the filter, dimensions of the fitter tow, and the fitter performance in reducing the particulate material of mainstream smoke. Relevant to this invention, physical nature of the encapsulated menthol (flavorant/fragrance) powder, namely the extent of particle aggregation, agglomeration size, and primary particle size impact the menthol delivery. Preferably, the particle size is and/or efficacy of the filter media is sufficient that flavor material particles do not release from the filter upon normal use conditions. FIG. 10 illustrates particle release data from unlit cigarettes as measured by light scattering using a Lasair II Laser Particle Counter Model 510A instrumentation (Filtrona, UK) to determine particle count released (0.5 to 25 um) under a constant flow rate of 1.05 L/min (30s) to simulate cigarette smoking. The filters contained 3 mg of encapsulated powder per mm of cellulose acetate tow optionally adhered to the fibers using triacetin plasticizer during the manufacturing process. As seen in FIG. 10, the particle transfer for the flavorant-containing prototype is similar to that of the reference and control cigarettes.

The methods described herein allow for the consumer to have the option to adjust the flavor delivered from a cigarette from no or passive flavor/fragrance delivery to a delivery condition that includes the ability to have incrementally higher level of flavor/fragrance delivery without deforming the fitter and subsequently reducing the filtration efficiency. TAP deliveries have been shown to be within typical variability among non-treated replicates when measured using industry accepted protocols for each of the non-limiting examples presented.

The effectiveness of this method and composition to deliver variable total menthol from a cigarette filter as compared to conventional menthol technologies and other flavor delivery technologies is illustrated in FIG. 11. The graph of FIG. 11 shows example results of applied rolling pressure on the total release of menthol from a cigarette constructed with an embodiment of the filter technology described herein. The data illustrate the quantitative effect of increased rolling pressure on the total menthol release from the flavor containing filter. As shown at 1104, as the rolling pressure increases on the filter, the quantity of total menthol delivered per cigarette increases proportionally, in accordance with principles of the present invention. In addition, when the flavor containing filter is subjected to direct, non-rolling pressure (normal force), as shown at 1106, no additional flavorant is released, further demonstrating the utility of the rolling under slight pressure. In conventional flavor delivery methods, as shown at 1108, the amount of flavor delivered when pressure is applied is substantially the same as when no pressure is applied. Moreover, as shown at 1110, in one prior art flavor deliver method, once a flavor particle has been crushed, the amount of flavor delivered remains substantially constant irrespective of the number of rolls applied to the filter. To that end, it is not possible to increase or alter the total flavor delivery from cigarettes constructed and fabricated using traditional or other prior art methods to apply flavorants to the tobacco. In those methods, the flavor cannot be altered or varied once the “flavor bead” has been broken, nor does rolling under pressure method, described herein, alter the total delivered menthol from the cigarettes in either case.

While FIG. 11 shows, at 1102 for example, that some flavorant is delivered when no rolling pressure is applied, encapsulated flavorant compositions can be formulated to only release flavorants upon rolling the filter under pressure, thus providing a non-flavorant, variable flavorant delivery experience during smoking.

It was discovered that on a puff by puff basis, the increase in delivery of flavor changes after rolling the filter under pressure as described. For example, rotting under pressure after the third puff increased the flavor delivery by approximately 5 times during the subsequent puff FIG. 12 shows a series of samples for which the filters were rolled under the same amount of pressure by hand at different points during the smoking of the cigarette. The data indicate that each puff can be customized to preference. The magnitude of the increase is proportional to the amount of pressure applied and number of rolls according to the method described. This function allows for improved and/or changeable puff by puff balance based on consumer preference for the cigarette. The consumer experience might be largely based on the puff by puff delivery of flavor not a total delivery of flavor per cigarette, wherein the disclosed invention has the utility of delivering improved taste experience as compared to static flavor delivery technology. Furthermore, when applying a similar amount of pressure and number of rolls, the total delivery of menthol is similar per cigarette. In the example below, the total delivered menthol from each cigarette was within 12%.

FIG. 13a demonstrates that the present invention is compatible with other active cigarette components such as foil plugwrap (FP) and a filter adsorbent. In addition, FIG. 13b shows that use of the rolling while applying pressure method does not interfere with the adsorbent performance for mainstream smoke carbonyl yield reductions. The “combo” filter design has separate filter segments for flavor and absorbent material and the “hybrid” filter design has a filter segment containing both flavor and absorbent material.

In one aspect of the present invention, the flavor delivery material can be deposited on the filter fibers or incorporated into/on the plug wrap or tipping paper. It can be embedded in the paper or two fibers. The additive particles can be coated onto other filter additives such as adsorbent particles or tobacco, etc. in the filter. The mode of flavor delivery in this case relies on the rubbing pressure and friction between the cellulose acetate filter and the plug wrap and/or friction between flavor particles to fracture particles and release the flavor. Conversely, in the case of a bi-layer configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the layers can delaminate under rolling pressure causing the encapsulant to rupture and release the flavorant. The graph in FIG. 14 demonstrates the utility of depositing encapsulated powders in the filter fibers or as a coating on the plugwrap under equivalent rolling pressure and number of rolls. Section 1402 shows encapsulated flavorant powder incorporated into the cellulose acetate filter (on the tow fibers) and rolled under pressure to varying degrees. Section 1404 shows encapsulated flavorant power incorporated into the cellulose acetate filter (on the plugwrap) and rolled under pressure to varying degrees.

Deposition of encapsulated flavor materials in or on the surface substrates that can be incorporated into the plug wrap have the added benefit of not loading the actual filter tow with a finely divided material, and thus avoiding potential manufacturing difficulties or undesirable effects on the filter performance, such as pressure drop.

Likewise, sufficiently large encapsulant particles do not function in the preferable manner as smatter particle/agglomerate sizes, as large particles alter the function of the fitters by causing non uniform pressure drop in the filter. Thus smoke will tend to flow around the lower pressure drop regions of the filter that do not contain added encapsulates. As noted in FIG. 14, the ability of a friable encapsulant material to release flavorants under rolling pressure (induced friction) can be evaluated and estimated by incorporating candidates into the plug wrap. Under those conditions, the impact on physical characteristics can be estimated and/or controlled.

FIG. 15 illustrates the effect of particle size and agglomeration, and particle hardness on menthol released from cigarettes equipped with the novel flavor delivery system disclosed herein. Data indicate that an optimal, preferable primary particle size, aggregatesize, and agglomeration size exist with respect to the physical nature of the filter material. For example, effective menthol release was observed using finely divided non-agglomerated encapsulated powders as compared to agglomerated powder under the same conditions.

Likewise, the physical nature of the flavor containing material must not impact or alter the overall intended function of the filter (i.e. delivery of total particular material, air dilution, etc.). Material F provided no response to the rolling while applying pressure technique as it is a material very similar in characteristics to the those beads used in cigarettes implementing a crushing technique, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,895. This material responds to pressure at much greater forces than applied in practice of this invention. The beads were not crushed prior rolling and did not release any flavor under the rolling while applying pressure technique.

In one aspect of the present invention, a finely divided powder containing the payload is incorporated in the filter tow or inside of the plugwrap or tipping paper. The user can hold the cigarette by the filter and firmly roll the filter between his fingers. Few and/or more gentle rolls will produce less release of flavor than more and/or stronger rolls.

In another aspect of the present invention, agglomerated powder or larger size non-agglomerated particles is incorporated with or without a shell coating. This provides for no-release (off) if the treatment were not applied and more varied formulations for control can allow for quick decrease in the amount of flavor released if a person doesn't roll the cigarette again (for dial down of flavor).

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to application with cigarettes, but may be used with any type of smoking article, as well as electronic cigarettes.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the basic concept of friction-release of fragrance/flavor/odor complexing agents is applicable to non-cigarette applications such as use in shoe inserts, carpet fresh, massage lotion, upholstery fabric, etc.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art wilt recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

Claims

1. A filter element for a smoking article comprising:

at least one filter segment, the at least one filter segment comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance an aerosol from the smoking article,

wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of a pressure applied to the at least one filter segment while rolling the filter between fingers of a smoker,

wherein the quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter.

2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured as a filter mechanism.

3. The filter element of claim 1 comprising at least one flavoring or fragrancing particle of a different type than at least one other flavoring or fragrancing particle.

4. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are integrated within fibers of the filter segment.

5. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are coated with a shell, the shell allowing the adjustable release of the flavor or fragrance.

5. The filter element of claim 4, wherein the shell comprises at least one of gum acacia, xanthan gum, modified starch, cyclodextrin, gelatin, and polysaccharides carbohydrate,

6. The filter element of claim 4, wherein the shell in an impermeable and breakable shell configured to release the flavor or fragrance once fully or partially broken in proportion to the amount of pressure applied while rolling the filter.

7. The filter element of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles comprises a menthol flavorant or fragrance.

8. The filter element of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles is an encapsulated powder.

9. The filter element of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles has a powder loading of 0.1 to 10 mg per mm of filter length.

10. The filter element of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles comprises an encapsulated powder containing 2 to 90% flavorant or fragrance.

11. The filter element of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles is configured to provide a pressure drop in the filtering element within the range of 10 to 130 mm of water.

12. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one filter segment includes an outer wrapping, the outer wrapping having one or more visual instructions printed thereon providing instructions for rolling the filter.

13. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to release no flavorant or fragrance until rolling pressure is applied.

14. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles are configured to release a defined initial amount of flavorant or fragrance without an application of rolling pressure, and to increase the amount of flavorant or fragrance released in proportion to the amount of rolling pressure applied.

15. A method for adjustably releasing flavoring or fragrancing particles as part of a smoking experience, comprising:

providing a smoking article having a filtering element comprising one or more flavoring or fragrancing particles configured to flavor or fragrance aerosol from the smoking article; and

causing one or more of the flavoring or fragrancing particles to adjustably release flavor or fragrance upon receipt of pressure or heat applied to the at least one filter segment,

wherein a quantity of flavor or fragrance released is proportional to an amount of pressure or heat applied to the at least one filter segment.

16. A filter element for an aerosol device, the filter comprising:

a first filter segment having a plurality of flavorant beads of a first flavorant type; and

a second filter segment having a second plurality of flavorant beads of a second flavorant type,

wherein the first plurality of flavorant beads and the second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to adjustably flavor an aerosol upon receipt of a pressure applied to the first filter segment or the second filter segment, the pressure being sufficient to activate the first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of beads.

17. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first and second plurality of flavorant beads comprise microencapsulated beads.

18. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of flavorant beads or the second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to adjustably release flavor upon receipt of a pressure applied through rolling of the first or second filter segment between fingers of a smoker.

19. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are configured to flavor the aerosol in direct proportion to the applied pressure.

20. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are integrated within fibers of the filter element.

21. The filter element of claim 20, wherein the filter element comprises a plug wrap, and wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads are deposited on the surface of the plug wrap.

22. The filter element of claim 20, wherein the filter element comprises a multi-layer plug wrap, and wherein the first or the second plurality of flavorant beads are deposited between at least a first layer of the multi-layer plug wrap and a second layer of the multi-layer plug wrap.

23. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads each comprises a shell that is broken to provide adjustable controlled release of flavorant.

24. The filter element of claim 23, wherein the shell comprises an impermeable and breakable shell configured to release the flavorant once fully or partially broken in proportion to the applied pressure.

25. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first or second plurality of flavorant beads comprises menthol flavorant.

26. The filter element of claim 16, wherein the first type of flavorant reacts with the second type of flavorant to release a flavorant to the aerosol.