Patent Publication Number: US-10321710-B2

Title: Smoking article with flavor delivery system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/071,636, filed Mar. 25, 2011 entitled SMOKING ARTICLE WITH FLAVOR DELIVERY SYSTEM which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/318,263, filed on Mar. 26, 2010, the entire content of each is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     WORKING ENVIRONMENT 
     Smoking articles, particularly cigarettes, generally comprise a tobacco rod of shredded tobacco (usually, in cut filler form) surrounded by a paper wrapper, and a cylindrical filter aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. The filter preferably includes a plug of cellulose acetate tow attached to the tobacco rod by tipping paper. Ventilation of mainstream smoke is achieved with a row or rows of perforations about a location along the filter. 
     Cigarette packages perform the functions of containing a pre-selected bundle of cigarettes and protecting the cigarettes from mechanical and environmental damage. In addition, a package protects the freshness of the cigarettes, which deteriorates with exposure to air. 
     Cigarette packages are preferably made from paper into the so-called soft package that tears open on a top panel, and from paperboard into the so-called hard package that preferably includes an integral reclosable lid. Both types of package preferably include a foil or foil laminate wrapped about a bundle of cigarettes, and an outer sealed wrapper of plastic film, typically polypropylene. The foil bundle wrap and the outer wrapper help maintain the freshness of the packaged cigarettes. 
     Encapsulation is a process by which a core material is captured within a second material (encapsulate) or capsule. Aromas and flavors can be encapsulated in capsules of varying sizes so that the flavor is preserved until the rupture of the capsule by mechanical or other force. Preservation of aromas and flavors within the capsule assures that upon release of the flavor it is consistently as strong as when it was first encapsulated. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a smoking article includes a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and a filter. The filter includes a ventilation hole and at least one capsule containing a flavorant. The capsule is positioned on an external surface of the cigarette. The flavorant is released upon rupture of the capsule and the capsule positioned such that the released flavorant is drawable into said cigarette through the ventilation hole. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a tobacco product includes a cigarette, a cigarette packaging adapted to contain the cigarette, and at least one capsule containing a flavorant. The cigarette includes a filter, a tobacco rod, a tipping paper and a ventilation hole at a location along the tipping paper. The capsule is positioned on an outer surface of the cigarette and is adjacent the ventilation hole. The flavorant is released by removing the cigarette from said cigarette packaging. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment, a flavor delivery system for a cigarette includes a cigarette package and at least one cigarette within the cigarette package. The at least one cigarette includes at least one capsule containing a flavorant. The capsule is positioned on an external surface of the cigarette. The flavorant is released upon rupture of the capsule. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method of treating mainstream smoke with an agent includes the steps of: locating an encapsulated form of an agent adjacent a ventilation hole of a smoking article; releasing the agent by rupturing the encapsulated form of the agent; and contacting the mainstream smoke with the agent by drawing the released agent through the ventilation hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cigarette. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cigarette of  FIG. 1  having a flavor delivery system. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a cigarette having a collar adapted to release a flavorant. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of a cigarette having a latch system adapted to release a flavorant. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cigarette package. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cigarette package. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cigarette holder for a flavor delivery system for cigarettes. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a flavor delivery system for a cigarette. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a flavor delivery system for a cigarette of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a flavor delivery system for a cigarette. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a flavor delivery system for a cigarette. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cigarette  10  includes a rod  20  of smokable material  22 , such as tobacco cut filler, contained in a circumscribing wrapping material  30 . The rod  20  is typically referred to as a “tobacco rod” and has a lit end  12  and a tipped end at which the filter  40  is attached to the tobacco rod  20 . 
     The filter  40  includes a filter material  42  (e.g., starch-based, polypropylene, or plasticized cellulose acetate tow), usually circumscribed by a plug wrap. The filter material  42  also can have the form of a gathered web (e.g., polypropylene web, polyester web, cellulosic or starch-based web). If desired, the filter material  42  can have at least one cavity, sleeve, sorbent, passage or groove (not shown) extending longitudinally therethrough or partially therethrough. The plug wrap may optionally incorporate a carbonaceous material. The plug wrap may circumscribe the total length of the filter  40 . 
     The filter  40  is attached to the tobacco rod  20  by tipping paper  50  which circumscribes the filter  40  and an adjacent region of the tobacco rod  20 . The tipping paper  50  is typically constructed of a paper web, but any suitable material can be used. A ventilated or air diluted smoking article is provided with an air dilution means, such as a series of ventilation holes or perforations  52 , each of which extend through the tipping paper  50  and optionally the plug wrap. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cigarette  10  also includes at least one flavorant  60  at a location adjacent to the ventilation holes  52  such that the flavorant  60  can be drawn with air into the cigarette  10  through the ventilation holes  52  of the tipping paper  50 . It can be appreciated that by positioning the flavorant  60  between the ventilation holes  52  and the mouth (buccal) end  14  of the cigarette  10 , it is not combusted nor is it heated during smoking of the cigarette  10 . Furthermore, there is little to no change in the chemistry of the flavorant  60  during smoking of the cigarette  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cigarette  10  having a plurality of capsules  62  (e.g., microbeads in the form of a continuous or discontinuous film) located on an external surface  16  of the cigarette  10 . The plurality of capsules  62  can be attached via an adhesive film or other suitable material or composition to the cigarette  10 . The plurality of capsules  62  can be attached to the outer surface  16  of the cigarette  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or closely attached to each individual cigarette  10  on a paper collar  80  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), on a latch system (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), a grid system (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) or any other suitable arrangement. By removing the cigarette  10  from a cigarette package  100 , the flavorant  60  is released. Preferably, kinetic energy in the form of frictional contact ruptures or alters the configuration of the capsules  62  releasing the flavorant  60 . 
     The capsules  62  comprise a flavorant  60  encapsulated in an outer shell (e.g., layer of encapsulating material)  64 . The composition of the outer shell  64  of the capsule  62  can be paraffin, a polyvinyl alcohol, a mixture of vinyl acetate and algin, or any other suitable material. It can be appreciated that a multitude of processes exist for manufacturing the capsules  62 . Accordingly, the capsules  62  can include varying size and shape, differing resistance to kinetic forces and can include alternative capsule compositions and capsule constituents. 
     The capsule  60  diameter can vary from about 10 microns to about 2,500 microns, with microcapsules ranging in size from about 5 microns to about 80 microns in diameter. In addition, the rupture force can vary from about 15 grams to about 1200 grams depending on the composition of the outer shell  64 . 
     The capsules  62  contain the flavorant  60 , which can be an aroma of choice, such as menthol, peppermint, coconut, roasted, and/or toasted aromas. However, almost any flavor oil or composition can be encapsulated so long as it meets certain basic requirements of the technology. In addition, the concentration of flavorant  60 , within each capsule can be adjusted or modified to provide the desired amount of flavorant  60 . Thus, the concentration of the flavorant  60 , within each capsule  62  can be the same or can vary depending on the desired aroma. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each cigarette  10  can include a plurality of capsules  62 , which surround the cigarette  10 . Each of the capsules  62  can contain the same flavorant  60 , or alternatively, each of the capsules  62  can contain a different flavorant  60 . In addition, each capsule  62  can include varying amounts of flavorant  60  depending on the desired aroma. It can be appreciated that by varying the flavorant  60  within a plurality of capsules  62 , upon rupturing the outer shell  64  of the capsule  62 , any desired aroma or flavor can be obtained. 
     The capsules  62  preferably release the flavorant  60  by kinetic energy, when each of the individual cigarettes  10  within the cigarette package ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) are removed from the cigarette package  100 . The mechanical forces generated through friction between the outer surface  16  of the cigarette  10  through the collar  80  ( FIG. 3 ), the latch system ( FIG. 4 ) or a grid system  70  ( FIG. 7 ) rupture or alter the capsule  62 , such that the flavorant  60  is released from the environment of the capsules  62  and into the atmosphere in the vicinity of the ventilation holes  52 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of a cigarette  10  having a collar  80 . The collar  80  is positioned around the tipping paper  50 . The collar  80  can be a ring or round flange positioned around the tipping paper  50 . The collar  80  is preferably made of a paper like material; however, any suitable materials can be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of flavorant capsules  62  are positioned between the collar  80  and the ventilation holes  52 . The plurality of capsules  62  are preferably positioned on the mouth end  14  of the ventilation holes  52  of the cigarette  10 . The capsules  62  can be arranged in a single row or stacked upon one another as shown in  FIG. 3 . It can be appreciated that the capsules  62  can be located in any number of configurations including a single row of capsules  62  or multiple rows of capsules  62  having a single layer or multiple layers of capsules  62 . 
     As the cigarette  10  is removed from the package  100  ( FIG. 5 ), the collar  80  ruptures the capsules  62 , such that the flavorant  60  is released from the environment of the capsules  62  and into the atmosphere in the vicinity of the ventilation holes  52 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of a cigarette  10  having a flavor releasing latch system  90 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cigarette  10  includes a latch system  90  having a fold of paper  92  positioned adjacent to the ventilation holes  52  of the tipping paper  50 . The fold of paper  92  extends from a vicinity of the ventilation holes  52  towards the mouth end  14  of the cigarette  10 . The fold of paper  92  is preferably attached to a first end  94  in the vicinity of the ventilation holes  52  and a free end  96  extends towards the mouth end  14  of the cigarette  10 . At least one capsule  62  is positioned on or near the first end  94  of the fold of paper  92 . As the cigarette  10  is removed from the cigarette package  100 , the fold of paper  92  moves from a first position  91  to a second position  93 , wherein the movement or unfolding of the fold of paper  92 , causes the capsules  62  to rupture or break, releasing the flavorant  60 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a cigarette package  100 . The cigarette package  100  (soft package) comprises an outer box  110  and a bundle of cigarettes  10  (not shown) inserted within the outer box  110 . Alternatively, the cigarette package  100  can be a hinge lid box cigarette package as shown in  FIG. 6 , which preferably comprises an outer box  110 , an inner frame and a bundle of cigarettes  10 . The hinge lid box preferably includes a hinged lid  114 . The hinged lid  114  can open from the front with a hinged back panel (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) or from the side with a hinged left panel or right panel. The bundle of cigarettes  10  are preferably wrapped in a foil bundle wrap. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a grid system  130  adapted to fit within the outer box  110  of the cigarette package  100 . The grid system  130  is preferably constructed of a plastic, paper or other suitable material. The grid system  130  further comprises a plurality of mechanical elements  134  such as a collar, a latch or other suitable devices, which are adapted to rupture the capsule  62  as the cigarettes  10  are removed from the cigarette package  100 . The mechanical elements  134  apply a mechanical force to the plurality of capsules  62  as the individual cigarettes  10  are removed, which ruptures the capsule  62  releasing the flavorant  60 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show cross sectional views of another embodiment of a flavor system for a cigarette  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cigarette  10  comprises the tobacco rod  20 , the cigarette wrapper  30 , the filter  40 , and tipping paper  50 . The tipping paper  50  comprises an inner layer  51  and an outer layer  53 . The outer layer  53  extends from the mouth end  14  of the cigarette  10  to vicinity of the ventilation holes  52  located in the inner layer  51  of the tipping paper  50 . The outer layer  53  of the tipping paper  50  near the ventilation holes  52  further includes an angled edge portion  55  (e.g., a fold in the tipping paper  50 ). The angled edge portion  55  is configured to receive one or more flavorant capsules  62 . The flavorant capsule  62  is positioned between an outer surface of the inner layer  51  and an inner surface of the outer layer  53  (e.g., the microbeads/microcapsules are located on at least one of the facing surfaces of the folded over tipping paper). As the cigarette  10  is removed from the cigarette package  100 , a mechanical force from either the package  100  or from the act of removing the cigarette ruptures the capsule  62  releasing the flavorant  60  (e.g., as the folded tipping paper is unfolded the microbeads/microcapsules are ruptured to release volatile constituents of the flavorant into the surrounding air). It can be appreciated that the capsules  62  can also be ruptured by the smoker&#39;s handling of the cigarette  10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a flavor system for a cigarette  10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tipping paper  50  of the cigarette  10  comprises an inner layer  51  and an outer layer  53 . The inner layer  51  includes a recessed portion  57  adapted to receive at least one flavorant capsule  62 . The recessed portion  57  is preferably positioned between the ventilation holes  52  of the inner layer  51  of tipping paper  50  and the mouth end  14  of the cigarette  10 . The recessed portion  57  receives the capsules  62  which can be ruptured during removal of the cigarette  10  from the cigarette package  100  by any suitable kinetic or mechanical force, or alternatively, the capsules  62  can be ruptured by the smoker before lighting the cigarette  10  or after the cigarette  10  is lit by applying a force to the cigarette  10  between the ventilation holes  52  and the mouth end  14 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a further embodiment of a cigarette  10  with a flavor delivery system. The cigarette comprises the tobacco rod  20 , the cigarette wrapper  30 , the filter  40 , and tipping paper  50 . At least one flavorant capsule  62  can be placed between an outer surface  41  of the plug wrap of the filter  40  and an inner surface  59  of the tipping paper  50 . The flavorant capsules  62  are preferably positioned between the ventilation holes  52  of the tipping paper  50  and the mouth end  14  of the cigarette  10 . The capsules  62  can be ruptured during removal of the cigarette from the cigarette package  100  or by the handling of the cigarette  10  before the cigarette  10  is lit or after the cigarette  10  is lit. 
     Although the methods, apparatuses and packaging has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions not specifically described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims.