Patent Publication Number: US-2020281261-A1

Title: Smoking article

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2017/047022, filed Dec. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a smoking article including a capsule member. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A smoking article with a filter, for example, a conventional filter cigarette, includes a filter portion, tobacco portion, and a tipping paper member. The filter portion is formed in a rod shape by wrapping with filter wrapping paper a filter body containing a cellulose acetate fiber bundle or a filter body formed of a nonwoven fabric containing a pulp. The tobacco portion is formed in a rod shape by wrapping dried tobacco leaves with cigarette paper. The filter portion and the tobacco portion are joined end to end. The filter portion and the tobacco portion are wrapped with the tipping paper member over the entire circumferences to adhere to each other to form one integral body. 
     Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6078657, for example, a flavor capsule is incorporated into a cigarette filter body. A smoker crushes the flavor capsule with fingers to inhale the flavor produced from the content in the flavor capsule at the time of smoking or to mask the smell of the cigarette butt left after the cigarette is extinguished. The details of the flavor capsule are described in Jpn. PCT National Publication No. 2007-520204, for example. 
     Besides the cigarette, there are many smoking articles, such as cigars and cigarillos, which generate smoke by burning the tip of an aerosol generating rod containing a tobacco material. Also, there are many smoking articles which generate a fragrance component by heating an aerosol generating rod containing an aerosol base material such as a tobacco material, a flavor component, and a glycerin without combustion. As methods of heating without combustion, there are various methods that can be used depending on the required level, such as heating by electrical resistance, IH, chemical change, or phase change. 
     The aerosol generating rod includes a tobacco rod formed by wrapping dried tobacco leaves with a cigarette paper and formed into a rod shape. In addition, the aerosol generating rod includes a rod formed by wrapping dried tobacco leaves with a cigarette sheet, and a rod formed by impregnating a base material other than the tobacco leaves with an aerosol source such as glycerin and a fragrance component and thereafter wrapping the base material with paper into a rod shape. In any shape, the aerosol generating rod is substantially cylindrical, and generally a filter portion is arranged at and connected to one end of the aerosol generating rod by wrapping with a tipping paper. 
     Examples of smoking articles in which a fragrance component is generated by heating the aerosol generating rod without combustion are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5990500 and Japanese Patent No. 5292410. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present invention, a smoking article includes an aerosol generating rod, and a filter portion disposed adjacent to the aerosol generating rod. The filter portion includes a filter body, a capsule member, and an adhesive. The capsule member contains a flavorant inside and is embedded in the filter body. The adhesive bonds the filter body and the capsule member. 
     Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a cigarette as an example of a smoking article according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the cigarette taken along a central axis C shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the cigarette taken along line F 3 -F 3  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a smoking article (cigarette) taken along a central axis C according to a first modification. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a smoking article (cigarette) taken along a central axis C according to a second modification. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a smoking article taken along a central axis C according to a third modification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments 
     An embodiment of a cigarette, which is an example of a smoking article, will now be described. The smoking article includes a cigarette, a cigar, a hand-rolled cigarette, a cigarillo, and a smoking tool (electronic cigarette) that allows a user to inhale a fragrance of tobacco by heating the tobacco by a heater or the like or steaming the tobacco by steam, a smoking tool that allows a user to inhale a fragrance of tobacco by heating with a carbon heat source, or the like, and a non-heating type smoking tool that allows a user to inhale a fragrance of tobacco. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cigarette  11  includes an aerosol generating rod  14  including cut tobacco  12  (shredded leaves, tobacco) and cigarette paper  13  wrapped around the cut tobacco  12 , a filter portion  15  disposed adjacent to the aerosol generating rod  14 , and a tipping paper member  16  wrapped around the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15  so as to connect the aerosol generating rod  14  to the filter portion  15 . A central axis C passing through the center of the aerosol generating rod  14  and the center of the filter portion  15  can be defined in the cigarette  11 . 
     The filter portion  15  includes a filter body  17  having a cylindrical shape, a filter wrapping paper  21  wrapped around the filter body  17 , a capsule member  23  that is embedded within the filter portion  15  (within the filter body  17 ) and that holds a content liquid containing flavorant inside a capsule shell  22 , and an adhesive  24  that bonds the filter body  17  and the capsule member  23 . 
     The tipping paper member  16  which wraps the filter portion  15  may or may not be provided with a plurality of vents on a part of the outer periphery. In the case where the vents are provided, the number of the vents may be, for example, 10 to 40. In this case, the plurality of vents are arranged in a row in an annular shape, for example, in an outer peripheral part of the tipping paper member  16  wrapped around the filter portion  15 . The plurality of vents are formed at substantially regular intervals. With the plurality of vents, air is drawn into the filter portion  15  through the vents when the user smokes. Diluting mainstream smoke with ambient air flowing through the vents allows a product design with a desired tar value. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cigarette  11  includes the aerosol generating rod  14  including the cut tobacco  12 , and the cigarette paper  13  wrapped around the cut tobacco  12 , the filter portion  15 , and the tipping paper member  16  disposed on the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15  so as to connect the aerosol generating rod  14  to the filter portion  15 . 
     The capsule member  23  is embedded in the filter body  17 . The number of the capsule members  23  in the filter portion  15  may be one or more (for example, 2 to 10). The capsule member  23  is provided on or near the central axis C of the filter portion  15 . The capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance of 15 mm or shorter from a mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . Preferably, the capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance shorter than 10 mm from the mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . More preferably, the capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance of 7 mm or shorter from the mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . By adopting this arrangement, the user can easily crush the capsule member  23  not only with fingers, but by biting the capsule member  23  with teeth during smoking. Furthermore, since the fragrance generating source is close to the mouthpiece end, the smoker can enjoy a stronger flavor sensation. 
     The capsule member  23  includes the capsule shell  22 , and a content liquid encapsulated in the capsule shell  22  and containing a flavorant. The capsule shell  22  may contain, for example, starch, dextrin, polysaccharides, agar, gellan gum, gelatin, various natural gelling agents, glycerin, sorbitol, calcium chloride, and the like, and may further contain a flavorant and a coloring agent. The capsule member  23  is preferably colored so as to be recognizable by the smoker when the capsule member  23  is crushed, even though it is surrounded by opaque filter wrapping paper  21  and tipping paper member  16 . The capsule shell  22  preferably contains a coloring agent, such as Blue No. 1. If the capsule shell  22  of the capsule member  23  contains a hydrophilic material, it may be considered that the capsule shell  22  is composed of a material weakened by water absorption. 
     As the flavorant of the content liquid, any flavorant for a smoking article such as menthol, plant essential oil, etc. may be used. Main examples of the flavorant include menthol, leaf tobacco extract; natural plant flavors (e.g., cinnamon, sage, herb, chamomile, pueraria lobata, sweet hydrangea leaf, clove, lavender, cardamom, caryophyllus, nutmeg, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, lemon, orange, cassia bark, caraway, jasmine, ginger, coriander, vanilla extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, coffee, celery, cascarilla, sandalwood, cocoa, ylang ylang, fennel, anise, licorice, St John&#39;s bread, prune extract, and peach extract), saccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, isomerized saccharide, and caramel), cocoa (e.g., powder and extract), esters (e.g., isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, and linalyl butyrate), ketones (e.g., menthone, ionone, damascenone, and ethyl maltol), alcohols (e.g., geraniol, linalool, anethole, and eugenol), aldehydes (e.g., vanillin, benzaldehyde, and anisaldehyde), lactones (e.g., γ-undecalactone and γ-nonalactone), animal flavorants (e.g., musk, ambergris, civet, and castoreum), and hydrocarbons (e.g., limonene and pinene). These flavorants may be used alone or in combination. 
     As a solvent of the content liquid, a solvent suitable to the flavorant can be used. For example, medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) (specifically, capryl/capric acid glycerin), propylene glycol, water, or ethanol may be used. The content liquid may contain other solvents, and other additives such as a pigment, an emulsifier, and a thickener. 
     Although the manufacturing method of the capsule member  23  is not limited to any particular one, the falling-dropping method may be used for manufacturing a capsule member  23  having a seamless capsule shell  22 . This method employs a double nozzle. The content liquid is ejected from the inner side nozzle, and simultaneously a liquid material formed of the capsule shell  22  is ejected from the outer side nozzle. As a result, the liquid material formed of the capsule shell  22  can encapsulate the content liquid without forming any seam. 
     The capsule member  23  may be in the form of a sphere or a cylinder. The sphere includes a round object having a substantially circular section and an ellipsoidal object having an ellipsoidal section. Preferably, the capsule member  23  is an object having a substantially circular section. If the capsule member  23  is a sphere having a substantially circular section, it may have a diameter, for example, of 1.0 to 8.0 mm. In the case of an ellipsoid, the capsule member  23  may have, for example, a maximum diameter of 2.0 to 8.0 mm and a minimum diameter of 1.0 to 7.0 mm. In the case of a cylinder, the capsule member  23  may have a diameter of 1.0 to 8.0 mm and a height of 1.0 to 8.0 mm. When a spherical capsule member is applied to a generally distributed cigarette, a capsule having a diameter smaller than 7.5 to 8.0 mm, which is the diameter of the commonly distributed cigarette and filter portion, should be used. When a spherical capsule member is applied to a generally distributed cigarette, it is preferable to use a capsule member having a diameter of 3.0 mm to 4.5 mm. If the diameter of the capsule is too small, problems may arise; for example, the amount of the flavorant applied to the cigarette may be reduced, thereby reducing the feeling of satisfaction that can be imparted by the flavorant; and it may be difficult to find the presence of the capsule, when the smoker breaks the capsule. If the diameter of the capsule is too large, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the capsule to the cross-sectional area of the filter body is increased, so that the ventilation resistance of the filter portion when the capsule is not crushed becomes too large, causing the smoker to feel difficulty in inhaling. 
     The filter body  17  can be formed of a filter material of a cellulose acetate fiber bundle (acetate tow), as in the case of a conventional filter cigarette. The filter body  17  may comprise only a filter material of acetate tow, or may comprise a filter material of acetate tow and the filter wrapping paper  21  wrapped around the filter material. If the filter portion  15  includes a plurality of filter bodies  17 , the filter body  17  on the cut tobacco  12  side and the filter body  17  on the mouthpiece side may have the same material and structure, or may have different materials and structures. 
     The acetate tow may have a filament denier of 1.9 to 12.0 (g/9000 m), a total denier of 10,000 to 44,000 (g/9000 m), a fiber number of 830 to 23,500 (fibers), and a pressure drop of 100 to 600 (mmH 2 0/120 mm). The filament denier, the total denier, and the number of fibers should be designed to achieve the target value of ventilation resistance, depending on the setting circumference (14.0 to 26.0 (mm)) of the filter body. A plasticizer such as triacetin may be added to the acetate tow. The plasticizer may be added in an amount of 5 to 12% by weight relative to the weight of the acetate tow. If activated charcoal is added in a dispersed manner between the fibers of the acetate tow, the plasticizer may be added in an amount of 2 to 12% by weight relative to the weight of the acetate tow. 
     For example, the filter portion  15  may have a circumference of about 14 to 26 mm, and a length, for example, of 17 to 40 mm, like a conventional filter. 
     The aerosol generating rod  14 , like the conventional cigarette  11 , comprises the cut tobacco  12  and the cigarette paper  13  wrapped around the cut tobacco, and may have, for example, a circumference of about 14 to 26 mm and a length of about 20 to 70 mm. 
     The adhesive  24  is provided over the entire length of the filter portion  15  in the longitudinal direction (direction of the central axis C). The adhesive  24  is linearly provided on or near the central axis C of the filter portion  15  along the central axis C of the filter portion  15 . Since the capsule member  23  is located on or near the central axis C, a part of the adhesive  24  is positioned within the projection section in the direction of the central axis C of the capsule member  23 . The adhesive  24  bonds the capsule member  23  and the filter body  17  which are also located on the central axis C. 
     The adhesive  24  is partially arranged in an arc shape along the outer shape of the capsule member  23 . The adhesive  24  is formed of a thermoplastic resin (hot-melt adhesive). When the adhesive  24  is applied to the filter portion  15 , it becomes liquefied by heating to a high temperature of 100 to 200° C. However, at the time of product shipment, the adhesive  24  is completely solid. In the production line of the filter portion  15 , the adhesive  24  is applied continuously and linearly to filter tow at a rate of 10 to 50 mg per 120 mm length in the longitudinal direction of the filter body  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the adhesive  24  may cover 1/20 to ⅓ of the total surface area of the capsule member  23 , for example. The area covering the surface of the capsule member  23  is preferably ½ or less, for example. If ½ or more of the capsule member  23  is covered with the adhesive  24 , the capsule member  23  becomes too hard to be crushed by fingers, since the adhesive  24  functions as a kind of a coating. 
     Flavorants may be uniformly added to the adhesive  24 . In the case of uniformly adding the flavor components to the adhesive  24 , it is considered that the preferable amount of the flavor components is the amount that does not cause deterioration of the function of the adhesive  24 . The amount of the flavorants uniformly contained within the adhesive  24  can be adjusted appropriately, for example, by increasing or decreasing the amount of the flavorants to be added for flavoring the mainstream smoke of the cigarette  11  (smoking article). 
     These flavor components may be dispersed directly in the adhesive  24 , or the flavor components may be included in an inclusion compound such as dextrin, α-cyclodextrin, and β-cyclodextrin, and the inclusion compound may be dispersed in the adhesive  24 . By adopting such a technique, it is also possible to reduce the influence on the adhesive force of the adhesive  24  by dispersing the flavor components in the adhesive  24 . 
     Examples of the flavorants added to the adhesive  24  include the following. Examples include acetoanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, Peru balsam oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-caryophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acids, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellol, clary sage extract, cocoa, coffees, cognac oil, coriander oil, cuminaldehyde, davana oil, δ-decalactone, γ-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill herb oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-dimethylpyrazine, 5-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, genet absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranylacetate, grape juice, guaiacol, guava extract, γ-heptalactone, γ-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexan-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, hexyl phenylacetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexane-1-on, 4-(para-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, sodium 4-hydroxyundecanoate, immortel absolute, β-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, coconut tincture, labdanum oil, lemon-terpeneless oil, licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, lovage root oil, maltol, maple syrup, menthol (L-menthol), menthone, L-menthyl acetate, para-methoxybenzaldehyde, methyl-2-pyrrolylketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4′-methylacetophenone, methylcyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, molasses, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, γ-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, δ-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, oris oil, palmitic acid, peppermint oil, petitgrain paraguai oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, plum extract, propenyl guaethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenphthalide, prune juice, pyruvate, raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, α-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-tetramethyl-13-oxacyclo(8.3.0.0(4.9)) tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, trimethylcitrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexenyl)2-butene-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadienyl)2-butene-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, γ-undecalactone, γ-valerolactone, vanilla extract, vanillin, veratraldehyde, and violet leaf absolute. 
     These flavorants may be used alone, or in combination to achieve a desired scent. 
     The flavorant dispersed within the adhesive  24  are fixed to the adhesive  24  before smoking, and volatilization to the outside of the adhesive  24  occurs almost not at all. On the other hand, when smoking, mainstream smoke passes through the vicinity of the adhesive  24 . The flavorant fixed to the adhesive  24  is volatilized into the mainstream smoke by the heat of the mainstream smoke or the moisture (vapor) contained in the mainstream smoke. This provides a gap between the scent of the smoking article (smoking article)  11  before smoking and the scent of the mainstream smoke during smoking, which can be surprising to the smoker. Further, it is also possible to take a predetermined time from the start of smoking until the fragrant fixed in the adhesive  24  volatilizes into the mainstream smoke, that is, to give a time lag from the start of smoking before the fragrant fixed in the adhesive  24  volatilizes into the mainstream smoke. 
     The adhesive  24  can be uniformly mixed with a pigment such as a dye or a colorant. As such a pigment, an edible pigment may be used, for example. Examples of edible pigments include, for example, natural pigments, such as a gardenia yellow pigment, an annatto pigment, a capsicum pigment, a red cabbage pigment, a monascus pigment, and a gardenia blue pigment, and synthetic pigments, such as food red No. 2, food red No. 3, food red No. 102, food red No 104, food red No. 105, food yellow No. 4, food yellow No. 5, food blue No. 1, and food blue No. 2. 
     Functions of the cigarette  11  according to the present embodiment will now be described. With the cigarette  11  of the present embodiment, the user ignites the tip of the aerosol generating rod  14 , holds the mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the mouth and inhales, whereby the user can enjoy the flavor and taste of the tobacco. At this time, the mainstream smoke is mixed with the fragrant contained in the content liquid of the capsule member  23  or the fragrant volatilized from the adhesive  24 , and the expected flavor and taste is exhibited in the oral cavity of the user. When the capsule member  23  is crushed, the movement of the capsule member  23  is inhibited, so that the user can easily crush the capsule member  23  at a desired timing and enjoy the changed flavor and taste. 
     Next, a process of producing the cigarette  11  as an example of the smoking article of the present embodiment will be described. The aerosol generating rod  14  is formed by wrapping the wrapping paper  13  around the cut tobacco  12  in the conventional manner. On the other hand, in the production line of the filter portion  15 , the manufacturing apparatus of the filter portion  15  continuously in a straight line (linearly) supplies the adhesive  24  to a position near the central axis C of the filter portion  15  before the filter body  17  is completely converged into a cylindrical shape. At this time, the adhesive is in a molten state, heated at 100 to 200° C. In addition, the manufacturing apparatus of the filter portion  15 , which is provided with the adhesive  24  as mentioned above, supplies the capsule member  23  to the vicinity of the central axis C of the filter body  17 . Further, the filter portion  15  is completely formed into a cylinder shape, and thereafter the filter portion  15  is left at room temperature, with the result that the adhesive  24  is solidified. Thus, the position of the capsule member  23  with respect to the filter body  17  is completely fixed. 
     Next, the movement preventing action of the capsule member  23  in the cigarette  11  as an example of the smoking article of the present embodiment will be described. Using the cigarette  11  of the present embodiment, the inventors conducted a test on seven subjects. In the test, “the capsule member  23  was intentionally pushed into the oral cavity by biting the capsule member with the teeth.” The test was conducted using the cigarette  11  of the present embodiment, and a conventional cigarette as a comparative example in which the capsule member  23  and the filter body  17  were not bonded. As a result, in the case of the conventional cigarette of the comparative example, one of the seven subjects was able to push the capsule member  23  into the oral cavity. On the other hand, in the case of the cigarette  11  according to the present embodiment, none of the seven subjects was able to push the capsule member  23  into the oral cavity. 
     Since “the capsule member  23  was intentionally pushed into the oral cavity” in the test, one of the seven subjects was able to push the capsule member  23  into the oral cavity in the comparative example. However, in the normal state of use, the possibility that the capsule member  23  is pushed out into the oral cavity even in the comparative example is considered to be very close to 0. According to the present embodiment, even when the user tried to intentionally push out the capsule member  23 , the capsule member  23  could not be moved to be pushed out from the filter portion  15 . Thus, it is possible to realize the cigarette  11  in which the capsule member  23  is unlikely to move. 
     According to the present embodiment, the smoking article includes the aerosol generating rod  14 , and the filter portion  15  adjacent to the aerosol generating rod  14 , the filter portion  15  including the filter body  17 , the capsule member  23  embedded in the filter body  17  and containing a flavorant, and the adhesive  24  that bonds the filter body  17  and the capsule member  23 . 
     Generally, the fibers constituting the filter portion  15  extend in the axial direction (the direction of the central axis C) of the filter portion  15 . Therefore, when an external force is applied to a capsule member, in some rare cases, the capsule member may move to be displaced along the direction in which the fibers extend. However, since such an event occurs very rarely, it was almost impossible for the manufacturer to recognize the event as a problem. According to the above configuration, by fixing the capsule member  23  to the filter body  17  with the adhesive  24 , the capsule member  23  can be prevented from being out of position within the filter portion  15 . As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the capsule member  23  moves to be displaced and cannot be easily crushed, thereby improving the convenience of the user. 
     The adhesive  24  is a thermoplastic resin. According to this configuration, since the resin is completely solidified when the product is shipped, it is possible to prevent the capsule member  23  from moving in the filter portion  15 , thereby realizing a smoking article in which the capsule member  23  can be easily crushed. Further, since moisture does not come out from the adhesive  24  at the time of solidification, the capsule member  23  can be prevented from being weakened by water. 
     The capsule shell of the capsule member  23  is formed of a hydrophilic material which is weakened by water absorption. In particular, the capsule shell of the capsule member  23  is formed of a material selected from starch, dextrin, polysaccharides, agar, gellan gum, gelatin, natural gelling agents, glycerin, sorbitol, calcium chloride, and mixtures thereof. According to the above configurations, by using an adhesive that does not contain moisture, such as a thermoplastic adhesive, rather than using an adhesive that contains moisture, such as vinyl acetate paste, the capsule member  23  is not weakened and is prevented from becoming difficult to crush. 
     The capsule member  23  is positioned on or near the central axis C of the filter portion  15 , and the adhesive  24  linearly extends along the central axis C on or near the central axis C of the filter portion  15 . According to this configuration, even when the position of the capsule member  23  is out of position with respect to the direction of the central axis C due to manufacturing variations, since the adhesive  24  extends linearly along the central axis C, a slight displacement of the capsule member  23  can be allowed, and the capsule member  23  can be reliably fixed to the filter portion  15 . 
     The capsule member  23  is positioned on or near the central axis C of the filter portion  15 , and a part of the adhesive  24  is positioned in a projected section in the direction of the central axis C of the capsule member  23 . According to this configuration, the adhesive  24  can be disposed at a position overlapping the capsule member  23 . As a result, the adhesive  24  is not applied to a position away from the capsule member  23 . Thus, it is possible to prevent such a problem wherein the adhesion between the capsule member  23  and the filter portion  15  is not successful. 
     The adhesive  24  includes a flavorant. According to this configuration, since the flavorant can be contained in the adhesive  24 , it is not necessary to separately provide cotton yarn or the like containing the flavorant in the filter portion  15 . As a result, various flavors can be added to the mainstream smoke, and the degree of freedom can be improved at the time of product design. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case of separately providing cotton yarn or the like containing the flavorant. 
     The adhesive  24  includes a pigment. According to this configuration, the adhesive  24  can be colored, and the portion where the adhesive  24  is solidified can be decorated. Generally, the color of the portion coated with the adhesive  24  in the filter portion  15  is not substantially different from the color of the portion not coated with the adhesive  24  in the filter portion  15 . The portion of the filter portion  15  to which the adhesive  24  is applied is merely harder than the other portions. According to the above configuration, it is possible to positively contribute to the improvement of the appearance at the place where the adhesive  24  is applied, so that the freedom of the smoking article design can be improved. 
     The capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance shorter than 15 mm or 10 mm from the mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the center axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . According to this configuration, it is possible to place the capsule member  23  near the mouthpiece end  26 , and the flavorant can be put on the mainstream smoke at a position close to the mouth of the user. Thus, the capsule member  23  can be arranged at a position where the flavorant can be delivered to the user&#39;s oral cavity most efficiently. Further, in the present embodiment, the capsule member  23  and the filter portion  15  are bonded by the adhesive  24 . Therefore, even in the arrangement mentioned above, it is possible to prevent the capsule member  23  from falling off the filter portion  15 . 
     First Modification 
     Next, a smoking article (cigarette) according to a first modification of the embodiment will be described. The first modification is different from the above embodiment in that the material of the capsule shell  22  of the capsule member  23  and the type of the adhesive  24  are different, but other parts are the same. In the following, the parts different from those of the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the parts that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted. 
     The capsule member  23  (capsule shell  22 ) is formed of a resin material (synthetic resin material). More specifically, the capsule member  23  is formed of, for example, a polyethylene resin material, but may be formed of other kinds of resin materials (synthetic resin materials), such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. The melting point of the capsule member  23  formed of polypropylene, for example, is 104 to 120° C., which is lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin (hot-melt adhesive) of 150 to 180° C. Therefore, when the thermoplastic resin (hot-melt adhesive) is used as the adhesive  24 , there is a possibility that a hole may be formed in the capsule member  23  when the thermoplastic resin is melted. 
     Unlike the embodiment, the adhesive  24  of this modification is composed of an aqueous dispersion adhesive. The aqueous dispersion adhesive exhibits an adhesive performance by evaporation of the water at normal temperature (room temperature). In the embodiment, for example, a vinyl acetate resin emulsion adhesive among the aqueous dispersion adhesives can be suitably used as the adhesive  24 . 
     The arrangement of the adhesive  24  is the same as that of the embodiment described above. Also, as well as the embodiment described above, a flavorant may be mixed with the adhesive  24 , and the pigment may be mixed with the adhesive  24 . According to this modification, since the capsule member  23  is formed of a resin material, the strength of the capsule member  23  is improved, and a problem wherein the capsule member  23  is unexpectedly crushed or the like during transportation is prevented. 
     According to this modification, the adhesive  24  is an aqueous dispersion adhesive. With this configuration, an inexpensive and safe adhesive can be used as the adhesive  24 . Thus, since the adhesive  24  is a liquid from the beginning, it is not necessary to apply heat to melt the adhesive  24 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent holes from being formed in the capsule member  23 , which may be formed if the capsule member  23  is formed of a resin material or the like by heating the adhesive  24  formed of a thermoplastic resin (hot-melt adhesive) to melt the adhesive and applying the adhesive to the filter portion  15  and the capsule member  23 . 
     The capsule shell  22  of the capsule member  23  is formed of a resin material. According to this configuration, when the aqueous dispersion adhesive is used as the adhesive  24 , the capsule member  23  does not absorb the moisture that is diffused (volatilized) from the aqueous dispersion adhesive, and it is possible to prevent the situation wherein the capsule member  23  is difficult to crush due to the moisture. 
     Second Modification 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 4 , a smoking article (cigarette) according to a second modification of the embodiment will be described. The cigarette  11  according to the second modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that a second filter portion  31  is provided in addition to the filter portion  15 , but the other parts are the same as those of the above-described embodiments. In the following, the parts different from those of the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the parts that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cigarette  11  includes the aerosol generating rod  14  including cut tobacco  12  (shredded leaves, tobacco) and the cigarette paper  13  wrapped around the cut tobacco  12 , the filter portion  15  disposed coaxially with the aerosol generating rod  14 , the second filter portion  31  disposed coaxially with the aerosol generating rod  14  at a position between the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15 , and the tipping paper member  16  wrapped around the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15  so as to connect the aerosol generating rod  14 , the second filter portion  31 , and the filter portion  15 . 
     The configuration of the filter portion  15  is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, except that the length in the central axis C is about half of the length of the first embodiment. The filter portion  15  is provided with the capsule member  23  in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. 
     The second filter portion  31  is formed in the same manner as the filter portion  15  of this modification. The second filter portion  31  differs from the filter portion  15  in that it does not have the capsule member  23 , but the other parts are the same as those of the filter portion  15 . In the present modification, the second filter section  31  is composed of one piece, but it may be composed of two or more pieces. 
     According to this modification, at least one second filter section  31  is provided between the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15 . With this configuration, even in the cigarette  11  using a multi-segment filter, the movement of the capsule member  23  with respect to the filter portion  15  can be prevented, and the cigarette  11  in which the capsule member  23  can be easily crushed can be realized. 
     Third Modification 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 5 , a smoking article (cigarette) according to a third modification of the embodiment will be described. The third modification is different from the above embodiment in that the capsule member  23  is provided at a different position, but the other parts are the same as those of the above embodiment. In the following, the parts different from those of the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the parts that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted. 
     The configuration of the filter portion  15  is the same as that of the embodiment except that the capsule member  23  is provided at a different position. In this modification, the capsule member  23  is disposed at a distance of 20 mm or shorter from the mouthpiece end  26  in the direction of the central axis C. In other words, the capsule member  23  is provided at a middle portion in the central axis C direction (longitudinal direction) of the filter portion  15 . 
     Even in the case where the capsule member  23  is provided in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the filter portion  15  as in the present modification, the movement of the capsule member  23  with respect to the filter portion  15  can be prevented by the adhesive  24 , and the user&#39;s convenience can be improved. 
     Fourth Modification 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 6 , a smoking article according to a fourth modification of the embodiment will be described. In the fourth modification, a smoking article  41  is not a cigarette, but belongs to the field of so-called electronic cigarettes in which an aerosol generating rod  14  is heated by a so-called electric heater or the like. In the following, the parts different from those of the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the parts that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view cut along a plane including the central axis C, showing a lower half of a rod member  46  of the smoking article  41  and a main body  45 . 
     The smoking article  41  includes the main body  45  including a battery  42 , an electric heating portion  43 , and a recess  44 , and the rod member  46  detachably inserted into the recess  44  of the main body  45 . The recess  44  is formed in a part of a case  45 A of the main body  45 . The battery  42  can be charged and discharged. The electric heating portion  43  is a so-called heater, and has a heat generating element disposed to surround the recess  44 . The heat generating element of the electric heating portion  43  heats the aerosol generating rod  14  and causes a filler  61  of the aerosol generating rod  14  to release a fragrance into the surrounding air. The heating temperature of the aerosol generating rod  14  by the electric heating portion  43  is, for example, 400° C. or lower, which is considerably lower than the combustion temperature of the cigarette of the conventional ignition type at 700 to 800° C. By heating at such a low temperature, the amount of mainstream smoke generated from the aerosol generating rod  14  is reduced as compared with the cigarette  11  of the embodiment. Therefore, the filtering function of the filter portion  15  of the present modification is preferably lower than that of the filter portion  15  of the cigarette  11  of the embodiment, so that a preferred amount of mainstream smoke is shared in the mouth of the smoker. In this modification, in order to reduce the mainstream smoke filtration of the filter portion  15 , the length of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C is shorter than that in the above-described embodiment. It is also possible to shorten the length in which the filter body is disposed out of the total length of the filter portion, and to dispose a tube portion or other segment having a low filtration rate of the mainstream smoke in the remaining portion. 
     The rod member  46  has a cigarette shape. The rod member  46  includes a tubular cylindrical portion  51 , the aerosol generating rod  14  provided at one end portion  51 A of the cylindrical portion  51 , the filter portion  15  provided at the other end portion  51 B opposite to the one end portion  51 A of the cylindrical portion  51 , a second filter portion  31  disposed coaxially with the aerosol generating rod  14  at a position between the aerosol generating rod  14  and the filter portion  15 , and a tipping paper member  16  connecting the cylindrical portion  51 , the aerosol generating rod  14 , and the filter portion  15 . 
     The cylindrical portion  51  is formed of, for example, a thick paper having a thickness of 100 to 300 μm in a cylindrical shape so as to have a predetermined rigidity. The tipping paper member  16  is supported by the rigid cylindrical portion  51 , and even when the rod member  46  is pressed in the direction of the central axis C, the tipping paper member  16  is not crushed in the direction of the central axis C. The tipping paper member  16  and the cylindrical portion  51  have a plurality of vents  53  on a part of the outer circumference. The plurality of vents  53  extend through the tipping paper member  16  and the cylindrical portion  51 . The number of vents  53  is, for example, 10 to 40. The vents  53  are arranged, for example, in a row in an annular shape on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion. The vents  53  are formed at regular intervals. 
     The aerosol generating rod  14  includes the filler  61  including cut tobacco  12  (shredded leaves, tobacco), tobacco sheet shreds, folded or circumferentially rolled tobacco sheets, pleated tobacco sheets, or non-tobacco filler and the like, and a cigarette paper  54  wrapped around the filler  61 . The cigarette paper  54  may be paper alone, or may be formed of paper bonded with a metal foil having a good thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum foil or a stainless steel foil. 
     The configuration of the filter portion  15  is substantially the same as that of the other embodiments except that the length of the filter body  17  in the direction of the central axis C is shorter. The filter portion  15  includes the filter body  17  having a cylindrical shape, a filter wrapping paper  21  wrapped around the filter body  17 , a capsule member  23  that is embedded within the filter portion  15  (within the filter body  17 ) and that encapsulates a content liquid containing a flavorant inside a capsule shell  22 , and an adhesive  24  that bonds the filter body  17  and the capsule member  23 . The capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance shorter than 10 mm from a mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . More preferably, the capsule member  23  is positioned at a distance shorter than 6 mm from the mouthpiece end  26  of the filter portion  15  in the direction of the central axis C toward the aerosol generating rod  14 . 
     The second filter portion  31  differs from the filter portion  15  in that it does not have the capsule member  23 , but the other parts are the same as those of the filter portion  15 . In the present modification, the second filter section  31  is composed of one piece, but it may be composed of two or more pieces. The filter portion  15  and the second filter portion  31  are connected by a second filter wrapping paper  62 . 
     According to the present modification, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment are obtained. That is, the user can enjoy the flavor and taste of the smoking article in the oral cavity by inhaling through the filter portion  15  and the cylindrical portion  51 , while the rod member  46  is attached to the main body  45 . 
     According to this modification, the smoking article  41  includes the electric heating portion  43  for heating the aerosol generating rod  14 . With this configuration, in the smoking article  41  that belongs to the field of so-called electronic cigarettes, the ease of crushing the capsule member  23  can be similarly improved, and the convenience of the user can be improved. In particular, in the case of using the electric heating portion  43 , the length of the filter body  17  of the filter portion  15  tends to be short because the amount of the mainstream smoke is small. According to this modification, the movement of the capsule member  23  can be prevented even in the short filter body  17 . As described above, the movement of the capsule member can be effectively prevented in the smoking article  41  having the short filter body  17 , in which the possibility of the capsule member  23  falling off from the filter body  17  is high. This is extremely useful in the design of the product. 
     The smoking article is not limited to the above embodiment and modifications and can be embodied by modifying structural elements in the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof. Therefore, the smoking article described above is obviously applicable to smoking articles by which the user enjoys the fragrance of tobacco without heating. Further, some of the components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments, or different modifications may be appropriately combined to constitute one invention. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.