GB2490739A - Additive release component for use with a smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

An additive release component comprising is attachable to a smoking article such that when it is attached at least a portion of the additive release component is external to the smoking article. The additive on release by compressive force may be entrained in the smoke that is drawn through the filter. The component may be in the form of a flexible polymeric ring or band 15 in which flavourant is impregnated, the ring or band having a projection or tooth 16 which sits within a notch in the surface of the filter. Alternatively the component may be in the form of an annular capsule in the form of a circular tube 25 which is retained in a groove 26, holes 27 being in the base of the groove.

Description

-I --

Additive release component

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an additive release component for use with a smoking article.

Background

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

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

It is known to provide additive release components containing additives such as flavourants inside smoking articles. By applying force to the outside of the smoking article, the smoker may break the additive release component and release the flavourant. Thus, a smoker wishing to add flavour to the smoke may.: do so by simply squeezing the smoking article.

Generally, it is desirable for the volume of the additive release component to be as large as possible, so that as much additive as possible may be provided.

However, since additive release components are located within the filter, large components may have an adverse effect on the filtration or draw characteristics of the filter. Furthermore, as the additive release components are located within the smoking article, it may be difficult for the user to release the additive. To overcome this problem, additive release components may be used from which additive is more easily released; however such additive release components may: io have an increased likelihood of accidental additive release. Furthermore, since additive release components are located within smoking articles, it may be difficult for the user to determine whether or not the additive has been released from the additive release component.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided an additive release component which comprises an additive. The additive may be any substance that may be added to smoke, the atmosphere in the vicinity of a smoking article, or the fingers or lips of a smoker. An additive may modify the properties of smoke, or alter the smoking experience, for example by adjusting the flavour or odour of the smoke or smoking article. The additive release component can be attached to a smoking article, such as a smoking article filter, and when attached at least a portion of the additive release component is external to the smoking article.

In the case of external additive release components, at least a portion of the additive release component is not encompassed by the smoking article. When the smoking article is a cigarette, an external additive release component may be external to the circumferential or curved surface of the cigarette. Generally, additive release components which, for example, simply protrude from the mouth end or tobacco rod end of the cigarette are not considered to be external for the purposes of the present invention, unless they also protrude from the circumferential or curved surface. Thus, an additive release component is external' if at least a portion of its surface is not encompassed by the plugwrap, cigarette paper, tipping paper, or any other paper or covering of the circumferential or curved surface of the cigarette. At least a portion of the external additive release component is outside of all of the other components of the smoking article both prior to use, and during use. In particular, in accordance with the invention, the user is able to see, touch, and feel at least a portion of the additive release component directly.

io The additive can be released from the additive release component. When the smoking article is in use, the additive that has been released from the additive release component may be entrained in the smoke that is drawn through the -3 --smoking article. In addition, or alternatively, the additive may be released externally into the atmosphere in the vicinity of the smoking article, for example, in order to modify the side-stream smoke emitted from the smoking article.

The additive may be a deodoriser, a diluent, an adsorbent, or a flavourant, such as menthol, or the additive could be water. The additive release component may be a capsule, a polymer, a sponge-like material, an adsorbent material, or a gel material.

The additive release component may be shaped to locate at a specific site on the smoking article or smoking article filter. The additive release component may be attached to the filter of the smoking article. The component may be attached around the external circumferential surface of the smoking article.

The additive release component may have the form of a band which may be frictionally retained around the circumferential surface of the smoking article.

The additive release component may be a capsule, comprising an outer shell and a core, or the additive release component may be a polymer impregnated with additive.

The additive may be released from the additive release component when compressive force is applied to the additive release component.

The additive may be released from a predetermined region of the additive release component. Furthermore, when the additive release component is attached to a smoking article, the predetermined region may be in contact with the smoking article.

When the additive release component is a capsule, the predetermined region may io he a line or point of weakness in the structure of the capsule.

According to a second aspect, a smoking article filter is pro\Tided, which comprises an additive release component in accordance with the first aspect.

Additive may be released from the additive release component into the filter, or into the air surrounding the filter.

The additive release component may be engaged in a cavity, recess or other shaped region on the external surface of the filter. This region and the additive release component may be of complementary shapes. For example, the additive release component may be an annular or partially-annular band and the cavit may comprise a circumferential groove in the surface of the filter.

The smoking article filter may be ventilated.

The smoking article filter may comprise a hole corresponding to the position of attachment of the additive release component.

According to a third aspect, a smoking article comprising an additive release component in accordance with the first aspect, or a filter in accordance with the second aspect, is provided

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will he described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale), in which: Figure 1 shows a filter comprising an additive release component according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a filter comprising an additive release component according to a Jo second embodiment.

Detailed Description

-5 --Additive The additive held within the additive release component may.: be anything which may be added to smoke, the atmosphere in the vicinity of a smoking article, or the fingers or lips of a smoker. An additive may modify: the properties of smoke, or alter the smoking experience, for example by adjusting the flavour or odour of the smoke or smoking article. The additive may be a deodoriser, a diluent, an adsorbent, or any other substance that is capable of modifying the smoke. The additive may be water. Where local regulations permit, the additive may be a flavourant, such as menthol.

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

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

The additive may be a solid, such as a powder, a liquid, such as a liquid flavourant, deodoriser, water, etc, or a gas, such as an aromatic composition.

The additive may be an adsorbent which may be in granular, powdered, particulate, or any other suitable form. In this case, the adsorbent material preferably has particle sizes of less than 500pm and preferably less than 100pm.

More preferably the adsorbent material has a mean particle size of less than 50pm and most preferably has a mean particle size of less than 20 pm. The particle size is considered to be the diameter of the particle.

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

An example of a suitable coal-based charcoal is one made from semi-anthracite coal with a density about 50% greater than coconut-based charcoal (available from Calgon Carbon, Pittsburgh, PA, WA).

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

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

Additive release component An additive release component may be anything which is capable of retaining an additive and releasing it as and when desired. The additive release component may be supplied to the consumer as part of a smoking article. Alternatively, the component may be supplied separately to the consumer for assembly on to a smoking article prior to use. The additive release component may be located at any position on the smoking article, and in particular may be positioned on the filter of the smoking article.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the additive release component is an annular component in the form of a band, which is positioned around the outside of a smoking article, such as around the smoking article filter. The additive release component comprises a flexible polymer in which the additive is impregnated. The additive is able to diffuse freely from the flexible polymer.

In other embodiments, however, other types of additive release component may be used to carry the additive. For example, the additive release component may be a capsule, a sponge-like material, an adsorbent material, a gel material, or any other suitable material.

The additive may be released from the additive release component by any suitable means. For example, compressive force exerted on the additive release component, for example by the user squeezing the component between the fingers, may induce release of the additive. This may involve rupture of the additive release component, or alternatively, squeezing the additive from an additive release component comprising a porous or spongy material.

The additive release component may be a capsule, as shown in the embodiment of the accompanying Figure 2. Capsules generally comprise an outer wall, which may be made of gelatine, and an inner space comprising the additive.

In some embodiments, the additive release component may be a sponge-like porous material, which may be compressible. The additive may be distributed -8 --within the sponge-like material, and optionally, absorbed by the sponge-like material, which may release the additive by diffusion, or \vhen compressed. A sponge-like material may be a body of absorbent material impregnated with the additive, which is progressively compressible and configured to release at least a part of the additive contents when partly compressed.

The sponge-like material may comprise a matrix with a closed cell structure, in particular, a closed cell foam structure. The closed cell foam defines a matrix having a plurality of small cavities which may contain additive. The cavities are closed by the foam material, retaining the additive until selective release. On application of a compressive force, the closed cell foam may be configured to release additive.

The closed cell foam substrate does not require an outer shell to retain the additive, and so may form the additive release component without an outer shell.

Alternatively, the sponge-like material may be coated in a second material, which may form an outer shell encompassing the sponge-like material. This outer material may function to retain the smoke modifying material within the sponge-like material until release of the contents is desired, at which time, external force exerted by the user may rupture the outer shell and squeeze the additive from the sponge-like material.

In some embodiments, the additive release component or additive release components may be further carried in a second additive release component, or a sheath, or the like. This may allow greater control over the release of the additive from the additive release component. It may also provide greater protection from accidental or premature breakage, or incidental leakage. In this way, for example, single wall or multi-wall capsules may be used to tailor capsule stability, Jo strength, rupture resistance, processing ease in filter manufacture, etc. Properties of the additive release comPonent -9 --In the present invention, the additive release component is an external additive release component.

The additive release component may be entirely external to the smoking article (as shown in the accompanying Figures), and may, for example, be applied to the outside of the smoking article filter prior to use. In other embodiments, the additive release component may be situated substantially within the smoking article, having an external portion which protrudes out of the smoking article and is accessible to the user.

The additive release component may have merely a single surface that is external to the smoking article. For example, the additive release component may he shaped to fit within a cavity in the smoking article, one surface of the additive release component being flush with the outer surface of the smoking article. In other embodiments, the additive release component may protrude out of the smoking article, or the additive release component may simply be attached to an external surface of the smoking article.

Since at least a portion of the additive release component is external to the smoking article, at least this portion of the additive release component will be directly: accessible to the user. Therefore, the user will be able to readily detect the release of the additive from the additive release component, for example, by simply observing the release of the additive, or by detecting an aroma.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, release of the additive from the additive release component may be accompanied by an audible noise, or a detectable change in the feel of the additive release component.

In embodiments in which the additive release component is separate from the smoking article and is combined with the smoking article prior to use, it may be io possible to use additive release components that are less robust than those used previously. In this case, the packaging in which the additive release component is provided may protect the additive release component from accidental release of additive. The user will then be able to carefully position the additive release component on the smoking article and release the additive when required. For example, the additive release component may be a capsule having a crush strength of less than 0.2kp, 0.25kp, 0.3kp, 0.35kp, or 0.4kp. However, the crush strength may be as high as l.5kp, 2kp, or 2.5kp A further advantage of the additive release component being an external additive release component is that the additive release component may be of any size without having an adverse effect on the fihration or draw characteristics of the smoking article.

The size of the additive release component may be dependent on the amount or volume of additive required, which in turn may be dependent on a number of factors, including the potency of the additive and the degree of smoke modification desired. Generally, it is preferable for the capacity of the additive release component to be as large as possible, so that as much additive as possible is provided, to modify the smoke as significantly as possible.

Additive release component shate The additive release component may be any.: suitable shape. The additive release component may he an annular additive release component, and may be positioned around the circumferential surface of the smoking article, as shown in the accompanying Figures. The additive may be a band, which may be in the form of a flexible band, or in the form of an inflexible ring, hoop, or collar. The additive release component may be any other shape capable of being positioned around the circumferential surface of a smoking article. For example, the additive release component may be a spring or spiral, shaped to wrap around the smoking article, or the additive release component may he in the form of a circular arc (C-shape), \vhich may clip around the smoking article. Jo

In some embodiments, the additive release component comprises two or more sections. For example, the additive release component may comprise two -Il--identical semicircular arcs, \vhich fasten together around the smoking article to form an annular additive release component. Alternatively, the additive release component may comprise two or more hinged sections, which facilitate clasping the smoking article.

In other embodiments, the additive release component is not positioned around the circumferential surface of the smoking article, but is simply applied to a section of the smoking article surface. In this case, the additive release component may have essentially any shape. The additive release component may:, for example, be hemispherical, conical, trapezoidal, pyramidal, oblate, ellipsoidal, cubic, or any other suitable shape. The additive release component may have a concave surface which is shaped to sit flush against the surface of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the additive release component is positioned so that at least a portion of the additive release component is within the smoking article, and a portion is external to the smoking article. For example, the additive release component may be situated substantially within the smoking article filter, having an external portion which protrudes out of the filter and is accessible to the user.

The external portion of the additive release component may merely comprise a single surface. For example, the additive release component may be shaped to fit within a cavity in the smoking article filter, one surface of the additive release component being shaped so that when the additive release component is combined with the filter, the external surface of the additive release component is flush with the outer surface of the fiher.

Lines, points, or areas of weakness may be provided within the structure of the additive release component, to encourage the release of additive in a desired manner.

Such lines, points, or areas of weakness may be provided in a number of ways.

For example, the additive release component may he weakened or provided with increased resilience in desired areas. Strengthening of additive release components in particular areas may be achieved, for example, by providing an increased shell thickness in selected areas. Points of weakness may be introduced by means of a region of reduced shell thickness, or by means of scored lines.

Additive release components comprising two different materials may be used, wherein the materials possess inherently different capacities to release additive under the application of force. In this case, the less resilient material may form a zone or window, from which point the additive is directionally released when force is applied to the additive release component.

The manner in which the additive release component is formed may also be used to provide a predictable pattern of additive release. When the additive release component is a capsule, this may, for example, involve a multipart capsule, comprising a number of sections joined at one or more seams. In this case, the capsule may be constructed to rupture along a seam section.

Passage of the additive into the desired regions of the smoking article may be further enhanced by means of, for example, absorbent material \vithin the filter, and in particular, the use of absorbent material that is more absorbent than the remaining filter material. For example, absorbent material may be positioned adjacent to the capsule \vithin the filter in the area into which release of the additive from the additive release component is desired. In this way, the absorbent material may draw the additive in the desired direction.

Means of attachment of the additive release corntonent The additive release component may be attached to the smoking article by the io user immediately prior to use of the smoking article.

In embodiments such as that shown in the accompanying Figure 1, in which the additive release component is a band, the band may be highly elastic, may he inflexible and rigid, or may have any degree of elasticity in between. When a band having a degree of elasticity is used, the elastic property of the band may be exploited to hold the band in position on the smoking article. For example, the circumference of the band may be slightly smaller than that of the smoking article so that the band grips the surface of the smoking article. In this case, the smoking article may require no specific modification to facilitate attachment of the additive release component, and may resemble a conventional smoking article.

In alternative embodiments, \vhere the band is not very.: elastic, such as that shown in the accompanying Figure 2, adaptations of the smoking article and/or the additive release component may be required in order to ensure that the additive release component remains in the correct position throughout the use of the smoking article. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying Figure 1, the band 15 comprises a small tooth 16, which is arranged to locate within a corresponding notch or hole in the surface of the smoking article. Alternatively, a plurality of teeth may he provided, which may have any suitable sizes and shapes.

In some embodiments, smoking articles may he provided \vith grooves such as circumferential grooves into which the band may locate, as shown in the accompanying Figure 2.

In embodiments in which the additive release component is not an annular component, further structural modifications may be made to the smoking article in order to facilitate attachment of the additive release component. For example, the smoking article may simply comprise a cavity that is shaped to receive the io additive release component.

In other embodiments, the smoking article resembles, or indeed actually is, a conventional smoking article, and the additive release component is shaped to he adhered to the circumferential surface of the smoking article. In this case, the additive release component may comprise a means for attachment to the smoking article, such as an adhesive present on one surface of the additive release component. Additionally or alternatively, the smoking article may comprise a means of attachment such as a region of adhesive.

The additive release component may be attached to the smoking article during the manufacture of the smoking article. In this case, the attachment may.:, for example, be by means of ultrasonic spot welds, or adhesive.

Shape of the smoking article Smoking articles for use in the invention may resemble conventional smoking articles, or may have specific structural features, for example to facilitate attachment of the additive release component, or passage of the additive.

In some embodiments, one or more holes, gaps, or slits are provided in the surface of the smoking article, in the position of attachment of the additive release component. Thus, in use, when the additive is released from the additive release component, it may pass through the holes into the smoking article to be entrained in the smoke that is drawn by the user.

In addition, or as an alternative, sections of the tipping paper and plugwrap in the area of attachment of the additive release component may be porous or provided with a number of small perforations to enhance the penetration of additive into the filter.

In some embodiments, particularly embodiments in which the additive release io component is a sponge-like material or a capsule, the filter material in the region of attachment of the additive release component may be hardened to provide a reaction surface against which the additive release component may be compressed. Increased hardness of the filter material may be achieved for example, by using a higher proportion of plasticiser, a more tightly packed filter material, or a harder filter material.

Ventilation The smoking article or smoking article filter may be ventilated, for example, by means of porous or perforated tipping paper. Preferably a particular zone or area is ventilated, for example by means of narrow circumferential band of perforations, as shown in the accompanying Figure 1. Due to the ventilating means, ventilating air is drawn into the smoking article when the user dra\vs on the smoking article, and this air may mix with the mainstream smoke that is drawn from the rod of smokable material.

The additive release component is preferably positioned close to the ventilating means. As a result, the additive may become entrained in the ventilating air as it is drawn into the smoking article.

Mnltle additive release components If a large amount of additive is required, multiple additive release components may he used. The additive release components may.: all he external additive release components, or may be a combination of internal (known) additive release components and external additive release components. The additive release components may have the same or different shapes, and may be of the same or of different sizes. When multiple additive release components are used, they may contain similar or a combination of different additives.

Two, three, four or more additive release components may be used with a smoking article. Multiple additive release components may be positioned, for example, at regularly spaced intervals along the length of the smoking article.

io Alternatively, multiple additive release components may he positioned in a clu ster.

JlcIclitiz'e release component material In some embodiments, including that shown in the accompanying Figure 1, the additive release component comprises a flexible polymer in which the additive is impregnated. The flexible polymer may comprise polyvinyl alcohol or plasticised cellulose acetate.

In some embodiments in which the additive release component is a capsule, such as that shown in the accompanying Figure 2, the capsule may be constructed from a frangible material. The capsule may be a single part capsule. In one embodiment the capsule is composed of a low solubility, high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol. A number of suitable alternative materials are known, and by way of example, capsules typically utili2ed in the pharmaceutical industry may he used. Such capsules may be gelatin based, for example, or may be formed from a polymeric material, such as modified cellulose. One type of modified cellulose which may be used is hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Many biodegradable materials are known which may be suitable for use in the production of capsules and these include high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, polylactic acid, plastarch material, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, a polyhydroxyalkanoate such as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, and zein-derived bioplastics.

Alternatively, capsules may comprise a hollow foodstuff material, such as, for example, pasta, or extruded hollow tubing of reconstituted tobacco material. The inner walls of the capsule material may advantageously be coated with a varnish or waterproof material, such as silicone, to preserve the rigidity of the capsule material by preventing absorption of, or degradation by, the liquid contents over a prolonged period.

Suitable capsules may be comprised of a wax, resin, natural or synthetic gum, latex or plastic material which retains its shape and strength at room temperature Jo and at smoking temperature hut which is rupturable when force is exerted on it.

Examples of suitable waxes include beeswax, candelilla, carnauba, Shellac wax, caranday, sugarcane wax, myrtle wax and petroleum wax.

Suitable resins from which capsules may be composed include epoxy resins, terpene resins, petroleum resins, ester gum, phenolic resins and rosin based resins. Preferred gums include gum arabic, locust bean, guar, alginates, carrageenan and pectin.

When the additive release component comprises a sponge-like porous material, any suitable sponge-like material may be used. The sponge material may be a foamed material, which may he a foamed plastic polymer such as Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

Method of additive release component manufacture The additive release component may be manufactured using any suitable method, the method of manufacture of the additive release component clearly being dependent on the precise composition and make-up required. When the additive release component is a capsule, any suitable method of capsule manufacture may be used, including techniques such as co-extrusion, spin coating, coacervation, interfacial polymerization, solvent evaporation, and annular jet forming.

In some embodiments in which the additive release component is a seamless capsule, the capsule may be produced using a co-extrusion process. The co-extrusion process is a synchronous extrusion of the two liquids that will subsequently form the shell and the capsule contents (or "core"). The first (co-extrusion) step involves forming a droplet having the liquid core material inside the liquid shell material. After the co-extrusion step, the "capsule" is solidified by cooling or by immersion in a curing agent, for example. The capsules may then be subjected to various treatments, such as washing, removal of surplus liquid, colouring, application of additional coatings, etc. io Alternatively, an annular jet forming technique may he used. This method utilises two concentric jets to eject an inner jet of liquid core material and an outer jet of liquid shell material. The fluid stream breaks into droplets and the liquid shell material solidifies by phase transition induced by the presence of cross-linking ions, pH differences, temperature changes, etc. In some embodiments in which the additive release component comprises a wax capsule, the capsule may be formed, for example, by a method comprising freezing a solution of the liquid core material until crystals are formed.

According to this method, the crystals are then dropped into molten wax and removed by spatula after a wax coat has formed around the cold crystals. The frozen core material gradually becomes liquid as the coated capsule reaches room temperature.

First embodiment Figure 1 shows a smoking article 10 comprising a cylindrical rod of smokeable material, in this case tobacco 11, and a filter 12. The filter 12 comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of filter material, which is wrapped in a plugwrap (not shown).

The rod of smokeable material 11 is aligned with the filter 12 such that the end of the tobacco rod 11 abuts the end of the filter 12. The rod is wrapped in a paper wrapper (not shown), and is joined to the filter 12 by tipping paper 13 in a conventional manner. The filter is ventilated by means of a zone of small perforations 14 situated towards the tobacco rod end of the filter 12.

The smoking article comprises an external additive release component which is an annular additive release component in the form of a flexible ring or band 15.

The additive release component contains an additive which in this embodiment is a flavourant (such as menthol). The band 15 is positioned around the circumferential surface of the filter 12 and is located between the tobacco rod end of the filter 12 and the ventilation zone 14. The innermost circumference of io the band 1 5 is substantially the same size as the outer circumference of the filter 12. The band 15 therefore fits tightly to the filter 12 and is retained in place by friction between the band 15 and the tipping paper (not sho\vn).

In the embodiment shown, the band 15 comprises a small projection or tooth 16, which sits within a notch in the surface of the filter 12 and serves to further anchor the band 15 in place around the filter. In other embodiments, the band is held within a circumferential grove in the filter surface.

The band 15 comprises a flexible polymeric hoop, in which the flavourant is impregnated. The flavourant is able to diffuse freely from the band 15.

The sections of the tipping paper 13 and plugwrap (not shown) in the area of attachment of the additive release component are porous 17. Due to this porosity, the capacity of the additive to diffuse through the tipping paper and plugwrap, and into the filter, is enhanced.

The band 15 is attached to the smoking article 10 by the user immediately prior to use of the smoking article. Prior to attachment, the band may be individually sealed in a wrapper, or other substantially air-tight container, so that the flavourant is not lost prematurely. Upon removing the band from its sealed packaging, the user may experience a sensation of the flavour provided by the band 15 due to fiavourant which has diffused from the band being held in the packaging. The band 1 5 is then placed in position around the smoking article by the user prior to consumption of the smoking article.

In use, flavourant is drawn from the band 15 and into the filter 12 via the ventilation zone 14. Flavourant is thus entrained in the smoke flow. In addition, when the smoking article 10 is placed in the mouth of the user, flavourant from the band may be drawn, or diffuse, directly into the user's mouth and nostrils.

As the user manipulates the smoking article 10, fiavourant may also pass from io the band 15 to the user's fingers, where it may mask or absorb the odour of tobacco smoke.

Second embodiment Figure 2 shows a smoking article 20 comprising a cylindrical rod of smokeable material, in this case tobacco 21, and a filter 22. The filter 22 comprises a plug of filter material 24, such as cellulose acetate, which is wrapped in a plugwrap (not shown). The mouth end of the plug of filter material is tapered, having a reduced diameter at the mouth end.

The rod of smokeable material 21 is aligned with the filter 22 such that the end of the tobacco rod 21 abuts the end of the filter 22. The rod is wrapped in a paper wrapper (not shown), and is joined to the filter 22 by tipping paper 23 in a conventional manner.

The smoking article comprises an external additive release component which is an annular capsule in the form of a circular tube 25. The additive release component comprises a gelatin shell containing an additive which in this embodiment is a flavourant (such as menthol).

The capsule 25 is positioned around the circumferential surface of the filter 22 and is located towards the tobacco rod end of the filter 22. The surface of the filter 22 has a shallow circumferential groove 26 within which the capsule is positioned and retained, This is achieved due to the innermost circumference of the capsule 25 being slightly smaller than the circumference of the main body of the filter 22, and substantially the same size as the circumference of the filter 22 at the base of the groove 25.

At the base of the groove 26 the filter comprises a series of small holes 27 in the tipping and plugwrap papers.

The capsule 25 is attached to the smoking article 20 by the user immediately: io prior to use of the smoking article. The capsule 25 is attached by being slid along the filter rod 22 into position resting in the shallow groove 26. Since the capsule has an inflexible structure, the tapered mouth end shape of the filter assists the positioning of the capsule about the filter. Prior to attachment, the capsule may be individually sealed in a wrapper so that the capsule is not accidentally ruptured prematurely.

After the capsule 25 has been positioned, and immediately prior to use of the smoking article 20, the user ruptures the capsule, for example, by squeezing. By directly handling the capsule itself, the user is able to precisely determine the amount of force to apply, the manner in which to apply it, and when to stop applying force following rupture of the capsule. The capsule may be ruptured to varying degrees depending on the preference of the user.

The capsule 25 comprises a line of weakness around the innermost circumferential surface (which is contact with the surface of the filter 22), and is thus induced to rupture in this region under the application of force. Upon rupture of the capsule 25, the liquid flavourant is released via the area of weakness and passes into the filter material 23 via the holes 27.

In use, the flavourant that has passed into the filter material 23 is entrained in the smoke that is drawn through the filter 22 by the user. Since the filter is not otherwise ventilated, as the user draws on the smoking article 20, additional flavourant may be drawn from the capsule 25 into the filter 22 via the holes 27.

In addition, when the smoking article 20 is placed in the mouth of the user, the user is able to detect the fiavourant directly due to the proximity of the capsule to the user's mouth and nostrils.

As the user manipulates the smoking article 20, flavourant may also pass from the capsule 25 to the user's fingers, where it may mask the odour of tobacco smoke.

Embodiments of the invention are configured to comply \vith applicable laws and/or regulations, such as, by way of non-limiting example, regulations relating -22 --to flavours, additives, emissions, constituents, and/or the like. For example, the invention may he configured such that a smoking article implementing the invention is compliant with applicable regulations before release of an additive, after release of a first additive, and remains compliant after the release of one or more additional additives. Similarly, in embodiments where two or more additives react with each other to generate another substance, the generated substance complies with applicable laws/regulations.

Claims (17)

1. -23 --Claims 1. An additive release component comprising an additive, wherein the component is attachable to a smoking article such that when attached, at least a portion of the component is external to the smoking article.
2. 2. An additive release component according to claim 1, wherein the additive is releasable from the component, such that when the smoking article is in use, additive released from the component may be entrained in the smoke that is drawn through the smoking article.
3. 3. An additive release component according to either of claims I or 2, wherein the component is shaped to locate at a specific site on the smoking article.
4. 4. An additive release component according to claim 3, wherein the component is attachable to a specific site on the filter of the smoking article.
5. 5. An additive release component according to claim 4, wherein the component is attachable around the external circumferential surface of the smoking article.
6. 6. An additive release component according to claim 5, wherein the component has the form of a band.
7. 7. An additive release component according to either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the component is a capsule comprising an outer shell and a core.
8. 8. An additive release component according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein io the component is a polymer impregnated \vith additive.
9. 9. An additive release component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is released when compressive force is applied to the component.
10. 10. An additive release component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is released from a predetermined region of the component.
11. 11. An additive release component according to claim 10, wherein when the additive release component is attached to a smoking article, the predetermined region is in contact with the smoking article.
12. 12. An additive release component according to either of claims 10 or 11, \vherein the additive release component is a capsule and the predetermined region is a line, point, or area of weakness in the structure of the capsule.
13. 13 A smoking article filter comprising an additive release component as claimed in any of claims I to 12.
14. 14 A filter for a smoking article as claimed in claim 13, wherein the additive may he released from the additive release component into the smoking article filter, or into the air surrounding the filter.
15. 15. A filter according to claim 13 in which the additive release component is engaged in a cavity or recess on the external surface of the filter.
16. 16. A filter according to claim 15, wherein the additive release component is an annular band and the cavity comprises a circumferential groove in the surface of the filter.io 17. A filter according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the filter is ventilated.-25 -- 18. A filter according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the filter comprises a hole corresponding to the position of attachment of the additive release component.
17. 17. A smoking article comprising an additive release component according to any one of claims I to 12, or a filter according to any one of claims 13 to 16.