JP2010510780A - Cigarette filter with flavored particles - Google Patents

Abstract

  A smoke flavor improving filter rod comprising: (1) a filtration region; and (2) smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles present in the filtration region.

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel filter rod with improved smoke flavor, a smoking article including the filter rod with improved smoke flavor, a filter rod with improved smoke flavor, and a method for producing the smoking article.

  In US Pat. No. 3,771,534 entitled “Combination of Filter and Cigarette Holder”, the filter cartridge is integrated with the cigarette holder. The two barrels are arranged in a row, have ends with similar diameters, one end is connected to the cigarette to be smoked and the other end functions as a filter (tip) Connected to the short part of the. The filter cartridge can be impregnated with a volatile oil such as menthol or mint to add flavor to the smoke, and the two cylinders serve as an air chamber for cooling the smoke. The purpose of such a concept is basically a double filter to provide protection from infectious substances. However, because smoke cooling prevents flavor attachment, smokers are provided with smoke with insufficient flavor addition. In addition, it has been found that there are smokers who feel an unpleasant aftertaste with menthol and volatile oils.

  U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,335 entitled “Menthol-Containing Cigarette Filter” was given a flavor made of granular activated carbon known for its ability to efficiently filter gas-phase toxicants in smoke. The cigarette filter is treated to improve its shelf life and flavor-agent delivery rate. In practice, the carbon is treated with sucrose or any material that can be absorbed and retained by activated carbon and that functions as a pore modifier. The effect is to seal off the most retentive part of carbon, so that the low retentive part remains available to absorb smoke flavor additives such as menthol. Thus, the flavor additive is retained on the carbon during storage, but is released as the cigarette smoke passes through the filter. However, such types of cigarette filters present many disadvantages for efficient flavor addition to smoke. The process of plugging with pore modifiers is very complex because it accurately measures the amount and type of pore modifiers added to the carbon so that only the most retaining pores are unavailable. This is because it must be selected. In such situations, in many cases, the filtration of harmful substances in the smoke is inadequate, the delivery of flavorant is greatly reduced, and the majority of the retention points on the carbon by the pore modifiers. Results in blocking.

  In U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,554 entitled "Cigarette Taste Mitigating Agent", a cigarette taste mitigating agent is attached to the top of the cigarette to add flavor to the smoke, as well as nicotine. Also remove the taste. Such relaxation agents are composed of a mixture of powder materials. The object of such an invention is to improve the nicotine taste of smoke and reduce the associated irritation. However, the invention is primarily intended to improve the taste of tobacco and reduce and cheat the unpleasant taste and aftertaste of cigarette smoke caused by nicotine and other ingredients.

  US Pat. No. 4,889,144 entitled “Smoking Filter” is based on the concept of a savory cigarette filter. The filter chip includes in its center a space filled with flavor-sealed particles. These flavor-sealed particles are made of one or more flavor materials selected from natural polysaccharides, diluents and oil-soluble flavors of various powders. The most famous flavors are licorice, clove, cinnamon powder, and vanilla, lemon, Japanese mint oil. By encapsulating them, volatilization and deterioration of the flavor are prevented. In order to release the flavor, the smoker must apply force from the outer surface of the filter to break the capsule, which is greater than the force normally applied during smoking to twist or push the filter. Destruction-accelerator particles that are particles of crystal sugar, table salt, etc. having a hardness greater than the hardness of the flavor particles can be added to increase the breakage rate of the flavor particles. In conclusion, such products allow smokers to enjoy a flavored cigarette or to enjoy the original cigarette without destroying the flavor particles. Although the present invention can be viewed as a breakthrough in the cigarette flavor industry, the main problem with filter chips that contain a cavity filled with flavor particles in the center is very often that those particles are There is a tendency to clog and the suction resistance increases. Thus, these cigarettes tend to be difficult to smoke and smokers are not interested in such products.

  US Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0070409A1, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Incorporating Objects into a Cigarette Filter,” relates to the concept of a new method for mechanically incorporating individual objects into a cigarette filter. The resulting filter rod has an object embedded in a web filter such as a flavorant-containing capsule.

  To provide a cigarette configured with a filter that provides a certain level of protection, adds the desired flavor to the original taste of smoke, improves its overall essence and provides a more delicious and subtle aftertaste Is very desirable. In practice, the techniques provided in the prior art often result in excessive filtration of the smoke to the point where the taste of the smoke has changed, and the flavor is re-flavored as it passes through the second filter containing the flavoring agent. Must be added. Such inventions are often complex and many of the inventions result in a reduction in the overall quality, taste and aftertaste of smoke and cigarettes.

  The present specification reports filter rods with improved smoke flavor that are produced by various methods and that include plant flavor particles that enhance various smoke flavors as a means to promote smoking of smoking articles. Actually, the smoke flavor improving filter rod of the present invention is constituted by a filtration region where plant flavor particles for improving the smoke flavor are present. Plant flavor particles that enhance the smoke flavor may be embedded or inserted into the cavity of the filter. The filtration zone is made of a material selected from cellulose acetate tow, cellulose acetate web and paper. Such filter materials can be dyed to match the color of the plant flavor particles that improve the smoke flavor. Smoke-flavored plant-flavored particles are engraved to a size suitable for embedding or inserting into the cavity of the filtration area, mint, vanilla, peppermint, anise, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger , Nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, thyme, vanilla, lavender, licorice, coffee, tea, eucalyptus, clove, winter green, perilla, turmeric, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, rose, bergamot and orange Flavor plant particles selected from blossoms may be used. The mint particles are the following: You may choose. Also, the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles may be a combination of menthol and / or essential oils and / or natural flavor plant particles mixed with one or more of these components. The smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles may be produced by finely chopping dry plant parts such as leaves and / or stems into a size of 10 to 80 mesh. Filter rods that enhance smoke flavor are, in one preferred embodiment, made by uniformly spreading an appropriate amount of smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles on the surface of a tow that moves laterally on a mechanical support. . The tow used to make such a filter is a laterally spreading tow, and the smoke-flavored plant flavor particles are spread by passing the tow at a constant speed under a device that disperses the particles. . Next, to produce a smoke flavor improving filter rod, the sprinkled tow is formed into a thin rod-shaped bundle, covered with wrapping paper (plug wrap), and cut into rods of a predetermined size. The resulting filter rod is a regular filter material that is continuously connected to a single segment of smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles embedded in the filter material or a segment of filter material embedded with smoke flavor enhancing particles. Can be produced using either one of the combinations of segments consisting of Also, the smoke flavor enhancing filter rod is produced in a second preferred embodiment by filling the cavity between two segments of conventional filter material with smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles. In addition, the filter rod can include a large number of segments in which other particles such as charcoal and resin may be embedded in some segments.

  The rods are then incorporated into the smoking article. In this case, the filter is continuously connected to a tobacco rod, ie a cylindrical rod made of smokable filling material, by wrapping two portions that are axially aligned end to end with a tipping material.

  For purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined.

  As used herein, the term “smoking material rod” or “smoking material” is wrapped in a substantially non-flammable wrapper and includes any flammable material in addition to the individual components of the rod of smoking material. It shall simply mean the part of the smoking article that should not be present.

  As used herein, the term “carbon” can be construed to include any carbon precursor, such as a substantially carbon-only material and a carbonaceous material. As used herein, the term “carbonaceous” includes a material that has been pyrolyzed, which preferably contains carbon, although some of the incomplete combustion products may still be present. . Coconut fibers that are easily pyrolyzed can be, for example, a carbonaceous material that produces carbon.

  As used herein, the term “smoking material” means any material that can be used in a smoking article. That does not necessarily mean that the material itself necessarily maintains combustion. Smoking materials are usually cut into sheets after being manufactured. The smoking material may then be mixed with other materials to make a smokable filler.

  The term “enhanced smoke flavor” refers to the ability to improve the smoke quality of a smoking article. Such characteristics are obtained by the presence of specific particles in the filter of the smoking means. That is, depending on the type of particles, the flavor is added when smoke passes through the filter, improving the quality of the aftertaste and / or adding a refreshing taste.

  The expression “smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles” refers to a combination of natural flavor plant particles and natural flavor plant particles mixed with menthol and / or essential oils.

  The expression “flavoring agent” means that when smoke generated by smoking means is sucked into a filter in which smoke-enhancing plant flavor particles are embedded, the flavor particles of the smoke-enhancing plant add flavor to the smoke. , Thereby referring to the ability to release, produce, neutralize, block or change odors, eg perfumes or deodorants.

  The term “smoking article” refers to a means for smoking a cigarette comprising a rod made of a smokable material such as cigarette surrounded by a packaging material connected to a filter by a wrapper. When such a smoking article is ignited, it produces smoke that is sucked into the filter. Such smoking articles include cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos (small cigars). Other smokeable materials include recycled tobacco, tobacco substitutes, and alternative smoking products where the material does not smoke / burn.

  The term “natural flavor plant particle” refers to a particle consisting of any plant part having flavor properties that can be used to add flavor to the smoke of a smoking article. Those flavored plant parts include but are not limited to flowers, beans, fruits, leaves, stems and roots.

  Smoking structure

  The length of the smoking material rod is advantageously at least 60 mm, and the rod should be capable of smoking preferably at least 6 puffs, more preferably at least 7 puffs when smoked under standard machine smoking conditions. I must. The rod preferably has a uniform cross-sectional shape and diameter over its length.

  filter

  The smoking article comprises a filter element, which is advantageously a conventional fibrous cellulose acetate, polypropylene or polyethylene material, or a gathered paper material. A number of filter elements may also be used. A filter element having a specific pressure drop characteristic, for example, a filter manufactured by Filtrona known as The Ratio Filter may be used. As mentioned above, a flavor additive material may be further placed on or in the material of the filter element, the flavor material being released or eluted from the filter element by the aerosol generated by the heated or burned aerosol generating means. .

  Preferably, the filter element may further contain a particulate material such as granular carbon, which may preferably be activated carbon. Preferably, the activated carbon is activated coconut shell charcoal. The filter containing the particulate material may be, for example, a double filter comprising a mouthpiece made of cellulose acetate and a Dalmatian rod located at the tobacco end of the filter. Further, the paper portion may form a part of many filters. Alternatively, the filter may be a filter manufactured in accordance with the structural design of the filter known as the Active Patch filter (manufactured by Filtrona) described in British Patent Specification 2249936. Further alternatively, the filter element may be a cavity filter comprising two ends containing particulate material in the central cavity.

  Alternatively, the filter element is a selective reduction filter as described in co-pending US provisional patent applications 60 / 309,388 and 60 / 309,435, both filed on August 1, 2001. There may be.

  The filter plug placed at the mouth end may be made of a variety of materials such as cellulose acetate tow, cellulose, paper, cotton, polypropylene web, polypropylene tow, polyester web, polyester tow or combinations thereof.

  Also, the pressure drop and / or mechanical filtration efficiency of the filter plug portion can be selected to provide the desired smoking mechanism and filtration characteristics that may be required by the particular product design desired.

  Another filter structure that may be useful in the present invention is the structure described in Applicant's co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT / GB02 / 005603. The filter groove-type structure described therein provides an air flow that changes direction toward the mouth end after entering the groove extending toward the end of the cigarette. As a result, the CO / tar ratio decreases. In combination with particulate additives that selectively reduce the gas phase, significant reductions in the gas phase components can be achieved.

  More preferably, the first portion of the tobacco smoke filter comprises an adsorbent material. Preferably, the adsorbent material is a common adsorbent. Common adsorbent materials are preferably selected from the group of materials having a relatively high surface area, such as activated carbon, which can absorb various compounds without a high degree of specificity.

  More preferably, the second part of the smoke filter of the present invention comprises a conventional smoke filter material. Suitable conventional materials include cellulose acetate, paper, polypropylene and other materials capable of retaining at least a portion of the smoke particulate phase well known to those skilled in the art.

  Preferably, the first and second parts of the smoke filter of the present invention are arranged side by side on the same axis.

  Wrapper

The wrapper enclosing the smoking article may include a burn additive such as, for example, sodium citrate and / or potassium citrate. Other suitable combustion additives such as sodium or potassium salts such as acetic acid and tartaric acid, monoammonium phosphate and disodium hydrogen phosphate are known to those skilled in the art. The combustion additive is advantageously present in the range of 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of the wrapper. Also, the wrapper may have a basis weight in the range of 20 to 40 g / ^{m 2.}

  Further, the wrapper for the smoking article may be a wrapper other than paper such as the wrapper described in International Publication Nos. WO96 / 07336 and WO01 / 41590. Such a wrapper provides a smoking article that reduces the sidestream smoke component but still has combustion and ash-forming properties similar to conventional products. That is, smoking articles can be burned out to ash by such wrappers in the same manner as conventional products.

  The wrapper may suitably be a paper wrapper or a substantially non-flammable wrapper as described in WO 96/07336. The subject matter of the above application relating to substantially non-flammable wrappers is incorporated herein by reference. Advantageously, the wrapper contains at least 65% inorganic particulate filler material such as the above inorganic material.

  Conventional cellulose pulp paper wrappers may have a permeability in the range of 2 to 300 CU, preferably less than 100 CU. Such a wrapper is also a paper with a low total filler content, for example containing less than 14% magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide, as described in European Patent Application No. 0,404,580. Also good.

  Smoking material

  Preferably, the smokable material is a tobacco material. Suitably, the tobacco material comprises one or more of stems, leaf pieces, tobacco dust. It is preferred that the tobacco material comprises one or more of the following tobaccos: Virginia or flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, regenerated tobacco. More preferably, the smokable material comprises a mixture of tobacco materials. The smokable material advantageously comprises 10-80% Virginia tobacco, 10-60% Burley tobacco, 0-20% Oriental tobacco, 0-120% regenerated tobacco and 0-30% expanded tobacco. It is.

  The smoking material of the smoking article according to the present invention preferably comprises or consists of cut tobacco, part of which may be expanded tobacco. The smoking material may include recycled tobacco or tobacco replacement material.

  The smokable filler material may also contain a combustion additive to improve the smoking characteristics of the filler material. Depending on the characteristics of the filler, the combustion additive is either a combustion accelerator or a combustion retardant. Suitable combustion additives may be selected from one or more Group I or II metal salts such as acetic acid, citric acid and other combustion promoters known to those skilled in the art. Suitable flame retardants include, for example, magnesium hydroxide, monoammonium phosphate or magnesium chloride.

  The smokable filler material may also contain an ash modifier, which is advantageously present in the filler in the range of 0-5%. Suitable ash modifiers include one or more mica, perlite, clays such as vermiculite, kaolinite, talc, saponite, bentonite, and, for example, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium carbonate or phosphorus Examples include ash modifiers such as diammonium acid.

  Inorganic filler

Inorganic filler is one or more perlite, alumina, diatomaceous earth, calcium carbonate (chalk), vermiculite, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium sulfate (gypsum), iron oxide, pumice, titanium dioxide, alumine Advantageously, it is calcium acid or other insoluble aluminate or other inorganic filler material. The density range of the material is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5.7 g / cm ³ . Inorganic filler is less than 3 g / cm ^3, preferably less than 2.5 g / cm ^3, more preferably less than 2.0 g / cm ^3, most preferably as having a density less than 1.5 g / cm ³ preferably . Inorganic fillers having a density of less than 1 g / cm ³ are desirable. Lower density inorganic fillers reduce the density of the product and thereby improve the ash characteristics.

  Organic filler

  In addition, the smokable filler material may include an organic filler. The organic filler alone is inert or relatively inert and does not easily maintain combustion, but is advantageously more combustible in the mixture and maintains combustion. Suitable organic fillers include, for example, insoluble alginates such as calcium alginate or magnesium alginate, calcium pectinate or alginic acid, and unmodified cellulose such as treated or untreated wood pulp or alpha cellulose. Moreover, you may use the mixture of an inert organic filler and an inorganic filler.

  Aerosol generating means

  The aerosol generating source preferably comprises an aerosol generating means such as glycerin and / or other aerosol generating compounds as described in Applicant's co-pending PCT application WO 96/07336. Examples of the aerosol-generating compound include esters such as polyhydric alcohols, propylene glycol and triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, triacetin, or triethylene glycol dicetate (TEGDA), or high-boiling hydrocarbons. Other suitable aerosol generating means are known to those skilled in the art.

  Binder

  When the binder is a mixture of an alginate binder and a non-alginate binder, preferably the binder is at least 50% alginate, preferably at least 60% alginate, more preferably at least 70%. It is advantageous if it consists of an alginate. If a non-alginate binder is used, the amount of mixed binder required may be suitably reduced. Advantageously, the amount of alginate in the mixed binder increases as the amount of mixed binder decreases. Suitable alginic acid binders include soluble alginates such as ammonium alginate, sodium alginate, sodium calcium alginate, calcium ammonium alginate, potassium alginate, magnesium alginate, triethanolamine alginate and propylene glycol alginate. Other organic binders such as cellulose binders, rubbers or gels can also be used in combination with alginic acid binders. Suitable cellulose binders include cellulose and cellulose derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ether, methyl cellulose ether, hydroxypropyl cellulose ether, hydroxyethyl cellulose ether and the like. Suitable gums include gum arabic, gati gum, gum tragacanth, karaya gum, locust bean gum, acacia gum, guar gum, quince seed gum or xanthan gum. Suitable gels include agar, agarose, carrageenan, fucoidan and furcellaran. Starches can also be used as organic binders. Other suitable rubbers can be selected according to handbooks such as “Industrial Gums” by E. Whistler (published by Academic Press).

  Colorant

  Coloring means such as food grade dyes such as licorice, caramel or malt or extracts thereof may be used to darken the color of the filling material. Moreover, you may make the color of the filler of a smoking article darker by making other inorganic materials, such as vermiculite or iron oxide, exist.

  Suitable coloring materials include, for example, cocoa, licorice, caramel, chocolate or toffee. In addition, finely pulverized, granulated or homogenized tobacco may be used. In addition, industrially approved food coloring agents such as E150a (caramel), E151 (brilliant black BN), E153 (vegetable carbon) or E155 (brown HT) may be used. Other casing materials may be suitable. Alternatively, the color of the smoking material may be made darker by the presence of vermiculite or other inorganic filler.

  Preferably, the colorant is present at 0-10% by weight of the final smoking material and may correspond to 5-7% by weight. Advantageously, the colorant is less than 7%, preferably less than 6%, more preferably less than 5% by weight of the final smoking material. More preferably, less than 4%, less than 3% and less than 2% by weight of colorant is used. For the final smoking material, cocoa may suitably be present in the range 0-5% by weight and licorice may be present in the range 0-4% by weight. For example, if the colorant is cocoa or licorice, the minimum amount of cocoa to obtain the desired sheet color is about 3% by weight relative to the final smoking material, and about 2% by weight for licorice. . Similarly, caramel may suitably be present in the range of 0-5% by weight of the final smoking material, preferably less than about 2%, more preferably about 1.5%. Other suitable colorants include molasses, malt extract, coffee extract, tea resinoid, St. John's Bread, pruned extract or tobacco extract. A mixture of colorants may also be used.

  Various tests are conducted on the smokers group to evaluate smoking characteristics, and the overall acceptability of cigarettes made with such smoke flavor enhancing filters shows better results than products already on the market. It was. Compared to menthol-containing cigarettes made with natural or synthetic menthol crystals, the present invention offers a number of advantages. In practice, smoke-enhanced plant-flavored particles such as mint particles embedded in or inserted into the filter cavity (which are simply present in the filter, or possibly another embedded in the filter material itself). Will be more clearly referred to as particles that may be provided in the cavity of the filter), as it passes through the filter compared to the excessively intense taste and cool aftertaste of menthol-containing products Smoke flavor, refreshing taste and refreshing aftertaste are obtained in the smoke.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the smoke flavor improvement filter rod which is connected to a tobacco rod and used for a smoking article is provided. Such smoke flavor enhancing filter rods include smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles embedded or inserted into the cavity of the filtration region, wherein the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are flavor plant particles or flavor plants. Mixtures of particles with menthol and / or essential oils and / or one or more of these components incorporated into a filter.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, dry particles embedded in the filtration region of the smoke flavor improving filter are chopped into a predetermined size and selected from arbitrary mint species. Known mint species include Japanese mint, lavender mint, Egyptian mint, peppermint, eau de cologne mint cultivars, peppermint cultivars, curly mint, Kentucky spearmint, Nagaba mint, pineapple mint, Megusa mint, Dutch mint cultivars and apple mint. It is done. The preferred mint species used according to the present invention is Japanese mint.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the type of material used in the filtration zone of the smoke flavor enhancing filter is selected from any cellulose acetate tow, cellulose acetate web and paper. A preferred material for use in the present invention is cellulose acetate. The filtration material is usually in the form of a fibrous tow, but in the case of paper, it may be in other physical forms such as a crimped sheet.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the type of smoking article attached to the smoke flavor improving filter can be selected from cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to various stages of production of a final product including smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles, smoke flavor-enhancing filter rods, and a method for producing a smoking product containing the filter.

  The smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are made up of flavor plant particles or menthol and / or essential oils and / or flavor plant particles mixed with one or more of these components. The main purpose of using plant particles in smoke-enhancing filter rods instead of artificial purified agents is to consumers, menthol and / or essential oils and / or one or more components thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide a natural flavoring agent that is combined with or not combined with, and to provide a product having a refreshing taste and an improved aftertaste. Plant particles include all usable parts of the selected plant, such as roots, leaves, flowers, stems or buds. They are harvested and dried and machined into sizes suitable for embedding in filter rods. The preferred relative humidity of the incorporated particles is 10% to 20%, but the normal humidity obtained by or without drying the cigarette is 10-14%. In a preferred embodiment, natural mint particles are used to add flavor to the smoke. Various tests were performed in comparison with the use of natural mint particles in the filter of smoking means, and the smoking article was compared with a commercially available menthol cigarette. Initially, tests were conducted for long-term filling, flavor retention and overall taste of natural greenhouse and plant mint particles when incorporated into a filter. These tests have demonstrated that natural mint particles provide different flavor characteristics than those already marketed. Furthermore, in the smoke test, the characteristic taste and aftertaste of natural mint, which is obtained by combining many ingredients, shows a refreshing taste and an improved aftertaste compared to the intense cooling effect of menthol products on the market. It was proved that.

  The flavor particles can be incorporated into the filter rod by various techniques. That is, the particles can be included in the cavity of the filter rod or applied to the surface and / or into the filter material.

  The “Dalmatian filter” may be produced according to a known technique. For example, a “Dalmatian filter” is composed of a filtering material in which smoke-enhanced plant flavor particles are spread before being folded and packaged with the packaging material. In order to realize such a filter concept, various steps are required. First, the filter material is wound on a roll and continuously drawn from there. The laterally spreading flat material is moved by a mechanical support to the smoke flavor enhancing particle distribution section. A hopper is provided above the rotation dispersion roller, and a guide case is provided in front of it. The smoke flavor improving plant flavor particles supplied to the hopper are uniformly applied to the surface of the filter material. At that time, the filter material is continuously fed under the rotating dispersion roller. One important matter to note here is that the filter material on which the smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles are spread can be dyed for aesthetic reasons.

  After the dispersion of the particles is complete, the filter material is sent to the second section where the folding operation is performed. The filter material folding section is used to fold the filter material. A pressing plate protruding from the machine main body is provided above the other upper surface of the receiving plate protruding from the same machine main body and horizontally provided in a gap corresponding to the thickness of the filter material. A pair of curved rods that are obliquely adjacent to each other on the front surface of the retainer space are provided on the mounting rod that protrudes from the machine body. The curved portion of each rod is provided to push down both side edges of the filter material. A pair of thin clamping plates are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the pressing plate to clamp, fold and gather the edges pressed down by the curved portion of the curved rod and pressed inward at the center. . The pair of thin clamping plates are arranged so as to cross each other, the distance between the clamping plate and the holding plate increases toward the rear side, and the opposite edge portions are attracted to each other by the supply of material. . At the same time, the edges overlap to form an overlap, which is supplied in that state. Thus, the opposite edge of the filter material wraps the smoke-enhancing plant flavor particles and delivers it to the sleeve portion of the forming section. After the filter material is introduced into the sleeve portion, it is gathered together to form a thin rod-like bundle containing embedded particles and then covered with a porous or non-porous wrapping paper (plug wrap). The filter is then cut into rods of a predetermined length at the cutting section.

  The filter can also be configured as a combination of segments of various filter materials, physical forms and / or compositions in which the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are present at different locations along the length of the rod. . Such a structure can provide various advantages in comparison with a normal “Dalmatian filter” in terms of overall appearance and suction resistance. These particular filter rods are composed of two types of segments that alternate in the rod and are held together by the wrapping paper. In practice, a combination of two to five segments consisting of either a filter material in which flavor particles are embedded or a normal filter material is continuously connected within the rod. They are known as “double Dalmatian filter”, “triple Dalmatian filter”, “quadruple Dalmatian filter” and “five-fold Dalmatian filter” depending on the total number of segments. The filter is symmetric when the segments are all the same size and asymmetric when two or more segments are of different lengths.

  The first type of segmented filter rod is a “double dalmatian filter” comprising a segment made of filter material embedded with smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles and a segment made of normal filter material. The segment of the filter placed adjacent to the tobacco rod is a segment containing smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles embedded to add flavor to the smoke sucked into the segment, and the segment placed at the mouth end is Manufactured with a normal filter material and manufactured in exactly the same way as the “Dalmatian filter”, except that there is no process involving the application of smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles. Such a structure is of interest for two reasons. First, the presence of a segment of normal filter material at the tip of the cigarette prevents smoke-enhancing plant-flavored particles from jumping out of the cigarette while the smoker is holding the cigarette To do.

  The second structure of the segmented filter rod consists of a “triple dalmatian filter rod”. This type of filter contains two or three different segments, one of the construction options being as follows. Both the tobacco rod and the segment adjacent to the end of the mouthpiece are made of conventional filter material, but the segment placed between the two segments is made of filter material embedded with smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles. Therefore, the flavor is added as smoke passes through the filter, and the appearance of the product is the same as that of a normal cigarette.

  Another filter structure is a triple Dalmatian where the mouth end segment is a normal filter, the middle segment is embedded with mint particles, and the tobacco rod segment is particularly embedded with charcoal and / or resin particles. It is a filter.

  One variation of the triple filter is different from the previously described “triple dalmatian filter rod”. In practice, a “cavity filter” provides an alternative form of flavoring to smoke so that it can be regarded as a filter rod comprising two segments separated by a cavity containing smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles. . Thus, instead of two normal segments separated by the segment in which the particles are embedded, the segments are separated by pure and free smoke-enhancing plant flavor particles inserted into the filter cavity. Such a structure also attracts consumer interest because the product has the same appearance as ordinary cigarettes and has interesting flavoring properties.

  “Quadruple Dalmatian Filter” and “Quarter Dalmatian Filter” are one implementation of the present invention comprising four or five segments of alternating filter material embedded with normal filter material and smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles. It is a filter rod having a structure option according to the form. The various segments are placed in the filter rod so that a segment of normal filter material is present at the mouth end. By having many segments in the filter rod, it is possible to provide various products to consumers. Indeed, various segments embedded with smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles can be made using either one of various or identical smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles and / or especially charcoal and resin. Thus, the resulting product provides smoke characterized by a smoke or flavor mixture with more emphasis on flavor, thereby allowing a better control of taste and aftertaste.

  As demonstrated above, various smoking articles can be attached to this type of filter. The procedure is as follows. A smoking article is made by packing a smokable filler into a cylindrical rod having an open end. Such materials usually consist of a mixture of finely chopped tobacco that can vary in composition, with existing varieties being fire-dried tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, smoke-dried Dark-fired tobacco and Rustica tobacco, as well as rare tobacco and specialty tobacco. The composition and properties of the tobacco rod packaging material can vary. One end of the tobacco rod is an ignition end, and the other end is connected to a filter. Filters and tobacco rods are made with similar diameters and are aligned in an axial direction from end to end before being bonded together by a chipping material. The ventilation of the filter can be done by pre-drilled chipping or laser drilling during the process.

  Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that further modifications are possible and this application generally encompasses any variation, use or adaptation of the invention in accordance with the principles of the invention. It is intended that the present invention be encompassed by implementations known or customary within the technical field to which the present invention pertains and that are applicable to the essential features described above and that deviate from this disclosure according to the appended claims .

Claims (38)

(1) a filtration region;
(2) A smoke flavor enhancing filter rod comprising smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles present in the filtration region.   The filter according to claim 1, wherein the smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles are a combination of natural flavor plant particles mixed with menthol and / or essential oil.   The filter according to claim 1, wherein the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are embedded or inserted in a cavity of the filtration region.   The filter according to claim 1, wherein the filtration region is made of a material selected from cellulose acetate tow, cellulose acetate web and paper.   The filter according to claim 4, wherein the tow is dyed.   The filter according to claim 1, wherein the natural flavoring plant particles are plant particles carved to a size suitable for embedding in the filtration region.   The filter according to claim 6, wherein the size suitable for embedding in the filtration region is 10 to 80 mesh.   The plant is mint, vanilla, peppermint, anise, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, thyme, vanilla, lavender, licorice, coffee, tea 7. A filter according to claim 6, selected from: Jasmine, Eucalyptus, Clove, Winter Green, Perilla, Turmeric, Turmeric, Sandalwood, Cilantro, Rose, Bergamot and Orange Blossom.   A mint that is selected from the following: The filter according to claim 8, which is a plant.   The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the natural flavoring plant particles are particles composed of plant flowers, beans, fruits, leaves, stems and roots, or a combination thereof.   The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mint plant particles are particles made of leaves and particles made of stems.   The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the natural flavoring plant particles are dried.   A smoking article comprising the smoke-flavored filter rod according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the smoke-flavored filter rod is formed of one segment composed of a filtration region embedded with smoke-flavored plant flavor particles and continuously connected to the tobacco rod. .   It consists of one segment which consists of a filtration area | region in which the smoke flavor improvement plant flavor particle | grains were embedded, and one segment which consists of a normal filter material, and it connects continuously with a tobacco rod. Smoking products including the smoke-enhancing filter rod.   15. A smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the segment of conventional filter material is disposed at the mouth end.   Consists of a combination of segments consisting of filtration zones embedded with smoke-enhanced plant flavor particles, alternately having segments made of filter material with or without other particles embedded, and continuously connected to the tobacco rod A smoking article comprising the smoke flavor improving filter rod according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   17. A smoking article according to claim 16, wherein the other particles are selected from charcoal, resin and plant particles.   The smoking according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the combination of the segment made of smoke flavor improving filter rod and the segment made of filter material is composed of alternately connected three, four or five segments. Goods.   The smoking article according to claim 17, wherein the segment arranged at the mouth end is a segment made of a normal filter material.   The smoke flavor-enhancing filter rod according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is composed of one segment composed of a filtration region including a cavity filled with smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles and is continuously connected to a tobacco rod. Smoking goods including.   21. A smoking article according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the device is selected from cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos.   2. The method of claim 1 including uniformly spreading a suitable amount of smoke-enhancing plant flavor particles on a mechanical support on a surface of the tow that moves laterally before forming the tow into a filter rod. Method for improving the smoke flavor filter rod.   The step of forming the tow into a filter includes the step of forming the sprinkled tow into a thin rod-shaped bundle, the step of cutting the bundle into segments of a predetermined size, and before covering the segments with wrapping paper The method according to claim 22, comprising the steps of forming the desired structure and cutting the resulting filter into filter rods of a predetermined size.   The step of forming the segment into a desired structure includes a step of producing a single segment made of a filter material embedded with smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles, or a filter material embedded with smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising the step of creating a combination of segments and segments made of filter material with or without other particles embedded therein.   25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the segment of filter material comprises a regular filter tow formed in a thin rod bundle and cut into segments of a predetermined size.   The combination of the segment made of the filter material in which the smoke flavor-enhanced plant flavor particles are embedded and the segment made of the filter material is composed of two, three, four, or five segments alternately combined, 25. A method according to claim 24.   The segment arranged at the mouth end in an arbitrary combined state of the segments is a segment made of a normal filter material, and / or the smoke flavor-enhancing plant flavor particles are leaves and / or roots are 10 to 80 mesh 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the method is made by finely chopping into the size of. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the tow is a flat tow that extends laterally.   24. The method of claim 23, wherein the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are spread by passing the web or tow under a device for dispersing the particles at a predetermined speed.   24. The method of claim 23, wherein the appropriate amount of smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles comprises a loading of 20 mg to 150 mg per filter chip.   Producing a combination of two segments of regular filter material of a predetermined size separated by a cavity filled with a suitable amount of smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles, and wrapping the structure continuously The manufacturing method of the smoke flavor improvement filter rod of Claim 1 including the process of connecting to.   32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the segment of normal filter material comprises a normal filter tow formed in a thin rod bundle and cut into segments of a predetermined size.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles are made by finely chopping leaves and / or roots to a size of 10-80 mesh.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the suitable amount of smoke flavor enhancing plant flavor particles comprises a loading of 20 mg to 150 mg per filter chip. A method for producing a smoking article comprising the smoke flavor improving filter rod according to claim 1,
(A) arranging the smoke flavor improving filter rod and the tobacco rod in a line;
(B) packaging two portions axially aligned from end to end with a packaging material.   36. The method of claim 35, wherein the tobacco rod is a cylindrical rod having an open end, comprising a smokable filler contained within a packaging material.   36. The method of claim 35, wherein the packaging material is wrapping paper.   36. The method of claim 35, wherein the packaging material has been perforated in advance or by an in-process laser.