阅读说明：本技术 具有包括胶囊的过滤嘴的吸烟制品 (Smoking article with filter comprising capsule ) 是由 Y·若尔迪尔 C·屈尔施泰纳 于 2014-12-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了具有气溶胶生成基质和烟嘴的吸烟制品。烟嘴包括至少部分填充有颗粒材料例如活性炭的腔,并且含有至少部分由颗粒材料围绕的至少一个液体香料的易碎胶囊,使得破坏烟嘴内的胶囊以释放液体香料所需的力是胶囊的固有爆裂强度的不到三倍。(The present invention provides a smoking article having an aerosol-generating substrate and a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a cavity at least partially filled with a particulate material, such as activated carbon, and contains at least one frangible capsule of liquid flavorant at least partially surrounded by the particulate material, such that the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavorant is less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule.)

1. A smoking article, the smoking article comprising:

an aerosol-generating substrate; and

a mouthpiece comprising a cavity at least partially filled with a particulate material, and a frangible capsule containing a liquid flavorant at least partially surrounded by the particulate material, wherein the force required to rupture the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavorant is less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule.

2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the breakable capsule has an inherent burst strength of at least 10 newtons.

3. A smoking article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the breakable capsule has an inherent burst strength of at least 25 newtons.

4. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavourant is less than 50 newtons.

5. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate material has a mesh size such that at least 95% of the particles fall between 12 and 20 mesh.

6. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardness of the particulate material is at least 90% when measured in the puck hardness test conducted in accordance with ASTM D3802.

7. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number average particle size of the particulate material is less than half the maximum diameter of the breakable capsule.

8. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate material comprises at least one sorbent material.

9. A smoking article according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sorbent material has a total pore volume, and at least 30 percent of the total pore volume of the sorbent material is provided by a pore size in the range of from about 2nm to about 50 nm.

10. A smoking article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the BET surface area of the at least one sorbent material is less than 1500 m/g.

11. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate material has a bulk density of at least 0.3 g/cc.

12. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the length of the cavity is at least about 1.5mm greater than the largest diameter of the breakable capsule in the longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece.

13. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the breakable capsule comprises an outer shell encapsulating the liquid flavourant, wherein the outer shell has a thickness of at least 30 microns.

14. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouth end filter segment and a rod end filter segment, wherein the cavity is defined between the mouth end filter segment and the rod end filter segment.

15. A smoking article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the breakable capsule has a diameter of between 2mm to 7mm, preferably between 3mm to 5 mm.

16. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the breakable capsule is a single breakable capsule.

17. The smoking article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the particulate material occupies at least 60% of the space in the cavity not already occupied by a capsule.

18. A filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a cavity at least partially filled with a particulate material, and containing a frangible capsule of liquid flavourant at least partially surrounded by the particulate material, wherein the force required to rupture the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavourant is less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule.

19. A filter for a smoking article according to claim 18, wherein the filter is a plug-space-plug filter having upstream and downstream sections defining a cavity containing particulate material and a capsule therebetween.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to filters comprising capsules in cavities, and smoking articles having a mouthpiece incorporating such capsules in cavities.

Background

Filter cigarettes typically comprise a rod of tobacco cut filler surrounded by a wrapper, and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod, wherein the filter is attached to the tobacco rod by tipping paper. In a conventional filter cigarette, the filter may consist of a plug of cellulose acetate tow wrapped in a porous plug wrap. Filter cigarettes having multi-component filters comprising two or more segments of filter material for removal of particulate and gaseous components of mainstream smoke are also known.

A variety of smoking articles have been proposed in the art in which an aerosol-forming substrate, such as tobacco, is heated rather than combusted. In a heated smoking article, an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol-forming substrate. Known heated smoking articles include, for example, smoking articles in which an aerosol is generated by electrical heating or by the transfer of heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to an aerosol-forming substrate. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and become entrained in the air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compound cools, the compound condenses to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer. Also known are smoking articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from a tobacco material, tobacco extract or other nicotine source without combustion and in some cases without heating, for example by a chemical reaction.

It is known to incorporate flavourant additives into smoking articles in order to provide additional flavour to the consumer during smoking. Flavorants may be used to enhance the tobacco flavor produced upon heating or burning of the tobacco material within the smoking article, or to provide additional non-tobacco flavors such as mint or menthol.

Flavour additives used in smoking articles, such as menthol, are typically in the form of a liquid flavourant that is incorporated into the filter or tobacco rod of the smoking article using a suitable liquid carrier. Liquid flavourants are typically volatile and therefore tend to migrate or evaporate from the smoking article during storage. Thus reducing the amount of flavor available to flavor mainstream smoke during puffing.

It has previously been proposed to reduce the loss of volatile flavourants from smoking articles during storage by encapsulation of the flavourants, for example in capsules or microcapsules. The encapsulated flavourant may be released prior to or during smoking of the smoking article by opening the encapsulated structure, for example by crushing or melting the structure. When such capsules are crushed to release the perfume, the capsules open at a certain force and release all the perfume under that force.

In many smoking articles incorporating capsules, the capsules will be provided within a length of fibrous filter material, such as cellulose acetate tow. With this arrangement, the force that the consumer needs to apply to the filter in order to break the capsule is typically higher than the crush strength of the capsule, which is the force required to break the capsule when it is outside the filter. In order to facilitate the release of perfume by the consumer, it is desirable to use capsules having a relatively low crush strength. However, the use of frangible capsules may be undesirable from a manufacturing perspective, as the capsules may not be able to withstand the forces to which they are subjected during manufacture of smoking articles incorporating the capsules.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a novel filter structure incorporating flavor-yielding capsules in which the capsules can be more easily crushed by the consumer while minimizing the risk of inadvertently damaging the capsules during manufacture and normal handling of the smoking article.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a smoking article having an aerosol-generating substrate and a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a cavity at least partially filled with a particulate material, and a frangible capsule containing at least one liquid flavorant at least partially surrounded by the particulate material, such that the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavorant is less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a cavity at least partially filled with particulate material and containing at least one frangible capsule of liquid flavourant at least partially surrounded by particulate material, such that the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece to release the liquid flavourant is less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule. The inherent burst strength of the capsule is the burst strength of the capsule when not in contact with the particulate material and outside the smoking article.

The provision of particulate material around the capsule makes it easier for the consumer to rupture the capsule by reducing the force required to break the capsule compared to when the capsule is outside the filter (or compared to when the capsule is embedded in a CA bundle). This structure allows the use of capsules having a relatively high inherent burst strength while maintaining the force required to break the capsule at a low level. The capsule can thus be easily broken by the consumer, but is strong enough to effectively withstand the forces during manufacture. The inclusion of particulate material thus allows the use of capsules having a higher inherent burst strength than when the capsules are provided on a bundle. As discussed in more detail below, the properties of the particulate material and the capsules may be selected to customize the effect of the particulate material in crushing the capsules or to influence how the particulate material interacts with the flavor of the capsules once the capsules are crushed, or both.

Preferably, the force required to break the capsule in the mouthpiece is less than about 50 newtons, more preferably less than about 40 newtons, even more preferably less than about 30 newtons. Preferably, the force required to break the capsule in the mouthpiece is at least about 15 newtons, more preferably at least about 20 newtons. In some preferred embodiments, the force required to break the capsule in the mouthpiece is from about 15 newtons to about 50 newtons, preferably from about 20 newtons to about 50 newtons, more preferably from about 25 newtons to about 40 newtons.

Alternatively or additionally, the capsule may have an inherent burst strength of at least 10 newtons, preferably at least about 20 newtons, more preferably at least about 25 newtons. In some embodiments of the invention, the capsule may be a higher burst strength capsule, for example having an inherent burst strength of at least about 30 newtons.

Alternatively or additionally, the capsule preferably has an inherent burst strength of less than about 40 newtons, more preferably less than about 30 newtons. The capsules preferably have an inherent burst strength of from about 10 newtons to about 40 newtons, and more preferably from about 10 newtons to about 30 newtons, and most preferably from about 15 newtons to about 30 newtons.

In some embodiments, the capsule has an inherent burst strength of about 10 newtons to about 40 newtons, the force required to rupture the capsule in the mouthpiece is about 15 newtons to about 50 newtons, and the force required to rupture the capsule in the mouthpiece is less than about three times, more preferably less than about two times, the inherent burst strength of the capsule.

Preferably, the particulate material has an average particle size smaller than the largest diameter of the capsule. It may be particularly preferred that the average particle size is at least about twice as small as the maximum diameter of the capsule, and even more preferably, the average particle size is at least about three times as small as the maximum diameter of the capsule. Such smaller particle sizes help reduce the contact area between the capsule surface and any one particle, and thus allow the force applied to the capsule from that particle to be more directly focused on a particular area of the capsule. This may improve the likelihood of breaking the capsule with a lower required force when a consumer applies a crushing force to the filter or mouthpiece.

Preferably, the particles of the particulate material have a mesh size of at least about 10 mesh. Below such mesh size, the contact area between the capsule surface and any one particle may become undesirably high, so that the force applied to the capsule from that particle is spread too widely over the surface of the capsule. This may result in less effective transfer of the force from the consumer's fingers to the capsule.

Preferably, the particles of the particulate material have a number average mesh size of no more than about 30 mesh. If the average particle size is above about 30 mesh, the particulate material may be compared to the fines. In such a configuration, the capsule is more free to move around the cavity and is therefore less prone to exerting forces thereon. Furthermore, if the average particle size is above about 30 mesh, there is little free space within the cavity for the flue gas to pass through. This can result in cavity segments that provide undesirably high Resistance To Draw (RTD).

Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, at least 95% of the particles of the particulate material have a mesh size of about 10 to about 30 mesh, more preferably about 12 to about 20 mesh. Above such mesh size ranges, the particulate material is less effective at transferring crushing forces from the consumer to the capsule. Below such mesh size ranges, the particulate material tends to behave more like a powder.

The particles of the particulate material may have any suitable shape. Preferably, however, the particles of particulate material have an irregular or non-spherical shape. That is, preferably, the plurality of particles of the particulate material have a sphericity value of less than about 0.8, more preferably less than about 0.6, and most preferably less than about 0.6. Sphericity is a measure of how spherical (or non-spherical) an object is. By definition, the sphericity (Ψ) of an object is the ratio of the surface area of a sphere having the same volume as a given object to the surface area of the object, as represented by the equation given below:

accordingly, a perfect sphere has a sphericity value of 1.

By having an irregular or non-spherical shape, the contact area between the capsule surface and any one particle can be minimized, and thus the force applied to the capsule from that particle can be more directly focused on a particular area of the capsule. This may improve the likelihood of the capsule rupturing when a consumer applies a crushing force to the filter or mouthpiece.

Preferably, the particulate material has a ball pan hardness of at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 90%. Particulate materials having such hardness can help reduce the force required to break the capsule because the force from the consumer is transferred more directly to the capsule than is absorbed in or dispersed by the surrounding material (as with the cellulose acetate tow).

Preferably, the particulate material has at least about 0.3g/cm³The bulk density of (c). More preferably, the particulate material has less than about 0.9g/cm³The bulk density of (c). In some preferred embodiments, the particulate material has about 0.4 to about 0.7g/cm³Even more preferably from about 0.45 to about 0.55g/cm³The bulk density of (c). Such bulk densities are significantly higher than those typically associated with standard cellulose acetate tow (0.15 g/cm)³) And provide more of a direct transfer of crushing force from the consumer's finger to the capsuleAn effective material.

The particulate material may be formed from any suitable material or materials. In some preferred embodiments, the particulate material comprises a sorbent material. The term "sorbent" refers to a material that captures or converts one or more smoke constituents. Examples of suitable adsorbent materials include activated carbon, coated carbon, activated alumina, zeolites, sepiolite, molecular sieves and silica gel. Particularly preferred adsorbent materials are activated carbon and zeolites, as these materials generally have desirable hardness, shape and size properties for efficient transfer of crushing forces from the fingers of the consumer to the capsule.

When the particulate material comprises a sorbent material, the properties of the sorbent material may be adjusted to maximize the effect of the sorbent material in crushing the capsules and/or to influence how the sorbent material interacts with the flavor of the capsules once the capsules are crushed. For example, the porosity of the adsorbent can be selected so as to tailor the absorption of the perfume by the particulate adsorbent material. In particular, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to select an adsorbent having a suitable pore size distribution that may result in the fragrance that has been released from the capsule being temporarily trapped in the adsorbent, but subsequently released from the adsorbent at a later stage of the draw cycle. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this may result in a more gradual release of the flavourant throughout the duration of smoking of the smoking article.

Accordingly, it is preferred that at least about 30% of the total pore volume of the adsorbent material is provided by a pore size in the range of from about 2nm to about 50nm, and more preferably in the range of from about 10nm to about 50 nm. In some embodiments, more than about 50% of the total pore volume of the sorbent material is provided by pore sizes in the range of about 2nm to about 50nm, more preferably in the range of about 10nm to about 50 nm. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such pore size distribution may result in a more gradual release of the flavourant throughout the duration of smoking of the smoking article. Alternatively or additionally, the adsorbent material preferably has a BET surface area of less than about 1500, more preferably less than about 1000, and even more preferably less than about 350 square meters per gram. Preferably, the adsorbent material has a BET surface area of at least about 200.

The particulate material may alternatively or additionally comprise a non-adsorbent material, which is a material not generally referred to as an adsorbent. For example, the particulate material may comprise precipitated calcium carbonate or agglomerated plant particles, such as agglomerated mint particles or lemon myrtle particles. Such particles typically have irregular shapes and thus can be particularly effective in transferring crushing forces from a consumer's fingers to the capsule, and the non-adsorbent nature prevents the particulate material from absorbing large amounts of material released from the capsule.

Preferably, the cavity has a length in the longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece that is at least about 1.5mm greater, more preferably at least 2mm greater, than the largest dimension of the capsule. Preferably, the cavity has a length in the longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece that is less than about 12mm, more preferably less than about 7mm, greater than the largest dimension of the capsule. Such cavity sizes may allow the capsule to be completely and more uniformly surrounded by particulate material. This may provide a more even force distribution around the capsule and may also ensure that the crushing force is effectively transferred to the capsule regardless of where the consumer places their fingertips on the filter or mouthpiece.

The cavity is at least partially filled with a particulate material so that crushing forces from the consumer's fingers can be more efficiently transferred to the capsule. This allows the force required to break the capsule in the filter to be less than three times the inherent burst strength of the capsule. To enhance the effectiveness of this, it is preferred that the particulate material occupies at least 60% of the space in the cavity not already occupied by the capsule. More preferably, the particulate material occupies at least 80% of the space in the cavity not occupied by the capsule, and even more preferably, the particulate material occupies at least 90% of the space in the cavity not occupied by the capsule. Such a high percentage fill may ensure efficient transfer of crushing forces to the capsule regardless of where the consumer places their fingertips on the filter or mouthpiece.

Preferably, the capsule comprises a shell enclosing a liquid, most preferably a liquid fragrance. Preferably, the shell has a thickness of at least 30 microns, more preferably at least 50 microns, to provide a sufficiently high inherent burst strength so that the capsule can withstand the forces during manufacture. The shell may be formed from any suitable material, for example a hydrocolloid selected from gellan gum, agar, carrageenan, pullulan (pullulan gum) or modified starch, alone or in mixtures thereof or in combination with gelatin.

The capsules may be formed in a variety of physical forms including, but not limited to, single-part capsules, multi-part capsules, single-wall capsules, multi-wall capsules, large capsules, and small capsules.

The capsule may have any suitable shape, for example spherical, ovoid or cylindrical. Preferably, however, the capsule is spherical. This may include capsules having a sphericity value of at least about 0.9, and preferably a sphericity value of about 1. Sphericity is a measure of how spherical an object is. By definition, the sphericity (Ψ) of an object is the ratio of the surface area of a sphere having the same volume as a given object to the surface area of the object, as represented by the equation given below:

accordingly, a perfect sphere has a sphericity value of 1. Preferably, the substantially spherical capsule comprises a substantially spherical shell.

The liquid flavor of the capsules may contain any suitable flavor. Suitable flavorants include natural or synthetic menthol, mint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (e.g., cinnamon, clove, and/or ginger), cocoa, vanilla, fruit flavor, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and any combination thereof. A particularly preferred flavorant is menthol.

The capsules preferably have a diameter of about 2mm to about 7mm, more preferably about 3mm to about 5 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the capsule has a diameter of about 3.5 mm.

The capsule may have any suitable inherent burst strength. For example, the capsule may have an inherent burst strength of about 10 newtons to about 25 newtons. Such capsules are known to have an inherent burst strength that is sufficiently high that they typically withstand the forces to which they are subjected during manufacture of smoking articles incorporating the capsules. However, in some embodiments, it is preferred to use capsules having an inherent burst strength even higher than this. In particular, it may be preferred to use capsules having an inherent burst strength of at least about 25 newtons, more preferably at least about 30 newtons. Such capsules are even stronger than those typically used in smoking article filters, and are therefore even more resistant to damage during manufacture of the smoking article. Such 'high burst strength capsules' are not generally considered suitable because when in a filter or mouthpiece they are too hard for the consumer to break. However, the structure of the present invention will allow the use of such capsules. For example, in some embodiments, capsules having an inherent burst strength of at least about 25 newtons, more preferably at least about 30 newtons, may be used in a filter in which the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece is less than about 50 newtons.

In order to determine whether a capsule containing mouthpiece or smoking article falls within the scope of the present invention, an appropriate number, e.g. 20, of identically designed smoking articles or mouthpieces should be obtained. The capsules in one half of these samples should be carefully removed in a manner that minimizes any change in the state of the capsules. The intrinsic burst strength of these capsules should then be determined using suitable measuring devices known in the art, such as an Allluris type FMI-220C 2-digital force gauge 0-200N (commercially available from Allluris Gmbh & Co. KG, Germany). The remaining half of the samples (in other words those with the capsule still within the mouthpiece) should then be subjected to the same test, with any force application surface applied to the mouthpiece containing the capsule or to the cavity area of the smoking article. The inherent burst strength of the capsule or the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece is indicated by the peak in the force versus compression curve. Separate measurements regarding the inherent burst strength of the capsule and the force required to break the capsule within the mouthpiece should then be averaged across the sample set and the results compared. The test was performed at approximately 22 ℃ and 60% relative humidity.

The filter may have any suitable configuration. Preferably, however, the filter is a plug-space-plug filter having upstream and downstream sections defining a cavity containing particulate material and a capsule therebetween. The upstream and downstream sections may each comprise adsorbent and/or perfume material.

In some embodiments, the filter comprises a transparent wrapper providing a window overlying the cavity. This may allow the consumer to see the particulate material in the cavity. This can be particularly advantageous when the liquid fragrance has a color or other visual indicator that will allow the consumer to determine that the capsule has been broken.

The smoking articles and filters of the present invention may be produced using existing techniques, with minimal modification required to existing cavity filling equipment. In particular, the cavity may be created on an existing cavity filling apparatus that has been modified to have three stages. In a first stage, the cavity space is at least partially filled with a portion, e.g. 50%, of the particulate material to be used. In the second stage, the capsule is placed over a portion of the particulate material occupying the cavity. In a third stage, the remaining part, e.g. 50%, of the particulate material is placed over the capsule, and then the filter is surrounded by the wrapper to form a cavity.

Filters according to the disclosure may be attached to a tobacco rod to form all or at least part of a smoking article. Preferably, the filter is axially aligned with the tobacco rod. In many embodiments, the filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper.

In some embodiments, the smoking article is a conventional cigarette, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is provided in the form of a cylindrical tobacco rod, and wherein the mouthpiece comprises a filter.

Features described above in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applied to another aspect of the invention.

Although the invention has been described above in relation to the use of capsules in cavities containing particulate material, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to smoking articles and filters containing more than one capsule within a cavity containing particulate material. The cavity of the invention may thus comprise two or more capsules.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative positions of the components of the smoking article or filter with respect to the direction of mainstream smoke drawn from the aerosol-forming substrate through the filter or mouthpiece.

The term "particle size" refers to the largest cross-sectional dimension of individual particles within a particulate material. "average" particle size refers to the arithmetic mean particle size of the particles. The particle size distribution of a sample of particulate material may be determined using known screening tests, for example the standard test method described in ASTM D6913-04 (2009).

The term 'burst strength' refers to the force applied to the capsule (when it is outside the smoking article) at which the capsule will burst. Burst strength is indicated by the peak in the force versus compression curve of the capsule. This can be tested by using suitable measuring devices known in the art, such as an Alluris type FMI-220C 2-digital force gauge 0-200N (commercially available from Alluris Gmbh & Co. KG, Germany).

The term 'capsule diameter' refers to the largest cross-sectional dimension of the capsule when measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filter or smoking article.

The hardness of the particulate material may be determined using the standard test method for ball and disc hardness described in ASTM D3802. Although this test is described specifically in terms of the hardness of activated carbon, it can also be used with any other suitable particulate material.

The BET surface area of the adsorbent material can be determined using standard test methods described in ASTM D1993-03 (2008).

Drawings

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a smoking article according to the described embodiments.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The smoking article 100 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a generally cylindrical tobacco rod 101 and a mouthpiece in the form of a generally cylindrical filter 103. The tobacco rod 101 and filter 103 are axially aligned in end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting each other. The tobacco rod 101 includes an outer wrapper 105 that surrounds the smoking material. The tobacco is preferably cut tobacco or tobacco cut filler. The filter 103 comprises a filter wrapper (not shown) surrounding the filter material. The tobacco rod 101 has an upstream lit end 109 and a downstream end 111. Filter 103 has an upstream end 113 and a downstream mouth end 115. The upstream end 113 of the filter 103 is adjacent the downstream end 111 of the tobacco rod 101. A frangible capsule 120 containing a liquid flavorant is disposed within the cavity of the filter 103. The cavity also contains particulate material 125 in the form of activated carbon particles, which surrounds the frangible capsule 120. The capsule has a diameter of 3.5mm and the cavity has a length of 5mm along the longitudinal axis of the filter.

The filter 103 is attached to the tobacco rod 101 by a tipping material 117, which tipping material 117 surrounds the entire length of the filter 103 and the adjacent region of the tobacco rod 101. For clarity, the tipping material 117 is shown removed from the smoking article portion in figure 1. In this embodiment, the tipping material 117 also comprises a circumferential row of perforations 123. Perforations 123 provide ventilation for mainstream smoke.

Examples of the invention

Two filters containing capsules were prepared and tested. The first filter (sample a) was a standard capsule-containing filter in which a 3.5mm diameter capsule was embedded within a single segment of cellulose acetate tow. The second filter (sample B) was a filter according to the invention. That is, the second filter has a plug-space-plug configuration in which an upstream section of the 11mm long cellulose acetate tow and a downstream section of the 11mm long cellulose acetate tow define a cavity therebetween which is 5mm wide. The cavity contained a 3.5mm diameter capsule surrounded by 70mg of activated carbon particles. The activated carbon particles have a mesh size of 12 to 20 mesh. Both samples of filters were surrounded by 80 micron thick filter wrapper and 40 micron thick tipping paper. The tipping paper is coated on its inner surface with a layer of nitrocellulose to prevent migration of liquid from the capsule to the outer surface of the filter. In both samples, the 3.5mm diameter capsules had a burst strength of about 15 newtons.

An Alluris type FMI-220C 2-digital force gauge 0-200N device (commercially available from Alluris Gmbh & co. kg, germany) was used to apply a gradually increasing force to the capsule-containing regions of both filters and the force under which the capsule would break was recorded. In sample a, it was found that the capsule broke in the filter after a force of 45 newtons had been applied to the filter. In sample B, it was found that the capsule broke in the filter after a force of 22 newtons had been applied to the filter.