# US 12,599,162 B2 · Breakable capsules and methods of forming thereof

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- Number: US 12,599,162 B2
- Document ID: US12599162B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/297,865
- Filed: 2023-04-10
- Published: 2023-08-03
- Granted: 2026-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-16
- Assignees: Altria Client Services LLC
- Applicants: Altria Client Services LLC
- Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra; Douglas Fernandez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12599162B2

## CPC

- A24B 15/283: {by encapsulation of the chemical substances}
- A24B 13/00: Tobacco for pipes, for cigars, e.g. cigar inserts, or for cigarettes; Chewing tobacco; Snuff (reconstituted tobacco products A24B3/14)
- A24D 3/061: {containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking}
- B01J 13/04: by physical processes, e.g. drying, spraying
- A24B: MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24D: CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS

## Abstract

A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A breakable capsule comprising:
a outer shell defining an inner core, the outer shell including,
a cross-linked agar matrix, the cross-linked agar matrix including,
a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and
a filler dispersed throughout the cross-linked agar matrix, the filler including,
a mixture including,
0.05 wt. % to 0.5 wt. % locust bean gum,
3 wt. % to 5 wt. % pullulan,
0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. % glycerin, sorbitol, or both glycerin and sorbitol, and
a flavor-enhancing agent, a non-flavorant agent, or any combination thereof in the inner core.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the cross-linked agar matrix has a first porosity and the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) fills voids in the cross-link agar matrix such that the outer shell has a second porosity that is less than the first porosity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The breakable capsule of claim 2, wherein the second porosity is less than 10% of the first porosity.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The breakable capsule of claim 2, wherein the second porosity is 1% of the first porosity.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, further comprising:
a coating on an exposed surface of the outer shell.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The breakable capsule of claim 5, wherein the coating comprises ethyl cellulose.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the cross-linked agar matrix further comprises a second carbohydrate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The breakable capsule of claim 7, where the second carbohydrate includes alginate, pectin, or both alginate and pectin.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the outer shell further comprises sodium chloride, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the outer shell has a crush strength of 3 Newtons to 10 Newtons.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the outer shell has an outer diameter of 2 mm to 4.5 mm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the outer shell has a water content less than 0.1 wt. %.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the outer shell has a water content less than 1 wt. %.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the flavor-enhancing agent includes licorice, wintergreen, cherry type flavorants, berry type flavorants, Dramboui, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cinnamon, cardamon, apium graveolents, clove, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, Japanese mint, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, ilangilang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, salts, sweeteners, carbohydrates, mint oils, eugenol, cocoa, citrus, other fruit flavors, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the non-flavorant agent includes sensates, the sensates including cooling agents, diluents, aerosol formers, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the inner core further comprises a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the filler further comprises konjac, xanthan gum, or a combination of konjac and xanthan gum.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the flavor-enhancing agent, the non-flavorant agent, or both the flavor-enhancing agent and the non-flavorant agent is provided as a liquid mixture.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The breakable capsule of claim 1, wherein the flavor-enhancing agent, the non-flavorant agent, or both the flavor-enhancing agent and the non-flavorant agent is provided as a gel.