US 7,878,962 B2Granted

Cigarettes and filter subassemblies with squeezable flavor capsule and methods of manufacture

AssigneePhilip Morris USA Inc.

InventorsGeorgios D. Karles, Jeffrey Allen, Jose Nepomuceno

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Abstract

Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The capsule or capsules are provided between first and second absorbent members and the capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use. An outer cover which is impermeable to the fluid within the capsules is provided about the capsule or capsules and the first and second absorbent members.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for manufacturing cigarette filter subassemblies, comprising the steps of:

providing a series of absorbent members;
providing at least one capsule between adjacent absorbent members, said at least one capsule containing a fluid material for modifying characteristics of tobacco smoke during smoking of the cigarette, said at least one capsule releasing at least a portion of the fluid material when the at least one capsule is subjected to external force;
providing an outer cover about said series of absorbent members and said at least one capsule provided between adjacent absorbent members, said outer cover being formed of a material which is substantially impermeable to said fluid material of said at least one capsule;
and
providing an annular layer of fibrous material about the outer surface of said outer cover, wherein the annular layer of fibrous material is isolated by the outer cover from liquid material released from the at least one capsule when ruptured, wherein said annular layer of fibrous material comprises steam-set cellulose acetate.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/415,107Filed 2 May 2006 · us provisional application
Priority: 3 May 2005
Published: US 2007/0012327 A118 Jan 2007
Granted: 1 Feb 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A24D 3/048
Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure: containing additives
A24C 5/475
Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces: adapted for composite filters
A24D 3/0216
Applying additives to filter materials: the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like
A24D 3/0287
For filters with special features: for composite filters