U.S. patent application number 11/420123 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for filter-tipped cigarette.
Invention is credited to Marsil Robertovich Akhmetshin, Rinat Robertovich Akhmetshin, Sergey Alexandrovich Egorov, Alexandr Dmitrievich Lezhenin, Vladimir Antonovich Podolsky, Georgy Viktorovich Zaremba.
Application Number | 20070119467 11/420123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086243 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070119467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akhmetshin; Marsil Robertovich ;
et al. |
May 31, 2007 |
Filter-tipped cigarette
Abstract
A filter-tipped cigarette comprises tobacco core 1 contained in
casing 3, and filter 2, the filter having first filtering member 4
connected by its one end to tobacco core 1, and a second filtering
member provided within first filtering member 4. The second
filtering member comprises a distributed system of water-resistant
casings having a liquid nucleus, the casings being in the form of
tubular capsules 6 and/or ampoule-type capsules 7, which capsules
6, 7 are caused to rupture upon mechanical force is exerted
externally thereon. The second filtering member has a volume within
the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume of the volume of the first
filtering member. The filter-tipped cigarette provides high-quality
tobacco smoke cleaning along with enabling the smoker to vary the
efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and simultaneously flavor
tobacco smoke.
Inventors: |
Akhmetshin; Marsil Robertovich;
(Naberezhnye Chelny, RU) ; Akhmetshin; Rinat
Robertovich; (Moscow, RU) ; Egorov; Sergey
Alexandrovich; (Vladimir, RU) ; Zaremba; Georgy
Viktorovich; (Moscow, RU) ; Lezhenin; Alexandr
Dmitrievich; (Moscow, RU) ; Podolsky; Vladimir
Antonovich; (Moscow, RU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOUSTON ELISEEVA
4 MILITIA DRIVE, SUITE 4
LEXINGTON
MA
02421
US
|
Family ID: |
38086243 |
Appl. No.: |
11/420123 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/041 20130101;
A24D 3/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/360 |
International
Class: |
A24B 1/00 20060101
A24B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2005 |
EA |
EA200501915/26 |
Claims
1. A filter-tipped cigarette comprising: a tobacco core; a casing
wherein said tobacco core is contained; a filter having: an end
proximal to said tobacco core end, by which proximal end said
filter is connected to said tobacco core; an end distal to said
tobacco core end; a longitudinal axis; an outer surface; a first
filtering member in the form of a filament tow formed by a filter
material; a second filtering member provided within said first
filtering member, said second filtering member comprising a
distributed system of water-resistant casings; said water-resistant
casings in the form of tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules caused
to rupture upon mechanical force is exerted externally thereon;
each of said tubular capsules having an outer surface and an inner
surface; each of said ampoule-type capsules having an outer surface
and an inner surface; a liquid nucleus disposed within each of said
tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules, wherein said second filtering
member has a volume within the range from 3 to 75 percent by volume
of said first filtering member.
2. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular and/or
ampoule-type capsules contain water and/or flavoring agent as said
liquid nucleus.
3. A cigarette as claimed in claim 2, wherein the content of said
aromatic substance in said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules is
within the range from 40 to 98 percent by volume, and the content
of water is within the range from 32 to 98 percent by volume.
4. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering
member comprises at least one said ampoule-type capsule and at
least one said tubular capsule, said tubular capsule being arranged
coaxially with said filter, and said ampoule-type capsule being
arranged along said longitudinal axis of said filter in the area
where said tubular capsule is arranged.
5. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering
member comprises at least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one
tubular capsule, which capsules are displaced relative to each
other along said longitudinal axis of said filter such that one of
said capsules is provided adjacent to said proximal end of said
filter and the other capsule is provided adjacent to said distal
end thereof.
6. A cigarette as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular capsule
has the length of 11 to 89% of said filter length.
7. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filtering
member comprises a system of said ampoule-type capsules having
different volume and arranged along said longitudinal axis of said
filter such that said ampoule-type capsule volumes vary in
decreasing order from said proximal end of said filter towards said
distal end of said filter.
8. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second filter
member comprises a system of said tubular capsules having different
flow section and arranged along said longitudinal axis of said
filter such that said tubular capsule flow section varies in
decreasing order from said proximal end of said filter towards said
distal end of said filter.
9. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio between the
number of said tubular capsules and the number of said ampoule-type
capsules is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10.
10. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio between
the total volume of said tubular capsules and the total volume of
said ampoule-type capsules is within the range from 0.05 to 14.
11. A cigarette as claimed in claim 7, wherein the increment of
said ampoule-type capsule volume is within the range from 5 to
25%.
12. A cigarette as claimed in claim 8, wherein the increment of
said tubular capsule volume is within the range from 5 to 25%.
13. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer and/or
said inner side of each said ampoule-type and/or said tubular
capsule is provided with at least one notching to enable unsealing
of said capsule upon mechanical force varying from 20 to 95 grams
is exerted externally thereon.
14. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface
of said filter is provided with at least one marker to indicate the
position of said ampoule-type and/or said tubular capsules.
15. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, comprising a mouthpiece
connected to said end of said filter being distal to said tobacco
core.
16. A cigarette as claimed in claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece
contains a catalyst, said catalyst preferably containing a
platinum-group metal.
17. A cigarette as claimed in claim 15, wherein said mouthpiece
contains at least one cast, sintered or composite magnet.
18. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein metal, polymer or
ceramics is used as a material for said ampoule-type and/or said
tubular capsules.
19. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said metal is
selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tantalum, silver,
gold, platinum.
20. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said polymer is
selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene,
low density polyethylene.
21. A cigarette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said ceramics is
selected from the group consisting of faience, porcelain, glass
ceramics.
22. A cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flavoring agent
contains water and a fragrance comprising natural flavors and/or
flavors identical to natural flavors, in the following wt. % ratio
of components: natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural
flavors -3 to 78, water -22 to 97.
23. A cigarette as claimed in claim 22, wherein said flavors
identical to natural flavors are synthesized on the basis of
alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general formula: ##STR3## where
R.dbd..sub.H-C.sub.6H.sub.13, H--C.sub.8H.sub.17,
H--C.sub.9H.sub.19
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Eurasian patent
application number EA 200501915/26, filed Nov. 29, 2005, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco
industry, particularly, to a filter-tipped cigarette.
[0003] The present invention is suitable for production of
filter-tipped cigarettes with reduced content of human
health-detrimental substances in tobacco smoke.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Tobacco smoke is known to contain toxic and mutagenic
compounds leading to various smokers' diseases. One of the possible
ways to lower the content of harmful substances in tobacco smoke
entering the respiratory tract of a smoker is to use filters
forming part of the cigarette and mounted between the lighted
tobacco core and the smoker's oral cavity.
[0005] As a rule, cigarette filters are made of acetyl cellulose
with activated charcoal added thereto. However, such filters are
able only to reduce partially the amount of toxic and mutagenic
compounds entering the smoker's body. Besides, conventional filters
disadvantageously result in removal of aromatic compounds, thereby
making such cigarettes less attractive for smokers.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists in an improved filter for a smoking
material, able to remove more efficiently toxic and mutagenic
compounds from tobacco smoke. Moreover, a need exists in an
improved filter enabling aromatic compounds to pass through while
substantially removing toxic and mutagenic compounds from tobacco
smoke.
[0007] One of the possible ways to reduce the content of harmful
substances in tobacco smoke inhaled by a smoker is to humidify
tobacco smoke. As a rule, humidifier is dispersed in the porous
filter base to absorb moisture contaminated with harmful substances
from tobacco smoke, thereby ensuring wet filtering of tobacco
smoke.
[0008] According to other embodiments of the cigarette filter,
tobacco moisturizing liquid is contained in a waterproof capsule
inside the filter. In this case, liquid is released from the
capsule by the user while smoking.
[0009] Furthermore, it is an important object to provide a filter
either enabling the aromatic substances contained in tobacco to
pass therethrough or causing such substances to directly generate
within such filter.
[0010] A cigarette filter is known comprising microcapsules (RU
2156099 C2), said filter having a porous substrate with said
microcapsules dispersed therein, said microcapsules containing a
humectant, for example, sodium pyroglumate.
[0011] A humectant is able to absorb moisture contaminated with
harmful substances from tobacco smoke and release the same into the
porous substrate so that moisture contained in tobacco smoke
passing through the filter is filtered.
[0012] A filter for a tobacco product is known (U.S. Pat. No.
6,631,722 B2 and US 2004/0074507 A1) comprising a filtering
material and a capsule with a deodorant substance improving the
smoky odor, said capsule being made of a material resistant to
fracture as cigarettes are taken out of the pack and caused to
fracture upon certain force is exerted thereon to release said
deodorant substance. Said capsule has a spherical or cylindrical
shape oriented along the filter axis, and is mounted substantially
in the filter central portion.
[0013] The above referenced filter for a tobacco product has a
limited functionality since the efficiency of tobacco smoke
cleaning remains practically at the level achieved with the use of
a conventional tobacco filter.
[0014] A filter-tipped cigarette is known (US 2004/0261807 Al)
comprising at least one rupturable capsule mounted in the filter
and comprising a liquid nucleus. Said rupturable capsule is made of
gelatin and said liquid nucleus comprises at least one diluter and
an aromatic substance able to alter the odor of smoke inhaled by
the smoker.
[0015] A water filter-tipped cigarette is known from the art (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,549,124) regarded as a prototype, comprising a tobacco
core contained in a wrapper and a filter having a first filtering
member connected to one of said tobacco core end faces, said
filtering member comprising a filament tow formed by a filter
material, and a second filtering member provided within said first
filtering member and having at least one tight casing having a
liquid nucleus. Distilled water is used as said liquid nucleus.
[0016] While smoking of a cigarette provided with the above filter
the smoker causes the capsule to break by applying finger pressure
to the marked point in the filter. In doing so, water is released
from the nucleus to moisturize and soften the tobacco portion in
close proximity to the filter, thereby enabling wet filtering of
tobacco smoke.
[0017] The disadvantage of the prior art solution consists in
actually non-controllable time change of the efficiency of tobacco
smoke cleaning (dilution) as the tobacco product is consumed by the
smoker, which is caused by a continuous drop in resistance to the
flow of tobacco smoke owing to thermal decomposition ("smoking") of
the tobacco core, resulting in shortening of the same (and
consequently drop in dynamic resistance to the flow of tobacco
smoke passing through the tobacco core), with the resistance to the
air flow through the perforation of the filter air ventilation
remaining unchanged.
[0018] Since a single capsule with water is used in the above
described filter, it appears impossible either to vary the
efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning or to aromatize tobacco
smoke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] It is the main object of the present invention to improve
the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide variable
efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
[0021] It is still another object of the invention to provide
variable tobacco smoke flavoring.
[0022] It is still a further object of the invention to provide
variable efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning along with tobacco
smoke flavoring.
[0023] To achieve the above objects of the invention a
filter-tipped cigarette is provided, said cigarette comprising a
tobacco core contained in a wrapper and a filter having a first
filtering member connected by its proximal end to said tobacco core
and comprising a filament tow formed by a filter material, and a
second filtering member provided within said first filtering member
and having at least one tight casing having a liquid nucleus, said
second filtering member comprising a distributed system of
moisture-resistant casings in the form of tubular and/or
ampoule-type capsules, which capsules are caused to rupture upon
mechanical force is exerted externally thereon, and said second
filtering member volume being within the range from 3 to 75 percent
by volume of said first filtering member volume.
[0024] Advantageously, said tubular and/or ampoule-type capsules
contain water and/or aromatic substance as a liquid nucleus.
[0025] Preferably, the content of said aromatic substance in the
capsules is within the range from 40 to 98 percent by volume, and
the content of water in the capsules is within the range from 32 to
98 percent by volume.
[0026] Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises at
least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one tubular capsule,
said tubular capsule being arranged coaxially with the filter, and
said ampoule-type capsule being arranged along the filter axis in
the area where said tubular capsule is arranged.
[0027] Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises at
least one ampoule-type capsule and at least one tubular capsule,
which capsules are displaced relative to each other along the
filter axis such that one of said capsules is provided adjacent to
the filter proximal end connected to the tobacco core, and the
other capsule is provided adjacent to the opposite filter end.
[0028] It is structurally advantageous that said tubular capsule
has the length of 11 to 89% of the filter length.
[0029] Advantageously, said second filtering member comprises a
system of ampoule-type capsules having different volume and
arranged along the filter axis such that said ampoule-type capsule
volumes vary in decreasing order from the proximal filter end
connected to the tobacco core towards the opposite filter end.
[0030] Preferably, said second filter member comprises a system of
tubular capsules having different flow section and arranged along
the filter axis such that said tubular capsule flow section varies
in decreasing order from the proximal filter end connected to the
tobacco core towards the opposite filter end.
[0031] Advantageously, the ratio between the number of tubular
capsules and the number of ampoule-type capsules is within the
range from 1:1 to 1:10.
[0032] Preferably, the ratio between the total volume of tubular
capsules and the total volume of ampoule-type capsules is within
the range from 0.05 to 14.
[0033] Advantageously, the increment of said tubular capsule volume
or said ampoule-type capsule volume is within the range from 5 to
25%.
[0034] It is structurally advantageous that the outer and/or inner
side of each ampoule-type and/or tubular capsule is provided with
at least one notching to enable unsealing of the capsule upon
mechanical force varying from 20 to 95 grams is exerted externally
thereon.
[0035] Advantageously, the filter outer surface is provided with at
least one marker to indicate the position of said ampoule-type
and/or tubular capsules.
[0036] Advantageously, the filter oral end is mated with a
mouthpiece built in the filter, said mouthpiece containing a
catalyst, preferably containing a platinum-group metal and/or at
least one cast, sintered or composite magnet.
[0037] Advantageously, metal, polymer or ceramics is used as a
material for ampoule-type and/or tubular capsules.
[0038] Preferably, said metal is selected from the group consisting
of aluminum, tantalum, silver, gold, platinum.
[0039] Advantageously, said polymer is selected from the group
consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, low density
polyethylene.
[0040] Preferably, said ceramics is selected from the group
consisting of faience, porcelain, glass ceramics.
[0041] Said flavoring agent may contain water and a fragrance
comprising natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural
flavors, in the following wt. % ratio of components: natural
flavors and/or flavors identical to natural flavors -3 to 78, water
-22 to 97.
[0042] Advantageously, said flavors identical to natural flavors
are synthesized on the basis of alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general
formula: ##STR1##
[0043] where R.dbd..sub.H-C.sub.6H.sub.13, H--C.sub.8H.sub.17,
H--C.sub.9H.sub.19
[0044] The filter-tipped cigarette according to the present
invention enables efficient removal of harmful substances contained
in tobacco smoke and at the same time provides an opportunity for
the user to vary the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
[0045] In cases where the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and,
hence, the filter moisture content is to be varied, water is used
as a liquid nucleus. In doing so, the efficiency of tobacco smoke
cleaning is stabilized at the level selected by the smoker in the
process of smoking.
[0046] Thus, by selecting particular areas to exert force on the
filter casing surface, the smoker may select knowingly the level of
his or her subjective organoleptic sensations produced by the
smoking process.
[0047] If the smoker prefers to use cigarettes with a rich bouquet
which he or she may select, at least one aromatic substance is used
as a liquid nucleus.
[0048] In most cases, smokers, which is particularly characteristic
of female smokers, care for lowering the amount of toxic and
mutagenic compounds entering the body, and also prefer to inhale
flavored tobacco smoke. In such cases, some of the capsules contain
water as a liquid nucleus, while other capsules contain aromatic
substance to enable combining of flavors and obtaining the desired
result at the same time intended to improve the efficiency of
tobacco smoke cleaning.
[0049] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description of particular
embodiments thereof made with reference to the attached
drawings.
[0050] The above and other features of the invention including
various novel details of construction and combinations of parts,
and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the
claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device
embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as
a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this
invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments
without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:
[0052] FIG. 1 shows a partially broken-out sectional view of the
filter-tipped cigarette according to the first embodiment of the
invention, with one ampoule-type capsule and one tubular
capsule;
[0053] FIG. 2 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the
second embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 3 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the
third embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along lines I-I in FIG.
1 and FIG. 2;
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along lines II-II in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a scaled-up detail of the cross-sectional view
along lines II-II;
[0058] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view along lines III-III in
FIG. 3;
[0059] FIG. 8 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the
invention, with four tubular capsules;
[0060] FIG. 9 shows the filter-tipped cigarette according to the
invention, with two ampoule-type capsules and one tubular
capsule;
[0061] FIG. 10 shows a scaled-up detail of the filtering member in
dry condition;
[0062] FIG. 11 shows a scaled-up detail of the filtering member in
wet condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0063] The filter-tipped cigarette according to the present
invention comprises tobacco core 1 (FIG. 1) and filter 2 contained
in casing 3, said filter having first filtering member 4 connected
by its proximal end to said tobacco core 1 and comprising a
filament tow formed by a filter material. Filter 2 also has a
second filtering member provided within said first filtering member
4. Said second filtering member comprises a distributed system of
moisture-resistant casings having liquid nucleus 5, said casings
being in the form of tubular capsules 6 and/or ampoule-type
capsules 7, which capsules 6, 7 are caused to rupture upon
mechanical force F is exerted externally thereon. Said second
filtering member has a volume within the range from 3 to 75 percent
by volume of the volume of said first filtering member 4. Water
and/or aromatic substance is used as said liquid nucleus 5.
[0064] It should be noted that the term "tubular member" as used
herein means a hollow piece having a side wall and any required
form of section, in particular, circular, rectangular, polygonal,
oval or square.
[0065] Perforation 8 is provided in proximity to the connection of
filter 2 to tobacco core 1 for the purpose of air ventilation to
enable the accepted dilution range of tobacco smoke flow inhaled by
the smoke in the process of smoking with a portion of fresh air not
containing tobacco smoke components.
[0066] Tobacco core 1 is made of compressed tobacco contained in a
tubular wrapper to add the required strength to the cigarette,
prevent tobacco from inadvertently falling to pieces and provide
stabilized thermal decomposition rate of tobacco. Smoking paper is
used as said wrapper, preferably, containing 10 to 45 wt. %
magnesium and/or magnesium hydroxide, as well as flax, cellulose
fiber and flammable inhibitors.
[0067] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 the second filtering
member of the cigarette has one ampoule-type capsule 7 and one
tubular capsule 6, which capsules are displaced relative to each
other along axis 9 of filter 2. As shown in FIG. 1, tubular capsule
6 is provided adjacent to the proximal end of filter 2, connected
to tobacco core 1, and ampoule-type capsule 7 is provided adjacent
to the opposite end of filter 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2,
tubular capsule 6 is provided away from tobacco filter 2. Said
capsules 6, 7 contain deionized water or distilled water or
aromatic substance as liquid nucleus 5. Casing 3 of filter 2 is
made of a water-resistant material, for example, is impregnated
from the inside with a thin layer of paraffin refined wax.
[0068] Tubular capsule 6 and ampoule-type capsule 7, respectively,
are made of a water-resistant material, with metal, polymer or
ceramics being suitable as such material. Preferable metals include
aluminum, tantalum, silver, gold or platinum; polypropylene,
polystyrene or low density polyethylene are preferable polymers;
preferable ceramics includes faience, porcelain or glass
ceramics.
[0069] While ampoule-type capsule 7 may be of a free form, ampoules
with a maximum volume to surface area ratio are used preferably,
for example, in the form of a globe or a cylinder, particularly, a
cylinder with the convex ends as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
[0070] Tubular capsule 6 may be of various cross sectional forms,
particularly, circular, oval or square.
[0071] In accordance with the present invention tubular capsule 6
has the length of 11 to 89% of filter 2 length depending on the
amount of liquid required to solve a particular problem.
[0072] The ratio between the number of tubular capsules 6 and
ampoule-type capsules 7 is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10
depending on filter 2 design features and material of which
capsules 6, 7 are made.
[0073] In cases where efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and,
hence, the filter moisture content is to be varied, water is used
as a liquid nucleus. If the smoker prefers to use cigarettes with a
rich bouquet which he or she may select, at least one aromatic
substance is used as a liquid nucleus. In most cases, smokers,
which is particularly characteristic of female smokers, care for
lowering the amount of toxic and mutagenic compounds entering the
body, and also prefer to inhale flavored tobacco smoke. In such
cases, some of the (tubular or ampoule-type) capsules contain water
as the liquid nucleus, while other capsules contain aromatic
substance to enable combining of flavors and obtaining of the
desired result intended at the same time to improve the efficiency
of tobacco smoke cleaning.
[0074] The cigarette oral end is provided with mouthpiece 10
connected to filter 2, said mouthpiece comprising a body made of
stiff material, for example, plastic or heavyweight paper.
Mouthpiece 10 body may be provided with stiffening ribs 11 to
additionally strengthen the same. Microparticles of a catalyst,
preferably, finely dispersed platinum are applied to the inner
surface of said body and the surfaces of said stiffening ribs
11.
[0075] Mouthpiece 10 built in filter 2 may comprise magnets (cast,
sintered or composite, not shown) implanted in its structural
members to enable stabilization thereof in the process of smoking
as a result of becoming saturated with ions and taking on the
properties of conductivity.
[0076] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the second
filtering member comprises one ampoule-type capsule 7 and one
tubular capsule 6, respectively, with said tubular capsule 6 being
arranged along filter 2 longitudinal axis 9 coaxially with which
said ampoule-type capsule 7 is arranged.
[0077] Cross-sectional views along lines I-I, II-II and III-III,
respectively, are shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 wherein embodiments of the
invention according to FIGS. 1 to 3 are illustrated. According to
these embodiments casing 3 of filter 2 is made water-resistant for
which purpose it is impregnated with a thin layer of paraffin
refined wax from the inside.
[0078] To position the sealing area of capsules 6, 7 on the outer
and/or inner side of each tubular capsule 7 and/or ampoule-type
capsule 6 at least one notching 12 (FIG. 6) is provided, unsealable
upon mechanical force F varying from 20 to 95 grams is exerted
externally thereon (FIGS. 8, 9).
[0079] In cases where the capsule is made of a fragile material and
more than one notching is provided, the capsule is made unsealable
upon the minimum force of 20 grams is exerted; whereas when the
capsule is made of a stronger elastic material, for example,
gelatin and a single notching is provided therein, the capsule is
made unsealable upon the force of 95 grams is exerted.
[0080] Notching 12 provided in capsules 6, 7 may be of different
forms. For example, in FIG. 6 possible modifications of notching in
wall 13 of capsule 7 are shown conventionally: rectangular notching
in the capsule outer and inner sides, spherical notching in the
capsule inner side, trapezoidal notching in the capsule outer side,
triangular notching in the capsule outer and inner sides.
[0081] Notching 12 parameters, preferably depth and area thereof,
are selected based on notching 12 form accepted for technological
reasons, location thereof and properties of the material of which
the capsule is made. It should be noted that notching 12 may be
provided both in ampoule-type capsule 7 and tubular capsule 6.
[0082] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8
wherein said second filtering member comprises a system of tubular
capsules 6 having different flow section and arranged along filter
2 axis 9 such that said tubular capsule 6 flow section varies in
decreasing order from filter 2 end connected to tobacco core 1
towards opposite filter 2 end. The volume increment of tubular
capsules 6 is within the range from 5 to 25%.
[0083] For user's convenience, the filter outer surface is provided
with at least one marker 14 to indicate the location of
ampoule-type and/or tubular capsules 7, 6.
[0084] According to an alternative embodiment markers 14 on the
surface of filter 2 may be provided with a pictogram corresponding
to the type of liquid contained in the capsule, namely, a water
drop, an object whose flavor is contained in the capsule, for
example, rose, lily of the valley, etc. Furthermore, marker 14 may
indicate the tobacco core length corresponding to the capsule to be
unsealed when smoking a defined length of the cigarette. For
example, markers 14 may be provided with FIGS. 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 to
indicate at what stage of smoking of the cigarette the respective
capsule 6, 7 is to be unsealed.
[0085] At the same time, by selecting particular areas to exert
force on the surface of filter 2 casing, the smoker may knowingly
select the level of his or her subjective organoleptic sensations
produced by the smoking process and stabilize tobacco smoke
cleaning at the level selected by the smoker in the process of
smoking.
[0086] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9
the second filtering member comprises a system of ampoule-type
capsules 7 having different volume and arranged along filter 2 axis
9 such that said capsule 7 volumes vary in decreasing order from
the filter 2 end connected to the tobacco core 1 towards the
opposite filter 2 end. In this embodiment, one ampoule-type capsule
7 having a greater volume is of a lenticular form, while the other
ampoule-type capsule 7 is in the form of a cylinder with spherical
end faces. The volume increment of ampoule-type capsules 7 is
within the range from 5 to 25%.
[0087] In this embodiment tubular capsule 6 is of a toroidal form,
having a circular cross section.
[0088] Such variety of forms of ampoule-type and tubular capsules
7, 6, respectively, enables to use the form easiest to manufacture,
acceptable for a particular user.
[0089] In the above embodiment of the invention one of the
ampoule-type capsules 7 and tubular capsule 6 may contain water as
liquid nucleus 5, and the other ampoule-type capsule 7 may contain
an aromatic substance. However, this is not the only possible
embodiment which may be modified according to the particular
requirements.
[0090] Details of first filtering member 4 are shown in FIGS. 10,
11 in "dry" and "wet" conditions which form after unsealing of at
least one capsule 6, 7. As seen from FIG. 11, thin film 17 of water
released from capsule 6, 7 liquid nucleus 5 is formed within
interfibrillar space 15 between filtering member 4 filaments 16
having typical diameter of 0.25 to 4 .mu.m. Said water film 17
envelopes filtering member 4 filaments 16 in interfibrillar space
15, thereby improving the filtration capacity of the latter.
[0091] According to the present invention at least a part of
capsules 6, 7 comprise an aromatic substance based on water and
fragrances selected from natural flavors and/or flavors identical
to natural flavors, in particular, in the following wt. % ratio of
components: natural flavors and/or flavors identical to natural
flavors -3 to 78 wt. %, water -22 to 97 wt. %.
[0092] Known sources of natural taste and flavor, for example,
prepared from the extracts of strawflower, lime tree, lavender,
sage and others; birch buds, black currant, melissa, peppermint,
rosemary and others; roots of common valerian, ginger, flaxseed,
wild eleutherococcus; orange, lemon, mandarin peels, cinnamon rind;
dried apricot, cocoa, cardamom, raspberry, bitter almond,
coriander, nutmeg, dill, fennel fruits, seeds, nuts or berries;
fruit or berry wort, for example, apricot, quince, orange, cherry,
strawberry, cranberry, ashberry, plum, apple and others.
[0093] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said flavors
identical to natural flavors are synthesized on the basis of
alc-4Z-en-1-ols of the general formula: ##STR2##
[0094] where R.dbd..sub.H-C.sub.6H.sub.13, H--C.sub.8,H.sub.17,
H--C.sub.9H.sub.19
[0095] The cigarette according to the invention is used as a
conventional cigarette familiar to the smokers. At the same time,
in order to improve the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning and
stabilize the efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning in the process
of smoking at the level selected by the smoker immediately before
or in the process of smoking, the smoker unseal at least one
ampoule-type and/or tubular capsule.
[0096] These and other advantages of the present invention are
illustrated by the examples given below.
EXAMPLE 1
[0097] Forty cigarettes were used manufactured according to ISO
3402 (cigarette weight 874.+-.20 mg). Twenty cigarettes were kept
as a reference batch, and two ampoule-type capsules in the form of
a globe were put in each of the remaining twenty cigarettes.
Thereafter, each cigarette was weighed again. Said first
ampoule-type capsule had a casing made of aluminum foil, and said
second ampoule-type capsule had silver foil casing. A double-sided
notching was provided on the inner and the outer sides of both
ampoule-type capsules. In said first capsule a rectangular notching
was provided with the surface area of 1 mm 2, and a M-shaped
notching was provided in said second capsule, with the surface area
of 1.5 mm 2. A first filtering member in the thus modified filter
amounted to about 29% of its initial volume as determined by
individual weighing of the filtering material filaments removed by
mechanical micromilling, with said filaments having the weight of
56 to 60 mg.
[0098] Then, a cigarette smoking mode was set using the automatic
smoking machine based on parameters according to ISO 4387
(inhalation volume 35 ml, inhalation time 2 sec, interval between
inhales 58 sec). Ampoule-type capsules were then unsealed
simultaneously by exerting the force of 50 grams on the tobacco
filter. The water released from said ampoule-type capsules entered
the air space between said first filtering member filaments to fill
the same, thereby improving the cigarette filter filtration
capacity.
[0099] Automatic smoking machine was then started. Used filters
were weighed upon completion of thermal decomposition ("smoking")
of the tobacco core. Tobacco smoke filtrate was subjected to
quantitative assay which showed that the first filtering member
weight increased by a value within the range from 22 to 25 mg as a
result of "smoking" of the filter-tipped cigarette using the
automatic smoking machine. The weight increase was about 11.2%
relative to the first filtering member basic weight which is 210 mg
on average.
[0100] Therefore, efficiency of tobacco smoke filtration may be
improved directly in the process of smoking at smoker's will by
using two ampoule-type capsules.
[0101] To perform qualitative analysis of the filter composition
combined filters which the automatic smoking machine used by
"smoking" were placed for 24 hours in 135 ml of ethanol, the
extract of which was then subjected to spectral analysis. Results
of the spectral analysis of the tobacco smoke filtrate extract
according to the present invention are summarized below.
[0102] Ethanol extract of the tobacco smoke filter was subjected to
the spectral analysis which showed that said extract contained a
wide range of the following tobacco smoke components: carbon
monoxide, tobacco pyrolysis tar, cancerogenic minor components,
tobacco-specific N-nitrocompounds, volatile-nitrocompounds,
nicotine, 3,4-benzopyrene, acetic acid, polyaromatic hydrocarbons,
radionuclides, heavy metals, halogens, nitrazoamine esters,
ketones, aldehydes, amines and amides.
EXAMPLE 2
[0103] Thirty cigarettes were used, ten of which were kept as a
control batch.
[0104] Ten cigarettes of the first batch were brought to conformity
with the inventive filter design shown in FIG. 1, and the remaining
ten cigarettes of the second batch were brought to conformity with
the filter design shown in FIG. 2.
[0105] Cigarettes of the first batch were provided with a tubular
capsule containing 40 percent by volume of a liquid flavoring agent
in the form of a 60% ethanol-based extract containing fennel oil,
said capsule being mounted in the porous filtering member on the
part of the filter end abutting on the tobacco core. An
ampoule-type capsule containing 98 percent by volume of deionized
water was placed in the porous filtering member on the part of the
mouthpiece. A waterproof paper impregnated from the inside with a
thin layer of paraffin refined wax was used as the filter
casing.
[0106] Cigarettes of the second batch were provided with an
ampoule-type capsule containing 98 percent by volume of a liquid
flavoring agent in the form of a 15% ethanol-based extract
containing mint oil, said capsule being axially mounted in the
porous filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on
the tobacco core. Then, a tubular capsule containing 32 percent by
volume of distilled water was placed in said porous filtering
member on the filter oral part. A waterproof paper coated from the
inside with a fluoroplastic film was used as the filter casing.
[0107] Thereafter, a mouthpiece was mounted underneath said filter
casing, with about 0.05 to 0.07 mg of catalyst in the form of
platinum microparticles being previously applied and fixedly
attached to the central holder of said mouthpiece.
[0108] Then, all cigarettes were smoked by a group of experts, each
having at least 18 years of tobacco smoking experience.
[0109] At first, five cigarettes of the control batch were
smoked.
[0110] The ampoule-type capsule was unsealed in each first batch
cigarette before smoking of the same, with the force of 95 grams
exerted on the filter locations. In doing so, the tubular capsules
in only three first batch cigarettes were unsealed with the force
of 25 grams exerted on the filter casing. Half-length of each
cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, the remaining tubular
capsules were unsealed with the force of 25 grams exerted on the
location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to
the end by the experts.
[0111] The tubular capsules of each of the remaining five
cigarettes of the first batch were unsealed before smoking,
whereafter half-length of the tobacco core was smoked, smoking was
stopped and the ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the force of
95 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five
cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
[0112] Before smoking of the second batch cigarettes, one tubular
capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 60 grams
exerted on the filters at the location thereof. In doing so, the
ampoule-type capsules in only three second batch cigarettes were
unsealed with the force of 60 grams. Half-length of each cigarette
tobacco core having been smoked, the remaining ampoule-type
capsules were unsealed with the force of 60 grams exerted on the
location thereof. Thereafter, these five cigarettes were smoked to
the end by the experts.
[0113] The tubular capsules of each of the remaining five
cigarettes of the second batch were unsealed before smoking with
the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof, whereafter
half-length of the tobacco core was smoked. Smoking was then
stopped and the ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the force of
60 grams exerted on the location thereof. Thereafter, these five
cigarettes were smoked to the end by the experts.
[0114] Finally, the remaining five cigarettes of the control batch
were smoked.
[0115] Taste and organoleptic sensations of the smoked cigarettes
of the first, second and control batches were evaluated in terms of
the flavoring level. No change in flavor of the control batch
cigarettes was noted, whereas substantial change in flavor of both
the first and second batch cigarettes was observed, as well as the
improved efficiency of tobacco smoke cleaning.
EXAMPLE 3
[0116] Seventy filter-tipped cigarettes were used, having the
porous filtering member in the form of acetate fiber tow and
provided with a plastic mouthpiece. Ten cigarettes of the said
seventy cigarettes were kept as a control batch.
[0117] The ratio of 1:3 was established between tubular and
ampoule-type capsules. The remaining sixty cigarettes were divided
into the first batch (30 cigarettes) and the second batch (30
cigarettes).
[0118] Cigarettes of the first batch were provided with a tubular
capsule containing a flavoring agent in the form of a gas-vapor
composition comprising 40% of eucalyptus ester in freon gas, said
capsule being mounted in the porous filtering member on the part of
the filter end abutting on the tobacco core. Then, an axial recess
was made in the porous filtering member on the mouthpiece part,
wherein three ampoule-type capsules were placed one after another.
The relative volume change between said capsules was adjusted based
on the following ratio: 70%: 25% : 5% starting with the first
ampoule-type capsule. A waterproof paper impregnated from the
inside with a thin layer of low density polyethylene was used as
the filter casing.
[0119] Cigarettes of the second batch were provided with a first
ampoule-type capsule containing a flavoring agent in the form of a
gas-vapor composition comprising 50 percent by volume of camomile
in freon gas, said capsule being axially mounted in the porous
filtering member on the part of the filter end abutting on the
tobacco core, whereafter a second ampoule-type capsule, comprising
40 percent by volume of spearmint in freon gas, and a third
ampoule-type capsule was mounted, comprising 80 percent by volume
of rosemary in freon gas was sequentially mounted. Then, a tubular
capsule containing 32 percent by volume of distilled water was
placed in said porous filtering member on the filter oral part. A
waterproof paper coated from the inside with a fluoroplastic film
was used as the filter casing.
[0120] Then, ten cigarettes of the control batch were smoked.
[0121] Before smoking of the 15 first batch cigarettes, one tubular
capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 40 grams
exerted on the filters at the capsule location.
[0122] Said first ampoule-type capsules in each 5 first batch
cigarettes were unsealed with the force of 20 grams exerted on the
filter casing. One third length of each cigarette tobacco core
having been smoked, said second ampoule-type capsules were unsealed
with the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof. Two
thirds length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked,
said third ampoule-type capsules were unsealed, as well as said
first ampoule-type capsules in those 10 cigarettes wherein it has
not been done at the beginning of the smoking process. Thereafter,
all 15 cigarettes were smoked to the end.
[0123] Tubular capsules of the other 15 first batch cigarettes were
unsealed before smoking, as well as said 10 first ampoule-type
capsules, whereafter one third length of the tobacco core was
smoked, smoking was stopped and said third ampoule-type capsules
and the remaining 5 first ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with
the force of 95 grams exerted on the location thereof. Then, two
thirds length of the tobacco core was smoked and all said second
ampoule-type capsules were unsealed followed by smoking of all the
remaining first batch cigarettes.
[0124] Before smoking of the second batch cigarettes, one tubular
capsule in each cigarette was unsealed with the force of 50 grams
exerted on the filters at the location thereof. In doing so, the
ampoule-type capsules in only five second batch cigarettes were
unsealed with the force of 30 grams exerted on the filter.
Half-length of each cigarette tobacco core having been smoked, five
more ampoule-type capsules were unsealed with the force of 30 grams
exerted on the location thereof. Two thirds length of the tobacco
core having been smoked, the remaining five ampoule-type capsules
were unsealed, whereafter the cigarettes were smoked to the
end.
[0125] Before smoking of the remaining 15 second batch cigarettes,
said first ampoule-type capsule was unsealed in each cigarette with
the force of 30 grams exerted on the location thereof, and then
half-length of the tobacco core was smoked. Next, smoking was
stopped and said second ampoule-type capsule was unsealed with the
force of 45 grams exerted on the location thereof. Two thirds
length of the tobacco core having been smoked, said third
ampoule-type capsule and the tubular capsule was unsealed. Then,
these cigarettes were smoked to the end.
[0126] Finally, the remaining five cigarettes of the control batch
were smoked.
[0127] Taste and organoleptic sensations of the smoked cigarettes
were evaluated in terms of the flavoring level, showing that as
against the control batch, the smoker is enabled to change
consequentially the tobacco smoke flavor, for example, from the
camomile flavor to the rosemary flavor along with improving the
efficiency of cleaning of smoke from the harmful components.
EXAMPLE 4
[0128] Sixty filter-tipped cigarettes were selected such that the
weight differences do not exceed 0.5 mg.
[0129] Non-used filters of five cigarettes of said batch were
detached and weighed, and 15 cigarettes were kept as a reference
batch.
[0130] Four indents in the form of circular grooves were made then
in the filters of each of the remaining 40 cigarettes, with the
total volume of said indents accounting for 40% of the first
filtering member volume. Four tubular capsules were placed in said
circular grooves, said tubular capsules having the relative volume
change of 45%: 35%: 15%: 5% starting with the first tubular capsule
proximal to the tobacco core. Said first tubular capsule had a body
made of gold foil, with three V-shaped notches provided on the
outer surface of said body wherein 70 percent by volume of
deionized water is contained. Said second tubular capsule had a
body made of polyethylene, with a H-shaped notch provided on the
inner surface of said body wherein 42 percent by volume of
distilled water is contained. Said third capsule had a body made of
faience, with a spherical notch provided on the inner surface of
said body wherein 95 percent by volume of distilled water is
contained. Said fourth capsule had a body made of polypropylene,
with two U-shaped notches provided on the outer surface of said
body wherein 90 percent by volume of distilled water is contained.
The filter paper casing was made waterproof by any of the commonly
known methods, in particular, by rendering it hydrophobic by means
of impregnation of the same from the inside with a thin layer of
paraffin.
[0131] On the filter oral end part, a mouthpiece was mounted
underneath said filter casing, with a sintered magnet weighing 1.8
to 2.0 mg being previously mounted at said mouthpiece central
structural member.
[0132] Next, 20 modified cigarettes having the perforation holes in
the connection area of the tobacco core and the filter covered with
the adhesive tape were selected of the batch of 40 cigarettes. Such
cigarettes were used as a control batch allowing to evaluate
subsequently the influence which the modified filter with no
perforation holes provided in the filter casing has had on the
tobacco smoke cleaning stability over time.
[0133] Then, the modified cigarettes were weighed again and three
portions of the same length were marked out in the tobacco core
wrapper.
[0134] Similarly, three portions of the same length were marked out
in the control batch cigarette wrappers.
[0135] Further, the smoking mode was established in the automatic
smoking machine as described with reference to Example 1, and
smoking of the cigarettes of the reference, control and
experimental batches was started.
[0136] Reference Batch
[0137] One third initial length of the tobacco core was "smoked" of
the first five cigarettes of the reference batch, whereafter the
used filters were detached from the tobacco cores and weighed.
[0138] Then, two thirds initial length of the tobacco core was
"smoked" of the next five cigarettes of the reference batch,
whereafter the used filters were detached from the tobacco cores
and weighed.
[0139] The remaining five cigarettes of the reference batch were
"smoked" to complete thermal decomposition of the tobacco core,
whereafter the used filters were detached from the tobacco cores
and weighed.
[0140] Weighing of the used cigarette filters of the reference
batch showed that with the average weight of the completely smoked
cigarette tobacco smoke filtrate being equal to 5.9 mg, the
reference cigarette filter is characterized by rather unstable
cleaning efficiency values over time, approximating to a non-linear
dependence by its nature.
[0141] Thus, the averaged weight of the tobacco smoke filtrate
found in the used filters after weighing was equal to 0.9 mg for
the cigarette smoked" to one third length of its tobacco core.
[0142] For the cigarette "smoked" to two thirds length of its
tobacco core, this average value was equal to 2.0 mg.
[0143] The tobacco smoke filtrate weight at the third (thermal
decomposition terminating) "smoking" stage averaged "3.9 mg.
[0144] With a stable tobacco smoke filtration rate, its filtrate
weight at each of the one third lengths of the tobacco core has to
average about 2 mg. As seen from the above results, unstable
tobacco smoke filtration rate of the reference batch cigarettes was
observed.
[0145] Control Batch
[0146] The automatic smoking machine with the same parameters set
according to ISO 4387, control batch cigarettes provided with four
tubular capsules with the perforation holes covered with the
adhesive tape were smoked during five consequent cycles, four
cigarettes in each cycle.
[0147] Thus, at the first stage of each cycle, one third length of
the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes, two thirds length
of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes at the second
stage, and the whole tobacco core was smoked in six cigarettes at
the third stage.
[0148] Before loading the control batch cigarettes into the
automatic smoking machine, tubular capsules thereof were unsealed
by exerting the following forces on the filter casing: 30 grams
exerted on the fourth tubular capsule location during the first
cycle; 38 grams exerted on the third tubular capsule location
during the second cycle; 65 grams exerted on the second tubular
capsule location during the third cycle; 90 grams exerted on the
first tubular capsule location during the fourth cycle; 95 grams
exerted during the fifth cycle, thereby essentially simultaneously
unsealing all tubular capsules in the filter.
[0149] Further study of the stage-wise accumulation of filtrate
from the used filters tobacco smoke was carried out for all five
cycles by weighing performed according to the technique applied
above to the reference batch, showing that the tobacco smoke
cleaning stability in the control batch is within 7% on average for
any of the five selected levels.
[0150] Experimental Batch
[0151] Finally, the automatic smoking machine with the same
parameters set according to ISO4387, experimental batch cigarettes
provided with four tubular capsules each having the perforation
holes were smoked during five consequent cycles, four cigarettes in
each cycle.
[0152] Thus, at the first stage of each cycle, one third length of
the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes, two thirds length
of the tobacco core was smoked in seven cigarettes at the second
stage, and the whole tobacco core was smoked in six cigarettes at
the third stage.
[0153] Before loading the experimental batch cigarettes into the
automatic smoking machine, tubular capsules thereof were unsealed
by exerting the following forces on the filter casing: 35 grams
exerted on the fourth tubular capsule location during the first
cycle; 15 grams exerted on the third tubular capsule location
during the second cycle; 85 grams exerted on the second tubular
capsule location during the third cycle; 58 grams exerted on the
first tubular capsule location during the fourth cycle; 95 grams
exerted during the fifth cycle, thereby essentially simultaneously
unsealing all tubular capsules in the filter.
[0154] Further study of the stage-wise accumulation of filtrate
from the used filters tobacco smoke was carried out for all five
cycles by weighing performed according to the technique applied
above to the reference batch, showing that the tobacco smoke
cleaning stability in the experimental batch is within 24% on
average for any of the five selected levels.
[0155] The above examples of the particular embodiments of the
invention demonstrate modifications of the invention and advantages
provided by the use of such filters, which will positively
influence the consumer properties of the inventive filter-tipped
cigarette.
[0156] Therefore, in addition to the wide range of noxious, toxic,
mutagenic and cancerogenic tobacco smoke components extracted and
immobilized in the cigarette filter, the present technical solution
is characterized by enabling the smoker himself to choose the level
of filtration.
[0157] At the same time, while selecting the places of force at the
surface of the filter casing, which may be specially marked as
related to the indication of the efficiency of tobacco smoke
cleaning, the smoker is enabled to choose knowingly the level of
his or her subjective organoleptic sensations produced by the
smoking process.
[0158] While the invention has been discussed in detail with
reference to the particular preferred embodiments thereof, other
embodiments are also possible. Therefore, the scope of the
invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described
herein.
[0159] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *