U.S. patent application number 12/222723 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for smoking article having carbon dioxide delivery technology for sensorially improved carbon filtration and method of smoking.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Andrey Bagreev, Firooz Rasouli, Weijun Zhang.
Application Number | 20090044816 12/222723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40361996 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090044816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasouli; Firooz ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
Smoking article having carbon dioxide delivery technology for
sensorially improved carbon filtration and method of smoking
Abstract
Provided is a smoking article including a filter, tobacco, and a
carbon dioxide charge. The carbon dioxide charge provides increased
levels of carbon dioxide during smoking to enhance the taste and
sensorial smoking experience.
Inventors: |
Rasouli; Firooz;
(Midlothian, VA) ; Bagreev; Andrey; (Chesterfield,
VA) ; Zhang; Weijun; (Richmond, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
40361996 |
Appl. No.: |
12/222723 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60935543 |
Aug 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/274 ;
131/280; 131/335 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/002 20130101;
A24D 3/10 20130101; A24D 3/061 20130101; Y02C 20/40 20200801; A24D
3/163 20130101; A24C 5/60 20130101; A24D 3/048 20130101; A24D 3/166
20130101; A24C 5/47 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/274 ;
131/335; 131/280 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/10 20060101
A24B015/10; A24D 3/04 20060101 A24D003/04; A24C 5/00 20060101
A24C005/00 |
Claims
1. A smoking article comprising: tobacco; a filter; and a charge of
carbon dioxide gas, wherein said charge of carbon dioxide gas
provides at least about 10% more carbon dioxide on average for all
puffs than a traditional cigarette so as to improve the taste
thereof.
2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein said filter includes a
first sorbent and/or a second sorbent and wherein said first
sorbent and/or said second sorbent is loaded with carbon
dioxide.
3. The smoking article of claim 2, wherein the second sorbent is a
carbon molecular sieve.
4. The smoking article of claim 3, wherein said carbon molecular
sieve is in the form of pellets, granules, carbon molecular
sieve-on-tow and/or beads.
5. The smoking article of claim 2, wherein said first sorbent is a
molecular sieve, selected from zeolites, silicas, silicates,
aluminas, carbon molecular sieve, and/or activated carbon.
6. The smoking article of claim 5, wherein said activated carbon is
in the form of carbon on tow, beads, pellets, granules, fibers,
and/or dust.
7. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein said filter includes a
mouthend filter segment and wherein said mouthend filter segment is
cellulose acetate.
8. The smoking article of claim 2, wherein said second sorbent is
contained in at least one hollow tube and/or a cavity and wherein
said at least one hollow tube is impermeable, semi-permeable,
and/or permeable and includes at least one frangible seal.
9. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein said at least one hollow
tube is impermeable and includes at least one frangible seal.
10. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein said at least one
hollow tube comprises a plurality of hollow tubes with upstream and
downstream ends, each of the tubes surrounded by the first sorbent
and includes at least one frangible seal at the upstream and
downstream ends so as to retain said carbon dioxide within said at
least one hollow tube.
11. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein said seal is about
0.001 mm to about 1.0 mm thick and wherein said seal is made of a
polymer.
12. A filter for a smoking article comprising: a downstream filter
segment; and an upstream charge of carbon dioxide gas.
13. The filter of claim 12, wherein said filter includes a first
sorbent and/or a second sorbent and wherein said upstream charge of
carbon dioxide gas is contained in said first sorbent and/or said
second sorbent.
14. The filter of claim 13, wherein said first sorbent is
carbon-on-tow and said second sorbent is a carbon molecular
sieve.
15. A system for maintaining carbon dioxide levels in a smoking
article prior to smoking comprising: a smoking article including at
least one sorbent; a sealed container; and a charge of carbon
dioxide, wherein said smoking article is contained in said sealed
container.
16. The carbon dioxide delivery system of claim 15, wherein said
container includes a sealed compartment for each smoking article
contained therein, each sealed compartment including one or more
flavorants therein.
17. The carbon dioxide delivery system of claim 15, wherein said
charge of carbon dioxide is contained in a first sorbent and/or a
second sorbent in a filter of said smoking article.
18. A method of making a smoking article charged with carbon
dioxide comprising: attaching a tobacco rod to a filter to form a
smoking article; and charging said smoking article with carbon
dioxide to form a carbon dioxide charged smoking article.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said smoking article is charged
with 100% carbon dioxide gas for at least about 1 minute by
attaching the smoking article to a gas line with a flexible septa
and passing carbon dioxide through the smoking article at a rate of
at least about 0.5 liters per minute and wherein said carbon
dioxide charged smoking article is placed in a container and sealed
therein within about 5 minutes of charging said smoking article
with carbon dioxide.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said smoking article is charged
with carbon dioxide by incorporating a tube containing carbon
dioxide and/or a carbon molecular sieve loaded with carbon dioxide
in the filter, the tube having a frangible seal which releases
carbon dioxide into mainstream smoke during smoking of the tobacco
rod.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional Application No. 60/935,543, filed
on Aug. 17, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
SUMMARY
[0002] Provided is a smoking article comprising tobacco, a filter
and a charge of carbon dioxide gas. The charge of carbon dioxide
gas provides at least about 10% more carbon dioxide on average for
all puffs than a traditional cigarette so as to improve the taste
of mainstream smoke.
[0003] Also provided is a method of making a cigarette having
elevated levels of carbon dioxide in mainstream smoke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette charged with
carbon dioxide.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a graph comparing the carbon dioxide levels during
the initial puffs of the smoking article charged with carbon
dioxide of FIG. 1 and a traditional cigarette
[0006] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of preferred
embodiments of a smoking article charged with carbon dioxide and
including a carbon molecular sieve.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the amount of carbon dioxide in
the first puff of a smoking article based on the amount of carbon
molecular sieve present in the smoking article and the amount of
carbon dioxide on average in all puffs based on the amount of
carbon molecular sieve present in the filter.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the concentration of carbon
dioxide in the first through seventh puffs of a smoking article
including carbon on tow and a smoking article including carbon on
tow, a carbon molecular sieve, and a charge of carbon dioxide.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
smoking article having a filter including tubes containing carbon
dioxide and a sorbent.
[0010] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the hollow tubes of FIG. 6.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hollow tube shown in FIGS.
6 and 7.
[0012] FIG. 9 is front view of an embodiment of a package for
containing the smoking articles of FIGS. 1, 3 and 6.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a top view of the package of FIG. 9.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the effect of the carbon dioxide
charge on smoke chemistry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As used herein, the term "smoking articles" is intended to
include elongated smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars.
Non-traditional cigarettes such as cigarettes for electrical
smoking systems as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,026,820; 5,988,176; 5,915,387; 5,692,526; 5,692,525; 5,666,976;
5,345,951; 4,991,606; 4,966,171 and 5,499,636, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties, are also included in the definition of smoking articles
or cigarettes generally.
[0016] As used herein, the term "traditional cigarette" describes
filtered, preferably low tar, cigarettes including a sorbent that
do not carry a carbon dioxide charge as described herein.
[0017] As used herein, the term "smoking" is intended to include
the heating, combusting or otherwise causing release of mainstream
smoke from tobacco.
[0018] As used herein, the term "mainstream" smoke refers to the
mixture of gases passing down the smoking article and issuing
through the filter end, e.g., the amount of smoke issuing or drawn
from the mouth end of a cigarette during smoking of the cigarette.
The mainstream smoke contains smoke that is drawn in through both
the lighted region, as well as through the cigarette paper wrapper.
The term "side stream" smoke refers to smoke produced during static
burning.
[0019] As used herein, the term "initial puffs" refers to the
first, second, third and/or fourth puffs taken after lighting
and/or heating a cigarette or smoking article.
[0020] As used herein, the term "all puffs" refers to all puffs
taken during the use of a smoking article.
[0021] As used herein, the term "sorption" includes filtration by
absorption and/or adsorption. Sorption encompasses interactions on
the outer surface of the sorbent, as well as interactions within
the pores and channels of the sorbent. Sorption also describes the
loading of carbon dioxide on a carbon molecular sieve.
[0022] As used herein, the term "sorbent" refers to a substance
that can condense or hold molecules of other substances on its
surface, and/or can take up other substances, i.e., through
penetration of the other substances into its inner structure, or
into its pores. Accordingly, the term "sorbent" as used herein
refers to either an adsorbent, an absorbent, or a substance that
can function as both an adsorbent and an absorbent.
[0023] As used herein, the term "remove" refers to adsorption
and/or absorption of at least some portion of at least one
constituent of mainstream smoke.
[0024] As used herein, the terms "carbon dioxide charge," "charge
of carbon dioxide," and "charged" refers to the addition of and a
supply of carbon dioxide in a smoking article component. The charge
of carbon dioxide can be added by passing carbon dioxide through
the smoking article and/or filter or by incorporating a carbon
dioxide filled tube or other such container that sealingly retains
carbon dioxide at ambient temperature and/or pressure within the
filter. The terms "charge" and "charging" also refer to the act of
passing carbon dioxide through and/or supplying carbon dioxide to
the smoking article and/or filter.
[0025] Provided is a smoking article having a charge of carbon
dioxide so as to increase the amount of carbon dioxide in
mainstream smoke during smoking of the smoking article, thereby
enhancing the flavor thereof.
[0026] The carbon dioxide provides a "mouthfeel" effect similar to
that of a carbonated soda (in contrast to a flat soda), thereby
improving the taste of the smoking article. In addition, carbon
dioxide adsorbed on a carbon adsorbent can reduce the initial
activity of the carbon adsorbent, due to the blocking of the
smallest micropores, thereby preventing the removal of some aroma
compounds. In theory, the loading of carbon dioxide on activated
carbon and/or a carbon molecular sieve in a filter may reduce the
"carbon taste" some American smokers associate with carbon
filtration.
[0027] Preferably, the smoking article provides at least about 10%
more carbon dioxide on average in all puffs than a traditional
cigarette, and more preferably at least about 20% more carbon
dioxide on average in all puffs, (e.g. at least about 30%, at least
about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about
70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%).
Also preferably, the smoking article provides at least about 25%
more carbon dioxide in the initial puffs as compared to a
traditional cigarette.
[0028] As described herein and shown in FIG. 1, a smoking article
10 includes a filter 12, a tobacco rod 14, and a charge of carbon
dioxide. Preferably, the filter 12 includes a first filter segment
16 and a sorbent 18. Also preferably, the sorbent is in the form of
carbon on tow (COT) 18. In an embodiment, the sorbent is a carbon
molecular sieve in the form of beads, granules, pellets, carbon
molecular sieve on tow, and the like. The filter 12 is joined to
the tobacco rod 14 by tipping paper 22.
[0029] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B, a
ventilation zone 8 is established with a first row (and optionally
second and possibly third rows) of ventilation holes through the
tipping paper 22. Preferably, the ventilation zone 8 achieves a
ventilation level of the smoking article of at least 25% and more
preferably at least 50% to 90%.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the charge of carbon dioxide can
be introduced into the smoking article by attaching a smoking
article to a gas line with a flexible rubber septa and then passing
100% carbon dioxide gas into and through the smoking article 10
and/or filter 12 for at least about one minute, and more preferably
at least about 2 minutes, prior to packaging so as to provide a
charge of carbon dioxide in the smoking article which increases the
amount of carbon dioxide in mainstream smoke at least during the
initial puffs of the smoking article. Preferably, about 0.05 liters
per minute (L/min) to about 2.5 L/min, more preferably about 0.25
L/min to about 1.0 L/min of carbon dioxide is passed through the
smoking article and/or filter. Preferably, the smoking article is
placed in a sealed container immediately after charging the smoking
article with carbon dioxide to thereby retain the elevated carbon
dioxide level charged into the smoking article until release during
smoking.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the carbon dioxide is stored on
the carbon-on-tow filter material (COT) while in the sealed
container to thereby avoid the carbon on tow releasing the carbon
dioxide under atmospheric pressure and/or temperature
conditions.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a graph comparing the carbon dioxide concentration
of the initial puffs of the smoking article of FIG. 1, charged with
carbon dioxide, and a traditional filtered smoking article when
tested under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) conditions (35 cc per 2
seconds) on a standard smoking machine. As shown, the first and
second puffs of the smoking article of FIG. 1 have a higher
concentration of carbon dioxide as compared to the traditional
cigarette indicating better flavor in the first and second puffs.
Despite the presence of the sorbent in the charged smoking article,
which can act to remove flavor compounds, the carbon dioxide charge
increases the amount of carbon dioxide at least in the initial
puffs thereby enhancing the flavor of the initial puffs.
[0033] Exemplary sorbents for use in the filter 12 include
molecular sieves such as zeolites (e.g. Type 4A, 13X, etc.),
silicas, silicates (e.g. aluminosilicates), aluminas, carbon
molecular sieves and/or carbons (e.g. activated carbon).
Preferably, the filter includes about 30 mg to about 250 mg of the
sorbent.
[0034] By "activated carbon" is meant any porous, high surface area
form of carbon. Activated carbon can be derived via thermal
treatment of any suitable carbon source. The activation treatment
typically increases the porosity, and activated carbon can be
provided with a wide range of pore sizes or the pore sizes can be
controlled to provided a desired pore size distribution.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the activated carbon can be in
the form of beads, granules, fibers, pellets, carbon on tow, carbon
paper, and the like.
[0036] Preferably, activated carbon can have any desired pore size
distribution that comprises pores such as micropores, mesopores and
macropores. The term "microporous" generally refers to such
materials having pore sizes of about 20 Angstroms or less while the
term "mesoporous" generally refers to such materials with pore
sizes of about 20 Angstroms to about 500 Angstroms.
[0037] Preferably, the activated carbon is adapted to adsorb
constituents of mainstream smoke, particularly, those of the gas
phase including aldehydes, ketones and other volatile organic
compounds, and in particular 1,3-butadiene, acrolein, isoprene,
propionaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, styrene,
acetaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
[0038] Since a sorbent, such as activated carbon, may also absorb
the flavor compounds, a charge of carbon dioxide is added to the
filter to increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the initial
puffs of the smoking article, thereby enhancing the flavor
thereof.
[0039] In an embodiment, the sorbent is a carbon molecular sieve.
Because a carbon molecular sieve has a smaller average pore size
with a narrow distribution as compared to activated carbon, the
carbon molecular sieve does not adsorb constituents of mainstream
smoke as effectively as the activated carbon, but is suitable for
adsorption and storage of small molecules such as carbon
dioxide.
[0040] Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that can be
used in the tobacco rod 14 of the smoking article 10 include, but
are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Maryland
tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, blends
thereof and the like. The tobacco material may be provided in any
suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco lamina,
processed tobacco materials, aged tobacco such as volume expanded
or puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as cut-rolled or
cut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof,
and the like. Tobacco substitutes may also be used.
[0041] Preferably, the tobacco is normally used in the form of cut
filler, i.e., in the form of shreds or strands cut into widths
ranging from about 2 mm to about 1 mm or even about 0.5 mm. The
lengths of the strands range from between about 5 mm to about 80
mm. An exemplary cigarette can include between about 300 mg and
about 750 mg of tobacco, preferably around 550 mg for a standard
cigarette. The cigarettes may further comprise one or more flavors,
or suitable diluents (e.g., burn diluents, combustion modifying
agents, coloring agents, binders, etc.).
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, the
smoking article 10 includes a filter 12, a tobacco rod 14, and a
carbon dioxide charge. Preferably, the filter includes a first
filter segment 16, located at the downstream end of the smoking
article 10, a first sorbent 18 and a second sorbent 25 that is
capable of absorbing and retaining carbon dioxide prior to use, and
also capable of releasing carbon dioxide due to the force of a
puff. Also preferably, heating and/or burning the smoking article
aids in the release of the carbon dioxide from the second
sorbent.
[0043] To avoid release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the
smoking article 10 is preferably stored in a sealed container
immediately after charging the smoking article 10 with carbon
dioxide so as to maintain the carbon dioxide levels in the smoking
article 10. For example, a smoking article 10 left at atmospheric
temperature and pressure for about 5 minutes loses about 40% of the
carbon dioxide charge. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the smoking
article 10 is stored in a sealed container within 5 minutes of
charging a sorbent in the smoking article with carbon dioxide, and
more preferably within about 2 minutes to about 3 minutes of
loading the sorbent with carbon dioxide.
[0044] Also preferably, the smoking article 10 remains in a sealed
container until use. Preferably, the smoking article 10 is used
within 1 minute to about 10 minutes of removing the smoking article
10 from the sealed container. Otherwise, the carbon dioxide loaded
on the sorbent is released into the atmosphere.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the second sorbent 25 occupies a
cavity between sections of the first sorbent 18, which is
preferably carbon on tow (COT) and/or a carbon molecular sieve in
the form of beads, pellets, granules, carbon molecular sieve on tow
and the like. Preferably, the smoking article 10 is charged with
carbon dioxide prior to packaging so that the average carbon
dioxide level at least in the initial puffs is higher than that of
a traditional cigarette by at least about 10%.
[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the filter 12 is attached to the
tobacco rod 14 by a tipping paper 22, which preferably
circumscribes both the entire length of the filter 12 and an
adjacent region of the tobacco rod 14. The tipping paper 22 is
typically a paper like product; however, any suitable material can
be used.
[0047] In an embodiment, the cavity holding the second sorbent 25
may be taped with an adhesive on overtipping paper 19 having low
gas permeability to slow the release of the carbon dioxide charge
from the second sorbent. The overtipping paper 19 circumscribes a
portion of COT plugs 18 on either side of the cavity. Preferably, a
ventilation zone 8 is upstream and/or downstream of the cavity, but
does not overlap the cavity.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the second sorbent 25 includes a
carbon molecular sieve material, such as high density carbon beads,
granules, pellets, carbon molecular sieve-on-tow and the like,
having an average particle size of about 1 mm, and fine micropores,
such as the carbon molecular sieve available from SKC Inc. or the
carbon molecular sieve described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,681, the
entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. In a
preferred embodiment, the filter 14 includes at least about 20 mg
of carbon molecular sieve, more preferably at least about 50
mg.
[0049] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, in addition to the
first filter segment 16, the filter may include an additional
filter segment 11 upstream of the carbon molecular sieve 25.
Preferably, the first filter segment 16 and the optional upstream
filter segment 11 are made of cellulose acetate tow having a low
resistance to draw ("RTD"). However, any suitable filtering
material can be used.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, a graph shows the carbon dioxide content
in a first puff and the average carbon dioxide content in all puffs
as a function of various amounts of carbon molecular sieve present
in the filter. As shown, the amount of carbon dioxide released
rises in relation to the amount of carbon molecular sieve present
in the filter indicating that the carbon molecular sieve aids in
retaining the carbon dioxide in the smoking article prior to use,
but effectively releases the carbon dioxide due to the force of a
puff. The inclusion of carbon molecular sieve in the filter results
in a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in at least the initial
puffs, and preferably for all puffs, which in turn improves the
flavor thereof.
[0051] Not wishing to be bound by theory, the increase in carbon
dioxide is believed to be due to the ability of the carbon
molecular sieve to absorb the carbon dioxide when the smoking
article is charged, and also to the ability of the carbon molecular
sieve to release the carbon dioxide due to the force of a puff. In
a preferred embodiment, the carbon molecular sieve material dried
to less than about 2% water content is loaded with carbon dioxide
under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. For example, a
gram of carbon molecular sieve material can be loaded with 70 mg to
80 mg of carbon dioxide.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5, a cigarette including 90 mg of
carbon on tow, 100 mg carbon molecular sieve and a carbon dioxide
charge are smoked on a standard smoking machine under Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) conditions (35 cc per 2 seconds) and compared to a
traditional cigarette containing 120 mg of carbon on tow and not
charged with carbon dioxide. As shown, the carbon dioxide levels of
the initial puffs are higher for the cigarette containing 100 mg
carbon molecular sieve and charged with carbon dioxide indicating
enhanced flavor in the initial puffs.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment, a
smoking article 10 in the form of a cigarette includes a filter 12,
a tobacco rod 14, and a carbon dioxide charge. Preferably, the
filter 12 includes a first sorbent 18 and a second sorbent 25 that
is capable of absorbing and retaining carbon dioxide prior to use,
and also capable of releasing the carbon dioxide when a puff is
taken. Preferably, the second sorbent 25 and the charge of carbon
dioxide are contained in at least one hollow tube 30. In an
embodiment, a charge of carbon dioxide may also be contained in the
first sorbent 18. In a preferred embodiment, the first sorbent 18
is in the form of carbon on tow that surrounds the one or more
hollow tubes 30.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tube 30 is a
permeable, semi-permeable, and/or impermeable tube 30 within the
filter 12. Preferably, each of the one or more hollow tubes 30 is
sealed by a seal 31 (shown in FIG. 8) that breaks due to the force
of a puff. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 31 is preferably
used to immobilize the contents of the hollow tubes 30, and thus
reduce dissipation of the charge of carbon dioxide and/or the
carbon molecular sieve until the seal 31 is broken, ruptured, or
perforated.
[0055] Preferably, the seal 31 is a frangible material, such as a
polymer, which is capable of both sealing the hollow tube 30, as
well as breaking, rupturing, and/or perforating on demand.
Preferably, the seal 31 is designed to break when smoke is drawn
through the filter. Also preferably, the seal 31 is made of sugar
or pectin, which can also be provided to flavor filtrate, such as
smoke filtrate, contacting the seal 31 if desired. A single seal 31
can be used to seal the downstream ends of multiple tubes 30 and
another single seal 31 can be used to seal upstream ends of the
tubes 30, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0056] Preferably, the hollow tubes 30 are oriented in a direction
in which smokes travels through the smoking article so that the
smoke can pass through the lumens of the tubes 30 to contact the
sorbent 25 and release the charge of carbon dioxide contained
therein.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, in an embodiment, the hollow tubes 30
are approximately parallel to one another in order to allow the
smoke to evenly penetrate the hollow tubes 30.
[0058] Preferably, the hollow tubes 30 are sized to a length less
than the length of the filter 12 so that the entire length of each
of the hollow tubes 30 can fit within the area of the filter 12 as
the hollow tubes 30 are aligned in the direction of the smoke
flow.
[0059] Also preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubes 30
is about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the
filter 12 includes 1 to 10 hollow tubes 30 (e.g., 1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5
to 7 or 7 to 10).
[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tube 30 is charged by
first sealing the second sorbent 25 in the tube 30 and then
charging the tube 30 and the second sorbent 25 with carbon dioxide
through a slow diffusion process. Preferably, most of the charge of
carbon dioxide will be absorbed by the second sorbent 25, and the
remainder of the charge will fill the tube 30. In another
embodiment, the tubes 30 containing the second sorbent 25 are
charged with carbon dioxide and then sealed with a seal 31 in a
carbon dioxide atmosphere.
[0061] Smoking articles having carbon dioxide in one or more sealed
tubes or other sealed arrangement can be packaged with conventional
packaging materials.
[0062] In an embodiment, a smoking article 10 charged with carbon
dioxide is placed in a sealed container, such as the container
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Preferably, the container 50 has multiple
compartments 52, each sized and configured to hold and sealingly
retain one smoking article 10 therein. In a preferred embodiment,
flavorants can be inserted into the compartments 52 of the
container. In an embodiment, each compartment 52 may be charged
with carbon dioxide prior to sealing a smoking article 10 including
a first and/or second sorbent therein. Preferably, each compartment
52 is charged with 100% carbon dioxide gas. Preferably, a seal 65
contains the smoking article and/or carbon dioxide charge within
each compartment 52.
[0063] In an embodiment, each smoking article 10 can be
individually wrapped and/or inserted in a conventional cigarette
pack.
[0064] Table 1 shows the effect of the addition of a carbon
molecular sieve on ventilation (VENT), resistance to draw (RTD),
and total particulate matter (TPM), as well as the average amount
of carbon dioxide in all puffs of a smoking article, as compared to
a cigarette containing 120 mg COT.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average RTD, TPM, CO2, CO2 delivery Sample
Vent, % mm mg % vol increase, % Cigarette 48 113 5.7 3.9 --
containing 120 mg COT only Cigarette 44 120 6.5 6.9 77 (increase as
containing 90 mg compared to the COT and 100 mg cigarette carbon
molecular containing sieve and charged 120 mg with carbon dioxide
COT only)
[0065] As shown in Table 1, the delivery of carbon dioxide per
cigarette containing 90 mg carbon on tow and 100 mg of carbon
dioxide charged carbon molecular sieve increased about 77% on
average for all puffs as compared to a cigarette including only 120
mg carbon on tow. In addition, the ventilation and RTD is similar
to that of the cigarette not including the carbon molecular sieve,
suggesting that the carbon molecular sieve does not significantly
affect smoke chemistry, but does enhance the delivery of carbon
dioxide.
[0066] In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the addition of the carbon
molecular sieve resulted in the reduction of more gas constituents
as compared to traditional cigarettes including 120 mg of carbon on
tow. For example, the presence of the carbon molecular sieve
reduces the amount of acetaldehyde, isoprene, and carbonyl sulfide
despite the inability of carbon molecular sieve to adsorb
constituents of mainstream smoke as effectively as activated
carbon.
[0067] Also provided herein is a method of making a smoking article
having increased carbon dioxide delivery technology so as to
improve the taste of the initial puffs.
[0068] It will be understood that the foregoing description is of
the preferred embodiments, and is, therefore, merely representative
of the article and methods of manufacturing the same. It can be
appreciated that variations and modifications of the different
embodiments in light of the above teachings will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary
embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the articles and
methods as set forth in the attached claims.
* * * * *