U.S. patent application number 14/970638 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for flavor additive accessory.
This patent application is currently assigned to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The applicant listed for this patent is R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Invention is credited to Michael F. Davis, Craig T. Demarest, Matthew Lampe, Percy D. Phillips, Yan Pu, Cynthia Stewart Stokes, Karen Womble Wallace, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Samantha S. White, Karter R. Yutzy.
Application Number | 20170172200 14/970638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57750306 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170172200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; Samantha S. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
FLAVOR ADDITIVE ACCESSORY
Abstract
A method of incorporating a flavor material into combination
with a tobacco product is described herein. The method may include
accessing a flavor delivery insert of a flavor additive accessory,
associating the flavor delivery insert with at least one of the
tobacco product and a package containing the tobacco product, and
actively or passively releasing the flavor material from the flavor
delivery insert such that the flavor material is incorporated with
the tobacco product. Also described herein are flavor delivery
inserts, tobacco products having flavor delivery inserts, and
flavor additive accessories having flavor delivery inserts.
Inventors: |
White; Samantha S.;
(Thomasville, NC) ; Stokes; Cynthia Stewart;
(Lexington, NC) ; Phillips; Percy D.; (Pfafftown,
NC) ; Yutzy; Karter R.; (Kernersville, NC) ;
Lampe; Matthew; (Winston-Salem, NC) ; Watson;
Nicholas Harrison; (Westfield, NC) ; Wallace; Karen
Womble; (Winston-Salem, NC) ; Pu; Yan;
(Winston-Salem, NC) ; Davis; Michael F.;
(Clemmons, NC) ; Demarest; Craig T.; (Oakridge,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company |
Winston-Salem |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company
|
Family ID: |
57750306 |
Appl. No.: |
14/970638 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 15/00 20130101;
A24D 3/061 20130101; A24F 25/00 20130101; A24B 15/282 20130101;
A24C 5/60 20130101; B65D 85/1081 20130101; A24B 15/16 20130101;
A24B 15/303 20130101; A24B 15/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/28 20060101
A24B015/28; A24D 3/06 20060101 A24D003/06; A24F 15/00 20060101
A24F015/00; A24B 15/30 20060101 A24B015/30; A24C 5/60 20060101
A24C005/60; A24B 15/18 20060101 A24B015/18; A24B 15/16 20060101
A24B015/16 |
Claims
1. A method of incorporating a flavor material into combination
with a tobacco product, comprising: accessing a flavor delivery
insert of a flavor additive accessory; associating the flavor
delivery insert with at least one of the tobacco product and a
package containing the tobacco product; and actively or passively
releasing the flavor material from the flavor delivery insert such
that the flavor material is incorporated with the tobacco
product.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the package is a carton, and the
tobacco product comprises one or more cigarettes; and associating
the flavor delivery insert comprises replacing one of the
cigarettes with the flavor delivery insert within the carton.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the package is a tin, and the
tobacco product comprises at least one smokeless tobacco product;
and associating the flavor delivery insert comprises inserting the
flavor delivery insert into the tin.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco product is a
cigarette, and associating the flavor delivery insert comprises
inserting the flavor delivery insert into a filter of the
cigarette.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein actively or passively releasing
the flavor material comprises at least one of: breaking a
rupturable capsule, diffusing a volatile material, applying mouth
conditions, drawing air past the flavor material and adding the
flavor material to aerosol precursor.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the flavor delivery
insert comprises removing a first flavor delivery insert from a
packet, wherein the packet contains a plurality of flavor delivery
inserts.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first flavor delivery insert
comprises a first flavor material and at least one of the plurality
of flavor delivery inserts comprises a second flavor material,
different from the first.
8. A tobacco product, comprising: a package, the package at least
partially enclosing a flavor chamber; at least one flavor delivery
insert disposed within the flavor chamber, the flavor delivery
insert comprising: a carrier; and a flavor material included with
and releasable from the carrier; and at least one consumable
tobacco article removably located within the package, wherein the
at least one flavor delivery insert is configured to selectively
release the flavor material into combination with the consumable
tobacco article.
9. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the package comprises a
carton and the consumable tobacco article comprises at least one
cigarette.
10. The tobacco product of claim 9, wherein the flavor material is
volatile such that the flavor material is diffused into the
package.
11. The tobacco product of claim 9, wherein the at least one flavor
delivery insert comprises a plurality of flavor delivery inserts
and the at least one cigarette comprises a plurality of cigarettes,
and the plurality of flavor delivery inserts are individually
combinable with the plurality of cigarettes.
12. The tobacco product of claim 11, wherein the carrier is an
insert for disposal in a filter of a respective cigarette.
13. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the carrier comprises
at least one of a breakable capsule, a pellet, a filament, a fiber,
paper, and cellulose.
14. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the package comprises a
tin and the tobacco article comprises at least one smokeless
tobacco product.
15. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the package comprises a
tank, and the tobacco article comprises e-liquid.
16. A flavor additive accessory for use with a tobacco product,
comprising: a packet; and a plurality of flavor delivery inserts,
each insert comprising: a carrier; and a flavor material included
in and releasable from the carrier; wherein each flavor delivery
insert is adapted for delivery of the flavor material to a
respective tobacco product by combining the flavor delivery insert
with the tobacco product or a package containing the tobacco
product.
17. The flavor additive accessory according to claim 16, wherein
the carrier comprises at least one of a filter, a breakable
capsule, a pellet, a glue, a filament, a fiber, paper, and
cellulose.
18. The flavor additive accessory according to claim 16, wherein
the plurality of flavor delivery inserts comprise at least two
different flavor materials selected from the group comprising
tobacco extract, sweeteners, vanilla, coffee, tea, chocolate,
cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender,
cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey,
maple, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange,
apple, peach, lime, cherry, and strawberry.
19. The flavor additive accessory according to claim 16, further
comprising instructions for combining one of the plurality of
flavor delivery inserts with the tobacco product or the package
containing the tobacco product.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to flavor additive
accessories intended for delivery of flavors for human consumption.
The flavor may contain ingredients or components obtained or
derived from plants of the Nicotiana species, or intended to
enhance products having ingredients or components derived from such
plants.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Popular "smoking" articles, such as cigarettes, have a
substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure and include a
charge, roll or column of smokable material such as shredded
tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form) surrounded by a paper wrapper
thereby forming a so-called "tobacco rod." Normally, a cigarette
has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an end-to-end
relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filter element
comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed by a
paper material known as "plug wrap." Typically, the filter element
is attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing
wrapping material known as "tipping paper." A cigarette is employed
by a smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco
rod. The smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth
by drawing on the opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the
cigarette. Other smoking articles include cigars or the burning of
loose tobacco through a pipe.
[0003] Tobacco also may be enjoyed in a so-called "smokeless" form.
Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are employed by
inserting some form of processed tobacco into the mouth of the
user. See for example, the types of smokeless tobacco formulations,
ingredients, and processing methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to
Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599 to Tibbetts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to
Townsend; U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to
Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No.
6,953,040 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et
al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,686 to Atchley et al.; US Pat. Pub.
Nos. 2004/0020503 to Williams; 2005/0115580 to Quinter et al.;
2005/0244521 to Strickland et al.; 2006/0191548 to Strickland et
al.; 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton,
Jr. et al.; 2007/0186942 to Strickland et al.; 2008/0029110 to Dube
et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et
al.; 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0196730 to Engstrom et
al.; 2008/0209586 to Neilsen et al.; 2008/0305216 to Crawford et
al.; 2009/0065013 to Essen et al.; 2009/0293889 to Kumar et al.;
and 2010/0291245 to Gao et al; PCT WO 04/095959 to Arnarp et al.
and WO 2010/132444 A2 to Atchley; and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/638,394, filed Dec. 15, 2009, to Mua et al.; each of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] Many alternative smoking devices have been proposed through
the years as improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking
products that require combusting tobacco for use. Many of those
devices purportedly have been designed to provide the sensations
associated with cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking, but without
delivering considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and
pyrolysis products that result from the burning of tobacco. To this
end, there have been proposed numerous smoking products, flavor
generators and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy to
vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the
sensations of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking without burning
tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the various
alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat
generating sources set forth in the background art described in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al. and U.S. Pat. No.
8,881,737 to Collett et al., which are incorporated herein by
reference. See also, for example, the various types of smoking
articles, aerosol delivery devices and electrically-powered heat
generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial source
in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0216232 to Bless et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various types of
electrically powered aerosol and vapor delivery devices also have
been proposed in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al.
and 2014/0283859 to Minskoff et al., as well as U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/282,768 to Sears et al., filed May 20,
2014; Ser. No. 14/286,552 to Brinkley et al., filed May 23, 2014;
Ser. No. 14/327,776 to Ampolini et al., filed Jul. 10, 2014; and
Ser. No. 14/465,167 to Worm et al., filed Aug. 21, 2014; all of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a flavor additive accessory
to be combined, in whole or in part, with one or more smoking
articles, smokeless articles, and alternative smoking articles to
provide or enhance a perceived flavor associated with these
articles.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] This disclosure provides a flavor additive accessory
comprising one or more flavor delivery inserts that may be combined
with a tobacco product for the delivery of alternative or
additional flavor materials to the tobacco product. The present
disclosure also includes related methods and tobacco products.
[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of
incorporating a flavor material into combination with a tobacco
product. The method may comprise accessing a flavor delivery insert
of a flavor additive accessory, associating the flavor delivery
insert with at least one of the tobacco product and a package
containing the tobacco product, and actively or passively releasing
the flavor material from the flavor delivery insert such that the
flavor material is incorporated with the tobacco product. In one
embodiment, the package is a carton, and the tobacco product
comprises one or more cigarettes. The step of associating the
flavor delivery insert may comprise replacing one of the cigarettes
with the flavor delivery insert within the carton. In another
embodiment, the package is a tin, and the tobacco product comprises
at least one smokeless tobacco product. In such an embodiment, the
step of associating the flavor delivery insert may comprise
inserting the flavor delivery insert into the tin. In yet other
embodiments, the tobacco product is a cigarette, and the step of
associating the flavor delivery insert may comprise inserting the
flavor delivery insert into a filter of the cigarette.
[0008] In some embodiments, the step of actively or passively
releasing the flavor material comprises at least one of: breaking a
rupturable capsule, diffusing a volatile material, applying mouth
conditions, drawing air past the flavor material and adding the
flavor material to aerosol precursor. In some embodiments,
accessing the flavor delivery insert comprises removing a first
flavor delivery insert from a packet, wherein the packet contains a
plurality of flavor delivery inserts. In related embodiments, the
first flavor delivery insert may comprise a first flavor material
and at least one of the plurality of flavor delivery inserts may
comprise a second flavor material, different from the first.
[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure also include tobacco
products. The tobacco product may include a package, the package at
least partially enclosing a flavor chamber. The product may also
include at least one flavor delivery insert disposed within the
flavor chamber, where the flavor delivery insert may comprise a
carrier and a flavor material included with and releasable from the
carrier. The tobacco product may also include at least one tobacco
article removably located within the package, wherein the at least
one flavor delivery insert is configured to selectively release the
flavor material into combination with the consumable tobacco
article.
[0010] Embodiments of the tobacco product may include a carton as
the package and the consumable tobacco article comprising at least
one cigarette. In some embodiments the flavor material is volatile
such that the flavor material is diffused into the package. In some
embodiments, the at least one flavor delivery insert comprises a
plurality of flavor delivery inserts and the at least one cigarette
comprises a plurality of cigarettes, and the plurality of flavor
delivery inserts are individually combinable with the plurality of
cigarettes. In one example, the carrier is an insert for disposal
in a filter of a respective cigarette. In other examples, the
carrier comprises at least one of a breakable capsule, a pellet, a
filament, a fiber, paper, and cellulose. In some embodiments the
package comprises a tin and the tobacco article comprises at least
one smokeless tobacco product. In some instances the package
comprises a tank, and the tobacco article comprises e-liquid.
[0011] Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure also
include flavor additive accessories for use with a tobacco product.
The flavor additive accessory may include a pack and a plurality of
flavor delivery inserts. Each insert may comprise a carrier and a
flavor material included in and releasable from the carrier. Each
flavor delivery insert is adapted for delivery of the flavor
material to a respective tobacco product by combining the flavor
delivery insert with the tobacco product or a package containing
the tobacco product. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises at
least one of a filter, a breakable capsule, a pellet, a glue, a
filament, a fiber, paper, and cellulose. The flavor additive
accessory may also include instructions for combining one of the
plurality of flavor delivery inserts with the tobacco product or
the package containing the tobacco product.
[0012] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will
become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the
following description of the preferred embodiments, when considered
in conjunction with the drawings. It should be understood that both
the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of the
invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order to provide an understanding of embodiments of the
invention, reference is made to the appended drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which reference numerals
refer to components of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The
drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as
limiting the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flavor additive accessory
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette combined with a
flavor delivery insert according to embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another flavor additive
accessory according to other embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another flavor additive
accessory according to other embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another flavor additive
accessory according to other embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another flavor additive
accessory according to other embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in
the art. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular
forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to "dry weight
percent" or "dry weight basis" refers to weight on the basis of dry
ingredients (i.e., all ingredients except water).
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flavor additive
accessory 100 configured to provide flavor enhancement for a
tobacco product, such as a plurality of cigarettes 102 in a carton
104. The flavor additive accessory 100 may be sold with, attached
to, integrated within or sold separately from the tobacco product.
According to one embodiment, the flavor additive accessory 100
comprises a packet 106 formed with individual compartments or
segments 108. The packet 106 may have a size and shape
corresponding to the approximate size of the carton 104 of
cigarettes 102 such that the flavor additive accessory 100 may be
inserted into the pack or carton.
[0022] The segments 108 of the packet 106 may be distinguishable
from one another using perforations 110, score lines or other
structure to facilitate breaking down the packet 106 into the
individual segments 108 thereof. Alternatively, the segments 108 of
packet 106 may be visually identified by indicia such as printed
markings, pressed or molded portions of the packet 106, etc. The
markings may help identify the separate segments 108 of the packet
106 even if the segments 108 are intended to remain connected with
one another.
[0023] Each segment 108 may initially include a flavor delivery
insert 112. Each flavor delivery insert 112 is configured for
selectively providing a flavor material (also referred to as a
flavoring agent) into combination with the tobacco product, such as
a cigarette 102. Each flavor delivery insert 112 may include a
carrier 114 and flavor material carrier by the carrier. For
example, the flavor material may be within, combined with, provided
on, held by, absorbed by, or impregnated into the carrier.
[0024] Where the tobacco product is a carton 104 having cigarettes
102, the flavor delivery inserts 112 may combine the flavor
material with each cigarette individually. In one example, a user
may open, or separate a segment 108 of the packet 106, retrieve the
associated flavor delivery insert 112 and combine the flavor
delivery insert with the cigarette 102 (see FIG. 2). Combining the
flavor delivery insert 112 with the cigarette 102 may include
inserting the flavor delivery insert into the filter 116 of the
cigarette as seen in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the filter 116
may be provided with a channel 118 for accepting the flavor
delivery insert 112. The channel 118 may be a recess, a cavity, an
opening, a groove or other structure configured to accept the
flavor delivery insert 112. In other embodiments, insertion of the
flavor delivery insert 112 into the filter may result in permanent
or resilient deformation of at least part of the filter. The flavor
material may then be released from the flavor delivery insert 112
into combination with the cigarette 102 in accordance with the type
of carrier 114 selected, as discussed below.
[0025] In other embodiments, the flavor material of a flavor
delivery insert 112 may be combined with a plurality of tobacco
products simultaneously. For example, the step of at least
partially opening one of the segments 108 of the packet 106 may
result in flavor material diffusing from the flavor delivery insert
112 into the carton 104, adding to, fortifying, or otherwise
altering the flavor of the cigarettes 102 remaining in the pack.
Altering the flavor of a plurality of tobacco products
simultaneously may be referred to as bulk flavoring of the tobacco
products. Bulk flavoring is not limited to the use of a single
flavor delivery insert 112 from a single segment 108. The flavor
material from a plurality of flavor delivery inserts 112 may be
used at one time to select the strength level of the flavor. For
example, a stronger flavor may be obtained when using a plurality
of flavor delivery inserts. Use of a plurality of flavor delivery
inserts may also allow for bulk flavoring with flavor combinations.
For example, the flavor material from one flavor delivery insert
112 may be different from the flavor material of another flavor
delivery insert such that the use of the two inserts in
combinations provide the tobacco products with a flavor combination
of unique flavors.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a flavor additive
accessory 200. The flavor additive accessory 200 is again sized and
shaped to fit within a given volume of a tobacco product. In the
illustrated embodiment the flavor additive accessory 200 matches
the approximate size of a cigarette 102 to be capable of
accommodation within the carton 104 after the removal of one
cigarette. The flavor additive accessory 200 may be formed by a
packet 206 or other wrapping, packaging, or substrate to hold
together or otherwise represent a plurality of individual
compartments 208, also referred to as segments or portions. Each
compartment 208 may represent a flavor delivery insert 212. The
compartments 208 may be separated by perforations 210 or other
structures or techniques to facilitate the separation of each
compartment 208 from the remainder of the packet 206. Similar to
the embodiment of FIG. 1, a user can selectively release a flavor
material from one of the flavor delivery inserts 212 while the
flavor additive accessory 200 is within the carton 104 of
cigarettes 102 to add, fortify, or modify the flavor of the
cigarettes remaining within the pack. Similar to the example shown
in FIG. 2, a flavor delivery insert 212 or an entire compartment
208 of the packet 206 may be inserted into a filter of a cigarette
102 according to some embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a flavor additive
accessory 300. The flavor additive accessory 300 of the illustrated
embodiment also includes a packet 306 containing a plurality of
flavor delivery inserts 312. In this embodiment, the flavor
additive accessory 300 is not intended to be inserted into a
pre-existing package of tobacco products, such as the carton 104 of
cigarettes 102. Instead, the individual flavor delivery inserts 312
are configured to be added to the pre-existing package of tobacco
products one at a time. Once a flavor delivery insert 312 is
provided within a flavor chamber 320 created within the carton 104,
the flavor material may be dispersed from the flavor delivery
insert 312. This embodiment may be particularly pertinent if the
flavor material is a volatile substance capable of diffusing from a
carrier 314 of the flavor delivery insert 312.
[0028] FIG. 5 presents yet another embodiment of a flavor additive
accessory 400. In this embodiment, the flavor additive accessory
400 includes a packet 406 and a plurality of flavor delivery
inserts 412. The flavor delivery inserts 412 of the present
embodiment may be configured as flavor pouches (sachet) of similar
size and shape to a pouch of smokeless tobacco 402 commonly sold in
tins 404. A flavor delivery insert 412 may be removed from the
packet 406 and inserted into the tin 404 to infuse the pouches of
smokeless tobacco 402 with flavor material. Use of the pouches of
smokeless tobacco 402 may be given at least a hint of flavor solely
by being stored in the presence of the flavor material given
certain types of flavor material and carriers as discussed below.
Thus the flavor material of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be
allowed to combine with tobacco products simply by providing close
proximity and the free circulation of ambient air from the flavor
delivery insert to the tobacco product.
[0029] FIG. 6 presents yet another embodiment of a flavor additive
accessory 500. In this embodiment, the flavor additive accessory
500 includes a packet 506 comprised of a plurality of segments 508,
each segment may have a reservoir or carrier 514 for a flavor
material. Each segment 508 may be separable from the packet 506 by
perforations 510 or other structures configured to allow the
segments to be taken apart from one another. The carrier 514 may
constitute a reservoir formed in the shape of a dropper which can
be squeezed to release the flavor material into a tank 504. The
tank 504 may be adapted for use with an alternative smoking article
such as an electronic cigarette where the tobacco product is an
e-liquid. The liquid flavor of the flavor delivery insert 512 of
this embodiment may be combined with alternative smoking articles
in other ways. For example, the flavor delivery insert could be a
cartridge attached to or for replacement of a mouth cap of an
e-cigarette.
[0030] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the flavor
material within each flavor delivery insert may vary such that the
flavor material of separate flavor delivery inserts within the same
flavor additive accessory can be different. Each flavor delivery
insert or each segment of the flavor additive accessory may be
marked by indicia such as text, a symbol, or a distinctive color to
identify which flavor material is within each segment or
insert.
[0031] In one embodiment, each flavor additive accessory may have a
designed flavor and strength, such as high strength menthol. Low
and medium strength flavor delivery inserts may be available from
other flavor additive accessories. Thus, the purchaser may select
the flavor additive accessory that fits their needs. In other
embodiments, a flavor additive accessory may include a plurality of
flavor delivery inserts with a variety of strengths. Therefore the
user may be able to select a flavor delivery insert that matches
their designed flavor strength from the flavor additive accessory.
The strength of each insert within the accessory may be indicated
with text, a symbol or a distinctive color much the same way as
suggested for distinguishing between flavor delivery inserts having
unique flavor materials.
[0032] One feature of several embodiments is the ability to include
the flavor material on demand. For example, flavor is dispersed
from the flavor delivery insert on demand by breaking the carrier
or by removing or otherwise exposing the carrier from a sealed
segment of the packet. Thus the user is able to add flavor when the
flavor is desired. The strength of the flavor can be increased in
most embodiments by using more than one flavor delivery insert at
any one time. In each embodiment discussed above, the flavor
delivery inserts include a flavor material and a carrier. The form
and flavor of the flavor material may vary. The form of the carrier
may also vary. Some embodiments of the flavor material may be
better suited for some embodiments of the carrier.
[0033] Flavor materials may be provided in liquid form, such as the
mixture of water, extract and a humectant. Flavor materials may be
provided in a semisolid form, such as a slurry. Alternatively,
flavor materials may be provided in solid form such as powders,
pellets, capsules, beads, pearls, pills, flacks, yarns, filaments,
glues, etc.
[0034] Carriers may be porous materials capable of accepting and
being combined with the flavor materials. Methods of combination
include, by not limited to, absorbing the flavor material,
embedding the flavor material, saturating the carrier with flavor
material, or coating the flavor material on the carrier.
[0035] Suitable powders and methods of forming the powders are
discussed in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2012/0192880 to Dube et al, the
contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. Flavor
pellets are also known in the art that use a solid polymer base to
create a pellet that will slowly release the flavor material.
[0036] Flavor materials may include tobacco extract or similar
flavor being derived from, but not itself including, dried shredded
tobacco leaves. Tobacco extract or a similar extract from another
Nicotiana species can be provided as the flavor material of a
flavor delivery insert to strength an existing tobacco product.
[0037] Tobacco based flavor selected for use in the flavor delivery
insert can be derived from a variety of species, using a variety of
techniques that produce extract in a variety of usable forms. The
extract may be provided in a liquid form absorbed within one or
more of the components discussed above. The extract may be provided
in a substantially solid pellet-form suspended or otherwise held by
one or more of the article's components. The extract may also be
microencapsulated or selectively released from a breakable
capsule.
[0038] The Nicotiana species used to derive the extract can be
selected for the content of various compounds that are present
therein. For example, where tobacco extracts are employed in the
articles of the present disclosure, plants can be selected on the
basis that those plants produce relatively high quantities of one
or more of the compounds desired to be isolated therefrom. In
certain embodiments, plants of the Nicotiana species (e.g., Galpao
commun tobacco) are specifically grown for their abundance of leaf
surface compounds. Tobacco plants can be grown in greenhouses,
growth chambers, or outdoors in fields, or grown
hydroponically.
[0039] In some other embodiments, the flavor delivery insert
contains non-tobacco based flavor materials. The flavor material
may also be referred to as a "flavor", "flavorant", "flavoring", or
"flavoring agent". Each term describes any flavorful or aromatic
substance capable of altering the sensory characteristics
associated with the existing tobacco product and at least partially
available for consumption by the user. Exemplary sensory
characteristics that can be modified by the flavor material
include, taste, mouth feel, moistness, coolness/heat, and/or
fragrance/aroma.
[0040] The flavor materials can be provided from sources other than
tobacco, can be natural or synthetic, and the character of these
flavors can be described as, without limitation, fresh, sweet,
herbal, confectionary, floral, fruity or spice. Such flavoring
agents can be employed as concentrates or flavor packages. Specific
types of flavors include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee,
tea, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint,
wintergreen, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove,
cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, maple, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage,
licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, and
strawberry. Flavorants utilized in disclosed products also can
include components that are considered moistening, cooling or
smoothening agents, such as eucalyptus. These flavors may be
provided neat (i.e., alone) or in a composite (e.g., spearmint and
menthol or orange and cinnamon). In some instances, the flavorant
may be provided in a spray-dried form.
[0041] Sweeteners can be used in natural or artificial form or as a
combination of artificial and natural sweeteners. In one
embodiment, syrup (e.g. corn syrup), sucralose, sucrose, or a
combination thereof is the primary sweetener ingredient. When
present, a representative amount of sweetener, whether an
artificial sweetener and/or natural sugar, may make up at least
about 0.2 percent, at least about 1 percent, or at least about 5
percent, of the total dry weight of the composition. Preferably,
the amount of sweetener within the composition will not exceed
about 40 percent, often will not exceed about 35 percent, and
frequently will not exceed about 30 percent, of the total dry
weight of the composition.
[0042] For other examples of flavoring materials that may be
suitable for the products disclosed, see, for example, US Pat.
Appl. Pub. Nos. 2002/0162562 to Williams; 2002/0162563 to Williams;
2003/0070687 to Atchley et al.; 2004/0020503 to Williams,
2005/0178398 to Breslin et al.; 2006/0191548 to Strickland et al.;
2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et
al.; 2007/0186942 to Strickland et al.; 2008/0029110 to Dube et
al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et al.;
2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; and 2008/0209586 to Neilsen et
al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0043] In some embodiments, the flavor materials used in the flavor
delivery insert are provided in a microencapsulated form. The
microencapsulated form may be used for all, some, or none of the
flavor materials. Use of microencapsulation may help preserve the
flavor material or provide for extended release of the flavor
material. Generally, microencapsulated flavor material will still
rely upon a separate carrier for the formation of a flavor delivery
insert.
[0044] The microencapsulated form may include a wall or barrier
structure defining an inner region or payload that contains the
flavor material. Use of additives in microencapsulated form can
improve storage stability of the flavor additive accessory,
particularly the stability of the sensory profile of the accessory,
and protect certain additives from degradation over time.
Microencapsulation can also insulate the user from undesirable
sensory characteristics associated with the encapsulated
ingredient, such as certain fillers, or provide a milder sensory
experience by extending the release of certain flavorants over
time. Microencapsulation of water can allow the product to be
produced, stored, and transported at a lower moisture level, which
can reduce storage and transportation costs and improve storage
stability of the accessory.
[0045] A representative microcapsule embodiment has an outer cover,
shell, or coating that envelopes a liquid or solid core region, and
in certain embodiments, the microcapsule can have a generally
spherical shape. By encapsulating an additive within the core
region of a microcapsule, the ability of the additive to interact
with other components of the product is reduced or eliminated,
which can enhance the storage stability of the resulting flavor
delivery insert. The core region, which typically releases the
additive when the outer shell undergoes some type of physical
destruction, breakage, or other loss of physical integrity (e.g.,
through dispersion, softening, crushing, application of pressure,
or the like), thereby provides for altering the sensory properties
of a pre-existing tobacco product. Thus, in many embodiments, the
outer shell of the microcapsules is designed to rupture during use
or is water soluble under conditions of normal use.
[0046] The relative amounts of the various flavoring materials
within the flavor delivery article, including the amount of the
flavoring within the core region of the microcapsules, may
vary.
[0047] Exemplary manners and methods for providing encapsulated
materials, such as microencapsulated flavoring agents, are set
forth in Gutcho, Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques
(1976) and Gutcho, Microcapsules and Other Capsules Advances Since
1975 (1979). Exemplary types of microcapsules can have diameters of
less than 100 microns, and often can have outer shells that are
gelatin based, cyclodextrin based, or the like. Microcapsules have
been commercially available, and exemplary types of microcapsule
technologies are of that type set forth in Kondo, Microcapsule
Processing and Technology (1979); Iwamoto et al., AAPS Pharm. Sci.
Tech. 2002 3(3): article 25; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,598 to
McGlumphy and U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,455 to Takada et al.
[0048] A plurality of microcapsules containing flavor material may
be held by a carrier, such as in a binding substrate. In one
embodiment the carrier may be a selectively crushable capsule. The
crushable capsule may contain flavor material that is or is not
itself microencapsulated. Breakage of the crushable capsule acts to
release the contents that are contained and sealed therein.
Application of tactile pressure to the capsule, for example by a
squeezing action provided by the fingers of the user, causes
relevant regions of the carrier to deform and hence causes the
capsule to rupture and release its payload. The rupture of the
capsule can be discerned by an audible pop, snap, or a rapid
decrease in the resistance to the pressure applied by the user.
Rupture of the capsule causes contents of its payload to disperse,
such as into portions of a tobacco product or a package containing
tobacco products. The capsules can be generally spherical in shape
and possess a rigid outer shell, such as a gelatin outer shell,
that surrounds an internal payload. Suitable capsules are
commercially available from Mane Aromatic Flavors, located in Nice,
France as gelatin encapsulated mixtures of medium chain
triglycerides and flavor agents. The designations of a number of
flavor capsules that are available from Mane Aromatic Flavors are:
Spearmint, E209123; Cinnamon, E0303392; Russian Tea, E0303386;
Lemon, E127382; and Menthol, E127384. Such representative capsules
have diameters of about 3.5 mm and about 4 mm.
[0049] Use of crushable capsules may be preferred in embodiments of
the present disclosure where the flavor delivery insert is directly
combined with the tobacco product such as seen in FIGS. 1-3. In
these embodiments the flavor delivery insert can be added to the
tobacco product, e.g. cigarette 102 and then manipulated to release
the flavor material into the cigarette. In some embodiments, a
liquid flavor material may be microencapsulated and the
microcapsules may be suspended within a crushable capsule.
[0050] The outer shell of the capsule is preferably constructed of
a food grade gelatin derived from bovine, piscine or porcine stock.
A wide variety of gelatins may be used, and the selection of a
gelatin for the capsule outer surface is considered a matter of
design choice to those of ordinary skill in the art. See,
Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, (4th Ed.) 12,
406-416 (1994), which is incorporated herein by reference. The type
of gelatin used for constructing the outer shell of the capsule
provides that capsule with the capability of being exposed to
triacetin (a common plasticizer used in cigarette filter
manufacture) or 1,2 propylene glycol (a common tobacco casing
component) for relatively long periods of time without experiencing
undesirable interaction (e.g., dissolution of the gelatin therein).
Because the gelatins used in the preferred embodiments may dissolve
in water over extended periods of time, it is desirable to employ
virtually anhydrous payloads (or payloads possessing very low
amounts of water) with capsules having gelatin outer coatings.
[0051] The capsule payload can have a form that can vary; and
typically, the payload has the form of a liquid, a gel, or a solid
(e.g., a crystalline material or a dry powder).
[0052] In one embodiment, the payload is a mixture of a flavor
material and a diluting agent. The preferred diluting agent is a
triglyceride, such as a medium chain triglyceride, and more
particularly a food grade mixture of medium chain triglycerides.
See, for example, Radzuan et al., Porim Bulletin, 39, 33-38 (1999).
Example flavorings of the payload have been discussed above.
[0053] The amount of flavor material and diluting agent within the
capsule may vary. In some instances, the diluting agent may be
eliminated altogether, and the entire payload can be composed of
flavoring agent. Alternatively, the payload can be almost entirely
comprised of diluting agent, and only contain a very small amount
of relatively potent flavoring agent. In one embodiment using a
capsule of, for example, approximately 3.5 mm in diameter, the
weight of the liquid payload (e.g., flavoring agent and diluting
agent) is preferably in the range of about 15 mg to about 25 mg,
and more preferably in the range of about 20 mg to about 22 mg. The
preferred composition of the mixture of flavoring and diluting
agent is in the range of about 5 percent to about 25 percent
flavoring, and more preferably in the range of about 10 to about 15
percent flavoring, by weight based on the total weight of the
payload, with the balance being diluting agent.
[0054] In some embodiments, carriers can include a filter material,
such as commonly found in cigarettes 102, that may absorb liquid
flavor material or be impregnated with solid form flavor materials
directly or indirectly. For example, microcapsules may form a first
carrier of a liquid flavor material that can be impregnated within
the filter material as a second carrier.
[0055] The filter material can vary, and can be any material of the
type that can be employed for providing a filter for cigarettes.
Preferably a traditional cigarette filter material is used, such as
cellulose acetate tow, gathered cellulose acetate web,
polypropylene tow, gathered cellulose acetate web, gathered paper,
or the like. Especially preferred is filamentary tow such as
cellulose acetate, polyolefins such as polypropylene, or the like.
One preferred filter material that can provide a suitable filter
element is cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and
40,000 total denier. As another example, cellulose acetate tow
having 3 denier per filament and 35,000 total denier can provide a
suitable filter element. As another example, cellulose acetate tow
having 8 denier per filament and 40,000 total denier can provide a
suitable filter element. For further examples, see the types of
filter materials set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,172 to Neurath;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,745 to Cohen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,602 to
Hill et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,277 to Takegawa et al. and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.
[0056] The filter material may also comprise other highly porous
fibers, tows, films, pellets, threads, or non-woven materials such
as, for example, rayon, polyester, or polypropylene, in addition to
or instead of cellulose acetate. Where provided, the highly porous
fibers may be configured to collect and retain a liquid flavor
material, such as tobacco extract. Other types of carriers that can
incorporate flavor material include polymer solids used in
pelletized flavor materials, threads accepting flavor much like a
filter, glues or even tape having a flavoring agent included.
[0057] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing description. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended
to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although
specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *