METHODS OF MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES AND FILTER SUBASSEMBLIES WITH SQUEEZABLE FLAVOR CAPSULE

摘要

A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule.

主权项

1. A dual-filter structure formed by a method comprising the steps of:
A. providing a filter member comprised of absorbent material surrounded by a cover, the filter member defining a longitudinal center axis; B. passing a plunger axially through the absorbent material such that a generally pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly, wherein the displaced absorbent material forms a liner along an inside surface of the cover and defines a hollow axial opening within the absorbent material; C. axially inserting a series of absorbent members into the hollow space, with at least one capsule disposed between successive absorbent members, the capsule containing a releasable material for modifying characteristics of tobacco smoke during smoking, to form an elongate filter structure which is cut to suitable length, each length containing at least one absorbent member and at least one capsule; D. cutting every other absorbent member in said series of absorbent members at its axial midpoint to provide two dual-filter structures, each of said dual-filter structures comprising, in series, one half of a first absorbent member of twice the length of the first absorbent member, a first capsule, a second absorbent member, a second capsule, and one half of a third absorbent member, all disposed within said outer cover.