Smoking article including flavour granules having permeable outer layer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10426191-B2
Application number	US-201415034982-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2014
Priority date	Dec 20, 2013
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

Abstract

A method for the production of a flavor granule for a smoking article comprises the steps of: a) forming an inner core by compaction of particles of herbaceous plant material; b) providing a coating suspension of colored binder particles comprising at least one colorant and at least one polymeric binder in a solvent; c) applying the coating suspension to the outer surface of the inner core to form an outer layer, wherein the coating suspension is applied to the inner core within a coating system and wherein within that coating system the vapor pressure of the solvent is greater than 5 kPa; and d) drying the outer layer to evaporate the solvent.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for the production of a flavour granule for a smoking article, the method comprising the steps of:
forming an inner core by compaction of particles of herbaceous plant material;
providing a coating suspension comprising between 20 percent and 30 percent by weight of coloured binder particles comprising at least one colourant and at least one polymeric binder in a solvent;
applying the coating suspension to an outer surface of the inner core to form an outer layer, wherein the coating suspension is applied to the inner core within a coating system and wherein within that coating system the vapour pressure of the solvent is greater than 5 kPa; and
drying the outer layer to evaporate the solvent.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the solvent is an organic solvent having a boiling point of less than 85 degrees Celsius.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying the coating suspension to the inner core is carried out in a fluidised bed apparatus.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein a solids content of the coating suspension is at least 20 percent by weight.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the drying step is carried out using a flow of air at a temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of applying the coating suspension to the inner core is carried out in a fluidised bed apparatus.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein a solids content of the coating suspension is at least 20 percent by weight.

8. A method according to claim 3 wherein a solids content of the coating suspension is at least 20 percent by weight.

9. A method according to claim 2 wherein the drying step is carried out using a flow of air at a temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein a solids content of the coating suspension is at least 20 percent by weight.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the drying step is carried out using a flow of air at a temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius.

Assignees

• Philip Morris Products Sa

Inventors

• Lavanant Laurent
• Besso Clement

Classifications

• A24D1/002

  with additives, e.g. for flavouring · CPC title

• A24B15/283 Primary

  by encapsulation of the chemical substances · CPC title

• B01J13/04

  by physical processes, e.g. drying, spraying · CPC title

• A24D3/06

  Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters · CPC title

• A24D3/061

  containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking · CPC title