Fluid Release Mechanism

Abstract

A fluid release mechanism for a smoking article comprises two longitudinally arranged parts ( 2,3 ), rotatable relative to one another from a first to a second position, a space to receive a fluid- containing member ( 4,5 ) and a contacting member ( 6,7 ) for contacting the fluid containing member in the second position, wherein the contacting member is arranged so that rotating from the first position to the second position causes relative angular movement between the contacting member and said space which causes the contacting member to enter the space for contacting and rupturing the fluid- containing member, thereby to release fluid.

1 . A fluid release mechanism for a smoking article, comprising first and second longitudinally arranged parts, rotatable relative to one another from a first position to a second position, the second part having a space to receive a fluid-containing member and the first part having a contacting member for contacting the fluid-containing member in the second position,
 wherein the contacting member is arranged so that rotating from the first position to the second position causes relative angular movement between the contacting member and said space which causes the contacting member to enter the space for contacting the fluid-containing member, thereby to release fluid.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a locating mechanism configured to locate the parts in the first position and in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the locating mechanism is adapted to generate an audible sound upon rotation from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the locating mechanism comprises:
 a resilient locating member comprised in the first part; and   first and second recesses comprised in the second part, the first and second recesses being adapted to respectively receive the resilient locating member in the first and second positions;   wherein rotating from the first position towards the second position causes the resilient locating member to move out of the first recess and compress against the second part and wherein further rotation causes the compressed resilient locating member to rotate until it becomes aligned with the second recess, into which it resiles so as to snap into place in the second recess, thereby causing said audible sound.   
     
     
         5 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, including the fluid-containing member. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in any  claim 5 , wherein the fluid is a fluid flavourant. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in  claim 5  or  claim 6 , wherein the fluid-containing member is a breakable capsule. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a restriction mechanism configured to prevent further angular movement away from the first position when the first and second parts are positioned in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second part has a further space to receive a further fluid-containing member, wherein the first and second parts are further rotatable relative to another from the first position to a third position, wherein the first part has a further contacting member for contacting the fluid-containing member in the third position,
 wherein the further contacting member is arranged so that rotating from the first position to the third position causes relative angular movement between the further contacting member and said further space which causes the contacting member to enter the further space for contacting the further fluid-containing member, thereby to release fluid contained in the further fluid-containing member.   
     
     
         10 . A fluid release mechanism for a smoking article as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a locating mechanism configured to locate the two parts in the first, second and third positions. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the locating mechanism is adapted to generate audible sound upon rotation from the first position to the second position and upon rotation from the first position to the third position 
     
     
         12 . A fluid release mechanism as claimed in any of  claims 9  to  11 , wherein the first and second contacting members are resilient and the second part comprises first, second and third recesses, wherein:
 the first and third recesses are adapted to receive the first and second contacting members in the first position; 
 the second recess is adapted to receive the second contacting member in the second position and the first contacting member in the third position; 
 wherein rotating from the first position towards the second position causes the second contacting member to move out of the first recess and compress against the second part, and wherein further rotation causes the compressed second contacting member to rotate until it becomes aligned with the second recess, into which it resiles so as to snap into place in the second recess, thereby causing an audible sound; 
 wherein rotating from the first position towards the third position causes the first contacting member to move out of the third recess and compress against the second part, and wherein further rotation causes the compressed first contacting member to rotate until it becomes aligned with the second recess, into which it resiles so as to snap into place in the second recess, thereby causing an audible sound. 
 
     
     
         13 . A fluid release mechanism according to any of  claims 9  to  12 , wherein rotation from the first position to the second position is oppositely directed to rotation from the first position to the third position. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid release mechanism according to any of  claims 9  to  13 , including the fluid-containing member and the further fluid-containing member. 
     
     
         15 . A fluid release mechanism according to  claim 14 , wherein the fluid contained in the fluid-containing member is a flavourant and the fluid contained in the further fluid-containing member is a flavourant. 
     
     
         16 . A fluid release mechanism according to  claims 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the fluid contained in the fluid-containing member and the fluid contained in the further fluid-containing member are different fluids. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid release mechanism according to any of  claims 14  to  16 , wherein the fluid-containing member and the further fluid-containing member are fluid- containing capsules. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid release mechanism according to any preceding claim wherein the first part is formed from moulded plastic and the second part is formed from moulded plastic. 
     
     
         19 . A filter for a smoking article comprising a fluid release mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim. 
     
     
         20 . A smoking article comprising a filter as claimed in  claim 19 . 
     
     
         21 . A fluid release mechanism for a smoking article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         22 . A smoking article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.