Support structure

Abstract

A support structure ( 10 ) for use in a smoking article is disclosed, which is arranged to cause release of an additive from an additive release component ( 11 ) in response to application of compressive force, wherein the support structure changes the compressive force required to cause release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support structure. An additive release system, a filter, a smoking article and a method of manufacturing said smoking article are also disclosed.

1 . A smoking article comprising an additive release system which comprises an additive release component and a support structure, the support structure being configured to cause release of an additive from an additive release component in response to a compressive force,
 wherein the support structure changes the compressive force required to cause release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support structure, and   wherein the smoking article is produced by a method in which the additive release component is inserted into the support structure, and then a smoking article is produced which comprises the support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure retains the additive release component. 
     
     
         3 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure provides a reaction surface against which the additive release component may be compressed. 
     
     
         4 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a projection, and wherein actuation involves the additive release component and the projection being pressed against one another. 
     
     
         5 . The smoking article according to  claim 4 , wherein the projection is one of pointed and tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein actuation of the support structure is accompanied by an audible sound. 
     
     
         7 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises one of polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has an outer surface, at least part of which is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has a cavity arranged to receive the additive release component. 
     
     
         10 . The smoking article according to  claim 9 , wherein the support structure comprises a resiliently deformable section. 
     
     
         11 . The smoking article according to  claim 9 , wherein the support structure comprises a plastically deformable section. 
     
     
         12 . The smoking article according to  claim 10 , wherein the deformable section comprises a projection. 
     
     
         13 . The smoking article according to  claim 10 , wherein the deformable section has the form of a hinged arm. 
     
     
         14 . The smoking article according to  claim 10 , wherein the region of deformation of the support structure is not predefined. 
     
     
         15 . The smoking article according to  claim 10 , wherein the deformable section is a section of the outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The smoking article according to  claim 15 , wherein the deformable section is formed between two weakened sections in the outer surface. 
     
     
         17 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure reduces the compressive force required to cause release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support structure. 
     
     
         18 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure increases the compressive force required to cause release of the additive from the additive release component compared to the force required to release the additive from the same additive release component in the absence of the support structure. 
     
     
         19 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the additive release component carries a flavourant. 
     
     
         23 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the additive release component comprises an outer shell and an inner core. 
     
     
         24 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell of the additive release component is one of frangible, resiliently deformable and plastically deformable. 
     
     
         25 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the additive release component comprises a sponge-like material. 
     
     
         26 . The smoking article according to  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a filter comprising the additive release system. 
     
     
         27 . The smoking article according to  claim 26 , wherein the filter comprises a composite filter. 
     
     
         28 . The smoking article according to  claim 26 , wherein the filter comprises an indicator to indicate the area of the filter on which force should be applied in order to actuate the support structure. 
     
     
         29 . The smoking article according to  claim 26 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of the additive release systems. 
     
     
         30 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of manufacturing a smoking article, comprising inserting an additive release component into a support structure to produce an additive release system, and then producing a smoking article comprising the additive release system.