Immobilized diluents for smoking articles

Abstract

Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A smoking article, comprising:
 a tobacco rod including,
 tobacco, 
 an immobilized diluent including,
 an aerosol forming agent, and 
 a first sorbent material, the aerosol forming agent absorbed or adsorbed in the first sorbent material; and 
 
   a filter portion attached to the tobacco rod, the tobacco rod including between 10 weight percent and 30 weight percent aerosol forming agent.   
     
     
         18 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material comprises silica gels, molecular sieves, activated carbons, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the aerosol forming agent is absorbed or adsorbed in the first sorbent material in an amount ranging from 60 wt % to 120 wt % based on a weight of the first sorbent material. 
     
     
         20 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material has a surface area of at least 50 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         21 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material has a pore volume of 0.2 cc/g to 1.5 cc/g. 
     
     
         22 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin, propylene glycol, or both glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     
     
         23 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the filter portion comprises at least one cellulose acetate plug. 
     
     
         24 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the filter portion further comprises a second sorbent. 
     
     
         25 . The smoking article of  claim 24 , wherein the second sorbent comprises silica gels, molecular sieves, activated carbons, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The smoking article of  claim 24 , wherein the second sorbent is different from the first sorbent material. 
     
     
         27 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material has dimensions in a range of 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the immobilized diluent further includes a flavorant. 
     
     
         29 . The smoking article of  claim 28 , wherein the flavorant comprises menthol. 
     
     
         30 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material is mesoporous, microporous, or macroporous. 
     
     
         31 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the immobilized diluent further includes a humectant. 
     
     
         32 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , where the immobilized diluent further includes sorbitol. 
     
     
         33 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the immobilized diluent further includes water. 
     
     
         34 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein
 the aerosol forming agent is absorbed or adsorbed in the first sorbent material in an amount ranging from 60 wt % to 120 wt % based on a weight of the first sorbent material,   the first sorbent material has a surface area of at least 50 m 2 /g, and   the first sorbent material has a pore volume of 0.1 cc/g to 1.5 cc/g.   
     
     
         35 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin. 
     
     
         36 . The smoking article of  claim 17 , wherein the first sorbent material has a pore volume of at least 0.1 cc/g.