CN102046033B - Apparatus and associated method for forming a filter component of a smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and associated method for forming a filter rod member of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit is configured to insert an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member. The method comprises forming a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member, and inserting an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member such that the adsorbent material is disposed within the rod member. Also provided are cigarette filters including at least one filter segment (32) having one or more composite fiber structures (60) or degradable fibers imbedded therein, the composite fiber structure including a carrier fiber and an adsorbent fiber, the adsorbent fiber including an adsorbent material.

Description

Be used to form equipment and the correlation technique of the filter assemblies of smoking product

Invention field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the formation of tobacco product as smoking product (as cigarette), more specifically relate to for equipment and correlation technique by sorbing material inserted into cigarette filter tip.

The association area explanation

Common smoking article has the structure of substantially cylindrical as cigarette, comprise with wrapping paper around one (volume or one) can aspirate (smokable) material, the tobacco of for example shredding (for example filler form for cutting), thus form so-called " but suction wand " or " tobacco rod ".Cigarette has the cylindrical filter element usually, and this element aligns with the relation that tobacco rod is connected with head and the tail.Filter element generally includes the cellulose acetate tow of the plasticizing limited by the paper material that is called " tipping paper (plug wrap) ".Some filter element can be in conjunction with polyalcohol.Usually use the restriction packaging material that are called " cork paper (tipping paper) " filter element to be connected to an end of tobacco rod.At " tobacco production, chemistry and technology (Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology) ", in Davis etc. (compiling) (1999), the explanation about cigarette and each assembly thereof has been proposed.The smoker enjoys cigarette by an end of igniting cigarette the tobacco rod of burning.Then the smoker, by suck (drawing) in the opposite end of cigarette (as filter end), sucks mainstream smoke (mainstream smoke) in his/her mouth.

Some cigarettes combine the filter element that wherein is dispersed with sorbing material, and described sorbing material is active carbon or the charcoal material (being referred to as " carbonaceous material (carbonaceous material) ") of for example particulate or fine-grained form (being powder).For example, a kind of exemplary cigaratte filter can have a plurality of sections, the particle of at least one the comprised high-carbon content material in these sections.The various filter tips that are combined with charcoal particle or active carbon class material have been proposed in Publication about Document: the United States Patent (USP) 2881770 of Touey; The United States Patent (USP) 3101723 of Seligman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3236244 of Irby etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3311519 of Touey etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3347247 of Lloyd; The United States Patent (USP) 3349780 of Sublett etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3370595 of Davis etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3413982 of Sublett etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3602231 of Dock; The United States Patent (USP) 3972335 of Tigglebeck etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5360023 of Blakley etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6537186 of Veluz; Coleman, the United States Patent (USP) of III etc. discloses 2007/0056600; The PCT WO 2006/064371 of Banerjea etc.; The PCT WO 2006/051422 of Jupe etc.; These documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.

As mentioned above, these carbonaceous material types are generally the form of particle or particulate in being attached to filter element.For example, can use the technology for the manufacture of conventional dalmation filter tip of general classes that the particulate of carbonaceous material is attached to " dalmation " type filter region.Technology for the production of the dalmation filter tip is known, and Filtrona Greensboro Inc. business provides representational dalmation filter tip.Perhaps, can use the technology for conventional " cavity (cavity) " filter tip manufacture of general classes that the particulate of carbonaceous material is attached to " cavity " type filter region.Perhaps, can carry out appropriate change to the technology and equipment of other Known Species of the filter segment for the manufacture of combining fine material, thereby carbonaceous material is introduced in filter segment.But these technology are often original, because the particulate of carbonaceous material or particulate insert in filter element roughly as bulky powder or slurries, this process can be described as for example inharmonic, wasting and " mixed and disorderly ".

Therefore, need sorbing material to be inserted to equipment and the method in the filter segment/element of smoking product so that obtain mode more clean and more efficient process.These equipment and method should advantageously be inserted various forms of sorbing materials in filter element.

Summary of the invention

Met the above demand with other by embodiments of the present invention, these embodiments provide equipment and the method for inserting the filter rod element of smoking product for the sorbing material by the carrier material carrying according to each side.Therefore, an aspect relates to the equipment of manufacturing smoking product filter rod used that is used to form, wherein each rod has sorbing material, described sorbing material is carried by carrier material, length direction along filter rod inserts in filter rod, when described rod vertically is divided into to rod part (rod portion) again, each rod part comprises at least a portion sorbing material.This equipment combines device for filtering material without interruption (for example assembling filter tow is fed to the filter tow machining cell that continuous clavate becomes unit).A kind of representational equipment also can comprise for example hopper and rotary wheel device, described in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2007/0068540 A1 of Thomas etc. (and by reference to being incorporated into this), but this device engages with mode of operation with the filter tip feeding mechanism, for the carrier material that will carry sorbing material, is fed to filtering material.For example in Publication about Document, disclosed, for object being inserted to other devices of filtering material: Green, the United States Patent (USP) 4862905 of Jr etc. (that is, inserting independent strand part); U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2007/0068540 A1 of Thomas etc. (that is, inserting capsule); The U.S. Patent application 11/461941 of Nelson etc. (that is, inserting continuous strand); The U.S. Patent application 11/760983 of Stokes etc. (that is, inserting continuous strand); Lanier, the United States Patent (USP) 7074170 of Jr etc. (all by reference to being incorporated into this).

For example by clavate, become unit that filtering material without interruption is formed to continuous cylindrical bar element.The carrier material that will carry sorbing material by plug-in unit inserts in excellent element.In certain aspects, then with the interval of being scheduled to, by excellent division unit, continuous rod is divided again, form a plurality of filter rods or rod part or filter element, make each rod part comprise at least a portion sorbing material.

In certain aspects, a kind of method that forms the cigarette filter rod element has been proposed, the method comprises the continuous feeding of filtering material is formed to continuous cylindrical bar element, the sorbing material of carrier material carrying inserted in excellent element, thereby within sorbing material is arranged on to excellent element.This method also can comprise along the longitudinal axis of excellent element excellent element is divided into to a plurality of excellent parts, makes each rod part comprise at least a portion sorbing material.

In one aspect, the invention provides a kind of cigaratte filter, this filter tip comprises at least one filter segment, be embedded with one or more complex structure of filaments in this filter segment, described complex structure of filament comprises carrier fibre and adsorbing fiber (for example carbon fibre), and described adsorbing fiber comprises sorbing material.Exemplary carbon fibre can be by precursor fiber the carbonization preparation, described precursor fiber is for example phenols fiber, cellulose fibre, rayon fiber, acrylic fiber and pitch fibers.In some embodiments, filter tip comprises one or more fibre bundle materials (as cellulose acetate tow) section.

Complex structure of filament can comprise variety carrier fiber or multiple adsorbing fiber.One or both in carrier fibre and adsorbing fiber can be the forms of yarn.Whole complex structure of filament can be also the form of yarn.Carrier fibre, as the carrier of adsorbing fiber, for example plays a role by around carrier fibre, wrapping up adsorbing fiber.

In one aspect of the method, the invention provides the cigaratte filter that comprises at least one filter segment, be embedded with at least one biodegradable fiber in this filter segment, for example Biodegradable fibers.Fiber can be to have any various cross section any strand, line or the yarn of (comprising circular or flat cross section).Fiber can provide vision difference or texture/sense of touch difference for filter element.Fiber itself can change the logical filter-tip characteristic of smog or character, or optionally carries the additive (for example one or more sorbing materials, spices, deodorant or its combination) of characteristic or the character that can change smog.Can adopt various technology to carry additive with biodegradable fiber, perhaps make additive be combined with biodegradable fiber, described technology for example is: additive is absorbed in fibre structure, additive is coated on fibre structure, solid additive is adhered on fiber surface, or wrap up the additive (as carbon fibre) of fibers form around biodegradable fiber.

Exemplary Biodegradable fibers comprises cellulose fibre, polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic polyester, aliphatic urethane, cis-polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, polyalkane acid hydroxyl ester, polyanhydride and copolymer and blend.In one embodiment, Biodegradable fibers is bamboo fibre or acid fiber by polylactic.

The present invention also comprises and combines the smoking article of filter element as described herein, for example comprises the smoking article of the lighted sucked material rod that packaged material limits, and the described sucked material rod of lighting is connected with cigaratte filter according to the present invention.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide the obvious advantage be described in more detail herein.

Accompanying drawing is briefly described

In order to help to understand embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the following drawings, these accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn in proportion.Accompanying drawing is only example, not should be understood to limit the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a kind of decomposition diagram with smoking article of cigarette form, has shown lighted sucked material, packaging material assembly and the filter element of cigarette in figure;

Fig. 2 is the sectional view according to the filter element of one embodiment of the present invention, in this filter element, is combined with sorbing material;

Fig. 3 A-3D is a kind of sectional view with smoking article of cigarette form, has shown lighted sucked material, the packaging material assembly of cigarette and the filter element that comprises sorbing material in figure;

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram according to the excellent manufacturing equipment of one embodiment of the present invention, and this equipment comprises that the part of filter tow machining cell, sorbing material source, plug-in unit and the filter rod carried by carrier material form unit;

Fig. 5 is a kind of sectional view of filter element, and this filter element is combined with the carbon fibre by the carrier fibre carrying; With

Fig. 6 is a kind of perspective view of the carbon fibre by the carrier fibre carrying.

Preferred embodiment describes in detail

Below with reference to accompanying drawing, the present invention is more fully described.The present invention can implement by multiple different form, not should be understood to be limited to embodiment in this paper; But, provide these embodiments to make the content disclosed can meet applicable legal requiremnt.In each accompanying drawing, similar key element like the Reference numeral representation class.As used in the specification and claims, " " of singulative, " a kind of " and " being somebody's turn to do " comprise that plural number refers to the situation of thing, unless visibly different pointing out arranged in context.

Referring to Fig. 1, show the smoking article 10 of cigarette form in figure, have by some representative moduls of the smoking article of production of the present invention or formation.Cigarette 10 comprises and is included in being generally columniform or a volume and can lighting the filler material bar 12 of suction in limited packaging material 16.Rod 12 is commonly referred to " tobacco rod ".The open-ended of tobacco rod 12, expose the filler material that can light suction.Cigarette 10 shown in figure has one and optional is applied to the marker tape 22 (for example, the printed coating of the film forming agent that comprises starch, ethyl cellulose or mosanom and so on) on packaging material 16, and this marker tape limits cigarette rods in the direction vertical with the cigarette longitudinal axis.That is, marker tape 22 provides one to be horizontal zone with respect to the cigarette longitudinal axis.Marker tape 22 can be printed on the inner surface of packaging material (that is, towards the filler material that can light suction), or marker tape 22 can be printed on the outer surface of packaging material, less preferred latter event.Although cigarette can have the packaging material that comprise an optional marker tape, also can there are the packaging material that comprise two, three or more optional interval marker tapes.

Have and light end 18 at an end of tobacco rod 12, at mouth end 20, there is filter element 26.Filter element 26 is arranged on the end adjacent position with tobacco rod 12, makes filter element axially align with the relation that tobacco rod is connected with head and the tail, preferably adjacent to each other.Filter element 26 generally can be for cylindrical, and its diameter equals the diameter of tobacco rod substantially.The end of filter element 26 allows air and smog therefrom to pass through.

In some cases, filter element 26 can design as shown in Figure 2, and wherein filter tip comprises the first filter segment 32 with the adjacent setting of an end of tobacco rod 12.The first filter segment 32 comprises filtering material 40 (for example being impregnated with the cellulose acetate tow of plasticizer as glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)).In other cases, filter element 26 is the section of being divided into not, as shown in Figure 3.Continuation, referring to Fig. 2, can be inserted sorbing material/particulate 50 within the filtering material 40 of first paragraph.This sorbing material 50 is inserted in filtering material 40 roughly before.That is, inserted sorbing material 50, but be for example, to insert with loose particulate form (powder or slurries).And what also optionally be dispersed with within the filtering material 40 of first paragraph that a plurality of particles 52 or other comprise flavor enhancement can cracked or rupturable capsule.At some, using in the embodiment of carbonaceous materials as sorbing material 50, at least a portion carbonaceous material, is in fact the polyol ester (as glyceryl triacetate) of whole carbonaceous materials and effective dose and the mixture close contact of polyalcohol (as propane diols) usually.While needing, filter element also can be in conjunction with other assemblies of the character that can change the mainstream smoke passed through from filter element.Referring to such as the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0237984 of Figlar etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0268925 of Schluter etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0130861 of Luan etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0174899 of Luan etc., these documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.

Filter element 26 also can have the second filter segment 36 of the mouth end end that is positioned at cigarette 10 vertically arranged with respect to first paragraph 32.The second filter segment 36 comprises filtering material 48 (for example being impregnated with the cellulose acetate tow of plasticizer as glyceryl triacetate), and this filtering material is along its limited tipping paper material 28 outsourcings for surface extending longitudinally.The second filter segment 36 can be substantially containing adsorbent and can cracked or rupturable capsule, this means when the mouth end end of filter element 26 is observed and can't see these additives.

Filter element 26 is limited by the outside tipping paper material 28 of one deck along its periphery or vertical periphery.Outside tipping paper material 28 covers the first filter segment 32 and the second filter segment 36, thereby the two-part filter element of combination is provided.

Use cork paper material 46 (for example substantially air-locked cork papers) that filter element 26 is connected with tobacco rod 12, the cork paper material limits the overall length of filter element 26 and tobacco rod 12 adjacent areas.Use suitable adhesive the inner surface of cork paper material 46 to be fixed in to the outer surface of the packaging material 16 of the outer surface of tipping paper material 28 of tobacco rod and tobacco rod; Thereby filter element and tobacco rod are connected to each other.Also can disclose cork paper material and the structure proposed in 2008/0029111 referring to the United States Patent (USP) of Dube etc., the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

Can be for that ventilate or smoking article Dilution air provide optional Dilution air mechanism, for example a series of perforation 30, they extend through cork paper material and tipping paper material separately.As shown in fig. 1, optional perforation 30 can for example, by various technology manufactures known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, laser beam perforation technology.Perhaps, can adopt so-called off-line Dilution air technology (for example, the tipping paper material by using porous paper and the cork paper of pre-punching).For Dilution air or cigarette that ventilate, the amount of Dilution air or ventilation or degree can change.For the cigarette of Dilution air, the Dilution air amount is greater than approximately 10% usually, generally is greater than approximately 20%, often is greater than approximately 30%, sometimes is greater than approximately 40%.For the cigarette of Dilution air, the upper limit of Dilution air is less than approximately 80% usually, often is less than approximately 70%.As used herein, term " Dilution air " is the volume of air that sucks by Dilution air mechanism with respect to the ratio (being expressed as a percentage) of the cumulative volume of the air of mouthful end minute end that sucks and leave cigarette by cigarette and smog.

In use, the smoker holds 18 with lighting of match or lighter igniting cigarette 10.Like this, the material 12 that can light suction takes fire.The mouth end 20 of cigarette 10 is placed between smoker's lip.The thermal decomposition product (as the component of tobacco smoke) that can light sucked material 12 generations by burning is inhaled into by cigarette 10, by filter element 26, enters in smoker's mouth.In suction process, by the sorbing material 50 within filter element 26, from mainstream smoke, remove or neutralize wherein more a certain amount of gaseous components.The filter tip that is combined with these sorbing materials 50 (for example carbonaceous filter assemblies (as activated carbon granule)) can be captured the mainstream tobacco smoke gaseous component of broad range.While needing, before carrying out smoking, in process or afterwards, the smoker optionally pushes filter element.Result is, it is not cracked optional can cracked capsule chipping that at least a portion keeps, thereby discharge the flavor enhancement particle 52 wherein comprised.

Can manufacture or form other filter element structures, and not depart from embodiments of the present invention.For example, filter element 26 can comprise and surpasses two sections as shown in Figure 2.Although seldom preferred, filter element 26 also can be included in the cavity formed between two filtering material sections, wherein be mixed with sorbing material 50 and optional flavor enhancement 52.Although the filter segment of preferably avoiding mouth end end setting at filter tip to comprise sorbing material 50 and optional flavor enhancement 52, the filter segment that not necessarily requirement will comprise these additives is arranged on the tobacco end of filter tip.On the contrary, within the filter segment of the additive that comprises dispersion can more be centrally located on filter element 26, make one or more filter segment towards each end that does not contain additive.

The size of each cigarette 10 can change.Preferred cigarette is clavate, 7.5 millimeters of diameters (for example Zhou Changyue 20-27 millimeter, frequent about 22.5-25 millimeter); The about 70-120 millimeter of total length, frequent about 80-100 millimeter.The length of filter element 20 can change.The common about 15-40 millimeter of the total length of filter element, frequent about 20-35 millimeter.For typical two section type filter element, the frequent about 10-20 millimeter of length of downstream or mouthful end filter segment; The frequent about 10-20 millimeter of upstream or tobacco rod end filter segment length.

While needing, can be in conjunction with suitable catalytic cpd in one or more sections of filter element 26, for example, for carbon monoxide is changed into to carbon dioxide.Exemplary catalyst comprise noble metal (as silver, gold, platinum), metal oxide, pottery, and composition thereof.

As shown in Figure 2, a kind of filter element 26 that can be formed according to the present invention comprises a plurality of sections extending longitudinally.Each section can have different character, and can comprise can be from the different materials of mainstream smoke filtration or adsorbent particles material and/or gas phase compound.The filter element of each side of the present invention generally includes 2-6 section, usually 2-4 section.In some cases, filter element 26 can comprise mouthful end section and a tobacco end section, the sorbing material 50 that the tobacco end section comprises dispersion and flavor enhancement 52.

As shown in Figure 2, filter element can be in conjunction with sorbing material/particulate 50.These sorbing materials 50 can be to have high surface area, can adsorb smoke composition but highly narrow spectrum material not, or can adsorb with higher selectivity the material of some compounds, for example ion exchange resin.The sorbing material of Exemplary types can comprise aluminium oxide, silica gel, sepiolite and the combination thereof of active carbon, molecular sieve (as zeolite and carbon molecular sieve), clay, ion exchange resin, activation.Can use the characteristic that can change the mainstream smoke passed through from filter element or any sorbing material or the material blends of character.

Exemplary ion exchange resin comprises main polymer chain, for example styrene-divinylbenzene (DVB) copolymer, acrylate, methacrylate, phenolic condensation compound, epichlorohydrin amine condensation product, and the multiple charged functional group be connected with main polymer chain, can be weak-base anion-exchange resin or strong-base anion-exchange resin.The commercially available example of these resins comprises the DIAION obtained from Mitsubishi Chemical Ind (Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.)

Ion exchange resin (as WA30 and DCA11), the DUOLITE obtained from Rhom and Hass (Rohm and Haas)

Ion exchange resin is (as DUOLITE

And the XORBEX resin obtained from Chinese Dalian Cui Ka chemical company (Dalian Trico Chemical Co.of China) A7).

Preferred adsorbent is carbonaceous material, and this is a kind of material mainly be comprised of carbon, and preferred carbonaceous material in fact all is comprised of carbon.The phosphorus content of carbonaceous material is greater than approximately 85 % by weight usually, generally is greater than approximately 90 % by weight, often is greater than approximately 95 % by weight, often is greater than approximately 98 % by weight.Carbonaceous material can be the charcoal form, but more preferably absorbent charcoal material.Absorbent charcoal material is high surface area material.The surface area of exemplary absorbent charcoal material is greater than approximately 200 meters squared per gram, often be greater than approximately 1000 meters squared per gram, often be greater than approximately 1500 meters squared per gram, adopt Brunaver, Emmet and Teller (BET) method is measured, as J.Amer.Chem.Soc., the 60th the 2nd phase of volume, described in 309-319 page (1938).WO 2007/104908 such as the suitable example that has disclosed these carbonaceous materials in Publication about Document: White etc.; The WO 2007/093757 of Awty etc.; The WO 2007/010249 of Fiebelkorn; The WO 2007/028957 of Lee; The WO 2006/136950 of Nunziata etc.; The WO 2006/103404 of Cashmore etc.; The WO 2005/118133 of Branton etc.; The WO 2005/112670 of Bhattacharyya etc.; The WO 2005/082180 of Sampson etc.; The WO 2005/023026 of Branton etc.; The WO 2004/095957 of Bray etc.; The WO 2004/014161 of 6rzonka; The WO 2003/092416 of Dittrich etc.; The WO 2003/034847 of Abhulimen etc.; The WO 2003/051144 of Schl ü ter etc.; The WO 2003/034848 of Abhulimen etc.; The WO 2001/041590 of Bushby etc.; United States Patent (USP) 7370657 with Zhuang etc.

Filter element 26 can for example, in conjunction with the sorbing material 50 of effective dose, the active carbon of effective dose.Effective dose is can provide to the mainstream smoke of the cigarette that is combined with filter element 26 the required amount to a certain degree changed while being attached in filter element 26.For example, the cigaratte filter element that is combined with activated carbon granule or particulate can be brought into play the effect of the output of some gaseous components that reduce the mainstream smoke passed through from this filter element.By dry weight reference, the carbonaceous material within filter element or the amount of other adsorbents are usually at least about 20 milligrams, often at least about 30 milligrams, often at least about 40 milligrams.By dry weight reference, the amount of the carbonaceous material within filter element or other sorbing materials 50 is no more than approximately 500 milligrams usually, generally is no more than approximately 400 milligrams, often is no more than approximately 300 milligrams, often is no more than approximately 200 milligrams.

Carbonaceous material can obtain from synthetic or natural origin.The material of artificial silk or nylon and so on can carbonization, then with oxygen, processes, and the carbonaceous material of activation is provided.The material of timber and coconut husk and so on can carbonization, then with oxygen, processes, and the carbonaceous material of activation is provided.The level of carbon activity can change.Carbon has the activity of about 60-150 carbon tetrachloride active (that is, carbon tetrachloride absorbs percetage by weight) usually.Preferred carbonaceous material provides by carbonization or the following material of pyrolysis: bituminous coal, tobacco-containing material, soft wood pulp, hard wood pulp, coconut husk, Pericarppium Armeniacae Amarum, grape pip, walnut shell, macadamia (macadamia) shell, bombax cotton, cotton fiber, velveteen etc.The example of suitable carbonaceous material is the carbon based on coconut husk of activation, the PCB for example obtained from Ka Er work company (Calgon Corp.) and GRC-11 or the G277 obtained from PICA; Carbon based on coal, S-Sorb, the Sorbite, BPL, CRC-11F, FCA and the SGL that for example from Ka Er work company, obtain; Carbon based on timber, WV-B, the SA-20 and the BSA-20 that for example from western Veka Inc. (Westvaco), obtain; Carbonaceous material, HMC, the ASC/GR-1 and the SC II that for example from Ka Er work company, obtain, Witco Carbon No.637, the AMBERSORB 572 or the AMBERSORB563 resin that from Rhom and Hass, obtain; And the various absorbent charcoal materials that obtain from remarkable System Co., Ltd (Prominent Systems, Inc.).The United States Patent (USP) 4771795 of other carbonaceous materials: White etc. has been described in Publication about Document; The United States Patent (USP) 5027837 of Clearman etc.; European patent application 236922,419733 and 419981.

Preferred carbonaceous material is the coconut husk class active carbon for example obtained from following source: Ka Er work carbon company (Calgon Carbon Corporation), GC company (Gowrishankar Chemicals), activated carbon company (Carbon Activated Corp.), general carbon company (General Carbon Corp.).Also can be referring to for example " active carbon outline (Activated Carbon Compendium) ", Marsh (compiling) (2001), the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

Some carbonaceous materials can be impregnated with for example following material: transition metal (as silver, gold, copper, platinum and palladium), nano particle, saleratus, tobacco extract, poly-ethylene imine, manganese dioxide, eugenol, and 4-ketone group n-nonanoic acid.Carbon complex also can comprise one or more fillers, for example semolina (semolina).Grape seed extract also can be combined in filter element 20 as free radical scavenger.Material with carbon element sintering or foaming (referring to the United States Patent (USP) 7049382 such as Haftka etc.) or the net of assembling are (referring to the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0092912 such as Robinson etc., and Coleman, the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0056600 of III etc.) can be for sorbing material 50 being combined in to other options of filter element 20.

Proposed to be suitable for being attached to various charcoals and the absorbent charcoal material in cigaratte filter in Publication about Document, various other filter element component materials, various cigaratte filter component structures and form, and for carbonaceous material being attached to the United States Patent (USP) 3217715 of variety of way and the method for cigaratte filter element: Berger etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3648711 of Berger etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3957563 of Sexstone; The United States Patent (USP) 4174720 of Hall; The United States Patent (USP) 4201234 of Neukomm; The United States Patent (USP) 4223597 of Lebert; The United States Patent (USP) 5137034 of Perfetti etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5360023 of Blakley etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5568819 of Gentry etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5622190 of Arterbery etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6537186 of Veluz; The United States Patent (USP) 6584979 of Xue etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6761174 of Jupe etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6789547 of Paine III; The United States Patent (USP) 6789548 of Bereman; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0166563 of Jupe etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0020420 of Xue etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0200973 of Xue etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0154993 of Paine etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0168070 of Xue etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0194792 of Zhuang etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0226569 of Yang etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0237984 of Figlar etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0133051 of Luan etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0049128 of Buhl etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0066984 of Crooks etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0144410 of Luan etc.; Paine, the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0180164 of III etc.; Coleman, the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0056600 of III etc.; The european patent application 579410 of White; The PCT WO 2006/064371 of Banerjea etc.; These documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.Can obtain from following source the cigarette of the representative classes with the filter element that combines carbonaceous material: from the Fei Lipu Maurice Co., Ltd (Philip Morris Inc.) of Florida State, obtain " Benson; Hedges Multifilter ", the trial sale brand as Fei Lipu Maurice Co., Ltd during 2005 is called " Marlboro Ultra Smooth ", " the Mild Seven " obtained from Japan Tobacco Inc (JTI) (Japan Tobacco Inc.).

According to above-mentioned using the loose particles of carbonaceous material or particulate as bulky powder or slurries insert in filter element, occur may be inconsistent, cause the problem of waste, inefficiency and/or " in a jumble "; one aspect of the present invention is as shown in Fig. 3 A-3D; be included in will obtain sub-assembly insert in filter element 26 (to take before forming a plurality of filter element 26 be continuous filter rod it being carried out vertically cut off) before, sorbing material 50 is engaged with carrier material 55.Select suitable carrier material 55 so as for example by more effectively and efficiently by " cavity " thus sorbing material 50 inserts in filter element 26 and improves production.That is, in being inserted into filter element 26 in, sorbing material 50 is by carrier material 55 carrying.In some embodiments, carrier material 55 can be for example following form: pill (Fig. 3 A), capsule (Fig. 3 B), pipe (Fig. 3 C), continuous elongated structure, (Fig. 3 D) such as the continuous strip of energy acceptance and " maintenance is captured " sorbing material 50, strands, thus be convenient to be inserted in filter element 26 in more clean, more effective mode.In some embodiments, the carrier material of single or multiple forms 55 can be inserted in filter element 26.For example, according to each side, single or multiple capsules, pipe, pill etc. or its combination can be inserted in filter element 26.

In some cases, carrier material 55 can comprise host material, polymeric material for example, host material can be with sorbing material 50 dippings (, sorbing material 50 can be suspended in host material, perhaps by host material, fixed), therefore, host material can carry sorbing material 50 and enter in filter element 26.For example, in some embodiments, host material can comprise high density or low-density polymeric materials, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, sorbing material 50 dippings for host material, perhaps host material has sorbing material 50, for example, is dispersed with carbonaceous material (as active carbon, charcoal) in host material.Preferably sorbing material 50 disperses more equably, but this dispersed may not be absolute essential.In the embodiment formed as tubulose or capsule element at carrier material 55, sorbing material 50 can be inserted in tubuloses or capsule element, wherein include sorbing material when making in being inserted into filter element 26.In carrier material 55 is configured as to the embodiment of continuous elongated structure, the elongated structure that sorbing material 50 can be continuous with this engages, contacts or otherwise interacts, thereby sorbing material 50 can be carried in filter element 26.In carrier material 55 is configured as to the embodiment of continuous strip, this continuous strip can length direction be wrapped in sorbing material 50 around, thereby sorbing material 50 being included in wherein to (that is, being similar to " pipe "), for inserting filter element 26.

Therefore; carrier material 55 can have the form that can generally be characterized by the container of sorbing material 50 or capture carrier; with the sorbing material 50 of bulky powder shape, particulate or the particulate form inserted within the filter element 26 of smoking product in some art methods, compare; in the present invention; carrier material is with the fixing sorbing material of more firm mode, thereby can in the mode of capturing, sorbing material 50 be delivered in filter element/rod 26 via carrier material 55.Therefore, introduce in filter element 26 and compare with powdered adsorption material 50 by loose or its slurries form, can be with " more clean " and more coordinate and mode will carried sorbing material 50 efficiently carrier material 55 inserts or is attached in filter element 26, because sorbing material 50 is to keep " capturing ", reduced the generation of following situation: dust, leak, overflow, pollution, cross pollution etc.And these benefits can change into and for example reduce maintaining, process faster, higher efficiency and/or send more in phase sorbing material 50, and improve security.And, can easily with any, be suitable for promoting that the mode be inserted in independent filter element 26 is arranged carrier material 55.Other advantages comprise that the size up of the sorbing material that carries out following operation and/or amount are consistent: in the filtering material of the filter element introduce, part arranged, be deposited on smoking product, with this filtering material, closely place, placed in the middle in this filtering material, within being arranged on this filtering material, substantially extend through this filtering material, or otherwise engage with this filtering material.In some cases, the host material of gel-type material or other suitable substances and so on can comprise (but not necessarily will pass through dipping) sorbing material 50, within the form of this sorbing material can be attached to independent filter element 26.In other cases, the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 can comprise strand, band or other elongated structures, is used to form the unitary part that can insert in filter rod and/or filter element 26.

In some cases, carrier material 55 can be the form of pill.In this case; can use for example following device to produce pill: from the FL-M series granulator (as FL-M-3) of Wei Keduo company (Vector Corporation); and from WP 120V and the WP 200VN of A Like Sang Dunweike Co., Ltd (Alexanderverk, Inc.).Exemplary compression set comprises as compressor: from Colton 2216 and the Colton 2247 of Wei Keduo company, and the 1200i that moulds company (Fette Compacting) from extreme pressure not, 2200i, 3200,2090,3090 and 4090.Be used to compression granulation preparation to provide the device of external coating to comprise that CompuLab 36 from the CompuLab 24 of Thomas engineering company (Thomas Engineering), Accela-Cota48 and Accela-Cota 60.

Can adopt multiple extruding technology to manufacture pill.For example, can adopt coextrusion technology (for example using double screw extruder) to manufacture these pills.In this case, components that can continuous one or more are dry or wet or component mixture be placed on separately extrude hopper within.To respectively being dry mixed, thing is advanced, when plasticizing and boiling, can be to steam injection, gas (as ammonia, air, carbon dioxide etc.) and NMF (as glycerine or propane diols) in extruder barrel.Like this, each component is processed, fully mixed, thereby made its contact fully mutually.For example, the contact of component makes independent component (as sorbing material or flavor enhancement) to embed well to extrude in matrix or extrudate.Referring to the United States Patent (USP) 4821749 such as Toft etc., the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

The carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 can be combined within a section of cavity filters (for example,, as the pill within the central cavity zone of syllogic filter element).Perhaps, the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 can be dispersed in fibrous filtering material within (for example,, as the pill disperseed in the nonwoven webs material in whole filter tow or gathering) for example, as the vertical section (two-part filter element) of the filter element of multisection type.

According to another aspect of the present invention, after inserting in filter element 26 (or continuous filter rod) by carrier material 55/ sorbing material 50 sub-assemblies, sorbing material 50 can discharge from carrier material 55, enters in filtering material.For example, carrier material 55 can dissolve, decomposes, degrade, or otherwise destroyed in position, thereby sorbing material 50 is discharged and/or is distributed in filter element 26, or otherwise effective exposed suction enclosure material 50, in filter element 26, makes sorbing material 50 to produce required effect to the mainstream smoke sucked by filter element 26.Therefore, representational cigaratte filter element 26 can comprise sorbing material 50 at least one assembly of this filter element or section, and this mode is enough to impact and removes the effect of mainstream smoke gas phase within filter element 26.

For example, when sorbing material 50 comprises carbonaceous material, the moisture content of this carbonaceous material (or other suitable adsorbents) arbitrarily can change.Be combined with the cigarette of filter element in use before, the combined wt of carbonaceous material and moisture of take is benchmark, and within this filter element, the moisture content of carbonaceous material or other adsorbents is less than approximately 30%, often is less than approximately 25%, often is less than approximately 20%.Be combined with the cigarette of filter element in use before, the combined wt of carbonaceous material and moisture of take is benchmark, and within this filter element, the moisture content of carbonaceous material or other adsorbents is greater than approximately 3%, often is greater than approximately 5%, often is greater than approximately 8%.

In some cases, except sorbing material 50, can also within carrier material 55 or on it, flood or suspend or comprise optional flavor enhancement.That is, carrier material 55 can be carried to sorbing material 50 and optional flavor enhancement in filter element 26.Can reduce the complexity of the process that is used to form filter element 26 and/or smoking product thus.For example, in some embodiments, carrier material 55 can comprise the matrix material that is impregnated with sorbing material 50 and optional flavor enhancement, and described sorbing material is carbonaceous material for example.Therefore, only need independent insertion apparatus/step just can insert sorbing material 50 and optional flavor enhancement, and do not need by a plurality of insertion apparatus/steps, sorbing material 50 and optional the flavor enhancement form of rupturable capsule (that is, with) to be inserted in filter element 26.

In other embodiments of the present invention, in the situation that have or do not have carrier material 55, sorbing material 50 can be used as spheroid, pill, capsule, pipe or other structurized objects and forms.For example, can adopt multiple extruding technology to manufacture pill.For example, these pills can adopt coextrusion technology (for example using double screw extruder) manufacture.For example, can form spherical carbon object, thereby can more easily insert in filtering material (as cellulose acetate tow).In some cases, material from static to the sorbing material object that can use by use food stage shellac for example, ethyl cellulose, any suitable hydrophobic coating or, for the sorbing material 50 just formed provides the carrier material 55 of " shell " form.The object obtained like this can adopt object insertion apparatus as known in the art to be inserted, for example, for inserting the device of the rupturable capsule containing flavor enhancement.Therefore one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that and can insert spheroid, capsule or other forms of sorbing material 50 (and wherein the embodiment of carrier material 55 carrying sorbing materials 50) by similar mode.In these embodiments, for example, within one or more spherical carbon objects can being arranged on to the filtering material of smoking product.These objects, as formation such as spheroid, pill, pipes, can provide the sorbing material 50 of conc forms in filtering material.Like this, the particle that comprises this object may must discharge and/or be distributed in filter element 26, or otherwise is exposed to filter element 26, so that required effect to be provided.For example, in in this object original position is arranged on to filter element 26, can adopt that sorbing material 50 and/or the carrier material 55 that a kind of active force (physics, sound wave or other) makes to comprise this object breaks, fracture, cracked, degraded or decompose, thereby sorbing material 50 is disperseed or is discharged in filter element 26.Any time point of this step after can be in this object being inserted to filtering material occurs.That is, can adopt in the later stage of manufacture process this step, for example, after having manufactured whole smoking product.In other cases, this step can directly occur afterwards in this object is inserted to filter rod.

The size of capsule and weight can change.The capsule of some kinds is normally spherical.But suitable capsule can have the shape of other kinds, for example be generally linear, rectangle, ellipse or avette.The diameter that is generally spherical capsule of example is less than approximately 3.5 millimeters, is generally less than approximately 1.5 millimeters, often is less than approximately 1 millimeter, often is less than approximately 0.5 millimeter.For example, can adopt several capsules, the diameter of these capsules can be about the 0.25-2 millimeter.Can also be in conjunction with multiple very little capsule within filter element; be commonly referred to " microcapsules " (referring to the multiple microencapsulation option that for example can obtain from Euracli; microcapsules prolection composition to avoid oxidation, it is wet etc. to become; make film rupture or produce delay effect by the permeable membrane diffusion postponed by applying accurate mechanical action; make active component discharge in the required moment), wherein by suitable binder material, the mode with adhesion keeps together these micro-capsules in some cases.The gross weight of the capsule comprised within filter tip can change, but usually is greater than approximately 10 milligrams, often is greater than approximately 20 milligrams, can be greater than approximately 30 milligrams.The gross weight of capsule is less than approximately 200 milligrams usually, often is less than approximately 100 milligrams, can be less than 50 milligrams.

In filter element, the quantity of the capsule of combination can change, and this depends on for example following factor: the size of capsule, the characteristic of payload or character (that is, sorbing material and/or optional flavor enhancement), the position of capsule within filter element etc.Within the relevant range of filter element, the quantity of the capsule of combination can be greater than approximately 5, can be greater than approximately 10, can be greater than approximately 20, can be greater than approximately 40, can even be greater than approximately 100.In some embodiments, the quantity of capsule can be greater than approximately 500, even is greater than approximately 1000.In some embodiments, the quantity of capsule is more is favourable, because can provide the higher control that the smoking of payload is affected to character for the smoker like this.

Within filter element of the present invention can be incorporated into the various cigarettes to propose in Publication about Document: the United States Patent (USP) 4756318 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4714082 of Banerjea etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4771795 of White etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4793365 of Sensabaugh etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4989619 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4917128 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4961438 of Korte; The United States Patent (USP) 4966171 of Serrano etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4969476 of Bale etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4991606 of Serrano etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5020548 of Farrier etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5027836 of Shannon etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5033483 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5040551 of Schlatter etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5050621 of Creighton etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5052413 of Baker etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5065776 of Lawson; The United States Patent (USP) 5076296 of Nystrom etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5076297 of Farrier etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5099861 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5105835 of Drewett etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5105837 of Barnes etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5115820 of Hauser etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5148821 of Best etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5159940 of Hayward etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5178167 of Riggs etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5183062 of Clearman etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5211684 of Shannon etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5240014 of Deevi etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5240016 of Nichols etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5345955 of Clearman etc.; Casey, the United States Patent (USP) 5396911 of III etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5551451 of Riggs etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5595577 of Bensalem etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5727571 of Meiring etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5819751 of Barnes etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6089857 of Matsuura etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6095152 of Beven etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6578584 of Beven; The U.S. Patent application 2007/0215167 of Crooks etc.; The U.S. Patent application 2008/00092912 of Robinson etc.; These documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.For example, within filter element of the present invention can be combined in the cigarette of following kind, the cigarette that the brand that for example R.J.R. tobacco company (R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company) sells is " Premier " and " Eclipse ".Referring to for example with the cigarette of those kinds of describing in Publication about Document: to heating type but not the chemistry and biology of the new cigarette prototype of burning type cigarette research (Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco), R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988) and Inhalation Toxicology, 12:5,1-58 page (2000); The document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

Usually use cigarette machine to manufacture cigarette rods, for example conventional automatic cigarette rod maker.Exemplary cigarette rods maker is from Molins PLC or Hauni-Werke Korber & Those types that Co.KG buys.For example can adopt MkX (buying from Molins PLC) or PROTOS (from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co.KG buys) the cigarette rods maker of type.Provide the explanation about the PROTOS cigarette machine in the 5th hurdle the 48th row to the 8 hurdles the 3rd row of the United States Patent (USP) 4474190 of Brand, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.Also proposed to be suitable for manufacturing the device type of cigarette in Publication about Document: the United States Patent (USP) 4781203 of La Hue; The United States Patent (USP) 4844100 of Holznagel; The United States Patent (USP) 5131416 of Gentry; The United States Patent (USP) 5156169 of Holmes etc.; Myracle, the United States Patent (USP) 5191906 of Jr. etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6647870 of Blau etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6848449 of Kitao etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6904917 of Kitao etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0145866 of Hartman; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0129281 of Hancock etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0039764 of Barnes etc.; The U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0076929 of Fitzgerald etc.; These documents are separately by reference to being incorporated into this.

The parts of conventional automatic cigarette machine and operation are that the those of ordinary skill of cigarette machine design and field operation holds intelligible.Such as having proposed in Publication about Document about the parts of several chimneys and the explanation of operation, tobacco filler supply equipment, vacuum conveying system and annex (garniture) system: the United States Patent (USP) 3288147 of Molins etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3915176 of Heitmann etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4291713 of Frank; The United States Patent (USP) 4574816 of Rudszinat; The United States Patent (USP) 4736754 of Heitmann etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4878506 of Pinck etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5060665 of Heitmann; The United States Patent (USP) 5012823 of Keritsis etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 6360751 of Fagg etc.; The United States Patent (USP) of Muller discloses 2003/0136419; These documents are separately by reference to being incorporated into this.Automatic cigarette machine type in this paper provides the continuous cigarette rods formed maybe can light suction wand, continuous cigarette rods maybe can be able to be lighted to suction wand and be divided into the lighted suction wand of Len req again.

Can adopt various cigarette component (comprising tobacco varieties), the tobacco blend, surface treatment and packaging material, the blend packed density, and for the various wrapping paper materials of tobacco rod.Referring to for example with the cigarette component of the various representative classes that propose in Publication about Document, and various design of cigarettes, form, structure and characteristics: Johnson, meet the cigarette component exploitation (Development of Cigarette Components to Meet Industry Needs) of industry needs, 52 ^NdT.S.R.C. (in September, 1998); The United States Patent (USP) 5101839 of Jakob etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5159944 of Arzonico etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5220930 of Gentry; The United States Patent (USP) 6779530 of Kraker; The United States Patent (USP) of Ashcraft etc. discloses 2005/0016556; The United States Patent (USP) of Nestor etc. discloses 2005/0066986; The United States Patent (USP) of Fitzgerald etc. discloses 2005/0076929; Coleman, the United States Patent (USP) of III etc. discloses 2007/0056600; The U.S. Patent application 11/375700 that submit to the 14 days March in 2006 of Thomas etc.; The U.S. Patent application 11/408625 that submit to the 21 days April in 2006 of Oglesby; These documents are separately by reference to being incorporated into this.Most preferably but whole suction wand is comprised of smokeable material (as tobacco cutting filler) and the limited housing material of one deck.

Therefore, another aspect of the present invention comprises through suitably being designed for the equipment with carrier material 55 (also comprising in conjunction with optional flavor enhancement 52 in some cases) combination by sorbing material 50, the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 by combination forms the filter element of smoking products, and/or is used to form and itself has this smoking product that combines the filter element of carrier material 55/ sorbing material 50.Therefore, some equipment have been developed for filter rod is provided, for manufacturing smoking product, wherein each rod has the carrier material that is carrying sorbing material 50 55 (for example pill, capsule, strand or its combination) of one or more forms, carrier material is along excellent length setting, make when rod is divided into to excellent part again the carrier material that is carrying sorbing material 50 55 that each rod part comprises at least one form.Referring to the United States Patent (USP) 7115085 of for example Deal, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this in full.This equipment can for example, in conjunction with the device for filtering material without interruption (, being fed to by filter tow the filter tow machining cell that continuous clavate becomes unit through adaptive).Representational equipment also can comprise for example object delivery apparatus of hopper and rotary wheel device and so on, these devices have carried out disclosing (and by reference to being incorporated into this) in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0068540 A1 of Thomas etc., for the carrier material that is carrying sorbing material 50 55 by certain forms, are fed to filtering material.In other cases, can be by the object plug-in unit by the carrier material of various ways 55 (that is, pill and/or strand, or the combination of at least one and at least one other pills in pill and strand or strand) insertion filtering material.Such as having disclosed in Publication about Document for these strands/object being inserted to the device of filtering material: the U.S. Patent application 11/461941 of Nelson etc. (US 2008/0029118 A1), the U.S. Patent application 11/760983 of Stokes etc., these documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.

As shown in Figure 4, in some cases, this equipment can comprise that forming 450，Gai unit, unit process designs to the excellent equipment 210 of a kind of system, and sorbing material 50 is engaged with online or offline mode with carrier material 55, forms and inserts object.For example, forming unit 450 can be constructed to be permeable to sorbing material 50 is inserted in the tubulose or capsule element that comprises carrier material 55, sorbing material 50 is suspended in the host material that comprises carrier material 55, sorbing material 50 is engaged with the continuous elongate member that comprises carrier material 55, and/or the continuous strip element that comprises carrier material 55 around sorbing material 50.Once form the insertion object, just can be at once this insertion object be delivered to plug-in unit/install 214 from forming unit 450, this plug-in unit/device, through design, will carry in the carrier material 55 insertion filtering materials of sorbing material 50.In some cases, form unit can with plug-in unit/install 214 to cooperate, or otherwise be connected (that is, online or off-line).In other embodiments, forming unit 450 and plug-in unit/install 214 can be independent unit, this unit, through design, carries out following functions simultaneously: form the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50, the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 is inserted in filtering material.

In manufacture process, filtering material can be formed to continuous rod, be provided with the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 in this continuous rod, and extend along the longitudinal axis of continuous rod.Then with the interval of being scheduled to, continuous rod is divided again, form a plurality of filter rods or excellent part, make the sorbing material 50 that comprises at least a portion in each excellent part.In the situation that comprises for example pill and strand at carrier material 55, pill can be by precalculated position and along filter rod or filter element setting, and strand (if present) extends through filter rod or filter element.

As shown in Figure 4, the excellent equipment 210 of a kind of exemplary system can comprise that clavate becomes unit 212 (for example, from Hauni-Werke Korber & The KDF-2 unit that Co.KG obtains) and object plug-in unit 214, the insertion object, through suitably adaptive, is placed for the continuous length along filtering material 40 in these unit.The filtering material of continuous length or net form can be from the source (not shown) supply of deposit bag, bobbin, reel etc. and so on.Generally can adopt 218 pairs of filtering materials 40 of filtering material machining cell to be processed.By object plug-in unit 214, in conjunction with the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50, then by clavate, become unit 212 in the continuous length of filtering material, thereby form rod 220 continuously.Can use excellent cutting assemblies 222 excellent 220 to be divided into a plurality of excellent parts 205 continuously, in each excellent part, be provided with at least a portion sorbing material 50.Can collect continuous or a plurality of excellent parts 205, for gathering-device 226, this gathering-device can be tray, rotation collection cylinder, transfer system etc.These rod parts can be delivered directly to cigarette machine while needing.

Filtering material 40 can change, and can be to be used to cigarette that the material of any kind of tobacco smoke filtration is provided.Preferably use conventional cigarette filter material, such as the strand of the paper of the cellulose acetate net of the cellulose acetate net of cellulose acetate tow, gathering, polypropylene tows, gathering, gathering, the tobacco that reconsolidates etc.Filament tow particularly preferably, such as cellulose acetate, polyolefin as polypropylene etc.It is a kind of that the highly preferred filtering material of suitable filter rod can be provided is the cellulose acetate tow of 3 Denier per filament and 40000 total daniers.Again for example, the cellulose acetate tow of 3 Denier per filament and 35000 total daniers can provide suitable filter rod.Again for example, the cellulose acetate tow of 8 Denier per filament and 40000 total daniers can provide suitable filter rod.Again for example, referring to the United States Patent (USP) 3424172 of the filtering material kind to propose in Publication about Document: Neurath; The United States Patent (USP) 4811745 of Cohen etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4925602 of Hill etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5225277 of Takegawa etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5271419 of Arzonico etc.

Can use for example Arjay Equipment Corp. of conventional filter tow machining cell, Winston-Salem, the E-60 that N.C. sells is processed as cellulose acetate the filament tow.Can use similarly the commercially available tow process equipment of other kinds known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.Usually adopt known technology to apply plasticizer with convention amount to the filament tow, as glyceryl triacetate or polyethylene glycol (carbowax).In one embodiment, the plasticizer components of filtering material comprises glyceryl triacetate and the polyethylene glycol that weight ratio is 1: 1.The total amount of plasticizer generally is about the 4-20 % by weight, preferably is about the 6-12 % by weight.The those of ordinary skill that other suitable materials that use while forming filter element or additive are cigaratte filter Design and manufacture field holds intelligible.Referring to the United States Patent (USP) 5387285 of for example Rivers, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

Can become the operation of unit 212 that the filtering material of continuous length 40 is pulled through to block (block) 230 by clavate, within the carrier material 55 that can will carry sorbing material 50 along the length of filtering material inserts the net of filtering materials.But the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 also can be introduced in filtering material in other sites in this process, this exemplary embodiment is not intended limited aspect this.Can further guide filtering material to enter in the aggregation zone 232 that clavate becomes unit 212.This aggregation zone can have tongue and horn structure, converges funnel structure, plugger or transmission injection structure, or the aggregation apparatus of other suitable type.Tongue 232 provides further gathering, compression, conversion or the formation to the cylindrical composite thing from block 230, become substantially cylindrical (bar-shaped) shape, make thus the continuous extension strand of filtering material or filament substantially extend along the columniform longitudinal axis of formation like this.In some cases, can also suitably the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 be placed in the filtering material in aggregation zone 232.

The filtering material 40 that is pressed into the cylindrical composite thing is further received to clavate to be become in unit 212.By cylindrical composite thing input packing parts 234, these parts comprise attached conveyer belt 236 or other accessories apparatus of annular.The parts 238 that advance by belt wheel or cooperation cylinder and so on vertically advance attached conveyer belt 236 continuously, thereby the transmission of cylindrical composite thing is passed through to packing parts 234.These packing parts provide the band 28 (for example tipping paper of atresia) of packaging material to the outer surface of cylindrical composite thing, thereby make the continuous rod of having packed 220.In some cases, can also suitably the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 be engaged with the filtering material in packing or subzone 232.For example, elongate member as above can be a kind of form of packaging material 28, makes to carry the carrier material 55 of sorbing material 50 coupled or engage.

Generally can provide from rotating bobbin 242 band or the net of packaging material 28.These packaging material can be pulled out from bobbin, are pulled through a series of guide reels, below block 230, pass through, and enter the packing parts 234 that clavate becomes unit.The attached conveyer belt 236 of annular will be hinged with material bands in mode extending longitudinally and transmit together with the cylindrical composite thing by packing parts 234, cover or seal packaging material around the cylindrical composite thing simultaneously.

At 244 places, applicator zone, applied adhesives (as hotmelt) on the seam partly formed at the overlapping edge of packaging material, make packaging material can form the tubular container that holds filtering material.Perhaps, can be as the case may be, hotmelt is directly used in the upstream that enters the associate member of packing parts 234 or block 230 at packaging material.Can use cooling rod (chill bar) 246 cooling adhesives, make adhesive rapid solidification (setting).Be appreciated that and can adopt the adhesive of various other sealing devices and other kinds that continuous packing stick is provided.

Continuous packing stick 220 passes through from sealing device, use cutting assemblies 222 to divide (as cut off) by required predetermined length with regular interval, this cutting assemblies comprises rotary cutter, very sharp cutter or the cutting of other suitable rods or separating device more again.Special expectation cutting assemblies can not make excellent shape flatten, or otherwise excellent shape is had a negative impact.Cutting assemblies cuts off the speed of rod continuously and is controlled by adjustable mechanical gear group (not shown) or other suitable devices in required site.The carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 is inserted speed in the continuous net-shaped thing of filtering materials can with the service speed direct correlation of bar-producing machine.Plug-in unit and make between the driving sub-assembly of excellent equipment and can produce direct driving relationship by gear.Perhaps, plug-in unit 214 can have the direct drive motor that becomes the driving sub-assembly of unit to synchronize with clavate.In some cases, plug-in unit 214 can be configured to, carry out communication with inspection/detection system 247, for example with the form of backfeed loop, carry out communication, eliminate by the plug-in unit 214 of regulating upstream some defects that inspection/detection system 247 detects thus.According to the insertion speed of object and the relation between bar-producing machine, embodiments of the present invention also relate to the throughput rate that keeps or improve bar-producing machine, but the operation carrier material 55 that will carry sorbing material 50 is not placed within filtering material has a negative impact simultaneously.

Plug-in unit 214 can comprise the rotation insertion element 248 of wheel shape, and this element can position, thereby rotates in vertical plane.Plug-in unit 214 also can comprise hopper sub-assembly 252 and/or other for charging or by other means various forms of carrier materials 55 (for example pill) is transported to the transmitting device of insertion element 248.When insertion element 248 rotation, the carrier material 55 on the wheel peripheral surface contacts with the filtering material 40 within block 230, and carrier material 55 is ejected into the filtering material 40 of gathering from satchel.This object inserts in the document of detail below for example arranged and further illustrates: the United States Patent (USP) 7115085 of Deal; Green, the United States Patent (USP) 4862905 of Jr. etc. (that is, inserting independent strand part); U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0068540 A1 of Thomas etc. (that is, inserting capsule); The U.S. Patent application 11/461941 of Nelson etc. (that is, inserting continuous strand); The U.S. Patent application 11/760983 of Stokes etc. (that is, inserting continuous strand).

Some object interventional instruments can comprise for example tongue or tongue part, and its structure can be gathered into continuous rod by the filtering material of supply, and/or comprises plug-in unit, for the tube element that will wherein have sorbing material 50, insert filtering material.In some cases, various forms of carrier materials 55 can be connected continuously, or take other modes to engage one another continuously, thereby form continuous chain, the structure that wherein plug-in unit 214 is designed to can be placed into continuous chain in filtering material.The carrier material of some forms 55 can also be connected with elongate member, or this carrier material is engaged with elongate member, wherein this elongate member can comprise for example strand, thereby by strand, carrier material 55 is chained together.Can by plug-in unit 214 by the carrier material of various ways 55 (being pill and/or strand) or at least one and at least one other pill or pill or the strand of strand combination insert in filtering material.A kind of for strand being inserted to the setting of filtering material such as having disclosed in the U.S. Patent application 11/461941 at Nelson etc., the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.In another example, elongate member can also be designed to energy laterally extending (that is, as two-dimensional sheet).Thus, clavate forming apparatus 210 can comprise the decoration device that is designed to following structure, can around filtering material, wrap up on it elongate member that is attached with sorbing material 50, make this elongate member form the packing that comprises filtering material and sorbing material 50, described in the U.S. Patent application 11/760983 of Stokes etc., the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

After the carrier material 55 that is carrying sorbing material 50 being inserted in the continuous rod of filtering materials, sorbing material can discharge and enter filtering material from carrier material.For example, carrier material 55 can dissolve, decomposes, degrade, or otherwise destroyed, thereby fall sorbing material 50, discharges and/or is distributed in filtering material, makes sorbing material 50 apply required impact to the mainstream smoke sucked by filter element.Can, before or after rod cuts off formation filter segment (as filter element 26) continuously, sorbing material be discharged in filtering material.This release can occur in manufacture process, or in some cases, by the smoker, before this smoking article of suction, is carried out.In some embodiments, can in production line, in the downstream of plug-in unit 214, provide sorbing material releasing unit 400, wherein sorbing material releasing unit 400 is designed, make it within filter element, with carrier material 55, original positions occur and interact, thereby for example utilize thermal process, ultrasonic procedure or any other, for the suitable mechanism that discharges sorbing materials 50 from carrier material 55, sorbing material 50 is discharged into to filtering material.

More particularly, sorbing material 50 can for example carry out plasticising (that is, becoming wet to form " paste "), and the object therefore made is resilient, flexible and/or can be processed (referring to for example Green, the United States Patent (USP) 4862905 of Jr. etc.).Once object is inserted in filtering material, at once sorbing material 50 is processed into to releasable form, for example by filter element execution heating and/or drying program to wherein thering is this object, processed.That is, this heating/drying program can be removed plasticizer from this object, and then become fragile or become can be cracked for this object.Then filter element is carried out to machining, for example, by relative roller, by " impact " process (, sound shakes, heating/cooling cycle etc.), and/or by irradiation process (, the microwave energy that causes the liquid/gas relevant to this object to expand, make the structure of this object cracked).

In some cases, can be by various forms of sorbing materials 50 (, strand, bead, pill, capsule or its combination) be arranged in the closed-cell foam material as carrier material 55, wherein, once be inserted in filter element 20, just can carry out at once irradiation or heating, make foamed material cracked and from wherein discharging sorbing material.Perhaps, carrier material 55 can comprise open-cell foam materials, wherein for example can be in object be inserted to filter element 20 after, adopt at once air and/or physical force to discharge sorbing material 50.

In other cases, can provide for example carrier material 55 of following form: capsule that can be cracked, intussusception capsule (capsule-in-capsule) or strand, these forms are formed by water soluble or other polymer that dissolves in liquid, through design, can carry sorbing material 50.This soluble polymer can comprise for example PLA, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), starch and/or starch-based polymer, carrageenan, polyvinyl acetate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, amylopectin, carboxymethyl cellulose and salt thereof are (, alkali metal salt), alginate esters and salt thereof, gelatin, and/or any other suitable polymer or its combination.Because but the releasing pattern of carrier material 55 causes the dispersion of sorbing material, make mainstream smoke can pass through filter element, and interact with sorbing material, before can being greater than, this object inserts " solid-state " object (that is, being greater than about 2-3.5 millimeter) in filter element.

In the control of this process, control system can comprise suitable control hardware and/or software.A kind of exemplary control system 290 can be in conjunction with for example Siemens 315-2DP processor, Siemens FM352-5 Boolean processor and/16 output modules of 16 inputs.This system can adopt system display 293, for example the SiemensMP370 display.A kind of exemplary system rod unit 212 can comprise the controller of the rod through being designed for Len req, thus with respect to the formation speed of continuous rod according to the tool speed of regulating cutting unit opportunity.In this case, the control module 299 of the first encoder 296 (mode be connected by the driving-belt with the excellent unit of system) and plug-in unit can provide the reference of tool position by the position cutting assemblies with respect to the wheel location of plug-in unit.Therefore, the first encoder 296 can provide a kind of continuous net-shaped thing with respect to filter tow to control the mode of the wheel speed of plug-in unit by the speed of the excellent unit of system.A kind of the first exemplary encoder 296 can be used as Heidenhain Absolute 2048 encoders and obtains.

In one embodiment of the invention, sorbing material 50 and carrier material 55 are all the form of fiber, and the sorbing material fiber comprises or is combined with sorbing material as defined herein.Fiber can comprise the structure of conventional short fiber and basic continous, for example continuous filament.Fiber of the present invention can be hollow or solid, the cross section that can have primary circle ring shape, or non-circular cross section (as avette, square, rectangle, divide shape etc.) more.Fiber can be the form of independent line or filament, or the form of multiple line or filament structure, is for example multiple filament wherein in conjunction with, distortion or the yarn of mat or the form of other structures.When torsion of fibers, combination or mat, this fiber is disassembled after can being adapted at inserting in filter tip, thereby increases the useable surface area of adsorbing fiber.Can form fiber by any fiber forming method as known in the art, comprise extrude, melt spinning, solution spinning etc.The color of each fiber can change, but, when adsorbing fiber is as described herein when being carbon fibre, adsorbing fiber often looks it is black.

Fiber for sorbing material 50 or carrier material 55 can consist of natural or synthetic material.Exemplary natural fiber comprises cotton, flax, jute, hemp, cotton, wool and wood pulp.The exemplary synthetic polymer that can be used for forming fiber comprises: polyamide, polyamine, polyimides, polyacrylic, Merlon, polydiene, polyepoxide, polyester, polyethers, poly-fluorohydrocarbon, polyolefin, polyphenylene, silicon-containing polymer, polyurethane, polyethylene base class, polyacetals, polyacrylate, modified cellulose fibre (as cellulose acetate), its copolymer, its terpolymer, and composition thereof.Be suitable as and comprise following according to the non-limitative example of the particular polymers material of fibrous material of the present invention: nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 12, poly-aspartate, polyglutamic acid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid ester, the poly bisphenol carbonic ester, poly-propylene carbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polynorbornene, PET, polybutylene terephthalate, poly terephthalic acid Sanya methyl esters, polycaprolactone, PGA, polylactide, poly butyric ester, poly-hydroxyl valerate, poly-adipic acid second diester, poly-adipic acid fourth diester, poly-butanedioic acid propylene diester, polyethylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, PPOX, polyformaldehyde, polytetramethylene ether, PolyTHF, Polyglycol 166-450, urea-aldehyde, carbamide, phenol formaldehyde, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene (polybutylene), polybutene (polybutene), poly-octene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, Poly-s 179, dimethyl silicone polymer, poly-carboxymethyl silane, the polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl alcohol, the ester of polyvinyl alcohol and ether, polyvinyl acetate, polystyrene, polymethylstyrene, polyvinyl chloride, PVP, polymethyl vinyl ether, poly-ethyl vinyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ketone, polyethylene copolymerization vinyl acetate, the acid of polyethylene co-polypropylene, the polybutylene terephthalate co-polyethylene terephthalate, with polylauryllactam block copolymerization oxolane.

Sorbing material 50 can be attached in adsorbing fiber in any mode known in the art, comprise in the following manner: adsorption particle is adhered to fiber, within adsorption particle is embedded or being suspended in fiber, thereby or form the chemical property that then fiber change fiber and form sorbing material (for example fiber being carried out to carbonization).In one embodiment, adsorbing fiber forms (as carbon fiber) by carbonaceous material.

Carbon fiber can be described as by the fiber of the controlled pyrolysis acquisition of precursor fiber.Because carbon is difficult to be configured as fibers form usually, so the carbon fiber be purchased is often made by precursor material being extruded to the formation filament, then carry out carbonization, usually at high temperature, carry out.Comprise artificial silk, acrylic fiber (for example polyacrylonitrile or PAN) and pitch (can comprise isotropic pitch and anisotropy mesophase pitch, and the pitch fibers melted and sprayed) for the common precursor of carbon fiber.Other precursors can also be become to carbon fiber as cellulose conversion.KYNOL ^TMThe novoloid fiber (from American Kynol, Inc., Pleasantville, NY obtains) be the high-performance phenols fiber that can change into by the one-step method that combines carbonization and activation active carbon.Form carbon fiber from artificial silk or acrylic compounds and generally include stabilisation, carbonization and graphitization, each leisure higher temperature in succession occurs, thereby fully removes non-carbonizable substance, for example oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen.Use pitch to prepare fiber and usually also comprise stabilisation and carbonization; But pitch is revolved a part of spinning as the carbon fiber forming process usually, and can directly be used by artificial silk or the preformed fiber of acrylic compounds.Sometimes activation can further increase production stage.The source of carbon fiber comprises Dong Li industrial group (Toray Industries), Toho Tenax, Mitsubishi (Mitsubishi), Sumitomo company (Sumitomo Corporation), He Shi company (Hexcel Corp.), Seat gram industrial group (Cytec Industries), Zhuo Er Imtech (Zoltek Companies), and SGL group company (SGL Group).

Carbon fiber is often classified by three kinds of different modes.At first, can to carbon fiber, be classified according to modulus and intensity.Example comprises ultra high modulus (UHM) fiber (modulus is greater than 450 gpa (Gpa)); High-modulus (HM) fiber (modulus is the 350-450 gpa); Medium modulus (IM) fiber (modulus is the 200-350 gpa); Low modulus, high (HT) fiber (modulus is less than 100 gpa and hot strength is greater than 3.0 gpa) that stretches; And Ultra-Drawing (SHT) fiber (hot strength is greater than 4.5 gpa).Secondly, can to carbon fiber, be classified according to the precursor material for the preparation of fiber (as the fiber of PAN, artificial silk, pitch, mesophase pitch, isotropic pitch or vapor phase growth).The 3rd, can to carbon fiber, be classified according to final heat treatment temperature.Example comprises the high heat treatment of I class (HTT) fiber (final heat treatment temperature is greater than 2000 ℃), II class moderate fever is processed (IHT) fiber (final heat treatment temperature is about 1500 ℃), and low heat treatment (LHT) fiber of III class (final heat treatment is no more than 1000 ℃).Any above carbon fiber classification all can be used in the present invention.

The example of the kind of parent material, the method for preparing carbon fiber-containing and carbon fiber-containing discloses in Publication about Document: the United States Patent (USP) 3319629 of Chamberlain; The United States Patent (USP) 3413982 of Sublett etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 3904577 of Buisson; The United States Patent (USP) 4281671 of Bynre etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4876078 of Arakawa etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 4947874 of Brooks etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5230960 of Iizuka; Paul, the United States Patent (USP) 5268158 of Jr.; The United States Patent (USP) 5338605 of Noland etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5446005 of Endo; The United States Patent (USP) 5482773 of Bair; The United States Patent (USP) 5536486 of Nagata etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 5622190 of Arterbery etc.; The United States Patent (USP) 7223376 of Panter etc.; The United States Patent (USP) of Zhang etc. discloses 2006/0201524; The United States Patent (USP) of Newbery etc. discloses 2006/0231113; These documents are all by reference to being incorporated into this.In the report of submitting Congress to, provide specifically about the content (comprising its manufacture) of PAN base carbon fibre, this report is entitled as " polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Industry of Carbon Fiber capability evaluation: OUSD (AT & L) industrial policy (Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Carbon Fibers Industrial Capability Assessment:OUSD (AT & L) Industrial Policy) ", can obtain online from http://www.acq.osd.mil/ip/docs/pan_carbon_fiber_report_to_congr ess_10-2005.pdf, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

The size of carrier fibre and adsorbing fiber (as carbon fiber) can change within not departing from scope of the present invention.The excursion of fiber size is about the 0.5-20 danier usually.The size of adsorbing fiber often depends on the amount of the adsorbent needed in filter element at least in part.For example, can be according to the weight of adsorbent required in filter tip, the weight range of the carbonaceous material that for example this paper lists, determine the size of adsorbing fiber.

Carrier fibre and adsorbing fiber (as carbon fiber) can be interconnected or combination, thereby adopt in any method inserted into cigarette filtering material, these methods comprise these two kinds of Filament-wound Machines, intervolve or be woven together, use adhesive or binding agent that these two kinds of fibers are combined, by the fiber coextrusion, or use independently Connection Element (for example independently line or fixture) that these two kinds of fibers are combined.Each complex structure of filament (that is, the combination of carrier fibre and adsorbing fiber) can comprise the various fibers of a rod or many rods, this means, each fibre structure for example can comprise that 1 to about 20 rod carrier fibres and 1 to about 20 rod adsorbing fibers.

In another embodiment of the invention, filtering material combines degradable fibrous material, this means that this fiber can be degraded or decompose, for example in the disposal to fibrous material, under relevant environmental condition, by chemical reaction, this fiber is resolved into to catabolite.A kind of degraded of Exemplary types is biodegradation.As used herein, term " biodegradable fiber " is illustrated under the condition of aerobic and/or anaerobism and is degraded into carbon dioxide/methane, water and living beings under bacterium, fungi, algae and other microorganisms exists, but contain heteroatomic material and also can produce other products, as ammonia or sulfur dioxide." living beings " generally mean in the eucaryotic cell structure of organism to exist or change into the part of the metabolic material of process of the humus fraction that can not distinguish with the biogenetic derivation material.Exemplary Biodegradable fibers includes, but are not limited to cellulose or the derivative fiber (as cotton, wool, cdear, hemp, bamboo, kapok or flax) of other organic plants, polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic polyester, aliphatic urethane, cis-polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, poly-alkane carboxylic acid hydroxyl ester, polyanhydride and copolymer thereof and blend.Term " aliphatic polyester " means to have structure-[C (O)-R-O] _n-polymer, wherein n is the integer of monomeric unit quantity in the representation polymer chain, R is aliphatic hydrocarbon, preferred C1-C10 alkylidene, more preferably C1-C6 alkylidene (as methylene, ethylidene, propylidene, isopropylidene, butylidene, isobutylidene etc.), wherein alkylidene can be straight or branched.Exemplary aliphatic polyester comprises polyglycolic acid (PGA), PLA (PLA) (for example PLLA or poly-(DL-LACTIC ACID)), poly-butyric acid hydroxyl ester (PHB), poly-valeric acid hydroxyl ester (PHV), polycaprolactone (PCL) and copolymer thereof.

In some embodiments, biodegradable fiber is bamboo fibre or PLA fiber.Suitable bamboo fibre is such as being described in the United States Patent (USP) 7313906 at Zhou etc., and the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.Bamboo fibre can be from China Bambro Textile Co., and Ltd buys.The PLA fiber can obtain from corn, or synthetic making.Suitable PLA fiber is described in the United States Patent (USP) 7445841 of Kaijiyama etc., and the document, by reference to being incorporated into this, can be buied from NatureWorks LLC.

Degradable fiber can be used with independent strand form, or uses as the part in the multi-strand yarns structure.In some embodiments, fibrous material can be used with the form of sheet material.Degradable fiber can be used with multiple fiber combinations, for example different types of biodegradable fiber material is woven together, perhaps adopt other modes to be combined into independent structure, perhaps biodegradable fiber and non-degradable fiber and/or adsorbing fiber are woven together and are combined, perhaps adopt other modes to be combined into independent structure (for example, bamboo fibre, cotton fiber and carbon fibers being become to independent fibre structure as the single thread line structure).Perhaps, within can or being mixed into independent fiber strand by multiple fiber combinations.

When fiber is described as to the fibrous material that comprises particular types, this fiber can be mainly forms the gross weight of fiber (for example take be greater than approximately 50 % by weight as benchmark) by given fibrous material, perhaps substantially by this fibrous material, form (for example being greater than approximately 90 % by weight), or in fact form (for example be greater than approximately 98 % by weight or be about 100 % by weight) by this fibrous material fully.For example, the fiber that is described as " bamboo fibre " can (for example combine with the fibrous material of other kinds in conjunction with the bamboo fiber material of small amount, perhaps with additive combination), perhaps can mainly comprise bamboo fiber material, perhaps substantially by bamboo fiber material, formed, or in fact formed by bamboo fiber material fully.

Biodegradable fiber can be used as the carrier fibre of sorbing material (as carbon fiber) as described herein, perhaps as other, be applicable to changing the taste of smoking article or the additive carrier of fragrance, or be used as the carrier of sorbing material and taste/odor additive simultaneously.Perhaps, the intrinsic property of biodegradable fiber itself can change characteristic or the character of logical filter-tip smog.Exemplary flavor enhancement or flavouring agent comprise can be by for example being absorbed within filamentary structure, the method for bonding or physical entanglement and so on is attached to any solid or the fluid composition in fibre structure.Described additive can be the characteristic of any smog that can for example pass through from filtering material by the effect change of flavor enhancement or deodorant or the composition of character.Exemplary additive comprises the taste that can change mainstream smoke and/or the natural or synthetic flavor enhancement of fragrance, thereby give, is not limited to pure and fresh, sweet taste, herbal medicine, candy, fragrance, fruity or pungent taste characteristic.Flavor enhancement or the flavouring agent of concrete kind include, but are not limited to: vanilla, coffee, chocolate/cocoa, cream, peppermint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, Chinese ilex, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, Chinese cassia tree, cloves, bitter fragrant tree, santal, honey, jasmine, ginger, fennel, Salvia japonica, hay, lemon, oranges and tangerines, apple, peach, bitter orange, cherry, strawberry, and any combination.Also referring to Leffingwell etc., for the tobacco flavoring (Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products) of smoking, R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972), the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.Flavor enhancement also can comprise the component that is considered to wetting agent, freshener or mild agent, for example eucalyptus component., these flavor enhancements can (that is provide separately), or for example, provide with complex method (spearmint and menthol, or oranges and tangerines and Chinese cassia tree) in clean mode.Exemplary deodorant comprises any composition that is applicable to sheltering or removing tobacco smoke fragrance.A kind of exemplary composition comprises inorganic salts and stink adsorbent, and described in the United States Patent (USP) 7407922 of Leskowitz, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.Another kind of deodorant compositions comprises orange essential oil cut, and described in the United States Patent (USP)s such as Higashi 7434586, the document is by reference to being incorporated into this.

Can adopt with the mode that carrier fibre described herein/the sorbing material embodiment is identical biodegradable fiber is attached in filtering material.For example, biodegradable fiber can be used as the carrier fibre in the complex structure of filament shown in Fig. 5 and 6.Perhaps, biodegradable fiber can embed in filtering material, does not have the second fibre structure.For example, the biodegradable fiber that comprises flavor enhancement can be added on filtering material.In another embodiment, the biodegradable fiber that contains or do not contain additive described herein can be incorporated in the smoking article filter tip in any packaging material that use, for example, in tipping paper material or cork paper material.

In another embodiment, can use nondegradable fiber, for example any composite fibre materials (as PET or polypropylene) with degradable character that usually is not counted as herein described, replace biodegradable fiber.Can in any application as herein described, with nondegradable fiber, replace biodegradable fiber.Biodegradable fiber and nondegradable fiber can obtain from the natural origin material of natural material, synthetic material or process chemical modification.

Biodegradable fiber within the embedding filter element or the quantity of non-degradable fiber can change.The typical amounts scope of inserting the fiber within the filter element section is 1 to about 500 fibers, and more generally 1 to about 100 fibers, is often 1 to about 50 fibers.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example that embeds the complex structure of filament 60 within filter tip section 32.Although MULTIPLE COMPOSITE fibre structure 60 has been shown in Fig. 5,, the quantity of complex structure of filament can change.The exemplary amounts scope of the complex structure of filament 60 of combination in filter tip 26 is 1 to approximately 500, and more generally 1 to approximately 100 is often 1 to approximately 50.Complex structure of filament 60 can be included in the single section 32 of the multistage filter tip 26 shown in Fig. 5, or within complex structure of filament can embed the filter element that only comprises single section, or extensible by a plurality of sections of multisection type filter tip.Complex structure of filament 60 can extend in the vertical linear of cigaratte filter as shown in Figure 5, or can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of filter element, or can be by different angles random dispersion in whole filter tip section.As shown in Figure 6, complex structure of filament 60 can comprise at least one carrier fibre 62 and at least one adsorbing fiber 64.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the method for two types of fibers of a kind of connection is to wrap up adsorbing fiber 64 around carrier fibre 62.On unit length carrier fibre 62, adsorbing fiber 64 package quantity can change, and depend on some factors, comprising sorbing material amount required in filter element.Around carrier fibre 62, the exemplary parcel scope of adsorbing fiber 64 is that per inch carrier fibre parcel 1 is to approximately 50 enclosing adsorbing fibers.

Those of ordinary skills will be understood that many improvement of the present invention and other embodiments by above description; Can be changed the present invention under the condition that does not depart from the scope of the invention or spirit and be revised it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that.Therefore, should be appreciated that, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed specific embodiment, and described improvement and other embodiments comprise within the scope of the appended claims.Although this paper has been used concrete term, these terms are only used with general and illustrative implication, are not construed as limiting.

Claims (13)

1. an equipment that is used to form the cigarette filter rod element that defines the longitudinal axis, this equipment comprises:

Clavate becomes the structure of ，Gai unit, unit the continuous feeding of filtering material can be formed to continuous cylindrical bar element;

Plug-in unit, the structure of this unit can be inserted the sorbing material by carrier material carrying in described excellent element, and described carrier material comprises a kind of and combination in capsule element, tube element, continuous elongate member, carrier matrix, continuous strip member; With

The sorbing material releasing unit, the structure of this unit discharges sorbing material from carrier material after can being set in excellent element at the sorbing material by the carrier material carrying at once.

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that, described equipment also comprises excellent cutting unit, and the structure of this unit can become excellent element divisions a plurality of excellent parts along its y direction, makes each rod part comprise at least a portion sorbing material.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that, described equipment also comprises that the structure of adsorbent formation ，Gai unit, unit can engage sorbing material with carrier material.

4. equipment as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that, described plug-in unit further is constructed to be permeable to the sorbing material of carrier material carrying with in the excellent element of a kind of insertion in pipe, pill and strand form.

5. equipment as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that, described sorbing material releasing unit further is constructed to be permeable to carry out following a kind of operation: dissolve, decompose and the degraded carrier material.

6. a formation defines the method for the cigarette filter rod element of the longitudinal axis, and the method comprises:

The continuous feeding of filtering material is formed to continuous cylindrical bar element; With

The sorbing material of carrier material carrying is inserted in excellent element, make within sorbing material is dispersed in excellent element, described carrier material comprises a kind of and combination in capsule element, tube element, continuous elongate member, carrier matrix, continuous strip member;

Excellent element divisions is become to a plurality of excellent part along its y direction, the sorbing material that makes each rod part comprise at least a portion; With

After in will inserting filtering material by the sorbing material of carrier material carrying, and, before the cigarette that the spacer rod of the sorbing material to having release is partly assembled formation is packed, sorbing material is discharged into filtering material from the carrier material original position.

7. method as claimed in claim 6, is characterized in that, the step of inserting sorbing material also comprises to be inserted the sorbing material that comprises the carbonaceous material carried by carrier material in excellent element.

8. method as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, the step of inserting sorbing material also comprises to be inserted the sorbing material of carrier material carrying in excellent element, and described carrier material comprises at least one in high density polymer material and low-density polymeric materials.

9. method as claimed in claim 6, is characterized in that, the step of inserting sorbing material also comprises to be inserted the sorbing material by the carrier material carrying in excellent element, and the form of described sorbing material is at least one in pipe, pill and strand.

10. method as claimed in claim 6, is characterized in that, the step of inserting sorbing material also comprises the sorbing material inserted by the carrier material carrying, and the further load of this carrier material has flavor enhancement.

11. method as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, described method also comprises a kind of in following operation: sorbing material is inserted in the capsule element, sorbing material is inserted in continuous tube element, sorbing material is engaged with continuous elongate member, and sorbing material is suspended in carrier matrix.

12. method as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, the step of inserting sorbing material also comprises the sorbing material inserted by the carrier material carrying that comprises the continuous strip element, and described method also is included in length direction and wraps up the continuous strip element around sorbing material.

13. method as claimed in claim 6, is characterized in that, the step that discharges sorbing material comprises following a kind of operation: dissolve carrier material, decompose carrier material, the degraded carrier material.

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