EP1567025B1 - Filter element - Google Patents

Filter element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1567025B1
EP1567025B1 EP03775194A EP03775194A EP1567025B1 EP 1567025 B1 EP1567025 B1 EP 1567025B1 EP 03775194 A EP03775194 A EP 03775194A EP 03775194 A EP03775194 A EP 03775194A EP 1567025 B1 EP1567025 B1 EP 1567025B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter
starch
filter element
filtering material
forming
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EP03775194A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1567025A2 (en
Inventor
Harald Schmidt
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BioTec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH and Co KG
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BioTec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH and Co KG
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/062—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters characterised by structural features
    • A24D3/066—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters characterised by structural features in the form of foam or having cellular structure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/08—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/16—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of inorganic materials
    • A24D3/163—Carbon

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filter element with a biodegradable filter material mainly from renewable raw materials for use in particular as a cylindrical tobacco smoke filter of cigarettes, cigars or pipes and a method for its production.
  • Cigarettes have a cylindrical shape in which the smokable tobacco material in shredded form is surrounded by a sheath of paper. Predominantly, these cigarettes have at one end a filter which is connected to the cigarette by a banderole. Filter elements and cigarette filters are extensively described in the literature as filter tow.
  • Filter elements and cigarette filters are extensively described in the literature as filter tow.
  • a fiber material made of the materials cellulose-acetate or polypropylene is usually used.
  • activated carbon is also known. According to known methods, cellulose acetate fiber material is produced essentially by the jet spinning method.
  • the filter tows are first prepared as filter rods by stretching the crimped ribbon, increasing in volume, and scaling to the desired dimension in a formulator and wrapped in paper.
  • the cellulose-2,5-acetate raw materials are usually compounded with glycerol acetate as a plasticizer, which is not easily contained in tobacco smoke.
  • EP 0 658 320 B1 The state of the art is further referred to EP 0 658 320 B1, EP 0 636 324 B1 and DE 33 11903 A1.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a filter tow or filter material for the production of filters for smokers, in which health risks resulting from the release of filter constituents and the external contamination of cigarettes with filter constituents are avoided or at least reduced.
  • the invention is based on the basic concept of producing a filter element made of a starch material and / or a polymer mixture based on starch and optionally activated carbon, pores and / or filter channels being provided in the filter element.
  • the filter element may contain a filter material made of starch foam, starch polymer fibers or biopolymer films and optionally stored activated carbon layers.
  • Such filter materials optionally adherent or Filter particles released during smoking can be dissolved in an environment with appropriate moisture content. They are not considered for the health-damaging effects discussed at the outset.
  • the activated carbon may be in the form of powder or granules and be present in various ways in the filter material of starch and / or a starch-based polymer mixture.
  • the starch may, for example, be foamed and form a carrier material for the activated carbon.
  • the activated carbon can be sprayed on a foamed filter material made of starch material or incorporated as an intermediate layer.
  • the starch material may be formed flat (eg as a foamed plate) or foamed into an endless round filter rod and cut into correspondingly shaped sections.
  • natural fibers such as cellulose fibers, hemp or cotton fibers may be incorporated in an amount of about 5% by volume.
  • an activated carbon layer is applied to cut starch foam sections, sprayed, for example as a powder, or placed in another way between starch foam sections or arranged thereon.
  • the layers of starch foam and activated carbon thus joined and bonded together are wrapped in a film or other suitable cover.
  • the round filter rod then has a stack, i. alternately arranged transversely to the gas flow disks or layers of starch foam and activated carbon.
  • filter channels can be introduced to z. B. to be able to influence the passage of the aromatragenden molecules of tobacco.
  • These filter channels can be formed for example by needles, water jets or laser at any time during the manufacture of the filter elements.
  • the arrangement and thickness of the layers of the Filter element is irrelevant. So z. B. starch foam sections stored and later, the intended use, if appropriate, combined with intermediate layers of activated carbon to filter elements and wrapped with foil.
  • the filter channels may extend or be oriented approximately in the direction of the gas flow, but deviations are possible.
  • the filter channels may also extend partially transverse to the direction of the tobacco gas stream.
  • filter elements designed as round filter rods can be wrapped with a corresponding air-permeable and / or perforated paper band or the filter channels are introduced into the finished filter rod wrapped in a band.
  • the filter channels may have a size or width of preferably 50 to 100 .mu.m, and extending into this up to a certain depth, for example, starting from one or both ends of the filter element or round filter rod.
  • the filter channels may also be oriented longitudinally and extend through the entire round filter rod. Due to the shape, size, number and arrangement of the filter channels, the filter effect can be influenced.
  • the activated carbon may be formed as granules.
  • the cohesion of the individual layers of the filter element may be substantially determined by the wrapping material, e.g. a shrink wrap, be guaranteed.
  • a filter element By incorporating activated carbon into a filter material or between layers of a starch-based filter material and / or a starch-based polymer mixture, a filter element is created in which the advantages of both materials are combined.
  • about 5% by volume of natural fibers may be similar to a wick in the filter element, or incorporated therein, and develop a wicking effect, thereby fostering additional filtering out of harmful components from the tobacco smoke.
  • Starch foam itself does not emit inhalable, volatile products and can adsorb the optionally released charcoal particles described above.
  • starch foam particles or starch fiber particles are harmless to health, since they are biodegradable.
  • the starch particles or fibers absorb or bind the moisture.
  • the parameters of the starch materials used can be adjusted during their preparation so that the moisture content of respiratory air in the lungs is sufficient to bind or release any starch particles or starch fibers, to which possibly activated carbon particles and toxins adhere, and to solve during exhalation To transport starch particles and fibers together with the breathing air back out of the lungs. Thus, accumulation in the lung upon inhalation of tobacco smoke can be prevented.
  • starch materials with thermoplastic properties are used for the production of a filter element, which allow processing after adjustment of the operating conditions, for example in the melt-blown process or spin-flow process.
  • Methods which are applicable to the present invention are explained in detail, for example, in EP 861 036.
  • high-precision fibers can be discharged as endless filaments by means of extrusion equipment and special nozzles, swirled through air and either drawn (to increase the strength) and then crimped (spin-flow method) or not drawn to form a to achieve a soft, fluffy structure with a large surface area (melt-blown process).
  • the extruded fibers are first spun and made into a Bundled fiber bundles and formed after drawing by compression rollers to form an endless filter.
  • a final shaping takes place in a configuration system, wherein the endless filter is optionally fed again to an upsetting, crimping machine and processed in a filter rod machine to form individual filter sections.
  • starch foam 20 from a starting mixture 2 of starch, preferably native potato starch, and plasticizing and film-forming additives by thermal and mechanical energy input compressed, optionally modified, plasticized and expanded by temperature and pressure drop and in compressed a compression step, wherein it is processed in a calender 22 to an endless filter 7.
  • a foamed round profile with a diameter of 10 mm is produced and calibrated in the formatting process to a diameter of 7.8 mm.
  • the specific density of the foam filter strand is z. B. about 12 kg / m 3 .
  • the extruded starch foam 20 is substantially open-pored so that the frothed destructured starch filter material having a crystalline content of less than 5% is capable of adsorbing the liquids and liquid contaminants contained in the tobacco smoke such as condensate and tar products Starch foam itself emits no inhalable, volatile products in the tobacco smoke.
  • the endless filter is cut into filter sections and into a filter element or cigarette filter with a stacked structure of starch-based filter sections optionally in alternation with activated carbon layers (as in US Pat Figure 3 shown) processed.
  • an extrudate is formed with air-permeable configuration, a large area is possible for the air permeability. So can the extrudate in the be formed substantially porous, so that a high air permeability is expected. Likewise, the extrudate can partially closed-pored and the air permeability be correspondingly low.
  • additional filter channels of appropriate number and size can be introduced
  • the filter channels can be introduced by needling, water jets or laser beam in a filter material made of a starch material.
  • a filter material made of a starch material In a layered filter element (round filter rod), the thickness of each filter layer of starch material and possibly activated carbon and the laser depth, which corresponds to the channel length, are matched.
  • a filter material made of a foamed starch material can be open-pored, additionally introduced filter channels can enhance the advantageous properties, such as the adhesion properties, of this filter material.
  • a filter material of starch polymer fibers has improved adhesion properties of the pollutant particles to be filtered in the tobacco smoke.
  • a filter material of a fibrous starch material can be cut into staple fibers, wherein the ends of the short fibers protrude, for example, in additionally introduced into the filter material filter channels and so the filter properties can be further improved.
  • 3 shows a longitudinal section of a cigarette 10 with a filter element 1, as it is produced according to a method shown in Figure 1, wherein a portion containing tobacco 11 and a section containing the filter element 1 are wrapped and connected with cigarette paper 12 and the filter element and the transition region to the tobacco 11 containing portion are wrapped with another band 13 for reinforcement.
  • the filter element 1 is constructed in the form of a stack (cf., FIG. 2), wherein layers of starch foam 20 and layers of activated carbon 21 are arranged alternately.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Or Mechanical Vibrators, Or Delay Or Filter Circuits (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Networks Using Active Elements (AREA)

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to obtain filter tows or filtering materials for manufacturing filters for smoking products which make it possible to prevent or at least reduce health risks due to the release of the filter components and external contamination of cigarettes by filter components. According to the invention, a filter element is manufactured of starch and/or a mixture of a starch-based polymer and eventually incorporated activated-carbon layers and provided with pores and/or channels. The filter particles eventually adherent to such filtering materials or released during cigarette smoking can be dissolved in a corresponding moisture-containing environment. They do not come into consideration for health-damaging effects.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Filterelement mit einem biologisch abbaubaren Filtermaterial vorwiegend aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen zur Verwendung insbesondere als zylindrische Tabakrauchfilter von Zigaretten, Zigarren oder Pfeifen sowie ein Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung.The invention relates to a filter element with a biodegradable filter material mainly from renewable raw materials for use in particular as a cylindrical tobacco smoke filter of cigarettes, cigars or pipes and a method for its production.

Raucherartikel wie z. B. Zigaretten haben eine zylindrische Form, in der das rauchbare Tabakmaterial in geschredderter Form von einer Hülle aus Papier umgeben ist. Überwiegend besitzen diese Zigaretten an einem Ende einen Filter, der mit der Zigarette durch eine Banderole verbunden ist. Filterelemente und Zigarettenfilter sind in der Literatur umfangreich als Filtertow beschrieben. Für die Herstellung von Zigarettenfiltern wird üblicherweise ein Fasermaterial aus den Werkstoffen Cellulose-2,5-Acetat oder Polypropylen verwendet. Zur Entfernung von im Tabakrauch enthaltenen Toxinen ist ferner die Verwendung von Aktivkohle bekannt. Gemäß bekannten Verfahren wird Cellulose-Acetat-Fasermaterial im wesentlichen nach dem Düsenspinnverfahren hergestellt. Aus den Cellulose-Acetat-Filamenten und/oder aus Cellulose-Acetat-Spinnfasern, die gekräuselt bzw. stauchkammergekräuselt sind, werden die Filtertows zunächst als Filterstäbe hergestellt, indem das gekräuselte Band gestreckt, im Volumen vergrößert und in einer Formatiereinrichtung auf die gewünschte Dimension gebracht und mit Papier umwickelt wird. Die Cellulose-2,5-Acetat-Rohstoffe werden üblicherweise mit Glycerinacetat als Weichmacher kompoundiert, welches nicht unproblematisch im Tabakrauch enthalten ist.Smoker's articles such as B. Cigarettes have a cylindrical shape in which the smokable tobacco material in shredded form is surrounded by a sheath of paper. Predominantly, these cigarettes have at one end a filter which is connected to the cigarette by a banderole. Filter elements and cigarette filters are extensively described in the literature as filter tow. For the production of cigarette filters, a fiber material made of the materials cellulose-acetate or polypropylene is usually used. For the removal of toxins contained in tobacco smoke, the use of activated carbon is also known. According to known methods, cellulose acetate fiber material is produced essentially by the jet spinning method. From the cellulose acetate filaments and / or cellulose acetate staple fibers which are crimped or stuffer box crimped, the filter tows are first prepared as filter rods by stretching the crimped ribbon, increasing in volume, and scaling to the desired dimension in a formulator and wrapped in paper. The cellulose-2,5-acetate raw materials are usually compounded with glycerol acetate as a plasticizer, which is not easily contained in tobacco smoke.

Aus der DE 195 36 505 A1 und der entsprechenden EP 861 036 A ist ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von biologisch abbaubarem Filtermaterial aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen zur Verwendung als Tabakrauchfilterelement von Zigaretten, Zigarren oder Pfeifen bekannt, wobei ein Filtertow bzw. Filtermaterial aus Fasern und Filamenten aus Biopolymeren auf Basis von thermoplastischer Stärke und deren Polymermischungen hergestellt wird. Filtermaterialien werden bestimmungsgemäß eingesetzt, um Toxine aus dem Tabakrauch zurückzuhalten. Es hat sich jedoch herausgestellt, dass an der Schnittfläche der Filter von Zigaretten lose, mit bloßem Auge für den Verbraucher nicht ohne Weiteres erkennbare Bestandteile von Filtermaterialien auftreten. Hierbei handelt es sich um Fragmente der in den Zigarettenfiltern meist verwendeten Cellulose-Acetat-Fasern und bei Zigaretten mit Aktivkohlefiltern um Kohlepartikel. Anteile dieser losen Filterbestandteile werden beim Ziehen an den Zigaretten freigesetzt. Beispielsweise können beim Rauchen von Zigaretten, die aktivkohlehaltige Filter aufweisen, Kohlepartikel, die mit Tabakrauch-Toxinen befrachtet sein können, freigesetzt werden. Ferner können sich z. B. beim Zuschnitt der Filter Fasern oder Faserbestandteile lösen. Durch die beschriebenen Filterdefekte beim Zigarettenrauchen kann es zur Inhalation und zum Schlucken von Filterfasern und/oder - partikeln, die mit Toxinen aus dem Tabakrauch beschichtet sind, kommen. Es besteht deshalb zumindest der Verdacht, dass durch die Freisetzung von Filterbestandteilen ein zusätzliches gesundheitliches Risiko zu dem durch das Zigarettenrauchen an sich bereits bedingten beträchtlichen gesundheitlichen Risiko hinzukommt (vgl. "Freisetzung von Celluloseacetatfasern und Kohlepartikeln aus Zigarettenfiltern", Stellungnahme des Bundesministers für gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz und Veterinärmedizin vom 04. Juni 2002).From DE 195 36 505 A1 and the corresponding EP 861 036 A a method for the production of biodegradable filter material from renewable raw materials for use as a tobacco smoke filter element of cigarettes, cigars or pipes is known, wherein a filter tow or filter material made of fibers and filaments of biopolymers is produced on the basis of thermoplastic starch and their polymer blends. Filter materials are used as intended to retain toxins from tobacco smoke. However, it has been found that at the interface of the filter of cigarettes loose, with the naked eye to the consumer not readily apparent Components of filter materials occur. These are fragments of the cellulose acetate fibers most commonly used in cigarette filters and cigarettes with activated charcoal filters around carbon particles. Portions of these loose filter components are released when pulled on the cigarettes. For example, when smoking cigarettes having activated carbon containing filters, carbon particles that may be freighted with tobacco smoke toxins may be released. Furthermore, z. B. when cutting the filter fibers or fiber components solve. The described filter defects in cigarette smoking may result in the inhalation and swallowing of filter fibers and / or particles coated with toxins from tobacco smoke. There is therefore at least the suspicion that the release of filter constituents adds an additional health risk to the considerable health risk inherent in cigarette smoking (see "Release of cellulose acetate fibers and carbon particles from cigarette filters", statement by the Federal Minister for Health Protection and Consumer Protection) Veterinary Medicine of 04 June 2002).

Zum Stand der Technik wird weiter verwiesen auf EP 0 658 320 B1, EP 0 636 324 B1 und die DE 33 11903 A1.The state of the art is further referred to EP 0 658 320 B1, EP 0 636 324 B1 and DE 33 11903 A1.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein Filtertow bzw. ein Filtermaterial zur Herstellung von Filtern für Raucherwaren bereitzustellen, bei dem gesundheitliche Risiken, die sich aus der Freisetzung von Filterbestandteilen und der äußeren Kontamination von Zigaretten mit Filterbestandteilen ergeben, vermieden oder zumindest verringert werden.The object of the invention is to provide a filter tow or filter material for the production of filters for smokers, in which health risks resulting from the release of filter constituents and the external contamination of cigarettes with filter constituents are avoided or at least reduced.

Diese Aufgabe wird mit den Merkmalen der Patentansprüche gelöst.This object is achieved with the features of the claims.

Bei der Lösung dieser Aufgabe geht die Erfindung von dem Grundgedanken aus, ein Filterelement aus einem Stärkewerkstoff und/oder einer Polymermischung auf Stärkebasis sowie gegebenenfalls Aktivkohle herzustellen, wobei in dem Filterelement Poren und/oder Filterkanäle vorgesehen sind. Das Filterelement kann ein Filtermaterial aus Stärkeschaum, Stärkepolymerfasern oder aus biopolymeren Folien und gegebenenfalls eingelagerte Aktivkohleschichten enthalten. Derartigen Filtermaterialien gegebenenfalls anhaftende oder beim Rauchen freigesetzte Filterpartikel können in einer Umgebung mit entsprechendem Feuchtigkeitsgehalt gelöst werden. Sie kommen für die eingangs diskutierten gesundheitsschädigenden Wirkungen nicht in Betracht. Die Aktivkohle kann als Pulver oder Granulat vorliegen und auf verschiedene Art und Weise in dem Filtermaterial aus Stärke und/oder einer Polymermischung auf Stärkebasis vorliegen. Die Stärke kann beispielsweise aufgeschäumt sein und ein Trägermaterial für die Aktivkohle bilden. Die Aktivkohle kann auf einem aufgeschäumten Filtermaterial aus Stärkewerkstoff aufgesprüht oder als Zwischenschicht eingelagert sein. Der Stärkewerkstoff kann flächig ausgebildet sein (z.B. als geschäumte Platte) oder zu einem endlosen Rundfilterstab geschäumt sein und in entsprechend geformte Abschnitte zerschnitten sein. In das Filterelement können Naturfasern, wie Cellulosefasern, Hanf oder Baumwollfasern in einer Menge von ca. 5 Volumen- % eingelagert sein.In order to achieve this object, the invention is based on the basic concept of producing a filter element made of a starch material and / or a polymer mixture based on starch and optionally activated carbon, pores and / or filter channels being provided in the filter element. The filter element may contain a filter material made of starch foam, starch polymer fibers or biopolymer films and optionally stored activated carbon layers. Such filter materials optionally adherent or Filter particles released during smoking can be dissolved in an environment with appropriate moisture content. They are not considered for the health-damaging effects discussed at the outset. The activated carbon may be in the form of powder or granules and be present in various ways in the filter material of starch and / or a starch-based polymer mixture. The starch may, for example, be foamed and form a carrier material for the activated carbon. The activated carbon can be sprayed on a foamed filter material made of starch material or incorporated as an intermediate layer. The starch material may be formed flat (eg as a foamed plate) or foamed into an endless round filter rod and cut into correspondingly shaped sections. In the filter element, natural fibers, such as cellulose fibers, hemp or cotton fibers may be incorporated in an amount of about 5% by volume.

Zur Herstellung von erfindungsgemäßen Filterelementen, wie Rundfilterstäben wird auf zerschnittene Stärkeschaumabschnitte eine Aktivkohleschicht aufgetragen, zum Beispiel als Pulver aufgesprüht, oder auf andere Art und Weise zwischen Stärkeschaumabschnitte gebracht oder an diesen angeordnet. Die so zusammengefügten und miteinander verbundenen Schichten aus Stärkeschaumabschnitten und Aktivkohle werden mit einer Folie umhüllt oder einer anderen geeigneten Hülle versehen. Der Rundfilterstab weist dann stapelweise, d.h. wechselweise quer zum Gasstrom angeordnete Scheiben bzw. Schichten aus Stärkeschaum und Aktivkohle auf. Mit der Anordnung, Dicke, Porosität oder anderen Parametern der Schichten kann der Durchtritt der aromatragenden Moleküle des Tabakrauches durch das Filtermaterial beeinflusst werden. Dabei spielen gegebenenfalls auch die Tabaksorte und bestimmte gewollte Effekte bezüglich des Durchtritts aromatragender Moleküle (z.B. deren Anzahl) oder andere Parameter mit denen der Tabakgeschmack beeinflusst werden kann, eine Rolle.For the production of filter elements according to the invention, such as round filter rods, an activated carbon layer is applied to cut starch foam sections, sprayed, for example as a powder, or placed in another way between starch foam sections or arranged thereon. The layers of starch foam and activated carbon thus joined and bonded together are wrapped in a film or other suitable cover. The round filter rod then has a stack, i. alternately arranged transversely to the gas flow disks or layers of starch foam and activated carbon. With the arrangement, thickness, porosity or other parameters of the layers, the passage of the aromatizing molecules of the tobacco smoke through the filter material can be influenced. Optionally, the type of tobacco and certain desired effects on the passage of aromatizing molecules (e.g., their number) or other parameters which may influence the tobacco flavor also play a role.

In die einzelnen Schichten und/oder in das fertige Filterelement können zusätzliche Filterkanäle eingebracht werden, um z. B. den Durchtritt der aromatragenden Moleküle des Tabaks beeinflussen zu können. Diese Filterkanäle können z.B. durch Nadeln, Wasserstrahlen oder Laser zu einem beliebigen Zeitpunkt während der Herstellung der Filterelemente ausgebildet werden. Die Anordnung und Dicke der Schichten des Filterelementes ist dafür unerheblich. So können z. B. Stärkeschaumabschnitte zwischengelagert und später der vorgesehenen Verwendung entsprechend gegebenenfalls mit Zwischenschichten aus Aktivkohle zu Filterelementen zusammengefügt und mit Folie umhüllt werden. Die Filterkanäle können sich in etwa in der Richtung des Gasstromes erstrecken bzw. orientiert sein, wobei aber Abweichungen möglich sind. Die Filterkanäle können ferner zum Teil quer zur Richtung des Tabakgasstromes verlaufen. In diesem Fall können z.B. als Rundfilterstäbe ausgebildete Filterelemente mit einer entsprechenden luftdurchlässigen und/oder perforierten Papierbanderole umwickelt werden oder die Filterkanäle werden in den fertig ausgebildeten und mit einer Banderole umwickelten Rundfilterstab eingebracht. Die Filterkanäle können eine Größe bzw. Weite von vorzugsweise 50 bis 100 µm aufweisen, und sich bis zu einer bestimmten Tiefe, z.B. von einem oder beiden Enden des Filterelementes bzw. Rundfilterstabes ausgehend, in diesen hinein erstrecken. Die Filterkanäle können ferner in Längsrichtung orientiert sein und sich durch den gesamten Rundfilterstab hindurch erstrecken. Durch die Gestalt, Größe, Anzahl und Anordnung der Filterkanäle kann der Filtereffekt beeinflusst werden.In the individual layers and / or in the finished filter element additional filter channels can be introduced to z. B. to be able to influence the passage of the aromatragenden molecules of tobacco. These filter channels can be formed for example by needles, water jets or laser at any time during the manufacture of the filter elements. The arrangement and thickness of the layers of the Filter element is irrelevant. So z. B. starch foam sections stored and later, the intended use, if appropriate, combined with intermediate layers of activated carbon to filter elements and wrapped with foil. The filter channels may extend or be oriented approximately in the direction of the gas flow, but deviations are possible. The filter channels may also extend partially transverse to the direction of the tobacco gas stream. In this case, for example, filter elements designed as round filter rods can be wrapped with a corresponding air-permeable and / or perforated paper band or the filter channels are introduced into the finished filter rod wrapped in a band. The filter channels may have a size or width of preferably 50 to 100 .mu.m, and extending into this up to a certain depth, for example, starting from one or both ends of the filter element or round filter rod. The filter channels may also be oriented longitudinally and extend through the entire round filter rod. Due to the shape, size, number and arrangement of the filter channels, the filter effect can be influenced.

Bei einer stapelweisen Anordnung der Schichten aus Stärkeschaum und Aktivkohle kann die Aktivkohle als Granulat ausgebildet sein. Der Zusammenhalt der einzelnen Schichten des Filterelementes kann im Wesentlichen durch das Umhüllungsmaterial, z.B. eine Schrumpffolie, gewährleistet werden.In a stacked arrangement of the layers of starch foam and activated carbon, the activated carbon may be formed as granules. The cohesion of the individual layers of the filter element may be substantially determined by the wrapping material, e.g. a shrink wrap, be guaranteed.

Durch die Einlagerung von Aktivkohle in ein Filtermaterial oder zwischen Schichten eines Filtermateriales aus Stärke und/oder einer Polymermischung auf Stärkebasis wird ein Filterelement geschaffen, in dem die Vorteile beider Materialien vereint sind.By incorporating activated carbon into a filter material or between layers of a starch-based filter material and / or a starch-based polymer mixture, a filter element is created in which the advantages of both materials are combined.

Z. B. ca. 5 Vol.-% Naturfasern (z. B. Baumwollfasern, Cellolosefasern, Hanf) können ähnlich einem Docht im Filterelement angeordnet bzw. darin eingelagert sein und eine Saugwirkung entwickeln, wobei ein zusätzliches Herausfiltern schädlicher Bestandteile aus dem Tabakrauch begünstigt wird.For example, about 5% by volume of natural fibers (eg, cotton fibers, cellulosic fibers, hemp) may be similar to a wick in the filter element, or incorporated therein, and develop a wicking effect, thereby fostering additional filtering out of harmful components from the tobacco smoke.

Stärkeschaum selbst emittiert keine inhalierbaren, flüchtigen Produkte und kann die oben beschriebenen gegebenenfalls freigesetzten Kohlepartikel adsorbieren. Beim Zuschnitt der Zigarettenfilter an den Schnittstellen anhaftende Stärkeschaumpartikel bzw. Stärkefaserpartikel sind gesundheitlich unbedenklich, da sie biologisch abbaubar sind. In einer Umgebung mit entsprechendem Feuchtigkeitsgehalt nehmen die Stärkepartikel oder - fasern die Feuchtigkeit auf bzw. binden diese. Die Parameter der verwendeten Stärkewerkstoffe können bei deren Herstellung so eingestellt werden, dass der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt von Atemluft in der Lunge ausreicht, um gegebenenfalls freigesetzte Stärkepartikel oder Stärkefasern, an denen ggf. Aktivkohlepartikel und Toxine haften, zu binden bzw. zu lösen und während des Ausatmens die Stärkepartikel und -fasern zusammen mit der Atemluft wieder aus der Lunge herauszubefördern. Somit kann eine Ansammlung in der Lunge bei der Inhalation von Tabakrauch verhindert werden.Starch foam itself does not emit inhalable, volatile products and can adsorb the optionally released charcoal particles described above. When cutting the Cigarette filters adhering to the interfaces starch foam particles or starch fiber particles are harmless to health, since they are biodegradable. In an environment of adequate moisture content, the starch particles or fibers absorb or bind the moisture. The parameters of the starch materials used can be adjusted during their preparation so that the moisture content of respiratory air in the lungs is sufficient to bind or release any starch particles or starch fibers, to which possibly activated carbon particles and toxins adhere, and to solve during exhalation To transport starch particles and fibers together with the breathing air back out of the lungs. Thus, accumulation in the lung upon inhalation of tobacco smoke can be prevented.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Darin zeigen:

Figur 1:
ein Verfahrensschema der Filterherstellung aus Stärkeschaum,
Figur 2:
Längsschnitte einzelner Filterelemente,
Figur 3:
einen Längsschnitt einer Zigarette mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Filterelement.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show:
FIG. 1:
a process diagram of filter production from starch foam,
FIG. 2:
Longitudinal sections of individual filter elements,
FIG. 3:
a longitudinal section of a cigarette with a filter element according to the invention.

Gemäß vorliegender Erfindung werden zur Herstellung eines Filterelementes Stärkewerkstoffe mit thermoplastischen Eigenschaften verwendet, die eine Verarbeitung nach Anpassung der Betriebsbedingungen, beispielsweise im "Melt-blown"-Verfahren oder Spinnfließverfahren ermöglichen. Verfahren, die für die vorliegende Erfindung anwendbar sind, werden beispielsweise in der EP 861 036 ausführlich erläutert. In den dort vorgestellten Verfahren können mit Hilfe von Extrusionsanlagen und speziellen Düsen hochfeine Fasern als endlose Fäden (Filamente) ausgetragen, durch Luft verwirbelt und entweder verstreckt (um die Festigkeit zu erhöhen) und anschließend gekräuselt werden (Spinnfließverfahren) oder nicht verstreckt werden, um eine weiche, flauschige Struktur mit großer Oberfläche zu erzielen (Melt-blown-Verfahren).According to the present invention, starch materials with thermoplastic properties are used for the production of a filter element, which allow processing after adjustment of the operating conditions, for example in the melt-blown process or spin-flow process. Methods which are applicable to the present invention are explained in detail, for example, in EP 861 036. In the processes presented there, high-precision fibers can be discharged as endless filaments by means of extrusion equipment and special nozzles, swirled through air and either drawn (to increase the strength) and then crimped (spin-flow method) or not drawn to form a to achieve a soft, fluffy structure with a large surface area (melt-blown process).

Bei der Herstellung eines Filtermaterials für ein erfindungsgemäßes Filterelement nach dem Spinnfließverfahren werden zunächst die extrudierten Fasern versponnen und zu einem Faserbündel zusammengefasst und nach dem Ziehen durch Kompressionswalzen zu einem Endlosfilter ausgeformt. In einem Verfahren zur Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Filterelemente aus Stärkepolymerfasern erfolgt eine abschließende Formgebung in einer Konfigurationsanlage, wobei der Endlosfilter gegebenenfalls nochmals einer Stauch-, Kräuselmaschine zugeführt und in einer Filterstabmaschine zu einzelnen Filterabschnitten verarbeitet wird.In the production of a filter material for a filter element according to the invention by the spin-flow method, the extruded fibers are first spun and made into a Bundled fiber bundles and formed after drawing by compression rollers to form an endless filter. In a method for producing the filter elements according to the invention from starch polymer fibers, a final shaping takes place in a configuration system, wherein the endless filter is optionally fed again to an upsetting, crimping machine and processed in a filter rod machine to form individual filter sections.

Zur Herstellung von Stärkeschaum durch Extrusion wird die Stärke vorzugsweise in einem Zweiwellenextruder Continua 37® unter Druck und Temperatur gelatinisiert, destrukturiert und als Schaumstrang ausextrudiert. Wie in Figur 1 schematisch dargestellt, wird in einer Extrusionsanlage 3 Stärkeschaum 20 aus einem Ausgangsgemisch 2 von Stärke, vorzugsweise nativer Kartoffelstärke, und plastinfizierenden und filmbildenden Additiven durch thermische und mechanische Energieeinleitung verdichtet, gegebenenfalls modifiziert, plastifiziert und durch Temperatur- und Druckabfall expandiert und in einem Kompressionsschritt verdichtet, wobei er in einer Kalanderanlage 22 zu einem Endlosfilter 7 verarbeitet wird. Dabei wird ein aufgeschäumtes Rundprofil in einem Durchmesser von 10 mm hergestellt und im Formatierungsprozess auf einen Durchmesser von 7,8 mm kalibriert. Das spezifische Raumgewicht des Schaumfilterstranges beträgt z. B. ca. 12 kg/m3. Der extrudierte Stärkeschaum 20 ist im wesentlichen offenporig, so dass das aufgeschäumte Filtermaterial aus destrukturierter Stärke mit einem kristallinen Anteil von weniger als 5 % in der Lage ist, die im Tabakrauch enthaltenen Flüssigkeiten und flüssigen Schadstoffe, wie Kondensat und Teerprodukte, zu adsorbieren, wobei der Stärkeschaumstoff selbst keine inhalierbaren, flüchtigen Produkte in den Tabakrauch emittiert.To prepare starch foam by extrusion, the starch is preferably gelatinized under pressure and temperature in a Continua 37® twin-screw extruder, destructured and extruded as a foam strand. As shown schematically in Figure 1, in an extrusion plant 3, starch foam 20 from a starting mixture 2 of starch, preferably native potato starch, and plasticizing and film-forming additives by thermal and mechanical energy input compressed, optionally modified, plasticized and expanded by temperature and pressure drop and in compressed a compression step, wherein it is processed in a calender 22 to an endless filter 7. Here, a foamed round profile with a diameter of 10 mm is produced and calibrated in the formatting process to a diameter of 7.8 mm. The specific density of the foam filter strand is z. B. about 12 kg / m 3 . The extruded starch foam 20 is substantially open-pored so that the frothed destructured starch filter material having a crystalline content of less than 5% is capable of adsorbing the liquids and liquid contaminants contained in the tobacco smoke such as condensate and tar products Starch foam itself emits no inhalable, volatile products in the tobacco smoke.

Die weitere Formgebung und Vereinzelung zu kurzen Filterstäben bzw. Filterabschnitten 1 erfolgt in einer Konfigurationsanlage 8. Nach der Erfindung wird der Endlosfilter zu Filterabschnitten zugeschnitten und zu einem Filterelement bzw. Zigarettenfilter mit einem stapelförmigen Aufbau von Filterabschnitten auf Stärkebasis gegebenenfalls im Wechsel mit Aktivkohleschichten (wie in Figur 3 dargestellt) verarbeitet.The further shaping and singulation into short filter rods or filter sections 1 takes place in a configuration system 8. According to the invention, the endless filter is cut into filter sections and into a filter element or cigarette filter with a stacked structure of starch-based filter sections optionally in alternation with activated carbon layers (as in US Pat Figure 3 shown) processed.

Obwohl nach der Erfindung ein Extrudat mit luftdurchlässiger Konfiguration ausgebildet wird, ist für die Luftdurchlässigkeit ein großer Bereich möglich. So kann das Extrudat im wesentlichen offenporig ausgebildet sein, so dass eine hohe Luftdurchlässigkeit zu erwarten ist. Ebenso kann das Extrudat teilweise geschlossenporig ausgebildet und die Luftdurchlässigkeit entsprechend niedrig sein. Um das Filtermaterial für Tabakrauchfilter auf besstimmte Filtereigenschaften einzustellen, können zusätzliche Filterkanäle in geegneter Anzahl und Größe eingebracht werdenAlthough according to the invention, an extrudate is formed with air-permeable configuration, a large area is possible for the air permeability. So can the extrudate in the be formed substantially porous, so that a high air permeability is expected. Likewise, the extrudate can partially closed-pored and the air permeability be correspondingly low. In order to adjust the filter material for tobacco smoke filters to tuned filter properties, additional filter channels of appropriate number and size can be introduced

Nach der Erfindung können in ein Filtermaterial aus einem Stärkewerkstoff die Filterkanäle durch Nadeln, Wasserstrahlen oder mittels Laserstrahl eingebracht werden. In einem schichtweise aufgebauten Filterelement (Rundfilterstab) werden die Dicke jeder Filterschicht aus Stärkewerkstoff und gegebenenfalls Aktivkohle und die Lasertiefe, die der Kanallänge entspricht, aufeinander abgestimmt. Obwohl ein Filtermaterial aus einem geschäumten Stärkewerkstoff offenporig ausgebildet sein kann, können zusätzlich eingebrachte Filterkanäle die vorteilhaften Eigenschaften, wie die Adhäsionseigenschaften, dieses Filtermateriales verstärken. Ferner besitzt beispielsweise ein Filtermaterial aus Stärkepolymerfasern verbesserte Adhäsionseigenschaften der zu filternden Schadstoffteilchen im Tabakrauch. Ein Filtermaterial aus einem faserigen Stärkewerkstoff kann zu Stapelfasern zugeschnitten werden, wobei die Enden der kurzen Fasern beispielsweise in zusätzlich in das Filtermaterial eingebrachte Filterkanäle hineinragen und so die Filtereigenschaften weiter verbessert werden können. Die Figur 3 zeigt einen Längsschnitt einer Zigarette 10 mit einem Filterelement 1, wie es gemäß einem in Figur 1 dargestellten Verfahren hergestellt wird, wobei ein Tabak 11 enthaltender Abschnitt und ein das Filterelement 1 enthaltender Abschnitt mit Zigarettenpapier 12 umwickelt und verbunden sind sowie das Filterelement 1 und der Übergangsbereich zum den Tabak 11 enthaltenden Abschnitt mit einer weiteren Banderole 13 zur Verstärkung umhüllt sind. Das Filterelement 1 ist stapelförmig aufgebaut (vgl. Figur 2), wobei Schichten aus Stärkeschaum 20 und Schichten aus Aktivkohle 21 abwechselnd angeordnet sind.According to the invention, the filter channels can be introduced by needling, water jets or laser beam in a filter material made of a starch material. In a layered filter element (round filter rod), the thickness of each filter layer of starch material and possibly activated carbon and the laser depth, which corresponds to the channel length, are matched. Although a filter material made of a foamed starch material can be open-pored, additionally introduced filter channels can enhance the advantageous properties, such as the adhesion properties, of this filter material. Further, for example, a filter material of starch polymer fibers has improved adhesion properties of the pollutant particles to be filtered in the tobacco smoke. A filter material of a fibrous starch material can be cut into staple fibers, wherein the ends of the short fibers protrude, for example, in additionally introduced into the filter material filter channels and so the filter properties can be further improved. 3 shows a longitudinal section of a cigarette 10 with a filter element 1, as it is produced according to a method shown in Figure 1, wherein a portion containing tobacco 11 and a section containing the filter element 1 are wrapped and connected with cigarette paper 12 and the filter element and the transition region to the tobacco 11 containing portion are wrapped with another band 13 for reinforcement. The filter element 1 is constructed in the form of a stack (cf., FIG. 2), wherein layers of starch foam 20 and layers of activated carbon 21 are arranged alternately.

Die Verfahrensbedingungen und Rezepturen zur einstufigen Verfahrensgestaltung und Herstellung eines im wesentlichen elastischen komprimierbaren Filtertows aus Stärkeschaum mit einer offenporigen Schaumstruktur, wie in der EP 861 036 vorgestellt, können für die Zwecke der vorliegenden Erfindung verwendet werden.The process conditions and formulations for one-step process design and production of a substantially elastic compressible starch-foam filter tow having an open cell foam structure as disclosed in EP 861,036 may be used for the purposes of the present invention.

Claims (12)

  1. A filter element for manufacturing tobacco smoke filters comprising a filtering material which substantially contains starch and/or a starch-based polymer mixture and comprises pores and/or filter channels being open in the direction of the gas flow, characterized in that the filtering material is arranged in alternatingly succeeding layers consisting of starch and/or a starch-based polymer mixture and activated carbon (21) and the layers are stacked transversely with respect to the direction of the gas flow.
  2. The filter element according to claim 1 comprising preferably continuous filter channels extending substantially in the direction of the gas flow, wherein the diameter of the filter channels preferably lies in the range of 50 to 100 µm.
  3. The filter element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the starch and/or the polymer mixture form(s) a base material for activated carbon (21).
  4. The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filtering material consisting of starch and/or a starch-based polymer mixture is a foamed material (20) or a fibrous material.
  5. The filter element according to claim 4, wherein the foamed material (20) or the fibrous material forms a base material for an activated-carbon powder (21).
  6. The filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 5 containing natural fibers such as cellulose fibers, hemp or cotton fibers preferably in an amount of about 5 percent by volume.
  7. A method for manufacturing a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps of:
    (a) continuously supplying a metered mixture of starch and/or a starch-based polymer mixture as well as further additives into an extruder system,
    (b) heating and kneading the mixture at a defined temperature and pressure regime for forming a melt,
    (c) extruding the melt through a nozzle,
    (d) forming an extruded product having an air-permeable configuration,
    (e) compressing the extruded product and forming a filtering material as an endless filter (7),
    (f) separating the extruded filtering material into portions, and
    (g) forming a filter element (1) consisting of at least one filtering material portion.
  8. A method for manufacturing a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps of:
    (a) continuously supplying a metered mixture of starch and/or a starch-based polymer mixture as well as further additives into an extruder system,
    (b) heating and kneading the mixture at a defined temperature and pressure regime for forming a melt,
    (c) extruding the melt through a nozzle,
    (d) forming an extruded product having an air-permeable configuration,
    (e) compressing the extruded product and forming a filtering material as an endless filter (7),
    (f) separating the extruded filtering material into portions, and
    (g) forming a filter element (1) consisting of two or more filtering material portions and each comprising an activated carbon layer (21) between subsequent filtering material portions.
  9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein filter channels are introduced into the filtering material portions before forming the filter element (1).
  10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the filter channels are formed by water jets, needles or a laser beam.
  11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filtering material is formed of starch foam, biopolymeric films or starch polymer fibers.
  12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the further additives are polyvinyl alcohol, polyester amide and/or polyester urethane, polylactic acid (PLB), poly hydroxy butyric acid (PHB), a flowing assistant as well as optionally a foaming agent.
EP03775194A 2002-11-13 2003-10-16 Filter element Expired - Lifetime EP1567025B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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DE10252823 2002-11-13
DE10252823A DE10252823A1 (en) 2002-11-13 2002-11-13 filter element
PCT/EP2003/011493 WO2004043174A2 (en) 2002-11-13 2003-10-16 Filter element

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EP1567025B1 true EP1567025B1 (en) 2006-04-12

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AT (1) ATE322842T1 (en)
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CA (1) CA2502426A1 (en)
DE (2) DE10252823A1 (en)
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US20060124145A1 (en) 2006-06-15
WO2004043174A2 (en) 2004-05-27
JP4242347B2 (en) 2009-03-25
AU2003283273A1 (en) 2004-06-03
ATE322842T1 (en) 2006-04-15
WO2004043174A3 (en) 2004-10-14
DE10252823A1 (en) 2004-06-09
PT1567025E (en) 2006-08-31
DE50302987D1 (en) 2006-05-24
US7762267B2 (en) 2010-07-27
CA2502426A1 (en) 2004-05-27
DK1567025T3 (en) 2006-07-17
JP2006506061A (en) 2006-02-23
ES2257697T3 (en) 2006-08-01
EP1567025A2 (en) 2005-08-31
AU2003283273A8 (en) 2004-06-03

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