EP2323506A2 - Apparatus and associated method for forming a filter component of a smoking article and smoking articles made therefrom - Google Patents
Apparatus and associated method for forming a filter component of a smoking article and smoking articles made therefromInfo
- Publication number
- EP2323506A2 EP2323506A2 EP09751566A EP09751566A EP2323506A2 EP 2323506 A2 EP2323506 A2 EP 2323506A2 EP 09751566 A EP09751566 A EP 09751566A EP 09751566 A EP09751566 A EP 09751566A EP 2323506 A2 EP2323506 A2 EP 2323506A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fiber
- adsorbent
- adsorbent material
- carrier
- filter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
- A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
-
- 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
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
- A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
- A24D3/0216—Applying additives to filter materials the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like
-
- 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
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
- A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
- A24D3/0225—Applying additives to filter materials with solid additives, e.g. incorporation of a granular product
-
- 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
- A24D3/061—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking
-
- 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
- A24D3/067—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters characterised by functional properties
- A24D3/068—Biodegradable or disintegrable
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Embodiments of the present invention relate to the formation of tobacco products, such as smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes), and more particularly, to apparatuses and associated methods for inserting an adsorbent material into a cigarette filter.
- smoking articles e.g., cigarettes
- smokable material such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form), surrounded by a paper wrapper, thereby forming a so-called “smokable rod” or "tobacco rod.”
- a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod.
- a filter element comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed by a paper material known as "plug wrap.”
- Certain filter elements can incorporate polyhydric alcohols.
- the filter element is attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as "tipping paper.”
- tipping paper a circumscribing wrapping material
- a cigarette is employed by a smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth by drawing on the opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the cigarette.
- Certain cigarettes incorporate filter elements having adsorbent materials dispersed therein, such as activated carbon or charcoal materials (collectively, carbonaceous materials) in particulate or granular form (i.e., powder).
- an exemplary cigarette filter can possess multiple segments, and at least one of those segments can comprise particles of high carbon-content materials.
- filters incorporating charcoal particles or activated carbon types of materials are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,881,770 to Touey; 3,101,723 to Seligman et al.; 3,236,244 to Irby et al.; 3,311,519 to Touey et al.; 3,347,247 to Lloyd; 3,349,780 to Sublett et al.; 3,370,595 to Davis et al.; 3,413,982 to Sublett et al.; 3,602,231 to Dock; 3,972,335 to Tigglebeck et al; 5,360,023 to Blakley et al.; and 6,537,186 to Veluz; U.S.
- granules of carbonaceous material can be incorporated into "cavity" types of filter regions using the general types of techniques used for traditional "cavity” filter manufacture.
- other known types of techniques and equipment for producing filter segments incorporating granular materials can be suitably altered so as to introduce carbonaceous material into the filter segments.
- such techniques often are rudimentary in that the particulates or granules of carbonaceous material are roughly inserted into the filter element as either a loose powder or a slurry, a process which can be described as, for example, inconsistent, wasteful, and "messy.”
- one aspect relates to an apparatus for forming filter rods used in the manufacture of smoking articles, wherein each rod has an adsorbent material, carried by a carrier material, inserted into the filter rod along its length such that, when the rod is longitudinally subdivided into rod portions, each rod portion includes at least a portion of the adsorbent material.
- the apparatus incorporates equipment for supplying a continuous supply of filter material (e.g., a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit).
- a representative apparatus may also include, for example, a hopper and rotating wheel arrangement such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0068540 Al to Thomas et al. (and incorporated herein by reference), operably engaged with the filter supply equipment, for supplying the carrier material carrying the adsorbent material to the filter material.
- Other arrangements for inserting objects into the filter material are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,862,905 to Green, Jr. et al. (i.e., insertion of individual strand portions); U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
- the continuous supply of filter material is formed, for example, by a rod- forming unit into a continuous cylindrical rod member.
- the carrier material carrying the adsorbent material is inserted by an insertion unit into the rod member.
- the continuous rod may then be subdivided at predetermined intervals by a rod-dividing unit so as to form a plurality of filter rods or rod portions or filter elements such that each rod portion includes at least a portion of the adsorbent material.
- a method of forming a cigarette filter rod member 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.
- Such a method may further comprise dividing the rod member into a plurality of rod portions along the longitudinal axis thereof such that each rod portion includes at least a portion of the adsorbent material.
- the invention provides a cigarette filter comprising at least one filter segment having one or more composite fiber structures imbedded therein, the composite fiber structure comprising a carrier fiber and an adsorbent fiber (e.g., a carbonaceous fiber), the adsorbent fiber comprising an adsorbent material.
- adsorbent fiber e.g., a carbonaceous fiber
- Exemplary carbonaceous fibers can be prepared by carbonization of a precursor fiber, such as phenolic fibers, cellulosic fibers, rayon fibers, acrylic fibers, and pitch fibers.
- the filter comprises one or more segments of fibrous tow material, such as cellulose acetate tow.
- the composite fiber structure can comprise multiple carrier fibers or multiple adsorbent fibers.
- One or both of the carrier fiber and adsorbent fiber can be in the form of a yarn.
- the entire composite fiber structure can also be in the form of a yarn.
- the carrier fiber acts as a carrier for the adsorbent fiber, such as by enwrapping the adsorbent fiber around the carrier fiber.
- the invention provides a cigarette filter comprising at least one filter segment having at least one degradable fiber imbedded therein, such as a biodegradable fiber.
- the fiber can be any strand, thread, or yarn that has any of a variety of cross-sections, including a circular or a flattened cross-section.
- the fiber can provide a visual difference or a textural/tactile difference to the filter element.
- the fiber itself could alter the character or nature of the smoke passing through the filter, or optionally carry an additive capable of altering the character or nature of the smoke (e.g., such as one or more adsorbent materials, flavorants, deodorizing agents, or combinations thereof).
- the additive can be carried by, or associated with, the degradable fiber using a variety of techniques, such as by absorption of the additive into the fiber structure, coating of the additive onto the fiber structure, adherence of a solid additive onto the surface of the fiber, or wrapping of an additive in the form of a fiber (e.g., a carbonaceous fiber) around the degradable fiber.
- a fiber e.g., a carbonaceous fiber
- biodegradable fibers include cellulosic fibers, polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic polyurethanes, cis-polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, polyhydroxy alkanoates, polyanhydrides, and copolymers and blends thereof.
- the biodegradable fiber is a bamboo fiber or a polylactic acid fiber.
- the invention also includes smoking articles incorporating a filter element as described herein, such as a smoking article comprising a rod of smokable material circumscribed by a wrapping material, the rod of smokable material being attached to a cigarette filter according to the invention.
- Embodiments of the present invention thus provide significant advantages as disclosed herein in further detail.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a smoking article having the form of a cigarette, showing the smokable material, the wrapping material components, and the filter element of the cigarette;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a filter element incorporating an adsorbent material therein according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sectional views of a smoking article having the form of a cigarette, showing the smokable material, the wrapping material components, and the adsorbent material-containing filter element of that cigarette;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic of a rod-making apparatus including a portion of the filter tow processing unit, a source of an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material, an insertion unit, and a filter rod-forming unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a filter element incorporating a carbonaceous fiber carried by a carrier fiber
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carbonaceous fiber carried by a carrier fiber.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a smoking article 10 in the form of a cigarette and possessing certain representative components of a smoking article produced or formed by the present invention.
- the cigarette 10 includes a generally cylindrical rod 12 of a charge or roll of smokable filler material contained in a circumscribing wrapping material 16.
- the rod 12 is conventionally referred to as a "tobacco rod.”
- the ends of the tobacco rod 12 are open to expose the smokable filler material.
- the cigarette 10 is shown as having one optional band 22 (e.g., a printed coating including a film -forming agent, such as starch, ethylcellulose, or sodium alginate) applied to the wrapping material 16, and that band circumscribes the cigarette rod in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. That is, the band 22 provides a cross-directional region relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.
- a film -forming agent such as starch, ethylcellulose, or sodium alginate
- the band 22 can be printed on the inner surface of the wrapping material (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), or less preferably, on the outer surface of the wrapping material.
- the cigarette can possess a wrapping material having one optional band, the cigarette also can possess wrapping material having further optional spaced bands numbering two, three, or more.
- At one end of the tobacco rod 12 is the lighting end 18, and at the mouth end 20 is positioned a filter element 26.
- the filter element 26 positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 12 such that the filter element and tobacco rod are axially aligned in an end- to-end relationship, preferably abutting one another.
- Filter element 26 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and the diameter thereof may be essentially equal to the diameter of the tobacco rod. The ends of the filter element 26 permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough.
- the filter element 26 may be configured as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the filter includes a first filter segment 32 positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 12.
- the first filter segment 32 includes filter material 40 (e.g., cellulose acetate tow impregnated with plasticizer, such as triacetin).
- the filter element 26 may not be divided into segments, such as shown in FIG. 3.
- an adsorbent material/particulate 50 within the filter material 40 of the first segment may be inserted an adsorbent material/particulate 50.
- adsorbent material 50 had been roughly inserted into the filter material 40. That is, the adsorbent material 50 had been inserted while in a loose particulate form, such as a powder or slurry.
- the filter material 40 of the first segment may also be optionally dispersed a plurality of particles 52 or otherwise breakable or rupturable capsules comprising a flavoring agent.
- a carbonaceous material is used as the adsorbent material 50
- at least a portion of the carbonaceous material, and typically virtually all of the carbonaceous material is in intimate contact with an effective amount of a mixture of polyol ester (e.g., triacetin) and polyol (e.g., propylene glycol).
- the filter element also can be incorporate other components that have the ability to alter the properties of the mainstream smoke that passes throughout the filter element. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Application Publication Nos. 2004/0237984 to Figlar et al.;
- the filter element 26 may also possess a second filter segment 36 longitudinally disposed relative to the first segment 32 and positioned at the extreme mouth end of the cigarette 10.
- the second filter segment 36 includes filter material 48 (e.g., cellulose acetate tow impregnated with plasticizer, such as triacetin) that is over-wrapped along the longitudinally extending surface thereof with circumscribing plug wrap material 28.
- the second filter segment 36 may be substantially free of adsorbent and breakable or ruprurable capsules, meaning that such additives are not visible when viewing the extreme mouth end of the filter element 26.
- the filter element 26 is circumscribed along its outer circumference or longitudinal periphery by a layer of outer plug wrap 28.
- the outer plug wrap 28 overlies each of the first filter segment 32 and the second filter segment 36, so as to provide a combined, two- segment filter element.
- the filter element 26 is attached to the tobacco rod 12 using tipping material 46 (e.g., essentially air impermeable tipping paper), that circumscribes both the entire length of the filter element 26 and an adjacent region of the tobacco rod 12.
- tipping material 46 e.g., essentially air impermeable tipping paper
- the inner surface of the tipping material 46 is fixedly secured to the outer surface of the plug wrap 28 and the outer surface of the wrapping material 16 of the tobacco rod, using a suitable adhesive; and hence, the filter element and the tobacco rod are connected to one another. See also the tipping materials and configurations set forth in U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2008/0029111 to Dube et al, which is incorporated by reference herein.
- a ventilated or air diluted smoking article can be provided with an optional air dilution mechanisms, such as a series of perforations 30, each of which extend through the tipping material and plug wrap.
- the optional perforations 30, shown in FIG. 1 can be made by various techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as laser perforation techniques.
- so-called off-line air dilution techniques can be used (e.g., through the use of porous paper plug w r rap and pre-perforated tipping paper).
- the amount or degree of air dilution or ventilation can vary.
- the amount of air dilution for an air diluted cigarette is greater than about 10 percent, generally is greater than about 20 percent, often is greater than about 30 percent, and sometimes is greater than about 40 percent.
- the upper level for air dilution for an air diluted cigarette is less than about 80 percent, and often is less than about 70 percent.
- air dilution is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the volume of air drawn through the air dilution means to the total volume and air and smoke drawn through the cigarette and exiting the extreme mouth end portion of the cigarette.
- the smoker lights the lighting end 18 of the cigarette 10 using a match or cigarette lighter. As such, the smokable material 12 begins to burn.
- the mouth end 20 of the cigarette 10 is placed in the lips of the smoker.
- Thermal decomposition products e.g., components of tobacco smoke
- Thermal decomposition products generated by the burning smokable material 12 are drawn through the cigarette 10, through the filter element 26, and into the mouth of the smoker.
- certain amount of certain gaseous components of the mainstream smoke are removed from the mainstream smoke or neutralized by the adsorbent material 50 within the filter element 26.
- Filters incorporating such adsorbent material 50 such as carbonaceous filter components (e.g., activated charcoal particles), have the capability of capturing a wide range of mainstream tobacco smoke vapor phase components. If desired, prior to, during or after the smoking experience, the smoker can optionally squeeze the filter element.
- the filter element 26 could include more than the two segments set forth in FIG. 2. Although less preferred, the filter element 26 could also include a cavity formed between two filter material segments, with the adsorbent material 50 and the optional flavoring agent 52 mixed together therein. Although it is preferable to avoid positioning the filter segment comprising the adsorbent material 50 and optional flavor agent 52 at the extreme mouth end of the filter, it is not necessary for the filter segment comprising these additives to be located at the tobacco end of the filter. Instead, the filter segment comprising the dispersed additives can be more centrally located within the filter element 26 with one or more filter segments toward each end that do not contain the additives.
- a representative cigarette 10 can vary.
- Preferred cigarettes are rod shaped, and can have diameters of about 7.5 mm (e.g., circumferences of about 20 mm to about 27 mm, often about 22.5 mm to about 25 mm); and can have total lengths of about 70 mm to about 120 mm, often about 80 mm to about 100 mm.
- the length of the filter element 30 can vary. Typical filter elements can have total lengths of about 15 mm to about 40 mm, often about 20 mm to about 35 mm.
- the downstream or mouth end filter segment often has a length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and the upstream or tobacco rod end filter segment often has a length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm.
- suitable catalytic compounds e.g., for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, can be incorporated into one or more segments of the filter element 26.
- exemplary catalysts include noble metals (e.g., silver, gold, platinum), metal oxides, ceramics, and mixtures thereof.
- one filter element 26 that may be formed in accordance with the present invention comprises multiple, longitudinally-extending segments.
- Each segment can have varying properties and may include various materials capable of filtration or adsorption of particulate matter and/or vapor phase compounds from the mainstream smoke.
- the filter element of various aspects of the invention includes 2 to 6 segments, frequently 2 to 4 segments.
- the filter element 26 may include a mouth end segment and a tobacco end segment, with the tobacco end segment comprising the dispersed adsorbent material 50 and flavoring agent 52.
- the filter element may incorporate adsorbent material/particulate 50.
- adsorbent material 50 may be a material with relatively high surface area capable of adsorbing smoke constituents without a high degree of specificity, or a material that adsorbs certain compounds with a greater degree of specificity, such as an ion exchange resin.
- exemplary types of adsorbent material may include activated carbon, a molecular sieve (e.g., zeolites and carbon molecular sieves), clay, an ion exchange resin, activated alumina, silica gel, meerschaum, and combinations thereof. Any adsorbent material, or mixture of materials, that has the ability to alter the character or nature of mainstream smoke passing through the filter element may be used.
- Exemplary ion exchange resins comprise a polymer backbone, such as styrene- divinylbenzene (DVB) copolymers, acrylates, methacrylates, phenol formaldehyde condensates, and epichlorohydrin amine condensates, and a plurality of electrically charged functional groups attached to the polymer backbone, and can be a weak base anion exchange resin or a strong base anion exchange resin.
- Commercially available embodiments of such resins include DIAION® ion-exchange resins available from Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
- DUOLITE® ion exchange resins available from Rohm and Haas (e.g., DUOLITE® A7), and XORBEX resins available from Dalian Trico Chemical Co. of China.
- a preferred adsorbent is a carbonaceous material, which is a material that is composed primarily of carbon, and preferred carbonaceous materials are composed of virtually all carbon.
- carbonaceous materials comprise carbon in amounts of more than about 85 percent, generally more than about 90 percent, often more than about 95 percent, and frequently more than about 98 percent, by weight.
- the carbonaceous material can have the form of charcoal, but most preferably is an activated carbon material.
- Activated carbon materials are high surface area materials. Exemplary activated carbon materials have surface areas of more than about 200 m Ig, often more than about 1000 m /g, and frequently more than about 1500 m /g, as determined using the Brunaver, Emmet and Teller (BET) method described in J. Amer. Chem.
- the filter element 26 may incorporate an effective amount of adsorbent material 50, such as an effective amount of activated carbon.
- the effective amount is an amount that, when incorporated into the filter element 26, provides some desired degree of alteration of the mainstream smoke of a cigarette incorporating that filter element 26.
- a cigarette filter element incorporating activated carbon particles or granules can act to lower the yield of certain gas phase components of the mainstream smoke passing through that filter element.
- the amount of carbonaceous material or other adsorbent within the filter element is at least about 20 mg, often at least about 30 mg, and frequently at least about 40 mg, on a dry weight basis.
- the amount of carbonaceous material or other adsorbent material 50 within the filter element does not exceed about 500 mg, generally does not exceed about 400 mg, often does not exceed about 300 mg, and frequently does not exceed about 200 mg, on a dry weight basis.
- the carbonaceous materials can be derived from synthetic or natural sources. Materials such as rayon or nylon can be carbonized, followed by treatment with oxygen to provide activated carbonaceous materials. Materials such as wood and coconut shells can be carbonized, followed by treatment with oxygen to provide activated carbonaceous materials.
- the level of activity of the carbon may vary. Typically, the carbon has an activity of about 60 to about 150 Carbon Tetrachloride Activity (i.e., weight percent pickup of carbon tetrachloride).
- Preferred carbonaceous materials are provided by carbonizing or pyrolyzing bituminous coal, tobacco material, softwood pulp, hardwood pulp, coconut shells, almond shells, grape seeds, walnut shells, macadamia shells, kapok fibers, cotton fibers, cotton linters, and the like.
- suitable carbonaceous materials are activated coconut hull based carbons available from Calgon Corp. as PCB and GRC-11 or from PICA as G277, coal-based carbons available from Calgon Corp. as S-Sorb, Sorbite, BPL, CRC-I IF, FCA and SGL, wood-based carbons available from Westvaco as WV-B, SA-20 and BSA-20, carbonaceous materials available from Calgon Corp.
- Preferred carbonaceous materials are coconut shell types of activated carbons available from sources such as Calgon Carbon Corporation, Gowrishankar Chemicals, Carbon Activated Corp. and General Carbon Corp. See, also, for example, Activated Carbon Compendium, Marsh (Ed.) (2001), which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Certain carbonaceous materials can be impregnated with substances, such as transition metals (e.g., silver, gold, copper, platinum, and palladium), nanoparticles, potassium bicarbonate, tobacco extracts, polyethyleneimine, manganese dioxide, eugenol, and 4-ketononanoic acid.
- the carbon composition may also include one or more fillers, such as semolina.
- Grape seed extracts may also be incorporated into the filter element 20 as a free radical scavenger.
- Sintered or foamed carbon materials see, e.g., US Pat. No. 7,049,382 to Haftka et al.
- gathered webs see, e.g., US Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. US 2008/0092912 to Robinson et al. and US 2007/0056600 to Coleman, III et al.
- one aspect of the present disclosure involves engaging the adsorbent material 50 with a carrier material 55 prior to insertion of the resulting assembly into the filter element 26 (or a continuous filter rod before longitudinal severance thereof to form multiple filter elements 26). Selection of a suitable carrier material 55 may facilitate, for example, improved production by more effectively and efficiently inserting the now "captive" adsorbent material 50 into the filter element 26.
- the adsorbent material 50 is carried by the carrier material 55 upon insertion thereof into the filter element 26.
- the carrier material 55 may be in the form of, for example, a pellet (FIG. 3A), a capsule (FIG. 3B), a tube (FIG. 3C), a continuous elongate structure, a continuous strip, a strand or the like capable of receiving and "holding captive" the adsorbent material 50 (FIG. 3D) so as to facilitate insertion thereof into the filter element 26 in a cleaner, more effective manner
- individual or multiple forms of the carrier material 55 may be inserted into the filter element 26. For example, individual or multiple capsules, tubes, pellets, etc.
- the carrier material 55 may comprise a matrix material, such as, for example, a polymer material, which may be impregnated with the adsorbent material 50 (i.e., the adsorbent material 50 may be suspended in or otherwise held by the matrix material) such that the adsorbent material 50 may be carried with and by the matrix material into the filter element 26.
- a matrix material such as, for example, a polymer material, which may be impregnated with the adsorbent material 50 (i.e., the adsorbent material 50 may be suspended in or otherwise held by the matrix material) such that the adsorbent material 50 may be carried with and by the matrix material into the filter element 26.
- the matrix material may comprise a high-density or low-density polymer material, such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene, impregnated with the adsorbent material 50 or otherwise having the adsorbent material 50, such as, for example, a carbonaceous material (e.g., activated carbon, charcoal) dispersed therein.
- a carbonaceous material e.g., activated carbon, charcoal
- the adsorbent material 50 is relatively evenly dispersed, but such even dispersion may not be absolutely necessary.
- the carrier material 55 is formed as a tubular or capsular member
- the adsorbent material 50 may be inserted into the tubular or capsular member so as to be contained thereby upon insertion into the filter element 26.
- the adsorbent material 50 may engage, contact, or otherwise interact with the continuous elongate structure such that the adsorbent material 50 can be carried into the filter element 26 thereby.
- the continuous strip may be lengthwise wrapped around the adsorbent material 50 so as to contain the adsorbent material 50 therein (i.e., similar to a "tube") for insertion into the filter element 26.
- the carrier material 55 may have a form that can be generally characterized as a containment or capturing vehicle for the adsorbent material 50 that hold the same in a relatively secure manner such that the adsorbent material 50 can be delivered into the filter element/rod 26 via the carrier material 55 in a captive manner, as compared to the loose powdered, granular, or particulate form of the adsorbent material 50 inserted within filter element 26 of smoking articles in some prior art processes.
- the insertion or incorporation of the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 into the filter element 26 may be accomplished in a "cleaner" and more consistent and efficient manner (i.e., since the adsorbent material 50 is held “captive"), as compared to directing a loose powdered adsorbent material 50, or slurry form thereof, into the filter elements 26 (i.e., less dust, spillage, overflow, contamination, cross-contamination, etc.).
- Such benefits may, in turn, translate into, for instance, less maintenance, a faster process, higher efficiency and/or more consistent delivery of the adsorbent material 50, and increased safety.
- the carrier material 55 may be readily configured in any manner suitable for facilitating insertion thereof into individual filter elements 26.
- a matrix material such as a gel-type substance or otherwise suitable substance may contain, though not necessarily through impregnation, the adsorbent material 50 in a form capable of being incorporated within an individual filter element 26.
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may comprise a strand, strip, or otherwise elongate structure that is severed to form individual portions capable of being inserted into the filter rod and/or filter element 26.
- the carrier material 55 may be in the form of a pellet.
- the pellets may be produced using devices such as the FL-M Series granulator equipment (e.g., FL-M-3) from Vector Corporation and as WP 120V and WP 200VN from Alexanderwerk, Inc.
- Exemplary compaction devices such as compaction presses, are available as Colton 2216 and Colton 2247 from Vector Corporation and as 120Oi, 220Oi, 3200, 2090, 3090 and 4090 from Fette Compacting.
- Devices for providing outer coating layers to compacted pelletized formulations are available as CompuLab 24, CompuLab 36, Accela-Cota 48 and Accela-Cota 60 from Thomas Engineering.
- the pellets may be manufactured using a wide variety of extrusion techniques.
- such pellets may be manufactured using co-extrusion techniques (e.g., using a twin screw extruder).
- co-extrusion techniques e.g., using a twin screw extruder
- successive wet or dry components or component mixtures can be placed within separate extrusion hoppers.
- Steam, gases (e.g., ammonia, air, carbon dioxide, and the like), and humectants e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol
- gases e.g., ammonia, air, carbon dioxide, and the like
- humectants e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol
- the contact of components is such that individual components (e.g., adsorbent material or flavoring agents) may be well embedded in the extrusion matrix or extrudate.
- individual components e.g., adsorbent material or flavoring agents
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may be incorporated within a segment of a cavity filter (e.g., as pellets within the central cavity region of a three-segment or stage filter element).
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may be dispersed within a fibrous filter material (e.g., as pellets dispersed throughout a filter tow or gathered non-woven web material) as a segment of a longitudinally multi-segmented filter element (e.g., a two-segment filter element).
- the adsorbent material 50 may be released from the carrier material 55 and into the filter material.
- carrier material 55 may be dissolved, disintegrated, degraded, or otherwise destroyed in situ so as to release and/or disperse or otherwise effectively expose the adsorbent material 50 into the filter element 26 such that the adsorbent material 50 can have the desired effect on the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter element 26.
- a representative cigarette filter element 26 may possess the adsorbent material 50 within at least one component or segment of the filter element in a manner sufficient to affect the mainstream smoke gas phase removal within the filter element 26.
- the moisture content of the carbonaceous material can vary.
- the moisture content of the carbonaceous material or other adsorbent within the filter element, prior to use of the cigarette incorporating that filter element is less than about 30 percent, often less than about 25 percent, and frequently less than about 20 percent, based on the combined weight of the carbonaceous material and moisture.
- the moisture content of the carbonaceous material or other adsorbent within the filter element, prior to use of the cigarette incorporating that filter element is greater than about 3 percent, often greater than about 5 percent, and frequently greater than about 8 percent, based on the combined weight of the carbonaceous material and moisture.
- an optional flavoring agent may also be impregnated or otherwise suspended or included within or on the carrier material 55, in addition to the adsorbent material 50. That is, the carrier material 55 may carry both the adsorbent material 50 and an optional flavoring agent into the filter element 26. As such, the complexity of the formation process for the filter element 26 and/or smoking article may be reduced.
- the carrier material 55 may comprise a polymer matrix material impregnated with the adsorbent material 50, such as, for example, a carbonaceous material, and an optional flavoring agent.
- a single insertion device/step may only be needed to insert the adsorbent material 50 and the optional flavoring agent, rather than using multiple insertion devices/steps to insert the adsorbent material 50 and the optional flavoring agent (i.e., in the form of a rupturable capsule) into the filter element 26.
- the adsorbent material 50 may be formed as a sphere, pellet, capsule, tube or other structured object, with or without the carrier material 55.
- the pellets may be manufactured using a wide variety of extrusion techniques.
- such pellets may be manufactured using co-extrusion techniques (e.g., using a twin screw extruder).
- a spherical carbon object may be formed so as to be more easily inserted into the filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate tow).
- the as-formed adsorbent material 50 may be provided with a carrier material 55 in the form of an "outer shell" through the application of, for example, food grade shellac, ethyl cellulose, any suitable hydrophobic coating, or an electrostatically-applied material, to the adsorbent material object.
- a resulting object may be inserted with an object-insertion device, as commonly known in the art, such as those used to insert rupturable capsules containing flavoring agents.
- object-insertion device as commonly known in the art, such as those used to insert rupturable capsules containing flavoring agents.
- spheres, capsules, or other forms of the adsorbent material 50 may be inserted in a similar manner (as well as embodiments wherein the carrier material 55 carries the adsorbent material 50).
- one or more spherical carbon objects may be disposed within the filter material of the smoking article.
- Such objects formed as a sphere, pellet, tube, etc. may provide a concentrated form of the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material.
- the particles comprising the object may have to be released and/or dispersed into or otherwise exposed to the filter element 26 to have the desired effect.
- a force may be employed w r hile the object is disposed in situ within the filter element 26 to rupture, crack, or otherwise break, degrade, or disintegrate the adsorbent material 50 and/or carrier material 55 comprising the object so as to disperse or otherwise release the adsorbent material 50 into the filter element 26.
- This step may occur at any point after which the object has been inserted into the filter material. That is, this step could be employed late in the manufacturing process, such as after fabrication of the entire smoking article. In other instances, the step may occur directly after insertion of the object into the filter rod.
- the size and weight of a capsule may vary. Certain types of capsules are generally spherical in shape.
- suitable capsules may have other types of shapes, such as generally rectilinear, oblong, elliptical, or oval shapes.
- Exemplary generally spherical capsules have diameters of less than about 3.5 mm, generally less than about 1.5 mm, often less than about 1 mm, and frequently less than about 0.5 mm.
- several capsules can be employed, and those capsules can be in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 2 mm in diameter.
- a plurality of very small capsules can also be incorporated within the filter element (see, e.g., various microencapsulation options available from Euracli, which protect the active ingredient (from oxidation, humidity, etc.) and allows the active ingredient to be released at the desired moment either by rupture of the membrane when subjected to a precise mechanical action or via a protracted diffusion through the membrane for an extended effect), wherein such microcapsules may, in some instances, be held together in a cohesive manner by an appropriate binder material.
- the total weight of the capsules contained within the filter may vary, but is typically greater than about 10 mg, often greater than about 20 mg, and can be greater than about 30 mg.
- the total weight of the capsules is typically less than about 200 mg, often less than about 100 mg, and can be less than 50 mg.
- the number of capsules incorporated into the filter element can vary, depending upon factors such as the size of the capsules, the character or nature of the payload (i.e., adsorbent material, optional flavoring agent or both), the positioning of the capsules within the filter element, and the like.
- the number of capsules incorporated within the relevant region of the filter element can exceed about 5, can exceed about 10, can exceed about 20, can exceed about 40, and can even exceed about 100.
- the number of capsules can be greater than about 500, and even greater than about 1,000. Larger numbers of capsules in certain embodiments can be advantageous because it can provide the smoker with increased control over the smoke-affecting properties of the payload.
- Filter elements of the present invention can be incorporated within the types of cigarettes set forth in US Pat. Nos. 4,756,318 to Clearman et al.; 4,714,082 to Banerjea et al.; 4,771,795 to White et al.; 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh et al.; 4,989,619 to Clearman et al.; 4,917,128 to Clearman et al.; 4,961,438 to Korte; 4,966,171 to Serrano et al.; 4,969,476 to Bale et al.; 4,991,606 to Serrano et al.; 5,020,548 to Farrier et al.; 5,027,836 to Shannon et al.; 5,033,483 to Clearman et al.; 5,040,551 to Schlatter et al.; 5,050,621 to Creighton et al.; 5,052,413 to Baker et al.
- filter elements of the present invention can be incorporated within the types of cigarettes that have been commercially marketed under the brand names "Premier” and "Eclipse” by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. See, for example, those types of cigarettes described in 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, p. 1-58 (2000); which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Cigarette rods typically are manufactured using a cigarette making machine, such as a conventional automated cigarette rod making machine.
- exemplary cigarette rod making machines are of the type commercially available from Molins PLC or Hauni- Werke Korber & Co. KG.
- cigarette rod making machines of the type known as MkX (commercially available from Molins PLC) or PROTOS (commercially available from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG) can be employed.
- MkX commercially available from Molins PLC
- PROTOS commercially available from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG
- a description of a PROTOS cigarette making machine is provided in U.S. Patent No. 4,474,190 to Brand, at col. 5, line 48 through col. 8, line 3, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Types of equipment suitable for the manufacture of cigarettes also are set forth in U.S.
- the automated cigarette making machines of the type set forth herein provide a formed continuous cigarette rod or smokable rod that can be subdivided into formed smokable rods of desired lengths.
- Various types of cigarette components including tobacco types, tobacco blends, top dressing and casing materials, blend packing densities and types of paper wrapping materials for tobacco rods, can be employed.
- the entire smokable rod is composed of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) and a layer of circumscribing outer wrapping material.
- smokable material e.g., tobacco cut filler
- another aspect of the present invention comprises an apparatus suitably configured for incorporating the adsorbent material 50 with the carrier material 55, and, in some instances, an optional flavoring agent 52, forming the filter element of the smoking article by incorporating the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50, and/or for forming the smoking article itself having such a filter element incorporating the carrier material 55 / adsorbent material 50.
- each rod has one or more forms of the carrier material 55 (e.g., pellets, capsules, strands, or combinations thereof) carrying the adsorbent material 50, disposed along the length of the rod, such that, when the rod is subdivided into rod portions, each rod portion includes at least one form of the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50.
- the carrier material 55 e.g., pellets, capsules, strands, or combinations thereof
- Such apparatuses can incorporate equipment for supplying a continuous supply of filter material (e.g., a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit).
- a representative apparatus may also include, for example, an object delivery device such as a hopper and rotating wheel arrangement disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0068540 Al to Thomas et al. (and incorporated herein by reference), for supplying certain forms of the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material.
- multiple forms of the carrier material 55 i.e., pellets and/or strands, or at least one of a pellet or strand in combination with at least one other of the pellet or strand
- an object-insertion unit Arrangements for inserting such strands/objects into the filter material are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/461,941 to Nelson et al. (US 2008/0029118 Al) and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/760,983 to Stokes et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.
- the forming unit 450 may be configured to insert the adsorbent material 50 into a tubular or capsular member comprising the carrier material 55, to suspend the adsorbent material 50 in a matrix material comprising the carrier material 55, to engage the adsorbent material 50 with a continuous elongate member comprising the carrier material 55, and/or to wrap a continuous strip member comprising the carrier material 55 about the adsorbent material 50.
- the insertion object can be delivered from the forming unit 450 to an insertion unit/device 214 configured to insert the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material.
- the forming unit may be in cooperation with or otherwise linked to such an insertion unit/device 214 (i.e., on-line vs off-line).
- the forming unit 450 and the insertion unit/device 214 may be a single unit configured to perform both functions of forming the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50, and inserting the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material.
- the filter material may be formed into a continuous rod having the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 disposed therein and extending along the longitudinal axis thereof.
- the continuous rod then may be subdivided at predetermined intervals so as to form a plurality of filter rods or rod portions such that each rod portion includes at least a portion of the adsorbent material 50 therein.
- the carrier material 55 comprising, for example, a pellet and a strand
- the pellets may be disposed at predetermined positions within and along the filter rod or filter element, while the strand, if any, extends through the filter rod or filter element. As shown in FIG.
- an exemplary rod-making apparatus 210 may include a rod- forming unit 212 (e.g., a KDF-2 unit available from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG) and an object-insertion unit 214 suitably adapted to provide for placement of the insertion object(s) along a continuous length of filter material 40.
- the continuous length or web of filter material may be supplied from a source (not shown) such as a storage bale, bobbin, spool or the like.
- the filter material 40 may be processed using a filter material processing unit 218.
- the continuous length of filter material has the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 incorporated therein by the object insertion unit 214, and is then passed through the rod-forming unit 212 to thereby forming a continuous rod 220.
- the continuous rod 220 can be subdivided using a rod cutting assembly 222 into a plurality of rod portions 205 each having at least a portion of the adsorbent material 50 disposed therein.
- the succession or plurality of rod portions 205 may be collected for use in collection device 226 which may be a tray, a rotary collection drum, conveying system, or the like. If desired, the rod portions can be transported directly to a cigarette making machine.
- the filter material 40 can vary, and can be any material of the type that can be employed for providing a tobacco smoke filter for cigarettes.
- a traditional cigarette filter material is used, such as cellulose acetate tow, gathered cellulose acetate web, polypropylene tow, gathered cellulose acetate web, gathered paper, strands of reconstituted tobacco, or the like.
- filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate, polyolefins such as polypropylene, or the like.
- One highly preferred filter material that can provide a suitable filter rod is cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and 40,000 total denier.
- cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and 35,000 total denier can provide a suitable filter rod.
- cellulose acetate tow having 8 denier per filament and 40,000 total denier can provide a suitable filter rod.
- Filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate
- Filamentary tow may be processed using a conventional filter tow processing unit 218 such as a commercially available E-60 supplied by Arjay Equipment Corp., Winston-Salem, N.C.
- a plasticizer such as triacetin or carbowax
- the plasticizer component of the filter material comprises triacetin and carbowax in a 1 : 1 ratio by weight.
- the total amount of plasticizer is generally about 4 to about 20 percent by weight, preferably about 6 to about 12 percent by weight.
- the continuous length of filter material 40 may be pulled through a block 230 by the action of the rod-forming unit 212, and the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may be inserted along the length of and within the web of filter material.
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may also be introduced into the filter material at other points in the process, and this exemplary embodiment is not intended to be limiting in that regard.
- the filter material may be further directed into a gathering region 232 of the rod-forming unit 212.
- the gathering region can have a tongue and horn configuration, a gathering funnel configuration, stuffer or transport jet configuration, or other suitable type of gathering device.
- the tongue 232 provides for further gathering, compaction, conversion or formation of the cylindrical composite from block 230 into an essentially cylindrical (i.e., rod-like) shape whereby the continuously extending strands or filaments of the filter material extend essentially along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder so formed.
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may also be placed into the filter material in the gathering region 232, as appropriate.
- the filter material 40 which has been compressed into a cylindrical composite, is received further into the rod-forming unit 212.
- the cylindrical composite is fed into wrapping mechanism 234, which includes endless garniture conveyer belt 236 or other garniture
- the garniture conveyer belt 236 is continuously and longitudinally advanced using advancing mechanism 238 such as a ribbon wheel or cooperating drum so as to transport the cylindrical composite through wrapping mechanism 234.
- the wrapping mechanism provides a strip of wrapping material 28 (e.g., non-porous paper plug wrap) to the outer surface of the cylindrical composite in order to produce the continuous wrapped rod 220.
- the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 may also be engaged with the filter material in the wrapping or garniture region 232, as appropriate.
- the elongate member may be in the form of a wrapping material 28 having the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 attached thereto or otherwise engaged therewith.
- the strip or web of wrapping material 28 may provided from rotatable bobbin 242.
- the wrapping material may be drawn from the bobbin, trained over a series of guide rollers, passed under block 230, and enter the wrapping mechanism 234 of the rod- forming unit.
- the endless garniture conveyer belt 236 transports both the strip of wrapping material and the cylindrical composite in a longitudinally extending manner through the wrapping mechanism 234 while draping or enveloping the wrapping material about the cylindrical composite.
- the seam formed by an overlapping marginal portion of wrapping material has adhesive (e.g., hot melt adhesive) applied thereto at applicator region 244 in order that the wrapping material can form a tubular container for the filter material.
- adhesive e.g., hot melt adhesive
- the hot melt adhesive may be applied directly upstream of the wrapping material's entry into the garniture of the wrapping mechanism 234 or block 230, as the case may be.
- the adhesive can be cooled using chill bar 246 in order to cause rapid setting of the adhesive. It is understood that various other sealing devices and other types of adhesives can be employed in providing the continuous wrapped rod.
- the continuous wrapped rod 220 passes from the sealing device and is subdivided (e.g., severed) at regular intervals at the desired, predetermined length using cutting assembly 222 which includes as a rotary cutter, a highly sharpened knife, or other suitable rod cutting or subdividing device. It is particularly desirable that the cutting assembly does not flatten or otherwise adversely affect the shape of the rod.
- the rate at which the cutting assembly severs the continuous rod at the desired points is controlled via an adjustable mechanical gear train (not shown), or other suitable device.
- the rate at which the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 is inserted into the continuous web of filter material may be in a direct relationship to the speed of operation of the rod- making machine.
- the insertion unit can be geared in a direct drive relationship to the drive assembly of the rod-making apparatus.
- the insertion unit 214 can have a direct drive motor synchronized with the drive assembly of the rod-forming unit.
- the insertion unit 214 may be configured to be in communication with an inspection/detection system 247, for example, in the form of a feedback loop, whereby some defects detected by the inspection/detection system 247 may be eliminated by adjusting the upstream insertion unit 214.
- embodiments of the present invention are also directed to maintaining or increasing the production rate of the rod-making machine, without adversely affecting the placement of the carrier material 55 carrying the adsorbent material 50 within the filter material.
- the insertion unit 214 may include a rotatable insertion member 248 having the shape of a wheel, which may be positioned so as to rotate in a vertical plane.
- the insertion unit 214 may also include a hopper assembly 252 and/or other transfer device for feeding or otherwise providing transfer of various forms of the carrier material 55 (such as, for example, pellets) to insertion member 248.
- the carrier material 55 such as, for example, pellets
- the carrier material 55 on the peripheral face of the wheel is brought into contact with the filter material 40 within the block 230, where the carrier material 55 is ejected from the pockets into the gathered filter material 40. Details of such an object-insertion arrangement are further detailed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,115,085 to Deal; U.S. Patent No.
- Such object-insertion apparatuses may include, for example, a tongue or tongue portion configured to gather the supply of filter material into a continuous rod and/or an insertion unit for inserting a tubular member having the adsorbent material 50 therein into the filter material.
- various forms of the carrier material 55 may be serially attached or otherwise serially engaged with each other so as to form a continuous chain, wherein the insertion unit 214 may be configured to place the continuous chain into the filter material.
- Certain forms of the carrier material 55 may also be attached or otherwise engaged with an elongate member, wherein the elongate member may comprise, for example, a strand, and the carrier material 55 is thus strung together by the strand.
- the carrier material 55 i.e., pellets and/or strands
- at least one of a pellet or strand in combination with at least one other of the pellet or strand may be inserted into the filter material by the insertion unit 214.
- One arrangement for inserting a strand into the filter material is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/461,941 to Nelson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the elongate member may also be configured to extend laterally (i.e., as a two dimensional sheet).
- the rod-forming apparatus 210 may include a garniture device configured to wrap the elongate member having the adsorbent material 50 attached thereto about the filter material such that the elongate member forms a wrap encompassing the filter material and the adsorbent material 50 such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/760,983 to Stokes et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the adsorbent material may be released from the carrier material and into the filter material.
- the carrier material 55 may be dissolved, disintegrated, degraded, or otherwise destroyed so as to release and/or disperse the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material so as to allow the adsorbent material 50 to have the desired effect on the mainstream smoke drawn through the filter element.
- the release of the adsorbent material into the filter material may occur before or after the continuous rod has been severed into filter segments (e.g., filter element 26). Such release can occur during the manufacturing process or, in some instances, may be effectuated by the smoker prior to smoking the smoking article.
- an adsorbent material releasing unit 400 may be provided downstream in the production line from the insertion unit 214, wherein the adsorbent material releasing unit 400 may be configured to interact with the carrier material 55 in situ within the filter element so as to release the adsorbent material 50 into the filter material using, for example, a thermal process, an ultrasonic process, or any other suitable mechanism for releasing the adsorbent material 50 from the carrier material 55.
- the adsorbent material 50 may be, for example, plasticized (i.e., moistened to form a "paste") such that the resulting object is resilient, flexible, and/or otherwise capable of being handled (see, e.g., US Pat. No. 4,862,905 to Green, Jr. et al.).
- plasticized i.e., moistened to form a "paste”
- the adsorbent material 50 can then be processed into a releasable form, for instance, by a heating and/or drying procedure applied to the filter element having the object therein. That is, the heating/drying process may cause the plasticizer to be removed from the object, which then becomes brittle or otherwise breakable.
- the filter element can then be mechanically processed, for example, through opposed rollers, through an "impact” process (i.e., sonic vibration, heating/cooling cycles, etc.), and/or through an irradiation procedure (i.e., microwave energy causing the expansion of liquid/gas associated with the object, leading to the breakdown of the object structure).
- various forms of the adsorbent material 50 i.e., strands, beads, pellets, capsules, or combinations thereof
- the carrier material 55 may comprise an open cell foam, wherein, for example, air and/or physical force may be used to release the adsorbent material 50 once the object is inserted into the filter element 20.
- the carrier material 55 may be provided, for example, in the form of a breakable capsule, a "capsule-in-capsule," or a strand, formed of a water- or other liquid-soluble polymer and configured to carry the adsorbent material 50.
- a soluble polymer may comprise, for example, polylactic acid, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), starches and/or starch-based polymers, carrageenans, polyvinyl acetate, hydroxypropylcellulose, pullulan, carboxymethylcellulose and its salts (i.e., alkali metal salts), alginates and their salts, gelatin, and/or any other suitable polymers or combinations thereof.
- a control system may include appropriate control hardware and/or software.
- An exemplary control system 290 can incorporate, for example, a Siemens 315-2DP Processor, a Siemens FM352-5 Boolean Processor and a 16 input bit/16 output bit module.
- Such a system can utilize a system display 293, such as a Siemens MP37O display.
- An exemplary rod-making unit 212 may include controls configured, for a rod of desired length, to adjust the speed of the knife of the severing unit to be timed relative to the speed of continuous rod formation.
- a first encoder 296, by way of connection with the drive belt of the rod-making unit, and the control unit 299 of the insertion unit, may provide a reference of the knife position of the cutting assembly relative to the wheel position of the insertion unit.
- the first encoder 296 may provide one manner of controlling the speed of rotation of the wheel of the insertion unit relative to the speed at which continuous web of filter tow passes through the rod-making unit.
- An exemplary first encoder 296 is available as a Heidenhain Absolute 2048 encoder.
- the adsorbent material 50 and the carrier material 55 are both in the form of a fiber, with the adsorbent material fiber comprising or incorporating an adsorbent material as defined herein.
- the fibers can comprise conventional staple fiber as well as substantially continuous structures, such as continuous filaments.
- the fibers of the invention can be hollow or solid, and can have a substantially round or circular cross section or non-circular cross sections (e.g., oval, square, rectangular, multi-lobed, and the like).
- the fibers can be in the form of a single thread or filament or in the form of a multiple thread or filament structure, such as in the form of a yarn or other structure wherein multiple filaments are bonded, twisted, or entangled together.
- the fibers can be adapted for unraveling after insertion into a filter so as to increase the available surface area of the adsorbent fiber.
- the fibers can be formed by any fiber-forming process known in the art, including extrusion, melt-spinning, solution spinning, and the like.
- the color of each fiber can vary, but the adsorbent fiber will often appear black where the adsorbent fiber is a carbonaceous fiber as described herein.
- the fibers used for the adsorbent material 50 or the carrier material 55 can be constructed of natural or synthetic materials. Exemplary natural fibers include cotton, linen, jute, hemp, cotton, wool, and wood pulp.
- Exemplary synthetic polymers that can be used to form the fibers include polyamides, polyamines, polyimides, polyacrylics, polycarbonates, polydienes, polyepoxides, polyesters, polyethers, polyfluorocarbons, polyolefins, polyphenylenes, silicon containing polymers, polyurethanes, polyvinyls, polyacetals, polyarylates, modified cellulosic fibers (e.g., cellulose acetate), copolymers thereof, terpolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of specific polymeric materials useful as the fiber material according to the present invention include the following: Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, Nylon 12, polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, esters of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid, polybisphenol A carbonate, polypropylene carbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polynorbonene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, polylactide, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyethylene adipate, polybutylene adipate, polypropylene succinate, polyethylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, polypropylene oxide, polyoxymethylene, polytetramethylene ether, polytetrahydrofuran, polyepichlorohydrin, urea-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde
- the adsorbent material 50 can be incorporated into the adsorbent fiber in any manner known in the art, including by adhering adsorbent particles to the fiber, by imbedding or suspending adsorbent particles within the fiber, or by forming a fiber and then chemically altering the fiber such that an adsorbent material is formed (e.g., carbonization of a fiber).
- the adsorbent fiber is constructed of a carbonaceous material (i.e., a carbon fiber).
- Carbon fibers can be described as fibers obtained by the controlled pyrolysis of a precursor fiber. Since carbon is typically difficult to shape into fiber form, commercial carbon fibers are often made by extrusion of a precursor material into filaments, which is followed by carbonization, usually at high temperature. Common precursors for carbon fibers include rayon, acrylic fibers (such as polyacrylonitrile or PAN), and pitch (which can include isotropic pitch and anisotropic mesophase pitch, as well as meltblown pitch fibers). Other precursors, such as cellulose, may also be converted to carbon fibers.
- rayon rayon
- acrylic fibers such as polyacrylonitrile or PAN
- pitch which can include isotropic pitch and anisotropic mesophase pitch, as well as meltblown pitch fibers.
- Other precursors, such as cellulose may also be converted to carbon fibers.
- KYNOLTM novoloid fibers are high-performance phenolic fibers that are transformed into activated carbon by a one-step process combining both carbonization and activation.
- Forming carbon fibers from rayon or acrylics generally consists of stabilization, carbonization, and graphitization, each taking place at successively higher temperatures, to sufficiently remove non-carbon species, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.
- Preparation of fibers using pitch also typically includes stabilization and carbonization; however, pitch is typically spun as part of the carbon fiber forming process, whereas pre-formed fibers from rayon or acrylics can be used directly. Activation can sometimes add yet further production steps.
- Sources of carbon fibers include Toray Industries, Toho Tenax, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo Corporation, Hexcel Corp., Cytec Industries, Zoltek Companies, and SGL Group.
- Carbon fibers are often classified in three separate ways. First, they can be classified based on modulus and strength. Examples include ultra high modulus (UHM) fibers (modulus >450 Gpa); high modulus (HM) fibers (modulus between 350 and 450 Gpa); intermediate modulus (IM) fibers (modulus between 200 and 350 Gpa); low modulus, high tensile (HT) fibers (modulus ⁇ 100 Gpa and tensile strength >3.0 Gpa); and super high tensile (SHT) fibers (tensile strength >4.5 Gpa).
- UHM ultra high modulus
- HM high modulus
- IM intermediate modulus
- HT high tensile
- SHT super high tensile
- carbon fibers can be classified based on the precursor material used to prepare the fiber (e.g., PAN, rayon, pitch, mesophase pitch, isotropic pitch, or gas phase grown fibers).
- carbon fibers can be classified based on the final heat treatment temperature. Examples include Type-I, high heat treatment (HTT) fibers (final heat treatment temperature above 2,000 0 C), Type- II, intermediate heat treatment (IHT) fibers (final heat treatment temperature around 1,500 0 C), and Type-Ill low heat treatment (LHT) fibers (final heat treatment not greater than 1,000 0 C). Any of the above classifications of carbon fibers could be used in the present invention.
- fiber sizes vary from about 0.5 denier to about 20 denier.
- the size of the adsorbent fiber will often depend, at least in part, on the desired amount of adsorbent in the filter element.
- the size of the adsorbent fiber can be determined based on the desired weight of adsorbent in the filter, such as the weight ranges for carbonaceous materials set forth herein.
- the carrier fiber and the adsorbent fiber can be connected or associated with each other for purposes of insertion into a cigarette filter material using any of a variety of methods, including wrapping, intertwining or weaving the two fiber types together, bonding the fiber types together using an adhesive or binder, co-extruding the fibers, or tying the fiber types together using a separate connecting element, such as a separate thread or clip.
- Each composite fiber structure i.e., combination of a carrier fiber and an adsorbent fiber
- the filter material incorporates a fiber material that is degradable, meaning the fiber is capable of undergoing degradation or decomposition, for example through chemical reaction that breaks down the fiber into decomposition products, under environmental conditions associated with disposal of the fiber material.
- a fiber material that is degradable meaning the fiber is capable of undergoing degradation or decomposition, for example through chemical reaction that breaks down the fiber into decomposition products, under environmental conditions associated with disposal of the fiber material.
- One exemplary type of degradation is biodegradation.
- biodegradable fiber refers to a polymeric fiber material that degrades under aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions in the presence of bacteria, fungi, algae, and other microorganisms to carbon dioxide/methane, water and biomass, although materials containing heteroatoms can also yield other products such as ammonia or sulfur dioxide.
- Biomass generally refers to the portion of the metabolized materials incorporated into the cellular structure of the organisms present or converted to humus fractions indistinguishable from material of biological origin.
- exemplary biodegradable fibers include, without limitation, cellulosic or other organic plant-derived fibers (e.g., cotton, wool, cedar, hemp, bamboo, kapok, or flax), polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic polyurethanes, cis-polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, polyhydroxy alkanoates, polyanhydrides, and copolymers and blends thereof.
- aliphatic polyester refers to polymers having the structure -[C(O)-R-O] n -, wherein n is an integer representing the number of monomer units in the polymer chain and R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, preferably a Cl-ClO alkylene, more preferably a C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, butylene, isobutylene, and the like), wherein the alkylene group can be a straight chain or branched.
- Exemplary aliphatic polyesters include polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA) (e.g., poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(DL-lactic acid)), polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), polyhydroxy valerate (PHV), polycaprolactone (PCL), and copolymers thereof.
- the biodegradable fiber is a bamboo fiber or a PLA fiber.
- Suitable bamboo fibers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,313,906 to Zhou et al., which is incorporated by reference herein.
- bamboo fibers are commercially available from China Bambro Textile Co., Ltd.
- PLA fibers can be derived from corn or made synthetically.
- Suitable PLA fibers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,841 to Kaijiyama et al., which is incorporated by reference herein, and are commercially available from NatureWorks LLC.
- the degradable fiber can be utilized in the form of a single strand or as part of a multi-strand yarn structure.
- the fibrous material can be used in the form of a sheet.
- the degradable fiber can be used in combinations containing multiple fiber types, such as degradable fiber materials of different types woven together or otherwise combined into a unitary structure or combinations of degradable fibers with non-degradable fibers and/or adsorbent fibers woven together or otherwise combined into a unitary structure (e.g., combining bamboo fibers, cotton fibers, and carbon fibers into a single fiber structure such as a single yarn structure).
- multiple fiber types could be combined or mixed within a single fiber strand.
- the fiber often will be comprised primarily of the given fiber material (e.g., above about 50% by weight based on the total weight of the fiber) or consist essentially of the fiber material (e.g., above about 90% by weight) or consist virtually entirely of the fiber material (e.g., above about 98% by weight or about 100% by weight).
- a fiber described as a "bamboo fiber” can incorporate relatively minor amounts of bamboo fibrous material (e.g., in combination with other types of fibrous materials or in combination with additives), or be comprised primarily of bamboo fibrous material, or consist essentially of bamboo fibrous material, or consist virtually entirely of bamboo fibrous material.
- the degradable fibers can act as a carrier fiber for an adsorbent material (e.g., a carbon fiber) as described herein, or as a carrier for other additives adapted to alter the flavor or aroma of a smoking article, or as a carrier for both an adsorbent material and a flavor/aroma additive.
- an adsorbent material e.g., a carbon fiber
- the inherent properties of the degradable fiber itself may alter the character or nature of the smoke passing through the filter.
- Exemplary flavoring agents or aroma agents include any solid or liquid composition that can be incorporated into a fiber structure by, for example, absorption, adhesion, or physical entanglement within a fibrous structure.
- the additives can be any composition capable of altering the character or nature of the smoke passing through the filter material, such as by action of a flavorant or a deodorizing agent.
- exemplary additives include natural or synthetic flavorants that can alter the flavor and/or aroma of mainstream smoke, and the character of the flavors imparted thereby may be described, without limitation, as fresh, sweet, herbal, confectionary, floral, fruity or spice.
- flavors or aromas include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee, chocolate/cocoa, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, and any combinations thereof. See also, Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972), which is incorporated herein by reference. Flavorings also may include components that are considered moistening, cooling or smoothening agents, such as eucalyptus.
- exemplary deodorizing agents include any composition adapted to mask or remove tobacco smoke aroma.
- One exemplary composition comprises inorganic salts and odor adsorbents such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,922 to Leskowitz, which is incorporated by reference herein.
- Another deodorizing composition contains a mandarin orange essential oil fraction such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,586 to Higashi et al., which is also incorporated by reference herein.
- the degradable fiber can be incorporated into a filter material in the same manner as described herein for the carrier fiber/adsorbent material embodiments.
- the degradable fiber could be utilized as the carrier fiber in the composite fiber structures set forth in FIGS. 5 and 6.
- the degradable fiber can be imbedded in a filter material without a second fiber structure.
- a degradable fiber comprising a flavoring agent could be added to a filter material.
- the degradable fiber, with or without additives as described herein can be incorporated into any of the wrapping materials utilized in a smoking article filter, such as in the plug wrap or tipping material.
- the degradable fiber can be replaced with a non- degradable fiber, such as any of the numerous synthetic fiber materials described herein that are not typically viewed as degradable in nature (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene).
- the non-degradable fiber can be used in any of the applications described herein for degradable fibers. Both the degradable fibers and the non-degradable fibers can be derived from natural materials, synthetic materials, or materials of a natural origin that have been chemically modified.
- the number of degradable or non-degradable fibers imbedded within a filter element can vary. Typical ranges of the number of fiber insertions within a filter element segment include 1 to about 500 fiber insertions, more typically 1 to about 100, and often 1 to about 50.
- FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a composite fiber structure 60 imbedded within a filter segment 32.
- the number of composite fiber structures can vary.
- An exemplary range of the number of composite fiber structures 60 incorporated into a filter 26 is 1 to about 500, more typically 1 to about 100, and often 1 to about 50.
- the composite fiber structures 60 can be included in a single segment 32 of a multi-segment filter 26 as shown in FIG. 5, or the composite fiber structures can be imbedded within a filter element comprising only a single segment or can extend throughout multiple sections of a multi-segment filter.
- the composite fiber structures 60 can extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette filter as shown in FIG.
- the composite fiber structure 60 can include at least one carrier fiber 62 and at least one adsorbent fiber 64.
- one method of connecting the two fiber types is to wrap the adsorbent fiber 64 around the carrier fiber 62.
- the number of wraps of the adsorbent fiber 64 per unit of length of the carrier fiber 62 can vary, and will depend on a number of factors including the desired amount of adsorbent material in the filter element.
- An exemplary range of wrappings of the adsorbent fiber 64 around the carrier fiber 62 is 1 to about 50 circumferential wrappings of the adsorbent fiber per inch of carrier fiber.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP12181299.4A EP2537427B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/124,874 US8375958B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-05-21 | Cigarette filter comprising a carbonaceous fiber |
US12/124,891 US8079369B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-05-21 | Method of forming a cigarette filter rod member |
US12/392,725 US8613284B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-02-25 | Cigarette filter comprising a degradable fiber |
PCT/US2009/044829 WO2009143338A2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Apparatus and associated method for forming a filter component of a smoking article and smoking articles made therefrom |
Related Child Applications (3)
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EP12181299.4A Division-Into EP2537427B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures |
EP12181299.4A Division EP2537427B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures |
EP12181299.4 Division-Into | 2012-08-22 |
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EP2323506A2 true EP2323506A2 (en) | 2011-05-25 |
EP2323506B1 EP2323506B1 (en) | 2013-04-10 |
EP2323506B2 EP2323506B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 |
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EP12181299.4A Active EP2537427B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures |
EP09751566.2A Active EP2323506B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Apparatus and associated method for forming a filter component of a smoking article and smoking articles made therefrom |
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EP12181299.4A Active EP2537427B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2009-05-21 | Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures |
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EP (2) | EP2537427B1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP5438760B2 (en) |
CN (2) | CN102046033B (en) |
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WO (1) | WO2009143338A2 (en) |
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WO2014018645A1 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2014-01-30 | R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Mixed fiber sliver for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements |
US9833017B2 (en) | 2012-07-25 | 2017-12-05 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Mixed fiber sliver for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements |
US10524500B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2020-01-07 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Staple fiber blend for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements |
Also Published As
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CN103222684B (en) | 2015-11-18 |
JP2014036659A (en) | 2014-02-27 |
WO2009143338A2 (en) | 2009-11-26 |
CN102046033B (en) | 2013-12-04 |
EP2537427A1 (en) | 2012-12-26 |
JP5905432B2 (en) | 2016-04-20 |
CN103222684A (en) | 2013-07-31 |
ES2420685T3 (en) | 2013-08-26 |
WO2009143338A3 (en) | 2010-01-21 |
JP2011520469A (en) | 2011-07-21 |
EP2323506B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 |
EP2323506B1 (en) | 2013-04-10 |
CN102046033A (en) | 2011-05-04 |
JP5438760B2 (en) | 2014-03-12 |
ES2420685T5 (en) | 2017-02-10 |
EP2537427B1 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
ES2603646T3 (en) | 2017-02-28 |
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