EP2352397A1 - Filter for a smoking article - Google Patents

Filter for a smoking article

Info

Publication number
EP2352397A1
EP2352397A1 EP09785614A EP09785614A EP2352397A1 EP 2352397 A1 EP2352397 A1 EP 2352397A1 EP 09785614 A EP09785614 A EP 09785614A EP 09785614 A EP09785614 A EP 09785614A EP 2352397 A1 EP2352397 A1 EP 2352397A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter
tobacco
filter element
thread
plug
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
Application number
EP09785614A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2352397B1 (en
Inventor
Martin Duke
Paulo Oliveira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Original Assignee
British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British American Tobacco Investments Ltd, British American Tobacco Co Ltd filed Critical British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority to PL09785614T priority Critical patent/PL2352397T3/en
Publication of EP2352397A1 publication Critical patent/EP2352397A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2352397B1 publication Critical patent/EP2352397B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • A24D3/17—Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • 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
    • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
    • A24D3/048—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure containing additives
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to filters for smoking articles.
  • Filters commonly include adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon, to reduce certain components of the smoke during smoking.
  • activated carbon in a filter can adversely affect the taste and/or flavour characteristics of a cigarette.
  • a filter element for a smoking article comprising a plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
  • the inventors have found that the provision of the substantially longitudinal tobacco thread significantly improves the flavour of smoke (which comprises gas and particulate matter) that is inhaled by a smoker.
  • the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally between mutually opposing end faces of the plug of filter material.
  • the tobacco thread extends in a direction which is substantially parallel to a side face of the plug of filter material, which side face is preferably substantially perpendicular to one or both end faces.
  • the tobacco thread extends through an inner portion of, and is surrounded by, the filter material.
  • the tobacco thread extends through substantially the centre of the plug of filter material.
  • the tobacco thread is disposed in close proximity with the path of the gaseous flow as it moves through the filter element, and is therefore able to affect various characteristics of the gaseous flow before the flow reaches the smoker's mouth. Furthermore, because the tobacco thread is disposed substantially longitudinally within the plug of filter material, it does not adversely affect the direction or rate of gaseous flow, and so the smoker does not detect a significant difference in the resistance to draw therethrough.
  • the tobacco thread may comprise shredded tobacco, powdered tobacco, reconstituted tobacco and/or cut tobacco.
  • the tobacco thread comprises tobacco fibres and/or tobacco sheet.
  • the tobacco thread may be prepared using technology known in the art.
  • a slurry comprising tobacco particles (e.g. tobacco dust and/or tobacco stems), and preferably a suitable binding agent, may be prepared.
  • the slurry may be spread on to a support surface, such as a conveyer, to thereby form a wet tobacco sheet.
  • the wet sheet may then be heated, for example, by an oven, such that the slurry dries, thereby forming a tobacco sheet.
  • the tobacco sheet may then be cut to form the thread having appropriate dimensions.
  • the tobacco thread may be between about 0.2mm and 5mm in diameter, and is preferably between about 0.4mm and 3mm in diameter.
  • the tobacco thread may then be encased by filter material to form the filter element of the first aspect.
  • the plug of filter material may comprise any suitable filter media, which will be known to the skilled technician.
  • a preferred filter material comprises cellulose acetate.
  • the diameter of the plug of filter material may be between about 5mm and 15mm, preferably between 6mm and 12mm, more preferably between 7mm and 11mm, and most preferably between 8mm and 10mm.
  • the diameter of the plug may be between 5 and 10mm.
  • the ratio of the diameter of the plug of filter material to the diameter of the tobacco thread is between 2:1 and 25:1, and is more preferably between 4:1 and 10:1.
  • the filter element may comprise a flavourant.
  • the flavourant may be incorporated in the plug of filter material.
  • the flavourant is incorporated in the tobacco thread.
  • the thread may be dipped into a vessel containing the flavourant.
  • the flavourant is included in the slurry from which the thread is prepared.
  • the filter element according to the first aspect may be used in the manufacture of a filter, for use in a smoking article.
  • a filter for a smoking article comprising a filter element according to the first aspect.
  • the filter of the second aspect may comprise a plurality of filter elements according to the first aspect, in which a tobacco thread extends through a plug of filter material.
  • the filter may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or more filter elements of the first aspect, in which adjacent filter elements may either be connected to each other, or which elements may be separated from each other by other filter elements (which may not be in accordance with the first aspect).
  • the filter may comprise a plurality of filter elements, at least one of which is a filter element according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the filter of the second aspect may also comprise an adsorbent filter element, which element comprises an adsorbent material.
  • the adsorbent filter element is provided to adsorb and, hence, reduce certain components of the smoke during smoking.
  • the adsorbent filter element may comprise a plug of filter material in which the adsorbent material is dispersed.
  • the filter material may be cellulose acetate.
  • a preferred adsorbent material is activated carbon.
  • the activated carbon may be in the form of granular activated carbon, which is pt eferably distributed substantially throughout the volume of the plug of filter material.
  • the adsorbent filter element does not include a tobacco thread.
  • the filter of the second aspect may also comprise a filter element, which comprises filter material (such as, cellulose acetate), and which does not include a tobacco thread or adsorbent material.
  • a filter element which comprises filter material (such as, cellulose acetate), and which does not include a tobacco thread or adsorbent material.
  • the filter may comprise at least two, and preferably at least three filter elements, provided that at least one filter element is in accordance with the first aspect.
  • the filter comprises a filter element according to the first aspect, an adsorbent filter element comprising adsorbent, and a filter element, which does not include adsorbent or a tobacco thread.
  • multiple filter elements are arranged longitudinally of one another with the end face of one filter element abutting the end face of an adjacent filter element. It is preferred that the filter elements have substantially similar diameters. It should be appreciated that the various filter elements may be in any order in the filter, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
  • the filter element of the first aspect, or the filter of the second aspect, may be incorporated into a smoking article.
  • a smoking article comprising a filter element according to the first aspect, or a filter according to the second aspect.
  • the smoking article preferably comprises a section of smokeable material, such as tobacco.
  • smokeable material such as tobacco.
  • smoking article includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products.
  • the section of smokeable material and the filter may be attached by tipping paper.
  • a method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article comprising providing a tobacco thread through a plug of filter material, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
  • the method preferably comprises a step of introducing the tobacco thread into substantially the centre of the filter material.
  • the method may comprise using guide means to guide the tobacco thread as a tow of filter material is formed therearound.
  • the guide means may comprise a guide tube through which the thread is entrained. As the thread exits the guide means, it is preferably surrounded by filter material.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a smoking article, including a rod of smokeable material, a filter in accordance with the invention, and tipping paper attaching the rod and filter together;
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of the filter according to the invention;
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the filter
  • Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of the filter.
  • the smoking article 2 comprises a generally cylindrical paper -wrapped rod 6 of smokeable material, such as tobacco, which is co-axially attached to the filter 4 by tipping paper 8, which is glued around one end of the rod 6 and the filter 4.
  • the filter 4 is made up of a single, filter element 12 about 27mm in length, which consists of a continuous plug of filter material 20 (for example, cellulose acetate) having a diameter of 9mm.
  • the filter element 12 has first and second generally circular end faces 22, 24, and a circumferential or longitudinally extending side surface 26 substantially perpendicular to the first and second end faces 22, 24.
  • a thin tobacco thread 10 having a diameter of 0.8mm extends between the two end faces 22, 24 through the plug of filter material 20.
  • the thread is substantially parallel with the longitudinally extending surface 26, and extends substantially through the centre of the plug of filter material 20, thereby forming a core.
  • the thread of tobacco 10 is prepared either from tobacco fibres and/or tobacco sheet, using technology known in the art, and using materials which may be obtained from LTR industries, France, or from DeIi-HTL, Holland.
  • a wet slurry of tobacco dust, cut tobacco stems, and a binding agent is initially prepared, and then rolled out on to a stainless steel conveyer to form a wet tobacco sheet.
  • the conveyer is fed into an oven which heats the slurry until it dries, thereby forming a band cast reconstituted tobacco sheet.
  • suitable heating may be at about 70-100°C for about 6-8 minutes.
  • the tobacco sheet is then cut to the appropriate dimensions (0.8mm diameter) by cutters to produce thread 10, which may then be fed on to a reel, ready for use.
  • Flavourant may be added to the sheet, before being formed into the thread 10.
  • Another example for preparing the tobacco thread 10 is by tightly twisting tobacco plant fibres in a similar method to that used for preparing cotton.
  • the resultant thread 10 is approximately 0.8mm in diameter, which is then introduced into the centre of the filter material 20.
  • One method of introducing the tobacco thread 10 in to the plug of filter material 20 in the manufacture of the filter element 12 as follows. The method involves entraining the tobacco thread 10 through the lumen of a guide tube having a diameter of about 1.5mm. Simultaneously, a supply of fibrous filter material 20 (e.g. cellulose acetate) is passed through a series of blooming rollers so that it is de-crimped. A tow of de-crimped filter material 20 is then formed around the thread 10 as it exits the guide tube, to thereby form a continuous rod of filter material 20 enclosing the thread 10.
  • fibrous filter material 20 e.g. cellulose acetate
  • the rod may then be cut up in to sections to produce the completed filter element 12 as shown in Figure 2.
  • the length of the filter element 12 will depend on the type of filter 4 required.
  • a standard cigarette filter 4 is about 27mm in length.
  • the whole 27mm length of the filter 4 consists of the filter element 12, such that the thread 10 extends all the way along.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate other embodiments, in which the filter 4 comprises a shorter section of the filter element 12 containing the thread 10 in combination with other sections, as described below.
  • FIG 3 there is a shown a second embodiment of the filter 4 attached to the rod of tobacco 6.
  • the filter 4 comprises a plurality of different discrete filter elements 12, 14, 16, each of which may have a different material composition.
  • the filter 4 includes three different filter elements 12, 14, 16.
  • Each filter element 12, 14, 16 is generally cylindrical in shape having substantially equivalent diameters.
  • Each filter element 12, 12, 16 is wrapped by a layer of thin sheet material in the form of a wrapper known as plugwrap (not shown), which may be formed of conventional paper materials.
  • the filter element 16 that is farthest from the tobacco rod 6 (and which will be closest to the smoker's mouth when in use) comprises a generally cylindrical tow of filter material 20, such as cellulose acetate.
  • the filter material 20 provides a filter through which smoke may pass as a smoker inhales on the cigarette.
  • the filter element 12 that is disposed adjacent element 16 contains a continuous plug of filter material 20 having the tobacco thread 10 extending substantially longitudinally therethrough. This filter element 12 is similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that it does not extend along the entire length of the filter 4.
  • the third filter element 14 that is disposed between the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 and the tobacco rod 6 comprises a plug of filter material 20, in which an adsorbent, such as activated carbon 18, has been dispersed.
  • the activated carbon 18 may be in the form of granular activated carbon 18, which is distributed evenly throughout the volume of the plug of cellulose acetate 20 in a "Dalmatian" style, as is known in the art, and as shown in Figure 3.
  • the activated carbon 18 may be sprinkled onto a sticky exterior surface 26 of the plug of cellulose acetate 20, or adhered to the inner surface of plugwrap surrounding the cellulose acetate, or adhered to a cotton thread surrounded by the plug of cellulose acetate 20 (not shown).
  • the activated carbon 18 could also be held in a cavity surrounded by the plug of cellulose acetate 20.
  • the activated carbon 18 is provided to improve the characteristics of the smoke that is inhaled by removing toxic chemicals.
  • FIG 4 there is a shown a third embodiment of the filter 4 attached to the tobacco rod 6.
  • the filter 4 includes the same three filter elements 12, 14, 16 as in the second embodiment, as described above, except that the order of the elements has been changed.
  • the filter element 16 that is farthest from the tobacco rod 6 comprises filter material 20, such as cellulose acetate, as in the second embodiment.
  • the filter element 12 that is disposed adjacent element 16 contains a plug of filter material 20, in which particles of activated carbon 18 have been dispersed.
  • the third filter element 12 disposed between element 14 and the rod of tobacco 6 contains a continuous plug of filter material 20 through which the tobacco thread 10 extends. Accordingly, the positions of filter elements 12, 14 have been swapped in the second and third embodiments.
  • the filter elements 12, 14, 16 are arranged longitudinally of one another with the end face 22, 24 of each filter element 12, 14, 16 abutting the next.
  • the three filter elements 12, 14, 16 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 as being substantially equal in length, it will be appreciated that they could have different lengths.
  • the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 could be 12mm in length, and the other elements 14, 16 could be 7.5mm each, such that the total length of the filter 4 is 27mm.
  • the filter 4 may comprise only the two filter elements.
  • the filter 4 may comprise the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 (about 15mm long) and the filter element 16 containing only filter material 20 (about 12mm long), in either order.
  • the filter 4 may comprise the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 and the filter element 14 containing activated carbon 18, in either order.
  • the filter 4 may comprise more than three filter elements 12, 14, 16.
  • the filter 4 may comprise first and second filter elements 16 composed of cellulose acetate, a third filter element 14 comprising cellulose acetate and activated carbon 18, and a fourth filter element 12 comprising the longitudinal tobacco thread 10 core, as described above.
  • the various filter elements 12, 14, 16 may be arranged in the filter 4 in a variety of alternative orders.
  • at least one filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 is included in the filter 4.
  • the filter 4 is located at a mouth-end of the smoking article 2 such that a gaseous flow, comprising smoke drawn from the rod 6 of smokeable material, moves through the filter 4 before entering the mouth of a smoker.
  • the tobacco thread 10 is located in one or more filter elements 12, and extends longitudinally between the end faces 22, 24 of a plug of filter material 20, as described in relation to Figure 2. In this way, the tobacco thread 10 is disposed in close proximity with the path of the gaseous flow as it moves through the filter 4, and is therefore able to affect various characteristics of the gaseous flow before the flow reaches the smoker's mouth.
  • the tobacco thread 10 may, for example, affect the overall properties of the gaseous flow such that the taste and flavour of the gaseous flow are improved.
  • One application of the tobacco thread 10 is to replace a degree of the taste and flavour characteristics of the gaseous flow which may be lost as the gaseous flow moves through the filter material 20, or the activated carbon 18, which is known to affect the taste and flavour of tobacco smoke.
  • the inventors have surprisingly found that the arrangement of the thin thread of tobacco 10 extending longitudinally through the plug of filter material 20 improves the flavour of the smoke without compromising the flow characteristics of the smoke.

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  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a filter element for a smoking article. The filter element comprisesa plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. The filter element can be used in a variety of smoking articles.

Description

FILTER FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE
The present invention relates to filters for smoking articles.
It is well known that filtration of smoke in a smoking article, such as a cigarette may affect the taste and flavour characteristics of a product when smoked. Filters commonly include adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon, to reduce certain components of the smoke during smoking. However, activated carbon in a filter can adversely affect the taste and/or flavour characteristics of a cigarette.
Therefore, in a first aspect, there is provided a filter element for a smoking article, the filter element comprising a plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
The inventors have found that the provision of the substantially longitudinal tobacco thread significantly improves the flavour of smoke (which comprises gas and particulate matter) that is inhaled by a smoker.
Preferably, the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally between mutually opposing end faces of the plug of filter material. Preferably, the tobacco thread extends in a direction which is substantially parallel to a side face of the plug of filter material, which side face is preferably substantially perpendicular to one or both end faces. Preferably, the tobacco thread extends through an inner portion of, and is surrounded by, the filter material. Preferably, the tobacco thread extends through substantially the centre of the plug of filter material.
Advantageously, the tobacco thread is disposed in close proximity with the path of the gaseous flow as it moves through the filter element, and is therefore able to affect various characteristics of the gaseous flow before the flow reaches the smoker's mouth. Furthermore, because the tobacco thread is disposed substantially longitudinally within the plug of filter material, it does not adversely affect the direction or rate of gaseous flow, and so the smoker does not detect a significant difference in the resistance to draw therethrough.
The tobacco thread may comprise shredded tobacco, powdered tobacco, reconstituted tobacco and/or cut tobacco. However, preferably the tobacco thread comprises tobacco fibres and/or tobacco sheet. The tobacco thread may be prepared using technology known in the art. By way of example only, a slurry comprising tobacco particles (e.g. tobacco dust and/or tobacco stems), and preferably a suitable binding agent, may be prepared. The slurry may be spread on to a support surface, such as a conveyer, to thereby form a wet tobacco sheet. The wet sheet may then be heated, for example, by an oven, such that the slurry dries, thereby forming a tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet may then be cut to form the thread having appropriate dimensions.
The tobacco thread may be between about 0.2mm and 5mm in diameter, and is preferably between about 0.4mm and 3mm in diameter.
Once prepared, the tobacco thread may then be encased by filter material to form the filter element of the first aspect. The plug of filter material may comprise any suitable filter media, which will be known to the skilled technician. A preferred filter material comprises cellulose acetate. The diameter of the plug of filter material may be between about 5mm and 15mm, preferably between 6mm and 12mm, more preferably between 7mm and 11mm, and most preferably between 8mm and 10mm. The diameter of the plug may be between 5 and 10mm.
Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the plug of filter material to the diameter of the tobacco thread is between 2:1 and 25:1, and is more preferably between 4:1 and 10:1. The filter element may comprise a flavourant. In embodiments where a flavourant is used, the flavourant may be incorporated in the plug of filter material. However, preferably the flavourant is incorporated in the tobacco thread. Once formed, the thread may be dipped into a vessel containing the flavourant. However, preferably the flavourant is included in the slurry from which the thread is prepared.
It will be appreciated that the filter element according to the first aspect may be used in the manufacture of a filter, for use in a smoking article.
Hence, according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a filter element according to the first aspect.
The filter of the second aspect may comprise a plurality of filter elements according to the first aspect, in which a tobacco thread extends through a plug of filter material. For example, the filter may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or more filter elements of the first aspect, in which adjacent filter elements may either be connected to each other, or which elements may be separated from each other by other filter elements (which may not be in accordance with the first aspect).
Hence, the filter may comprise a plurality of filter elements, at least one of which is a filter element according to the first aspect of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that, in one embodiment, in addition to comprising one or more filter elements according to the first aspect (ie. containing the tobacco thread), the filter of the second aspect may also comprise an adsorbent filter element, which element comprises an adsorbent material. The adsorbent filter element is provided to adsorb and, hence, reduce certain components of the smoke during smoking. The adsorbent filter element may comprise a plug of filter material in which the adsorbent material is dispersed. The filter material may be cellulose acetate. A preferred adsorbent material is activated carbon. The activated carbon may be in the form of granular activated carbon, which is pt eferably distributed substantially throughout the volume of the plug of filter material. Preferably, the adsorbent filter element does not include a tobacco thread.
In another embodiment, in addition to comprising one or more filter elements according to the first aspect (ie. containing the tobacco thread), the filter of the second aspect may also comprise a filter element, which comprises filter material (such as, cellulose acetate), and which does not include a tobacco thread or adsorbent material.
The filter may comprise at least two, and preferably at least three filter elements, provided that at least one filter element is in accordance with the first aspect. Preferably, the filter comprises a filter element according to the first aspect, an adsorbent filter element comprising adsorbent, and a filter element, which does not include adsorbent or a tobacco thread. Preferably, multiple filter elements are arranged longitudinally of one another with the end face of one filter element abutting the end face of an adjacent filter element. It is preferred that the filter elements have substantially similar diameters. It should be appreciated that the various filter elements may be in any order in the filter, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
The filter element of the first aspect, or the filter of the second aspect, may be incorporated into a smoking article.
Hence, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a smoking article comprising a filter element according to the first aspect, or a filter according to the second aspect.
The smoking article preferably comprises a section of smokeable material, such as tobacco. As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The section of smokeable material and the filter may be attached by tipping paper.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article, the method comprising providing a tobacco thread through a plug of filter material, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
The method preferably comprises a step of introducing the tobacco thread into substantially the centre of the filter material. The method may comprise using guide means to guide the tobacco thread as a tow of filter material is formed therearound. The guide means may comprise a guide tube through which the thread is entrained. As the thread exits the guide means, it is preferably surrounded by filter material.
All of the features described herein (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying Figures, in which:-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a smoking article, including a rod of smokeable material, a filter in accordance with the invention, and tipping paper attaching the rod and filter together; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of the filter according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the filter; and
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of the filter.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a smoking article 2, in the form of a cigarette, which includes a filter 4 in accordance with the invention. Even though the Figures show the smoking article 2 as a cigarette, it should be appreciated that the smoking article 2 may take other forms, such as cigars and cigarillos etc, which may also include the filter 4 according to the invention. Referring to Figure 1, the smoking article 2 comprises a generally cylindrical paper -wrapped rod 6 of smokeable material, such as tobacco, which is co-axially attached to the filter 4 by tipping paper 8, which is glued around one end of the rod 6 and the filter 4.
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the filter 4 attached to the rod of tobacco 6. In this embodiment, the filter 4 is made up of a single, filter element 12 about 27mm in length, which consists of a continuous plug of filter material 20 (for example, cellulose acetate) having a diameter of 9mm. The filter element 12 has first and second generally circular end faces 22, 24, and a circumferential or longitudinally extending side surface 26 substantially perpendicular to the first and second end faces 22, 24. As shown in Figure 2, a thin tobacco thread 10 having a diameter of 0.8mm extends between the two end faces 22, 24 through the plug of filter material 20. The thread is substantially parallel with the longitudinally extending surface 26, and extends substantially through the centre of the plug of filter material 20, thereby forming a core. The thread of tobacco 10 is prepared either from tobacco fibres and/or tobacco sheet, using technology known in the art, and using materials which may be obtained from LTR industries, France, or from DeIi-HTL, Holland. For example, a wet slurry of tobacco dust, cut tobacco stems, and a binding agent is initially prepared, and then rolled out on to a stainless steel conveyer to form a wet tobacco sheet. The conveyer is fed into an oven which heats the slurry until it dries, thereby forming a band cast reconstituted tobacco sheet. For example, suitable heating may be at about 70-100°C for about 6-8 minutes. The tobacco sheet is then cut to the appropriate dimensions (0.8mm diameter) by cutters to produce thread 10, which may then be fed on to a reel, ready for use. Flavourant may be added to the sheet, before being formed into the thread 10. Another example for preparing the tobacco thread 10 is by tightly twisting tobacco plant fibres in a similar method to that used for preparing cotton.
The resultant thread 10 is approximately 0.8mm in diameter, which is then introduced into the centre of the filter material 20. One method of introducing the tobacco thread 10 in to the plug of filter material 20 in the manufacture of the filter element 12 as follows. The method involves entraining the tobacco thread 10 through the lumen of a guide tube having a diameter of about 1.5mm. Simultaneously, a supply of fibrous filter material 20 (e.g. cellulose acetate) is passed through a series of blooming rollers so that it is de-crimped. A tow of de-crimped filter material 20 is then formed around the thread 10 as it exits the guide tube, to thereby form a continuous rod of filter material 20 enclosing the thread 10. The rod may then be cut up in to sections to produce the completed filter element 12 as shown in Figure 2. The length of the filter element 12 will depend on the type of filter 4 required. For example, a standard cigarette filter 4 is about 27mm in length. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the whole 27mm length of the filter 4 consists of the filter element 12, such that the thread 10 extends all the way along. However, Figures 3 and 4 illustrate other embodiments, in which the filter 4 comprises a shorter section of the filter element 12 containing the thread 10 in combination with other sections, as described below. Referring to Figure 3, there is a shown a second embodiment of the filter 4 attached to the rod of tobacco 6. The filter 4 comprises a plurality of different discrete filter elements 12, 14, 16, each of which may have a different material composition. In this embodiment, the filter 4 includes three different filter elements 12, 14, 16. Each filter element 12, 14, 16 is generally cylindrical in shape having substantially equivalent diameters. Each filter element 12, 12, 16 is wrapped by a layer of thin sheet material in the form of a wrapper known as plugwrap (not shown), which may be formed of conventional paper materials. The filter element 16 that is farthest from the tobacco rod 6 (and which will be closest to the smoker's mouth when in use) comprises a generally cylindrical tow of filter material 20, such as cellulose acetate. The filter material 20 provides a filter through which smoke may pass as a smoker inhales on the cigarette. The filter element 12 that is disposed adjacent element 16 contains a continuous plug of filter material 20 having the tobacco thread 10 extending substantially longitudinally therethrough. This filter element 12 is similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that it does not extend along the entire length of the filter 4.
The third filter element 14 that is disposed between the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 and the tobacco rod 6 comprises a plug of filter material 20, in which an adsorbent, such as activated carbon 18, has been dispersed. The activated carbon 18 may be in the form of granular activated carbon 18, which is distributed evenly throughout the volume of the plug of cellulose acetate 20 in a "Dalmatian" style, as is known in the art, and as shown in Figure 3. Alternatively, the activated carbon 18 may be sprinkled onto a sticky exterior surface 26 of the plug of cellulose acetate 20, or adhered to the inner surface of plugwrap surrounding the cellulose acetate, or adhered to a cotton thread surrounded by the plug of cellulose acetate 20 (not shown). The activated carbon 18 could also be held in a cavity surrounded by the plug of cellulose acetate 20. The activated carbon 18 is provided to improve the characteristics of the smoke that is inhaled by removing toxic chemicals. Referring to Figure 4, there is a shown a third embodiment of the filter 4 attached to the tobacco rod 6. In this embodiment, the filter 4 includes the same three filter elements 12, 14, 16 as in the second embodiment, as described above, except that the order of the elements has been changed. As shown in Figure 4, the filter element 16 that is farthest from the tobacco rod 6 comprises filter material 20, such as cellulose acetate, as in the second embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, the filter element 12 that is disposed adjacent element 16 contains a plug of filter material 20, in which particles of activated carbon 18 have been dispersed. Finally, the third filter element 12 disposed between element 14 and the rod of tobacco 6 contains a continuous plug of filter material 20 through which the tobacco thread 10 extends. Accordingly, the positions of filter elements 12, 14 have been swapped in the second and third embodiments.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the filter elements 12, 14, 16 are arranged longitudinally of one another with the end face 22, 24 of each filter element 12, 14, 16 abutting the next. Although the three filter elements 12, 14, 16 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 as being substantially equal in length, it will be appreciated that they could have different lengths. For example, in Figures 3 and 4, the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 could be 12mm in length, and the other elements 14, 16 could be 7.5mm each, such that the total length of the filter 4 is 27mm. In addition, it will be appreciated that the filter 4 may comprise only the two filter elements. For example, the filter 4 may comprise the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 (about 15mm long) and the filter element 16 containing only filter material 20 (about 12mm long), in either order. Alternatively, the filter 4 may comprise the filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 and the filter element 14 containing activated carbon 18, in either order.
Also, the filter 4 may comprise more than three filter elements 12, 14, 16. For example, the filter 4 may comprise first and second filter elements 16 composed of cellulose acetate, a third filter element 14 comprising cellulose acetate and activated carbon 18, and a fourth filter element 12 comprising the longitudinal tobacco thread 10 core, as described above. It will be appreciated that the various filter elements 12, 14, 16 may be arranged in the filter 4 in a variety of alternative orders. However, in each embodiment, at least one filter element 12 containing the tobacco thread 10 is included in the filter 4.
Referring to Figure 1 once again, the filter 4 is located at a mouth-end of the smoking article 2 such that a gaseous flow, comprising smoke drawn from the rod 6 of smokeable material, moves through the filter 4 before entering the mouth of a smoker. The tobacco thread 10 is located in one or more filter elements 12, and extends longitudinally between the end faces 22, 24 of a plug of filter material 20, as described in relation to Figure 2. In this way, the tobacco thread 10 is disposed in close proximity with the path of the gaseous flow as it moves through the filter 4, and is therefore able to affect various characteristics of the gaseous flow before the flow reaches the smoker's mouth.
The tobacco thread 10 may, for example, affect the overall properties of the gaseous flow such that the taste and flavour of the gaseous flow are improved. One application of the tobacco thread 10 is to replace a degree of the taste and flavour characteristics of the gaseous flow which may be lost as the gaseous flow moves through the filter material 20, or the activated carbon 18, which is known to affect the taste and flavour of tobacco smoke. The inventors have surprisingly found that the arrangement of the thin thread of tobacco 10 extending longitudinally through the plug of filter material 20 improves the flavour of the smoke without compromising the flow characteristics of the smoke.
The invention also includes further modifications and variations falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A filter element for a smoking article, the filter element comprising a plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
2. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally between mutually opposing end faces of the plug of filter material.
3. A filter element according to claim 2, wherein the tobacco thread extends in a direction which is substantially parallel to a side face of the plug of filter material, which side face is substantially perpendicular to one or both end faces.
4. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tobacco thread extends through an inner portion of, and is surrounded by, the filter material.
5. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tobacco thread extends through substantially the centre of the plug of filter material.
6. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tobacco thread comprises shredded tobacco, powdered tobacco, reconstituted tobacco and/or cut tobacco.
7. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tobacco thread comprises tobacco fibres and/or tobacco sheet.
8. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tobacco thread is between 0.2mm and 5mm in diameter, and preferably between 0.4mm and 3mm in diameter.
9. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the plug of filter material comprises cellulose acetate.
10. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the plug of filter material is between 5mm and 15mm, and preferably between
8mm and 10mm.
11. A filter element according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter element comprises a flavourant.
12. A filter for a smoking article, the filter comprising a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. A filter according to claim 12, wherein the filter comprises a plurality of filter elements, at least one of which is a filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
14. A filter according to either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the filter comprises an adsorbent filter element, which element comprises an adsorbent material.
15. A filter according to claim 14, wherein the adsorbent material is activated carbon.
16. A filter according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the filter comprises a filter element, which comprises filter material (such as, cellulose acetate), and which does not include a tobacco thread or adsorbent material.
17. A smoking article comprising a filter element according to any one of claim 1 to 11, or a filter according to any one of claims 12 to 16.
18. A method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article, the method comprising providing a tobacco thread through a plug of filter material, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises a step of introducing the tobacco thread into substantially the centre of the filter material.
20. A method according to either claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the method comprises using guide means to guide the tobacco thread as a tow of filter material is formed therearound.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the guide means comprises a guide tube through which the thread is entrained.
EP09785614.0A 2008-09-16 2009-09-10 Filter for a smoking article Active EP2352397B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL09785614T PL2352397T3 (en) 2008-09-16 2009-09-10 Filter for a smoking article

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0816935.1A GB0816935D0 (en) 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Filter for a smoking article
PCT/GB2009/051159 WO2010032032A1 (en) 2008-09-16 2009-09-10 Filter for a smoking article

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2352397A1 true EP2352397A1 (en) 2011-08-10
EP2352397B1 EP2352397B1 (en) 2017-05-31

Family

ID=39930243

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EP09785614.0A Active EP2352397B1 (en) 2008-09-16 2009-09-10 Filter for a smoking article

Country Status (18)

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US (1) US20110247637A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2352397B1 (en)
JP (2) JP2012502627A (en)
KR (1) KR20110059644A (en)
CN (1) CN102159102A (en)
AR (1) AR075751A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2009294387A1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0917183A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2735491A1 (en)
CL (1) CL2009001859A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2639053T3 (en)
GB (1) GB0816935D0 (en)
MX (1) MX2011002124A (en)
PL (1) PL2352397T3 (en)
RU (2) RU148462U1 (en)
UA (1) UA102701C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2010032032A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201101591B (en)

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WO2013098957A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2013-07-04 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Filter assembly for cigarette, and cigarette
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JP2022514839A (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-02-16 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム Tubular element containing a porous medium for use in aerosol-generating articles

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2009294387A1 (en) 2010-03-25
CN102159102A (en) 2011-08-17
JP2012502627A (en) 2012-02-02
JP3191009U (en) 2014-06-05
KR20110059644A (en) 2011-06-02
CL2009001859A1 (en) 2010-07-19
BRPI0917183A2 (en) 2015-11-10
ZA201101591B (en) 2014-08-27
UA102701C2 (en) 2013-08-12
WO2010032032A1 (en) 2010-03-25
US20110247637A1 (en) 2011-10-13
AR075751A1 (en) 2011-04-27
GB0816935D0 (en) 2008-10-22
RU2011115122A (en) 2012-10-27
EP2352397B1 (en) 2017-05-31
PL2352397T3 (en) 2017-11-30
CA2735491A1 (en) 2010-03-25
MX2011002124A (en) 2011-04-05
ES2639053T3 (en) 2017-10-25
RU148462U1 (en) 2014-12-10

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