GB2482025A - Cigarette filter tipping film - Google Patents

Abstract

A cigarette filter tipping film for encasing a filtration material comprises a biodegradable substrate and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate. The biodegradable substrate may be selected from cellulosic substrates, PLA, starch based polymers and hydroxyalkanoates. The softener may be selected from glycerol, propane-1,2-diol and any other softener selected from the German Tobacco Ordnance (TVO) list. The film may be partially transparent. It may also contain less than 0.5% antiblock/winding aid additive such as amorphous silica, polyethylene glycol or antiblock/winding aids mentioned in the TVO list. The film may exhibit an elongation in the machine direction (MD) of less than 15%, a tensile strength (MD) of more than 140MPa, a Young’s modulus (MD) of more than 4000MPa, a shrinkage under tropical conditions (MD) and/or transverse direction of less than 5%, a haze of less than 2.15 and a gloss of more than 98. .

Description

CIGARETTE FILTER

The present invention concerns a cigarette filter having a filtration material and a tipping film, more particularly a biodegradable tipping film with excellent physical properties, in particular with regard to elongation, tensile strength and shrinkage, but also as far as flatness and tube/curl are concerned.

There is a current demand for cigarette tipping films which are transparent, allowing the smoker to view the effectiveness of the filter material enclosed within the tipping film.

Certain biodegradable substrates have been considered for use as cigarette tipping films. However, because of stringent demands in the tobacco industry with regard to the chemical make up of tipping films, and also with regard to their physical properties, there is a need to provide an improved form of tipping film which is substantially free from certain specified contaminants and which has excellent properties as far as elongatEon, tensile strength, shrinkage, flatness and tube/curl are concerned. In particular, the mechanical tolerances of any such film must be carefully controlled in order to allow the film satisfactorily to be deployed in the machinery used by the tobacco industry to wrap tipping papers around filter tips. Because of the relatively small size of the unit film, and the necessity for it to be tightly and neatly wound on the filter, it has proved difficult to develop a filmic material, particularly one with other desirable qualities such as biodegradability and transparency to meet these criteria.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to the present invention there is provided an at least partially transparent cigarette filter tipping film comprising a biodegradable substrate, and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate.

The biodegradable substrate is selected from biodegradable substrates, PLA substrates, starch based polymers, hydroxyalkanoates and other biopolymers, but is preferably a cellulosic substrate.

The invention also provides a cigarette filter comprising a filtration material encased in a cylinder of aforesaid tipping film.

Preferably the tipping film is at least mostly transparent so that the filtration material can be viewed through the tipping film.

Preferably the softener is present in the tipping film in an amount of less than 24% by weight, more preferably less than 21% by weight and most preferably less than 18% by weight of the biodegradable substrate.

The softener may be selected from any suitable material, but is preferably selected from glycerol, propane-1,2-diol, and any other suitable softener selected from the German Tobacco Ordnance (TVO) list, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, and an English translation of which is repfoduced as appendix 1 hereto, and combinations of two or more thereof.

The tipping film itself will generally be cast and then wound onto a reel prior to eventual unwinding and slitting for use as a cigarette tinning film. In order to of the invention exhibit a tensile strength in the machine direction of more than 14OMPa, more preferably more than 15OMPa and most preferably more than 155MPa when subjected to standard testing conditions referred to herein in

the Examples.

It may also be important to maintain the elasticity of the tipping film in order to allow satisfactory machinability of the film. Preferably the tipping films of the invention exhibit a Young's Modulus in the machine direction of more than 4000MPa, more preferably more than 5000MPa and most preferably more than 5500MPa when subjected to standard testing conditions referred to herein in the Examples.

It may also be important to ensure that the tipping films of the invention do not exhibit too high a shrinkage, in order to allow satisfactory machinability of the is film, Preferably the tipping films of the invention exhibit a shrinkage under tropical conditions in the machine and/or transverse directions of less than 5%, more preferably less than 4% and most preferably less than 3.75% when subjected to standard testing conditions referred to herein in the Examples.

It may also be important to maintain the optical properties of the tipping film.

Preferably the tipping films of the invention exhibit a Haze of less than 2.15, more preferably less than 2.10 and most preferably less than 2.05 when subjected to standard testing conditions referred to herein in the Examples.

Preferably the tipping films of the invention exhibit a Gloss of more than 98, more preferably more than 99 and most preferably more than 100 when subjected to standard testing conditions referred to herein in the Examples.

EXAMPLES

A 28pm film of regenerated cellulose was cast from solution under standard conditions and in the presence of a glycerol softener in an amount of approximately 12% by weight and an amorphous silica antiblock in an amount of approximately 0.1% by weight. Any other additives and components of the film were present in standard quantities, and selected from the TVO list.

Five samples of the film, and a comparative sample containing approximately 20% by weight softener (25% softener by weight of cellulosic substrate) were subjected to physical testing in accordance with BS2782-3, as amended by BS1133 to determine Secant 1%, Tensile Strength, Elongation, Load and Youngs Modulus, The results are presented below in Table 1:

Table I

___________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Machine Transverse ______ Direction Direction Secant Tensile Elongation Load (N) Youngs Secan Tensile Elongation Load Youngs 1% Strength Modulus t 1% Strength (N) Modulus _______ (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) EG code ______ ________ ________ _______ ______ _______ ________ ______ ________ 252892 7010 163 7036 105.8 6782 5870 114 11.5 74.07 4186 2 252904 7470 179 12.48 120.8 7095 4190 104 31.8 70.14 4175 3 252908 7550 164 8.913 111 7523 3980 106 35.48 71.27 3952 - 4 252922 6830 175 1275 118.3 6404 4650 109 39.75 73.73 4477 252930 7420 181 14.02 122.3 7070 7870 179 12 120.6 7275 Av. 6703 168 10.22 112.41 6471 5100 117 24.65 78.29 4670 6 comp. 5160 153 19.47 101.20 4929 2010 65 46.64 4326 2020 It will be seen that the films of Examples 1 to 5 exhibit considerably less elongation than the comparative example, a property which facilitates the compatibility of such films with conventional industrial plant for the manufacture of cigarette tipping films.

The films were further subjected to Coefficient of Friction (COF) measurement in accordance with ASTMDI894. The results are shown below in Table 2:

Table 2 ___________

__________ A-A _______

Sample Static Dynamic 1 0,499 0.415 2 0.605 0.473 3 0.557 0.463 4 0.589 0.497 0.565 0.483 6 Comparative 0.603 0.493 It will be seen that the films of Examples 1 to 5 exhibit acceptable COF properties in relation to the comparative example.

The films were further subjected to optical characterisation as follows: * Haze was measured in accordance with ASTMD1003 * Gloss was measured in accordance with ASTM D2457 The results are shown below in Tables 3a and 3b: Table 3a __________________________ _____ Table 3b Haze _______ Gloss ______ _______ ______ Sample 1 2 3 Ave *_____ 1 2 3 Ave 1 1.76 1.73 1.81 1.77 101.3 106.2 102.5 103.3 2 1.91 2.04 2.04 2.00 ______ 106.8 106.0 106.0 106.3 3 1.83 1.92 1.83 1.86 ______ 103.6 103.1 106.0 104.2 4 1.88 2.04 1.93 1.95 ______ 104.8 104.7 106.6 105.4 1.99 2.08 1.98 2.02 ______ 103.3 104.6 101.8 103.2 6 Comp. 2.15 2.16 2.19 2.17 ______ 97.7 98.1 98.1 98.0 It will be seen that the films of Examples 1 to 5 exhibit improved optical properties in relation to the comparative example.

The shrinkage properties of the films were investigated under tropical conditions (90% relative humidity at 38°C), and the results are shown in Table 4:

Table 4

0 1 Results 3 Results 6 Results 10 Results 14 Results 28 Results MD1 10700 104.52 -2.32 104.87 -1.99 104.78 -2.07 103.01 -3.73 103.09 -3.65 103.80 -2.99 [MD2 106.67 104.45 -2.08 104.49 -2.04 104.06 -245 103.04 -3.40 103.26 -3.20 103.56 -2.92 TD3 8432 8197 -2.79 82,04 -2.70 81.79 -3.00 81.01 -3.93 81.20 -3.70 81.21 -3.69 Ave 0.00 -2.84 -3.07 -3.50 -4.03 -3.66 -3.77

MD

Ave 0.00 -2.75 -2.85 -3.32 -4.02 -3.88 -4.08

TD

It will be seen that the films of Examples 1 to 5 exhibit improved shrinkage iindcr frrrir'I r't-nr1itinn in rItion tn th comnarative examDle.

MD1 90.20 88.02 -2.42 88.10 -2,33 872 -2.53 87.66 -2.82 87.43 -3.07 87.48 -3.02 MD2 90.49 87.73 -3.05 88.12 -2.62 88.12 -2.62 87.85 -2.92 87.76 -3.02 8752 -328 MD3 90.56 87.86 -2.98 88.14 -2.67 88.40 -2.39 87.86 -2.98 87.74 -3.11 8751 -337 6 5T 90.58 89.40 -1.30 90.02 -0.62 90A5 -0.14 89.12 -1.61 89.11 -1.62 88.44 -2.36 (comp) TD2 90.58 89.64 -1.04 90.01 -0.63 90.31 -0.30 89.26 -1.46 89.25 -1.47 89.00 -1.74 TD3 91.08 89.80 -1.41 90.42 -0.72 90.39 -0.76 89.21 -2.05 89.31 -1.94 89.01 -2.27 Ave -0.00 -2.82 -2.54 -2.51 -2.90 -3.07 -3.22

MD _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Ave 0.00 -1.25 -0.66 -0.40 -1.71 -1.68 -2.13

TD _____ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____

It will be seen that the films of Examples 1 to 5 exhibit improved shrinkage properties under fridge conditions in relation to the comparative example.

ENDIX1 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) Regulation Concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) of December 20, 1977 (BGB1. I, p. 2831), as amended by the 1st Amending Regulation of 10.26.1982 (BGB1. I, p.l444), § 7 Para. 7 of the Additives Sales Regulation of 7.10.1984 (BGB1. I, p. 897), the 2nd Amending Regulation of 3.21.1986 (BGBI. I, p. 368), § 9 of the TabKTHmV Regulation of 10.29.1991 (BGB1. I, p. 2053), Article 1 of the Regulation of 3.8.1996 (BGB1. I, p. 460), Art. 21 of the Regulation Concerning the Revision of the Foodstuffs Additives Regulation of 1.29.1998 (BGBI.

1, p. 230) and the 3rd Amending Regulation of 12.8.2003 (BGB1. I, p. 2549)* Based on § 9, Para. 1, No. 5, § 20, Para. 3, § 21, Para. 1, No. 1, Letter a and. No. 2, in conjunction with § 19, No. 4, Letter b, and §22, Para. 2, Clause 2, of the Foodstuffs and Consumer Products Law of August 15, 1974 (BGB1. I, pp. 1945,1946), in agreement with the Federal Ministers for Nutrition, Agriculture, Forestry and Economy, and with the consent of the Bundesrat, it is decreed: * The obligations of EC Directive 98/34 of the European Parliament and Council of June 22, 1998 concerning information procedures in the filed of standards and technical regulations (AB1. EC No. L 204, p. 37), amended by EC Directive 98/48 of the European Parliament and Council of July 20, 1998 (ABL EC No. L 217, p. 18) have been taken into account.

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) §1 (1) The substances listed in Attachment 1 are approved for the commercial manufacture of tobacco products for the purposes specified therein. The approval of the substances listed in Attachment 1 Part B runs until December 31, 2006.

(2) The amounts of the approved substances in the tobacco products must not exceed the maximum amounts specified in Attachment 1.

(3) The approved substances must meet the purity requirements specified in Attachment 1 and the general and applicable special purity requirements of the Additives Sales Regulation. §2

(1) Odorants and flavorants listed in Attachment 2, No. 1, or obtained from plants or plant parts listed in Attachment 2, No. 2, must not be used for commercial manufacture of tobacco products.

(2) As an exemption from the provision of Para. 1, camphor may be used for the manufacture of snuff in an amount of up to a maximum of 2 grams per 100 grams of product.

(3) The use of decoumarinized tonka beans for snuff (Attachment 1, No. 14, Letter b) remains unchanged. §3

(1) Aromas containing a solvent listed in Attachment 1, No. 1, Clause 2, must display the wording "Only for the manufacture of tobacco products." (2) For chewing tobacco, black rolled tobacco and snuff containing a substance listed in Attachment 1, No. 9, the content of these substances must be declared with the wording "with preservative." (3) For chewing tobacco and black rolled tobacco containing a substance listed in Attachment 1, No. 10, Letter d, and for snuff containing a substance listed in Attachment 1, No. 10, Letter e, the content of these substances must be declared with the wording "with colorant." (4) For chcwing tobacco containing saccharin, the content' of this substance must be declared with the wording "with saccharin sweetener." (5) For cigars containing a substance listed in Attachment 1, No. 10, Letter a, the content of this substance must be declared with the wording "colorant-delustered," (6) The declarations specified in Para. 1 to 5 must be printed on packages, containers or other coverings in clearly visible, easily legible manner.

(7) With the exception of the cases indicated in Para. ito 5, a declaration of the substances allowed under § 1 is not required.

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) § 3a (deleted) §4 As an exception to § 22, Para. 2, Clause 1, No. 2 of the Foodstuffs and Consumer Products Law, cigars may display the declaration "natural colorant" or similar wording indicating the natural condition of the wrapper if they are neither colored nor powdered and have received no other surface treatment. §5

The following may not be marketed commercially: 1. Cigars made with inserted tobacco sheets having a tobacco content of less than 75% on a dry weight basis.

2. Cigars with a tobacco sheet content exceeding 25% of the weight of the product, less the weight of a mouthpiece; for cigars with an artificial wrapper, this maximum amount is reduced by the weight of the artificial wrapper.

3. Smoking tobacco and cigarettes containing tobacco sheets with a tobacco content of less than 75% on a dry weight basis.

4. Smoking tobacco and cigarettes in which the proportion of tobacco sheets exceeds 25% of the weight of the tobacco mixture.

5. Chemically bleached tobacco products.

6. Colored cigarette tobacco.

7. Colored smoking tobacco, with the exception of black rolled tobacco.

8. Cigars with an artificial wrapper or a wrapper consisting of a tobacco sheet, provided this is declared on the packages by a clearly visible, easily legible statement "with artificial wrapper"; if the weight proportion of tobacco in the wrapper exceeds 50%, the wording "with tobacco-containing artificial wrapper" may be used instead. For cigars with a wrapper consisting of a tobacco sheet, the declaration may be omitted if the weight proportion of tobacco in the tobacco sheet is at least 75% on a dry weight basis.

It is forbidden to market commercially tobacco products for oral uses other than smoking or chewing, §6 (1) According to § 52, Para. 1, No. 2, of the Foodstuffs and Consumer Products Act, anyone who commercially markets aromas that, in violation of § 3, Para.i or 6, are not provided with the required statement or it is not displayed in the prescribed manner will he subject to a penalty.

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) (2) According to § 52, Para. 2, No. 1, of the Foodstuffs and Consumer Products Act, anyone will be subject to a penalty who 1, in the commercial manufacture of tobacco products intended for sale, uses a) a substance listed in Attachment 1 in an amount exceeding the maximum permissible amount specified in § 1, Para. 2, or in violation of the purity requirements specified in § 1, Para. 3, or b) any odorant or flavorant in violation of $ 2, Para. 1.

2. commercially markets or sells tobacco products for which, in violation of § 3, Para. 2 to 5 or 6, the content' of a substance is not declared or is not declared in the manner specified, or 3. commercially markets or sells tobacco products in violation of the prohibition in S 5 or 5a.

(3) Committing an act defined in Para, 1 or 2 out of negligence constitutes a misdemeanor under § 53, Para. 1 of the Foodstuffs and Consumer Products Act.

§ 7 Berlin Clause §8 (1) This regulation became effective on January 1, 1978.

(2) Tobacco products complying with the stipulations of this Regulation in its version valid on December 18, 2003 may continue to be manufactured until June 18, 2004 and be marketed until stocks have been consumed.

Attachment 1 to § 1 Part A Approved Substances 1. Generally approved as additives for the manufacture of tobacco products: Aromas meeting the requirements of the Aroma Regulation Fruits, dried fruits, fruit puips, fruit juices, concentrated fruit juices and fruit syrups Spices with the exception of the plants and plant parts specified in Attachment 2, No. 2 Licorice root Licorice Coffee Tea and tea4ike products Cocoa and cocoa products Alcoholic spirits Wine and liqueur (fortified) wine Honey vlap1e syrup 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) Sugars as defined under the Sugar Varieties Regulation and other sugar varieties suitable for human consumption, also caramelized Dextrins Molasses Starch, Acid-treated, thin-boiling starch Oxidatively degraded starch Starch phosphate The above starches also in the form of swollen starches Kitchen salt (sodium chloride) Drinking water Essences containing the following solvents may also be used for the manufacture of cigarettes, cigars, smoking tobacco and snuff 1,3-butylene glycol (Purity requirements: boiling range at 1013 millibar (760 ton): 207-209° Celsius; refractive index n(20,D) 1.440 ± 0.0005; bromine number by the Klein method = max.

0.1; proportion of reducing substances: as for glycerol, according to the rules of the [German] pharmacopoeia).

2. Humectants: a) For smoking tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, tobacco sheet and artificial wrapper: Glycerol (E 422) Hydrogenated glucose syrup (Purity requirements: clear, colorless, syrupy solutions containing hydrogenated saccharides derived from glucose syrup and suitable for human consumption; minimum D-sorbitol content: 5% on a dry weight basis.) 1,3-Butylene glycol (Purity requirements: see No. 1) 1,2-Propylene glycol Triethylene glycol (Purity requirements: specific gravity 20/20° Celsius: 1.124-1.126; boiling range at 1013 millibar (760 ton): 280-290° Celsius; refractive index n (20,D) = 1.4550-1.4560; ash content: less than 0.01% by weight; monoethylene glycol content: less than 0.1% by weight) Orthophosphoric acid (E 338) Glycerophosphoric acid and its sodium, potassium and magnesium compounds up to a maximum total amount of 5% on a dry weight basis b) For chewing tobacco: Glycerol (E 422) up to 10% on a dry weight basis of the product 1-lydrogenated glucose syrup (Purity requirements: see letter a) c) For snuff Hydrogenated glucose syrup (Purity requirements: see letter a) Liquid paraffin up to a maximum amount of 25% on a dry weight basis of the product 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) Glycerol (E 422) up to 10% on a dry weight basis of the product 1,2-Propylene glycol 1,3-Butylene glycol (Purity requirements: see No. 1) 3. Glues, Adhesives and Thickening Agents a) For cigars, rope tobacco including black rolled tobacco, tobacco sheets and artificial wrappers, as well as glue for seams, filter coverings, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) coatings for cigarettes Gelatin Shellac Collodion Cellulose acetate Ethyleellulose, also hydroxyethylated Methylcellulose (B 461), also hydroxyethylated or carboxymethylated Carboxymethylcellulose and its sodium (B 466), potassium, calcium and magnesium compounds, also methylated Carboxymethylstareh with an etherification degree of up to 0.5, dialdehyde starch, prepared from oxidized corn starch with an aldehyde content of at least 90% Gum arabic (B 4 14) Agar (E 406) Alginic acid (B 400) Sodium alginate (E 401) Potassium alginate (E 402) Calcium alginate (E 404) Tragacanth(B4 13) Locust bean meal (B 410) Guar seed meal (guar gum) (E 412) Mixtures of: aa) aqueous dispersions of polyvinyl acetate, also partially hydrolyzed, or of the copolymers of vinyl acetate with vinyl esters of long-chain aliphatic, saturated carboxy lie acids having a chain length of C18 or with ethylene, and bb) aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol; glycerol acetate may be added to these mixtures.

b) For tobacco sheet: Glyoxal in a maximum amount of 2% on a dry weight basis of the product or Melamine formaldehyde resin to a maximum of 2% on a dry weight basis of the product c) For smoking tobacco: Agar (B 406) Gum arabic (B 414) d) For chewing tobacco: Gum arabic (B 414) to a maximum amount of 25% on a dry weight basis of the product 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) 4. Whitening and combustion control agents Aluminum hydroxide Aluminum sulfate Aluminum oxide Magnesium oxide Talc Titanium dioxide (B 17 1) Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium compounds of carbonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and nitric acid.

5. Substances for artificial wrapper and cigarette paper Cellulose containing substances listed in No. 3, Letter a, and in No. 4, 6. Substances for filters of cigarettes, cigarette tips, cigars, cigar tips and tobacco pipes Activated charcoal (Purity requirements: No increase in fluorescence of the solvent after a two-hour extraction with optically pure cyclohexane or benzene in a Soxhlet apparatus.) Aluminum oxide Cellulose acetate Glycerol acetate as binder for cellulose acetate Silica gel Magnesium silicate hydrate (Meerschaum) Polyethylene Titanium dioxide (El 17 1) up to 2% of the filter weight Triethylene glycol diacetate (Purity requirements: Specific gravity at 20/200 Celsius 1.110 -1.130, boiling range of the major fraction from 5 to 95 mL of a 100 mL sample at 1013 millibar (760 Torr) 288 - 300° Celsius, at 67 millibar (50 Torr) 195 -205° Celsius, color at most weakly yellowish, refractive index n (20,D) 1.438 -1.439, viscosity 9.5 -9.7 cps at 25° C, triethylene glycol diacetate content at least 97.0%, di-, tetra-and polyethylene glycol diacetate content no more than 1.2%, monoethylene glycol content no more than 0.1%, acids (calculated as acetic acid) not more than 0.05%, maximum water content 0.2%, maximum mineral content 0.0 1%) 1v1IxLuI UI, a) aqueous dispersions of polyvinyl acetate, also partially hydrolyzed, or of copolymers of vinyl acetate with vinyl esters of long-chain aliphatic saturated carboxylic acids having a chain length up to C18 or with ethylene, and b) aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol as glue for gluing mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) covering. Glycerol acetate may be added to these mixtures.

Ethyl citrate in cigarette filters 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) (Purity requirements: clear, colorless, viscous liquid, odor-free, [without acid content equivalent to 20.2 ± 0.6 mL of 0.2 N KOHIg; total heavy metal content less than 10 ppm; arsenic less than 3 ppm) 7. Substances for filter wrappers, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) covering: Paper, cardboard, cellulose Cork and straw (Purity requirements: must be free of contaminants, particularly Salmonella-free) Aluminum (B 173) Aluminum foil, also with protective lacquer (Purity requirements: Taking into account their composition, the lacquer coatings must be dried in such a manner that no volatile fractions, and particularly no solvents, will be transferred from them to the mouthpieces. After application to an appropriate carrier material, 1 dm2 of lacquered surface must not release more than a) 5.0 mg soluble substances b) 1.0 mg phenolic substances c) 0.3 mg formaldehyde d) 1.0 mg zinc ions e) 1.0 mg organically bound nitrogen; no aromatic amines must be detectable during extraction with distilled water at 40°C within 10 days.) 8. Substances for hot melts for gluing filter wrappers, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) covering: a) Copolymers of ethylene and vinyl esters of aliphatic saturated monocarboxylic acids with chain lengths C2-C18.

(Purity requirements: the melting index according to DIN 53735 must not exceed 500) b) Hydrogenated polycyciopentadiene resin (Purity requirements: The viscosity must be at least 2,000 cps at 140°C) c) Microcrystalline waxes l\ f1_ U) rarallIlls 01 fuLueluflefli L 01 inc ituuiiives aic IwguIdLIull e) Mixed styrene polymers and graft polymers from styrene, alpha-methyl styrene and vinyltoluene.

(Purity requirements: From a 3 dm2 sheet weighing 10 g produced from the product, when heated to 90°C within 24 hours, not more than 15 mg/dm2 of volatile organic substances shall be released.) f) Polyisobutylene g) Glycerol and pentaerythritoi esters of rosin acid and their hydrogenation products 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) h) 2,6-Ditert.butyl-4-methYlPhenOl (Purity requirements: No more than 0.5% of this substance may be added as an antioxidant during preparation of hot melt from substances listed under letters a to e.) The substances listed under letters a to g may contain only technically unavoidable residues of monomer starting materials and of any added extractable manufacturing aids.

9. Preservatives, but not for cigars or cigarettes, with the exception of cigarette seam glue and tobacco sheet: Sorbic acid (E 200), sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate (E 202) and calcium sorbate (E 203) up to 2 grams per kilogram of product on a dry weight basis Benzoic acid (F 2 10) and sodium benzoate (E 2 11) up to 5 grams per kilogram of product, calculated as benzoic acid on a dry weight basis Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate (B 214) and propyl para-hydroxybenzoate (E 216) and their sodium compounds (E 2 15 and E 2 17) up to 5 grams per kilogram of product calculated as benzoic acid on a dry weight basis For tobacco sheets, also thiabendazole (E 233) up to 0.6 gram per kilogram of product on a dry weight basis.

If these preservatives are used in a mixture with one another, the maximum amount indicated for each substance shall be reduced by a percentage equivalent to the cumulative maximum amounts of the other substances contained in the mixture.

10. Colorants a) For cigarette paper and for wrapper, tobacco sheet and artificial wrapper for cigars: Humic acid and its alkali salts (Purity requirements: These substances must not contain extractable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with three or more rings.) Buckthorn berry extract, prepared by extracting buckthorn berries (Rhamnus cartharticus) with water Logwood extract, prepared by extracting the heart wood of Haematoxylon campechianum with water Yellowwood extract, prepared by extracting yellowwood (Morus tinctoria) with water Carbo medicinalis vegetabilis [vegetable medicinal carbon] (El 53) Brilliant Black BN (ElSl) Cochineal Red A (E124) Fast Red F Sunset Yellow S (Eli 0) Orange UGN indigotin I (El 32) A fE'1'\ mai aliLli tt I J) Tartrazine (El 02) and their aluminum, calcium and magnesium compounds (socalled lakes).

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) b) For filter wrappers, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) covering for cigars and cigarettes The substances listed under letter a as well as gold foil (E 175) Gold bronze (copper-zinc alloy with a maximum zinc content of 15%) Silver bronze (aluminum El 73) Calcium carbonate (B 170) Calcium sulfate Titanium dioxide (B 171), also mixed with mica, where the mica content must not exceed 75% and the colorant mixture must be enveloped by a lacquer binding agent.

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides (yellow, red, brown, black) (B 172) a-(3-Nitro-5 sulfo6hydroxyphenylazO)-acetoacetanilide, 1:1 chromium complex, amine salt, and 4-(3-nitro-5 1:1 chromium complex, amine salt, for protective lacquer of aluminum foil, up to a total of mg/rn2 Coconut shell meal (Purity requirements: must be free of foreign matter, particularly Salmonellae) c) For glues, adhesives and thickening agents for cigars and smoking tobacco: Caramel d) For chewing tobacco and black rolled tobacco: Iron(II 1) sulfate (ferric sulfate) (Purity requirements as specified in the [German] pharmacopoeia) Tannin e) For snuff: Iron(II I) sulfate (ferric sulfate) (Purity requirements as specified in the [German] pharmacopoeia) Tannin Iron oxide, red (B172) Carbo medicinalis vegetabilis [vegetable medicinal carbon] (El 53) Indigotini (E132) 11. Plasticizers for inks and coatings used for printing on cigarette paper, cigarette filters, filter wIap, u1uuu1p1 inu Iliwl muuiup1) tippilig.

Glycerol acetate 12. Binding agents for printing inks and coatings of filter wrappers, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) tipping: The substances listed under No. 3, Letter a.

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) 13. Substances for printing on cigarette paper and mouthpiece and filter (mouthpiece) tipping paper: a) The colorants listed in the Additives Approval Regulation b) The other substances listed above under Number 10, Letters a and b, and Numbers 11 and c) Chrysoin S Fast Yellow Archil Scarlet GN Ponceau 6 R Anthraquinone Blue Black 7984 d) Magnesium carbonate Aluminum oxide Unsaturated drying oils, namely linseed oil and wood oil and the stand oils produced from them by heating.

Paraffin, fluid and viscous Deodorized mineral oil, up to 25 vol.% in the printing ink ready for use (Purity requirements: boiling range at 1013 millibar [760 torr]: 200-350° Celsius, all fragrances and flavorants removed.) Hydrogenated colophonium (rosin) esters and trihydric or polyhydric alcohols of C3-C6 Pheno1formaldChyde-mOdif1ed colophonium (rosin) Xyleneformaldehyde-m0dif1ed colophonium (rosin) Acrylic acid-modified and/or maleic acid-modified colophonium (rosin) and their esters with trihydric and polyhydric alcohols of C3-C6 Alkyd resins (polyester from polyhydric alcohols and phthalic acid), also fatty acid modified; fatty acid chain length of C6 and higher Condensation products and etherified condensation products of purified monovalent and polyvalent, optionally alkylated phenols with formaldehyde Xyleneformaldehyde resins and their condensation products with phenol or alkylated phenols Fatty acid-modified phenol-formaldehyde resins, chain length of the fatty acid greater than C6 Drying agents in accordance with German Industry Standard [DINI 55901; salts and oxides of cobalt, manganese, iron, calcium, zirconium and cerium with naphthenic acids, saturated, primarily tertiary, monocarboxylic acids of 911 and 2-ethyl caproic (hexanoic) acid.

The dried lacquer film may contain at most 0.2% of cobalt or at most 0.5% of the other drying agents (each based on the metal).

6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) 14. Other additives a) For chewing tobacco: Ammonium chloride Potassium aluminum sulfate Calcium chloride Monopotassium tartrate (tartar) Saccharin b) For snuff Yeast Edible fats and oils Decoumarinized tonka beans; the coumarin content of the snuff at most 0.00 3% Ammonium carbamate (hartshorn salt) Sodium carbonate: Potassium carbonate Calcium carbonate (B 170) Ammonium chloride Ammonium hydroxide Calcium chloride Calcium hydroxide Monopotassium tartrate (tartar) 1,3-butylene glycol (For purity requirements see Number 1) c) For white snuff powder: Ammonium carbamate (hartshorn salt) Sodium carbonate Calcium carbonate (El 70) Ammonium chloride Calcium chloride 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) Part B Provisionally approved substances 1. Glues, adhesives and thickening Agents for cigars, rope tobacco including black rolled tobacco, tobacco sheets and artificial wrappers, as well as glue for seams, filter coverings, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) coatings for cigarettes a) HydroxypropylstarCh (B 1440) b) Acetylated distarch adipate (El 422) 2. Plasticizers for inks and coatings used for printing on cigarette paper, cigarette filters, filter wraps, mouthpieces and filter (mouthpiece) tipping: a) Acetyl tributyl citrate up to 10% of the product b) Sucrose acetate isobutyrate up to 10% of the product 6330 Regulation concerning Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Regulation) Attachment 2 to § 12, Para. I Prohibited Odorants and Flavorants 1. Agaric acid (agaricine, Acidum agarinicum) Birch tar oil (oleum Betulae empyreumaticum) Bitter almond oil containing free or bound hydrocyanic acid Sassafras oil (oleum Sassafras) Juniper tar oil (oleum Juniperi empyreumaticum) Camphor oil Camphor Coumarin Safrole Thuj one 2. Odorants and flavorants produced from: Woody nightshade (Bittersweet) stems (stipites Dulcamarae) Camphor wood (lignum Camphorae) Polypodium rootstock (rhizoma Polypodii, rhizoma Filicis dulcis) Pennyroyal (herba Pulegii) Quassia wood (bitterwood, lignum Quassiae) Quillaia bark (cortex Quillaiae, soap bark) Tansy (herba Tanaceti, worm herb) Rue (herba Rutae) Sassafras wood (lignum Sassafras) Sassafras leaves (folia Sassafras) Sassafras bark (cortex Sassafras) Yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) Tonka beans (semen Toncae) Vanilla plant (Deer tongue) (Liatris odoratissima) Woodruff (Asperula odorata)

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS1. A cigarette filter tipping film comprising a biodegradable substrate, and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate, the tipping film being at least partly transparent.
2. 2. A cigarette filter tipping film according to claim 1 wherein the biodegradable substrate is selected from cellulosic substrates, PLA substrates, starch based polymers, hydroxyalkanoates and other b iopolymers.
3. 3. A cigarette filter tipping film according to claim 2 wherein the biodegradable substrate is a cellulosic substrate.
4. 4. A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the softener is present in the tipping film in an amount of less than 24% by weight of the biodegradable substrate.
5. 5. A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the softener is selected from glycerol, propane-i,2-diol, softeners mentioned in the TVO list, and combinations of two or more thereof.
6. 6. A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising an antiblock/winding aid additive.
7. 7. A cigarette filter tipping film according to claim 6 wherein the antiblock/winding aid additive is provided in an amount of less than about 0.5% by weight of the biodegradable substrate,
8. 8. A cigarette filter tipping film according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the antiblock/winding aid is selected from amorphous silica, polyethylene glycol, antiblock/winding aids mentioned in the TVO list, and combinations of two or more thereof,
9. 9. A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 8 which exhibits an elongation in the machine direction of less than 15%.
10. 10.A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims ito 9 which exhibits a tensile strength in the machine direction of more than i4OMPa,
11. 1i.A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 10 which exhibits a Young's Modulus in the machine direction of more than 4000MPa.
12. 12.A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to ii which exhibits a shrinkage under tropical conditions in the machine and/or transverse directions of less than 5%.
13. 13.A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 12 which exhibits a Haze of less than 2.15.
14. 14.A cigarette filter tipping film according to any one of claims 1 to 13 which exhibits a Gloss of more than 98.
15. 15.A cigarette filter comprising a filtration material encased in a cylinder of the tipping film of any one of claims 1 to 14.
16. 16.A cigarette comprising a smokable substance and a filter according to claim 15.