GB972623A - Cigarette filters - Google Patents

Abstract

972,623. Batting. CELANESE CORPORATION OF AMERICA. May 1, 1963 [May 15, 1962], No. 17132/63. Heading B5B. [Also in Division D1] A controlled small quantity of a lubricant is applied substantially uniformly to a fibrous batt, which is then packed in compressed layers as in a bale or tow can from which it can be withdrawn for use in the production of cigarette filter plugs. Preferably, the batt is somewhat compressed to form a roving-like rope before the lubricant is applied, suitably in a proportion of 0.1% to 2%, especially 0.15 to 0.80%, of the dry weight of the batt. Substantial uniformity of application of lubricant is achieved by permitting the batt a free run from the point of application to the packaging point under little or no tension and of sufficient length to allow time for the lubricant to disperse through the filaments forming the batt. Specified lubricants include silicone oils, alkyl esters of dibasic acids, vegetable and animal oils, and especially light mineral oils. The batt is preferably cellulose acetate, but may also be made from ethyl cellulose, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate formate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose triacetate, polyamides, polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile polymers and copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride-vinyl acetate and polyvinylidene chloride. As shown, the fibrous batt is made as in Specification 915,353, but a lubricant applicator unit 24, container 23, feed rolls 43 and inlet trumpet 44 are interposed between the forming nozzle 22 and the paper wrapping unit 46. Alternatively, lubricant may be applied to the batt W prior to its formation into the roving-like rope R. The lubricant applicator unit may comprise a spray chamber or constantly wetted wick across which the batt runs, but is preferably a multiple transfer roll system as in Fig. 2. In operation, oiler roll 30, rotated by drive means 27-28, transfers lubricant from reservoir 31 to felt-covered roll 34, which in turn transfers the lubricant to the smooth-surfaced roll 36 and hence to the rope R which is drawn through the nip of the rolls 36 and 37, fluted roll 37 being positively driven and roll 36 rotated by frictional contact with roll 37. The lubricated rope R<SP>1</SP> travels through the trough 39 to guide member 40 and rolls 41 without any externally applied tension, except for its own weight, permitting thorough and uniform penetration of lubricant throughout the batt. The amount of lubricant applied can be precisely controlled by regulating the speed of rotation of the polished oiler roll 30 by means of the drive means 27, since the rate of transfer of lubricant to the felt-covered roll 34 is a direct function of the speed of rotation of the oiler roll 30. Specification 922,698 also is referred to.