MXPA03003057A

MXPA03003057A - Cigarette filter and process for manufacturing the same.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03003057A
Application number: MXPA03003057A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Soenke Horn
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau Ag
Priority date: 2002-04-18
Filing date: 2003-04-08
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: JP2004024242A; DE10217410A1; CA2424810A1; RU2311858C2; EP1354522A3; BR0301195A; ATE312522T1; EP1354522A2; EP1354522B1; DE50301891D1; ES2252562T3; US20030213496A1; PL359692A1; MY135364A; CN1451325A

Abstract

Filter and process for producing filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry. The filter includes at least one filter component of multiple-component fibers. The multiple-component fibers have lengths shorter than a length of the filter. The process includes producing a rod including at least one type of multiple-component fibers having lengths shorter than a length of the filter to be produced. Further, the multiple-component fibers have a casing. The process further includes heating the rod to a temperature above a melting temperature of the casing, and cooling the rod to a temperature below the melting temperature of the casing. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

CIGARETTE FILTER AND PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for cigarettes, which comprises at least two components of the filter, wherein one component of the filter is a kind of multi-component fiber. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a filter suitable for articles of the tobacco processing industry, especially for cigarettes. DE 30 28 328 A1 discloses a process for the manufacture of a filter cake, in particular for cigarette filters. In this case, the process starts from a mass containing fibers that is represented as a homogeneous mixture of different masses. In this case, the mixture includes a synthetic fiber that melts at a relatively low temperature and thereby produces an adhesion, and in addition, a more heat resistant fiber that absorbs the harmful substances of tobacco smoke, conforming the mixture already before the application of heat as a cylindrical body having, for example, the dimensions of a filter of a cigarette. In this way, it is achieved that the resistance to aspiration through the cigarette is increased with a higher efficiency of the filter. The method envisages in this case the use of at least two different types of fibers, of which one is not sensitive to heat applied, but which absorbs harmful substances in the smoke. The second fiber is melted or the heat applied completely, thanks to which the space originally adopted by this fiber forms a network that extends in all directions that joins the pores between them, which remains open for the passage of smoke. The melt forms at the crossing points of the absorbent fibers droplets that join them with each other.

Filters manufactured in this way have the disadvantage that, through manufactured filters, an inhomogeneous distribution of the tensile strength is caused. In addition, the fibers that absorb tobacco smoke, or the constituent parts of the tobacco, are partially covered by the constituent parts that melt, so that the absorption characteristics worsen. Regarding this, the objective of the present invention is to provide a filter having a homogeneous construction, which can be manufactured in a simple way and which can be adjusted in a very variable manner with respect to the characteristics of the filter. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding method with which it is possible to manufacture a corresponding filter in a simple, effective and correspondingly variable and homogeneous manner. This objective is achieved through a filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular cigarettes, comprising at least two components of the filter, which is modified by the fact that one of the components of the filter is a kind of a multi-component fiber, where the length of the fibers of several components is less than the length of the filter. Through the variant according to the invention of the known filter, it can be configured in a very homogeneous manner, where suitable variability and simple fabrication is possible. Preferably, the length of the fibers of various components is between 0.5 mm and 30 mm. Additionally, the length of the fibers of various components is preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm and in particular between 3 mm and 6 mm. As long as the multi-component fibers comprise a core and a shell of different materials, where the shell material has a lower melting point than the core material, a very secure bonding of the fibers in the filter can be generated. , where for this the filter or the mixture of fibers from which the filter is made, it is brought to a temperature that is slightly above the melting point of the wrapping material, so that a corresponding bonding of the filter components is possible. Preferably, the multi-component fiber is a two component fiber. In a suitable two component fiber, the envelope can be made of polyethylene (PE) and the core, for example, polyester (PET) or polyethylene terephthalate. The melting point of the envelope is in this case at 127 ° C and the melting point of the core at 256 ° C. As a result, a very stable two-component fiber is formed, whose shell material has a lower melting point than the core material. The company Trevira (65926 Frankfurt, Germany) offers a suitable two-component fiber. A two-component fiber used as an example and, preferably, from the company Trevira carries the reference type 255, has a titer of 3.0 dtex, a length of cut between 3 and 6 mm, a core of PES (fiber chemistry made of polyester) and a coating or wrapping of copolyethylene, wherein the coating or the wrapping is modified so as to increase adhesion, which means that additives leading to a lower surface tension are provided. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the filter components adhere and / or stick to the contact points with the fibers of various components.

In the context of this invention, the concept "point of contact" also comprises the concept "crossing point" and "adherence position". Adhesion and / or bonding is then achieved when the components of the filter and in particular the multi-component fibers are heated to a temperature which is above the melting temperature of the envelope. In this case, the envelope is correspondingly softened or melted, so that an adhesion bond or bonding with the other filter components at the contact points can arise. After cooling of the corresponding filter components, a very stable filter is thus generated. When preferably another type of fibers is another component of the filter, a filter can be manufactured that especially respects the environment, in particular when the other type of fibers, for example, can be biologically decomposed or can be manufactured biologically. In this case, it can be thought, particularly and preferably, in cellulose fibers or carbon fibers, where the carbon can be activated in this case. Other fibers can also be used, such as, for example, cannabis or cotton fibers or the like. These fibers adsorb and / or preferentially absorb the constituent parts of tobacco smoke in an effective manner. The length of the other types of fibers is in this case preferably smaller than the length of the filter, and is preferably between 0.1 mm and 30 tnm, and in particular between 0.2 mm and 10 nm. When, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a material in the form of powder or granulate is another component of the filter, then it is possible to very effectively filter the smoke in the form of a gas. In the case of the material in the form of powder or granulate, it is preferably active carbon powder or active carbon granulate. However, it is also possible here to deal with corresponding catalysts which increase the absorption of the constituent parts of the smoke or cause a chemical transformation in constituent parts which are not harmful to the smoker. A fundamental advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the effective surface of the powder or of the granulate which is another component of the filter, is clearly increased in comparison with the corresponding filters made of cellulose acetate which are filled with powder, for example , since no glue such as triadictin covers the surface. Adhesion is only produced, for example, with the fibers of several components, so that the part of the surface that does not stick to the fibers remains free and thus remains available for adsorption or for absorption. As a material in the form of a powder or granulate, suitable flavors can also be chosen, of which a smaller amount is used in the context of the invention to achieve the same flavor effect. In the case of powder or granulated material, it is preferably an adsorbent material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fiber ratio of. several components are between 2% and 100%, and the proportion of other fibers is between 0% and 98%. In the context of the invention, the percentage of material proportions are to be understood in particular as weight percentage indications. A filter that particularly traps cigarette smoke is given when the proportion of the material in the form of powder or granulate is between 80% by weight or 100% by weight, and especially 90% by weight. The filter is preferably a constituent part of a multiple filter. In the context of this invention, the multiple filter concept also comprises the multi-segment filter concept. The filter according to the invention is therefore the entire filter of, for example, a cigarette, or a segment of a multiple filter. The invention is further achieved through a process for the manufacture of a filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry comprising the following stages of the process: Generation of a rope, comprising at least one type of fibers of several components, whose length is less than the length of the filter to be manufactured, as a constituent part of the rope, Heating the fiber cord to a temperature per above the melting temperature of the envelope of at least one type of multi-component fibers, and Cooling of the fiber cord to a temperature below the melting temperature of the envelope of at least one type of fibers of several components. Through the process according to the invention it is possible to manufacture a very homogeneous filter, where a cheap manufacture is possible and where a corresponding high variability in manufacturing is given. The temperature at which the fiber cord is heated is preferably higher than the melting temperature of the envelope or the outer covering of the multi-component fibers. This is, in an envelope of at least polyethylene above 127 ° c. In case two-component fibers are used, then a polyester core having a melting temperature of 256 ° C is preferred, so that the fiber cord is preferably heated to a temperature below 256 ° C. fiber cord is heated, preferably, in a temperature range between 127 ° C and 150 C. When, preferably before the generation of the cord, at least one additional constituent part is mixed with at least one type of fibers of several components, then you can build a very cheap filter and also take care of the environment. As another constituent part, for example, a cellulose fiber is suitable. Suitable cellulose fibers can be purchased, for example, from Stora Enso Pulp, from Falun, Sweden. A suitable type of cellulose fibers that is preferably used is called Stora Fluff EF. As another constituent part, a constituent part in the form of powder or granules made of an adsorber, absorber, catalyst or aromatizer can also be used. An especially effective and simple embodiment of the process is given when, for the generation of the rope, at least a part of the constituent parts is loaded onto a means of transport. In this way, a suitable filter rope or a suitable filter is constructed in a particularly homogeneous manner. It refers here to the manufacture of tobacco ropes which are described, for example, in DE 36 24 098 C2. For the manufacture of filters, a suitable process can also be used, preferably in which the output components are first in a loose mixture before the rope is manufactured, to be then properly unloaded as in the manufacture of tobacco in particular on a Aspiration tape and then be processed. The content of DE 36 24 098 C2 can be used up to this point for the process of manufacturing filters or filter cords. Preferably, at least those constituent parts that are in fiber form are discharged. The fibers discharged are in this case in a length that is preferably smaller than the length of the filter to be manufactured. A particularly effective and inexpensive filter can be manufactured when at least one other constituent part is added in the form of powder or granulate before heating the rope or when unloading the fibers of various components or the mixture. When, as an example, an active carbon powder is added, then it is possible to provide a very large surface together with the carbon powder particles, so that effectively less carbon particles have to be added to the mixture. . Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to provide an active carbon granulate filter for a multiple filter, which is relatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, a homogeneous mixture of the powder in the fibers of several components or in the mixture of the fibers is possible as in a granulated filter. further, the tensile strength is constant and can be better influenced on it. When the rope is formed by means of a set of formats, in which a cylindrical shape is especially generated, then it is possible to manufacture the final desired measurements of the filter to be manufactured in a simple way. Reference is hereby made to document DE 36 24 098 C2, in which a suitable set of formats is described, through which a cigarette string is generated. A suitable set of formats, adjusted to the physical characteristics of the constituent parts of the filter can be used according to this invention. In this case, the rope is densified preferably during shaping. Additionally, in one embodiment, it is possible to wrap the rope with a wrapping material. As the wrapping material, a strip of paper is suitable which, for example, is extracted from a bobbin and deposited on a belt of a driven format. The format tape transports, in this case, the filter rope or the fiber cord and the paper strip through a corresponding set of formats, in which the paper strip is folded around the fiber cord , so that a ridge that is glued in a known manner by a gluing apparatus still protrudes. Finally the stuck seam is closed and dried by a welded plate.

The heating of the rope is done in the conation, or after it, in the at game. The heating takes place, preferably after cutting the filter rope in filters of a length of use n, or filter rods. Finally the filter is cut to size or cut. Filters of a length of use n are generated here, which are then used the manufacture of, example, filter cigarettes. In this case, n is a natural number and preferably even. When, example, the filter is then carried between two tobacco plugs and bonded with these, then n is two, so that the filter is cut in half at a double-use length after joining with the plugs of tobacco, to serve as a filter two cigarettes. Preferably, a filter is provided, manufactured according to a method according to the invention or a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention. Preferably, a cigarette is provided with a tobacco plug and one of the filters mentioned above according to the invention or of a preferred filter. Then, without being a limitation of the general idea of the invention, the invention is described from an example of embodiment, where in all the particularities according to the invention not explained in more detail in the text refers expressly to the drawings. It is shown: Fig. 1 - Fig. Id, schematic sections through filter cigarettes, Fig. 2, a sample of a scanning electron microscope of fibers glued to each other, Fig. 3, a sample of a microscope scanning electron of a mixture of suitable fibers, FIG. 4, a sample of a scanning electron microscope of a mixture of different fibers, in which another constituent piece in powder has been added, FIG. 5, another schematic section of FIG. through a filter cigarette, and Fig. 6, a sample of a scanning electron microscope of a mixture of a two-component fiber as well as an active carbon granulate. The figures a to Id show in a schematic representation in section filter cigarettes. The respective filters 10 in the Figures a to Id are each constructed differently. Next to each filter, a tobacco plug 11 is added, wherein the tobacco plug 11 and the filter 10, which is represented schematically, are provided with a wrapping paper 17. In FIG. 1, the filter 10 is ed by fibers of two. components 12, example by fibers of two components of type 255 of the company Trevira (65926 Frankfurt, Germany), which has been described above in relation to its characteristics. The two-component fibers 12 are composed of a core 20, example of PES, ie a chemical fiber of polyester or PET, ie polyester. The envelope 21 is composed in this embodiment of PE (polyethylene). The melting point of the envelope is 127 ° C and the melting point of the core is 256 ° C. In order to manufacture a suitable filter, the two-component fibers are mixed in a suitable manner, where loose fibers of a finite length are used which is less than the length of the filter to be constructed. In this embodiment, the two-component fibers have a section length of 6 mm. The filter to be manufactured has a length of 21 mm. The two-component fibers are discharged onto a suction conveyor the manufacture of the filter, to a stream or a rope made of two-component fibers. This stream or this rope made of two-component fibers is then ed by means of a set of ats to the shape of the filter, preferably a cylindrical shape, and is wrapped with a wrapping paper 17. In order to achieve adequate stability of the filter, it is brought to a temperature above the melting temperature of the envelope 21 of the two-component fibers 12, so that the envelope melts or merges. Thus, after a subsequent cooling, junctions 18 of the two-component fibers have been formed into junctions that lead to a bond of the two-component fibers in the rope. The corresponding heating of the string can happen before the shaping of the filter in the format set. This, however, can also happen during or after conformation. A corresponding bonding of the two-component fibers can be recognized very well in the scanning electron microscope sample of FIG. 2. Here the cross-over point in which the jacket material is adequately melted is represented very well. The length indication in the lower part of figure 2 is 10 mm. Through this union, it is possible to build a very stable filter shape. In figure Ib there is represented a filter that is formed by a mixture of fibers, where on the one hand fibers of two components 12 are used and on the other hand fibers of cellulose 13. Preferably a mixture of 20 to 30% fibers is used of two components and 70 to 80% of cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers here serve as absorption or adsorption fibers, and the two-component fibers with the corresponding gluing positions at the crossing points 18 as a frame. It must be taken into account that not only the fibers of two components are bonded together, but also the cellulose fibers at the crossing points 18 with the fibers of two components. In another embodiment, which is not shown, 20% of two-component fibers, 70% of cellulose fibers and 10% of carbon fibers are used, where in this case they are preferably activated carbon fibers. The advantage of a filter of this type made of three fiber components lies in the fact that harmful substances can also be adsorbed well in the form of gas from the smoke. A filter according to this is cheaper to manufacture than an active carbon granulate filter. In addition, a very homogeneous filter can be made. Finally a high activity is given, since the active fibers are not glued together with an adhesive such as, for example, Triacetin and with this a greater active surface is possible. Another sample of the scanning electron microscope is shown in Fig. 3. In this case it is a mixture of 20% of two-component fibers and 80% of cellulose fibers. In the figure, another filter is represented, which is formed by three components, wherein an active carbon granulate 14 is used as an additional component. These granules of activated carbon or active carbon powder particles adhere or stick to a corresponding position of adhesion 19 to the fibers of two components. Due to the small sticking position or gluing position of the carbon particles 14 in the two-component fibers 12 a large free surface is produced in the carbon particles that are free. Instead of active carbon particles, either granules or powders, other adsorbents, catalysts and / or flavorings can also be used. The size of the grains of the active carbon powder should preferably be not more than 10 mm. For example, 20 mg can be added to a filter in a suitable manner. Figure 4 shows a scanning electron microscope sample of a corresponding part of a filter with a mixture made of two-component fibers 12, cellulose fibers 13 and particles of an active carbon powder 14. It can be recognized especially well the fact that the active carbon particles 14 stick to the two-component fibers. However, some active carbon particles 14 are also arranged in a cellulose fiber 13, which adhere there, although in a less fixed manner than in the two-component fibers 12. In FIG. Id, a multiple filter is shown. 10 'which is formed by a filter element 16 which may comprise, for example, a usual cellulose acetate and a filter element 16 'which can correspond to the filter element of FIG. 1 with respect to the structure. Through the filter according to the invention and the manufacturing process according to the invention of the filter according to the invention, it is possible to choose the constituent parts of the filter in such a way, and to mix them in such a way that they can be filtered out of the filter. a mode directed substances of the smoke content. A filter manufactured according to the invention preferably has a length of 21 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a weight of 110 mg, a tensile strength of 55 mmWS. The filter comprises 75% cellulose fibers of the Stora Fluff EF type with a fiber length of 0.4 mm and 25% of two-component fibers of type 255 from the company Trevira with a section length of 6 mm and a section of 25 Qm. In the filter according to the invention, tar values of 12 mg / cigarette and nicotine values of 0.87 mg / cigarette with a ventilation of 18% are achieved. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a section through a filter cigarette according to the figures in Id. In comparison with the examples of the Figures a to Id, the filter according to the invention comprises two filter elements 16 and 16 ', wherein the filter element 16' is a mixture of two-component fibers 12 and active carbon granulate 14 or active carbon powder 14. An especially preferred mixture comprises between 80 and 95% active carbon granulate or powder 14 and from 5 to 20% bicomponent fibers 12. A mixing ratio of approximately 90% active carbon granulate or powder 14 and approximately 10% bicomponent fibers 12 is especially preferred. of this invention, the percentage indications are in particular weight percentage indications. The active carbon granulate or powder is, for example, Norit GCN 3060 granulate from Norit Nederland B.V. The size of the grains is between 0.25 mm and 0.59 mm for 90% of the granules. Figure 6 shows a scanning electron microscope sample of a section through a filter according to the invention, which comprises approximately 10% of fibers of two components 12 and approximately 90% of granulate of active carbon 14. In In this case, it is a 205-fold extension. In the lower part of figure 6 there is shown a scale comprising a total of 1 mm, where the units within this measurement are 100 Hm. The active carbon granulate 14, as can be seen in Figure 6, is held in a matrix of two-component fibers 12, where a fastening is possible especially through adhesion to the fibers of two components, after that these have caused the wrapper to be founded in the filter manufacturing process.

List of reference symbols 10 Filter 10 'Multiple filter 11 Tobacco plug 12 Two-component fiber 13 Cellulose fiber 14 Active carbon granulate 15 Cellulose acetate filter element 16 Filter element 16 'Filter element 17 Wrapping paper 18 Crossing point 19 Sticking position 20 Core 21 Wrapping

Claims

1. Filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular, for cigarettes, comprising at least two filter components, characterized in that one filter component is a multi-component fiber species, wherein the length of the fibers of several components is less than the filter length.

2. - Filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the fibers of several components is between 0.5 mm and 30 mm.

3. Filter according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the fibers of several components is between 2 mm and 8 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 6 mm.

4. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fibers of several components comprise a core and a shell of different materials, wherein the material of the envelope has a lower melting point than the core material.

5. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fibers of several components are fibers of two components.

6. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least a part of the components of the filter adhere and / or stick at points of contact with the fibers of various components.

7. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that another type of fibers is another component of the filter.

8. - Filter according to claim 7, characterized in that the length of the other type of fibers is less than the length of the filter.

9. - Filter according to claim 8, characterized in that the length of the other types of fibers is between 0.1 mm and 30 mm, in particular between 0.2 mm and 10 mm.

10. Filter according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the other type of fibers comprises cellulose fibers and / or carbon fibers.

11. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a material in the form of powder or granulate is another component of the filter.

12. - Filter according to one or more of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the proportion of the material in the form of powder or granulate is between 2% by weight and 100% by weight, and the proportion of the other fibers is between 0% in weight and 98% in weight.

13. - Filter according to claim 11 and / or 12, characterized in that the proportion of the material in the form of powder or granulate is between 80% by weight and 95% by weight.

14. - Filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the filter is a constituent part of a multiple filter.

15. - Process for the manufacture of a filter for articles of the tobacco processing industry comprising the following steps of the process: Generation of a cord, including at least one type of fibers of several components, whose length is less than length of the filter to be manufactured, as constituent part of the rope, heating of the fiber cord to a temperature above the melting temperature of the envelope of at least one type of multi-component fibers, and cooling of the fiber cord at a temperature below the melting temperature of the envelope of at least one type of multi-component fibers.

16. - Method according to claim 15, characterized in that before the generation of the rope, at least another constituent part is added to at least one type of the fibers of several components.

17. Method according to claim 15 and / or 16, characterized in that at least a part of the constituent parts is loaded onto a transport means for the generation of the rope.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that at least the constituent parts that exist in the form of fiber are discharged.

19. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that at least one other constituent part is added in the form of a powder or as a granulate before the heating of the rope or it is added when the fibers of several components are unloaded or the mixture.

20. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the cue is formed by means of a set of formats, in which a cylindrical shape is especially generated.

21. - Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the rope is wrapped with a wrapping material.

22. - Method according to claim 20 and / or 21, characterized in that the heating of the rope takes place in the shaping or after it in the set of formats.

23. - Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 22, characterized in that finally the filter is cut to size.

24. - Filter, manufactured according to a method according to one or more of claims 15 to 23. SUMMARY The invention relates to a filter (10, 10 ', 16, 16') for articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for cigarettes, which comprises at least two filter components (12, 13, 14). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a filter (10, 10 ', 16, 16') for articles of the tobacco processing industry. The filter according to the invention is characterized in that a component of the filter is a type of a multi-component fiber (12), wherein the length of the fibers of several components (12) is less than the length of the filter (10, 10 ', 16, 16'). The method according to the invention is characterized by the following process steps: Generation of a rope, including at least one type of multi-component fibers (12), whose length is less than the length of the filter to be manufacture (10, 10 ', 16, 16'), as constituent part of the rope, Heating of the fiber rope to a temperature above the melting temperature of the envelope (21) of at least one type of fibers of various components (12), and cooling of the fiber cord to a temperature below the melting temperature of the envelope (21) of at least one type of multi-component fibers (12).