RU2311858C2 - Cigarette filter and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: filter for articles of tobacco industry, in particular, for cigarettes, and method for manufacturing the same.

SUBSTANCE: filter has at least two filter components 12, 13, 14. One filter component is one kind of multiple-component fibers 12, with length of multiple-component fibers 12 being less than length of filter 10, 10', 16, 16'. Method involves manufacturing bundle comprising at least one kind of multiple-component fibers 12 having length less than length of filter 10, 10', 16, 16' to be manufactured, as bundle component; heating fiber bundle to temperature exceeding melting temperature of casing 21 of at least one kind of multiple-component fibers 12; cooling fiber bundle to temperature below melting temperature of casing 21 of at least one kind of multiple-component fibers 12.

EFFECT: homogeneous structure, simplified manufacture process, and wider range of filtering characteristics.

24 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a filter for products of the tobacco industry, in particular for cigarettes, comprising at least two filter components, wherein one filter component is one type of multicomponent fiber. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an appropriate filter for tobacco products, in particular for cigarettes.

From DE 3028328 A1, a method is known for manufacturing a filter cake, in particular for a cigarette filter. The method proceeds from the fiber-containing mass, presented in the form of a homogeneous mixture of dissimilar fibers. Here we are talking about synthetic fiber that melts at a relatively low temperature and at the same time promotes adhesion, as well as a more heat-resistant fiber that absorbs harmful substances from tobacco smoke, which form a mixture that, even before the heat is applied, forms in a cylindrical body, for example, having the dimensions of a cigarette filter. This improves the suction when increasing the filtering ability of the filter. This method involves the use of at least two different types of fibers, one of which is immune to heat input, but absorbs harmful substances from smoke. The second fiber completely melts from the heat supplied, as a result of which the space originally occupied by this fiber forms a network of interconnected pores extending in all directions, which remains open for smoke passage. The molten mass forms droplets connecting them to each other at the intersection points of the absorbing fibers.

Filters made in this way have the disadvantage that they lead to an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance when tightening over the manufactured filter. In addition, the molten components partially overlap the fibers that absorb tobacco smoke, respectively, components from tobacco smoke, which impairs the absorption properties.

In contrast, an object of the present invention is to provide a filter with a uniform structure, easy to manufacture, and with a wide variety of desired filtration characteristics. In addition, the present invention is to propose an appropriate method that allows you to make the appropriate filter simply, efficiently and accordingly diverse and homogeneous.

The filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) for products of the tobacco industry, in particular for cigarettes, contains at least two filter components (12, 13, 14), one filter component is represented by one type of multicomponent fiber (12), length multicomponent fibers (12) is less than the length of the filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′), and the length of multicomponent fibers (12) is from 0.5 to 30 mm or from 2 to 8 mm, in particular from 3 to 6 mm multicomponent fibers (12) have a core (20) and a sheath (21) of different material, and the sheath material has a lower melted point I, than the core material, multicomponent fibers (12) are bicomponent fibers, at least part of the filter components (12, 13, 14) at the intersection points (18) with multicomponent fibers (12) stick together and / or stick together, another filter component is presented another type of fiber (13), the length of another type of fiber (13) is less than the length of the filter (10), the length of another type of fiber is from 0.1 to 30 mm, in particular from 0.2 to 10 mm, another type of fiber (13) includes cellulosic fibers and / or carbon fibers, another filter component is a mate rial in the form of a powder or in the form of granulate (14), the proportion of multicomponent fibers (12) is from 2 to 100 wt.%, and the proportion of other fibers (13) is from 0 to 98 wt.%, the proportion of material in the form of powder or granulate lies in the range from 80 to 95 wt.%, the filter (16, 16 ′) is an integral part of a multi-stage filter (10 ′).

A method of manufacturing a filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) for products of the tobacco industry includes the following steps:

- manufacture of a bundle comprising at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12), the length of which is less than the length of the manufactured filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′), as components of the bundle,

- heating the fiber bundle to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of the sheath (21) of at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12),

- cooling the fiber bundle to a temperature below the melting temperature of the sheath (21) of at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12),

- before manufacturing the bundle, at least one more component (13, 14) is mixed with at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12),

- for the manufacture of a tow, at least a portion of the components (12, 13, 14) are laid out on a conveyor belt,

- lay out at least those components (12, 13) that are presented in the form of fibers,

- at least one more component (14) in the form of a powder or granulate is added to the tow before heating or added to the multicomponent fibers (12) or mixtures before processing,

- the harness is formed using a formatted headset, while, in particular, they produce a cylindrical shape,

- the tourniquet is wrapped with wrapping material (17),

- heating the tow is carried out during or after molding in a format headset,

- the filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) is cut into measured lengths.

A cigarette is made with a tobacco stick (11) and with the filter described above (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′).

Thanks to the claimed modified version of the known filter, it can be made homogeneous, while ensuring the corresponding diversity and ease of manufacture.

Since multicomponent fibers include a core and a sheath of different materials, and the sheath material has a lower melting point than the core material, a very reliable connection of fibers can be created in the filter, while the filter, or the mixture of fibers from which the filter is made, is exposed to temperature, slightly exceeding the melting point of the shell material, so that gluing, respectively, of the filter components is ensured. Preferably, the multicomponent fiber is a bicomponent fiber. With the corresponding bicomponent fiber, the sheath can be made of polyethylene (PE), and the core, for example, of polyester (PET), respectively, of polyethylene terephthalate. Then the melting point of the shell lies at 127 ° C, and the melting point of the core at 256 ° C. Thus, we are talking about a very form-stable bicomponent fiber, the sheath material of which has a lower melting point than the core material. The corresponding bicomponent material is offered by Trevira / 65926 Frankfurt, Germany /. Preferably used, for example, Trevira bicomponent fiber has a type designation 255, a titer of 3.0 decitex, a cut length of 3 to 6 mm, a PES core / polyester chemical fiber /, a coating or a copolyethylene sheath, the coating or the shell is modified to increase adhesion, that is, provided with additives leading to a decrease in surface tension.

In a preferred embodiment, at least parts of the filter components adhere to and / or adhere at the points of contact with the multicomponent fibers. In the framework of this invention, the concept of “point of contact” also includes the concept of “intersection point” and “adhesion point”. Adhesion and / or bonding is achieved when the filter components and, in particular, multicomponent fibers are heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the shell. In this case, the casing softens or melts accordingly, so that adhesion or adhesive bonding to other filter components can occur at the points of contact. After cooling the respective filter components, a very form-resistant filter is thus formed.

If another filter component is preferably represented by a different type of fiber, a very environmentally friendly filter can be produced if, in particular, another type of fiber, for example, is biodegradable or biologically created. Here, preferably, primarily cellulosic fiber or carbon fiber are meant, in which case the coal can be activated. Other fibers may also be used, for example, hemp fiber or cotton fiber or the like. These fibers efficiently adsorb and / or absorb components of tobacco smoke. The length of the other type of fiber is preferably less than the length of the filter and is preferably in the range from 0.1 to 30 mm and, in particular, from 0.2 to 10 mm.

If in another preferred embodiment of the invention the other filter component is represented by a material in the form of powder or granulate, it is possible to very efficiently filter gaseous smoke. A material in the form of a powder or granulate is preferably activated carbon powder or activated carbon granulate. However, here we can also talk about the corresponding catalysts that increase the absorption of smoke components or contribute to the chemical conversion into components harmless to the smoker. A significant advantage of the invention is that the active surface of the powder or granulate, acting as another filter component, is significantly increased compared to the corresponding filters made of cellulose acetate, which are replaced, for example, with powders, since the surface is not coated with a binder, such as triacetin. Adhesion takes place only, for example, on multicomponent fibers, so that the part of the surface that does not adhere to the fiber remains free and, therefore, active for adsorption or absorption. Also, respectively, flavors can be selected in the form of a powder or granulate, as a result of which they require a smaller amount to achieve a similar taste effect. Preferably, an absorbent material is provided in the form of a powder or granulate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of multicomponent fibers is from 2 to 100%, and the proportion of other fibers is from 0 to 98%. In the framework of the invention, the percentage composition of materials should be understood as percentage by weight.

The filter is considered particularly effective in binding tobacco smoke if the proportion of material in the form of powder or granulate is from 80 to 100 wt.%, Preferably 90 wt.%.

Preferably, the filter is an integral part of a multi-stage filter. In the framework of this invention, the concept of "multi-stage filter" also includes the concept of "multi-section filter". The filter according to the invention is therefore an entire filter, for example a cigarette, or a segment of a multi-stage filter.

Further, the objective of the invention is solved by a method for manufacturing a filter for products of the tobacco industry, which includes the following steps:

- manufacturing a bundle comprising at least one type of multicomponent fibers, the length of which is less than the length of the manufactured filter, as part of the bundle,

- heating the fiber bundle to a temperature above the melting temperature of the sheath of at least one type of multicomponent fibers, and

- cooling the fiber bundle to a temperature below the melting temperature of the sheath of at least one type of multicomponent fibers.

Thanks to the method according to the invention, it is possible to produce a very uniform filter, whereby a cost-effective manufacture is possible, and a correspondingly great variety in manufacture takes place. The temperature to which the fiber bundle is heated is preferably higher than the melting temperature of the sheath or outer coating of the multicomponent fibers. For a shell of, for example, polyethylene, it is 127 ° C. When using multicomponent fibers, a polyester core is preferably used which has a melting point of 25 ° C, so that the fiber bundle is preferably heated to a temperature below 256 ° C. Preferably, the fiber tow is heated in a temperature range of 127 to 150 ° C.

If at least one more component is mixed into at least one kind of multicomponent fibers before the manufacture of the tow, then a very economical and environmentally friendly filter is manufactured. As the second component, for example, cellulose fiber is suitable. Suitable cellulosic fibers can be obtained, for example, from Stora Enso Palp from Falun, Sweden. The preferred type of cellulose fiber used is called Stora Fluff EF. The second component may also be a component in the form of a powder or granulate of an adsorbent, absorbent, catalyst or flavoring agents.

A particularly effective and simple implementation of the method takes place when at least part of the components are laid out on a conveyor belt for the manufacture of a tow. Thus, the respective tow of filter material or the corresponding filter is made especially uniform. Here, reference should be made to the manufacture of a tobacco rod described, for example, in patent DE 3624098 C2. The corresponding method can also find preferably application for the manufacture of filters, whereby the initial components are first present before the manufacture of the tow in a free mixture, and then, as in the manufacture of a tobacco rod, are laid out, in particular, on a conveyor with vacuum suction cups for further processing. Therefore, the content of document DE 3624098 C2 can be used for a method of manufacturing filters or bundles of filter material.

Preferably, components presented in the form of fibers are laid out. At the same time, the laid out fibers are shorter in length than the length of the manufactured filter. A particularly effective and cost-effective filter is made when at least another component in the form of a powder or granulate is added to the tow before heating or added during processing to multicomponent fibers or a mixture. If, for example, activated carbon powder is added, it is thus possible to provide a very large surface on the particles of the carbon powder, so in fact less carbon particles need to be mixed. Further, in this case, it is no longer necessary to provide an activated carbon granulate filter for a multi-stage filter, which requires relatively high manufacturing costs. In addition, a more homogeneous mixture of the powder in multicomponent fibers or in a mixture of fibers is possible than in a filter with granulate. In addition, you can more permanently and better influence the resistance when tightening.

If the tourniquet is formed using a formatted headset, as a result of which, in particular, a cylindrical shape is obtained, then the final dimensions of the manufactured filter can be performed in a simple way. Here again, it is necessary to refer to patent DE 3624098 C2, which describes the corresponding formatted headset, with which a cigarette rod is made. According to the present invention, an appropriate format headset that meets the physical characteristics of the filter components may find application. During molding, the tow is preferably compacted. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the tourniquet may be coated with a wrapping material. As a wrapping material, a strip of paper is removed, for example, removed from a roll and applied to a drive format tape. The format tape thus conveys a bundle of filter material or a fiber bundle and a strip of paper through an appropriate format headset, while the paper strip is wrapped around the fiber bundle, so that there is still an edge that is glued with adhesive using a glue machine in a known manner. Finally, the glue line is closed and dried with a suture iron.

The tow is heated during or after molding in a format headset. Preferably, heating occurs after cutting a bundle of filter material into n- times working filters or filter lengths. In conclusion, the filter is cut or cut into measured lengths. Thus, filters of n- fold working length are produced, which are then used, for example, for the manufacture of cigarette filters. In this case, n represents a natural and preferably an even number. If, for example, then a filter is placed between two tobacco sticks and connected to them, n is 2, so that the double working length filter after being connected to the tobacco sticks is cut in the middle and serves as filters for two cigarettes.

Preferably, a filter is provided manufactured by the method according to the invention or according to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the subject invention. Preferably, the cigarette is provided with a tobacco stick and one of the above filters or a preferred filter according to the invention.

Below is a description of the invention, without limiting the essence of the invention, based on examples of execution, with all the details of the invention mentioned in the text are made special references in the drawings. Showing:

figa-g - schematic cross-sectional views of filter cigarettes,

figure 2 is a raster electron micrograph of glued together fibers,

figure 3 is a raster electron micrograph of a mixture of the respective fibers,

4 is a raster electron micrograph of a mixture of various fibers with the addition of another component in the form of a powder,

5 is another schematic cross section of a filter cigarette,

6 is a raster electron micrograph of a mixture of bicomponent fibers and activated carbon granulate.

On figa-g shown in a schematic representation with a cross section of a filter cigarette. The corresponding filters 10 in figa-g have a different structure. A tobacco stick 11 is attached to each filter, while the tobacco stick 11 and the filter 10, as schematically shown, are provided with wrapping paper 17.

On figa filter 10 consists of bicomponent fibers 12, for example of bicomponent fibers of type 255 firm Trevira "/ 65926 Frankfurt, Germany /, the properties of which were described above. The bicomponent fibers 12 consist of a core 20, for example of PES, i.e. chemical fiber from polyester, or from polyester. The shell 21 consists in this embodiment of polyethylene. The melting point of the shell is 127 ° C, and the melting point of the core is 256 ° C. Bicomponent fibers are blended appropriately to make an appropriate filter, and free fibers of finite length shorter than the length of the fabricated filter are used. In this embodiment, the bicomponent fibers have a cut length of 6 mm. The manufactured filter has a length of 21 mm.

Bicomponent fibers for the manufacture of the filter are laid on a conveyor with vacuum suction cups to form a stream or bundle of bicomponent fibers. This stream or bundle of bicomponent fibers is then formed using a formatted headset into a filter form, preferably cylindrical, and wrapped in wrapping paper 17. To achieve appropriate stability of the filter, it is heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the sheath 21 of the bicomponent fibers 12, so that the sheath melts or melts. After subsequent cooling, at the intersection points of the 18 bicomponent fibers, compounds are formed that lead to the cohesion of the bicomponent fibers in the tow. Appropriate heating of the bundle can take place before the filter is formed in the format headset. However, it can also occur during molding or after it. The corresponding bonding of bicomponent fibers is very clearly visible in the scanning electron micrograph in figure 2. Here, the intersection point 18 is very well represented, at which the shell material has melted accordingly. The length size in the lower zone of FIG. 2 is 10 μm. Thanks to this connection, a very form-resistant filter can be manufactured.

On figb presents a filter consisting of a mixture of fibers, and used, firstly, bicomponent fibers 12 and, secondly, cellulose fibers 13. Preferably, a mixture of 20-30% bicomponent fibers and 70-80% cellulose fibers. Cellulosic fibers here serve as absorbent or absorbent fibers, and bicomponent fibers with corresponding adhesion points at the intersection points 18 as a frame. It should be noted that not only bicomponent fibers are glued together, but also cellulose fibers at the points of intersection 18 with the bicomponent fibers.

In another, not shown, embodiment, 20% bicomponent fibers, 70% cellulosic fibers and 10% carbon fibers are used, preferably activated carbon fibers. The advantage of this kind of filter with three fiber components is that also gaseous harmful components are well adsorbed from smoke. It is more profitable to produce an appropriate filter than a filter from activated carbon granulate. Further, a very uniform filter can be manufactured. Finally, there is a higher activity, since the active fibers do not stick together with such a binder as, for example, triacetin, and, therefore, provides a large active surface. Another raster electronic micrograph is presented in figure 3. Here we are talking about a mixture of 20% bicomponent fibers with 80% cellulose fibers.

On figv presents another filter consisting of three components, moreover, as an additional component is applied granular activated carbon. These activated carbon granulate particles or activated carbon powder particles adhere or adhere at respective points of adhesion 19 to the bicomponent fibers. Due to the small adhesion or bonding zone of the coal particles 14 with the bicomponent fibers 12, a large free surface is created on the coal particles, which is active. Instead of particles or granulate or activated carbon powder, other adsorbates, catalysts and / or flavors may be used. The granularity of the activated carbon powder is preferably at most 10 μm. Accordingly, for example, 20 mg may be added to the filter.

Figure 4 presents a raster electron micrograph of the corresponding part of the filter with a mixture of bicomponent fibers 12, cellulose fibers 13 and particles of powder of activated carbon 14. It is especially clearly seen that the particles of activated carbon 14 adhere to the bicomponent fibers. However, there are also several particles of activated carbon 14 on the cellulose fiber 13, which are glued there, but less durable than on the bicomponent fiber 12.

Fig. 1g shows a multi-stage filter 10 ', consisting of a filter element 16, which may include conventional cellulose acetate, and a filter element 16', which may correspond in composition to the filter element of Fig. 1c.

Thanks to the filter according to the invention and the claimed method for manufacturing the inventive filter, it is possible for such filter components to be selected and mixed that can purposely filter out substances contained in tobacco smoke.

The filter made in accordance with the invention preferably has a length of 21 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a weight of 110 mg, and a drag of 55 mm of water. Art. The filter includes 75% cellulose fibers of the Stora Fluff EF type with 0.4 mm fiber length and 25% of Trevira type 255 bicomponent fibers with a cutting length of 6 mm and a diameter of 25 μm. In the filter according to the invention, the resin content reaches 12 mg / sig. and nicotine content of 0.87 mg / sig. with ventilation 18%.

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross section of a filter cigarette according to figa-1d. Compared with the examples of FIGS. 1a-1d, the filter according to the invention contains two filter elements 16 and 16 ', the filter element 16' being a mixture of bicomponent fibers 12 and activated carbon granulate 14 or activated carbon powder 14. A particularly preferred mixture contains from 80 to 95% of activated carbon granulate or activated carbon powder 14 and from 5% to 20% of bicomponent fibers 12. A mix ratio of about 90% of granulated or activated carbon powder 14 and about 10% of the bicomponent fibers 12. In the framework of this invention, the percentage is given, in particular, in percent by weight.

Granulate or activated carbon powder is represented, for example, by Norit GCN 3060 granulate from Norit Nederland B.V. Granularity for 90% of the granulate is from 0.25 to 0.59 mm.

Figure 6 presents a raster electron micrograph of a cross section of a filter according to the invention, containing about 10% of the bicomponent fibers 12 and about 90% of the activated carbon granulate 14. This is a 205-fold increase. At the bottom of FIG. 6 is a scale containing a total of 1 mm, with divisions within this scale equal to 100 μm.

The activated carbon granulate 14, as shown in FIG. 6, is held in the base of bicomponent fibers 12, and this retention, in particular, is possible due to adhesion on the bicomponent fibers, after they have melted the shell during the implementation of the filter manufacturing method.

LIST OF POSITIONS ON THE DRAWINGS

10 filter

10 'multi-stage filter

11 tobacco stick

12 bicomponent fiber

13 cellulose fiber

14 activated carbon granulate

15 cellulose acetate filter element

16 filter element

16 'filter element

17 wrapping paper

18 intersection

19 place adhesion

20 core

21 shell

Claims (24)

1. A filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) for products of the tobacco industry, in particular for cigarettes, containing at least two filter components (12, 13, 14), characterized in that one filter component is represented by one kind of multicomponent fiber (12), and the length of the multicomponent fibers (12) is less than the length of the filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′). 2. The filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the multicomponent fibers (12) is from 0.5 to 30 mm. 3. The filter according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the multicomponent fibers (12) is from 2 to 8 mm, in particular from 3 to 6 mm. 4. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the multicomponent fibers (12) have a core (20) and a sheath (21) of different material, the sheath material having a lower melting point than the core material. 5. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the multicomponent fibers (12) are bicomponent fibers. 6. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least a portion of the filter components (12, 13, 14) at the intersection points (18) with the multicomponent fibers (12) stick together and / or stick together. 7. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the other component of the filter is represented by another type of fiber (13). 8. The filter according to claim 7, characterized in that the length of another type of fiber (13) is less than the length of the filter (10). 9. The filter according to claim 8, characterized in that the length of the other type of fiber is from 0.1 to 30 mm, in particular from 0.2 to 10 mm. 10. The filter according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the other type of fiber (13) includes cellulosic fibers and / or carbon fibers. 11. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the other component of the filter is represented by a material in the form of powder or in the form of granulate (14). 12. The filter according to one or more of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the proportion of multicomponent fibers (12) is from 2 to 100 wt.%, And the proportion of other fibers (13) is from 0 to 98 wt.%. 13. The filter according to PP.11 and / or 12, characterized in that the proportion of material in the form of powder or granulate lies in the range from 80 to 95 wt.%. 14. The filter according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the filter (16, 16 ′) is an integral part of a multi-stage filter (10 ′). 15. A method of manufacturing a filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) for products of the tobacco industry, comprising the following steps: the manufacture of a bundle comprising at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12), the length of which is less than the length of the manufactured filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′), as components of the bundle, heating the fiber tow to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the sheath (21) of at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12), and cooling the fiber tow to a temperature below the melting temperature of the sheath (21) of at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12). 16. The method according to clause 15, characterized in that at least one more component (13, 14) is mixed with at least one type of multicomponent fibers (12) before the manufacture of the tow. 17. The method according to p. 15 and / or 16, characterized in that for the manufacture of the tow, at least a portion of the components (12, 13, 14) are laid out on a conveyor belt. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that at least those components (12, 13) that are in the form of fibers are laid out. 19. The method according to one or more of claims 15-18, characterized in that at least one more component (14) in the form of a powder or granulate is added to a tow before heating or added to a multicomponent fiber (12) or mixture before processing. 20. The method according to one or more of claims 15-19, characterized in that the bundle is formed using a format headset, in particular a cylindrical shape being manufactured. 21. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the tow is wrapped with a wrapping material (17). 22. The method according to claim 20 and / or 21, characterized in that the heating of the tow is carried out during or after molding in a formatted headset. 23. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 22, characterized in that at the end the filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) is cut into measured lengths. 24. A cigarette with a tobacco stick (11) and a filter (10, 10 ′, 16, 16 ′) according to one or more of claims 1-14.

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