US20150164133A1 - Filter for a Smoking Article - Google Patents

Filter for a Smoking Article Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20150164133A1
US20150164133A1 US14/404,178 US201314404178A US2015164133A1 US 20150164133 A1 US20150164133 A1 US 20150164133A1 US 201314404178 A US201314404178 A US 201314404178A US 2015164133 A1 US2015164133 A1 US 2015164133A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fibrous
filter material
filter
fibrous filter
segment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/404,178
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Davis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Original Assignee
British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British American Tobacco Investments Ltd filed Critical British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Assigned to BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED reassignment BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAVIS, ANDREW
Publication of US20150164133A1 publication Critical patent/US20150164133A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/062—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters characterised by structural features
    • A24D3/063—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters characterised by structural features of the fibers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
    • A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0229—Filter rod forming processes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/025—Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filter for a smoking article, a method of production thereof, a smoking article and a device for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to form a filter for a smoking article.
  • a filter for a smoking article including a region of first fibrous filter material disposed at least substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material, a smoking article including such a filter and a method and device for the production thereof.
  • a filter segment for a smoking article comprising a region of first fibrous filter material disposed at least substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material, wherein the first fibrous filter material comprises greater than 5% by volume of the total filter segment volume.
  • the first fibrous filter material can be disposed in a plurality of regions of the filter segment.
  • the plurality of regions can each comprise greater than 3% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the second fibrous filter material can be a plasticised filter material and the first fibrous filter material can be a non-plasticised filter material.
  • the first and second fibrous filter materials can comprise crimped fibres.
  • the first fibrous filter material can comprise polylactide (PLA) fibres and/or the second fibrous filter material can comprise cellulose acetate fibres.
  • PLA polylactide
  • the first fibrous filter material can comprise from 5 to 60% by volume of the total filter segment volume.
  • the first fibrous filter material can comprise from 10 to 20% by volume of the total filter segment volume.
  • the first fibrous filter material can comprise from 200 to 10,000 fibres having a denier from 2 to 10 denier per filament.
  • the region of first fibrous filter material can comprise a region extending longitudinally through the region of second fibrous filter material.
  • a filter segment for a smoking article comprising a region of first fibrous material disposed at least substantially within a region of second fibrous material, wherein the first fibrous material comprises polylactide (PLA) fibres.
  • PLA polylactide
  • the second fibrous material can comprise cellulose acetate (CA) fibres.
  • CA cellulose acetate
  • a smoking article comprising a filter segment as set out above.
  • a method of producing a filter segment for a smoking article comprising feeding a supply of a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to form a filter segment as set out above.
  • the method can further comprise applying a plasticiser to said second fibrous filter material prior to feeding the supply of the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material.
  • the method can further comprise crimping said first and second fibrous filter materials prior to feeding the supply of the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material.
  • the method can further comprise compressing said second fibrous filter material to form a filter rod and feeding the supply of the first fibrous filter material into the second fibrous filter material while compressing the second fibrous filter material to form the filter rod.
  • the first fibrous filter material can be fed into the second filter material in a tongue section of a filter making apparatus.
  • the first fibrous filter material can comprise a thread of first fibrous filter material.
  • a method of producing a filter for a smoking article comprising generating a fluid stream and transferring a first fibrous material along a transfer path into a flow of a second fibrous filter material using the fluid stream.
  • the fluid stream can be generated using air pressure.
  • the first fibrous filter material can be transferred into the flow of the second fibrous filter material in a tongue or stuffer jet section of a filter making apparatus.
  • a device for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to form a filter for a smoking article comprising a pressure generator to generate a fluid stream for carrying said first fibrous material along a transfer path into a flow of said second fibrous filter material.
  • FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( e ) are schematic illustrations of smoking articles including filter segments according to embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a first device for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d );
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a section of the device of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of a section of the device of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a second device for inserting a fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d );
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a section of the device of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic rear view of a section of the device of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a third device according to an embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that of the smoking article illustrated in FIG. 1( a );
  • FIG. 9 is a cross sectional schematic view of the device of FIG. 8 ;
  • FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the venture device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration showing the operation of the venturi device of FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a cross sectional schematic view of a fourth device according to a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that of the smoking article illustrated in FIG. 1( a );
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a fifth device according to a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d ); and
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a sixth device according to a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that illustrated in FIG. 1( e ).
  • FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( e ) are schematic illustrations of smoking articles including filter segments according to embodiments of the invention.
  • smoking article includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products.
  • a first smoking article 1 includes a filter segment 2 having a region of first fibrous filter material 3 disposed substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material 4 .
  • the filter segment 2 forms a mono filter having an overall cylindrical shape, with the first fibrous filter material 3 disposed within a substantially cylindrically shaped core region of the second fibrous filter material 4 , which forms an outer, hollow cylindrically shaped region of the filter segment 2 .
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 accordingly extends axially through the length second fibrous filter material 4 , being in the present example exposed only at each end of the mono filter.
  • the filter segment 2 of the first smoking article 1 is wrapped in a plug wrap material 5 and connected to a tobacco rod 6 using a tipping material 7 to form the first smoking article 1 , in the present example a cigarette.
  • a second smoking article 11 includes a filter segment 12 having first and second regions of a first fibrous filter material 13 a , 13 b disposed substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material 14 .
  • the filter segment 12 forms a mono filter having an overall cylindrical shape, with the first fibrous filter material 13 a , 13 b disposed within first and second regions of the second fibrous filter material 14 .
  • the first and second regions extend longitudinally through the length of the second fibrous filter material 14 , being in the present example exposed from the second fibrous filter material 14 only at each end of the mono filter.
  • the first and second regions of first fibrous filter material 13 a , 13 b are substantially cylindrical in shape.
  • the first and second regions of first fibrous filter material 13 a , 13 b are diametrically spaced apart from each other and from the outer longitudinal periphery of the second fibrous filter material 14 .
  • the filter segment 12 of the second smoking article 11 is wrapped in a plug wrap material 15 and connected to a tobacco rod 16 using a tipping material 17 to form the second smoking article 11 , in the present example a cigarette.
  • a third smoking article 21 includes a filter segment 22 having a plurality of regions of first fibrous filter material 23 a - 23 d disposed substantially within a second fibrous filter material 24 .
  • the filter segment 22 forms a mono filter having an overall cylindrical shape, with the first fibrous filter material 23 a - 23 d disposed within first to fourth regions.
  • Each of the four regions of first fibrous filter material 23 a - 23 d extends longitudinally through the length second fibrous filter material 24 , being in the present example exposed from the second fibrous filter material 24 only at each end of the mono filter.
  • the regions of first fibrous filter material 23 a - 23 d are substantially cylindrical in shape.
  • the regions of first fibrous filter material 23 a - 23 d are annularly disposed within the second filter material 24 and spaced at 90° from each other and from the outer longitudinal periphery of the second fibrous filter material 24 .
  • the filter segment 22 of the third smoking article 21 is wrapped in a plug wrap material 25 and connected to a tobacco rod 26 using a tipping material 27 to form the third smoking article 21 , in the present case a cigarette.
  • a fourth smoking article 31 includes a filter segment 32 having a plurality of regions of first fibrous filter material 33 a - 33 e disposed substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material 34 .
  • the filter segment 32 forms a mono filter having an overall cylindrical shape, with the first 10 o fibrous filter material 33 a - 23 e disposed within first to fifth regions.
  • Each of the five regions of first fibrous filter material 33 a - 33 e extends longitudinally through the length of the second fibrous filter material 34 , being in the present example exposed from the second fibrous filter material 34 only at each end of the mono filter.
  • the regions of first fibrous filter material 33 a - 33 e are substantially cylindrical in shape.
  • the first to fourth regions of first fibrous filter material 33 a - 33 d are annularly disposed within the second filter material 34 and spaced at 90° from each other and from the outer longitudinal periphery of the second fibrous filter material 34 .
  • the fifth region of first fibrous filter material 33 e is disposed within a substantially cylindrically shaped core of the second fibrous filter material 34 .
  • the filter segment 32 is wrapped in a plug wrap material 35 and connected to a tobacco rod 36 using a tipping material 37 to form the third smoking article 31 , in the present case a cigarette.
  • a fifth smoking article 161 includes a filter segment 162 having a plurality of regions of first fibrous filter material 16 a - 163 b disposed substantially within a region of second fibrous filter material 164 .
  • the filter segment 162 forms a mono filter having an overall cylindrical shape, with the first fibrous filter material 163 a - 163 b disposed within first and second regions.
  • Each of the first and second regions of first fibrous filter material 163 a - 163 b forms an elongate sector of the cylindrical filter, and extends longitudinally through the length of the second fibrous filter material 164 , being in the present example exposed from the second fibrous filter material 164 at each end of the mono filter and along the length of first and second outer portions 165 a , 165 b of the longitudinal surface of the cylindrical filter segment 162 .
  • first fibrous filter material 163 a - 163 b have the substantial shape of elongate sectors in the present example. Also, the first and second regions of first fibrous filter material 163 a - 163 b are disposed within the second filter material 164 spaced at 180° from each other. However, alternatively only one region of first fibrous filter material 163 can be used, or three or more regions of first fibrous filter material 163 can be used, spaced evenly or unevenly around the filter segment 162 .
  • the shape of the regions of first fibrous filter material is not limited to an elongate sector, and could be shaped substantially to have the form of an elongate quadrilateral, such as a rectangle and/or oblong.
  • the filter segment 162 is wrapped in a plug wrap material 166 and connected to a tobacco rod 167 using a tipping material 168 to form the fifth smoking article 161 , in the present case a cigarette.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 comprises a non-plasticised filter material, in the present case polylactide (also referred to as poly(lactic acid) or PLA) fibres.
  • polylactide also referred to as poly(lactic acid) or PLA
  • Such fibres are commercially available, for instance from companies such as Natureworks LLC in the US or Mitsui Chemical in Japan. Suitable fibres can be formed in processes such as electrospinning, as would be known to those skilled in the art.
  • the second fibrous filter material 4 , 14 , 24 , 34 , 164 comprises a plasticised filter material, in the present case cellulose acetate (hereinafter ‘CA’) fibres plasticised using triacetin (also referred to as glycerin triacetate).
  • CA cellulose acetate
  • first and the second fibrous filter materials in a single filter segment can enable the smoking article filter to benefit from properties of both materials.
  • the first and second filter materials may each have greater selectivity in the filtration of certain smoke constituents than the other material.
  • One or other of the first and second filter materials may be cheaper to produce or comprise a more sustainable base material than the other filter material.
  • PLA is generally considered to be a more sustainable filter material than CA, although plasticised CA can have a greater filtration selectivity to certain smoke constituents than PLA, for instance phenols.
  • PLA fibres and other non-cellulose acetate based fibre materials can be that the fibres are relatively soft and that certain CA filter plasticisers such as triacetin, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and triethyl citrate (TEC), usually used to increase the firmness of CA filters, are not sufficiently effective at increasing the firmness of the non-cellulose acetate material or mixtures of the non-cellulose acetate material with CA. Accordingly, such filters may not be provided with an appropriate rigidity and/or hardness for use in/as smoking article filters.
  • first filter material such as PLA fibres
  • second filter material such as CA fibres
  • the second filter material can, for instance, be plasticised to provide an appropriate rigidity and/or hardness to the overall filter segment 2 , 12 , 22 , 32 , 162 .
  • suitable materials for the first fibrous filter material include paper or paper-based materials, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or PVOH based materials, starch-based materials, reconstituted tobacco materials, extruded materials or other fibrous filter materials, for instance those which cannot be readily plasticised by a cellulose acetate plasticiser (although the invention is not limited to the use of such materials).
  • PVOH polyvinyl alcohol
  • PVOH polyvinyl alcohol
  • starch-based materials starch-based materials
  • reconstituted tobacco materials for instance those which cannot be readily plasticised by a cellulose acetate plasticiser (although the invention is not limited to the use of such materials).
  • suitable materials for the second fibrous filter material include paper or paper-based materials, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or PVOH based materials, starch-based materials, reconstituted tobacco materials, extruded materials or other fibrous filter materials.
  • PVOH polyvinyl alcohol
  • PVOH polyvinyl alcohol
  • the first and/or second fibrous filter material can be coloured and/or include an additive such as a flavourant, for instance menthol or coffee (where local regulations permit the use of such flavourants) or an adsorbent such as activated carbon granules or an ion exchange resin, giving the filter segment unique flavouring or filtration properties, and/or a unique end appearance.
  • a flavourant for instance menthol or coffee (where local regulations permit the use of such flavourants) or an adsorbent such as activated carbon granules or an ion exchange resin, giving the filter segment unique flavouring or filtration properties, and/or a unique end appearance.
  • Including the first fibrous filter material in one or more regions substantially within the second fibrous filter material can enable the second fibrous filter material to be plasticised, or cured, with the first fibrous filter material inserted into the one or more regions during the manufacturing process, for instance after a plasticiser has been applied to the second filter material. This can help to locate the first filter material into a desired position within the second filter material, which can have the associated advantage of improving the end appearance of the filter.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 can, for instance, comprise from 5% to 70% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the fibres of the first filter material in the present examples PLA fibres, can, for instance, have a filament denier of from 2 to 10, more particularly from 2 to 7, and can be formed using, for instance, between 200 and 10,000 fibres per region in which they are located.
  • the fibres of the second filter segment in the present examples CA fibres, can have a filament denier of from 2 to 10, more particularly from 2 to 7, and between 5,000 and 20,000 fibres can, for instance, be used to form the filter.
  • Appropriate fibre deniers and numbers of filaments for each of the first and second filter materials can be selected according to various factors, such as the crimp applied to either or each of these materials, the desired ratio of the volumes of these materials, the desired total denier for the filter, the desired pressure drop and or hardness for the filter, apparatus capabilities and desired apparatus operating speeds.
  • the second fibrous filter material can be plasticised with triacetin, or another plasticiser, used in an amount from, for instance, 5% to 12% by weight of the plasticised fibres.
  • the filter segment 2 of FIG. 1( a ) includes 10% by volume of the first fibrous filter material 3 , in that example PLA, and 90% by volume of plasticised CA, in which triacetin accounts for 8% by weight of the CA.
  • the filter segment 12 of the second smoking article 11 illustrated in FIG. 1( b ) includes 12% by volume of the first fibrous filter material 13 , in that example PLA, and 88% by volume of the second fibrous filter material 14 , in that case plasticised CA, in which triacetin accounts for 8% by weight of the CA.
  • Each region of the first fibrous filter material 13 comprises 6% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the filter segment 22 of the third smoking article 21 illustrated in FIG. 1( c ) includes 16% by volume of the first fibrous filter material 23 , in that example PLA, and 84% by volume of the second fibrous filter material 24 , in that case plasticised CA, in which triacetin accounts for 8% by weight of the CA.
  • Each of the four regions of the first fibrous filter material comprises 4% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the filter segment 32 of the fourth smoking article 31 illustrated in FIG. 1( d ) includes 20% by volume of the first fibrous filter material 33 , in that example PLA, and 80% by volume of the second fibrous filter material 34 , in that case plasticised CA, in which triacetin accounts for 8% by weight of the CA.
  • Each of the five regions of the first fibrous filter material 33 comprises 4% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the filter segment 162 of the fifth smoking article 161 illustrated in FIG. 1( e ) includes 40% by volume of the first fibrous filter material 163 , in that example PLA, and 60% by volume of the second fibrous filter material 164 , in that case plasticised CA, in which triacetin accounts for 8% by weight of the CA.
  • Each of the first and second regions 163 a , 163 b of the first fibrous filter material 163 comprises 20% of the total filter segment volume.
  • first and second fibrous filter materials can be used, and these will depend on the chosen materials, the fibre denier of the materials, the number of filaments used, and the level of crimp which is applied to each material.
  • the volume of the first fibrous material can, for instance, comprise up to 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the first fibrous material can also be used in lower volumes, for instance down to 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5 or 1% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the volume of the first fibrous material can, accordingly, fall within a range comprising from one of 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5 or 1% of the total filter segment volume up to one of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70% of the total filter segment volume, in particular from 10% to 70% of the total filter segment volume.
  • Each of the regions of first fibrous filter material can comprise greater than 2%, greater than 2.5%, greater than 3%, greater than 3.5%, greater than 4% or greater than 5% of the total filter segment volume, for instance from 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% to 20%, 25% or 30% of the total filter segment volume.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 in the first to fourth smoking articles is disposed in one or more regions spaced from the outer longitudinal periphery of the second fibrous filter material 4 , 14 , 24 , 34 , such that the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 is present at the outer surface of the cylinder (or other shape) formed by the first and second filter materials only at each end of the filter segment.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 in the first to fourth smoking articles can be disposed in a region part of the boundary of which is coexistent with the outer periphery of the filter segment formed by the first and second filter materials such that the first fibrous filter material is present at the outer surface of the filter segment at each end of the filter segment and/or at one or more parts of the outer longitudinal periphery of the filter segment (such latter surfaces being in contact with a plug wrap in the present examples).
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 in the first to fifth smoking articles is disposed such that it is at the outer boundary of the respective filter segments 2 , 12 , 22 , 32 , 162 at each end of the filter segments.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 can be disposed in at least one region which is not at the outer boundary of the second fibrous filter material 4 , 14 , 24 , 34 , 164 at either end of the respective filter segment or which is at the outer boundary of the filter segment at one but not both ends of the filter segment.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 in the first to fifth smoking articles is disposed in up to five separate regions.
  • the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 can be disposed in greater than five regions, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 regions, so as to provide a desired volume or weight of the first fibrous filter material 3 , 13 , 23 , 33 , 163 within the filter segment 2 , 12 , 22 , 32 , 162 .
  • the term filter segment refers to a single discrete filter component which can be individually attached to a smoking article.
  • the filter segments 2 , 12 , 22 , 32 , 162 used in the first to fifth smoking articles 1 , 11 , 21 , 31 , 161 are mono filter segments, comprising the entire filter for such smoking articles 1 , 11 , 21 , 31 , 161 .
  • the filter segments 2 , 12 , 22 , 32 , 162 can alternatively be used in other filter configurations, such as the mouth end, tobacco end or both segments of a dual, dual dalmatian or cavity filters, or one or more of the mouth end, intermediate and tobacco end segments of a triple or quad filter.
  • One or more of the segments of the filter may comprise non-wrapped acetate (NWA) segments.
  • NWA non-wrapped acetate
  • the first and/or second fibrous filter materials 3 , 4 , 13 , 14 , 23 , 24 , 33 , 34 , 163 , 164 can comprise mixtures of different materials, for instance mixtures of fibres of a plurality of materials or the fibres themselves being formed from blends or composites of a plurality of materials.
  • FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic illustrations of a first device 40 for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d ).
  • a first device 40 for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d ).
  • WO2010/108739 the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and can be adapted for use in producing filter segments according to the present invention in the manner set out below.
  • the first device 40 in use, is connected to a filter making apparatus such as the KDF 2 apparatus produced by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Germany and is capable of producing a filter rod with up to five separate regions of a first fibrous filter material extending through the cross-section of the filter formed from a second fibrous filter material.
  • the first device 40 comprises a tongue 41 having a wide entrance opening 41 b and a narrow exit opening 41 a , a funnel 42 and a stuffer jet 43 .
  • the filter making apparatus includes a garniture, filter wrapping paper and wrapping paper-spool as well as other sections, not illustrated here.
  • the first device 40 also includes a multi-region material positioning unit, generally indicated as 44 .
  • the multi-region material positioning unit 44 comprises a support block 45 which is attached to a support fin 41 c which extends vertically upwards from the tongue 41 .
  • the support block 45 is fixedly secured in place on the fin 41 c of the tongue 41 by known connectors such as bolts, welds, etc.
  • the support block 45 includes five apertures 46 a - 46 e extending therethough.
  • a first aperture 46 a extends from the centre of the top of the support block 45 downwards to the tongue 41
  • second and third apertures 46 b , 46 c extend from either side of the first aperture 46 a on the top of the support block 45 downwards to the tongue 41 .
  • fourth and fifth apertures 46 d , 46 e extend from the left and right sides of the support block 45 respectively, laterally through the support block 45 to the tongue 41 .
  • Each aperture 46 a - e is inclined at an angle so as not to be perpendicular to the central axis of the tongue 41 and to point slightly in the direction of the exit opening 41 a , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • the tongue 41 includes a plurality of apertures 47 a - 47 e in its side wall extending through to the bore of the tongue 41 , wherein each of the apertures 47 a - e is aligned with one of the apertures 46 a - e in the support block 45 , so as to provide a plurality of continuous passages though the support block 45 and through the lateral wall of the tongue 41 to the central bore of the tongue 41 .
  • each needle 48 a - e Five needles 48 a - e are provided, one disposed in each of the apertures 46 a - e in the support block 45 which extend through the respective aperture 47 a - e in the tongue 41 . Therefore, each needle 48 a - e extends from outside the support block 45 , though the support block 45 and through the wall of the tongue 41 and terminates within the bore of the tongue 41 .
  • the needles have internal passage diameters appropriate for carrying fibres used to form the regions of the first filter material used in the filter segments of the present invention.
  • each of the apertures 46 a - e in the support block 45 is of a larger diameter than the inner portion proximate the tongue 41 , and is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locking shaft 49 a - e .
  • the locking shafts 49 a - e each include a hollow bore (not shown) through which, in use, a respective needle 48 a - e extends, and the locking shaft 49 a - e comprises a first continuous section at its lower end, and a second, fingered section (not shown) at its upper end.
  • the fingered section is formed by a plurality of radial slots cut from the top end of the locking shaft 49 a - e downwards and extending all the way through from the inner bore through to the outside of the locking shaft 49 a - e .
  • the remaining threaded sections of the ‘fingers’ are thereby defined between the slots and are deflectable in a radial direction of the locking shaft 49 a - e.
  • locking nuts 50 a - e which include an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the locking shafts 49 a - e , and which are shaped to taper inwardly slightly so that as each locking nut 50 a - e is threaded onto the fingered section of each locking shaft 49 a - e , the fingers are caused to be deflected inwards into the inner bore of the locking shafts 49 a - e .
  • the inner bore of the locking shaft is of the same diameter as that of the inner portion of the apertures 46 a - e which extend through the support block 45 and of the apertures 47 a - e which are formed in the lateral wall of the tongue 41 , so that needles 48 a - e fit snugly in the respective bores of the locking shafts 49 a - e .
  • a second fibrous filter material for instance continuous fibres of crimped CA filter tow material
  • the first fibrous filter material for instance continuous crimped fibrous PLA or other material in thread or strand form
  • the supply of the first fibrous filter material to the needles 48 a - e can be achieved using a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device such as feed rollers, a feed conveyor, fluted feed drum or screw feeder (not shown) configured to feed the first fibrous material from a continuous supply thereof.
  • a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device can have its speed adjusted so as to meter the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material at an appropriate rate, for instance according to the speed of the second fibrous filter material passing through the tongue 41 .
  • the emerging compressed filter rod which exits from the narrow exit opening 41 a in the tongue 41 accordingly has up to five separate continuous regions of the first material therein extending in an axial direction thereof.
  • the exact position of the regions of first fibrous filter material within the cross-section of the resulting filter rod can be accurately determined and adjusted since the position of the first fibre regions in the cross-section of the filter rod is dictated by the point within the tongue 41 at which the ends of the needles 48 a - e terminate. This can be altered as described above, with each needle 48 a - e being independently adjustable to create a wide variety of patterns within the resulting filter rod.
  • the device 40 can accordingly be used to produce filter rods containing up to five regions of a first fibrous material along the length of a second fibrous material. Filter rods having fewer than five regions of the first fibrous material therethrough can be produced by not feeding supplies of the first fibrous material through one or more of the needles 48 a - e.
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 are schematic illustrations of a second device 60 for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d ).
  • the second device 60 of FIGS. 5 to 7 is similar to the first device 40 of FIGS. 2 to 4 .
  • the second device 60 in use is connected to a filter making apparatus such as the KDF 2 apparatus produced by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Germany and is capable of producing a filter rod with up to five separate regions of a first fibrous filter material extending through the cross-section of the filter formed from a second fibrous filter material.
  • the second device 60 comprises a tongue 61 having a wide entrance opening 61 b and a narrow exit opening 61 a , a funnel 62 and a stuffer jet 63 .
  • the filter making apparatus in which the second device 60 is used includes a garniture, filter wrapping paper and wrapping paper-spool as well as other sections, not illustrated here.
  • the second device 60 also includes a multi-region material positioning unit, generally indicated as 64 .
  • the multi-region material positioning unit 64 comprises a support block 65 which is attached to a support fin 61 c which extends vertically upwards from the tongue 61 .
  • the support block 65 is fixedly secured in place on the fin 61 c of the tongue 61 by known connectors such as bolts, welds, etc.
  • the support block 65 includes five apertures 66 a - 66 e extending therethough, similar to the apertures 46 a - e of the support block 45 of the first device.
  • the tongue 61 also includes a plurality of apertures 67 a - 67 e in its side wall extending through to the bore of the tongue 61 , wherein each of the apertures 67 a - e is aligned with one of the apertures 66 a - e in the support block 65 , so as to provide a plurality of continuous passages though the support block 65 and through the lateral wall of the tongue 61 to the central bore of the tongue 61 .
  • each needle 68 a - e Five needles 68 a - e are provided, one disposed in each of the apertures 66 a - e in the support block 65 which extend through the respective aperture 67 a - e in the tongue 61 . Therefore, each needle 68 a - e extends from outside the support block 65 , though the support block 65 and through the wall of the tongue 61 and terminates within the bore of the tongue 61 .
  • the needles 68 a - e have internal passage diameters appropriate for carrying fibres used to form the regions of the first filter material used in the filter segments of the present invention.
  • each of the apertures 66 a - e in the support block 65 is of a larger diameter than the inner portion proximate the tongue 61 , and is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locking shaft 69 a - e .
  • the locking shafts 69 a - e each include a hollow bore (not shown) through which, in use, a respective needle 68 a - e extends.
  • the locking shafts 69 a - e are similar to those of the first device 40 .
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 Also shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 are locking nuts 70 a - e which are similar to and operate in the same way as the locking nuts 50 a - e of the first device 40 .
  • the second device 60 differs from the first device 40 by the orientation of the first, second and third apertures 66 a - c formed in the support block 65 , and thereby the orientation of the plurality of continuous passages though the support block 65 and through the lateral wall of the tongue 61 to the central bore of the tongue 61 . Accordingly, the needles 68 a - c respectively disposed in each of the first to third apertures 66 a - c are correspondingly differently orientated.
  • first, second and third needles 68 a - c are arranged radially with respect to the central axis of the tongue 61 , as opposed to the first, second and third needles 48 a - c of the first device 40 , which are all arranged with their respective axes parallel to each other.
  • This alternative orientation of the first, second and third needles 68 a - c provides a different range of first fibrous material region positions to be achieved within the filter rod and, in particular, allows closer positioning of these three first fibrous material regions to each other and to the two other first fibrous material regions from the fourth and fifth needles 68 d - e to be achieved.
  • the second device 60 is operated in the same way as the first device 40 described above.
  • a second fibrous filter material for instance continuous fibres of crimped CA filter tow material, is conveyed through the bore of the tongue 61 , and up to five individual supplies of the first fibrous filter material, for instance continuous crimped fibrous PLA or other material in the form of a thread or strands and fed through the needles 68 a - e and entrained in the flow of the second fibrous filter material, being pulled through the needles 68 a - e as the second material passes through the tongue 61 .
  • the supply of the first fibrous filter material to the needles 68 a - e can be achieved using a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device such as feed rollers, a feed conveyor, fluted feed drum or screw feeder (not shown) configured to feed the first fibrous material from a continuous supply thereof.
  • a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device can have its speed adjusted so as to meter the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material at an appropriate rate, for instance according to the speed of the second fibrous filter material passing through the tongue 61 .
  • the emerging compressed filter rod which exits from the narrow exit opening 61 a in the tongue 61 accordingly has up to five separate continuous regions of the first material therein extending in an axial direction thereof.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of a third device 80 according to an embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that illustrated in FIG. 1( a ).
  • FIG. 8 shows part of the third device 80 comprising a fibre insert section 81 .
  • a second fibrous filter material 82 in the form of cellulose acetate tow in the present example, is drawn through a set of conveying rollers (not shown), and is compressed through a stuffer jet (not shown) and through the tongue 83 of a garniture 84 , where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap 85 and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown) to form filter rods.
  • FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the third device 80 .
  • the fibre insert section 81 comprises a fibre feed tube 86 , a venturi insert device 87 and an insert tube 88 .
  • the insert tube 88 forms a fibre transfer path, in the present example from the venture insert device 87 to the tongue 83 , and may be bent so that it can be aligned longitudinally with the direction in which the filter rod material 82 is conveyed in the tongue 83 .
  • the position of the insert tube 88 may be adjusted using the insert tube adjustment wheel 88 a shown in FIG. 8 . This allows the stream of fibres to be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the second filter material 84 or alternatively off-centre but parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the fibre insert section 81 also comprises first, second and third air jet inlets 89 a - c.
  • the feed tube 86 is configured to accept fibres of a first fibrous filter material for insertion into a second fibrous filter material, the first fibrous material being supplied, for instance, in the form of a thread or strands of the first fibrous material.
  • the supply of the first fibrous filter material to the feed tube 86 can be achieved using a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device such as feed rollers, a feed conveyor, fluted feed drum or screw feeder (not shown) configured to feed the first fibrous material from a continuous supply thereof.
  • a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device can have its speed adjusted so as to meter the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material at an appropriate rate, for instance according to the speed of the second fibrous filter material passing through the tongue 83 .
  • the emerging compressed filter rod which exits from the tongue 83 accordingly has a continuous region of the first material therein extending in an axial direction thereof.
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the venturi device 87 shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the venturi device 87 comprises a generally conical block 90 with an axial bore 91 having an inlet 92 that receives a supply of fibres 93 from the feed tube 86 and an outlet 94 that supplies the fibres 93 into the insert tube 88 .
  • the conical block 90 is received within a generally cylindrical housing 95 with a conical end spaced from the block 90 to define a converging air passageway 96 which opens into the insert tube 88 in the region of the outlet 94 of the bore 91 .
  • the air supply passageway 96 is fed with compressed air from the three air jet inlets 89 a - c , the first of which 89 a is shown in FIG. 10 .
  • the air jet inlets 89 a - c are coupled to a compressed air or other gas source (not shown) and feed into respective longitudinal bores 97 a,b that connect into the converging air supply passageway 96 .
  • a compressed air or other gas source not shown
  • the first, second and third jet inlets 89 a - c are fed with air, other fluids could be employed, for example helium or nitrogen.
  • Fibres 93 are received from the feed tube 86 and are directed into the axial bore 91 .
  • Compressed air from the first inlet 89 a is directed along the longitudinal bore 97 towards the region 94 where the axial bore 91 and the longitudinal bore 97 converge.
  • Compressed air from the second and third inlets 89 b , 89 c is also directed along corresponding respective longitudinal bores (not shown) for these inlets towards the region 94 where the axial bore 91 and those longitudinal bores converge.
  • venturi device 87 During operation of the venturi device 87 the Venturi effect is exploited to propel the fibres 93 towards the filter rod material 92 as it is formed into filter rods.
  • FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the air flow in the venturi device 87 during operation of the fibre insert section 81 .
  • the fibres 93 initially occupy an area of high pressure relative to this low pressure region 94 .
  • a pressure gradient force is created that acts on the fibres 93 and propels them into the insert tube 88 with a velocity greater than if they were to be acted upon by the force due to gravity alone. This allows a high density of fibres 93 to be inserted into the second fibrous filter rod material.
  • the insert tube 88 feeds into the tongue 83 of the third device 80 to insert fibres directly into the second fibrous filter material.
  • the position of the insert tube 88 may be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter rod under manufacture.
  • the insert tube 88 is bent however in other embodiments the insert tube 88 may be straight.
  • the fibres may be centred along the longitudinal axis of the filter rod or substantially parallel to but offset from the longitudinal axis using the insert tube adjustment wheel 88 a shown in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 12 is a cross sectional schematic view of a fourth device 100 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that illustrated in FIG. 1( a ).
  • the fourth device 100 shown in FIG. 12 is similar to the third device 80 shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the fourth device 100 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a high flow vacuum pump 101 instead of the venturi insert device 87 shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the fourth device 100 also comprises a fibre feed tube 102 and an exit tube 103 .
  • the high flow vacuum pump 101 may be of a type known in the art for material transfer such as KVPDF High Flow Vacuum Pumps, or vacuum pumps such as the DF Series pumps supplied by Vaccon Company, Inc in the US. Compressed air enters the vacuum pump 101 through an air inlet 104 and flows cyclonically through a central tube 105 of the pump 101 . The cyclonic flow of compressed air produces a vacuum which can draw fibres from the feed tube 102 , through the central tube 105 and into the exit tube 103 to converge with the tongue 106 of the garniture (as shown in FIG. 8 ).
  • Compressed air can be supplied to the air inlet 104 at between 10 and 60 Psi, for instance from 10 to 40 Psi, or preferably at about 30 Psi.
  • the feed tube 102 is configured to accept fibres of a first fibrous filter material for insertion into a second fibrous filter material, the first fibrous material being supplied, for instance, in the form of a thread or strands of the first fibrous material.
  • the supply of the first fibrous filter material to the feed tube 102 can be achieved using a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device such as feed rollers, a feed conveyor, fluted feed drum or screw feeder (not shown) configured to feed the first fibrous material from a continuous supply thereof.
  • a mechanical or electromechanical delivery device can have its speed adjusted so as to meter the first fibrous material into the second fibrous filter material at an appropriate rate, for instance according to the speed of the second fibrous filter material passing through the tongue 106 .
  • the emerging compressed filter rod which exits from the tongue 106 accordingly has a continuous region of the first material therein extending in an axial direction thereof.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a fifth device 110 according to a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as those of the smoking articles illustrated in FIGS. 1( a ) to 1 ( d ).
  • the fifth device 110 of FIG. 13 includes components similar to the second device 60 of FIGS. 5 to 7 .
  • the fifth device 110 in use is connected to a filter making apparatus such as the KDF 2 apparatus produced by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Germany and is capable of producing a filter rod with up to five separate regions of a first fibrous filter material extending through the cross-section of the filter formed from a second fibrous filter material.
  • the fifth device 110 comprises a tongue 111 having a wide entrance opening 111 b and a narrow exit opening 111 a , a funnel 112 and a stuffer jet 113 .
  • the filter making apparatus in which the fifth device 110 is used includes a garniture, filter wrapping paper and wrapping paper-spool as well as other sections, not illustrated here.
  • the fifth device 110 also includes a multi-region material positioning unit, generally indicated as 114 .
  • the multi-region material positioning unit 114 comprises a support block 115 which is attached to a support fin 111 c which extends vertically upwards from the tongue 111 .
  • the support block 115 is fixedly secured in place on the fin 111 c of the tongue 111 by known connectors such as bolts, welds, etc.
  • the support block 115 includes five apertures 116 a - 116 e extending therethough, similar to the apertures 66 a - e of the support block 65 of the second device.
  • the tongue 111 also includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) in its side wall extending through to the bore of the tongue 111 , wherein each of the apertures is aligned with one of the apertures 116 a - e in the support block 115 , so as to provide a plurality of continuous passages though the support block 115 and through the lateral wall of the tongue 111 to the central bore of the tongue 111 .
  • Five needles 118 a - e are provided, one disposed in each of the apertures 116 a - e in the support block 115 which extend through the respective apertures in the tongue ill.
  • each needle 118 a - e extends from outside the support block 115 , though the support block 115 and through the wall of the tongue 111 and terminates within the bore of the tongue 111 .
  • the needles 118 a - e have internal passage diameters appropriate for carrying fibres used to form the regions of the first filter material used in the filter segments of the present invention.
  • the fifth device also includes locking shafts 119 a - e and locking nuts 120 a - e which are similar to and operate in the same way as those of the first and second devices 40 , 60 .
  • the fifth device 110 differs from the second device 60 in that a fibre insert section is connected to each of the needles 118 a - e (although only illustrated in respect of the fourth needle 118 d in FIG. 13 ).
  • the fibre insert sections correspond to the fibre insert section 81 of FIGS. 8 and 9 .
  • the fibre insert section 130 connected to the fourth needle 118 d comprises a fibre feed tube 131 and a venturi insert device 132 .
  • the venturi devices 132 each comprise a generally conical block with an axial bore having an inlet that receives a supply of fibres from the feed tube 131 and an outlet that supplies the fibres into the needles 118 .
  • Air supply passageways within the venture devices 132 are fed with compressed air from the three air jet inlets 133 a - c .
  • the venturi insert device 132 has its fibre stream outlet connected to the fourth needle 118 d .
  • the fourth needle 118 d forms a fibre transfer path, in the present example from the venture insert device 132 to the tongue 111 .
  • the fibre insert sections (not shown) connected to the first, second, third and fifth needles 118 a,b,c,e comprise corresponding features to those of the fibre insert section 130 connected to the fourth needle 118 d.
  • the fibre insert sections operate in a corresponding manner to the fibre insert section 81 of FIGS. 8 and 9 , with the venturi device in each section operating in the same manner as the venturi device 87 described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 .
  • a second fibrous filter material in the form of cellulose acetate tow in the present example, is drawn through a set of conveying rollers (not shown), and is compressed through the stuffer jet 113 and through the tongue 111 of a garniture, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown) to form filter rods.
  • the venturi devices of each fibre insert section are operated by supplying compressed air to the air inlets 133 a - c at between 10 and 60 Psi, for instance from 10 to 40 Psi, or preferably at about 30 Psi such that the Venturi effect is exploited to propel fibres of a first filter material into regions of the second filter material as it is formed into filter rods.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a sixth device 140 according to a further embodiment of the invention for inserting a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material to produce a filter segment such as that illustrated in FIG. 1( e ).
  • the sixth device 140 of FIG. 14 is, in use, is connected to a filter making apparatus such as the KDF 2 apparatus produced by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Germany and is capable of producing a filter rod with a region of a first fibrous filter material extending through the cross-section of the filter formed from a second fibrous filter material.
  • a filter making apparatus such as the KDF 2 apparatus produced by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Germany and is capable of producing a filter rod with a region of a first fibrous filter material extending through the cross-section of the filter formed from a second fibrous filter material.
  • the sixth device 140 comprises a tongue 141 , a funnel 142 and a stuffer jet 143 .
  • the filter making apparatus in which the second device 140 is used includes a garniture, filter wrapping paper and wrapping paper-spool as well as other sections, not illustrated here.
  • the sixth device 140 also includes a fibre insert unit 144 used to supply a first fibrous filter material into the stuffer jet 143 .
  • the fibre insert unit 144 comprises a DF Series vacuum pump as supplied by Vaccon Company, Inc in the US.
  • the fibre insert unit 144 includes a fibre insert tube 145 used to feed a first filter material into a second fibrous filter material flow 146 passing through the stuffer jet 143 .
  • the fibre insert unit 144 is mounted on an adjustable support member (not shown), which enables the position of the outlet of the tube 145 in relation to the stuffer jet 143 to be accurately set.
  • the fibre insert unit 144 further comprises a fibre inlet 147 for receiving a supply of first fibrous material and a compressed ait inlet 148 for receiving a supply of compressed air, for instance at between 10 and 60 Psi, for instance from 10 to 40 Psi, or about 30 Psi.
  • the fibre insert unit 144 is supplied with compressed air and creates an internal vacuum forcing a supply of a first fibrous filter material as hereinbefore described into the stuffer jet 143 .
  • a second fibrous filter material in the form of cellulose acetate tow in the present example, is drawn through a set of conveying rollers (not shown), and is compressed through the stuffer jet 143 and through the tongue 141 of a garniture, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown) to form filter rods.
  • the fibre insert unit 144 is operated such that fibres of a first filter material are transported into a region of the second filter material as it is formed into filter rods.
  • the sixth device 140 has the advantage that the first filter material is inserted into the second filter material at a point upstream of the tongue 141 where the second filter material is relatively uncompressed. This can enable more diverse regions of first filter material to be inserted into a second fibrous filter material, forming shapes such as the elongate sections described with reference to FIG. 1( e ).
  • fibre insert unit 144 Although only one fibre insert unit 144 is used in the example illustrated in FIG. 14 , multiple fibre insert unit 144 can be inserted into the stuffer jet, for instance 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 separate tubes, each having corresponding adjustable support members.
  • venturi device 132 has been used in the fifth device 110 , of FIG. 13
  • a high flow vacuum pump such as that described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 14 can be used in place of one or more of the venturi devices 132 (i.e. each of the first to fifth devices of the fifth device 110 of FIG. 13 ).
  • FIGS. 8 to 14 by using a fluid stream to insert a first fibrous filter material into a second fibrous filter material can insert the first fibrous filter material at a greater rate than the flow rate of the second fibrous filter material.
  • Such feeding is referred to as over-feeding and can, for instance, be used to insert the first fibrous filter material such that the ratio of the second fibrous filter material rate:first fibrous filter material rate is in the range 1:1.1 to 1:2, more preferably in the range 1:1.1 to 1:1.5.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
US14/404,178 2012-05-30 2013-05-24 Filter for a Smoking Article Abandoned US20150164133A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1209589.9A GB201209589D0 (en) 2012-05-30 2012-05-30 Filter for a smoking article
GB1209589.9 2012-05-30
PCT/GB2013/051392 WO2013179009A2 (en) 2012-05-30 2013-05-24 Filter for a smoking article

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150164133A1 true US20150164133A1 (en) 2015-06-18

Family

ID=46546173

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/404,178 Abandoned US20150164133A1 (en) 2012-05-30 2013-05-24 Filter for a Smoking Article

Country Status (16)

Country Link
US (1) US20150164133A1 (ko)
EP (2) EP2854573B1 (ko)
JP (2) JP6019221B2 (ko)
KR (2) KR20150035813A (ko)
CN (1) CN104507337A (ko)
AR (1) AR091207A1 (ko)
AU (1) AU2013269395B2 (ko)
BR (2) BR112014030077B1 (ko)
CA (1) CA2874109A1 (ko)
DE (1) DE202013012115U1 (ko)
GB (1) GB201209589D0 (ko)
HK (1) HK1203322A1 (ko)
RO (1) RO201400053U3 (ko)
RU (1) RU2638750C2 (ko)
UA (1) UA115984C2 (ko)
WO (1) WO2013179009A2 (ko)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140235416A1 (en) * 2013-02-15 2014-08-21 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O. O. Method, mechanism and apparatus for momentary compression of filter material
US20150189913A1 (en) * 2012-07-13 2015-07-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Degradable filter for smoking articles
CN111328262A (zh) * 2017-11-28 2020-06-23 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 具有改进的嘴端腔的气溶胶生成制品
US11122834B2 (en) * 2015-08-24 2021-09-21 Philip Morris Products S.A. Method for drying filter rods
CN114098150A (zh) * 2021-12-09 2022-03-01 内蒙古昆明卷烟有限责任公司 一种烟支用滤棒及其制备方法
CN114098151A (zh) * 2020-09-01 2022-03-01 上海烟草集团有限责任公司 可降温烟用滤嘴材料及烟用滤嘴
WO2022074208A3 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-06-16 Philip Morris Products S.A. Applying an additive from within during shaping of a sheet into a rod
US20220304371A1 (en) * 2021-03-24 2022-09-29 Good Tree International, Inc. Filters and elongated members formed of palm paper and having a flavor capsule
US11700879B2 (en) 2021-02-26 2023-07-18 Good Tree International, Inc. Smoking accessory with filter and filter having a flavor capsule
US11744281B2 (en) 2021-03-24 2023-09-05 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow conical member with flavor capsule
US11785981B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2023-10-17 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow leaf tube with flavor capsule
WO2024114026A1 (zh) * 2022-11-29 2024-06-06 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种复合滤棒的卷烟结构

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2910134A1 (en) * 2014-02-24 2015-08-26 Philip Morris Products S.A. Smoking article having concentric filter segment
KR102410167B1 (ko) * 2014-02-24 2022-06-20 필립모리스 프로덕츠 에스.에이. 개선된 경도 및 여과 효율을 갖는 필터
CN209449667U (zh) * 2018-03-08 2019-10-01 景隆嘴棒（深圳）新型材料研发科技有限公司 一种电加热香烟的嘴棒结构
KR102123302B1 (ko) * 2018-06-01 2020-06-16 태영산업 주식회사 듀얼담배필터 제조장치
GB201910952D0 (en) * 2019-07-31 2019-09-11 Nicoventures Trading Ltd Aerosol generation
CN114098152B (zh) * 2021-12-09 2023-03-31 内蒙古昆明卷烟有限责任公司 一种烟支用复合滤棒及卷烟

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3095343A (en) * 1960-09-15 1963-06-25 United States Filter Corp Method for treating continuous filamentary tows
US3571870A (en) * 1965-08-05 1971-03-23 Courtaulds Ltd Process for the production of crimped tow for cigarette filters
US4708150A (en) * 1986-08-25 1987-11-24 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation Cigarette filter
US5092349A (en) * 1991-03-14 1992-03-03 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette quality assurance method
US20090288672A1 (en) * 2008-05-21 2009-11-26 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette Filter Comprising a Carbonaceous Fiber
US20090288669A1 (en) * 2008-05-21 2009-11-26 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette filter comprising a degradable fiber
WO2011148130A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Filtrona International Limited Tobacco smoke filter
US20120000479A1 (en) * 2010-06-30 2012-01-05 Sebastian Andries D Biodegradable cigarette filter
US20120000480A1 (en) * 2010-06-30 2012-01-05 Sebastian Andries D Biodegradable cigarette filter
US20120255569A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-11 Rj Reynolds Tobacco Company Filtered cigarette comprising a tubular element in filter
US20140318561A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2014-10-30 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Filter materials and uses thereof

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4291711A (en) * 1979-03-27 1981-09-29 American Filtrona Corporation Tobacco smoke filter providing tobacco flavor enrichment, and method for producing same
GB8518385D0 (en) * 1985-07-20 1985-08-29 British American Tobacco Co Tobacco smoke filters
GB8908535D0 (en) * 1989-04-14 1989-06-01 Tabac Fab Reunies Sa Cigarette and filter thereof
US4971078A (en) * 1989-08-15 1990-11-20 Hoechst Celanese Corporation Filter for a smoking article containing a flavored hollow fiber
US5622190A (en) * 1990-08-24 1997-04-22 Philip Morris Incorporated Concentric smoking filter having cellulose acetate tow periphery and carbon-particle-loaded web filter core
US5365951A (en) * 1990-08-24 1994-11-22 Philip Morris Incorporated Concentric smoking filter having cellulose acetate tow periphery and carbon-particle-loaded web filter core
JPH06343447A (ja) * 1993-06-02 1994-12-20 Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd たばこ煙フィルター用素材及びたばこ煙フィルター
DE102004004688A1 (de) * 2004-01-29 2005-08-25 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Separate Entspannung und Besprühung eines Filtertowstreifens
DE102005005175A1 (de) * 2005-02-01 2006-08-10 Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken Gmbh Filtercigarette
GB0713905D0 (en) * 2007-07-17 2007-08-29 British American Tobacco Co Cellulose acetate thread in filter
DE102008024553A1 (de) * 2008-05-21 2009-12-03 Hauni Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zum Einbringen von Additiven in einen zur Herstellung eines Rauchartikels vorgesehenen und bereits rundgeformten Strang
GB0905210D0 (en) 2009-03-26 2009-05-13 British American Tobacco Co Rod for a smoking article and method and apparatus for manufacture
GB0905211D0 (en) * 2009-03-26 2009-05-13 British American Tobacco Co Guide nozzle for use with filter rod manufacturing apparatus
GB0916539D0 (en) * 2009-09-21 2009-10-28 British American Tobacco Co Method and apparatus for introducing objects into filter rod material
US8997755B2 (en) * 2009-11-11 2015-04-07 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Filter element comprising smoke-altering material
GB0920397D0 (en) * 2009-11-20 2010-01-06 Filtrona Int Ltd Tobacco smoke filter
CN102356927B (zh) * 2011-07-13 2013-06-05 四川三联卷烟材料有限公司 笑脸香烟滤棒的生产装置
RU111989U1 (ru) * 2011-09-05 2012-01-10 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Эфтэк" Сегмент сигаретного фильтра

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3095343A (en) * 1960-09-15 1963-06-25 United States Filter Corp Method for treating continuous filamentary tows
US3571870A (en) * 1965-08-05 1971-03-23 Courtaulds Ltd Process for the production of crimped tow for cigarette filters
US4708150A (en) * 1986-08-25 1987-11-24 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation Cigarette filter
US5092349A (en) * 1991-03-14 1992-03-03 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette quality assurance method
US20090288672A1 (en) * 2008-05-21 2009-11-26 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette Filter Comprising a Carbonaceous Fiber
US20090288669A1 (en) * 2008-05-21 2009-11-26 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Cigarette filter comprising a degradable fiber
WO2011148130A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Filtrona International Limited Tobacco smoke filter
US20120000479A1 (en) * 2010-06-30 2012-01-05 Sebastian Andries D Biodegradable cigarette filter
US20120000480A1 (en) * 2010-06-30 2012-01-05 Sebastian Andries D Biodegradable cigarette filter
US20120255569A1 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-11 Rj Reynolds Tobacco Company Filtered cigarette comprising a tubular element in filter
US20140318561A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2014-10-30 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Filter materials and uses thereof

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
“Man Made Fibers And Their Properties”, Pollution Prevention Infohouse, University of Nebraska, 42 pages, no date, [online], retrieved from the Internet, [retrieved 2/9/2017], <URL: http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/12/11471.pdf>. *
“Properties of Carbon Fiber”, Clearwater Composites, LLC, 2017, [online], retrieved from the Internet, [retrieved 2/9/2017], <URL: http://www.clearwatercomposites.com/resources/Properties-of-carbon-fiber>. *
Gupta et al, “Poly(lactic acid) fiber: An overview”, Prog. Polym. Sci. 32. Pp 455-482, 2007, [online], retrieved from the Internet, [retrieved 2/9/2017], <URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S007967000700007X>. *

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150189913A1 (en) * 2012-07-13 2015-07-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Degradable filter for smoking articles
US11076635B2 (en) * 2013-02-15 2021-08-03 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O. O. Method, mechanism and apparatus for momentary compression of filter material
US20140235416A1 (en) * 2013-02-15 2014-08-21 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O. O. Method, mechanism and apparatus for momentary compression of filter material
US11540559B2 (en) 2015-08-24 2023-01-03 Philip Morris Products S.A. Method for drying filter rods
US11122834B2 (en) * 2015-08-24 2021-09-21 Philip Morris Products S.A. Method for drying filter rods
CN111328262A (zh) * 2017-11-28 2020-06-23 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 具有改进的嘴端腔的气溶胶生成制品
US11877593B2 (en) * 2017-11-28 2024-01-23 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol generating article having improved mouth end cavity
US12102116B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2024-10-01 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow leaf tube with flavor capsule
US12016374B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2024-06-25 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow leaf tube with flavor capsule
US11785981B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2023-10-17 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow leaf tube with flavor capsule
CN114098151A (zh) * 2020-09-01 2022-03-01 上海烟草集团有限责任公司 可降温烟用滤嘴材料及烟用滤嘴
WO2022074208A3 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-06-16 Philip Morris Products S.A. Applying an additive from within during shaping of a sheet into a rod
EP4298928A3 (en) * 2020-10-09 2024-06-05 Philip Morris Products S.A. Applying an additive from within during shaping of a sheet into a rod
US12108788B2 (en) 2021-02-26 2024-10-08 Good Tree International, Inc. Smoking accessory with filter and filter having a flavor capsule
US11700879B2 (en) 2021-02-26 2023-07-18 Good Tree International, Inc. Smoking accessory with filter and filter having a flavor capsule
US11969008B2 (en) * 2021-03-24 2024-04-30 Good Tree International, Inc. Filters and elongated members formed of palm paper and having a flavor capsule
US11910821B2 (en) 2021-03-24 2024-02-27 Good Tree International, Inc. Filters and elongated members formed of palm paper and having a flavor capsule
US11744281B2 (en) 2021-03-24 2023-09-05 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow conical member with flavor capsule
US12022857B2 (en) 2021-03-24 2024-07-02 Good Tree International, Inc. Hollow conical member with flavor capsule
US20220304371A1 (en) * 2021-03-24 2022-09-29 Good Tree International, Inc. Filters and elongated members formed of palm paper and having a flavor capsule
CN114098150A (zh) * 2021-12-09 2022-03-01 内蒙古昆明卷烟有限责任公司 一种烟支用滤棒及其制备方法
WO2024114026A1 (zh) * 2022-11-29 2024-06-06 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种复合滤棒的卷烟结构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201209589D0 (en) 2012-07-11
AU2013269395B2 (en) 2015-12-10
RU2638750C2 (ru) 2017-12-15
HK1203322A1 (en) 2015-10-30
BR112014030077B1 (pt) 2021-06-29
DE202013012115U1 (de) 2015-04-08
AU2013269395A1 (en) 2014-12-04
BR212014030074U2 (pt) 2017-06-13
BR112014030077A2 (pt) 2017-06-27
WO2013179009A3 (en) 2014-01-30
WO2013179009A2 (en) 2013-12-05
EP3180995A1 (en) 2017-06-21
JP6514660B2 (ja) 2019-05-15
RO201400053U3 (ro) 2019-04-30
WO2013179009A4 (en) 2014-03-20
JP2015517821A (ja) 2015-06-25
KR20160123393A (ko) 2016-10-25
CA2874109A1 (en) 2013-12-05
JP2016171805A (ja) 2016-09-29
CN104507337A (zh) 2015-04-08
JP6019221B2 (ja) 2016-11-02
EP2854573A2 (en) 2015-04-08
UA115984C2 (uk) 2018-01-25
AR091207A1 (es) 2015-01-21
KR20150035813A (ko) 2015-04-07
RO201400053U2 (ro) 2015-10-30
EP2854573B1 (en) 2016-12-28
RU2014153681A (ru) 2016-07-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20150164133A1 (en) Filter for a Smoking Article
US10285435B2 (en) Rod for a smoking article and method and apparatus for manufacture
US10264816B2 (en) Smoking article filters
US20120080043A1 (en) Introducing Objects Into Elongate Smoking Articles
US20230017871A1 (en) Filter material and/or filler material for mouthpieces for use with smoking products or hnb products, mouthpieces and cigarette filters comprising such a filter material and/or filler material, and method for manufacturing such a filter material and/or filler material
CN219108721U (zh) 过滤器元件、吸嘴、冷却元件、过滤器、多棒、吸烟制品和加热气溶胶生成系统
CN220777401U (zh) 吸嘴或过滤器元件、过滤器、多棒、吸烟制品、冷却元件和加热气溶胶生成系统
AU1822683A (en) Improved tobacco filter

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED, UN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DAVIS, ANDREW;REEL/FRAME:034270/0020

Effective date: 20141118

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION