Including Particulate Material Patents (Class 131/342)
  • Patent number: 11910510
    Abstract: The aerosol-generating article (9) comprises a casing (8) and a plurality of aerosol-generating particles (1) arranged in the casing. The aerosol-generating particles of the plurality of aerosol-generating particles comprise a core of susceptor material, which core of susceptor material is coated with aerosol-forming substrate. Also disclosed is an aerosol-forming pellet (3) and a method for forming aerosol-generating pellets. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of particles, filling the plurality of particles into a cavity of a predefined shape and compacting the plurality of particles in the cavity, thereby forming an aerosol-generating pellet having the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Noelia Rojo-Calderon, Rui Nuno Batista
  • Patent number: 11814507
    Abstract: Provided herein are cellulose acetate tow bands having less than 0.1 wt. % titanium dioxide, wherein the content of titanium dioxide is measured by ashing and/or by titanium particle count density. Also provided herein is a method of measuring the titanium dioxide content of cellulose acetate tow by ashing. Also provided herein is a method for measuring the color of cellulose acetate tow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ACETATE INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Susan Blankenship, Dirk Amtower, Michael Combs, Christopher M. Bundren, Karen Zazzara
  • Patent number: 11774419
    Abstract: Provided herein are cellulose acetate tow bands having less than 0.1 wt. % titanium dioxide, wherein the content of titanium dioxide is measured by ashing and/or by titanium particle count density. Also provided herein is a method of measuring the titanium dioxide content of cellulose acetate tow by ashing. Also provided herein is a method for measuring the color of cellulose acetate tow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ACETATE INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Susan Blankenship, Dirk Amtower, Michael Combs, Christopher M. Bundren, Karen Zazzara
  • Patent number: 11707084
    Abstract: Smoking article include a smokable material and an activated carbon particle downstream of the smokable material. The activated carbon particle is produced from a whole seed. The activated carbon particle has a length, width and height. At least two of the length width and height are independently in a range from about 1 mm to about 7.5 mm. The particles can be spheroids, in which case the length, width and height would be the same or similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Bonici, Gaetan Couderc, Angel Linares-Solano, Maria Angeles Lillo-Rodenas, Ana Amoros Perez, Laura Cano Casanova, Mohammed Ouzzine, Aroldo José Romero Anaya
  • Patent number: 11700879
    Abstract: A device for use while burning smoking material and inhaling the resulting smoke is disclosed. The device can include a filter having a recess formed in a surface of a body along a curved face extending from the first end to the second end, the recess extending radially into the body. The smoking accessory can include a capsule containing a flavoring agent disposed within the recess. The device may be received by a first end a tubular member formed to receive a smoking material, that when burned passes smoke into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Good Tree International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunal Shoor, Brandon Puett
  • Patent number: 11690398
    Abstract: There is provided a filter unit for a smoking article having a tube formed from filter material and the tube having a first portion and a second portion, wherein an inner diameter of the first portion is different from an inner diameter of the second portion. There is also provided a tube having a longitudinal axis, wherein a straight line following at least a portion of an internal or external surface of the tube intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle other than 90°. Also described is a body or tube of filter material having a longitudinal axis, a first end surface and a second end surface, said body or tube formed from a plurality of continuous fibres extending between said first and second end surfaces, wherein the density of said filter material is greater at said first end surface than at said second end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Brice, Samuel Whiffen, John Richardson
  • Patent number: 11559079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing elongated objects defining a longitudinal axis into a continuous flow of material, the method comprising the steps of: —providing a reservoir for holding the elongated objects to be introduced into the continuous flow of material; —introducing the elongated objects from the reservoir into a transfer chamber that is arranged such that the objects are aligned therein with their longitudinal axis parallel to each other; —moving the elongated objects along a direction parallel to their longitudinal axis in a single line path from the transfer chamber to a delivery channel by a rotatable wheel, the rotatable wheel arranged adjacent the transfer chamber and adapted to move the elongated objects located in the transfer chamber by contacting the elongated objects with a peripheral surface of the rotatable wheel; —inserting the elongated objects from the delivery channel to a location where the elongated objects are to be introduced into the continuous flow of material
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Ivan Prestia, Cristian Costarelli
  • Patent number: 11390996
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to elongated tubular members that include at least one layer comprising a cellulose ester. In some cases, the cellulose ester may be in the form of staple fibers. The layer may be formed via a wet-laid fiber web that may also include cellulose fibers. The elongated tubular members may be suitable for use with food and/or beverage items as, for example, drinking straws or other similar items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11346029
    Abstract: Filter material, mainly in form of industrial remnants from the production of the filter fillings, is processed without the intake of the heat in such a way that it is cut in the disintegrator (4) at the presence of the air, where the material is during retention time repeatedly led to the contact with the rotating blades and bunches emerge in the disintegrator (4) through aeration. The flat carrier (3) is thus at least partially disintegrated to the original fibers (1); the released fibers (1) intertwine into bunches and the active carbon (2) is released from the original bond with the flat carrier (3). The swirl (vortex) created inside the disintegrator (4) carries the dust particles of the active carbon (2) and they adhere to the surface of the fibers (1). Part of the released active carbon (2) is—after the separation—carried away from the emergin bunches, which in the lower part of the disintegrator (4) run through the sieve out of the disintegrator (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Vladimir Cesko
  • Patent number: 11324252
    Abstract: An aerosol generating article (10) comprises an aerosol generating substrate (12); a mouthpiece (14) comprising an element (20) defining a cavity having a longitudinal axis; and a particulate aerosol altering material (30) partially filling the cavity. The particulate aerosol altering material (30) is adhered to the cavity-defining segment (20) by means of a permanent adhesive provided over at least a portion of an inner surface of the cavity-defining segment (20) to define an aerosol passage (32) substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Clement Besso, Alen Kadiric
  • Patent number: 11306433
    Abstract: A composition and process for making the composition by co-refining: fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers, or both; co-refined cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3 and the weight percent of CE staple fibers is less than 30 wt. %, based on the weight of CE staple fibers and said cellulose fibers; and water. The composition can be co-refined to obtain lower Canadian standard freeness yet improved drainage and wet laid products having good tensile strength, air permeability, stiffness, burst strength, and bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11134718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to smoking articles, for example electronic cigarettes (h referred to as “e-cigarettes”), and fluid reservoirs for use therewith or therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Essentra Filter Products Development Co. Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: James Reed, Jian Xiang
  • Patent number: 10779564
    Abstract: There is provided a tobacco smoke filter (1) or filter element comprising: a rod (2) of a tobacco smoke filtering material; a continuous extruded element (7) extending longitudinally of the rod (2); and a flavouring agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: FILTRONA FILTER PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT CO. PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Ann R. Treadaway, James D. Reed, Stephen Longley-Martines
  • Patent number: 10264815
    Abstract: A process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) freeze-drying a solution of a biopolymer to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby prepare a filter plug for a smoking article. Another process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) extruding a mixture of a foaming agent and a biopolymer comprising a protein to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby form a filter plug for a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Shengsheng Liu, William R. Sweeney, Peter J. Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 9510621
    Abstract: A cigarette comprising a tobacco rod comprising a tobacco filler and a cigarette paper which is wrapped around the tobacco filler, a filter comprising a filter member and a filter wrapping paper which is integrally wrapped around the filter member, and a tipping member which is bonded onto the tobacco rod and the filter with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to connect the tobacco rod and the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 9386803
    Abstract: A tobacco smoking device comprises a porous mass of active particles adapted to enhance a tobacco smoke flowing over said active particles and binder particles. The active particles comprises about 1-99% weight of the porous mass, and the binder particles comprises about 1-99% weight of said porous mass. The active particles and said binder particles are bound together at randomly distributed points throughout the porous mass. The active particles have a greater particle size than the binder particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Peter Burke, Meinhard Gusik, Julia Hufen, Luis Jimenez, Raymond Robertson, Ramesh Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 9138017
    Abstract: A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CELANESE ACETATE LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Garrett, Zeming Gou, Lawton E. Kizer, Raymond M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 9010338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable plastic having increased biodegradation speed. Said plastic comprises a) finely distributed particle of a biodegradable, water-soluble, organic component, and b) finely distributed particles of a water-soluble, inorganic component promoting the growth of microorganisms and comprising N, P, and/or S. Said plastic is particularly based on cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate. Preferable components A are water-soluble saccharides and/or water-soluble organic acids. Said particularly advantageous biodegradable plastic is particularly available in the form of fibers, films, injection molded items, granulate beads, and containers. Controlled-release biocides and/or fertilizers can also be included in the molded part, wherein the molded part is degraded faster in the environment as said ingredients are released. The accelerated biodegradation is based on a synergistic interaction of the components indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Solvay Acetow GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Rustemeyer, Wolfgang Koppe, Dirk Hölter
  • Patent number: 8997755
    Abstract: The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Alan Benson Norman, Bradley James Ingebrethsen
  • Patent number: 8978662
    Abstract: A tobacco filter contains from 0.5 to 95% by mass of magnesium aluminometasilicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8960199
    Abstract: A component of a smoking article having tobacco beads. The tobacco beads can be located in a filter and/or a tobacco rod. The filter can be a multi-component filter, wherein an sorbent (preferably upstream) removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and downstream tobacco beads compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The tobacco beads optionally include flavorants in addition to tobacco particulates. The tobacco beads can be located within a cavity in the filter or within the tow. This component can comprise additional flavors, which are released into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The tobacco beads optionally include binders such as microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material, which can be formed into a paste with tobacco powder and optionally with additional flavors. The paste can be extruded and spheronized to form the tobacco beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Jose Nepomuceno, Richard Jupe, Gerson Assmann, Stephen Zimmermann, Benjamin Lewis, James Sherron, Vivian E. Willis
  • Patent number: 8905042
    Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Jun Zhang, Mark Zhuang, Shahryar Rabiei, Firooz Rasouli
  • Publication number: 20140261502
    Abstract: Smoke filters that reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide and phenols in a smoke stream may include a porous mass section comprising a plurality of active particles, a plurality of binder particles, and an active coating disposed on at least a portion of the active particles and the binder particles, wherein the active particles and the binder particles are bound together at a plurality of contact points; and a filter section. In some instances, a filter may include a porous mass section comprising a plurality of active particles and a plurality of binder particles, wherein the active particles and the binder particles are bound together at a plurality of contact points without an adhesive; and a filter section comprising an active dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: LAWTON E. KIZER, Raymond M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8807142
    Abstract: A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to nitrosamines members of which class are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of nitrosamines from biological fluids. Such molecularly imprinted polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Sumita Bhattacharyya, Kevin McAdam, Anthony Rees, Börje Sellergren, Christine Widstrand
  • Patent number: 8746254
    Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
  • Publication number: 20140076340
    Abstract: High-throughput production apparatuses, systems, and associated methods may include pneumatic dense phase feeding. For example, a method may involve feeding via pneumatic dense phase feeding a matrix material into a mold cavity to form a desired cross-sectional shape, the matrix material comprising a binder particle and an active particle; heating (e.g., via microwave irradiation) at least a portion of the matrix material so as to bind the matrix material at a plurality of contact points thereby forming a porous mass length; cooling the porous mass length; and cutting the porous mass length radially thereby producing a porous mass. In some instances, the matrix material may include a plurality of active particles, a plurality of binder particles (optionally having a hydrophilic surface modification), and optionally a microwave enhancement additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Lawton E. Kizer, Raymond M. Robertson, William S. Sanderson, David G. Hunt, Zeming Gou, Christopher D. McGrady, Sayanti Basu, Christian Meermann
  • Patent number: 8573230
    Abstract: A smoking article having a cylindrical tube of smokable material having an outer wrapper, a concentric rod of smokable material coaxially positioned within the cylindrical tube of a smokable material, and an inner wrapper separating the cylindrical tube and the concentric rod. A filter attaches to the tobacco rod with an annular film positioned between the filter and the tobacco rod. The annular film increases the resistance-to-draw of the cylindrical tube during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles, Raquel M. Olegario
  • Patent number: 8555896
    Abstract: A method of forming activated carbon from microcrystalline cellulose comprises converting the microcrystalline cellulose powder into microcrystalline cellulose beads using extrusion and spheronization, carbonizing microcrystalline cellulose to form carbonized microcrystalline cellulose and activating the carbonized microcrystalline cellulose to form activated carbon. The final size of the activated carbon beads, which preferably are of practically spherical shape, can be controlled through the process of making microcrystalline cellulose beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Shuzhong Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8539957
    Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Jun Zhang, Mark Zhuang, Shahryar Rabiei, Firooz Rasouli
  • Patent number: 8469035
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a fuel element for a smoking article comprising forming a combustible carbonaceous material into a fuel element adapted for use in a smoking article; incorporating a metal-containing catalyst precursor into the fuel element or onto the surface thereof to form a treated fuel element, the incorporating step occurring before, during, or after said forming step; and optionally heating or irradiating the treated fuel element at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalytic metal compound. Examples of metal-containing catalyst precursors include iron nitrate, copper nitrate, cerium nitrate, cerium ammonium nitrate, manganese nitrate, magnesium nitrate, and zinc nitrate. Fuel elements treated according to the invention, and smoking articles including such fuel elements, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra Kumar Banerjee, Stephen Benson Sears
  • Patent number: 8439047
    Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a composite mesoporous/microporous material. The composite material is capable of removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke, preferably selectively. The composite material may also be used for removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke through sorption and/or catalysis. The composite material comprises channels interconnecting at least one mesoporous region and at least one microporous region. The mesopores of the composite material may further comprise a carbon lining and/or be further functionalized with a surfactant. Alternatively, the composite material may further comprise a metal, a metal oxide, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
  • Publication number: 20130112214
    Abstract: A method for forming a filter rod may include providing a bale of crimped tow band having about 10 denier per filament or greater and about 20,000 total denier or less, the crimped tow band comprising a plurality of cellulose acetate filaments; and placing the crimped tow band in an apparatus so as to form a filter rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Bundren, William S. Sanderson, Paul Busby, Edward J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8408216
    Abstract: Flavor carriers, smoking articles, method of making flavor carriers, methods of making smoking articles, methods of flavoring gas streams such as mainstream tobacco smoke and methods of smoking are provided. The flavor carriers and smoking articles comprise a mesoporous molecular sieve and a flavor releasably disposed within the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jay A Fournier, Kent B. Koller, Jose G. Nepomuceno
  • Patent number: 8393333
    Abstract: Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shuzhong Zhuang, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 8381738
    Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
  • Patent number: 8375959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking article incorporating a smoking material comprising three main components, namely a non-combustible inorganic filler, an alginic binder and aerosol generating means. The smoking material is combined with tobacco material, which may be treated with additional humectant, to provide a smoking article that has an aerosol transfer efficiency ratio of greater than 4.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: David John Dittrich, Joseph Peter Sutton, Steven Coburn, James N Figlar
  • Patent number: 8308624
    Abstract: A method of preparing a crimped tow of cellulose acetate filaments comprising the steps of: a) providing cellulose acetate dope b) forming filaments (23) from the dope c) applying at least one additive to the filaments d) crimping the filaments to form a crimped tow wherein the at least one additive is capable of removing a component from cigarette smoke. Preferably, the component is a Hoffmann analyte. The additive may comprise a solution, liquid, emulsion or particulate material or combinations thereof. Preferably, the additive comprises an acidic compound or an alkaline compound. The additive may comprise malic acid, potassium carbonate, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, polyethyleneimine, cyclodextrin, sodium hydroxide, sulphamic acid, sodium sulphamate, polyvinyl acetate and carboxylated acrylate, carbon, silica, zeolite, clay, alumina, metal, molecular sieves or an ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate Limited
    Inventors: John Travers, Craig Day, Andrew Banks
  • Patent number: 8291916
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cigarette filters comprise a single or multiple hopper system for forming filter components of single or multiple sizes. The filter components with spaces therebetween are partially wrapped and then conveyed to at least one media applying wheel where media is deposited into the spaces between the filter components. A cover cap is formed and placed over the partially wrapped filter components downstream of the media wheel to thereby completely wrap the filter components. Subsequently, the completely wrapped filter components are joined to tobacco rods with tipping paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro, Loren Duvekot
  • Publication number: 20120255569
    Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette with a filter element comprising at least one longitudinally extending section of filter material. The section of filter material comprises a smoke-altering material therein that is useful for removing a quantity of vapor phase chemicals from the mainstream smoke. The section of filter material further comprises one or more tubes inserted into and extending through section of filter material. The one or more tubes each define a channel adapted for passage of mainstream smoke through the section of filter material while substantially avoiding contact of the portion of mainstream smoke therein with the smoke-altering material. The provision of a portion of mainstream smoke substantially unaltered by the smoke-altering material can be useful to retain certain desirable taste and other sensory properties of the mainstream smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Allen Beard, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Steven Lee Alderman, Timothy Brian Nestor
  • Publication number: 20120118309
    Abstract: A composite particle comprises a cellulose acetate and at least one amino compound selected from the group consisting of an amino acid and an aminosulfonic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroki TANIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120103352
    Abstract: A cigarette filter comprises a cellulose ester tow and a cellulose acetate particle dispersed in the cellulose ester tow, and the cellulose acetate particle has the following particle size: not less than 90% by weight of the cellulose acetate particle pass through a sieve having an aperture size of 1.7 mm and fail to pass through a sieve having an aperture size of 0.10 mm, and these sieves are in accordance with JIS Z8801-1 2006.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki TANIGUCHI, Masato Shigematsu, Takashi Ikebe, Toshiyuki Morioka
  • Patent number: 8141559
    Abstract: The invention describes a filter (1) with a first filter portion (6) comprising an adsorbent, for example carbon, and/or a catalyst, capable of reducing various vapor phase constituents of cigarette smoke. The adsorbent/catalyst is separated from a second filter portion by means of a barrier (2) having pores therein of pore size less than 0.1 ?m. The invention also describes a smoking article in which a rod of smoking material, with or without encapsulated flavor, is attached to the above described filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Branton, Philip Richard Hunt
  • Patent number: 8113217
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter-tip cigarette with a tobacco rod (1) wrapped in a cigarette paper and a filter (6) wrapped along its length in tipping paper (4) or other wrapper being other than plugwrap, and a strip of material (5) fully covering the tipping paper of the filter and the cigarette paper of the wrapped tobacco rod in the region of the abutment between tobacco rod and filter bonds together the filter and tobacco rod. In addition, the invention relates to a process for the manufacture of such a filter, which may also be employed for the manufacture of ‘double unit cigarettes’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: Horst Grzonka
  • Publication number: 20120024304
    Abstract: A filter element for use in a smoking article and providing filtration of particulate material and gaseous components of mainstream smoke is provided. The filter element includes a segment of fibrous tow comprising a plurality of individual filaments, wherein each individual filament includes a plurality of adsorbent material particles at least partially encapsulated with a removable encapsulant imbedded therein. The individual filaments may further include an outer coating that provides a plurality of reactive groups adapted for reaction with one or more components of mainstream smoke. Alternatively, the multifunctional filter element combines different fibrous filter materials, such as cellulose acetate or polyolefin filaments combined with activated carbon filaments and at least one of ion exchange filaments and catalytic filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Andries Don Sebastian
  • Patent number: 8066011
    Abstract: A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Melissa Ann Clark, Sharon Pitts Dunlap, Chandra Kumar Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20110271968
    Abstract: A filter element for a smoking article is provided, the filter element including a first segment of fibrous tow filter material; a second segment of fibrous tow filter material in spaced relation to the first segment; and a cavity positioned between the two segments of fibrous tow filter material, the cavity containing a plurality of breakable capsules having an outer shell and an internal payload comprising a flavorant, wherein one segment of fibrous tow filter material includes an adsorbent material dispersed therein and the other segment is substantially free of adsorbent material. A cigarette that includes such a filter element is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Carolyn Rierson Carpenter, Barbara A. Reasor, Kenneth Allen Beard, Chris J. Grimes, Sharon Pitts Dunlap, Andrea Holland
  • Patent number: 8047977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter (10) for tobacco products with a first terminal filter element (12), a second terminal filter element (14), a middle filter element (16) which is located between first and second terminal filter element and contains a granular filter material, and a casing (20), one part of one of the terminal filter elements (12) being displaceable vis-à-vis the casing (20). The invention furthermore relates to smoking articles with such filters, filter strands with two or more of the filters, and processes and devices for the production of such filters and tobacco products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lauenstein, Dante M. Boido, Reynald M. Aeschlimann
  • Patent number: 7997282
    Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Paine, III, Zuyin Yang, Kent B. Koller, Jay A. Fournier, Charles E. Thomas, Jr., Timothy S. Sherwood, Zhaohua Luan, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jose G. Nepomuceno, Diane L. Gee, Georgios D. Karles
  • Publication number: 20110162667
    Abstract: A tobacco smoking device comprises a porous mass of active particles adapted to enhance a tobacco smoke flowing over said active particles and binder particles. The active particles comprises about 1-99% weight of the porous mass, and the binder particles comprises about 1-99% weight of said porous mass. The active particles and said binder particles are bound together at randomly distributed points throughout the porous mass. The active particles have a greater particle size than the binder particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Burke, Meinhard Gusik, Julia Hufen, Luis Jimenez, Raymond Robertson, Ramesh Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7918232
    Abstract: A process for the on line production of cigarette filters comprises the steps of conveying a continuous thin flexible substrate past a source of smoke altering particulate material, such as adsorbents, catalysts and flavorants. An electrostatic charge is applied onto the substrate upstream of the source of particulate material. A layer of particulate material from the source is deposited onto the substrate with the thickness of the layer depending upon the strength of the electrostatic charge. The coated substrate is then cut into pieces, and the pieces are placed into the cavities between spaced apart filter components. In an alternative process, filter paper is coated with smoke altering particulate material by electrostatic deposition techniques, and spaced apart filter components are placed onto the particulate coated filter paper which is then folded around the filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios D. Karles, Henry M. Dante, Xuan M. Pham, Barry S. Smith