Abstract: A mouthpiece or filter (1) comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g. cylindrical) rod (2) of filtering material including a longitudinally extending channel (3) which extends along the full length of the mouthpiece or filter.

Abstract: A filter or filter element comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g. cylindrical) rod of filtering material including a longitudinally extending channel which extends along the full length of the filter or filter element.

Abstract: A filter media having at least one filter layer comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys and planar segments disposed between the peaks and valleys. The filter layer may be formed into a self-supporting, three-dimensional configuration without bending, folding or pleating. The filter layer has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness across the plurality of peaks, valleys and planar segments. The filter layer has substantially the same flow and filtration characteristics across the peaks, valleys and planar segments. The filter layer may be continuous around its entire circumference and thus may be formed without seams.

Abstract: Melt blown bicomponent fibers comprising a first thermoplastic polymeric material and a second thermoplastic polymeric material comprising homo- or co-polymer(s) of poly(m-xylene adipamide) or polyphenylene sulfide. The first thermoplastic polymeric material may be one or more homo- or co-polymer(s) of nylon 6 (polycaprolactam), nylon 6,6 (poly(hexamethylene adipamide)), polypropylene, and/or polybutylene terephthalate. A plurality of bicomponent fibers may thermally bonded to one another at spaced apart points of contact to define a porous structure that substantially resists crushing. The nonwoven fabric webs and rovings and self-supporting, three-dimensional porous elements may be formed from the plurality of bicomponent fibers.