Abstract: Organic porous masses may be used in flavored smoke filters. Production of organic porous masses may involve introducing a matrix material into a mold cavity, the matrix material comprising a plurality of binder particles, a plurality of organic particles, and a microwave enhancement additive; heating at least a portion of the matrix material so as to bind the matrix material at a plurality of contact points, thereby forming an organic porous mass length, wherein heating involves irradiating with microwave radiation the at least a portion of the matrix material; and cutting the organic porous mass length radially thereby yielding an organic porous mass.

Abstract: Shipping containers for porous masses may include a bottom lid having a rectangular lid bottom and four bottom rims that are each continuous with the lid bottom; a tray comprising a tray bottom and four tray sidewalls that are each continuous with the tray bottom defining an interior with an open top; and a top lid having a rectangular lid top and four top rims that are each continuous with the lid top, wherein the tray is configured to be placed on a bottom lid with the bottom rims surrounding a portion of the tray with a top lid placed over the top of the tray with the top rims surrounding a portion of the tray.

Abstract: A spinneret having tri-arc holes may be used to produce tri-arc filaments. In some instances, tri-arc holes have a Y-shape with three prongs and each prong having an arc at the end of the prong that tapers from the end of the arc to a connection point of an adjacent arc, and tri-arc filaments have a generally-Y shape cross-section with bulbous or arcing tips. Further, tri-arc filaments may be useful in a plurality of applications including, but not limited to, filters, filters comprising particulate additives, and smoking device filters.

Abstract: A method for producing a polysaccharide ester microsphere may include forming a polysaccharide ester product from a polysaccharide synthesis, wherein the polysaccharide ester product comprises a polysaccharide ester and a solvent; diluting the polysaccharide ester product, thereby yielding a polysaccharide ester dope; and forming a plurality of polysaccharide ester microspheres from the polysaccharide ester dope. Suitable polysaccharides may include, but are not limited to, starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, algenates, chitosan, and any combination thereof. Esters thereof may be organic esters (e.g., acetate and the like), inorganic esters (e.g., sulfonates and the like), or combinations thereof. Further, the solids conent of the polysaccharide ester dope, in some instances, may be greater than about 16 wt %.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for treating a cellulosic material comprising extracting the cellulosic material with an extractant to selectively extract hemicellulose therein and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulosic material. The extractant comprises an amine oxide and a non-solvent. The cellulosic product retains the cellulosic fiber morphology.

Abstract: A method for treating a cellulosic material comprises extracting the cellulosic material with an extractant to selectively extract hemicellulose therein and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulose-containing material. The extractant comprises an ionic liquid and a non-solvent comprising acetic acid. The cellulosic product retains the cellulosic fiber morphology.

Abstract: A method for treating a cellulosic material comprising extracting the cellulosic material with an extractant to selectively extract hemicellulose therein and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulosic material. The extractant comprises an amine oxide and a non-solvent. The cellulosic product retains the cellulosic fiber morphology.

Abstract: A spinneret having tri-arc holes may be used to produce tri-arc filaments. In some instances, tri-arc holes have a Y-shape with three prongs and each prong having an arc at the end of the prong that tapers from the end of the arc to a connection point of an adjacent arc, and tri-arc filaments have a generally-Y shape cross-section with bulbous or arcing tips. Further, tri-arc filaments may be useful in a plurality of applications including, but not limited to, filters, filters comprising particulate additives, and smoking device filters.

Abstract: A spinneret having tri-arc holes may be used to produce tri-arc filaments. In some instances, tri-arc holes have a Y-shape with three prongs and each prong having an arc at the end of the prong that tapers from the end of the arc to a connection point of an adjacent arc, and tri-arc filaments have a generally-Y shape cross-section with bulbous or arcing tips. Further, tri-arc filaments may be useful in a plurality of applications including, but not limited to, filters, filters comprising particulate additives, and smoking device filters.

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.

Abstract: Processing of cellulose, and more particularly, fiber opening and downstream processing and chemistry are provided. A process includes moistening a cellulose sheet stock to a water content in a range from about 20% to about 50%, attriting the moistened cellulose sheet to a wet pulp, flash drying the wet pulp to a floccule of cellulose having a moisture content from about 4% to about 8%, and esterifying the floccule of cellulose to provide a cellulose ester product.

Abstract: High-throughput production methods for manufacturing porous masses suitable for use in conjunction with smoking devices may include continuously combining a matrix material and a paper wrapper to form a desired cross-sectional shape where the matrix material is confined by the paper wrapper, the matrix material comprising a binder particle and an active particle; heating 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, wherein heating involves irradiating with microwave radiation at least a portion of the matrix material; cooling the porous mass length; and cutting the porous mass length radially thereby producing a porous mass.

Abstract: A method of making cellulose ester polymer comprises the steps of: pre-treating a cellulose source; esterifying the pretreated cellulose source to form a cellulose ester; and optionally hydrolyzing the cellulose ester. The pretreatment step further comprises: mixing, in a first stage, the cellulose source with a first solution of a weak acid and water, whereby the cellulose source being suspended in the first solution; de-liquefying the first stage suspension; mixing, in a second stage, the de-liquefied mass with a second solution of weak acid and water, whereby the mass being suspended in the second solution; and de-liquefying the second stage suspension.