Abstract: Disclosed are fibers comprising identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing fibers, yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles comprising the fibers through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the fibers. The distinct features can be detectable in an article comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers, a fiber band, or yarn. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features and correlating the distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed are acetate tow bands comprising identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing the acetate tow band through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the acetate tow band, including the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and the customer of the acetate tow band. The distinct features are detectable in a filter comprising the acetate tow band.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an acetate tow bands comprising identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing the acetate tow band through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the acetate tow band, including the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and the customer of the acetate tow band. The identification fibers can be produced on a cellulose acetate tow line using one or more spinnerets with spinneret holes to produce the taggant cross-section shapes and/or taggant cross-section sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contain identification fibers. The identification fibers can comprise one or more chemical markers, or taggants, which may vary among the fibers or be incorporated throughout all of the fibers. The disclosure also relates to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying chemical markers and correlating the chemical markers and a taggant chemical marker amounts of at least one of the chemical markers to manufacturer-specific taggants to determine supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of characterizing a fiber sample comprising standard fibers and identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing fibers through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the fibers. The fiber sample can include a portion of an acetate tow band or a filter made from the acetate tow band, and the supply chain information can include the manufacturer of the acetate tow band and the customer of the acetate tow band.

Abstract: Degradable filters are disclosed, as well as methods of making them, that include the steps of applying a plasticizer containing a photoactive agent to cellulose ester fibers to obtain plasticized cellulose ester fibers; and forming the plasticized cellulose ester fibers into a filter. The cellulose ester fibers may comprise cellulose acetate, the plasticizer may be triacetin, and the photoactive agent may include a number of types of titanium dioxide, for example mixed phase titanium dioxide particles. The filters are useful, for example, in preparing cigarette filters.

Abstract: Degradable cellulose esters are disclosed that have incorporated therein or thereon mixed-phase titanium dioxide particles. The esters may be in the form of filters prepared by applying a plasticizer, having the mixed-phase titanium dioxide particles dispersed therein, to cellulose ester fibers to obtain plasticized cellulose ester fibers; and thereafter forming the plasticized cellulose ester fibers into a filter. Alternatively, the particles may be added to the dope from which the fibers are spun, or blended with a cellulose ester intended for molded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and compositions effective for the selective removal of gaseous aldehydes from tobacco smoke. The materials and compositions comprise tobacco smoke filters comprising a fibrous material or fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues. The fibrous material or fibers are capable of reacting with and removing aldehydes present in tobacco smoke. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of fibrous materials and fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues and methods for the removal of a gaseous aldehyde from tobacco smoke by contacting tobacco smoke with the aforesaid fibrous materials or fibers containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues.

Abstract: Disclosed are filter materials which are effective for the selective removal of gaseous aldehydes from a cigarette smoke stream. The filter materials comprise a tobacco smoke filter comprising a filter support material and an alkyl acetoacetate that is capable of reacting with and removing aldehydes present in tobacco smoke. Also disclosed are a method of removing gaseous aldehydes from tobacco smoke by contacting tobacco smoke with a filter comprising a filter support material and an alkyl acetoacetate and a smoking article such as a cigarette comprising the tobacco smoke filter described herein.