Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating porosity distribution within a porous article such as a crimped filter, a tobacco plug, or a cigarette, including obtaining a digital image of a transverse area of the article and determining a pore area fraction for each of a plurality of identically dimensioned sub-areas of the transverse area of the article. This provides a plurality of pore area fractions. The plurality of pore area fractions allow the evaluation of a local porosity distribution within the transverse area of the porous article. Each sub-area within which a pore area fraction is calculated overlaps with at least one adjacent sub-area by between 10% and 95%. The method for quantitatively evaluating porosity distribution may be used to control a process for manufacturing the porous article.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening has a horizontal movable rail supported by cords, with a variety of configurations which allow the movable rail to be moved up and down while concealing the cords.

Abstract: A filter (11) for a smoking article (10) comprises a first flowpath (13) through the filter, a second flowpath (14) through the filter, the second flowpath being disposed around the first flowpath, and a selector (16) for allowing flow selectively through the first and second flowpaths.

Abstract: A filter element having a longitudinally extending core and a wrapper (8) engaged around the core, wherein the core comprise filtration material (6) and optionally a particulate material (7) interspersed in the filtration material, and the wrapper (8) comprises a particulate material (9) adhered to two or more portions of said wrapper (8) wherein at least one of said two or more portions extends over the full longitudinal length of said wrapper. Also taught herein is a smoking article comprising said filter element and/or filter comprising said filter element.

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.

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.

Abstract: A smoking apparatus includes a stem having a base at a lower end thereof coupled to a bottle containing a fluid and a neck extending upwardly from the base. A central passage extends through the stem from a burner cup disposed atop the neck to the interior of the cup. Smoking hoses are connected to the stem to permit users to draw smoke from the burner cup, through the central passage, through the water, and out of the hose. The hoses are connected to the stem by one-way fittings which permit air to be drawn out of the bottle and into the hose, but prevent air from being drawn through the hose and into the bottle.

Abstract: A tablet contains reagents with catalytic activity, release of which is triggered by exposure of the tablet to water. A malleable capsule includes: (a) a flexible polymer; (b) a plasticizer; and (c) a catalyst disposed within the capsule, wherein a portion of the catalyst is released from the capsule upon exposure of the capsule to water.

Abstract: The invention provides a modified adsorbent material impregnated with a metal oxide, which can be used in a filter element adapted for use in a smoking article. The modified adsorbent material exhibits increased filtration efficiency with respect to certain gas phase species of mainstream cigarette smoke. Exemplary adsorbent materials that can be modified according to the invention include activated carbon, molecular sieves, clays, ion exchange resins, activated aluminas, silica gels, meerschaum, and mixtures thereof. One example of a metal oxide is cerium oxide. Impregnation with a metal oxide can be accomplished by directly treating the adsorbent with a metal oxide or impregnating the adsorbent with a metal oxide precursor, such as cerium nitrate, followed by calcining the impregnated material to convert the precursor to the desired metal oxide. Methods of forming the modified adsorbent material and smoking article filters incorporating the modified adsorbent material are also provided.

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.

Abstract: A smoking article composition and a method of making a smoking article composition and an additive, wherein the additive comprises particles anchored to the cut filler by a metal oxide support. The additive can be formed by combining particles and a metal oxide precursor solution with the smoking article composition. The smoking article composition can comprise tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter which gives an acceptable vapor phase filtration and flavor delivery in the presence of a volatile flavorant (e.g. menthol), the filter containing activated carbon in which (1) pores of under 2 nm pore diameter (micropores) provide a pore volume of at most 0.3 cm3/g (NZ); and (2) (a) pores of 2 to 50 nm pore diameter (mesopores) provide a pore volume of at least 0.25 cm3/g (N2) and/or (b) pores of 7 to 50 nm diameter (larger mesopores) provide a pore volume of at least 0.12 cm3/g (Hg).

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of increasing the mesopore volume of a porous activated carbon, comprising coating a porous activated carbon with a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor to form a treated activated carbon; and calcining the treated activated carbon, in a dry atmosphere, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to increase the mesopore volume of the treated activated carbon. The invention also provides an activated carbon having a total mesopore volume of at least about 0.10 cc/g and less than about 0.25 cc/g, and a percentage of mesopore volume per total pore volume of at least about 15% and less than about 35%. Activated carbon modified according to the invention, cigarette filters incorporating such activated carbon, and smoking articles made with such filters are included in the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering tobacco smoke from a cigarette, in particular a filter cigarette, the device comprising a portable housing provided with a combustion space in which the cigarette can burn, a filter unit for filtering the tobacco smoke of a burning cigarette, at least one discharge opening for discharging filtered tobacco smoke and one or more tobacco smoke displacing units for displacing the tobacco smoke via the filter unit to the discharge opening, wherein a mouthpiece is formed on the housing, the mouthpiece comprising a holding unit for holding the cigarette, wherein the holding unit comprises an opening along which the cigarette can be pushed partially into the housing from outside the housing, and the opening is formed to hold the cigarette clampingly in the partially inserted situation.

Abstract: A multicomponent smoking article filter adapted to be disposed at the non-burning end of the rod of smokable material, comprising: a first plug; a second plug; a first cavity disposed between the first plug and the second plug, wherein the first cavity comprises: (1) a plurality of cellulosic granules containing a flavorant, and (2) either a plurality of cellulosic granules containing a humectant, or containing water, or a combination thereof; and a second cavity comprising a sorbent disposed upstream from the first cavity relative to the direction of mainstream smoke drawn through the filter.

Abstract: A pipe comprises a combustion chamber with vents, the combustion chamber able to receive a cigarette; an inhalation path for drawing smoke from the combustion chamber through the bowl vents during inhalation; an exhalation filter; and an exhalation path for channeling exhaled smoke through the exhalation filter during exhalation.

Abstract: An improved smoking apparatus includes a bottle containing a fluid. The bottle has an upstanding neck with peripheral collar formed around the external periphery thereof. A stem has a base and a neck. The base defines an interior plenum, and a passage extends through the neck and terminates at the interior passage. A burner cup is mounted to the stem in communication with the passage. The interior plenum has a size and shape to permit the stem to be coupled to the bottle by placing the base over the neck, with a bottom edge of the base resting on the collar of the bottle. A sealing element is disposed between the exterior surface of the neck of the bottle and the inner surface of the interior plenum to provide a substantially air-tight coupling.

Abstract: A smoking article composition and a method of making a smoking article composition and an additive, wherein the additive comprises particles anchored to the cut filler by a metal oxide support. The additive can be formed by combining particles and a metal oxide precursor solution with the smoking article composition. The smoking article composition can comprise tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.

Abstract: A surface-modified adsorbent comprises a reagent on a porous carrier. Preferred porous carriers are adsorbent carbons such as activated carbon, silica gels, aluminas, polyester resins, zeolites or zeolite-like materials, and mixtures thereof. Preferred reagents are 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (2-HMP) or a 2-HMP analogue. Surface modified adsorbents can be incorporated into cigarettes, preferably in an amount effective to reduce the concentration of one or more constituents of cigarette smoke.

Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of amphiphile-modified sorbents are disclosed. The amphiphile-modified sorbent has at least one amphiphilic compound bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate. The amphiphile-modified sorbent selectively removes certain constituents from cigarette smoke, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using amphiphile-modified sorbents, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette containing an amphiphile-modified sorbent, are also provided.

Abstract: A modular smoking apparatus includes a plenum having a substantially vertical dry smoke aperture and a wet smoke aperture disposed substantially parallel to the dry smoke aperture. An upper end of a down tube may be inserted into a lower end of the dry smoke aperture and a lower end of an intermediate tube may be inserted into an upper end of the dry smoke aperture. An upper end of the intermediate tube may be inserted into a the lower end of a burner. A lower end of the plenum may be inserted into an upper end of the base. The base may contain a fluid submerging a lower end of the down tube. The intermediate tube, the dry smoke aperture, and the down tube may form a conduit for dry smoke from the burner to the base, and the wet smoke aperture may form a conduit for wet smoke from the base to a hose.

Abstract: A process of impregnating fine adsorbent particles such as carbon dust or APS silica gel powder into the micro-cavities of shaped fibers comprises the steps of continuously conveying shaped fibers with micro-cavities to a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. The fibers pass through the reservoir to thereby produce relative motion between the fibers and the particles. Additionally, impact forces are created between the shaped fibers and the fine particles to assist in impregnating the particles into the micro-cavities of the fibers. Any excess particles are removed from the fibers outside the reservoir, and subsequently the shaped fibers impregnated with fine adsorbent particles are collected for later use in filter applications such as cigarette filter and air filter applications, for example.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for depositing target materials onto the surface of a moving substrate which may be used in the preparation of composites, cigarette filters, cigarette wrapper, bandages, biomedical applications, cosmetic and cleaning materials, and the like. A moving substrate comprising a fibrous mat or paper passes through one or more reaction chambers each having hot and cold regions. At least one target material is positioned in the hot region, and a laser beam ablates the material thereby producing modified additive material. As the substrate moves through the cold region of the reaction chamber, the modified additive material adheres to the exposed surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Smoking articles and filters, which involve the use of carbon-coated molecular sieve sorbents are provided. The carbon-coated molecular sieve sorbent has a carbon coating within pores of a mesoporous molecular sieve. The carbon-coated molecular sieve sorbent provides selective adsorption of one or more constituents from mainstream smoke, such as acrolein or 1,3-butadiene. Thus, certain constituents from cigarette smoke will be selectively removed, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the carbon-coated molecular sieve sorbent, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the carbon-coated molecular sieve sorbent, are also provided.

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.

Abstract: A cigarette filter has filter sections including filter materials individually wrapped with plug wrap paper, forming paper for wrapping the filter sections integrally, and tipping paper covering the forming paper so as to connect the filter sections to a cigarette section to form a cigarette, wherein activated charcoal and an inorganic mineral-based porous material carrying ferrous sulfate/L-ascorbic acid are contained as adsorbents in at least one of the filter materials and a space between the filter materials.

Abstract: A filter for tobacco smoke inhaling/generating/producing device, comprising stipulated amounts of specific grain sizes or combination of grain sizes of activated charcoal for effectively reducing from the mainstream smoke the level of p-benzosemiquinone (p-BSQ), a relatively stable highly reactive major harmful oxidant, without significantly affecting the flavor and taste of the smoke while providing comfortable mouthful of smoke and nicotine delivery, so that the charcoal filter cigarettes becomes potentially less hazardous safer cigarettes and may be acceptable to the smokers with marked reduction in health risk; the charcoal filters also effectively reduce the level of nitric oxide and tar from the mainstream smoke.

Abstract: A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod and a non-combustible treatment material for the rod. The treatment material has a porosity less than about 200 Coresta units and a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises, in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct for said catalyst. In addition, the invention provides a low sidestream smoke cigarette unit that comprises a cigarette with conventional cigarette paper surrounding a conventional tobacco rod and a non-combustible treatment material surrounding and being substantially in contact with the conventional cigarette paper.

Abstract: Cigarette filters, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of an unfunctionalized porous polyaromatic resins, which is capable of removing at least some of at least one gas phase constituent from mainstream smoke through sorption. The unfunctionalized porous polyaromatic resin may be a polymerization product of non-polar styrene and divinyl benzene. Various gas phase constituent can be removed from mainstream tobacco smoke, such as dienes, furans, pyrroles, aromatics and ketones, for example. The cigarette filters and cigarettes can provide low resistance-to-draw and/or high total particulate matter delivery. Additionally, the unfunctionalized porous polyaromatic resin may further include flavorant(s).

Abstract: Improved filters useful for tobacco products, such as cigarettes, and novel cigarettes having such filters are disclosed. The filters include adsorbents such as activated carbon which reduce amounts of one or more gas phase constituents of mainstream tobacco smoke. The adsorbents are treated with off-taste suppressants which reduce the off-taste associated with adsorbent containing filters and substantially restore the taste normally associated with tobacco smoke.

Abstract: Flavored carbon useful as a filtering material of a smoking article such as a cigarette is made by applying liquid flavorant to activated carbon particles in a fluidized bed. The flavored carbon can be used to impart desired taste to mainstream smoke while removing one or more components from mainstream smoke.

Abstract: A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod and a non-combustible treatment material for the rod. The treatment material has a porosity less than about 200 Coresta units and a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises, in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct for said catalyst. In addition, the invention provides a low sidestream smoke cigarette unit that comprises a cigarette with conventional cigarette paper surrounding a conventional tobacco rod and a non-combustible treatment material surrounding and being substantially in contact with the conventional cigarette paper.

Abstract: The oral cavity is a source of sensitive biomarkers that allow the development of novel tobacco filters to reverse and eliminate acute adverse effects of tobacco smoke. Useful biomarkers are ubiquitous functional leukocytes and associated essential biochemical mechanisms, including metabolic pathways and specific enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase contained in fluid-cell lavages obtained from the human mouth. These biomarkers derived from the human mouth and sputum from the human respiratory system can be used to evaluate long-term chronic effects of tobacco smoke. A tobacco filter comprising strongly basic anion exchange resins and strongly acidic cation exchange resins with or without activated carbon, is used to detect, reduce and eliminate toxic substances from tobacco smoke while retaining taste and aroma. The novel filter in conjunction with biomarkers allow the establishment of performance standards that permit the direct visualization and measurement of acute adverse reactions caused by tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A device for minimizing cigarette sidestream smoke and reducing the free-burn rate of a burning cigarette, the device comprises: I) a non-combustible tubular element (12) encasing an effective length of a tobacco charge (22) of a cigarette (14) located in a tubular element; and II) the tubular element having a means for both minimizing sidestream smoke emission from a burning tobacco charge and reducing free-burn rate of such burning tobacco charge to increase the number of puffs from the burning tobacco charge.

Abstract: This invention is a highly efficient filter containing fibers that contain small particle size adsorbents/absorbents such as carbon and/or silica to selectively reduce targeted components in mainstream cigarette smoke. The invention relates to a novel class of highly efficient cigarette smoke filters made from much smaller solid fine particles (preferably 1-50 micrometers in diameter) impregnated in shaped fibers that possess open or semi-opened micro-cavity. The invention further relates to a cigarette having a plug/space/plug or plug/space configuration and having the impregnated filters resided in the space in bonded non-woven or freely unbounded manner to allow controlled TPM delivery.

Abstract: A smoke filter consists of substrate threads and/or strips each pre-coated with particulate sorbent (e.g. activated carbon granules), gathered together in solid or tubular rod form e.g. within a containing sleeve. When the gathered threads and/or strips form a tubular body, this may be provided with a core.

Abstract: A filter adapter for use with a waterpipe comprises a closure cap with a cutout; a spigot tap with a cylindrical sleeve, an integral port, a cylindrical base with male threads, the port providing communication between the sleeve and the base; and a ventilated filter cartridge containing a filter medium, preferably silica gel granules. The closure cap is frictionally engaged over the smoke passage of the waterpipe. The spigot tap, having been threaded into the cutout of the closure cap, effects the seal between the spigot tap and the smoke passage. The diameter of the sleeve on the spigot tap is a predetermined diameter to allow frictional insertion of a filter cartridge. A ventilated filter cartridge preferably containing silica gel granules as a filtering medium is frictionally engaged into the open end of the sleeve. The spigot tap provides communication between the filter cartridge and the smoke passage.

Abstract: A cigarette holder completely encloses the lit end of a cigarette providing purification for both sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke. It has two concentric tubes with the lit cigarette placed in the inner tube and purifying agent placed in the volume between the inner tube and the outer tube. A chimney effect is produced wherein air flows through an air port past the lit cigarette to keep it burning. The sidestream smoke passes through the purifying agent and is discharged into the environment. The filter tip of the lit cigarette extends through a mouthpiece and the smoker exhales smoke through openings in the same mouthpiece. The mainstream smoke passes through the same purifying agent, in a direction opposite to the flow of the sidestream smoke, and is then discharged into the environment.

Abstract: Filter for the removal of apolar organic substances from gases containing an absorbent comprising at least one compound of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein one of X1, X2, and X3 is a phosphoric acid, phosphoric acid ester, or phosphatidyl moiety and two of the groups X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from saturated fatty acid ester moieties and saturated alcohol (8 to 20 carbon atoms) ether moieties.

Abstract: A cigarette holder and filter cartridge combination including interconnected mouthpiece and cigarette holding sections which define a filter cartridge chamber and a filter cartridge, comprising a core of mixed absorbent and non-absorbent fibers and a cylindrical expandable paper wrapper, which when wet expands to fill the entire diameter of the filter cartridge chamber, thereby insuring that no smoke can reach the smoker by passing around the edges of the filter.

Abstract: According to the invention, a material for the filtration of tobacco smoke by reduction of vapor-phase constituents without adverse effect on the taste of the smoke comprises carbon particles of a size substantially within the range of 300 to 1700 micron, coated over their surfaces, individually and without being bonded together, with a barrier layer which has a thickness within the range of 5 .times. 10.sup.-4 to 0.5 micron and which is discontinuous in that it has a porosity within the range of 7,000 to 200,000 cm.sup.3 /min/10 cm.sup.2 per 10 cm water gauge and a permeability for organic vapors contained in tobacco smoke such that it permits the passage of molecules within the size range 5 .times. 10.sup.-4 to 2 micron, the said layer being composed substantially of an organic non-nitrogen-containing polymeric material which is non-volatile, substantially non-water-soluble and non-toxic. The invention is further concerned with tobacco smoke filters comprising such coated carbon particles.

Abstract: A granular composition having a grain size of 10 to 50 mesh and a bulk density of 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3 suitable for use in a tobacco filter or a tobacco pipe and having the ability to selectively remove carcinogenic and deleterious components from tobacco smoke comprises granules which are composed of bovine milk whey protein power and/or egg white protein powder, and one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of powdered cellulose, wheat flour, starch, rice flour, sugar, glucose, lactose, talc, alumina, zeolite or silica gel; or composite granules which are a blend of said granules and charcoal granules.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a hydrophilic acrylonitrile-containing polymer comprising admixing a solution of said polymer in 47% to 75%, preferably 50 to 72% concentrated HNO.sub.3, with solid particles of a substance insoluble in said acid solution and soluble in water, aqueous solutions of said substance being operative to precipitate said polymer from said HNO.sub.3, shaping the mixture of the dissolved polymer with said solid substance to a desired physical shape, coagulating said shaped polymer in an aqueous medium and washing said solid particles out from the coagulated polymer, and articles made therefrom.The added solid substance either may react with nitric acid forming a water-soluble nitrate, or it may remain in the mixture unchanged.