Abstract: A cigarette filter comprises a humectant, preferably sodium pyroglutamate, and optionally a surfactant. The humectant absorbs moisture from the tobacco smoke for wet-filtration of the tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A tobacco filter material containing fibers which have a core and a surface layer which surrounds the core, wherein the core comprises a non-esterified cellulose and the surface layer comprises a cellulose ester. The fiber may be (A) a cellulose fiber coated with a cellulose ester or (B) a fibrous cellulose derivative with its surface layer esterified by an organic acid and having an average degree of substitution of not more than 1.5. Wood pulp can be used as the cellulose fiber and the amount of the cellulose ester in the coated cellulose (A) is 0.1% by weight or more. The cellulose derivative (B) has its surface layer esterified with an organic acid and retains a non-esterified core portion. This cellulose derivative may be obtained, for example, by the non-catalytic liquid phase treatment of a cellulose fiber with an organic acid and an organic acid anhydride or halide.

Abstract: A filter which will be attached to the end of a smoking product such as a cigarette. It would have a normal filter connected to the tube of tobacco, with a dual chamber which holds fine tobacco dust particles in one chamber. The other chamber would contain a plurality of loose fibers and would be connected to another normal cigarette filter.

Abstract: A cigarette filter material is provided which is free from the occurrence of acetic acid odor, even after long-term storage in a hermetically sealed condition, which ensures excellent palatability. This cigarette filter material comprises a fiber assembly composed mainly of cellulose diacetate fibers and, contained therein, 80 to 10,000 ppm of a polyvalent metal salt of an acid selected from among organic and inorganic acids.

Abstract: A filter rod is produced by adding a water-soluble polymer in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion, or in a particulate form, to a tow of cellulose ester fiber, with the amount of any water used being controlled within 25 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the tow, and wrapping the treated tow in wrapping paper. The water contained in the filter rod is removed or the particulate water-soluble polymer is melted by heating to bond the fiber to provide a tobacco filter. The proportion of the water-soluble polymer is 0.5 to 30 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the tow. To reduce the amount of water relative to the tow, a hot-melt adhesive water-soluble polymer may be employed. As the amount of water added to the tow is thus decreased, the tow can be smoothly wrapped up even at a high speed so that filter productivity is improved. This tobacco filter is highly wet-disintegratable and, hence, contributes to mitigation of the environmental pollution.

Abstract: A cigarette filter in which the body of the filter comprises paper containing, or consisting essentially of, lyocell fibres. The invention also relates to a cigarette incorporsting such a filter.

Abstract: Sheath-core bicomponent fibers comprising a core of a low-cost, high strength, thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate, completely covered with a sheath formed of polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof are produced, preferably melt blown to an average diameter of 12 microns or less, and formed into a self-sustaining, three-dimensional, porous element having various applications, principally as an ink reservoir element for a marking or writing instrument, although the porous element may also find utility as a tobacco smoke filter. Other forms of the product have utility in diverse applications where its excellent capillary, absorption and filtering properties are advantageous. The resultant products retain or improve upon the desirable features and processing capabilities of conventional elements, but are substantially less expensive, requiring less high cost polyester for equivalent or better properties.

Abstract: A filter for removing nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) from tobacco smoke comprises A) a poly(arylene thioether), B) if appropriate a conventional filter material and C) if appropriate at least one surface-active solid. By means of use of this filter, in particular, nitrogen dioxide is virtually completely removed from the smoke.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette is provided with a filter which includes a tacky substance which increases the filters ability to absorb particles of ash, debris and the like, thus preventing them from reaching the user. The filter may employ a heat-sensitive resinous substance such as an acrylic, butadiene styrene or the like, which will remain tacky during storage and which will assist in removing harmful particulate matter during smoking.

Abstract: A filter made from a nonwoven spunbond web comprising a plurality of continuous intertwined filaments, each filament having a diameter of about 25 to about 100 microns, predominantly present in the web as loop springs having diameters of about 1 to 3 millimeters. The web is made from a plurality of spunbond filaments laid randomly onto a moving belt. The webs of the present invention find particular utility when formed into cylinders as filters for smoking articles. In the smoking articles, the filters of the invention have a desirable degree of firmness while demonstrating an acceptable pressure drop.

Abstract: A meltblown pleated web suitable for manufacturing cigarette filters or filter rods is prepared by drawing a meltblown web having longitudinal bend lines under thermal conditions to impart micropleats along the bend lines. Preferably the drawn and heated and pleated web is passed through an electric field to impart an electrostatic charge to its fibers.

Abstract: A blend of cellulose acetate and starch acetate used to make fibers, filaments, yarns, fabrics, plastic materials and other uses is disclosed. Additionally, the invention relates to the process of making said blend; cigarette filters made from tow composed of said blend; cigarettes made with filters made from tow of said blend as well as acetate flake and other compositions containing said blend.

Abstract: A cigarette has a blend of tobacco materials and a filter element provided from a non-woven thermoplastic material. The non-woven material comprises polyester or polypropylene fibers. The non-woven material is in intimate contact with a high molecular weight material (e.g., an emulsifier or another polymeric material). As such the filter material is coated with another polymeric material. The coated non-woven material can be in intimate contact with an acidic material (e.g., lactic acid) or a basic material (e.g., sodium hydroxide). Certain cigarettes can have relatively high nicotine smokable blends and filter elements having the coated non-woven filter material in intimate contact with an acidic material. Certain other cigarettes can have relatively low nicotine smokable blends and filter elements having the coated non-woven filter material in intimate contact with a basic material.

Abstract: A filter tow from cellulose acetate filaments and/or staple fibers is described on the surface of which an additive from cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is present, at least the surface of the filaments and staple fibers consisting of a cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The method for the production of such a filter tow comprises spinning cellulose acetate filaments from a solution in acetone, of cellulose acetate of an acetyl number of at least 53% if necessary, cutting the filaments to staple fibers, gathering the filaments and/or staple fibers to a filter tow and applying an additive, the filaments and staple fibers being hydrolyzed and as additive one of cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is used. There are described also a tobacco smoke filter element from such a filter tow and a method for its production.

Abstract: A fibrous bonded sheet material, suitable for conversion into plug wrap for the filter plug in a filter cigarette, is formed by treating a fibrous base web with a polymeric binder (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol), a wet-strength resin (e.g. a polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin resin) and a ketene dimer (e.g. an alkyl ketene dimer). The wet-strength resin may be wholly or partially replaced with a cross-linking agent (e.g. glyoxal). The resultant sheet material exhibits favourable characteristics of air permeability with resistance to the bleedthrough of adhesives used in the production of wrapped filter plug material.

Abstract: A cigarette smoking article includes a tobacco rod and a dual filter comprising a tobacco rod end segment made of cellulose acetate tow and a mouth end segment made of a gathered, perforated polymeric film blended with a whitener to produce a substantially non-staining mouth end surface. The polymeric film may also comprise a coextruded flavor film with a flavor carrier layer disposed between a pair of barrier layers for releasing a flavorant into the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette. Transparent wraps may be used to construct the cigarette from the component parts so that the filtration surfaces of the filter rod are visible through the wraps.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of adding flavorant to cigarette filters. A cigarette filter is made by forming a filter web using non-woven web comprising thermoplastic meltblown fibers of filaments that are present as fused agglomerates in a number fraction exceeding 33 percent and wherein a majority of fiber crossings of agglomerates are weld points; adding tobacco extracts to the filter web such that the filter web contains between 10% and 110% tobacco extracts by weight of the filter web; adding glycerin or a glycerin-water mixture to the thus treated filter web; and forming the thus treated filter web into a rod.

Abstract: A filter cigarette is provided which has a cigarette section formed by wrapping shredded tobacco in a cigarette paper sheet and a filter section having a filter chip integrally joined to the cigarette section. The filter chip is formed by combining in a bundle at least one absorptive synthetic fiber selected from the group consisting of (1) graft polymer fibers produced from irradiated polypropylene reacted with vapor phase styrene and containing adsorptive functional groups, (2) activated carbon fibers, (3) charged electret fibers, and (4) magnetic plastic fibers and then chopping the combined fiber bundle to a predetermined length. Since the filter section does not contain adsorptive grains or particles (i.e., activated charcoal grains or particles), the integrated cigarette manufacturing plant for such filter cigarettes does not required a process or equipment for preventing the scattering of the adsorptive grains or the collection of such grains when they do escape.

Abstract: A novel cigarette smoke filter element is provided which achieves an increased removal of tar from cigarette smoke while retaining a higher flavor level than is achieved using conventional filter materials. The filter comprises an elongate cylinder of microfine fibers which is closed at the upstream end of the filter element and tobacco smoke filter material located both externally and internally of the cylinder of microfine fibers. A tobacco smoke flow path blocking means is provided at the downstream end of the filter element to permit filtered tobacco smoke to pass from the filter element only from the tobacco smoke filter material located internally of the cylinder of microfine fibers.

Abstract: In a method of adjusting and controlling a cutting device comprising two rollers counter-rotating about parallel axes and provided each with a set of blades where each blade of one roller combines with a blade of the other roller to create a scissor by which discrete pieces are cut from a continuous strip of material, heat is applied to raise the temperature of the cutting device to a selected value higher than the normal operating temperature of the machine; thereafter, having set the blades of each scissor initially by way of a system of adjusters associated with at least one of the two blades, the temperature of the cutting device during operation of the surrounding machine is maintained at a value substantially equal to the selected value by way of monitoring and control media.

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials and a filter element provided from a non-woven polypropylene web, glycerin and a water soluble tobacco extract. The filter element comprises about 5 to about 55 percent tobacco extract, based on the total weight of the filter material and tobacco extract.

Abstract: A tobacco filter stock capable of being molded into a filter only be entanglement of filaments with one another without any adhesion means, whereby the resulting filter has a suitable hardness and a superior whiteness. A tobacco filter and a production process thereof are provided, whereby the tobacco filter stock comprises a ton of crystalline polyolefin filaments, preferably crystalline polypropylene filaments, having a single filament denier of 1 to 6 d/f, a total denier of 30,000 to 60,000 D 40 to 60 crimps/25 mm filament, a crimp elastic modulus of 2.5 to 5.0, a frictional coefficient between filaments of 0.20 to 0.37 and a height ratio (height/width) of 0.01 to 0.1.

Abstract: A filter useful as a cigarette smoke filter is made by convergingly passing a flat restrained meltblown web successively through a heated zone and a trumpet to form a roving. The roving may be processed to make filters. The process results in stretch orientation of longitudinal fibers and bulking due to cross fibers. Primary and secondary pleats formed in the web are bundled into a cylindrical roving. The pleats add bulking to the web and provide fluid permeability through the filter.

Abstract: There is provided a smoking article comprising a heating unit, aerosol generation section in flow communication at a first end thereof with said heating unit, nicotine source in flow communication at a first end thereof with the heating unit, a mixing space with which said aerosol generation section and nicotine source means are in flow communication at or via respective second ends thereof, and a velocity accelerating orifice in flow communication with the mixing space.

Abstract: A polyolefin material having improved fibrillation properties, allowing one to achieve higher yield in cigarette filters made from the fibrillated material is provided. The material includes between about 70% and about 99% of at least one polypropylene homopolymer with a melt index of between about 1.2 to about 3.0 (measured according to ISO standard 1133 at 230.degree. C., 2.16 kgf) and a density of about 0.905 g/cc, and between about 1% and about 30% of at least one low density polyethylene homopolymer with a melt index of between about 0.9 and 3.0 (measured according to ISO standard 1133 at 190.degree. C., 2.16 kgf) and a density of about 0.921 g/cc.

Abstract: A membrane that is prepared in an oil in water system and comprises a hydrophilic polymer film having controlled porosity. Such membranes are particularly well suited as filters for cigarettes and like products.

Abstract: A process for improving selective filter retention and pass through properties of cigarette filter elements by treating with polyethyleneimine modified to a predetermined pH range with one or more indicated water soluble organic acids, as a filter modifier composition, and the corresponding filter element and cigarette.

Abstract: Nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic meltblown fibers or filaments predominantly present as agglomerates or multiple fused fiber areas. Such agglomerates in the web act as columns and impart a desired degree of strength and resistance to compaction. In contrast to prior art webs where such agglomerates have been considered undesirable, the webs of the present invention find particular utility when formed into cylinders as filter plugs for smoking articles. In smoking articles of the invention, the filter plugs have a desired pressure drop while demonstrating an unexpected degree of firmness, all at an economically attractive cost. Preferred embodiments include those where the machine direction strength to cross machine direction grab tensile ratios in the range of from about 1:1 to 4:1 and the fibers or filaments are made from polypropylene. Other embodiments include webs and filter plugs containing additives distributed throughout the web.

Abstract: Filter element and method for increasing the hardness thereof by contacting filter plug material with effective amounts of (a) a water soluble resin (or copolymer) having available chelate bond-forming chemical groups and (b) a water soluble nontoxic salt, the metal cation of the nontoxic salt forming a chelate bond with the chelate bond-forming chemical groups of said water soluble resin.

Abstract: An ultra-high efficiency cigarette filter is formed from a web of entangled ultra-fine melt blown plastic fibers of extremely low bulk density, the fibers on average having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 4 microns. The web is formed into a substantially cylindrical rod having a bulk density in the range of 0.029 to 0.046 gram per cc and is encapsulated in and supported by an external plastic tube which adheres to the outer surface of the rod over the entire area of contact therebetween. Cigarette filters in accordance with the invention may have filtration efficiencies in excess of 80%. The disclosure also includes processes and apparatus for manufacturing the high efficiency filters.

Abstract: An increased volume synthetic fiber consists of a porous central core and a large number of short porous lateral threads integral with the core and distributed along the whole length of the fiber so as to form a voluminous branching structure. The process used to produce the fiber consists of the mixing of a synthetic polymer with an expanding agent which expands when heated, then spinning by melting the mixture which results in the expansion and fringing of the threads produced, caused by the expansion agent, followed by the drawing and fixing of the threads thus produced while they are still hot.

Abstract: Ventilated cigarettes are made with a tip zone consisting of tobacco or a filter or a hollow tip, which contains, in the wrapper or wall, at least one ventilation zone. In the tip zone or between it and the tobacco roll, or in the latter, there is placed an element which consists of polymeric, not crimped spun fibers and/or filaments, which may have the shape of a disk. This element is arranged in such a manner that it is located behind the ventilation zone, when seen from the end of the tip zone facing the mouth. The spun fibers and filaments have, respectively, a diameter between 0.1 and 20 .mu.m and lie generally transverse to the flow of the tobacco smoke.

Abstract: Method for reducing normal concentrations of hydrogen cyanide and/or nitrogen oxide by-products in cigarette smoke, by using, as garniture feed for a cigarette filter rod-making apparatus, one or more substrates, one or more surfaces thereof being treated by applying thereto an effective amount of at least one of(A) a solution, emulsion or dispersion of at least one of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide in a nonionic spin solution;(B) glycerol triacetate;and corresponding filter element and cigarette utilizing a filter formed of such substrate(s).

Abstract: A method of loading nicotine into porous polymeric items consisting essentially of a polyolefin. The method comprises contacting the items with nicotine or nicotine dissolved in a carrier. The polyolefin item, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, may be loaded with nicotine by several variations on the basic method. The items may be emplaced in a vessel with nicotine and the vessel then closed for a period of time prior to removal of said items.A preferred method of producing porous polyethylene items loaded with nicotine comprises first emplacing porous polyethylene items in a vessel. A solution comprising between about 1% nicotine and about 10% nicotine and a solvent for nicotine demonstrating an adherence for polyethylene surfaces is prepared. A quantity of this solution sufficient to contact at least a majority of the polyethylene items is added to the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed are tobacco smoke filtering materials for selectively removing deleterious material from tobacco smoke without at the same time removing desirable smoke vapors which contribute to aroma and taste. The filtering materials comprise a fibrous article, the fibers of which have a coating on the surfaces thereof comprising a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is the residue of a straight chain fatty acid having 8-22 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 is OH or ##STR2## wherein Ac is an acetyl group.

Abstract: Flavor-carrying microporous polymer material is incorporated with a cigarette filter to release flavor into the smoke-stream during smoking of the cigarette.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprising a smoking-material rod enwrapped in a wrapper paper with an inherent air permeability of 3 to 45 Coresta units and comprising at least one hydroxide compound and at least one organic compound of the group comprising lithium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium formate, sodium formate and sodium acetate, at a total loading level of the compounds of not less than two g/m.sup.2 whereby the total particulate matter (TPM) in the side-stream-smoke emanating from the lit end of said article during the smoking thereof is reduced by at least 30% in relation to the TPM which emanates from the lit end of an otherwise identical smoking article comprising conventional wrapper paper and smoked under the same smoking conditions.

Abstract: A reticulated hydrophilic foam substrate and bonded active surface particle powder composite filter material is generated by foam polymerization of a prepolymer phase with an aqueous phase. The reticulated hydrophilic foam substrate is characterized by relatively low pressure drop and low resistance to flow through the foam substrate. The prepolymer phase is a hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer receptive to the aqueous phase for foam polymerization upon mixing with the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase in turn is a pourable and flowable slurry mixture of water, active surface particle powder, and surfactant wetting agent. The aqueous phase includes sufficient water or other evaporable liquid to provide a protective liquid layer or coating over the active surfaces of the powder particles.

Abstract: A filter composition is formed from a foamed gypsum combined with fine particulate carbonaceous material such as activated carbon, dried blood and comminuted vegetable matter. The combination of activated carbon with dried blood provides a particularly effective human user filter system. A broad range of filter uses are contemplated such as face masks and cigarette filters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to smoking article wrappers having a non-ionic surfactant added to the wrapper. The non-ionic surfactant is added to the wrapper in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide produced upon burning of the wrapper.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing cigarette filters which exhibit desired adhesion properties between the filter fibers, and which may be subjected to a substantially broader operating range during a temperature melt fusion step. A crystalline propylene polymer and a second crystalline polymer are mixed together, and the blend is extruded into fibers which are then heated to a temperature above the original melting point of the second crystalline polymer and below the original melting point of the crystalline propylene polymer. The fibers are twisted and/or crimped to effectuate desired adhesion between the fibers and are subsequently formed into filter rods which display greatly increased cohesiveness.

Abstract: Cigarette filters with improved efficiency and reduced resistance to gas flow, and a method of preparing them, are disclosed. The filters are made from crimped multicomponent polypropylene polymers having microfissures on their surfaces and micropores on their cross-sections, with 5 to 7 crimps per centimeter of length, and a unit fineness of 5 to 7 dtex. The elementary fibers in the bundle have different centers of gravity, and are present in ratios of from 1:3 to 3:1 by weight. The fibers are prepared by separate melting and thermal treatment of each polypropylene polymer component, having LVI values ranging from 100 to 200 ml/g, at temperatures ranging from 230 to 330 degrees C. The difference in LVI values between the components is from 30 to 50 ml/g, and at least one of the components has a 5-20% high molecular weight fraction, by weight, with an LVI of from 400 to 450 ml/g.

Abstract: The invention describes an impact filter for tipped cigarettes comprising a cylindrical chamber of a diameter equal to that of the cigarette and not very high in relation to its diameter, which is provided with a downward tubular orifice in the center of its upper base and has coupled thereto a lower base with very small peripheral orifices, the chamber preferably being located between two conventional portions of absorbent material, which are connected to the chamber by a likewise conventional wrapping to give the resulting assembly the aspect of a normal filter for tipped cigarettes.

Abstract: Ventilated thermoplastic polymer foam filter rods and the processes for their preparation. The ventilated thermoplastic polymer foam filter rods are characterized by the presence of at least some cells which are bridged by fibrils, the rod being surrounded by a high density skin structure having a discontinuity such as to produce a ventilation of at least 50%. Discontinuity in the skin structure may be produced by skin solvent etching, skin abraiding, skin perforating and skin cutting.

Abstract: Process for producing a filtering structure, in particular for cigarette filters from a fibrous mass comprising a homogeneous mixture of fibres of different types. Some of the fibres are necessarily thermofusible synthetic fibres having a low melting point and adhesive properties in the molten state, and the others are absorbent with respect to harmful products of tobacco smoke and stable at the melting temperature of the thermofusible fibres. The fibrous mixture is shaped into a cylindrical rod which is in state which is not yet coherent but homogeneous and comprises fibrous networks which are closely imbricated relative to each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material for tobacco smoke filters. This material comprises cellulose fibers containing amino groups and is obtainable by reacting certain amino compounds with certain reactive cellulose derivatives. Preferably, the filter material of the present invention contains from 70 .mu.moles to 2 mmoles of amino groups per gram of filter material.

Abstract: A rod-form body of smoke filtration material, preferably fibrous or filamentary, is wrapped in a fibrous or filamentary plugwrap comprising at least 50% by weight of fibres or filaments of thermoplastics material. The plugwrap may have premeability for air of not less than 10,000 Coresta units. The majority, suitably at least 80% by weight, of the material of the rod-form body is a material other than the said themoplastics material of the plugwrap. Thus the smoke-filtration material may comprise crimped polypropylene tow and the plugwrap be composed substantially wholly of fibrous cellulose acetate or conversely. Portions of such filter rod may be subjected to a hot-shaping process to provide grooved filter elements.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter having an improved tar/carbon monoxide ratio is disclosed. The filter is obtained by sealing off the center portion of the filter with an inner member which is impermeable to the passage of smoke, thus directing all of the smoke to the periphery of the filter. In one embodiment, the inner member is formed as a thin walled tube of a material such as polypropylene, with the tube being crimped to seal one end of the tube. The crimped tube is then overwrapped with a smoke permeable material.

Abstract: A filter material for removing at least one given substance from an at least substantially gaseous medium, such as tobacco smoke, comprises a cross-linked carbohydrate polymer which is swellable to a given degree and which has the form of an open-pore three-dimensional micro-porous network, there being substantially uniformly distributed therein at least one agent able to remove said substance in a substantially selective manner from the medium passing through the filter.