Abstract: An aerosol generating article (10) comprises: an aerosol generating substrate (12); a filter (14) in axial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate, the filter (14) comprising at least one water dispersible filter component (16), wherein the filter component is water dispersible under the test conditions of EN 14987:2006; and a tipping wrapper (20) wrapped around the filter (14) and at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to filter material for inclusion in a smoking article, said filter material comprising a base material comprising or made from fibers having a first diameter or mean diameter, and fine fibers having a diameter or mean diameter which is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the filter material comprises more than 10% by weight and/or by volume fine fibers or wherein the diameter or mean diameter of the fine fibers is between about 1.0 ?m and about 1.5 ?m. The invention also relates to filters or filter elements comprising the filter material, smoking articles comprising the same, and use of the filter material in smoke filtration.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette comprises a porous fitter rod and a material sheet wrapped around the filter rod and a cellulose acetate thread formed from substantially uncrimped cellulose acetate filaments. The cellulose acetate thread is positioned within the filter rod and extends along the central axis of the filter rod.

Abstract: A biodegradable cigarette filter tow includes a mixture of at least two or more natural materials selected from the group consisting of hemp fiber, flax fiber, abaca fiber or pulp, sisal fiber or pulp, wood pulp, and cotton fiber or cotton flock. The mixture may also include regenerated cellulose fibers. The mixture may include a natural binder or may be hydroentangled.

Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. The two or more fibrous inputs are provided in the form of staple fibers, which are at least partially entangled with each other to form a mixed fiber sliver. The mixed fiber sliver includes a first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers blended with a second plurality of staple fibers comprising a polymeric material different from the first plurality of staple fibers, such as staple fibers of a degradable polymeric material. The entangled fibers of the mixed fiber sliver may be sufficiently separated from one another such that blooming operations typically required in filter element production may not be necessary prior to incorporating the mixed fiber sliver into a filter element. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: A sleeve (1) for holding a plurality of elongate elements (9) positioned in end-to-end relationship is disclosed. The sleeve has an elongate body (2) with opposite ends (10,11) and a space (3) defined therebetween to receive the elongate elements (9). The elongate body has an opening (4) between the ends (10,11) that is configured to enable a user to contact elongate elements (9) received in the sleeve (1) through the opening (4) and push them along, and out of one end of the sleeve (1).

Abstract: A method and machine for producing paperless filter rods for smoking articles, according to which a tow band of hardening-material-impregnated filtering material is fed along a forming beam having a first portion along which the tow band is injected with steam to cause the hardening material to react, and a second portion along which the tow band is dried with air, coming out from the forming beam, a continuous paperless rigid rod filter, which is fed to a cutting device; the steam blowing being performed at a plurality of stations arranged in series along the first portion; and the steam being fed, at each station, into an accumulation chamber surrounding the forming channel and communicating with the forming channel through an annular nozzle arranged on a transverse plane to the forming channel and having a constant width, measured along an axis of the forming channel, of 0.3 to 0.9 mm.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. A first planar lens is positioned to operate on light exiting the first optical fiber to create a predetermined change in a wave front of the light. A second planar lens is positioned to accept the light from the first planar lens, the second planar lens focusing the light onto the second optical fiber. The first planar lens and second planar lens each include a regularly spaced array of posts with periodically varying diameters.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.

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: The invention provides a method of producing a tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising: heat treating a continuously advancing longitudinally extending strand of material; cooling the heat treated continuously advancing strand; and forming a longitudinally extending outer layer of tobacco smoke filtering material around the continuously advancing strand, to form a continuously advancing rod comprising a longitudinally extending strand (1a) of material and a longitudinally extending outer layer (2a) of tobacco smoke filtering material engaged around the longitudinally extending strand (1a). An apparatus for carrying out the method, and products of the method, are also provided.

Abstract: A filter element is disclosed made from a gathered paper web that may be crimped, embossed, and/or corrugated. In accordance with the present disclosure, the paper web is treated with at least two different additives. The first additive comprises amphiphilic molecules, having hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends such as a ketene dimer that has one or more branching groups. The second additive, on the other hand, may comprise a polymer component such as a polyalkylene glycol. The filter element may also be treated with a polyamine or an amino acid or salt thereof. In one embodiment, the filter element may be incorporated into the filter of a smoking article. The two additives together may improve smoke taste, reduce some smoke phenols, and reduce some smoke carbonyls.

Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.

Abstract: A filter media containing continuous nanofiber or submicron fiber having low air resistance that that can be incorporated into cigarettes, cigarette attachments, pipes, and cigars. The media may formed in circular or cylindrical shapes and is comprised of thin, flexible fabric forms that can be cut and fit into the body or cavity of cigarettes, cigarette attachments, pipes, cigars, and other tobacco related products and incorporates a nanofiber or submicron fiber coating creating an interfiber spacing between 1.0 to 2.0 ?m, preferably between 1.2 and 1.5 ?m.

Abstract: A filter for smoking includes a filter medium, and a means for heating the filter medium or a periphery of the filter medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to porous carbon and methods of preparing porous carbon. In some embodiments, the prepared porous carbon exhibits eithanced selectivity for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), In one embodiment, the method comprises impregnating activated carbon with a metal oxide, such as zinc oxide. The carbon is suitable for use in smoke filtration.

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: Porous masses that comprise a plurality of active particles and binder particles bound together at a plurality of sintered contact points may be useful in filters, including articles (like smoking devices) and methods relating thereto. The production of such filters may involve the production of filter rods that involves forming a desired abutting configuration that comprises a plurality of sections, the plurality of sections comprising at least one porous mass section and at least one other filter section; securing the desired abutting configuration so as to yield a segmented filter rod length; and cutting the segmented filter rod length into segmented filter rods, wherein the steps of forming, securing, and cutting are performed so as to produce the segmented filter rods at a rate of about 25 m/min or greater.

Abstract: A cigarette filter is provided that includes at least one filter segment having at least one biodegradable fiber imbedded therein, the biodegradable fiber optionally carrying an additive capable of altering the flavor or aroma of mainstream smoke, such as an adsorbent material, a flavorant, or a deodorizing agent. Smoking articles incorporating such a cigarette filter are also provided.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette comprises a porous filter rod (3) a material sheet (2) wrapped around the filter rod and a cellulose acetate thread (4) formed from substantially uncrimped cellulose acetate filaments. The cellulose acetate thread is positioned within the filter rod and extends along the central axis of the filter rod.

Abstract: Filters and cigarettes include an activated carbon sorbent capable of selectively removing nitric oxide from mainstream tobacco smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and cigarettes using the activated carbon sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke produced by smoking a cigarette comprising the sorbent are also provided.

Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to cigarettes is provided through the use of one or more capsules containing additive materials, such as flavor components, in the filter section of a cigarette. The capsule or capsules are provided between first and second absorbent members and the capsules are subjected to an external force, such as squeezing, by a smoker prior to or during smoking of the cigarette in order to release at least a portion of the additive material and expose the additive material to mainstream smoke passing through the filter. The capsules provide a barrier between the additive materials and other cigarettes components, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration into the other cigarette components prior to desired use. An outer cover which is impermeable to the fluid within the capsules is provided about the capsule or capsules and the first and second absorbent members.

Abstract: A smoking article having a filter segment that establishes both a desired resistance to draw and a mixing of mainstream smoke with ventilation air. The filter segment includes a fluted portion, a frusto-conical portion and axially extending orifices establishing fluid communication between the frusto-conical portion and voids between one or more walls of the fluted portion.

Abstract: A system configured to produce smokable products including filter elements formed from multiple fibers is provided. The system includes a texturing apparatus configured to combine the fibers such that the fibers are at least partially entangled with each other and form a mixed fiber product. The entangled fibers may be sufficiently separated from one another such that plasticizer may be applied to the mixed fiber product without necessarily performing tow opening, crimp removal, or blooming operations. The fibers combined to form the mixed fiber product may define characteristics that differ or which are the same. Accordingly, filter elements may be produced that include different fibers that have respective desirable properties associated therewith. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article.

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 relates to a smoking article incorporating a smoking material comprising three main components, namely a non-combustible inorganic filler, an alginic binder and aerosol generating means. The smoking material is combined with tobacco material, which may be treated with additional humectant, to provide a smoking article that has an aerosol transfer efficiency ratio of greater than 4.0.

Abstract: A large variety of electroprocessed capsules can be produced to encapsulate a variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured capsule. Furthermore, the manufactured capsules can be arranged within a filter of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospraying or electrospinning processes, capsules can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. A capsule produced by electrospraying comprises at least one polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant within the capsule. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant additive.

Abstract: A biodegradable cigarette filter has a filter tow surrounded by one or more wrapper layers. The filter tow is a mixture of hemp, a second fibrous material comprising cotton, paper, or a mixture of cotton and paper, and a thickening and bonding agent comprising flour or starch initially added to the mixture as a solution in water. The mixture of hemp and the second fibrous material in the filter tow act as a filtering matrix for the cigarette smoke when consumed by a user. In one example, two wrapper layers comprising a plug wrap and a tipping paper surround the filter tow. The filter tow or one or both wrapper layers, or both the tow and wrapper layers, may contain plantable seeds.

Abstract: A smoking article having a cylinder of smoking material and a central tube within the cylinder of the smoking material wherein heat is convectively transferred with smoke from a lit end of the cylinder of smoking material through the central tube to a mouth end of the cylinder of smoking material in each puff. A filter system is attached to the cylinder of smoking material, and includes a plurality of segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of segments contains flavorant and aerosol forming agents encapsulated in at least one breakable capsule.

Abstract: A smoking article includes a tobacco rod adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter having an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the filter is arranged to receive mainstream smoke at the upstream end. The filter includes a tubular segment open at the downstream end thereof and a flow restrictor contained within the tubular segment. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper and includes an air-admissible ventilating zone at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter material for cleaning air and gases, comprising a fiber layer (2) made of cellulose fibers bonded to each other in segments by pressing, thus compacting the cellulose fibers in the pressed areas (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles comprises a conveyance path for conveying an elongate member and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed along the path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof.

Abstract: Provided are filters including at least one impervious additive containing tube. A barrier, such as a liquid barrier, seals each end of the tube so as to contain additives, such as a liquid additive, within the additive containing tube. The one or more additive containing tubes are inserted into filters for smoking articles. Drawing action during a puff causes breach of the barrier and release of the additive into the surrounding filter material.

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: The invention relates to a filter (10) for tobacco products with a first terminal filter element (12), a second terminal filter element (14), a middle filter element (16) which is located between first and second terminal filter element and contains a granular filter material, and a casing (20), one part of one of the terminal filter elements (12) being displaceable vis-à-vis the casing (20). The invention furthermore relates to smoking articles with such filters, filter strands with two or more of the filters, and processes and devices for the production of such filters and tobacco products.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.

Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod of a smokable material and a filter system attached to the tobacco rod of smokable material. The filter system includes a first filter portion and a second filter portion, the second filter portion concentrically positioned with respect to the first filter portion and having a lower resistance to draw than the first filter portion during an initial puff on the smoking article. The second filter portion closes upon contact with the mainstream smoke of the initial puff, such that after the initial puff, the first filter portion has the lower resistance to draw.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter which has a tar retention of at most 50% and comprises a relatively high draw resistance downstream filtering plug of at most 50% tar retention, a relatively low draw resistance upstream filter plug of at most 22% tar retention spaced longitudinally upstream therefrom, and a filter wrapper engaging around and joining the spaced plugs to define a cavity therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products.

Abstract: A cigarette having a multi-component filter wherein an upstream sorbent removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and a downstream flavor segment compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The flavor component includes cellulosic flavor bearing granules which release volatile flavor constituents into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The cellulosic granules include microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material which can be formed into a paste with the flavor additive, extruded and spheronized to form the flavor granules.

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 smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.

Abstract: An inhaler device comprises a fibrous cylindrical plug with a paper wrapper around the plug. An aromatic substance is applied along the centerline of the plug. Such substance may include eucalyptus oil or menthol. An airtight foil surrounds the paper wrapper and the ends of the cylindrical plug. The inhaler device may be used to ease nasal congestion and quell cough.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a filter cigarillo (1) which has tobacco (4), a filter (8) at the mouth end of the filter cigarillo (1), and a covering sheet (12) which extends over the whole length of the filter cigarillo (1). A banderole-like marking (14), which leaves free the mouth end (2) of the filter cigarillo (1), is disposed at the mouth half of the covering sheet (12). Preferably, below the covering sheet (12), the tobacco (4) is surrounded by a surround sheet (6), and the filter (8) is connected to the surround sheet (6) by means of a filter cover (10).

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 smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a lighting end and a mouth end. The lighting end is a longitudinally extending segment comprising smokable material that is intended to be lit and burned, and the resulting smoke generated by the burning of that smokable material is intended to be drawn into the mouth of the smoker through the mouth end of smoking article. A mouth end piece is located at the mouth end of the smoking article, and the mouth end piece allows the smoking article to be placed in the mouth of the smoker to be drawn upon. The smoking article further incorporates an aerosol-generation system that is located between the lighting end segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation system includes (i) a heat generation segment located adjacent to the lighting end segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generation region located between the heat generation segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation region incorporates an aerosol-forming material (e.g., glycerin and flavors).

Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette filter including at least one filter segment having one or more composite fiber structures imbedded therein, the composite fiber structure including a carrier fiber and an adsorbent fiber, the adsorbent fiber including an adsorbent material. The filter can include one or more segments of fibrous tow material, with the one or more composite fiber structures imbedded within the fibrous tow, the composite fiber structure including a carrier fiber and a carbonaceous fiber.