A filter part (1, 1) for use in an aerosol generating article and a method of manufacturing the filter part (1, 1). The filter part (1, 1) includes an aerosol permeable core (2) within a sleeve (3) formed integrally therearound. The core (2) is shorter than the integrally formed sleeve (3). The method includes conveying a plurality of aerosol permeable cores (2) along a conveying path at a first speed (S1) and forming a sleeve (3) around each core (2) at a second speed (S2). The second speed (S2) is greater than the first speed (S1) to generate a space between consecutive cores (2) within the sleeve (3).

A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.

The invention discloses a starch-based multi-channel airflow unit and a preparation method and an application thereof. The preparation method of the present invention comprises the following steps: melting a polylactic acid, wherein a temperature of a first temperature control zone is 135 C. to 145 C., a temperature of a second temperature control zone is 175 C. to 185 C., a temperature of a third temperature control zone is 190 C. to 200 C., and a temperature of a fourth temperature control zone is 175 C. to 185 C.; gelatinizing a starch-based material, adding the starch-based material in the third temperature control zone and fully mixing the mixture; adding a polyol in the third temperature control zone, and fully mixing the mixture; and extruding out the mixed material through twin screws, sizing in vacuum, cooling and sizing, and winding and cutting to obtain the starch-based multi-channel airflow unit.

A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.

Equipment for forming a tubular rod of fibrous material comprises: a gathering station constructed to receive a continuous supply of fibres and to gather the fibres into a bundle as the fibres advance through the equipment; a divider arranged in the path of the fibres through the equipment and constructed to from a cleft along the length of the bundle as it advances through the equipment; a mandrel positioned in the path of the bundle of fibres in alignment with the divider and constructed to form the cleft into a passage through the bundle of fibres as the bundle of fibres advances over the mandrel; and a die constructed and arranged to cooperate with the mandrel to form the fibres in a tubular configuration around the mandrel.

A process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) freeze-drying a solution of a biopolymer to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby prepare a filter plug for a smoking article. Another process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) extruding a mixture of a foaming agent and a biopolymer comprising a protein to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby form a filter plug for a smoking article.

Equipment for forming a tubular rod from a bundle of fibrous material comprising a mandrel constructed to form a space within the bundle of fibres; the mandrel includes a passage for delivering a treatment fluid to facilitate the formation of the fibres into a tubular structure as the fibre bundle as the bundle passes over the mandrel.

An inductively heatable aerosol-forming rod for an aerosol-generating article is provided, including: at least one cylindrical core portion including at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavoring material; a first elongate susceptor laterally abutting the core portion at a first side along a longitudinal axis of the rod; a second elongate susceptor laterally abutting the core portion at second side along the longitudinal axis opposite to the first side such that the core portion is sandwiched between the first and the second susceptors; and a sleeve portion arranged around the core portion and the first and the second susceptors, the sleeve portion including at least one of a filler material, a second aerosol-forming substrate, and a second flavoring material. A shaping device for manufacturing of the inductively heatable aerosol-forming rods is also provided.

A biodegradable bi-component fiber may include a polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polylactic acid with cellulose acetate and/or plasticized cellulose acetate for use in a filter material configured for use in a filter of a smoking article. The bi-component fiber may have a sheath-core construction where one component of the bi-component forms the core, and the other component forms the sheath of each fiber. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.

A smoking article includes a smokable material and a filter downstream of the smokable material. The filter includes activated carbon material having a BET of between 1000 and 2000 m.sup.2/g and exhibiting less particle breakthrough than granulated coconut shell derived activated carbon currently used for filters of smoking articles.