ACTIVE PAPER

Abstract

A multi-segment filter comprising a first and second filter segment; wherein the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material with a particulate additive embedded therein; and wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising paper filtering material or other biodegradable filtering material.

Claims

1. A multi-segment filter comprising a first and second filter segment; wherein the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material with a particulate additive embedded therein; and wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising paper filtering material or other biodegradable filtering material.

2. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material of the first filter segment is gathered into rod form and secured in place with a wrapper (e.g., a paper, e.g., a plug wrap) engaged around the rod.

3. The multi-segment filter according to claim 2 wherein the wrapper is a paper (e.g., a plugwrap) of basis weight from 25 to 140 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 40 to 120 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 50 to 100 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 60 to 80 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight of 70 gsm.

4. The multi-segment filter according to claim 2 wherein the wrapper is nonporous.

5. The multi-segment filter according to claim 2 wherein the wrapper is ventilated or air permeable, with an air permeability of 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

6. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive is activated carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules), zeolite, ion exchange resin (e.g., a weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite (e.g., sepiolite granules), silica gel, alumina, molecular sieves, carbonaceous polymer resin, a diatomaceous earth, or a mixture of two or more of these additives.

7. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive is of mesh size in the range 12 to 90 (e.g., mesh size 30/70, e.g., mesh size 40/60).

8. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the loading of the particulate additive is from 1 to 6 mg/mm (e.g., 1 mg/mm, e.g., 2 mg/mm, e.g., 3 mg/mm, e.g., 4 mg/mm, e.g., 5 mg/mm, e.g., 6 mg.Math.mm).

9. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is standard paper, non-woven paper, airlaid paper, carbon impregnated paper (i.e., for higher additive loading) or cellulose/lyocell/viscose based papers.

10. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is a non-woven paper made with non-plastic plant based fibres (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch or wood pulp) or a blend of these materials.

11. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is comprised of multiple (i.e., more than one) sheets of embossed paper filtering material and/or embossed other biodegradable filtering material.

12. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the first and/or second filter segment comprises a capsule or capsules (e.g. a frangible capsule) with an additive contained therein.

13. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending hollow tube comprising paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable material.

14. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the length of the multi-segment filter is from 10 to 50 mm, e.g., from 12 to 40 mm, e.g., from 15 to 30 mm, e.g., from 18 to 24 mm.

15. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the circumference of the multi-segment filter is from 14 to 30 mm, e.g., from 16 to 25 mm, e.g., from 24 to 25 mm.

16. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the multi-segment filter has Ready Biodegradability level of biodegradability as measured according to OECD 301B Ready Biodegradability method (modified Sturm test).

17. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the multi-segment filter exhibits a biodegradation of at least 90% after 6 months as measured according to ISO 14855-1.

18. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the first filter segment and the second filter segment are abutted together end-to-end.

19. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 wherein the multi-segment filter comprises a wrapper engaged around the first filter segment and second filter segment, wherein the wrapper joins the first filter segment and second filter segment together in longitudinally spaced or abutting alignment.

20. The multi-segment filter according to claim 1 comprising one or more discrete further segments.

21. PNA multi-segment filter according to claim 20 wherein the one or more discrete further segments is a segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising paper filtering material or other biodegradable filtering material, which is optionally embossed.

22. A smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a tobacco heating product, e.g., a HNB product) comprising the multi-segment filter according to claim 1, or one or more of the multi-segment filter joined to a wrapped tobacco rod (i.e., by a tipping paper) with the end of the first filter segment facing towards the tobacco rod.

Description

[0048] The present invention will now be described in further detail by reference to the attached Figures in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a multi-segment filter according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a multi-segment filter according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a smoking article according to the invention which includes a multi-segment filter according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a smoking article according to the invention which includes a multi-segment filter according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a multi-segment filter 100 which is of length 30 mm and circumference 24 mm and comprises two segments 101 and 104. Segment 101 comprises a longitudinally extending core of embossed airlaid non-woven paper 103 with embedded activated carbon granules 102 (4.9 mg/mm) and is of length 20 mm and circumference 24 mm. Segment 104 abuts segment 101 and comprises a longitudinally extending core of hemp paper 104 and is of length 10 mm and circumference 24 mm.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a multi-segment filter 200 which is of length 30 mm and circumference 24 mm and comprises two segments 201 and 204. Segment 201 is of length 20 mm and circumference 24 mm and comprises a longitudinally extending core of embossed airlaid non-woven paper 203 with embedded activated carbon granules 202 (4.9 mg/mm) and a wrapper 205 of basis weight 100 gsm engaged around the core. Segment 204 abuts segment 201 and comprises a longitudinally extending core of hemp paper 204 and is of length 10 mm and circumference 24 mm. Segment 204 is joined to segment 201 by wrapper 207 (not shown) of paper plugwrap of basis weight 120 gsm engaged around both segments.

[0055] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a schematic view of cigarette 300 which is of length 100 mm and circumference 24 mm. Cigarette 300 comprises a cylindrical plug 306 of reconstituted tobacco and multi-segment filter 200, as shown in FIG. 2. Plug 306 of reconstituted tobacco is of length 70 mm and circumference 24 mm and is abutted and joined to multi-segment filter 200 at the end of segment 201 by a tipping paper (not shown).

[0056] It will be appreciated that the multi-segment filters 100 and 200 may be made by methods known in the art.

EXAMPLE 1

[0057] The biodegradability of the (embossed) paper filtering material and/or (embossed) other biodegradable filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment of the multi-segment filter of the present invention was compared with the biodegradability of a known cellulose acetate filter.

[0058] The biodegradability was measured according to ISO14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditionsMethod by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide. The test provides a measure of the biodegradability of a material (expressed as a percentage) over a 180 day period under optimal oxygen, temperature and moisture conditions.

[0059] Table 1 shows the biodegradability results for a Mono-Acetate filter, an airlaid paper filter (Genia), a wood pulp paper filter and a hemp paper filter compared to a standard cellulose acetate (CA) filter rod when tested according to the method of ISO14855-1. Filters were purchased or made according to methods known in the art.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Mono- Wood Pulp Hemp Paper Genia Filter Acetate Paper (100%) (100%) (Airlaid) Length (mm) 108 108 108 108 Circumference 24.2 24.2 24.2 24.2 (mm) Plug wrap (gsm) 27 27 27 27 Hardness (%) 90 88 89 88.5 Plasticizer (%) 6.3 Biodegradation % 87.2 99.5 95.6 94.1 compared to CA reference after 180 days

[0060] Table 1 shows that wood pulp paper and hemp paper have the highest biodegradability of all the filtering materials. Further, the airlaid paper (Genia) also demonstrates good biodegradability compared to CA. Table 1 also shows that filters comprising wood pulp paper, hemp paper and airlaid paper (Genia) also have comparable hardness (i.e., firmness) compared to a Mono Acetate filter.

[0061] Thus the (embossed) paper filtering material and/or other (embossed) biodegradable filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment of the multi-segment filter of the present invention are biodegradable and degrade faster and more extensively than cellulose acetate.

[0062] The invention includes the subject matter described in the following numbered paragraphs: [0063] 1. A multi-segment filter comprising a first and second filter segment; [0064] wherein the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtering material with additive (e.g., a particulate additive, e.g., activated carbon) applied thereto; and [0065] wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtering material or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtering material. [0066] 2. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 1 wherein the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtering material of the first filter segment is gathered into rod form and secured in place with a wrapper (e.g., a paper, e.g., a plug wrap) engaged around the rod. [0067] 3. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 2 wherein the wrapper is a paper (e.g., a plugwrap) of basis weight from 25 to 140 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 40 to 120 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 50 to 100 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight from 60 to 80 gsm, e.g., a paper (e.g., plugwrap) of basis weight of 70 gsm. [0068] 4. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 2 to 3 wherein the wrapper is non-porous. [0069] 5. A multi-segment filter according any of paragraphs 2 to 4 wherein the wrapper is ventilated or air permeable, with an air permeability of 0 to 32,000 Coresta units. [0070] 6. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the additive is a particulate additive. [0071] 7. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 6 wherein the particulate additive is activated carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules), zeolite, ion exchange resin (e.g., a weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite (e.g., sepiolite granules), silica gel, alumina, molecular sieves, carbonaceous polymer resin, a diatomaceous earth, or a mixture of two or more of these additives. [0072] 8. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 6 to 7 wherein the particulate additive is of mesh size in the range 12 to 90 (e.g., mesh size 30/70, e.g., mesh size 40/60). [0073] 9. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 6 to 8 wherein the particulate additive is embedded into the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtering material. [0074] 10. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 5 wherein the additive is a liquid additive. [0075] 11. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the additive loading is from 1 to 6 mg/mm (e.g., 1 mg/mm, e.g., 2 mg/mm, e.g., 3 mg/mm, e.g., 4 mg/mm, e.g., 5 mg/mm, e.g., 6 mg.Math.mm). [0076] 12. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is standard paper, non-woven paper, airlaid paper, carbon impregnated paper (i.e., for higher additive loading) or cellulose/lyocell/viscose based papers. [0077] 13. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is a non-woven paper made with non-plastic plant based fibres (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch or wood pulp) or a blend of these materials. [0078] 14. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtering material of the first and/or second filter segment is comprised of multiple (i.e., more than one) sheets of paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtering material. [0079] 15. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtering material of the first filter segment is embossed. [0080] 16. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the first and/or second filter segment comprises a capsule or capsules (e.g. a frangible capsule) with an additive contained therein. [0081] 17. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending hollow tube of paper filtering material and/or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) material. [0082] 18. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the length of the multi-segment filter is from 10 to 50 mm, e.g., from 12 to 40 mm, e.g., from 15 to 30 mm, e.g., from 18 to 24 mm. [0083] 19. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the circumference of the multi-segment filter is from 14 to 30 mm, e.g., from 16 to 25 mm, e.g., from 24 to 25 mm. [0084] 20. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the multi-segment filter has Ready Biodegradability level of biodegradability as measured according to OECD 301B Ready Biodegradability method (modified Sturm test). [0085] 21. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the first filter segment and the second filter segment are abutted together end-to-end. [0086] 22. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph wherein the multi-segment filter comprises a wrapper engaged around the first filter segment and second filter segment, wherein the wrapper joins the first filter segment and second filter segment together in longitudinally spaced or abutting alignment. [0087] 23. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph comprising one or more discrete further segments. [0088] 24. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 23 wherein the one or more discrete further segments is a segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtering material or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtering material. [0089] 25. A smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a tobacco heating product, e.g., a HNB product) comprising a multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph, or a multi-segment filter comprising a multi-segment filter according to any preceding paragraph, joined to a wrapped tobacco rod (i.e., by a tipping paper) with the end of the first filter segment facing towards the tobacco rod.