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EP 2 549 896 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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17.07.2019 Bulletin 2019/29 |
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Date of filing: 24.03.2011 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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International application number: |
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PCT/GB2011/000421 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 2011/117584 (29.09.2011 Gazette 2011/39) |
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TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER
FILTER FÜR TABAKRAUCH
FILTRE POUR FUMÉE DE TABAC
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Priority: |
24.03.2010 GB 201004976
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Date of publication of application: |
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30.01.2013 Bulletin 2013/05 |
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Proprietor: Essentra Filter Products Development Co. Pte. Ltd. |
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Singapore 068877 (SG) |
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Inventors: |
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- CLARKE, Paul, Francis
Blaydon
Tyne & Wear NE21 5NN (GB)
- AIMSON, Jonathan, P.
Jarrow
Tyne&Wear NE32 3EG (GB)
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Representative: Bates, Philip Ian |
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Reddie & Grose LLP
The White Chapel Building
10 Whitechapel High Street London E1 8QS London E1 8QS (GB) |
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References cited: :
EP-A1- 2 025 251 WO-A1-2008/074977 WO-A2-2006/082529 US-A1- 2006 272 662
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WO-A1-2006/117697 WO-A1-2009/098462 US-A- 3 991 773 US-A1- 2009 007 925
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to filters and filter elements for smoking articles
such as cigarettes.
[0002] Recess filters are well known in the tobacco industry and provide a unique end appearance
for cigarettes. They are typically manufactured by wrapping a continuous stream of
filter segments at spaced intervals in a relatively stiff plug wrap paper. By cutting
the filter stream in a region where no filter segment (element) is present, a recess
filter can be obtained - the stiff plugwrap paper providing sufficient rigidity to
enable the final cigarette to be manufactured and used without crushing the exposed
paper end of the filter.
[0003] Recess filters can incorporate one, two or more filter segments. If it is desired
to incorporate activated carbon or other particulate additive within the filter, it
has been necessary to use at least two segments - the segment closest to the mouth
end generally comprising cellulose acetate so as to present a plain white end (within
the recess, or cavity) to the smoker and the segment closest to the tobacco column
typically comprising carbon (or other) granules interspersed within a fibrous matrix.
The requirement to use at least two segments in order to incorporate particulate additive
into a recess filter increases the complexity and cost of manufacture of carbon recess
filters. Further, there are implications for e.g. a conventional two segment superslim
(e.g. of circumference 16mm) activated carbon containing recess filter, because there
is a limit to the weight of carbon that can be incorporated within the carbon-bearing
segment of such a two segment filter, beyond which the increase in filter pressure
drop leads to unsatisfactory smoking characteristics. There is a need for a recess
filter which overcomes these problems.
[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a tobacco smoke filter (or filter
element) comprising an outer wrapper engaged around a single longitudinal extending
core of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein a first end of the outer wrapper
is substantially flush with a first end of the core around which it is engaged, and
a second end of the outer wrapper extends beyond a second end of the core around which
is engaged, to define a (e.g. tubular) cavity at the second end of the filter; the
filter (or filter element) further comprising an additive (e.g. a particulate additive)
distanced from the second end of the outer wrapper and/or core. The radially inner
face of the outer wrapper which extends beyond the second end of the core around which
is engaged may define (e.g. with the second end of the longitudinally extending core)
a cavity or recess, e.g. a tubular cavity/recess, at the second end of the recess
filter.
[0005] The particulate additive is distanced from the second end of the wrapper and/or core
such that it is not visible from the second end of the wrapper and/or core.
[0006] In an example, the single longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering
material comprises a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material having fully
enclosed (e.g. embedded) therewithin a (or at least one) pocket of additive (e.g.
particulate additive). The rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material may
optionally have an additional wrapper (e.g. porous or non porous) engaged around the
rod shaped core. The provision of the fully enclosed pocket of additive within the
core of the tobacco smoke filtering material has the effect that the additive is distanced
from the second end of the core (because there is tobacco smoke filtering material
between the pocket of additive and the end of the core).
[0007] The single longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material may
have fully enclosed (e.g. embedded) therewithin a single pocket of additive (e.g.
particulate additive) close to the first end (e.g. the tobacco end in a filter cigarette)
and remote from the second end (e.g. the buccal or mouth end). The single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material may have fully enclosed (e.g. embedded)
therewithin a single pocket of additive (e.g. particulate additive) positioned equidistantly
between the first end of the core (e.g. the tobacco end in a filter cigarette) and
the second end of the core (e.g. the end of the core closest to the buccal or mouth
end in a filter cigarette). The single longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke
filtering material may have fully enclosed therewithin one or more (e.g. two, three,
four) separate pockets of additive (e.g. particulate additive). The fully enclosed
(e.g. embedded) pockets of additive may taper towards one or both ends - e.g. may
be of a generally ellipsoidal configuration. If there is more than one pocket of additive,
these may have even longitudinal spacing. Other pocket dispositions are possible -
e.g. relatively close longitudinal spacing alternating with longer spacing - it being
possible to achieve this by appropriate adjustment of the manufacturing process. The
single longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprising
a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material having fully enclosed (e.g.
embedded) therewithin a (or at least one) pocket of additive (e.g. particulate additive)
may be manufactured, for example, by the methods and apparatus disclosed in
WO 2006/059134.
[0008] US3991773 discloses a recess filter which includes an additive located in a chamber between
two sections of filter material.
WO2008/074977 discloses a multi-segment core made of two separate filtering elements.
WO2009/098462 relates to a tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a longitudinally extending
core of tobacco smoke filtering material having fully enclosed therewithin at least
one pocket of a first additive; and a wrapper engaged around the core, the wrapper
having a second additive adhered to one or more portion(s) of the radially inner face
thereof with said wrapper being free of additive around its circumference at one end.
[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a tobacco smoke filter comprising
an outer wrapper engaged around a single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke
filtering material; wherein the single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke
filtering material comprises a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material
having fully enclosed (e.g. embedded) therewithin a (or at least one) pocket of additive
(e.g. particulate additive); wherein a first end of the outer wrapper is substantially
flush with a first end of the core around which it is engaged, and a second end of
the outer wrapper extends beyond a second end of the core around which is engaged
to define a cavity (recess) at the second end of the filter. The rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material may optionally have an additional wrapper engaged
around the rod shaped core. The radially inner face of the outer wrapper which extends
beyond the second end of the core around which is engaged may define (e.g. with the
second end of the longitudinally extending core) a cavity or recess, e.g. a tubular
cavity/recess, at the second end of the filter.
[0010] In another example, the single longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering
material comprises a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive
(e.g. particulate additive) bearing wrapper engaged around the rod shaped core, the
additive bearing wrapper having additive (e.g. particulate additive) adhered to one
or more portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said additive bearing wrapper
being free of additive around its circumference at the second end of the core. The
absence of additive at the second end of the additive bearing wrapper has the effect
that the additive is distanced from the second end of the core (because there no additive
on the wrapper at the second end of the core). Preferably the additive bearing wrapper
is free of additive around its circumference at both first and second ends of the
core. The longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprising
a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive (e.g. particulate
additive) bearing wrapper engaged around the rod shaped core, may be a filter element
as disclosed in
GB 2261152. The additive bearing wrapper may be porous or non porous.
[0011] Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a tobacco smoke filter
comprising an outer wrapper engaged around a single longitudinal extending core of
tobacco smoke filtering material; wherein a first end of the outer wrapper is substantially
flush with a first end of the core around which it is engaged, and a second end of
the outer wrapper extends beyond a second end of the core around which is engaged
to define a (e.g. tubular) cavity at the second end of the filter; the single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprising a rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive (e.g. particulate additive) bearing
wrapper engaged around the rod shaped core, the additive bearing wrapper having additive
adhered to one or more portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said additive
bearing wrapper being free of additive around its circumference at the second end
of the core. The radially inner face of the outer wrapper which extends beyond the
second end of the core around which is engaged may define (e.g. with the second end
of the longitudinally extending core) a cavity or recess, e.g. a tubular cavity/recess,
at the second end of the filter.
[0012] In a further example the outer wrapper may have additive (e.g. a particulate additive)
adhered to one or more portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said outer
wrapper being free of the additive around its circumference at the second end of the
wrapper. The outer wrapper may be free of additive in a region extending from the
second end of the wrapper (towards the first end), the region extending at least up
to, and preferably further than, the distance by which the second end of the wrapper
extends beyond the second end of the core around which is engaged to define the cavity.
The inner face of the wrapper which extends beyond the second end of the core around
which it is engaged to define the cavity at the second end of the filter is therefore
free of additive around its circumference, so that no additive is visible on the inner
face of the walls of the cavity.
[0013] The present applicant has found that e.g. 'monocarbon' filters - i.e. filters incorporating
a single longitudinally extending core of filtering material and additive (e.g. carbon)
that have at least one end free of additive and e.g. which can be manufactured in
a one-pass process (including the 'Active Patch' filter, as disclosed in, for example,
GB 2261152, and the 'Smooth Core' filter, as disclosed in, for example,
WO 2006/059134) - may effectively and advantageously be incorporated into a recess filter, according
to aspects of the present invention. The claimed filters (recess filters) may provide
improved sensory characteristics, because it is possible to exercise greater control
over the contact of the smoke stream with the carbon in the filter (e.g. by controlling
the location of the carbon within a central 'pod' or pocket in a 'Smooth Core' filter,
or on the periphery of the plugwrap in an 'Active Patch' filter) and then allowing
the smoke streams to circulate and mingle within the recess prior to entering the
smoker's mouth and impinging on their palate. The use, as a "base rod" within a recess
filter, of a single longitudinally extending core of filtering material having an
additive-free end, can considerably reduce the complexity and cost of manufacture
of recess filters containing an additive - e.g. carbon recess filters. This is because
there is the need to only cut and align a single filter component rather than two
or more segments as with conventional carbon recess filters.
[0014] The use of a rod shaped core of tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive
(e.g. particulate additive) bearing wrapper engaged around the rod shaped core in
a superslim recess filter may enable higher carbon weights to be used than for conventional
superslim carbon recess filters, while maintaining a satisfactory pressure drop and
smoking experience.
[0015] The filtering material may be for example any of those materials (usually filamentary,
fibrous, web or extruded) conventionally employed for tobacco smoke filter manufacture.
The filtering material may be natural or synthetic filamentary tow, e.g. of cotton
or plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or cellulose acetate filamentary
tow. It may be, for example, natural or synthetic staple fibres, cotton wool, web
material such as paper (usually creped) and synthetic non-wovens, and extruded material
(e.g. starch, synthetic foams).
[0016] The additive may be a particulate additive. The particulate additive may any particulate
additive suitable for use in a tobacco smoke filter - e.g. activated carbon, zeolite,
ion exchange resin (e.g. a weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite, silica gel,
alumina, molecular sieves, carbonaceous polymer resins and diatomaceous earths. The
particulate additive may be a mixture of two, or more, materials. The additive may
include a flavourant - e.g. menthol - e.g. the additive may be sepiolite granules
to which menthol has been applied. If the longitudinally extending extending core
of tobacco smoke filtering includes fully enclosed (e.g. embedded) pocket(s) of additive
embedded therein, the additive may be a particulate additive such as activated carbon
(see above), which is for example enclosed within the filtering material as a discrete
pocket or pod of particles of particulate additive which is substantially separate
from, and fully enclosed within, the filtering material. In another example, the fully
enclosed (e.g. embedded) pocket(s) of additive may be a frangible capsule or capsules,
or one or a plurality of frangible microcapsules. The capsule(s) or microcapsule(s)
may contain a variety of media - e.g. a flavourant and/or a liquid, solid or other
material e.g. to aid smoke filtration. The use of capsules or microcapsules is well
known in the art.
[0017] The tobacco smoke filter may be of length 15 to 40 mm, e.g. 17 to 35 mm, e.g. 20
to 30 mm. The recess section of the filter tip (that is, the length by which the second
end of the outer wrapper extends beyond the second end of the core around which is
engaged to define the cavity at the second (e.g. mouth) end of the filter) may have
a length 3 to 10 mm, and is most preferably of length 4 to 6 mm. The single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke may be of length 10 to 30 mm, e.g. 14 to 27 mm, e.g.
17 to 25 mm. The tobacco smoke filter may be of circumference 14 to 28 mm, for example
16 to 26 mm, for example 16 to 17 mm or 24 to 25 mm. The final filter cigarette may
be ventilated or non-ventilated and of any circumference range traditionally used
in smoking products (e.g. c. 14 to c. 28 mm circumference).
[0018] The outer wrapper may be paper, e.g. plugwrap paper, e.g. stiff plugwrap paper. The
outer wrapper may be porous or non porous. The outer wrapper may be a paper of basis
weight from about 40 to about 120 g/m
2. The outer wrapper may be of basis weight from about 80 to about 120 g/m
2, for example a basis weight of around 100 g/m
2, e.g. for a recess filter of standard (c. 24-25 mm) circumference. For slim or superslim
recess filters (e.g. down to around 16-17 mm circumference), the outer wrapper may
be a plugwrap paper of a lower basis weight, e.g. around 50 g/m
2.
[0019] The outer wrapper of basis weight from about 40 to about 120 g/m
2 can overcome a potential disadvantage associated with 'Active Patch' filters, that
it can be possible to feel the presence of carbon granules adhered to the inner surface
of the additive bearing wrapper (of e.g. plugwrap paper) when handling the finished
filter or cigarette. The defined filters (e.g. including outer wrapper of basis weight
from about 40 to about 120 g/m
2) may allow a larger granular size of particulate additive to be used (e.g. on the
'Active Patch' filter component), because the presence of such particles cannot be
felt, or is less likely to be felt, on the outside of the finished cigarette (because
of the increased "stiffnesss" of a wrapper of heavier basis weight).
[0020] In a filter cigarette according to the invention, a filter of the invention (or a
filter which includes a filter element of the invention) is joined to a wrapped tobacco
rod with one end of the filter towards the tobacco. The filter may, for example, be
joined to the wrapped tobacco rod by ring tipping [which engages around just the adjacent
ends of the (wrapped) filter and rod to leave much of the filter wrap exposed] or,
more preferably, by a full tipping overwrap (which engages around the full filter
length and the adjacent end of the tobacco rod). The cigarette may include a tipping
overwrap (of e.g. a stiff tipping paper) in conjunction with the outer wrapper of
the filter to give the desired (e.g. further increased) stiffness to the final recess
filter cigarette.
[0021] Any filter or filter cigarette according to the invention may be unventilated, or
may be ventilated by methods well known in the art, e.g. by use of a pre-perforated
or air-permeable wrapper (plugwrap), and/or laser perforation of wrapper (plugwrap)
and tipping overwrap. A ventilating full tipping overwrap may likewise be inherently
air-permeable or provided with ventilation holes, and in ventilated products where
both filter plugwrap and tipping overwrap are present ventilation through the overwrap
will usually be in register with that through the plugwrap. Ventilation holes through
a filter plugwrap, or through a tipping overwrap, or through both simultaneously,
may be made by laser perforation during filter or filter cigarette production.
[0022] Where ventilation in a filter or filter cigarette according to the invention is localised
longitudinally of the product, this localisation is preferably to one or two regions
selected from upstream of, downstream of, and in register with the or a pocket (or
patch or portion) of first additive, depending upon the ventilation and filtering
performances required. Ventilation upstream of and/or in register with a pocket of
first additive is frequently preferred. There may be ventilation between portions
(or pockets or patches) of second additive when two or more are present.
[0023] According to the invention in a further aspect there is provided a multiple rod comprising
a plurality (e.g. 2, 4, 6 etc.) of filters (or filter elements) as described above
and/or herein integrally joined end-to-end in a mirror image relationship.
[0024] The present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Examples
and the attached drawings in which
FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates a recess filter according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 schematically illustrates a recess filter according to a second embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 3 schematically illustrates a recess filter according to a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 4 schematically illustrates a recess filter according to a different further embodiment
of the invention; and
FIGURE 5 schematically illustrates a recess filter according to a different still further
embodiment of the invention.
Examples
[0025]
Figure 1 shows an 'Active Patch' recess filter 1 comprising an outer wrapper 3 of
plugwrap paper of basis weight 100 g/m2 engaged around a single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material
5. The first end of the outer wrapper 3a is substantially flush with first end 5a
of the core 5 around which it is engaged, and second end of the outer wrapper 3b extends
beyond second end 5b of the core 5 around which is engaged to define a cavity 6, a
recess at the second (mouth) end of the filter. It will be appreciated that it is
the radially inner face of the outer wrapper 3 which extends beyond the second end
of core 5b, which defines, with the second end of the longitudinally extending core
5b, the tubular cavity (recess) 6, located at the second end of the filter. The single
longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material 5 is an "Active
Patch" filter element, such as are well known in the art, for example as disclosed
in GB 2261152. The core 5 comprises a rod shaped core 7 of tobacco smoke filtering material in
the form of cellulose acetate tow, and an additive (particulate additive) bearing
wrapper 9 engaged around the rod shaped core, the additive bearing wrapper 9 having
additive in the form of activated carbon granules adhered to a portion or patch 11
of the radially inner face thereof, with said additive bearing wrapper being free
of additive around its circumference at the second end 9a of the core. The filter
1 is of 27mm length, of which the cavity 6, or recess, at the second end is of length
6mm. The patch 11 is centrally located between the two ends of core 7; the core 7
has both ends free of additive. The active patch filter element may, for example,
be made by the method disclosed in GB 2261152. Methods for the inclusion of filter elements into recess filters are well known
in the art, and the skilled man would readily understand how to include an "Active
Patch" filter element in a recess filter, to provide a recess filter according to
the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a similar filter, and the reference numerals are the same as those
for the embodiment of Fig 1. In the embodiment of Fig 2, the carbon patch 11 extends
to the first (tobacco) end of the core 5a, thereby enabling a higher weight of carbon
to be carried within the filter, but still presenting a clean end (i.e. end of the
core 5b) to the smoker. Figure 3 again shows a similar filter, and the reference numerals
are the same as those for the embodiments of Figs 1 and 2. Fig 3 shows a 'split patch'
variant, having two patches 11a and 11b, separated by a gap 12 (where carbon granules
are not present on the plugwrap); the gap 12 is positioned to coincide with the location
of the ventilation holes (not shown) on the finished cigarette.
Figures 4 and 5 show examples of 'Smooth Core' recess filters. Figure 4 shows a tobacco
smoke filter 101 comprising an outer wrapper 103 of plugwrap paper of basis weight
100 g/m2 engaged around a single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material
105. The single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material 105
is a pod filter, for example as disclosed in WO 2006/059134. The core 105
comprises a rod shaped core 107 of tobacco smoke filtering material in the form of
cellulose acetate tow, having fully enclosed (e.g. embedded) therewithin a pocket
199 of additive in the form of particles of activated carbon. The first end 103a of
the outer wrapper 103 is substantially flush with a first end 105a of the core around
which it is engaged, and a second end 103b of the outer wrapper extends beyond a second
end 105b of the core around which is engaged to define a cavity 106, a recess at the
second (mouth) end of the filter. It will be appreciated that it is the radially inner
face of the outer wrapper 103 which extends beyond the second end of core 105b, and
defines, with the second end of the longitudinally extending core 105b, the tubular
cavity (recess) 106, at the second, or mouth, end of the filter. The filter 101 is
of 27mm length, of which the cavity 106, or recess, at the second end is of length
6mm. The pocket 199 is located towards the first or tobacco end of core 107, but it
will be appreciated that core 107 has both ends free of additive (because it the additive
is fully embedded within the core); the additive is invisible from the second or mouth
end of the filter. The pod filter element 107 may, for example, be made by the method
disclosed in
WO 2006/059134. Methods for the inclusion of filter elements into recess filters are well known
in the art, and the skilled man would readily understand how to include a pod filter
element in a recess filter, to provide a recess filter according to the present invention.
[0026] Figure 5 shows a filter similar to that of Figure 4, and the reference numerals are
the same as those for the embodiment of Fig 5. In Figure 5 the pocket 199 is located
centrally between the second (mouth) and first (tobacco) ends of core 107; again,
it will be appreciated that core 107 has both ends free of additive (because it the
additive is fully embedded within the core) and therefore the additive is invisible
from the second or mouth end of the filter. Figures 4 and 5 demonstrate that the position
and size/weight of the granular pocket 199 can be varied to suit different cigarette
design requirements.
1. A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising an outer wrapper engaged around
a single longitudinal extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein
a first end of the outer wrapper is substantially flush with a first end of the core
around which it is engaged, and a second end of the outer wrapper extends beyond a
second end of the core around which is engaged, to define a cavity at the second end
of the filter; the filter or filter element further comprising an additive distanced
from the second end of the outer wrapper and/or core.
2. A filter or filter element according to claim 1 wherein the single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprises a rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material having fully enclosed therewithin at least one pocket
of additive.
3. A filter or filter element according to claim 1 wherein the single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprises a rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive bearing wrapper engaged around the
rod shaped core, the additive bearing wrapper having additive adhered to one or more
portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said additive bearing wrapper being
free of additive around its circumference at the second end of the core.
4. A filter or filter element according to claim 1 wherein the outer wrapper has additive
adhered to one or more portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said outer
wrapper being free of the additive around its circumference at the second end of the
wrapper.
5. A tobacco smoke filter comprising an outer wrapper engaged around a single longitudinal
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material; wherein the single longitudinal
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprises a rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material having fully enclosed therewithin at least one pocket
of additive; wherein a first end of the outer wrapper is substantially flush with
a first end of the core around which it is engaged, and a second end of the outer
wrapper extends beyond a second end of the core around which is engaged to define
a cavity at the second end of the filter.
6. A tobacco smoke filter comprising an outer wrapper engaged around a single longitudinal
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material; wherein a first end of the outer
wrapper is substantially flush with a first end of the core around which it is engaged,
and a second end of the outer wrapper extends beyond a second end of the core around
which is engaged to define a cavity at the second end of the filter; the single longitudinally
extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material comprising a rod shaped core of
tobacco smoke filtering material and an additive bearing wrapper engaged around the
rod shaped core, the additive bearing wrapper having additive adhered to one or more
portion(s) of the radially inner face thereof with said additive bearing wrapper being
free of additive around its circumference at the second end of the core.
7. A filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the filtering
material is one or more of natural or synthetic filamentary tow, e.g. cotton or plastics
such as polyethylene or polypropylene, cellulose acetate filamentary tow, natural
or synthetic staple fibres, cotton wool, a web material such as paper (e.g. creped
paper), synthetic non-woven material, and extruded material (e.g. starch, synthetic
foams).
8. A filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the additive is
a particulate additive.
9. A filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the particulate
additive is activated carbon, zeolite, ion exchange resin (e.g. a weakly basic anion
exchange resin), sepiolite, silica gel, alumina, molecular sieve, carbonaceous polymer
resin, a diatomaceous earth, or a mixture of two, or more, of these additives.
10. A filter or filter element according to claim 2 or 5 wherein the additive in the fully
enclosed pocket(s) of additive is a frangible capsule or capsules, or one or a plurality
of frangible microcapsules.
11. A filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the outer wrapper
is paper, e.g. plugwrap paper.
12. A filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the outer wrapper
is paper having a basis weight from about 40 to about 120 g/m2.
13. A tobacco smoke filter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any
of the attached drawings.
14. A filter cigarette comprising a filter according to any preceding claim joined to
a wrapped tobacco rod with the first end of the core towards the tobacco.
15. A multiple rod comprising a plurality (e.g. 2, 4, 6 etc.) of filters (or filter elements)
according to any of claims 1 to 13 integrally joined end-to-end in a mirror image
relationship.
1. Tabakrauchfilter oder -filterelement, der bzw. das eine äußere Umhüllung, die um einen
einzelnen sich längs erstreckenden Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial angelegt ist,
aufweist, wobei ein erstes Ende der äußeren Umhüllung mit einem ersten Ende des Kerns,
um den sie angelegt ist, im Wesentlichen bündig ist und ein zweites Ende der äußeren
Umhüllung sich über ein zweites Ende des Kerns, um den sie angelegt ist, hinaus erstreckt,
um am zweiten Ende des Filters einen Hohlraum zu definieren; wobei der Filter oder
das Filterelement ferner einen vom zweiten Ende der äußeren Umhüllung und/oder des
Kerns beabstandeten Zusatz aufweist.
2. Filter oder Filterelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei der einzelne sich längs erstreckende
Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial einen stabförmigen Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial
umfasst, in dem wenigstens eine Zusatztasche ganz eingeschlossen ist.
3. Filter oder Filterelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei der einzelne sich längs erstreckende
Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial einen stabförmigen Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial
und eine zusatztragende Umhüllung, die um den stabförmigen Kern angelegt ist, umfasst,
wobei die zusatztragende Umhüllung an einem oder mehr Teil(en) der radial inneren
Seitenfläche davon anhaftenden Zusatz hat, wobei die genannte zusatztragende Umhüllung
am zweiten Ende des Kerns um ihren Umfang frei von Zusatz ist.
4. Filter oder Filterelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei die äußere Umhüllung an einem oder
mehr Teil(en) der radial inneren Seitenfläche davon anhaftenden Zusatz hat, wobei
die genannte äußere Umhüllung am zweiten Ende der Umhüllung um ihren Umfang frei von
Zusatz ist.
5. Tabakrauchfilter, der eine äußere Umhüllung, die um einen einzelnen sich längs erstreckenden
Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial angelegt ist, aufweist; wobei der einzelne sich
längs erstreckende Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial einen stabförmigen Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial
umfasst, in dem wenigstens eine Zusatztasche ganz eingeschlossen ist; wobei ein erstes
Ende der äußeren Umhüllung mit einem ersten Ende des Kerns, um den sie angelegt ist,
im Wesentlichen bündig ist und ein zweites Ende der äußeren Umhüllung sich über ein
zweites Ende des Kerns, um den sie angelegt ist, hinaus erstreckt, um am zweiten Ende
des Filters einen Hohlraum zu definieren.
6. Tabakrauchfilter, der eine äußere Umhüllung, die um einen einzelnen sich längs erstreckenden
Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial angelegt ist, aufweist; wobei ein erstes Ende der
äußeren Umhüllung mit einem ersten Ende des Kerns, um den sie angelegt ist, im Wesentlichen
bündig ist und ein zweites Ende der äußeren Umhüllung sich über ein zweites Ende des
Kerns, um den sie angelegt ist, hinaus erstreckt, um am zweiten Ende des Filters einen
Hohlraum zu definieren; wobei der einzelne sich längs erstreckende Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial
einen stabförmigen Kern aus Tabakrauchfiltermaterial und eine um den stabförmigen
Kern angelegte zusatztragende Umhüllung aufweist, wobei die zusatztragende Umhüllung
an einem oder mehr Teil(en) der radial inneren Seitenfläche davon anhaftenden Zusatz
hat, wobei die genannte zusatztragende Umhüllung am zweiten Ende des Kerns um ihren
Umfang frei von Zusatz ist.
7. Filter oder Filterelement nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Filtermaterial
eines oder mehr der folgenden ist: natürlicher oder synthetischer Filamentfaserstoff,
z.B. Baumwolle oder Kunststoffe, wie Polyethylen oder Polypropylen, Celluloseacetat-Filamentfaserstoff,
natürliche oder synthetische Stapelfasern, Watte, ein Bahnmaterial, wie etwa Papier
(z.B. gekrepptes Papier), synthetischer Vliesstoff und extrudiertes Material (z.B.
Stärke, synthetische Schaumstoffe).
8. Filter- oder Filterelement nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Zusatz
ein Partikel-Zusatz ist.
9. Filter oder Filterelement nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Partikel-Zusatz
Aktivkohle, Zeolit, Ionenaustauschharz (z.B. ein schwach basisches Anionenaustauschharz),
Sepiolith, Kieselgel, Aluminiumoxid, Molekularsieb, kohlenstoffhaltiges polymeres
Harz, eine Diatomeenerde oder ein Gemisch von zwei oder mehr dieser Zusätze ist.
10. Filter oder Filterelement nach Anspruch 2 oder 5, wobei der Zusatz in der bzw. den
ganz eingeschlossenen Zusatztasche(n) (eine) zerbrechliche Kapsel oder Kapseln oder
eine oder mehrere zerbrechliche Mikrokapseln ist.
11. Filter oder Filterelement nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die äußere
Umhüllung Papier ist, z.B. Filterbelagpapier.
12. Filter oder Filterelement nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die äußere
Umhüllung Papier mit einem Basisgewicht von etwa 40 bis etwa 120 g/m2 ist.
13. Tabakrauchfilter, im Wesentlichen wie im Vorangehenden mit Bezug auf eine der angefügten
Zeichnungen beschrieben.
14. Filterzigarette, die einen Filter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche aufweist,
der mit dem ersten Ende des Kerns zum Tabak hin an einen umhüllten Tabakstab angesetzt
ist.
15. Mehrfachstab, der mehrere (z.B. 2, 4, 6 usw.) Filter (oder Filterelemente) nach einem
der Ansprüche 1 bis 13 aufweist, die in einer Spiegelbildbeziehung einstückig Ende
an Ende auf Stoß aneinandergefügt sind.
1. Filtre ou élément de filtre à fumée de tabac comprenant une enveloppe externe engagée
autour d'un centre unique s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée
de tabac, dans lequel une première extrémité de l'enveloppe externe est sensiblement
affleurée à une première extrémité du centre autour duquel elle est engagée, et une
deuxième extrémité de l'enveloppe externe s'étend au-delà d'une deuxième extrémité
du centre autour duquel elle est engagée, pour définir une cavité au niveau de la
deuxième extrémité du filtre ; le filtre ou l'élément de filtre comprenant un additif
distancé de la deuxième extrémité de l'enveloppe externe et/ou du centre.
2. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le centre unique
s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac comprend un centre
en forme de bâtonnet de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac ayant complètement renfermée
dedans au moins une poche d'additif.
3. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le centre unique
s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac comprend un centre
en forme de bâtonnet de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac et une enveloppe porteuse
d'additif engagée autour du centre en forme de bâtonnet, l'enveloppe porteuse d'additif
ayant un additif collé à une ou plusieurs parties de la face radialement interne de
celle-ci avec ladite enveloppe porteuse d'additif étant dépourvue d'additif autour
de sa circonférence au niveau de la deuxième extrémité du centre.
4. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'enveloppe externe
a un additif collé à une ou plusieurs parties de la face radialement interne de celle-ci
avec ladite enveloppe externe étant dépourvue d'additif autour de sa circonférence
au niveau de la deuxième extrémité de l'enveloppe.
5. Filtre à fumée de tabac comprenant une enveloppe externe engagée autour d'un centre
unique s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac ; dans lequel
le centre unique s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac
comprend un centre en forme de bâtonnet de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac ayant
complètement renfermée dedans au moins une poche d'additif ; dans lequel une première
extrémité de l'enveloppe externe est sensiblement affleurée à une première extrémité
du centre autour duquel elle est engagée, et une deuxième extrémité de l'enveloppe
externe s'étend au-delà d'une deuxième extrémité du centre autour duquel elle est
engagée pour définir une cavité au niveau de la deuxième extrémité du filtre.
6. Filtre à fumée de tabac comprenant une enveloppe externe engagée autour d'un centre
unique s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac ; dans lequel
une première extrémité de l'enveloppe externe est sensiblement affleuré à une première
extrémité du centre autour duquel elle est engagée et une deuxième extrémité de l'enveloppe
externe s'étend au-delà d'une deuxième extrémité du centre autour duquel elle est
engagée pour définir une cavité au niveau de la deuxième extrémité du filtre ; le
centre unique s'étendant longitudinalement de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac comprenant
un centre en forme de bâtonnet de matière filtrant la fumée de tabac et une enveloppe
porteuse d'additif engagée autour du centre en forme de bâtonnet, l'enveloppe porteuse
d'additif ayant un additif collé à une ou plusieurs parties de la face radialement
interne de celle-ci avec ladite enveloppe porteuse d'additif étant dépourvue d'additif
autour de sa circonférence au niveau de la deuxième extrémité du centre.
7. Filtre ou élément de selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
la matière filtrante est une ou plusieurs d'entre de l'étoupe filamenteuse naturelle
ou synthétique, par ex. en coton ou en plastique tel que du polyéthylène ou du polypropylène,
de l'étoupe filamenteuse d'acétate de cellulose, des fibres à filer naturelles ou
synthétiques, de la ouate, une matière en bande telle que du papier (par ex. du papier
crêpé), une matière synthétique non tissée et une matière extrudée (par ex. de l'amidon,
des mousses synthétiques).
8. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel l'additif est un additif particulaire.
9. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel l'additif particulaire est du charbon actif, de la zéolithe, une résine
échangeuse d'ions (par ex. une résine échangeuse d'anions faiblement basique), de
la sépiolite, du gel de silice, de l'alumine, un tamis moléculaire, une résine polymère
carbonée, une terre de diatomées ou un mélange de deux de ces additifs ou plus.
10. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon l'une quelconque la revendication 2 ou 5, dans lequel
l'additif dans la/les poche(s) complètement enfermée(s) d'additif est une capsule
ou des capsules cassables ou bien une ou une pluralité de microcapsules cassables.
11. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel l'enveloppe externe est en papier, par ex. en papier manchette.
12. Filtre ou élément de filtre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel l'enveloppe externe est en papier ayant un poids de base d'environ 40
à environ 120 g/m2.
13. Filtre à fumée de tabac sensiblement tel que décrit ci-avant aux présentes avec référence
à l'un quelconque des dessins ci-joints.
14. Cigarette filtre comprenant un filtre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
joint à un boudin de tabac enveloppé avec la première extrémité du centre vers le
tabac.
15. Bâtonnet multiple comprenant une pluralité (par ex. 2, 4, 6 etc.) de filtres (ou éléments
de filtre) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13 intégralement joints bout
à bout selon une relation symétrique.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description