BRPI0709696A2 - smokers' articles including magnetic filter elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette. The filter element comprises filter material, particles of a magnetized adsorbent, and at least one magnetic substrate. During smoking of a cigarette comprising the filter element, the at least one magnetic substrate can filter (i.e., magnetically attract and trap) the magnetized adsorbent particles or fragments thereof within the filter element.

Description

Patent Descriptive Report for "SMOKING ARTICLES UNDERSTANDING MAGNETIC DEFILTER ELEMENTS".

Background

Cigarettes typically comprise filter elements which may have incorporated into them absorbent materials such as carbon. Filter elements adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette may comprise, for example, carbon particles or granules such as activated carbon or activated carbon and / or other adsorbent materials incorporated within the cellulose acetate raw fiber or in cavida. between the cellulose acetate material.

While smoking a cigarette, to the extent that adsorbent particles or fragments of adsorbent particles could possibly be dragged into the mainstream smoke and make way (i.e. break out) through the mouth end of the cigarette, Techniques to reduce the amount of adsorbent particles in the main smoke will be of interest.

Disclosed is a filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette as well as a cigarette comprising the filter element. The filter element comprises filter material, particles of magnetized adsorbent material and at least one magnetic substrate. In a preferred filter element, magnetized adsorbent particles are incorporated throughout the filter material.

The at least one magnetic substrate preferably has a magnetic field strength effective to attract magnetized adsorbent particles and / or fragments of magnetized adsorbent particles that are entrained in the main smoke of a cigarette. Via magnetic attraction, a magnetic substrate can trap its magnetized adsorbent particles or fragments within the filter element. Thus, in a cigarette comprising the filter element, the at least one magnetic substrate may reduce the amount of magnetized adsorbent particles exiting the mouth end of the cigarette during smoking. Magnetized adsorbent material comprises particles of a magnetic material incorporated into particles of an adsorbing material. An exemplary magnetized adsorbent material comprises iron particles and / or an iron oxide incorporated into activated carbon particles. The magnetized adsorbent material may have a suitable average particle size for incorporation into the filter element of a cigarette (for example, less than about 5 mm).

The at least one magnetic substrate preferably has at least a dimension of more than about 1 mm or more than about 2 mm. The at least one magnetic substrate may be in the form of edges, a disc, ring, cylinder, tape, mesh sheet or rod. The magnetic substrate may comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. Preferred substrates consist essentially of a ferrite magnet, a neodymium - iron - boron magnet, a samarium - cobalt magnet, a aluminum - nickel - cobalt magnet, or an electromagnet. The at least one magnetic substrate may have a Curie temperature of at least about 300 ° C.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one magnetic substrate may be incorporated at least partially around the filter material. For example, the at least one magnetic substrate may be disposed on an inner surface of the buffer wrap that is used to surround the filter material. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one magnetic substrate may be incorporated into one or more filter portions selected from the group consisting of a molded paper insert, a tampon, a spacing between tampons, a decyring filter paper, an acetate glove. of cellulose, a polypropylene glove and a free flowing glove. Magnetized adsorbent particles and / or at least a magnetic substrate may be incorporated into the filter material by forming the filter material in the filter rod.

An exemplary cigarette comprises a tobacco rod wrapped in cigarette paper, which is attached to the tipped paper filter element. The at least one magnetic substrate may be adapted to reduce the amount of magnetized adsorbent particles or fragmented magnetized adsorbent particles entrained in the main smoke of the car. The at least one magnetic substrate may be axially incorporated between the filter element and the tobacco rod.

An exemplary cigarette comprises a tobacco rod wrapped in cigarette paper which is attached to the tipped filter element. The at least one magnetic substrate may be adapted to reduce the amount of magnetized adsorbent particles or fragmented magnetized adsorbent particles entrained in the main smoke of the car. The at least one magnetic substrate may be axially incorporated between the filter element and the tobacco rod. A cigarette comprising the filter element may further comprise magnetized adsorbent particles incorporated into the tobacco rod and / or cigarette paper used to form the cigarette.

In a preferred cigarette, magnetized adsorbent particles and / or at least one magnetic substrate may be adapted to change the chemical composition of the main smoke circulating through the filter element while smoking the cigarette. In one embodiment, the magnetized adsorbent particles may adsorb one or more constituents of the gas phase into the mainstream smoke. In another embodiment, the magnetized adsorbent particles may catalyze the conversion of one or more gas phase constituents into the main smoke. As an example, in a cigarette comprising the filter element, magnetic particles that are incorporated into the magnetized adsorbent particle can catalyze the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and / or nitrogen oxide while smoking the cigarette.

A method of treating cigarette smoke comprises heating or lighting the cigarette to form smoke and aspirate smoke through the cigarette in which the magnetized particles entrained in the smoke are magnetically attracted to the at least one magnetic substrate trapped in the filter element.

A method of fabricating a filter element comprising filter material, magnetized adsorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate comprises: (i) providing buffer wrap material and filter material; (ii) forming the filter material in a filter pad; (iii) incorporating the magnetized adsorbent particles and the at least one magnetic substrate in and / or on at least one of the filter rod and buffer wrapping material; and (iv) wrapping the filter rod in the buffer wrap material to form the filter element. Magnetized adsorbent particles and / or at least one magnetic substrate may be incorporated into the filter material prior to formation of the filter material in the filter rod. The method may comprise forming at least one magnetic substrate at least partially around the filter rod prior to engaging the filter rod in the buffer wrap and / or incorporating the at least one magnetic substrate onto an inner surface of the filter rod. tampon wrap before wrapping the filter rod in the cap wrap. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic strands that are incorporated throughout the filter material of a cigarette filter element;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic strands that are incorporated into a filter element as a water permeable bed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and a magnetic ring that is formed around a cigarette filter rod;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic rods which are incorporated along a surface of a cigarette filter rod;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic rods which are axially incorporated into a cigarette filter rod; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cigarette comprising magnetized adsorbent particles and a magnetic mesh that is incorporated along an outer surface of a cigarette filter rod.

Detailed Description of Preferred Modalities

A filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette is disclosed. The filter element comprises decigarette filter material, particles of a magnetized adsorbent material and at least one magnetic substrate. While smoking a cigarette comprising the filter element, the magnetic substrate may attract magnetized adsorbent particles and / or fragments of magnetized adsorbent particles and trap magnetized adsorbent particles within the filter element.

The term "magnetic substrate" as used herein refers to a monolithic magnetic material, preferably having at least one dimension of at least 1 mm. For example, a magnetic substrate may comprise a length, width, thickness and / or diameter of at least 1 mm. Generally, the field strength of a permanent magnet made of a particular magnetic material is to provide the size of the magnet (e.g., volume). Preferred magnetic substrates are sized and molded to be effective filters for magnetized sorbent particles while smoking a cigarette comprising the filter element. A magnetic substrate can be any size and shape suitable for incorporation into a filter element.

An exemplary magnetic substrate may comprise one or more magnetic strands. Preferred magnetic strands may have an average particle size of more than 1 mm (e.g. at least 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm). The shape of the magnetic cords may be substantially spherical or non-spherical. A more preferred magnetic substrate may be in the form of a disc, ring, cylinder, tape, foil, mesh or rod. In embodiments where the magnetic substrate is a rod or cylinder, preferably the length of the rod or cylinder is greater than 4 times its diameter.

The filter element may comprise a magnetic substrate made of any magnetic material capable of attracting and trapping magnetized adsorbent particles. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic material used to form the magnetic substrate is selected from the group consisting of ferrite magnets (e.g. magnetic compositions comprising iron oxide and strontium oxide or barium oxide), iron boron neodymium magnets (NdFeB), magnets samarium cobalt (eg SmCo5, Sm2Coi7, etc.), aluminum, cobalt and iron magnets (eg aluminum alloys, nickel, cobalt and iron) and mixtures thereof.

The magnetic substrate may comprise an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In embodiments, where the magnetic substrate is an electromagnet, an energy supply may be used to distribute an electric current to the electromagnet to magnetize the electromagnet. The magnetic intensity of a permanent magnet may vary with temperature. Generally speaking, spontaneous magnetization of a magnetic material decreases with increasing temperature. The temperature above which spontaneous magnetization cannot occur on a magnetic substrate is known as the Curie temperature. As a result, the effective defiltration temperature range of a magnetic substrate made of a permanent magnet is below its Curie temperature. The Curie temperature of iron boron neodymium magnets is typically in the range of about 300 ° C to about 350 ° C.

Cobalt samarium magnets and cobal-to nickel aluminum magnets typically have a Curie temperature in the range of about 750 ° C to about 800 ° C and about 800 ° C to about 900 ° C, respectively. Preferably, the magnetic substrate is made of a material having a Curie temperature sufficiently high to maintain its magnetic properties while smoking a cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, a magnetic substrate has a Curie temperature and more than about 300 ° C.

The magnetic substrate may be a sintered material which is a completely dense monolith or a partially dense monolith. Thus, the magnetic substrate may comprise a monolith having 100% or less of its theoretical density (for example, a magnet that is at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% dense). An exemplary magnetic substrate may be in the range of a completely dense ring or disk of magnetic material, or the magnetic substrate may be in the form of a porous (e.g. gas permeable) ring or disk.

The filter element is adapted to be incorporated into a filter cigarette. Cigarette filters are made in a variety of designs. Typically, cigarette filters comprise four main components: a crude filter fiber, such as a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers or paper comprising most of the filter; a plasticizer (i.e., a softening agent added to join the filter fibers together in a continuous filter rod); a buffer wrap (that is, a paper wrapper that is used to contain the filter material); and an adhesive used to secure the buffer wrap to the continuous filter rod.

Filter rods for making cigarette filters, which may be attached to tobacco rods (for example, attached with beaded paper) in order to produce filter cigarettes, may be made by forming a beam or raw fiber of cigarette material. filter into a rod using a rod forming apparatus. Typically, a filter rod may comprise up to thirty thousand filaments of filter material. A preferred filter material used to form a filter rod is cellulose acetate, which is a cellulose ester. Cigarette filter rods may also be made from other cellulose ester fibers (eg cellulose triacetate), regenerated cellulose (eg rayon), depolyamide fibers (eg nylon), polyimide fibers, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polycarbonate fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, polyolefin filament materials, polypropylene fibers, wood pulp fibers, cotton, linen, jute, wool, silk, ramie, paper protein fibers . Cigarette filter rods may be formed from combinations of these materials. Conventionally, a plasticizer or binder, such as triacetin, is added to the crude fiber before being passed into the rod-forming apparatus. In addition, the raw fiber may be scattered and stirred or "flowered", usually by placing the raw fiber under tension and passing it through air jets. The transformed crude fiber may be passed through a funnel or other constriction device and then through a molded opening to form the filter rod.

The plasticizer, which may be added to the raw fiber during or after transformation, may enhance the bonding of the filaments to each other at their intersection points when the raw fiber is assembled. In this way, the addition of a plasticizer can increase the firmness of the filter fiber formed from the raw fiber. The plasticizer may also have filtration properties. The attributes of the finished filter rod (eg filtration efficiency, dimensional stability, etc.) may be enhanced by curing (e.g. heating) the plasticizer.

The filter rod may be provided with an outer layer (e.g., buffer wrap) to maintain its shape. The outer layer may comprise wrapping cigarette paper or other sheet material. A cigarette wrapper can be any wrap suitable for surrounding the filter material, including wrappers, hemp, kenaf (Indian bag-making plant), asparagus, rice straw, cellulose and so on. Optional fillers, flavor additives and burning additives may be included in the cigarette wrapper. The wrapper may have more than one layer in cross section, such as in a two layer wrapper, as disclosed in US Pat. 5,143,098, commonly owned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Various filter constructions can be used to form the filter element. Exemplary filter structures include, but are not limited to, a single filter, a double filter, a triple filter, a cavity filter, a lowered filter, a free flow filter, or combinations thereof. Monofilters typically contain crude cellulose acetate fibers or cellulose paper materials. Pure cellulose mono-filters or paper filters can be effective tar and / or nicotine filters and are typically readily biodegradable. Dual filters typically comprise a mouth end of cellulose acetate and a segment of pure cellulose or cellulose acetate. The length and drop of the segments on a double filter can be adjusted to provide the desired filtration (ie, adsorption and / or absorption) and suction resistance (RTD). Triple filters may include nozzle and tobacco side segments and a median segment comprising paper. Decavity filters typically have two segments, for example, acetate - acetate, acetate - paper or paper - paper, separated by a cavity. Lowered filters include an open mouth end cavity. The filter element may be vented and / or comprise flavorings, catalysts or other additives suitable for use in a filter element.

The magnetic substrate may be incorporated into the filter element in a number of ways. The magnetic substrate may be incorporated into the filter material before, during and / or after its manufacture in a filter pad. For example, the magnetic substrate may be incorporated into the filter material used to form a filter rod and / or incorporated into a preformed filter rod. A magnetic substrate may be incorporated into a filter rod so that the magnetic substrate is substantially surrounded by the filter material or, in an alternative embodiment, a magnetic substrate may be formed completely or partially around the filter rod. In yet another embodiment, a magnetic substrate may be incorporated into a space or cavity within the filter rod. The at least one magnetic substrate may be incorporated into one or more cigarette filter parts selected from the group consisting of a molded paper insert, a tampon, a gap between tampons, cigarette filter paper, a cellulose acetate sleeve. -lose, a polypropylene glove and a free flowing glove.

The filter element may be attached to a tobacco rod to form a filter cigarette. In the manufacture of a cigarette, a cut filler composition may be combined with other cigarette additives and provided for a cigarette making machine to produce a tobacco column which is then wrapped in paper. cigarette to form a tobacco rod.

The filter element may be attached to a tobacco rod to form a filter cigarette. In the manufacture of a cigarette, a cut filler composition may be combined with other cigarette additives and provided to a cigarette making machine to produce a tobacco column which is then rolled into a cigarette paper for form a tobacco rod that is cut into sections and optionally receives a filter at the tip. The resulting cigarettes may be manufactured to desired specifications using standard or modified cigarette manufacturing techniques and equipment. Cigarettes may range from about 50 mm to about 120 mm in length. The circumference is typically from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, preferably around 25 mm. The tobacco packing density is typically from about 100 mg / cm3 to about 300 mg / cm3 and preferably about 150 mg / cm3 to about 275 mg / cm3.

The cut tobacco filler is usually in the form of cut fragments or filaments of widths ranging from about 1/4 cm to about 1/8 cm (about 1/10 inch to about 1/20 inch) or even 1 inch. 1/4 inch (16 cm). Filament lengths range from about 0.65 cm to about 7.6 cm (about 0.25 inches to about 3.0 inches). Cigarettes may further comprise one or more flavourants or other additives (e.g., burning additives, combustion demodifying agents, coloring agents, binders, etc.).

Any suitable tobacco blend can be used for the cut filler. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials include flue-cured tobacco, Burley, Bright, Maryland or Oriental, special or tobacco and mixtures thereof. The tobacco material may be provided in the form of a blade, processed tobacco materials, such as swollen or expanded volume tobacco, processed tobacco, such as cut-laminated or inflated-cut stems, reconstituted tobacco materials or mixtures thereof. . Tobacco may also include dotabaco substitutes.

The term "mainstream" smoke refers to the mixture of gases passing below the tobacco rod and exiting through the filter end, that is, the amount of smoke exiting or being drawn from the mouth end of a cigarette while Smoke a cigarette. The main smoke contains smoke that is aspirated through the lit region as well as through the cigarette paper wrapper. The term "yacht current" smoke refers to smoke produced during static burning.

In a cigarette comprising the filter element, magnetized sorbent particles may be filtered from the main smoke via magnetic attraction to one or more magnetic substrates which are incorporated into the filter element. By filter is meant that the magnetic substrate can magnetically attract and trap magnetized adsorbent particles and / or fragments of magnetized adsorbent particles within the filter element. Preferably, a magnetic substrate may substantially reduce the amount of magnetized adsorbent particles (e.g., magnetized activated carbon particles) exiting the mouth end of a cigarette while smoking. In a preferred cigarette, the filter element may reduce the amount (e.g., by weight) of magnetized adsorbent particles leaving the filter mouth end while smoking the cigarette by at least about 10% by weight (e.g. at least 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt%, 50 wt% or more).

In alternative embodiments, the at least one magnetic substrate may be uniformly or unevenly distributed throughout the filter element. For example, magnetic strands may be carried more heavily at the end of the tobacco rod, at the mouth end or at the intermediate region between the end of the tobacco rod or at the intermediate region between the end of the tobacco rod and the tobacco end of a rod. of the filter. In a preferred example, a magnetic ring may be incorporated into the mouth end of a filter rod.

One or more magnetic substrates may be incorporated into a hollow portion of a cigarette filter element. For example, some cigarette filters have a plug / space / plug configuration in which caps comprise a fibrous filter material and the space is simply a void between two filter plugs. That void may be partially or totally filled with one or more magnetic substrates. A packed bed of magnetic substrates may be incorporated into this void. For example, a bed of magnetic strands may be located in a buffer space of a standard cellulose acetate filter rod.

A magnetic substrate or plurality of substrates may be incorporated into a filter element after the filter rod has been formed. As an example, a magnetic substrate may be formed around a preformed filter rod. A magnetic ring, for example, may be formed (e.g. wavy) around a preformed filter rod so that the ring has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the filter rod. The radial thickness or axial width of a magnetic ring may range from about 0.05 mm to about 1 mm or more. For example, a magnetic ring may have a thickness and / or width of at least about 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm or 2 mm. By way of another example, a magnetic substrate may be formed on an outer surface of a preformed filter rod before the rod is wrapped in cigarette paper (e.g., buffer wrap) to form the filter element. Rods or magnetic strips, for example, may be arranged axially along an outer surface of a filter rod between the filter rod and the buffer wrap formed around the filter rod.

In a further example, a magnetic substrate in the form of a sheet (e.g. magnetic sheet) or mesh (e.g. perforated magnetic sheet) may be formed around a filter rod which is in turn wound up. on cigarette paper (e.g., tampon wrap) to form the filter element. The sheet or mesh may first be combined with the buffer wrap to form a laminate that is wound around the filter rod to form the filter element. An adhesive may be used to attach the magnetic substrate to the filter rod and / or the buffer wrap. Preferably, a laminated sheet magnetic buffer wrap is adapted to be formed around a filter rod so that the magnetic sheet is positioned on the inner surface of the buffer wrap, for example, in contact with the filter material.

Magnetic substrate (s), whether mixed directly with the filter material, incorporated as a packed bed, or incorporated after the formation of a filter rod, may they may be used alone on the filter element or may be incorporated with other known materials having gas phase activity such as catalysts, flavorings and the like.

The size, distribution and position of at least one magnetic substrate incorporated in and / or around the filter material may be determined by routine experimentation as a function, inter alia, of the amount of incorporated magnetized adsorbent particles. within the cigarette, the amount of gas phase constituents to be removed from the main smoke and / or the magnetic intensity of the magnetic substrate (s).

In addition to a magnetic substrate, the filter element comprises particles of a magnetized adsorbent. Magnetized adsorbent particles comprise magnetic particles incorporated into them in an adsorbent. By incorporating magnetic particles into the adsorbent particles, the adsorbent particles can be attracted and trapped within the filter element by a magnetic substrate. Typically, prior to the incorporation of magnetic particles into the adsorbent particles, the adsorbent particles are non-magnetic.

The adsorbent particles may comprise any adsorbent medium. Exemplary adsorbents include molecular sieves, such as zeolites, silicas, silicates, alumina and carbons (e.g., activated carbon. By "activated carbon" is meant any form of porous surface area of carbon. Activated carbon can be derived via heat treatment of any suitable carbon source.Activation treatment typically increases porosity and activated carbon can be supplied from a wide range of pore sizes or pore sizes can be controlled to provide desired pore size distribution.

A particularly preferred activated carbon is commercially available (e.g. from PICA USA, Inc., Truth or Consequences, New Mexico). Activated carbon could also be manufactured via the carbonization of coconut shell, coal, wood, tar, peat, cellulose fibers, lignite and olive pits. Carbonization is usually performed at elevated temperatures, for example 400 - 1000 ° C in an atmospheric container, followed by activation (ie calcination) under reducing or oxidation conditions. Activated carbon may be in the form of strands, granules / or fibers.

The adsorbent particles may comprise granulated particles ranging in size from about 100 microns to about 5 mm. For example, activated carbon particles may have an average size of about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm ( for example about 200 microns, 500 microns, 1000 microns or 2000 microns).

The adsorbent particles may have any desired pore size distribution comprising portions such as micropores, mesopores and macropores. The term "microporous" generally refers to materials having pore sizes of about 20 Angstroms or less, while the term "mesoporous" generally refers to materials having pore sizes of about 20 - 500 Angstroms. . Magnetic particles may be incorporated into the pores of the adsorbing particles via impregnation, mechanical mixing, in situ thermal decomposition of organic precursor materials or other technique.

The adsorbent particles may be selected to have an appropriate surface area to preferably adsorb selected constituents of cigarette smoke. For example, activated carbon typically has a surface area of greater than about 50 m2 / g (e.g. at least about 100 m2 / g, 200 m2 / g, 500 m2 / g, 1000 m2 / g or 2000 m2 / g). Typically, the absorptive capacity of the adsorbent particles increases with increasing surface area. In addition, the surface area typically increases with decreasing particle size. When used as cigarette filter media, however, sorbent particles having a small particle size may become too compact to allow mainstream smoke to circulate through the aspiration resistance filter (RTD) while if you smoke.

On the other hand, if the particle size is too large there may be insufficient surface area to achieve the desired degree of filtration. Therefore, these factors can be taken into account when selecting suitable sorbent particles for mainstream and / or side stream smoke filtration.

The magnetized adsorbent particles preferably comprise particles of a magnetic material incorporated into particles of an adsorbent material. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be formed by combining adsorbent particles with magnetic particles or by combining adsorbent particles with magnetic particles or by combining adsorbent particles with a precursor (e.g. a precursor solution) which can be traceable. It is designed to form magnetic particles within the pores of the adsorbent particles.

According to one method, the adsorbent particles, such as activated carbon particles can be combined with solid magnetic particles, optionally using a binder in order to improve adhesion between the adsorbent particles and the magnetic particles.

According to a further method, adsorbent particles may be immersed in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution comprising a precursor compound which may be treated with a chemical reagent and / or heat to form the magnetic particles. A preferred precursor compound is an iron salt, which may be treated with a reducing agent or with heat to form elemental iron particles and / or iron oxides which are magnetic. The precursor may be incorporated into the sorbent particles in one step or in multiple steps. The adsorbent particles may be charged from about 1% to about 150% by weight of the magnetic particles.

Magnetic particles, whether combined with sorbent particles or formed in situ within the sorbent particles via de-composition of a precursor compound, may comprise denane-scale particles. By "nanoscale" is meant that magnetic particles have an average particle size of less than 1 micron. Nanoscale magnetic particles may have an average particle size of 10 nm, 20 nm, 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm, 60 nm, 70 nm, 80 nm or 90 nm ± 5 nm to about 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 400 nm, 500 nm, 600 nm, 700nm, 800 nm, 900 nm ± 50 nm.

As an example, magnetized adsorbent particles may be formed by PICA carbon impregnation with an aqueous solution of iron nitrate at room temperature to form a mixture. Optionally, the pressure through the mixture may be reduced (for example to about 2 mm Hg) to improve the infiltration of iron nitrate solution into the carbon pores. The infiltrated carbon particles can be washed to remove excess iron nitrate from the particles and then dried before heating to decompose the iron nitrate. Initially, iron oxide magnetic particles (FeaOs) may be formed by heating the carbon-denitrate infiltrated carbon particles in air at a temperature of about 350 ° C. Additional heating in a reducing atmosphere (e.g., a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and helium) at a temperature of about 400-700 ° C may reduce Fe2O3 to form magnetic particles comprising Fe334 and / or Fe.

Magnetized adsorbent particles can be incorporated into the filter element in a number of ways. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be provided as a dry powder, paste or dispersion in a liquid. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be dusty, pulverized or combined with the filter material. For example, magnetized adsorbent particles may be mixed with a liquid (e.g. deionized water) to form a suspension. The suspension may then be dispersed in the filter material used to form a filter rod. In another example, the filter material (e.g. cellulose acetate material or paper filler) may be rinsed or coated by a suspension containing the magnetized adsorbent particles.

Magnetized adsorbent particles may be added to the cigarette filter material supplied to a filter making machine or incorporated directly into a filter rod prior to wrapping a cigarette wrap around the rod to form a filter element. Preferably, magnetized adsorbent particles are continuously provided along the length of a filter element, although magnetized adsorbent particles may be provided at different locations along the length of a filter rod. Thus, magnetized adsorbent particles may be provided. be evenly or non-homogeneously distributed along the length of a filter pad. For example, a filter element may comprise a first loading of magnetized adsorbent particles at one location along the filter rod and a second loading of magnetized adsorbent particles at a second location along the filter rod. A preferred filter rod comprising magnetized adsorbent particles has a first charge of magnetized adsorbent particles at the mouth end of the filter rod and a second charge of filter-magnetized adsorbent tobacco particles of the filter rod, wherein the first charge smaller than the second charge.

The magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into paper or other substrate material which is fitted in a passage in a filter element. Magnetized adsorbent particles may also be incorporated into a coating or plug inside a filter element. Alternatively, or in addition, magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into the fibrous mesh portions of a filter element.

By way of example, magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into or onto a support such as paper (e.g., lining, tampon wrap or tip paper) which is located along a filter portion of a cigarette. Magnetized adsorbent particles may also be loaded onto a support such as a lightly folded paper or firmly inserted into a hollow cigarette filter portion. The support is preferably in the form of a sheet material such as crepe paper, filter paper or tip paper. However, other suitable support materials, such as compatible, organic or inorganic cigarette compatible materials may also be used.

Magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into cigarette paper (e.g., paper wrap and / or paper filler) before or after the cigarette paper is incorporated into a cigarette-ro. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into the cellulosic web of the paper by depositing the adsorbed particles magnetized directly onto the cellulosic web or in the web filler material that is incorporated into the paper. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into cigarette paper and / or the raw materials used to make cigarette paper (e.g., incorporated into the paper stock of a cigarette paper making machine).

Magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into cigarette paper and / or filter material by spraying or otherwise coating the particles in the base material. For example, the magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into decigarette paper by spray coating the magnetized adsorbent particles on a wet (e.g. cellulosic) blanket, an intermediate blanket or a finished blanket. In another method, a suspension (e.g., aqueous suspension) of the magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into the feed box of a papermaking machine and the magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into the cigarette paper during the papermaking process. Magnetized adsorbent particles in the form of a dry powder may be physically mixed with cigarette paper and / or filter material during the manufacturing process.

Any conventional or modified cigarette filter may incorporate magnetized adsorbent particles. The magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into a hollow portion of a decigarette filter. For example, some cigarette filters have a buffer / space / buffer configuration in which the buffers comprise a fibrous filter material (e.g., polypropylene fibers or cellulose acetate) and the space is simply a void between the two filter caps. . This may be partially or completely filled with magnetized adsorbent particles. Magnetized adsorbent particles may be used in granular form or loaded onto a suitable support such as a fiber or filament.

The amount, location and distribution in a cigarette of the magnetized adsorbent particles may be selected as a function of the air flow characteristics exhibited while smoking in order to, for example, increase or maximize the adsorption of at least a gas phase constituent in the main cigarette smoke while smoking. A typical filter element will include from about 10 mg to about 200 mg of magnetized adsorbent particles, although the amount required may also be determined by routine and / or adjusted experimentation, in consequence. Magnetized adsorbent particles may selectively adsorb / filter specific constituents of a cigarette's main smoke. In addition, as disclosed below, the distribution of magnetized adsorbent particles may be selected such that the amount of carbon dioxide and / or the amount of nitric oxide in the main smoke is reduced while smoking a cigarette. In addition to incorporating the adsorbent particles magnetized to the filter element or cigarette paper, the magnetized adsorbent particles may be incorporated into the cut filter used to form a cigarette.

In all such filter element configurations, the suction resistance (RTD) of the filter element comprising magnetized sorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate is preferably less than about 130 mm (about 5 inches). ) of water when measured at an air flow rate of about 1050 cc / min.

The following examples are illustrative. In one embodiment, magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic strands may be incorporated into the filter material of the filter element itself. Such an embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1 showing a cigarette 2 comprised of a tobacco rod 4 and a filter element 6. The filter element 6 may comprise a tube or plug of material such as acetate acetate fibers. cellulose 8 having magnetized adsorbent particles 9 and magnetic strands 10 dispersed therein. Magnetized adsorbent particles and / or magnetic strands may be supported by cellulose acetate fibers. The tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6 may be joined together with edge paper (not shown).

In another embodiment, magnetic strands may be incorporated into the filter element as a gas permeable bed. A magnetic substrate may be incorporated into more than one component of a filter element, such as being incorporated into an empty space as a bed of packed particles. Fig. 2 shows a cigarette 2 comprised of a tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6. This arrangement is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the magnetic cords 10 are incorporated into a space 20 of the filter element. Preferably, space 20 is free of cellulose acetate and is located at or near the distal end of the cigarette. As in Example 1, tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6 may be joined together with edge paper (not shown). A magnetic substrate may be formed around (e.g., folded around) a outer surface of the filter rod, before wrapping the filter rod in the cap wrapper. Referring to Figure 3, cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6. The filter element further comprises magnetized adsorbent particles 9 and at least one magnetic ring 30, which is dispostorally around the tobacco rod . The thickness of the magnetic ring is preferably about 1 mm and may be of any suitable axial length that is less than the length of the filter rod.

The filter rod 4 and filter element 6 may be joined together with edge paper (not shown). Further, the filter element 6 may include a filter overwrap (not shown). Preferably, the magnetic ring is external to the filter rod and the filter overwrap is wound around the filter rod and the magnetic ring. The magnetic ring 30 is preferably located at or near the distal end of the cigarette.

Other exemplary embodiments of a cigarette are shown in Figures 4-5, wherein cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6. In Figure 4, the filter element further comprises magnetized adsorbent particles 9 and magnetic rods 40, namely arranged axially along the length of the filter element. In Figure 5, the filter element further comprises magnetized adsorbent particles 9 and magnetic rods 50, which are arranged axially along the length of the filter element. In Figure 4, the magnetic rods are external to the filter rod 44 and a filter overwrap46 is wound around the filter rod and the magnetic rods.

A magnetic substrate, such as one or more magnetic rods, may be incorporated into the filter material such that the filter material substantially surrounds the magnetic substrate. In Figure 5, the magnetic rods 50 are arranged axially within the filter rod so that the filter material substantially surrounds the magnetic rods.

Another exemplary embodiment of a cigarette comprising a magnetic mesh is shown in Figure 6. Cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod 4, magnetized adsorbent particles 9 incorporated within the filter rod and a magnetic mesh 60 external to the cigarette holder. of the filter. A filter overwrap is preferably wrapped around the filter rod and the magnetic mesh.

Magnetized adsorbent particles and / or the magnetic substrate may affect the organoleptic properties (eg aroma or taste) of the main smoke. Magnetized adsorbent particles and magnetic substrate may change the chemical composition of the main stream gas circulating through a filter element. For example, magnetized adsorbent particles may adsorb one or more constituents of the gas phase. Thus, magnetized adsorbent particles can reduce the main smoke content of one or more gaseous constituents such as 1,3-butadiene, acrolein, isoprene, propionaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, styrene, acetaldehyde. Magnesized hydrogen cyanide adsorbent particles. Preferably, however, the magnetized adsorbent particles do not substantially reduce the main smoke concentration of smoke flavoring components.

As disclosed above, magnetized adsorbent particles comprise magnetic particles incorporated within the adsorbent particles. Magnetic particles, which may be elemental metals (eg iron) or oxides of compounds (eg iron oxides), may affect the concentration of one or more main smoke gas phase constituents. For example, magnetic particles, which may comprise nanoscale particles, may catalyze the conversion of one or more gas phase constituents while smoking a cigarette. As used herein, a catalyst may affect the rate of a chemical reaction, without partici- pating as a reagent or reaction product.

Magnetic particles, which are preferably capable of acting as an oxidant and as a catalyst (eg catalyst at or near room temperature) for conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon dioxide and / or nitric oxide to nitrogen and may Reduce the amount of carbon monoxide and / or nitric oxide in the main smoke of a cigarette while smoking.

The amount of magnetized adsorbent particles may be selected such that the amount of carbon monoxide and / or nitric oxide in the mainstream smoke is reduced while smoking a cigarette. Preferably, the amount of magnetized adsorbent particles will be a catalytically effective amount, for example, sufficient to catalyze and / or oxidize at least 10%, more preferably at least 25% of carbon monoxide in the main smoke in dioxide. of carbon. A catalytically effective amount of magnetized adsorbent particles may catalyze and / or reduce at least 10%, more preferably at least 25% of the nitric oxide in the main nitrogen smoke.

A filter element may comprise a mixture of different magnetized adsorbent particles. The composition of the magnetized sorbent particles (i.e. the stoichiometry and / or the size of the catalyst particles and / or the stoichiometry and / or the size of the sorbent particles) may be selected to adsorb, catalyze and / or reduce gas phase constituents. main smoke in a given temperature range.

Still another embodiment provides a method of treating the main smoke of a cigarette comprising a filter element. "Smoking" a cigarette means heating or combustion of the smoke-forming cigarette, which may be aspirated through the cigarette. Generally, smoking a cigarette involves lighting one end of the cigarette and, while the tobacco contained therein undergoes a combustion reaction, drawing combustion smoke through the mouth end of the filter element. The cigarette may also be smoked by other means. For example, the cigarette may be smoked by heating the cigarette and / or heating using electric heating means as described in US Pat. 6,053,176; 5,934,289; 5,591,368 or 5,322,075 commonly held.

A method of fabricating a filter element comprising filter material, magnetized adsorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate comprises (i) providing buffer wrap material and filter material; (ii) forming the filter material in a filter pad; (iii) incorporating magnetized adsorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate into and / or at least one filter pad and buffer wrap material; and (iv) wrapping the filter rod in the buffer wrap material to form the filter element.

While preferred embodiments have been described, it should be understood that variations and modifications may be employed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications shall be considered within the scope and scope of the appended claims.

All references mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims (8)

1. Filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter tube, the filter element comprising filter material, particulate them from a magnetized adsorbent and at least one magnetic substrate. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the magnetized adsorbent comprises particles of a magnetic material incorporated into particles of an adsorbent material. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the magnetized sorbent comprises iron particles and / or iron oxide incorporated into activated carbon particles. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the particles of the magnetized adsorbent are incorporated throughout the filter material. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein at least one magnetic substrate is incorporated into one or more filter parts selected from the group consisting of a molten paper insert, a plug, a space between buffers, a cigarette filter paper, a cellulose acetate glove, a polypropylene glove, and a free flow glove. Cigarette comprising a filter element according to claim 1. A cigarette according to claim 6, comprising a tobacco rod attached to the tipped paper filter element, wherein the at least one magnetic substrate is axially incorporated between the filter element and the tobacco rod. A method of manufacturing a cigarillo filter element comprising filter material, magnetized adsorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate, comprising: providing filter material and buffer wrapping material; forming the filter material in a filter rod; incorporating the magnetized adsorbent particles and at least one magnetic substrate into and / or at least one filter rod and buffer wrap material; wrapping the filter rod in the buffer wrap material to form the filter element.