U.S. patent application number 11/360405 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for filter for articles of the tobacco-processing industry.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAUNI MASCHINENBAU AG, of Hamburg, Germany. Invention is credited to Alexander Buhl, Jann De Boer, Soenke Horn, Irene Maurer, Thorsten Scherbarth, Stephan Wolff.
Application Number | 20060191545 11/360405 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36581607 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060191545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolff; Stephan ; et
al. |
August 31, 2006 |
Filter for articles of the tobacco-processing industry
Abstract
Filter, method of forming filter, and filter cigarette. The
filter includes at least a first filter component composed of
polyethylene fibers and a second filter component composed of a
granulate. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the
invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the
scope of the invention in any way.
Inventors: |
Wolff; Stephan; (Glinde,
DE) ; Scherbarth; Thorsten; (Geesthacht, DE) ;
Horn; Soenke; (Geesthacht, DE) ; Maurer; Irene;
(Hamburg, DE) ; Buhl; Alexander; (Robertsdorf,
DE) ; De Boer; Jann; (Hamburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
HAUNI MASCHINENBAU AG, of Hamburg,
Germany
|
Family ID: |
36581607 |
Appl. No.: |
11/360405 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/206 ;
131/202; 131/334 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/08 20130101; A24D
3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/206 ;
131/202; 131/334 |
International
Class: |
A24F 1/20 20060101
A24F001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 009 608.5 |
Claims
1. A filter comprising: at least a first filter component composed
of polyethylene fibers and a second filter component composed of a
granulate.
2. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter is
structured and arranged for articles of the tobacco-processing
industry.
3. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter is
structured and arranged for a cigarette.
4. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the granulate
comprises at least one of powder and beads.
5. The filter in accordance with claim 4, wherein constituents of
the beads have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.
6. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the granulate
comprises activated charcoal, ion-exchange resin and/or aluminum
oxide.
7. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein constituents of
the granulate have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.
8. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter has a
length, and a length of the polyethylene fibers is shorter than the
length of the filter.
9. The filter in accordance with claim 8, wherein the length of the
polyethylene fibers is between 0.5 mm and 30 mm.
10. The filter in accordance with claim 9, wherein the length of
the polyethylene fibers is between 2 mm and 8 mm.
11. The filter in accordance with claim 10, wherein the length of
the polyethylene fibers is between 3 mm and 6 mm.
12. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polyethylene
fibers have high-density polyethylene in an interior region of the
fibers and low-density polyethylene in an outer region of the
fibers.
13. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polyethylene
fibers are fibres of one sort of polyethylene.
14. The filter in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
third filter component.
15. The filter in accordance with claim 14, wherein the third
filter component is composed of web-forming fibers.
16. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein a content of the
granulate in the filter is between 35% by weight to 95% by
weight.
17. The filter in accordance with claim 16, wherein the content of
granulate in the filter is between 70% by weight to 90% by
weight.
18. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polyethylene
fibers are binding fibers structured and arranged to bind at least
one of to one another and to the granulate.
19. The filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polyethylene
fibers are solidified fibers after having been melted, whereby the
fibers bind the granulate to one another.
20. A method for producing a filter in accordance with claim 1, the
method comprising: mixing the first filter component with the
second filter component; forming a filter rod out of the mixed
first and second filter components; heating the filter rod to at
least approximately a melting temperature of the first filter
component; cooling the filter rod; and cutting the filter rod into
filter lengths.
21. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein the mixing
occurs at least one of before and during the forming of the filter
rod.
22. A filter cigarette having a filter in accordance with claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 009 608.5, filed
on Feb. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a filter for articles of the
tobacco-processing industry, in particular for cigarettes,
comprising at least one first and one second filter component.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] From the commonly owned European Patent Application No. EP 1
354 522 A2 a cigarette filter and a method for producing the same
are known, in which a filter component is a sort of
multiple-component fiber. The length of the multiple-component
fibers is shorter than the length of the filter. The
multiple-component fiber comprises a mantle made of a material
having a lower melting point than the core of the
multiple-component fiber. In the production of the filter, at least
one sort of multiple-component fibers, the length of which is
shorter than the length of the filter to be produced, is formed
into a rod. Subsequently, the fiber rod is heated to a temperature
above the melting temperature of the mantle of the
multiple-component fibers. Then, the fiber rod is cooled to a
temperature below the melting temperature of the mantle of the
multiple-component fibers. This renders possible a cross-linking of
the multiple-component fibers to one another, rendering possible a
secure bonding of the multiple-component fibers to one another.
According to EP 1 354 522 A2, other components, e.g., other sorts
of fibers or granulates, such as activated charcoal granulate, are
provided. The first filter component in the form of
multiple-component fibers then hereby sticks to the other filter
components at points of contact or adheres thereto so that a
corresponding support of the granulates or other sorts of fibers is
rendered possible.
[0006] The disclosure of above-discussed EP 1 354 522 A2 is
expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a filter featuring a
homogeneous structure that can be produced simply. Furthermore, the
invention relates to a corresponding filter that is
cost-effective.
[0008] According to the invention, a filter for articles of the
tobacco-processing industry, in particular for cigarettes,
including at least one first and one second filter component. The
first filter component includes polyethylene fibers and the second
filter component includes a granulate. The granulate preferably has
a filter effect and/or releases a flavoring agent.
[0009] Surprisingly, it was determined hereby that polyethylene
fibers can also be used as binding fibers, which do not collapse
into drops during heating close to the melting point of the
polyethylene for a short time, but produce a connection to the
other filter components so that a stable bond of the filter
components is achieved.
[0010] The granulate preferably includes a powder and/or beads.
Within the scope of the invention, the term granulate also covers
the terms grains, aggregates of powder particles, crushed/granular
or powdery material and pellets. The granulate can have an
asymmetrical or a symmetrical shape. It is particularly preferred
that the second filter component includes activated charcoal,
ion-exchange resin and/or aluminum oxide. The second filter
component can include, e.g., sugar, activated charcoal from lignite
and hard coal or coke, activated charcoal from carbonized plants or
plant parts such as, e.g., woods or nutshells and/or moreover
silicon oxides, zeolites, hopcalites, the ion-exchange resins
mentioned, preferably with functional groups, marble, limestone,
foamclay, organophilically modified foamclay and phyllosilicates
and aerated concrete, silica gel and titanium oxide.
[0011] A particularly stable bond in the filter is given when the
components of the granulate or the granules or granulate pieces
and/or the beads have a diameter of 0.3 to 0.8 mm.
[0012] A particularly good filter function is ensured when the
length of the polyethylene fibers is shorter than the length of the
filter. The length of the polyethylene fibers is preferably between
0.5 mm and 30 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 8 mm and in
particular preferably between 3 mm and 6 mm. The length of the
polyethylene fibers is preferably longer before the heat treatment
than after the heat treatment.
[0013] The polyethylene fibers preferably have high-density
polyethylene in the interior of the fibers and low-density
polyethylene in the outer area.
[0014] By providing such polyethylene fibers, the stability of the
filter produced can be clearly increased. In the interior of the
fiber, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used.
This material has a density of approx. 0.94 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.965
g/cm.sup.3.
[0015] The outer area can be low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with a
density of approx. 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.935 g/cm.sup.3 or linear
low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
[0016] The fiber shape for this type of fibers can be round.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the polyethylene
fibers are fibers of a sort of polyethylene, e.g., LDPE fibers,
HDPE fibers, LLDPE fibers or, e.g., also HMW-LDPE (HMW from high
molecular weight) and UHMW-HDPE (UHMW from ultra high molecular
weight).
[0018] It is hereby preferred if the degree of crystallinity of the
polyethylene fibers is present in the narrowest possible range of
variation. The fiber shape with these fibers is preferably round or
trilobal.
[0019] As preferably provided at least one further third filter
component, web-forming fibers can be provided, such as natural
fibers or synthetic fibers. Natural fibers can be cellulose,
cotton, flax, hemp and sheep's wool fibers in their natural length
or cut to a specific length. As synthetic fibers, acetate fibers,
PE fibers with a higher density than the binding fibers of
polyethylene, polypropylene fibers, lyocell fibers, polylactic acid
fibers (PLA) or polylactide glycolic acid fibers (PLGA fibers) are
possible in various cut lengths from 1 mm to 24 mm and in various
specific fiber weights from 0.7 dtex to 72 dtex. With web-forming
fibers of polyethylene, preferably those should be used that have a
melting point that is higher than the temperature that is used to
melt the binding fibers of polyethylene. For example, LDPE fibers
can be used as binding fibers, and HDPE fibers can be used as
web-forming fibers.
[0020] A particularly preferred filter is given when the granulate
content in the filter is 35% by weight to 95% by weight, in
particular 70% by weight to 90% by weight.
[0021] It was easily possible to produce filters with a granulate
content of 12 to 15 mg/mm filter and a fiber content of 1.5 to 2.5
mg/mm filter. The specification applies to filters with a diameter
from 6 to 11 mm, in particular 7.8 mm (king size format). As a
preferred exemplary embodiment, filters were produced with 90%
activated charcoal granulate and 10% polyethylene fibers, 80%
activated charcoal granulate with 20% polyethylene fibers, 70%
activated charcoal granulate with 30% polyethylene fibers and 60%
activated charcoal granulate and 40% polyethylene fibers. This
hereby refers to % by weight.
[0022] Further granulates or beads can be added to the activated
charcoal granulate, and other fibers can also be added to the
polyethylene fibers. Filters can also be produced with PE fibers
and only beads.
[0023] Preferably the polyethylene fibers are binding fibers and
bound to one another and to the granulate. However, not every
binding fiber is necessarily also hereby bound to another binding
fiber. In fact, it can be that a binding fiber is bound to several
granulates or granulate parts, and again other binding fibers are
bound to the granulates. Within the scope of the invention, the
term bound means in particular adhered and sticking. A chemical
bond can prevail here or a mechanical bond, e.g., through a
force-locking engagement or a positive engagement.
[0024] The PE fibers are preferably fibers solidified again after a
melting, which fibers bind the granulate located in the vicinity
during the melting of the fibers to one another.
[0025] According to the inventive method for producing a filter,
which is described above, the method includes: [0026] Mixing the
first filter component with the second filter component; [0027]
Forming a filter rod out of the mixture; [0028] Heating the filter
rod to at least approximately the melting temperature of the first
filter component; [0029] Cooling the filter rod; and [0030] Cutting
the filter rod to length into filters.
[0031] The heating of the filter rod preferably occurs at a
temperature above the melting temperature of the first filter
component, e.g., so briefly that this filter component does not
completely melt through. However, it is also possible through heat
treatment of the filter rod produced to let the polyethylene fibers
melt completely and to let the material of polyethylene bind to the
granulate components on the filter so that bonds develop between
the individual granules, whereby it is even possible that the fiber
is deformed. The polyethylene fibers preferably start to melt or at
least soften.
[0032] Through polyethylene fibers as binding medium it is possible
to load them with a maximum amount of granulates and similar
materials or substances.
[0033] The mixing preferably takes place before and/or during the
shaping of the filter rod.
[0034] The present invention is directed to a filter including at
least a first filter component composed of polyethylene fibers and
a second filter component composed of a granulate.
[0035] According to a feature of the invention, the filter can be
structured and arranged for articles of the tobacco-processing
industry.
[0036] In accordance with another feature of the instant invention,
the filter can be structured and arranged for a cigarette.
[0037] The granulate can include at least one of powder and beads.
Further, constituents of the beads can have a diameter of 0.3 mm to
0.8 mm.
[0038] The granulate may include activated charcoal, ion-exchange
resin and/or aluminum oxide. Further, constituents of the granulate
have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.
[0039] Moreover, the filter can have a length, and a length of the
polyethylene fibers may be shorter than the length of the filter.
In this regard, the length of the polyethylene fibers can be
between 0.5 mm and 30 mm, preferably, the length of the
polyethylene fibers is between 2 mm and 8 mm, and most preferably,
the length of the polyethylene fibers can be between 3 mm and 6
mm.
[0040] According to another feature of the invention, the
polyethylene fibers may have high-density polyethylene in an
interior region of the fibers and low-density polyethylene in an
outer region of the fibers.
[0041] In accordance with still another feature of the present
invention, the polyethylene fibers may be fibres of one sort of
polyethylene.
[0042] The filter according to the instant invention can further
include a third filter component, and the third filter component
can be composed of web-forming fibers.
[0043] According to still another feature of the present invention,
a content of the granulate in the filter is between 35% by weight
to 95% by weight, and preferably, between 70% by weight to 90% by
weight.
[0044] The polyethylene fibers may be binding fibers structured and
arranged to bind at least one of to one another and to the
granulate.
[0045] Further, the polyethylene fibers can be solidified fibers
after having been melted, whereby the fibers bind the granulate to
one another.
[0046] The present invention is directed to a method for producing
the above-noted filter. The method includes mixing the first filter
component with the second filter component, forming a filter rod
out of the mixed first and second filter components, heating the
filter rod to at least approximately a melting temperature of the
first filter component, cooling the filter rod, and cutting the
filter rod into filter lengths.
[0047] According to the invention, the mixing occurs at least one
of before and during the forming of the filter rod.
[0048] The present invention is directed to a filter cigarette
having the above-described filter.
[0049] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present
invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure
and the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] The present invention is further described in the detailed
description which follows, in reference to the noted drawing by way
of a non-limiting example of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, and wherein:
[0051] The FIGURE shows a scanning electron microscope image of a
section through a filter according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0052] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiment of the
present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing
what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood
description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present
invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural
details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary
for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the
description taken with the drawing making apparent to those skilled
in the art how the present invention may be embodied in
practice.
[0053] The FIGURE shows a scanning electron microscope image of a
section through a filter according to the invention. The filter is
composed of 90% by weight granulate of activated charcoal and 10%
by weight polyethylene fibers. The polyethylene fibers are labeled
by reference number 1 and the activated charcoal granulate is
labeled by reference number 2. An incipient melting point is shown
by reference number 3, and this incipient melting point of two
polyethylene fibers 2 is discernible within the drawn circle. In
the lower area of the scanning electron microscope image a scale is
shown that extends over the length of one millimeter.
[0054] For producing the filter reference is made in particular to
commonly owned European Patent Application No. EP 1 464 241 A1. In
this patent application the production of a web for the production
of filters of the tobacco-processing industry and a filter rod
production device and the method for producing a filter rod are
described in detail. Reference is made in particular to FIGS. 13,
15 and 17 through 20 and the relevant figure descriptions for
mixing the filter components and forming a web on a suction rod
conveyor. In this way, one skilled in the art is aware that a rod
forming device is connected to the suction rod conveyor, which rod
forming device then, for example, can be followed by a heat
treatment device or the heating step. The disclosure of the
above-discussed EP 1 464 241 A1 is expressly incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0055] The mixing of the filter materials can preferably take place
before the final separation of the filter materials or a part
thereof. The mixing process can, however, also take place shortly
before the insertion into a fluidized bed.
[0056] Alternatively, it is possible to produce a filter rod and
the filters on an AF/AC/KDF machine of the applicant. With this
known machine, filters are produced from endlessly long fibers,
e.g., of polyethylene. In this regard, granulate, such as, e.g.,
activated charcoal granulate, is inserted in the AC module into the
fibers so that a corresponding intermingling takes place. A
corresponding AF/KDF machine is known from European Patent No. EP 0
919 144 B1, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety. The AF/AC/KDF machine is then
designed such that the granulate feed device is arranged between
the KDF part and the AF part. For example, further filter materials
can also be added, as is shown in FIG. 2 of DE 103 52 152.6 of the
applicant. There further filter materials are inserted in an
endless fiber rod or in an endless fiber tow. According to the
present invention, then, e.g., the cellulose ester fibers of which
the fiber tow is formed according to DE 103 52 152.6 are to be
replaced by polyethylene fibers.
[0057] The polyethylene fibers are preferably those of the type
TWR04805-1 crimped with 33 crimps/10 cm, 6.7 dtex or 8.25 dtex, 5
mm length from FiberVisions. The binding fibers preferably have an
essentially equal length. The melting point is 162.degree. C.
Polyethylene fibers of the type Polysteen Cut, uncrimped, 4.5 dtex,
5 mm long, melting point 132.degree. C., from Polysteen can also be
used.
[0058] The filter shown in the FIGURE was produced, e.g., according
to a method that is described in the above-discussed commonly owned
EP 1 464 241 A1. The filter rod produced accordingly around which a
casing material is wound moves through a microwave heater at a
speed of 20 m per minute following the forming assembly. Following
the microwave heater, the casing material, in this exemplary
embodiment, cigarette paper, has a surface temperature of
140.degree. C.
[0059] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided
merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be
construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present
invention has been described with reference to an exemplary
embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used
herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words
of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the
appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its
aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars
disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all
functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *