U.S. patent application number 11/226932 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for filtered smoking article.
This patent application is currently assigned to R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Invention is credited to William Monroe III Coleman, Linda Ann Crumpler, Bert Miller Gordon.
Application Number | 20070056600 11/226932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37663270 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coleman; William Monroe III ;
et al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Filtered smoking article
Abstract
A filtered cigarette possesses a filter element incorporating
activated carbon particles. A preferred filter element incorporates
a filter material such as cellulose acetate tow, and that tow is
plasticized using triacetin. A mixture of propylene glycol and
triacetin is contacted with the activated carbon particles, and
those particles so treated are incorporated into the filter
element. Alternatively, a mixture of propylene glycol and triacetin
is incorporated within the filter element, and a portion of that
mixture is in contact with at least a portion of the activated
carbon particles.
Inventors: |
Coleman; William Monroe III;
(Winston-Salem, NC) ; Crumpler; Linda Ann;
(Clemmons, NC) ; Gordon; Bert Miller;
(Winston-Salem, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company
|
Family ID: |
37663270 |
Appl. No.: |
11/226932 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/332 ;
131/202; 131/331; 131/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/14 20130101; A24D
3/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/332 ;
131/345; 131/331; 131/202 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/06 20060101
A24D003/06 |
Claims
1. A cigarette comprising: (a) a tobacco rod having a smokable
filler material contained within a circumscribing wrapping
material; (b) a filter element connected to the tobacco rod at one
end of the tobacco rod, said filter element incorporating filter
material and having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end
distal from the tobacco rod; (c) a carbonaceous material
incorporated within the filter element; and (d) an intimate mixture
of a polyol ester and a polyol incorporated within the filter
element, at least a portion thereof in contact with the
carbonaceous material.
2. A cigarette comprising: (a) a tobacco rod having a smokable
filler material contained within a circumscribing wrapping
material; (b) a filter element connected to the tobacco rod at one
end of the tobacco rod, said filter element incorporating filter
material and having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end
distal from the tobacco rod; (c) a carbonaceous material
incorporated within the filter element; and (d) an intimate mixture
of a polyol ester and a polyol in contact with at least a portion
of the carbonaceous material.
3. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the intimate mixture includes
triacetin and propylene glycol.
4. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous material is
disposed within the filter element in a region composed of
cellulose acetate tow plasticized using triacetin.
5. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous material
comprises activated carbon particles incorporated within the filter
element in a region composed of cellulose acetate tow plasticized
using triacetin, and the cellulose acetate tow is circumscribed on
its longitudinal periphery by plug wrap.
6. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the intimate mixture includes
triacetin and propylene glycol.
7. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the carbonaceous material is
disposed within the filter element in a region composed of
cellulose acetate tow plasticized using triacetin.
8. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the carbonaceous material
comprises activated carbon particles incorporated within the filter
element in a region composed of cellulose acetate tow plasticized
using triacetin, and the cellulose acetate tow is circumscribed on
its longitudinal periphery by plug wrap.
9. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous material is
in particulate form having a particle size between about 10 Mesh
and about 400 Mesh, and wherein the carbonaceous material is
present in an amount of between about 20 mg and about 500 mg.
10. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the carbonaceous material is
in particulate form having a particle size between about 10 Mesh
and about 400 Mesh, and wherein the carbonaceous material is
present in an amount of between about 20 mg and about 500 mg.
11. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of polyol to
polyol ester in the mixture is between about 1:3 and about
25:1.
12. The cigarette of claim 11, wherein the weight ratio of polyol
to polyol ester in the mixture is between about 2:1 and about
10:1.
13. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the polyol is present in an
amount of between about 1 percent and about 25 percent based on the
combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol in the
mixture.
14. The cigarette of claim 13, wherein the polyol is present in an
amount of between about 7 percent and about 15 percent based on the
combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol in the
mixture.
15. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the weight ratio of polyol to
polyol ester in the mixture is between about 1:3 and about
25:1.
16. The cigarette of claim 15, wherein the weight ratio of polyol
to polyol ester in the mixture is between about 2:1 and about
10:1.
17. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the polyol is present in an
amount of between about 1 percent and about 25 percent based on the
combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol in the
mixture.
18. The cigarette of claim 17, wherein the polyol is present in an
amount of between about 1 percent and about 25 percent based on the
combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol in the
mixture.
19. A cigarette comprising a filter, wherein the filter comprises a
plasticized cellulose acetate tow and a carbonaceous material in
particulate form, wherein the carbonaceous material is in contact
with an intimate mixture of a polyol ester and a polyol.
20. The cigarette of claim 19, wherein the weight ratio of polyol
to polyol ester in the mixture is between about 2:1 and about
10:1.
21. The cigarette of claim 19, wherein the polyol is present in an
amount of between about 7 percent and about 15 percent based on the
combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol in the
mixture.
22. The cigarette of claim 19, wherein the polyol is glycerin or
propylene glycol and the polyol ester is triacetin.
23. The cigarette of claim 19, wherein the plasticizer of the
plasticized cellulose acetate tow comprises triacetin.
24. A method of improving gas phase filtration performance of a
carbonaceous material in a smoking article, comprising treating the
carbonaceous material with an intimate mixture of a polyol and a
polyol ester.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the polyol comprises at least
one of glycerin and propylene glycol, and the polyol ester
comprises a glycerin ester.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to tobacco products, such as
smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes), and in particular, to filtered
cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Popular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a
substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure and include a
charge, roll or column of smokable material, such as shredded
tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form), surrounded by a paper wrapper,
thereby forming a so-called "smokable rod" or "tobacco rod."
Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in
an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a
filter element comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow
circumscribed by a paper material known as "plug wrap." Certain
filter elements can incorporate polyhydric alcohols. See, for
example, UK Pat. Spec. 755,475. Typically, the filter element is
attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing
wrapping material known as "tipping paper." It also has become
desirable to perforate the tipping material and plug wrap, in order
to provide dilution of drawn mainstream smoke with ambient air.
Descriptions of cigarettes and the various components thereof are
set forth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et
al. (Eds.) (1999). A cigarette is employed by a smoker by lighting
one end thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker then
receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth by drawing on the
opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the cigarette.
[0003] Certain cigarettes incorporate filter elements incorporating
activated carbon or charcoal materials. For example, an exemplary
cigarette filter can possess multiple segments, and at least one of
those segments can comprise particles of high carbon-content
materials. Various types of filters incorporating charcoal
particles or activated carbon types of materials are set forth in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,881,770 to Touey; 3,101,723 to Seligman et al.;
3,236,244 to Irby et al.; 3,311,519 to Touey et al.; 3,347,247 to
Lloyd; 3,370,595 to Davis et al.; and 3,972,335 to Tigglebeck et
al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] It would be highly desirable to provide a cigarette
possessing a filter element incorporating a carbonaceous material,
such as particles of activated carbon; which filter element (i)
incorporates a filter material and other filter component
materials, and (ii) possesses the ability to efficiently remove
effective amounts of various gas phase components of mainstream
tobacco smoke passing through that filter element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a smoking article, and in
particular, a rod shaped smoking article (e.g., a cigarette). The
smoking article includes a lighting end (i.e., an upstream end) and
a mouth end (i.e., a downstream end). A mouth end piece is located
at the extreme mouth end of the smoking article, and the mouth end
piece allows the smoking article to be placed in the mouth of the
smoker to be drawn upon. The mouth end piece has the form of a
filter element. The filter element incorporates an effective amount
of a carbonaceous material, such as a charcoal or activated carbon
type of material. The amount of carbonaceous material within the
filter element is sufficient to alter gas phase components (e.g.,
reduce the levels of certain gas phase components) in the
mainstream smoke passing through the filter element. At least a
portion of the carbonaceous material within the filter element is
in contact with an effective amount of a mixture of a polyol ester
and a polyol. For example, at least a portion of the carbonaceous
material within the filter element has applied thereto an effective
amount of a liquid mixture of a glycerin ester (e.g., triacetin)
and a low molecular weight polyol (e.g., glycerin or propylene
glycol). The amount of polyol ester and polyol in intimate contact
with the carbonaceous material is sufficient to minimize adverse
effects of filter additives, such as triacetin, upon the ability of
the carbonaceous material to remove certain gas phase components
from the mainstream smoke passing through the filter element.
[0006] In one embodiment, the invention provides a cigarette
comprising a filter, wherein the filter comprises a plasticized
cellulose acetate tow and a carbonaceous material in particulate
form, wherein the carbonaceous material is in contact with an
intimate mixture of a polyol ester (e.g., a glycerin ester such as
triacetin) and a polyol (e.g., a low molecular weight polyol such
as glycerin or propylene glycol). The plasticizer of the
plasticized cellulose acetate tow typically comprises triacetin.
The cigarette will typically include a tobacco rod having smokable
filler material contained within a circumscribing wrapping
material, and the filter element will be connected to the tobacco
rod at one end of the tobacco rod, the filter element incorporating
filter material and having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and
an end distal from the tobacco rod.
[0007] An exemplary carbonaceous material is in particulate form
having a particle size of about 10 Mesh to about 400 Mesh, and
present in an amount of between about 20 mg and about 500 mg. The
weight ratio of polyol to polyol ester in the mixture can be, for
example, between about 1:3 and about 25:1, more preferably between
about 2:1 and about 10:1. In one embodiment, the polyol is present
in an amount of between about 1 percent and about 25 percent based
on the combined weight of the carbonaceous material and the polyol
in the mixture, more preferably between about 7 percent and about
15 percent.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of improving gas phase filtration performance of a carbonaceous
material in a smoking article, comprising treating the carbonaceous
material with an intimate mixture of a polyol and a polyol
ester.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] In order to assist the understanding of embodiments of the
invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawing,
which is not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawing is exemplary
only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article having
the form of a cigarette, showing the smokable material, the
wrapping material components, and the filter element of the
cigarette.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The present inventions now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing. The
invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout. As used in this specification and the claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a smoking article 10 in
the form of a cigarette and possessing certain representative
components of a smoking article of the present invention. The
cigarette 10 includes a generally cylindrical rod 15 of a charge or
roll of smokable filler material 16 contained in a circumscribing
wrapping material 20. The rod 15 is conventionally referred to as a
"tobacco rod." The ends of the tobacco rod 15 are open to expose
the smokable filler material. The cigarette 10 is shown as having
one optional band 25 (e.g., a printed coating including a
film-forming agent, such as starch, ethylcellulose, or sodium
alginate) applied to the wrapping material 20, and that band
circumscribes the cigarette rod in a direction transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the cigarette. That is, the band 25 provides a
cross-directional region relative to the longitudinal axis of the
cigarette. The band 25 can be printed on the inner surface of the
wrapping material (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), or
less preferably, on the outer surface of the wrapping material.
Although the cigarette can possess a wrapping material having one
optional band, the cigarette also can possess wrapping material
having further optional spaced bands numbering two, three, or
more.
[0013] The wrapping material 20 of the tobacco rod 15 can have a
wide range of compositions and properties. The selection of a
particular wrapping material will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art of cigarette design and manufacture. Tobacco
rods can have one layer of wrapping material; or tobacco rods can
have more than one layer of circumscribing wrapping material, such
as is the case for the so-called "double wrap" tobacco rods.
Exemplary types of wrapping materials, wrapping material components
and treated wrapping materials are described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,220,930 to Gentry; US Pat. Appl. 2004/0129281 to Hancock et al.;
US Pat. Appl. 2005/0039764 to Barnes et al.; PCT WO 2004/057986 to
Hancock et al.; and PCT WO 2004/047572 to Ashcraft et al.; which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0014] At one end of the tobacco rod 15 is the lighting end 28, and
at the other end is positioned a filter element 30. The filter
element 30 positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 15 such
that the filter element and tobacco rod are axially aligned in an
end-to-end relationship, preferably abutting one another. Filter
element 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and the diameter
thereof may be essentially equal to the diameter of the tobacco
rod. The ends of the filter element 30 permit the passage of air
and smoke therethrough.
[0015] The filter element 30 possesses a first filter segment 32
positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 15. The first filter
segment 32 includes filter material 40 (e.g., cellulose acetate tow
impregnated with plasticizer, such as triacetin) that is
over-wrapped along the longitudinally extending surface thereof
with circumscribing plug wrap material 45. Within the filter
material 40 of the first segment is dispersed a plurality of
particles of carbonaceous material 50. At least a portion of the
carbonaceous material 50, and typically virtually all of the
carbonaceous material, is in intimate contact with an effective
amount of a mixture of polyol ester (e.g., triacetin) and polyol
(e.g., propylene glycol).
[0016] The filter element 30 possesses a second filter segment 55
longitudinally disposed relative to the first segment 32 and
positioned at the extreme mouth end of the cigarette 10. The second
filter segment 55 includes filter material 60 (e.g., cellulose
acetate tow impregnated with plasticizer, such as triacetin) that
is over-wrapped along the longitudinally extending surface thereof
with circumscribing plug wrap material 65.
[0017] The filter element 30 is circumscribed along its outer
circumference or longitudinal periphery by a layer of outer plug
wrap 75. The outer plug wrap 75 overlies each of the first filter
segment 32 and the second filter segment 55, so as to provide a
combined, two segment filter element. The production of filter
rods, filter segments and filter elements, and the manufacture of
cigarettes from those filter rods, filter segments and filter
elements can be carried out using the types of rod-forming units
that have been employed to provide cigarette filters, multi-segment
cigarette filters and filtered cigarettes. Multi-segment cigarette
filter rods can be manufactured using a cigarette filter rod making
device available under the brand name Mulfi from Hauni-Werke Korber
& Co. KG of Hamburg, Germany. Other representative types of
commercially available filter rod making equipment that can
suitably modified for use include the KDF-2 unit available from
Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG and the Decoufle unit available
from Decoufle of France.
[0018] The filter element 30 is attached to the tobacco rod 15
using tipping material 88 (e.g., essentially air impermeable
tipping paper), that circumscribes both the entire length of the
filter element 30 and an adjacent region of the tobacco rod 15. The
inner surface of the tipping material 88 is fixedly secured to the
outer surface of the plug wrap 75 and the outer surface of the
wrapping material 20 of the tobacco rod, using a suitable adhesive;
and hence, the filter element and the tobacco rod are connected to
one another.
[0019] A ventilated or air diluted smoking article can be provided
with an optional air dilution means, such as a series of
perforations 92, each of which extend through the tipping material
and plug wrap. The optional perforations 92 can be made by various
techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as
laser perforation techniques. Alternatively, so-called off-line air
dilution techniques can be used (e.g., through the use of porous
paper plug wrap and pre-perforated tipping paper).
[0020] The dimensions of a representative cigarette 10 can vary.
Preferred cigarettes are rod shaped, and can have diameters of
about 7.5 mm (e.g., circumferences of about 20 mm to about 27 mm,
often about 22.5 mm to about 25 mm); and can have total lengths of
about 70 mm to about 120 mm, often about 80 mm to about 100 mm. The
length of the filter element 30 can vary. Typical filter elements
can have lengths of about 15 mm to about 40 mm, often about 20 mm
to about 35 mm.
[0021] During use, the smoker lights the lighting end 28 of the
cigarette 10 using a match or cigarette lighter. As such, the
smokable material 16 begins to burn. The mouth end of the cigarette
10 is placed in the lips of the smoker. Thermal decomposition
products (e.g., components of tobacco smoke) generated by the
burning smokable material 16 are drawn through the cigarette 10,
through the filter element 30, and into the mouth of the smoker.
During draw, certain amount of certain gaseous components of the
mainstream smoke are removed from the mainstream smoke by the
particles of carbonaceous material 50 within the filter element 30.
Carbonaceous filter components, such as activated charcoal
particles, have the capability of capturing a wide range of
mainstream tobacco smoke vapor phase components. The presence of
certain commonly used components of filter elements (e.g.,
plasticizers, such as triacetin) can act to reduce the efficiency
of the carbonaceous materials to remove vapor phase smoke
components. However, the pretreatment of the carbonaceous material
with a mixture of a polyol ester and a polyol acts to mitigate the
adverse effects imparted by components such as triacetin.
[0022] Smokable materials and other associated materials useful for
carrying out certain aspects of the present invention can vary.
Smokable materials are materials that can be incorporated into the
smokable segment or rod, and provide mass and bulk to some region
within that smokable segment. Smokable materials undergo some type
of destruction during conditions of normal use of the smoking
article into which they are incorporated. Destruction of the
smokable material, due at least in part to thermal decomposition of
at least some component of that smokable material, results in the
formation of an aerosol having the form normally characterized as
"smoke." For example, smokable materials incorporating tobacco
materials are intended to burn, or otherwise undergo thermal
decomposition, to yield tobacco smoke. The selection of tobacco
types and tobacco blends can determine the chemical composition of,
and the sensory and organoleptic characteristics of, that aerosol
produced when that tobacco material or blend of tobacco materials
is burned.
[0023] It is most highly preferred that smokable materials of the
smokable segment incorporate tobacco of some form. Preferred
smokable materials are composed predominantly of tobacco of some
form, based on the dry weights of those materials. That is, the
majority of the dry weight of those materials, and the majority of
the weight of a mixture incorporating those materials (including a
blend of materials, or materials having additives applied thereto
or otherwise incorporated therein) can be provided by tobacco of
some form. For example, those materials can be processed tobaccos
that incorporate minor amounts non-tobacco filler materials (e.g.,
calcium carbonate particles, carbonaceous materials, grains or wood
pulp) and/or binding agents (e.g., guar gum, sodium alginate or
ammonium alginate); and/or a blend of those materials can
incorporate tobacco substitutes or extenders. Those materials, and
blends incorporating those materials, frequently are composed of
greater than about 70 percent tobacco, often are greater than about
80 percent tobacco, and generally are greater than about 90 percent
tobacco, on a dry weight basis, based on the combined weights of
the tobacco, non-tobacco filler material, and non-tobacco
substitute or extender. Those materials also can be composed of
virtually all tobacco material, and not incorporate any non-tobacco
fillers, substitutes or extenders.
[0024] The smokable material can be treated with tobacco additives
of the type that are traditionally used for the manufacture of
cigarettes, such as casing and/or top dressing components. See, for
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,419,015 to Wochnowski; 4,054,145 to
Berndt et al.; 4,887,619 to Burcham, Jr. et al.; 5,022,416 to
Watson; 5,103,842 to Strang et al.; and 5,711,320 to Martin.
Typical casing materials include water, sugars and syrups (e.g.,
sucrose, glucose and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (e.g.
glycerin or propylene glycol), and flavoring agents (e.g., cocoa
and licorice). Those added components also include top dressing
materials (e.g., flavoring materials, such as menthol). See, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,541 to Mays et al. Additives also can
be added to the smokable materials using the types of equipment
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,405 to Lettau, or that are
available as Menthol Application System MAS from Kohl Maschinenbau
GmbH. The selection of particular casing and top dressing
components is dependent upon factors such as the sensory
characteristics that are desired, and the selection and use of
those components will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art of cigarette design and manufacture. See, Gutcho, Tobacco
Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972) and
Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products
(1972).
[0025] Smokable materials typically are used in forms, and in
manners, that are traditional for the manufacture of smoking
articles, such as cigarettes. Those materials can incorporate
shredded pieces of tobacco (e.g., as lamina and/or stem), and/or
those materials can be tobacco materials that are in processed
forms. For example, those materials normally are used in cut filler
form (e.g., shreds or strands of tobacco filler cut into widths of
about 1/10 inch to about 1/60 inch, preferably about 1/20 inch to
about 1/35 inch, and in lengths of about 1/8 inch to about 3
inches, usually about 1/4 inch to about 1 inch). Alternatively,
though less preferred, those materials, such as processed tobacco
materials, can be employed as longitudinally extending strands or
as sheets formed into the desired configuration, or as compressed
or extruded pieces formed into a desired shape.
[0026] Tobacco materials can include, or can be derived from,
various types of tobaccos, such as flue-cured tobacco, burley
tobacco, Oriental tobacco or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco,
dark-fired tobacco and Rustica tobaccos, as well as other rare or
specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Descriptions of various
types of tobaccos, growing practices, harvesting practices and
curing practices are set for in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and
Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). See, also, US Pat.
Application 2004/0084056 to Lawson et al. Most preferably, the
tobacco materials are those that have been appropriately cured and
aged.
[0027] Typically, tobacco materials are used in a so-called
"blended" form. For example, certain popular tobacco blends,
commonly referred to as "American blends," comprise mixtures of
flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco and Oriental tobacco. Such
blends, in many cases, contain tobacco materials that have
processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut-rolled
stems, cut-rolled-expanded stems or cut-puffed stems), volume
expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, such as dry ice expanded
tobacco (DIET), preferably in cut filler form). Tobacco materials
also can have the form of reconstituted tobaccos (e.g.,
reconstituted tobaccos manufactured using paper-making type or cast
sheet type processes). Tobacco reconstitution processes
traditionally convert portions of tobacco that normally might be
wasted into commercially useful forms. For example, tobacco stems,
recyclable pieces of tobacco and tobacco dust can be used to
manufacture processed reconstituted tobaccos of fairly uniform
consistency. The precise amount of each type of tobacco within a
tobacco blend used for the manufacture of a particular cigarette
brand can vary, is a manner of design choice, depending upon
factors such as the sensory characteristics desired. See, for
example, Tobacco Encyclopedia, Voges (Ed.) p. 44-45 (1984), Browne,
The Design of Cigarettes, 3.sup.rd Ed., p. 43 (1990) and Tobacco
Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) p. 346
(1999). Various representative tobacco types, processed types of
tobaccos, types of tobacco blends, cigarette components and
ingredients, and tobacco rod configurations, also are set forth in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,224 to Lawson et al.; 4,924,883 to Perfetti et
al.; 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al.; 5,056,537 to Brown et al.;
5,159,942 to Brinkley et al.; 5,220,930 to Gentry; 5,360,023 to
Blakley et al.; 5,714,844 to Young et al.; and 6,730,832 to
Dominguez et al.; US Pat. Applications 2002/0000235 to Shafer et
al.; 2003/0075193 to Li et al.; and 2003/0131859 to Li et al.; PCT
WO 02/37990 to Bereman; US Pat. Application 2004/0084056 to Lawson
et al.; US Pat. Application 2004/0255965 to Perfetti et al.; US
Pat. Application 2005/0066984 to Crooks et al.; US Pat. Application
2005/0066986 to Nestor et al.; and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl.
Toxicol., 39, p. 11-17 (1997); which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0028] The wrapping materials can vary. The tobacco rod can possess
one layer of wrapping material or more than one layer of
circumscribing wrapping material, such as is the case for the
so-called "double wrap" tobacco rods. Exemplary types of wrapping
materials, wrapping material components and treated wrapping
materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,105,838 to White et
al.; 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.; 5,220,930 to Gentry and
6,874,508 to Shafer et al.; PCT WO 01/08514 to Fournier et al.; PCT
WO 03/043450 to Hajaligol et al.; US Pat. Application 2003/0114298
to Woodhead et al.; 2004/0134631 to Crooks et al.; 2005/0005947 to
Hampl, Jr. et al.; 2005/0005947 to Hampl, Jr. et al.; 2005/0016556
to Ashcraft et al.; and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.; and PCT
WO 2005/039326 to Rasouli et al.; which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties. Representative wrapping materials
are commercially available as R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Grades
119, 170, 419, 453, 454, 456, 465, 466, 490, 525, 535, 557, 652,
664, 672, 676 and 680 from Schweitzer-Maudit International. Colored
wrapping materials (e.g., brown colored papers) can be employed.
Reconstituted tobacco materials also can be used, particularly as
inner wrapping materials (e.g., in regions that are overwrapped
with at least one further layer of wrapping material), and
representative reconstituted tobacco materials useful as wrapping
materials for smokable rods are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,074,321 to Gentry et al.; 5,159,944 to Arzonico et al.; 5,261,425
to Raker; 5,462,073 to Bowen; and 5,699,812 to Bowen; which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0029] The filter element incorporates carbonaceous material. A
carbonaceous material is a material that is composed primarily of
carbon, and preferred carbonaceous materials are composed of
virtually all carbon. Typically carbonaceous materials comprise
carbon in amounts of more than about 85 percent, generally more
than about 90 percent, often more than about 95 percent, and
frequently more than about 98 percent, by weight. The carbonaceous
material can have the form of charcoal, but most preferably is an
activated carbon material. Activated carbon materials are high
surface area materials. Exemplary activated carbon materials have
surface areas of more than about 200 m.sup.2/g, often more than
about 1000 m.sup.2/g, and frequently more than about 1500
m.sup.2/g, as determined using the Brunaver, Emmet and Teller (BET)
method described in J. Amer. Chem. Soc., Vol. 60(2), pp. 309-319
(1938).
[0030] The carbonaceous materials can be derived from synthetic or
natural sources. Materials such as rayon or nylon can be
carbonized, followed by treatment with oxygen to provide activated
carbonaceous materials. Materials such as wood and coconut shells
can be carbonized, followed by treatment with oxygen to provide
activated carbonaceous materials. Exemplary carbonaceous materials
are coconut shell types of activated carbons available from sources
such as Calgon Carbon Corporation, Gowrishankar Chemicals, Carbon
Activated Corp. and General Carbon Corp. See, also, for example,
Activated Carbon Compendium, Marsh (Ed.) (2001), which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0031] Various types of charcoals and activated carbon materials
suitable for incorporation into cigarette filters, various other
filter element component materials, various types of cigarette
filter element configurations and formats, and various manners and
methods for incorporating carbonaceous materials into cigarette
filter elements, are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,217,715 to
Berger et al.; 3,648,711 to Berger et al.; 3,957,563 to Sexstone;
4,174,720 to Hall; 4,201,234 to Neukomm; 4,223,597 to Lebert;
5,137,034 to Perfetti et al.; 5,360,023 to Blakley et al.;
5,568,819 to Gentry et al.; 5,622,190 to Arterbery et al.;
6,537,186 to Veluz; 6,584,979 to Xue et al.; 6,761,174 to Jupe et
al.; and 6,789,547 to Paine III; US Pat. Appl. Nos. 2002/0166563 to
Jupe et al.; 2002/0020420 to Xue et al.; 2003/0200973 to Xue et
al.; 2003/0154993 to Paine et al.; 2003/0168070 to Xue et al.;
2004/0194792 to Zhuang et al.; 2004/0226569 to Yang et al.;
2004/0237984 to Figlar et al.; 2005/0133051 to Luan et al.;
2005/0049128 to Buhl et al.; and 2005/0066984 to Crooks et al.; and
European Pat. Appl. 579410 to White; and PCT WO 02/37990 to
Bereman; which are incorporated herein by reference. Representative
types of cigarettes possessing filter elements incorporating
carbonaceous materials have been available as "Benson & Hedges
Multifilter" by Philip Morris Inc., in the State of Florida during
2005 as a Philip Morris Inc. test market brand known as "Malboro
Ultra Smooth," and as "Mild Seven" by Japan Tobacco Inc. As such,
the carbonaceous material can be incorporated within a filter
element by incorporating that carbonaceous material within paper or
other sheet-like material (e.g., as a longitudinally disposed
segment of gathered, shredded, or otherwise configured paper-like
material), within a segment of a cavity filter (e.g., a particles
or granules within the central cavity region of a three segment or
stage filter element), or dispersed within a filter material (e.g.,
as particles or granules dispersed throughout a filter tow or
gathered non-woven web material) as a segment of a longitudinally
multi-segmented filter element.
[0032] The carbonaceous material is incorporated into, and
configured within, the filter element. A typical cigarette filter
element of the present invention possesses carbonaceous material
within at least one component or segment of the filter element in a
manner such that components of at least a portion of the filter
element (e.g., filter additives, such as triacetin) can have the
ability to come into contact with, and adversely affect the
mainstream smoke gas phase removal efficiency of, carbonaceous
material within the filter element.
[0033] Other component segments of the filter element can vary.
Representative filter element segments can incorporate the types of
filter element components, designs and formats set forth in Browne,
The Design of Cigarettes, 3.sup.rd Ed. (1990); Tobacco Production,
Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) 1999; U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,508,525 to Berger; 4,807,809 to Pryor et al.; 4,903,714 to Barnes
et al.; 4,920,990 to Lawrence et al.; 5,012,829 to Thesing et al.;
5,025,814 to Raker; 5,074,320 to Jones, Jr. et al.; 5,076,295 to
Saintsing et al.; 5,101,839 to Jakob et al.; 5,105,834 to Saintsing
et al.; 5,105,838 to White et al.; 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.;
5,137,034 to Perfetti et al.; 5,396,909 to Gentry et al.; 5,595,218
to Koller et al.; 5,718,250 to Banerjee et al.; 6,530,377 to Lesser
et al.; 6,615,842 to Cerami et al.; 6,631,722 to MacAdam et al.;
and 6,792,953 to Lesser et al.; US Pat. Applications 2002/0014453
to Lilly, Jr. et al.; 2004/0261807 to Dube et al.; and 2005/0133052
to Fournier et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/901,662,
filed Jul. 29, 2004, to Gonterman et al.; which are incorporated
herein by reference. Representative filter materials can be
manufactured from tow materials (e.g., cellulose acetate or
polypropylene tow) or gathered web materials (e.g., gathered webs
of paper, reconstituted tobacco, cellulose acetate, polypropylene
or polyester).
[0034] The filter element incorporates an effective amount of a
carbonaceous material, and particularly an effective amount of
activated carbon. The effective amount is an amount that, when
incorporated into the filter element, provides some desired degree
of alteration of the mainstream smoke of a cigarette incorporating
that filter element. For example, a cigarette filter element
incorporating activated carbon particles or granules can act to
lower the yield of certain gas phase components of the mainstream
smoke passing through that filter element. Typically, the amount of
carbonaceous material within the filter element is at least about
20 mg, often at least about 30 mg, and frequently at least about 40
mg, on a dry weight basis. Typically, the amount of carbonaceous
material within the filter element does not exceed about 500 mg,
generally does not exceed about 400 mg, often does not exceed about
300 mg, and frequently does not exceed about 200 mg, on a dry
weight basis.
[0035] The carbonaceous material of the filter element is employed
in a suitable form. For example, the carbonaceous material can have
a form that can be characterized as powdered, granular, particulate
form, or the like. Typical particle sizes are greater than about 10
Mesh, often greater than about 20 Mesh, and frequently greater than
about 30 Mesh. Typical particle sizes are less than about 400 Mesh,
often less than about 300 Mesh, and frequently less than about 200
Mesh.
[0036] At least a portion of the carbonaceous material within the
filter element is in intimate contact with an effective amount of a
mixture of a polyol ester and a polyol. That is, an effective
amount of the liquid component mixture is applied to the
carbonaceous material, most preferably in order that a significant
amount the surface region of the carbonaceous material is contacted
with the mixture. Preferably, virtually the entire surface region
of the carbonaceous material within the filter element has been
exposed to the mixture so as to have the ability to be in intimate
contact with that mixture; and most preferably, all of the
carbonaceous material within the filter element is in intimate
contact with that mixture. For example, at least a portion of the
carbonaceous material with the filter element is in intimate
contact with an effective amount of a mixture of a glycerin ester.
A representative glycerin ester is triacetin. A preferred polyol is
a low molecular weight polyol (e.g., a polyol having a molecular
weight of less than about 200 Da, and most preferably less than
about 100 Da). Exemplary polyols are glycerin and propylene
glycol.
[0037] Prior to use of the cigarette, at least a portion of the
activated carbon within the filter element of that cigarette is
treated with an intimate admixture of liquid components. That is,
the liquid components can be applied to the activated carbon prior
to incorporation within the filter element. Most preferably, the
liquid admixture is a well mixed solution of miscible liquid
components. Most preferably, the admixture of liquid components is
sprayed onto the carbonaceous material. For example, the liquid
admixture can be sprayed onto carbonaceous material that is
positioned on a moving conveyor belt or within a rotating pill
coating drum. Alternatively, the carbonaceous material can be
contacted with the liquid admixture within a fluidized bed, or
other suitable device for contacting liquid components with a
particulate or granular solid material. The carbonaceous material
so treated then can be incorporated into the filter element or
filter element component. If desired, the liquid components can be
applied to the carbonaceous material that has been incorporated
within a filter element or filter element component. For example, a
filter element component that incorporate carbonaceous material can
be subjected to injection, or other appropriate application, of
liquid admixture in order that a desired amount of that liquid
admixture is applied to the carbonaceous material within that
filter element component. As a result, the admixture of liquid
components so contacted with the carbonaceous material can act in a
manner so as to moderate, reduce, limit or minimize the adverse
effects of certain filter element components upon the ability of
those carbonaceous materials within those filter elements to remove
certain gas phase components from mainstream cigarette smoke drawn
through those filter elements.
[0038] The relative amount of polyol and relative amount of polyol
ester that are contacted with the carbonaceous material can vary.
The relative amounts of polyol and polyol ester are sufficient to
provide for reduction or minimization of the adverse effects of
filter element additives, such as triacetin, upon the ability of
carbonaceous materials within those filter elements to remove
certain gas phase components from mainstream cigarette smoke drawn
through those filter elements. Most preferably, the amount of
polyol that is employed is greater than the amount of the polyol
ester that is employed, on a weight basis. Exemplary ratios of
polyol to polyol ester typically are less than about 25:1,
generally are less than about 20:1, often are less than about 15:1,
an frequently are less than about 10:1, on a weight basis.
Exemplary ratios of polyol to polyol ester typically are at least
about 1:3, generally are at least about 1:2, often are at least
about 1:1, an frequently are at least about 2:1, on a weight
basis.
[0039] The amount of the mixture of polyol and polyol ester that is
in intimate contact with the carbonaceous material can vary. The
amounts of polyol and polyol ester additive relative to
carbonaceous material are sufficient to provide for reduction or
minimization of the adverse effects of filter element additives,
such as triacetin, upon the ability of carbonaceous materials
within those filter elements to remove certain gas phase components
from mainstream cigarette smoke drawn through those filter
elements. Typical amounts of mixture that are applied to the
carbonaceous material are such that polyol content of the treated
carbonaceous material is at least about 1 percent, generally at
least about 3 percent, often at least about 5 percent, and
frequently at least about 7 percent, of the combined weight of the
carbonaceous material and polyol, on a dry weight basis. Typical
amounts of mixture that are applied to the carbonaceous material
are such that polyol content of the treated carbonaceous material
is less than about 25 percent, often less than about 20 percent,
and frequently less than about 15 percent, of the combined weight
of the carbonaceous material and polyol, on a dry weight basis.
[0040] The moisture content of the carbonaceous material can vary.
Typically, the moisture content of the carbonaceous material within
the filter element, prior to use of the cigarette incorporating
that filter element, is less than about 30 percent, often less than
about 25 percent, and frequently less than about 20 percent, based
on the combined weight of the carbonaceous material and moisture.
Typically, the moisture content of the carbonaceous material within
the filter element, prior to use of the cigarette incorporating
that filter element, is greater than about 3 percent, often greater
than about 5 percent, and greater less than about 8 percent, based
on the combined weight of the carbonaceous material and
moisture.
[0041] The plug wrap can vary. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,174,719 to Martin. Typically, the plug wrap is a porous or
non-porous paper material. Plug wrap materials are commercially
available. Exemplary porous plug wrap papers are available from
Schweitzer-Maudit International as Porowrap Plug Wrap 17-M1, 33-M1,
45-M1, 65-M9, 95-M9, 150-M4, 260-M4 and 260-M4T. Non-porous plug
wraps exhibit porosities of less than about 10 CORESTA units, and
preferably less than about 5 CORESTA units. Exemplary non-porous
plug wrap papers are available as Ref. No. 646 Grade from Olsany
Facility (OP Paprina) of the Czech Republic (Trierenberg Holding).
Plug wrap paper can be coated, particularly on the surface that
faces the filter material, with a layer of a film-forming material.
Such a coating can be provided using a suitable polymeric
film-forming agent (e.g., ethylcellulose, ethylcellulose mixed with
calcium carbonate, or a so-called lip release coating composition
of the type commonly employed for cigarette manufacture).
Alternatively, a plastic film (e.g., a polypropylene film) can be
used as a plug wrap material. For example, non-porous polypropylene
materials that are available as ZNA-20 and ZNA-25 from Treofan
Germany GmbH & Co. KG can be employed as plug wrap
materials.
[0042] For cigarettes of the present invention that are air diluted
or ventilated, the amount or degree of air dilution or ventilation
can vary. Frequently, the amount of air dilution for an air diluted
cigarette is greater than about 10 percent, generally is greater
than about 20 percent, often is greater than about 30 percent, and
sometimes is greater than about 40 percent. Typically, the upper
level for air dilution for an air diluted cigarette is less than
about 80 percent, and often is less than about 70 percent. As used
herein, the term "air dilution" is the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) of the volume of air drawn through the air dilution
means to the total volume and air and aerosol drawn through the
cigarette and exiting the extreme mouth end portion of the
cigarette. Higher air dilution levels can act to reduce the
transfer efficiency of aerosol forming material into mainstream
aerosol.
[0043] Preferred cigarettes of the present invention exhibit
desirable resistance to draw. For example, an exemplary cigarette
exhibits a pressure drop of between about 50 and about 200 mm water
pressure drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Preferred cigarettes
exhibit pressure drop values of between about 60 mm and about 180,
more preferably between about 70 mm to about 150 mm, water pressure
drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Typically, pressure drop values of
cigarettes are measured using a Filtrona Cigarette Test Station
(CTS Series) available form Filtrona Instruments and Automation
Ltd.
[0044] Cigarettes of the present invention, when smoked, yield an
acceptable number of puffs. Such cigarettes normally provide more
than about 6 puffs, and generally more than about 8 puffs, per
cigarette, when machine smoked under FTC smoking conditions. Such
cigarettes normally provide less than about 15 puffs, and generally
less than about 12 puffs, per cigarette, when smoked under FTC
smoking conditions. FTC smoking conditions consist of 35 ml puffs
of 2 second duration separated by 58 seconds of smolder.
[0045] Cigarettes of the present invention, when smoked, yield
mainstream aerosol. The amount of mainstream aerosol that is
yielded per cigarette can vary. When smoked under FTC smoking
conditions, an exemplary cigarette yields an amount of FTC "tar"
that normally is at least about 1 mg, often is at least about 3 mg,
and frequently is at least about 5 mg. When smoked under FTC
smoking conditions, an exemplary cigarette yields an amount of FTC
"tar" that normally does not exceed about 20 mg, often does not
exceed about 15 mg, and frequently does not exceed about 12 mg.
[0046] Filter elements of the present invention can be incorporated
within the types of cigarettes set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,756,318 to Clearman et al.; 4,714,082 to Banerjee et al.;
4,771,795 to White et al.; 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh et al.;
4,989,619 to Clearman et al.; 4,917,128 to Clearman et al.;
4,961,438 to Korte; 4,966,171 to Serrano et al.; 4,969,476 to Bale
et al.; 4,991,606 to Serrano et al.; 5,020,548 to Farrier et al.;
5,027,836 to Shannon et al.; 5,033,483 to Clearman et al.;
5,040,551 to Schlatter et al.; 5,050,621 to Creighton et al.;
5,052,413 to Baker et al.; 5,065,776 to Lawson; 5,076,296 to
Nystrom et al.; 5,076,297 to Farrier et al.; 5,099,861 to Clearman
et al.; 5,105,835 to Drewett et al.; 5,105,837 to Barnes et al.;
5,115,820 to Hauser et al.; 5,148,821 to Best et al.; 5,159,940 to
Hayward et al.; 5,178,167 to Riggs et al.; 5,183,062 to Clearman et
al.; 5,211,684 to Shannon et al.; 5,240,014 to Deevi et al.;
5,240,016 to Nichols et al.; 5,345,955 to Clearman et al.;
5,396,911 to Casey, III et al.; 5,551,451 to Riggs et al.;
5,595,577 to Bensalem et al.; 5,727,571 to Meiring et al.;
5,819,751 to Barnes et al.; 6,089,857 to Matsuura et al.; 6,095,152
to Beven et al; and 6,578,584 Beven; which are incorporated herein
by reference. For example, filter elements of the present invention
can be incorporated within the types of cigarettes that have been
commercially marketed under the brand names "Premier" and "Eclipse"
by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. See, for example, those types of
cigarettes described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New
Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R. J.
Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988) and Inhalation
Toxicology, 12:5, p. 1-58 (2000); which are incorporated herein by
reference.
EXPERIMENTAL
[0047] The following example is provided to illustrate embodiments
of the present invention, and should not be considered to limit the
scope thereof. Unless otherwise noted, all parts and percentages
are by weight.
[0048] Activated charcoal particles of the type used for the
manufacture of conventional "dalmation" filter segments of charcoal
filter cigarettes are provided. The moisture content of the
activated charcoal particles is about 15 percent. Activated
charcoal samples fortified with propylene glycol, triacetin, or a
mixture thereof, are prepared by adding a pre-determined amount of
charcoal to a rotating mini-pill coating machine. The opening of
the pill drum is covered with aluminum foil, and a small hole is
formed in the center region of the aluminum foil. The pill drum is
operated at moderate rotation. An air aspirator is inserted through
the hole in the aluminum foil, and the other end of the aspirator
is inserted into a container containing a liquid that is selected
from the following: (i) a mixture of propylene glycol and
triacetin, (ii) propylene glycol, or (iii) triacetin. After
complete fluid aspiration, the drum is rotated for an additional
five minutes, to facilitate condensation of the resulting aerosol
of liquid onto the charcoal particles. As such, the liquid can be
provided in intimate contact with the charcoal particles.
[0049] Tobacco burning cigarette cigarettes, each having a length
of about 84 mm (tobacco rod length of about 57 mm and
triacetin-plasticized cellulose acetate filter length of about 27
mm), are fitted into Cambridge filter pad holders. That filter pad
holder does not possess a filter pad. To the other end of the
filter pad holder is affixed, using Tygon.RTM. type of tubing, a
glass cylinder containing a pre-determined mass of charcoal,
dispersed over a known bed length. The glass cylinder is
constructed by filing off the drawn out end of a capillary pipette
providing a glass cylinder of approximately 75 mm in length, and
approximately the same diameter as a cigarette. Either charcoal
(for packing of 125 mg charcoal at a sample length of 10 mm), or a
mixture of one part charcoal to 10 parts semolina (for packing of
25 mg charcoal at a sample length of 20 mm), is loosely packed in
the cylinder, and quartz wool is used to pack each end of the
sample within the cylinder. To the other end of that glass cylinder
is affixed a second Cambridge filter pad holder having a Cambridge
filter pad installed. This second filter pad holder is attached to
a conventional smoking machine using Tygon.RTM. type tubing. Thus,
as the cigarette rod is smoked, smoke is passed through the first
filter holder, through the charcoal bed, through the second filter
holder, and through the smoking machine.
[0050] Each cigarette is machine smoked to a butt length of 35 mm.
Smoking conditions consist of 45 ml puffs, each of 2 second
duration, taking every 40 seconds. Each cigarette yields about 8 to
about 10 puffs, on average. For each cigarette, a consistent number
of puffs are taken.
[0051] The instrumentation and techniques used to identify gas
phase components collected under the foregoing smoking conditions
are essentially of the type set forth by Gordon, et al., 57.sup.th
Tobacco Science Research Conference, Vol. 57, Paper No. 63 (Sep.
21-24, 2003).
[0052] A cigarette of the present invention that is smoked through
a bed of charcoal treated with 10 percent mixture of about 6 parts
propylene glycol and about 1 part triacetin, and configured in a 25
mg charcoal/20 mm arrangement within the glass cylinder, yields
about 1678 total ion current area counts, while a similar cigarette
smoked through a bed of similarly treated charcoal configured in a
125 mg charcoal/10 mm arrangement within the glass cylinder yields
about 184 total counts. For that cigarette, the sample smoked
through the treated charcoal configured in the 25 mg/20 mm
arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion current area counts of about
279, benzene counts of about 17, and acetone counts of about 160.
For that cigarette, the sample smoked through the treated charcoal
configured in the 125 mg/10 mm arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion
current area counts of about 24, benzene counts of about 0.1, and
acetone counts of about 1.6.
[0053] A comparison cigarette that is smoked through a bed of
untreated charcoal that is configured in a 25 mg/20 mm arrangement
within the glass cylinder yields about 1924 total ion current area
counts, while a similar cigarette smoked through a bed of untreated
charcoal configured in a 125 mg/10 mm arrangement within the glass
cylinder yields about 128 total counts. For that comparison
cigarette, the sample smoked through the untreated charcoal
configured in the 25 mg/20 mm arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion
current area counts of about 272, benzene counts of about 27, and
acetone counts of about 153. For that cigarette, the sample smoked
through the untreated charcoal configured in the 125 mg/10 mm
arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion current area counts of about
2.9, benzene counts of non-detect, and acetone counts of
non-detect.
[0054] A comparison cigarette that is smoked through a bed of
charcoal treated with 10 percent propylene glycol, and configured
in a 25 mg charcoal/20 mm arrangement within the glass cylinder,
yields about 2493 total ion current area counts, while a similar
cigarette smoked through a bed of similarly treated charcoal
configured in a 125 mg charcoal/10 mm arrangement within the glass
cylinder yields about 421 total counts. For that cigarette, the
sample smoked through the treated charcoal configured in the 25
mg/20 mm arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion current area counts of
about 360, benzene counts of about 30, and acetone counts of about
220. For that cigarette, the sample smoked through the treated
charcoal configured in the 125 mg/10 mm arrangement yields
acetaldehyde ion current area counts of about 61, benzene counts of
non-detect, and acetone counts of about 1.1.
[0055] A comparison cigarette that is smoked through a bed of
charcoal treated with 5 percent triacetin, and configured in a 25
mg charcoal/20 mm arrangement within the glass cylinder, yields
about 2914 ion current area counts, while a similar cigarette
smoked through a bed of similarly treated charcoal configured in a
125 mg charcoal/10 mm arrangement within the glass cylinder yields
about 403 total counts. For that cigarette, the sample smoked
through the treated charcoal configured in the 25 mg/20 mm
arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion current area counts of about
330, benzene counts of about 52, and acetone counts of about 307.
For that cigarette, the sample smoked through the treated charcoal
configured in the 125 mg/10 mm arrangement yields acetaldehyde ion
current area counts of about 73, benzene counts of about 1.1, and
acetone counts of about 12.
[0056] The data show that either of propylene glycol or triacetin
when contacted with activated charcoal, act to reduce the
propensity or ability of activated charcoal to remove gas phase
components of mainstream cigarette smoke. However, the data also
show that an admixture of propylene glycol and triacetin, when
applied to activated charcoal, does not adversely affect, to any
significant degree, the ability of activated charcoal to remove gas
phase components of mainstream cigarette smoke.
[0057] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawing.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be
limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *