U.S. patent application number 11/727713 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for magnetic filter elements and cigarettes having magnetic filter elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Shalva Gedevanishvili, Firooz Rasouli.
Application Number | 20070235049 11/727713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38564043 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070235049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gedevanishvili; Shalva ; et
al. |
October 11, 2007 |
Magnetic filter elements and cigarettes having magnetic filter
elements
Abstract
A magnetic cigarette filter element is provided comprising a
filter material and at least one magnetic substrate. The magnetic
substrate can comprise at least one monolithic ferromagnetic
substrate in the shape of a disc, ring, ribbon, mesh, rod, cylinder
and/or spheroid that is incorporated in, on and/or around the
filter rod. The magnetic substrate can filter (i.e., magnetically
attract and trap) ferromagnetic particles from the mainstream smoke
of a cigarette comprising the magnetic cigarette filter.
Inventors: |
Gedevanishvili; Shalva;
(Richmond, VA) ; Rasouli; Firooz; (Midlothian,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
38564043 |
Appl. No.: |
11/727713 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60787524 |
Mar 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/331 ;
131/333; 131/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/16 20130101; A24D
3/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/331 ;
131/333; 131/361 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/06 20060101
A24D003/06 |
Claims
1. A filter element adapted to be incorporated into a filter
cigarette wherein the filter element comprises a filter material
and at least one magnetic substrate.
2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate is selected from the group consisting of a disc, ring,
ribbon, mesh, rod, cylinder and spheroid and has at least one
dimension of greater than about 1 mm or greater than about 2
mm.
3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate consists essentially of a ferrite magnet, a neodymium
iron boron magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, an aluminum nickel
cobalt magnet or an electromagnet.
4. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate comprises sintered material which is at least 50% dense
or at least 90% dense.
5. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate has a Curie temperature of at least about 300.degree. C.
and/or a magnetic field strength effective to attract ferromagnetic
and/or nanoscale particles being carried by the mainstream smoke of
a cigarette comprising the filter element.
6. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the filter material is
wrapped in plug wrap and the at least one magnetic substrate is a
ring disposed on an inner surface of the plug wrap.
7. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate is (a) incorporated in the filter material (b) is
non-homogeneously dispersed throughout the filter material, and/or
(c) is formed at least partially around the filter material.
8. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the filter material is
wrapped in plug wrap and the at least one magnetic substrate is
disposed on an inner surface of the plug wrap and/or the at least
one magnetic substrate is adhered to an inner surface of the plug
wrap with an adhesive.
9. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate is incorporated into one or more filter parts selected
from the group consisting of a shaped paper insert, a plug, a space
between plugs, cigarette filter paper, a cellulose acetate sleeve,
a polypropylene sleeve and a free-flow sleeve.
10. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the resistance to draw
through the filter element is less than about 5 inches of water at
an air flow velocity of about 1050 cc/min.
11. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the filter element
comprises a mono filter, a dual filter, a triple filter, a cavity
filter, a recessed filter, a free-flow filter or combinations
thereof, wherein the filter material is selected from the group
consisting of cellulose ester fibers, regenerated cellulose,
polyamide fibers, polyimide fibers, acrylic fibers, polyester
fibers, polycarbonate fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyvinyl
chloride fibers, filamentary polyolefin materials, polypropylene
fibers, wood pulp fibers, cotton, flax, jute, wool, silk, ramie,
protein fibers, paper and mixtures thereof.
12. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the filter element
further comprises at least one additive, wherein the additive is
selected from the group consisting of an adsorbent, flavorant and
catalyst.
13. A cigarette comprising the filter element of claim 1.
14. The cigarette of claim 13, wherein the at least one magnetic
substrate is adapted to reduce the amount of ferromagnetic
particles entrained in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette by at
least 10% and/or to change the chemical composition of mainstream
smoke that flows through the filter element.
15. The cigarette of claim 13, wherein the cigarette comprises a
tobacco rod wrapped in cigarette paper, said tobacco rod attached
to the filter element with tipping paper, and the at least one
magnetic substrate is incorporated axially between the filter
material and the tobacco rod.
16. The cigarette of claim 15, wherein the tobacco rod and/or
cigarette paper further comprises nanoscale and/or ferromagnetic
particles.
17. A method of making a cigarette filter element comprising at
least one magnetic substrate, comprising: providing a filter
material and plug wrap material; forming the filter material into a
filter rod; incorporating the at least one magnetic substrate in
and/or on at least one of the filter rod and plug wrap material;
and wrapping the filter rod in the plug wrap material to form the
filter element.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the magnetic substrate is
incorporated in the filter material prior to forming the filter
material into the filter rod.
19. The method of claim 17, comprising forming the at least one
magnetic substrate (a) at least partially around the filter rod
prior to wrapping the filter rod in the plug wrap, (b) on an
exterior surface of the filter rod prior to wrapping the filter rod
in the plug wrap, and/or (c) on an interior surface of the plug
wrap prior to wrapping the filter rod in the plug wrap.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional Application No. 60/787,524, filed
on Mar. 31, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the description that follows reference is made to certain
structures and methods, however, such references should not
necessarily be construed as an admission that these structures and
methods qualify as prior art under the applicable statutory
provisions. Applicants reserve the right to demonstrate that any of
the referenced subject matter does not constitute prior art.
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,191,905; 4,260,523 and 4,258,730 disclose
an active carbon composition that comprises a magnetized material
for the catalytic removal from cigarette smoke of carbon monoxide,
hydrogen and the like. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,615,843 and 5,468,529
discloses a tobacco smoke filter composition comprising a magnetic
filter material.
[0004] The incorporation of nanoscale particle additives (e.g.,
nanoscale catalysts) into one or more components of a cigarette is
disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
10/460,632; 10/460,631; 10/460,303; 10/460,210 and U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2003/0075193, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated reference. To the extent that, during the smoking of a
cigarette, loose nanoscale particle additives could possibly be
entrained in mainstream smoke, techniques to reduce the amount of
nanoscale particle additives in mainstream smoke would be of
interest.
SUMMARY
[0005] Provided is a filter element adapted to be formed into a
cigarette and a cigarette comprising the filter element wherein the
filter element comprises a filter material and at least one
magnetic substrate. The at least one magnetic substrate can filter
(via magnetic attraction) ferromagnetic particles from mainstream
smoke. Optionally, the at least one magnetic substrate can change
the chemical composition of mainstream smoke that flows through the
filter element.
[0006] Also provided is a method of making a cigarette filter
element comprising at least one magnetic substrate, comprising (i)
providing a filter material and plug wrap material; (ii)
incorporating at least one magnetic substrate in and/or on at least
one of the filter material and plug wrap material; and (iii)
wrapping the filter material in the plug wrap material to form the
filter element.
[0007] The magnetic substrate can comprise an electromagnet or a
permanent magnet. In one embodiment the magnetic substrate, which
is capable of filtering ferromagnetic particles (e.g., nanoscale
iron oxide particles) from the mainstream smoke of the cigarette,
consists essentially of a magnetic material selected from the group
consisting of ferrite magnets, neodymium iron boron magnets,
samarium cobalt magnets, aluminum nickel cobalt magnets and
mixtures thereof. The at least one magnetic substrate can have at
least one dimension (e.g., length, width and/or thickness) greater
than about 1 mm or greater than about 2 mm. Preferably, the
magnetic substrate can reduce the amount of ferromagnetic particles
entrained in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette by at least 10%.
The magnetic substrate preferably has a Curie temperature of at
least about 300.degree. C.
[0008] The filter material is selected from the group consisting of
cellulose ester fibers, regenerated cellulose, polyamide fibers,
polyimide fibers, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polycarbonate
fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, filamentary
polyolefin materials, polypropylene fibers, wood pulp fibers,
cotton, flax, jute, wool, silk, ramie, protein fibers, paper and
mixtures thereof. The cigarette filter element can comprise a mono
filter, a dual filter, a triple filter, a cavity filter, a recessed
filter, a free-flow filter or combinations thereof.
[0009] The at least one magnetic substrate, which can be
incorporated in, on and/or around the filter material, can be
incorporated into one or more cigarette filter parts selected from
the group consisting of a shaped paper insert, a plug, a space
between plugs, cigarette filter paper, a cellulose acetate sleeve,
a polypropylene sleeve and a free-flow sleeve. Magnetic beads, for
example, can be incorporated into filter material and/or cigarette
filter paper by dusting or spraying. A magnetic substrate can be
formed at least partially around the filter material (e.g., a
magnetic ring can be formed around the filter material) prior to
wrapping the filter material in cigarette paper (e.g., plug
wrap).
[0010] According to an embodiment, the filter material can be
wrapped in cigarette paper (e.g., plug wrap) wherein the magnetic
substrate is disposed on an inner surface of the cigarette paper.
For example, the magnetic substrate can be adhered to an inner
surface of the cigarette paper with an adhesive. The magnetic
substrate can be incorporated in the filter rod (e.g., incorporated
in the filter material) and/or incorporated between the filter rod
and the tobacco rod of a cigarette. The distribution of the
magnetic substrate throughout the filter element can be homogeneous
but is preferably non-homogeneous.
[0011] The at least one magnetic substrate can comprise a disc,
ring, ribbon, mesh, rod, cylinder or spheroid that can be in
incorporated in, on and/or around the filter material. Preferably
the magnetic substrate comprises a non-porous magnetic material
that is at least 50% of its theoretical density. The magnetic
material is preferably sintered material.
[0012] The cigarette filter element can further comprise an
adsorbent, flavorant or catalyst and the tobacco rod can further
comprise nanoscale particles. The resistance to draw through a
cigarette filter element comprising a magnetic substrate is
preferably less than about 5 inches of water at an air flow
velocity of about 1050 cc/min.
[0013] Also provided is a method of smoking a cigarette having a
filter element comprising a magnetic substrate comprising heating
or lighting the cigarette to form smoke and drawing the smoke
through the cigarette wherein the magnetic substrate filters
ferromagnetic particles from the mainstream smoke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein magnetic beads are incorporated throughout the
filter material of a filter element.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein magnetic beads are incorporated within a filter
element as a gas permeable bed.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein a magnetic ring is around the filter rod of a
filter element.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein magnetic rods are incorporated axially along a
surface of the filter rod of a filter element.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein a magnetic rod is incorporated axially within
the filter rod of a filter element.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cigarette according to an
embodiment wherein a magnetic mesh is incorporated along an outer
surface of the filter rod of the filter element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A filter element for a cigarette comprises a cigarette
filter material and at least one magnetic substrate that is
incorporated in, on and/or around the filter material to form the
filter element. The cigarette filter element, which is preferably
wrapped in cigarette paper (e.g., plug wrap), comprises a filter
rod of filter material and the magnetic substrate. The filter
element can be attached to a tobacco rod (e.g., attached with
tipping paper) to form a filter cigarette. The at least one
magnetic substrate is adapted to filter (i.e., magnetically
attract) ferromagnetic particles such as iron oxide entrained in
mainstream cigarette smoke. A method for producing the filter
element is also provided.
[0021] The term "mainstream" smoke refers to the mixture of gases
passing down the tobacco rod and issuing through the filter end,
i.e., the amount of smoke issuing or drawn from the mouth end of a
cigarette during smoking of the cigarette. The mainstream smoke
contains smoke that is drawn in through both the lighted region, as
well as through the cigarette paper wrapper. Nanoscale particles
incorporated that are incorporated into the tobacco rod and/or
cigarette paper of a cigarette (e.g., nanoscale particles of iron
oxide) may be entrained in mainstream smoke during smoking.
[0022] The term "magnetic substrate" as used herein refers to a
monolithic magnetic material having at least one dimension of at
least 1 mm. For example, a magnetic substrate can comprise one or
more magnetic beads. Preferred magnetic beads can have an average
particle size of greater than 1 mm (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4 or 5
mm). The shape of the magnetic beads can be substantially spherical
or non-spherical. A magnetic substrate can have any shape suitable
for incorporation in a filter element. A magnetic substrate can be,
for example, a disc, ring, ribbon, mesh, rod or cylinder. As is
recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art, the size and
shape of the at least one magnetic substrate can be selected so as
to incorporate the at least one magnetic substrate into the filter
element. A filter element can comprise one or more magnetic
substrates.
[0023] In embodiments where the magnetic substrate is a rod or
cylinder, preferably the length of the rod or cylinder is greater
than 4 times the diameter.
[0024] As mentioned above, the magnetic substrates preferably
comprise at least one dimension greater than 1 mm. Generally, the
field strength of a magnet made from a particular magnetic material
is proportional to the magnet's size (e.g., volume). Preferred
magnetic substrates are sized and shaped to be effective filters
for ferromagnetic particles when the magnetic substrates are
incorporated in the filter element of a cigarette.
[0025] Magnetic materials are well known and the cigarette filter
element can comprise at least one magnetic substrate made from any
magnetic material capable of filtering ferromagnetic particles. The
magnetic substrate can comprise an electromagnet or a permanent
magnet. 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), neodymium iron boron
(NdFeB) magnets, samarium cobalt magnets (e.g., SmCo.sub.5,
Sm.sub.2Co.sub.17, etc.), aluminum nickel cobalt magnets (e.g.,
alloys of aluminum, nickel, cobalt and iron) and mixtures
thereof.
[0026] Ferromagnetism is a phenomenon by which a material can
exhibit a spontaneous magnetization. Ferromagnetism manifests
itself in the fact that an externally imposed magnetic field can
cause the magnetic domains to line up with each other which, in
turn, magnetizes the material.
[0027] The thermal response of magnetic materials is well
understood. As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art,
the spontaneous magnetization within a magnetic material decreases
with increasing temperature. The temperature above which
spontaneous magnetization cannot occur in a magnetic substrate is
known as the Curie temperature. Accordingly, the range of effective
filtration temperatures of the magnetic substrate is below its
Curie temperature. The Curie temperature of neodymium iron boron
magnets is typically in the range of about 300 to 350.degree. C.
Samarium cobalt magnets and aluminum nickel cobalt magnets
typically have a Curie temperature in the range of about 750 to
800.degree. C., and about 800 to 900.degree. C., respectively.
Preferably the magnetic substrates that are incorporated in the
filter element have a Curie temperature sufficiently high to retain
their magnetic properties during the smoking of a cigarette. In a
preferred embodiment, the at least one magnetic substrate has a
Curie temperature of greater than about 300.degree. C.
[0028] The magnetic substrate can be fully or partially dense. The
magnetic substrate can comprise a monolith having 100% or less of
its theoretical density (e.g., a substrate that is about 50, 60,
70, 80 or 90% dense). The magnetic substrate can be in the shape of
a fully dense ring or disc of magnetic material, or the magnetic
substrate can be in the shape of a porous ring or disc (e.g.,
frit). In a further embodiment, the magnetic substrate can comprise
an electromagnet. Ferromagnetic particles can be filtered from
mainstream smoke via magnetic attraction to the at least one
magnetic substrate that is incorporated in the filter element. The
filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate) that comprises the bulk
of the filter element is preferably not magnetic.
[0029] Cigarette filters are made in a variety of designs.
Typically, cigarette filters comprise four main components: a
filter tow such as a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers or paper
that comprise the bulk of the filter; a plasticizer (i.e., a
softening agent added to bind the filter fibers together into a
filter rod); a plug wrap (i.e., a paper wrapper that is used to
contain the filter material); and an adhesive used to secure the
plug wrap to the filter rod.
[0030] Cigarette filter rods are commonly made from filamentary
materials. A preferred filamentary material is cellulose acetate,
which is a cellulose ester. Cigarette filter rods can also be made
from other cellulose ester fibers (e.g., cellulose triacetate),
regenerated cellulose (e.g., rayon), polyamide fibers (e.g.,
nylon), polyimide fibers, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers,
polycarbonate fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyvinyl chloride
fibers, filamentary polyolefin materials, polypropylene fibers,
wood pulp fibers, cotton, flax, jute, wool, silk, ramie, protein
fibers and paper. Cigarette filter rods can be formed from
combinations of these materials.
[0031] Filter rods for making cigarette filters, which can be
attached to tobacco rods to produce filter cigarettes, can be made
by forming a bundle or tow of the filter material into a rod using
a rod forming apparatus. Typically, a filter rod comprises from
about ten to thirty thousand filaments of the filter material.
Conventionally, a plasticizer or binder such as triacetin is added
to the tow before it is passed into the rod forming apparatus.
Furthermore, the tow can be spread and fluffed up, or "bloomed,"
usually by placing the tow under tension and passing it over air
jets. The bloomed tow can be passed through a funnel or other
constricting device and then through a shaped aperture to form the
filter rod.
[0032] The plasticizer, which can be added to the tow during or
after blooming can enhance the bonding of the filaments to each
other at their cross-over points when the tow is gathered. Addition
of a plasticizer can increase the firmness of the filter rod formed
from the tow. The plasticizer may also have filtration properties.
The attributes of the finished filter rod (e.g., filtration
efficiency, firmness, dimensional stability, etc.) can be improved
by curing (e.g., heating) the plasticizer.
[0033] The filter rod can be provided with an outer layer (e.g.,
plug wrap) to maintain its shape. The outer layer can comprise a
wrapping of cigarette paper or other sheet material. As explained
below, a magnetic substrate can be incorporated into the filter rod
such that the magnetic substrate is substantially surrounded by the
filter material, or, in an alternative embodiment, a magnetic
substrate can be incorporated into a space or cavity within the
filter rod. In yet a further embodiment, a magnetic substrate can
be formed wholly or partially around the filter rod.
[0034] Various filter constructions including any conventional or
modified filter known in the art can be used to form the filter
element that comprises a magnetic substrate. Exemplary filter
structures include, but are not limited to, a mono filter, a dual
filter, a triple filter, a cavity filter, a recessed filter, a
free-flow filter or combinations thereof. Mono filters typically
contain cellulose acetate tow or cellulose paper materials. Pure
mono cellulose filters or paper filter provide good tar and
nicotine retention, and are highly degradable. Dual filters
typically comprise a cellulose acetate mouth end and a pure
cellulose or cellulose acetate segment. The length and pressure
drop of the segments in a dual filter can be adjusted to provide
the desired filtration (i.e., adsorption and/or absorption) and
resistance to draw (RTD). Triple filters can include mouth and
tobacco side segments, and a middle segment comprising paper.
Cavity filters typically have two segments, e.g., acetate-acetate,
acetate-paper or paper-paper, separated by a cavity. Recessed
filters include an open cavity at the mouth end. The filter element
can be ventilated and/or comprise additional filtration media
(e.g., activated carbon), flavorings, catalysts or other additives
suitable for use in a filter element. According to embodiments, the
magnetic substrate can be combined with filter material used to
form a filter rod and/or with a pre-formed filter rod to form the
filter element. The filter element can, in turn, be incorporated
into a cigarette.
[0035] The magnetic substrate can be incorporated into one or more
cigarette filter parts selected from the group consisting of a
shaped paper insert, a plug, a space between plugs, cigarette
filter paper, a cellulose acetate sleeve, a polypropylene sleeve,
and a free-flow sleeve.
[0036] The filter element, which can be attached to a tobacco rod
to form a filter cigarette, can be constructed so that the magnetic
substrate is adapted to filter ferromagnetic particles from the
mainstream smoke of a cigarette comprising the filter element.
Preferably a magnetic substrate can substantially reduce the amount
of ferromagnetic particles (e.g., nanoscale ferromagnetic
particles) issuing from the mainstream smoke of the cigarette. A
preferred filter element comprising the at least one magnetic
substrate can reduce the amount of ferromagnetic particles in
mainstream smoke by at least about 10% (e.g., at least 20, 30, 40,
50% or more).
[0037] The at least one magnetic substrate, in addition to removing
ferromagnetic particles from mainstream smoke, can optionally
affect the organoleptic properties (e.g., aroma and/or taste) of
mainstream smoke. The at least one magnetic substrate can change
the chemical composition of mainstream gas that flows through a
filter element comprising the magnetic substrate. For example, the
magnetic substrate can catalyze the conversion of at least one gas
phase constituent. A catalyst is capable of affecting the rate of a
chemical reaction without participating as a reactant or product of
the reaction.
[0038] Aspects of incorporating the at least one magnetic substrate
into filter material and/or a filter rod to form the filter element
are discussed below.
[0039] A magnetic substrate can 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 into a filter rod. For example, a magnetic
substrate can be incorporated into raw filter material or into a
complete filter rod.
[0040] A magnetic substrate or plurality of substrates can be
incorporated directly into the filter material used to form the
filter rod. The distribution of the at least one magnetic substrate
in the filter element can be homogeneous or non-homogeneous. In
alternate embodiments, the at least one magnetic substrate can be
evenly or unevenly distributed throughout the filter rod. For
example, the magnetic beads can be more heavily loaded at the
tobacco rod end, mouth end, or in the intermediate region between
the tobacco rod end and the mouth end of the filter rod.
[0041] In an embodiment, one or more magnetic substrates can be
employed in a hollow portion of a cigarette filter element. For
example, some cigarette filters have a plug/space/plug
configuration in which the plugs comprise a fibrous filter material
and the space is simply a void between the two filter plugs. That
void can be filled partially or wholly with one or more magnetic
substrates. The magnetic substrate can comprise a gas permeable
monolith such as a porous disc. A packed bed of magnetic substrates
can be incorporated into such a void. A bed of magnetic beads can
be located in a space between plugs of a standard cellulose acetate
filter rod.
[0042] A magnetic substrate or plurality of substrates can be
incorporated in a filter rod after the filter rod has been formed.
As a non-limiting example, a magnetic substrate can be formed
around a pre-formed filter rod. A magnetic ring, for example, can
be formed (e.g., crimped) around a pre-formed filter rod such that
the ring has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the
diameter of the filter rod. The radial thickness and the axial
width of a magnetic ring can range from about 0.05 mm to 1 mm or
more. For example, a magnetic ring can have a thickness and/or a
width of at least about 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1 or 2 mm.
[0043] By way of a further example, a magnetic substrate can be
formed on an exterior surface of a pre-formed filter rod before the
rod is wrapped in cigarette paper to form the filter element.
Magnetic rods or strips, for example, can be arranged axially along
an exterior surface of a filter rod, between the filter rod and the
cigarette paper formed around the filter rod.
[0044] In yet a further example, a sheet of magnetic substrate
(e.g., magnetic foil) can be formed around a filter rod that is in
turn wrapped in cigarette paper to form the filter element, or the
sheet can be first combined with the plug wrap to form a laminate
that is wrapped around the filter rod to form the filter element.
An adhesive can be used to secure the magnetic substrate to the
filter rod and/or the plug wrap. Preferably, a magnetic
foil-laminated plug wrap is adapted to be formed around a filter
rod such that the magnetic foil is positioned on the inner surface
of the plug wrap (e.g., in contact with the filter material).
[0045] The magnetic substrate(s) whether blended directly with the
filter material, incorporated as a packed bed, or incorporated
after formation of a filter rod, may be used alone in the filter
element or may be incorporated with other known materials having
gas phase activity such as activated carbon, flavorants and the
like.
[0046] In all such filter element configurations the resistance to
draw (RTD) of the filter element comprising the at least one
magnetic substrate is preferably less than about 5 inches of water
when measured at an air flow velocity of about 1050 cc/min.
[0047] A further embodiment provides a cigarette having a cigarette
filter element, wherein the filter element comprises a filter
material and a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate is
capable of filtering (i.e., via magnetic attraction) ferromagnetic
particles from the mainstream smoke of the cigarette.
[0048] Techniques for cigarette manufacture are known in the art.
Any conventional or modified cigarette making technique may be used
to incorporate the magnetic substrate. The resulting cigarettes can
be manufactured to any known specifications using standard or
modified cigarette making techniques and equipment.
[0049] Cigarettes may range from about 50 mm to about 120 mm in
length. The circumference is from about 15 mm to about 30 mm in
circumference, and preferably around 25 mm. The tobacco packing
density is typically between the range of about 100 mg/cm.sup.3 to
about 300 mg/cm.sup.3, and preferably 150 mg/cm.sup.3 to about 275
mg/cm.sup.3.
[0050] In cigarette manufacture, the tobacco is normally employed
in the form of cut filler, i.e., in the form of shreds or strands
cut into widths ranging from about 1/10 inch to about 1/20 inch or
even 1/40 inch. The lengths of the strands range from between about
0.25 inches to about 3.0 inches. The cigarettes may further
comprise one or more flavorants or other additives (e.g., burn
additives, combustion modifying agents, coloring agents, binders,
etc.) known in the art.
[0051] Any suitable tobacco mixture may be used for the cut filler.
Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials include flue-cured,
Burley, Bright, Maryland or Oriental tobaccos, the rare or
specialty tobaccos, and blends thereof. The tobacco material can be
provided in the form of tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials
such as volume expanded or puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems
such as cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco
materials, or blends thereof. The tobacco can also include tobacco
substitutes.
[0052] Yet another embodiment provides a method of smoking the
cigarette described above, which involves lighting the cigarette to
form smoke and drawing the smoke through the cigarette, wherein
during the smoking of the cigarette, the at least one magnetic
substrate filters ferromagnetic particles from the mainstream
smoke. Generally, smoking of a cigarette involves lighting one end
of the cigarette, which causes the tobacco contained therein to
undergo a combustion reaction while drawing the smoke produced from
the combustion reaction through the mouth end of the cigarette. A
cigarette can be smoked by other means, however, such as by using
an electrical heater as described, for example, in
commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176; 5,934,289; 5,591,361 or
5,322,075, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. In embodiments where the magnetic substrate is an
electromagnet, an electrical heated can be used to delivery an
electric current to the electromagnet in order to magnetize the
electromagnet.
[0053] The following examples are illustrative. In an embodiment,
magnetic beads can be incorporated into the filter material of the
cigarette filter element itself. This embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 1, which shows a cigarette 2 comprised of a tobacco rod 4 and
a filter element 6. The filter element 6 can comprise a tube or
solid piece of material such as cellulose acetate fibers 8 having
magnetic beads 10 dispersed therein. The magnetic beads can be
supported by the cellulose acetate fibers. The tobacco rod 4 and
the filter element 6 can be joined together with tipping paper (not
shown).
[0054] In a further embodiment, magnetic beads can be incorporated
into the filter element as a gas permeable bed. 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 the magnetic beads
10 are incorporated in a space 20 of the filter element.
Preferably, space 20 is free of cellulose acetate. As in Example 1,
the tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6 can be joined together with
tipping paper (not shown).
[0055] Another exemplary embodiment of a cigarette is shown in FIG.
3. Cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod 4 and filter element 6. The
filter element further comprises at least one magnetic ring 30 that
is disposed radially around the filter rod. The thickness of the
magnetic ring is preferably about 1 mm, and can be any suitable
axial length that is less than the length of the filter rod. The
tobacco rod 4 and the filter element 6 can be joined together with
tipping 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 wrapped
around both the filter rod and the magnetic ring.
[0056] Other exemplary embodiments of a cigarette are shown in
FIGS. 4-5. Cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod 4 and filter element
6. In FIG. 4 the filter element further comprises magnetic rods 40
that are arranged axially along the length of the filter element.
In FIG. 5 the filter element further comprises magnetic rods 50
that are arranged axially along the length of the filter element.
In FIG. 4, the magnetic rods are external to the filter rod 44 and
a filter overwrap 46 is wrapped around both the filter rod and the
magnetic rods. In FIG. 5, the magnetic rods 50 are disposed axially
within the filter rod such that the filter material substantially
surrounds the magnetic rods.
[0057] A further exemplary embodiment of a cigarette comprising a
magnetic mesh is shown in FIG. 6. Cigarette 2 comprises tobacco rod
4 and a magnetic mesh 60 external to the filter rod. A filter
overwrap is preferably wrapped around both the filter rod and the
magnetic mesh.
[0058] A magnetic substrate, such as one or more magnetic rods, can
be incorporated into the filter material such that the filter
material substantially surrounds the magnetic substrate.
[0059] A magnetic substrate may be incorporated into more than one
component of a filter element such as by being incorporated into a
void space as a bed of packed particles and being incorporated
around the filter rod as a sleeve or ring.
[0060] The size, distribution and position of the at least one
magnetic substrate incorporated in the filter element either by way
of incorporation directly into and/or on filter material can be
determined through routine experimentation from the amount of
ferromagnetic constituents in the tobacco smoke, the amount of
constituents to be removed from the mainstream smoke (e.g., trapped
by the magnetic substrate in the filter element), and the magnetic
strength of the magnetic substrate.
[0061] A still further embodiment relates to a method of making a
filter element comprising a magnetic substrate. The method
comprises providing a filter material and plug wrap material;
incorporating at least one magnetic substrate in and/or on at least
one of the filter material and plug wrap material; and wrapping the
filter material in the plug wrap material to form the filter
element.
[0062] In preferred embodiments the magnetic substrate can be
incorporated in the filter material prior to forming the filter
material into the filter rod or after forming the filter material
into the filter rod. For example, the at least one magnetic
substrate can be formed around (e.g., crimped around) and/or on an
exterior surface of the filter rod prior to wrapping the filter rod
in the plug wrap.
[0063] Provided is a filter material to which a magnetic substrate
is incorporated in, on and/or around to form the filter element.
The magnetic substrate can be incorporated in and/or on the filter
material used to form a filter rod, or the magnetic substrate can
be incorporated on and/or around filter material that has already
been formed into a filter rod. Optionally, the filter element can
be wrapped in paper and attached to a tobacco rod such as via
tipping paper to form a filter cigarette. The magnetic substrate
can filter via magnetic attraction ferromagnetic particles from the
mainstream smoke of a cigarette comprising the magnetic filter
element.
[0064] While preferred embodiments have been described, it is to be
understood that variations and modifications may be resorted to as
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and
modifications are to be considered within the purview and scope of
the claims appended hereto.
[0065] All of the above-mentioned references are herein
incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as
if each individual reference was specifically and individually
indicated to be incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
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