Patent Application
20120080044
Cigarettes and similar smoking articles typically include a tobacco rod portion and a filter rod portion arranged in an end-to-end relationship, such that the smoke passes through the filter rod portion prior to being inhaled by the user. Commonly, filter rod portions for cigarettes are formed from a tow that includes cellulose acetate fibers bound with a hardening agent, such as a plasticizer. While the plasticized cellulose acetate fibers are effective at capturing contaminants from the cigarette smoke, they are not biodegradable and may persist for extended periods of time.
Additionally, used cigarettes are frequently disposed of improperly. In urban areas, improperly discarded filters result in an accumulation of litter, which leads to an appearance of blight as well as increased cleanup costs for municipalities. Additionally, studies have indicated that discarded cigarette filter portions can require between 12 to 36 months to break down, but, depending on conditions, may also last between 3 and 15 years, and may leave behind plastic residues that can persist in the environment for decades. Thus, a readily degradable and environmentally safe cigarette filter portion is desired.
According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a smoking article filter formed from cellulose acetate and including a wrapper is disclosed. The smoking article filter can include at least one chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, contained within at least one carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the smoking article filter can include at least one chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, contained within at least one first carrier disposed within the smoking article filter. The smoking article filter can further include at least one catalyst adapted to increase the rate of reaction of the chemical composition and the cellulose acetate, contained within at least one second carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the smoking article filter can include a first precursor to a chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, contained within at least one first carrier disposed within the smoking article filter. The smoking article filter can further include at least one additional precursor to the chemical composition, contained within at least one second carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.
a is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a longitudinal section of an exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
c is a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a longitudinal section of another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
c is a cross section of another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of a third exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a cross section of a third exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
c-3e show various configurations for the inner surface of a wrapper of a third exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a cross section of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a longitudinal section a sixth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
c is a cross section of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a cross section of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
c-7e show various configurations for the inner surface of a wrapper of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
a is a longitudinal section of a tenth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
b is a cross section of a tenth exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter.
Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
According to one exemplary embodiment, a cigarette filter having therein at least one cellulose acetate decomposing substance is disclosed. The cellulose acetate decomposing substance may be contained within at least one container disposed within the cigarette filter rod. The carrier may be a capsule or a microcapsule. When the carrier is ruptured, the cellulose acetate decomposing substance can be released from therewithin, thereby commencing the decomposition of the cigarette filter rod.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a cigarette filter having therein at least two precursors of a cellulose acetate decomposing substance is disclosed. The at least two precursors may be contained within at least two separate carriers. Each of the at least two separate carriers may be a capsule, a microcapsule, a coating, a string, a fiber, or a fibrous rod. When one of the at least two separate carriers is ruptured, a precursor of the cellulose acetate decomposing substance is released from therewithin. Upon interaction of the at least two precursors of the cellulose acetate decomposing substance, the decomposition of the cigarette filter rod is commenced.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a cigarette filter having therein at least one cellulose acetate decomposing substance and at least one catalyst is disclosed. The at least one cellulose acetate decomposing substance and at least one catalyst may be contained within at least two separate carriers. Each of the at least two separate carriers may be a capsule, a microcapsule, a coating, a string, a fiber, or a fibrous rod. When one of the at least two carriers is ruptured, the cellulose acetate decomposing substance can be released from therewithin, thereby commencing the decomposition of the cigarette filter rod. The rate of the decomposition reaction may be substantially increased by the presence of the catalyst.
Turning to
Cellulose acetate decomposing substance 110 may be a chemical composition adapted to react with cellulose acetate rod 102 so as to degrade or decompose the cellulose acetate polymers. Alternatively, cellulose acetate decomposing substance 110 may be adapted to accelerate the biodegradation or photodegradation of cellulose acetate rod 102. Substance 110 may further be adapted to react with or accelerate the degradation or decomposition of any additives included in cellulose acetate rod 102. The chemical composition of substance 110 may be such that it is not harmful to humans, animals or the surrounding environment. Thus, any contact with substance 110, or any accidental ingestion, inhalation, or the like would not be likely to induce negative health effects in humans or animals. Cellulose acetate decomposing substance 110 may have properties of a free-flowing liquid, a viscous liquid, a gel, and may be capable of being dispersed throughout cellulose acetate rod 102, for example by being absorbed and transported by the cellulose acetate fibers of rod 102.
In some exemplary embodiments, a capsule may contain a precursor to a cellulose acetate decomposing substance. The precursor may be a chemical composition that does not readily react with or accelerate the decomposition or degradation of the cellulose acetate rod. In such embodiments, the precursor may need to react with, be exposed to, or be combined with at least one additional precursor prior to decomposing the cellulose acetate rod. Such additional precursors may be provided within the cellulose acetate rod in various configurations, for example, contained within at least one additional capsule, in the form of a coating disposed on the inner surface of the wrapper, in the form of strips or fibers disposed within the cellulose acetate rod, or impregnated into the cellulose acetate fibers of the rod. Thus, the cellulose acetate rod may contain at least two precursors disposed therein.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
One or both of first shell 208 and second shell 218 may be formed from materials that impart frangibility to shells 208, 218. The pressure required to rupture first shell 208 and/or second shell 218 may be varied as desired; for example, one or both of shells 208, 218 may be ruptured via application of pressure by a user's fingers or via an application of greater pressure, for example, by stepping on the filter portion of the cigarette. Alternatively, one or both of first shell 208 and second shell 218 may both be formed from water-soluble materials, and may thus dissolve upon contact with water or exposure to a desired amount of humidity. Once shells 208, 218 are ruptured, precursors 210, 220 may be released from therewithin and may then be dispersed throughout cellulose acetate rod 202. As first precursor 210 is exposed to second precursor 220, the precursors may react to form a chemical composition that can react with or accelerate the decomposition or degradation of cellulose acetate rod 202.
In another exemplary embodiment, second shell 218 of second capsule 216 may be formed from a material that is not frangible nor water-soluble. Rather, second shell 218 may be formed from a material that is soluble in first precursor 210 or that degrades or decomposes in the presence of first precursor 210. Second capsule 216, thus, may rupture only following the release of first precursor 210 from first capsule 206 and exposure thereto. After second capsule 216 is ruptured, first and second precursors 210, 220 may react to form a chemical composition that can react with or accelerate the decomposition or degradation of cellulose acetate rod 202.
In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the at least two precursors to the cellulose acetate decomposing substance may be contained within a plurality of microcapsules disposed within a cellulose acetate rod. The configurations of the shells of the microcapsules may be substantially similar to the configurations of the shells described above. However, while a capsule can be situated substantially near the longitudinal axis of cellulose acetate rod, the microcapsules may be dispersed throughout the rod. Thus, an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the at least two precursors may be a solid or a gel-like substance that does not readily disperse throughout cellulose acetate rod 202. For example, at least one precursor may have the foam of at least one solid sphere that is disposed within cellulose acetate rod 202.
Turning to
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 400, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 500, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 600, as shown in
In other exemplary embodiments, a capsule may contain therein a cellulose acetate decomposing substance. However, under conditions near standard temperature and pressure conditions (i.e. a pressure of about 1 atmosphere and a temperature of about 25° C.), the rate of the reaction between the cellulose acetate decomposing substance and the cellulose acetate rod may be negligible or zero. Thus, provided within cellulose acetate rod may be a chemical composition that catalyzes the interaction between the cellulose acetate decomposing substance and the cellulose acetate rod, thereby elevating the rate of reaction to a non-negligible rate. Such catalysts may be provided within the cellulose acetate rod in various configurations, for example, contained within at least one additional capsule, in the form of a coating disposed on the inner surface of the wrapper, in the form of strips or fibers disposed within the cellulose acetate rod, or impregnated into the cellulose acetate fibers of the rod.
In one exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 700, at least one catalyst may be contained within at least one separate capsule. For example, as shown in
One or both of first shell 708 and second shell 718 may be formed from materials that impart frangibility to first shell 708 and second shell 718. The pressure required to rupture first shell 708 and/or second shell 718 may be varied as desired; for example, one or both of shells 708, 718 may be ruptured via application of pressure by a user's fingers or via an application of greater pressure, for example, by stepping on the filter portion of the cigarette. Alternatively, one or both of first shell 708 and second shell 718 may both be formed from water-soluble materials, and may thus dissolve upon contact with water or exposure to a desired amount of humidity. Once shells 708, 718 are ruptured, cellulose acetate decomposing substance 710 and catalyst 720 may be released from therewithin and may then be dispersed throughout cellulose acetate rod 702. As cellulose acetate decomposing substance 710 is exposed to catalyst 720, the rate of decomposition of cellulose acetate rod 702 may be substantially accelerated.
In another exemplary embodiment, second shell 718 of second capsule 716 may be formed from a material that is not frangible nor water-soluble. Rather, second shell 718 may be formed from a material that is soluble in cellulose acetate decomposing substance 710 or that degrades or decomposes in the presence of cellulose acetate decomposing substance 710. Second capsule 716, thus, may rupture only following the release of cellulose acetate decomposing substance 710 from first capsule 706 and exposure thereto. After second capsule 716 is ruptured, catalyst 720 may accelerate the reaction of substance 710 with cellulose acetate rod 602.
In another exemplary embodiment, the catalyst may be contained within a plurality of microcapsules disposed within a cellulose acetate rod. The configurations of the shells of the microcapsules may be substantially similar to the configurations of the shells described above. However, while a capsule can be situated substantially near the longitudinal axis of cellulose acetate rod, the microcapsules may be dispersed throughout the rod. Thus, an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment, the catalyst may be a solid or a gel-like substance that does not readily disperse throughout the cellulose acetate rod. For example, the catalyst may have the form of at least one solid sphere that is disposed within the cellulose acetate rod.
Turning to
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 900, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 1000, as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment of a smoking article filter 1100, as shown in
The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
